Health & Fitness: Day 30

Today is my 30th day of my health and fitness journey. I've updated daily on my exercise and health(ier) eating habits. Once I complete 30 full days of the 30 Day Shred (I have 6 days to go), I'll do a weekly update on my journey. I started blogging about my health and fitness journey to help hold me accountable. It definitely has helped. I'm not sure how many people actually read these posts but it doesn't matter. The idea that someone *might* be checking in to see how I'm doing keeps me motivated.

Day 30 Exercise:
-20 minutes of the 30 Day Shred Level 3

Health & Fitness: Day 29

I completed my third day of level 3 of the 30 Day Shred. I'm not gonna lie, it was hard. I'm trying to do more of the "advanced" movements but they are really difficult. I was really, really tempted to step on the scale today but I didn't. I'm going to wait until the end of August to weigh myself again. The scale at the doctor's office on Friday said I was 146 so we'll pretend that was my correct weight. I don't like that number but it's just a number. So instead of weighing myself, I decided to try on a pair of shorts that were pretty tight on me a year ago (before I was pregnant with Olivia). Well, they are still a little snug but they fit. They fit better now than they did a year ago. So even if my "number" is higher, my body is more fit and I'm more tone now than I was in July 2011.

Day 29 Exercise:
-20 minutes of level 3 of the 30 Day Shred

Health & Fitness: Day 28

Today was my 2nd day of level 3 of the 30 Day Shred. I actually haven't gotten "bored" during these last 2 workouts. It's so intense that it doesn't give you a chance to think about how tired you are. I'm hoping to see more results after 10 days of level 3.

I went to the doctor on Friday. Of course I had to step on the scale. Well, I didn't like their scale. It's probably way more accurate than mine but I still don't like it. My weight loss according to their scale is only 3 lbs. Regardless of the amount of pounds I have lost, my body is definitely changing. I am stronger and more tone than I was 4 weeks ago. Plus I'm healthier than I was 4 weeks ago and I guess that is what matters most. So I've decided to not step on the scale for the next 4 weeks. I've gotten too caught up with how much I weigh.

Day 28 Exercise:
-20 minutes of Level 3 of the 30 Day Shred

Health & Fitness: Day 26 & 27

I never got around to exercising yesterday. I was busy then I was lazy then busy again. Oh well. But I did start level 3 today. Oh. my. goodness. It's rough! Very challenging! But I do can it.

Day 26 Exercise:
-zero

Day 27 Exercise:
-20 minutes of the 30 Day Shred Level 3

Health & Fitness: Day 25

Today I completed level 2 of the 30 Day Shred. I've been on my health & fitness journey for 25 days but there were a few days I didn't work out at all or I didn't complete the full 20 minute workout. Today was my 20th day of the 30 Day Shred and my 10th day of level 2. Moving on to level 3 tomorrow. Wish me luck!

Day 25 Excercise:

-20 minutes of the 30 Day Shred Level 2

Weekly Meal Plan: Week of July 30-August 5

Monday- Baked chicken with red skin potatoes and green beans from Pinterest. There wasn't really a "recipe" that was linked to the picture but it sounds good. "A friend of mine brought me this when I had surgery. Now it is my "go to" dish for taking to people who have had babies, surgery, etc. 4-6 raw chicken breasts, new potatoes, green beans (fresh or canned-really any green veggie would work. Broccoli is good, too). Arrange in 9x13 dish. Sprinkle with a packet of Italian dressing mix and then top with a melted stick of butter. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Enjoy!"

Tuesday- Taco Soup:http://mostlynice.blogspot.com/2011/03/soup-on-cheap.html with multigrain tortilla chips.  I planned to make this last week but we went to Chick-fil-a instead to celebrate Julianna's potty accomplishments.

Wednesday- Grilled shrimp with rice and beans: http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2005/10/nicks-chipotle-grilled-shrimpwith.html (recipe for marinating the shrimp).

Thursday- Crock pot spaghetti with baby spinach salad: http://picky-palate.com/2012/03/19/creamy-crock-pot-spaghetti/.

Friday- Crock pot tacos: http://mychocolatetherapy.blogspot.com/2012/01/crockpot-chicken-tacos.html.

Saturday- Eat Out

Sunday- Leftovers + Snacks at Community Group. I think I am going to make these for group: http://rachelschultz.com/2012/07/20/rolo-stuffed-snickerdoodles/ and http://thecraftyblogstalker.blogspot.com/2012/05/apple-nachos.html. YUM!

Now, I'll use this meal plan to create my grocery list. To create my grocery list, I go back through each of my recipes that I plan on using. I organize the list into the following categories: refrigerated, non-refrigerated, frozen, produce, and meat. I add the items that I don't already have at home to the list in the correct category. Categorizing your grocery list makes grocery shopping quicker and more efficient. Especially when you're shopping with a 2 month old and 2 year old!

