Up For The Challenge

I'm into the 6th week of consistently exercising. Three days a week I attend the Body Pump and Body Vive classes at the gym, along with walking three days a week. One of those days I walk with our local Black Girls Run group , which has been a great!

Yesterday, our state ambassador for Black Girls Run issued a challenge... Complete 100 miles for the month of December. I'm all over it, that is so doable!

This challenge is perfect, and comes at a great time. With the holiday season in full swing, snacks, goodies, and food will be every where I turn. Committing to walking/running 100 miles will help me to not over eat too much, and burn the extra calories I do consume.

My initial challenge of losing 10 pounds in 10 weeks isn't going so good. I'm hitting the gym regularly, and walking at least 12 miles a week, but I haven't lost ANYTHING!!! And that is very frustrating. I've learned that my diet may be the culprit. Although I'm not indulging in unhealthy foods, I'm not keeping a good schedule of eating. My friend seems to thinks I'm starting to gain muscle from my gym workouts. She tells me muscle weighs more than fat. But... I want to see that scale MOVE!!!

Because we eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and very seldom fry our food, I didn't think my diet would be an issue. Clearly... it is! This week I'm planning my meals, and snacks. Hopefully, I can still hit that 10 pound mark by the first week in January. If not... I'll just chose another date!

How do you manage your fitness and weight loss goals during the holiday season?

Peer Pressure



3G - Golden Girl Gliders


No we're not throwing up gang signs. We are 3G... Golden Girl Gliders. Not golden girls as in older ladies, but golden as in black and gold.

3G is our local group of Black Girls Run Little Rock. Three weeks ago I finally got out and walked with them. I've been a member of the Facebook page for months, and had been stalking their post about all the miles they were logging walking and running.

Last Saturday, I actually ran. Ahem... did you hear (read) me? I ran! Not that most of us had ANY intention of running when we met that morning, we were kind of pressured into it. Which turned out to be a really good thing!

Sidebar: Let me back up and give you my definition of run... A verb meaning to jog very slowly in a bouncing manner. The speed of a fast walk, leaning forward to propel the body forward motion.

Back to the regularly scheduled program... Being a non-runner before Saturday, I've always said if a dog were to get after me, it would get bit because I don't run. That day, I felt like a runner, and that I could do it again. I have the sneaky suspicion that I (we) will be running again next time.

We ran from bench to bench to bridge, breaking it up into small distances, until for some completing 4.5 miles, and others 6. After while, not anytime soon, I'll be running one mile at a time. Of course I'll tell you about it!

WONDER WOMAN - And Other Christmas Fun

Christmas was absolutely great! We celebrated the true meaning of CHRISTmas, exchanged gifts, ate a little bit (okay, I ate a lot), and enjoyed each other. I've said before I am Wonder Woman, now I have the t-shirt to prove it! It was a gift from my children. They recognize!

Last Christmas, I got the kids a Wii. This year I got myself *cough* the kids Just Dance 2, plus a few more games. Just Dance 2, is so much fun!!!

I could hardly stand being in the kitchen, I wanted to play! However, I was able to restrain myself. When I got my hands on that remote, I was a dancing machine. (The vlog of me dancing is coming soon.) I danced, "Proud Mary," and was rolling on the river, along with The Jackson 5's, "I want you back," and more. Did I say I was a dancing machine?

While competing against my girls, and dancing as hard as I could, I had a flash back to last year,  Wiidicted. Would I be able to walk the next day? The day after Christmas came, and I was just fine. On the way home from church, I laid down a Just Dance 2 challenge to my middle daughter. I won! Who's the MAMA?!

Just Dance 2 is my kind of exercise!

Look At Me, I'm Playing Tennis!

Just finished tennis lesson, hot and sweaty!

Since I've was a teenager, I've wanted to play tennis. When Venus and Serena came along, my desire increased. They make it look so easy. Just once, I'd like to grunt like Serena when she returns the ball.

Last summer my girls and I started tennis lessons. After an unfortunate event, and only one practice, my tennis lessons were over. This summer, I jumped on the opportunity. I'm no Venus or Serena, but my coach said I did really well.

Surprised, I was excited at how well I did! Serving the ball was major for me. A little nervous, and didn't think I could completely pull it off. I not only managed to hit it over the net, it landed just where it was supposed to. Woot-woot!   

