Can You Relate?

Turbo Jam Kickin' Core

A super workout for yesterday - I forgot how much I love the music in that workout, simply because I've been so focused on puke-in-the-bucket workouts that I FORGET to get into my fiun but effective workouts. The ones that work but with great music.

I think there's room for both sorts of workouts in my regime.

And, to be truthful, kickboxing like Taebo and Turbo Jam have played the biggest exercise role in my weight loss, helped to (kinda) reshape my body.

Kickin' Core has some nice hip hop, old school. It has some dance, shake what your mamma gave you moves. It has powerful kicks, punches and capoeira. And it is good for the core and those obliques - boy, do I need that.

About 45 minutes long, although I sometimes do just the cardio and then double up on a favourite section or on the turbo ( the anerobic drill).

Have you Turbo'd today? :-)

DIEt not

I liked this, from Sparkpeople

No Fads, No Pills, No Diets, Just Living Life

I'm looking for the honest balance that I can keep for the rest of my life. So far I think I've found it. A diet is not the answer. I've read the quote before, "DIET starts with DIE". I believe this to be true. It's has to be a complete way of life. It just has to be. Something that you can live with, day in and day out FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE AND BE 100% COMFORTABLE WITH IT. If you can't do that with how you eat right now... you've not found it yet. Anything less and you've started to DIEt.

The REAL goal is to MINDFULLY eat SENSIBLE, CLEAN, HEALTHY food EVERY day. If you approach eating this way you'll never be hungry.

MINDFUL - This is so important. You must be mindful of what you eat. By mindful I mean that when eating you should take the time to concentrate ON eating. Plate your food. Sit down. Eat it. Think about each bite. Revel in every sensation of eating. Why? Being mindful give you purpose. It slows you down. Makes you think about every bite... and gives your tummy time to send the message... HEY! I'm full! Be mindful.

SENSIBLE - I'm 42 years old. I will NOT deprive myself. If I want A cookie (notice I said "A"), or I want A bowl of ice cream (again, that "A") then doggone it... I'm going to. My "SENSIBLE" 1/2 cup of ice cream isn't going to make me fat again... but eating a pint every day will. I have to live. I will not deprive myself, but I will be SENSIBLE about what I put in my face.

CLEAN - I've also cut the vast majority of processed foods out of my general eating habits. I've found that most processed food have horrific amounts of salt in them. If you can't pick it off a bush or tree, pull it out of the ground or cut it off of an animal, it has no business being in your body. I'm not perfect with this... but again... I am only human... see SENSIBLE.

HEALTHY - Here is where SparkPeople is really helping me. By letting me look at what's going in its helping me make better and better choices each day as to what I eat. I eat 6 times a day. This REALLY helped me a lot. Before I would skip breakfast, not eat till 12... gorge on Chili's Asian Wings (about 1800 cal), eat a few packs of Gems outa the snack machine (800 more), eat some outrageous dinner and then finish it off with cereal or ice cream later... And wonder why I was fat... By eating how I do now, I never get TOO hungry (A trigger point for me).

Your thoughts?

I have hit a goal. YIPEE!!

My weight goals were twofold:
1) go from a tight size 14 to a loose size 8. I HAVE DONE THAT!(I got my first pair of size 8 jeans yesterday!)
2) go from 168 pounds to 135 pounds. I AM ALMOST THERE. Why not stop some might ask? Well, I want a 3 to 5 pound buffer or, as My Hunny likes to say, a weight box. The weight box is the zone I can safely stay within. So, if I want to pig out at a party and I am 135, I have the room to do so. However, if I am 138 I won't be pigging out at a party, I will be calorically lying low.

I am really proud of myself, and extremely grateful to God for the grace He has given me to do this. I would NEVER have been able to do it on my own. I am, notoriously, not one to follow through on much of anything...thus the reason I unschool (LOL). Up until my mom's death, I was between 135-140. I never thought about what I was eating and didn't exercise. But the depression that sank in upon mom's death, and all the craziness going on with Ben, and getting older, just did me in weight-wise. I think it happens to alot of women.

