Thursday, February 16, 2012
Friday, January 6, 2012
Day 5
I was having a hard time getting motivated. Planned to some this morning, but after looking at the challenges, I just said, ugh. So I just skipped it and figured out different times of the day to do it. I eventually got motivated.
Active challenge: accumulate at least 10 minutes of extra walking today
Easy. I walked the whole time the kids were outside. Almost 20 minutes. And I chased the kids. Always fun!
Exercise challenge: do 30-45 minutes of steady-state, medium intensity cardio
Here's what got me this morning. That just seemed like a long time (and it was early). I decided to do my normal gazelle (kick it up a little) and then did 10 minutes of an exercise video. Think I did the 10 minute segment about toning. It was a fun and a cute little dance. In the end, a fun time. That was until I got too excited and punched the light cover on the ceiling. Oops, guess I'll fix that later.
Flexibility challenge: at least 5 minutes of stretching after cardio and complete the seated stretching routine
I didn't do this right after cardio. Ended up waiting about an hour. But still did it. I don't miss my flexibility challenge!
Nutritional challenge: choose a healthy meal from a restaurant before eating out
I did do this before I went to work. I was going back and forth between Sonic and Panera (gift cards). I found good meals at each and figured I could decide at the time. I thought I'd have to run some errands at lunch, so I kept both options available. Since I didn't have to go anywhere else, I went to Panera for their pick 2. Kept my lunch under 500 calories and was full. I ended up having Sonic for dinner since I did have to go somewhere after work. Kept that around 400 calories. Woot woot!
Mind/body challenge: 2-minute meditation
Really don't have to say anything about this. Always feels good.
Tomorrow is my first weekend. I'm sure I'll have no problem with it. Except for the babysitting 4 kids tomorrow night. Always the temptation there. Wish me luck, and happy Friday!
Active challenge: accumulate at least 10 minutes of extra walking today
Easy. I walked the whole time the kids were outside. Almost 20 minutes. And I chased the kids. Always fun!
Exercise challenge: do 30-45 minutes of steady-state, medium intensity cardio
Here's what got me this morning. That just seemed like a long time (and it was early). I decided to do my normal gazelle (kick it up a little) and then did 10 minutes of an exercise video. Think I did the 10 minute segment about toning. It was a fun and a cute little dance. In the end, a fun time. That was until I got too excited and punched the light cover on the ceiling. Oops, guess I'll fix that later.
Flexibility challenge: at least 5 minutes of stretching after cardio and complete the seated stretching routine
I didn't do this right after cardio. Ended up waiting about an hour. But still did it. I don't miss my flexibility challenge!
Nutritional challenge: choose a healthy meal from a restaurant before eating out
I did do this before I went to work. I was going back and forth between Sonic and Panera (gift cards). I found good meals at each and figured I could decide at the time. I thought I'd have to run some errands at lunch, so I kept both options available. Since I didn't have to go anywhere else, I went to Panera for their pick 2. Kept my lunch under 500 calories and was full. I ended up having Sonic for dinner since I did have to go somewhere after work. Kept that around 400 calories. Woot woot!
Mind/body challenge: 2-minute meditation
Really don't have to say anything about this. Always feels good.
Tomorrow is my first weekend. I'm sure I'll have no problem with it. Except for the babysitting 4 kids tomorrow night. Always the temptation there. Wish me luck, and happy Friday!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Day 4
Today was my first day back at work, and I think I did pretty well, especially since one of my sweet little girls made cupcakes and wanted to share. They were soooo good! Which meant, just soup for lunch. Well worth it, though. On to today's challenges!
Active challenge: set an alarm to go off every hour and stretch and move for at least 1 minute
That was not necessary, seeing as I work in a day care and have to be moving around all the time anyway. I was moving all day!
Exercise challenge: 15 minutes or more doing the beginner strength workout
This was a joy to do at 5:50, using cans of beans for weights. It was fairly easy (again, not easy to do, just easily done). I actually enjoyed the wall push ups. Push ups that were easy to do, but still felt the burn.
Flexibility challenge: perform planned flexibility exercises twice today
I did the exercises once this morning after the beginner strength workout and once after I did the gazelle this evening. Easy stretches, just would have been easier if I had a exercise ball. And didn't have a dog in my face while I was trying to focus on my breathing.
