I love Bob!

This was Bob Harper's facebook status today...LOVE IT so I just had to share with all my blog stalkers :)

"Your workout mantra today: "I will IGNITE my fat in this workout!" Keep saying this to yourself today. Laws of Attraction!!"

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!

THAT is exactly how I feel!  Our last birthday party guests left yesterday at about 5:10 (Zumba starts at 5:30 in about 10 minutes away).  I ran and changed clothes, hopped in the truck and I was off!  I originally only planned to shake my ass with my friend, Emily, at Zumba but I ended up hanging out and rocking some Restorative Yoga too!  (THANK YOU HUBBY!)  I felt so incredible when I came home and I still feel absolutely fabulous this morning!  A little sore/stiff, but amazing nonetheless.  After looking at pictures my sister took at my son's birthday party this weekend I finally feel a little bit better.  I was starting to feel a little anxious because I wasn't seeing changes much in my body anymore and I don't have my scale to see the numbers change, but after looking at pages, I'm amazed and how different I look in the pictures than how I FEEL like I look in the mirror.  I added a few of the pictures to my "In Pictures" tab.

Tonight - I get to have my hair done and plan to work out at quiet time since I took Friday AND Saturday off of working out.  Tomorrow is bootcamp, Wednesday I'll need to workout at home, Thursday is bootcamp, Friday I'll have to workout at home.  I can't wait until the weather is nicer and I can start training for my 5K coming up in April...RUN!

An Emotional Break?

Well last night was bootcamp and it was a little bit different.  The one studio we use is now filled with state of the art equipment/machines (treadmill, elliptical, bike, weight machine of all different kinds, etc) so we did stations.  It was definitely a different experience to use all the different machine for some of the same exercises we've been doing and for some new ones.  Then we got on the floor, strategically placed between machines and did some core work and BUTT KILLERS and boy do they live up to their name!  YIKES!  Especially when you do them in a pyramid of reps/sets (meaning 1 set of 18 on each side, then one set of 17 on each side, then one set of 16 on each side, and so on....) YOWCH!  So as I'm doing pull ups on a machine intended for weighted squats, Tina comes over to help me and tells me that my legs should be straight and not with my knees bent.  So I put my feet out and try to pull up and it just isn't happening without Tina's assistance.  I tell her "I can't" (which I've discovered are two words you should never say to your trainer.) and walked my feet up.  The timer went off for everyone else and it was the end of the circuit so they were taking a water break.  She said "We're going to do it one more time" and reminded me of the straight legs.  Then I hear her say "And don't tell me you can't, you can."  I got in to position and with a little assistance from Tina I managed three more, but was physically and apparently mentally exhausted.  I'm not sure why but when I heard her say "Don't tell me you can't" and I started doing the pull ups again tears welled up in my eyes and it took all of my strength to not bawl like a little baby!  I was floored!  What was all of this emotion I was having all of a sudden?  Is this how the contestants on The Biggest Loser feel when Jillian starts grilling them about how in the world they got to 400 lbs?  Was I having an emotional break?  Was I just so tired and exhausted from all the rest of the stress of the day that it was just one more thing on my mind and happened to be the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back?  I don't know what it was, but I almost wish in that moment Jillian Michaels would have been there with me to pull whatever it was out of me.  Why was I crying?  I'll probably never know unless I fail on my own and by some chance make it ON to The Biggest Loser, or maybe a shrink somewhere down the line will be able to get through this confident, strong, front that I seem to have going?  Only time will tell I guess.

Zumbarific!

So last night at Zumba was super fun!  A had a girlfriend join me and she did great!  We all learned some new songs and reviewed some we already knew.  Tina, my bootcamp trainer, popped her head in for a second and I almost didn't recognize her without her gym clothes on!  She totally should've jumped in on the Zumba action though!  Plan for the rest of the week: boot camp tonight, tomorrow enjoying my family, Saturday - Kickboxing 8am, my son's birthday party at 3pm, Sunday - Another birthday party for my son at 11am, Zumba at 5:30, followed by Restorative Yoga :)

One a seperate, but somewhat related note, I fell down the stairs yesterday...well slipped down the stairs, but landed on my feet.  I was holding the handrail, which was probably the first problem, because I twisted and wrenched my shoulder.  I kept it moving yesterday and didn't baby it at all and it loosened up pretty well, but after sleeping on it all night last night, it's SUPER stiff this morning.  Hopefully we don't do many push ups tonight at boot camp.  I may have to do the regressions :(

I was floored when I was talking to Kelsie last night and she said I looked good and it was apparent I was working out!!  We got in to discussing the Biggest Loser Challenge and her best guess was that there were at least 50 people doing the challenge, which makes me a little nervous, BUT there ARE THREE prizes (spa packages) to be won and I am going to bust my ass to get one of them!  All I can do is my best, right?

Quote

I just saw this quote on Bob Harper's facebook page and had to share it!  ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!


Believe in yourself, trust the process, change forever. ~ Bob Harper

Bootcamp Tuesday

Well yesterday was bootcamp and the start of week 3 of 6.  I absolutely LOVED last night's workout.  I didn't feel like I was going to die afterward.  I felt strong and challenged, but not pushed too far.  I felt really really good.  This morning I'm a little stiff/sore, but nothing I can't handle and it's definitely a very good sore!  I'm starting to do better with the mind over body way of thinking.  I was proud of the effort I put in last night and it was nice to have a "partner" through all of the stations...Mindy.  We encouraged each other, especially on the step with the jumping squats.  When Tina called out the 5 second or 10 second mark one of us was saying "Ok just a couple more" or "C'mon you can do this, one more."  Even as we were holding our planks I had Mindy in my ear "You can do this, hold it!"  It was awesome to have such encouragement!

