We live life so quickly, and, oftentimes, with so many things we are trying to do at once. We feel like we have to look a certain way, act a certain way, wear certain clothes, and have certain things. We constantly compare ourselves to others, even if it is in little insignificant matters. We are a society built on judging and telling others how they should act and what they should be. How fat is too fat, how thin is too thin, where is the happy medium.....All questions asked on a daily basis by the majority of this country.
We sometimes base our portrayal of what is "perfect" on the Hollywood images that are splashed through pages of a magazine, or on the tv, or on the movie screen. We forget that we are each individuals, with our own path, our own goals, our own desires, and our own dreams. Life is not meant to be filled with working so much that you forget to live a little. It is not meant to have so many rules on the path to happiness for each of us. Life is meant to be enjoyed. Like a child running through water spraying from a fire hydrant. Or slip n' sliding in the backyard. Those moments as a child, where we are free from inhibitions and live solely in that moment are oftentimes lost as we get older. When in all actuality, those moments should be embraced even more as adults, and those moments should be more bold and carefree. But we think as adults we aren't allowed to have fun and feel free. There's society, telling us what is right and wrong again!
Listen to this song. Take it all in. Listen to it again. And then, this next week, let your inhibitions go! Embrace life and live each day to the fullest. My favorite line from this song is this:
"We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, BUT I CAN'T LIVE THAT WAY."
And we shouldn't. Mistakes are life lessons. Make them once, learn from them, and move on. Don't gnaw on your "mistakes" and regret having done whatever it was. Whether it was eating dessert one night, or enjoying that steak and lobster at the wedding reception. Indulge every now and then. Have your goals, but don't forget to live life. That's what it's here for, right? To live!!
Listen to this song!
Now go enjoy your week!!!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Work It....Own It.....Day 15-17
Monday was actually my 33rd birthday. And though I woke up at a leisurely time (10:30 am!!), I still had my breakfast, let it settle, and then did a workout. I know, I'm crazy!!! My birthday should have been a given at NOT working out. But when I sat contemplating on all the reasons NOT to work out, the one reason I had FOR working out was greater......I WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT!!! So I put in my Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred and started the Level 3 workout. I remember LOVING the Level 3 workout before, but on this day, it was really kicking my butt! Which, of course, is a good thing, but still! I was out of breath, aching, and dripping with sweat by the time I got done with this workout! I felt the impact of this workout in the days to follow, which was a mere reminder that everything I am doing is working. :)
Tuesday brought forth my circuit workouts with Jillian. I got a great upper body workout, mainly targeting my arms. I worked my way toward completing one of the missions in the JM Fitness Ultimatum 2011 on the Wii, and despite my several attempts to make it all the way to the end of the mission, when you fail to do an exercise properly, it automatically quits the mission on you. There is a time limit on how long and how many tries you get to do an exercise correctly. There were a couple of exercises thrown in the mission that I had never done before, and despite the step-by-step instructions in the "Help" section of the game, I apparently was still not doing them right. So I got about 8:30-9:00 minutes in to the mission twice, and failed out automatically twice. At that point, my arms were so exhausted, that I decided to go in to the individual exercises and do reps on the two exercises I was having difficulty with. Let's just say, after doing the reps on the individual exercises, I'm pretty confident that I will kick booty on the next go round with the missions. :)
Wednesday was a rest day, and a very welcome one at that. My body was still a little sore from the rigorous workouts from the two previous days, and I had a lot to do since it was my husband's birthday. However, I did still complete my 25/25 Challenge, and have successfully kept up with that for every day of June. And, having done an arm routine Tuesday, and having done the 25/25 Challenge, after looking in the mirror, I noticed a difference in my arms. They are more tone all over, but the jiggly underarm is making it's transformation into a solid mass of muscle. :D I couldn't be happier about that!
Still noticing a difference in the mirror, and I am actually finding myself strut around more confidently than ever before. I know this is working, and that all I am doing is paying off. I've got 7 more pounds that I want to lose before we leave on vacation on July 1st, and at this rate, I really think I'm going to make it! So get out there and get your butts moving! Something is always better than nothing!!
