30 Day Get Fit Challenge: Friday's Update

For those of you new to the blog, myself and 2 other bloggers decided to get together and do a 30 Day Get Fit Challenge for the month of August. You can read more about it HERE. It's just a simple commitment we've made to take time out of our daily lives to focus on a little healthier lifestyle. We've decided to incorporate a little exercise and healthier eating habits into our daily routines.

Week two was a little bit of a juggling act. It seemed like we had a lot going on in the evenings and it was quite the challenge to figure out how to squeeze in the time on the EA Sports Active. I actually ended up missing yesterday but it happens. Despite what you may think, I don't actually find exercising easy to fit in. It's a battle each day to convince myself to workout. Mostly because I have about 70 things go on at once, it seems, and it's always a question of what has the higher priority at that time. But after I do my workouts, I'm always glad that I did, and it's that feeling that I try to remind myself of when I debate...will I or won't I?

In some ways, it's a good thing I made this commitment this month because it's helped me to not cave to the unhealthier foods and I've been enjoying quite a few fresh veggies and fruits that are currently in season. Despite blogging about them before, I am still amazed at how just simple little changes can add up over time.

So, how did your week go?

Friday's Follow-Up: Fitting Back Into My Clothes- Wk 2

So last week, I left off at 120.2. What does the scale say now? 119.2. Yup one more pound shed this week. I know it would've been more but I had to miss one day of exercise. I was incredibly sleep-deprived from Kaydi's teething, keeping us up all night. I should have a "first-tooth" picture soon! It's not quite pushed up enough for that photo yet. But anyway, sometimes you have to know when the exercise just isn't going to fit into the day and make sure you eat extra healthy that day.

What changes have I made this week? I found a "visual goal" for my weight loss. My MIL bought me a pair of really great size 6 Express Jeans for Christmas that are just a little bit snug right now. Yes, they fasten but breathing is...not so easy! :) So I'm hoping to fit comfortably into them in a few weeks here.

I was also real lucky to find a brand-new vegetable keeper at a garage sale this last weekend! I just fill it with water and throw in some celery and carrot slices and I have some snacks ready and waiting for me when I get those evil cravings! I also picked up a 5lb. bag of apples and washed them right away and had them in our fruit basket on the kitchen table. Talk about a quick snack! Even Nathan loves grabbing some when he's hungry!

I've been keeping track this week of when I head off to the kitchen to "munch" on some snacks and I've found that it's almost always due to boredom or stress. I don't deprive myself of some munchies but I just grab some gum or carrots/celery instead. No more chips!

And how did I fit in exercise this week? Last Friday, we went to the park, as a family, and had a really great time. We came back and had a round of horse (basketball), to which I lost! I've continued to take walks with the kids and sneak in exercise throughout the week during playtimes and naptimes. Still loving the WiiFit. I will be starting up that 30 day challenge on EA Sports Active in July, so it gives me something to look forward to. I love switching up my routine. Rich took our bikes off the storage hooks and I'm hoping to add bike rides to my weekly exercise. We may invest in some child seats so we can go together as a family.

So anyway, I hope that you have also been finding ways to change your eating and exercise habits to shave off a pound or two and inch closer to fitting back into those old clothes!

Got a posting on your fitness this week? Leave us a linky for some inspiration. Don't have a blog? Please, share your week with us under the comments.

Fitness Fridays: Week 4

So my goal was to lose about a pound a week but overall, my main focus is just to be healthy and to feel good. On January 1st, I logged in at 118.6 lbs. and I'm now at 116.2. I'm not at my goal but for the amount of exercise I've been able to get in with this cold/headache that I've had for a week, I'm happy with the results. I did manage to lose .6 lbs since last week and only got in two biking sessions. I just keep looking at it this way; I've gone from 139 to 116 in 10 weeks. (No miracle diet...it's just called having a baby and keeping up with a toddler!)

I plan on getting in some WiiFit time over the weekend. I want to continue to work on balance and try out some of the strengthening/yoga settings.