This morning I watched Episode 4 of the Biggest Loser online.  I was so moved by Courtney and could totally relate to the way she felt with her mom.  There are people in my life I feel like I've let down too and that is a mental and emotional thing I'm really going to have to work through.  This year is just as much about focusing on the inside as it is about focusing on the outside.  I need to get my mind healthy just as much as my body.

Tonight....ZUMBA!  My last Wednesday night of Zumba :(  Sounds like I may switch to Monday night Cardio Kickboxing at 6:30, depending on scheduling.  We'll see what next week brings.

Courtney - Team Aqua

Defeated!

So far today I've defeated over eating and poor choices a couple times already today!  For breakfast I made the kids French Toast Nuggets with applesauce for dipping.  This wasn't just any old french toast either!  It was my special cinnamon vanilla french toast and I KNOW how phenominal it is, but I scooped myself up a generous helping of vanilla yogurt with applesauce and cinnamon.  Not one single bite of the french toast!  Then at lunch I made a Hula Scramble, but didn't know if I'd made enough.  Turns out the kids didn't eat a whole lot (probably because they ate so much for breakfast and ate breakfast a little later than normal), so there was a ton left and I'd already decided I was going to have the chili my mom made.  It crossed my mind to eat the chili AND the left over eggs, but I didn't.  As soon as I felt the urge to "clean up after the kids" (one of my huge downfalls), I put it all in a bowl and put it in the fridge, figuring that I can heat it up and enjoy it one night this week when either I don't feel like cooking or time doesn't allow for me to cook.  It'll be yummy another day too and save me the calories today :)

I printed out my positive affirmations I included in my blog post this morning and hung them on the fridge.  I've read them a couple times already today and they make me feel so much better and much more in control of what I'm doing.

SUCCESS!

Biggest Loser Minnesota Challenge

Hi, I'd like you to join my Biggest Loser Minnesota Challenge Team! If you're already registered for www.competeforhealth.org, simply click on

https://www.competeforhealth.org/consumer/challenges/compete/joinChallenge/honorCode?teamCode=5JQOV

Team Name: Body By Me

Team Code: 5JQOV

If you are not already registered, you should seriously consider it.  As a reward you get 1 month free to Snap Fitness! YAY!

Join me, get health, live better :)

Not feeling spectacular today :(

Well today has not started out perfectly, but hopefully it will improved as time goes on.  My husband and I spent a little "date day" together yesterday, which means we ate out for lunch AND dinner, which means LOTS of sodium and not so healthy choices.  On top of that, I chose to spend my time with hubby rather than shaking my ass at Zumba and stretching with the restorative Yoga afterward, which means I didn't get my required workouts in.  For the cherry on top of my "unhealthy sundae" (or "Sunday" lol) I didn't get enough sleep so I'm tired this morning.  Today may be a REAL test of my willpower and change of eating habits.  I definitely confuse my bodies signals about sleep vs. hunger and I also am an emotional eater, and being I'm tired AND emotional, should make for an interesting day.  Wish me luck!

I CAN do this!  This day will NOT destroy me, I will destroy IT!  I am not going to let the choices and set backs of yesterday affect my day today!  I will make healthy choices today including food, exercise, and sleep!  I enjoy being healthy and eating nutritiously!  I enjoy my active "me time" to workout!  I am better than my best healthy choice!  I am worth fighting the urge to emotionally eat!  I DESERVE to exercise!  I DESERVE to get to bed early and rest well!  I CAN DO THIS!!

I am really starting to love positive affirmations!  They are really working!

I GAVE IN TO TEMPTATION! AAAAGGGGGGHHHHHH

OH!  And just before Zumba I walked in to the locker room and heard a little voice screaming "STEP ON ME!" I turn and look and there was a scale.  Right there, plain as day, TALKING TO ME!  Now, mind you, I have not been on a scale for a couple weeks and all of my weigh ins for the last 6-8 weeks have been evening weigh ins.  For those of you that regularly follow my blog, you'll remember I had a "scale issue" and finally built up the courage to get it out of the house, so I couldn't weigh myself as often.  Lately I've been feeling like I haven't made much progress, but this morning I gave in to temptation and got on the scale.  I had my shoes on, fully clothed, phone in my pocket, and I'd already had a smoothie and a banana this morning and the scale said 224!!!!!  HOLY SHIT!  My weigh in weight for bootcamp the evening of January 4th was 238.9!!  It makes me want to get my scale back.  Either way it has given me a renewed sense of accomplishment and proof that all of my hard work IS paying off.  Hopefully I can lose enough and gain enough muscle that I win one of the Biggest Loser prizes which are Spa Packages (1 hour massage, 1 hour facial, hair cut, hair color consultation, and makeup consultation at the Aveda Salon at Willowbridge Center)!!  I NEED this!

Welcome to......Zumba!

This morning at Zumba was different and interesting, because the 8am time slot is usually cardio kickboxing, so a LOT of the people that showed up were planning on doing kickboxing and apparently didn't see the notices that have been posted by the sign in sheets saying that it was being replaced with Zumba today because Sara (the kickboxing instructor) was going to be on vacation.  Most of these women had never done Zumba and I heard a few of them belly aching about having to "shake it" and such and they seemed really disappointed.  One gal said to me "You need to be in the front!"  I asked "Why?" and she told me because it was obvious I knew what I was doing.  I was a little surprised, because while I HAVE seen this gal around before I don't know how she thought I knew the steps so much better than anyone else.  So I put myself right up in front next to Kelsie and did my best.  I think I was really trying a lot harder and focusing more because I KNEW I had a bunch of ladies watching me and following my steps.  I bet they rethought their decision when Kelsie chose two songs that I'd never done before and when I missed a few steps here and there on songs I DID know.  It was a lot of pressure, but it was so much fun!  I think a lot of them rethought their judgements on Zumba and hopefully a lot of them will give it a second chance.  It was a blast this morning!!  Loved it!  Thank you Kelsie for such a great time!  I wish we could've gone on and on!  Zumba again tomorrow followed by restorative yoga!

