Just do it!

May 16, 2013 By 5 Comments

So before I get into talking about What you should “Just do” let me start with the nitty gritty here. This week I lost .04 for a total of -4.6 since applying. Of course I would love to loose weight an ass cheek at a time, but certain people (Leah and Mark) keep telling me this is the healhty way to do it. Blah blah blah. Just kidding. I know that in reality this is a life style change not a crash diet so I am happy with that. Below is the standard feet on the scale pic and weight chart for you.

scale

I seriously need a pedi-you all must be sick of my blue polish by now!

Date Weight Weekly Loss Total Loss
Application 227 -
2-WeekChallenge 229 _ +2.0
Start of Campaign 227.4 -1.6 +.04
April 19th 224.6 -2.8 -2.4
April 26th 223.00 -1.6 -4
May 5th 222.8 -.02 -4.2
May 12th 222.4 .04 -4.6

 

As I stated in my video I want a healhty family and since I run the show and I am the decisioin maker I decided we aren’t going to be the sit on your butt family, we are going to be active and healhty.  So for me what that meant eating as much organic food as possible. I started out slowly adding in a little at time (it gets easier as you go and less expensive then you think).  We are more active…I went out and bought myself a bike.  She is georgous but now the whole family has bikes and we can ride on the trails by our house.

BIke

Me and Miss J getting ready to ride

Me and Miss J getting ready to ride

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dylan playground

Master D at the park-No running laps just play

I don’t want you all to think that I am so crazy crunchy granola hippy who is making my kids go out and run laps around the backyard and come in for a snack of organic twigs and berries.  We eat normal food and have fun outside playing.   I just decided I want to do eveyrthing I can for my family to ensure that we live a happy and healhty life.  For me that means as a family we eat healthy good food (local if possible-summer in CT yeilds amazing food) and that we move together.  The reality is I don’t think my kids (or hell my husband) has any idea about my master plan.  Why…because I just do it.  I say we are going outside, we are eating this, or we are buying this.  There is no arguement because I run the show in my house…and I know you all do to.

We can just make those changes…slowly a little at a time and it will make a difference.  A big positive difference over time.

Look no twigs and berries here-Just yummy food

Look no twigs and berries here-Just yummy food

Filed Under: Featured, Longterm, Mamavation Moms Tagged With: , , , ,

Exercise-Its a love hate relationship

April 25, 2013 By 12 Comments

Sweaty Pic

 

 

Yup I am that girl that loves to hate exercise.  I know that part of the reason I applied to be a Mamavation Mom was because I needed some help in the whole workout department yet I was scared of what this whole exercise and hazing business would be like.

Lets talk hazing shall we-YIKES!!!! We were randomly tweeted workouts throughout the day.  In fact one day as I stated in the video we were given 340 burpees (burpees are those crazy squat, plank, squat, jump thingy-If that description doesn’t help-go to google).  When I managed to make it through the hazing I was shocked and PROUD.  I was proud of what I could do.  The picture here is me post 340 burpees covered in sweat and passed out on my mat!

The plan that Mark has sent us is very similar to the Two Week Challenge that he set up for Mamavation a few weeks ago.  I won’t bother posting them workout again if you want to know go check out Amy or Lindsay who posted it up for everyone, but I will tell you a bit about them.  We alternate days between core and lower body and upper body and core.  So on lower body days we are doing squats, lunges, and burpees and upper body days we are rocking push ups, triceps push ups (OMG these are hard), crunches, and some free weight work.  Again sometimes I hate them (Ok most times I hate them) but they are getting resutls and are over in less than a half hour.  Additionally, we are asked to make sure that we walk at least 10,000 steps.

I wish I could say that I love every minute of this exercise plan but that would be a big ole fat lie and I wasn’t picked to me a Mamavation Mom to blow smoke-this is about living life as a Mom who is taking her life back.  Even if I don’t love the exercise…you know what I love?  This picture-

Weigh In Week OneNo its not my newly painted toes silly!  Its that this number is down 2.8 POUNDS BABY!!!!!!!!  So as much as a dread the exercise and as hard as it is some days…its getting the job done!  So I guess I will keep pissing and moaning and grunting and groaning while exercising because honestly, I want that number to go down more than I want to quit!

