• 08Dec

  My Shortest Post Ever

  Diet/Nutrition, Fitness Motivation, Health/Fitness 3 Comments

  After having 22 people in a small 3rd floor apt/condo yesterday I’m ready to slow things down. This is my attempt to write my shortest post ever, but still cover my 5 main focus areas.

  1. Social Fitness: 5 Connect with five people daily…baby steps
  It’s not them it’s me. I need to work on an attitude of gratitude.

  2. Nutritional Fitness: Eat 5 Vegetable or fruits daily
  As long as I have a salad a day the rest comes pretty easily.

  3. Physical Fitness: Exercise 5 days a week
  Recharged over the weekend and I’m ready to go.

  4. Mental Fitness: Set and complete 5 daily goals every day

  Today
  -keep post simple
  -play with kids
  -help others
  -spend 5 min doing something directly for hubby
  -spend 5 min doing something for self

  5. Financial Fitness: Set side or come up with $500 for San Diego done
  Still staying within the Christmas budget and I chose to give some to charity.

• 02Dec

  Keepin’ it Simple

  Diet/Nutrition, Fitness Motivation, Health/Fitness 5 Comments

  Feeling a bit burnt out today, co I’m keepin’ it simple.

  1. Social Fitness: 5 Connect with five people daily…baby steps
  To much family in my family is a bad thing. I love my family, but they love drama, and I’m not getting on any drama roller coaster right now. I just flap my wings (a real good workout) and move on with my goals, and dreams.

  2. Nutritional Fitness: Eat 5 Vegetable or fruits daily
  This one is easy if I make sure to have at least one salad a day. However I did have 3 pieces of pizza last night. I was too hungry at the wrong time with the wrong food. I need to make sure and go to family functions full of healthy food so I don’t over do it. Protein shakes tend to fill me up the best. I’ll plan better next time. At least it was gourmet pizza.

  3. Physical Fitness: Exercise 5 days a week
  Last night I worked my chest, and triceps. I’m feeling it today. After I did 30min on the treadmill. Tonight I’ll do my 60min cardio on an elliptical.

  4. Mental Fitness: Set and complete 5 daily goals every day

  Today
  -buy stuff for by’s b-day
  -go to bed at 10pm
  -5min blitz house
  -make 1 gift
  -relax-meditate, read, or nap for 15min

  5. Financial Fitness: Set side or come up with $500 for San Diego done
  Updated finances yesterday, and were in good shape. Were thinking about taking any money that we have saved for future expenses, but don’t need for the next three months and putting it in a CD. Better interest and $15 is $15.

• 01Dec

  Weekend Update

  Diet/Nutrition, Fitness Motivation, Health/Fitness 2 Comments

  1. Social Fitness: 5 Connect with five people daily…baby steps
  This weekend I over socialized. I enjoyed seeing many distant family members. I was more present and aware then I usually am. The more aware I am, the easier this will be.

  2. Nutritional Fitness: Eat 5 Vegetable or fruits daily
  I actually did pretty well on this one this weekend. I found that edamame smells after being left in the car, so next time I’ll throw in an ice pack.

  I truly enjoyed home made rolls and stuffing. Which surprisingly was Stove Top and very delicious. Not so surprising now that I’m eating more protein and less carbs.

  The only dishes I made were maple/basil/carrots, and instant pudding pie with whip cream folded into it. I keep it simple, and with running after two kids, it’s the only way I’ll make anything.

  3. Physical Fitness: Exercise 5 days a week
  I did workout 5 times last week. I was suppose to meet with the trainer on Wednesday night, but she called me from her in-laws and canceled. I was dressed and ready, so I did my 60min cardio that I was planning on doing Thursday morning, and just took Thursday completely off. Then on Friday I did my 5 min warm up, worked my shoulders, and biceps, and completely forgot my back. But, I did get a 30min cardio in after. I made sure to keep my heart rate around 145-160.

  4. Mental Fitness: Set and complete 5 daily goals every day
  I took this weekend off, but I miss having that feeling of accomplishment that I get from setting and completing goals.

  I also really love the way I feel on the day’s I wake up at 4:30 and get in a good workout, and perhaps take a nap with the kids if I need it. I have time to myself before the rest of my day begins. It’s a good way to set the, attitude, mood, energy, and motivation for the day.

