It's On! My 60-Day Get Fit Challenge!

I know, I know... This is only my umpteenth post about how I'm finally going to bite the bullet and get in shape, right??

Well, I'm REALLY going to do it this time! I swear! And what is going to be different about this time? Why, I'm SO glad you asked! YOU! Yes, YOU are going to hold me accountable, because I will be posting everyday to keep myself in check! I'm embarking on a 60-day challenge to shed majah L-B's and get this mummy tummy back into shape!!

So, prepare to be blinded, because below are my starting photos and stats:

Sorry, I know that was painful, but it had to be done.

Weight - 138.0 lbs
BMI - 25.2
Body Fat - 28mm/33.5% (scale says 31.5%, but I guess that is splitting hairs at this point)
Chest - 34''
Waist - 28.5''
Hips - 39.25'' (HOLY!!?!?)
R Thigh - 21.5''
L Thigh - 21.25''
R Arm - 12'' (flexing)
L Arm - 11.5''

My goal is to get down to 120 lbs - about what I weighed the day I got married! I also want to get my body fat percentage down to 24%.

Clearly, I have a lot of work cut out for me...

I will be doing the Insanity 60-day program for exercise, with some runs and yoga thrown in here and there when possible. So, that gives me until Memorial Day weekend to get bikini-ready!

So, what do you say? Are you up to the challenge of keeping my butt in check and on-track???

Be it hereby resolved

Happy New Year! I love new beginnings! Not only do we have a new year to celebrate, but a new DECADE!!!!

I'm a New Year's Resolution junkie. Well, I'm a goal-making, planning, type-A junkie, period. Last year, my Resolutions spanned two pages, typed. It was basically a comprehensive plan of how to make my life perfect. No wonder I didn't accomplish more than a fraction of what I had set out to do over the past year!

This year, I've got a better plan! Instead of making an exhaustive list of everything that needed to be worked on in my life, I decided to focus on three. That's a tad more digestible, no? I looked at my life, and tried to figure out what three changes would make the biggest impact on improving my life.

First, I decided that getting into shape would probably make the single biggest improvement. I would have more energy, focus, stamina, and confidence!

Second, I decided that I needed to schedule time with God every day. Up until now, I only read the Bible or wrote in my prayer journal whenever an opportunity conveniently arose. Well, you all know how often opportunity and intention so perfectly come into convergence... I know that by focusing on my spiritual health, I will be renewed and refilled daily. That will outpour into every other area of my life!

Third, I will launch my own business this year, in conjunction with my two business partners. Early last year, I came up with an amazingly clever idea for a product that will benefit every mom! Even better, my partners and I could pretty much design and create this product completely from our (and our amazing hubbies') own resources and talents! There really is no excuse for not getting this business off the ground and running! So, this year, I will make it happen! Having the extra income from what I know will be a thunderously successful business would definitely help in so many ways! (By the way, I'm purposely not divulging the details of the business just yet. Rest ye assured, you will be the first ones to know and sample the goods when we're ready to launch!).

But, making goals is only the start. It doesn't do much good unless you actually execute them! Borrowing from Tony Robbins (one of my favorite motivational speakers!), I created a MAP - a Massive Action Plan. First, you clearly define the goal with specificity. Then you create a plan - every step, big or small, that I need to take to accomplish that goal and when I am going to complete each step. Here are my MAPs:

Resolution 1: Get in shape - 120 lbs by my birthday! (April 13)
* I scheduled all my workouts through April on my calendar.
* I am committed to getting up early in the morning to workout. I've learned that if I don't do it first thing, it just doesn't get done!
* I took my measurements and before photos so I can measure and track my progress.
* I have a program on my iPhone where I can journal my workouts and eating so I can see how well I'm doing over time.
* I've defined healthy eating limits and have made meal plans full of healthy foods. Every Sunday, I will go to the grocery and do all the prep work for all my meals and snacks so there are NO EXCUSES.
* I've established prizes to reward myself when I hit each goal - New tennis shoes after I've lost the first 5 lbs; a "Girls' Night" at the Melting Pot after the first 10 lbs; a trip to the salon for a new hairdo and manicure and pedicure after I've lost 15 lbs, and after I've hit my goal of losing 20 lbs - I'm going to buy myself a new spring/summer wardrobe! Now if that doesn't motivate me...

