It's YOUR Choice: to be or not to be (healthy)

I don't always eat healthy and I will jokingly make things sound better (i.e. chocolate comes from a plant therefore it's natural and healthy), but I'm only joking.

So many people have asked me in the past how I stay fit and the truth is I watch what I eat, I eat everything in moderation (if I don't, I regret it) and I exercise on a regular basis. No it's not easy, but that's what I do. I'm happy the way I am and if I wasn't, I would know what to do. So make your choice today.

Check out these blogs/websites I follow on Facebook if you want or need help staying healthy and fit:
The Gracious Pantry
Skinny Ms.

My choice is to get my butt back into workout gear.Some of you know that I was completing a 12 week workout program called The Total Body Transformation Program. I loved it! It is great for all levels. Geared for beginners who then become naturals and pros, but it is easily adaptable.

Well this is week 12, my last week, and I haven't done one single day of it! I've been focusing on grad school and my trip home. I am prepared to go to the gym during my vacation though because I know if I don't, I will be that much behind. Working up to something for 11 weeks and then just dropping it can really wreck havoc in your life. So what am I about to do...that's right, I'm going to the gym to get my workout on!

I Work out!

So I started my workout program 1 week ago. It's called the 12 week total body transformation. I like and I hate it. I like it because there is something different each day and it gives you days of rest here and there. I don't like it because it is too easy right now, but that is easily fixable. For example, today's workout was 4 different core exercises for a circuit and you complete the circuit twice. It wasn't hard so I added 2 tabata's at the end. Those were tough! That means I should be blasting fat for 24 hours at least, although I'm not sure it it really works.

Here is the core workout for beginners: (not sure if you will be able to see this one)
core workout

And the Tabatas:
Tabatas


Sometimes I switch the days around. I also have added cardio on days that don't have cardio or cardio on rest days because I'm not a beginner. That's the beauty of working out: You can ALWAYS adjust it to your level!

What is your Monday workout routine?

And it’s the long stretch!

So I have been working out and watching what I eat for about 3 weeks now! Boy is it hard. I want to eat because I’m limiting what I eat and I exercise just so I can have that bowl of ice cream or that cookie. BUT it is worth it. I have tried a new smoothie my sister Michelle shared with me. She likes it. I on the other hand do not! I will give you the website it is from anyhow, just in case you want to try it or other healthy options. Go here if you want to check it out. I am pretty sure that if you like vanilla whey or whey in general you will like it.

I have also been using recipes from Taste of Home where you can find anything! Also, it usually has the nutrition information at the bottom if it is a Taste of Home recipe (some people share their recipes on it). So helpful! I really enjoy Pamper Chef recipes too. They have 2 week dinner plans that you can buy for $6. They come with grocery lists, how to stock your pantry and refrigerator and of course 2 week’s worth of great dinners. The nutrition info is also on these cards. I received these from my other sister Lisa as a Christmas gift, something I had wanted for a while. 

As for exercise, I have been using my Slim ‘N 6 randomly along with walking, Bender Ball DVD’s, the indoor pool, the gym for classes or the treadmill/elliptical trainer, and some outdoor sports when it has been decent outside. Winter exercising can be so boring, but it is rewarding. Not only does it help you stay fit, it helps keep seasonal affective disorder away!

If you have any exercises or healthy, yumminess to share please do!

Gettin' Fit

For about 2 years I have used myfitnesspal.com on and off. Usually for about a week, then I get sick of inputting information. It is a great place to maintain, lose, or gain weight. It tracks your exercise and food. I decided to start it back up again because I’m doing a step program at the school I long-term subbed. We write down how many steps we take a day, add them up at the end of the week for 6 weeks. It is an initiative to get healthy. I decided that exercise wasn’t going to be enough for me and that I needed to keep track of what I’m eating. Sugar is my downfall.

My husband decided to join me in this health kick. He signed up on myfitnesspal.com as well. But being a man he gets to eat more. In fact, he gets to eat more than twice the amount of calories I do! I thought, no wonder I was gaining weight last year. No wonder wives gain weight their first year of marriage. Now we have been married for 3.5 years, but he was never home often until our 3^rd year of marriage because he was out to sea all the time. So I didn’t gain weight until this past year because he has finally been home for a year straight. I never believed the old wives tale of women gaining weight their first year because it didn’t happen. Well, let me tell you I was wrong. I eat whenever he does which is why I believe many women gain weight that first year. But as women we aren’t supposed to nor do we need to eat as much as our husbands.

I haven’t gained much, but enough to make me want to change it and to be healthy. I don’t have a place to dance here in CT yet so I haven’t been getting my dance exercise this semester. But I am excited that the school has started some “healthy” competition to get me back on my feet and moving. So far I have exercised 4 out of 6 days! 

If you decide to join myfitnesspal.com, let me know and we can share recipes and our food diaries. You can share what you want with who you want, including sharing your food diary, goal, and other information. If you haven’t signed in for a week, it lets your friends know you are having trouble and might need encouragement. I love it! I would love some extra encouragement from friends and would love to encourage friends.

Have a great day/night!