I'm Back and Maybe New & Improved(???)

It has been a loooong time since I've logged on and posted something. But I just hadn't been motivated and it seems like life just got in the way (although I'm not quite sure what got in the way of what but you get the point). Over the last two months I have just kind of given up and not really cared and unfortunately my lack of ambition resulted in a 7 pound weight gain (but more on that later). Then this last week I had an epiphany. I was starting to feel really tired, and depressed, and just over all unhappy with my life and I realized that I just felt UNHEALTHY! So I made myself the commitment to get back to the gym.

GOALS
When I was really starting to think about what goals I want to accomplish this time around (isn't it like 300x the charm or something??) I realized that losing a certain number of pounds just doesn't work for me. I have A LOT of weight to lose (but once again more on that later) and when I see the number on the scale go up (or not change at all) I get really down on myself and that's when I give up. Now that's not to say that I won't weigh myself anymore -- because how else would I track progress??? BUT my ultimate goal is to walk for a half an hour a day for 3 weeks. Once I reach the 3 week mark I'll look at where I'm at and maybe change my goal. 

I really need to start eating healthier too (that's a big part of the 7 pound gain too) but I can't just do an overhaul of my diet and expect it to stick -- I know me IT WON'T STICK! Soooo....I've decided for a 3 week period that I'll change one thing about my diet. My goal for the first 3 weeks is too drink more water. I think you're supposed to drink half of your body weight in water a day (don't quote me on that I haven't looked it up since reading it the first time) -- so for me that would be 143 oz. so I guess I better start drinking up :)

TODAY
I can honestly say that I did not reach the water goal. So we won't even talk about that.

I did make it to the gym though!! I walked for my alotted half an hour and walked a total of 1 1/2 miles! I'm really proud of myself because it has been a while since I've gone so to walk that far on the track is a big accomplishment I think (although I'm pretty sure my feet hate me). So for today I get a gold star (YAY me!)

WEIGH IN

OK so this is a really brave moment for me because I never tell anyone what I weigh but today my weight was: 286.5

TUNES!

I like knowing what other people like to listen to at the gym (I'm nosy I can't help it) so I figure I would share my playlist for the day with you!

1. L.O.V.E. by Ashlee Simpson Gotta dig the old Ashlee Simpson lipsynching days.
2. Airplanes (Part II) by B.O.B.**SINGING** Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars...
3. Single Ladies by Beyonce
   You know you love it.
4. Undo It by Carrie Underwood
   Total chick kick butt song
5. I Drove All Night by Celine Dion
6. Ain't No Other Man by Christina Aguilera
   Xtina is AMAZING to work out too
7. Clumsy by Fergie
8. Amazing Grace by Josh Wilson
   Only instrumental but great to cool down too.

January's Fab Five!

So this post will be totally off normal topic (a little bit) and mostly about things that I just really loved this past month. This is also kind of inspired by all of those monthly favorite videos on youtube (seriously you should check them out they are addicting!). Hope you all enjoy I will try to make this part of the routine but we all know how good I am at sticking to a schedule ;)

1. Chocolate Cheerios
   These are totally a grown up version of Cocoa Puffs complete with chocolate milk when you finish the bowl. I have completely fallen in love with these and not only eat them for breakfast but also for a snack when I'm in desperate need for a chocolate fix.
   
2. Ocean Spray Blueberry JuiceI have just recently discovered just how yummy blueberries really are. For the longest time I avoided the little blue fruities just based on their intimidating color (seriously how many blue foods do you see on a daily basis!?) but now that I've discovered them I can't get enough! The Ocean Spray commercials are also a total guilty pleasure for me so when I saw the commercial for blueberry juice I knew that I had to try it and I love it! They also make a diet version which isn't too bad. If you've somehow never seen one of the Ocean Spray commercials I will post a video below in the link section and you should definetly check it out!
   
3. Fuzzy SocksI live in the midwest and it gets REALLY cold in the winter and my feet are always the first things to freeze, so needless to say I have acquired a collection of fuzzy socks to keep my tootsies warm and cozy all winter long. Bath & Body Works has really nice ones that are scent infused so you get a dose of relaxation as you go throughout your day and Target has really cute slipper socks for holidays (my faves are the love bug ones for Valentine's Day)
   
4. The Shopaholic series by Sophie KinsellaI am a self professed shopaholic so naturally this series appeals to me. There are a total of six books so far and they are AWESOME! They are quick and easy to read and are totally witty and funny too. Sophie Kinsella also has some non series books out too and they are just as good but my set of Shopaholic books have been well loved for a few years now and will be continued to be loved for more ot come.
   
5. Vampire DiariesOK so this one is kind of cheating considering that for much of January Vampire Diaries was off air or just showing reruns due to mid-season break, but just last week they came back and I am sooo excited! And I know I am addicted considering that I totally gave up American Idol for the Vampire Diaries (seriously what were they thinking airing on the same night!?) If you've never seen an episode you can get caught up pretty quickly online and the first season is out on DVD. You can also read the books by LJ Smith which inspired the TV series they are pretty good too but a little on the trippy side.

LINKS

Ocean Spray commercial

• Bath & Body Works socks
• Amazon.com
• Sophie Kinsella
• LJ Smith
• Vampire Diaries website at CW

Boo to the Flu!

So I have the flu and it sucks!

