The Start of a New Month: Fit Moms for LIFE!

Alright, so today marks the first day of the March: 21 Day Challenge using Dustin Maher's Fit Moms for Life program.  I loved seeing results the first time around, and am hoping to embark on another 21 days using his program.

I am currently just really understanding that as a woman who is going to be taking care of the home and family life--I need to really take time to have some "Self-care".  Exercise is one of the components of taking care of myself.  In order to get the energy and equip my body for the task of being a mom, wife, and me--I need to make sure that I keep moving and strengthening my body through exercise.

If I live life the way I have been--eating junk and being a couch potato and not strengthening my body--I will not be able to be the best for my family.  Also, I am finding that I need to lead by example.  My daughter is watching me...I need to show her how to take care of her body, by way of exercising and eating right.  There is so much to learn and teach, and am excited to participate in this 21 day challenge again!

*Disclaimer:  I received an Ebook copy and an exercise workout video of Fit Moms for Life by Dustin Maher in order to fascilitate and participate in this 21 Day Mommy Blogger Fit Moms for Life Challenge.  All opinions are my own, and I am not required to write a positive review.  I am however required to tell my honest opinions and experience using this program.

21 Day Weight Loss Challenge: Day 17

 

Yay!  Got my exercise in today!  I started with Dynamic Warm ups and then moved into Cardio and Core Training.  I feel a bit pressed for time, so I am splitting up the work out so I can still have time for my family.  I also like working out everyday.  It gives me some boost of energy, and accomplishment.  With only a couple more days left to this challenge, I am excited and very eager to finish out this week strong!

Dustin's Weekly Challenge:  Tell someone you appreciate them!  Different person each day.  
 -- I am working on telling my husband how much I appreciate him this week.  Also others whom I really appreciate I am making thank you notes and making some phone calls! :)

The End is Coming!

Well...the end of this challenge that is!
Day 17 of this Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge.  I am fairly excited about finishing out strong in this weight loss challenge.  I embarked on this challenge and weight loss journey on February 1st, 2012 and am very glad to say that I have at least worked out 3 days out of the week and have begun to change  my eating habits.  A big part of Dustin's Fit Moms for Life program is Nutrition.  Exercising, Nutrition, Good mindset, and Environment all goes hand in hand in his program.  In this second week, I feel like I am beginning to see how Nutrition works.  I was sick for a few days, and really felt like it would be best to just rest, but continue to eat healthy and focus on Nutrition and eating the 3 Meals and 2 snacks a day.  I found myself shopping healthier options and planning out more vegetables and fruits into my meals.  I also felt good.  I did not cave into eating sweets and ultimately I think eating right helped me get over the sickness quicker! 

I find that eating for nutritional value is something someone must do intentionally and purposefully! 

Working to lose weight and gain a healthier body is not merely just a 21 day challenge for me, it is a life long change.  I have started to try Protein shakes to take the place of a daily meal.  Because of Dustin's Fit Moms for Life book, I kind of understand the importance of consuming and incorporating various foods into my diet.  Something like protein is detrimental for muscles to rebuild itself after working out.  Also good foods to eat after exercise are simple foods like fruits and vegetables!  I am finding myself trying somehow to incorporate a healthy does of green veggies into my meals.  Not only is this for my good, but for my family.  I know that I want my family to eat more healthy so...I find that I am cooking more meals at home rather than running through a drive thru!

Made for Someone like Me:

What I love about Dutin Maher's Fit Moms for Life program is that it is very realistic for me as a Real Mom.  One of those reasons is that he strives to make exercise short and sweet--after all Moms are Busy!  But in that time we do exercise he encourages us to challenge ourselves to work out intensely and to push ourselves.  Secondly, I really appreciate that he appeals to my mindset by educating me on the "WHYs" of Nutrition, Exercise, etc.  One of my favorite parts he talks about is exercise.  His program includes Cardio, Strength Training, and Core Training, and Flexibility Training.  As a young mom, I have no time to really do the research on what type of exercise to include in my work outs--and I am very grateful that Maher goes into details of the importance of each.  For example, Strength training is ideal for the woman because it not only tones our body but it increases bone density.  I had not known that!  And time and time again I hear about women dealing with bone density loss.  So I am very grateful for the invaluable knowledge and facts inundated throughout this book. 



