Weekend workouts=almost 1500 calories burned!

Zumba + Tae Bo = Reenergized

It's amazing how when you put 100% effort into workouts, you can feel great. When I'm being a lazy bum and giving excuses as to why not to workout, I forget about the endorphins being released into my body and this feeling of being invincible!!!! Okay, I'm not SuperWoman, but I feel great. I need to remember this on days when I feel like simply sitting, catching up on DVR and not breaking a sweat.

This week will be a challenge as it's conference week. Wednesday is grad school until 9 PM and Thursday is conferences until 7:30 PM. Wednesday will be tough to get a workout in, but I should be able to get a small one in on Thursday. I'm trying to get back on track with my workouts. I can tell I've lost some of the firmness/tightness I had a couple of months ago. I can tell in how my jeans fit, how shirts hang, etc. It's time to change that. I refuse to go back to an old size just because I was lazy.

I'm matron of honor in a wedding in September. In two weeks, I'm going dress shopping for our bridesmaid dresses. I'm scared but excited. Does that make sense? I know I'll have to try things on how I currently am....ack.....but I'm also looking ahead to the progress I could potentially make and how I could look come 9-10-11. Ah, the possibilities...

Girl Scout Cookies are the Devil...

and I'm an angel!!!

Okay, maybe not an angel necessarily, but you want to know something? In the past, when Girl Scout cookies arrive, I ravish them. I don't eat one and then not eat another until the next day. Oh no, my friends. I inhale one after another after another until the whole stinking box is polished off. And that's in a matter of minutes.

This year, I purchased Girl Scout cookies. After all, I am a former Girl Scout so it's important to support the cause. Instead of leaving the entire box at school to be consumed during my prep or lunch time, I put two in a itty bitty baggie and threw it into my lunch. The box stayed home, tucked away in it's nice, cozy cupboard. They're not going anywhere (except maybe my husband's stomach) and I have to remember that.

Have you ever eaten things before because you're afraid if you don't, they won't be there later? That's part of my eating problem. Take brownies for example. I'll make an 8x8 or 9x13 pan of luscious, chewy, chocolate brownies. After they're cooled, I'll eat one. Then I'll probably eat part of another before I put the lid on. Then, before bed, I'll cut just a "little" piece and eat it. Then in the morning, I'll go weigh myself, see the pan, and grab another "little" one. While I'm putting my lunch together and cut one to put in my bag, I'll take part of the next one. Just a little one. Then I come home and see that pan sitting there. I'll notice my husband has been eating them, so I better have another one, big one this time, just so he doesn't eat them all. And the cycle continues.... Now, this hasn't happened in a while and as a matter of fact, I avoid making things like brownies, bars, cookies because of this problem I have. If they're not there, I can't eat them.

I'm working to get over that hump. I can have a little and know that there will still be more at another time. The food isn't going anywhere. And it's not that I don't ever make them. It's just that when I do, I struggle to only eat portions and not rows.

It's all about the baby steps.

Not working out=Watching what I eat

Ever have those days where it's just not feasible to get a workout in? Well, that's me this week. Tuesday night, we visited my husband's brother, wife, and new baby girl as we hadn't seen the baby since she was born 3 weeks ago. Tonight as I type, I'm waiting for my night class to start. Tomorrow night, my 4th graders have their music program and Friday night, our school's carnival happens and I volunteered (was expected of us) to sell tickets during part of it.

Makes me sad I can't work out because I have to put a huge effort into watching everything I eat this week. Not that I don't otherwise, but when I know I won't be burning said 300-800 calories, I've gotta be watchful.

But alas, I digress. I'm stressed out with some work situations, so I'm trying to find other ways to cope rather than eating my emotions. So far, so good.

NSV=Non-Scale Victory!!!

Okay, I have to share this because this is huge for me. Today we had Professional Development/Teacher In-service (whatever you want to call it). My principal bought a large box of doughnuts for our morning meetings. As soon as I walked in the room, the overwhelming smell of dough and sugary frosting was inhaled into my body. First reaction.....I gotta have one of those. So, I decided to test my willpower. I saw at the table where the doughnuts were. I looked at them. There were glazed, frosted, jelly-filled, cream-filled, cinnamon rolls, and calorie-laden goodness.

"I don't need it," I told myself. "I already had breakfast at home."

An hour goes by.

"Man, there's still a bunch left," I thought. "No, I don't need it."

Another hour goes by.

"Look at all of those doughnuts sitting there. I could have half of one."

Nope.

As the meeting finished, I watched my principal take the box out of the room and away from my sight and smell.