There were three other ladies, and we played a match. My partner and I won! I can be very competitive, and was trying my best not to celebrate. I realized I'm still a beginner, and next week, they can come back and win. Inside, I was leaping for joy!

My goal is to play in at least one tournament. Is there a amateur, amateur, amateur tournament?  Oh yeah, playing in a tennis tournament, would be another first in my 40s!

Rethinking My Shrink

Last week I decided to finally stop talking about doing something about my health, and get busy. Sticking to my word, I joined the ladies at Shrinking Jeans , and taking on the Rethink Your Shrink Challenge, and as well as the EA Sports Active, 6 Week Challenge.

Today is 'Weigh-in Wednesday,' for the Rethink Your Shrink Challenge. Since this is my first week, I don't have a loss to report, but I do want to tell you about my first two days of the 6 week challenge.

Over the weekend, I bought the EA Sports Active More game. It doesn't come with the leg strap and resistance bands. Wal-mart doesn't carry that accessory, and the Game Stop was fresh out. The nearest place to get the set is about an hour away, and I've not had the opportunity to get there yet. But I was determined to get started this week, by any means necessary.

Particular parts of the game require the leg strap. There's just no way around it. Being the resourceful person I am... I went to work! I started looking for anything to fashion a makeshift leg strap.

Booyah! I'm in business. My children being being very athletic, we've had a few injuries. A couple of those mishaps required an Ace Bandage. Yes, an Ace Bandage. It might not be as pretty, but I'm able to get my squash, water ski, lunge, and jump on. And that's what's important right?! Of course it is.

The kids thought I was crazy. My son says, "Mama, I'll buy the leg strap for you."

I reassured him, it was not about money (I was buying it for myself, even if it meant they didn't eat for a day). There were just none available. The kids then watched me, peeping from the kitchen every few minutes, as if I was a monkey in the zoo.

I'm having a ball sparring, water skiing, and taking on obstacle courses. Today is a rest day, but I a looking forward to what tomorrow's workout has to offer. I can't wait to take part in a new sport.

Other than the soreness right now, I'm having so much fun, it's a shame to call it a workout!
Next week, I'll report, just how many pounds I lost in my first week. Oh, yeah starting weight... 148.

Wii-dicted

Christmas was great! I'm sure the kids wanted more, but they did get the hot ticket item, Nintendo Wii! I was just as excited, if not more. I bought a few extra amenities, an extra remote, motion plus for both, as well as two additional games.

I only played Wii a little on Christmas day, but Saturday, the day after... I got my Wii on! I bowled, wake boarded, cycled, played frisbee and sword play! To say I was having a ball, is an understatement. Later that evening, my son challenged me to bowling. I laughed in his face. I was hotter than hot!

Okay... he beat me. Moving on.

I finished the night off with sword play. Games one through six were pretty easy. I knocked my opponent into the water waiting below. No problem. About game 7, a worthy opponent showed up. The game system must have increased the skill level, she WAS NOT beginner!

At start she hit me first. Hitting her back, she wouldn't move. I had to put in real work. Finally, like the others before her, Miss Missy met her demise, and the water. That was a rap, I worked up a sweat, and was drained!

Sunday, morning came... and my shoulder hurt so bad. Okay, my shoulder had been sore previously. I was starting to think I'd torn my rotator cup, or had developed arthritis. I couldn't raise my arm.

Getting ready for church, I had to laugh at myself, using my left hand to raise my right arm. It took me a long time to put on my bra, shirt... I just left my right arm out of my coat. It was difficult trying not to yelp everytime I moved. As Mr. Husband would say, I was next door to pitiful.

Over the course of the day, with the help of Excedrin, Bio Freeze, and a heat pack, I was ready to get back to it. I have something to prove!

I Don't Run

This has been my second week walking, in preparation for the Race For The Cure, as well as to lose weight. Each time I've walked in my neighborhood, I'm greeted by the same little yelping dog, on the next block.

I know the dog is there, but he startles me none-the-less. Yesterday was no exception. Walking across the street from little yelping dog's domain, against traffic, I was caught off guard. He hit that gate, barking like he's four feet tall.

Did he smell me coming, or what!

One of these days, he's going to run into to that gate, and it's going to SWING wide open, causing him to run down the drive way, across the street, and stop at my feet. Then, we'll see just how bad he really is.

I don't run... And I'm not scared!

Pisstivity is my Motivation!

Recently, I've been looking for Motivation, and she's been hiding like the coward she is. I asked, if anyone found her, send her home. She's been hanging out on the corner of Pisstivity and Aggravation!

