Another Busy on Plan Day!

This marks Day 4 of tracking and I feel great! It’s exactly what I needed to get out my mindless munching funk. I’ve been having fun cooking and comparing old/new weight watchers points. It’s pretty interesting. I *think* my PointPlus goal is 29 but I’m not sure. My old points target is 23 plus 2 for each nursing session so that totals 27.

Breakfast for dinner and now dinner for breakfast. I’m a rule breaker. ;) McDs Sothwest grilled salad no dressing, a few fries and a cone5 oz 1 pork chop, pureed butternut squash, mixed veggies and 1/2 of a baked potato

View the original article here

Wednesday Weigh In: Another Wash

I got this maintenance thing down PAT! Now I just need to step it up a notch. I’m stuck in night time snack mode (she says as she munches here popcorn.) I could easily cut out 200-500 calories a day be just skipping that snack.

Honestly, I’m just not making weight loss a priority right now. With the half around the corner (I got a morning run in today. yay!!) a 1st grader, and a 6 month old to take care off, I’m not concerned with the scale. I’m just not.

MAN it sounds weird to say that. I can’t remember a time I WASN’T preoccupied with my weight.

In a weird way, I’m confident that I will lose the last few pounds when I do make it a priority. Which I will when the half is behind me and I wean Little Bean.

My goal was to nurse him for 6 months and (if you can believe it) he turns 6 months next week!! I’m not in any rush to stop breastfeeding, but it would be nice to have my body back 100%. I remember feeling this way with Little Guy too. There’s comes a point when I’m just finished.

He’s doing great with the solids (have you seen our adventures? click here to see him in action) and I have some frozen breast milk. Right now he’s nursing 3-4 times a day and sometimes once at night. Over the next few weeks I’ll be increasing his solid meals and nursing only on demand. I’ll let him set the pace.

Sorry, didn’t mean to make this a post on parenting but like I said, this is my priority at the moment as it should be. :)

View the original article here

It's DVD Giveaway Time Again! (another Cassie review inside :))

I’m giving over the blog today to daughter Cassie, who reviews Tracey Mallett’s “Pilates Super Sculpt” and her friend Jessica, who reviews Patricia Friberg’s “Belly Beautiful Workout: Prenatal/Pregnancy.”
You know the routine. If you want to throw your name in the hat to win one of these DVDs, leave a comment below or shoot me an email at lynn.haraldson@gmail.com. I’ll draw a winner on Wednesday, June 15.

Belly Beautiful Workout with Patricia Friberg

Reviewer Jessica is a 26-year-old new mother living in Shreveport, Louisiana. Her daughter, Sarah, is two months old. Getting back into shape post-baby means taking long morning strolls with her little girl and doing some regular light strength training to get her arms and legs in baby lifting shape! She documents-her family life and travels at http://www.leelafish.com/.

"Belly Beautiful" is a post-natal DVD has several short workouts, each designed for different stages of post-partum strength. It took me a while to complete this DVD because I thought I had to have an exercise ball, and let’s face it, a new mom doesn’t have much time to go exercise equipment shopping. However, after watching a bit I discovered that a pillow works in its place just fine.

Abdominal Rehab: This workout is great for easing back into exercise. It focuses on basic, controlled movements to boost strength and help repair your pelvic floor. This short workout helps prepare for other, more challenging workouts on the DVD.
Baby and Me Workout: This is similar to the abdominal rehab, but requires more strength. While it touts that it is a workout you can do “with your baby,” only the first five minutes or so actually involve baby, the rest of the time she kind of lets the baby play around her while she works out. I personally found that my two-month-old got tired of it rather quickly, so I put her down for a nap and finished the routine. This particular routine really focuses on your glutes with a little bit of arm and ab toning.

Toning Workout: This was by far my favorite workout. It was one of the longer ones. Using your exercise ball (or pillow) for support, Patricia takes you through toning exercises for the hips, glutes, abs, calves and arms that build in intensity as the workout goes on. She gives options for different strength levels, which makes this one great for about 6 weeks+ post partum.

Busy Mom Bootcamp: You need to be feeling stronger when you attempt this one. As Patricia says, “this is good for when you’re sleeping through the night.” Lots of short cardio bursts and lots and lots of different lunges. I was winded after several minutes into it, but felt great (and sore!) afterward.

Rejuvenation Stretch: These stretches allude to yoga and slowly allow you to stretch each muscle of your body, allowing for a great cool down.

Diastasis Recti: This short segment explains what happens to your ab muscles during and after pregnancy and how to tell if your muscles are still separated. She gives you a few tips on exercises to avoid or modify if your abs are still recovering.

What I loved: Workout leader Patricia Friberg is real. You can tell by looking at her that she has had a baby, but she is still in great shape! Each workout is short, about 10-15 minutes, so you can get a quick one in while baby naps, or you can string several together to get in a long, tough workout. It really focuses on repairing the areas that are weak after childbirth (abs, pelvic floor) and strengthening the muscles you need to take care of baby now (arms and legs).

What I wasn’t crazy about: The “baby and me” title is a bit misleading, and your baby needs to be just the right age for this workout to be effective (between 3 and 6 months).

Overall, I think this was a great video for easing back into exercise and toning those muscles weak from pregnancy. It definitely helps rebuild strength and made me feel good after I completed it!
----------------------------------

Tracey Mallett "Pilates Super Sculpt"

To say I loved this DVD would be an understatement. I actually had a dream about it the night after I first did it, and when I woke up the next morning, I promptly did the video again.
The DVD is about an hour long, but it is so seamless, it just flew by. The instructor, Tracey Mallett, is very calm and relaxing. She also has a killer accent.

