Resolutions

I forget what day I'm on....let alone what's happened the last couple months.

I can't believe how fast time flies when you get swamped. Seriously- it was just Halloween right?

ANYWHO-
I've decided that after a couple months' hiatus- that posting every day isn't conducive with my life. I do want to keep track of my progress and keep this up to date for those who need something to laugh at ;)-
So I'm going to have the goal of posting at least once a week- which should be doable.

To sum up what has happened since my last post- I have had my ups and downs.

The downs:
*I've hit another rut. I have lost more weight- but now I'm stuck at the same number for the last 2 weeks.
*I discovered that my will do exercise is completely based on having someone else who'll do it with me. I totally suck and doing it alone.
*No matter how few calories I eat (I'm almost ALWAYS under my daily calorie count), my weight won't change unless I add exercise and/or eating the right kinds of foods.

The ups:
*I've lost more weight!!!!
*My energy is up- I don't feel so lazy anymore and have a drive to get things done.
*People have noticed a difference in how I look
*MY JEANS ARE TOO BIG!!!
* I got me a "new to me" Eliptical machine!

Ok- so I'm way excited for the up's apparently. Yes- one of my jeans is too big. My husband commented on it before I admitted it- and that is always nice lol
I took a nose dive into a fashion thing that i've always wanted to do but never had the nerve to do it.....leggings. I am now the proud owner of 2 sets of leggings and i wear them proud!

I think with the new year, i always get high hopes and dreams of doing something- but I never follow through. It usually lasts a couple weeks and then falls by the wayside.

So this year- I made 2 simple goals. One- I won't bore  you with. The other... to exercise everyday. I think that's something completely doable- esp since I'm not putting any pressure on myself of how long I need to do it, or what i need to do etc.

Every night when the kids go to bed- husband and I trek down stairs and workout together. We put on a funny movie and go at it.I do my eliptical, then lift weights, then run the treadmill. then I make my way to the floor for situps, crunches, squats, and if I'm feeling adventerous- planks.

I was very sore at the beginning- but now it's "normal" to just work out every night. My body is used to it. even though I haven't seen a whole lot of difference in weight yet- I'm very optimistic that changes will come the longer I stick with it. The fact that I feel better about myself because of working out is good enough for me right now.

I think the biggest lesson I've learned so far on this journey is that it takes time. I can control what i eat. I can control how active i am. And if I choose to not do either one of those- then I won't see results. So I focus on what I can control and give it time.... and then the results will come. And I'm content with that.

So here is my "before" picture- taken when I started:

And here is my "now":

And yes- you better believe I'm "sucking in" in both of those pics! lol. HOWEVER- you can tell the difference!

So i started out at 172 something and am now 160! I have lost a total of 12 inches body wide. My inches really haven't changed, but I'm OK with that for now. 

So there ya have it. I'll do better and I'll keep my goal of posting at least once a week. So get ready to hear all my shenanigans again :)

Weight Loss Blog: Day 14: The 2 week mark

It's been 2 weeks since I started my weight loss journey. And this is usually the time I get bored of trying something and saying "to heck with it". I don't have the feeling of quitting just yet- so on I go!!

Now.... the last 3 days- I haven't been able to exercise because of my back. I did some research last night and got back on the ball this morning.

Here are a few things I found I could do:

1) Press Ups

Supposed to do this to strengthen the core muscels.

2) Extension Exercises

These help relieve lower back and butt pain :)

3) Curl ups/Crunches

Now... I will say, that my Dr said NOT to do crunches- but it's mentioned online that using the curl up method of just lifting your head and shoulders off the floor will help strengthen those core muscles as well. I was too chicken to try this one today though :)

4) Leg Raises

Pretty self-explanatory. But this exercise helps strengthen the lower abs, thus creating more support for the lower back.

5) Leg lifts in the water

This would absolutely be my choice if I had access to a pool. swimming is something I really enjoy doing- guess I should get a membership to a club just for the pool :) This targets lower back specifically. With the resistance, it also targets abs muscles.

There ya go! Even though I feel like an invalid and don't feel as though I'm doing ANY exercising at all, at least I can start somewhere before hopping back on to my treadmill and weights.

With that- I have to start something, because I've GAINED weight in the last 2 days. I'm getting kind of depressed seeing those numbers go back up... especially since I"ve stayed true to or below my calorie count. Guess exercising actually makes a difference! (go figure)

And as of now, this is basically what I have to deal with 

Also reminds me of the billboard- think I mentioned this too- "I love back pain- said no one ever".

