BLC Conclusion

According to the scale at work I didn't make my goal of 5%.  That scale HAD to be off!  I easily hit 5% according to my scale at home.  I was able to add on another 1% for doing 15 push ups in a row (thanks to The Shred!) at work.  My total came to 4% and my team took 4th place overall with an average of 2.5% weight loss.  Too bad the hubby wasn't in on the challenge.  Since signing up on myfitnesspal he has lost 10 lbs!

*** Update as of this morning 8/19, I hit my 2nd goal of 7%!!! Woohoo!  Work scale be d@mned! ***

BLC update - Goal #1 Achieved!

I've hit my first goal for the BLC - 5% weight loss!!  Last Friday I weighed myself at home, mind you this was before eating breakfast and sans clothing, and lo and behold I hit my pre-pregnancy weight (14 weeks post baby)!  Woohoo - Super excited!!  Of course then the weekend was upon us, which set me back a bit.  :Þ  No biggie as our final weigh in at work is 8/15, which gives me a couple more weeks to work on my goals.  It's crunch time!

I don't have this book, I just liked the illustration :) 



BLC Update and MyFitnessPal Obsession

Biggest Loser Challenge (BLC) Update:

We had our 2nd weigh-in last Monday (7/11) and I've lost 3%!!!  My goal for work is 5%, and my personal goal is 7%. I'm very happy with my results so far, of course I had baby weight to lose so that helps.  I'm keeping strong with the 4x's a week workouts.  As of this past Friday I started level 1 of Jillian Michaels: 30 Day Shred.  I had to wait until 3 months post baby before I could do any ab workouts.  Right now I am SUPER SORE as my core is very weak, it actually hurts to walk and sit.  My new workout plan is to replace the elliptical with the Shred, run on the other days and have 1 (maybe 2) rest day(s) a week.

I also have a new obsession that helps me monitor what I'm eating.  MyFitnessPal is AWESOME and it also has an app for my phone!  I found out about this calorie counter from my friend at My Crazy Life.  The website and mobile app both allow you to enter your height/weight/daily activity level and weight loss goal.  From there you are assigned a base calorie intake goal.  My goal is 1390 a day, egads!  What I love about this app is that I can use the bar code scanner to scan in foods with my camera phone, and it even allows me to add calories back into my day from nursing.  :)  SCORE!  I raved about this app so much that my hubby downloaded it and gave it a whirl.  Now we are both addicted.  It's very entertaining watching my astounded husband as he discovers how many calories he consumes.  He was very dismayed over how many calories are in pizza.  I don't foresee very many Double Dave lunches in our future.

7 inches shorter

Well, I finally did it!  I cut my hair!!  I went to a new place called Trashy Roots, they specialize in curly hair, and cut 7 inches off!  The stylist gave me a DevaCurl cut/style.  The Deva cut is a customized, indivudalized cut for curly hair - the hair is cut dry, as each curl falls naturally it is sculpted/snipped at the correct location.  She did a slightly modified cut for me as I also like to wear my hair straight.  I really like it, my curls have never looked so great!  Can't wait to see what it looks like straight.  :)  The stylist told me if I like the cut that we could go even shorter next time!

DevaCut 6/30/2011



7 inches cut off!



Straight hair 7/2/2011

BLC Update

Biggest Loser Challenge (BLC) Update:

I'm happy to say that I've been consistent with my workouts, making it to the gym 4x's a week.  I wish I could say the same thing about my diet.  I manage to eat healthy for 1.5 days before breaking down and eating junk food.  :(  Nursing helps burn calories but also has me jonesin' for chocolate and cookies (FAIL!).  I'm going to have to cowboy up and get serious about what I'm eating if I want to lose weight.  ~SIGH~ 

You can follow my workouts here:  Tina's Dailymile

Biggest Loser Challenge

Today my organization at work started the Biggest Loser 11 week challenge.  Weight loss is based on the percentage of weight lost, not actual pounds.  My goal is a 5% weight loss (trying to be realistic here).  This is good incentive for me to get back into my workout regime!  I haven't really put much effort into working out as of late...granted I had my baby 7 weeks ago, but I was cleared by the Dr for exercise 2 weeks ago.  :^/  Now I have some competitive motivation to put my running shoes back on and hit that pavement!  Not to mention I'd really like to wear my cute bikini's again at the pool.....