It's broken down into six segments, all about 10 minutes long, give or take a few seconds. There's a warm up, a classic Pilates ab segment, oblique and buns sculpt, legs and thigh burn, total body challenge and a flexibility segment all while using a ball. I loved them all.

My favorite, however, would be the legs and thigh burn. In it, there's a frog movement in which you lay on your back with the ball placed under your tailbone. Flexing both legs outward, you bring both feet together, simulating frog legs. It is an amazing stretch. Just make sure your blinds are pulled, because otherwise it'd get the neighbors talking.
Most of the work is done laying on the ground, so I'd suggest you use a mat. I relied on my carpet as a buffer and now I have a bruised tailbone. Also, you need a ball for this routine. I used my daughter's playground ball, but this lead to a tantrum. So I'd suggest that you buy one of your own. Something like you'd see at the grocery store in those large wire bins. You also need to be able to grip it with one hand, so make sure that it's not over inflated and not incredibly smooth.

It is recommended on the site that it's for advanced beginners and up, but what is an advanced beginner anyway? We all have to start somewhere. Might as well be here and now with this DVD. (I'm seriously not getting paid to say any of this.) In my opinion it is perfect for people of all fitness levels and joint ability. There's only one part that puts heavy strain on your wrists, and that's in the Total Body Challenge in which you do walk out pushups. That's the only bit of upper body training you'll get in this DVD, however. That's fine with me, because I do most of my arm work at the gym, but I know a lot of people rely on that in a workout DVD. So please note that.

Now, don't get me wrong, this is tough. There are several simple moves, but every so often she'll throw in one that'll have your muscles shaking. At least mine were. There are a lot of classic Pilates moves thrown in, such as the teaser sequence, but then there's a lot of original moves as well that specifically targeted all the problem areas I have. And if I'm like most women, that would include saddlebags, love handles and lower belly pooch. It hits them all.

Best part of all, the next morning I wasn't the slightest bit sore. I felt stretched and strong. That's the beauty of Pilates. It works you out, makes you tired and leaves you more beautiful than before you started.

You want to win this. I want you to win this. And if you don't win it, I want you to go out with your hard earned money and buy it. I'm serious. It's amazing. In fact, it's in my Amazon.com shopping cart as we speak. (Because I'm seriously not getting paid to say this.) This workout just blew me away with how it was both challenging and efficient. I don't like to waste my time with lame workouts, and with three kids that's not an option. I want to get the most out of my workout and I did with this one. Truly.

View the original article here

It's DVD Giveaway Time Again! (another Cassie review inside :))

I’m giving over the blog today to daughter Cassie, who reviews Tracey Mallett’s “Pilates Super Sculpt” and her friend Jessica, who reviews Patricia Friberg’s “Belly Beautiful Workout: Prenatal/Pregnancy.”
You know the routine. If you want to throw your name in the hat to win one of these DVDs, leave a comment below or shoot me an email at lynn.haraldson@gmail.com. I’ll draw a winner on Wednesday, June 15.

Belly Beautiful Workout with Patricia Friberg

Reviewer Jessica is a 26-year-old new mother living in Shreveport, Louisiana. Her daughter, Sarah, is two months old. Getting back into shape post-baby means taking long morning strolls with her little girl and doing some regular light strength training to get her arms and legs in baby lifting shape! She documents-her family life and travels at http://www.leelafish.com/.

"Belly Beautiful" is a post-natal DVD has several short workouts, each designed for different stages of post-partum strength. It took me a while to complete this DVD because I thought I had to have an exercise ball, and let’s face it, a new mom doesn’t have much time to go exercise equipment shopping. However, after watching a bit I discovered that a pillow works in its place just fine.

Abdominal Rehab: This workout is great for easing back into exercise. It focuses on basic, controlled movements to boost strength and help repair your pelvic floor. This short workout helps prepare for other, more challenging workouts on the DVD.
Baby and Me Workout: This is similar to the abdominal rehab, but requires more strength. While it touts that it is a workout you can do “with your baby,” only the first five minutes or so actually involve baby, the rest of the time she kind of lets the baby play around her while she works out. I personally found that my two-month-old got tired of it rather quickly, so I put her down for a nap and finished the routine. This particular routine really focuses on your glutes with a little bit of arm and ab toning.

Toning Workout: This was by far my favorite workout. It was one of the longer ones. Using your exercise ball (or pillow) for support, Patricia takes you through toning exercises for the hips, glutes, abs, calves and arms that build in intensity as the workout goes on. She gives options for different strength levels, which makes this one great for about 6 weeks+ post partum.

Busy Mom Bootcamp: You need to be feeling stronger when you attempt this one. As Patricia says, “this is good for when you’re sleeping through the night.” Lots of short cardio bursts and lots and lots of different lunges. I was winded after several minutes into it, but felt great (and sore!) afterward.

Rejuvenation Stretch: These stretches allude to yoga and slowly allow you to stretch each muscle of your body, allowing for a great cool down.

Diastasis Recti: This short segment explains what happens to your ab muscles during and after pregnancy and how to tell if your muscles are still separated. She gives you a few tips on exercises to avoid or modify if your abs are still recovering.

What I loved: Workout leader Patricia Friberg is real. You can tell by looking at her that she has had a baby, but she is still in great shape! Each workout is short, about 10-15 minutes, so you can get a quick one in while baby naps, or you can string several together to get in a long, tough workout. It really focuses on repairing the areas that are weak after childbirth (abs, pelvic floor) and strengthening the muscles you need to take care of baby now (arms and legs).

