I mixed it up yesterday!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

It wasn't easy, but I nixed my beloved kickboxing class last night in favor of "Body Step." Basically it's a step aerobics class. Since I've only taken this particular step class once before, a long time ago, it took a while to get the hang of all the choreography. Still, I think I kept up pretty well. One bonus is that this class is an hour earlier, so we were able to get home and put the baby to bed earlier than usual on Mondays. The class was pretty fun ( I still like Combat better) and I worked up a great sweat! I burned 420 calories. Not bad! :) I was kind of weird to go into a class with an instructor I don't know (even though I've belonged to this gym forever) and with lots of unfamiliar faces. Showed me how much of a rut I'm truly in.

When I got to the gym, I was debating between the Step class and Body Flow, which is some sort of hybrid b/w yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates. I am going to give this class a try this week, too. But I had to make a last-second decision so I chose the higher energy option.

Today my choices are
- Yoga
-Body Attack
- Total Core Fitness (a fusion of yoga, pilates and strength training that challenges your midsection)
There is also a "sizzle" class, which I think it based on the "striptease" concept. LOL. Unfortunately it starts too late - 7:30.

Oh, and speaking of Body Combat, I was telling one of the instructors a while ago that one thing I want to do someday is take a Les Mills class (preferably Combat) in New Zealand, which is where they started out. And to get a Body Combat shirt. :-) Well, she remembered that I told her that, and she happened to get some shirts in from New Zealand for cheap (they were clearing out older styles). So she saved one for me and gave it to me yesterday. So nice of her!! I am wearing it today. I will see if hubby can take a pic of me in it later on.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

*AMBER512 8/17/2010 4:30PM

Great job mixing things up! I am the worst at this. I would try more classes at my gym if they were at better times! Definitely take a picture of that shirt. =) Report Inappropriate Comment

HOWDOIHEARTTHEE 8/17/2010 8:22AM

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Mixin' it up...

Friday, August 13, 2010

I have been losing and gaining the same 2-3 pounds, and making no headway down below the 120s. I know why...I go over my calories a lot, and while I still work out regularly, I am not as committed to it these days. I walk every day with the little tyke. I do Body Combat 2-3 times a week, and usually I manage to sneak in another gym workout of some sort. But many days of the week, all I do is take walks. Oddly enough, it makes me feel sluggish (however, the hot weather might have something to do with that as well). When I go from working out 45 min. to an hour at the gym every day to light walking and gym 3x a week, AND go over calories, of course I am going to gain, or at the very best, plateau.

I was at my Body Combat class last night and looked in the mirror. I am a normal weight (could stand to lose a few pounds) but I just don't look or feel FIT. I see a lot of flab, especially in the thighs and belly. I am not normally super critical of my body. It is not healthy to be critical in that way, and my body has served me well. Still, I can aspire for toned thighs, rockin' abs (never had them, though!), and smokin' guns.

Now that my daughter is a little older, I've decided to kick my gym program into gear again. I have the same 24 hours in a day as everyone else, right? I checked out my gym's schedule to see what else is offered. Here are the options that seemed fun:

Monday: Body Pump or BOSU core and weights or Body Flow
Tuesday: Yoga (Yeah, I'll give it ANOTHER try) or Body Attack or Total Core Fitness
Wednesday: Lots of choices on Wednesdays. Cycle or BOSU challenge or Water Aerobics or Body Step or Body Flow
Thursday: Body Pump or Zumba
Friday: Day off (or just walking)
Saturday: Body Pump or Zumba
Sunday: Body Step, Body Flow, or Body Pump

I'll mix and match and play it by ear, too. I know some days my workout schedule won't mesh with my mommy schedule. But my goals is to skip my usual classes in favor of something new. I am going to miss my Body Combat classes for a little while, but I will go back to them soon enough.

