Jump Rope

Hello All!! I have been so crazy busy these last few weeks - and finally - I am back to my normal routine!

Yesterday I tried using a jump rope as part of my exercise. Woah was it a lot of work! But it was great! I only did about 10 minutes. I stopped after hurting my foot really badly with the jump rope (I whipped it really hard about 7 times - I had to stop after the last whip! Note: wear socks when jumping indoors! lol) But today I am going to try to do another 10 minutes. It was hard to do even 10 minutes! I feel so out of shape! (Wait - I am!!!)

This weight is taking forever to come off - and I don't know if I will make my birthday goal - but I'm trying.

Cheers,
E

Laura Update

I feel like a total slacker, you all are awesome! I just have been so busy I will start post regularly again I promise!! I did workout today :)

Hugs

Laura

EP - Wednesday

I know what you mean Jerr!!! I hate that I am being so inconsistent and all over the place!!! But life happens - and some weeks will be better than others. I love coming to this blog because I always know in the back of my mind that I have to "report" myself here and that if you girls are still doing it - I can do it too. Even if it takes way longer than I want - I know I will get there - eventually!!! :)

Today I went to the gym and burned 550 cals. It's my first time this week. It's been a really stressful week for me. It was nice to be able to burn some of it off at the gym today. I realized that if I can burn 500 cals a day - I will lose at least 1 pound a week. IF I am eating well (forgot to add that part). So if I am eating well - and burn 500 cals a day - I can lose at least 1 lb a week.

My birthday is around the corner which is a huge motivator. I am DETERMINED to lose 5 more pounds by then! I just need to be under 140. I don't even care if it reads 139.8 - but I just need to be under 140.

I started this weight loss journey in 3 years ago - and my goal was to be a specific weight by the time I was 29 and 30. I am turning 29 this year - and I am soooo close to my goal!!! I have had to adjust my goal with time- I really wanted to be 136 lbs by my birthday (that goal was over a year ago) but life happens so my goal now is just to be under 140. I was 138lbs last year on my birthday so I want to reach close to that.

Today - I had a blueberry-banana smoothie - worked out - and for lunch I will be having some chicken lettuce wraps with lots of veggie. For dinner - I am having a chicken salad and in between I will be having some more blueberry-banana smoothies.

Hope you're all enjoying the beautiful weather!

Cheers,
E

JK Craziness

So, I'm thinking of having a yard sale, the clutter has caught up with me and I'm sick of it!! I'm going to paint almost my entire house (inside) next week, so this week I'm doing some major prep work! I'm sorry in advance for being MIA. I saw a blip on tv about the Jenny Craig spokeswoman who completed the Boston Marathon, she looks so good...I seriously thought about joining Jenny Craig just to get the last of this baby weight off!! (Yeah! I know, crazy!!) I'm just really tired of not sticking with anything, I have an adult version of ADD When it comes to this weight loss business these days. I haven't always been this way! OH, and I haven't ran since last Friday when I burnt my foot! I shut it in the George Foreman Grill...Okay, that's not really what happened. (I stole that from an episode of The Office, I make myself laugh, forgive me!) So, I always make my girls eggs in the morning, I had a little bit of hot olive oil in a skillet, and I was trying to make my shake at the same time, and my oil started smoking so I moved it real quick and it splashed directly onto my foot! It's ALOT better already, but it was like a repeat of the whole broken toe thing around the holidays! Oh well. I gotta keep on truckin' for tonight. My eating has been okay, weight has stayed the same. I need to get back on the fitness and clean eating wagon, wish me luck! Good luck to you three!

EP

Today I had a low-cal grilled cheese sandwich. I know I know - that's not the greatest thing to have for lunch - but insteading of using real cheese - I used the fat-free Kraft Cheese slice. It was only 30 calories for one of the slices - so it was better than having the real stuff for 180 cals (or probably more).

I have lost 1.5 lbs. It's coming off slowly ladies - but it's coming off. I have less than 1 month till my birthday!!! I just want to lose 5 more lbs by mid May - can I do it?!!!!

E

EP

Well - I only got to work out 3 times this past week - but hey! That's 2 more times than the week before...lol.

I actually bought a jump rope this week (which my husband is taking so I'll have to purchase another one) but it was really fun using it (for the short time I had it).

I also borrowed a Korean and Indian cookbook this week from the Library - so I am really excited to try them out. I LOVE Korean (since I am Korean) but I don't really know how to make a lot of it.. I know a few recipes but that's about it. So while I'm hanging out with my Grandma this week - I am going to try to make some California Rolls. WISH ME LUCK!