Good luck in your workouts and healthy diets! Remember, losing weight is not merely losing weight. In order to keep the weight off, you must change your lifestyle and teach yourself how to balance eating and exercise in an efficient manner. You can SOO do this!! :)
Tuesday brought forth my circuit workouts with Jillian. I got a great upper body workout, mainly targeting my arms. I worked my way toward completing one of the missions in the JM Fitness Ultimatum 2011 on the Wii, and despite my several attempts to make it all the way to the end of the mission, when you fail to do an exercise properly, it automatically quits the mission on you. There is a time limit on how long and how many tries you get to do an exercise correctly. There were a couple of exercises thrown in the mission that I had never done before, and despite the step-by-step instructions in the "Help" section of the game, I apparently was still not doing them right. So I got about 8:30-9:00 minutes in to the mission twice, and failed out automatically twice. At that point, my arms were so exhausted, that I decided to go in to the individual exercises and do reps on the two exercises I was having difficulty with. Let's just say, after doing the reps on the individual exercises, I'm pretty confident that I will kick booty on the next go round with the missions. :)
Wednesday was a rest day, and a very welcome one at that. My body was still a little sore from the rigorous workouts from the two previous days, and I had a lot to do since it was my husband's birthday. However, I did still complete my 25/25 Challenge, and have successfully kept up with that for every day of June. And, having done an arm routine Tuesday, and having done the 25/25 Challenge, after looking in the mirror, I noticed a difference in my arms. They are more tone all over, but the jiggly underarm is making it's transformation into a solid mass of muscle. :D I couldn't be happier about that!
Still noticing a difference in the mirror, and I am actually finding myself strut around more confidently than ever before. I know this is working, and that all I am doing is paying off. I've got 7 more pounds that I want to lose before we leave on vacation on July 1st, and at this rate, I really think I'm going to make it! So get out there and get your butts moving! Something is always better than nothing!!
Good luck in your workouts and healthy diets! Remember, losing weight is not merely losing weight. In order to keep the weight off, you must change your lifestyle and teach yourself how to balance eating and exercise in an efficient manner. You can SOO do this!! :)
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Work It....Own It.....Day 11-14
Well, this week was another good one for me! Thursday brought forth a challenge for me in upping my degree of difficulty in my Biggest Loser Challenge game for the Wii. From Low intensity to Moderate, which extended my workouts from 20 minutes to 30. So now, I do 30 minutes of circuits, 30 minutes in whatever for the Biggest Loser Challenge, and then an optional 20 minutes Yoga. Before, I did three workouts, and they equaled about 1 hour 10 minutes. But with the more intense workout being 30 minutes, I do not have to supplement my two workouts anymore, unless, of course, I want to. :)
Friday brought upon me a rest day. Since I skipped my rest day on Wednesday to get more working out in before my weigh in on Friday morning, I opted to move Wednesday's rest day to Friday. Which I very much needed after my million squats throughout the week! Saturday was a cardio day, and walking was the word! I needed something a little less intense than biking, rowing, or some other sort of cardio. Sunday brought another rest day, which was fine since I was not particularly feeling too well over the weekend.
My 25/25 Challenge was a success, and I completed 25 Push Ups and 25 Sit Ups/Crunches every single day this week. I actually enjoyed this exercise so much, that I am going to make it a monthly challenge to see if I can do 25 Push Ups and 25 Sit Ups/Crunches for every day in June. I really felt a difference in my arms, and my core muscles are more taught this week having done this challenge. I really think this will make a difference in my arm strength, and help my core muscles to tighten up more so when all the fat that surrounds my abs are gone, I will have a nice tummy to show for all my hard work! :)
My weigh in this week was another success! 1.3 lbs down, 1 inch from the waist, and 1/2 inch from the hips. I'LL TAKE IT!!! That brings me to a total of 2.8 lbs lost in the past two weeks. I am so thrilled for my progress! I took a look in the mirror in passing today, and I was shocked at what I saw staring back at me! I could see my waist! I could see the fat melting away! It was unbelievable! I know that I will make it this time around, and I know that I'm going to finally be at the size I would like to be at when this is all said and done. Perseverance is key! Stick with it!!
