Pinterest

Hey there! I hope you all had a wonderful week! 

I LOVE Pinterest! I think it is an amazing resource!! I have been pinning all sorts of workouts for months now! This week I decided I would try one out. I had pinned THIS workout from fitfabcities.com because I thought it would be a great workout to go. You know when you go on vacation but don't want to take your weights, dvds, etc. This workout would be a GREAT vacation workout. All you need is your a good pair of shoes, this workout printed (or memorized but heaven knows this mama is all out of room) and your iPod/MP3. 

I did this workout yesterday and am DYING this morning I am so sore in a GREAT way! In fact after the workout I got in the shower and could barely lift my arms to wash my hair..LOL! :) This workout was awesome I just turned on my Pandora Pop Fitness Channel (we will get to this in a moment) and set the timer on my iPod for each circuit. It kicked my butt! The other nice thing about this workout is that it can be 15 mins, 30 mins or 45 mins long! Isn't that AWESOME!?! 

Another thing that I learned from Pinterest is that Pandora offers a bunch of different workout stations! Who knew!?! Yesterday I used the Pop Fitness and it was FANTASTIC! I will definitely be using these channels more often! 

My first week back

This week went AWESOME!!! First let me say that I saw my OBGYN this week for my 6 week postpartum and everything went great!
Also I started up with my lolo treadmill workouts! I am easing into it with a intermediate 30 min walk/jog routine. I was able to get 3 of those in and a partial Jillian Michaels workout in this week. I also started loosely countin my calories. Because i am nursing I am not getting to strict about it. With these few changes I lost 3 lbs!!! Woo hoo! I will post some pics soon!

I am back...here we go again!!

Hey there! Is anyone still out there! Sorry I was MIA for the rest of my pregnancy. I just was not as on the ball as I wanted to be. Anyway I gained 55lbs (ouch) with this pregnancy so I have yet another long journey ahead of me. I have lost 20lbs (thank you breastfeeding) so I have another 35 to go. Really I would like to lose 45 because that would get me to my GOAL weight not just my pre-pregnancy weight. Something I think I am going to do this time around is do a photo journal of my weight loss journey. Hopefully I will remember! 

Since I am technically not supposed to really start a 'work out' regimin for another 2-3 weeks my goal is just to walk for 30-60 minutes a day. I tried to start this last week but only got one day in.It is hard to balance two kids and myself but I know that making time for yourself is SOO important. Anyway I am going to run and change and flip on the old treadmill. 

If anyone is still reading THANKS! and I will see ya soon! 

Where I have been...

Well I have totally neglected this blog. I wonder if anyone of you still bother checking it. I guess part of the reason I haven't been updating it is because once again I haven't been doing as well as I would like.
I really wanted to be super healthy this pregnancy but I haven't been doing that well. I finally feel good enough to workout and have been doing really at that but then I kind of turn into a bottomless pit :( today I am going to Costco and am going to stock up on yummy produce and healthy snacks. Also I can't eat out because anytime I do I gain a pound...you think I am joking? Nope! It is ridiculous!
I mentioned on my other blog that this pregnancy has been very difficult for me mentally. I was so healthy before I got pregnant that watching my body change this time around has been hard. I need to get over it though! I lost the 50+ lbs from my last pregnancy in 5 mos.!!! I just need to realize that even if I gain 50 lbs this time around I will be fine. It is just weird because it is not like i am eating horribly but everything just sticks. Lol! I guess I am one of those blessed woman whose bodies just holds on to everything when pregnant. And that is ok!
Please don't misunderstand! I am Over the moon to be pregnant!!!!! Plus I am lucky to be able to carrying a beautiful baby and she is growing healthy and strong.
Here is what is going on in my pregnancy right now:
I am currently 21 weeks prego and Baby Girl (probably will be Elli Sue) is about the size of spaghetti squash (8 in & 1 lb) she is getting stronger everyday. In fact last night Aaron really felt her little wiggles. I am feeling pretty good. I have heartburn,pelvic pain & tailbone pain but other than that we are doing just great! So far I have gained 25lbs. Which is wonderful! ;) if that is what baby girl needs then so be it!!! Here is a pick I took a couple weeks ago at 19 weeks!