The nurse at work is keeping track of our weight loss to keep us all honest.  :Þ  Let the pain fun begin!

Welcome 2011!

2010 was an awesome year!  Malek and I drove to SA for the Alamo Bowl (MSU vs Texas Tech) in Jan, my brother was married in Feb, Malek and I were married in March and I received a new job/promotion at work, in April we sold my house and bought a new house together in Pflugerville, we ran the Deutschen Pfest 5K together as a family in May, went on a family camping trip (w/ the kids and my parents) to Pokagon camp grounds and Michigan in June, threw our housewarming party in July, finished my 101 in August and found out I'm pregnant, went to the Body Exhibit in Sept, had our annual Halloween Spooktacular in October, took Malek and the kids to the Renaissance festival (their 1st time) in Nov, and had our entire family in town for the holidays - not to mention finished many home improvement projects and worked on the nursery.  Malek turned 40 this Dec and we rang in the new year with family and friends.

2010 is the last year in which I will simply be known as Christina (or Tina), 2011 brings with it a new name and identity - one which I will keep for the rest of my life, regardless of the path my journey takes...Mother!

Now it's onto an even more exciting year and a new chapter in our lives, hello 2011!  We are anxiously awaiting the birth of our son, Ryland Carter Malek, in April and my parents will move to TX by the end of the year.  I think this year my new years resolution will be to try and let go of my expectations.  I know with a new baby in our lives that my house will not always be clean, things will not always go my way nor will I get to do all the things I want.  There will be times I'll be overwhelmed and many sleepless nights.  God grant me patience, for I know I need more than I have and I will be tested.  I will have my failures and successes and many lessons learned; but it will all be worth it for there will be a whole new take on wonder, a whole new meaning of love and an amazing future to experience with my family.

Boot Camp was cancelled (#28)

So I just realized I never blogged about boot camp being cancelled.  pfft

Malek and I enjoyed the classes...but the instructor was a flake.  He missed several classes (actually slept thru one), cancelled one when only Malek and I showed up, and cancelled another one by sending an email at 2am!  For a 6am class most of us weren't on email that early.  He told us he would give us a free 1:1 at his gym that weekend when he cancelled on just Malek and me...but then we never heard from him, we tried calling, txting and emailing him and he never responded.  His customer service is/was HORRIBLE!  Needless to say, I wasn't surprised when he cancelled it for the rest of Feb (we started in Dec and it was supposed to go thru the end of Feb).  We managed to have 12 classes in that 2.5 month time frame...

To replace boot camp, Malek and I have started Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred!  We've completed 7 days so far of level 1 and are loving it!  We'll move to Level 2 this weekend. 8)

#28 - changing Tri to Boot Camp

I never thought I would do a boot camp...but lo and behold planning a  wedding and walking down the aisle motivated me try to tone my body.  Renee actually set this up with a fitness instructor that she knows, got us a great deal too!  Both Malek and I joined and we started in Dec (with a brief break for the holidays) and it will go til the end of Feb.  Not sure if I'll really lose any weight, but hoping to tighten and tone. 

Yay me!

I just don't think a Tri is going to happen for me this year...especially not with our wedding in March...and I still need a bike (#27)!

Boot Camp has begun!

This morning was the first day of boot camp and it was invigorating!  Malek and I woke up at 5am to get ready and were out of the house by 5:30am.  We had gone shopping the night before and bought new warmer workout gear for the event so we were prepared for the 44 degrees weather.  We arrived right ontime, 6am, and found our group.  Since most people were still on vacation and only 5 of us showed up, we did a 30 min workout instead of a full hour. 

We started with 15 (3 count) jumping jacks, then 2 laps around the soccer field, followed by lunges up a hill!  Then we did 2 sets, 15 reps each of pushups, tricep dips and step-ups....then back to more lunges up the hill and ended with 15 more jumping jacks.  My arms were killing me after all the pushups and tricep dips.  I can already tell I'm going to be sore. My upper body is definitely my weak link. I really enjoyed the workout this morning and I'm looking forward to more!  Since I was so close to work I brought all my stuff with me to get ready at the Dell gym.  I also did 100 crunches at the gym before my shower. 