What I wasn’t crazy about: The “baby and me” title is a bit misleading, and your baby needs to be just the right age for this workout to be effective (between 3 and 6 months).

Overall, I think this was a great video for easing back into exercise and toning those muscles weak from pregnancy. It definitely helps rebuild strength and made me feel good after I completed it!
----------------------------------

Tracey Mallett "Pilates Super Sculpt"

To say I loved this DVD would be an understatement. I actually had a dream about it the night after I first did it, and when I woke up the next morning, I promptly did the video again.
The DVD is about an hour long, but it is so seamless, it just flew by. The instructor, Tracey Mallett, is very calm and relaxing. She also has a killer accent.

It's broken down into six segments, all about 10 minutes long, give or take a few seconds. There's a warm up, a classic Pilates ab segment, oblique and buns sculpt, legs and thigh burn, total body challenge and a flexibility segment all while using a ball. I loved them all.

My favorite, however, would be the legs and thigh burn. In it, there's a frog movement in which you lay on your back with the ball placed under your tailbone. Flexing both legs outward, you bring both feet together, simulating frog legs. It is an amazing stretch. Just make sure your blinds are pulled, because otherwise it'd get the neighbors talking.
Most of the work is done laying on the ground, so I'd suggest you use a mat. I relied on my carpet as a buffer and now I have a bruised tailbone. Also, you need a ball for this routine. I used my daughter's playground ball, but this lead to a tantrum. So I'd suggest that you buy one of your own. Something like you'd see at the grocery store in those large wire bins. You also need to be able to grip it with one hand, so make sure that it's not over inflated and not incredibly smooth.

It is recommended on the site that it's for advanced beginners and up, but what is an advanced beginner anyway? We all have to start somewhere. Might as well be here and now with this DVD. (I'm seriously not getting paid to say any of this.) In my opinion it is perfect for people of all fitness levels and joint ability. There's only one part that puts heavy strain on your wrists, and that's in the Total Body Challenge in which you do walk out pushups. That's the only bit of upper body training you'll get in this DVD, however. That's fine with me, because I do most of my arm work at the gym, but I know a lot of people rely on that in a workout DVD. So please note that.

Now, don't get me wrong, this is tough. There are several simple moves, but every so often she'll throw in one that'll have your muscles shaking. At least mine were. There are a lot of classic Pilates moves thrown in, such as the teaser sequence, but then there's a lot of original moves as well that specifically targeted all the problem areas I have. And if I'm like most women, that would include saddlebags, love handles and lower belly pooch. It hits them all.

Best part of all, the next morning I wasn't the slightest bit sore. I felt stretched and strong. That's the beauty of Pilates. It works you out, makes you tired and leaves you more beautiful than before you started.

You want to win this. I want you to win this. And if you don't win it, I want you to go out with your hard earned money and buy it. I'm serious. It's amazing. In fact, it's in my Amazon.com shopping cart as we speak. (Because I'm seriously not getting paid to say this.) This workout just blew me away with how it was both challenging and efficient. I don't like to waste my time with lame workouts, and with three kids that's not an option. I want to get the most out of my workout and I did with this one. Truly.

View the original article here

Another NOT the Biggest Loser (guest post).

Please to welcome Katie. Another NOT the Biggest Loser…

In the beginning…

When I first started this journey I weighed 315 lbs. I did not really have much quality of life. I was taking 7 different medications for various ailments including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, acid reflux and Type II Diabetes. I also was doing insulin twice a day and sleeping with a CPAP machine. My doctor had suggested WLS but I was very hesitant because of the risks associated with surgery. I told her that I would try to lose weight on my own and would do the surgery if I was unsuccessful. I was at my breaking point and knew I just HAD to do something or I was going to die. Literally.

D-I-E. Everybody has a different bottom and that was mine. I had to make some lifestyle changes QUICK or ELSE! I was desperate and depressed. I had a pretty grim outlook on life.

First Year

I had to make a plan. I had to do something that would be sustainable for the long haul so I tracked the calories I was consuming and the exercise I was getting through my bodybugg.  I adjusted my portion sizes and aimed for more fresh fruits, whole grains and fresh vegetables.  I had a very warped idea of what an actual portion was. I managed to lose 60 lbs. the first year of my journey. I started walking, riding my bike and doing belly dancing and Zumba. I wanted it be fun! I maintained the 60 lb. loss but did replace 15 lbs. of fat with muscle.  To be honest, I did think the weight would come off much quicker but you get out of it what you put into right? Exercise is where I falter. I have not been consistent about it and would probably have lost more had I been but I won’t make excuses. I will tell you that now at 250 it is a WHOLE lot easier moving around then it was at 315. I am making an effort to incorporate it into my daily life now and I am doing better but there is still a whole lot of improvement needed here.

Second Year

Last year was a whirlwind on the emotional front for sure.  I found out in July that I have biological siblings that I never knew existed and that my biological mother was deceased from an overdose. My niece Candace and I met 8 days later as she is the one who lives closest to me. Dave and I moved out of a chaotic living situation shortly thereafter to a quiet complex and I got to go on my second Alaskan Cruise with my mom. I managed not to gain any weight on the cruise this time either! I met my biological Uncle Steve in August, met Tess and Michael my siblings in September and then found my biological father in October .We met once and communicated by phone and I sent him cards and a picture of me and but he died the day after Christmas due to complications from catching on fire while smoking. He will be interned on Feb. 23rd.  The entire year I maintained the 60 lb. loss and bounced up and down with the same 5 lbs. As much as that stinks, it also taught me that I could choose constructive ways of coping with my emotions other then food. I did a whole lot of deep soul searching and feel like I have come to terms with a lot of the emotional sources of my morbid obesity. It’s all about progress not perfection right? It was a life changing year.