Feeling Better

So last week I had my 10 week appointment. I had the nurse look up my weight at first appointment when I was pregnant with Kaci and found (to my relief) that I was currently 7lbs less than I was then. That made me feel a little bit better about the weight I have gained thus far with this pregnancy. I have been a lot sicker with this pregnancy than I was with Kaci Lu. Again, no throwing up just exhausted and nauseous all the time. This has made me VERY LAZY! And I have been eating okay.The quality has been good it's just I have been eating more than I typically would. Remember I am an emotional eater...? :) Anyway at my Dr. appointment he prescribed my Zofran which honestly has helped me A TON!!! Yesterday I worked out for the first time in a week and a half! It felt SOOOO GOOD!!! I also have been eating less-remember I was emotionally eating because I didn't feel good before. Anyway things are looking on the up and up.
Now that I am feeling better I look forward to posting more on fitness & health.  Woo hoo!!!Stay tuned okay. :)

Pregnancy Update

          5 Weeks                                               7 Weeks                                     8 Weeks                                               

   

I just wanted to thank you for your comments on my last post. I am really excited to be pregnant again. I just wanted to update! People always told me that with your second you start showing faster but I NEVER believed it would happen SO QUICKLY!!! In fact I went out and bought maternity pants already! There is NO point in cramming into pants that just make me feel fat!
 I have maintained my weight gain. WOO HOO! I know a lot of people do better eating 5-6 small meals a day while pregnant but I have found this time around that I do better if I have three regular meals with a couple of small snacks! It has really helped. I was running 4-5 miles 3 times a week and doing strength training the other days before I got pregnant but ever since my belly started to jiggle I have slowed things down-I know it's silly but I feel like I am going to give my peanut shaken baby syndrome. I have been walking 3+ miles a day on my treadmill and still doing some strength training. I have been sicker with this pregnancy than I was with Kaci. I dont throw up or anything the exhaustion and nausea. Hopefully I will start feeling better over the next couple of weeks. And I will back to normal again.

OH! Recently I was contacted by the makers of P90X and the said that they wanted to help me with my blog. So if there is anything specific that you'd like me to touch on let me know. I thought it was REALLY cool that they contacted me. Hopefully with their help I can give you more helpful health, exercise and nutrition info!! :)

Surprise!!

Well some of you are really going to have to bare with me for the next 9 months...that is right. I just found out that I am pregnant! Hopefully those who aren't pregnant won't find it annoying and those that are will find the information useful.

So my goal with this pregnancy is to be healthier than my last (remember I gained 50 lbs! YIKES). The first trimester is always a little harder though because of the nausea and hormones etc. For some reason I feel like a gain weight really fast...like 5 lbs! That is right I'm ONLY 6ish weeks along and I've put on 5 lbs! It is okay though I understand my blood and fluid increases etc. Hormones are crazy and let's face it when you aren't nausueas you want to eat something good! I am still working out 4-6 times a week and trying to get the rest that I need. I also just stocked my fridge and pantry with yummy fruits and veggies that I can snack on. I am a FIRM believer that pregnant women really shouldn't be overly concerned with their wieght during pregnancy. Everyone is SO different and every pregnancy is SO different. I may give advice but remember it is only what works for me. Please consult your doctor if you have concerns. Anyway here is to the next 35 weeks! :)

Any pregnant readers out there? If so how far along are you? Do you have any advice YOU want to share!?

Dear Pro Form Treadmill...

Dear Treadmill, 

I love you! You make it so convenient for me to workout. Even on days that I think that I am too tried. You are there to remind me that I am important and need to be healthy. I always feel better when we start our day together. Thank you for pushing me farther than I ever thought possible. Thank you for not judging me on days that I want to go a little slower. Thank you for not caring about my workout ensemble or how sweaty and stinky I get. 

What is your favorite workout item...shoes? equipment? sweatband?

