I'm Back....

Wow!! What a week!!! Vegas was a blast!! Good times with good friends/family!! Exactly what this Mama needed!!

I have now completed Week 4 Day 2 of Couch to 5K and can say that I can run 5 min straight!!!! Yahoo!!! This program seriously works and is so amazing!! If you have a Facebook account you need to become a fan! Everyday they post a couple times with motivational articles and the fans are always posting their own progress and it is so nice to read how far they've all gone!! And it's great to read the ones who just started and are scared they won't be able to do it because I didn't think I would either but it works!!!

So far this month I have lost 10 lbs and 2 1/2% bodyfat!! 2010 goals here I come!!!

Tomorrow is my Day 3! Wish me luck!!

Vegas Baby!!

Added 46 min of cardio today! Yahoo! I only planned on doing 30, but when I got to that mark I wanted to do more ;c) I LOVE that feeling!!! So my total for the week is 231 ;c) I was able to accomplish all of the goals for this week except one day of a food journal!! I completely spaced that one until today and had forgotten what I had eaten!! LOL!!! I'm going to try and write everything down tomorrow however I'm going to Vegas in the morning and don't know if that is really feasible! We will see though!

I come back Monday and am very much in need of this break!! This will be the first trip without my husband and/or kids!! I'm so excited not to have anyone to take care of for 3 days but myself!!!

Have a great weekend and keep up the good work!!!

How do you feel?

Have you sat down and actually took a minute to take stock of how you're feeling today? It is something I rarely do until I sprawl out in bed... Kathryn Sansone has a few things she does that helps her recognize how she's feeling and I thought they were a great idea! I know I will start to implement them so I thought I would share...

"Our bodies are terrific barometers for how we are feeling. I try to listen to my body, and when something hurts, I know something is up. The next time you sense that negative feelings are getting in your way, try this simple exercise:
1) Stand still or sit down
2) Do a quick scan of your body
3) Recognize any strain or tension you feel.
4) Focus on that area
5) Take a deep breath, keeping that area in mind
6) Exhale
7) Repeat until you feel the tension ebb or disappear

I love that exercise!!!

Today I added 32 min to my cardio total (185) and more important than that.... I ran... 6 whole entire minutes at one time!!!!! WHAT??? Isn't that crazy??? I am so jazzed!!!!

Superheroes...

"No one expects mothers to be superheroes, except mothers themselves!" -Woman first, family always by Kathryn Sansone

It really amazes me sometimes the pressure we put on ourselves to be perfect. Mothers are usually the first to help someone else out, to make someone else feel better, or to tell a friend that everyone makes mistakes and it's ok! But when it comes down to our own lives we don't do the same for ourselves! I wonder why that is...

Try Something New?

How many times have we told the kids they cannot tell us they don't like something unless they try it?? Or that 'Can't' is not a word?? I know for a fact that I have said those words MANY times to my own children!! Now when it comes to me, as an adult, 'Can't' has somehow become acceptable and I don't have to try new things because I already know I don't like them! How can that be?? How, as adults, have we forgotten that trying new things and accomplishing small or large tasks only makes us into better more well-rounded individuals?? Because that's why we tell our kids those things, right?? We know they can do anything they put their mind to and we know that once they try it they might actually like it!! So I ask, why and how... Why is this no longer a premise of our adult lives?? and How did it seem to slip by the wayside??

I know personally that when the 10 in 2010 challenge was presented to me my first thought was... I don't have time for that... I will never be able to complete that... 10 weeks is a long time... and many other excuses! Thank goodness I took the first step and said I would love to join!! Because I have enjoyed every single minute of it, eventhough I still have told myself throughout this that there was no way I would be able to complete a task that was presented... without even trying it!! Shame on me!

I can do anything I put my mind to and I will consistently try new things!! And so can you!!!

Today I added 52 min of cardio! Total for the week so far is 153! Yahoo!

One Step at a Time...

This thought occurred to me last night... Everything you do starts with one step. Whether it be forgiving hurt, going to the gym, making dinner, getting out of bed, you name it... it ALL starts with ONE step... that's it... one simple step!! So why then is that step the HARDEST one to make???

The name of my blog was One Day at a Time until I realized that a whole entire day is kind of intimidating! That's 24 hours!! Do you know what can happen in 24 hours?? I can think of a million things that can derail even the best laid plans! So... I'm renaming it to One Step at a Time! Because that is what it really comes down to!! Everyday is a new day, but every step is a new adventure! Our possibilities of adventure are endless!!

So... next time I don't want to get off the couch and do anything... I'm going to focus on one step! Because once I take that first step, the others seem to come SOOOOO much easier!!!

