Up to day 12 - and a realization

Day 12 has come and gone. For the most part I have kept active between days 7 and 12. Last night I worked out to the Nike Training app on my phone. TALK ABOUT A WORKOUT! I hate most the exercises they do. Not because they suck, but because it makes me realize just how out of shape I am.

 

 

However with all the exercise listed out, I've realized that my BIGGEST issue...is with food. I'm so not a healthy eater, but I've been trying to fix that lately. Adding in healthier options, opting out of fast food. But some days I just can't help myself. I love a big fat burger or turkey sammich, some fries and wash it down with a diet coke. Yep, right there is my problem. J.U.N.K F.O.O.D!

 

My coworker John had a little health scare from his doctor a few months back and has now taken on eating less and has practically cut out ALL junk food. If you knew John, you know that he could easily put away a full Scotchie bar from Harmon's in one sitting (it's like 3lbs of pure caramel and chocolate). To date he's lost about 30lbs and is doing great. But with his health change means I've lost my LET'S GORGE OURSELVES AT LUNCH pal. Instead I'm forced (and I say forced because the first time I practically was) to eat at healthy restaurants and try new things.

 

The first adventure I had was to the Vertical Diner

I tried the Breakfast Burrito which was 100% vegan. Tofu scramble for the eggs and some grain mix for the "cheese". It was actually really good!

The next time we ventured out to Cafe SuperNatural at Trolley Square.

We decided to go halvsies so we could try 2 different dishes.

 

I ordered the the rice noodles with steamed veggies in a sesame sauce.

It was awesome!!

 

 

John ordered the Machu Picchu which was quinoa with steamed veggies and a roasted chili cashew cream sauce. His was a little on the bland side. I ate yams. Can you believe that? YAMS!

So since John is keeping me in line (somewhat) on eating healthier at lunch, it was time to make the effort at home.

Most nights when I get home it's already 6:00pm or later and we immediately get started on homework. Now like any mom who works full time out of the home, the last thing I want to do after working for 9 hours and commuting to and from SLC is stand over a hot stove cooking, and then figure out when I can get some time to exercise on top of that. Sometimes it's so much easier to throw in a pizza or pick up McD's. BUT if I want to get healthy and lose weight, I need to stop being "lazy".

I bought a cookbook that has healthy recipes you can make in a short about of time. I've made a few and so far they are pretty good. It helps to make the sauces before hand so when I get home I just need to mix it and cook. The girls seem to be okay with not having Mac & Cheese or PB&J every night. Although those staples will never fully leave my home!

 

I've also found a new snack. Now I LOVE my chocolate. Let me say it again. I LOVE CHOCOLATE!! I have learned that I cannot even buy the Cadbury Mini Eggs this time of year because I can easily put away half a bag in one day. Yes, ONE DAY. SO not good for you. They are addicting like cigarettes. I can't just have one or two.

Instead I found these little gems at a gas station by my house. Nuts for the most part are healthy and a little bit of chocolate on them seems to help with my cravings. And no, the ones at Costco are NOT the same. Those are more like chocolate bars which is why I easily put away the one bag I bought in about 3 days.

With the warmer weather coming in, it's much easier for me to get out and get walking after work. Abby loves to come along as does Bear, and the bikes are fun to ride around with. I think if I can just tackle the healthy eating, the weight will come off much faster and I'll start feeling much better.
 

Day 7

Day seven was unique! My coworker John is working on a health lifestyle change after an eye-opening visit to his cardiologist a few months back. Since then he has dumped the sweets, the sodas, and more of the sweets. He comes in with his fruit and veggie smoothies and makes the office try them. I must admit one of my favorites so far was some type of beet leaves smoothie. Yummy to say the least.

After discussing the benefits of walking with hand weights with my CEO at work, John immediately went out and bought us a pair. Mine are a pretty pink 2lb's! With the weather stating to warm up just a tad, we can finally get back to walking around our BEAUTIFUL industrial area we work in. Dump trucks and diesels and train tracks OH MY!