Today

I am feeling that I am on my way again even though I had the flu and then kidney stones over the last 5 weeks LOL! I really do feel like this really is my time to shine!  I am a third of the way to my goal.  I have lost 19% of my body weight and I have lost 29? as of today. I have reduced my insulin dosage by 80%. I am only taking one of the BP medications and hope to be off that by the end of this year. My doctor is very pleased with my current stats and looks forward to seeing my continued progress.

I still have have a lot of weight to lose but I you can rest assured that I am going to reach my goals!

View the original article here

I’m Starting Another Shakeology 3-Day Cleanse Today. Here’s Why

Frivolous Demands: *Subscribe to the blog *Follow me on Twittah *Like me on Facebook *YouTube my videos

Grab some Shakeology in my Beachbody shop.

Contact me with questions about Shakeology.

Get the Facts On Shakeology

Shakeology is the all-natural meal (shake) developed by Beachbody, the makers of P90X. The shake will help you lose weight, reduce cravings, improve digestion, and lower cholesterol. It can also improve stamina and libido, alleviate hormonal issues (including menopause-related), aid memory, support immune function and boost serotonin levels to improve mood and symptoms of depression, while also reducing the symptoms of high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis.

Shakeology can be mixed with water on the go, or hook it up in the blender for an ice cream shake experience! Shakeology 30-Day Recipe Calendars

I enjoy my Shakeology on most days of the week and have significantly reduced my cravings and experienced weight loss, better digestion, more energy (which is priceless to me with 4 child-spawns) and a better mood. You can also find out what doctors are saying about Shakeology.

Chocolate: 18g protein and 140 calories. View the nutrition label.

Greenberry: 16g protein and 140 calories. View the nutrition label.

90 Days of Shakeology: My Experiment

You can purchase Shakeology in my Beachbody shop. Beachbody has a trusted reputation for putting out top-notch products, like P90X and Insanity. There’s no other product like Shakeology on the market and it comes with a 30-day empty bag, money back guarantee. Try it for 30 days. Use up the entire bag, and if you’re not satisfied, then get your money back!

If you have a true passion for fitness and helping people reach their goals, and you’re committed to achieving financial independence, contact me now about becoming a Beachbody Coach.
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Full Disclosure regarding paid advertisements, affiliate links and product reviews. .

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Another Carlene Review and DVD Giveaway!

My daughter, Carlene, is back with another exercise DVD review! And can I just say how terribly proud I am of this girl (even if she can't dance...LOL). *tear* She's a good kid. And gettin' buff, too! Go Carlene!


OK, I'll shut up now and let her take over. Happy January, everyone!

Like many of you, I’m enthusiastically starting 2011 with weight loss and fitness goals. During the past few years, my eating has been very lax. It’s not that I indulged in high calorie foods all the time, but it was enough to gain about 20 pounds since 2006. And honestly, I just don’t feel the way I use to. Friends and family tell me that I wear it well and that the weight gain is hard to notice, but the scale doesn’t lie, and I can’t continue to ignore this “sluggish” feeling I have. So, beginning on January 1st, I joined Weight Watchers online. I am only nine days into the program, and already I feel so much better. I’m still enjoying the foods I loved before, but this time I understand portion control. When I see the numbers in front of me, it is much easier to make healthier choices. My goal is to lose about 30 pounds this year, and with the right tools, I know I can do it.

So today I’m reviewing Julianne Hough’s workout DVD, “Dance with Julianne, Just Dance!” In my other reviews, I’ve openly admitted that I lack the dancing gene. It’s funny, I can read and play music and keep a beat, but when that beat translates into moving my body, I’m a fumbling, comical mess. Sadly, this DVD, while fun and energetic, left me with two left feet. But I don’t want anyone to feel that this DVD is impossible. If you like to dance, then this would be a great workout for you.

Julianne divides her workout into three sections: Work it!, Flaunt it!, and Pump It! All are equal in intensity, and all focus on working the whole body, particularly the core. Even if you can’t dance (like me!), Julianne has a separate section devoted to slowly learning the moves. If I had more time with this DVD to learn the moves, it might still look funny, but I could definitely get a great cardio workout.

So don’t be afraid. Put your name into the hat and have some fun with this workout! Leave a comment or send an email to my mom at lynn.haraldson@yahoo.com. She'll draw a winner on Thursday. Good luck!

View the original article here

Another Not The Biggest Loser…

Thanks so much to Andrew for stepping up & joining the ranks of us Not.Biggest.Loser-types.

In 2002, at 43 years of age I had a routine company-sponsored medical examination. The liver results were a little screwy and the doctor recommended some further tests. After some more blood tests and an ultrasound, the specialist I was referred to diagnosed me with “fatty liver”, a condition where large build-ups of triglyceride fats occur in the liver cells, causing the liver to really struggle. The specialist gave me two choices; lose 20 kg (44 lbs), or have a liver biopsy. I chose the former.

This diagnosis shouldn’t have come as a surprise. I was 110 kg (243 lbs), with a BMI and body fat % of about 35. I had been like this for the previous 15 years or so.

