Weeks 39-40 for Jessica

Week 39 - nothing; this was a getting-back-into-routine-after-being-sick week.

Week 40:
Sunday: nothing
Monday: Ripped in 30, Level 4
Tuesday: Ripped in 30, Level 3
Wednesday:

I had fun this week pretending that I was at a bootcamp fitness class while I did the "Ripped in 30" DVD. Being an introvert, I think this might have been more fun than going to a bootcamp fitness class.

Well, maybe not, but it's certainly less expensive.

sooo

I have been exercising again the last few weeks.  I just needed to not post about it for a bit.

I'm working on having the right attitude again for WHY I am exercising.  I was so desperate to lose the baby weight (and quickly) that I become obsessive for the wrong reason and didn't exercise wisely (too much running too quick).  Then, when I was nearly pre-preg weight, I became so frustrated with how my body is for different reasons (my tummy, my thighs, my everything are so much more jiggly than I 'd like!) that I didn't want to exercise at all because I thought I would never reach my pre-preg body again (which I liked).

However, after a hard few months (for many reasons), I am back to exercising again for mental health and back health and have been working hard on telling myself that I am doing this to feel better and NOT to look better (though I realize that will naturally come with the territory, it can't be my motivation!).

So, I'm running and doing pilates.  I am focusing on building my bodies strength up again, and, honestly, I have much more energy to exercise now at 9 months postpartum than I did at 2, 3 and 4 months.   It is nice to think (feel) like I can actually rebuild my pre-pregnancy strength now.  Everything seemed so futile a few months ago.

All right.  Sorry for the long post!  (Okay, so I'm not, but well, there is no other expression in the English language I have found to express being 'sorry' without meaning that you're actually begging for forgiveness, if you know what I mean).

Emily's week 25

Saturday - hatha yoga (60 minutes), family hike (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - does housework count if it gets your heart-rate way up and throws your back out? ;)
Friday - nothing

Emily's week 24

Saturday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Friday - nothing

I'm really glad to be back on track with my yoga classes. I missed them while I was on sick and on vacation!

Emily's week 22

Nothing, nothing, and nothing! We've all been sick, so I've either been caring for sick children or being sick myself.

Next week we're on vacation up at my parents' house, and I'm not sure what that will mean for exercise. I'm kind of guessing it won't happen, though. We'll see. With some luck I'll get back on track in week 24. :)

Good Week

Sunday: walk
Monday: 20 minute bike ride, 1 hr yardwork
Tuesday: Walk with Luke, 30 minute bike ride
Wednesday: 2 mile walk pushing both kids in the double stroller- Luke loved riding with Rebekah. We all had a good time!
Thursday: 3 hrs. yardwork
Friday: bike for 40 minutes
Saturday: 2 mile walk

I planted my spring garden this week and spent some time trying to revitalize our lawn after last summer's record drought. It was a good week.

The kids got sick on Thursday night, so I worked out indoors on Friday and Nathan watched the kids while I went out Saturday morning.

My eating has been atrocious, however. I think I just need to eat more in the beginning of the day. By after dinner time, I am hungry and tend to overdo it. Rebekah complicates things too. She eats more than Luke did and has a higher metabolism. It is hard for me to judge how much I actually need to eat in order to keep up with her.

Week 36 for Jessica

Sunday: nothing
Monday: nothing
Tuesday: 30 Day Shred, Level 1
Wednesday: 30 Day Shred, Level 2
Thursday: nothing
Friday: nothing
Saturday: 4.5 miles of running/walking with Adam (about 50 min.)

Yolanda, I'm sorry, I don't know of a good leasing office. But I hope you find something good!

-Jess

Wks 5, 6 & 7 . . ?

I've lost track of where I'm supposed to be, so these are my best guesses at numbering.

Wk 5: Two 1 1/2 hour toddler speed walks with Ted

Wk 6: One body shaping class

Wk 7: 2 body shaping classes

I've been more busy than I like to be, which has interfered with the work-out schedule. I want to get back to exercising 3 x/week and will try to do that next week. Saturday mornings just aren't working for me right now, so I need to figure something else out.

I am also going to start using a calorie counting app this week. I'll let you know how it goes.

Finally, I could use some help from those of you who live in Southern California or have connections in Southern California. Ted and I are considering moving to Southern California, but we are in need of some affordable housing to make it happen.

Ted was accepted to two law schools in Southern California - one in Costa Mesa and the other in Fullerton - so we are looking for housing close to either place (Fullerton, Brea, Chino Hills, Whittier, Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Tustin, Long Beach, etc., etc.).

Would you happen to know of anyone who is looking to rent out an apartment, condo, or small house, or even an affordable complex to look into or a good leasing agency? We'd like a 3 br, 2 bath place to live if we can come up with one that is affordable. If not, we will settle on a 2 bd, 2 bath.

I'd appreciate any help you could give us. Thanks in advance for your help.

Yolanda

Emily's week 21

Saturday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - yogaworks body slim (30 minutes) - part of a dvd

I don't like the dvd (which is why I didn't do all of it.) It is very western "weight loss" style yoga, which I'm starting to think isn't yoga at all. :) The instructor is a little too chipper/peppy/cheerleader for my taste, and while she pays lip service to "staying with your breath", she moves so fast that we'd all be hyperventilating if we tried to breathe in sync with the movements! Also, she talks way too much.

Tomorrow I'm hoping to get back to class. Please, sick children, get well!

This Week

Sunday: nothing
Monday: Bob Harper Pure Strength - 2nd half. I did the first part last week. I was so sore both times that I felt it 3 and 4 days after.
Tuesday: Walk with Luke, some gardening
Wednesday: Prevention Belly
Thursday: Prevention Belly, Butt, and Thighs
Friday: nothing
Saturday: 2 mile walk carrying Rebekah (my 21lb kettle ball :) )

It was raining everyday this week so I didn't get a chance to go outside much. Hopefully we will get to see more sunshine in the coming week. :)

Week 35 for Jessica

Sunday: nothing
Monday: Killer Buns and Thighs, Level 2
Tuesday: Ripped in 30, Level 1
Wednesday: nothing
Thursday: nothing
Friday: did this super-intense fifteen-minute workout
Saturday: Yogaworks: Body Slim

-Jess

Emily's week 20

Saturday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Friday - nothing

I'm switching from calling my yoga classes "restorative" to "hatha" to reflect more accurately what I'm doing. When I started, there were a bunch of middle-aged women in the group who preferred "relaxing yoga", and Allison was teaching to them. About two weeks ago I talked with her after class and asked if some more challenging poses could be added. She responded enthusiastically, and now the class includes a lot of poses that can be simplified, but which also allow me to work to the edge of my ability. I'm loving it.

