Monday, January 30, 2012

SCC Week Four

Spring Chick Challenge (SCC) Week Four Challenge Update:

1.       Commit to a NSV (non scale victory) to be assessed at the start and the conclusion of the challenge.   My size 14 jeans I currently wear will be loose and falling off!  I will be wearing a size 12!!
I did some measurements over the weekend to see how I have done over the month of January.  I lost an inch on my waist, belly and hips.  I was happy there was a decrease, I had a rough week and was a bit discouraged.  I have to look at the positive side of things and keep trekking along.  Over the month I lost a total of 5 lbs.  I am now finally to my pre-holiday weight.  So it took the month of January to work off the months of November and December!

2.       Commit to a set of nutrition parameters and track via MyFitnessPal
o        I will aim for 1200/day and adjust according to my exercise  tracking via MyFitnessPal (add me as your friend—ambreee)
o        I will drink at least 64 oz of water a day.
o        For the month of January I am giving up sugary sweets!
They say that it takes 21 days to form a habit.  I made it 22 days with out candy, cookies and sweet baked goodies.  And I can honestly say I have not formed a new habit.  It is going to take more than 21 days for me.  Last week I was weak!!  Really weak, I folded and gave into cookie dough and candy.  I had a little bit nearly every day.
Giving up goodies cold turkey isn’t the best solution for me.  I think I do better if I allow myself to have goodies here and there and just make sure I track it to stay with in my allotted calories.
I was a bit disappointed that I haven’t lost more with my efforts.

3.       Commit to a set of exercise parameters. These can be as loose or as flexible as you feel work for your personality, schedule, etc.
o        I will exercise 4 times a week at least 45 minutes a session
This week I got in 4 workouts.  They probably averaged 45 minutes, some were longer, some were shorter.  I had great aspirations to make it to the gym.  It didn’t happen.  Both my kids are sick.  Started with coughs, then came the fevers, ear infections and now they are slowly on the mend.  Still sick though, I was really hoping to make it to the gym today!!! I guess I will be doing an at home work out once again!
With my kids being sick, I have had a terrible time keeping up with my personal wants and goals.  I am also struggling to feel well and am fighting off the germies!  I look forward to not giving up and continuing to move forward!!! 
This week for my new exercise I created a playlist on youtube of a beginning zumba work out.  I hope you guys all checked it out!

4.       Commit to blogging at least twice weekly and 1 of those times must be you check in with a complete up date on your progress. All other blogs could include new insights, results of weekly challenges, or just letting others know how you are doing.
Check!

5.       Commit to support... both giving and receiving. Check others blogs and comment as you feel motivated to do. 
Check!

Week 5’s Goals in addition to my goals above:
No Caffeine!!
This won't be a problem for me.  I don’t drink coffee, tea or soda.  I guess I need to come up with a mini goal for me this week that will actually be a challenge. 
How about take my vitamins every day this week!!!
I hope you are all doing well!!  Keep your heads held high and February will be a great month.  I am looking forward to winter winding down and spring right around the corner.
Have a great week!!

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

30 Minute Beginning Zumba Workout

For those of you in the spring chick challenge who are looking for a new exercise to do this week and don't know what to do here is a play list I created on youtube for beginning zumba.  Most of the songs are instructed by tiffanyloveszumba.  Again, I am having trouble embedding things into blogger, so here is the link!

It is pretty low impact, runs for 30 minutes and I think is a nice intro to Zumba.  Let me know what you think.

What are  you trying out for your new exercise this week???

 http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFB92E48586C0E4CA

Monday, January 23, 2012

Hypoglycemia and Your Blood Sugar

I found this video on youtube, that gives a great explanation of your body’s chemistry and how our bodies work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuA3uYS2ws8

Sorry, I tried to embed the link, but it wasn't working.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

SCC Week Three Update:

Spring Chick Challenge (SCC) Week Three Challenge Update:

1.       Commit to a NSV (non scale victory) to be assessed at the start and the conclusion of the challenge.   My size 14 jeans I currently wear will be loose and falling off!  I will be wearing a size 12!!
Yesterday I dug through my bins of clothing that I stashed away post pregnancy, due to not fitting any longer.  I am happy to say I found another pair of pants that fit me from my closet, they are size 13 and very loose.  12’s still are not even close to buttoning.  My determination will get me there!  And I am down another two pounds this week.