I win.

I beat you, doughnuts. You didn't beat me. I saved myself at least 300 calories.

And guess what else? I worked out. Now, don't get too excited. It was a quick 25 minute, 306 calorie burn, but I did it. Add that to the doughnut I avoided and that's 600 calories not swimming towards my abs, hips and butt.

I can do this. I just have to try.

Got my Zumba on!

Yes, boys and girls, I went to Zumba once again this morning. While I was disappointed the lady who did it last week wasn't there due to an emergency, the sub did a pretty good job. Burned 871 calories in an hour....that's pretty hardcore! I really like this class and look forward to going on Saturdays. We have a little group from the school I work at go and that makes it even more fun!

A class like this can break up the monotony of working out. I think it's what I need right now. Now, to keep my workouts going throughout the week...

Hi. I'm Nicole.

I'm the blogger who's been attempting to become healthy. Well, I haven't been so good about that lately. In fact tonight was the first time I worked out since Saturday.

I could dwell on that fact and give you my reasons ("cough, cough" excuses), but I'm not going to.

Today was 64 degrees here in Iowa. After a blizzard two weeks ago, this was a welcome warm-up. In fact, most of the snow (except for the large mountains of snow from the plows) is gone. So, to celebrate, my hubby and I grilled out for dinner and then went for a 40 minute walk afterward.

I've missed this. Let me tell you why. First, grilling. OMG....nothing is much better than grilling. Burgers, chicken breasts, pork chops, steak, tilapia (looking to try this, so not sure I love it yet), veggies, fruit (again, want to try it). It's a healthy way to cook dinner (read: no frying, oil, added salt) and it smells wonderful! Nothing beats making the neighborhood smell like a grill!

Secondly, I've missed the walks after dinner. Not so much last summer, but the summer before, this was our nightly ritual as long as the weather cooperated. We cook/grill dinner, let it settle a few minutes and then venture out in the neighborhood anywhere form 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on how we felt. It was great. Bonding time, plus a little burn time.

Now, 40 minutes tonight got me about 360 calories burned according to my trust 'ole Polar F6. Not bad. We've got some hills around that we like to climb, so that helps. Right now, I'm looking at the fact that I moved today.

I don't know what my funk is. My stomach has been giving me issues from time to time this week and that really affects how I feel. For those of you who have followed me know that my stomach issues have been plaguing me for a while now. I completed breath and blood tests with my gastroenterologist. They all came back negative (which means I'm not lactose intolerant, fructose intolerant, have celiac disease or bacteria in my bowel....yay), so I am classified as having irritable bowel syndrome. I can be constipated, have diarrhea, or anything in between. Lately, I've been sliding back and forth from one to the other. Sorry if that was TMI....

Funny as it is, exercise can help alleviate some of the symptoms, especially if I have constipation. Tonight's walk proved that. It was in the door and to the bathroom (not in an emergency manner). But it's been proved that the movement of your body helps the movement of your bowels.

So, now that you know about everything about my bodily functions, it's time to check me some fourth graders' tests. Today's the end of the trimester, so that means assess the crap out of your kids to help you do report cards. Yay for me! Tomorrow's a work day for report cards, so that'll be good to have some quality time int he classroom.

Tomorrow, I'm also participating in a wellness blood screen at my school. My district offers a discount for nurses from a local hospital to come in and do a blood panel for cholesterol, triglycerides, etc., so it's worth the $15. Anxious to get the results!

ZUMBA baby!!!

Holy crap was that fun. I went to a Zumba class this morning at a local gym and it was 60 minutes of gyrating, shaking, pumping, jumping fun! In 60 minutes, I burned 883 calories.....I know!!!!! I felt awesome, it was fun and I look forward to making this a part of my Saturdays from here on out. It's only $5 per class....$20 a month? I can do that. It also breaks up the monotony of my other workouts. Three of the gals from my school I work at went too and they all loved it!!!

To be honest, I was running late this morning and didn't step on the scale, so I'm going to have to update that tomorrow...sorry about that. I had to go to the post office before Zumba to mail out a second principal application for a job that's about 15 minutes away from here....would be a PreKindergarten-2nd grade principal....that would be awesome. Haven't heard anything from the first job I applied for and I'm okay with that. It's all about the process and experience.

Off the showers. If Zumba does one thing, it's make you SWEAT!!!! Ole'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm still here!!!

This has been one heck of a week busy-wise. So, I'm still here, I'm still planning! I have a workout waiting for me tonight, that's for sure.

