Workout Du Jour: Netflix Style

We've gotten Netflix, at least for the summer, and I'm thinking it has won a place in our hearts. 

But, this isn't a post about Netflix, it's a post about workout videos...

BUT, you can both stream workout videos to your wii (or watch them on your computer) or you can put them in your queue.  I was really excited that they have a lot of The Firm videos, as I usually like them, but wasn't wanting to pony up for a ton of money to buy a new set.

Today I did a Ten Minute Solution Toning Video.  It streamed to my wii for free.  I also added a ton to my line-up so that I will alternate between a real movie, and a workout video.  Feel the joy.

So, back to the workout du jour, I enjoyed it.  It has absolutely no cardio in with it though, which is something I'm not really used to.  I think this video would be great t do after a brisk walk, so you'd get in some cardio and some toning.  Luckily, I just swapped out the toys for the kids, so my cardio was gotten today too. :)  You can choose between 5, 10 minute segments:

• Abs
• Glutes
• Legs/Thighs
• Ams/Shoulders
• Power Stretch

I wanted to do 30 minutes today, so I did the abs, arms and the power stretch.  The abs was a great routine ab workout.  planks, crunches, all that jazz.  The arms was also good.  I'm proud to say that I did it with all 5 pound weights, which would have been just a fantasy a year a go.  I was excited for the power stretch, but sadly it was just your basic streching, I wish there was a bit more yoga included.

All in all on Netflix I think I'd give it 3 stars.  I think for what it does, it does it great, if you wanted to do some cardio and then rotate through parts of the body this would be a GREAT workout for you.  As far as an all around fitness program.  Nope.

The W's of Weight Loss: What?

What do I crave, what can't I stop myself from eating?

One word for you, cheetos.

And yes, I'm serious.

Orange fingers and all, I love them so.

I find that I could eat them all day and be perfectly happy.  I get SO happy with them....

I also love ice cream, similar feelings.  I've found two ways around these giant sandtraps of food:

1.  Popcorn.  It helps with my salty cravings, I love it.  It also helps with quantity cravings.  I love that I can have a lot of it.
2.  Yumi yogurt.  Carbolite and wow cow are great for WW, and dieting in general.  Happiness...

I also find that allowing myself to have small amounts of these things at times is helpful.  Special occasions, and REALLY SAVORING the foods as I eat them.  I can do with just some special times, because I know if I have them often I will be a fat pig.

So, what about you?  Do you have trigger foods?

Weekend Weigh-in.

I was up to 184 pounds when we came home, which is up almost 5 pounds since my low, but I wasn't actually at my low when we left, I think I gained just a couple of pounds.

I anticipated it being REALLY hard to get back on WW when we returned.
However, it really hasn't.  I did feel fairly awful on times that I really over-did my eating.

Today I am down to 182 (with clothes)... so I'm pretty happy. 

I also felt awful for not working out (not guilty, just not as great as I usually do)... so I'm back on that train too.

Someday, I'm sure this train will be the hot tamale train, but until then... adieu. :)

The W's of Weight Loss: Who

Oprah always says that you need to find out WHY you're fat and fix it before you can really be "free".

It's something I skim over, but I haven't really gotten it.  I wasn't abused as a child, my life is pretty darn great....

So I thought I'd be all investigative-reporter-ly like and look into the 5 W's.

Who.

Who made me fat?  Who makes me overeat?

Well, the sad news it that I started gaining weight when I got married.  In college I chose to spend my money on entertainment and left a potato and a granola bar as my sustenance for the day ( I was just under 120 when I got married, I lost weight in college).  BUT, once a Mormon gal's married it's time to put my culinary skills to good use.  It's time to show my man I can cook for him!

The meals came, and the weight came.  My husband grew-up on a dairy and likes his cheese... not to say I don't, but he does too.

Also, I worked a evening gig while I was in nursing school.  It was a late night triage gig where we ate out at least twice a week.  Mm... the Mexican flag (beans - with melted cheese, guacamole and sour cream, with chips to dip your love in).  We often ate at like 8 pm or later....