2.       Commit to a set of nutrition parameters and track via MyFitnessPal
o        I will aim for 1200/day and adjust according to my exercise  tracking via MyFitnessPal
(add me as your friend—ambreee)
o        I will drink at least 64 oz of water a day.
o        For the month of January I am giving up sugary sweets!
I did well with tracking and water this week.  I really tried to stay near my calorie goal as well.  I did pretty good and it is nice to be able to feel good eating less.  I am trying to get in a lot of veggies and a little bit of fruit.  Fruit isn’t good for my blood sugar, so I try to keep it at a minimum.   I am still rocking my January goal of no sugary sweets, but today I feel weak, and I am battling wanting CANDY.  Arrrrgh!  Only another week and a couple days, until I will allow myself a couple treats.
This week I also tried to steer clear of white flour.  I did pretty good, except for two meals where I was out of the house and I completely forgot.  I am so focused when I am at home in my own kitchen, but it just skipped my brain, when I was out and about.  Even though I ate out twice I still was good on my daily calorie in take.

3.       Commit to a set of exercise parameters. These can be as loose or as flexible as you feel work for your personality, schedule, etc.
o        I will exercise 4 times a week at least 45 minutes a session
I got in 5 great work outs (for the third week in a row!)  I am trying to push myself, and work smarter.  I am waiting for that day where I have lots of energy for all this healthy exercise and eating!  There are days like today where I am just exhausted and would love to stay in bed, but just isn’t going to happen with my two little ones, who need care.
I had my first session with my old/new trainer.  It was nice to have someone push me and get me moving again.  The morning of my session, I felt like I was coming down with the flu, my body was achy all over.  Not a workout sore, but a sick sore.  I debated all day if I should call and cancel.  I decided that I felt a little better by the afternoon and I should give it my best and go to the session.  I am glad I went, but I wonder if I am having a hard time with my energy due to fighting a bug, that just doesn’t want to leave. It is that or my body is going through a process of detox and getting rid of gunk!

4.       Commit to blogging at least twice weekly and 1 of those times must be you check in with a complete up date on your progress. All other blogs could include new insights, results of weekly challenges, or just letting others know how you are doing.
Check!

5.       Commit to support... both giving and receiving. Check others blogs and comment as you feel motivated to do. 
Check! Yesterday there was something wrong going on with Google Reader.  I could read your blog posts, but when I tried to click into your post to comment, I wasn’t able to even get the page to open up.  I was having trouble today as well, so hopefully it will resolve itself soon.

Week 4’s Goals in addition to my goals above:
*Find a new exercise!

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Chocolate Temptations Resisted

So last night I almost gave in.  Going grocery shopping with the hubs is dangerous.  He loves to sneak lots of goodies into our cart.  Sometimes I can talk him out of it, but sometimes I turn off the nag and let him do his thing.

Our shopping trip last night he only threw in three evils: Little Debbie Brownies, Chocolate Poptarts, and a 2 liter of soda.

I had made up my mind I wasn’t going to touch his treats, but I was very, very tempted and weak last night.  As we were kicking back with the kids in bed, he threw a couple of  chocolate Poptarts into the toaster and man the scent that wafted!  It smelled like he was baking brownies.  My salivary glands started going and I was feeling like I was missing out on something good.

I told my husband that I was about to give in and eat some of his chocolate goodness.  He told me to stick to my word and not eat any of it!

I stayed clear of his goodies and had some sugar-free ice cream.  Hardly compares, but I am continuing to refrain from any sweet baked goodies and candy.  Low and behold it is the 15th and I have made it half way through the month!!