When I shop, I always try to get the lowest priced item so I often buy the store brand. But if there is a lower calorie, lower fat option that is not a store brand, I buy that.

Olivia- 10 weeks old

Seriously?! Another week has gone by?! Our sweet Olivia is 10 weeks old. She is such a content baby. So far she only cries or gets fussy when she wants to eat or when she's tired. She smiles often and gets very excited when I pick her up. She'll tolerate tummy time for a little bit longer this week and is started to show some interest in rolling over. We love you, Olivia Grace!

Health & Fitness: Day 24 + Progress Pictures

I wasn't motivated today. I did the workout but I just wasn't feeling it and I'm sore. Oh well, hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow. Tomorrow is my last day of level 2 of the 30 Day Shred. I've completed 19 days so far and I think I've gotten pretty good results. I've lost 5 pounds and some inches. Please let my motivation return tomorrow!

Day 24 Exercise:
-20 minutes of the 30 Day Shred

Health & Fitness: Day 23

Today was my 8th (full) day of level 2 of the 20 Day Shred. I'm going to do level 2 for 2 more days and then move on to level 3. I have completed 18 full workouts of the 30 Day Shred. I haven't decided what I'll do after I complete the 30 days. I may continue to use the workouts in rotation but I  want to start running again. My goal is to complete the Fall Festival 5k in October.

Day 23 Exercise:
-20 minutes of the 30 Day Shred Level 2

Thrifty: well, semi-thrifty

These shorts are my favorite. I bought them at a thrift store for $2.00. Not bad for Banana Republic shorts! I can finally fit into them (without a muffin top)! It's quite exciting to put on a pair of shorts that didn't fit 3 weeks ago and be able to comfortably wear them. Yay for weight loss and thrifty finds! Oh and if you're curious about my shoes... it's flip flop season! :)

Shirt: Old Navy from about 4 years ago
Tank Top: American Eagle from about 6 years ago
Shorts: thrifted; Banana Republic

Friends and Fries

This morning Julianna, Olivia, and I ventured out to meet one of my friends that I taught with for 4 years and her daughter and godson. We met at Chick-Fil-A to chat, eat, and let the toddlers play. Julianna had a blast in the play place- it was actually her first time playing in one. I wasn't sure how she would do but she did great. She played for almost an hour in her tutu. Julianna doesn't like to leave home without her tutu!

Health & Fitness: Day 22 + Weekly Weigh-In

Today begins the 3rd week of my health and fitness journey. I have lost 5 pounds and I feel great! I can see such a difference in the way my body looks. Yay for results! And dare I say it... I see the beginnings of defined abs!

Day 1 Weigh-In:
148 lbs.
Day 8 Weigh-In:
145 lbs.
Day 15 Weigh-In:
144 lbs. for a total weight loss of 4 lbs.
Day 22 Weigh-In:
143 lbs. for a total weight loss of 5 lbs.

First Goal Weight:
140 lbs. (pre-Olivia weight)
Second Goal Weight:
135 lbs.

Day 22 Exercise:
-20 minutes of the 30 Day Shred

Me on Day 20

Health & Fitness: Day 20 & 21

Yesterday I only did half of my workout. The girls woke up half way through and with caring for them, grocery shopping, and a cookout to attend- the workout just didn't get finished. But I do believe my trip to the grocery store with both of them counts as a workout by itself.

I did do the full workout today. I wanted to stop close to the end when my sweet husband came home from church, sat down on the recliner, and started watching me. But I finished it and felt great afterwards.

Day 20 Exercise:
-10 minutes of the 30 Day Shred

Day 21 Exercise:
-20 minutes of the 30 Day Shred

Potty Training: a dishonest toddler

Oh boy! I never realized just how hard it would be to potty train Julianna. When she was 18 months old, we bought a free standing potty and a potty seat. She's peed in the potty here and there since then but no real progress.
Well, in the the past few weeks, she has showed a great interest in going to the potty. She asks to go, she takes off her diaper, and she tells me when she's wet. So of course, I put her on the potty every time she goes. She peed one time but all of the other many times, she doesn't. She just sits there and says that she did. She says, "JuJu did a good job. I pee peed." But there's no pee pee in the potty?! I'm so confused. I tell her that she did a good job sitting on the potty like a big girl but she needs to pee pee in the potty.

So if that wasn't confusing enough, we have the free standing potty upstairs in her bathroom. She asked me to go potty and I told her to use her pink potty. She takes off her shorts and her diaper and tells me to go away. I leave the bathroom and come back about 2 minutes later. She tells me that she pee peed so I look. There is definitely liquid in the potty but not pee. The smart (and dishonest) little stinker filled her potty with water. There was a cup of water sitting on the ledge of the bathtub from bathtime so she poured it into her potty. The liquid in the potty was just water. Trust me, I even smelled it. Just water.

I have been given the challenge of potty training a dishonest and very smart toddler. Wish me luck on this journey!

