February.

How are we going to stay on track? 

I am going to continue going to the gym as much as I can. This is already becoming a problem because of school. not ok. I also saw a tae kwon do place today that offers cardio kickboxing, I might have to check that out. it sounds pretty awesome. I think I just need to keep things new and exciting. any suggestions? I like taking walks; I should do that more. Hopefully the gym will start to be more enjoyable. I love it don't get me wrong, but it's the new year and it's always packed, I used to go when there was no body there, but now i'm forced to go during rush hour so I'm not as excited to go. Like having 25-30 people in yoga compared with 5, it's just different. I think tomorrow is spin day, wish me luck, my back just a little sore, but I do feel stronger so that's a plus. happy sunday. 

failure.

So small switch in yesterdays post, the ratio is carbs to protein not protein to carbs. my bad. 

anyways, so I'm reading my mental health book and it says "If you aren't making mistakes, maybe you're not trying hard enough." sound familiar... my BFF Jillian said on BL "If you're not failing, you're not trying hard enough." I had it posted on my FB for awhile. I cannot believe that she is so on target even textbooks are saying the stuff she does. 

and maybe I'm just going crazy but I'm learning a lot about myself and others not only through this class but through conscious awareness in life. It's enlightening. I hope you are getting something out of this blog, I have few comments so I guess I'll keep going. 

122 days until the bolderboulder. I really need to start running more. ps- I did not go to the gym today, my back is sore. Too much bodyflow. It's a good sore, but I went to the gym like 7 or 8 days in a row. I think I need to take a step back. a very small step. 

Happy friday! almost. 

mocha latte/ chocolate milk.

I'm trying to convince myself that it's ok that I have lattes all the time because all the fitness magazines say that to recover better after a workout drinking something that is a ratio of 2-6: 1, protein and carbs it's good for you, so there is this great debate whether chocolate milk is of of those things because it's ratio is 3:1, and it is rich in calcium. All the fitness protein drinks are about the same so read your labels if you think that your choice is better than any other because it probably isn't. so my argument is that since a mocha latte is chocolate milk with a shot of espresso is it just as good? I'm hoping it is because caffeine is good for weight loss but I've heard that the caffeine in coffee/espresso is processes differently in our bodies making it not as effective as the caffeine found in other sources such as tea, guarana sp? and other things. just something to think about. 

but do keep in mind if you are going to drink you calories they still count toward you daily intake so be careful. Have a great day. 

Biggest loser/yoga tuesday.

I look forward to every tuesday because of biggest loser and awesome yoga before class. 

I actually bought a yoga mat today, so I'm officially a yogi and I'm proud of it. I'm taking it to bodyflow class tomorrow. I'm very much looking forward to it. I chose today to have veggies instead of a protein bar today based on calories, does that make me a super health freak or what. I really wanted the lara bar but it had 230 calories in it and I was super hungary. I guess those are the good choices that I need to make more often but I think I may be taking it to the extreme. I also passed on girl scout cookies, which i know is a good choice. if I order thin mints I could eat the whole thing in on sitting. I love them. Especially frozen. ok I've had my day dream about girl scout cookies and I have imagined all the hours in spin class I no longer want them. btw, the spin classes seem to be increasingly harder at the gym, and maybe it's me and i'm pushing myself, but the instructors are pushing us up these hills that I am almost dying going up and then they say "turn it up again" like it's no big deal. I love the rush so I'm not complaining but holy moly, hard and awesome workout. That's all I got today, let me know what you want to hear about. Ps tonight was taco night, sauted chicken in little evoo, corn, guac, lettuce, tomato, onion, peppers on whole wheat tortillas. They were good. 

Productive day.

I got lots done early in the day and I'm hoping tomorrow can be the same. I have tons of reading and researching to do. I am really understanding how I used to gain weight and be clueless as to why. I am learning and tweaking my ways of planning meals and snacks so I can be happier and healthier. There is less anxiety when I know what I am going to eat all day and when so when I do feel hungary I can reach for a healthy snack in my bag rather than go to the vending machine or to a drive thru. I also have the chance to have a snack during the breaks in class instead of waiting until the end of class when I'm starving and I go to a drive thru and order so much more than I should. Slowly but surely I'm getting healthy and discovering new and unique things about me, it's been fun. 

