Back in the saddle!

Chad and I worked out together in the workout room for the first time since we moved in!
He's been all in the spirit to lose weight and get fit for the wedding - don't know what spurred him into action... but I like it!   Slept like a rock last night even though I only did a moderate 1/2 hour workout!!

Remember all the plants I had to make the room look "zen".... well they're rotting the woodwork.
Whoops.  :(

I fit!!!!

Workout Routine

Everyday I walk the dogs about 5 miles.  I also have been doing 20 minutes on the eliptical and 20 on the bike.  When Im on the bike Ive been lifting weights so I get an arm workout in.  By the end of the seasion Im a sweaty mess!

Walmart. 😕

I just went grocery shopping today because I thought Walmart would have cheaper organic food.  Not only was it hard to find and not in great shape... Most irganic bins were empty and they only had organic bananas for fruit.  Going to find another place to shop.  I wish they had a Co-Op in Blaine. I think Im going to find the nearest one. 

Also found this cool graphic on why ypu should buy USDA organic vs just non gmo.  Theres lots of different ways the food industry labels foods to trick consumers... Such as natural isnt the same as organic... Which isnt the same as 100% organic... And so on. 

FlaXulance

Instead of making smoothies for breakfast, I'm mixing yougurt, fruit, flaxseed, and chia seeds.
I feel awesome!  All the fiber from the flax is really helping "clean" the system.  TMI, I know, but I thought I'd share anyway.  :P   I bought my bag at ... you guessed it... Costco!

Check out the benefits:
http://www.webmd.com/diet/benefits-of-flaxseed

Eating good - but ravenous!

I've made it to my workout room three times since last time we walked!   Met goal!  I hope I can keep this up when my new job starts.  I also am really interested in eating organic since watching GMO OMG.  Good documentary on Netflix.  Also discovered that Costco has great organic products (see pic).  Even better, an easier way to shop at Costco for organic is simply to look for green marked tags above the items. Its really not that much more expensive and it tastes so much better.  Goes bad quick though, which I guess it the point. Im putting lots of things in my freezer. 

My goal for next week is to not only do the abs challenge with you, but to cut down on how much I'm eating.  Since I'm working out more, all I want to do is eat.  Even if it is healthy, I'm not losing any weight. I also can tell I'm gaining muscle.  I think it's true what you said last week that our body gets used to these crash course excercise/diet routines.  I havent lost put half a pound since last week!!!   Frusterating!!!   I need to drink more water....   

Official Challenge - Do you Accept?

My challenge for us for this week (to start on Sunday):
http://skinnyms.com/7-day-summer-abs-challenge/


Also, (unrelated to the challenge) lots of good recipes:
http://skinnyms.com/21-clean-lunches-that-can-be-prepared-in-under-10-minutes/

http://skinnyms.com/50-recipes-for-weight-loss/

http://skinnyms.com/15-make-ahead-clean-eating-dinners/

I Challenge You to a Dual

I finally got into the blog!! Whoo hoooo!

I think we should do a challenge.

Tell me what you think about this idea:
Each week we alternate giving the other person a challenge that we BOTH have to follow.  It could be anything... here are some ideas:

• Exercise 30 minutes 5 days this week
• Drink 8 glasses of water each day
• Don't have any desserts this week whatsoever
• No pop whatsoever
• No meat
• Only eat home-prepared foods made from fresh ingredients this week (i.e. nothing that comes from a box, is pre-made by a manufacturer, has artificial anything, etc.)
• Make a specific diet for the entire week and follow it (e.g. detox diet)

Eventually I'd like to work our way up to the 4-Step Weightloss Challenge

 http://skinnyms.com/4-step-weight-loss-challenge/.  This challenge states that you'll likely lose 10 lbs in 30 days, but I'm betting we would lose more if we took out most of our sugar.  It basically includes these 4 steps:

1. Drink approximately 2 liters, or 8 eight ounce glasses, of water each day. 
2. Avoid all refined sugar and artificial sweeteners.
3. Portion Control: All meals should be eaten on salad size plates instead of traditional dinner plates.
4. Exercise a minimum of 30 minutes, six days per week

The challenge also has these Tips for Success:

• Avoid processed, packaged foods that are often found on the inside aisles of grocery stores
• Shop the outer parameter of the grocery store. Here you will find fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats and low-fat dairy
• Eat lean cuts of meat, or better yet, eat wild-caught salmon, rainbow trout, and halibut
• Avoid all battered and deep fried foods
• Eat one treat meal each week. Studies show that having one treat meal when working to lose weight will help you stay on track with your eating plan
• No alcohol is recommended because of the high sugar content

Going Wild

Seriously a great inspirational movie for so many reasons.  I would love to start hiking/camping.

50 Days and Counting!

Alright.  It was a bad idea to order the dress too small for Anna's wedding...but I thought it would inspire me.  There's no excuse or escape now though.  I have 50 days to literally pull myself together and fit into this sucker... and get it tailored because I'm a munchkin.

Rainbow of Color

A gorgeous salad!   Gotta get in the "rainbow of color" the experts talk about - aka vitamins.  Wish I could find a better set of dressings I love and could kick the need for a soda/carbs to go with it.  

Workout Room - It's coming together!

My goal this week is to make it in the workout room at least two times, in addition to walking the dogs.  I can do it!  I really want to start pintresting Buddha/spa art to add.  Chad thinks we should add a waterfall in there for white noise.  Lol.   Also... why do I want big fat Buddhas in the workout room?  That's somehow soothing to me?   Lol.

I took this picture in Chinatown in Chicago.  I'd love to get one of those groupons to have it be a big canvas for the room.  

Hi Brit!

I'm excited we're doing this blog together.
Thought I would put together a few good resources that really get me motivated every time I try and do a "reboost."

Karen