I have learned that I can't eat what I used to. I just don't have the same metabolism. I have learned to have mastery over my appetite (THANKS TO GOD!), and I have developed the discipline (ya like that Lisa B.?) of regular exercise. Thanks to Sparkpeople (see sidebar) for all the past and continued help. Also, I have to say that the way I have lost has been High Carb, High Fiber (mostly complex carbs grains, fruits and veggies) Low Sugar, Low Fat and Low Protein. When researching the way I eat it is reminiscent of the Pritikin Diet, the Rice Diet, & the McDougall Diet and Ornish Diet (though I am not a vegetarian).

My cholesterol is 180, down from 220. My bloodwork is great, my blood pressure is on the low end (though that has always been true) my blood sugar is perfect. What I have been doing has been working, it hasn't always been easy, yet I have not been deprived (saying things like "I can never have ____ again" sabotages many a weight loss program).

I am so psyched and happy....Yeah God!!

Peace,

Some posts

Rachel's post on grains and weight loss.

My post on how to start losing weight...

Any other links or posts that you care to share? :-)

Puke-in-a-bucket workouts

Yep, puke-in-a-bucket workouts. That's what my friends at the VF Video Fitness internet forum call hard workouts, workouts that may push you a little to the edge, that may make you want to puke. Barf. Vomit. Pass out.

Call me masochistic but I love those sort of workouts. Yes, they have a high dread factor for me but, I feel a great sense of accomplishment when the workout is over. I feel like an athlete, like it is so worth the pain.

Yesterday in the post I received Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred - three thirty minute workouts on one DVD. Level 1, 2 and 3 - with 3 being the toughest.

Internet fitness friends tell me these are puke-in-the-bucket workouts - if you do Level 2 or 3 or two or more levels combined.

I was sad last night - I knew I couldn't do these with my current cold/cough/flu. I bemoaned this fact to Greg, when he called from the UK. I knew he'd understand, fellow workout freak that he is.

But today I had a bright idea! A first, I am sure!

Why not do Level 1 but keep it low impact and use lighter weights ( 2 and 3kg - 4 and 6 lbs).

That's what I did! A perfect short but effective workout for when I am not up to par. Might do the same tomorrow with Level 2..and when I am fully recovered from this can't shake it flu, I'll try the workouts high impact. Truly almost throwing up style, I hope!

From the Collage Video website, where this DVD is rated as advanced -

Three well-structured aero/tone interval workouts led by “The Biggest Loser” trainer. These fast-paced exercises will keep you burning fat as you sculpt muscle. The programs build in intensity; you can start with the intermediate level and work up to the advanced program (it’s tough! — moves like plyo-lunges and traveling pushups). Each workout has three “cycles.” Each cycle starts with three minutes of multi-muscle and isolated strength training. Then it’s two minutes of non-dancy kickbox and athletic-style cardio. That’s followed by one minute of classic abwork (then — no rest — you’ll immediately start a new cycle). Like on the TV show, Jillian is both demanding and supportive .

Three cycles plus a warm up and a cool down, in each workout. And the workouts build in intensity. Who could ask for more??

Doing the cha-cha

I've been thinking about you all and even did a marathon read one day to catch up with everyone by reading your posts. :)

For my workouts lately, I have a new friend who will walk with me while our kids play in the middle of the track or I do my TaeBo DVD or I swim laps. There is a new park across the street so I will go over and instead of doing pull-ups, I do controlled drops as an arm workout. Let's just say I'm feeling it! I'm also trying to get back into biking as I have at least one friend who is interested in my triathlon.

I'm trying to get back into the swing with Weight Watchers too, but after a strong start, I had so much of my family come and stay for long enough to make it a burden. I have yet to learn to only eat when I'm hungry so I do the weighing and measuring. I've done it enough that it's easy when life is in it's usual routine.

Rght now with eating and exercise I feel like I'm going a few steps forward and a few steps back and always ending up in the same place.

On the bright side, my weight is not going up. :)

Check in

Hi Leonie and all-- Leonie do you feel you have been talking to yourself? i have been terrible about posting!