I had been a very active junior, playing pretty high grade soccer until I was about 18. I became less active while studying at university, and after university got married to my beautiful wife who is a wonderful cook, and took up a fairly sedantary career in IT. I was stressed and worked too many hours and probably ate too much. I didn’t really exercise, other than playing with the kids as they grew up. I coached junior basketball for many years and sort of kidded myself that standing around on the court and pointing and shouting was exercise.

So, 22 years later I’m walking out of a specialist’s office with an instruction to lose 20 kg.

I walked, I rode my bike and I tried to eat better. I lost 10 kg in about 6 months. Specialist and I were both happy. Over the next 6 months, I lost a little more but not enough. Then over the next year it all went back on again (well most of it, all except a couple of kg).

It appears that the “fatty liver” diagnosis wasn’t enough of a wake-up call.

In June of 2004 I went on a two-week business trip around Asia (Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Singapore) with a work colleague. My work colleague was a female, just over 9 years older than me. The weather was very humid, we had two weekends and a public holiday to “see the sights” and to put it plainly I just could not keep up with her. I can still remember the public holiday we had in Hong Kong where we did a lot of walking around, and I thought I was going to die, I was so unfit – and I was struggling to keep up with a 50+ female work colleague. When I got home, I said to Adrienne, I have to do something about my weight and get fit.

So, I did.

By June of 2005 I had lost about 24 kg by sensible eating and increasing the amount of exercise I took – primarily walking and cycling again. I wanted to lose a bit more, but started to find it really tough, hitting a plateau – big time. I joined a gym and started a 6 month plan with a personal trainer – this helped a little, but not a lot. My trainer kept telling me I should run, but I had never been a runner, and didn’t think I could do it, as I had a history of knee pain. However, he persisted (as they do) and I decided to try – it was oh so hard at first (run a few steps, die a little, run a few more), but gradually I got addicted to running. He also told me to start keeping a training log, and every piece of exercise I’ve done since then is stilled logged there.

I bought and read lots of books on fitness and running, quickly filling up a couple of shelves on my bookcase.

I came across the Ausrun Runner’s World internet forum, and found a wonderfully supportive and friendly group of people, who talked me into my first “fun run” the 2006 14km “Run For The Kids”. What a blast! Since then I’ve run numerous other runs, including my first half marathon later in 2006, and my first and only (and very ugly) full marathon in 2007.

In April of 2007 I bought myself a new road bike and that really reignited my boyhood love of cycling. In 2008 I completed three triathlons, but have decided that I don’t like the swim leg, so I think I’ve done my last triathlon. Now I love doing some of the longer group participation rides, my favourite the 145km Great Ocean Otway Classic.

After getting down to a minimum of 68 kg, I settled on a “happy weight range” of between 70-75 kg (154-165 lbs) in August of 2005, and have managed to maintain that now for five and a half years. So, I’ve managed to go from a weight of 110 kg, down to about 72 kg, a body fat of 35% down to about 17%, a BMI of 34.5 down to 22.3, a waist size of 44in down to 33in and a clothes size of XXL or XL down to M or S.

I started blogging in January of 2006 after seeing a number of my Ausrun friends doing it. The main reason I started was accountability. I have really found that putting my health and fitness goals “out there” and tracking my progress terribly helpful in my weight maintenance. You can find me at http://ajhblog.wordpress.com

Here are some tips I published on my blog on the occasion of my 5 year weight maintenance anniversary. I think they summarise how I have managed to lose and maintain my weight.

Exercise sensible portion control. I firmly believe this is one of the biggest contributors to our obesity epidemic – our meals are usually just too big!Think about what you eat. I think my mind-set change has been to think about eating a “fuelling your body”, if you think about it this way it does make you think about what you put in your mouth. Cut out the crap!Learn about how your body works and about good nutrition. There are so many good books out there, and so many web sites, and knowing about how your body works and what it needs to work properly for you, just helps so much.Don’t deny yourself the things you love, everything is okay in moderation. I can’t do without my red wine and chocolate!Exercise consistently. Successfully maintaining the required level of exercise is all about making it a habit. Once you get into the habit, you will start to crave it and find you can’t live without it.Find some forms of exercise you enjoy. This sounds obvious, but if you can find something you love doing, obviously you are more likely to do it often.Cross-train. Most forms of exercise will emphasise some part of your body or other, and if you just do that one type of exercise, that part of your body may tend to wear out. Finding two or three different types of exercise you like and your body will thank you.Log it. Keep track of how you’re doing in a training journal or spreadsheet. I have found this to be extremely helpful.Set goals and tell everyone about them. Set yourself a few different goals and then make sure everyone knows about them. This will make you much more motivated to succeed.Get good medical advice. If you get injured, or get any little niggles, go get some expert advice (this probably isn’t your local GP, unless they are a very good one). A sports doctor is a good idea as they will be very sympathetic and understanding of your deisre to stay active. I was really lucky to find Dr K., and a couple of very good physios, they got me through my knee issues.Look after your body. Spend time to stretch, practice self-massage (I love my foam roller), apply ice if needed and also spend time strength training.Go follow some blogs of some like-minded people. It is amazing how motivating and helpful, reading about and communicating with others who are on similar journeys can be. You’ll learn heaps from so many different people with different perspectives.

And lastly, thanks to all of you out there in internet-land who have been so helpful along the way, and of course a special mention to our lovely host Carla, who has to be one of the most positive, inspirational examples to all of us!

View the original article here

Another NOT the Biggest Loser…

I am grateful to Coco for making the time to share her experience. She we tweeted after my Not the Biggest Loser blog post and I asked her to share her thoughts here.

