Very indecisive - and Thing 2's bad mood

I knew I needed to do some good cardio tonight, along with my 100 crunches - but I had a really hard time choosing what to do. I started with Billy Blanks Jr. "Dance with Me" because I thought I'd try to have some fun... then, the hubs comes down stairs and gives me funny looks. I tell him I'm trying to make this fun, and he should join me. He tries, for a few minutes, and the Thing 2 starts crying from upstairs.

Let me preface this by saying that we have been pretty spoiled by Thing 2 - he has always been a good sleeper (UNLIKE Thing 1) - but what's hard is I find myself less patient with Thing 2 when he doesn't sleep like normal. Then, of course, I feel bad. Maybe I should have told him I was trying to workout before I passed out. I am SURE that would have calmed him right down. Yeah. Ok.
Anyway, I am frustrated, running up and down the stairs, trying to do the workout, going up and calming the baby, coming back down, working out again, going back up... the hubs goes up and seemingly gets him to sleep. By this point, I had changed from the dance cardio to a 6 round cardio/core/strength video, and then finally to a workout called "Boost Metabolism" with (shudder)Jillian Michaels.

Ok, another disclaimer. I really, really don't like Jillian Michaels. She is a media whore and all she does is hock pills, powders, and make people think the only way to get obese people to lose weight is to scream at them. Ok, moving on.
Now that I have gotten that out - I actually really liked the video. It's about 45 minutes, all cardio circuits, easy movements that are done with intensity and you burn some serious calories. According to my FitBit, I burned about 500 in the 45 (well, 55 minutes total) I was working out. Of course, taking into account the stair running I did to try and calm Thing 2.
So, not surprisingly, I have a massive headache. I had a delightful protein shake after my workout, and I feel better. my abs are on FIRE, since I ALSO did my 100 crunches this evening - yes - in addition to the workout. Why yes, yes I DO rock a little. ;-)

New weekly challenge

I found myself, after slacking off today, going to a few picnics and eating a little too much (though, I MUST say, that this weekend has really been QUITE good in the food department. I am seriously happy with the hubs and myself) wanting to take part in a challenge this week. So, I first thought of the 100 push-up a day challenge I participated in. So, at about 9:30 PM, I got down on my mat to start my 100 push-ups... OUCH. My wrist was in pain... I tried a few more. Nope. This is NOT happening. Not sure what I did to it. In everyday living, no problems, but in push-ups, it hurts. A lot.
Damn.
So I turn, of course, to my hubs. What other challenge can I do? He suggests 100 crunches... after all, I had already done 100 yesterday as part of the Power90 video.
Sweet.
So, here's what I did:
10 traditional crunches
10 wide leg crunches
10 left crunches
10 right crunches
20 scissors
10 reverse crunches
20 bicycles (knee to elbow)
30 second forearm plank, which I counted as my last 10

Whew. My belly was screaming! And, it shall scream again tomorrow!

One thing I love about the "100 _______ per day challenges" is that it shows you that change CAN occur in a few minutes a day. A few hard, intense minutes everyday, and you can change your body in some way...
So, I will continue this until I have completed 7 days of 100 crunches per day. I will, of course, report back. I also already know what my next challenge will be - increasing the amount of time I can hold plank position. Not sure how to make this work as a challenge yet - we will see.
Speaking of reporting - Give me a few more days with this FitBit and I am going to spill all the ins and outs, the likes and dislikes. Stay tuned.

My first award!

I am so grateful for Headspace over at his FABULOUS blog for my very first award!

SO COOL! I've never been stylish before! LOL
Ok, so per protocol, I have to tell you 7 things about myself and then nominate other fab bloggers to receive this award.
1. I am not a natural red-head (SHHHH!!!)
2. When I was pregnant with my first son, I drank a gallon of milk every 2 days.
3. I tend to be high-strung (I bet you didn't know that about me ;-) )
4. I HATE to be hot
5. I secretly enjoy "Phineas and Ferb" - those guys crack me up
6. I have always wanted to move to Seattle
7. I hate that media-whore Jillian Michaels.

Ok, here are some blogs that I will pass this award on to!

Sarah at "not an effing diet"
Ellen at "Fat Girl Wearing Thin"
Ana at "Ana's Weight Loss Journey
Healthier Me
Princess Dieter at "Once Upon a Diet

There are lots of other great blogs out there - I am finding more and more everyday! I love blog-land!

100th Post and exciting new adventures!

Welcome to my 100th post! This is very exciting for multiple reasons. First, well, 100 posts is awesome! I guess I have a lot to say! Second I have 2 really awesome things to talk about!
First - I am the LEADER of one of the 10 groups in the US chosen for the Fit Bottomed Girls Weight Loss Challenge - July. I am SO excited about this opportunity, as many of you know. I see this as a stepping stone to my ultimate goal of helping people become healthy, fit and happy as a career. I am currently looking for DEDICATED, HARDWORKING, MOTIVATED ladies to join this group. Together, in 8 weeks, we are really going to change our lives for the better! Never heard of Fit-Bottomed Girls? Check them OUT! More about this as we move toward July...