How are you doing with your new 2012 health and fitness goals?  What is helping you keep to your guns?

SCC Week Two Update

Spring Chick Challenge (SCC) Week Two Challenge Update:

1.       Commit to a NSV (non scale victory) to be assessed at the start and the conclusion of the challenge.   My size 14 jeans I currently wear will be loose and falling off!  I will be wearing a size 12!!
Jeans are still feeling good.  Even with period bloat this week, they were not uncomfortable like they have been in weeks past.  I have lost a pound in the past week. Yeah!

2.       Commit to a set of nutrition parameters and track via MyFitnessPal
o        I will aim for 1200/day and adjust according to my exercise  tracking via MyFitnessPal (add me as your friend—ambreee)
o        I will drink at least 64 oz of water a day.
o        For the month of January I am giving up sugary sweets!
I am doing really well with tracking the first half of the day, then afternoon evening hits and I have a terrible time finishing my day.  My goal was to track 5 days and I didn’t track 5 compete days, but I am working at being better at this.  Today I completed my day and was only 1202 calories, so I was right on track with no exercise today!  I am doing good with water.  Some days a little low, some day a little more.
I am still steering clear of the baked goodies and sweets.  I have allowed myself to have some sugar free ice cream and sugar free pudding.  It is nothing like the real stuff.  I would much rather have a cookie, brownie or something baked.

3.       Commit to a set of exercise parameters. These can be as loose or as flexible as you feel work for your personality, schedule, etc.
o        I will exercise 4 times a week at least 45 minutes a session (more details to come)
I got in 5 workouts last week. And so we are on track there.  I was really sore, and really tired (due to TOM), but I kept on tracking.  I am looking forward to my first session with my old trainer on Tuesday.

4.       Commit to blogging at least twice weekly and 1 of those times must be you check in with a complete up date on your progress. All other blogs could include new insights, results of weekly challenges, or just letting others know how you are doing.  YES!!
Check!

5.       Commit to support... both giving and receiving. Check others blogs and comment as you feel motivated to do.  YES!!
Check!

I didn’t do so well at the mini challenge this week, I forgot about using my non-dominate hand to eat.  I did try it though and I learned I am pretty skilled with that hand too.  Bummer, I don’t know if it would slow me down!

Week 3’s Goals in addition to my goals above:
-No white flour this week.  I hope to make some whole wheat bread and other yummies (tortillas, maybe pitas).  I have got to re-train my brain and get off my husbands white bread!!
-Continue the no sweets.

Have an awesome week!!!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Good News For The Winner In Me!

 ....side note, I have to quit blogging!  My baby has just woken up!...

I have some good news.  There are several sponsors for the local challenge I am doing. At the initial weigh in I entered a couple of drawings for free training and such. 

I received a call a couple days ago that I won a months worth of free training, gym membership or fitness classes.  I know this is a marketing thing to get business stirred up, but the cool thing is this business is the business of my former trainer (Johnny’s Fit Club Fitness) where I won the challenge four years ago.  A few months after our challenge Johnny, my trainer started this business.

So the short of it all, is I chose the free month of training.  And my former trainer Johnny is going to train me again!!  Our first session is next Tuesday! 

Yeah I am excited to have someone to push my butt again!!

Weight Loss Challenge Accepted

Well I did it, last Saturday I took the plunge paid my $50 and decided to join a local weight loss challenge/competition.  I did a little game play before the actual weigh in.  I loaded up on salty meals the day before and knowing that my period is on its way, I knew I would retain a ton of water, as I usually do.  And I did.  I gained some water weight overnight, but nothing too crazy.

So I am committed.  The challenge ends June 7th (my 4th wedding anniversary!) and the reward for the one with the highest percentage of weight loss wins $3000, second place $1500 and third $500.  For me this is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical challenge.  They have some monthly challenges and meetings from the sponsors of the challenge.  I plan on participating as much as possible.  Here is the PDF brochure for the challenge.