John has also been trying to stick to a plant based diet. And with this he has been experimenting with vegan restaurants. I must say, he has me quite interested. Our first outing was to the Vertical Diner, which I ordered a breakfast burrito with tofu and "fake cheese". IT WAS AMAZING!! Who knew a burrito with tofu scrambled like eggs and fake grain "cheese" could be so good??

This week we hit up the Cafe SuperNatural. We decided to get separate plates and split them. (next time I'm getting my OWN it was so good). I'm glad John is helping me try new things.

LEFT: This dish had rice noodles, mushrooms, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and sesame in a ginger dressing. Oh my gosh it was SO good! RIGHT: Machu Picchu (Steamed quinoa served with steamed seasonal vegetables and roasted chili cashew cream sauce)

Day 6

I've become addicted to watching the Biggest Loser. The show is in its 14th season and this is the first season I have watched. Where I have been? I LOVE IT!! I've actually found the show to be a great motivator for me. Usually I  record it on Monday's since Anna has tumbling in the evening, then watch it on Tuesday's while I run along side on the treadmill. If these 300lb+ people can get up off their butts to lose weight...SO CAN I!  Towards the end of the show when they do the Last Chance Workout, I like to try and copy some of the exercises they do. I HATE BURPIES!

This picture just reminded me I still need to buy an office chair for my desk.

The kids IKEA chair just isn't cutting it!!

Day 4 & 5

Day 5 - Rest

Today I decided to take a rest day. I'm emotionally exhausted and just needed to veg out and not think. More about that coming soon!



Day 4 - HELLO JILLIAN!

 

Threw in the DVD, laid down the mat and spend 20+ minutes cussing and yelling at Jillian because I DO NOT remember Level 1 being so challenging!

 

Day 3

3 for 3. That's probably a new record for me!

Sunday's aren't my big exercise days. In fact I rarely do anything outside of lugging laundry up and down the stairs. BUT what would a challenge be without actually having to CHALLENGE yourself.

Walked "Central Park" for 30 minutes. Sure wish the view was a bit more like Central Park than staring at my wall!

 

This is me walking fast. Avoiding hot dog vendors in CENTRAL PARK!

 

Actually, I have recently found Downton Abbey on Netflix. It's a great show to watch while walking because they usually run 60 minutes. Great warm up, workout, and cool down right there!

 

I wish I could count how many calories I burned lugging in 2 bags of 40lb salt from the car to basement, a 55lbs bag of dog food (hard times Clark, hard times) and the number of flights of stairs I climbed doing laundry yesterday.

Day 2

Well day 2 came and went. I took the girls to visit my sister in Tooele, so we could color our hair. No, no grey here. We color hair because we love the smell, the cost and the odd color stains left around your ears and forehead.

I took Bear for a quick walk when we got home. This dog LOVES to walk. I think she was a little more gun-ho for a walk than I was having been cooped up in the house all winter.

Not quite as long of a walk as I would have liked, but the whole point the my March challenge was to GET ACTIVE!! Mission accomplished...until tomorrow!

 What a beautiful day! Can't wait for SPRING!!

30 Day Exercise Challenge - Day One

WELCOME TO MY 30-DAY EXERCISE CHALLENGE!

 

I am CHALLENGING myself to be active for 30 days in a row.

 

Day ONE - Yoga

 

Thanks to a FREE app called Simply Yoga, I was able to get in a quick 20 minute yoga session before the kids starting running around like something you'd see off of Lord of the Flies!   I can pull the workout up on my phone or laptop, try to find a nice quiet place to stretch out and BAM!! Instant workout.  Do you like my picture? Totally staged of course. But you get the point. And after looking at this picture I TOTALLY need to do some arm firming exercises. It's tough getting old and flabby!!

Here is Betty teaching me the poses.

I nicknamed her Betty. Don't ask why.