Just keep trucking. It's a new day and a new you. You can be anything you want. 

distracted

I should be studying but this will be quick. 

I went to yin yoga today and the instructor is awesome. she said something today that really stood out. she said trust that you are where you need to be in your life and she emphasized that we are all unique and our bodies are all different so we cannot compare ourselves with each other but we must just focus on our bodies in each pose. I really liked that. I know all too often I compare myself to others at the gym who I don't even know and wish that I had their body or was more in shape like them and I'm trying to really rid myself of this false sense that I'm not good enough. I know I am good enough and I can achieve my goals if I focus and plan. I am trying to be present in the now and know I am who I need to be. 

Be yourself. Be free to be. 

Staying motivated

"Every choice is a personally defining moment where you have the ability to get closer to your goals" -my BFF Jill. 

I like this quote it gives me some motivation and it makes it personal. I want to be the best that I can be and I know that I have the control over what I do whether it be eating or exercising or school or parenting, it's up to me. 

Let's be in control and do what will make us better human beings. None of us are immortal and I am learning this through my life right now. It's difficult to digest that my life may not be what I want it to be in 20 years unless it is what I want it to be now. I am trying to live in the moment by sharing thoughts and feelings about current issues with those around me. It has been a long road and I believe that I am finally able to have that openness with others. It feels good. Thank you to everyone around me for this and I continue to be challenged by being open so I hope you can push me to be better. 

missing yoga.

I had ice cream and french fries today. It was a stressful week and I know I should learn to deal with my stress by doing other things besides eat, but I did go to bodyflow today after a very long day of mental health.

I'm convinced that I am going to be crazy by the end of that class, if I was not already. To be perfectly honest, I was really on edge all day today, just dealing with the BS of nursing school and after I went to the gym and did that bodyflow class I felt so much better. So to all of you who have not tried yoga or ever had a savasana, sp? It is super restorative to the spirit. It gets me through the day and refocuses my energy. I love it. and I know I sound like such a hippie/yogi. I like it. I usually do bodyflow on wednesday but this week I didn't because I watched my nieces, which I would not trade, but it was just a long week. I also do yoga on tuesday and I didn't do that because I took Alli to school and it just took us too long to get out of the house so I did not have time and I had a thing at school I volunteered for. I know these are all excuses and I know we are all busy but I am hoping next week I can have a better schedule of working out and doing yoga. I did do spin twice this week so I'm not feeling too bad but I think I just missed my personal timeout during bodyflow and yoga class.

keep your body strong and your spirit wise.

lean cuisine day.

Georgia font and purple dedicated to my best friend. feel better soon. love you. 

I had two lean cuisines today and lots for fruits and veggies. and a slice of cake. and a mocha. I was good for the most part and the fact that I did spin today and almost died counts for something. I'm not feeling too guilty, but I do want to watch greys and have a sweet snack. 

So I'm interested in what fruits and veggies everyone likes. I love all of the above. My newest favorite is sweet potato, it's so sweet and I can just eat it baked without anything else and feel satisfied. On my way home from class at 7 pm today, I have cucumbers and carrot and an apple and they were fine, nothing special. I was so hungary and now that i'm eating my lean cuisine, I don't think I will finish it because I'm full, I guess it is helpful to eat an apple 20 minutes before a meal. I also had some sliced bell peppers earlier today.

Let's aim for 5 a day, it will keep us full and healthy. I got homework to do. let's me know how you are doing. 

Salad.

I'm so tired of simple salad. We have it almost every night at dinner. Green leaf lettuce, cucumbers, tomato. I need some new exciting cool fresh veggie ideas to serve to my family. I bought some bell peppers and we had those tonight but I'm just tired of the same thing over and over again. 

I did spin today, and hopefully tomorrow as well, it's going to be a long day so I really want to start it off well. Here's to a new year and a new me. 

It's going to be a long week, fun, but long.