Week 34 for Jessica

Sunday: walked around the Huntington
Monday: Ripped in 30 DVD, Level 2
Tuesday: Ripped in 30 DVD, Level 3
Wednesday: nothing
Thursday: nothing
Friday: nothing
Saturday: Ripped in 30, Level 4

-Jess

Emily's week 19

Not a thing this week - the stomach flu really wiped our family out.

Practical Exercise

We retured home from CA about a week ago and I have been working to get things back in shape ever since. Practical exercise has made up the bulk of my workouts- heavy duty housework. I have been doing lots of yardwork- pruning, raking, etc... and still have much more to go. I have also tried to walk or ride the exercise bike at least once a day. Soon I'll be getting back to writing things down soon, but so far I have been too busy trying to conquer disorganiztion in other places of my life. :)

It is good to see everyone's posts. :)

Congratulations Katie P!

recap

M/W/F--20 min pilates
T/Th--2 mile run
Sa/Su--nothing

Week 33 for Jessica

Sunday:  nothing
Monday: three-hour hike
Tuesday: nothing
Wednesday: nothing
Thursday: Billie Blanks: Boot Camp S.O.S. DVD (Tae-Bo)
Friday: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism DVD
Saturday: nothing

-Jess

Week 3

T: Gym session - 20 mins cardio/20 mins weights

Th: Body shaping class

Back at it this week. I've got new running shoes, which have made a world of difference in my aerobics class (little did I know how unstable my old shoes were). But they did not make my muscles prepared for the soreness they would feel since I have not been exercising much lately. Ouchie.

Next week's goal: three workout sessions (should help with the sore muscles).

recap

M--2 mile run
T--20 minutes pilates
W--2 mile run
TH/F--nothing
Sat--2 mile run
Sun--nothing

Emily's week 18

Saturday - restorative yoga (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - restorative yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - stomach flu :(

Weeks 31-32 for Jess

Sun-Mon: nothing
Tues: 30 Day Shred, Level 2*
Wed: the Firm TurboCharge Weight Loss: Cardio Blast
Thurs-Sat: nothing

Sun: nothing
Mon: the Firm TurboCharge Weight Loss: Burn and Firm
Tues: 30 Day Shred, Level 1
Wed: nothing
Thurs: nothing
Fri: roller-skating
Sat: roller-skating; Killer Buns and Thighs, Level 1 (new Jillian DVD)

Yolanda - I don't know how it's going in the contest with my brother, 'cause he and I haven't weighed in together since Christmas. But I highly doubt I'm winning. :)  I should find out how it's going at the end of this next week.

-Jess

*you can tell I'm getting serious again: I'm doing my least favorite level of the Shred.

Week 2

Like Emily, I did nothing this week. Start of the semester meetings, job applications, and class prep made going to the gym more trouble than it was worth this week. Will get back into the swing of things next week.

Emily's week 17

Not one bit of exercise to report this week. But my family has been cared for and I spent 31 hours at an amazing birth. So I think my priorities are doing ok. :)

Week 1

So I managed to get back into things after Christmas and my winter minimester had ended. I have only gotten to the gym on Tuesdays & Thursdays, but I still consider myself to be on vacation for another week, when the semester starts up again. In other words, I feel like I can get away with it for another week and then will stop having the major excuse of "relaxing" to keep me out of the gym on Saturdays.

Have been battling a cough and a sore knee in the process, which has not been fun, but I have been able to avoid letting them sidetrack my routine.

Also, an update on the 10 lb challenge: I believe I lost a total of 6 lbs, but I'm not exactly sure. Now that the holidays are over, I'm trying to be more conscious about what I eat and how much I am eating. My hubby is trying to do the same thing, which should make the process a bit easier overall. I'm 12 lbs away from losing the extra pounds that I have been carrying since the birth of my son.

Jessica, how did it go for you and your brother?

week 2 back (i guess)

T and W--2 mile run
Meant to do pilates the rest of the week since Jesse is out of town, but the unexpected 6 hour hospital ordeal on Thurs wiped me out.  All for a stupid splint.  Since when have pediatricians been unable to put a splint on??

Emily's week 16

Saturday - restorative yoga (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - restorative yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - restorative yoga (60 minutes)
Friday - nothing

Recap

Not much exercise, but starting up again was the greater point.  My body feels itself again and that is very nice.

T-1 mile run
W-1 mile run
F-3 hour long hike

Week 30 for Jess

Sun-Mon: nothing
Tues: Biggest Winner Maximize: Back in Action
Wed: 30 Day Shred, Level 3
Thurs: walked around Knott's Berry Farm all day
Fri: 30 Day Shred, Level 1
Sat: yoga class with Emiy - so fun!


12/28 note - It feels so good to get back to basics!

12/31 note - first week in a long time that I worked out all week. It feels so good; I missed working out so much. I think if I get sick again, I'm going to work out anyway - maybe just walking, but something, because I feel so much better when I exercise.

-Jess

Emily's week 16

Saturday - nothing (Christmas Eve!)
Sunday - nothing (Christmas!)
Monday - restorative yoga (about 15 minutes, just to loosen me up a bit)
Tuesday - restorative yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - nothing

Weeks 25-28: nothing, because I was sick.

Week 29:
Sunday-Tues: nothing
Wednesday: "Biggest Winner: Maximize: Back In Action" - longest DVD title ever (I could have added "Jillian Michaels'", but a nice, short, intense workout. A good first one back.)
Thursday: "Biggest Winner: Maximize: Full Frontal" (another Jillian Michaels - matching DVD to the one I did yesterday)
Fri-Sat: nothing

Back to it!

