Weight and Inches Lost from Fit February

Hey Guys!  I feel really successful with the month of February.  I had at least 30 minutes of exercise at least 3 days a week, and tried to be as close as possible to my goal calorie intake on My Fitness Pal.  There were some days where I could treat myself to a 90 cal. mini ice cream sandwich because I was still under my goal.  I loved those days. :)

So, by sticking with working out and paying attention to what I am eating, I have lost 3 pounds and 6 inches!

Here are my stats:

Starting weight (beginning of February...sadly, not my heaviest) : 149 lbs.

Measurements:

Arms- R:12 1/2"    L: 12 1/2"

Waist: 31"

Hips: 37"

Butt: 41 1/2"

Thighs- R Upper: 24" Lower: 19 1/2"   L Upper: 24 1/2"  Lower: 20"  I have an inner thigh problem

Ending weight:  146 lbs.

Measurements:

Arms- R: 12"  L:12"

Waist: 30"

Hips: 37"

Butt: 40.5"

Thighs- R Upper: 23"  Lower: 19"   L Upper: 24"  Lower: 19"

There ya have it.  I did all the measurements myself, so I don't know how accurate they are but at least there's some loss!

I was a little disappointed with the actual weight lost.  I thought it would have been more.  I do have to say that I weighed myself today and was actually down to 143!  After a couple weeks of my weight plateauing, it decided to drop.  I am soo close to the 130s, I am going to bust my butt to get there!  What sucks?  Before pregnancy, the heaviest I had ever been was 138.    :/   Oh to be young again.  Ha!
By the end of the month, I noticed a major difference in the way my pants fit.  I didn't feel like I was cutting off the circulation to my stomach.  AND!  My belt is one notch in.  Heck yeah!  I am also starting to see definition in my abs, and my arms and legs are tightening back up!  Yoga is so awesome and can tell that it is having a major impact on transforming my shape.

Plans for March:
SOOOO many people are doing the 10 Day Clean Eating Challenge using Advocare.  I have been interested for a while and thought I would wait and see how all my peeps do before investing in it.
I am also considering buying Jillian's 30 Day Shred DVD.  Once again, I have read and seen lots of great things as long as you stick to it.
I am also thinking about investing more time at the gym/working out on the weekends.  Waking up early and having Brian take care of the Bobe's in the morning.  Guy time, ya know? :)

Well, that's it!  I'll keep you updated as the poundage is lost!

Birthday Wish List: Fit February Style!

My 29th birthday is coming up in a few weeks, and while I will not be at my goal weight as I was hoping here, I am definitely on my way!  With this new attitude to kick butt and take names, I was thinking of all the fun stuff that I would like to have for birthday.

A Bondi Band, preferably this one.  This is meant to keep the sweat off your face.  There have been times during yoga where sweat has been dripping down my nose....real attractive.  I love the colors and the print and $8, you can't beat it.

Fabulous, no?

Either an iPod shuffle or an arm band that will fit my iPhone 5.  I would just clip the shuffle to my shirt/strap and only download workout music on it.  I have taken my phone and headphones to the Y when running on the treadmill there, but the earphone cord is not long enough to reach if I set my phone on the treadmill ledge.  I like the earphones I have because they have a clip to wrap around my ear and stay in place.  This will also help when I start running outside.  We all know music helps get the body pumped!

Love the blue!

This one is awesome because it fits the phone WITH the Otterbox on it.

Moving Comfort Juno Sports Bra.  I have heard this bra is amazing and helps keeps the girls in place.  I am a bit heavy chested so anything to help would be nice.  My girls Mamalaughlin and SkinnyMeg swear by 'em.

Any color would be awesome.

A Polar Heart Rate Monitor watch or Garmin Forerunner 110.  The Polar only measures your heart rate and calories burned, whereas the Garmin does that and tracks running distance and average pace per mile.  It has been frustrating to try and enter calories on MyFitnessPal (username:Farfignoogan) when I do classes like BodyFlow and Zumba.  Even the treadmill calculations are different at the Y and at home.  I would like to be more specific, so I can maximize my weight loss opportunity!  The Garmin is a little more pricey, but I am hoping to step off the treadmill and get outside once the weather warms up and my body gets back its running groove.  Once I gain more confidence in my endurance, I may even look into 10Ks and Half Marathons around here.  WATCH OUT!

Love these colors!


Running Gear.  Old Navy has really cute workout tops and pants, I have heard Lululemon is amazing and would love to own their products, and a new shop that is pretty sweet is Ruffles with Love on etsy.  They sell super cute tanks with funny/encouraging sayings on the front.  Here are some examples of the ones I like:

                                     

 

This one would be perfect if I decided to do a half!