Make achievable goals. I have learned the hard way that if I set my sights too high, whenever I fall even the slightest bit short, I am disappointed with myself. So I set reasonable goals. I had a goal for January of this year, to lose 5 lbs. That's not unreasonable, right? I did so good that I surpassed that goal with 7 lbs. lost in January! So I keep my goals small, and I don't put the deadline so far in to the future that I cannot see it! Do a month at a time, a week at a time, a day at a time, whatever works for you. But just as our eyes are often bigger than our appetites, don't make your eyes strain so hard to see your goal that it virtually becomes unachievable. Be reasonable with your goal setting and time lines. You CAN do this!!!
Good luck this week! Keep at it! And know you've got a fan in me!! :)
Friday brought upon me a rest day. Since I skipped my rest day on Wednesday to get more working out in before my weigh in on Friday morning, I opted to move Wednesday's rest day to Friday. Which I very much needed after my million squats throughout the week! Saturday was a cardio day, and walking was the word! I needed something a little less intense than biking, rowing, or some other sort of cardio. Sunday brought another rest day, which was fine since I was not particularly feeling too well over the weekend.
My 25/25 Challenge was a success, and I completed 25 Push Ups and 25 Sit Ups/Crunches every single day this week. I actually enjoyed this exercise so much, that I am going to make it a monthly challenge to see if I can do 25 Push Ups and 25 Sit Ups/Crunches for every day in June. I really felt a difference in my arms, and my core muscles are more taught this week having done this challenge. I really think this will make a difference in my arm strength, and help my core muscles to tighten up more so when all the fat that surrounds my abs are gone, I will have a nice tummy to show for all my hard work! :)
My weigh in this week was another success! 1.3 lbs down, 1 inch from the waist, and 1/2 inch from the hips. I'LL TAKE IT!!! That brings me to a total of 2.8 lbs lost in the past two weeks. I am so thrilled for my progress! I took a look in the mirror in passing today, and I was shocked at what I saw staring back at me! I could see my waist! I could see the fat melting away! It was unbelievable! I know that I will make it this time around, and I know that I'm going to finally be at the size I would like to be at when this is all said and done. Perseverance is key! Stick with it!!
Make achievable goals. I have learned the hard way that if I set my sights too high, whenever I fall even the slightest bit short, I am disappointed with myself. So I set reasonable goals. I had a goal for January of this year, to lose 5 lbs. That's not unreasonable, right? I did so good that I surpassed that goal with 7 lbs. lost in January! So I keep my goals small, and I don't put the deadline so far in to the future that I cannot see it! Do a month at a time, a week at a time, a day at a time, whatever works for you. But just as our eyes are often bigger than our appetites, don't make your eyes strain so hard to see your goal that it virtually becomes unachievable. Be reasonable with your goal setting and time lines. You CAN do this!!!
Good luck this week! Keep at it! And know you've got a fan in me!! :)
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Work It....Own It.....Days 7-10
I decided that I'm only going to update this twice a week. I've been pretty busy lately, and by the time I get to writing at the end of the night, I'm just exhausted. Not to mention, that posting a daily workout journal can be a bit much for some to read, and by the end of the first week, many are probably wondering when the heck I'm going to stop. So we'll see how it goes for the next couple of weeks like this, and then I'll take it from there. :)
This week, not only am I doing my 25/25 Challenge, I've upgraded my workouts. I am now doing two workouts (on most days that is!), and then trying to get in a little Yoga as well. The Yoga really helps with my back, and just my overall body. Some nice stretches to stretch my muscles, and really clear my mind. Not to mention, Yoga helps with my balance, which is something that has gone down hill since I haven't been exercising as much. My workouts never exceed 45 minutes, but most of them are only 30 minutes long. However, when you're doing Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred as one of your workouts, and then perhaps the Biggest Loser Challenge for Wii as the other workout, you're getting a pretty full workout!
