I mentioned a few of our DVD’s in my vlog because my friend Lisa at Stop & Smell the Chocolates asked about our workouts. Here’s a peek at the ones I mentioned:

Tracey Mallett’s Lose the Belly Flab

Tracey Mallett’s Total Body Fat Burner

Tracey Mallett’s Total Body Calorie Blast

Tracey Mallett’s Get Your Body Back
{I think this is the next one Tracey is sending us for a little variety.}

Billy Blanks’ TAEBO Freestyle Funk

Thank you to my sponsors and coaches for giving me all these great tools to help me succeed and for always believing in me! Earth Footwear, EA SPORTS Active, Smooth Fitness, Gaiam, Tracey Mallett, Pete Cohen, Dr. Renna, and my Fit Friend Andrea at Mommy Snacks. Check out more of my story at Frugal Femina.

photo by RBlake1026

So I stepped on the scale Monday morning for my weekly weigh-in, and I was down 0.2 pounds. Yikes, really?! Not exactly the number I was hoping for. Of course, I’m glad I lost something for the week, but I only have so much time as one of the Mamavation Moms, and I want to make every second count! So I’m choosing to use that 0.2 as inspiration to refocus and hit my workouts that much harder. And get my calories in each day to keep my metabolism up. As Leah says, it’s much better to work out crazy hard for a short period of time than to be Miss Lazy on the treadmill for an hour. The more you have to think when you’re working out, the more you’re going to get out of it.

So later Monday morning, I told my Sistas I needed some cheerleading so I would really work those cardio intervals. I felt like I got a lot more out of my workout that way, and I’m going to do my best to do it again tomorrow. Thank you soooo much for being there for me!

When I first started meeting with Pete Cohen, I told him I was afraid I would do the 6-week program, and then I’d quit when it was over. He told me I couldn’t think that far ahead. That I had to take one day at a time and build new habits little by little so that by the end of the program, it’s not even a question of whether or not I will continue. It’s just a natural part of what I do each day.

I don’t fear quitting anymore. I posted on the Frugal Femina Facebook page that we had 4 weeks left of this program, and I felt like I had made some healthy habits. I see more of the big picture now. I see that this is a long-term lifestyle change and not just a routine I do for 6 weeks and then pass on to the next Mamavation Mom. I have been given some incredible tools, and as I keep using them, those pounds are going to keep melting off each week until I’m at my goal. So yes, I want to lose as much as I can during these last few weeks, but there’s more to it than that.

I get it.

Thank you for sticking by me, sponsors: Earth Footwear, EA SPORTS Active, Smooth Fitness, and Gaiam. And thank you to my coaching team: Tracey Mallett, Pete Cohen, Dr. Renna, and my Fit Friend Andrea at Mommy Snacks! Read more about me at Frugal Femina.

Don’t worry! I didn’t pancake it up at McDonald’s or anything. But I did enjoy 1/4 of a cup of coffee.

Thank you to my wonderful sponsors: Earth Footwear, EA SPORTS Active, Smooth Fitness, and Gaiam. And thank you to my coaching team: Tracey Mallett, Pete Cohen, Dr. Renna, and my Fit Friend Andrea at Mommy Snacks! You can find out more about me at Frugal Femina.

Some of the Mamavation applicants are participating in Pete Cohen’s 28-Day Weight Loss Challenge. Pete is completely genuine and has been working with us day and night to motivate us on our fitness journey. He literally stays up into the wee hours of the morning to chat with all of us! He has a great relaxation mp3 and recipes in the resources section of the program, and y’all know I’m a sucker for a good recipe!

You can check out some of the free resources at Weight Loss Guru–including a free trial of the program we are going through right now! If you decide to take part in the program, be sure to use the code MAMAVATION to get the discounted rate of $59.95. {You know I had to include a coupon, right?!}

Here are some tips from Pete that have really struck a cord with me during the first part of the program:

• Give your body what it needs and not what it thinks it wants.
  

You’ve probably heard me mention this one a lot, because it’s my favorite! {Check out my story about lunch in the hospital cafeteria if you haven’t already.} I have always loved fruits and vegetables. That’s what my mom fixed growing up, and there’s nothing better than fresh garden veggies. So the nutrition plan Dr. Renna put together for me was not too terribly shocking as far as the actual foods. But, I have had to focus on portion sizes and eating small amounts throughout the day. And believe me, she has me eating all throughout the day.