Change of Plans

Well I did NOT get my workout in.  Got word that my hubby (an over the road truck driver who left on the 2nd and wasn't expected home until the 28th) was going to be coming home tonight and that I'd have to pick him up. So today will be my recovery day, Tomorrow morning 8 am - Zumba, Sunday evening 5:30pm - Zumba followed by Restorative Yoga, and then I'll have to figure out what I'm going to do on Monday, because I can NOT have two recovery days.  I will NOT meet my goals that way.

If anyone knows where I can buy a cheap set of 20 lb hand weights, please let me know.  Walmart is selling them for about $20 each and I don't have that kind of money to spend right now.

Good Chest Pain

I never thought this would be a title on my blog, but yes my friends, there is such a thing as good chest pain and today I'm living proof.  My chest and shoulders are aching so badly from yesterday's boot camp workout.  We did arms.....LOTS AND LOTS OF ARMS, shoulders, chest, core, and just a couple legs exercises.  I was amazed at my ability and I think so were some of the other boot campers.  I was using 25 lb weights for a lot of the chest exercises and regressed to 20 lb and 15 lb weights for some of the more intense ones.

I really tried the mind over body philosophy that Tina has been encouraging me to use and it really does work.  I held a side plank for 30 seconds on each side!!  I couldn't believe I was actually doing it and believe me, every muscle in my body was shaking and then I heard the gal behind me saying "hold it, hold it" and I started saying it to myself and I did it!!!!!  I was thrilled!  My weight may or may not be moving, but I AM getting stronger.  That was the motivation I needed when my will power is waning.

Today WILL be a great day and I WILL get my cardio workout in (I'm thinking Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown) and I WILL eat healthy and recite my daily positive affirmations for good health.  I WILL be stronger in body AND mind.

Side Plank :)

Extra Extra!!

Well since my son so easily took a nap today, I got to squeeze in an extra workout!!  YAY!  Since my legs are a little sore from bootcamp Tuesday and then Zumba yesterday and I know we are working on arms and core tonight at bootcamp, I opted for my Dance Off the Inches Hip Hop Party DVD.  I did my best, but I'm pretty sure I still sucked.  Either way, it was a good 45 minute workout!  Can't wait for bootcamp tonight!!

Insight from Jillian

This morning Jillian posted this on her facebook page and I don't think it could have come at a better time.  This year I'm really trying to focus on the mental portion of me as well as the physical.  It's time to write down my fears and confront them head on!  Thank you Jillian!

Jillian:  "There's so much propaganda out there touting fearlessness. It sounds cool doesn't it, conjuring images of humans defying the laws of nature. Well, you can forget it. Fear is experienced by ALL God's creatures. The trick is not escaping your fear, but confronting it & allowing it to drive & teach you. Only by getting to the bottom of your fears can you find their valuable lessons & move forward stronger than before."

Another Zumba Night

Zumba was a blast last night, but it went much too quickly.  I think I could've probably danced for atleast another hour.  When the last song came on I was sooooo not ready to be done!  Boot camp tonight and thank goodness it's an arms night, because I don't know if my legs could handle it.

More Goals

So last night at boot camp was not near as scary as I expected, but it was an awesome workout for the butt and legs!!  I'm not hurting too bad this morning, but can definitely tell I workout pretty hard last night.  We also got our goal sheets back and coincidence would have it that I had only gotten three jotted down and there were four lined provided.  My trainer, Tina, so nicely filled in my 4th line with "Increase Mental Toughness" with tasks to complete: positive affirmations & positive self talk.  I think she's very right.  One of my resolutions for the new year was to get my head in the game.  I think mentally I think of myself as still being 380 lbs.  I constantly look at the exercises she gives us and think "I can't do that!" or "Fat chance!" or similar phrases and I'm pretty sure my thinking like that is preventing me from doing my best.  So now it's time to change...positive affirmations:

Positive Affirmations for Health:

1. I am glowing with health and wholeness.
2. I behave in ways that promote my health more every day.
3. I deserve to be in perfect health.
4. I am highly motivated to exercise my body because I find exercise as fun.
5. I love nutritious healthy food, and I enjoy eating fresh fruits and vegetables.
6. I am healthy since my practices are healthy.
7. I let go of the past so I can create health now.
8. I create health by expressing love, understanding and compassion.

Get In Gear! - My first 5K of 2011

Just got information on my first 5K of 2011.  The Get in Gear 2K, 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon will take place April 30th at Minnehaha Park.  I'd love to have as many friends as I can join me.  Click the link below for more information!

Happy Martin Luther King Jr Day

I saw this quote on a friend's facebook status today and I thought that it applied to getting healthy just as much as it did in it's original context, so I thought I would share.

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase" ~ Martin Luther King Jr

Zumba then Yoga

Last night at Zumba was pretty good (as usual).  There were quite a few people in the studio, which took me a little by surprise and the gal next to me was totally in my space, but whatever.  Oh and the dirty looks from the red head in front of me...WTF? lol.  Anyway, it was a good time and I was soaking wet when I was done.  I found it absolutely incredible how quickly a studio's mood can change.  We went from amped up and ready to dance...very HIGH energy to quiet, candlelit, soft music, soft voices, maybe a little TOO quiet when the Yoga ladies showed up and the Zumba ladies left.  It was hard to believe the dark quiet studio that we were balancing and tipping over in was just minutes ago filled with the loud festive songs of Zumba.  I think I personally had a hard time getting myself calmed down after Zumba.  My friend, Emily and I were chatting away as the other ladies were just sitting quietly waiting for class to start.  At the beginning of class, the instructor mentions to not worry about what you neighbor is doing and not to be critical of yourself, but to focus on your breathing.  That may have worked if Emily and I weren't giggling through the whole class LOL.  Emily said she was laughing at me because I thought this class was going to be nothing but relaxing and everytime she looked over at me I had sweat just RUNNING off of me.  LOL.  It was a good time either way and I'll totally do it again if I have the opportunity!