But I have been working out at the Y still. My schedule changed so I tried some 6am classes to get my mornings free. OUCH! It was hard at first, but now i love it. I do 6am classes M-Th. I get up at 5, drink coffee and get on the computer, let the dogs out. Then work out, then come home work and do daily life, then lay down at 2pm with an audio book and have a delcious nap. Not bad, actually!

But, I thought of you all today and wanted to share.
Today at my class, the instructor had us on big exercise balls at the wall which is covered with a mirror panel.

So, picture it. We lay on the big ball, facing the mirrored wall. Our feet are on the wall. We have a medicine ball in our hands, over our heads and are doing crunches, at 6:37am.

The view:

I get a great wide-screen panoramic of my inner thighs as I scruntch up in my crunches.

Lovely.

So, I shift my gaze higher (enough of this self-torture) and see my neck. I am lifting the medicine ball in the CRUNCH and with the mirror about 1.5 feet from my face, I see my neck. It has all those wrinkles that the stars get lifted out.. you know that loose-chicken skin?

Sheesh! I nudge the lady next to me who is about my age and a grandmother and show her my view. She laughs, as she has a similar one.

Oh well. Felt great after, but I gotta talk to the instructor. I think we only should be made to do exercises facing away from the mirror at close range.

But I am enjoying the variety. I was doing a lot of step classes, but my knee is hurting. So now I have added in spinning one day a week, and substituing eliptical for my aerobics a couple of times. But I am bonding with the 6am crowd which is fun. There are about 5 guys who come too, which I never had in the the 9am classes. They are a hoot and the instructor today was telling "man stories" about her husband.

Like how he went on a guy's weekend with his buddies and never asked their college friend about the triplets that were born the month before. Spent 4 days with the guy and never even asked. Men!

So, it is a good time.

How are you all doing? Enjoying any particular workouts these days?

What have you been up to??

Rachel has been losing weight and getting fit - check out her cool pics.

And me? Today was another time crunch day so I did the 30 minute Turbo Jam Cardio Party Remix. Love the music in this workout - its a happy workout for me...But then I DO love both cardio and high impact!

What have you been up to?

The Biggest Winner

I've been doing the Jillian Michaels 30 minute advanced Biggest Winner workout DVDs. Simply because this is a busy week so only have time for short workouts ~ but I want to make them count. Well, today, I woke up at 6.20 to take son Jonathon to the bus stop. And I had DOMs in my chest, shoulders and glutes. Not big DOMs but a nice little soreness. Woo hoo! I love to feel the results of working out...

Check in

Another check in! Anyone elsewant to join in - or am I talking to myself? lol! Even if you haven't had time to workout, just call in and say hi - we'll motivate you!

My eating on Friday was terrible - I was home alone for awhile, eveyone else was out and that was scary to say the least! I had a lot of work to do for WYD - I am a volunteer co-ordinator in my parish. So I dealt with stress and loneliness by eating a whole pack of peanut M& Ms - 1000 calories!

Woah, just when you think you have emotional eating under control...

I did a Transfirmation workout yesterday too - High Definition Sculpt with Annie. A first for me - I bought this just before I had my surgery. Not bad, definitely go heavier with the weights next time.

We are having World Youth Day in Sydney this week, with the Pope. So yesterday was flat out organising pilgrims - we are going to have 8-10 young Iraqi Christian males stay with us this week! Maybe a week of short workouts - was thinking Jillian Michael's set. But today will be a fun cardio - one of the Turbo Jams.

Women's Health and Fitness

Before my surgery, I picked up a couple of DVD workouts by Women's Health and Fitness.

Today I had an early medical appt and errands with son Alexander, so only had time for a shorter workout. Sigh. And sob!

Picked up Ultimate Fat Burn ; about 40 minutes of cardio and weights. The cardio can be high impact if you like ~ hey, right up my alley. And can also let off agression - you don't wanna know who I was kicking and punching in my imagination during the kickboxing segment! lol!