Oh and I almost forgot to share my dinner from last night. It's called Pumpkin Pasta Surprise and it came from Clean Eating magazine. Yummy and loaded with veggies and nutrients! I like things spicy, so I think it could have used a few different spices and a little more heat. Next time I will play around with that a bit. But very, very good.

wegottaeat.com/janice.cook/recipes/c
lean-eating-pumpkin-pasta-surprise

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DNJEN471 8/15/2010 12:21AM

You are still doing great! Report Inappropriate Comment

SCOLLY 8/13/2010 10:57PM

I'm in the exact same boat as you - good weight, but not toned. I'm just not at the place yet where I am willing to make that a priority, tho. Someday, however....I'll have those abs, thighs, and guns you're talking about LOL!! Report Inappropriate Comment

ASTER2606 8/13/2010 8:07PM

Cool that you've found some other work out things that might fit into your schedule. That recipe does look good. I'd vote for a little cayenne or some chili powder though. Have a great weekend. We'll be headed for the farm tomorrow. Report Inappropriate Comment

CMRAND54 8/13/2010 3:20PM

Sounds like a great plan to me. I'm doing weight lifting and yoga this summer and really enjoying the challenge. Report Inappropriate Comment

*AMBER512 8/13/2010 12:46PM

Those look like some great class offerings! I definitely feel that way. I have lost so much weight, except I don't see a "fit" body! I still have my flabby parts and I would love to tone up. I wish they offered decent classes at my gym at good times! That would definitely motivate me! That looks like an interesting recipe, I wonder if I could sub beans in for the meat. Report Inappropriate Comment

NICOLE12-01 8/13/2010 12:06PM

YAY for mixing it up! I think your body will hate you at first (as in owwwwwww...sore), but I think you'll start to see some of the results you're looking for! Your gym offers some AWESOME sounding classes! You're very lucky! ENJOY the variety that you're fortunate enough to have available to you! :) I can't wait to hear how the changes go for you! Report Inappropriate Comment

Binging on zucchini chocolate cake!

Thursday, August 12, 2010

So last week my DH brought home a 2.5-pound zucchini and another giant squash that was just as big. Healthy right? Well, yes...UNLESS you use half the zucchini to make zucchini chocolate cake! Ok, I DID sub out most of the oil with applesauce, I used whole grain flour, and halved the amount of chocolate chips and reduced the sugar.

Problem is: It is sitting on my kitchen counter taunting me. "Eat me, eat me, eat me!" Hubby and I made the cake Tuesday night (We had fun baking together. :)) and it's already half gone! And most of that is because I've been munching on it. Hubby is not a huge chocolate lover, so while he does have a few pieces, he does not stuff his face with it. I, on the other had, can't stop.

I decided to sit and write this blog in part to help keep myself away from it. I can't eat and type, after all. ;) Here's hoping the little tyke wakes up in time for us to walk over to the gym for my 5:00 class. I desperately need it today!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DNJEN471 8/12/2010 11:10PM

Ah chocolate! My weakness :) Have any neighbors that would enjoy a slice or two? Report Inappropriate Comment

SCOLLY 8/12/2010 10:15PM

That's how I am w/ zucchini bread. A friend gave me a loaf a couple weeks ago and keeping out of it took Herculean strength!! Luckily the kids loved it and it only took a few days to disappear. Stay strong!!! :) Report Inappropriate Comment

*AMBER512 8/12/2010 8:09PM

This is exactly why I don't bake unless the item is being given away or immediately being thrown in my freezer. Frozen items never taste as good =P Report Inappropriate Comment

DEDRACD 8/12/2010 7:44PM

I can't remember where I read it, but there's a quote I heard somewhere that goes something like this: If you think you're eating something to keep it from going to waste, you're still not preventing it. Its either waste, or it will go to your WAIST. I tell myself that when I'm scraping perfectly good food off our plates and into the trash, or when my 2-year old doesn't finish his snack. Think about how much you'd have to workout to burn it off. Maybe that will redirect your thinking a bit. Comment edited on: 8/12/2010 7:44:43 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

ASTER2606 8/12/2010 7:11PM

Well, I'm glad you had fun making it together and I'm glad it was good. Good luck with the "moderation" or at least figuring out how to burn it off. Report Inappropriate Comment

ROCKYCPA 8/12/2010 6:35PM

Sounds delicious - you know as long as you don't do it often, treats are fine. I find that when I deprive myself of something I really like, I tend to binge. Enjoy it and don't make it again for awhile. Report Inappropriate Comment