Sunday was a rest day, or was supposed to be, so I only did Yoga that day, just to keep me limber and focused. Monday was the circuits from hell day! I swear I did so many squats, I could have squat around the globe and back! Needless to say, my legs that day were pretty much the consistency of jello, and every squat since has hurt like a.....well, it hurt!! Tuesday wasn't so bad, a little circuit training via Jillian, and then two sessions of Yoga. Wednesday, which was supposed to be another "rest" day, was, in fact, not. But that was my choice. I decided to work it because I feel lazy on my "rest" days. I know that the body needs time to heal from the working out, and I fully get that. But I feel like I've been on my groove this past week, and I just hate the slow days where I'm thrown off my rhythm a little. So I did more Yoga, and some challenges on my Biggest Loser for Wii.
Just to keep you up-to-date on the different things that I am doing for my various exercises, here's the breakdown:
Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD - Three levels of circuit workouts by JM, with Level 3 being the biggest variety of exercises and the most difficult in degree.
Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011 Wii - This actually is compiled of JM circuits, just made in to a game where you are fighting villains and crime in different challenges once you've worked out enough to participate in those. I have yet to do a challenge, or as she calls them "missions," because I have only had time to complete the workout and move on with my day. One of these days, I will try it!
The Biggest Loser Challenge Wii - Between Bob and Jillian, you are worked to the EXTREME!!! Not to mention the weekly weigh ins, and the weekly challenges as well. Each weekly challenge put you up against former Biggest Loser contestants in challenges that they participated in. Of course, you are only doing the physical challenges that were done on the shows, but still, they are difficult and in order to improve your weekly score, you have to do well.
Vacation Beach Isle Wii - I know, sounds like a slackers workout, right? I thought so, too. And while, yes, many of the activities do not require that much motion, 90% of the games focus on balance and stability, and the ever important hand-eye coordination. So these are kind of like mental-to-physical activities, and more done as a third workout during a day, or on my rest days so I still get a little movement and action. However, let's not be to quick to pass this one off. The Hula Dancing and Fire Dancing are quite involved, and the higher your degree of difficulty, the more you definitely feel the burn. Let's just say, I'm Hawaiian, and MY hips and obliques hurt after five rounds of hula dancing!!
Boot Camp Wii - Yep, seems like a silly game, right? My husband and I actually got this one just for fun. But after the first time of playing, we were so physically exhausted! The activities range from shooting things out of the sky to peeling potatoes, every job that would be done by a soldier at boot camp! The main thing that keeps this game up there with a workout status is that the motions that you have to do to complete an activity are so involved, that you literally are aching by the time you are done with ONE activity, let alone a whole chain of activities. It may not be a "Booty" Boot Camp, but it is a boot camp nonetheless!
Wii Fit Plus - Yes, Wii Fit Plus has a variety of exercises that can keep you going. I just find that the time between each exercise keeps me from having a constant high heart rate that is required in a good workout. I, therefore, keep this one around purely for "extra" little workouts throughout the week, and on my two rest days.
So far, that is all I'm working with. Along with my membership to Jillian Michaels online program which gives me circuits to complete. But, honestly, you can get that information from a number of her books, and all the exercises that she showcases in her online program are featured in her "Winning by Losing" book, and in her DVD's and Wii game, Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011. So you could save yourself a membership fee, and just go stock up on her books and DVD's and save yourself money in the long run. :)
Today was the first day that I looked in the mirror and physically SAW a difference in how I look. I have noticed a difference in how I feel, but that is secondary to if I actually see a difference when I look in the mirror. Let me just say, that when I looked in the mirror, and noticed a layer of fat missing from my body, I was practically in tears. It pays to do the workouts. It pays to watch your portions. It pays to do the work.
Good luck on your workouts, and keep moving! Even if you're only walking everyday, keep it up! Something is better than nothing, and you will eventually see a new you standing in front of your mirror!
This week, not only am I doing my 25/25 Challenge, I've upgraded my workouts. I am now doing two workouts (on most days that is!), and then trying to get in a little Yoga as well. The Yoga really helps with my back, and just my overall body. Some nice stretches to stretch my muscles, and really clear my mind. Not to mention, Yoga helps with my balance, which is something that has gone down hill since I haven't been exercising as much. My workouts never exceed 45 minutes, but most of them are only 30 minutes long. However, when you're doing Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred as one of your workouts, and then perhaps the Biggest Loser Challenge for Wii as the other workout, you're getting a pretty full workout!