I am very happy with how far I've come with eating healthier, though. My two biggest changes are portion control and switching out ice cream/cookies for yogurt! We started using our appetizer plates for dinner instead of the larger dinner plates. At first, it was so strange eating off of them but after a week, I didn't even notice anymore. I'm playing psychological games with my head trying to convince it that it's full since I ate a full plate's worth of food. It seems to be working! :)

I'm hoping that your week went well. Click here to read more updates from other WiiFit Mommies. Click here if you want to join the WiiFit Mommies forum.

Have you posted about your workout or weight loss this week? Please leave a link of your posting in the Mr. Linky below so we can share in your progress!

Fitness Fridays: Week 3

This, by far, has been the toughest week for fitness for me. Not only was I tempted by several high calorie foods at Nathan's birthday party, but I also haven't been feeling well and haven't been working out like I was in weeks prior.

BUT, since I dialed down the routines, I also dialed down any junk I ate. I've been focusing more on eating healthy foods so I don't have as much to "work off." My goal at the end of this week was to just maintain my current weight. That would be a victory for me. In the end, I lost weight!! I am down to 116.8.

I'm hoping that this cold/headache subsides so I can get right back on track with the exercise. If not, I'm just going to have to work through it. I have heard how exercise can actually make you feel better. Maybe I'll test that theory! :)

My exercise bike has also been calling out to me. What I love about it is that it has a cd player built in so I can jam to tunes while I ride. It also has the ability to hook up to your VCR so you can watch backgrounds of things such as Hawaii while you ride. I picked up the bike a few years back so they don't sell them much anymore. But it's a Proform GL 105 Interactive Trainer, in case you ever see anyone selling it.

I sure hope your fitness week has been going well. Click here to read stories from other WiiFit Mommies. And if you haven't already, sign-up for the WiiFit Mommies group. The next twitter party is only a few weeks away. And the giveaways at the last party were great!

Fitness Friday: Week Two Results

So, I'd love to write that I love 5lbs this last week but unfortunately I only went from 117.7 to 117.4. But hey, a loss is a loss. And I have to go back to my original goal--I'm not concerned with overall weight loss but just getting in shape and getting healthy and staying that way for my kids! Afterall, if they learn by example then I don't want them to see a couch potato Mama, right?!

I am actually starting to like the My Fitness Coach (MFC) routine better than the WiiFit. But to be honest, I haven't tried the yoga or strengthening exercises on the WiiFit, yet. I turn on the WiiFit and my competitive nature immediately wants to conquer the balance games or to get a perfect on the Steps routine. (I'm up to 584 on the advance steps.) I mostly like the quick pace of MFC. The cardio is totally kicking my rear. I think I said, "No Sweat" one too many times when she asked me how hard the routine was for me. Last night, Maya had me doing double lunges and I wanted to lunge to the floor and beg for mercy! :)

I've come to the conclusion that I need to use BOTH the WiiFit and MFC. I really need help with balance on WiiFit but I also need the idea of the personal trainer on MFC.

But let me tell you, I may not have shed another pound this week but I got something even better...FIT! My muscles are tighter and my core is stronger. I'm whipping through some of the balance games now. And I can feel a huge improvement with my posture. (I definitely need all the help there that I can get!) But my favorite victory this week is all that extra energy I have! I can keep up with a 2 year old and all those mid-night feedings with the baby and not need a mid-afternoon nap.

I'm hoping that the energy levels only continue on the upward motion. I sure hope all of you are finding some source of exercise. It doesn't have to be a lot or even on expensive equipment. If you spend a few dollars on a hula hoop and jump rope, you can make a great headway with just those few items. Throw in your best equipment...yourself...to round out the routine. Jumping jacks, walking, dancing or even keeping up with the kids are great workouts! :)

Until next week! And remember you can click here and join in on the WiiFit Mommies group! Also, click here to read other WiiFit Mommies articles. Julie's is on Diet Tips this week. Don't forget to enter my Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD giveaway here.

