The 30 Day Shred

I don't know what is going on with your life ladies, but i feel swamped! I have finals here in 2 weeks so i'll be honest that i avoid the gym when it starts getting hectic. You might not have this problem....it seems like so many women are so much more dedicated than i am!!

But if you're looking for something new to try, or even if you didn't have a chance to get to the gym, you might check out Jillian Michael's 30 Shred. There are 3 parts to each of the 3 sections (i'm not sure how you are supposed to break it up, maybe 10 days for each for 30 days?)

But its hardcore, she will kick your butt! I have only been doing it for a few days and i am SO sore...which is nice because i don't get sore from running anymore. It is a 20 minute interval workout, strength and cardio. its also nice because you don't need anything just weights (i've heard people have used soup cans!).

If you'd like to check out her video before you buy you can take a look here (*hint* all 3 parts of each 3 section are online though) --->

30 Day Shred

Either way a great workout if you can't get to the gym!!!

Liana

Getting back in the hang of things

I have something to admit. I have officially traded in my running shoes for my goggles!

Well maybe not officially but I LOVE swimming, i'll admit I'm still intimidated by the legitimate swimmers--cap, goggles, speedos haha! (let alone the anxiety of being in a swimsuit!). I'm by no means an expert swimmers, i swim laps for a half hour and i'm definately good...plus i'm getting Madona arms :)

I really got off track with my working out when I spent spring break in London, I fell really behind on my running. Honestly though I'm really enjoying this new workout.

I'm interested to see if any of you have read Bethanny Frankel's book "Naturally Thin". I love her from NYC Real Housewives. I won't say whether i agree with her or not. but an easy like one night fun read if you're interested :)

Liana

Where did everybody go?

Okay, I guess that's sort of like the pot calling the kettle fat black...I've definitely gotten a little behind on my Stake it! blogging and my workouts.

I know I promised to to a Bikram/Hot Yoga post, but after my one week trial ended, I couldn't quite justify the $18/class fee...especially when it is already hot as can be outside! My gym membership is done with, too, (because I'm moving on Thursday!), so all I've really been doing exercise-wise is some running. Again, not as much as I'd like, (because of finals & packing), but I'm still pleased to find that running isn't a "chore" anymore....I actually look forward to lacing up my New Balances and charging up my iPod!

Here's what I've been listening to recently (on shuffle):
The Arcade Fire (Wake Up--a great way to start my run!)
Hole - Celebrity Skin
Supergrass - Alright
Lady Gaga - Just Dance
Ting Tings - That's Not My Name
KC & The Sunshine Band - Boogie Shoes
Tilly & The Wall (Beat Control, Rainbows in the Dark, Sing Songs Along...)
The Blow (Parenthesis, True Affection)
Vampire Weekend (Oxford Comma, Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, A-Punk)

Do you all have any favorite running songs? If not running, what do you do when you find yourself short on time/$$? Is it harder or easier for you to get exercising in the summetime? Where have you been?

Ok. Time to get up and DO THIS!

Man....I have been BAD. A few weeks ago, I rocked. Went to the gym every day and it felt amazing. Then, I don't know what happened. I think the whole being a "really picky vegetarian" thing was too much for me. I literally had nothing to eat other than frozen vegetarian meals, and my body was so tired. It has also been really tough going to the gym during the day. I end up losing 3 hours of my work day with showering. I need to find a great routine.

So, yes... I am no longer a vegetarian. But I am only eating (very little) chicken and lean turkey. I guess I'm a moderate vegetarian? I like to see it that way. :)

This past week, I have had some serious stomach issues. Haven't been feeling well at all, and then, on top of everything, my back sort of went out. So I guess I get a pass, or something. I better get one. I do want to be held accountable for not going the week or two before this whole stomach/back ordeal. I was bad. That's all there is to it.

A friend emailed me a great diet plan. Not sure if she's ok with me linking to her or not, so I'm just going to say that it's pretty intense (for me, at least), and that I am so thankful that she took the time to email me such great diet and workout tips. I have to eat a lot. Or at least, what seems like a lot to me. My problem is, I don't eat enough. So my body is in fat storage. I don't eat frequently, and don't drink enough water. So, my goal for this week is to actually follow this diet.

I will share a little bit of it. And it is pretty close to what I'd normally eat, but I just have to commit to eating more often.

Vanilla protein shake with a banana
Oatmeal (not the packets, but plain boring oatmeal....yum). Can you sense the sarcasm?
Egg whites. I do this already.
Rice cakes. See, now if it came down to those or no snack, I'd choose nothing. or would have some veggies.
Salads. Something I do already.
Sweet Potatoes.
Greek yogurt. Have to think about that, because I try to avoid dairy. We are the only species that consumes another animals milk, and it's just not natural.
Fruits and veggies.

This is so close to what I do now. But it overwhelms me that I have to eat so much. How many times a day do you eat?

Swimming

Is anybody else feeling the need to switch up their workouts?

With the nice weather I am so excited to play golf and tennis. But my new thing I am all gung hoe about is swimming!!

Do any of you gals use swimming as a workout? My mom swims religiously and it sounds wonderful. It is a great whole body workout and something new to try

E-Mealz

***I posted this on my own blog last week, and thought

it would be a great addition to Stake It!

I also have "worked the plan" for a week now, and

I must say....it was awesome!

My family loved all the meals, and it was so simple!

Keep reading to find out what I'm talking about!***

I'm proud to announce that I have finally reached my goal weight!

WooHOO and Hallelujah!

Just in time for baseball season (no friends, I don't think concession stand food will keep me here for long!). I decided that it was time to get serious about meal planning on a budget, and I rediscovered something I tried years ago. Let me just tell you, it is new and improved and I am excited to get started!!!




The founders of this awesome concept are from right here in Alabama, and when they first got started they went on Rick and Bubba (my husband works for the show) to promote the plan. Chris told me about it, and we tried it for a few months. I really liked it, but for some reason or another quit doing it. That was probably 5 or 6 years ago, and let me just say, the options and features have gotten so much better. I was so excited to see that they had a Points option (I'm a Weight Watchers girl) for my favorite grocery haunt (Publix!). Don't have a Publix near you? No need to worry...they have an Any Store, Kroger, Rogers, and Wal-mart options, too. They offer low-fat, low-carb, and regular meal plans. They average $75-$90/week for meals to feed 4-6 and $35-50 for meals to feed 2 (before coupons)! That's 7 meals to feed your family! My single sister is about to try it as a way to learn to cook on a budget...the recipes are really simple, too! They don't promote it as a "weight loss" plan, but I am here to say that the meals are quite diet friendly!


What does it involve? Plain and simple, it gives you a weekly meal plan (7 meals that will feed a family of up to 6 or you can choose a plan for 2 people) based on the diet plan and grocery store of your choice. The meals include ingredients that are on sale that week, and have full recipes and grocery lists. It is pretty unbelievable! It's economical, efficient, organized, and simple. Just what this frugal, multi-tasking, Weight Watching, Type A, mother-of-3 needs! I can't wait to get my menu for next week!!!

Click HERE to sign up!

(it only costs $5 a MONTH to join!)

Sorry for all the "food" type posts, but this is sort of where I am with my life. I am trying to find ways to get the exercise in, too, because I know that is a huge piece of the puzzle. I am making sure to walk the track at the ballpark and run around outside with my kids. And this morning, I even did squats while I dried my hair! How's that for multi-tasking?

Time Out

I've been looking forward to writing about Hot Yoga (I've been taking classes daily for almost a week!), but because of a family emergency (details here), I'm taking a little time away from blogging. I'll be back soon with lots of "hot" details!