The place where we did the initial weight in was the same place I went for nutritional counseling 13 years ago, Humphries Diabetes Center (for my hypoglycemia).  I know if I can follow the diet I was prescribed then, I have a great shot at some awesome weight loss.  When I followed it to a tee then, I lost 40 lbs (and was down to 125 lbs), I did that in 6 months with no intense exercise, just walks and bike ride here and there.  And when I followed my diet I felt like a new person, I was no longer lethargic, exhausted and falling asleep in the middle of my work day!!!

A picture from way back then!!

Happy Day, lets get moving!!

Size 12 Goal Pants...


Not the happiest looking picture of myself, but here are the size 12 pants I have chosen as goal pants to be able to fit into by March 19, the end of the Spring Chick Challenge.  As you can see I have many inches to loose around the middle.  Darn trouble spot!!!

Let’s Get Moving!

My Christmas Gift!! Polar FT4 HRM


My Christmas gift arrived last week and I have been thrilled with it!

I got a Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor.  I have loved seeing what I am burning while working out.  It has been especially motivating while working out at home while my little #2 naps.

My goal is to burn more with each 45 minute work out.  I know this isn’t exactly going to happen when I am doing my weight training and toning sessions, but it is still nice to have a way to challenge myself.

Happy Moving!

Tagged, and you are it!


I have been tagged.  And I started writing this up several days ago and for the life of me, I can’t remember who tagged me!  I am sorry for not crediting you!! It can be a challenge just to keep up with all of you awesome blogs!

Here were my 11 questions
  1. Do you have a favorite quote or saying, if so please share.
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding” Proverbs 3:5-6  Words to live by.

2.        Do you know your blood type?
I think I am A+, I am not completely sure though.

3.        Have you ever been in a fist fight?
No fist fights for me.


4.        If you could meet any living person who would it be & why?
Dieter F. Uchdorf, he is an apostle of God and an awesome example.  I would love to spend lunch together just chatting.
Here is a link to one of his recent talks: Forget Me Not

5.        If  you won $500, what would you buy for yourself?
I would buy an Ipad to see what all the hype is about.

6.        What is the worst gift you ever got at Christmas?
I think when I was 14 I got an old fanny pack with dirty used socks.  A gift from my step-brother.  We weren’t exactly great friends.  The gift almost made me cry.  {I dreamt about this, after writing this post initially, annoying!}

7.        What is your best feature?
My smile, I really need to change my profile picture.  I think I choose it, because it doesn’t really look like me, I have a fake smile in that picture!

8.        When was the last time you cried?
This morning.  Stressful morning mixed with hormones.

9.        When was the last time you made someone else cry?
About an hour ago I made my 2 year old cry because she wanted to wear her bead necklaces to bed, and I took them away.  We had two near choking accidents today with her (vacuum cord around the neck four times while dancing and sticking a quarter in her mouth with running around).  So yeah, she is making me a little paranoid and crazy today!!

10.     Where would you love to take a vacation?
I would love to visit Hawaii again.  I lived there when I was 18-19 years old and I haven’t been back since.  I would love to see the Big Island and Maui, two places I have not been and show the hubs all the places I visited when I lived there (on Oahu).

11.     Please share one interesting fact that you think people would be surprised to know.
I have two degrees in education (elementary education and early childhood special education) I used to teach special ed preschool.  I quit teaching to be an at home mom.  People ask me all the time if I miss teaching. 
Nope, not At All!!  I love being at home with my kids and teaching them, the most rewarding job ever!!!  Even if I think I am going to go crazy with my active little monsters!