  Today
  -gym @ 4:30/triceps,chest,abs,20-30cardio
  -decide what I’m making for B’s B-day
  -buy stuff for B’s B-day
  -make another present
  -5min Blitz house

  5. Financial Fitness: Set side or come up with $500 for San Diego done
  I’m finding that some of my home-made gifts actually cost less, and the left over materials can be used for b-day presents as well. One, pair of earrings completed. I should just plan on making a pair a day.

  I’ll be updating finances today, being that this weekend I didn’t even touch a computer. Ahhhh. It was actually nice to have a break.

  Hope you all enjoyed your weekends!

• 26Nov

  I’m Grateful Kids Are Washable

  Diet/Nutrition, Fitness Motivation, Health/Fitness, Personal 2 Comments

  1. Social Fitness: 5 Connect with five people daily…baby steps
  Yesterday I met an old friend and his wife. She had almost the exact same day that I did. Kids flying all over the place and falling into toilets. We both wanted to pull our hair out by the end of the day. It was nice to find that another mom has similar days.

  Hers involved losing her kid at Target and later her son falling in the toilet. Mine involved a 10ft radius of soup in the kitchen (he was trying to hit his little brother), and another kid falling in the toilet. We were both very relived to have the hubby home, and both needed to get out of the house for a while…which is how we bumped into each other at Target.

  Irony is everywhere in my life lately. It’s not a coincidence, or even fate. It’s always been there, I just don’t always pay attention. Now that I notice it, I can be grateful.

  I’m also grateful that kids and kitchens are washable, and that an old friends wife was able to find her kid at Target.

  2. Nutritional Fitness: Eat 5 Vegetable or fruits daily
  It gets expensive to eat 40% protein. The cheapest forms of protein we’ve found are eggs and protein shakes. Then with the occasional lentils, edamame, and quinoa we seem to get a little variety. Hopefully because we’re spending less on carbs that will help a little.

  Protein:Carb:Fat ratio: Goal 40:30:30 yesterday ended up being 38:32:30
  Daily Calories: 1663 finally more like what I should be eating. Felt just as full as the day before…in fact I didn’t even get around to eating my last two snacks until just before bed time.

  3. Physical Fitness: Exercise 5 days a week
  I had another great 4:30 work out. I remembered my 5min warm up and worked my lower body (quads, hams, hip abd, hip add, gluts, and calves). Then I did a 30min cardio while keeping my heart rate in the fat burning range (60-80% of my resting heart rate).

  4. Mental Fitness: Set and complete 5 daily goals every day

  Today
  - GYM @ 4:30 done
  - read 5 min done
  - pack for day at Grandmas
  - enjoy pie day at Grandmas
  - meet with trainer tonight

  5. Financial Fitness: Set side or come up with $500 for San Diego
  I actually completed some Christmas shopping. Last year I had it all done before thanksgiving. This year I kept saying I was going to make my presents and kept procrastinating. Well I’ll still be making part of my presents. Earring for Mom’s, Grandma’s and Sisters. It will still cost the same but the gift will be more unique and meaningful.

  Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

• 25Nov

  “Sorry Honey, I just can’t find those pie shells.“

  Diet/Nutrition, Fitness Motivation, Health/Fitness, Personal No Comments

  1. Nutritional Fitness: Eat 5 Vegetable or fruits daily
  Here’s what a 40:30:30 (Protein:Carb:Fat) lunch looks like.

  

  (recipe at the end of post)

  I’m finding that it’s pretty easy to keep my meals in the 40:30:30 ratio. Snacks are easy too, but by the time I’ve got it all balanced out, it’s more of a meal then a snack.  That makes my food intake very high for the day putting my calories way above the fat burning zone.

  My solution is too break my snacks up. One carb heavy snack, and one protein heavy snack, and the third snack can be used to balance out my ratio at the end of my day.

  Because I’m not waiting to get hungry to eat, I’m not having any cravings, and I’m not burning up any muscle. Yay, for eating every 2-3 hours. I’ve been setting my timer on my phone, just in case I forget.

  Protein:Carb:Fat ratio: Goal 40:30:30 yesterday ended up being 42:28:30
  Daily Calories: 1865 which was just over the fat burning zone.

  I figured out my personal fat burning calorie zone at FreeDieting. I entered my height, weight, age, activity level, and even my current fat %.  1397-1862 is my current fat burning zone.

