5 Things I Heart In April

HELLO EVERYONE! Happy Friday. Spring is in full effect, and flowers are blooming all around the house, including the delightful cherry blossoms, bright tulips and new pops of green sprouts that I am curious about. I'm truly enjoying the yard work too, Bruce and I have a full list of things to do tomorrow. April is looking swell so far and I'm looking forward to the rest of Spring.

5 things I HEART in April:

~ Bruce's b-day, which means we are going to the new Cheesecake Factory at the Christina Mall

~ Fatty pregnant birdies flying around my house, which means bird nests and empty bird eggs

~ Weight Watchers, I'm back on track again

~ CS5 is being released on Monday

~ New discovery of The Black Apple, super cute prints, I especially love The Springtime Parade, featuring friendly creatures and a long eared rabbit; my all time animal obsession.

What are you loving this month?

Weight Watchers Update: Back in the Saddle Again!

After a long hiatus, I am finally back on track with my Weight Watchers. Technically it is my 24th week; you would think I look like a stick but I am slowly getting there. After falling off the wagon in March, as of last Monday I am finally back on track and more motivated, due to my beach vacation.

As of January 3rd, I've lost 16 pounds and have kept the pounds off during my lazy period between March through April. I've been going to the gym on and off over the past couple of months, doing the elliptical machine and reading Twilight and then on to New Moon. But as the economy has it, we had to cut the gym due to finances, but it is not the end of the world. 

T H E    N E W  S T A T S:

(As of Feb 28th, here are my new measurements)

Right Upper Arm: -.5"

Waist: +.5"

Hips: -1"

Right Thigh: -.5"

Bust: -1.5"

E A  S P O R T S   A C T I V E

For exercise, I have gone into full force mode with the Wii Fit, there is a new Wii game out called EA SPORTS Active. I've been waiting for it to come out for the past couple months and finally it is out in stores, however I just can't seem to get my hands on it due to funds. I am thinking more like end of June will I be able to finally snag it.

This new exciting EA Sports Active game for the Wii features more than 25 exercises and sports-inspired drills. Purchase the accessory pack that comes with a leg strap that measures your movements on screen, use the resistance band to increase the intensity of bicep curls, shoulder presses and many other exercises. Can't wait!

E X E R C I S E   G E A R:

~ Need new exercise gear? For all my running kicks I love going to Kohls. They have the best brands like Nike, Adidas and New Balance, you save about 25% to 40% of what you would spend in smaller chain speciality stores.

Weight Watchers Update: Week 8

It is my eighth week on Weight Watchers, and I'm feeling good today because I had my weigh in last night on the Wii Fit and today I got measured after a whole month. The past month has definitely been much harder to loose weight, but the results have paid off.

To date, I've lost 9 lbs, that is -2 from last week. You say "Oh well that isn't much over a 2 month period". I agree, but I've lost inches too. I am afraid if I loose the weight at a faster pace then I will gain it back even faster. I don't really find that the diet tricks or quick fixes work, plus it isn't good for your body to just drop 15 pounds in like two weeks; it's just not healthy. I have a friend who just started the South Beach diet, the first week you cut out carbs, especially white flour, like rice, bread and pasta. Now she could of been exaggerating, but she said she lost 10 lbs in one week! I was like wow that is alot, doesn't seem healthy. I think going at a moderate pace of dieting and exercise is the right way.

For exercise, I am still continuing to do the Wii Fit but I finally made it back to the YMCA! I am a huge fan of the elliptical machine; gosh and I can't get enough of those 2 month old celebrity gossip magazines they have there too. I am looking forward to this weekend, because my parents are moving, so plenty of working muscles I look forward too.

T H E    S T A T S   T O   D A T E:

Right Upper Arm: -.5"

Waist: -3"

Hips: -1.5"

Right Thigh: -1.5"

Bust: -1.5"

TOTAL Inches Lost: 8"

For exercise, I am still continuing to do the Wii Fit but I finally made it back to the YMCA! I am a huge fan of the elliptical machine; gosh and I can't get enough of those 2 month old celebrity gossip magazines they have there too.

Originally my goal was to loose 20 pounds every two months; this would be ideal if I was on "The Biggest Loser" or could workout 24/7, and I would love that too but hey not enough time in the day. My body is going at a slower rate than expected, plus I may have slipped up and ate a couple cookies here at there. I have pushed to loose 20 pounds by end of March, I really have to work harder to reach my end goal weight of 165. 

H E A L T H   T I P S:
~ My new favorite sweet treat is Cherry Pomegranate Crystal Light On the Go packs for bottled water. These give boring bottled water a refreshing taste plus it suites your sweet tooth. 10 Calories, 0 WW points

~ I also just started eating South Beach diet Fiber Fit S'mores Bars. If you aren't a big fruit person these are great because they are 36% of your daily fiber intake. The cool thing about these fiber bars is that they have a fiber rating system that can slowly help you build your fiber intake. These bars are actually level 2-3, just watch out cause the more fiber, the more farts. 120 Calories, 2 WW points

~ When you need a little kick in the butt / motivation when your on your last 5 mins of the treadmill, I would suggest adding "Gonna Fly Now (Theme from "Rocky) by Bill Conti or Eye of the Tiger to your playlist, need I say more. 