Also going to try out a Zumba class this Saturday! Anxious to see how that one goes! Stay tuned...I'm still here :)

Life, please slow down a little.....not a lot, but a little!

Evaluating...

I need to plan. Not a plan. TO plan.

So many times during the week, I don't plan my meals or my workouts and what happens? Order pizza. Go to Wendy's. Easy quesadillas in the quesadilla maker (along with lots of cheese). No workout planned....well, I'll do "part" of this, etc., etc., etc.

Two years ago, I did this amazing program called Farrell's Extreme Bodyshaping. It was the most intense, hardcore 10 weeks I've ever had. The workouts were planned and our "coaches" made us preplan our weeks' meals. The nutrition plan mimicked the Body for Life program, so you knew that 5-6 times a day, you needed a protein, carb, and veggie (veggie 4-5x I guess).

I was on. NOTHING swerved me from my plan because it was all laid out. I didn't have to think.

And that's my problem now. I allow too much time to think and then make bad choices rather than having everything laid out and just get it done.

So, how am I going to fix my problem? I'm going to plan. I'm going to print out calendars for each month, but only plan a month at a time. I'm also going to go back to the Body for Life program. Other than the protein, carb, and veggie, it allows you one free day a week. This is a day where you don't have to track your eating and can essentially eat what you want. This really worked for me before because I worked hard all week to earn that day, usually on a Friday or Saturday.

Stay tuned for pictures and my plan.

Because I have a plan.

Confession

So, I've been avoiding this post since yesterday morning because I'm not proud of what I've done these past few days.

I've eaten. A. Lot. In fact today, I've eaten so that my stomach physically hurts.

Yesterday's weigh-in was a gain because I ate a lot on Friday. I had ZERO self control. Yesterday was much of the same. Snacking has become a hobby of mine this weekend.

I feel gross. It feels like my stomach is about to explode.

And the worst part? I don't know why I did it. I don't like how I feel. I don't like how I look. And I didn't even work out to try to feel better.

I don't get it. I don't know why. It makes me sad.

Time to get my act together...

Insane Abs

Tae Bo Insane Abs=probably insanefully sore abs tomorrow!

Check it out here...

I made it through 40 minutes of this and burned 416 calories by just doing abs!!! Let me tell you, there's no messing around with Billy here. He means business.

I feel fine now, but I can imagine laughing may hurt tomorrow!

Feb. 2nd

1689 calories consumed
601 calories burned in 42 minutes

I think I made it to the 90 ounces of water, although since I was home all day with a snow day (that's what 13 inches of snow and 40 mph winds will do), I use different water bottles, so I'm not quite sure on the ounces. Had to be close.

It has been asked why I'm not counting calories every day. I don't have a good answer. I'm trying to get myself into the swing of things yet once again, so it's small steps. Right now, I'm tracking Monday-Friday. It's not that I'm not going to track them...there's a good chance I still will just because I'm in the habit. I guess more so, I'm not publicizing it here on weekends since I don't always get a chance to update.

As of right now, we have a two-hour delay for tomorrow (I'm an elementary teacher in case you didn't know!), so that'll be a good start to a Thursday! A possible issue is that one of my teammate's birthdays is tomorrow and treats will be in the lounge. I've had a pep talk with myself that I'm going to grab a napkin, leave it folded and put what I want on that. After that's gone, I'm done. That way I don't deprive myself, but I also won't blow the day's calories in a 5 minute span.

I'll report/confess back tomorrow.

February already?

Well, here in Iowa, we're in the midst of a blizzard, so today's a snow day! Actually, the snow part is done (12-14 inches later) but the wind is still howling. Our street hasn't been plowed yet, so we're probably not going anywhere today.

You'll be happy to know I did work out for 30 minutes last night. It was a quick workout while dinner was in the oven, so I didn't put on my heart rate monitor to track calories. For me, January started off so good, 11 days in a row of working out, and then I started to flop. I flopped because I let busy-ness get in the way. Then I got sick. A week later, I'm just now starting to feel better.

So, it's time for some goals for February. February is a short 28-day month (but can sometimes drag on forever), so it's important to make the best of it.

My goals for February are:
-Exercise 5 days a week for a minimum 30 minutes
-Track calories in at least 5 days a week
-Track calories burned during exercise each time I workout
-Drink a minimum of 90 ounces of water DAILY
-Start eating more fruits and veggies again (I've been slacking on this for some reason of late.)

I'll continue my weigh-ins on Saturday and hope to make more than a 2.6 pound progress this month.

What are your goals for this month?