I hate to make this blog about diet and exercise become a blog about pregnancy woes, but the truth is we moms are gonna get pregnant and it's really hard to stay healthy while pregnant. Just like baby #1, this baby is making momma pretty darn sick. My caloric intake is through the roof eating between 4-5 meals a day. I'm stuck eating whatever limited menu my belly will accept that day/moment/second. If my belly only wants an Arby's roast beef sandwich with a side of loaded Wendy's baked potato then anything else will just be thrown up. It's a matter of survival these days.
Exercise? Ha! Getting out of bed is my exercise right now. I must take one nap a day to survive which means I get behind on chores which snowballs into no exercising. In the evenings when we used to work out in front of the TV, I am honestly too tired to participate.
So how is it possible to keep healthy during pregnancy? Be realistic. The good news is that my body at least for now is balancing it all out. I'm starting to show, but I haven't gained any weight despite my crazed appetite and disgusting selections. In fact, during my last pregnancy I never gained any weight while I had morning sickness. Around 21 weeks the morning sickness went away and then I started gaining. So I suppose it's those times where you can control your diet that count. Once again, it's what you can do. Walking a few more parking spaces, napping so you'll be ready for more later, trying to shove the veggies down...it's the little things that matter. They add up.
In the end, yes it is all about the baby and a healthy delivery. However, anything you can do to help your health directly affects your baby positively. So do what you can! And when you can't...it's ok. You're baby won't die from a steady diet of McDonalds, Wendys, and Arby's in the beginning. Trust me, I've already delivered one extremely healthy little boy who I'm guilty to say had plenty of that in utero. Do what you need to survive, but when you can choose to do more, DO IT!
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
15 Pounds!!!! And More BIG Changes...
That's right everyone! I hit 15 pounds!!!
Yet that isn't the only big thing that's changing around here. We have a problem...
I'M PREGNANT!
Oops. No, this was planned (sort of), but does put a bit of a damper on things. After all, you're really not supposed to starve yourself or run 3 miles during pregnancy.
So instead, I'm going to switch things up a little. Obviously, once this baby is out I'm going to be back to the grindstone. For my second pregnancy, I'd like to do things very differently. I would like to continue my healthy eating and exercise throughout the pregnancy. So why not write about it? After all, we moms are going to have pregnancies happen and we can't afford to keep gaining from one to the next.
I'd also like to keep writing about our journey towards becoming personal trainers and helping others with their weight loss struggle. See previous post for our crazy new dreams.
So tune in! I may be pregnant but we are still going to keep things realistic, healthy, and strong around here. Here's to a nine month bunny trail!
Yet that isn't the only big thing that's changing around here. We have a problem...
I'M PREGNANT!
Oops. No, this was planned (sort of), but does put a bit of a damper on things. After all, you're really not supposed to starve yourself or run 3 miles during pregnancy.
So instead, I'm going to switch things up a little. Obviously, once this baby is out I'm going to be back to the grindstone. For my second pregnancy, I'd like to do things very differently. I would like to continue my healthy eating and exercise throughout the pregnancy. So why not write about it? After all, we moms are going to have pregnancies happen and we can't afford to keep gaining from one to the next.
I'd also like to keep writing about our journey towards becoming personal trainers and helping others with their weight loss struggle. See previous post for our crazy new dreams.
So tune in! I may be pregnant but we are still going to keep things realistic, healthy, and strong around here. Here's to a nine month bunny trail!
Is the Biggest Loser Just a Stupid Reality Show?
I really despise reality shows. I think that's why it's taken me 12 seasons to pick up the Biggest Loser. I watched it one night on a whim and was hooked! As much as I hate to say it, the Biggest Loser changed our lives (with a "little" help from God, of course).
At first, the changes were small. We all of a sudden become interested in exercise. We found new and interesting ways to do it. We started trying to lose weight. We started making a lifestyle out of losing weight. We actually starting LOSING weight!
Then the big change. A few weeks ago it hit me that my husband would make a fantastic personal trainer. My dear husband has been floundering for a while. He knows that he wants to do some sort of ministry, preferably a para-church organization or church planting. Yet, we couldn't think of one particular place to start. He knew he enjoyed marketing, so he's been working towards his degree in marketing and accounting to hopefully help us create our organization someday. Yet, being poor+having a baby+being married+working 47 hours per week=very slow progress. It's at the point where we feel like we're never going to be able to finish this degree that he's not even sure he wants.