I was overweight all my life and have the chubby baby pictures and painful child memories to prove it.

I was a size 12 high school, and although I might have gotten down to a size 8 for a few minutes in college, I pretty much was a size 12 throughout my 20s, including before and after having my two children. My weight crept up further during law school and studying for the bar exam, and I reached the 14/16 ranges.

Since I am 5’1” when I stand up straight, it was hard to find “petite” clothes that would fit.

My wake-up call came with a yearly physical, where my doctor said that I had to get my blood pressure down or I would have to start taking blood pressure medication. At 32, I thought I was too young to start taking pills I would need to take for the rest of my life.

I started by following a Slim-Fast® plan—you know, “one for breakfast, one for lunch, and then a sensible dinner.” Needless to say, I was miserable.

While I didn’t mind the taste of the shakes, I felt deprived with my liquid meals. Then a friend had great success on the Atkins’ Diet, so I decided to try that. It was amazing. I lost weight every day and didn’t feel hungry with all the bacon and eggs, ham and cheese and pork rinds I could eat.

By December I had lost 20 pounds, but couldn’t resist Christmas cookies or all the other baked goods that are forbidden on Atkins. I fell off the wagon, but noticed how much more energy I had with carbs back in my life, so I wasn’t eager to climb back on.

Come New Year’s, I started a food exchange plan that was in Woman’s Day magazine.

It was a well-balanced plan and, while the weight came off more gradually, it was something I could follow. By Easter I had lost at total of 40 lbs, and was a size 2–something I had never even imagined!

But, all was not well. I lost the weight without exercising and think I must have lost every ounce of muscle that might have kept my metabolism going. I had to follow a strict 1200 calorie plan, or the scale would jump up.

I was frustrated and getting desperate, but found a great on-line support group on eDiets.com. With my fellow “Maintainiacs,” I learned to make exercise part of my daily routine. That helped stabilize my weight, but I struggled with emotional eating. I would eat 100% on-plan all day, and then come home and bury my stress in a package of Oreos or box of cereal, or both, easily adding 500 calories or more to my day’s tally.

It’s taken me 10 years to get that monkey off my back, but I managed to keep my weight relatively stable throughout the process, mostly by kicking up the exercise.

In the era of The Biggest Loser, my 40 lb weight loss hardly merits a mention, but I did have to change my life to keep the weight off.

The changes to my eating habits are almost too boring to list–I basically enjoy a super foods-focused diet with an emphasis on whole grains, lean protein and lots or fruits and veggies, but I indulge daily in dark chocolate. The more important changes relate to my emotional health.

I had to find healthy outlets for my stress and coping mechanisms that weren’t so self-destructive.

I learned to stand up for myself, to express my needs, and to set boundaries.

I learned to “put on my own oxygen mask first” and realized that I can take care of myself without sacrificing my family’s well-being or giving up success at work.

I know that losing weight didn’t solve all my problems, but I am much happier with my life than I ever was before. I have more energy and get more enjoyment from everyday activities, and when I can’t find jeans that fit right, I blame the designers, not my curves.

Now that’s a good feeling!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

NINE YEARS LATER:

View the original article here

Another Carlene Review and DVD Giveaway!

My daughter, Carlene, is back with another exercise DVD review! And can I just say how terribly proud I am of this girl (even if she can't dance...LOL). *tear* She's a good kid. And gettin' buff, too! Go Carlene!


OK, I'll shut up now and let her take over. Happy January, everyone!

Like many of you, I’m enthusiastically starting 2011 with weight loss and fitness goals. During the past few years, my eating has been very lax. It’s not that I indulged in high calorie foods all the time, but it was enough to gain about 20 pounds since 2006. And honestly, I just don’t feel the way I use to. Friends and family tell me that I wear it well and that the weight gain is hard to notice, but the scale doesn’t lie, and I can’t continue to ignore this “sluggish” feeling I have. So, beginning on January 1st, I joined Weight Watchers online. I am only nine days into the program, and already I feel so much better. I’m still enjoying the foods I loved before, but this time I understand portion control. When I see the numbers in front of me, it is much easier to make healthier choices. My goal is to lose about 30 pounds this year, and with the right tools, I know I can do it.

So today I’m reviewing Julianne Hough’s workout DVD, “Dance with Julianne, Just Dance!” In my other reviews, I’ve openly admitted that I lack the dancing gene. It’s funny, I can read and play music and keep a beat, but when that beat translates into moving my body, I’m a fumbling, comical mess. Sadly, this DVD, while fun and energetic, left me with two left feet. But I don’t want anyone to feel that this DVD is impossible. If you like to dance, then this would be a great workout for you.

Julianne divides her workout into three sections: Work it!, Flaunt it!, and Pump It! All are equal in intensity, and all focus on working the whole body, particularly the core. Even if you can’t dance (like me!), Julianne has a separate section devoted to slowly learning the moves. If I had more time with this DVD to learn the moves, it might still look funny, but I could definitely get a great cardio workout.

So don’t be afraid. Put your name into the hat and have some fun with this workout! Leave a comment or send an email to my mom at lynn.haraldson@yahoo.com. She'll draw a winner on Thursday. Good luck!

View the original article here

Another who’s NOT the Biggest Loser…

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I am grateful to Patricia for making the time to share her experience. She emailed me privately after my blog post and I asked her to share her thoughts here.

On October 22nd, Carla really got me thinking with her post – What if You’re Not the Biggest Loser?”

Until I graduated from high school in 1979, I never had a weight issue.