-Jess

Emily's week 15

Saturday - restorative yoga (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - restorative yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - vinyasa yoga (60 minutes)
Friday - nothing

With Jonathan on vacation, I was able to get to an extra class this week (8am classes don't work when I have to take him to school at that time!) Katie Peckham and I traded babysitting today so I could go to yoga at 8am and then she went to the gym at 9:30. It worked out beautifully, and we're going to do it again next week!

spinning plates and low expectations

I've loved the conversation (and honesty) on here about what to choose. Someone once told me that you do each day what is the most important to you. So at the end of the day I can see a visual of my true priorities...it may be indications that I need to re-evaluate what is important to me but what I want and what I accomplish never (NEVER) line up. Right now in this season for our family (Daniel is 5 weeks old) we are adjusting to very little sleep and the busyness of four five and under. On top of life we are selling everything we have, preparing to move out of our home (in several months) and into my parents and raising our support in preparation to depart for Sudan. Let's just say between this and homeschooling I have found great success in setting really low expectations.
I tend to set expectations way too high and then feel discouraged, so for this season I have three each day clean laundry, no dishes in the sink, and time with God to set the tone for our home. These are my priorities and I find my day is successful when I have completed them. I have other things I try and get done but don't allow myself to get overly discouraged when the sun goes down and they are left incomplete. This, for this time, has allowed me to focus on my kids and their needs more then I would normally be able to and just cherish moments instead of being caught up in to dos.

Thanks for encouraging me gals I've loved reading your post and being challenged to exercise even though I am a silent participant :-)

Emily's week 14

Saturday - yoga class (75 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - nothing

Thank you, everyone! It is encouraging to hear that I'm not the only one who can't keep all the plates spinning all the time. :)

I especially liked what Yolanda said here:

"But it can be a challenge to keep my priorities in check and avoid stressing about all the other items on the to do list that have to fall by the wayside."

This is exactly my problem: I think that everything is (or should be) a priority, and get frustrated when that (obviously) doesn't work.

Kelly, your goal of something for the family and something for you each day made me think more clearly about what I actually do during the day. For the family, dinner and/or laundry tend to be my priorities. For me it is usually an orderly house (I get really stressed by visual messes) and/or reading for pleasure. And once I really thought about it, I realized that exercise just doesn't have the same importance to me as either of those. Hmm. Now to decide if it should, or if I should just quit internalizing the culture's stick-thin expectations...!

Jess, your comment about it not being sloth, but rather "triage" made me laugh, and I think you're absolutely right! My whole life is one big triage room right now. :) Thinking about it that way is helpful.

So again, thank you for your encouragement and wise counsel. I'm blessed to know you girls!

dropping plates

Um, yes, something always gets dropped.  Always.

Ironically, I, one of the more regular exercisers here, dropped exercising off for this last month due to health issues and I still had to drop housework on top of that because of other circumstances!!!

So my approach (and this may not be the wisest), but I mark two goals each day as the 'must-have' goals: one is the must-have for my happiness (exercise is usually this. Sometimes sewing.  Sometimes a nap); the second is the must be done for the happiness of the family (usually this is dinner.  If I luck out and there are enough leftovers, then it becomes another chore.  Sometimes it is doing an art project with the kids and then we have cereal for dinner or smthg equally easy and silly.)

In other words, our household is always running a bit behind somewhere and I have come to terms that this just happens when you have small children.  I think our memories of our parents households having it together have a lot to do with us being teenagers helping out with the chores!!!

I think that this season of our lives is more about training than anything else.  We are training ourselves to be disciplined and training our children (not just in character, but in helping out around the house).  And I think this means that things get done less as a result now for the purpose of being taken care of in the future, if that makes sense.

I'm not saying that I don't get annoyed with the seemingly continual chaos, messes and lack of accomplishments, but I realize that what is more important is my attitude than anything else.  And, that brings me back to the main reason I exercise: my mental health.

The Mystical Magical Art of Plate Spinning

Emily, I have no idea to keep all the plates going at once.

Case in point: my exercise schedule for the last several weeks.

Week before Thanksgiving: 4 exercise sessions (the most I've done in a long time!)

Week of: One exercise Class

Week after Thanksgiving: 2 exercise classes

First full week in December: 3 exercise classes (back on track!)

This week: 1 class, if I'm lucky, in addition to my feeble attempts to squeeze some kind of activity into my daily schedule.

I wish I was better about exercising regularly. After all, it is important to maintaining good health - and sanity! But when I add in all my other responsibilities - husband, 2 year old son, full time job - and the other related facets of these responsibilities (maintaining a home and family budget, finals followed by a 10 day minimester, job applications, and other professional responsibilities), I find that I just can't put my all into everything. So I try to prioritize and understand what is most important for the week I am in. This week, it was class prep and job applications. Next week, it will job applications and holiday prep. I will get my exercise in when I can by doing a few simple exercises while my son naps and attending the Saturday morning exercise classes, but I beyond that, I can't worry about what I can't do.

As long as I keep my priority list for the week relatively short (1 to 3 items), I can usually achieve my goals and feel like I've accomplished something each week. But it can be a challenge to keep my priorities in check and avoid stressing about all the other items on the to do list that have to fall by the wayside.

a bye week

Emily - I've been thinking about your last post, and I think the way that I handle it is that I let each category of things have a "bye week". I mean, this month, the kids' school schedule is bizarre and there's tons of holiday prep, and so I'm not pressing myself to get my writing done. Right now, my writing has a bye week. Some days I think, "today is all about writing" and the housework is what slides. Other times I know the kids really need some intensive one-on-one time and I prioritize that and something else gets neglected.

I think you're right: we can't do it all. At least not all the time.  So I cycle things. I attend to one thing and get that plate spinning, then leave it to continue on with its momentum, and turn to the next thing and get it spinning faster, and so on.

I think you have to be okay with saying, "this part of my life isn't stellar right now" but only if you're ending that sentence with "because there is something else more important that I'm attending to". So, not sloth, just triage.

I'm guessing that you never reach a point of life where this isn't necessary, and our dissatisfaction comes with assuming that we will reach that point, and so we get angry that we're not there yet. But I don't think there's any "there" there. Or rather, no "there" here. There is certainly a rest to come for God's people. And He gives to his beloved sleep, even here on earth.

But I do think that part of wisdom is the ability to say, "this now, and not this". And then not to get stuck in that evaluation when the situation changes.

Which it always does.

I hate change. I'm just saying. Golly, everything should stay the same forever and I should just be allowed to sit on the couch reading and drinking coffee.

(Okay, that last bit was my thirty-something angst, not my ideal self. Heh.)

-Jess

Emily's week 13

Saturday - yoga class (75 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - nothing

Phooey. This is not going as planned.