All I can say is "oh dear!"

So this morning I roll out of bed and my butt muscles hurt sooooooooo bad and I'm SURE it's from the climbing walls at Pump It Up last night.  I was sweating like a pig and being I'm so sore this morning I'm totally calling that my second workout for the day yesterday.  Today is Zumba followed by Restorative Yoga!  Can't wait!!

Kick it at Kick Boxing!!

So this morning it took all of my determination and will power to go to kickboxing.  So many times I got myself so nervous I decided I didn't want to go, so even though I was up at 6:30 I put on my gym clothes right away rather than putting something lounge-y on.  It didn't help at all when Izabella cried and begged me not to go, but my neighbor friend I knew was up especially to watch the kids so I could go, so I put on my big girl pants and sucked it up and went.

I absolutely L-O-V-E-D it!!  It was a phenominal workout and so much fun!  It helped also to have my girlfriend, Tiffany there to do it for the first time with me.  We both do bootcamp and both do Zumba and I'm pretty sure we are both kickboxers now too :)  We all worked so hard and were sweating so much and breathing so heavily in that studio that we ended up fogging up the windows, a small portion of the mirror and couldn't figure out what we kept slipping on on the floor, but toward the end of class figured it was condensation from the humidity in the air.  It's 8pm now and I still feel absolutely awesome!  VERY tired, but I don't think that is at all related to the workouts I'm logging lately.

This evening my kiddos were invited to a birthday party at Pump It Up.  An inflatable playground and obstacle course to play on and in, the kids had fun and so did mom!!  I worked up a sweat, so I'm calling THAT my second workout for the day.  Just more proof you don't have to have a gym membership to exercise and exercise doesn't have to be boring.  Have fun!!  I am still debating on getting some Yoga in yet tonight...can't decide.  Might just take it easy the rest of the night and enjoy being with my kids. :)

Photos taken from Pump It Up website

More Torture than Basic Training?

So last night was boot camp and my trainer, Tina, warned me it was going to be tough.  Turns out she wasn't at all exaggerating.  We did stations.  On one side of the studio was 6 cardio activites: jump rope, step ups, mountain climbers, 8 stage burpees, jump squats on the step, and jump squats on the bosu. On the other side of the studio were 6 strength training exercises: reverse push up on a ball with a pike, squats with an overhead press, lunges with a bicep curl, two arm row standing on a bosu, full plank, and tricep dips on a bench.  So each "team" started on one side or the other (each team has 6 members = one at each exercise), did the exercise of choice for 1 minute and then switched to the other side (cardio vs. strength) until everyone has done every exercise.  After that we were all pooped out and drinking water and Tina says "Ok, now let's do it again"  I about fell over and said "Are you serious?" and sure as shit she was!  My girlfriend, Sam, even said to me "They didn't torture us like this at basic." (she was in the Air Force and went through REAL boot camp) We got up and did it all again and while I'm holding my full plank (my very last exercise) and my whole body is trembling, my face is not red, but purple, and I want to vomit I hear Tina in my ear "Becky, hold that plank, don't you let it fall, you can do this, focus, it's mind over body."  And I let me knee drop.  After the 1 minute was up Tina made me get back in plank and hold it for 5 more seconds and I did.  She's right, it is definitely mind over body at some point and THAT was my point.  I kept thinking "I can't do it", "I can't hold it anymore", "I'm going to collapse" and I did.  But when I had 11 other ladies watching me hold that plank, I did for the 5 seconds that Tina wanted me to.

So thank you, Tina, for proving to me that if you tell yourself you can do it, you can.  It might be hard and uncomfortable and utterly exhausting and you might even puke, but you CAN do it if you put your mind in the right place.

This morning I woke up thinking, "Man, I'm not even really very sore except for a little ache in my shoulder." and wondering what in the world was wrong with me, but now as I've started moving around more this morning, I'm DEFINITELY feeling my workout!  My shoulders and arms are sore, my legs, my core, everything.  It's not bad and I don't know how to explain it, but it's a good sore.

Today - Yoga
Tomorrow - Cardio Kickboxing (nervous)
Sunday - Zumba & Restorative Yoga (SUPER excited!)

So last night I got talking with a gal from the Zumba class (Zumba and Boot Camp are going on at the same time Tuesdays and Thursdays), because as crazy as it sounds...I want a pair of Zumba pants,  but was looking online at Zumba.com and they are like $60!!  I don't want to spend THAT much to look cute while I'm sweating my butt off.  She said there is a more discounted site....zumbafashion.com  Definitely cheaper, but still not in my budget just yet.  One day I will reward myself with a pair....maybe if I win this biggest loser thing at Willobridge.  We'll see.

These are the ones the gal I talked to had one...they are MUCH cuter in person!!

And of course I can not for the life of me decide between these two pair.....

I really DO love the black and white ones though, but then I think I'll really have to be careful not to wear any colorful undies LOL.

Let's ZUMBA!

Last night at Zumba was awesome.  I knew just about all the steps and didn't struggle TOO much.  Now today, I'm soooooooo sore.  It's been a long time since I've been this sore from anything, and never from Zumba.  I'm feeling my back and ab muscle a lot today in places that I've never felt them before.  Guess I was doing the hip rolls, body rolls, and pops right.  How exciting!  I love feeling my workouts the next day!  Tonight is bootcamp and even the trainer says it's going to be a tough workout.  I'm looking forward to it Tina!

Sound off! 1! 2!

Well last night was the first day of boot camp session #2.  It was GREAT to be back at it!  My goal for the "off time" was to make my starting number this session better than my ending number from last session and I DID IT!!!  The assessment wasn't exactly the same, but it still was evident that I've been working my ass off at home and I'm so happy with the results and can't WAIT to see the results after bootcamp and the Willowbridge Biggest Loser Challenge are over.  I DO have to say though....with Kelsie next door and being able to hear the Zumba music, I seriously wanted to dance!!  Can't wait for Zumba tonight!!  <3 it!