Nutritional challenge: research one staple food item in your pantry and determine whether it's healthy or if you need to find a substitute
I didn't really do this because I've already done it for my staples, but I took a closer look at my favorite pop tarts that are still in there. Nope. Not healthy. (Already knew it, damn).
Mind/body challenge: 3-minute total relaxation
Like this was work...
I found if I do something morning, I feel more relaxed when I get home. I eat dinner, I work out, and then I veg. I give myself that time so I don't feel like I've had to turn my life upside down to get healthy.
Tomorrow is Friday...Day 5!
Active challenge: set an alarm to go off every hour and stretch and move for at least 1 minute
That was not necessary, seeing as I work in a day care and have to be moving around all the time anyway. I was moving all day!
Exercise challenge: 15 minutes or more doing the beginner strength workout
This was a joy to do at 5:50, using cans of beans for weights. It was fairly easy (again, not easy to do, just easily done). I actually enjoyed the wall push ups. Push ups that were easy to do, but still felt the burn.
Flexibility challenge: perform planned flexibility exercises twice today
I did the exercises once this morning after the beginner strength workout and once after I did the gazelle this evening. Easy stretches, just would have been easier if I had a exercise ball. And didn't have a dog in my face while I was trying to focus on my breathing.
Nutritional challenge: research one staple food item in your pantry and determine whether it's healthy or if you need to find a substitute
I didn't really do this because I've already done it for my staples, but I took a closer look at my favorite pop tarts that are still in there. Nope. Not healthy. (Already knew it, damn).
Mind/body challenge: 3-minute total relaxation
Like this was work...
I found if I do something morning, I feel more relaxed when I get home. I eat dinner, I work out, and then I veg. I give myself that time so I don't feel like I've had to turn my life upside down to get healthy.
Tomorrow is Friday...Day 5!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Day 3
Today seemed a little easier than yesterday, probably because I didn't have to do stairs for 15 minutes (which my thighs are still sore from). I schlepped on today, feeling better and tired of being stuck at home.
Active challenge: park in the furthest parking spot away from the door
Since I didn't go anywhere, I couldn't actually do this. However, I did walk next door to pay my rent. Twice. The shop was closed the first time so I had to go later. I count this.
Exercise challenge: spend at least 5-10 minutes on specified activities
These included crunches, reverse crunches, oblique crunches, modified plank, dead bug, and back extensions. I thought these were pretty easy (not as in easy to do, but easily done). Feeling the burn! Did 2 reps of 10 each.
Flexibility challenge: yoga!
The yoga poses were easy and felt great after the crunches. They were the cat stretch, forward fold, bridge, and downward dog to upward dog. Actually did the bridge in the middle of one of my crunch reps, didn't realize that was what I was doing!
Nutritional challenge: eat one meal or snack with no distraction-no tv, reading, driving, conversation, etc.
This was the hardest for me. I had the tv blaring 90's music, so that was especially difficult to turn off. I hid my phone and sat at the table. I really tried to think about my food, how I was eating, and how I felt, but I really just had songs in my head. Who would have thought this would have been the hard thing?
Mind/body challenge: set a worry appointment
I really didn't do much worrying today. Did a lot yesterday (while paying bills) but today really wasn't much. I set a time (around 11:30) but I never really had much to worry about (that worrying would have actually helped) so I just enjoyed being home with my pets!
Ate at IHOP tonight, which was not a challenge, seeing as they have their fit menu. Whole wheat french toast, egg substitute, turkey sausage, and bananas. Yum! And around 400-some odd calories!
Tomorrow may be more difficult seeing as I have to go back to work, but I'll fit it all in. May just be a struggle today and tomorrow.
I feel better doing all of this, so I'm pushing through!
Active challenge: park in the furthest parking spot away from the door
Since I didn't go anywhere, I couldn't actually do this. However, I did walk next door to pay my rent. Twice. The shop was closed the first time so I had to go later. I count this.
Exercise challenge: spend at least 5-10 minutes on specified activities
These included crunches, reverse crunches, oblique crunches, modified plank, dead bug, and back extensions. I thought these were pretty easy (not as in easy to do, but easily done). Feeling the burn! Did 2 reps of 10 each.