Ok, girls, I want to know if the rest of you have the same problem I have. Namely that something always gets dropped each week. Every week I'm aiming for a clean house, clean laundry, healthy meals, quality kid time (reading, preschool, park, play, etc.) and exercise. (And church work and doula work and getting-ready-for Christmas, of course.) Every week something gets dropped. If I'm exercising, it is a good bet that my house isn't clean or I'm not paying enough attention to the kids. Rationally, it doesn't seem like it should be this way, but practically that does seem to be how it plays out.

Is this just me? How do you manage to keep all the plates spinning at once?

Emily's week 12

Saturday - yoga class (75 minutes)
Sunday - yoga class (75 minutes)
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - nothing

Well gee, I'm glad I went to those classes on the weekend! ;)

taking a step back

blood work came back good!  Seems the heartburn was totally unrelated (doc thought it might be a thyroid issue) and am treating it as it's own separate thing now.  I was left with the reminder, though, to "Take it easy.  Remember--nursing a baby takes a LOT out of you."

That is true and, in hindsight, I do think I was pushing my body to hard.  I plan on starting exercising again next week, but I am going to just plan on simple workouts and I will add more on a day to day basis only if I have the energy and not because I feel compelled to.  Yes, it may not keep the panic attacks completely at bay, but, my body doesn't have the energy to do otherwise right now.  And, honestly, it is okay if I need to rely on people once in a while to help me when my hormones get out of control.  I don't always need to be completely self-sufficient.

In other news, I am in my favorite pre-preg pants again!!!  I ironically lost more weight in the last couple weeks after I stopped exercising.

another week off

The anemia was making my workouts too hard and I've been experiencing chronic heartburn since my last period (my third in six weeks due to that brief spell on the mini-pill totally screwing up my hormones).  I'm going to the Dr today to get checked out and see if it is okay to workout while trying to re-establish healthy iron levels and to see if the heartburn is related to the anemia or another issue altogether.

Darn my body!

11 Holiday Dessert Recipes You'll Love: self.com

Because I'm always in the market for healthier desserts (yes, I know that is an oxymoron), I thought you might enjoy these recipes too.

11 Holiday Dessert Recipes You'll Love: self.com

Emily's week 11

Saturday - nothing
Sunday - nothing
Monday - walking stairs at the park (about 20 minutes)
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - running/walking/carrying heavy objects (45 minutes)
Thursday - nothing
Friday - heavy yard work (1 hour and 45 minutes)

This week has been about fitting things in (I've been extra busy, trying to catch up after the birth last week and then getting ready for Thanksgiving). Also about resting my wrist, which is hurting consistently. So my workouts were kind of creative. :) But they sure raised my heart rate, and I'm proud of myself for doing something, and not letting busy-ness and pain be an excuse not to try.

Also, here is my winterized garden!

Before (look at the size of that plant!!)



After:

Weeks 23 & 24 for Jess

Not much for week 23 - I got sick. Yes, again. Yes, I am tired of this pattern. Oh well.

Week 24:
Sunday: nothing
Monday: nothing
Tuesday: 27/40 minutes of Personal Training with Jackie DVD
Wednesday: nothing
Thursday: No More Trouble Zones DVD
Friday: nothing
Saturday: nothing

Hey! I worked out twice! I'm still sick, but not working out was starting to make me feel crappy, so I worked out a couple of times anyway.

If I was really smart, I might sleep at least 8 hours a night too . . .

-Jess

Emily's week 10

Saturday - yoga zone dvd (45 minutes)

Sunday - nothing
Monday - yoga zone dvd (22 minutes)
Tuesday - yoga at the park (about 20 minutes while the kids played!)
Wednesday - nothing (resting my wrist which has been hurting)
Thursday - birth support
Friday - birth support

Well, this is a fabulous week. Good for me. :)

I am SO SORE from the birth! Counter-pressure, and leaning over a bed at odd angles, and supporting a "limp and loose" mama who is leaning all her weight on you, and squatting in front of her as she sits on a birth ball (not to mention staying up all night...) that is some workout!

Break

After a two mile jog on Monday, I took the rest of the week off.  I just needed a break and I am glad I did (and glad that it was during a time of the month I could manage emotionally!).  The craziness of family visiting last week plus my anemia struggles just had me worn out.

I am really annoyed I'm anemic now (especially since I'm pretty certain it was that brief episode on the mini-pill that started it.  It totally messed up my cycle).  I just wish I had pushed myself to exercising 40 minutes first without trying the pill as a cop out! Anyhow, since starting floradix a couple days ago, I'm already feeling  little better.  

Good Week

I have been loving Bob Harper's Pure Strength DVD (except for some of the silly "hardcore" camera shots, etc..). There is a beginner 20 min workout and a one hour knock your socks off hard sort of work out. I had been trying to do the hour long workout, but I was seriously sore for an entire week. When I am lifting a baby and wrestling a toddler all week too, it is just not practical for me to be that sore. So, I am contenting myself with the beginner. That combined with walks, my bike, and some good old yard work is giving me plenty of variation to stay motivated.

I can't remember what day was what (still coming out of the sick/baby fog from last month), but my goal was to do Bob 3x, walk at least 5 days, and the bike 2x, with a smattering of yard work. I missed a day on the bike, and didn't as long of walks in as I wanted everyday, but pretty much met the goal.

Yay!

Week 22 for Jess

Sunday: nothing
Monday: 30 Day Shred, Level 1
Tuesday: nothing
Wednesday: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism
Thursday: Dancing with the Stars: Cardio Dance (jive section)
Friday: Personal Training with Jackie (40 min. circuit)
Saturday: nothing

This was a great week. And I had extra incentive: I bet my brother $10 that I could lose 10 lbs. before he could (which might be a bit nuts, considering how much taller than me he is!) and we're going to be weighing in once a week. If we both hit the 10 lb. mark at the same time, we're gonna go spend the money together. (thanks to Yolanda for the inspiration!)

It's totally fun - nothing like a little competition to get things moving!

-Jess

Week 21 for Jess

Nada y nada por nada.

I'm blaming my pulled tooth; I just hurt all week.

But, back at it today, so hopefully this will be the week-of-getting-back-to-normal.

-Jess

Last week

Got to the gym on Tues, Thurs, AND Sat. Determined to at least try to meet the 10 lb weight loss challenge I signed up for (besides, I want my $10 back!). Will see if I've made any progress on Thursday of this week.

