Workout Du Jour: Cardio Dance Fusion

Netflicks sent me The Firm's Cardio Dance Fusion.  Big mistake ladies.  New title for this one:

Stepford Wives Get Jiggy

For those of you who have done the firm, they have a really specific military-type approach to working out.  It's GREAT when it's leg lifts or dumbell curls or real workout type things. The things they say are succient and in beat to how the exercises are going.
So, there they are in all their perfect-ness doing these dancing movies... You can't see it on the clip below, but they even use some of the regular firm music. It's bad.
It's also HARD.  They hardly water the moves down at all at first leaving me just staring at the TV, and of course they don't slow the music down.  I was lost the first day, the second day wasn't much better.
I do like how they do standing leg/ab work at the end.
Oh, and you need more space then I have.  I kept running into my delicious new couch.

Anyway, I don't recommend, and I just realized I could put a little clip on the blog too... so voila, courtesy of youtube:

Weekend WEigh-In

Frankly, I need to get a scale counter, or something.  I'm gonna look into that.
BUT, I'm down to 180, my goal is 178 by next week.  Do you think I can do it.
I can hear the fries from the Nordstrom Bistro saying that I can not.
Shut up fries.  And you, you, bread pudding, you shut up too.
Really.
New diet plan is just to feed P all of my food.  She seems to like that plan....
{new weight graph on the right... sad my little camel hump over the summer, but I persevere on}

Losing with Lovers Book Review: YOU on a diet.

I found this little gem as I was checking my kids books out at the library.  I thought, what the heck... I know how to read too (barely!).  I am really glad that I did, as it gave me the opportunity to take the "health" behind my diet a little more seriously. 

BTW, this book is a fun read.  They really tried to make it interesting and amusing.  It's moderately amusing, but it's better than a nursing textbook and I never once fell asleep drooling on it.  And yes, back in nursing school that was a quite frequent occurrence. :)

This book talks a lot about your waistline as a good measurement for health.  That's because the fat stored around your middle is a bit more deadly then that in your thighs.  I, actually, have had a lot of fat around my middle and that's slowly shrinking, and Drew and I also monthly measure our waists.  FYI, for women, the optimum waist measurement is 32.5 (or less) and the dangers increase as soon as you hit 37 (which is actually right where I am at at last measurement -- dang it!).  For men, the optimum waist size is 35 inches, and there's real health decrease at 40 inches.

In general the whole waist thing makes sense but in reality it's good to know that when dieting properly your whole body shrinks.  Sure, I lost 4 inches off my boobs in the first month, but now it's right in line with what I've lost all over.  I still do miss those 4 inches though....

They talk a lot about how eating certain substances, like deep fried foods, or sugary foods increases your appetite and how eating foods filled with fiber helps turn on your satiety signals.

They, of course, want you to walk every day for 30 minutes.  What is the companionship of walking and weight loss?  Either way I have actually started increasing how often I walk and I think walking with a friend does so many great things for your body and your mind, I am glad I did.  They also talk about using weights and stretching.  I tend to feel like I have the workout thing under control.  Maybe not, but it's a nice feeling. :)

They talk about the connection between feelings and food.  Back in my pre-weight watchers days I used to sit around wishing I could have something deep fat fried.  Turns out that's normal (who knew, I'm normal!).  They have a little chart that says this:

If you want...   --  Then you may feel....

Tough Foods like meat or crunchy food -- you feel angry

Sugars -- depressed

Soft and sweet foods like ice cream -- anxious

Salty foods -- stressed (aka, deep fat fried foods tend to be really salty)

Bulky, fill-up foods like crackers or pasta -- Lonely

Everything -- Jealousy

It turned a light on.  It's just kind of nice to know that your cravings correlate to something.  I think I'll refer back to this list when I'm feeling like that, and see if I can't solve the emotional, rather than solving my taste buds. :)

They also talk about how you're GOING to make mistakes and they call it a "YOUturn" -- at the first available exit you turn around and get back with the GPS taking you to skinny-ville.  Again, no guilt, no berating.  It's just gettin' back on track!  Also, this book helps you realize it's about YOU.  You're making good decisions for YOU.

So, how as this book changed ME?