 

HOW CUTE IS THIS FOR WHEN MAMA HAS HER PREGGER BELLY?!!

So....that's it!  Fun workout gear!  I am hoping to post Brody's 18 month update this weekend!  Stay tuned!

Fit February: Some awesome workout apps and my workout schedule

Hey y'all!  So, a couple days ago, I suggested the My Fitness Pal app which is amazing at tracking your calories and diet.  Let's get movin' and groovin' now, shall we?

I'm talking about exercise, baby.  Gettin' yer workout on.  Along with being more conscious of what I eat, I have been sweatin' it up and feeling fabulous.  Really, it's amazing how that spike in endorphins can just make you feel skinny.  Before I share two apps that I love using, I thought I would share the workout schedule I am following right now.

Starting with Monday:  Rest Day.  Sorry to start it off so boring, but really it's the only day that I do absolutely nothing so my muscles can relax a bit.  And it's a Monday.  I always have a case of the Mondays.

Tuesday:  Body Flow at the Y during the day.  I am lucky that I can be flexible while babysitting my niece and taking care of my son and hit the gym for an hour during the day.  If you have never heard of Body Flow, it is a Les Mills class that is like very intense yoga.  When I was much thinner, I went to these classes on the reg and totally saw my body change because of it.  I even took an instructor training class, but decided not to work at the Y since I was starting my student teaching.
So far, I have been going to Zumba at a church on Tues. nights as well.  This will change soon though, because my sister-in-law is starting up a weekly bible study that night.  I might have to add cardio at home on the treadmill.

Wednesday:  Zumba at the Y first thing in the morning and then Body Flow right after 'work.'

Thursday: Same as Tuesday.  Body Flow and Zumba.

Friday:  I take it a little easy on the weekends and have started the Couch to 5K app (which I will talk about in a second :) ).  This is just a 30 minute walk/run (for now) on the treadmill.

Saturday:  So far, I have only been running on the treadmill using the app, but I noticed that the Y has a Vinyasa Yoga class at 9 on Saturday mornings and then a step aerobics class after.  I may try to add those lovelies in this weekend to see how I feel.

Sunday:  C25K app on the treadmill.

AND THIS IS WHY I REST ON MONDAY! :)  haha

So let's talk about this app.  It's awesome.  It's FREE.  and it's so so easy to use.

After you download it, you'll notice that it's a 3 day a week program.  That is actually nice because if you are struggling with it, you can always continue it throughout the week until it is easier for you to get through it.  So far, it has been okay for me.  It transitions nicely.  I LOVE that the screen has the countdown to your next run/walk, and it even has a *beep* and then a voice letting you know to 'begin jogging/walking now,' 'halfway through,' etc.  So, if you were running outside and had your phone strapped around your arm or waist, you would still be cued through your earphones.

 Need some motivation while you're jiggling all over the place?  The Songza app is for you!  Another free one!  This app is so cool.  It recognizes the time of day and day of the week, so on the 'home page' it gives you a few playlist suggestions, such as 'Entertaining Cool Friends' (Friday night), 'Waking Up Happy' (Wednesday morning), or 'Working Out' (Thursday afternoon).  It even has 'Lauren Conrad's Workout Playlist' under 'Popular.'   The really cool thing is that you can still listen to the Songza playlist with your C25K app open, AND the song will quiet so you can still hear the 'beep' and notification to walk or run.  Pretty darn cool.



SO there's that!  Run your buns off!  While listening to fantastic hits like WHOOMP, THERE IT IS!

Fit February: A Tasty 200 calorie snack/breakfast

Hey guys!  Been workin' your buns off?  I have!  Been trackin' your calories on My Fitness Pal?  I have!  Since mid January I have lost about 4 pounds!  woop woop!  I was just trying out a couple different snack foods that could carry me over to my next meal, and I thought that this one was delicious!  The main ingredient is low fat cottage cheese.  Now, I know a lot y'all just said BLECH!  SO, you could replace the cottage cheese with some greek yogurt, but I am not sure of the calorie difference.  Here are the ingredients:

1/2 cup of Low Fat Cottage Cheese

*I chose low fat instead of fat free because you lose all the flavor with FF


1/2 cup cut up strawberries

1/2 cup blueberries




1/4 cup Fiber One cereal (aka rabbit food)



1 Tablespoon of Agave Nectar (aka a quick squirt)





Satisfies the four major food groups:  Crunchy, creamy, tangy, sweet.    Go try it!

I've got another app that is super duper awesome for you tomorrow!  (.....or Thursday)

Fit February

Hey there my blogging amigos!  I have deemed this month.........