PALOMINOGIRL3 8/12/2010 3:42PM

Well, you have a few options... You can throw it away. But if you're anything like me, you HATE to see food go to waste... ESPECIALLY a delicious loaf of chocolate zucchini bread! You could keep typing blogs all day, occupying your little fingers, preventing them from having any idle time, which might equal "eating time". But then again, you don't want to risk getting carpal tunnel, right? You could send it to me! My address is... Never mind, BAD idea! Because I'll eat the whole loaf! OR... you could just eat it! And then it will be gone and you won't have to deal with the temptation any longer! It doesn't sound like it's TOO unhealthy anyway. I mean, you said you substituted most of the oil with applesauce and everyone knows applesauce is healthy! So, I don't want to be the bad influence here, but I say, munch on it. Splurge a little! Chances are, you'll get tired of it before the entire loaf is gone. And even if you don't, you're allowed to treat yourself every now and then! P.S. Can I have the recipe??? Report Inappropriate Comment

43 Things

Friday, August 06, 2010

Anyone familiar with 43Things?

I found this website years ago, but just remembered it again yesterday. Basically you put together a list of 43 things you want to accomplish. The idea is to visit it often, update your progress, and mark what's done so you do not lose track of your life's goals.

Today, I had a lot of fun creating my list. If you want to see what is on my list, it can be found in the link below. I wanted to post it here but it's not that easy to cut and paste from the site and I did not want to retype it. ;)

What would be on your list?
What do you suggest I add to mine?

www.43things.com/person/Lailasmom

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NICOLE12-01 8/11/2010 3:33PM

I want to look at this list but I have to wait until I get home! DARN IT!!! Work has it blocked! BOOOOO for work! I can't wait to read about your 43 things! Report Inappropriate Comment

DNJEN471 8/7/2010 2:05AM

Change your name?... Nice list! It would be interesting to revisit it in like 10 years and see if your goals have changed, if not already accomplished. Report Inappropriate Comment

ASTER2606 8/6/2010 8:12PM

Nice list, Mila! I may give that list a try, but not this weekend. To much to do before I drive away from here early tomorrow morning. Ann Report Inappropriate Comment

RUNGIRLRUNNC 8/6/2010 5:06PM

I love lists like this. Writing down our goals, dreams, whatever makes it real, achievable and tangible. Good luck as you work your way through your 43! Report Inappropriate Comment

Disorganized

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

I've been thinking a lot lately about how important it is to be organized, not only at work or with bills, but actually as it applies to weight loss and healthy living, too. Obviously, if I don't plan when I am going to work out during the week, if I don't track my food, if I do not have at least some rough idea of what I am going to prepare for meals, then it becomes much more difficult to lose or even maintain weight. Aside from that, however, I am finding out that if my house and my mind are cluttered, it makes a difference too, because it affects my mood and my schedule. Then it's all a domino affect from there.

So, I have been trying to figure out how to get myself more organized. Namely...
- more effective ways to keep track of expenses and stick to a budget ( I saw a while back that Spark started a new Web site called SparkSavings or something like that; anyone use it?)
- how to organize and use all the different pages I tear out of magazines with information I think will be "useful" at the time, which I promptly forget about the next day. This could be a product or food to try, a recipe, a website, a book recommendation, tip of some sort, etc. etc.
- how to organize the THOUSANDS of digital photos we have of the baby, our vacations, etc.
- the recipes I find and want to try that are scattered in myriad places...Spark recipes, my e-mail, print outs at home, in magazines, etc. etc. I just want them all in one place. I've thought about printing *everything!!!* out and putting it into a binder, but that will be one big binder and I will kill at least 50,000 trees. :)
- the interesting blogs and websites I come across that I want to read and revisit but then also promptly forget about (just like the information I find in magazines). Bookmarks on the computer do me no good, it seems.

All this stuff has piled up to the point that it seems insurmountable. I suppose the only way to go about this would be to take it one day at a time, in small steps, just like we do here on Spark. Problem is, I feel like I will still be organizing recipes, and sorting photos till I'm 90.

