It Is a New Week!

Well, today was not quite the disaster on the scale that I thought it would be. With finding out that Andy's lay off is "permanent" and his birthday and going out to eat at Olive Garden on Saturday, I thought I was for sure going to gain back that 2lbs I lost last week. Instead, it was only about half a pound. Guess exercise does do a body good!

PS If you aren't sure who wrote what post, look in the labels or "keywords." If one of us wrote a specific post, you will find our name listed there. Thanks!

Two Words Peeps: WEIGHT LIFTING

If you want to burn fat, boost your metabolism, and sculpt/tone any part of your body, it’s imperative you do some strength training. And I don’t mean using some “two-pound-my-bra-weighs-more-than-your-dumbells” kind of weight lifting. I want you to push yourselves outside the “heavier weights = bulkier frame” mindset. I’ve been following the ChaLean Extreme (www.beachbody.com) program for a couple of weeks (three mornings per week, approximately 30-45 minutes each set) and I’ve seen metamorphisizing results already. My cousins Sunny and Mandy are currently in different cycles of P90X (www.beachbody.com) which I have followed in the past and let me tell you, it produces the same results.

Muscle truly does burn fat! It was hard for me mentally to imagine that lifting 20-30 pounds for each exercise wasn’t going to turn me into She-looks-like-a-He-Man and it was physically hard for me to lift that much weight but the goal is to exhaust your muscles after only 6-8 reps. And it works! My foopa/apron/tube of biscuits belly is actually starting to shrink, yeehaw!

But get real. If you haven’t worked out other than getting off the couch to change the TV channel because the batteries in your remote went dead, please don’t plunge into this intense kind of workout program. Exercise is something you want to ease into, make small commitments and stick with them, then up your anty by adding more days per week, more challenging routines, and heavier weights.

I know from personal experience that you have to keep “tricking” your body by doing different things to see results. If you run all the time (which is of course a great way to exercise), you occasionally need to break that cycle and try a group fitness class or workout DVD at home. Same goes for group fitness (which is my personal choice for a cardio workout………..running is something I truly try to avoid unless I’m being chased). However, I occasionally run stairs or run on the beach (easier on the left knee) giving that dreaded exercise “plateau” a big ol’ kick in the face! ARRRGGGGHHH! (That was my Pirate yell, hahaha).

So what are y’all waiting for? Get moving and lifting, and don’t forget to shake that booty!

What? You mean I'm not Superwoman? Well Screw That!

Well, life has a funny way of sneaking up on a person. All three of
us have been busy and not terribly inspired, I'm afraid. Personally,
I feel perhaps hypocritical in suggesting you should be healthy, eat
right and exercise. I posted I was below 200 on my birthday, yet here
it is nearly a month later and I'm still bouncing around the same
numbers. We won't even discuss some of the foods I've been eating
lately. Well those who know me, at all, know I'm honest. So here it
goes, as Rachel says, "We have to remember we're not superhuman!" My response was, "...just so you know I am superwoman."


But Rachel is right...we are not superhuman. Yet, we and society put
so much pressure on ourselves. Pressure to be the best spouse, the
best friend, the best employee, the best parent, the best whatever.
Two words people: SCREW THAT! Learn to take some time out. Learn to give yourself a break. Learn to value the small things. Just let go
of the pressure to "be the best." Just be happy and love yourself.
The rest will come with time.

Cheap Calories and Couch Potatoes

Boy have we got some heavy reading for you! Mothergoosemouse posted a five part series on obesity, high fructose corn syrup and health care in the United States. We especially like the comments/discussion following the last post. Are we fat because we make bad choices, are we fat because of our food? It's definitely open to debate. Check it out and come back and tell us what you think:

Part one

Part two

Part three

Part four

Part five (conclusion)

When the Simple Life Isn't So Simple

Weight loss and getting healthy isn't just about your body. It's about everything in your life...especially your brain (and yes I know it's part of the body!). Things have to shift in your brain to make this process work. Let's explore one thing that can affect this shift...what do you do when a seemingly great friend turns out to a) not be the person you thought they were, b) not bring anything positive into your life, or c) all of the above? Now, note, I said friends. Family is a whole different story.