I played tennis, walked dogs with my best friend for 1-2 hours every day after school. We lived on a military base, so walked everywhere we went! Did I know I was fit? Did I realize I had a nice body shape? Did I consider myself attractive? No, absolutely not! I had no idea back then that any of what I was doing meant anything or had any kind of impact on my life, how I felt or how I looked.

Shortly thereafter, I started gaining weight. I paid no attention to any of it. I was still young and, even though I was carrying extra weight – about 40 pounds of it – I still felt great! Of course I did! I was in my 20s! I never had any health issues. I was and still am one of those people blessed with good health.

Over the years from about 1985 until 2 years ago, I lost weight, gained weight and did it all over again several times. I saw the weight gains as an indication that I was unattractive only and that it was more important to others (men mostly) that I lose the weight. I didn’t really get it.

In February 2009, I realized I had to do something for ME! So, in six months, I lost 30 pounds. I’m fit, healthy and can do anything without having to stop! Over the last year and a half, I have maintained my goal weight and am still going strong!

What does all this have to do with Carla’s post? I lost my weight and no one cared. It didn’t really matter much. I did it for me and my health and fitness, but if I had lost 80 pounds or more, everyone would have been asking what my secret was, how I did it and what could they do! I’d be a local hero!

It wasn’t easy to accomplish! I’m 49 years old now and it was the hardest thing I ever did. I had to completely change my eating habits and workout harder and longer than I ever had to before to lose weight. I can say with certainty that I put in as much effort as all the contestants do on The Biggest Loser! I would have hoped to inspire at least one person in my sphere or contacts – nada.

I think shows like The Biggest Loser are great, don’t get me wrong. The contestants show others that anyone can do it. All you need is determination and willpower. They inspire other obese people, young and old, to make a difference in their lives and the lives of their families.

However, it does tend to belittle the difficulties the rest of us have managed to battle through to succeed! The rest of us don’t seem to have a niche. It’s all or nothing.

My husband told me to look at it another way. I started out at 151 pounds when I began my current journey and am now staying at between 122 and 125. That’s 20% of my starting body weight! 20%!!!

Now, that’s being a big loser!

Patricia is a 49 year old former military brat and military wife who’d rather move every few years than stay put! She loves fitness, being healthy and became a brave, adventurous soul when she met her husband 9 years ago!

View the original article here

Another Family Review, Another Denise Austin DVD Giveaway!

When two Denise Austin DVDs arrived in the mail recently, I knew just the person to ask to review them: my sister Debbie.

Debbie introduces herself below in her review, but as her little sister, I grew up wanting to be her – to look like her, to dress like her, and to be overall cool like her. One of my favorite memories of Debbie was when we’d go camping in what our family fondly referred to as The Bear Coffin (see “Camping Adventures in the Bear Coffin.”)

As I wrote, Debbie was always kind to me, even when I stole her crutches after she’d injured her foot and after she busted me tape recording her and her boyfriend’s private conversation. She was politically active and tried explaining Vietnam and Watergate to me even though I was more interested in watching Captain Kangaroo and hanging upside down from our backyard elm tree. Mom often made us matching clothes, and during a trip to South Dakota, we both wore what I called our Wonder Woman shorts. They had white stars on blue and purple stripes and I remember being jealous of my beautiful sister who was tall and thin and filled out her shorts in a way my 8-year-old body could not (and never did, for that matter).

So now that you know her a little from my perspective, here’s Debbie and her perspectives on exercise and Denise Austin’s DVD “Quick Burn Cardio.” To throw your name in the hat to win this DVD, leave a comment or send an email to lynn.haraldson@yahoo.com. I’ll draw a winner on Sunday!

From Debra’s Mat: Exercises You’ll Actually Do

My name is Debra Haraldson, the 54-year old sister of Lynn, who asked me to review some exercise DVDs she receives on occasion. She knows to send me only those appropriate for my age and, um, mature body type. If she sends me a kick boxing, Tae Bo, cardio fat burning, boot camp DVD, she’s off my Christmas card list. I’m not a stranger to exercise but sometimes it eludes me, especially on those cold, dark mornings when the only work out I get is hitting the snooze button and pulling the quilt over my head.

Exercise is a necessary evil. When people say “I love to work out” or “I live at the gym” they are lying liars who tell lies. OK, well, perhaps they aren’t but they are INSANE. My exercise of choice is walking. If it’s light and dry at 6:15 a.m., I’m out walking. Plug in my iPod with my NPR podcasts, and I’m good to go. But when October rolls around, it’s dark and usually raining (I live in suburban Seattle) so I have to dust off the dreaded DVDs, move the ottoman to the side, open a window, turn on a fan and start my step aerobic routine.

I prefer step aerobics because the step really gets the heart pumping, and it offers low impact versions of the moves, as demonstrated on the DVD either by the woman still retaining her baby fat or the woman who just this week started an exercise program and is sweating just warming up. I used to do high impact step aerobics but then, well, I got old.

Lynn sent me Denise Austin’s “Quick Burn Cardio” to review. I like Denise Austin. She can be too bubbly at times but I like her common sense approach to working out. “Just do what you can – this is for you” she repeats often enough that I believe her. Some instructors act like drill sergeants. Been there, done that, hated it. This DVD has a 5-minute warm up and a 5-minute cool down. Just enough time for both. In between you can choose either a 20-minute “Interval Training” or a 20-minute “Cardio Weight Training” routine. Or, if you are truly crazy, both.