Results:

                                       12/09/10          01/11/11
Pushups                          34 - on knees   15 on TOES + 15 on knees
Full Plank                       55 seconds       60 seconds (Dolphin Plank)

Weight                           243                  239.8
Chest/Ribs                     39 3/4              39 1/2
Right Arm                      14                    13 3/4
Waist (at belly button)    45                    44 3/4
Abs (2" below BB)        47 1/2              47 1/2
Hips                              47 3/4              47 3/4
Right Thigh                    29 1/2              29 1/2

Total: 3.2 lbs lost - 3/4 of an inch

It's not MUCH change, but it was only 4 weeks and being completely on my own, I'll take it.  The pushups were definitely an improvement.  The difference between full plan and dolphin plank is that full plank you are on you hands and dolphin plank you're on your elbows and forearms.  Those I guess were the only two same exercises.  I'll make sure to post my complete results at the end of the session (in 6 weeks).  Until then - I'm off to Zumba tonight! :)  Can't wait!

Now to find last night's episode of Biggest Loser online and watch that.

THANK YOU JILLIAN!!!

Well I think I may have just discovered the reason for my excessive fatigue lately.  I've had a hard time getting out of bed on time, I've had a hard time staying awake past 8/9pm.  It's been AWFUL!  Well anyway, Jillian Michael's posted on her fb page something about Thyroid conditions yesterday.....

01/10/11 - Supplement tip: Pro-biotics can help improve the bioavailability (absorption) of minerals in the body. This can be particularly helpful for those people who struggle with hypo-thyroidism. Don't forget the thyroid needs selenium, zinc, and iodine to function optimally.

Then this morning:

01/11/11 - I see I opened a lot of questions on Thyroid w/ my post below. I'm going to have Dr Van Herle (my endocrinologist) as a guest on my radio show. We're taping on the 22nd & I will make her available to take your calls & questions. I'll put a call in number up ahead of time. Rules of thumb on thyroid - no soy. No raw cruciferous vegetables. No peanuts. Take a daily multi & pro biotic.

So I thought....what the heck is a "cruciferous vegetable" and I googled it and found this:

Q: Are cruciferous vegetables a bad food choice for someone with hypothyroidism?

A: The answer to that depends on whether or not you take thyroid hormone replacements (i.e. Synthroid, Levoxyl...) and how you eat these foods. If you do use medication to help supplement your thyroid hormone production, then you should avoid these foods because they can block the body's ability to absorb the medication. In the end, that leaves you (and maybe your doctor) wondering why you feel so badly when you take your medication regularly and try to be healthy.

These foods are generally called goitrogenic and are, ironically, foods we are often encouraged to eat as part of a daily balanced diet. Ideally, you should avoid or limit the following foods: brussel sprouts, rutabagas, turnips, radishes, cauliflower, potatoes, corn, millet, cabbage, peaches, pears, strawberries, mustard greens, spinach, rasishes, African cassava, and kale.

So, the second condition is how you eat the fruits and vegetables. Cooking seems to break down the enzymes in these foods that might normally cause adverse affects to hypothyroid suffers. That said, they should still only be eaten in small portions.

It's also believed that soy, particularly soy lectin and soy isoflavones (but also raw soy beans), can have adverse affects on those suffering with hypothyroidism. Soy isoflavones can cause disruptions to normal hormone generation at the thyroid gland and maybe also anti-thyroid antibodies to be produced. Like any antibodies, these attack what it feels is the "intruder" in your body - the thyroid in this case. This can mimic autoimmune thyroiditis (aka Hashimoto's Disease) and cause a thyroid deficiency where one didn't exist before or worsen and existing deficiency. As of right now, this is still widely debated, but I have found that these soy ingredients have a very negative impact on my body, making me feel as though I hadn't taken my medication in years.

So it sounds like a lot of the vegetables, soy, and nuts I have been eating lately as part of my healthy lifestyle could actually be preventing the absorption of my thyroid hormone.  Time to start eliminating a few things and see if that makes a difference.

Hip Hop Dancing

Well today, I did the Dance off the Inches Hip Hop Party.  It definitely wasn't super intense or strenuous, but it made me sweat and got my heart rate up, so mission accomplished! :)  Tomorrow at bootcamp should be interesting with assessments and all.  My goal was to make my beginning numbers from this session be BETTER than my ending numbers from last session, so we'll see :)  I hope to remember to bring my assessment sheet from last session with and record my numbers on both so that I can compare and share.  Now...off to shower and then soon to bed, I can NOT start off bootcamp tired lol.

Hungry Girl

I used to love Hungry Girl and enjoyed reading her emails and such.  I actually got one of her cookbooks for Christmas last year and tried a recipe out of it for the first time today....NOT impressed.  The kids and I had her Berries n' Cream Oatmeal Pudding.  It sounded good and really wasn't repulsive, but I've really been eating unprocessed, slow, clean food (or as much as possible) and the instant pudding just wasn't fitting in to the way I eat, but I gave it a try anyway and now I feel sick to my stomach!  I knew there was a reason I gave up all of that crap! uuuuggggghhhhh  If anyone wants a HG cookbook, let me know, it's all yours :)

Updated for the New Year & Thank Yous

I just updated the "My Story" page of my blog to include my accomplishments from 2010 and a little blurb about 2011.  It has definitely given me some motivation to keep it up.  Seeing the numbers and my accomplishments laid out in writing makes me realize how far I've come and even though I still have a long way to go, I feel like going back and reviewing last years information will help me keep at it.  What I'm doing is not easy in any way.  I've struggled at time, I've even caved a couple times and embarrassingly binged, because of the lack of self control I still have.  There is definitely some mental work to be done this year along with the physical.  I'm thinking of doing phase one of Atkins all over again and get a jump start on losing again.  I feel like my body has gotten comfortable and needs a little shock to it's system.  However, I know how hard the first couple days were and I'm procrastinating.