Disclaimer: This post is in conjuction with the 21 Day Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge with Dustin Maher. I am doing the Fit Moms for Life Program. I have received the program for free and have not been paid to write this post. All opinions are mine. For more information on the program please learn more about it here: Fit Moms for Life

21 Day Weight Loss Challenge: Day 7---A Little Discouraged

Today I went to kind of weigh myself and take some measurements just to get an idea where I am at.  I am a little discouraged because either I am bloated or have gained a belly.  My stomach seems to stick out more and it gets discouraging when I go to measure and it seems like I am getting bigger.  I have been exercising and been eating right.


One week is going by, and was super encouraged by the energy I felt by moving.  Now it seems like my off days I need to be sweating it out and pushing hard core or else I'll just gain weight!  What do you guys think?

My Protein Shake Day did not work out as planned.  We went grocery shopping last night and well just did not have enough money to pick up some things like Wheat Germ, Almonds, Fiber/Chia Seeds/Flax, Pork, and Beef among other things.  With what we did get were a lot of Veggies and Chicken, Yogurt and other essentials.  It was about $150-$160 grocery run.  I think I have to just figure out a different recipe for the protein shake.  So today I just kind of kept going with real foods.  I might find a smoothie recipe by tomorrow! :)  I am trying be positive today and this next week.  I am nervous for weigh in tomorrow.

Food Log/ Menu Planner:
Breakfast:  2 Cage Free Eggs with 1 cup of Veggies sauteed and 1/4 cup Soy Cheese. 16 oz of water
Snack:  1/3 cup sliced banana, 1/3 cup apple slices and 1/3 cup orange sections mixed. 8 oz of water
Lunch: Veggie Burger Patty with a protein shake.  Messed up on the protein shake and drank only half. 16 oz of water to wash it down.
Snack: Carrots 12 baby carrots.  Serving size on the bag said about 12 carrots, Raw 8 oz of water
Dinner: Hefty Chicken Salad with Whole Wheat Spaghetti. 16 oz of water
8oz before bed.

Water Intake: 9 Glasses of water.

Make little Goals:
Water is hard to drink during my off days, so I try to space it out.  I don't feel thirsty, so on Off Days these are my mindsets to keep me drinking Water.  One thing I do to encourage myself to drink more water is I have a glass that holds 16oz of water.  Having a Visual Goal of how much I need to drink helps me greatly.  My goal is to do my best to drink until I see half of it gone (8oz)--and then the next goal is to gulp more until I see the bottom of the glass.  Sort of like a game?  I fill it up after that.  But I always have this glass around me wherever I sit down so I remember to drink.

Another "water game" that helps me mentally, is knowing that with each glass of water I drink---the Less hungry I become.  Water takes up that food space in my stomach.  I try to make sure to drink water after a meal because I do get really hungry and want to eat more food than I need!  Same with snacks. 

Just little things that I think about to help me chug down the H2O.



Below is a collection of Bloggers who are taking on Dustin Maher's 21 Day Challenge.  Hop around and see their progress and their input on the Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge! :)



Disclaimer: This post is in conjuction with the 21 Day Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge with Dustin Maher. I am doing the Fit Moms for Life Program. I have received the program for free and have not been paid to write this post. All opinions are mine. For more information on the program please learn more about it here: Fit Moms for Life

21 Day Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge--Day 5

Day off Days are a Challenge in themselves:
Alright so today is my day off of the exercise.  Sundays are always hard days for us as a family.  Our schedule and meals are always varied depending on what plans start cooking after church.

So I tried to do my best to plan for the worst today, because I know junk food was going to be present either at the Church snack food table or other unplanned events we were going to be invited to.