2 week stats: (with the last 2 days of weight gain) I'm only down .2 lbs from last week for a total of 3.8 lbs lost. BUT- I've also lost 2 more inches!!! (so I'm OK with that)

Yesterdays Weight: 167.6

Today's Weight: 168.4

Weight Loss Blog: Day 10: The "Baby Belly"

I've had 5 kids. I've gone full term and delivered every single one of them without complications.
Lucky for me- with all my beautiful babes, I also ended up with a beautiful baby belly to show for it :)

Bless little kids' hearts, but they are brutally honest- whether you want them to or ask them to be. And often times, it's hurtful to hear. But out of the mouths of babes.....there's no room for lying. So when my son says "Mom, your fat" or "why is your belly so big", it's  a hard lesson to learn while you're trying to teach your kids to keep their mouths shut! lol

Then you have people like my husband.  He's not the skinniest guy around either and he says he wants to do this thing with me ( he even suggested we name the blog The Heavy Housewife and Chubby Hubby) but has yet to be able to quit those things he loves so much (aka food and soda). Anyway- he loves his weight and himself that I admire him. He jokes around about his weight all the time. (it must be a guy thing). He'll walk into the room and say something like "You diggin this? Cuz this is all lovin' right here" (while rubbing his belly) lol. He's a nut and I love him for it. Sometimes I'll play along.. on his behalf, but I can never play along using my body as a thing for joking. I guess you could say that because I have poor body image, that's one thing I haven't found funny....nor have I found anything to laugh at. So I'll laugh at my husband :)- This reminded me of him- but it VERY easily apply to me as well- I should learn to lighten up on myself.

I've heard from several people that the baby belly aka the muffin top, is one of the hardest things to get rid of. It's something I haven't experienced NOT having in over 13 years. So I'm bound and determined to reach that goal. I've tried the crunches, I've tried different ab workouts, but there is an underlying cause to why women have such a hard time losing the baby belly all together. It's called Diastasis- and for us dumber folk- the separation of the abdominal muscles. Most of the time, it's recommended that you visit a physical therapist and have them check how bad your diastasis is, because it's highly likely that each person needs a specified and personal workout regime to attack that separation. Most of us don't have access or money to a physical therapist. Like me- I get to rely on the good ole' internet and do the research to help myself (and oddly enough, help you too!)

So I was led to one of my favorite people...Dr Oz. I watched this clip and love the gentle exercises his personal trainer recommends using to close that icky gap and get your abs back. (and according to them.. it's actually doable- which I have yet to believe). So watch this clip and see what you think

I think that his routine is something that I will be incorporating into my daily exercises. Unless I attach the problem, then my dream body will never come- no matter how many crunches I do. (which... it's said that crunches are actually BAD for diastasis)

So there ya have it folks- attack that baby belly/muffin top and get your abs back!

Yesterday's Weight: 168.6

Today's Weight: 167.8

Weight Loss Blog: Day 9: Jammin' Out

I am my fathers daughter. I love entertainment. Give me games, a party, music, movies, etc any day of the week and I will be a happy girl.

I thought I'd take a little break today and discuss something fun. My music!!!  Being that I grew up a dancer with a dance major for a mother, and both parents who grew up in homes where music was religion, I too endured the amazing times of Abba, Beatles, and my all time fav- the 80's! This is def going to be me:

One fun thing about my family is that no matter where we are or what the situations is, we will all break out in song during any random conversation, just because a few words triggered it. And what's sad (or awesome) is that we usually all sing the same song. It really is that awesome.....and fun. Something like this:

ALL.THE.TIME. lol

When I'm running/walking on my treadmill or just working out in general, it's imperative that I listen to music. I seriously think I'm incapable of working out without it. So for kicks- I'm going to list the songs I have on my Ipod now for workouts. They are all upbeat, they have varying beats (which I love because I typically walk/run to the beats- call it the dancer in me), and it makes the time go by faster when I make mini goals during each workout relating to said music. ie "I'll jog this entire song", or "I'll walk the next 2 songs and then run on the 3rd". Plus- most of the time I end up belting out whatever song is playing, which I believe gives me a greater workout (or just makes me breathe a lot harder lol).

Here's part of my list:

Live While We're Young- One Direction

I Got A Feeling- Black Eyed Peas

Party Rock Anthem- LMAO

Call Me Maybe- Carly Rae Jepson

If I Had You- Adam Lambert

Dancing Queen- Abba

Bohemian Rhapsody- Queen

What Makes You Beautiful- One Direction

Sail Away- Enya (The Dubsteb Remix)- Its way cool!

Some Nights- Fun

Stronger- Kelly Clarkson

Put A Ring On It- Beyonce

Everybody Talks- Neon Trees

Walking On Air- Katy Parry

Hungry Like The Wolf- American Idol Edition from David Cook

Firework- Katy Perry

We Are Young- Fun

Best Song Ever- One Direction

Drive By- Train

Payphone- Maroon 5

Love You- Selena Gomez

The Sweet Escape- Gwen Stefani

Want U Back- Cher Lloyd

Roar- Katy Perry

We Found Love- Rhianna

Say Hey-Michael Franti

Bulletproof- La roux

Eye of the Tiger-Survivor

I'm A Believer- Smashmouth

Raise Your Glass- Pink

We Built This City- Starship

Brave- Sara Bareilles

You Make My Dreams Come True- Hall and Oats

So now you have a taste of my eclectic mix- all of it completely fabulous. :)

Now...ROCK ON!

Yesterdays Weight: 168.8

Today's Weight: 168.6

Weight Loss Blog: Day 4: Exercise...The 4 letter word.