11 Random Things about Amber
1- I love maps.  I like to study them and dream of vacations and road trips.  When I am on road trips I like to have the map out and see how far I have gone and how far we will be going. I am old school, no GPS for me (at the moment).
2- I was a nanny for many families.  I nannied on the east coast (D.C.), west coast (PaloAlto, CA), Hawaii and Idaho.  I paid for all of my college by being a nanny.
3-  When I first met my husband, I could not stand him.  He drove me crazy.  When we went on our first date I couldn’t believe that we actually had so much in common that I needed to check this guy out more!
4-  I almost drowned once while kayaking the Salmon river.  Everything turned out okay, but I was pretty scared.
5- Since becoming a wife and mother (and gaining 60+ lbs) I have had a hard time finding my new identity.
6- I like rocks. Small pebbles, big boulders.  I just like rocks.  I like to climb them, and collect them although it has been a long time since I have picked up any rocks.  I think I need to get out side more!
7- I love to garden, up until it gets really hot out in the summer.  Then the garden always suffers L
8- I used to be an avid biker (cyclist).  My favorite brand of bikes are Cannondales.  I currently have a Trek road bike and an Electra cruiser.  I hope to start biking again now that my kids are a little bigger and fit a little better in the bike trailer.
9- My parents are divorced and my mom remarried our blended family totaled 11 kids.  We lived in a 3 bedroom house for a couple years, all the kids shared one bathroom.  Talk about crazy times.
10- I worked at Taco Bell at a teenager and had never really eaten there before I started working there.
11- Chocolate Chip cookies are me weakness!


Here are the rules:
1. Post these rules.
2. You must post 11 random things yourself.
3. Answer the questions the tag­ger set for you in their post.
4. Create 11 new ques­tions for the peo­ple you tag to answer.
5. Go to their blog and tell them that you've tagged them.
6. No stuff in the tag­ging sec­tion about ‘you are tagged if you are read­ing this.’ blah blah blah, you actually have to tag 11 peeps!
I am breaking the rules…. If you have not been tagged yet, consider yourself tagged, I would love to learn more about you!  There you are!

Here are your questions…

1-    What is something you are proud of accomplishing?
2-    Where is the furthest place you have visited from “home”?
3-    What is one thing you want to accomplish by summer?
4-    What is your favorite way to exercise?
5-    Do you have a hobby that defines you? If so, what?
6-    Have you had any encounters with a famous person?
7-    Where is the last place you drove your car to, besides home or work?
8-    What personality trait do you seek to have?
9-     What is the best day of the week, why?
10.When is the last time you went for a walk, just to enjoy the scenery?
11- What was your favorite childhood toy or activity?

Have a Great Day!!!

Monday, January 9, 2012

SCC Week One Update


Spring Chick Challenge (SCC)
Week One Challenge Update:

1.       Commit to a NSV (non scale victory) to be assessed at the start and the conclusion of the challenge.   My size 14 jeans I currently wear will be loose and falling off!  I will be wearing a size 12!!
I am currently wearing my size 14 jeans and I have to say, the holiday bloat is subsiding.  Hoorah!! They fit much better today than they did even a week ago!  Exciting!  I tried on my 12’s today and took a picture.  I have some serious work to do.  I am happy to be moving, to get them back on my body!

2.       Commit to a set of nutrition parameters and track via MyFitnessPal
o        I will aim for 1200/day and adjust according to my exercise  tracking via MyFitnessPal (add me as your friend—ambreee)
o        I will drink at least 64 oz of water a day.
o        For the month of January I am giving up sugary sweets!
I started out the week great at tracking, I choose not to the last couple of days.  My goal this week is to track at least 5 days.  I am doing great on the water.  I am also doing good at giving up sugary sweets.  I have had no baked goods or candy.  For me, it is a huge success.

3.       Commit to a set of exercise parameters. These can be as loose or as flexible as you feel work for your personality, schedule, etc.
o        I will exercise 4 times a week at least 45 minutes a session (more details to come)
I got in 5 workouts last week.  I went to the gym 4 times and got in a solid 45 minutes and made an attempt to workout at home while my kids were around and it was a feeble attempt to burn calories.  My kids were all over me.  Not the greatest workout, but I am moving along!