It's the sunday before the semester starts and I'm dog sitting this week. I am trying to plan out my meals for this week so I'm not caught being super hungary and busy-this will lead to drive-thru syndrome and once I catch it, it's very hard to get rid of. I have Alli tomorrow so we'll go to the gym and make dinner together, should be fun. On tuesday I start classes and have to watch Elliot, super cute dog. Wednesday, the day I'm most worried about. I'm watching both nieces that day so I'm trying to plan a fun/healthy lunch that all of us can be a part of. Then I'm going to sushi with a friend. Thursday should be alright. and Friday will be just plain long. 

I can do this. Let's be proactive, not reactive. Good luck this week. 

calorie fail.

So btw I hate that the default font on here is times. yuck. 

anyways, I was good all day yesterday until I met up with some friends at Old Chicago and totally ate way too many nachos and cookie with ice cream. shoot. today has been much better. I had a protein drink and a banana before going to bodyflow and then a lean cuisine and now I'm having an apple and a string cheese. I think we are having spagettii and salad for dinner. not too bad. although I might make a cake with Alli. 

let's chat about motivation, I am really surprised about how many people aren't motivated by the health risks that are known to reduce life expectancy and quality. I personally want to challenge us to make goals for ourselves and allow our friends and family to hold us to them. It takes a lot to trust someone enough to allow them to speak truth into your life, but I know that it develops those honest relationships that can never be broken. I am motivated by the way my body now works so much better since I really started doing yoga about 6 months ago. I feel stronger physically and that has translated to having more confidence and being stronger emotionally because I know I can. The doubt that I had about things is much less than it was. 

Okay it's not the holidays anymore so it's time to start sharing some of your food choices. I have this app on my phone called myfitnesspal, it was free and it helps you set a goal and put in the foods you ate and the exercise you did to calculate your daily calorie needs to meet your goal. It has many of the foods at restaurants and you can put in your own homemade foods too. It has opened my eyes to the calories in some of the foods I eat and I thought were much healthier. It has allowed me to plan my meals better too because I always have my phone with me I can't make the excuse of forgetting my food journal. If a small little notebook works better for you great. I have really enjoyed knowing the total calories I eat everyday so I am better able to stay in control of my health and my goals. I tend to snack less when I have to put it into my food journal because I know that the two handfuls for chips could put me over my calories. 

School starts in few day so no promises about postings. sorry, I will do the best I can. 

stay strong. 

good day.

So far I have had a good day, calorie wise, I mean. I had a smoothie for breakfast and a wrap at rock bottom for lunch, and grilled steak and salad for dinner. and a skinny latte and a mini scone in the afternoon. not too bad. 

I did bodyflow today and it was the newest release. OMG super hard but so so good. The tai chi was a little different but the rest was so awesome, hardcore strength moves, very challenging. 

I'm ready for school to start and life to become for routine again. It has been kind of all over the place. I'm not excited for school to start but I do miss the scheduled things. I think they help me get motivated to do more things. I worked out a ton over break but I also watched a whole lotta TV. 

BTW, BL is so freaking awesome. Can someone get inside my head and make me workout and become a better person? I love that. And how funny was it when the mom on the white team smashed her face into the ground. anyway, we should all attempt to conquer our fears. I'm afraid of losing control of my mind and I'm finding that by doing yoga that I can control my thoughts and I feel more in control. I'm have this fear of no being good enough and this fear really pushes me to do well in school so that's good but sometimes I have this expectation of myself that is unrealistic so I'm working on lowering my expectations while still having high goals. I'm trying to enjoy the journey and not focus on the destination. it's hard when others have already graduated and I'm still in school. Life is hard, but let's live like we mean it. 

love yourself. 

no more days. I suck at counting.

I hope you have been good this week. Sorry for no postings, I was on vacation with my family and I discovered that while I did eat many bad foods, I also ate many good foods and I was able to sleep a lot. 