My plan for the week is again to use Jillian Michael's DVDs and maybe throw in a Tracy Anderson or two. :)

Cheers,
E

EP - Eyeliner for Divas

Well - we have to look beautiful while we work out at the same time - right ladies?

So I am sending some eyeliner to each of my Diva. It is too good not to share. It is from the Joe Fresh Line - and it's the product in the middle. Does it not look EXACTLY like the MAC Rapidblack Penultimate? It is. I have tried them both and they are exactly the same.

On a side note - I haven't been able to work out the last 2 days - but I have been doing pretty good with my diet. They say 80% of weightloss is your diet! So I am drinking lots of water and trying to avoid sugaaar - my arch enemy :)

Enjoy the eyeliner ladies!

Magic Bullet & Vitamix

I just purchased this magic bullet and my husband and I love it!!! It is quick and great for making drinks - and this is what I have been drinking in between my meals. I throw in some frozen blueberries (from Costco - 1 bag is under $10 and the bag is huge!) 1 piece of ice and 1 cup of water and half a banana and some splenda! It is delicious! If I want to go wild I add a splash of skim milk and some goat yogurt. It is delicious - low cal and keeps you regular! lol! I also love that it is small and easy to clean. The only down side to the Magic Bullet is that it really doesn't crush ice. And it doesn't make things super smooth - everything is still very pulpy and has a lot of texture (which I don't mind so that's not so bad).

My mom just purchased the Vitamix and it is awesome. After trying hers and loving it so much she bought me one as well! Mine is coming in the mail as I type! It should be here next week (hopefully). I tried using my mom's and it is amazing. Did you know that if you just throw in some peanuts and blend it - it will make you peanut butter? I saw my mom do it and it is AMAZING! I also love that the Vitamix annilhilates the ice. It makes the drinks suuuper smooth and there is absolutely NO pulp. If you throw in some strawberries - you won't even find a little strawberry seed. It's just so powerful. I also love that I can make soups in it. Mmmm - so healthy and delicious! :)

I will decide after I have the Vitamix in my home and try it - if I want to keep the Magic Bullet. I like that the bullet is small and convenient - but it definitely does not crush up the ice. But the Vitamix is huge. So I might just keep both. Either way - I love having a super blender. It has changed my diet and has increased my options for "snacks". I always start off with a blueberry smoothie in the morning and have 1 or 2 more throughout the day. I also love that it increases my H2O intake. I will keep you posted about what I decide to do!

Cheers,
E

JK - DVD Review

Okay, so I'm obviously totally copying Eujean's idea to talk about a work out DVD. I was actually just looking at the selection of new workout DVD's that Jillian Michael's has out (At Walmart) and remembered I had this one that I've hardly ever used, not to mention "The 30 Day Shred" (Also, by Jillian, which I loved summer before last.) and "Weight Loss Yoga" (With Bob) also a big favorite of mine. So, I decided to save my money and use these again. (For now!) I did the level 1 of the Boot Camp workout, they have it set up where you can do the "Maximum Results Program" and so for week one I do the warm up, level 1, and cool down. It's not as hard as the Shred, not yet anyway. But, it felt like a good work out, especially since I'm kinda outta shape. It incorporates weights and quite a few lunges and squats, which I like and need! The people doing the workout on the dvd don't really seem in sync with eachother or Bob, which for some reason is kind of annoying to me...I'll probably get over it. The music is so quiet you can hardly hear it, but it's kind of a weird music that reminds me of Star Trek for some reason, so that's okay by me. So, there's the review. I think I'll try to do this for at least the 6 weeks maximum results program, just to see how it works. I like "programs" that increase in difficulty, it's like a no brainer way to make progress...with my busy schedule I need that!

I logged back on to SparkPeople.com lastnight, read some inspiring stories... (that is where Laura and I met, actually!) They've really updated the site a lot and I had fun looking it over. And I used it to log my calories today, stayed within my range, I feel really great about that! So today is a new beginning of the super fit me...just in time for bikini season! Hey, should we do some before and after pictures as a challenge? (Not necessarily in a bikini!! Infact, I'm not prepared to share that with anyone, much less the world wide web!) Let me know if you have any ideas? And I'm feeling a lot more energetic and back to my "old self" lately, that's a good thing.

EP - DVD Review

This is the DVD that I have been using this week. I have used it twice - and I am dead at the end of it each time.

This is definitely not a DVD for beginners. It is hardcore aerobics and it is definitely going to banish the fat off. I used it the first time on Monday and yesterday I was so sore - that I just walked as  my exercise. I used it today and I am exhausted! LOL.