A couple of years ago, I was threatening to exercise and lose weight! I'd talk about it, talk about it, and watch people on TV exercise. They looked as if they were benefitting. I even started printing and collecting exercises from shape.com and fitnessmagazine.com. But it wasn't until Mr. Husband said I was taking good care of him, for the next wife. I was pissed!

The truth hurts. And it cut me deep! Not long after that conversation, I got off my butt and got moving, losing 18 pounds. Pissed about his statement, I decided then I would out live him! If I died early, they'd spend my life insurance, find another wife and mom, and wouldn't even keep my picture out. Bull crap!

This year I've gained 9 lbs. back. Recently, I professed to be 'Back on the wagon.' Confession, I've not been die hard.

Sunday, we gave my oldest daughter a cake for her birthday. And yes, I had a small piece of cake, and a scoop and a half, of ice cream. Mr. Husband with his looks, and comments said, "Keep on with the cake and ice cream, you'll be at 200 lbs. before you know it."

OH. NO. HE. DIDN'T! It's on... IT. IS. ON!!!

Monday: I played Tennis.

Tuesday: Motivation did a drive by. I walked. She knows I don't like walking round, and round a track without someone to talk to, or music! My walk was cut from an hour to 35 minutes. I fixed her though, by doing 200 crunches, and I THOUGHT about doing curls.

Today: I'm hitting the jump rope.

Mr. Husband doesn't even know he found Motivation. And I'm not telling! I'll let him take credit for something else, like the crazy things the kids do!

Getting Back on The Wagon -

After realizing someone was shrinking my clothes, I decided to take action this week. I'm not crazy, I did wait until after the 4th of July!

In August, 2006, while on vacation in VA, one of the kids took a picture of me. With the miracle of digital cameras, I was able to see the picture right then. OMG! I couldn't believe that was me. The image I saw every morning in my full length mirror, was NOT the person in that picture! I was the largest I've ever been.

I was always super skinny growing up. At 18, and a freshman in college, I didn't weigh 100 lbs. After having my 5th child, I weighed 135 lbs. I never had to watch my weight before. I've always eaten what and when I wanted. And it has taken its toll. At 5 feet 2 inches, I weighed 160 lbs. (I can't believe I just made that public.)

I didn't do anything about my weight until March 2007. I got down to 142 lbs., two pounds away from my goal weight of 140 lbs. Since then, I've hovered around 144 lbs. Earlier this year my weight started easing toward 150 lbs. All the Coke, Chessmen Cookies, and A&W Cream soda , I've indulged in lately may have contributed. Naaaa, couldn't have! I have to do something, I refuse to buy new clothes, and I didn't keep old ones!

I've taken my walking shoes out of the box, dusted off the jump rope, and uncovered the dumb bells. The Tae Bo, Walking, and Hip-Hop dancing DVD's are sitting out, and calling my name every time I walk by. All I need now is motivation, and she's hiding. If you find her, send her home. She has a lot of work to do. All that crap is in the floor.

I'm Ready to Play

It’s hard to stay motivated to exercise. Then add other factors like, work, kids, spouse, and other obligations and responsibilities, and it gets tougher. I don’t know about others, but when it comes to doing things for my family, it’s easier to stay committed. I can get everyone to their activities, and be a task master about it. When it comes to exercising, something that will benefit me, it becomes a chore!

On top of trying to juggle the kids, and life, with exercising, I easily become uninterested in doing the same things over and over. I want exercising to be fun, and I don’t want to go it alone. For that reason, I’m continuously on the look out for various, and fun ways to exercise. Recently while reading the February issue of “Fitness” magazine, I came across Trend Watch – Recess Revisited.

Karin Schmidt, and athletic and fitness trainer in Portland, OR, came up with a cool idea. She recognized, (just like me,) her clients lost interest in traditional methods of training. She took recess games, and turned them into an alternative work out. How cool is that! I’d much rather play hopscotch, kickball, or jump rope instead, of lifting, squatting and pulling. As a kid, I enjoyed recess, and P. E., and I think I can enjoy it just as much today.

I’m not fitness a trainer, but I think I can get a group of ladies together a couple times a week for good old black top recess fun. I’ve already started my list of ladies to call. I'm ready to act like an adult, and play like a kid. My goal weight is in sight, and within reach. Look out summer, here I come. I’m ready to play!