Anyway, I haven't worked out all week (or last week) because well I've been sick. Last week work just got so crazy and I got so stressed out that instead of using the healthy steps I know I need to do I just caved and hid out at home to escape it all.

On the plus side I have lost 4 pounds (YAY) which makes me really excited and optimisic about things to come.
I know that this is super short and not very infomative but it's been a little while since I posted so there ya go!

Take Care :)

Ow My Eye!

So I have a stye in my eye..I think.. All yesterday my eye hurt and then when I woke up today it was all puffy and swollen :( The swelling has gone down so I think I should be able to go to work today but I may call my boss just to see what she wants me to do.

ANYWAY

I completed my second workout of the week yesterday (shocking everyone including myself). I was all prepared to do the walk 10 minutes, elpitical 10 minutes, and then finish with another 10 minute walk. WELL..that didn't happen. When I arrived at the gym I saw signs up everywhere promoting a half marathon that was taking place at that time.

I DID NOT DO THE HALF MARATHON (just want to make that clear)

Instead I hopped on the elpitcal and completed a 15 minute workout. The marathon was just about done when I was finished and there were some non-marathoners walking the track so I decided to hop on the track. I only walked for about 10 minutes and then headed on home all happy and pretty proud that I completed my two workout goal for the week even if they weren't on Monday and Wednesday like I originally planned.

THE PLAYLIST

London Bridge by Fergie
God Save the Foolish Kings by House of Heroes
In My Head by Jason Derulo
Ridin' Solo by Jason Derulo
SexyBack by Justin Timberlake
Blah Blah Blah by Ke$ha

Hope everyone has a happy (and healthy) week :)

Snow Day!

So yesterday I did not make it to the gym like planned because well I got snowed in. BUT, I did spend about 20 minutes helping shovel the sidewalks and then today when there was ANOTHER snowday (one of the joys of being a preschool teacher) I did make it to the gym. I walked around the half an hour and walked a little over a mile and a half. Needless to say I was pretty proud of myself :)

I wanted to post some pictures of the snow but my camera decided to play hide and go seek so once I find it I will take some pics and then post them here for all to see.

Todays Playlist

***Be warned some of these songs contain explicit (GASP) lyrics so if you are easily offended I wouldn't look those marked with (*) up to listen too***

Past My Shades by B.O.B.
Magic by B.O.B
Seduction by Eminem*
Cinderella Man by Eminem*
So Bad by Eminem*
Not Afraid by Eminem
Rock & Roll by Eric Hutchinson

Get Up and Get Moving!

This post is all about resolution #2 (if you haven't read my resolutions and would like to you can find them here).

I actually started working on this one last week although I didn't  really reach my goal of working out 2x a week because I got asked to babysit (although I think chasing around a 4yr old and a 3mo old should totally count as cardio).

ANYWAY...

THE PLAN

So most research says it takes at least 21 days to form a new habit so the grand plan is that for the next 21 days (that would be until January 30) I am going to make myself a new habit ---YAY!!   My plan originally was to incorporate two at home low impact workouts into my weekly routine but then I found out that my family did NOT cancel our gym membership like I had thought and with my new fabulous job and work schedule I can actually go to the gym before it gets dark (double YAY)!

SO...

My goal is to obviously workout twice a week -- Mondays and Wednesdays in case your wondering. On Mondays I'm still kind of lazy from the weekend so I think that I'll go and walk the track and try to work my way back up to two miles in a half an hour. On Wednesdays I'm  a little more motivated so I'll do both walking and the eliptical, my goal is to eventually phase out most of the walking on Wednesdays (except for warm up and cool down) and do the majority of the workout on the eliptical but right now I know that's not going to happen. At the end of the 21 days I'll see how I feel and either continue with that routine or add an extra day to the routine.

On a side note I used to add my workout playlist to my daily workout posts (when I remembered to post) do you all think that's still a good idea or is it annoying and nobody really cares....I need some help making that decision! Leave a comment and let me know :-)

Book Rave!

So, I promised that I would review/rave about a recent self-help weight loss book and I'm actually keeping my promise!

This is a book that I've mentioned before (you can read it here) but I've finally finished reading so I figured now is a better time than ever to rave about it.

Secrets of a Former Fat Girl by Lisa Delaney

This book is obviously marketed towards women, but men could totally read it and get some useful information (granted you may want to ignore the bits about shopping for the perfect bra and eating healthy during pregnancy) too. One of the things I LOOOVED about this book is that it isn't the typical "diet" book that tells you to eat all of these organic unprocessed foods and just pretend that Twinkies don't exist. Instead it is more of book with helpful tips and really insightful realizations about the struggles to lose weight. It also gets bonus points by being written by a "former fat girl" and not some teeny tiny nutritionist who doesn't know what it feels like when an adorable dress doesn't look quite so adorable on.

Throught the chapters or secrets there are gray boxes with extra helpful tips that reinforce what the chapter is about. These are also totally awesome for molding together and getting you jumpstarted on your way to being a former fat girl (or guy). And there are tips on EVERYTHING! Not just tips for healthy eating and exercise benefits but also buying clothes, dealing with friends and family who may be a little less than supportive, and to just plain stepping out of your comfort zone. This really is a good book and it will make you laugh and see that losing weight really is possible.

Link Time!

• I got my copy at Barnes & Noble but you can also find it here (they also have a Kindle edition)
• Lisa Delaney's website

If you've read this book or any other really good motivating books please let me know!