If anything, I'm trying to be more careful about what I eat in addition to working out more (goodbye chocolate candy snacks - for the most part . . .). If I can keep this up for a month, I know these will turn into good everyday habits for me. Here's to healthy success!

recap

M-3 miles
T and Th--45 min pilates, light weights and yoga
W-4 miles
F-2 miles

Emily's week 9

We'll just skip this week, shall we? :)

Recap of Last Week

I am back in the groove, having returned to my 2x/week exercise classes. I also signed up for a 10 lb weight loss challenge at my gym. My aerobics instructor is monitoring the participants, who have all paid $10 to join the challenge. The gist: try to lose 10 lbs in 4 weeks (right through Thanksgiving!). When you lose your 10 lbs, you get your $10 back.

I don't actually think I will lose 10 lbs that quickly, but the challenge has motivated me to be more careful about what I eat and will get me in the gym on Saturday mornings. Other bonus: if I actually do lose the weight, I will expand my wardrobe again (my pre-pregnancy clothes are still too small, but I nearly fit into a lot of them).

Katie, I have all the ingredients to make your muffins, but I haven't baked them yet! Between my hubby's law school applications, my job applications, and student essays, my free time is quickly disappearing.

recap (not so much)

So, we went to my parents for a long weekend this last week.  I exercised but can't remember what I did for the first half of the week.  Oh, well!

I did enjoy a break from running for a few days and used my parents' exercise bike.  Although I prefer running, I have found that every so often its nice to give my muscles a break and alter things up a bit.

The increased cardio continues to help with my hormonal imbalance.  No real problems the last couple weeks.

Week 20 for Jessica

Sunday - Power Yoga with Rodney Yee (60 min.)
Monday - 30 Day Shred, Level 1

And then that's it. Because I got sick AGAIN. Argh! I'm so sick of being sick. I'm hoping this is the end of it.

-Jess

Emily's week 8

Saturday - yoga class (75 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - yoga, my pace (30 minutes)
Thursday - nothing, sick
Friday - nothing, sick

Hopefully I'll feel better in time for the yoga class tomorrow morning!

Crazy Weeks All Around

No exercise for me last week. Was dealing with a sick child. He had a pretty high fever, and our AC went out the same day he developed it. No fun for anyone.

This week, it's time to get back on track. I'm going to try out your bran muffin recipe, Katie, get back in the gym, and try to add a Saturday exercise class (assuming we don't head down to the Homecoming parade that morning). Wish me luck.

BTW, Self.com has daily tips for snacking smarter. Thought you might appreciate this one: http://www.self.com/tips/healthy-snacks/02-100-calorie-snacks

Weeks 18 & 19 for Jessica

On Monday of Week 18, I did Ripped in 30, Level 1.

On Monday of Week 18, I did the 30 Day Shred, Level 1.


And that's it! the first week, it was because I got caught up in writing. This last week, it was because 5 of the 6 of us got sick (including me).

So, you know, back to the drawing board!
-Jess

recap

Okay, so I tried doubling my workout time this week (from 20 min-40ish) and it has done the trick in helping me feel myself again.   It's been awhile since I've felt so good!  However, it has been a very tiring week with all the extra exercise and I am going have to re-format my days off next week because 5 days in a row of 40 min exercise was way too much.    I just couldn't do it today despite my best intentions!!!

sa/su--rest
mon--4 miles
tues--4 miles
wed--2 miles, 20 minutes pilates
thurs--4 miles
fri-1 mile speed run.  8 min 10 seconds.  my record pre-preg was 7 min 30 seconds.

Emily's week 7

Saturday - nothing
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - No OM dvd (15 minutes)
Friday - dance party with the boys (10 minutes), yoga at my own pace (20 minutes)

It has been a nutty week. Hopefully I'll get back on track now.

snacks and water tip

I cannot help with recipes as I refuse to bake unless it involves lots of fat and butter.  (:

However, my quick go-to snack is a rice cake with peanut butter and honey on top.  Simple, easy and quick.  I also like to snack on pickles and beef jerky.  Ok.  I guess I realize now this isn't helpful because none of these are really satisfying for a sweet tooth.

One GREAT tip, though, I got from my midwife: when you drink your water, squeeze a slice of lemon into it and add a little honey and a pinch of salt.  It makes the water more tasty and instead of the water working to flush out the nutrients in your body, your body absorbs the nutrients in the water!!!!

My biggest tip is the more water you drink the less stuff you crave.  I really mean it.  Every time I have a craving, I first drink at least two glasses of water and I usually find that the craving has diminished.

Last week

Just body shaping on T/Th once again for me. I had planned on adding a Saturday morning class to the routine, but Little Ted developed a fever on Friday morning and is still battling it. His illness is going to affect this week's workout as well - no class for me tomorrow so my hubby and I can take him to the dentist and *hopefully* get to the bottom of this not-so-pleasant infection.

Thanks for the great recipes. I have been in a baking mood lately, and these are much healthier options than the chocolate croissants I made over the weekend. Will report back once I try them out - after our A/C is fixed. It went out the same day Little Ted's fever started. *Sigh* When it rains, it pours!

Bran Muffins

I posted this recipe on my own blog, but thought you all might like it too:

http://making-room.blogspot.com/2011/10/bran-muffins.html

I literally eat these with milk or coffee/milk everyday. They are high fiber and low in calories and contain only fruit and honey to sweeten them. Enjoy!

Oh, and last week I walked and did Bob's pure strength workout again (1/2 one day and 1/2 the next). I still feel it today and have to break up the strength training with the walks. It is perfect for someone like me who has hip troubles, but is otherwise in good shape. Often after a workout with Jillian, the jumping and cardio segments would set off my bursitis.

Emily's week 6

Saturday - No OM yoga dvd (15 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - No OM yoga dvd (30 minutes)
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - No OM yoga dvd (15 minutes)
Thursday - nothing - dang it, I totally had time and actually FORGOT!
Friday - more dental work :(

My right wrist and shoulder are acting up again. This appears to be my permanent nemesis, and may necessitate a visit to a physical therapist.

Because of the wrist and shoulder, I'm mostly doing core and lower body yoga with the No OM dvd. My favorite is the lower body workout, although I find that I wish she would do the same flow of movements in twice as much time. While I get the reason for the 15 minute segments (heck, that's what attracted me in the first place!) I feel rushed through the poses. Maybe I'll work on memorizing the flow, and then aim to complete it in 30 minutes instead of 15? Something to think about.

week recap

Wow.  This week was exciting.  The mini-pill caused me to have migraine aura and I learned that migraine aura symptoms are very similar to stroke symptoms and that is why you are supposed to rush to the doctor if you have those symptoms while on the pill.