I really like that this is a high cardio work out DVD. Not to mention that Jillian Michaels does not give you even 30 seconds to break and rest in between. It is a hardcore cardio work out with no breaks! It's great.

I really like this DVD and will continue to use it. I am trying to work out at home more often so that I am prepped and use to doing it for my long trip  in NYC. I will only be able to work out indoors in NYC so I am getting use to using DVDs. Wish me luck for tomorrow :)

Cheers,
E

Woot Woot!!

Happy Birthday

Maggie!!!

Hugs,

The Divas

April Challenge

Holla Divas!!!!!!! What's up, what's up, what's up?! It's good to see everyone is still kicking. High five to Eujean for "actually" making it to the gym even when she didn't want to be there! And I like your idea about veggie prepping the night before! Yay for you Laura, at least someone is losing weight on this, a workout blog! LOL! And MM, consider US your intervention. Step away from the Rolos! Remember, admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery! ;)

I went to our health doctor yesterday, I just finally admitted I needed to be more pro-active about my health and this kind of "funk" I've been having since having Sadie. I mean she's 6 months old and it's time for the baby blues to be over about now. I can keep chalking it up to having 3 little ones, or I can do something about it. So, the appointment went really well. He was very encouraging and it pretty much ended up being a back to the basics of health pep talk and prescription. So, my challenge for April is to make taking my new supplements a habit (lifestyle change, if you will.) by taking them every single day for my overall health mentally and physically!

I also made a little challenge between me, myself, and I to avoid sugar at all costs for at least the rest of the month. I don't think it helps my mood swings, and definitely doesn't help my figure! My husband and his twin brother have a birthday monday so that means birthday parties starting tomorrow evening! (Plus I have a niece and nephew with birthdays, on my hubby's side) In this family there will ALWAYS be a birthday party and a celebration and an excuse to go over board. The eating at birthdays is the same as the holidays! We will not be having little sissy hamburgers at our cook out tomorrow night, it will be steak and ribs and fried potatoes! (Oddly most of the people in his family are not over weight!?) So, anyway! Enough rambling. I've worked out two days in a row on the elliptical. (Christmas miracle right here, give me a sugar free cookie!) LOL! Talk to you Diva's again soon! Have such a nice weekend!

EP - I'm alive! :)

I actually went to the gym today and actually worked out for 45 minutes! I SOOOOOOO didn't want to be there - but I'm glad I went. I burned over 500 cals in 45 minutes - not so bad considering how BAD I've been at going to the gym.

I am totally up for an April challenge. My personal challenge for April is to cut up veggies every night for the next day. I need to prep my food or else I don't do well with my eating!!!

Hugs,
E

I need motivation!!

I need an intervention.

I need to get my butt to the gym or dance class tonight.

I need to STOP eating mini Rolos. Sooo good, but sooooooooo BAD.

Laura Update

I hope you all had a fabulous Easter! I have been doing really good lately :) I was at 153 and now I'm down to 149!! I ran 5 miles today and ate well. I am up for another challenge, what shall it be?

hugs

Laura

MM - April already?

Hey ladies!

Sorry I've been MIA. I got some bad cold/flu thing last week - which lasted for SEVEN DAYS! Ughhh! Anyway, I'm feeling much better.

I got a 30 min run in on Friday and a 30 min walk today. The weather here is amazing. Warm and {dare I say!} summery! Life is good!

I've been eating pretty well, despite a recent penchant for sweets and peanuts. But it's been Easter, after all! The REAL April starts tomorrow!

@Jerrica - I'm SO up for another challenge for April!

Chicken Fingers & a Nutty Bar

Okay, it was actually two nutty bars, but they're one serving and one package...so that counts as one, right? Oy vey! I guess I'll do better tonight...bahaha! Tonight we have a final four cookout at my sister inlaws, tomorrow is my dad's bday/Easter dinner at my Grandma's...which means double the treats! I'm actually staying active and generally healthy (like 2 meals a day are healthy typically, the third one is just not.) enough to maintain my weight. We actually took the girls to McDonalds lastnight, and Addy told us that was her first time to ever be inside a McDonalds, not bad for 5 years old? I don't know, some people would call her deprived, but we just try to stear clear of fast food. (Not to mention I think McDonalds is so gross! Have any of you watched Food Inc.? I hated McDonald's before I saw that) But the kids love the happy meals and we had a fun family night out, it was rainy and you gotta bend the rules once in a while! :) Today Housten and I played catch for the better part of an hour while the girls played on the swingset outside, the weather is stunning! I'm really enjoying my weekend. How about you? Happy Easter all!!