I just want to also send a big thank you to everyone that has supported me through this.  There are so many of you, please forgive me if I miss someone.  Believe me, I KNOW who supports me and who doesn't.

To my bestie, Renee, thank you so much for encouraging me to get started and giving me the "you can do it" to DO IT!

To my dad.  You have always been there to say how proud you are of me and to encourage me to continually do better and work hard.

To my bootcamp trainers, Julie & Tina, you guys are amazing and as you know I absolutely LOVE bootcamp.  You encouraged me to see past the number on the scale.  You have been a wonderful support on several different levels and for that I am eternally grateful.

To my brother, Scott, like Dad you have never failed to tell me how proud you are of me and to encourage me to keep at what I am doing.

To my friend, Mary, thank you for getting me involved in the weight loss challenge and being a fabulous inspiration.

To my girlfriends in my former 2010 is THE year group, several points throughout the year YOU were my only support system available.

To my new friends, Tiffany & Emily, thank you for encouraging me to try new things.  I now have a love for Zumba and am continually trying new classes.

To my Zumba instructor, Kelsie, after only one class I was absolutely IN LOVE with Zumba and your fun, upbeat attitude I truly believe is part of my love for the dance.

To Bob Harper, Jillian Michaels, Alison, and every contestant that has ever brought me to tears - you are all amazing, please don't ever stop doing what you're doing.  You are inspiring America.

To my friend, and neighbor, LeeAnna, thank you for taking on the challenge of watching my two little monsters in addition to your little guy so that I can pay to have my ass kicked.

To all of my wonderful girlfriends, thank you for being there to tell me I look fabulous, especially when I am strongly doubting that I am seeing any kind of change in my appearance.  You girls definitely know just the perfect time to let me know.

To my husband's former employer, thank you for specifically excluding "weight loss surgery" in your insurance coverage.  I took it as a sign that I did not need it, that I cold do this on my own.

To Dr Johnson, thank you for creating such ridiculous t-shirts, you inspired me to take ownership of my own body and it's condition and you gave me the perfect name for my blog :)

To all of my discouragers and sabotagers, thank you for telling me it's impossible, thank you for telling me I can't do it, thank you for talking about me behind my back to let others know that what I'm doing is unrealistic.  Thank you for putting my old favorites right under my nose and telling me to have "just a little".  You've given me just enough adrenaline, anger, and determination to prove you wrong.

Finally, to my husband Patrick, you loved me at nearly 400 lbs and told me I was beautiful and sexy at THAT weight.  You never told me I needed to lose weight, you never told me that I shouldn't eat something, and you never discouraged me from trying something new, no matter how outrageous and in September walked me down the aisle in our friend's wedding.  You put up with the endless hours of working out and coming home to "no food" in the house (aka no junk food in the house).  You put up with the emotional rollercoaster that goes along with a lifestyle change of this magnitude.  You have always supported me to go after my dreams and do the things that I wanted to do.

To anyone I have missed, I'm so sorry, please don't think I don't recognize the love and support I receive from each and every one of you.  I appreciate every single one of you!

Day off

Yesterday I lazily took OFF of working out.  My trainers always say to have atleast one day off, so even though I didn't plan to, yesterday was my day.  Back at it today with a little Hip Hop dancing, because tomorrow starts bootcamp! YAY!  Can't wait to get back at it AND throw some new things in the mix (kickboxing, Yoga, and Zumba).  NEED - RESULTS!!  Hoping I don't get too burnt out with classes 5 days a week and hoping my neighbor friend doesn't get burnt out on watching my kiddos LOL.

If you haven't already noticed I have links on my blog to Zumba's website, Willowbridge's website, Total Wellness Coaching's website (bootcamp) and will be adding more as I go.  I would love to have ya'll join me for whatever classes you're feeling up to.  Here is what my schedule looks like this week....

Monday - workout at home - approx 12:30pm
Tuesday - Bootcamp - 7:30pm - need to pre-register
Wednesday - Zumba - 7:30pm - 8:30pm at Willowbridge
Thursday - Bootcamp - 7:30pm - need to pre-register
Friday - workout at home - approx 12:30pm
Saturday - Kickboxing - 8:00am - 8:45am at Willowbridge
Sunday - Zumba - 5:30pm - 6:30pm followed by Candlelight Yoga - 6:45pm - 7:45pm at Willowbridge

Let me know if you'd like to join me!!  If you are in the Isanti/Cambridge area or would like to meet at my house we can ride together :)

1st time in a long time

Tonight was the first time in a LONG time I got on an elliptical.  I hadn't worked out all day and was going to my mom's so I put on a pair of her gym pants and jumped on her elliptical without shoes to get a 35 minute workout in.  It wasn't much, but definitely better than nothing.

Coping Mechanism Discovery

What do you do when you are stressed or emotional or just plain bored?  I used to eat, now I pull out my laptop.  It's a way to take my mind off of things and just chill for a minute.  Good or bad?  Not sure yet, but I would definitely say BETTER.

Yoga....easy?

So I thought I was taking it easy by doing Yoga today.  Well I thought I would choose Jillian's Yoga Meltdown and it did just that.  From all of the sweat it LOOKED like I was melting LOL.  Oh well, it was a good workout and I got a good stretch in afterward.  My poor shoulders are so tired.  I rocked the rolling T stands though and I was so proud of myself!

Another Tip From Jillian

I completely agree with the tip that Jillian posted on her facebook page today! :

Motivation tip: There's much talk in self help jargon on what to achieve - "just love yourself" etc. but not a lot on HOW to achieve it. 1 key to believing in yourself is EXPERIENCING success (no matter how small) & nurturing that experience. Write a list of everything you do well & everything you have accomplished that your proud of. When in doubt look at your list to bring back a feeling of capability & strength.

