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

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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.

 

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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

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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

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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. **

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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

 

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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. **

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Who is in Control of My Body?

November 17, 2012 By 8 Comments

No, really… could someone tell me? Because I feel like I completely lost control.

This is Andrea and boy was it a rough week.

No, not a normal rough week. This past week was full of sick kids, sniffles, stress over the coming holiday and the worst that pregnancy had to throw at me.  Add in a few sleepless nights and it was a mixture for disaster.

I would love to tell you that I tried to eat well and exercised. The truth is, I could barely keep up with my sick and screaming kids, it is pouring and gloomy Oregon weather all around me, and I grabbed a few brownies and empty calorie treats in an attempt to feel better. Of course, it didn’t work. I am, in fact, left feeling guilty and ashamed of myself.

 

Yep. This week stunk.

Of course life goes on. I don’t want to repeat my mistakes of the past, so while shopping I only loaded up on a big tub of mixed greens, grape tomatoes, chicken and other veggies. Today I plan to make up a big batch of chicken salad (light version, loaded with extras!) to eat over my greens. I am not looking forward to Sunday’s weigh-in for Leah… last week I actually lost a little weight as I felt more energetic. Here was that scale pic:

Starting Weight: 208.6 lbs.
Difference from Last Week: -2.8 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 9.6 lbs.
Percentage of Body Weight Lost to Date: 4.6% (I am counting lost, not added ;))

I talked with my doctor about my fatigue. Luckily, I should only have a few more weeks left of feeling like this. My fingers are crossed and because I have been working (modified) on the Billy Blanks DVDs, they should get easier to do.

Being a Mamavation Mom the first time around was nothing like navigating this now, pregnant. It is kicking my butt. I haven’t given up and just keep thinking of the story of the tortoise and the hare. I can definitely relate to the slow, clumsy, inflexible tortoise. If I had a shell, I would pull in and nap.

Okay, so who is with me for this week being better?

_____________________________________

Angela here. This week was much better for me. While I’m not losing large amounts of weight, I’m at least making some forward progress. I’ve been concentrating on being active with the kids, and just trying not to stress too much – which can easily trigger my emotional eating. I’ve rid my house of almost all of the Halloween candy, mostly by sending it to work with my husband and occasionally letting the kids have one piece as a special treat, since they’re the ones who went around the neighborhood to get it. After this week it should be all gone and we’ll be replacing those treats with fruit and other healthy things.

I’m still working on my portion control, though. I know how to do it, but like I’ve said before I’m dealing with some strong hormones. My game plan for Thanksgiving is to drink two glasses of water before I even start putting food on my plate. Then I’ll fill my plate half way with veggies and the rest of the dishes will have to share the other half of it. And no seconds!

Starting Weight: 212.4
Difference from Last Week: -1.4
Total Weight Lost: 1.6
Percentage of Body Weight Lost to Date: 1%

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Thank you to the sponsors for making this all possible! Big thank you to New Balance, Billy Blanks,  Omron Fitness and Inspired RD for support and equipment to help us achieve our fitness goals. Also a thank you to the whole Mamavation community and our fellow graduates.

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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

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When you hit a wall – Pony Girls Mamavation Update

November 14, 2012 By 4 Comments

Ahhh yes… here we are… finishing up a glorious week 3 and starting on week 4.  We are halfway through the campaign… we are tired.  We may be bitchy…. well, more than normal.

I don’t know where the last 3 weeks went to be honest… Heck!  Where did the YEAR go? Can you believe that NEXT WEEK is Thanksgiving?

The dreaded week three is often when I give up… it gets hard.  It’s easier to grab a meal out than cook… I’m tired… I’m not seeing results as fast as I should…

Do you hear those voices too?

Here’s something new between this campaign and the one I did so many moons ago… I stopped listening.

In fact, I relied on my stubborn streak to keep me pushing.

Some other tips for breaking through the wall because to say “stop listening” is often easier said than done…

(1) Give in to the urge to pick up a meal instead of cook – but make healthier choices… Subway is my Go To to be honest…. and man do we load them bad boys up with veggies! Another Subway tip?  I get a footlong and have them cut it into thirds.  I find that if I pair 1/3 of the sandwich with some fresh fruit or bowl of soup at home, I am more than satisfied.

(2) Change up your fitness routine – If you find yourself faced with a negative nelly in your head telling you that a particular workout is just TOO HARD… cool – do something different.  Go for a walk, play with the kids, go for a swim at your local gym/YMCA (most have a “trial membership” you can check out to see if a gym is right for you) or heck… chasing the kids around may be just the thing to get your blood pumping… and if you can get some fresh air, that too might clear your head.