Today I completed Week 3 Day 2!! I ran 3 min at a time... twice!! Considering when I started this program 2 weeks ago I couldn't even run 60 seconds! And that's no lie!! The first workout of this program I thought I was going to die and it was only 60 seconds jogging at a time!! Now I can run 3 min and make it!!! WOW!!! It really does work!!!

A HUGE thank you goes out to Jo and Kelli!! Their support is such an inspiration and motivation for me!! Thank you guys!! YOU ROCK!!!

Cardio total for this week is 101 min ;c) Yahoo!!!

3 min jogging??

I did it!!! I completed Week 3 Day 1! 90 seconds jogging, 90 seconds walking, 3 min jogging, 3 min walking and then repeat! It was REALLY tough! But then I remembered the first day of each week was REALLY tough, but by end of the week I was able to do it with no problem! Hopefully, this is also the case this week! Today's cardio was 50 min but only because I forgot to turn around half-way thru the workout! LOL! So I had to walk extra... but it also gave me the chance to add 3- 60 seconds runs into today's workout ;c)

For this week's challenge we are to read something inspirational everyday! I LOVE this challenge! I have been wanted to re-read a book entitled: Women first, Family Always and this is the exact push I need! A mother of 10 wrote the book and I remember the first time I read it (years and years ago) I was so inspired by how she juggled herself, her family, and her house! I seem to have lost track of that ability in the past year and would REALLY like to get that back!!

Hit the Goal! Yahoo!

Sorry I didn't blog yesterday! Time got away from me! So far for the 10 in 2010 challenge I have been able to complete the daily goals! Yahoo!! I am really good at starting projects... however completing them is another story!! Yesterday the kids and I went to the park and I completed Week 2 Day 3 of the Couch to 5K program! I can successfully run 90 sec at a time!! Wow!! 219 min as of yesterday! Today I trained Katelyn and I had her on treadmill for 15 min... so my total cardio for the week (sun thru sat) is 234!! I didn't think I could complete 210!! I do have to keep this up for the next 8 weeks so hopefully by then it will be part of my routine and a habit! Yahoo!!! Tomorrow I start Week 3 of the training program and it calls for jogging for 3 min at a time! I'm very scared!! LOL! I will let you know how it goes!! Wish me luck! Off to work... GO CARDS!!!

27 min left...

Wow! It's only Thurs and I only have 27 min left before I hit the 210 minute cardio goal for the week! When Kelli gave the challenge, my first thought was... how in the hell am I going to be able to do 210 min of cardio in 7 days???? That honestly is alot! Who honestly works out 30 min a day? Who honestly has that much time for themselves?? Not moms, that's for sure! And then the next thought in my head was, Why? Why do moms not have 30 min out of each day to devote to themselves, their health, their well-being?? Most Dads would have NO problem at all finding that time each day and they would DEFINITELY NOT beat themselves up for taking that time!! However, us mothers can not seem to justify just 30 minutes for ourselves! It was at that point that I decided... I deserve the time to myself... I will make the time for myself... and the family can handle it!

Again... THANKS goes to Kelli for taking her time to do this challenge and provide the motivation and accountability for the rest of us!!!

Amazed...

Tonight the kids went with me for my cardio! Yahoo! It was fun having them with me and motivating because I didn't want them to show me up! LOL! I had them complete Day 1 Week 1 of the Couch to 5K program! Kayden rode her scooter, Samantha walked just about the whole time, and Trey ran 7 of the 9 intervals! Me? I completed it with no problems... which completely surprised me because 1 week ago I barely made it through!! Wow!! I was totally amazed at how quickly it is working! We have decided (much to the children's dislike) to do the program twice a week together! So... add 31 min to my cardio total for the week!!! Up to 138 min! YAHOO!!

Did I?

Yep! Decided to opt out of the gym this morning and take my workout outside! Just completed Day 1 of Week 2 (31 min) for the Couch to 5K! By the second to the last run I decided it wasn't fun anymore and why did I want to run anyway?? LOL! But I finished and it feels awesome! So now my cardio total for the week is at 107! Over half-way there! Thanks Kelli for the extra motivation needed!! You rock!

