Starting line...again

I'm back at the starting line...and I'm not proud of it.  I am proud that I am able to admit my fault and start over though.  Today I am starting a 5 week challenge.  To learn more about it and to join me visit link below.

January results

I challenged myself to complete Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred in January.  I can say that I completed it.  Was it exactly as planned?  No, but I did it!  I completed 17 out of 30 Days.  There were a few days where I did other exercises.  I also had a few days off due to a bout with tonsillitis that landed me in the emergency room getting a CT scan.  (Luckily, it was not an abscess like my Dr thought...but I will end up getting my tonsils removed at some point this year.)  So I give it a completed sticker and a thumbs up!  I was noticing results within 3 days!  That really helped me to keep pushing through.  If I had to have a complaint about the program it would be the lack of a status bar telling you how much longer you had.  Maybe I'm spoiled having seen those in other programs but I find it helps me push if I can see just how much longer I have left.  Then again the planks and jumping jacks were hard enough.

So how were my results?  Well....I lost 5.2 lbs total and also a total of 7.75 inches all over!  4 inches off my waist alone!  I was very excited about that one.  My stomach is one of my trouble areas that I don't like.  I need to get to eating even better so that I can continue to lose inches there and get some lean tone.

Also in January I weighed in for Scale Back Alabama again this year. I did it last year and was able to lose over 20 lbs. In the last year I gained 10 of that back. I plan to lose at least that 10 and more for the program this year. I'm keeping my exercise programs changing to keep it fun. I'm also using varying foods so that my body doesn't get used to any one thing.  I would love any healthy recipes that you want to share!  As a working mom (well part-time at least) now things are a little harder.  I'm still learning the balance of working, having a child in school, and keeping house.  2013 is going to be the year I manage a lot of things better!

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Bring on February!!  I am starting a new exercise program tonight!  I am starting Slim In 6.  I have done this in the past but never completed longer than 2 weeks.  I am going to go the full 6 weeks this time!  The plan is to workout 6 days a week with a rest day.  I will still be doing doing family walks to help Marshall.  I will not allow the walks to be an excuse not to do Slim In 6.  That will be an add-on so that I am not only teaching my kids the benefits of exercising, but doing it with them.  Usually on our walks I push Keelan in the stroller and Corgan rides on Marshall's shoulders.  Towards the very end they both are antsy and ready to run a little bit.  We both enjoy running with them.  It's a good burst of energy at the end.  I love that our kids are loving to work out with us.  Now to get them more on board with eating good.

*singing* Don't stop...Don't give up

Yes I am singing in that title.  Keelan is quite fascinated with Yo Gabba Gabba lately.  One of the songs on there is called Don't Give Up.  It's a quite catchy song....as they all are....and I find myself singing it.  Guess it could be a theme for me with my getting healthy journey.  I'm trying my hardest to get out of the slump but it's just getting harder and harder...and the days til Warrior Dash are getting closer and closer.  It doesn't help that I've been dealing with back and neck pain pretty bad for over a month or two now.  I, however, will not allow that excuse to validate an end to my journey!  It's NOT over!  So until I breath my last breath I will continue to sing "Keep trying.  Keep trying. Don't give up. Never give up."

Insanity

5k update: I finished the 5k on Memorial Day in 48:32. That's a little bit slower than my last 5k....but I was having some foot pain and it was extremely hot out. Still not a bad time for walking the majority of it.  I just didn't push myself like I wanted to do.  I didn't get good sleep the night before for some reason.  It was still nice to get out for a run and have my husband there with me.  He didn't run with me this time...but he did take some pictures.  Here's one.  :)

24 Day Challenge is almost over.  I haven't been eating good at all.  I was so strict with it for a bit.  Then Mother's Day and my birthday happened making it hard.  I have 2 more days left.  This weekend I will do measurements again to see how they have changed.  I'm focusing more on them than the scale.  

I've changed up my training a little bit.  I have downloaded the 10k app for my phone.  It's a couch to 10k type thing so I will just pick up where I was in C25K.  However I haven't done any running other than my 5k this week.  We started Insanity by Beachbody on Tuesday....doing it Tuesday and last night.  Tonight I did the 30 Day Shred level 1 workout.  Might try to get a run in tomorrow.  I don't think I can do extra workouts and continue to run 3 days a week.  I want to work on strength most of all to prepare me for the Warrior Dash that I am doing in Sept.  That is something that is going to push me to my limits for sure!  So I'm doing everything I can to build up my strength and endurance.

Debating about which race to sign up for next.  Maybe one for the end of June or early July.  I've found a 4th of July one that I would like Marshall to do with me.  We'll see about that.  I'd love to get in runs with him.  He used to run lots of miles every day....so I want to help him get back to it as it is something he loves. :)

24 Day Challenge

I am on Day 4 of my 24 Day Challenge. So far so good! I'm really enjoying eating even healthier...eating cleaner. The clean eating is so that the cleanse phase works better. I've already lost 5 lbs. I had a little cheat this morning at our ladies' brunch at church but I made sure the majority of my plate was healthy fruit. I skipped the cookies and the cute cake pops. I did have a small sweet treat, a few baby quiche, a sausage ball, mini cinnamon roll, a breakfast casserole and 1 glass of fruit tea. The rest was fruit. Didn't go back for 2nds either. I've gotten a lot better at that. Before I would have such a full plate and go back for even more....overeating. Overeating was my major weakness when it comes to potluck style or buffets. I always want to try some of everything. I have found that my choices have gotten much better but also that I don't neglect myself of sweet treats either. I just don't overindulge in them anymore. I'm trying to cut them out completely right now so that the cleanse can work better. I'm not feeling like I'm missing out on anything. Course I will have a Mother's Day and birthday in the middle of this 24 Day Challenge. Oh well. :) I've challenged myself to 30 miles in 30 days. I have 12 days left in that 30 days and 17.44 miles left to run. Hope to be able to get it done! Only a week left on my 30x30 list....gotta get a move on! :)

It's February!

This is the last month of Groupon sessions. It's been a long busy year. If I can just make it through this month I plan to take a break with the exception of maybe an Easter session with a friend. Course now that I am offering boudoir there has been a bit more contacts. So maybe a week or so break may be all I get. I'm definitely not complaining about being busy. It's just been a bit rough. I've learned a lot about myself and business over the last year. I feel like I've grown big time in both areas. I hope I can continue to grow. I love my job and making people feel good about themselves!

February also means getting taxes done for us. We make it a date to get out just the 2 of us. We go out to eat after. I guess I need to save that as my cheat day cause I'm pretty sure italian isn't quite healthy. :) I look forward to it for sure still. I could go for some good alfredo and bread right about now. Yum. :)

I'm on the hunt for some cute things to do with the boys for Valentine's Day. They love to paint so I'm sure it'll include that for sure. :) Will share their beautiful artwork whatever we decide to do. Will see what we can find on Pinterest for sure.