Walking, we can all walk. Let's all try to walk more. I'm thinking we start by parking farther away when going to the store and not driving around to fine a better parking space. We walked a ton this last week and it was good to be moving. but I have to say my hips are killing me. I haven't done any yoga in the last week and now I'm realizing why I love it so much. my hamstrings are also  so tight, OMG. Tomorrow at the gym will be a killer, but it shouldn't take too long to get back in the groove of things. 

I hope no one takes offense to what I'm about to say, but I was shocked my how many obese people there were in disneyland and many of them in wheelchairs. I'm amazing that we have allowed this to happen. I know that we are all working on it and we say that we will start next week. I really think that we all need to just help one person make a better choice with what they eat and we can change to world. I also think that it's so much easier if that tempting food is not available. With Alli we make sure she has veggies with dinner every night and she likes them so when it is time for dessert she usually will have a few bites and she's done. I also love letting her pick out which veggie we have with dinner. I think giving her more control now will allow her to make healthy choices for her children and her friends when they come over to our house. 

Veg Out. 

17.

With a heavy heart, I have to say that my uncle passed away yesterday evening. He had a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. 

But on a good note, Alli and I went to family yoga today. It was super fun with songs and running around. She had a great time. If I get organized enough after our vacation and school, we will sign up and go again. 

Life is so complicated. Live in control. You have the power to say no when you need to. You also have the power to love.  "No" doesn't not mean without love. 

day 16. Sweet 16.

I made it through spin class and bodyflow. My legs are jello. 

How are your goals coming along? I feel stronger and leaner, but my endurance needs a little work. It's much better than it used to be, but I still have a long way to go before memorial day. Hopefully by then it won't be -5 degrees outside and I can run outside. 

Do you drink enough water? I know I don't. I probably drink like maybe 50 ounces a day, when it should be closer to twice that. I drink a lot while I'm working out but not in the mean time. I think I will work on that. I know that water, zero calories, helps to speed up the bodies metabolism, which means less weight. The body can burn more calories at rest. The workouts also help the body burn more calories at rest. 

Keep your chin up. Do NOT give up. 

Day 15. Skiing fail again.

So highway 6 (loveland pass) was closed and we were gonna go to Abasin. so we didn't go. One of these days, people, one of these days. 

Instead we went ice skating. It was awesome. Inside, and not freezing. I burned a few calories and it was only 9 bucks. That's like going to a movie. 

I ate pretty good up until dinner. Five pieces of pizza and a cupcake later, I'm feeling pretty guilty. I need to work on the whole dinner thing. It seems to be getting to me. I spent some awesome time with friends and I'm really glad I did. 

It's super late. Gotta go. 

Day 15. I think.

Happy First Wednesday of the year. The gym was packed. I was good today. I did 15 minutes on the bike and then did bodyflow class. Slowly but surely I'm adding cardio. 

How is the new year going so far? My new year has been good. I thought I had my life all planned out and it was looking good and life happens so my plans are tentative based on certain timing of events. I'm not go at that. I love having plan B (not the day after pill) but I just want things to be one way or another. I don't like the in between feeling. I'm not sure why I don't like it. Things will turn out fine either way. I'm sure it's a control thing and that's why I love working out so much. I have control of my body. I have control over the food that goes in my mouth. I also have control over the people I choose to surround myself with. I think that we should all look at the people around us and decide if they are going to be a good influence on us or not. Make a conscious choice to be around people you love and who have the same goals and interests as you. I went to my brothers house last night to watch BL, we all want to lose weight and be more active so I was an awesome time to get together where the focus was not food. Although we all enjoy a good meal together often times, it was so fun. I really need to push myself and my mom to be more social because we can be homebodies and never go out. It's a healthy part of human nature to interact with others, but try to make them healthy interactions. 

"Love yourself as much as I do" Dr. Oz, but it's true; we have to love ourselves before we can truly change who we are into who we want to be. 

ps tomorrow I'm trying skiing. I'll let you how it goes after I take a few advil. I have a feeling I will be super sore. 

I forgot the day again. Shoot.

So I need to find motivation to do more cardio exercise. I love yoga and bodyflow but I seem to be falling off the wagon with spin and other cardio activities. 