 I started off the day right with breakfast consisting of a 16 oz glass of water and 2 eggs scrambled and sauteed with onions, cheese and 1/2 a cup of black beans.  To church I packed 4 servings of Carrots.  I went right with my Breakfast, Snack and water intake--as planned.  We were going get together with a couple after church--planned.  They invited us over to their parents' house for a Super Bowl Sunday Get together--unplanned.    Lots of delectables at their parent's house!  One decadent dessert was homemade Cheesecake bars drizzled with white chocolate.  I put up a good resistance for the first 4 hours being at the house.  {We ended up staying at their place for a LONG time and by the 5pm I caved in and tried out her cheesecake bar.}  I chose to eat Taco Salad and some Phad Thai.  I had a hard time figuring out how many servings or nutritional values each would equate to.  I don't think going to this party with measuring cups and a scale would have been appropriate--but I think next time, I just might have to!  So I estimated the best by just using my fist--something somebody told me to help with portions.   I did not want to overeat on the Phad Thai, and really increased the vegetables in the taco salad so I could maximize my veggie intake.
What was a planned 2 hours of visiting ended up being a 10 hour day. 
Sigh I think Sundays are going to be my biggest challenge days to keep my food in control. All in all I wished I had planned for an a whole day and evening for this so here's my battle plan:

My Battle Plan for Sundays and Unplanned Adventures:

• Packing a water bottle is a must if one wants to hit their water intake goals.
• Pre-pack snacks in the fridge of healthy snacks that can save me from Sweets!
• Write down goals/ affirmations/encouragements  on a 3X5 card and place in my bag--I need something to help my mind stay focused on what my long term goals are and to encourage me to do the right thing if a day like this happens again!
• Not sure what else, but if I think of anything I will add more to it!

Below is a collection of Bloggers who are taking on Dustin Maher's 21 Day Challenge.  Hop around and see their progress and their input on the Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge! :)



Disclaimer: This post is in conjuction with the 21 Day Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge with Dustin Maher. I am doing the Fit Moms for Life Program. I have received the program for free and have not been paid to write this post. All opinions are mine. For more information on the program please learn more about it here: Fit Moms for Life

21 Day Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge--Day 3

Sorry guys, today is my rest day! :)  So no workout today.  Did sweat, but I do not think it counts as exercise!  Running around with my daughter.

Food Log:
Breakfast: Whole Grain Toast with peanut butter, Yogurt
Snack: Orange
Lunch: Large Taco Salad with Black Beans
Snack: Whole grain Toast with peanut butter.
Dinner: Mongolian Chicken, and Beef with Vegetables-- Bean sprout, Onion, Green Pepper, Mushrooms, Carrots and Celery. Seasoned with garlic, ginger, and Hot sauce

Crazy Water Intake today: I have been making it my goal to drink as much water as I can!  I drank 10 cups of water and had to run to the bathroom about 3-4 about 8 times today! I think that is the most I have ever drank in a LONG time.  I don't think I can drink more than 10 cups of water...it kind of feels gross unless I was sweating profusely.  :) That or pregnant!

Just a short blog post as my daughter is having some health issues right now.  Nothing too serious, but have to watch for signs of fever.  She started breaking out severely with hives.  Fairly fast all over her poor face.  It looked really bad.  Doc said just to watch for fever and breathing problems.  Allergic reaction or a sign that she caught something called Roseola?  Sigh...if it's not one thing it's something else!  C'est la vie!

Below is a linky for other Bloggers who have taken on Dustin Maher's 21 Day Challenge.  Hop around and see their progress and their input on the Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge! :)



Disclaimer: This post is in conjuction with the 21 Day Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge with Dustin Maher. I am doing the Fit Moms for Life Program. I have received the program for free and have not been paid to write this post. All opinions are mine. For more information on the program please learn more about it here: Fit Moms for Life

21 Days Weight Loss Challenge Link up!

Alrighty ladies and gents! Link up your Blogs if you are in the Weight Loss Challenge! My goal is to have a full list of everyone's blog so readers can easily hop from one blog to the next! Also, I love being able to see everyone's blog and to read up on the progress. Thanks in advance! Here is the HTML code to put in your  blog posts:

<script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.simply-linked.com/listwidget.aspx?l=50e3f6ef-7b8f-4344-9062-f4c1bdcf269e" ></script>

For those never using html.  It's not too bad!  After composing your blog post, there should be an option to write in "HTML" format.  Hit that button and everything should change to html language.  Input the code at the bottom of your post.  Hit save and see if the code worked!