And then we started watching the Biggest Loser. It's kind of like God got a hold of each of us on so many levels, including this personal training idea. I carefully broached the idea with my hubby only to hear him say he was considering it already.
So we looked up the information. We could have his business up and running in less than 6 months and he would receive a generous pay increase with very little investment up front. Hmm... How can you say no to that? Honestly, we were already pretty decided before we learned those charming facts.
So this spring we hope to get my husband certified to be a personal trainer. I mean, what is there to lose? One class worth of time and money with rewards now? Training that will help him in his personal goals? Having to stay fit? Having to keep learning how to stay fit? I'm not seeing any negatives here.
I know it won't be all rainbows and cotton candy, but this answers so many of our prayers. For the first time, my husband has a career in mind that completely fits him!
So where do we hope this leads? Right now, just income. Eventually we'd both like to create a ministry within the church to help each other with weight loss.
Here's the craziest thing of all! I'm seriously considering getting my certification as well. Yikes! That's right, the girl that is super geeky, non-athletic, hates running, lazy, last to be picked on the playground, terrible at any and all sports is seriously considering becoming a professional athlete. Here's the thing...I CAN DO IT! I know I can. AND I WANT TO! Thank you Biggest Loser for giving me to confidence!
We'll see where this goes, but for now I think it's pretty darn exciting.
Did I ever consider this happening? Not in a million years!
At first, the changes were small. We all of a sudden become interested in exercise. We found new and interesting ways to do it. We started trying to lose weight. We started making a lifestyle out of losing weight. We actually starting LOSING weight!
Then the big change. A few weeks ago it hit me that my husband would make a fantastic personal trainer. My dear husband has been floundering for a while. He knows that he wants to do some sort of ministry, preferably a para-church organization or church planting. Yet, we couldn't think of one particular place to start. He knew he enjoyed marketing, so he's been working towards his degree in marketing and accounting to hopefully help us create our organization someday. Yet, being poor+having a baby+being married+working 47 hours per week=very slow progress. It's at the point where we feel like we're never going to be able to finish this degree that he's not even sure he wants.
And then we started watching the Biggest Loser. It's kind of like God got a hold of each of us on so many levels, including this personal training idea. I carefully broached the idea with my hubby only to hear him say he was considering it already.
So we looked up the information. We could have his business up and running in less than 6 months and he would receive a generous pay increase with very little investment up front. Hmm... How can you say no to that? Honestly, we were already pretty decided before we learned those charming facts.
So this spring we hope to get my husband certified to be a personal trainer. I mean, what is there to lose? One class worth of time and money with rewards now? Training that will help him in his personal goals? Having to stay fit? Having to keep learning how to stay fit? I'm not seeing any negatives here.
I know it won't be all rainbows and cotton candy, but this answers so many of our prayers. For the first time, my husband has a career in mind that completely fits him!
So where do we hope this leads? Right now, just income. Eventually we'd both like to create a ministry within the church to help each other with weight loss.
Here's the craziest thing of all! I'm seriously considering getting my certification as well. Yikes! That's right, the girl that is super geeky, non-athletic, hates running, lazy, last to be picked on the playground, terrible at any and all sports is seriously considering becoming a professional athlete. Here's the thing...I CAN DO IT! I know I can. AND I WANT TO! Thank you Biggest Loser for giving me to confidence!
We'll see where this goes, but for now I think it's pretty darn exciting.
Did I ever consider this happening? Not in a million years!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Boys Suck...
Grumpy today. I have stopped losing. I'm stuck at 13 pounds. Can't seem to get any lower. I was losing so fast and now I'm stuck! And guess what? My hubby lost 2 pounds today. 2...stinking...pounds... He's at 18 and definitely still counting. Grr... Men have all the luck...
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Success is Sweet! And motivating...
Still losing! 13 pounds and counting! For several weeks now, I have been averaging a 1-2 pound weight loss per week! Pretty amazing I think! I've decided there are several things that are definitely making me successful.
1. Success! Nothing like success to motivate further work.
2. Working out in front of the TV at night is really working for us. Through Pilates, my legs are slimming down and for the first time in my life I'm flexible! I feel like crunches and situps are the biggest thing helping me to lose the weight. Maybe because most of my weight is in my tummy? The only bad thing about this is we are having to get creative to come up with new exercises to keep us challenged and to keep the weight coming.
3. Watching calories is key. We're not being perfect, but we are looking at everything we eat. I am trying to keep my caloric intake to 1200-1500 a day. Somedays it is more and those are the days we try to work out extra hard.
