February review

I can believe February is over already. I know it's a short month, but this felt like only a week or two, not a full 4 weeks. Here are some highlights from the past month:

Weight loss/Workout:
Abysmal fail. I only worked out 5 times for the whole month.
I think I put weight on, I don't want to weigh myself and find out. I noticed that a few pants seemed tighter this month. Not good.

Date night:
Last Friday was our date night. Mikey had a blast staying at his cousin's. He slept all night (figures!), even through falling out of bed. He didn't wake anyone up. My sister said she woke up at 7, and could hear something. That something was Mikey sitting on the floor in the room he slept in, playing with his bear. He was so good at waiting for someone to get up and get him. If only he did that at home!

Mike and I chose a movie, but it didn't start until 9:30, so we went bowling first. It was lots of fun, and I even beat him one game! Then we went to the theatre at 9, decided to see a different movie that didn't start until 10, so went to get appetizers first. By the time we were done eating, I was exhausted. So we went home and I went to bed. I guess we will try a movie another night.

Apartment hunt:
We have a place! And I got it through contacts! Which is something I've never done before. I found it through an ad, saw it, and filled out an application. When I handed it in, the lady told me she thought the property manager (gave her name) already offered it to someone but she'd take my application anyway. I used contacts through work to get in touch with her, who said she would check everything on Monday, and let me know.

It was offered to someone, and they gave her until lunch time yesterday to come sign the lease. No word, no show. So it's ours! I will be rushing it to sign the lease and hand over a check for sure. So March promises to be busy with moving.
That's pretty much a summary of my month. Let's hope March brings good weather, and good times.

Jan weight loss summary

My January weigth loss summary is basically nothing.

I did get my exercise DVDs in the middle of the month, but only did 2 days before I got really sick and had to take a break. I have started again as of Jan 31.

I don't actually own a scale, but I doubt I lost any weight. I have been trying to eat healthy. I have cut back on the number of snacks I eat, and when we eat out, I try to choose a healthy option. I did keep a jug of juice at work, and had a glass at lunch. I need to make an effort to drink more than one glass a day though.

Overall, January wasn't a success in any way, except that I did start to do a few things, and I do have a plan to follow for February.

My plan for February is to work out at least every weekday. I expect that I will skip a few weekend days, but we'll see. I will continue to keep juice at work, and will try to keep a glass at my desk all day. I have been doing good at choosing healthy lunches, and plan to continue this. Lots of fruits and veggies are the key.

Fell off the exercise wheel

So I haven't exercised since Wednesday. But I have a good excuse. I was sick. Not "oh I feel tired, *cough* *cough*" sick, I mean the constant nose and eye running, unable to breath, it hurts everywhere fabric is touching me, freezing cold, I can barely kep my eyes open, *cough, hack, hack* for several minutes until my eyes pop out from lack of oxygen sick. Which my son shared right along with me. Very pleasant weekend in our house.

But I am feeling much better today. Actually live and breathing normally, and I can taste things again. And my son is doing better too.

Not often that you get a super-cold that only lasts a few days. Not sure if I like that better than the usual 2 week affair. But I guess I better climb back in the exercise wheel and start over tonight.

30 Day Shred - Day 1

I did my first workout using the 30 Day Shred DVD last night. And oh my! If I can make it through 30 days, I am positive I will see and feel a difference. That workout kicked my butt!

Since I am toally inactive, I started with Level 1. There are 3 levels you progress through. Each workout is about 20 min long. There is a warm-up, 3 circuits of hard work, and a cool down. Each circuit consists of 3 min of strength training, 2 min of cardio, and 1 min of ab work.

The only gear you need is free weights (I used soup cans because I don't own weights) and a mat, if you have a hard floor. And you just follow along. Sounds simple, but not easy to do. There are no breaks, rest, or chances to stop. You are working the entire time.

I did have to take 3 mini-breaks when I felt like I was going to die, or my legs were going to collapse. Not long, just a 5 sec chance to catch my breath.

Afterwards, I had a huge glass of water, and then went to have a shower because I was soaked. I almost couldn't wash my hair, it was so hard to lift my arms. That surprised me, because I thought I had some strength in my arms from hauling my son around.

From the utter exhaustion I felt afterwards, I think I will change my original plan and work out at night, and not in the morning. The thought of working out, and then trying to drag my butt to work makes me want to nap. On the plus side, I slept great last night, and even though my son was up for an hour and a half from 3-4:30, I still feel great and rested this morning.

We'll see how I feel when I do workout #2 tonight. Ready to groan already.

Weight Loss plan

I am finally getting around to creating and posting my weight loss plan for the year.

My goal has two levels to it:
Happy - lose 15-20 lb
Ecstatic - lose 25 lb

My happy level would take me to 130-135 lb, which is a healthy weight for my size. My ecstatic level would take me to pre-baby weight (125 lb). I have spent most of my adult life so far in the 125-130 lb range, and I'd love to get back to that.

I have started to take steps towards that. I already eat fairly well. I do better in the summer when there is a wider selection of fruits and veggies for less expensive prices, but I try. I have always loved my fruits and veggies, but my husband is a meat and potato guy, and when he makes supper (most nights) he seems to forget the veggies. Eating wise, I plan to eat out less often (or at least choose the healthier menu options) and eat more fruits and veggies.

I am buying a jug of juice to keep at work so I drink more liquids. I have always disliked the taste of water unless it is freezing cold, so I find it hard to drink as much as I should. Having juice at work should help with that.

I bought a pair of Dr Scholl's Fitness Walker shoes. They're like Skecher Shape-ups, only much less expensive. They are probably the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. I bought them earlier this week, and my feet have never been happier.

Today I bought two fitness DVDs: Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred, and 10 Minute Solution Hot Body Boot Camp. I really want to try the 30 Day Shred based on reviews and personal stories I have read. And since all the fitness DVDs were on for 2/$20 at HMV, I figured I might as well get another one too. And I'm sure I can find 10 min for a workout. My plan is to start the Shred tomorrow, and hopefully do it every morning. I'll get you informed on my progress.