Jonathon wants me to stop....

Because, as you can see in this picture... the first thing to 'go' when I lose weight is my hiney :( it stinks that between the weight loss & the running my butt has all but disappeared, which to me, makes my belly look too big. I mean, your butt is suppose to be bigger than your belly, right?

So... I want to lose more & Fraz wants me to stop... hmm... not sure what I'll do. I think I'll have to think of a comprise. Like finding some butt lifting exercises??

What do you think?

Day 14 & almost there...

I've lost 15lbs,  look & feel good. However, now that's I've come this far... I'd really like to lose the full 20.... however... see next post

Double Trouble

Couldn't be happier or busier than when these two come to visit... just look at them... epitome of adorable!!!

Btw, Aunt BB always serves dessert when they visit & I was shocked & thrilled to find out Angel food cake is fat free & has protein!! Seriously?? I don't know how or why.. but, I'm not going to question the magic!!

Double up the kids~Double up the fun

During this double up/double down round 2, I have the honor of a visit w/ my niece, Peyton Grace (aged 1 &1/2 & crazy/fun) and my nephew, Sully Bumpkins (aged 3 1/2 & the sweetest boy you've ever met). I am excited to have them here during the hardcore round 2, b/c as was the case when my girls were toddlers, I get more exercise when they are around. Sully loves doing "fun-runs" and Peyton... well, you have to chase her around to keep her out of trouble. She also loves dancing & singing just like my Madi.

I'm telling you all of this, one.. just to share my joy & two, to apologize in advance if I go MIA on here for a few days. I may not have the time to tell you everything I'm doing during the next few days for the challenge. However, know that I will be keeping up with my challenge and then some.

Happy Hump Day to All.. I will be in touch as much as possible. Wish me luck =)

My variety/modifications

First and foremost, I want to address some of the things that Killed me during my double up/double down stage last time and modify them so this round of hardcore can be a little more enjoyable (therefore more lasting in the long run). During my last hardcore days, I completely cut out sugar from my diet. Now, I don't add sugar to a lot of things, however, I need sugar in my coffee. I know better than to mess w/ all those chemicals in sugar substitutes that just create a world of their own problems (#1 they trick your brain to make you think you're constantly hungry-not good for someone on a diet!! #2 they personally always give me a headache). The bottom line, is that I will probably have a more productive day in general if I just add a little sugar to my coffee and actually enjoy it aka.. finish it!!

I also, tried to completely cut candy out of my diet & I found that during my long runs/walks, I became very hungry & that hunger lasted all day! This round of doubling up my workout, I'm going to allow myself a few pieces of candy only during my walks/runs to keep my blood sugar normal. Now, this is a personal choice and may seem silly to some of you. However, I have low blood sugar naturally so keeping my blood sugar at a normal level when I'm doing abnormal levels of exercise is very important. I urge you to check your blood sugar and blood pressure as well, because many times one of these two factors are exactly what may be holding you back from eating and exercising like you want.

Now, for the variety portion... realizing that my sisters diet included vitamin packets that have caffeine, I decided to add my Emergen-C packets to unsweetened ice tea. I was pleasantly surprised when this crazy idea turned out to be delicious and just as power packed as her Spark drinks at a small fraction of the price. I'm also adding a protein shake to supplement my lunch during the next 3 days. And, last but not least, I'm adding a large variety of exercises to my workout. I'll be doing a zumba/dance video w/ my daughters every night. I'll also be adding 30 minutes of biking (either outside or on the exercise bike depending on the weather). And, I have a few extra weight lifting exercises to add to my morning and evening routines.

I know all of this seems like a lot, but remember .. it's only going to be another 3 days of all this hardcore stuff and after that I'll figure out what is working best, what's not working and what I have time to do everyday in the long run. I've already lost 10lbs & I'm excited to drop the next 10. Once my goal of 15 to 20 is met, sustaining my weight will be the long term goal and that is a whole lot easier to do than lose!!

Wish me luck =)

Happy Monday

Well, I didn't get up at 4am as I planned but I made up for the lost time by hustling at 6am as soon as Jonathon brought me coffee. In the past 3 hours, I've ran a quick mile, showered, started the laundry, started the chicken broth for dinner tonight, got Briley down for her morning nap, and then mopped the kitchen floor. I read somewhere once, that cleaning the floors is symbolic for cleaning the foundation of your home.. therefore it is a great way to start your day.. by cleaning the foundation of your home, you are cleansing the foundation of your day/life. I'm not sure the truth to this new-age symbolism. However, on the days when I remember to start my day by either mopping, sweeping or vacuuming some part of my home or deck, I do seem to continue with a more productive day. I am sure there are many rationalizations for this coincidence, but in reality... it is whatever you make it to be.

I know cleaning is not a favorite past-time for many people (myself included) However, when I do clean, I try to make the best of it. If it is a day where my energy is already high & I'd rather be anyplace than barefoot in the kitchen with a mop in my hand, then I say a simple meditation in my head. I say, "I'm cleaning the foundation of the kitchen so that the rest of the day, this kitchen can be blessed by organization, healthy meals and a happy family" OR if it is a day when my energy is low and I'm dragging around the mop with puffy eyes, then I put some 90's music on pandora.. crank it up high & turn my mopping into an exercise all on it's own. It's amazing how you can turn any cleaning project into a fun dancing workout. I may look crazy whilst mopping and singing "baby got back" but who cares?? By the end of chore, I'm scratching it off my To-Do list with a smile on my face and energy to tackle the next item.

Well, it's 9am & I have a few errands to run. I, also, have come up with some great additions to the challenge that I can't wait to share, but I don't have time right now. I just wanted to stop by and say, HI & Happy Monday. I hope your Monday is off to an energetic start & you rested well over the weekend during the "add variety" step... because after we add some variety to our diet and exercise & develop some personal goals to add as well.. .we will be Doubling everything back up in the next step!! Yup, that's right.. another "hardcore" 3 days is on it's way... I hope you're ready!! I know I am =)

Step 4~ Add Variety

Beginning day 10, having lost TEN pounds feels amazing!! I'm also relieved that the hardcore days are temporarily done. For step 4, I'm going back to my baseline of exercise & figuring out how to add variety to my diet, exercise plan & because I have so much extra energy...even my life!

I've decided to add a cleaning project and writing assignment to everyday as well as my exercises. I have a lot of work to do & now finally feel as though I have the energy to handle everything.

So, I hope that the next 3 days are full of creativity and I come up with some new exciting, delicious & energetic ideas to add to this already amazing challenge!

Wish me luck ;)