There’s plenty of high impact moves in the Interval Training but you can certainly convert them to low impact if your joints can’t take the blows or if you are tiring too soon. One women is there to demonstrate all of the low impact alternatives so I tended to watch her. There are also moves where you are fully standing up, then suddenly, on the floor. That isn’t so bad – it’s the getting up that’s hard! I compromised by meeting my knees halfway.

For the “Cardio Weight Training” portion, I suggest standing on thick carpet or an exercise mat. Use small weights, 1 or 2 pounds and you’ll need two of them (of the same weight.) I made the mistake of grabbing a five pounder and practically separated my shoulder from its socket. Work up to a higher weight if you want. Her floor routines were hard on my hips and knees, and I don’t have problems with them normally. Just use common sense. When the pushups began, I took that as a sign from the gods to take a break and have some water!

In my experience with exercise DVDs, the instructors have you doing a routine so long, you’ll see it in your sleep. Denise reduces these to several very short routines so that they don’t become boring. You can also follow the routines with or without her voice instructions, listening only to music.

Overall, I liked this DVD. Some instructors get so fancy with their moves that I get frustrated because I can’t keep up. Exercise should be fun (OK, so I’m a liar too) and not a modern dance audition.

Until next time.

View the original article here

Another Family Review, Another Denise Austin DVD Giveaway!

When two Denise Austin DVDs arrived in the mail recently, I knew just the person to ask to review them: my sister Debbie.

Debbie introduces herself below in her review, but as her little sister, I grew up wanting to be her – to look like her, to dress like her, and to be overall cool like her. One of my favorite memories of Debbie was when we’d go camping in what our family fondly referred to as The Bear Coffin (see “Camping Adventures in the Bear Coffin.”)

As I wrote, Debbie was always kind to me, even when I stole her crutches after she’d injured her foot and after she busted me tape recording her and her boyfriend’s private conversation. She was politically active and tried explaining Vietnam and Watergate to me even though I was more interested in watching Captain Kangaroo and hanging upside down from our backyard elm tree. Mom often made us matching clothes, and during a trip to South Dakota, we both wore what I called our Wonder Woman shorts. They had white stars on blue and purple stripes and I remember being jealous of my beautiful sister who was tall and thin and filled out her shorts in a way my 8-year-old body could not (and never did, for that matter).

So now that you know her a little from my perspective, here’s Debbie and her perspectives on exercise and Denise Austin’s DVD “Quick Burn Cardio.” To throw your name in the hat to win this DVD, leave a comment or send an email to lynn.haraldson@yahoo.com. I’ll draw a winner on Sunday!

From Debra’s Mat: Exercises You’ll Actually Do

My name is Debra Haraldson, the 54-year old sister of Lynn, who asked me to review some exercise DVDs she receives on occasion. She knows to send me only those appropriate for my age and, um, mature body type. If she sends me a kick boxing, Tae Bo, cardio fat burning, boot camp DVD, she’s off my Christmas card list. I’m not a stranger to exercise but sometimes it eludes me, especially on those cold, dark mornings when the only work out I get is hitting the snooze button and pulling the quilt over my head.

Exercise is a necessary evil. When people say “I love to work out” or “I live at the gym” they are lying liars who tell lies. OK, well, perhaps they aren’t but they are INSANE. My exercise of choice is walking. If it’s light and dry at 6:15 a.m., I’m out walking. Plug in my iPod with my NPR podcasts, and I’m good to go. But when October rolls around, it’s dark and usually raining (I live in suburban Seattle) so I have to dust off the dreaded DVDs, move the ottoman to the side, open a window, turn on a fan and start my step aerobic routine.

I prefer step aerobics because the step really gets the heart pumping, and it offers low impact versions of the moves, as demonstrated on the DVD either by the woman still retaining her baby fat or the woman who just this week started an exercise program and is sweating just warming up. I used to do high impact step aerobics but then, well, I got old.

Lynn sent me Denise Austin’s “Quick Burn Cardio” to review. I like Denise Austin. She can be too bubbly at times but I like her common sense approach to working out. “Just do what you can – this is for you” she repeats often enough that I believe her. Some instructors act like drill sergeants. Been there, done that, hated it. This DVD has a 5-minute warm up and a 5-minute cool down. Just enough time for both. In between you can choose either a 20-minute “Interval Training” or a 20-minute “Cardio Weight Training” routine. Or, if you are truly crazy, both.

There’s plenty of high impact moves in the Interval Training but you can certainly convert them to low impact if your joints can’t take the blows or if you are tiring too soon. One women is there to demonstrate all of the low impact alternatives so I tended to watch her. There are also moves where you are fully standing up, then suddenly, on the floor. That isn’t so bad – it’s the getting up that’s hard! I compromised by meeting my knees halfway.

For the “Cardio Weight Training” portion, I suggest standing on thick carpet or an exercise mat. Use small weights, 1 or 2 pounds and you’ll need two of them (of the same weight.) I made the mistake of grabbing a five pounder and practically separated my shoulder from its socket. Work up to a higher weight if you want. Her floor routines were hard on my hips and knees, and I don’t have problems with them normally. Just use common sense. When the pushups began, I took that as a sign from the gods to take a break and have some water!

In my experience with exercise DVDs, the instructors have you doing a routine so long, you’ll see it in your sleep. Denise reduces these to several very short routines so that they don’t become boring. You can also follow the routines with or without her voice instructions, listening only to music.

Overall, I liked this DVD. Some instructors get so fancy with their moves that I get frustrated because I can’t keep up. Exercise should be fun (OK, so I’m a liar too) and not a modern dance audition.

Until next time.

View the original article here