Should I go to my HS reunion?

Trying to decide if I should go to my 20 year high school reunion this weekend.

One reason why I'm on the fence is because there are only a handful of people I really want to see, and I don't know if they are going.
But the main reason, is because I've gained so much since HS.  People might not even recognize me.  I played tennis and was very athletic. 

Now, I know keeping your HS weight is unreasonably, but I'm no where close to it.  I'm talking 80-90 pounds more!! I just don't want to be uncomfortable.  I know they will have old HS pictures.  I will keep thinking people are talking about me and saying, wow she got FAT.

On the otherhand, I don't want miss out on my reunion because of my weight. 

Brenda

Keeping up with the Biggest Loser

So, I hope everyone is doing well.  I've been doing my Firm Workouts and decided in between do other things so I don't get bored with the Firm. 

Since it is still nice outside and not too hot after work now, I have been taking walks around the neighborhood next to mine.  It has some beautiful trails around a lake.  It is so nice to be outside when working out and breathe that fresh air.

I also have been trying out different workouts through Comcast ON Demand.  I've done Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred about 3 times now, and love it!  I'm also glad the Biggest Loser is back on again.  I DVR'ed it and watched it the next day when I had more time.  It is about families this time.  I almost applied with my sister in law, but she got sick.  The Doctor on the show shared some of the contestants their body age.  Some young people measured almost 20 years older!  Imagine being 27 and being told your body is really 46!  It reminded me why I have to lose this weight. 

I've been quite busy with my son's football.  This is his first year and he is loving it, and so does my husband!  They won their came the other night 32-0!  They have practice today and a game tomorrow.  It is nice to talk to the other parents and meet some different people.  I didn't realize how big football was in our area.

Have a good weekend everyone! I need to get my hair and nails done, we are going to see a play with some other couples Saturday night.

Brenda

The FIRM mania

As promised here is a list of workouts I used doing The FIRM DVDs.  Most are from the TransFIRMation series. 

Wed 8/20 Cardio Party
Thu 8/21 Hi-Def Sculpt
Fri 8/22 Cardio Overdrive
Sun 8/24 Ultimate Fat Burning

Wed 8/27 Cardio Overdrive
Thu 8/28 Ultimate Fat Burning
Sat 8/30 Hardcore Fusion
Tue 9/2  Hardcore Fusion - Express

These workouts really challenge me and you can also add more weights or do the advanced steps to take it up even more.

I like that this series has added an Express option which allows me to choose to do at least 35 minutes.  This comes in handy since some DVDs are 50-60 minutes long. 

In the eating department I did okay the rest of the holiday weekend.   I did give in to having some Cold Stone ice cream on Monday on the way back from the beach.  But I had a light breakfast and sensible lunch drank water all day, shared a small cup with husband and didn't need dinner after I had the ice cream.  And on Tuesday, I got right back to making good food choices. 

Stay strong. Stay focused. Stay on plan.

Brenda

School is back and so am I

I've been wanted to post for a while now. But I usually post from work and work has been insanely busy.  And I've had to deal with several family crises.   I'm posting from home and I have so much to update. 
I've been keeping a log of my exerice and weight, so I will come back and post that.

I've been eating correctly and working out using the FIRM on a regular basis.  I love these DVDs.  It is great getting my cardio and weights in at the same time.

Now that school is back in session, my son has to be at the bus stop early.  He started kindergarten on Monday.  He is my big boy now. After I feed him and he is out the door with my husband, I'm working out the AM.  This is big for me.  It's been years since I've done this.  I usually try to fit it after work, and we know how that goes.  But I felt great all day and I had the evening free, so I treated myself and got my nails done.
I'm so proud of myself.
I plan to get back to religiously track my points.  But I have been keeping away from my triggers and finding things as subs.  For example, I like chocolate and ice cream.  WW and Skinny Cow have some nice tasting treats.
I was very bad over the summer with my eating, and then one day about 3 weeks ago, I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. 

I'm back.  Taking it one day at a time.

Brenda

Back on plan after Christmas

The last week has been crazy but fun.  I hosted a couples gathering on Sunday then turned around and hosted Christmas dinner.  I'm glad I took Wednesday off from work.

Hubby got me a digital camera.  We've been without one for over a year.  Hopefully I can put up some pictures of me on this site.

I didn't do too badly on the eating.  I just kept it to those days and I got right back on plan.  I worked out on Christmas Eve and yesterday at the gym.  It felt so good to get right back to it instead of just saying I could wait until the New Year.
My husband's party is next weekend, so I plan to work out almost everyday until then.  I'm getting my hair braided on Sunday, so I know this day I will most likely have to skip.  It takes over 6 hours to get my hair done!

Here's a link to the dress I'm wearing...

www.babyphat.com/nshop/product.php

Hubby has been making so many positive comments about me trimming down.  He says I'm withering down!! 

In the zone

This week has gone well exercise and food wise.

Here's what I did for my workouts:

Sun: Firm - Cardio and Weights 55 min
Mon: Gym - Spin class 45 min
Wed: Gym - 5 min bike, 20 min weights, 33 min ellipi, 17 treadmill
Thu: On Demand - body sculpting 20 min, 5 min bike

So that is 4 so far this week.  Hopefully I can get in a workout  tomorrow morning before I get my hair done.  I need a relaxer bad!

My clothes are feeling really loose.  I feel great and my energy level is up.
 I was in a zone during my workout at the gym on Wednesday.  I didn't want to stop.