Well, along with my new local health food store that has great sales, I am now planning a dish around a vegetable or vegetables that we have.  Protein is secondary.  I'm also buying some nicer cuts of protein and just using it a little more sparingly to really enjoy the meal.  We're also eating brown rice a lot (I don't think my husband's a big fan of that).  I'm really happy I got the pressure cooker, as it does brown rice really quickly (horray!).  I'm thinking more about the fiber in my foods and how WHAT I eat for points, is just as important as how many points I eat.

They have a lot of great recipes at the back of the book and I'm excited to try some of them. I really want my kids to love healthy meals as much as they love other meals. 

And that brings me back to weight watchers.  It is great to know that you can eat healthy and for your heart, but it's also nice to have a splurge every now and then, and WW really allows that.  Life without splurges isn't going to happen, I shouldn't feel guilty and I should be happy and enjoy my life. 'Nuf said.  Also, they didn't talk a lot about portion size (because they want you only eating healthy foods, and they say if you're eating THEIR foods you'll FEEL full so you'll stop, while I'm not so sure about that I think portion control is a main ingredient in weight loss and WW has helped a lot in that area).

So, next time you're at the library, see if they have a copy.  I'd recommend it.  BUT, you don't have to take my word for it. ;)

Weigh-in Monday: Down two!

Thank GOODNESS for school starting!  Down two pounds this week, and I feel like it's really doable.  I will, however, be honest.  I am just not stickin' to the system like i should on weekends.  I feel like all that willpower during the week.  Of course, my "full" limit is a lot smaller than it used to be and I am not eating NEAR what I used to but I just don't count on the weekends.
Boooo, to me.
But, during the week I'm doing really well.  I just finished "you on a diet' and I want to write a review here soon.
Down two, woo-woo!

The W's of Weight Loss: Why

I think the why is that initially I got caught up as a young couple eating out often, not working out enough and then I had 3 kids and continued that saga.  Well, had 2 kids and continued that saga.

I do have a hard time realizing it's a slow process.  I'm in this for keeps and while the people on the Biggest Loser are losing weight, I'm not sure they're really making LIFE changes.  I don't want to gain it back and tha comes from life changes.

So, I continue in my quest.  Really mixing things up this week, taking myself out of my eating comfort zone and I'm hoping to have good results from the scale tomorrow.

Workout Du Jour: Yoga Meltdown

I did Jillian's Yoga Meltdown workout today.

Wow.

This workout is hard, and honestly one of my favorite so far!

She'll do the moves fairly quickly in succession, and then will have you hold a move for 15 minutes.  It's really hard, but good.  You feel streched out after, but also like you worked your heart.

I'd totally recommend, and because it's pretty cheap, I say buy it.  If you remotely enjoy yoga, I bet this is one you'll enjoy several times again.

Weekend weigh in: #1, wrong way.

UP a pound this time.  I am figuring right now it's just regular fluctuations and that I'm not really doing anything.

BUT, school has started, I'm focused.

Wait, I almost died today from all the cleaning, a whiny baby, the paperwork.

UH!

I am currently reading Dr. Oz's "You on a Diet" -- getting some good info from there as well.  It's changing how I use my points.

Also swearing off popcorn this week.

Go me.

The W's of Weight Loss:Where

I find 2 places that I over-eat:

1.  The dinner table, when I'm talking to all the loves in my life and I'm just overcome by all the love, I just HAVE to have that piece of burn-on cheese... and another helping... and some more burn-on cheese.  Yummm... I love burned-on cheese, don't you?  Do you think it's lower in fat then regular cheese?  :)

2.  Going Out.  Actually, it doesn't happen as much when I go out with my family, as I'm usually feeding P half my plate or sharing with Conner.  I've really tried to show my kids that the portions are so large we can almost always share.  BUT, when I go out with the hubby it's an EVENT.  And honestly, I'm OK with this.  I work hard in my regular life.  I'm consistantly making meals for other people.  I feel find about splurging when we go out.  Thankfully, that's always less then once a week sometimes only a couple of times a month.  I figure it brings me enough happiness that a little splurge is worth it.