I was also a bit unhappy my first year of marriage.  I spent a fair amount of time at home studying.  Even though I walked to and from school (which was at least a mile) I wasn't as active as I'd like.

Let's not say that the weight loss stopped there.

It continued.

Having Conner didn't help things.  My first year of motherhood was also really hard on me, and my waistline showed it.

Then there was moving to CA, which really broke the camel's back.  Having no friends here made me want to drown my sorrows in a Wendy's combo meal.  Also, we were making a lot more money then we ever had, so eating out was great (and I was working full time, so it wasn't like I was in the mood to cook).  Oh, and again I worked an evening job, often eating until late into the night.

Luckily, I have friends now that also watch their weight, including my hubby, Drew.  It's great to have friends who can help you and not try to get you to have MORE CAKE. :)  Of course, if you read my other blog, you will find that my friends are slowly diminishing, and I know that I need to find some to be recreational with, and not just sit around and enjoy lunch.

So, who is it that makes you not reach your weight goals?  Is it time to cut some people go, or have a talk?  Or, perhaps just realize that this is an issue with that person and consciously try to break through it?

Look inside yourself. ;)  Too bad I can't do a favorite things episode. :)

Hilary, is it really still your shape?

I've had Your Shape for over 6 months now and I still do it weekly.  Heres' my 6 month review of it:

Pro's

• I like how the workout changes every time, it's nice not to know what's coming next.
• I think she does work you jsut like a personal trainer would.  You'll do one exercise until you think you're going to die, then she gives you a break and then has you do that same exercise the next time (but usually, this time it's a little shorter).
• I like being able to focus on one area each time (my personal regimen goes arms, abs, legs, abs, arms, etc...)

Con's

• Jenny McArthy annoys me to no end.
• Very hard in the summer when I'm not waking up at 5:45 to work out and kids are up.  I have to do this workout at least by 6 am (if kids are up and moving around you she'll yell at you).
• I've just given up on getting a good score.  Sometimes it's nice to hear her compliments, but she yells at me constantly.

Anyway, it's been on sale a lot of places and I still think it's a petty great workout in general.  Just has a few flaws.  I'd still buy it for the 22.40 it's listed at Amazon for. :)

Holy Cow a Losing with Lovers Book Review?

Yes people, this is the 2nd book that I have completed since Paige was born, and I'm not even kidding.  I just get SO tired it takes me weeks and weeks and then I have to return them.

But I digress...

Today's book review I found at the library (and last time I was there I vowed to do more reading and less TV'ing, and while I'm not exactly sure that's true I did still finish this one!).  It's Believe It, Be It by Ail Vincent the first female winner of the Biggest Loser.

Ok, I have to be honest here, I don't watch the Biggest Loser.  I'm just not motivated by people who lose THAT much weight in a short amount of time because it's just not realistic.  However, I have been watching Jillean's series this summer and I'm slowly starting to at least be moderately inspired by the people, even if I only lose a pound or so a week...

This book was pretty interesting though.  Some "behind the scenes" info on Biggest Loser (which seems to be really great for the contestants, they really do want them to succeed, even the evil Jillean).  Mostly she says that you just have to believe you can do it!  And keep believing, don't let that belief waiver.

Honestly, that's a great way to go through life, but it's a great thing to do in weight loss. Everyone makes mistakes but it's the picking yourself back up and tredging on that makes it work.  My initial goal was to lose a pound a week all year, and while that isn't realy happening... my new goal is to stick to weight watchers all year.  Luckily, I already have the workout component pretty well under myself.

This gives me the vision that am doing it all year.  So what, if I made a grilled cheese sandwich one late Sunday night after seeing an amazing one on the Travel Channel the night before.  I can wake-up the next day and make great food choices.

I can, and I will.

If you're wanting to lose weight and get a little inspiration, this a good read, but get it at your library.  It's not THAT great of a read! :)

Weekend weigh-in

Didn't lose at all, I actually gained.


Boo....

For the month I didn't lose inches or pounds...

I am fired.

I also vow to try harder, but that may have to wait a few weeks.  Maybe just not gain?

Maybe I could cut my hair to lose a few pounds. :)