Exciting.

But, needless to say, I have stopped taking the pill and am now back to square one with figuring out how to self-regulate my hormones.  The next attempt, which is probably the most effective, is to step up my cardio to 40-45 minutes a day.  I have been aiming primarily for just 20-30 these days.  I've been doing that W/Th/F and feeling great.

Sa/Sun-rest
Mon-2.5 miles
Tues-rest
Wed,Thurs, Fri--4 miles

Granola bar recipe

I posted this as a comment to Yolanda, but thought others might miss it in the comments. For anyone who'd like to try them, here is the granola bar "cookie" recipe:

2 cups rolled oats
1 cup WW pastry flour
1/4 cup sucanat (or brown sugar)
3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/2 t salt
1 t cinnamon
1/2 cup melted coconut oil (or butter)
1/3 cup honey
2 eggs
2 t vanilla
approx. 1 cup add ins (I use about 1 T. chia seeds, maybe 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips, and fill the rest of the cup with well chopped walnuts.)

Preheat the oven to 350 deg. Line a 9x13 pan with foil or parchment paper and coat with a little oil. Combine the dry ingredients, then combine the wet ingredients separately (I usually just use my 2 cup glass measuring cup) Pour the wet into the dry and stir until well blended. Press evenly into a pan - I find a piece of parchment paper makes this a lot easier!

Bake 25 to 30 minutes - it is done when it is starting to turn golden. It usually takes 25 min in my oven. Let cool completely then turn out onto a cutting board. Cut into bars or squares and store in an airtight container.

Last week's workouts

Su - nothing

M - nothing

T - body shaping

W - nothing

Th - body shaping

F - nothing

Sa - nothing

I thinking I've been in this aerobics class long enough that my body has gotten used to the exercise. I don't feel wiped out at the end of the class and can keep up with the exercises better now.

Goals for next week: add a day of working out (I need more movement to get the weight loss going again)

Find more healthy snacks (Halloween candy & cookies aren't helping me with my goals - any suggestions for healthy replacements?)

kelly recap

sat-rest
sun-3 miles. 20 minutes pilates
mon-2 miles, 20 min pilates
tues-2 miles, 25 min pilates
wed-4 miles
thurs-2 miles
fri-2 miles

Emily, week 5

Saturday - nothing
Sunday - nothing
Monday - No OM yoga dvd (30 minutes)
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - No OM yoga dvd (15 minutes)
Friday - nothing


I'm not thrilled with the way this week went. We had car repairs to deal with (boy, do those ever mess up the daily plans!) and I've also been feeling really sick for the past 10 days or so. Nothing new; the familiar fatigue and headaches have just gotten a lot worse. As of Thursday I'm following my doctor's suggestion to remove gluten from my diet. She says that if I do that for 30 days, it should become very obvious if that is the problem or not. I can't decide if I hope it IS the problem (at least then I'd know what is wrong) or if it ISN'T (at least then I wouldn't have to completely change the way I eat).

I hope you don't mind if I include a little nutrition in my posts, since this is kind of all part of getting healthy for me right now. And honestly, I'm very discouraged and could use some prayer and accountability for both exercise AND nutrition right about now.

Week 17 for Jessica

Sunday: nothing

Monday: 30 Day Shred, Level 3

Tuesday: 30 Day Shred, Level 2

. . . . aaaaaaand then, nothing, not for the rest of the week. I'm sorry, it was over 100 degrees, and that's just not RIGHT in October. I made a conscious decision to wait for cooler weather. So, an unproductive week, work-out-wise, but not a bad one health-wise.

-Jess

Nothing/Something

I missed out on exercise two weeks ago :( because Little Ted was having some serious sleep issues. He's now happily settled in a toddler bed, and I was back in the gym last week as a result. Definitely was more sore after Tuesday's class due to one week break. Thursday's body shaping class was taught by the fitness director at my gym. Let me tell you, this woman is hardcore, but I was able to keep up for the most part and worked off Tuesday's soreness.

For this week, I plan on adding a day in the gym - I've plateaued on the weight loss front and need to push myself more physically to see results again.

Week 16 for Jessica

Sunday: walking around the Huntington (not a lot - just a bit of wandering)

Monday: Ripped in 30, Level 4 (easier than Level 3 - what is it with Jillian's videos saving the hardest workout for the middle?)

Tuesday: nothing

Wednesday: Ripped in 30, Level 1

Thursday: nothing

Friday: Ripped in 30, Level 2

Saturday: Ripped in 30, Level 3

A good week!

-Jess

Emily's week 4

Saturday - vinyasa yoga class (75 minutes)
Sunday - restorative yoga class (90 minutes)
Monday - Yoga Prayer dvd (20 minutes)
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - Yoga Prayer dvd (15 minutes)
Friday -nothing

I really wanted to get a little more exercise in today, but started my period and that was the end of that idea. I haven't been eating properly lately, which is stupid, because when I don't I have miserable periods. :( Still my goal was 4-5 days a week and I've met it, so I'm happy. :) I'll take the weekend off and probably be back at it on Monday.

Kelly Week 12

Sat-rest
Sun-4 mile hill run.  My favorite route and I did it!  Of course, I had to stop a few times to catch my breath and drink some water but I ran the whole thing!
Mon-rest
Tues-2 mile and 20 minute pilates
Wed-2 mile
Thurs-2 mile
Fri-2 mile

For whatever reason, I seem incapable of doing Pilates consistently.  I think it is because it is hard to exercise for me first thing in the morning (I've been running at 7 a.m. on the weekdays) and between that and the chaos of getting the kids ready for school as soon as I return, I've lost my mojo before I have a chance to do Pilates.  I'll keep trying.

In other news, I learned at the doctors that I only have 4.5 lbs to lose!  I suspected that much, but it is nice to have a number sometimes (I don't own a scale).  This is definitely a record as it took me 3 years to lose my baby weight from Edmund!