**Note I did change the Linky HTML to reflect what is on the Doc from the Facebook Mommy Blogger Group. Thanks! :)** 

21 Day Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge--Day 2

The Importance of Mindsets:

I have yet to work out today with some strength training, but am going to be focusing on what I read today in Dustin's Fit Moms For Life ebook. I took time to read about the mind.  

When it comes to commitment I find that unless I am locked in and cannot turn around or cancel--I follow through bearing my teeth and grinning.  Yet the case is not usually so when it comes to exercising.  Usually I start exercising but then stop after a couple of days.  I try and fail when it comes to exercising.  What is different than before all those many times is that I am learning to lay the foundation of setting a right mindset.  

Here are just three points that I found helpful in Dustin's book: 

1.  Put yourself first--For me.  I started by not taking time out of my day to focus on doing some exercises for myself.  Just like I put God first and take time out of the day to spend time in the Bible, I do need to take time to make sure that I am physically training my body to take on its responsibilities as a wife, mother, and daughter.  I need to strengthen the muscles I do have and not waste them.  So it is not selfish to take half an hour to an hour working out!

2.  Believe change is possible--Yes!  Yes, I can be one of those many women and mothers out there who have shed off the extra baggage.  I can do this.  I really can!  If I put effort and energy and give myself to this, I can expect change.  

3.  Practice positive thinking and speaking--Just like I got to keep my mind renewed by the Word of God and think on that which is true...I got to apply this in matters of  who I am.  Every day I am getting stronger.  I may not be able to do 30 push ups now, but with each try I am working myself to my goal!  When I think positively and even speak something as simple as, "Come on! You CAN Do This! Yes,Almost There! Keep Focus!"  I find that I can indeed get to the goal or finish that task.  For time in the work out I find myself thinking, "This really is killing me!"  and then begin saying, "This is really killing me, but it is going to feel good when I am done!"

Conclusion:

Mindsets are very important.  It is something to keep us going forward and moving in that direction until we've reached our goal.  With a clear goal before me and a plan I feel better prepared to accomplish what I have set out to do. 

  

Worked Out/Excercised:

45 minutes of excercising--Strength training, Cardio, Core, and Cool Down/Stretches
Hardest part was Cardio- High knee/Punching

Meals and Food Journal:

Breakfast: Yogurt, Eggs and Cheddar Cheese

Snack: Orange

Lunch: Whole Wheat Pasta with Homemade Tomato Sauce--shredded 7 Carrots, Onion, Celery
Snack: Carrots

Dinner: Oven-Roasted Chicken seasoned with Lemon Pepper and Montreal Steak Seasoning
With a Big Salad of Romaine, Carrots, Mushrooms and Toasted Sesame Dressing. 


Water intake: 8 glasses as of 10pm

My Goals for this program at the end of 21 days:
Main Goal:  Lose 25 lbs  I talked to Dustin 7lbs would be more ideal for 21 days :)  But am still shooting for an ultimate Weight goal of 25lbs in the long run!
Secondary Goal:  Do 30 Regular Pushups
Third Goal: To perform the "Plank" positions both front and side for 45 seconds!
Fourth Goal: Eat healthy and live an energized positive life.

Join the 21 Day Challenge next Month for March!
You can check out Dustin on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dustinmaher
Don’t forget to follow the #21MBC hashtag on twitter.  If you are a Mommy Blogger and would like to try this program for free like what I am doing right now please contact me at sophieandmomma at gmail.com and I will get you the information to join up for the next 21 Day Challenge for March 2012!  You will receive the same free program that I did! If you have any questions let me know I would love to help!