 

Filed Under: Featured, Longterm, Mamavation Moms Tagged With: , , ,

I’m A Mom-A Mamavation Mom

April 19, 2013 By 13 Comments

Profile picHello everyone-My name is Erica (aka Mommahunt16) and I am so excited to have been chosen one of the three moms for campaign 16!  It sure has been a wild ride to get here and I couldn’t be more proud and scared that I have been chosen.  Yet, before we get to the proud and scared, lets start at the beginning shall we.

Why did I do this….there are two reasons.  The first is this….

Yikes-Mama needs a Pedi

Yikes-Mama needs a Pedi

 

This BLEEP, BLEEP, BLEEPING number.  I have always hated it.  I hate it now, I hated it ten years ago, I hated it when I was 12.  I have always had weight issues and I have always had a stigma about this number.  I know now one really cares about that number but me, but it haunts me.  So shortly after my daughter J was born I realized I needed to get my act together.  I didn’t want her to hate that number and herself because of the number on a scale.  I spent a long time in therapy dealing with my self esteem issues and my eating issues.  Yet, despite all the mental work that number didn’t move.  So I decided it was time to make a change and so something.  So I joined Mamavation and shortly after decicded to apply to be a Mom-I needed the help and the support that comes with this process.

 

My other reason for trying out to be a mom…….These guys!

Mom and Miss J

Mom and Miss J

Mom and Master D

Mom and Master D

I mean how cute are they!  They are my world and I want to be the best mom for them and I know that means being happy and healthy.  The reason I was so drawn to Mamavation was because it was a group of other moms who knew that being a mom is great motivation to get healthy, but is also often your greatest challenge because of all the demands being a mom means.

Ok now back to what I said at the start of the post…I am so excited to be picked.  I know that this community will support me in my journey and be my cheerleaders.  Both Amy and Lindsay are amazing ladies who I know would not mind that I already consider them friends.  Yet, I am also scared.  I have never been so good at loosing weight (hence the number on the scale).  I am scared that I will let you down, the Mamavation Team down, and myself.  I did promise myself thought that I would get my big girl panties on and give this my all for the next seven weeks.  I just want to say thank you again to the Mamavation Team for believing in me enough to be one of the Moms and I hope to make you all proud!

Before I go…..here are my stats and my before pics (please feel to divert your eyes here folks this is not for the faint of heart)

Front

Seriously is that a baby bump

Seriously is that a baby bump

Date Weight Total Loss Waist Chest Thigh Hips Arm
Application 227 - 40 44 30 51 15
2-WeekChallenge 229 _ 38.5 43.5 30 51 15
Start of Campaign 227.4 - 38 43 29.5 50 14.5

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, Longterm, Mamavation Moms Tagged With: , , ,

It’s Over….. Or Is it?

December 7, 2012 By 1 Comment

That is the question…. Well the graduate campaign is over yes but is our journey over? Not even close this wasn’t a 7 week journey… These past 7 weeks have just been one path that we have marched down. Let me go ahead and let you in on a little secret if this is your first time reading our posts its been 7 very bumpy stressful weeks of hell for us both. Leah couldn’t have picked a better couple to partner up. One thing we both agree on is now its time for WINE!!!!! Its hard to write a “The End” post because its not really the end its just a new beginning. We have learned new ways to loose even when our lives are so crazy and hectic. We are learning that it takes a healthy strong bad ass Mommy to be able to raise and handle the lives we lead. Between special needs parenting and the military you never know what the next day is going to bring to your world and you have to have your boxing gloves on or your running shoes laced up and be ready for it. Well I’m pretty sure you wanna know how we did this campaign right?? Well the preliminary results are in… Can we get a drum roll????

Wow!  This has been a campaign to remember.  One thing that really put my weight loss journey into perspective was putting on my old jeans.  I’m still in shock over how far my body has come.  At this point my size is smaller than my junior year of high school, even though I weigh more now.  That took some time to wrap my head around.  Yes, muscle weighs more than fat but it is hard to visualize.  One thing is for sure, I will not be filling out those jeans ever again.  Of course, like Meagan said this is not the end just another beginning.  My weight loss journey will be posted on Aries Mommy every Monday!