Week 1

Saturday - 2 mile walk
Sunday - 2 mile walk
Monday - 2 mile walk
Tuesday - 2 mile walk
Wednesday - 20 minutes bike, Bob's "Pure Burn, Super Strength" 20 minute beginner workout
Thursday - 2 mile walk, Bob's "Pure Burn, Super Strength" harder workout (only 30 minutes)
Friday - 2 mile walk
Saturday- sick, but still walked outside out of necessity (3 year olds do not understand when mommy is sick. Energy still must be burned or Luke will drive me insane!)

Emily's week 3

Saturday - nothing
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - No OM yoga dvd
Wednesday - No OM yoga dvd
Thursday - nothing
Friday - 75 minute vinyasa yoga class

Week 11 recap

Sat/Sun--rest
M-jog 2 miles, 10 minutes pilates
T-jog 3 miles
W-jog 2 miles, 10 minutes pilates
Th-rest
Fri-jog 2 miles

Took it easier this week because I was just so dang tired and stressed from hormone issues.  Next week should be better.

Week 15 for Jessica

Sunday: nothing

Monday: 30 Day Shred, Level 1

Tuesday: Ripped in 30, Level 3 (may I say: this one gave me a taste of the exercise-induced nausea I used to get in high school track! didn't puke, but did have a bit of that, "oh man, I'm getting light-headed here!" sensation in the last cardio circuit!)

- and that was it for the week, as I caught my kids' cold and just felt kind of crappy the rest of the week.

-Jess

Week 14 for Jessica

Mon: 30 Day Shred, Level 3

Tues: nothing

Wed: Ripped in 30, Level 1

Thurs: Ripped in 30, Level 2

Fri: nothing

Saturday: Bob Harper Cardio Conditioning DVD - 60 min. section

yoga, week 2

Monday: yoga dvd
Tuesday: yoga dvd
Wednesday: yoga dvd
Thursday: rest (my shoulders were hurting)
Friday: root canal - spent most of the day in bed from novocaine reaction and pain once it wore off. :(

Hopefully I'll be back to normal and back on the wagon on Monday!

The Past 5 Weeks

School started about a month ago, which explains why I haven't posted much. Since that time, I've gotten back into a gym exercise routine.

• Week 1: confused circuit around the gym; ran on treadmill and did machine weights
• Week 2: started body shaping aerobics class 1x/wk - intense hour of cardio and weight training. Highly recommend it
• Week 3: body shaping
• Week 4: body shaping 2x/wk
• Week 5: same

Was definitely sore the first 2 weeks after starting the class, less so on the 3rd week, so I started using heavier weights. Back to being sore this week.

Don't think I've lost any weight since getting back into an exercise routine, but I'm not worried. I can see that I'm less flabby, and some of my work clothes that didn't fit at all I can squeeze into now - hopefully they'll fit comfortably in a couple of months.

Week 10 recap

Sa-3 mile run
Su-rest
Mo-2 mile run
Tues- 2 mile walk
Wed-3 mile run, 2 mile walk
Thurs-2 mile run, 2 mile walk
Fri-3 mile run

Having a hard time being motivated to do pilates these days.  I need to work on that for the sake of my poor back.

week 13 for Jessica

Mon: 30 Day Shred DVD, Level 1

Tues: 30 Day Shred DVD, Level 2

Wed: nothing

Thurs: nothing

Fri: No More Trouble Zones DVD + some jumping jacks

Sat: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism DVD

Yay! I'm exercising again. I didn't think I'd missed it that much (because I didn't feel like exercising), but once I started, I felt so much better.

-Jess

Week 9 recap

My ninth week of postpartum exercise marked two milestones: 1) My first 3 mile run postpartum and 2) My achievement of a weight-loss goal 3 months early!  I now fit into my clothes from England before I started exercising like mad.  I also can now zip up my favorite pre-preg pants!  They are a bit tight, but I could get away with wearing them if I wanted to.

So, basically, my metabolism seems to have kicked up a notch a couple weeks ago and the weight is starting to fly off, and I actually think I might be my pre-preg size again by Christmas; maybe even earlier!  I am very pleased, of course, as that is 6 months before I expected to.

Sat: ran 3 miles
Sun: break
Mon: ran 2 miles; 10 minutes pilates
Tues: ran 3 miles
Wed: ran 2 miles, walked 2 miles
Thurs: walked 2 miles
Fri: ran 2 miles

Walking

I still can't seem to get organized enough to write down what I am doing everyday, but I have been walking a lot- probably about 2-3 miles a day about 5 days a week. Because of the heat and humidity and tiny baby (which don't mix well :) ), I have walked in malls, outside early in the morning, or just around with Rebekah in the baby bjorn. I don't know how it is in CA, but here we have a lot of mall walkers! I saw a lot of moms and strollers too! Maybe I'll make a friend?

Also, I vaccumed and felt really good to have mopped my floor this week. I was really proud of that-It has been awhile :{

She's back?

Maybe? I keep trying, anyway. This time I have a new schedule, and hopefully a better plan to make yoga happen. I'm thinking I'll try posting weekly updates, like Jess and Kelly do, and hopefully that will help keep me on track.

So for the past week:

Thursday: yoga dvd, core
Candlelight Yoga (75 minute class)
Friday: yoga dvd, lower body

The goal is 4-5 days of dvd yoga each week, plus one class as long as I can afford it.

weeks 11 & 12 for Jessica

I think I did a round of the 30 Day Shred at the beginning of week 11, but then I got the bright idea to write my husband a novel for his birthday, and all my exercise time disappeared. Totally worth it, but boy I'm gonna have a time of it this next week as I start working out again!

-Jess

recap

m/t/w--2 mile run
th--2 mile run plus 2 mile walk

the weight is going quicker than I expected (which is encouraging).  however, my hormones are unfortunately out of control again due to my cycle returning and I am struggling with panic attacks again.  I am going to try running 3 miles tomorrow and see if 'up'-ing the exercising helps.  I'm also drinking soy milk again to help. Hopefully that works.  In the past, my hormones didn't regulate till around month 7 or 8 postpartum.

challenging week

Sorry if this is tmi, but  I started my first postpartum period this week (just 3 months!  So not fair!).  This made exercising a bit more challenging as I was extra fatigued, crampy and was having panic attacks again due to the hormone surge.  Ah! However, I still managed to exercise although the workouts weren't as long or intense as last week (I basically scrapped pilates and ran one day less).

Jesse and the girls also started school this week and I'm having to get up and run at 7 before Jesse takes them to school (they start at 8:15).  I am not a morning person, so this has led to some humorous running episodes (like me falling asleep while running).  Ah, well.  I'm sure I 'll adjust with time.