I did yoga this morning(awesome instructor btw), but I had Alli so I can only do one class at the gym. Maybe I'll try some of the walk away the pounds DVD we have. That way Alli can get involved. As I said before we did the yoga thing on fitTV, she was so cute last night she asked can we do this again and went into triangle pose, it was awesome, I knew exactly what she wanted to do. 

So maybe a walk with my dogs later? We'll see. 

Day 13.

It's just another manic monday. I heard that song while I was out shopping today. It's actually be a pretty relaxing day so far. I went to the gym and did a bodyflow class. 

I have been really thinking about our society and I'm just shocked at how many fast food places there are. I'm not surprised that our children are obese and type 2 diabetes is on the rise. I don't know what to do about this. I keep saying educate the kids and show them right from wrong but I'm not sure this will work. I think the economy has shown us a lot in the last few months. It is cheaper to eat more veggies/fruit than it is to eat more protein. So to save money and our waist lines lets eat more veggies. I'm so tired of people saying they are so expensive. Buy the frozen ones. They are usually less than a dollar for a big bag. (King soopers). I also saw on fitTV some info on the zone diet, and it is portion controlled and allows for very small portions of whole grains which allows the body to use the fat as energy-hence weight loss. It also suggests that in every meal and snack there should be a carb(fruits/veggies) and a protein which will help to keep blood sugar stable. I'm not suggesting you follow the zone diet but the little tips I thought would be helpful. 

Tomorrow is yoga day. I'm excited. Let me know how this new year is going so far. 

Day 12.

I went to the gym with my mom today and she tried the bodyvive class. I'm so glad she came. I've been trying for awhile to get her to come and she did it. I'm super proud of her. It takes some courage to try new things and go outside of your comfort zone. YAY mom. Courage is a funny thing, you know. I wish I had a bit more of it. Not the silly risk taking attitude but the adventurous mind set. It's okay to make mistakes but I think it takes courage to learn from them and continue pushing through life even though it's difficult. 

Go, be courageous. be curious. 

Day 11.

So Alli and I did the yoga show on fit TV. It was fun I guess. Seeing Alli try to follow along was very entertaining. 

I was super hungry today, no good. We went to five guys, no good at all. and had ice cream. shoot. I'm awful. 

Hopefully I can start controlling myself better. We actually had a pretty healthy dinner of Tacos with lots of veggies, corn, guac, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, on whole wheat tortillas. They were delicious. It one of the staples in our house. We have tacos at least once a week. I love that we are introducing Alli to whole grain food at a young age. The other day she asked "why is the pasta brown? " Because it's good for you and it makes you big and strong. She is so cute. She knows that candy "makes you little" but she stills treats herself every so often. I really love getting in the kitchen and cooking with the kids and teaching them about the food they eat. Alli's favorite thing during the summer is to go to the farmers markets with me and eat fresh peaches or tomatoes. I know right, who eats tomatoes plain. I love them and when they are from the farmers markets they are cheaper and fresher. I absolutely love the farmers markets. Look for them in the gazette in mid May and it tells you when and where they are. It's good for you and the environment. 

Eat and teach fresh. 

I don't know what day it is.

We went snowshoeing today. It was super fun. It's as easy as walking, but it's beautiful and it involves snow. 

I am now realizing the importance of sleep. I hope that you get enough of it. I find that when I don't I tend to eat more and more food means more weight. (I was trying to avoid that because I don't want this to be about the numbers) When I weight more actually feel that I can't do things and I have the bloated feeling that I cannot stand. Anyways, sleep. It's important and I think that we should also keep each other accountable for how much sleep we are getting. We need sleep for our bodies to function, to heal and be revived for the next day. It is an important element of immune strength so I think that with Swine flu going around we should be giving ourselves at least 6-7 hours of sleep a night. If you cannot do that then I really think that something in your life needs to change. Whether that changes means getting the kids to be earlier or just reorganizing your life, I think it is needed for your sake. I usually go to be around 10 and get up around 8, so I'm getting plenty of sleep, I love it. When school starts I may get up earlier to get a workout in before school but right this second when I have the chance to sleep that much I am. 

Get your beauty sleep.