Got so much shopping to do for the couples dinner party and Christmas dinner which I'm hosting both.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Brenda

Spinning it out

I stuck to my plan and went to the gym last night.  It was almost 7 when I got there and I thought about doing a spin class which starts at 7. 

I love the workout, but the last couple of times, my feet and butt where killing me about half way through.  But I decided to give it a try and I'm glad I did. 

This instructor gave out more techniques to use so you are not putting weight on the wrong areas. 

So I had a great workout.  I was drenching sweat in that 45 minute class.  I need classes like this to push me in a group setting.

Tonight I plan on doing either during a workout from On Demand or getting on the treadmill while watching the Biggest Loser Finale!!

Brenda

Good weekend

Weekend went well.  On Friday my husband and I had a date night and we went out to eat before going to see the movie I am Legend.  I had the chicken and shrimp fajitas and asked for a side salad instead of the rice and beans.  I'm so proud of myself.  The movie was great, a little scarier than I thought though.

The next day we got up early for my son's basketball practice.  We then hit the mall to finish our Christmas shopping.  All stores were of course crazy.  We dared to go into a toy store, it was a mad house.  I now only have about 2 gifts left to get.    We got home around 4 p.m. and I was exhausted. We ate dinner and I took a nap.  When I got up I worked out on the treadmill.  We then just chilled out and watched some movies.  The weather outside was getting bad by then.

Sunday before dinner I decided I needed a hard workout, so I did a FIRM dvd which included cardio and weights. It was about  55 minutes long.  I felt great while doing it.  So much stronger.  I'm now following more of the intermediate suggested moves versus the beginner.  I need to get some 8 lb weights now.  I have 2, 3 and 5 lb weights, but some moves I need a heavier weight. 

The plan is to hit the gym tonight. 

Have a great week everyone.

Brenda

To Weigh-in or not???

I can't believe it's been so long since I've blogged.  Here it is and December is almost half over.  Where has the time gone?

Since coming back from Thanksgiving, I've been back on my workout routine and eating better during the week. 

Here's my workout routine for the last 2 weeks:

Mon: Gym: 10 min bike/33 min elliptical
Wed: On Demand: Cardio Kick Butt 40 min
Thur: On Demand: Cardio Kick Butt 10 min, Firm 20 min, weights
Fri:  Jillian Michaels DVD: Weights and Cardio-back  30 min

Mon:  On Demand: Cardio Kick Butt 40 min
Wed:  Firm DVD - cardio and weights 45 min
Thu: Gym:  10 min bike/35 min elliptical

I plan on working out tomorrow after my son's basketball practice. So that will put me at 4 days this week.

I've gotten my husband involved in a few of my workouts.  He'll do some cardio for about 10 minutes then hit the weights.  I'm trying to get him more on a routine, it will help me stay on track as well. 

He's birthday is early in January, and we are having a big party for him at a night club.  He has noticed that I' ve been very motivated lately and said that I'm looking good.   I told him I have to look fly in my Baby Phat dress :) 

I've been trying to get 5 days a week in, so for next week that is my goal. 

So okay, I haven't weighed myself in over a month.  I'm a little nervous.  I get discouraged at times if the scale is higher than I thought.  It would be nice to know where I'm starting so I can gauge my progress, but I don't want to get down on myself if I gained.  I'm in a good mine set right now, and I don't want to ruin it.   

Have a great weekend everyone.

Brenda

Put down the candy corn

Wow. I’m back.  Can’t believe I’ve been gone so long.  I miss reading everybody’s blogs.  I hope everyone is doing okay. 

I mostly get on this site at work and I have had no time during the day lately.  

The last few weeks have been very busy.  It all started about 3 weeks ago when I got sick.  I had a fever and thought my head was going to explode I was so congested.  I stayed in the bed for the most part. 

The following week, my boss had a family emergency and she was out for a week, so I had double work to do.  Then I had to be home for several contractors to work on fixing our basement which had some water damage due to a leaking A/C. We had mold, but fortunately the insurance company paid for it since it was caused by an appliance and not mother-nature.  The carpet in the guest room was ruined and the walls from 2 feet down had to be cut out.  We are half-way there now, the drywall guy came over the weekend to fix the walls.  Still need to fix the floor, no more carpet, we decided to tile the room instead.  Next is to paint.  I hope we can figure out what color we used, else we will have to paint the entire basement. 

I’ve been keeping up with my exercising except for the week I was sick.  I’ve been getting so many compliments about my weight loss.  We are in the middle of building a new closet for me, so I’ve been going through all my clothes.  So much of my clothing has gotten too big so I had 3 bags for the donation truck.  I kept a few items that were only a size bigger, just in case I’m blessed to get pregnant again. 

I finished my son’s room last week, it looks so good! The theme is Disney Cars.  He loves it.  We are motivated to get all this work done because after my son’s birthday party in a couple of weeks, we have invited everyone back for dinner.  My house looks crazy now, so everyday I’ve been working on getting it ready. 

My eating has been on point.  I pack my lunch most days, and if I eat lunch out I eat a salad or grilled chicken sandwich.  I love candy corn, so this has been my little treat in the evenings.   This time of year, it is everywhere.   I asked my husband to bring some home the other night, and he bought me 3 bags!  Oh my!

Last week: Tue: 10 min bike, 30 min elliptical – gym 
Wed: 10 min bike, 35 min elliptical – gym 
Thu: 20 minute strength training – onDemand 
Sat: Walking 1 hr

This week the plan is to go to the gym Mon and Wed.  On Wednesday I have Turbo Kick.   The other days will be workouts at home.

P.S. Pictures are coming.  This is on my to-do list.