S--ran 2 miles
M--ran 2 miles, 20 minutes Pilates
T/W--walked 2 miles
TH/F--ran 2 miles

Weeks 9 & 10 for Jess

At the beginning of week 9 I did an hour-long Bob Harper DVD, and then I went roller-skating for half an hour the next day, and then basically did nothing for two weeks.

I ate well though, so I didn't gain any weight.

The heat's finally hit here, so exercising in the late afternoon, as I normally do, is now pretty miserable. So I'm working waking up earlier (which I have to do anyway for the school year) and exercising in the morning. Worked today!

-Jess

week 6

MWF-  2 mile run and 20 minutes pilates
T/TH- 2 mile run and 10 minutes pilates

Last Week

I walked 2-5 miles a day five of seven days and felt great. Now we are back in the heat and humidity-we'll see how much I can do.... :(

Week 5

Sa: Day Off
Su: Ran 2 miles
M: Ran 1 mile, 20 minutes Pilates
T: Ran 2 miles
W: 20 minutes Pilates
Th: Ran 2 miles, walked 2 miles
F: 20 minutes Pilates

This week I hit a bit of the "I'd rather be doing something else" mental struggles and remembered from the past that the key to maintaining routine is to NOT entertain those thoughts until I've started exercising.  It worked!  Once I started exercising, I was instantly happy that I forced myself to.

Week 8 for Jess

Just have to say: it's lovely to see more activity on here these days! :D

Here's my summary for last week:

8/7- Sunday
8/8
8/9 - Ripped in 30 DVD, Level 1. Also, 14 minutes of rollerskating.
8/10 - 24 min. of alternating walking and jogging; 1.8 miles. (with my brother! so fun!)
8/11 - Xtreme Timesaver Training DVD
8/12
8/13 - Bob Harper Cardio Conditioning DVD - 60 min. section

And yesterday I went rollerskating for over half an hour. I passed a runner who told me that I was "cheating" and I'm still not sure if he's referring to the fact that I was skating instead of running or that I was using the grassy verge to brake. :D (I suck at breaking, and I've had enough experience with broken bones to be cautious on my skates - much as I love going fast.)

-Jess

Had to Post

I just finished an hour long walk with Luke, Rebekah and my in-laws. Southern CA is so beautiful right now. Rebekah was in the baby bjorn and Luke was treated to a wagon ride care of Papa. :)

Week 4 recap

Today marked a month of exercising regularly!  Yay! I also did not have any panic attacks this week despite dealing with some high stress.

Sa/Su-took a break
M- ran 1 mile, 20 minutes Pilates
T-ran 1 mile
W-ran 1 mile
Th-ran 2 miles
Fri-ran 1 mile, 20 minutes Pilates

My plan was to do Pilates M/W/F and run 2 miles on T/Th, but I caught another cold on Tuesday and that slowed me down for a couple days.

Starting Up Post Baby

Well, we had heat advisories almost everyday in Houston, so there has not been much outside activity. Luke hates for me to do exercise videos inside and does not nap any longer, so that has been out too.

Fortunately we got a great deal on some plane tickets and got the chance to come out to CA for two weeks. 65 degrees this morning? In August? Awesome. Today I began walking with purpose again. Luke was in the stroller and baby Rebekah was taking a nap in her favorite place- the baby bjorn. We walked for 1.5-2 miles I think. It was a route I am not too familiar with. I plan on doing that with some of these that I found at Marshalls today for $20. I love them- I think that they are the most comfortable toning shoes around.

I am going to try to exercise as much as I can while in temperate weather and to help my postpartum anxiety troubles. As far as weight goes, I am sorry to say this Kelly, but I am already back to my pre-preg weight- actually 5 lbs less. But then, I was thinking about it and my ore-preg weight was not very low to begin with. Also, I don't have the muscle that I did before the baby either. I think I found a weight that my body is happy with, and so it is easy to get back to it. If I wanted to be thin again like in high school, I would need to drop another 20lbs. I think though that I have given up on size 4. :)

It is fun to see everyone posting again!

Today

Just finished my first workout for the week, which puts me a little behind where I would like to be. 15 mins of yoga on the Wii Fit, followed by 3 of the arm exercises you see in the video below - I could only do about half because I can't find my 2 lb weights. Guess that means it's probably time to clean . . .

I like them because they work more than just the arms - in fact, my legs are more tired than anything else right now.

Back again

Greetings all! Finished my diss and could use some accountability, so I'll be checking in here more often. Ted and I got gym memberships in May, and I lost about 10 lbs. before I had to give up exercise for a month (thanks to gallbladder surgery). That month is now up, and I need to get back to it! Haven't gotten back to the gym next, but I do have a subscription to Self magazine, which has some great exercises. Will try to do three days of weight workouts this week.

Week 7 for Jess

8/1
8/2 - swimming & walking, plus 300 jumping jacks, 60 squats, 60 lunges, 60 bicycle crunches, & 30 push-ups
8/3 - swimming, plus 300 jumping jacks, 60 squats, 60 lunges, 60 bicycle crunches, & 30 push-ups
8/4
8/5 - swimming, plus plus 300 jumping jacks, 60 squats, 60 lunges, 60 bicycle crunches, & 30 push-ups

8/6

Hi ladies! The weird-looking workouts are because we were camping in the Sierras all week. But I didn't want to get that awful bump-on-a-log feeling you can get on vacation sometimes, so I did calisthenics. Plus some of the more normal swimming and hiking activities that come with being in the mountains.

Hope you all are well!

week's recap

S--1 mile jog
M--1 mile plus 10 minutes pilates
T--1 mile plus 50 crunches
W--2 miles
Th--1.5 miles
F--1 mile

I'm feeling pretty good about things.  I've lost a few pounds already.  Still don't fit into many clothes, but I can now zip up a couple of my larger size 8 pants.  My guess is I still have about 10-12 lbs to lose at this point.  But, given that I lost a few pounds just after a couple weeks of running, I'm feeling fairly optimistic. My goal is to be a solid size 8 by Christmas (my size before I started exercising regularly two years ago) and back to my pre-preg 6 by next summer.  I think those are fairly reasonable (if not generous) time frames.

This week, I'm going to try to do Pilates more regularly to build up my abdominal muscles to help my back out.