Weight Watchers Update: 1 Month

It is my fourth week on Weight Watchers, and I'm seeing results I tell you. Lately I have been motivated and sticking with the plan, I even look forward to going home and playing the Wii Fit at night. I surprised myself last Friday when I ran for a straight 10 mins on the treadmill and finished it off by a fast pass stride. 

I try and stick to a routine each week, by eating similar foods each day. I'm a fan of Lean Cuisines because they have the WW points on the box, plus they are cheaper than Smart Ones meals. I work out three to four times a week, usually from a half hour to 45 mins. It is great too because I always vary what I do, this way I work alot of different areas of my body, however I try to focus on a more cardio workout verses yoga or strength training.

To date, I've lost 7 lbs and today I took measurements of my body and I've lost and also gained.

WAIST: -.5" 

HIPS: -.5"

RIGHT ARM: +.75" but I think it is cause I have more muscle, not sure.

RIGHT THIGH: +1" which is weird, but again maybe it is more muscle I have added.

BUST: -.5"

I did end up picking up the My Fitness Coach Wii game I was talking about a couple of weeks ago; which is awesome by the way. There are so many workouts you can do from easy to difficult, my personal favorite is the cardio workout where you do various aerobics. The game even has excersises with weights, a aerobics board and a balance ball if you have it. I totally recommend this game and I recommend you have alot of space to do it in (I always have to move my coffee table). Funny story, when I went to pick up this game at Game Stop, I found out about a new Wii game that is suppose to be as big as the Wii Fit board. I believe it is called EAU Active, it is a game that focuses more on strength training and burning fat that uses a resistance band during the workout; it comes out in May, and I put $5 down on the game (I'm such a nerd).

My end goal weight is to get to 165. My short goals are to loose 20 pounds every 2 months. I need to loose 13 more pounds by end of February to make my first goal. Wish me luck everyone, I'm going to need it.

H E A L T H   T I P S:
~ The Super Bowl is only days away, and I know I am dreading going to a party where there are tons of fatty foods, chips, wings. One tip that might help you keep off the pounds is stay away from bright colored plates and cups. Red, oranges and yellows screams more more, eat more! Think of all the fast food restaurants like McDonalds, Burger King and Taco Bell, that use these bright screaming colors in their logos; and you wonder why your getting the super size!

If you are having a party I would recommend blues or greens, those colors are much more soothing and relaxing therefore making you eat slower and in the end might help you to realize when you are full. 

~ Also drink a glass of water or milk before you start a meal: these liquids naturally need space in your belly, so therefore you will feel fuller without having to starve yourself.

Weight Watchers Update

It is my second week on Weight Watchers, and I'm feeling the burn and feeling healthier. I feel like it is easier this time around and I am more motivated. Last night we were already making plans for our vacation at the beach in July, can't wait.

To date, I've lost 3 lbs, and I am even seeing results in the smoothness of my skin and slimming of waist and arms. I've been doing my Wii Fit, twice a week. I love the flexibility of the different exercises that the Wii Fit offers, you can focus on yoga, step aerobics, boxing, strength training, hula hooping or even jogging. Plus there are alot of fun games that focus on your balance. Another Wii Fit game I am starting to like more and more is Julian Michael's Fitness Ultimatum 2009, boy does it hurt! It is basically like a boot camp for your body; it focuses on motion fitness of toning and cardio with workouts like monkey bars, tire jumping, jogging, canoeing and ladder climb are some of my favorites. This new game I just heard about is My Fitness Coach, which has a virtual personal trainer that demonstrates over 500 exercises for flexibility, cardio fitness, strength training and even lets you custom your environment, track your training on a calendar and lets you set personal goals. I think I am going to buy it tomorrow, now that I got paid, whoot whoot!

My end goal weight is to get to 165. My is to loose 20 pounds every 2 months. The ideal time for this is 6 months to loose, but in reality I am going to add another 1.5 months, since my body might plateau. 

H E A L T H    T I P:

~ Adding lemon juice to your glass of water can help break down toxins in your body. This is a lovely tip that I learned from my friend Rose, who is a nutritionist. 

I Started Weight Watchers…again!

Starting yesterday I started my resolution of getting healthy, this includes loosing weight and feeling great, whoot whoot. I have always had a struggle with weight over the years, but wasn't until junior year of high school did the pounds kick in. I went off to college and lost about 20 pounds but surely enough I moved back home and I blew up again. My blood pressure has also gone up, which is very dangerous. Eyeyeyee so disgusting, but hey I love food and hate exercising when I have no motivation, any who I fluctuate all the time, from loosing 2 pds to 5 pds, but heard about Weight Watchers from my husbands cousin Jess. She has been on it since May 2008 and has lost 75 pds, unbelievable. I started WW in June 07 and stayed with it until about October, lost 5 pds, but really lost inches around my arms, waist and even in my face. 

Unfortunately, I fell off the wagon and stopped tracking my points. But I am in it to win it this time! I say this all the time, but this year is different. I know I can do this...yesterday was my first day and I did well, I have a plan to do my Wii Fit three times a week and if I can, go the YMCA once a week. I'm not going to reveal my weight at this time, but once a month I am going to measure myself. WW is really easy  to do, each person gets a set amount of points a day. I get 29. You just have to keep within your points each days, I track my points on their website, it costs money per month but you can write it down at home and use this free link. WW also offers meetings which is a great way to reach out to others and also have the support, I particularly don't go because the meetings cost extra money. I will keep everyone posted how I am doing, I could use all the support on the internets.

Do you have a new year's resolution?