Fit February

I have GOT to get in control of this beast!  And by this beast, I mean my body.  I have posted in the past about my time with Weight Watchers and weight loss, but I fell off that wagon after a couple months and during a very busy time (1st birthday season).  

It was when I stepped on the scale and my weight went into the next decade, I knew I had to stop it before it got worse.  

It really started mid-January when I started to run on the treadmill again, got motivated by some fun weight loss blogs, and was graciously given a Y membership.  

So, I am hoping to be more present this month with weight loss updates, foods I am eating, inspiring quotes, cool apps, and great workouts.  I took measurements of different parts of my body and hope to see a decrease in numbers.  (Don't worry--you'll still see cute pictures of my baby boy.  He'll be 18 months on the 10th!)  

I will start you off with an app that I am sure you have heard of, but might now how just how great it is.

My Fitness Pal

source

It is a free app for you to download that will keep a daily food and exercise calorie count.  When you sign up, you enter your current weight and activity information and then input your goal weight.  It will give you a 'budget' of calories for the day and then as you eat and exercise, you track it on your app.  It has SO many different restaurants and products already in the system that you can search for, AND there is even a barcode scanner.  I have had even the most random off brand products display full nutritional info.  When you exercise, it will 'credit' calories back to you and at the end of the day, will tell you 'If you continue to eat like this, you will weigh ___ in 5 weeks.'  That will definitely keep you motivated!  It is available on a bunch of different devices and you can even connect with friends for encouragement and accountability.  My user name is farfignoogan.  I was tired of typing in usernames that were already taken. :)   Here is a super quick review of the app from Redbook magazine online.

I just noticed that they have an online program that does the same thing.  Check it out.

Sign up and get fit with me!

  

2012 Year In Review...Because Everyone's Doing It!

Well, another year is here!  While some hate New Year's and the resolutions, I figure...you gotta start somewhere!  I think it's fun to look back on what has happened/changed in the past year.  I am no longer working in the school system, Brian and I celebrated 6 years, and Brody rocked our socks off with getting some teeth, walking and talking!  So, let's take it back, shall we...

January

I wrote about my struggles with working when all I really wanted was to spend my days with my sweet boy.  Little did I know...

And I set up my crafting station, completed my first sewing project, and showed y'all all my crafting skills.

February

I didn't write much this month, but did experience a warm and amazing day with my family.

March

I started my Let's Be Honest (H)Friday posts to let you guys know a little bit more about me.

April

I wrote a list of products that baby and I have loved through his 8 months of life.  

 

I also wrote a funny (I think) post about the tell tale signs of being a mother.

Brody celebrated his first Easter.

May

Lack of writing again, but I did give some advice to all you expectant mothers.

June

I compiled a list of baby's beach necessities.

July

I wrote a list to the men in this world on how to make a woman swoon.

August

Brody turned one!!!!  I posted pics from his one year shoot and wrote a sappy post that I am sure all mothers can relate to.  We celebrated his birthday with a surfer themed party.

September

I cut my bangs and showed you guys some quick and easy DIY projects.

Brian and I celebrated our 6 year anniversary!

October

Lots happened on this little blog.  I did my first vlog.  

Showed you guys my awful fashion sense growing up.

Showed you my updated bathroom project.

Went to the pumpkin patch with the family and decorated our house for Halloween. 

I also posted about my past halloween costumes.

November

The new (old) President was elected and I wrote about the next 4 years.

December

I was so busy this month that I didn't post hardly anything of substance.  Brody had an amazing Christmas and I will be doing a more thorough update in the near future.

Hope you had a fabulous New Year!

Bueller? Bueller?

I'm still here.  I don't know if you knew this already, but the holidays are a really busy time of year.  I have been babysitting, cleaning, shopping, crafting, traveling....probably like you have.  I have pictures that I want to post of my fall mantel that I feel silly posting now.  I want to show my Christmas mantel too, and a bunch of crafts that I have done lately.  And a Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Brody's 15-16 month update.  Phew....

But for right now, since it's almost 2013, I thought I'd share some resolutions.

2013 New Year's Resolutions

1.  Lose that weight.  Seriously.  My husband is in on it with me.  I am going to walk/run/do something active for at least 30 minutes 3 days a week, gradually lengthening my time and changing things up.  I am also going to do 100 sit ups.  Every. Day.

2.  Budget our money better.  Actually sit down with Brian and tell our money where to go.  We have been to lots of Joe Sangl presentations (similar to Dave Ramsey), so we know what to do we just need to implement it. 

3.  I also want to budget so that we can start to set aside money every month to adopt a child.  It is something I believe I am called to do, so I want to start now so that when the time is right several years from now, we'll be ready.  

So that's it.  Simple.  Manageable.  Completely doable.  Here we go!