The weight moves were all compound moves - combining upper and lower body or core.

I really like the instructor, Amy Dixon. Good cueing, an athletic body, she's a mum like me, a nice demeanour.

Not a tough workout ( sadly) but a good workout for days like today. Busy days...

Tomorrow I might do some of another workout in this series ~
The Wedding Workout. Isn't the title a scream? Has cardio, upper body, lower body, core, flexibilty and yoga. You can mix and match segments.

More Taebo

Check out my blog for pics of two of my sons (Alexander and Greg) doing a Taebo workout with me. Gotta love that Billy Blanks!

Need Advice!

Hi guys. I am just plugging right along. I have lost 15.2 pounds and have 17.6 to go. My measurements, when I started in April, were 42/39/42 and are now 38/32/40, so I am on a roll. I blogged back at my blog about how I have been struck with Cholinergic Urticaria (aka: exercise induced hives) so I have had to scale back and also do a fair amount of exercise at home.  Though I really prefer to be outside. I got to go out yesterday, without hives, coz it was a rainy day here and cooler than usual for June in Atlanta. Anyway, the Billy Blanks Tae Bo DVDs have always looked interesting to me. I am trying to amass just a small collection of different styles of work out DVDs for when it's too hot to go outside.  (When it gets cold, you WON'T find me inside.)  So, of those of you here that are into Tae Bo (I know Leonie is) what is a good one to start with?

Thanks!

Rachel

Taebo

Yesterday I got to do one of my Taebo workouts ~ with my doctor's permission. I did Taebo Ulitmate Upper Body -

Kickboxing with an upper body focus, for 60 minutes. Upper body focus = less pull on my abs and post surgery area.

I loved it! I could have worked out for another 30 minutes, but I showed restraint. And who has the time??

Sadly, I couldn't do my usual full push ups - they hurt my abs. So I did the push ups on my knees. But I know I'll work back up to full, big boy push ups eventually.

At the end, Billy gave his little motivational talk. Get Fit-Have Fun-Be Strong - Remember the Spirit.

Billy Blanks is a Christian. And his motivational talks reflect this. I was jumping around, dancing and smiling at Billy at the end of the workout and during his little talk.

And, so, yes, my workouts remind me of not doing this, my life, on my own strength but of relying on God.

Body Combat

I am really enjoying the Body Combat class I do on Sat morning.. here is a video. Leonie you would love this! Click here to see video

My class is better than this video.. in that the instructor is not on the stage.. lol.. This is a good cardio example, it is intense-- We also do "ninja" moves.. and they are really elegant.

At first I didn't like the 'violent' aspect of it. We are supposed to be beating someone up! But when we really start punching someone I pretend it is The bad guy as all don't like and his demons. Or maybe a guy who assults me in the parking lot..I told my gym buddy today if I guy did ever try and get me, I would do some of these moves and it might just make him laugh so hard he would forget his plans. :0

It is a great cardio workout.
But.. I am finding I am SORE from this workout-- muscles are sore which is amazing as it is all cardio and we use no equipment.

Just wanted to share.. :)
Hope everyone is well and moving!

Off for a walk

Here I am, ready for my morning walk. Today I am walking with a friend. She is meeting me at my house at 7.;30 a.m and then we will walk for an hour, around a nearby lake and up a hill.

Ladies, keep up your walking and working out!

Check in time??

Walk, Walk, Walk

Yep, that is what I have been doing lately. Walking. An hour every day.

Walking is the only workout that gets my doctor's approval right now, post surgery. I see him again on June 24 ( the feast of The Birth of St John the Baptist and our liturgical year celebration with Xmas Pudding and Xmas Cake in June) . At this visit, I hope to get the okay for adding in other workouts.

But , mean time, walking is not so bad. It is rhythmic. It is fun. It encourages meditation. And it is helping me maintain my weight loss.

I lost a few kilograms after surgery but thought I'd put them back on with no workouts. I have a fear of getting fat again. I'm not fat any more, I'm normal BMI, pretty fit but not super thin! Dang! lol!