Resolution 2 - Grow Spiritually.
* After I finish my workout each morning, I will spend 20 minutes reading the Bible and doing my Bible Study program, and praying.
* I loaded up my iPod with new spiritual music!
* Each day while I eat lunch, I will read my daily passage (they are super short) from Joel Osteen's Your Best Life Now Devotions which I have loaded on my iPhone Kindle to make it super easy!
* I bought Ace the Love Dare Couples' Daily Devotions book (based on the movie Fireproof) for Christmas, and each night before bed, we are reading through that day's devotion and discussing. This is not just great for me personally, but also for us as a couple!

Resolution 3 - Launch my business by June!
* I made up a step-by-step process for developing the product and a time table for doing so.
* I have scheduled two hours each week where I will completely devote myself to this project!

I have also scheduled on my calendar a time each month where I sit down and review my progress on my resolutions and track my progress. I know that unless I keep this in constant focus, I will gradually lose steam over the year! I've very excited for 2010 and for the BIG changes I am making this year!

What are YOUR resolutions?????

The Only Time is Now

I think I have made at least five half-hearted attempts in the year 2009 to lose weight. I'm hanging on to about 10 lbs of Bennett weight (I blame 6 weeks of total bedrest) and about 10 lbs of weight I had accumulated over the years prior. So, 20 lbs. Eeek!

Well, now I'm fed-up. I have GOT to lose this weight. Its weighing me down.

I know, you're saying "Oh yeah, fabulous idea to start a diet right before Christmas, genius!!"

Yeah, that will suck. But there is no time but now to do something. Now is all we have. Plus, if I can manage to drop a few lbs between now and the New Year, that will make my New Years Resolution more palatable, right??

So, I expect you all to hold me to it this time. No quitting. No flaking! Tell my pansy ass to man up and DO what I set my mind to do!

The "rules" are simple (and based on what has worked for me in the past):
* I can eat all the lean protein, fruits and veggies my little heart desires.
* No dairy.
* No processed foods (with the exception of salad dressings)
* Most definitely no processed carbs (breads, pastas, etc.) or added sugars
* Only water to drink, and must drink 100 oz per day (bye bye coffee with yummy creamers!)

That's pretty easy, no? Its not totally carbohydrate free, as I will get some from the fruits. I can do it. I CAN DO IT! I CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now for the all-important question - In addition to a new fabulous figure, what should my reward be when I hit my goal? Ideas????

Stepping Up My Game

I've now completed Phase II of P90X. Where are the photos, you ask? There are none. Why? Because I see absolutely NO difference. GRRR!!!! No change in measurements. I'm still UP 2 lbs from where I started. No new definition, nothing. I'm ready to throw a tantrum about it.

So, I'm stepping up my game. Starting Monday (because I'll be out of town all weekend), I'm doing the P90X diet. I hate diets. HATE them. I feel like I eat pretty darn healthy and reasonable already, and exercising hardcore like this should take me from maintaining my weight to losing, right? Wrong. My fat loves me and is determined to stick around unless I take drastic measures. (Yes, what a brat I am to call dieting a drastic measure, but whatever, its my blog!). I'm not working my butt off to have super toned and ripped muscles under my fat!

Phase I - Fat Shredder - is comprised of 50% protein, 30% carbohydrates, and 20% fats. It allows you roughly 1800 calories a day.

Its going to be really hard for me eating that much protein (I'm not a huge meat eater...), and that little fruit. BUT this only lasts for about4 weeks, and then you move on to Phase II, which is much more reasonable.

I'm combining this with "clean eating" principles of not eating anything processed or packaged, only fresh. If this doesn't kick me over the edge in terms of my weight loss/fitness goals, then the next step will be.....

Liposuction.

Just kidding!!!!

P90X - End of Phase I

Ok folks, be nice!!! Here are my before pics compared with my end of Phase I pics.













































































I can definitely see some trimming in the mummy tummy! I can't wait to see what progress comes with Phase I!!!!!























































Thanks!