Disclaimer:  This post is in conjuction with the 21 Day Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge with Dustin Maher.  I am doing the Fit Moms for Life Program.  I have received the program for free and have not been paid to write this post.  All opinions are mine.  For more information on the program please learn more about it here: Fit Moms for Life 

If you are apart of the 21 Day Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge would love it if you added your link below!  Visit these Mommy Bloggers and see their progress during this 21 Day Challenge!

21 Day Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge--Day 1

Journal for Workout Day 1: 

I woke up geared up and ready to exercise.  I dreaded working out just because I was sore from two days ago on trying out the work out for the first time.  I was beat for two days.  My husband says I was a bit cranky the day after I worked out.  I think I just wanted to hit the bed and sleep.  But feeling the soreness was also indicative that I DID Accomplish Something! 

Today, February 1st.  I ended up not working out till 2pm in the afternoon due to taking care of my little one.  Work out was so good.  I sweated and pushed through the whole  program.  This is how the Fit Moms for Life Program goes.

First is Warm Ups:  The Key here is Big Easy Movements that get the blood flowing. About 3 minutes length
Second is Weights Training: What I am learning is that I need to strengthen certain muscles so that I can gain better posture in my every day life activities.
Third:  Cardio:  Get our heart pumping more!  3 sets of 45 second heart pumping activities.  We do a set of intense activity for 45 seconds and rest for 45 seconds.  A one to one ratio.  If we work out and push hard in a short amount of time we burn more and get more.  I do like it I have to admit.  Spurts of energy and putting everything I got in it for a short amount of time really is nice.
Fourth is Core:  Abdomen-stomach section strengthening.  I find that I have a lot to work on here.  My belly fat is in the way of those muscles down there! 
Fifth and Lastly is the Flexibility/Stretch Cool down Phase: Pretty self explanatory, but something that I always look forward to.  It marks the end of the work out and kind of makes me feel good about myself. 

Dustin recommends doing the full work out every other day and taking a day of rest.
OR as busy moms are sometimes choosing
 I have to admit that the work out was hard to push through, but I did it with the help of thinking about the gains of being  healthy.

Challenging Excercises that I found hard to do!

• Plank regular and side position: Position yourself like you are doing a push up.  Put elbows and hands down and  uphold for 45 seconds.  


• Side position:  Go on side and support body with one arm. I had to "cheat and bend one of my knees.  My goal is to hold both for 45 seconds or more!

• Push ups: Only did 10 instead of 15 for the first rep.

• Swimmers:  Lie on the floor belly down.  Extend arms in front of  you and move them up and down while kicking your feet up and down (like you're swimming).  Hold belly in and draw belly button in for a good core work out.  For some reason I find it hard to breath and cannot do this for 45 seconds!  Ended up just kicking my legs up and down or just my arms up and down. 

Things I thought about while working out:

• I want to have more energy for my kids.  
• I desire to fit into my favorite jeans again and not have to move  up to the next size.
• I do want to be able to look good and feel good again.
• It is for my betterment and state of mind to excercise!
• Only for an hour and a half and then I can rest and shower and relax!
• I will feel better after this!

Here are my measurements:

Arms:  14 inches

Hips:  41 inches

Waist: 38 inches

Abdomen: 43.5 inches

Thighs: 23 inches

Chest:  42 inches

Calves: 14 inches

Height: 5' 2 inches

Weight: 176.6 lbs

Meals and Food Journal:

Breakfast: Oatmeal with Apples and Cinnamon

Snack: Orange, Apple slices

Lunch: Lemon Pepper Chicken and Boiled Potato

Snack: Apple Slices

Dinner: Taco Salad and whole grain corn bread


Water intake: 6 glasses to drink

My Goals for this program at the end of 21 days:
Main Goal:  Lose 25 lbs
Secondary Goal:  Do 30 Regular Pushups
Third Goal: To perform the "Plank" positions both front and side for 45 seconds!
Fourth Goal: Eat healthy and live an energized positive life.