As all this "stuff" is scattered, disorganized and fragmented, my life feels that way too. Sparkfriends, how do you stay organized?? I need tips! :)

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SIMPLEJOYS 8/2/2010 8:48AM

Hey MIla, I'm a little late to the party here, but I'm surprised no one has mentioned flylady.com. The site is a font of information for setting up a weekly "just do it" schedule. Even this old lady who is missing the housekeeping gene on her chromosome is able to maintain a basic schedule! :) There is HOPE! Regarding finances - I take regular copy paper and (with my pen and ruler) make columns, which I divide in half (at midpoint on the page). I have 8 spaces then in which I write (yes, by hand) the weekly pay dates. Under each week, I write the bills that are due, including my grocery budget, so I always know how much will be left. I do a lot of online bill paying, and I write on the sheet under the phone bill (for example) when I scheduled the payment, so that I know I did it. Because Karl is self-employed, I need to make sure that I move enough moolah over for the state and feds to get their share. This practice helps me SEE how much I can move in any given week, or for those extras that pop up...even the fun ones! This is just what works for me...I realize I might sound like I'm in the dark ages, given all of the computer products available, but it's what I prefer. I keep the entire year's budget under one clip, which I keep in my desk drawer. I also have all of the bills that I pay online (1 each) in a clip with the user name and password I use for each, because I sometimes need to refresh my memory (DOH)! I'm terrible with recipes though. Love love love to clip them from newspapers. I put them in the front and back pockets of my existing recipe folder, and when I can't get anymore in there, I go through them and weed out the "what was I thinking?" ones! I'm SO long-winded today! Good luck, Toots! Karen Report Inappropriate Comment

SCOLLY 7/30/2010 3:11PM

I had clutter, but it follows me everywhere I go. My house is pretty small, so there's no extra storage for things and thus "things" pile up - in organized piles, but it drives me nuts all the same. I rip out magazine pages which is good since I can then get rid of the rest of the magazine. I have a basket for misc recipes I want to try and intend to incorporate a couple new one every couple of weeks, but I find I often forget! I try to go through every so often and the things I haven't tried after some time, I just pitch....good luck organizing!! Report Inappropriate Comment

NICOLE12-01 7/28/2010 10:02AM

I do the SAME thing with the magazine articles and the recipes! I have loose papers and recipes just scattered in various rooms of my house to never be looked at again, even though I was sure that I would refer back to the article or I was sure that I would make the recipe! If you figure out a way to organize it, please fill me in! :) Report Inappropriate Comment

DNJEN471 7/28/2010 1:04AM

Try to focus on one thing at a time. I know that sounds like it will take forever, but it won't. Set one goal... "by the end of this week, I will have all my magazine articles put into a binder". After that is completed move onto the next. After you are organized it's easier to stay on top of things. For example, the next time you find that great article- it can go directly into your now organized binder. Don't overwhelm yourself by taking it all on at once. Report Inappropriate Comment

007JERSEYGIRL 7/27/2010 4:51PM

I always have clutter myself, but I may have one helpful suggestion, which is to set up Google Reader, or some other RSS feed for yourself for interesting blogs. It's pretty easy to set up, then all your blogs are being fed into one place, which makes them easier to read and not forget about any cool ones. You can do it Tweety! Report Inappropriate Comment

SHOSHANADP 7/27/2010 3:54PM

I am the queen of disorganized. I try to organize things and I just end up with millions of piles of things that have been sorted but still haven't found a home. At least I know where everything is, even if it is all right there together with everything else. Report Inappropriate Comment

BARBARASDIET 7/27/2010 3:10PM

It sounds as though you need to start by going through things and weeding out the recipes or tips that sound good but you know you will never use--and as you go, sort through the rest into folders as the previous commenter suggested or some other means of organization. Report Inappropriate Comment

PATTYKLAVER 7/27/2010 11:09AM

I'm going through a similiar situation. What I finally ended up doing was going to the school supply section of a store and buying some folders. (A dollar store is a great place if any other store isn't having a back-to-school sale.) I have one folder to put all this articles and receipts in that I want to organize. Once every week or two, I go through that folder and put the papers in the proper folder for that topic. I also have a lot of little baskets and storage containers from the dollar stores in the neighborhood. I would take one part of a room at a time and really organize it. Just knowing I have a place where everything SHOULD be makes me feel better. It has taken my mind from a "scattered" place to a "more peaceful" place. Good luck. Report Inappropriate Comment