ALSO - I got my FITBIT last night! I am SOO excited. As I learn how to use the program and see how it uploads itself, and tracks all of my movement for me, and I log my food into the data base - I can really see what I am burning vs. what I am taking in. I LOVE it so far! It also tracks your sleep and tells you what % efficiency you are getting from your sleep. For example, last night, it took me 14 minutes to fall asleep, I woke up 7 times (most of those I don't remember), I was in bed for a little more than 8 hours and asleep for 7 hours, 45 minutes total, and my efficiency was 95%. Yes, it gives you ALL that info. It's SO interesting. Why would you care about your sleep, you ask? Because many studies have shown that people who don't get enough sleep can have a harder time losing weight. Also, if you see that your efficiency is not what it should be, it could be because of a medical condition, and it could help cue you to see your doctor! So far, I REALLY LOVE my Fitbit...and my hubby is super jealous. Eh, Father's Day is coming - maybe I can talk the boys into getting one for him ;-)
So, I am super excited about lots of stuff today! I hope everyone else is having a fab day as well!

Am I am FIT Bottomed Girl?

Morning all! A long weekend looms before us, and I plan on taking advantage of every single second...

I have applied to be a leader in the Fit Bottomed Girls July Weight=Loss Challenge I am hoping I am chosen, and THEN I am hoping I can get a team together. I need at LEAST 5-7 girls (preferably more!) to all join in the challenge for 8 weeks. In that 8 weeks, we all meet - once a week for a meeting and podcast from Fit Bottomed Girls on the Fit Bottomed Lifestyle. For example: Mindful eating is a lesson taught. Not deprivation, not severe restriction... and fitness is a big aspect of this! If I become a leader, I would love to lead some fitness "classes" - maybe popping in a cardio DVD, or going for a walk/jog with the group. I think we could learn a lot about each other, and even more about ourselves.
If our team WINS (with the largest percentage of INCHES lost) we win tons of cool stuff! Like free Jazzercise Classes membership for a YEAR and other cool prizes!
My ultimate dream is to own and operate a Weight Loss and Wellness Center, where everyone, every shape, size, fitness level, can come and find a nutrition plan and exercise plan that is right for them. In conjunction, I want to have good references/cohorts to help in anyway needed: counselors, alternative therapies (Reiki, massage etc)... This could be the start of something really great in moving me toward that goal - helping people be fit and happy! Along the way, I just might make it to my goal as well! WOOT!
So HEY! If YOU are reading this - you live in my area, and you want to learn a NEW and HEALTHY way to live - contact me! Let's do this!!! July Challenge, HERE WE COME!

FITBIT JOY!!!!

I am so excited to report that I ordered my very own FITBIT!!! I even expedited shipping so I can get it TOMORROW - 'cause I'm impatient like that!

I started the Stephanie Vitorino 6 round slimdown last night. It's a 45 minute workout that goes through 6 rounds of strength,cardio and core within each round. At just about 30 minutes, I got dizzy and felt really yucky... a funny kind of possibly-on-the-verge-of-passing-out feeling. No Bueno. So, I stopped it. Sat right down on the floor, pointed the fan at myself and breathed. Once the dizziness had passed, I stretch slowly and just sat. I knew that was it for me. when I felt steady, I got up, mixed myself a cold protein shake, and folded laundry for about an hour and a half. What excitment, but I knew I had to take it easy.
After that whole issue, I felt very sore, like I had worked out for hours. I felt really good that I didn't turn to food to comfort myself. I had something to get my body right, and that was all. Even later, when the hubs was going for a snack, he asked if I wanted anything. I took a moment, thought "am I really hungry" and figured out I wasn't, and passed on the snack. I took a little tylenol and went to bed. This morning I feel ok, not too sore.
Today's food will be good - my only stressor is that I have a meeting where the Doc who runs it ALWAYS brings in tons of cookies, and huge sourdough pretzels. I am determined to leave it all alone. I will NOT partake. I will eat a snack prior, so I am not hungry, and not fall into the mindless eating trap. I am better than that!!
I will certainly update you on my FITBIT as soon as I get it... I am WAY excited!

Fitness on the fly...

I got in some unexpected cardio today - 2 miles of walking on my lunch. Took about 35 minutes or so, and it's nice out, but WARM. Walking, dressed for work, in the warmth = lots of sweating. Ew.
Now, I love a good sweat. I feel SO good when I workout and I am dripping after, but NOT when I have to go back to work for the second half of my day. Thank goodness I have good deodorant. Was that TMI?
I was expecting a kick-ass Tuff Girl workout this evening, but it has been cancelled - and for very good reason. Our Tuff Girl leader, Christa Doran is HAVING HER BABY! HOORAY FOR MAMA AND BABY DORAN! I've been thinking of her all day and praying that things go well for the both of them.

Anyway, because of my change in plans, I will find a good workout OnDemand... Stephanie Vitorino has a 6 round bootcamp type workout. I mean, check her out - she looks like she knows her stuff, no? I did this workout a while ago that was TOUGH - and I think I'll kick my own ass tonight.
Food has been very good today, exercise you already know about... so, it's going well so far. No eating things I shouldn't...which, by the way, I have found a help for - Usually after meals, I get an overwhelming craving for something sweet... and frankly, the past few weeks (read: months) I have on occasion indulged that craving... now, I don't want to sound like a commercial, but I keep gum in my desk, and as soon as that craving hits, I have a piece and it totally has been helping me get my mind off it. PLUS, it keeps my mouth busy for a while, so I don't start sticking things in it I shouldn't