My number on my scale has finally moved down! Yahoo! In order to keep it that way, I'm going to track my food today ;c)

Breakfast:
1/2 cup "U" Cereal
1/4 cup skim supreme milk
1 Orange

Snack:
Odwalla Berries Go Mega Bar
Iced Venti Skinny Hazelnut Latte

Lunch:
1 cup Progresso Chicken with Rotini Soup
Tuna Sandwich: 1 piece 100% Whole Wheat sandwich thins, 1/4 cup tuna, 1 piece Swiss Cheese, lettuce, mustard, and horseradish

Snack:
1 String Cheese
1 Red Apple

Dinner:
1/2 cup brown rice
1 cup mix (garbanzo beans, bean sprouts, water chestnuts, feta cheese, low-sodium Kikkoman soy sauce)
1 slice homemade cheese pizza

70 oz water

210 minutes Goal

I added 45 minutes to my running total today! Yahoo! At 76 minutes total! Going to try and get to gym
before work tomorrow morning.... Time to start 2nd week of 5K training! A little scared to up the running time but I can do it!!

This Week's Challenge: 210 min Cardio!!

What??? 210 minutes??? That's 30 min a day!!!

Well... I didn't think I could do it today, but... YAY! I just completed the 3rd workout (31 min) and the 1st week of the Couch to 5K training!! After bartending all day for the crazy Cardinal game (GO CARDS!!), picking up the kids, feeding them, and putting them to bed... I donned my running shoes and did it!! And guess what... it feels GREAT!!

210 minutes??? 30 min a day??? Piece of cake!!!

(Now let's see how tomorrow goes ;c) hee hee)

How I will Reward Myself

Today's journal topic is if I complete even one of my goals for 10 in 2010, how will I reward myself. I've thought and thought about this topic and it's harder for me than I imagined it would be... With that being said... This is what I came up with...

When I accomplish my goals I will be rewarded already by being happier and healthier!! That in turn will bring peace of mind, which is the greatest reward I can think of!!! It will also help me to be a better mother which will also make my kids happier!! Anyone with children knows that if either mom or kids aren't happy it makes for a chaotic household!!

I will, however, continue to try and come up with an external reward, because I will deserve one!!

Hope to Accomplish

Within the next 9 weeks I hope to create new healthy "habits". Sticking with my goals of writing in my journal, blogging, and accountability will help me become a healthier and happier me!

3 Fitness Goals

1) Get to 17% body fat by June.

2) Run first 5K by end of March.

3) Run first half-marathon by years end.

Lofty goals, I know! I also know they are doable with hard work, determination, and public accountability!!!

5 things that make me truly happy

1) My kids!!!
2) A good meal!
3) Comfy clothes- sweats and a t- my fav!!
4) The Beach!!
5) My family- all of them near and far!!!

Food Journal for Today

Breakfast:
10 grain whole grain hot cereal
1/8 cup skim supreme milk
1/8 cup dried cranberries

Snack:
String Cheese
Red Apple

Lunch:
1/2 cup brown rice
1 1/2 cups broccoli, cauliflower, and water chestnut mix
2 Tbspn Low sodium, Kikkoman soy sauce
1/8 cup Cranberry/Almond mix
String Cheese

Snack:
Iced Venti Hazelnut Latte

Dinner:
Individual container Plain Greek Yogurt w/ 1/3 cup pineapple
Ham and Cheese Sandwich: 100% whole wheat sandwich thins, 1 slice provolone cheese, 4 oz deli ham, lettuce, mustard, and horseradish

Snack:
1/4 cup no sugar added vanilla ice cream
Red Apple

95 oz Water

Whew!! I eat alot!! LOL!

3 Nutritional Goals

1) Eat as clean as possible!

2) Run a Half-Marathon before year's end!

3) Plan at least 3 meals a week to nourish mind/body/soul for me and my family!

3 Goals for 2010

1) Release the guilt!

What guilt?? The self-imposed kind I put on myself for mistakes or failures that are completely human!! Like what?? Yelling at the kids (I know I should always remain calm and in control)... Ya right! LOL! So in 2010 I am giving myself permission to choose to release my guilt for not being who I think I should be and accept who I am!

2) Play with my children more!

At the end of most days I realize that although I have consistently interacted with my children, I have not actually played with them! In 2010 I will sit down and play with them. Those are the things I remember most... not what kind of dinner we had, how clean the house was, or how many things my Mom volunteered for!

3) 15 minutes a day for myself!

I've noticed everyone around me gets a great chunk of my time everyday except... you guessed it! ME!! In 2010 and beyond this will change... as I continually preach to others, I will now act on myself! I will put myself first and only for at least 15 minutes everyday! This will not only make me a healthier person, but also a better mother, wife, friend, and family member!

10 in 2010 Challenge

My cousin Kelly has posted a challenge for anyone who's interested that is called the 10 in 2010 challenge. Every week is a different topic to better yourself! How fun!! I know I can definitely use the challenge of working on just myself!! My posts tonight are catching up! I'm hoping once I do this that I can continue to post my daily accomplishments! I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I will!

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