Anyway, weight gain hasn't happened. You know, an hour of walking cardio every day is helping me maintain my weight. Coupled with some loose calorie counting, of course!


Walking is man's best medicine - Hippocrates

Definitely. I have been dealing with some stress and anger and depression in a family member's life and walking away from things for an hour really helps. Sometimes, this person walks with me - the exercise and time together outside, even if we don't talk, has to be good for both of us, right? I usually pray my Rosary while walking. I ask St Anthony of Padua for his intercession. Or I stay home, I put on a walking workout DVD ( yes, they do exist! lol) and I walk and smile and blow off worry. Or concerns.

And those super addictive make-me-feel-happy edorphins kick in. I am a pretty happy person any way, like to smile and laugh. Walking, and working out, makes me even happier!

I feel good! - James Brown.

Walking workout DVDs? I've been doing some by Leslie Sansone - especially like her 5 mile fast walk and her 4 mile fast walk - these have options and markers for just doing one/two/three miles, too! These also have weight training options, if you want to add in some weights while walking -well, I can't, my doc says no weights for now but at least the option is there.

I also have some fun George Foreman, ex boxer, walking DVDs and one Prevention one with trainer Chris Freytag.

I can't wait to get back to my Billy (Taebo) and Chalene (Turbo Jam) and to the Stepford Wives of The Firms. But walking is working fine for me right now.

Maybe you can add some walking into your week? You don't have to do an hour, even a fifteen minute walk is cool!

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and right
Meet in her aspect and her eyes...Lord Byron

( She walks in beauty....I wish! I'm more like Big Girls Are Beautiful by Mika, well, not exactly beautiful! lol! ~ Check out Mika's YouTube clip for the Big Girls song... )

Post natal taebo rocks!

Leonie recommended this DVD, and I have been checking it out for the past few weeks.

The workout is Shellie Blanks (Billy Blanks' daughter) at 10 weeks post partum with 2 other moms, one also having delivered recently. They warm up and then do core, upper body, lower body, and cardio workouts for a little more than 10 min each and then stretch. The moves are simple and effective and easy to follow. Shellie frequently reminds you to breathe, drink your water, move at your own pace, be patient, and adapt moves if necessary. For example, a lower body lunge included a top tap with your back leg, so she suggested holding onto a chair for balance. And I did!

I'm pretty uncoordinated, but by the second time watching, I could follow along fairly easily. I did shorter weekday workouts by only doing 2 segments, and today I did the whole hour. It was a challenge to do the whole hour, but in a good way. :) And you can still feel it when you only do a section or two. I especially loved that, even though she looks great, Shellie does have a soft little post partum tummy if you look. That made me not feel quite so squishy myself. The kids enjoyed doing some of the parts with me, too. The only thing I miss is a long, slow, yoga style stretch at the end which I could do myself if I plan the time. I'm definitely going to buy this one.

Also, Leonie mentioned, and I thought the same thing, this is a really good workout for anyone getting back into exercise. :) THANKS, LEONIE!

Try, try again...

Hello Everyone,
I am still trying to get myself in shape. I am always taking care of everyone else.
And sugar! I use eating it as my only control in life. It needs to stop. But it is so hard during baseball season--running here and there and keeping little sister entertained. It makes me feel good :)
So, I am letting you all know my struggles. I saw a photo of me last night pushing dd on the swings. It showed me from the back. I was shocked. I am getting a big caboose. I keep thinking of it and hoping it will motivate me more.
I got a bike this weekend. It is an old lady bike with a cushy seat, high handle bars, etc. My neck issues are so much better on this bike. Dd loves to ride the trail a bike so we invested in this. It uses different muscles than my old triathlon/mountain biking bikes. I am struggling. But I also give myself a little credit pulling dd and a half a bike behind me. Of course, I am going to be exhausted riding 5 miles!! I hope to get out on it once a week all summer.
I hope to come back in a few weeks and report in that I am eating better, lost a pound or two, something in the right direction.
Keep on trucking ladies...now to go open my Best Life diet book, yet again :)
Anne