Winner!

Charee!!!

 

You win the $50 Athleta Gift Card.

Congratulations!

Sweet Dreams

I rarely remember my dreams, but this morning I had a crazy one and wrote it down so I wouldn't forget.

 

I was sitting on a couch with P. Diddy, Puff Daddy--whatever he goes by now. We were having a pleasant conversation and when I got up to leave he gave me $50 and said, "This is for you.  Get some wrinkle cream."

 

How often do I think about P. Diddy.  Never. I think I see him on commercials sometime. My back pain must have been playing with my mind.

 

 

Gym

I went to the store and got some Kinesiology Tape before I went to the gym, not wrinkle cream:)

There is a little instruction sheet inside with placement and tension directions depending on your injury.  There are tons of directions online as well as places to send pictures if you want a trainer to double check your application.

I placed for my Achilles and it worked well.  I didn't want to use 2, but I will tomorrow because I am actually going to try out running :) Lots of smiles.

 

As I used the AMT today, I was a little scared.  I wanted to run on the treadmill, but I was afraid I would re-injure my leg.  I was actually afraid. And I doubted my ability.  So I am going to give myself another day to ice and research tape placement and get some good sleep so I can go for it tomorrow.

 

Workout:

45 minutes--AMT--16/18 Interval--more arm pull with leg injury

45 minutes--biceps/abs and 100 standing military press (30 lb. bar)

 

The giveaway gift card is ready to go to one lucky reader.  The winner will be posted tonight on both Facebook and this blog.

 

Good luck to all who entered.  Thanks for sharing your workouts and inspiring each other to keep going.

 

 

What healthy choices have you made today?



Last Call for Giveaway Entries

This is your last chance to enter the Spring Break Giveaway.

 

Please check on Facebook to make sure you are on the LIKED list post.

 

 

For some reason, not all of the likes are visible to me.

I am missing 6 names

Leave a comment on Facebook or the blog if you are missing from my list.

 

I'd like to give everyone a chance to claim their like, so...

 

The winner will be announced

 around 6 pm pacific time

Monday, April 7th.

 

Hopefully that's enough time for everyone to get their entry.

 

 

She's got the flexing part down.

 

Brought To You By Rainbow Brite

I have been wearing my compression socks all day and all night. And, no, I haven't washed them yet.  I will wash them tonight.  It's kind of gross, but I think they have really helped.  I still haven't gotten any tape, but the plan is to wear the tape on non-sock days.  My calf and Achilles are improving.  Still holding off on running, but I can feel that it is getting better and I am really excited and grateful for that.

 I didn't realize how bright my outfit was until I stood in front of the big mirrors at the gym.  I normally wear a lot of black and gray to the gym.  I think the socks put it over the top.  I got a few looks.  Couldn't decide if they thought I was crazy or tough?

We have lights and a doorway in the new room.  I am loving it.  I am not a designer, but I happen to have several sisters-in-law who are incredible decorators.  Maybe I'll enlist their help when this is all done. And Mr. is starting to like it too.

I hope you all have a good weekend.

I will be watching this.

Workout:

30 minutes--AMT--16/18 Interval

60 minutes--lifting

• Back
• Shoulders
• Abs

10 minutes--AMT

What's the Secret?

When I decided to stick with not running or jumping until my calf was better, I thought eventually I would have to give in and do it, but taking things a little easier this week has actually felt good.  I am not as fatigued, unless the kids don't sleep, and I still feel strong. I probably need to stick with taking a few easy days a week so my legs don't give out.

I talked to a few new girls at the gym yesterday.  They both want to lose around 80 lbs. When I told them what I used to weigh and that I had lost over 80 lbs., they asked what the secret is.  I tried to think back to when I started to lose and the thing that made the biggest difference was food.  I had to change how I ate and what I ate.

 I remember thinking if I only ate 1200 calories a day, whatever it might be, I could lose.  My test was to eat M&Ms and see if I could lose.  It didn't work, so obviously quality of food counts too.

I have always liked fruits and vegetables. But when you eat junk for years in college and as a newlywed, you have to get rid of the control those cravings have over you. 

I thought that I had to be perfect with my food to lose. That isn't true either.  If you can keep a clean diet nonstop, then good for you.  Having a treat once a week is not going to kill you.  But it doesn't give you a license to eat crap all week or all weekend.  Pick and choose what it is that you want to eat.  And having a treat does not mean that you have failed. You can also choose fruit as a treat.  I love apples and peanut butter.  It feels like a treat, but it is good for you too.

Food is not your enemy.  Food is the fuel that allows your body to move and grow and improve.  You have to feed it well, so it can perform well.

Of course moving matters.  Exercise and weight loss go hand in hand. In the beginning, being consistent is key.  Maybe you aren't as fast as you would like or as strong, but if you're consistent you can get to where you want to be.

Cardio is a good way to start losing weight.  I started running when I wanted to lose.  Start with walking if that is where you are physically.  When that gets easy, jog for a few minutes at a time. When that gets easy, go for a longer jog.  Add in sprints to help you see how fast you really are. That helps you see your potential and ramp up your intensity.  Don't be afraid to push a little.  Just listen to your body.  Go for muscle fatigue without pain.

Along with running, I used to do Denise Austin workouts that were on the TV. If you want to change your shape, you have to do some kind of weight bearing activity. Don't know what those are? Here is a list of 50 you can do at home.

My shape changed even more when I joined the gym and lifted heavier weights.  I had virtually no muscle definition in my arms and legs and even my back when I joined.  I am no bodybuilder, but I am strong.  I shared with the girls that I hired the trainer last summer and she really helped me improve my strength and muscle definition and confidence in the gym.

My last piece of advice is if your workout gets easy, it's time to change it up.

Whenever you increase time or intensity, be realistic.  Don't go from running 1 mile to running 5 miles.  Gradually increase.  Or for lifting weights, don't deadlift 135 lbs. out of the blue when you normally lift 60 lbs. because someone says you can.

It takes hard work.  I'm not going to lie.  But you can do it.

What is your best weight loss/ fitness advice?

  

Dubai Trip

These pictures are from my husband's business trip to Vietnam and Dubai.

 

He has been to some interesting places and eaten some interesting things.

I just think this stuff is unique and most of us won't have the chance to see these places so I thought I would share.

 

Feel free to correct my descriptions, Mr. Walker.

 

 A Dairy in Vietnam

I thought the Cows were a nice change from the normal Lions or Dragons in front of a house.

The Mall in Dubai

 Indoor Skiing on TOP of the Mall

 I thought there was a car show in town.

But my husband said that if you drive a fancy car you get front row, valet parking.

Rolls Royce.

 The tallest tower in the world at night.

Burj Khalifa

 

The camels that eat the hay my husband sells.

 

 

Some day I'll get brave enough to travel with him.

 

Wouldn't it be amazing to run through these places!

 

 

Don't forget to sign up for the giveaway.

 

 

Workout:

40 minutes squats/abs

35 minutes AMT--5 rounds, 7 minutes at a time.  Alternating with lifts.



Spring Break Giveaway! Continues

Thanks! to those who have shared their workouts.

Remember you have until Saturday to submit entries (4-5-2014).
Giveaway Post

 

Walking, playing with your kids, exercising while your favorite shows are on commercial.  It all counts.  Just keep moving!