I also love some notsohealthy foods in addition to my veggies. Like chocolate, for example. I would have some sort of chocolate pretty much every day before I started Mamavation. And then I went cold turkey except for my free meal once a week where I have a little something sweet. I have also cut out some cheese, sauce, butter, and just a lot of the “extras” that I was piling on top of my nice veggies. I’m amazed at how much I don’t miss them and how much easier it is to plan/fix meals! I crave cucumbers now instead of chocolate chips. Literally!

• Positive people stand out as being different. Being different can be a little bit uncomfortable at first, but you have to stop battling yourself if you want to succeed!

As I get older and more confident in who I am, I get more comfortable with standing out, but I generally like to go with the crowd. It’s so easy to complain about whatever situation we may be in. Having to stay late after class, being stuck in traffic, something we don’t like about our family, whatever. But positive people draw people in. You want to be around them because they’re different! How great would it be to be that person? {And I LOVED how Pete said he’s not talking about bouncing-off-the-walls positive but just being good to yourself and those around you.}

• Most people don’t overeat when they’re feeling relaxed.

Huh! Never thought about it like that. If you’re not worrying about where you’re supposed to be in 5 minutes or what your toddler is getting into or stressed about losing weight RIGHT NOW, you’re more likely to eat slowly and enjoy it more.

• Tell yourself 21 times, “I can! I will succeed!”

Our words definitely effect how we feel. I kept a journal for a little while in college. Every time I said something negative about myself, whether in my head or out loud, I wrote down 3 positive things about myself in the journal. It actually did not take very long for that lesson to start clicking! Of course, a refresher course never hurts, so QUICK! Tell yourself you can do this!

• When you mess up, learn from it!

If you don’t learn something from your mistakes, then what was the point of going through them? You may as well get something out of it.

• Focus on your destination!

It’s so easy to lose sight of why you are working so hard at something. I made a list of things I’m looking forward to at the end of this challenge, and I sent it to my Fit Friend, Andrea at Mommy Snacks, so she can remind me. Someone told me when I first became a Mamavation Mom to always remember how thankful I was for the opportunity when they announced me as one of the final 2, and that would make me keep working at it. Why do I want to do this? Do I have good reasons? Are they worth working toward? YES!

So do you know what you want? How are you going to get it? How will you know you achieved your goal? I can’t wait to see you there!

Thank you to my wonderful sponsors: Earth Footwear, EA SPORTS Active, Smooth Fitness, and Gaiam. And thank you to my coaching team: Tracey Mallett, Pete Cohen, Dr. Renna, and my Fit Friend Andrea at Mommy Snacks! You can find out more about my journey at Frugal Femina.

Thank you to my wonderful sponsors: Earth Footwear, EA SPORTS Active, Smooth Fitness, and Gaiam. And thank you to my coaching team: Tracey Mallett, Pete Cohen, Dr. Renna, and my Fit Friend Andrea at Mommy Snacks!

Week 1 has come and gone. Can you believe it? I had never heard of Mamavation just a couple of months ago. Then I saw a tweet about it, and everything changed. I was drawn into this whole community of women who genuinely support each other on a daily {hourly!} basis. What a chance of a lifetime! I told everyone when I first applied to be a Mamavation Mom that if someone could just give me a plan, I would follow it! And boy, did Leah follow through. From day 1, she has surrounded us with a network of support and positive feedback. Just like taking control of your finances and paying down debt, Mamavation is life-changing. And I’m already reaping the benefits!

WHAT HAS CHANGED

• It’s easier to run up a flight of steps. I do this often when I’m on the way to class.
• I’m noticing more muscle definition in my calves. Sweet!
• I have MORE ENERGY!
• I feel empowered to do things that are hard! Yes, it’s true!
• The numbers are going down! I started 1/22/10 at 159.8 pounds, and I’m now at 154.6!

Yesterday at clinicals, I sat in the cafeteria with my fellow nursing students and watched as people ate French fries covered in cheese and bacon and ranch dressing as the main dish. When I first walked by and caught a whiff, I’ll admit that I thought briefly about tossing my grilled chicken salad and digging in! But I literally said in my head, “I’m filling my body with what it needs and not what it wants.” And I enjoyed every bite of that salad because I knew it was going to give me energy throughout the day. Thank you, Pete Cohen!

Although we worked hard last week, it was more about orientation and getting our plan ready to go. So I’m excited to have all that in place and really get focused on meeting my goals. I want to make the most of the next few weeks when I have some major accountability, and I’m glad you’re along for the ride! My birthday on March 15th is going to be the best one yet!