Oddly enough, I don't find the couch to be a place where I over-eat.  I tend to portion control pretty well on that piece of red love. :)  Plus, I'm just so much happier then on the old couch... I probably spend a few calories just stroking it. :)

Workout Du Jour

Yes, this was my workout video for the week.  And no, it's not the one I actually ordered on Amazon... but essentially Id id get it for free after the right one didn't come.  ALSO, it is very fun and I didn't have to shake what my mamma gave me too much. :)

Maryanne recommended this series to me -- lots of yoga in with nice cardio -- and it's just that.  The teachers are really fun, you can tell that they're having a great time, and that helps me to have a great time.  The cardio dance they teach you is amusing and gets your heart rate up.  Also, their little "performance" ideas help me to do it better.  Like I really am a stripper on a bulesque stage (an empty one if I was actually stripping).  Then, there's some ballet-style moves to help with lower body and then it's into a yoga cool down.  It's just about 30 minutes for the whole thing... maybe a bit more of you listen to their talking in the beginning.

All in all I really loved it.  I did see these ladies are on netflicks, so if you're looking for something, give them a try (they have lots of other ones, I ordered a toning/fat burning one).  I think.  Also, used on Amazon they're really reasonable (even MORE resasonable when they send you the wrong one and refund your whole cost and allow you to keep it).

Weigh-In: 1#

Down a pound this week.  Happy news.
Not to my low, but I'm getting back there.
Last week was my last week of Drew being home, and  the constant temptation for him to run off and get me some cheese fries.  I've toyed with the idea of re-joining on weight watchers, but I think I can do it without the 50 dollars that would cost to just do it on my phone/head/pad of paper.

A pound is a pound is a pound is a pound.   Is a pound. :)

Workout Du Jour: Yoga

Today I did Healing Yoga.  Tailbone still hurting, starting to think it's tied into planta facitis that's been KILLING me lately.  I did a little yoga last night and it seemed to really help.  I also did some hard core cardio and strength training yesterday, so I wanted to keep it a little lighter and easier today.

Well, this does fit the lighter and easier bill.  Probably too much.

I did find myself wanting a yoga show that talked less about healing my inner self.  I got it on netflicks, unless you're 90, I wouldn't buy it.  I am really getting into my Ana Brett Videos.  Spencer says that he "doesn't like the voices" on it... and I don't either.  But, I like the poses, and something inside thinks it may help with my tailbone...

W's of Weight Loss:When

One word answer, late.

I actually don't eat much during the day.  I'm fine with a small breakfast and a small lunch.  I often will eat less then 10 points during the day, without feeling hungry.  Then comes dinner....

I'm so distracted during the meal... I tend to just keep serving it to myself because my kids are insane.  I have found a way to stop myself -- leave the table.  Of course, that leaves Drew alone to defend himself, and he does a great job at it.  I am really trying to just serve myself the portion I have allotted myself and leave it at that.

Of course, that doesn't stop me when I'm alone at night (which happens frequently).  Yumi yogurt and popcorn help a lot in this area, and I try to always leave myself 1-5 points to have after dinner.  I would LIKE to only have 1-2 points after dinner, as I find that the more I eat late, the less I lose...

Some of you might be saying, "STOP, DON'T EAT AFTER DINNER, OPRAH SAYS NOT TO."

And I was of that same frame of mind.

Until I got pregnant.  I tend to be what some people would term hypoglycemic, although everyone is hypoglycemic, I am the kind that when I take the 3 hour glucose, my last blood sugar could put me in a grave.  It was like 34 this time, coma range...

SO, the dietician (when I was pregnant with P, they put me on a glucose intolerant diet -- it's the same as the diabetic diet, and it's a great way to eat when you're pregnant) said I HAVE to eat before bed.  She said that not eating after dinner (esp. if you eat early like us -- 5:30'ish) isn't good for your body.  It's actually been helpful for me.  I used to get nauseated in the mornings (before being pregnant) and I don't now.  I think my body would freak out nightly from being deprived of food... and that's no good.  In happy news, I passed my 38 week 1 hour glucose, most likely from eating a small snack at night.

She did say that the key is keeping it small.  I really want to work on keeping my snack small, leaving less than 3 points to nibble on after dinner.

That's the problem with being a fatty, you HAVE to eat... and several times a day.  It's just a burden we bear. :)

Weekelnd Weigh-In

Nada.
I'm down nada...
I've made a new goal.  I want to lose another 20 pounds by the end of the year.  That'd be a total of about 40 pounds.
I must admit, I don't have high hopes for the week.  I am working a lot, and when I work I just want to come home and have crappy food... too tired for gourmet.
BUT, come next Monday I hope to be back in control.  I'm even thinking  of joining back with WW for a month or two.  Just to put my money where my weight is. :)