4. Watching The Biggest Loser is helping keep us motivated and giving us ideas for new ways to push ourselves.
5. Weighing every morning and night. It helps keep me focused, accountable and prepared to do what I need that day to keep working towards my goals. For instance, if my weight loss seems low or adds back up one morning, I know I need to try a little harder that day to keep my trend going.
6. THE BIGGEST THING OF ALL IS... Have you noticed that I keep saying "we"? That's right, my husband. I honestly could not be a success without him. He has been my best coach and motivator. He works so hard and gently pulls me along with him. He gives me compliments and constantly encourages me. Somehow he encourages or challenges me without being cruel or making me feel fat. I don't know how he does it, but I want to be just like him! He is very obsessed and excited with being healthy lately and it's hard not to get on the bandwagon. I think he would make an amazing trainer someday. Hmm....
I am still not perfect, but I am trying. I am still not skinny, but I am losing and toning. I still eat what I need to or want, but with moderation. I still am not very self-motivated or confident, but it is growing and in the meantime I have a husband who is helping me. I still forget to be reading the Bible, but I actually want to now and have a plan. I am still failing, but I am now succeeding more than I fail! So there you go. Success! Now just praying it keeps going...
1. Success! Nothing like success to motivate further work.
2. Working out in front of the TV at night is really working for us. Through Pilates, my legs are slimming down and for the first time in my life I'm flexible! I feel like crunches and situps are the biggest thing helping me to lose the weight. Maybe because most of my weight is in my tummy? The only bad thing about this is we are having to get creative to come up with new exercises to keep us challenged and to keep the weight coming.
3. Watching calories is key. We're not being perfect, but we are looking at everything we eat. I am trying to keep my caloric intake to 1200-1500 a day. Somedays it is more and those are the days we try to work out extra hard.
4. Watching The Biggest Loser is helping keep us motivated and giving us ideas for new ways to push ourselves.
5. Weighing every morning and night. It helps keep me focused, accountable and prepared to do what I need that day to keep working towards my goals. For instance, if my weight loss seems low or adds back up one morning, I know I need to try a little harder that day to keep my trend going.
6. THE BIGGEST THING OF ALL IS... Have you noticed that I keep saying "we"? That's right, my husband. I honestly could not be a success without him. He has been my best coach and motivator. He works so hard and gently pulls me along with him. He gives me compliments and constantly encourages me. Somehow he encourages or challenges me without being cruel or making me feel fat. I don't know how he does it, but I want to be just like him! He is very obsessed and excited with being healthy lately and it's hard not to get on the bandwagon. I think he would make an amazing trainer someday. Hmm....
I am still not perfect, but I am trying. I am still not skinny, but I am losing and toning. I still eat what I need to or want, but with moderation. I still am not very self-motivated or confident, but it is growing and in the meantime I have a husband who is helping me. I still forget to be reading the Bible, but I actually want to now and have a plan. I am still failing, but I am now succeeding more than I fail! So there you go. Success! Now just praying it keeps going...
Monday, October 31, 2011
Wahoo!!!
There is no better feeling then those weeks where the pounds just pour off! That's right everyone!!!! The 10 pound mark has occurred and passed before I could even get a chance to write! I am now at 11 lbs although the way things have been going, I fully expect to hit 12 lbs by tomorrow. Working out while watching TV (right now we're still on a Biggest Loser kick) has been really working. I have been losing a pound every 2-4 days. My husband is also losing fast! It's so fun to see the changes in our faces and bodies. Strength training just adds to that as not only do you see yourself getting skinnier, but you see big muscles developing. The more you lose, the more motivated you are. Now that I'm out of the 30s and now only 28 lbs left, it makes my goal feel within reach.
Another thing I've noticed about working out at night is that it beats the late night cravings. I always feel a deep need to snack come 8:00-9:00. For some reason, working out seems to curb those cravings. Now when I get hungry, I just promise myself to wait until after I do one routine of everything (weights for arms, pilates for legs, and crunches for back and tummy) before I give in. Everytime, I'm no longer hungry after the workout (or too tired to get up and get something). It helps me give my body the time to let the hunger pass.
Another thing we are doing is just a little watching of our diet. We have been limiting our soda intake to one a day. We have been being mindful of the calories we eat. Instead of forcing ourselves to eat carrot sticks, we are choosing to take a few calories off of every meal (hold the mayo!) or eat smaller portions. If we can do both, fantastic! Really, we are still eating such things as pizza and Taco Bell, we are just continually eating less or better than we did before. For now it's working. When we start to plateau, we'll have to take everything a step farther.