I am so grateful for these companies and individuals rallying behind me. My wonderful sponsors: Earth Footwear, EA SPORTS Active, Smooth Fitness, and Gaiam. And my coaching team/cheerleaders: Tracey Mallett, Pete Cohen, Dr. Renna, Leah from Bookie Boo, the Sistahood, and my Fit Friend Andrea at Mommy Snacks!

Thank you to my wonderful sponsors: Earth Footwear, EA SPORTS Active, Smooth Fitness, and Gaiam. And thank you to my coaching team: Tracey Mallett, Pete Cohen, Dr. Renna, and my Fit Friend Andrea at Mommy Snacks!

It’s week 1, and I have to start off by saying THANK YOU to all the people who voted and made me one of this year’s Mamavation Moms! I am so, so thankful for the chance and really happy to have Lisa alongside me. We can’t wait to see what the next 7 weeks hold. Leah scared me a little bit when she told us we would be working out at an intensity of 8/10, where 10 means you collapse after 15 seconds of exercising. But…I think I’m just gonna roll with it.

We’re basically in orientation this week, talking to our coaches, getting lots of mail, and working out THE PLAN. Tracey Mallett is finishing up my exercise routine, Pete Cohen and I scheduled a weekly meeting in addition to our Sunday night group meeting, and Dr. Renna fixed up a meal plan for me. I have the Sistahood to remind me to eat small meals throughout the day, including my Mamavation Mentor, Stacie of The Divine Miss Mommy. Leah and Lisa and I talk every day, and of course I have my super duper Fit Friend, Andrea from Mommy Snacks!

So here’s what Dr. Renna planned out for me:

MONDAY
Breakfast – 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal, 1 fruit, 1 cup of milk
Snack – Celery, 1 TB peanut butter
Lunch – Turkey sandwich with 3 slices of meat, 1 fruit
Snack – 1 cup yogurt
Dinner – Grilled fish, big salad with 1-2 TB low-fat dressing, 1 grain serving

TUESDAY
Breakfast – Egg white omelette, 1 cup of veggies, 1 English muffin, 1 cup of milk
Snack – 1 fruit
Lunch – Large salad with veggies, 1-2 TB low-fat cheese
Snack – 1 serving of fruit or nuts
Dinner – Meatloaf, 2 cups of veggies, 1-1/2 cups pasta or 1 cup rice

WEDNESDAY
Breakfast – French toast, cinnamon, 1 cup fruit, 1 cup milk
Snack – 4 cups of air popcorn
Lunch – 2 whole-grain slices of bread, 1 TB peanut butter, 1 TB jelly, 1 fruit
Snack – 1 cup yogurt
Dinner – Chicken, 2 cups veggies

THURSDAY
Breakfast – 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal, 1 fruit, 1 cup of milk
Snack – Celery, 1 TB peanut butter
Lunch – Chicken sandwich with 3 slices of meat, 1 fruit
Snack – 1 cup yogurt
Dinner – Turkey, 2 cups veggies

FRIDAY
Breakfast – Egg white omelette, 1 cup of veggies, 1 English muffin, 1 cup of milk
Snack – 1 fruit or nuts
Lunch – Meat sandwich, 1 fruit
Snack – 1 cup yogurt
Dinner – 1-1/2 cups chili, 2 cups of veggies

SATURDAY
Breakfast – French toast, cinnamon, 1 cup fruit, 1 cup milk
Snack – 4 cups of air popcorn
Lunch – 2 whole-grain slices of bread, 1 TB peanut butter, 1 TB jelly, 1 fruit
Snack – 1 cup yogurt
Dinner – 2 small tacos with 3 oz. meat, 2 cups veggies

SUNDAY
Breakfast – Smoothie with 1 cup skim milk, 1 banana, 2 TB peanut butter, 1 tsp flax
Lunch – Eat what I want without going REALLY crazy
Dinner – Meat serving with salad

*Drink water with all meals and in between. Can have hot tea as desired. Can add 1 tsp of honey one time a week.

So there you have it, folks! That’s my official nutrition plan. I have to give Dr. Renna props for taking foods I like and incorporating them into the plan. I think I should be able to follow that pretty closely. Y’all keep me accountable, ok?

Thank you to my wonderful sponsors: Earth Footwear, EA SPORTS Active, Smooth Fitness, and Gaiam. And thank you to my coaching team: Tracy Mallett, Pete Cohen,and Dr. Renna!