Oh the word that is literally the bane of my existence. I usually feel like above- I think I'm allergic to it. It wasn't always like this though.

See- my mom is a dance major, thus I grew up always dancing. Whether it was in her own personal studios or taking lessons- I don't ever remember a time in my childhood that I wasn't part of a dance class. I loved it. Even into high school- I joined the dance team (Go Indianettes!) and loved every second of it. And because i was constantly dancing, I never had issues with eating whatever I wanted and never gaining weight.

Fast forward 15 years....... I apparently and obviously don't dance anymore. That ended with my high school career...and hence, the working out. Oh sure I do some things here and there. I get in a "mood" where I feel like working out and I get a gym membership with all intentions of getting in shape. Then 2 weeks pass by and I'm bored- so I don't go anymore.

About 2 years ago I discovered Zumba. A lady was teaching it for free at my church 3 times a week and so i went. Being a dancer my whole life, this was my thing. This was the ONE thing that I knew I could stick with to get my exercise.

And then I got pregnant with #5. I continued attending my Zumba class until I was about 4 months along and then it just got to be too hard on my body.

So when I decided to start this journey, I thought "I'm going to have to exercise....kill me now". Still to this day (You know.. a whole whopping 4 days into this thing) I still have no desire to exercise and want to continue with my routine of doing nothing.

*Side note: Have you ever worn spanx? LOVE them. seriously.....I need to get a new one because I've worn mine so much. I think even when I lose the weight I'll still wear one :) *

Anywho, I know I'm accountable to everyone who is following this, so I gotta get off my buttookies and get into shape. I'm tired of being the person that keeps looking at other "skinny" people and feeling bad about myself.

I've decided to use my handy dandy Pinterest page and attempt a lot, if not all, the awesome exercises that have caught my eye. I know I need a routine, but until I find what I like and what works for me, you'll get to deal with hearing about my exercise escapades as I attempt them. And I say attempt, because honestly, if you really saw me doing them- you'd think it was a comedy show.

So here are a couple of the exercises I've tried so far and my reviews of them.

Working with Kettlebells:

The exercise routine is found here. I use a 15 lb kettlebell and it's super simple. I crank up the tunes and I actually enjoy it. You sort of feel like you're not really working out until you keep doing it, then it BURNS. It's awesome. I think I like it better as a warm up though instead of an actual main exercise. Doesn't really get the heart rate up and the "burn" doesn't become apparent unless you do it for a while. 

Then I have my hand treadmill:

Whenever I've joined a gym, the treadmill has always been my best friend. I can lift weights and do elliptical, but I always spent the most time on the treadmill. I've wanted one for years and finally found a great one for a great deal just this summer. Because I have a form of asthma, I've never been a runner. I've never enjoyed it and I've never done a lot of it because of how much I can't breathe. So I do a combo of walking, jogging for 30-45 minutes. Gets a good sweat going and gets the heart rate up enough to where I can still breathe (kinda fond of the breathing thing....). I will always include my treadmill in my workouts.

Yesterday- I tried this one:

Holy Crapola. My body was NEVER intended to feel the way it does today. When you read the workout, the first thing you'll do is look up every exercise it says to do- because honestly, I've never heard of those words. BUT- once you see the pictures, you'll go "awwww- I've done that before!". So it's simple. But they tell you to do 20-30 reps on each leg 2-3 times. IT. IS. DEATH. It breaks it down to doing 3 "warm up" exercised, 3 main exercises, and then 2 stretches. I did the 3 warm ups just fine. Felt the bur but it was tolerable. Then I got to the first main exercise- I made it through 20 reps once on each leg before feeling like my legs/butt were going to fall off. So I attempted the second one, yah- that just wasn't going to happen. I did as much as I could. But then I did what I always do, shy away from the hard stuff and stick with the stretching. lol

I then moved on to do weight lifting:

I did bench press- lifted a whole 20 lbs thank you very much. (but hey....after doing it like 40 times, my arms actually felt it) I then did arm curls with 15 lbs, then did dead lifts with 20 lbs. 

Have you ever tried this workout with the kettlebell?

Don't know what it's called- and I don't bring my hand up to a salute either... but basically- you hold the kettlebell in your hand and let the weight pull you down to the side while bringing your opposite arm to your hip. you flex your abs while doing this and it tones your side abs/aka the muffin top. I've been doing about 30 reps on each side twice and let me tell you, you don't really feel it while you're doing the actual exercise, but I am so sore.. I know it's working.

Now- after all I've tried, I've reached a point (today) where I am so sore, I can barely move. I took 2 tylenol PM's last night and the pain STILL woke up me up- I was that sore. But it's a good pain. I know that whatever I've been doing is starting to work and that makes me happy.

I will continue to do new exercises until I really find what I like- but this seems to be a good start :) At least I can look forward to the day when I don't have to tell myself this:

I'd love to hear about other exercises that you've tried that have worked well too- so comment and let me know!

Yesterdays Weight: 169.8

Today's Weight: 170.2

??? Don't know how that happened and kind of depressing- but hey, I'm still less than where I started.