Fitness Fridays: My Progress So Far

Friday again?! Hard to believe we've already flown through a week in the new year. On January 1st, I started my fitness commitment. 7 weeks ago, I had a beautiful little baby girl but now, I'm trying to get back into those pre-baby jeans. (I know a LOT of you are with me on that!) I'm also focusing on getting healthy, not only to be healthy, but also so I can build up strength to train to be a runner. I've had set-backs in the past from starting off wrong or taking on too much but I'm taking baby steps this time!!

So I started with the WiiFit. I have put in 1/2 an hour of exercise every day this week but gave myself Tuesday off, due to a crazy day. My starting weight was 118.6 lbs and I am now at 117.7. One pound gone. I'll take it! But here's the deal...I gained a pound halfway through the week!

Let me tell you, it was incredibly aggravating to see the weight climb HIGHER on the Wii scale. But I was determined not to let it get me down. I'm in it for the long-haul! So I suppose in one sense, I lost two pounds this week?

I am loving the fun aspect of the WiiFit. Who knew exercise could be as fun as getting whacked in the head with a soccer ball or sliding a penguin on an iceberg! But aside from their yoga and strengthening choices, I wanted a little more seriousness to my workouts. So I picked up a copy of My Fitness Coach(I'm going to post a review separately on that later. But it's definitely a thumbs up "game.")

All in all, it's been a good week. I've made a few changes to my diet, adding a few healthier options to my daily meals. And I've slowly weaned myself from those late night ice cream cravings. I've replaced them with exercising!

Some of you may be having a hard time getting exercise in. Look at it this way. Spend 15-30 minutes a day, or when you can, doing some exercise and the energy boost you get from it will help you get your housework done faster! :) It's a nice trade-off. And who knows, you might actually enjoy exercising! (Hey, I'm a geek...what can I say!!)

Hoping your week is going well, too! And for those of you who don't have a WiiFit or Wii, consider trying Denise Austin's Personal Training DVD. It allows you to create your own workouts, too. And she's a great trainer! (Amazon has it on sale for $8.49 right now. If I find it cheaper elsewhere, I'll update the posting.)

Also, consider joining a Mommy Fitness Club/Forum like WiiFit Mommies. Having others to talk to is a great motivator! (Not only that, but you get to join in on their Twitter Parties! Next one...Feb 13th! I can't wait!)

Good Luck!

Click here to read Julie's inspiring story and others from more WiiFit Mommies!

If you've blogged about your exercise this week, please leave us your link below so we can inspire ourselves even more! Don't have a blog? Please leave a comment in the comment section below this posting!

Fitness Friday: And So It Begins!

Well, this is my first Fitness Friday posting. If you have a WiiFit and haven't joined the WiiFit Mommies group, check it out here. They are also having a Twitter Party today (Saturday) from 7-9pm CST.

I actually put in my first full WiiFit session yesterday. 32 minutes later, my calves were screaming at me...which I loved! No pain, no LOSS! :) I weighed in at 118lbs. That may sound great but when you are petite and used to being around 105-107lbs, it's not! But, having a healthy daughter to show for that weight gain...I treasure every pound! (now I just have to lose them!)

So far, my favorite activities on the WiiFit are the Hula Hoops and Steps choices. If you don't have a WiiFit, let me tell you this...go out and spend $5 on a Hula Hoop and work with it a few minutes each day. You will definitely feel it working!

My view on exercising right now is similar to dishes. You dread doing them but once you are finished, you feel great! Instead of a clean kitchen, though, you get this amazing feeling of renewed energy.

And for those of you who think you may be too old to exercise, I just received a Christmas card from my great-uncle who's in his 70s. He wrote how it was 34 degrees in Vegas and he ran 4 miles. FOUR MILES at 70+. I sure hope I can write that in 40 years!

I am having a blast with the WiiFit. Yeah, the system, along with the Wii, may cost you around $350 but it's worth every penny. Think of it as being cheaper than a gym membership or equipment!

Right now, I am focusing on getting back in shape and then...on to training for a 5K. I found a great program called Couch Potato to 5K. You can find the link for it here on my other blog.

Happy Fitness Friday, everyone! If you'd like to read more Fitness Friday postings, click here.