Flexibility challenge: yoga!
The yoga poses were easy and felt great after the crunches. They were the cat stretch, forward fold, bridge, and downward dog to upward dog. Actually did the bridge in the middle of one of my crunch reps, didn't realize that was what I was doing!
Nutritional challenge: eat one meal or snack with no distraction-no tv, reading, driving, conversation, etc.
This was the hardest for me. I had the tv blaring 90's music, so that was especially difficult to turn off. I hid my phone and sat at the table. I really tried to think about my food, how I was eating, and how I felt, but I really just had songs in my head. Who would have thought this would have been the hard thing?
Mind/body challenge: set a worry appointment
I really didn't do much worrying today. Did a lot yesterday (while paying bills) but today really wasn't much. I set a time (around 11:30) but I never really had much to worry about (that worrying would have actually helped) so I just enjoyed being home with my pets!
Ate at IHOP tonight, which was not a challenge, seeing as they have their fit menu. Whole wheat french toast, egg substitute, turkey sausage, and bananas. Yum! And around 400-some odd calories!
Tomorrow may be more difficult seeing as I have to go back to work, but I'll fit it all in. May just be a struggle today and tomorrow.
I feel better doing all of this, so I'm pushing through!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Day 2
My first full day of the challenge and I'm sick. Naturally. Strep throat. Anywho, I finished my stuff. The only symptom I'm having is a mildly sore throat, so I battled through (with LOTS of water)!
Active challenge: at least 15 minutes of walking up stairs or hills
I broke this up into 3-5 minute intervals. Hard to breathe through my mouth with a sore throat. It was tiring and by the last one, my calves felt like they were going to burst. And the dog thought I had gone nuts.
Exercise challenge: at least 30 minutes of cardio
Times like this I'm thankful for the Gazelle in the basement. And the tv. And the dvd player. Watching my favorite episode of Eureka, I plowed through the beginner training interval. It was easy, just tired feet afterwards, as usual.
Flexibility challenge: at least 5 minutes of stretching after cardio and seated stretching routine
Did both. I love simple stretches. My favorite part of a workout.
Nutritional challenge: eat vegetables at every meal (except breakfast)
Easy enough. Progresso soup for lunch and some broccoli with my curried turkey burger for dinner. Yum!
Mind/body challenge: one-minute meditation
Super easy. And relaxing. Just lie on the floor and breathe. Clear mind after everything today.
Considering my throat and all, I say I started out pretty well. I'll be at home again tomorrow, so hope I can keep it up. I tend to get lazy at home all the time.
Active challenge: at least 15 minutes of walking up stairs or hills
I broke this up into 3-5 minute intervals. Hard to breathe through my mouth with a sore throat. It was tiring and by the last one, my calves felt like they were going to burst. And the dog thought I had gone nuts.
Exercise challenge: at least 30 minutes of cardio
Times like this I'm thankful for the Gazelle in the basement. And the tv. And the dvd player. Watching my favorite episode of Eureka, I plowed through the beginner training interval. It was easy, just tired feet afterwards, as usual.
Flexibility challenge: at least 5 minutes of stretching after cardio and seated stretching routine
Did both. I love simple stretches. My favorite part of a workout.
Nutritional challenge: eat vegetables at every meal (except breakfast)
Easy enough. Progresso soup for lunch and some broccoli with my curried turkey burger for dinner. Yum!
Mind/body challenge: one-minute meditation
Super easy. And relaxing. Just lie on the floor and breathe. Clear mind after everything today.
Considering my throat and all, I say I started out pretty well. I'll be at home again tomorrow, so hope I can keep it up. I tend to get lazy at home all the time.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Day 1
My cousin has mentioned doing the 30 day fitness challenge. http://exercise.about.com/c/ec/26.htm I looked into and seems simple enough, with the right motivation. I restarted using my fitness coach again because as simple as it is, it works! It's a tool to help you pick and plan the right food for your day. And I planned it to where I can eat piergoes, so it can't be all bad!
Anyway, day 1 is just getting started and into the mentality. I believe my starting weight is around 200. I won't be checking it again for 30 days, so let's get on it!
Anyway, day 1 is just getting started and into the mentality. I believe my starting weight is around 200. I won't be checking it again for 30 days, so let's get on it!
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