Hungry Girl

Aaron and I LOVE watching the Food Network & the Food Channel! Call it a guilty pleasure! Our favorites are Diners, Drive-ins and Dives & Chopped. Recently I discovered Hungry Girl! I LOVE HER!!!! How does she differ from MOST cooking shows...? She cooks with items I have in MY kitchen, she is looking to cook low calorie, low fat meals, & not only does she cook she shows you how to SHOP smarter & healthier. Plus she is super fun and has a BRIGHT colored kitchen. LOL! This weekend I tried a couple of the recipes she did on her show. How did they turn out....STELLAR! Yummy and quick you HAVE to try them!

Grilled Fuji-n-Chick 'Wich PER SERVING (entire recipe): 298 calories, 5.5g fat, 659mg sodium, 30g carbs, 6g fiber, 10g sugars, 33g protein -- PointsPlus® value 7* Prep: 5 minutes Cook: 15 minutes

Ingredients

• One 4-oz. raw boneless skinless lean chicken breast cutlet
• Dash each salt and black pepper
• 1/2 cup peeled and thinly sliced Fuji apple
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced onion
• 2 dashes ground sage
• 2 dashes garlic powder
• 2 slices light bread
• 1 wedge The Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss cheese
• 1 tsp. light whipped butter or light buttery spread (like Brummel & Brown), room temperature, divided

Directions

Bring a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium heat on the stove. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 4 minutes on one side.

Flip chicken in the skillet. Add apple, onion, sage, and garlic powder. Cook until apple and onion have softened and chicken is cooked through, about 4 minutes.

Meanwhile, lay bread slices flat and evenly spread the upward-facing sides with cheese.

Evenly top one slice with chicken and apple-onion mixture. Place the other bread slice on top with the cheese-covered side down. Press gently to seal. Set aside.

Remove skillet from heat. Clean skillet, if needed. Re-spray and return to medium heat on the stove.

Spread 1/2 tsp. of butter on the upward-facing bread slice. Place sandwich in the skillet with the buttered side down. Spread the remaining 1/2 tsp. of butter on the upward-facing bread slice.

Cook sandwich until hot and toasty, 1 - 2 minutes per side, flipping it gently.

Allow to cool slightly. Then cut it in half, if you like, or just bite right in! Yummm...

Red Hot Apple Pie in a Mug PER SERVING (entire recipe): 140 calories, 0.5g fat, 44mg sodium, 47g carbs, 3.5g fiber, 24.5g sugars, 0.5g protein -- PointsPlus® value 5* Prep: 5 minutes Cook: 5 minutes Cool: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 medium Fuji apple, cored and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 12 - 15 pieces Red Hots Cinnamon Flavored Candy
• 1/2 sheet (2 crackers) low-fat cinnamon graham crackers
• 2 tbsp. Fat Free Reddi-wip (or more!)
• Dash cinnamon

Directions

Put apple cubes in a microwavable cup or mug. Top with Red Hots -- the more you use, the hotter your pie in a mug will be! Cover and microwave for 2 minutes. Stir well. Re-cover and microwave for an additional 1 - 2 minutes, until apple cubes are soft.

Meanwhile, place graham crackers in a plastic bag and thoroughly crush through the bag; set aside.

Once cup or mug is cool enough to handle, mix contents well. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes.

Top with most of the crushed graham crackers followed by the whipped topping. (Use a double serving, if you like!)

Sprinkle with cinnamon and remaining crushed grahams. Voila!

Sweat Belts..

This may be lame but I honestly can't remember if I posted about sweat belts. Have you ever used a sweat belt while working out? I bought one a couple of years ago and thought well it couldn't hurt right?

Now I use one almost every time I work out. I really notice a difference when I wear it-not because it gave me a 6 pack or anything but because every time I wear it my jeans ALWAYS fit better! I guess it just squeezes that little extra little bit of water weight out and I love it! Walmart sells a Golds Gym one that I really like for $5! It's really basic but I love it! 

lolo

Have you ever heard of the lolo app?! I LOVE IT!!!! 