What is the acceptable way to deal with these situations? I personally have moved and not provided a forwarding address. It's a totally passive way of dealing with it. That particular friend was never mean or aggressive towards me...rather it was all about her, never about me. And, we all know, it's about me! But seriously, I had discussed, or at least thought I had discussed how I felt about the friendship. Apparently, she didn't get it. So in keeping with simplifying my life, I decided not to maintain that friendship.

How many people can you maintain close friendships with? Really. Think about that one for a minute. You can "know" a lot of people but how much energy can you or are you willing to expend maintaining close personal friendships? And before you freak out, realize that it's okay not to be best buds with everyone you meet.

If people aren't bringing joy into your life, then don't have them in your life. And, I don't mean they can't share their problems with you, or that you can't share your problems with them. I mean, do they give you the love and support that you give them. Or, is it one-sided?

It's okay to move on. If you're looking for those things that make your life more full and enriched, that friend is probably not the right one for you. Sometimes the simple life just isn't that simple!

Below 200!

First of all, "Happy Birthday to me!" Okay, today is my 28th birthday. It's amazing how age gives a person a little perspective. It's not like I have a ton of perspective but I wanted to share what little perspective I do have. Today is the first time in the last 14 years that I have officially weighed less than 200 lbs. As my "present" the scales said 199 this morning!

What's the perspective?
Well, at 14 I was so much bigger than all the other girls in my class. I was in fine shape...for an adult. At 14, I told myself I was a big, fat cow. At 28, I know I'm hot...smokin' hot as Rachel says!


The other perspective, perhaps the even more important perspective?
For so many years, I had told myself there was no way I was going to be able to lose weight and get into shape. By telling myself that, I literally gave up. I ended up gaining so much more weight. I also gave up on other things in my life. Everything just seemed so hard. Now, I realize that if I can lose 52lbs maybe those other things that I thought I could never do are actually possible! One of those things was riding 41 miles on my bike in a single day last September. Here's what I called it then: that "Thing" (yes it's thing with a capitol T) that you never think you could ever do. We all have at least one "Thing" if not more.

So while this post is a brag post for me, it's also an opportunity for you to realize and think about what your "Thing" is. It may not be weight loss for you. What is it that is stopping you? Please take some time and really think about it. And, know, it's not always quick and certainly not easy but it can be done!

Struggles, Temptations, and Splurges

Ever have this problem? One of the hardest aspects of losing/maintaining weight for me is not splurging and giving into cravings! And when I do give in, not letting it turn into days/weeks of bad eating and not exercising. I have really been struggling with this lately and am trying to conquer it.

For the last month or more I have been letting myself repeat this vicious circle that I have created. Every week I start out by eating healthy and exercising daily which is what I know is successful for me. This lasts for 3-4 days and during this time I usually lose 6-8 pounds. Then for one reason or another, I give in to temptation the last few days of the week and don't exercise which in turn causes me to gain all the weight back that I lost earlier in the week. I know that my lack of willpower is what is causing me to re-live this situation over and over again but I just haven't completely figured out how to successfully resist these temptations. We all know there will be temptations in life but learning to deal with them properly is the difference between success and failure.

In my situation, I let a number of things steer me off course. If I know that we have plans for dinner out or any sort of special occasion that is going to be an excuse to eat badly, I either turn that whole day into a "splurge day" or turn several days into "splurge time". This is where my problem lies. If I could just be bad for the one meal or even just the one day, I would probably be ok. Portion control has never been my strong suit and this issue relates directly to that in my opinion. Once I start, it is really hard for me to stop and get back on track.

I can look in the cupboard and see all of these unhealthy things to eat and not really even want them. As long as I don't try them I am usually fine. But, if I happen to give in and have even just one bite of something I shouldn't then it is like the flood gates are open. I proceed to eat every bad thing in there that I have been wanting and think of other foods I have been wanting that I can splurge on since I have already ruined my diet for the day. I know that I am going to feel miserable when I am done and still not feel satisfied but I do it anyways.

This is a constant battle for me and one that I am working extremely hard to try and conquer. I know there will always be temptation and that it is going to take sheer willpower to successfully defeat it. Weight loss isn't ever easy and there is no magic pill or surgery that is going to change that. If anyone else shares these same struggles, I would love to hear your take on them and your advice on how you handle temptation. What causes you to backslide? Share your thoughts in the comments!