ROCKED ZUMBA!

I am loving Zumba more and more each time I go!  Kelsie is a phenominal instructor and really great at getting the group motivated and moving and above all....HAVING FUN!  I love having a couple girlfriends come with me.  Jessie, I'm so proud of you that you went last night and DID the squats even though your thighs were already killing you!!  With time, I promise it WILL get better!

I am loving so many aspects of my "new life" I am meeting fabulous people, making all kinds of friends, getting healthier, inspiring others, and working hard.  There is so much to be thankful for these days when it seems there are so many stressers.

SOOOO excited to start bootcamp again on Tuesday.  Switching to Wednesday and Sunday Zumba, trying out kickboxing and candlelight yoga next week too.  For today, I'm thinking just a relaxing yoga session or watching a movie while working on the step at quiet time and that's IT!  Nothing intense!  The last thing I want to do is get burnt out.

Have a nice weekend all! :)

From another blogger

I just got an email from Spark People with the "featured blog post" and it brought me to tears.  I thought I was the one writing the blog entry.  Everything is sooooo where I am right now.  Just thought I would share it with all of you, so here it is.  The last paragraph of the blog I found especially motivating.  Thank you EmilyRose1244

"Yesterday marked a big milestone, one I wasn't expecting. I lost 4+ pounds this week making my total 83+ lbs lost since February. 83. That seems like an imaginary number. That is a number that people make their GOAL. "I would like to lose 80 lbs." That is a GOAL, and I still have farther to go. This knowledge makes me happy in that it is a HUGE accomplishment that SHOULD be celebrated, but it also makes me incredibly sad. So much so, that it overshadows that joy. I know that I will be able to celebrate my accomplishment. I will celebrate with a longer run, because I know that 80 lbs ago I would have NEVER thought to RUN. 80 lbs ago, I would have celebrated with chocolate, or cookies or cupcakes. 80 lbs ago, running would be something I would do solely because something was chasing me. 80 lbs ago I never would have had the thought to run and then still look forward to Zumba class that night. That is what I am going to do today. 

Despite these HUGE changes the sadness lingers. The sadness that after shedding 80 lbs from my body I still have more to lose. Sadness that I lived my life that way. A mourning at the time I lost. There is a sorrow for Fat Girl. What did she do to deserve that kind of treatment? Is that why she rears her head when I about to achieve something HUGE (like crossing that line to One-derland) and tries to stop it? There is a mourning that needs to happen I think. For that poor girl. This is the best I can do for her. I will do what I can to make Fat Girl healthy and happy. It is the most I can do for her because no matter how I used to treat her, she was me once, and I deserve this. After 80 lbs and more tears than I care to remember, I can say with all my heart that I deserve this. Do you know what a break through that is? I know you do. 

I can't ask for anything more this Christmas. To be able to look at myself and know that no matter what stands in my way, even if its my former self, I will be able to overcome it. I will be able to share my journey and my story and the lessons i have learned with anyone who wants to hear them. I will reach a healthy weight. I WILL. Maybe for Christmas I will see a 1 in front of my weigh in, but even if I don't, I know that there is always the next week. I know that not meeting a goal that week isn't a failure, it is a chance to do better. There is my Christmas gift to you. Its not a failure. It is a chance to do better. Give yourself the chance to do better next week. Don't give up on yourself. Don't give up on what you want. Make your dreams real through real work, sweat and tears and it will come to you. It will. Trust me. Now if you will excuse me I am going to wipe away my tears and go for a run."

Zumba Pants

For those of you that I have been describing my Zumba instructors pants too....I found a whole site that sells all things Zumba.... and here they are...the infamous pants that got me staring at my instructors butt! LMAO.

Workout #1 of the day - CHECK!

With 5 sleeping kiddos in the house, I could easily do 35 minutes of Tae Bo.  Worked hard, sweat my butt off....seems to be the story of my life lately.  I'm determined to do my best at this Biggest Loser Challenge that I've taken on.  I also would REALLY like my beginning numbers for this bootcamp (starting Tuesday) to be better than my ending numbers from last bootcamp.  Indicating that I CAN make progress on my own.  I've been working really hard so hopefully it will pay off.  Unfortunately with a cold, working out gets your bud pumping and fluids flowing and now I'm sneezing my face off! YIKES!  Zumba tonight with a couple girl friends...SUPER pumped!  Can't wait to start all of my new classes at Willowbridge next week!!

Workout #2 of the day - YAY!

Well I did it.  I got my second at home workout in today.  It was actually a DVD I haven't watched in a LONG time.  Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown.  Ironically enough I gave this DVD to a neighbor friend of mine because I hated it so much, because it was hard and moved pretty fast.  Now, amazingly enough, I love it!

Workout #1 of the day - CHECK!

Well I couldn't pry my tired butt out of bed this morning to do my morning steps (I sometimes wonder if that will EVER happen), but I just did my at home bootcamp workout #2 that the trainers at Boot Camp gave me and today I proved that you can push yourself harder and get a harder workout with the same exercises.  I worked HARD today and I'm actually a little sore now that I've finished and I say that's a good thing :)  Hoping to get some yoga in tonight here at home with the kids.

25 NEW Health Foods That Aren't

I got this list of 25 NEW "Health Foods" that are anything BUT healthy from Eat This Not That.  A couple of them I wasn't at all surprised, but some of the things on this list include turkey burgers, grilled portabello mushrooms, etc so make sure to ask for nutrition information when you are dining out.  Almost every restaurant will cough up even a little bit of information.  If a restaurant won't give you nutrtion information on their dishes I immediately conclude they have something to hide.  I choose not to eat at such establishments and if I MUST, I order a plain jane salad (veggies ONLY).  But for what it's worth....here it is.