Sunday was a rest day, or was supposed to be, so I only did Yoga that day, just to keep me limber and focused. Monday was the circuits from hell day! I swear I did so many squats, I could have squat around the globe and back! Needless to say, my legs that day were pretty much the consistency of jello, and every squat since has hurt like a.....well, it hurt!! Tuesday wasn't so bad, a little circuit training via Jillian, and then two sessions of Yoga. Wednesday, which was supposed to be another "rest" day, was, in fact, not. But that was my choice. I decided to work it because I feel lazy on my "rest" days. I know that the body needs time to heal from the working out, and I fully get that. But I feel like I've been on my groove this past week, and I just hate the slow days where I'm thrown off my rhythm a little. So I did more Yoga, and some challenges on my Biggest Loser for Wii.
Just to keep you up-to-date on the different things that I am doing for my various exercises, here's the breakdown:
Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD - Three levels of circuit workouts by JM, with Level 3 being the biggest variety of exercises and the most difficult in degree.
Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011 Wii - This actually is compiled of JM circuits, just made in to a game where you are fighting villains and crime in different challenges once you've worked out enough to participate in those. I have yet to do a challenge, or as she calls them "missions," because I have only had time to complete the workout and move on with my day. One of these days, I will try it!
The Biggest Loser Challenge Wii - Between Bob and Jillian, you are worked to the EXTREME!!! Not to mention the weekly weigh ins, and the weekly challenges as well. Each weekly challenge put you up against former Biggest Loser contestants in challenges that they participated in. Of course, you are only doing the physical challenges that were done on the shows, but still, they are difficult and in order to improve your weekly score, you have to do well.
Vacation Beach Isle Wii - I know, sounds like a slackers workout, right? I thought so, too. And while, yes, many of the activities do not require that much motion, 90% of the games focus on balance and stability, and the ever important hand-eye coordination. So these are kind of like mental-to-physical activities, and more done as a third workout during a day, or on my rest days so I still get a little movement and action. However, let's not be to quick to pass this one off. The Hula Dancing and Fire Dancing are quite involved, and the higher your degree of difficulty, the more you definitely feel the burn. Let's just say, I'm Hawaiian, and MY hips and obliques hurt after five rounds of hula dancing!!
Boot Camp Wii - Yep, seems like a silly game, right? My husband and I actually got this one just for fun. But after the first time of playing, we were so physically exhausted! The activities range from shooting things out of the sky to peeling potatoes, every job that would be done by a soldier at boot camp! The main thing that keeps this game up there with a workout status is that the motions that you have to do to complete an activity are so involved, that you literally are aching by the time you are done with ONE activity, let alone a whole chain of activities. It may not be a "Booty" Boot Camp, but it is a boot camp nonetheless!
Wii Fit Plus - Yes, Wii Fit Plus has a variety of exercises that can keep you going. I just find that the time between each exercise keeps me from having a constant high heart rate that is required in a good workout. I, therefore, keep this one around purely for "extra" little workouts throughout the week, and on my two rest days.
So far, that is all I'm working with. Along with my membership to Jillian Michaels online program which gives me circuits to complete. But, honestly, you can get that information from a number of her books, and all the exercises that she showcases in her online program are featured in her "Winning by Losing" book, and in her DVD's and Wii game, Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011. So you could save yourself a membership fee, and just go stock up on her books and DVD's and save yourself money in the long run. :)
Today was the first day that I looked in the mirror and physically SAW a difference in how I look. I have noticed a difference in how I feel, but that is secondary to if I actually see a difference when I look in the mirror. Let me just say, that when I looked in the mirror, and noticed a layer of fat missing from my body, I was practically in tears. It pays to do the workouts. It pays to watch your portions. It pays to do the work.
Good luck on your workouts, and keep moving! Even if you're only walking everyday, keep it up! Something is better than nothing, and you will eventually see a new you standing in front of your mirror!
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