 

Thank you everyone for all of your support!  A special thanks to Leah, Shelley, and Mark for always being supportive.  A great big thanks to our sponsors  New Balance, Billy Blanks, and Omron Fitness without you this campaign wouldn’t have happened.

 

Filed Under: Featured, Longterm, Mamavation Moms Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

And That’s A Wrap

December 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Here we are, the end of the graduate campaign! It seems unreal and I wouldn’t believe it was true if the scale hasn’t changed so much in the past couple months.

A few things I am taking from this campaign:

- Even though us graduates are competing against each other, we have all been the most supportive competitors. I mean there was the occasional remark to “go eat a cinnamon bun”, but it was all in good clean fun.

-Graduates like to talk. Having nine moms versus two to catch up with has almost always equaled a one and one half hour show on Mamavation TV versus the standard hour. But that’s okay, because I guarantee everyone left with a smile (and some left with wet undies!)

-Gangnam Style. (No explanation needed)

I want to leave this campaign with the same energy I entered it with. After all Christmas is fast approaching and there is lots of treats floating around that could potentially sabotage this awesome loss I have achieved. So Tina and I are counting on you sistas to help us stay focused after the campaign ends!

We want to give our sincerest thanks to Leah, Shelley, Shannon, and everyone else who has made this campaign possible. This has been, personally, my favorite campaign.

Kimberly Before

Kimberly After

tina before

Tina Before

tina after

Tina After

I, Tina, have to apologize for my photos. I totally forgot we needed to have these done so I made the Hubs take them really quick. I’m thankful that these are even in focus people!

team badunkadunk weekly weight loss

HERE WE COME NEW SHOES!!!

This isn’t farewell folks..

Thank you to our awesome sponsors for making this Graduate Campaign possible! New Balance, Billy Blanks, Omron Fitness and Registered Dietitian, Alysa Bajenaru of Inspired RD!

Filed Under: confessional, Featured, Longterm, Mamavation Moms, Videos Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

No Need to Hibernate

November 30, 2012 By 3 Comments

 

It’s week 6 and we can’t believe it is almost the end of the Mamavation Mom Graduate campaign!  Last time Meagan and I were in a campaign together it was warm (extremely hot) outside.  This allowed for plenty of outdoor activities for us and our families.  Winter on the other hand means we are indoors more often.  Yes, even we are tempted to curl up with a fuzzy blanket and nap the day away.  However, that will not put us or our families closer to our goals.  So what are two grads to do?  Find ways to keep everyone active!

 

We would love to tell you that we met this week with warm hugs and huge leaps.  That this has been our easy breezy week, alas, we have each faced our own struggles.  The beauty of it is, we aren’t letting our struggles be hurdles.  Instead, we are accepting them and doing what needs to be done.  When Sexy Sergeant deployed earlier this week I could have easily thrown in the towel and become a crying mess.  Instead I chose to keep going through the “normal” motions of day to day life.  Sure I cried but it was after waking up and seeing a missed call from him.  Letting the tears only take a few minutes then pushing through a workout, and spending most of my day focusing on what will best help the kids.  Meagan’s struggles this week have been the stress that comes with having an autistic child.  Her strength as a mom and how she is able to handle all of this stress while still staying on track is one of the many reasons I adore her.  Not to mention she drank wine twice this week and still lost weight!

Special Thanks to our Sponsors New Balance, Billy Blanks, and Omron Fitness. Love, Hugs and thanks to our coaching team Leah, Alysa, Markand Shellie

Filed Under: Featured, Longterm, Mamavation Moms Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Fa-La-La-La-La Losing it

November 28, 2012 By 4 Comments

Something about the first cold snap of the year leaves me craving “comfort foods” and cozy sweatpants while I curl up with a good movie or book.  Am I the only one?

Something about winter makes it harder for me to stay on track with weight loss efforts.  Maybe it’s the onslaught of holidays and the feast that goes along with it.  Maybe it’s the colder temps that have me wearing big bulky clothes.  Maybe it’s the weather that has me wanting to stay safely under my covers instead of being active.