25 NEW Health Foods That Aren't

The Game Plan

Ok, so I was just sitting and looking through the Willowbridge schedule and figuring out when I can fit classes in around my daycare schedule.  Here's my "plan" (starting next week):

Sunday - Morning Steps, Quiet Time Workout, Zumba (5:30pm), & Candlelight Yoga (right after Zumba)
Monday - Morning Steps, Quiet Time Workout, evening off
Tuesday -  Morning Steps, Quiet Time Workout, Bootcamp
Wednesday - Morning Steps, Quiet Time Workout, Zumba
Thursday - Morning Steps, Quiet Time Workout, Bootcamp
Friday - Morning Steps, Quiet Time Workout, evening off
Saturday - Cardio Kickboxing (8am), Quiet Time Workout, evening off

Wish me luck!  Tomorrow will be my first day of doing steps in the morning.  Let's hope I can get my bum out of bed on time!

Zumba is SO fun!

Well tonight at Zumba was great!  Not only am I feeling more coordinated and surprisingly remembered a lot of the steps, but I got to take 3 girlfriends with me!  I loved having other girls to go with.  Ooooooo guess what else?!?!?!  I got signed up to do the Biggest Loser Challenge at Willowbridge!  Kelsie (my Zumba instructor) is awesome and told me to pay whatever I could tonight and then pay the rest at a later date.  So I did it, I'm in!  Now it's time to get busy!  I'm going to start getting my step out in the morning and try to log at least 30 minutes on it before my daycare kiddos show up at 6am.  Then I will workout at quiet time (alternating strength training and cardio), and lastly a couple days a week I will have an evening workout (Bootcamp, Zumba, Yoga, Cycling, etc).  Sounds like a lot but I'm already doing 2 workouts a day on Zumba/Bootcamp days.  So now to start attending some of these classes.  I have an unlimited membership now through March! YAHOO!  GAME ON!

If anyone wants to join me for any of the classes, please feel free to check out Willowbridge's schedule.  I would LOVE to have company!!

Tip from Jillian

Jillian Michaels posted this tip on her facebook page today:

Tip: CONTROL YOUR ENVIRONMENT. Environment affects us dramatically for better or worse. Good news - things don't talk back & when we change them they stay changed. Look for things in your environment that sabotage you & remove or replace them. If it's the vending machine at work stay away from it & bring your own snacks. If it's the food commercials during your favorite show, tivo it & forward through commercials.


What is YOUR trigger?


One of my triggers is the gas station/convenience store.  The way I control it is to either pay at the pump or to have someone that is with me go in and pay for the gas while I pump it.  IF I DO have to go in and pay for the gas myself, I only bring enough money in with me to pay for the gas.

Biggest Loser Challenge

So I was just on Willow Bridge's website and see that they are starting a "Biggest Loser Challenge".  I SO want to do this!!!!  How in the world can I make $155 to be able to do it?!?!?!  I KNOW I can kick some butt!

Biggest Loser Challenge - Willowbridge Center

Workout Today & Resolution Pondering

Well today I did the At Home Boot Camp Workout #2 and I feel really good.  I'm SO glad I got it in!  For a while I thought sure I would be logging that I didn't get my workout in today.  Partially because I was having a hard time getting one of my little ones down for a nap and partially because I just wasn't feeling like working out and was looking for any excuse not to.  However, that is NO WAY to start a brand new year.  Hello 2011!  I worked out and I worked out HARD!

Still working on a New Year's Resolution.  I have NO IDEA what to make my resolution this year.  2010 I just wanted to be healthier and that I DEFINITELY am and I'm so proud of that.  But how boring to have the same resolution 2 years in a row!  Maybe my resolution for 2011 can be to reach my fitness and health goals.  That's another thing I'll be working on today :)

So excited for The Biggest Loser to start tomorrow!  Also attending Zumba with a few girlfriends tomorrow evening, Wednesday getting my hair done (thanks to a wonderful GENEROUS friend! <3 ya K!), Thursday - more Zumba, and Friday...try something new?  We'll see :)

Weekend Recap

Well folks, I'm going to say that I'm not 100% happy with what I've been eating.  I've been eating larger portions, and even though it's good food I do NOT need the portion sizes that I've been eating.  I've been skipping snacks and some meals and I've been choosing not so great food on the go (ie: trail mix in the truck).  I really REALLY need to get back to my good clean foods, because I'm really feeling the effects of not eating as well as I could be.  One the plus size, I recognize the issues and I know what I have to do to get back at it.  I didn't work out New Year's Eve with an excuse of having too much to do to get ready for the party that evening.  But really, that's all it is is an excuse.  I SHOULD HAVE made time for working out!  Yesterday (Jan 1, 2011) I brought workout clothing, yoga DVDs, yoga mats, etc to my dad's for the Christmas party and planned to do a Yoga session with my family. Unfortunately the kids got the Wii hooked up and were playing before we got the Yoga going and it got pushed to the side and never got done.  I was bummed, but I should've spoke up and say "Hey can we take a break from the Wii and do yoga?".  I didn't, and that's my fault.  So today, I WILL get my yoga in!

The plan for the week is Jillian's Yoga Meltdown today, Strength Training (M, W, F), Tae Bo and Zumba (T & Th).  I would like to start adding in a low impact workout in the mornings before my daycare kiddos show up.  I'm considering making a daily "schedule" of physical activity, thinking that maybe that will help me make sure I get everything in that I want/need to.

I also need to get to the grocery store and restock my fresh foods, that's another "to do" for today :)  Also on the list is my New Year's resolutions.  I'll need to do some thinking on these and would love to hear from my family and friends...what's your New Year's Resolution?  How do you plan to stay on track toward your goal for the year?  As soon as I get mine finished I'll be sharing with everyone so that I have plenty of people to answer to....THAT is what seems to help me stay focused.

Happy New You Year!!