4.       Commit to blogging at least twice weekly and 1 of those times must be you check in with a complete up date on your progress. All other blogs could include new insights, results of weekly challenges, or just letting others know how you are doing.  YES!!
I have got in a few blog posts and for me that is a big improvement.  Life gets the best of me sometimes and blogging gets put on the back burner.

5.       Commit to support... both giving and receiving. Check others blogs and comment as you feel motivated to do.  YES!!
I have commented on several blogs.  I tried putting all of the challengers blogs on my sidebar, but I had technical difficulties and it never happened.  I got frustrated after my third attempt.  I have several other challengers in my google reader, and I will work on supporting my fellow challengers.

A great week one, let’s go ladies!! Keep it up!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Weight Loss Goal Rewards..

I got in a little bit of a slump last year of not really caring about my weight loss anymore.  I am not sure what triggered it, but I decided to re-visit my rewards for weight loss.  I was rewarding myself every 10 pounds, and I decided I needed a little lift more often, so I have revised my list and changed my goal gifts to every 5 pounds now.


Here is my updated weight loss goal rewards:


Aspire
Reach.
Work..

209: Yesterday
199: hair trim
189: pedicure
184: Color Hair
179: Bedroom makeover
174: New piece of workout equip.
169: Weekend Road Trip
164: Hair Cut
159: Pedicure (down 50 lbs)
154: Family Pictures
149: New outfit
144: Energetic Body Wrap
139: New Book
134: Manicure
129: special vacation (down 80 lbs)

Happy 2012ing!

Monday, January 2, 2012

Challenge for $$ Reflections

I am debating about joining a local weight loss challenge.  It begins this Saturday and goes through June 8th (my wedding anniversary!).  The first place prize is $3000.  If I could drop my sugar habit for six months, it is possible I could win this challenge.  I am a winner you know???!!!

Four years ago I joined a fitness challenge at my gym.  I was determined, I was motivated.  It was a six week challenge and was measured by the greatest amount of fat percentage lost.  There were only 8 people who participated, but I did have tough competition.  I don’t remember all the details and numbers, but I do remember only loosing around 5lbs.  But I lost 10% of my body fat and won the challenge!  It was a great boost in my roller coaster of adventure. Here are my before and after pictures from the challenge.


I have always wanted to be trim and fit and have taken great efforts to do so.  It has always been a challenge to keep my weight at bay, but since I have had kids, it has been even more difficult.  The body I once cursed and felt like it was oh, so large, I would love to return to today.  Perspective!

So if I join this challenge.  I would like to return to the 150lb beauty, I was four years ago. 

I am a numbers person.  I looked up the past two years winners of this challenge and one lost 30% of her body weight and the other lost 26%.

For me to drop 30% I would be at my ideal weight of 140lbs.  Can I get it accomplished  by June 8th?  It is possible, but being a mom now, can I do it???  I know I can do it, I am just not sure how the road there will look exactly.  Dropping everything and going to the gym doesn’t exactly work with two toddlers who need a lot of attention from mom.  Even when I plan it into our day, things come up (teething, sickness, need of a nap or just plain cranky! All of which seem to happen a lot in my life!).

Oh decisions, decisions!  Maybe if I could make a goal of what I would do with the $3000.  The possibilities are endless.  A new camera housing for my 50mm Nikor lens.  A cruise vacation with the hubs to Alaska.  A nice little nest egg for the kid’s savings accounts.  Or maybe a special trip shopping and to the spa, ahh... a day of relaxation. 

I have almost talked myself into the challenge.  We will see what happens between now and Saturday.  It costs $50.00, so for me if I drop the money on the table I will need to commit to make it worth it.  Of coarse I aim to win if I join, but I do know that the ultimate winnings are a healthier, leaner more in shape body!  If I can get my sugar habits under control this is very possible!!!

Any advice or words or encouragement are welcomed!

Happy 2012ing!