Regardless, I think it takes more of an effort to stay focused on weight loss goals during the winter months… As such, today we bring you a few tips and tricks for staying active and yes, even losing weight over the holidays.

(1) EAT BREAKFAST – this is one we’ve talked about a million gajillion times.  Eating breakfast – the most important meal of the day – is something many of us subscribe to… except perhaps on holidays?  where we WANT (even if only subconsciously  to gorge on the feast lain before us.  Eating breakfast is even more important on these days so we don’t over indulge.

(2) WEAR LAYERS – Ok, not I’m not gonna claim it gets remotely cold here in Texas… Especially since my partner in the north would die laughing at my idea of cold…. BUT I do know the benefit of layers.

(3) MAKE IT A FAMILY AFFAIR – get the whole family involved with a walk after Dinner – and not just on the holidays!  Between holiday Shopping and decorating the house, you are probably getting in a lot more steps than you realize – and the only way to know FOR SURE is to track those steps with a Pedometer.  Preferably an OMRON Pedometer!! If your family is competitive it can become a game to see who gets in the most steps each week with a prize at the end.  Plus, a Pedometer could be a good stocking-stuffer for the spouse who says they want to support your fitness goals….

(4) PLAY YOUR WAY THINNER – Ok, it doesn’t snow here in Texas but if you do live somewhere it does, bundle up and have a good old fashioned snowball fight… I do that when the boys and I visit snow and you’d be amazed just how much energy THAT takes.  Playing indoors with the kids can burn calories too you know and at the end of the day, these are the memories that last a lifetime.

(5) FOCUS on Non-food related gifts for friends and neighbors if you give – How often have we made the cookie plate or bread or fudge or other candy to share with co-workers, neighbors, the kids teachers, or friends.  And when we do, we snack and taste to our hearts content justifying that a little doesn’t hurt… and yet, a little bit over and over and over again adds up without us knowing it!  Instead, Browse Pinterest for a plethora of cute and fun and practical ideas that won’t add inches to your waistline or that of your loved ones.

What OTHER tips do you have for staying healthy through the winter months and holiday season?  PLEASE share!  We need all the help we can get :)

Speaking of Tips, here’s Jenny with her weekly Tips For Healthy Living:

And the numbers…

Shelley's Weigh In

Jenny's Weigh in

————————————————————

Jenny writes over at Beyond Mom and Tweets as @jennydecki.

Starting Weight: 318.4lbs.
Weight This Week: 289.2lbs.
Difference from Last Week: -4.2lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 29.2lbs.
Percentage of Body Weight Lost to Date: 9.17%

 

Shelley writes over at Slightly Off Kilter , Tweets as @momma_oz and spends WAY too much time on Facebook.

Starting Weight: 262.5 lbs.
Weight This Week: 239.0 lbs.
Difference from Last Week: -0.5 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 23.5 lbs.
Percentage of Body Weight Lost to Date: 9%

**As Mamavation Moms, we receive nutritional support and fitness product from Billy Blanks ,  Omron Fitness ,  New Balance , and  Inspired RD.   We thank these companies for their continued support. **

Filed Under: Featured, Longterm, Mamavation Moms Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Why We Wine

November 23, 2012 By 5 Comments

Well its another week down… Week 5 next up 2 more weeks and then well we don’t stop we keep on moving but we can drink our wine which is why we are working out extra hard right now. We had an amazing Mamavation TV show this past monday if you weren’t there you missed one heck of a show. Our Slumber Parties are not to be missed. I would like to take this time that to announce that someone did get topless on Mamavation TV and it WASN’T ME!!!!! It was my partner in crime Mrs. Aries Mommy herself. See we were allowed to drink a little and relax because it was definitely needed that night. We were all refreshed and relaxed and it was the perfect way to begin the holiday week!

 

We have 2 more weeks left in our reign as Mamavation Mom and we plan to end the campaign the same way we started it. Working our butts off. This week is Thanksgiving so we have been extremely busy getting everything ready for the holiday.