Here is a quick description I pulled of their website:

BeatBurn Treadmill/Outdoor Trainer

our flagship product, BeatBurn Treadmill, showcases what it really means to have an interactive personal trainer on your iPhone or iPod touch. your trainer will be in your ear every step of the way guiding you through a fun and challenging walking, running, or walk-jog program.

features

*36 progressive routines designed for beginner, intermediate, and advanced users

your trainer’s voice guides you through every step of the program

*play your own music or use our 24 included tracks of specially formulated, high-energy fitness music

*you can workout on a treadmill or take it outside

*the beat of our fitness music automatically speeds up or slows down to perfectly match the pace of your    feet on the treadmill or road

*you are in control. you can adjust the intensity on the fly or jump to any point in the workout and your trainer adjusts to fit your needs

*track how many calories you burned — even outside

*works with iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, or any generation of iPod touch

*works with iOS 3.0 and higher

You can check out their other apps or find out more about the lolo by going to their website.

Sure there may be a FEW bugs but I find this app makes my time on the treadmill FLY by! I absolutely LOVE how I can sync it to MY music AND how the app slows down or speeds up the songs to fit with my speed! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this app and would defineately recommend it!!! 

Have any of you tried this app? Do you like it? Have any of you tried any of their other apps? What do you think?

I almost bought the 5k app but after reading some of the reviews decided not to. 

Oh how I love my Reebok Realflex

I love these shoes! Now remember I am a beginner runner and my running is done mostly on the treadmill. These shoes are AMAZING!! I never had to break them in or anything! They've never given me a blister or rubbed at all! I seriously feel like this shoe was made for me!!! Love them!!! Plus I think they are pretty dang cute!

Anyone out there have a favorite running shoe?

Honesty

Okay, here is a dose of honesty for you. I've been a little blue lately...not feeling like myself etc. etc. etc. I think it all started back in November when I realized that I was really not superwoman. This was a VERY hard realization to come to terms with for me. I look at all of the amazing women that surround me in my family and at church and think they can do this or that, why can't I? Working full-time and trying to be a wife, mother, and friend was not working for me. When Aaron and I decided that I would come home again part of me took a GIANT sigh of relief! The end of November rolled around and I kind of gave up watching what I ate, exercising, etc. I was exhausted and I just needed a break. Then I stopped working and was pretty much sick all of December meaning that I made the excuse that I 'couldn't work out sick' (Which is a LIE! In fact I always get better quicker if I work out.). Along with that I made the excuse that it was the holidays so I could 'eat whatever I wanted'.  Well as you can imagine the last week of December rolled around and I was kind of disgusted with myself. I had gained a total of 10lbs and just felt sick. Remember I'm only 5 foot so ANY weight gain goes directly to my belly!

I just kept thinking how all of that hard work creating a new lifestyle was blown in only 1 1/2 months! LAME!!
Needless to say I was extremely disappointed in myself. Hence me not posting for a while.

But here I am January 8th prepared to get back on track! My house is stocked with yummy, healthy food. I have dusted off the treadmill & JM videos and have gotten into a good rhythm with my workouts. The lbs are started to come off and I am already starting to feel better about myself again.

I know some of you are rolling your eyes wondering what this post is really about. Here comes the point. I think that some of us don't realize that living and unhealthy lifestyle really affects EVERYTHING in our lives. It seems like a no brainer to some of us but really until you've lived a both lifestyles consistently you may not get it. If you are unhealthy right now but think life is wonderful I will tell you right now that it gets better! Take that wonderful and multiply it by a million! Really when you are treating yourself right everything becomes brighter and better. I know for me I have more energy  and confidence to love and treat others better. I have more energy to keep things cleaner in my house which makes people at home more comfortable and relaxed. I feel better about my body which sounds like a dumb thing but it really makes me focus on others more because I am not wondering if everyone around me can see that extra weight in my tummy. Not to mention it makes me actually want to be around others instead of hide in my house.

 I could go on and on. Back to my point- if you have made a New Year's resolution to get healthy or to continue living a healthy lifestyle stick to it! I know you can do it! The benefits are worth all of the sacrifice!

So did you make any New Year's resolutions?