  2. Physical Fitness: Exercise 5 days a week
  I slept in today. I knew in the back of my mind that It would be easier to just do my cardio at home. When, in reality, it will just take up more time in my day. Tomorrow, I’ll do 4:30 again and work the lower body. Cardio days could be a struggle…(if I let them), but even if I get up at 4:30 and bike here at home, that will work, and make it easier to get the full 60min. I need to be mixing up my cardio so I don’t plateau. I’ll figure it out.

  3. Mental Fitness: Set and complete 5 daily goals every day

  Today
  - GYM @ 4:30 (not even close, but i did do a 60min cardio at home)
  - read 5 min
  - make turkey hands with kids done
  - prep for thanksgiving
  - be grateful

  4. Financial Fitness: Set aside or come up with $500 for San Diego done
  I’m working on the rest of the finances, and if I only use $500 of the $750 for San Diego for now.  I can take the extra $250 and put it directly towards a debt, then I can insure that it will be paid off before interest is applied.

  I’m learning that it’s better to earn interest then to pay it. So, I’ll take the extra $250 (from extra school money) and put it towards debt.

  5. Social Fitness: 5 Connect with five people daily…baby steps
  I met a lady at the store juggling three kids, and she apologized for being in the way. I told her I totally understood and that I was just glad dad was home with the kids tonight.

  We ended up laughing about taking a long time to shop just to have a nice break. “Sorry Honey, I just can’t find those pie shells.“ Which was even funnier when we went inside and there was a huge kiosk with anything you would ever need for thanksgiving.

  I didn’t take a long time to shop, but I did enjoy a good laugh.

  Tuna Salad

  2 C Spinach & Lettuce chopped
  1 C Cucumber chopped
  1 Tomato chopped
  1 6oz can Tuna drained
  1 T of Olive Oil
  1 t Mustard
  1 t Balsamic
  1t Garlic Salt

  Toss it all together and enjoy = )

  (Because it’s so low in carbs, I added a banana on the side to balance things out.)

• 12Nov

  Motivation To Exercise

  Fitness Motivation 6 Comments

  Some times inspiration comes from really big dreams, or individuals who inspire you. Well, yesterday it was a simple as a comment from a fellow blogger Stephenie.

  Two days ago I wrote a post “When Life Gets Messy Exercise”, explaining how I wanted to crash late and night and was even standing next to the bed, and then suddenly realized I hadn’t exercised, and did it.

  Stephenie commented:
  “… I’m so proud of you that you did a workout when you were on your way to bed! That’s a hard place to be… ”

  Yesterday after a long day of cleaning and organizing the bathroom I was actually laying in bed and remembered how I made my self do it the day before, and then I remembered Stephenie’s comment, and it motivated me to sit up, put on my tennis shoes and complete my goal for the day (which was a 20 min bike ride). I’m so glad I did it. I’m starting to realize how much will power I have, and how blogging to get fit has directly effected my results.

  Thank you Stephanie for reading and supporting. You’re a huge part of my motivation and inspiration. It’s pretty amazing how people from all over the world can support each other in common goals. Yea, for the internet, and Yea for blogging.

• 09Nov

  Tight is Alright, and Baggy is Just Saggy

  Diet/Nutrition, Fitness Motivation, Health/Fitness, Personal 4 Comments

  Annette, a fellow blogger recently wrote a post about Falling Sizes. I could totally relate and had just fallen a size that day. She has lost six jeans sizes in 6 months. Wow!!! Congratulations! That‘s incredible. She was talking about how at first you just think your jeans are getting stretched out. Then, down the road, once your in a new size, you put back on your old jeans and are shocked how baggy they are. Only she was talking about a jumper and I’m talking about my jeans. I love baggy clothes, however they don’t always love me. There is a huge difference in the way I look. It’s always hard to see, because with baggy clothes you usually can’t even see where your butt is. However, tight clothes show it all. Well, these photos are to remind myself that “Tight is Alright, and Baggy is Just Saggy.”

  

  I’m always more self cautions when I’m wearing tighter clothes, especially after wearing baggy for so long. Last night I was getting ready for a date and my jeans kept creeping down. I thought about trying on my smaller sizes again, but was worried I wouldn’t be able to get them past my thighs again. This time they fit! They were really tight. Then I realized anything is really tight compared to what I’ve been wearing. These are pictures I took today. I still can’t believe I wore those baggy jeans all the time. I still use them, but more like pajamas on the days that I’m washing my jeans. I should throw them out. I feel more lazy in baggy clothes, and I tent to eat more, and move less. When I’m wearing well fitted clothes, I’m more active, more confident, look better, and eat less.

