Wellness & Fitness Update

Fitness update:

I have made some major improvements over the course of this class with my fitness goals. I began to really be aware of what kind of shape my body was in. I didn't really have a weight problem but my muscle tone and strength were truly not up to par with what I should be at my age. I started out being able to do 15 crunches to now 90. I went from walking the mile in 24 minutes to 3 miles in 30 (while pushing a stroller!).

Wellness update:

Wellness is important to me and during the course of this class I have made some significant changes in my eating habits. I feel better, have a ton more energy than when I started, and am setting a better example for my family. I went from drinking multiple sodas a day to maybe once a week. I have incorporated water and unsweetened tea in place of soda. I eat salads now and cook meals for my family. In the beginning I ate fast food sometimes more than once a day...now I eat it once every other week...if that..and if I go, I get a salad. I also ate ice cream daily...now I limit it to Sundays or I eat the Mini Skinny Cow fudge pops instead of a huge bowl..which only have 50 calories per serving and really can take away my cravings. For snacks I have incorporated more fruits, veggies instead of the usual candy bar or chocolate pop tart. I even stopped drinking coffee every morning. I now have it once in a while... It is weird because I used to drink coffee because I needed to wake up...but since I changed my eating styles I don't need something to wake me up. I wake up with plenty of energy and earlier than ever before.

The hardest thing to overcome during this class was breaking my fast food addiction. I really had a hard time not craving Mcdonalds...but once I had gotten it out of my system I felt so much better..and more in control. I wonder if they put some addicting additive into the food because I seriously felt like I went through withdrawl...

Overall, this course has changed me..changed the way I eat, think, and live.

Wellness & Fitness Update

Wellness:

I have been eating so much better! I went to Trader Joes and Whole Foods and stocked up on a variety of foods to put in my salads. I make dinner almost every night for my family using a website http://www.foodfit.com/ to help me plan healthy meals. Knowing that I have all the ingredients I need to make a delicious healthy meal at home inspires me to cook. I plan every Sunday for the entire week. I am drinking soda only once a week and drink mostly water during the day. I have been drinking unsweetened tea as well. My energy levels have improved with these changes.

Fitness:

I walked uphill 3 miles (pushing a double stroller) today and it was difficult but I was proud of myself for being able to do it. I did not become short of breath and my muscles didn't ache. My cardio is much better. My crunches have gone from 15 in the beginning to 30 to 45 to now 65!!!

Wellness and fitness update!

I have done really well sticking to my weekly menu and not eating out. It really helps having a menu planned out with all the ingredients on hand so you aren't tempted to just go out. I ate out one day this week at Burger King but it was really gross so I don't think I have to worry about eating there again. I have been drinking water....yay! I still drink soda but only once a day. :-)

I have been doing my exercise...lots of walking and my crunches are getting easier. I think my arms appear more tone from the arm curls.

Fast food withdrawl?

I MISS MY MCDONALDS!!! I have been doing so well not eating fast food..although tonight after oldest daughter's soccer practice we went out for KFC. At least there are no trans fats there..and it is a change from Mcdonalds. I have been trying to give up sodas but have only gotten to the point of buying the little baby cans from the grocery store instead of the large bottles. I actually had 2 of them today but I was sooo tired I really needed the caffeine. I hope to give up sodas completely again as I had did once before. I also had given up Mcdonalds for over a year but got hooked after one fry.
My workout routine has been steady..keeping at the walking, especially with the nice weather. I am doing more sit ups now so possibly I am strengthening my muscles. I doubt they will ever be prebabies though. I am going to have to go through my photo album and find a pic of my belly to post when I was prego..you won't believe it. :-)

Weekly post..fitness update!

I am sooooooooo proud of myself that I have started eating a salad for lunch instead of my usual Mcdonalds... Okay, so all the Mcdonalds within a 3 mile vicinity know my name but hey, I am trying. :-)

I have been working out too, slowly and surely. I chase children around all day so you would think my cardio would be good but the other day I had to take my oldest daughter to soccer practice and it was at the Annandale NOVA campus (btw-did anyone know that there was a soccer field there because I sure didn't) and I had to walk up that hill by the lake...OH MY GOODNESS! I felt like I was going to die. Why is walking up a hill SO much harder that just walking around on flat ground?

Sit ups aren't going so well but I really need to work on them. I honestly think my muscles are forever changed from popping out 2 babies (sorry for the gross visual, lol). Walking has been good, I am sticking to it but I seem to always try to get out of the rest of my plan. I am trying though...I try to make it interesting by changing up my weights. For instance, I am babysitting my friends very overweight pug..and I thought I could lift him a bit in lieu of arm curls. :-)

My first post

I have chosen to mainly focus on Muscular Strength/Endurance in attempts to improve my stomach muscles that were stretched out so far after my 2ND daughter. I also would like to attempt to cut back on the amount of fast food and sweets I eat. I would like to set a good example to both my daughters that exercise and nutrition are important factors of life and that they should be incorporated into every day living. This is hard for me because I could literally live off chocolate ice cream and Dr. Pepper. My elementary school aged daughter will be doing some crunches with me in attempts to motivate me and help develop her own strength and endurance. I was concerned during my evaluation when she wanted to see how many she could do and it was less than myself. She is in no way overweight or lacking in endurance as she plays soccer for 2 teams each season which means rigorous training and two hours of actual play time each weekend. I am hoping this class changes my life as well as promotes healthy living for my girls.