Next session is Thursday morning!  Bring it!

This will help with #44 and #45.  Not to mention get me in shape before the wedding. :-)

#42 - teeth whitening

So I've finally started using my teeth whitening kit.  Not sure how well it will work since it's now about 4 years old.  Malek even bought some teeth whitening strips himself.

Fingers crossed it works and there's a noticable difference by wedding time! (As long as I'm consistent and keep up with it right?...)

bootcamp

Well,  I just signed up with Renee to do a bootcamp.  2x's a week from 6-7am!  This should be interesting as I've never done bootcamp before.  And starting in Dec!  Hope it's not too cold since this is all outside.....

What have I gotten myself into????

#44 & 45

I've been doing an excellent job on #44 - working out 3-4 x's a week.  Mostly running since the Race for the Cure is coming up.  Plus there's the Cap 10K in April.  I blog about all my workouts on DailyMile.

#45 - I've lost a few lbs, hoping to lose more before the wedding, not at goal yet.

#81 - Donate blood at least 3x’s a year (5/9)

2nd time donating this year.  I'm ahead of schedule.  :-)

Saved a life today!  Go me.  :D

Busy weekend

This Easter weekend was exhausting!  Friday-Sunday involved moving furniture, painting, cleaning, staging, church, nap, and yet more tidying up.  I need a vacation!

Friday - Moved my office out of the guestroom and into the formal front room.  Set up computers and arranged front room.
Saturday- Thanks to Katie, Brent, James and Malek we painted the 2 guestrooms and guest bathroom in no time Saturday morning.  I couldn't have done it without you guys!  XOXOXOXO.  :-)  We even had time to hang some pictures.  Then we headed over to Malek's where the guys finished up the last of the sprinkler system while Katie and I staged his house.  Malek and I were supposed to have a date night that night, but we were all so exhausted that we just stayed in.  Katie & James came over and we grilled brats and watched a DVD.  I think we were in bed by 11pm.
Sunday -   HAPPY EASTER!  We went to church with Katie & James, Hutto Baptist Church off 79.  Afterwards we grabbed some lunch.  Then it was off to our respective houses.  Malek had more cleaning to do at his place.  I ended up taking a brief nap before cleaning my house.  Then I went over to Malek's to conduct a walk-through/inspection.  By the time everything was done it was 7pm.  Where did the day go!  We ended the night with some wine and feta cheese. 

There's still some odds and edds of things to finish...but overall everything looks great!

I'll post pics once everything is complete.

#81 - Donate blood at least 3x’s a year (4/9)

1st donation of the year!  I'm glad that I can help out and do my part to save a life.

#44 - Work out at least 3x's a week [IP]

I'm really happy with my work outs the past 3 weeks.  I've managed to go about 4x's a week...or at least have some kind of activity every day. 
:-D

Sunday - volleyball game
Monday - weight/cardio class
Tuesday - ran 4 miles
Wednesday - softball game
Thursday - volleyball game
Friday - ran 4.2 miles

I'm taking Saturday off!

#26 - Try a yoga class / tape

I finally tried out a yoga class!  I've never done yoga before and Amanda's neighborhood community center offers classes on Tuesday night.  So I figured why not?!  It was a great first yoga class!  All the stretching really helped my sore muscles from Monday's weight class.  Not sure I'll go every week, but I think once a month would be good.

Exercise for the week:
Sunday - Volleyball game
Monday- Cardio/Weight class
Tuesday - Yoga!!!
Wednesday - Ran 4 miles, softball game
Thursday - * Planning to run 2 miles after work *, volleyball game
Friday - REST!
Saturday- Mardi Gras 5K race!  That's why I've been trying to fit in as much running as possible.  The Cap 10K is in March .

Needless to say I've been extremely sore all week!  :-P

#64 - anti-aging creams

Check!   Bought the antioxidant night moisturizer to go along with my day cream this weekend.

#44 & 45 - Failure

All I'm going to say is darn holidays!

I'm guessing this wont be back on track until the new year.

Happy Holidays!

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!" "

~Unknown