 

 

Special Thanks to our Sponsors New Balance, Billy Blanks, and Omron Fitness. Love, Hugs and thanks to our coaching team Leah, Alysa, Markand Shellie

 

Filed Under: Featured, Longterm, Mamavation Moms Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Happy Thanksgiving from the Pony Girls!

November 21, 2012 By 1 Comment

The holidays are upon us and it seems that this campaign – and this year – have FLOWN by.  Fast.

And with the holidays, we are often steeped in traditions, family, food… and stress.  It’s always that way it seems – stress about finances or family or just life in general.

Stress can ALSO be a huge deterrent to weight loss efforts.  Did you know I heard once that us Americans overindulge so much during the holiday season, from Thanksgiving to New Years, that you can gain Thirteen pounds! That stresses me out just THINKING about it to be honest…

Also, the average person consumes 5,000-6,000 calories (according to the national average) on Thanksgiving.

Two years ago, I shared some Tips for keeping your Thanksgiving a healthier one, and I thought it fitting to share again.

But I also want to talk about another way to reduce stress.  Exercise.

I know – you are grumbling as you read that… But I’m tired.  I’ve got too much going on.  I’m busy.

We all know the excuses.  I’ve used every last one of them.  And then, I beat myself up when the scale and I have a little spat.  But the fact is, that exercise can help reduce stress.  At least for me.

I think the biggest key is to find ways to incorporate fitness into your daily life… taking the family pup for a walk, or joining a class at the local Y with some friends, or using videos that you are excited about.

Right now, I’m on a Tae Bo Kick thanks to Billy Blanks.  There are many days I hear the voices telling me not to do it – skipping ONE workout won’t hurt… but I know better.  It does.  Because at the end of the day, I never regret working out… and always regret those times I allowed myself to skip it just this once… because it’s like potato chips.  It’s never just once.

So find your Soul Mate Exercise… and don’t be afraid if it changes.  Sometimes we have to let go of things that no longer serve us in order to push ourselves.

 

Jenny's Weigh In

Shelley's Weigh In

 

 

 

 

————————————————————

Jenny writes over at Beyond Mom and Tweets as @jennydecki.

Starting Weight: 318.4lbs.
Weight This Week: 293.4lbs.
Difference from Last Week: +4.4lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 26.6lbs.
Percentage of Body Weight Lost to Date: 8.4%

 

Shelley writes over at Slightly Off Kilter , Tweets as @momma_oz and spends WAY too much time on Facebook.

Starting Weight: 262.5 lbs.
Weight This Week: 239.5.5 lbs.
Difference from Last Week: -7 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 23 lbs.
Percentage of Body Weight Lost to Date: 8.8%

**As Mamavation Moms, we receive nutritional support and fitness product from Billy Blanks ,  Omron Fitness ,  New Balance , and  Inspired RD.   We thank these companies for their continued support. **

Filed Under: Featured, Longterm, Mamavation Moms Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kick, Punch, Sweat, Repeat

November 16, 2012 By 8 Comments

We are half way through the campaign.  The wine is so close we can almost taste it.  Just a few more weeks and after all the kicking, punching and sweating to Tae Bo will pay off.  Meagan and I will finally have our wine again and be down several more pounds.

Tae Bo is a blast from the past for me.  Thirteen years ago my best friend and I decided that we wanted to get fit.  So everyday on her lunch break we would sweat to Billy Blanks Tae Bo DVD.  Our first workout was so clumsy, but day after day it became easier.  Slowly the kicks and punches increased their speed and strength.  We stopped dreading Billy’s voice and began to enjoy each workout and looked forward to repeating it the next day.  These workouts remind me of an everlasting friendship and of a time when I didn’t know my own strength.

In honor of that I would like you all to raise your glass of water for a toast.  Here is to the next three weeks.  May the bonds of our sistahood be strengthened.  May our friendships blossom even more.  Most importantly may we all know that we are stronger than we give ourselves credit for.  Cheers!

 

 

Special Thanks to our Sponsors New Balance, Billy Blanks, and Omron Fitness. Love, Hugs and thanks to our coaching team Leah, Alysa, Markand Shellie

Filed Under: Featured, Longterm, Mamavation Moms Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,