One amazing benefit to all of these changes has been my desire to up the ante in my spiritual life. It just came naturally. I was given a free One Year Chronological Bible and found that it really intrigued me to read everything in chronological order. So I started reading it. I found that all of a sudden not only am I doing my daily devotions, but I strongly look forward to that time of the day when I can sit with coffee and read it! One choice that has been helping me is that I do not demand that I get it done every day. Instead, I leave it as a treat. When it stops being a treat, I'll have to get more hardcore, but right now I'm enjoying delighting in it.
So for now, we are eating a realistic diet, adding a realistic amount of exercise into our life, making realistic changes to our spiritual life, and winning more and more! Guess what? We are also losing unrealistic pounds! It's working!!!
Another thing I've noticed about working out at night is that it beats the late night cravings. I always feel a deep need to snack come 8:00-9:00. For some reason, working out seems to curb those cravings. Now when I get hungry, I just promise myself to wait until after I do one routine of everything (weights for arms, pilates for legs, and crunches for back and tummy) before I give in. Everytime, I'm no longer hungry after the workout (or too tired to get up and get something). It helps me give my body the time to let the hunger pass.
Another thing we are doing is just a little watching of our diet. We have been limiting our soda intake to one a day. We have been being mindful of the calories we eat. Instead of forcing ourselves to eat carrot sticks, we are choosing to take a few calories off of every meal (hold the mayo!) or eat smaller portions. If we can do both, fantastic! Really, we are still eating such things as pizza and Taco Bell, we are just continually eating less or better than we did before. For now it's working. When we start to plateau, we'll have to take everything a step farther.
One amazing benefit to all of these changes has been my desire to up the ante in my spiritual life. It just came naturally. I was given a free One Year Chronological Bible and found that it really intrigued me to read everything in chronological order. So I started reading it. I found that all of a sudden not only am I doing my daily devotions, but I strongly look forward to that time of the day when I can sit with coffee and read it! One choice that has been helping me is that I do not demand that I get it done every day. Instead, I leave it as a treat. When it stops being a treat, I'll have to get more hardcore, but right now I'm enjoying delighting in it.
So for now, we are eating a realistic diet, adding a realistic amount of exercise into our life, making realistic changes to our spiritual life, and winning more and more! Guess what? We are also losing unrealistic pounds! It's working!!!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
A Realistic Workout
So what is a realistic workout? This is something I have been struggling with and probably will always struggle with. I was never the athlete. I do not enjoy beating myself into submission. Goals and statistics mean nothing to me. The big question today is how to exercise when you're not good at it, don't have the time, don't have the drive, and especially when you're not always sure why.
Being a mom with lots of jobs and activities, I really don't have time for an hour in the gym every day. The good days are the days that I have 30-60 minutes off where I could choose to exercise (sacrificing other things I'd like to do during that time like cleaning, relaxing, napping, etc). So I need exercises that I can fit into all of the different types of days I have. The days where I don't have time, the days where I do have time, and the days that I have time but choose to use it for something else.
Here are some of the options I have had success with. Maybe they'll help you. (If nothing else, skip to #4, because I put the best tip at the end.)
1. Taking walks/runs. I am just not at the place yet where I can or will get up early just to go walk/run in the cold. So we keep this as a social option of exercise. My husband and I like to take walks/runs together when it is a nice day and we have time. It's wonderful to be able to chat and workout together.
2. Xbox Kinect Your Shape. My husband is a gamer, so we have some expensive exercise equipment in the house on our TV. There are several game stations that offer exercise games, but my favorite after trying several is the Xbox Kinect Your Shape. It offers all types of workouts. It looks at your body and tells you if you're doing them correctly. It also shows a very realistic (complete with fat bulges) view of your body on the screen as it works out. I've found this quite motivating. The game follows your statistics and gives you grades on your workouts so you can keep improving. It also changes up your workouts tailoring them to your skill level. The game is not perfect, but I've found that it gives me a good workout without going overboard and making me frustrated. It works you out like a workout video, except it's like having a trainer in the room that corrects your form. The bad thing about this game is you have to have time to do it without kids around. You also need a big space to workout in without anyone coming into it (for us that means using precious naptime minutes and the hassle of moving the couches around). I like to use this exercise method when I have the time to myself. It is the hardest workout that I have available.