  Have you ever tried to over eat in tight jeans? It was almost worse then PMS cramps (Sorry my male readers, just really bloated). On, my date last night I had better posture, and ate a lot less. I looked in the mirror and could really see how much healthier I’ve become. Just looking in the mirror was motivation to keep exercising and continue on my journey to get fit and go surfing. It’s not only about the surfing, but that’s what’s keeping me motivated for now.

• 06Nov

  Letting Myself Off The Hook No Longer

  Fitness Motivation No Comments

  I recently read an article by Gretchen Rubin. The one topic that really rang a bell was “Letting yourself off the hook.” I do that all the time. Probably because I’m usually very hard on myself, and critical. However being hard on my self and sticking to a resolution is very different. It is also very rewarding to accomplish a goal.

  Today…let just say I woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Ok, I had all 8oz of formula thrown up on me. Luckily, it was so early that I wasn’t dressed yet. Taking care of two sick kids is enough to wear me out, and for some reason the other day I offered to take care of yet another sick kid. I need to work on “just saying no.”

  So, today I was just crabby, angry, and sad. I decided the best thing to do would be to workout. Then I would burn off some of these extra emotions, and accomplish something. It worked. I just completed a 20min very intense bike ride, and I’m feeling at least 50% better. Instead of letting myself of the hook I accomplished my goal and feel happier. Perhaps that was why I felt crabby in the first place. I went 2 days without exercising. I keep “letting my self of the hook” thinking it would relive some of my stress, when it really just made it harder to deal with stress.

  In her article Gretchen Rubin also touched on “Comforting yourself with a treat.” Earlier, when I was feeling crabby I started to think of something I could eat that would make me feel better. When I went to reach for the Almond Roca I realized; it would only give me a step backward in my goal, wont make me feel any better, and is not any part of the solution. Yes, I do need some added carbs today, being that my serotonin is obviously out of whack, but I know I can plan something that’s healthier then chocolate.

  I’m going to do some weight training, before the kids wake up. The usual abs and arms that I’ve enjoyed lately. I’m still working on Project Organization, and the house is looking great.

• 15Oct

  An Open Mind

  Fitness Motivation 2 Comments

  I’m keeping my options and even my opinions wide open. There is so much that I don’t know, and so much I will still learn. This process will continue throughout my entire life. Right now I don’t want any “diet” restrictions. I’m following some basic guidelines for diet that I read in “The Serotonin Power Diet” but haven’t even finished reading the book. Some of the strategies it suggests I disagree with. However, that’s what makes it a suggestion. Either way I’m paying very close attention to what my brain and my body needs and I’m not depriving it of anything. I know that my mind often thinks it needs chocolate, when it’s really needing serotonin, or a nap, or a healthy snack, maybe even some sugar. The amount of fat in chocolate is outrageous, and not worth it. It also make me upset to my stomach. I still love it, just with serious consideration, and in moderation.

  Right now I have no “plan” besides going surfing. Other then that, it’s a daily journey. For now, I’m getting use to treating my self to some relaxation time once a day even if it’s only for 5 min. I sat on my balcony and read for 15min in the sun today. It was great. I love the sun.

• 24Sep

  How Serious Am I?

  Fitness Motivation 2 Comments

  How bad do I want it? Do I really want to be in the best shape of my life, and am I willing to do whatever it will take? After my 10 day cutting phase I’ve been just maintaining my current weight. If I’m not moving towards something, I’m moving away from it. Life is constantly pulling on me. I’m not going to let life pull or drive me around. I’m active, I’m in the drivers seat, I know where i want to go, and I’m going to get there.

  I’m ready to get serious again. I liked having a 10-day plan. I think 5 days would be easier to focus on, but easy won’t get results. Here’s my new 10-day plan.

  Goal:
  -Build healthy muscle

  Eating:
  -Eat 3 meals and 3 snacks daily
  -Don’t skip any meals
  -Measure my carbs, fats, & sugars

  Exercise:
  -Turbo CP Mix 1,2, or 3 (40min)
  -Turbo Sculpt (45min)
  -Rotate these exercises every day

  Motivation:
  -Write vision statement
  -Read it daily

  Along with plenty of sleep and water, I will end up with great results. I’m starting Monday, and will be posting daily to make sure I’m staying on track.

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