(3) Drink More Water – I know that when I’m dehydrated, I’m tired. I’m cranky. I’m just plum frustrated with life. Drink more water. Add fruit slices if you need to… Add fresh herbs like Basil (because everything is better with basil)… I personally love to freeze purreed fruit into cubes and include them with ice cubes in my water… but that’s just me. Whatever it takes to drink more water, do it.

(4) Do something for you – take a bubble bath, read a trashy novel, go with a friend to get a pedicure… whatever it is, find time for JUST you – when the kids aren’t clamoring for you… hubby isn’t needing you to find his socks… laundry isn’t staring you in the face… and breath.

(5) Be Gentle with yourself – Remember rule number one of being part of the Mamavation Sistahood -No Perfect People Allowed.You will not be perfect 100% of the time but if you beat yourself up over a choice that you don’t like, you keep the negativity going. Move on and know that you can make better choices for the rest of the day…Just don’t let it become a habit. There’s a big difference between making a bad choice or two and making excuses for not honoring your goals.

What tips do you have for breaking through the negative wall that can derail us? I can’t be alone in this… Right???

 

Shelley's Weigh In

Jenny's Weigh In

————————————————————

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

Starting Weight: 318.4 lbs.
Today’s Weight: 289 lbs.
Difference from Last Week: -5 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 29.4 lbs.
Percentage of Body Weight Lost to Date: 9.23%

 

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

Starting Weight: 262.5 lbs.
Difference from Last Week: -2.5 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 16 lbs.
Percentage of Body Weight Lost to Date: 6.1%

**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. **

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Keep on keepin’ on!

November 10, 2012 By 11 Comments

We made it another week!

Angela here. I probably should have written this post before making the video, because I talked for six straight minutes about randomness. In my defense it’s been a very random week for me, and I think I needed to vent a little. Check out my ramblings and then I’ll finish up with some stats.

So in summation: Holidays plus crappy weather plus horrible accidents, plus breastfeeding stress equals a recipe for weight gain. Yep, I’m up almost back to where I started again. It’s a roller coaster ride that I’m ready to get off of. I’m trying to get it together though, and I realize I need to exercise with more intensity. Not only is it going to help me lose weight (or at least stop me from gaining any more) it’s the stress relief that I need to keep sane. You can’t eat your stress away. Sure, eating helps me feel better temporarily, but then it’s over quickly and I feel even worse. It’s an eating disorder that I’ve dealt with for a long time, it will always be there, but it’s up to me to choose if I want to feed it with food or kick its butt with exercise.

Starting Weight: 212.4 lbs.
Difference from Last Week: +2.8
Total Weight Lost: -.2
Percentage of Body Weight Lost to Date: 0%

____________________________________________

Happy Saturday everyone!

Andrea here. I am excited to say that I might actually see the light at the end of the morning sickness tunnel! I feel like I have been bouncing around within the same pound or two depending on if I was able to eat. But, this past week I have had a little more energy everyday.

I was able to get out and walk my favorite loop at a pace of a 19 minute mile. I used to knock that out in 15 minutes, but I am adjusting to the new pace and limitations of this pregnancy. I can do this! I have been recommended to get at least 30 minutes of exercise everyday and I am mixing it up with some modified Tae Bo, walking and prenatal yoga. I am really excited to try out a new DVD that Kia recommended. I know every little bit counts.

As for food? Well, I would rather enjoy a little ice cream right now, but I am trying to keep my snack and meal choices healthy and fiber rich. I am turning into a bit of a protein monster, currently I am noshing on various nuts, hummus, beans and lean local meats. Even my husband has teased me about this new found love of protein. I love how each pregnancy is so different. I finally figured out that as few as 3 nuts first off in the morning was enough to keep me from feeling queasy. Yeah, it only took me a few weeks.

As for my weight? Well, it was a healthy and small gain this week. My goal for the following week is to keep up with my food journal, eat healthy foods and move as much as I can.

Starting Weight: 208.6 lbs.
Difference from Last Week: + .4 lbs.
Total Weight Lost: 9 lbs.
Percentage of Body Weight Lost to Date: 4.3% (I am counting lost, not added ;))

Thank you to the sponsors for making this all possible! Big thank you to New Balance, Billy Blanks,  Omron Fitness and Inspired RD for support and equipment to help us achieve our fitness goals. Also a thank you to the whole Mamavation community and our fellow graduates.

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