3. Elliptical. We do have an elliptical. However, it is really old so a) it squeaks something awful and b)the settings are old school and it starts the resistance a little too high for my out of shape knees. I love the elliptical, but ours kind of sucks. I can go to the gym and do it forever, but I can only handle ours for about 10 minutes before my knees start giving out, needing to stop before my heart rate gets up. So this is a hopeful future workout as I get stronger.
4. Workout as you relax! Weird concept I know, but this one has helped me the most. My husband picked this up from some tips off The Biggest Loser. At first, I thought he was crazy, but I've since become a bit addicted to it. We like to watch quite a lot of TV and movies at night. So instead of just sitting there, we've started using the dumbells to do arm exercises as we watch, doing situps, push ups, and pilates exercises. It feels a little embarrassing at first with your partner right there and like you're going to deprive yourself of relaxation time. Yet, I feel more relaxed after as I get to enjoy my program, get rid of guilt for just sitting, and feel accomplished by the muscles I feel growing hard all over my body. I've found I have a tendency to do more reps while I'm distracted by TV. Oddly enough, I get more work done while I'm relaxing (when the pressure if off) than when I have a whole hour set aside just to work out by myself.
Please hear my shouts of encouragement over the internet and start working while you relax! It's the best feeling and makes the relaxation feel more complete. Just give it a try! It doesn't really matter what you do, how well you do it, or for how long. Just do something!
I am always looking for more good ideas for realistic workouts. Feel free to share!
Being a mom with lots of jobs and activities, I really don't have time for an hour in the gym every day. The good days are the days that I have 30-60 minutes off where I could choose to exercise (sacrificing other things I'd like to do during that time like cleaning, relaxing, napping, etc). So I need exercises that I can fit into all of the different types of days I have. The days where I don't have time, the days where I do have time, and the days that I have time but choose to use it for something else.
Here are some of the options I have had success with. Maybe they'll help you. (If nothing else, skip to #4, because I put the best tip at the end.)
1. Taking walks/runs. I am just not at the place yet where I can or will get up early just to go walk/run in the cold. So we keep this as a social option of exercise. My husband and I like to take walks/runs together when it is a nice day and we have time. It's wonderful to be able to chat and workout together.
2. Xbox Kinect Your Shape. My husband is a gamer, so we have some expensive exercise equipment in the house on our TV. There are several game stations that offer exercise games, but my favorite after trying several is the Xbox Kinect Your Shape. It offers all types of workouts. It looks at your body and tells you if you're doing them correctly. It also shows a very realistic (complete with fat bulges) view of your body on the screen as it works out. I've found this quite motivating. The game follows your statistics and gives you grades on your workouts so you can keep improving. It also changes up your workouts tailoring them to your skill level. The game is not perfect, but I've found that it gives me a good workout without going overboard and making me frustrated. It works you out like a workout video, except it's like having a trainer in the room that corrects your form. The bad thing about this game is you have to have time to do it without kids around. You also need a big space to workout in without anyone coming into it (for us that means using precious naptime minutes and the hassle of moving the couches around). I like to use this exercise method when I have the time to myself. It is the hardest workout that I have available.
3. Elliptical. We do have an elliptical. However, it is really old so a) it squeaks something awful and b)the settings are old school and it starts the resistance a little too high for my out of shape knees. I love the elliptical, but ours kind of sucks. I can go to the gym and do it forever, but I can only handle ours for about 10 minutes before my knees start giving out, needing to stop before my heart rate gets up. So this is a hopeful future workout as I get stronger.
4. Workout as you relax! Weird concept I know, but this one has helped me the most. My husband picked this up from some tips off The Biggest Loser. At first, I thought he was crazy, but I've since become a bit addicted to it. We like to watch quite a lot of TV and movies at night. So instead of just sitting there, we've started using the dumbells to do arm exercises as we watch, doing situps, push ups, and pilates exercises. It feels a little embarrassing at first with your partner right there and like you're going to deprive yourself of relaxation time. Yet, I feel more relaxed after as I get to enjoy my program, get rid of guilt for just sitting, and feel accomplished by the muscles I feel growing hard all over my body. I've found I have a tendency to do more reps while I'm distracted by TV. Oddly enough, I get more work done while I'm relaxing (when the pressure if off) than when I have a whole hour set aside just to work out by myself.
Please hear my shouts of encouragement over the internet and start working while you relax! It's the best feeling and makes the relaxation feel more complete. Just give it a try! It doesn't really matter what you do, how well you do it, or for how long. Just do something!
I am always looking for more good ideas for realistic workouts. Feel free to share!
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