You can check out Dustin on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dustinmaher
Don’t forget to follow the #21MBC hashtag on twitter.  If you are a Mommy Blogger and would like to try this program for free like what I am doing right now please contact me at sophieandmomma at gmail.com and I will get you the information to join up for the next 21 Day Challenge for March 2012!  You will receive the same free program that I did! If you have any questions let me know I would love to help!

Disclaimer:  This post is in conjuction with the 21 Day Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge with Dustin Maher.  I am doing the Fit Moms for Life Program.  I have received the program for free and have not been paid to write this post.  All opinions are mine.  For more information on the program please learn more about it here: Fit Moms for Life 

Fit Moms For Life 21 Day Challenge: Intro

Alright so February 1st is the official start of the 21 Day Challenge: Fit Moms for Life Challenge! 
I am super excited because this is my first personal step to being a Fit mom, not only for me but for my children and husband.  I grew attracted and interested in joining this challenge because of Dustin Maher and his motto of "How to have Endless Energy to Outplay your kids".  Learn more about his program here, Fit Moms For Life.

Why I committed to this challenge:  I am doing this ultimately For Me.  It seems that my sense of being me ended when I got married.  I love being married, do not get me wrong.  Life just seemed to hit a "Fast Forward" switch where I never felt like I could take an hour out of my day to hit the gym or really take time out for myself.

With both of us working full time and me still having the duties of laundering, cleaning, and cooking--I felt myself feel swamped!  Choosing to eat fast food seemed the "easier" option for me.  Meals I cooked were high in sodium and trans fat.  I quickly felt myself grow out of some of my favorite jeans.  The more I grew out of my clothes I stressed out more and stress seemed to pile more pounds onto my belly.


Pregnant and life after birth:  Pregnancy seemed to slow life down a bit for me.  I was able to take time for myself and choose better options for food.  I ate healthier and did my best to take walks.  I lost weight after she was born, but soon gained them back.  I have to say life felt very much solitary.  I stayed inside for fear of anything happening to my little precious bundle!  As a first time momma, I felt like taking walks around our neighborhood was a bit scary.  No one was out there with me to take walks and make me feel "safe" and I did have a couple of weird people sort of follow me around which was not comforting for me.  So I stayed inside and did not do much to keep active.  I started eating sweets again too, which did not  help to make me feel good inwardly.

Why Fit Moms for Life?  

I love the concepts in his book.  Very down to earth and simple to understand.   I feel like the work out is doable, and with goals and mindsets set in place, I feel that I can follow through with this program.  Also, I like the idea of 21 days of commitment with other ladies working out along with me. 

The Program: Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge is also Geared towards moms with an understanding of the "busy-ness" of Children, Household Chores, and Other Duties and commitments women may have.  I love that Dustin really values what we do as moms.  He offers strategies in his book and mindsets that are relevant to me as a woman and mother..] He is very flexible and offers encouragement gleaned from other moms facing weight problems.  Not to mention the workouts and interviews I have been watching are with a real mom!  I love seeing that it is not only I who tires and struggles, but the person on the video is too!  I feel like I can connect with the person working out--like she's not a professional body builder or anything, but a simple person.  So it is encouraging to press on and sweat it out till the end.

My Goals for this program at the end of 21 days:
Main Goal:  Lose 25 lbs
Secondary Goal:  Do 30 Regular Pushups
Third Goal: To perform the "Plank" positions both front and side for 45 seconds!
Fourth Goal: Eat healthy and live an energized positive life.


You can check out Dustin on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dustinmaher
Don’t forget to follow the #21MBC hashtag on twitter.  If you are a Mommy Blogger and would like to try this program for free like me, contact me at Sophieandmomma at gmail.com and I will get you the information to join up for the next 21 Day Challenge for March!  You will receive the same free program that I did!

Disclaimer:  This post is in conjuction with the 21 Day Mommy Blogger Weight Loss Challenge with Dustin Maher.  I am doing the Fit Moms for Life Program.  I have received the program for free and have not been paid to write this post.  All opinions are mine.  For more information on the program please learn more about it here: Fit Moms for Life