Olivia- 9 weeks old

Olivia was 9 weeks old on Wednesday! She's 2 months old! I can't believe it. I think time is going by faster with her. It seems like it was just yesterday when I was 40 weeks pregnant. She's smiling and "talking" to us more and more now. She enjoys sitting up on the boppy pillow so that she can see what's going on. She follows me around the room with her eyes and enjoys watching her big sister be silly. The love that Julianna has for Olivia is the most precious thing ever. I hope they always love each other deeply. Julianna showers Olivia with kisses and wants to know where she is at all times. So sweet! I love my girls!

Health & Fitness: Day 17, 18, and 19

Oops. I forgot to post Wednesday and Thursday. Well, I know why I didn't post on Wednesday. I was so sore from Tuesday that I didn't do the 30 Day Shred. I did some ab exercises but that was it. My legs were hurting so bad! But I got back into it yesterday and today with the motivation from my little cheerleader- my 2 year old. She pays attention to make sure I'm doing the same thing that they're doing in the video. If I'm still laying down and they're not, she says, "Mommy! Get up now!" She's too funny!

Day 17 Exercise:
-10 minutes of ab exercises

Day 18 Exercise:
-30 Day Shred

Day 19 Exercise:
-30 Day Shred

Weekly Meal Plan: Week of July 23-29

Monday- Ham and Pineapple Kabobs:
http://goodenessgracious.com/2012/04/ham-pineapple-kabobs.html with steamed veggies.

Tuesday- Lasagna Rollups: http://cookingclassy.blogspot.com/2012/02/lasagna-roll-ups.html with garlic toast and a spring mix salad.

Wednesday- Taco Soup: http://mostlynice.blogspot.com/2011/03/soup-on-cheap.html with multigrain tortilla chips.

Thursday- Slow Cooker Chicken Ceasar Sandwiches: http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2011/09/slow-cooker-chicken-caesar-sandwiches.html with baked beans (we eat baked beans a lot because the 2 year old adores them.)

Friday- Grilled tilapia (possibly served on whole wheat tortillas as tacos) with mango salsa and black beans:

Ingredients for salsa:

1 ripe mango, peeled, pitted and cut into 1/2 in squares

1/2 C fresh minced cilantro

1 TBSP freshly squeezed lime juice

1/4 C peeled and diced red onion

1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed

1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped

Saturday- Dinner out... I'm thinking Japanese food sounds good!
Sunday- Leftovers/Birthday Party

Now, I'll use this meal plan to create my grocery list. To create my grocery list, I go back through each of my recipes that I plan on using. I organize the list into the following categories: refrigerated, non-refrigerated, frozen, produce, and meat. I add the items that I don't already have at home to the list in the correct category. Categorizing your grocery list makes grocery shopping quicker and more efficient. Especially when you're shopping with a 2 month old and 2 year old!

When I shop, I always try to get the lowest priced item so I often buy the store brand. But if there is a lower calorie, lower fat option that is not a store brand, I buy that.

Health & Fitness: Day 16

I've made it 16 days. Out of 16 days, I've worked out 13 days. Not bad. But level 2 is pretty tough. Yesterday during the 30 Day Shred, Jillian says you probably feel like your going to die... um, yes Jillian, that's EXACTLY how I feel! My goodness, it's no joke. Goodbye chubby tummy, hello abs!



Day 16 Exercise:
-20 minutes of the 30 Day Shred

2 Month Check-Up

Olivia Grace is 2 months old today! Julianna and I took Olivia to the peditrician for her 2 month check-up. Our sweet Olivia weighs 12 lbs. 4 oz. and is 23 inches long! She's growing beautifully! She also had to get those dreaded 2 month shots. She screamed and cried when she was getting them but calmed down within a few seconds afterwards. She did great!

Big sister getting into everything as usual.

Olivia's camo bandaid.

Mommy and Olivia waiting to get her shots.

Happy girl when we got home.

Health & Fitness: Day 14 & 15 + Weekly Weigh-In

I took yesterday off from exercising. I had done over a week straight. My body needed a day off so I listened and enjoyed it.
Today was my weekly weigh-in. I lost 1 lb. this week. I'm not really concerned with my weight loss this week because despite what the scale says, my body is making a lot of changes! I can SEE my results. I feel healthy and my clothes are fitting better each day. I still have to eat quite a few calories a day to keep up with breastfeeding so I'd say a pound is good progress!

Day 1 Weigh-In:
148 lbs.
Day 8 Weigh-In:
145 lbs.
Day 15 Weight-In:
144 lbs. for a total weight loss of 4 lbs.
First Goal Weight:
140 lbs. (pre-Olivia weight)
Second Goal Weight:
135 lbs.

Day 15 Exercise:
-20 minutes of the 30 Day Shred

Thrifty: stripes

I am loving stripes and patterns right now. Several of the past few tops that I've thrifted have been stripes. I picked out a striped shirt yesterday for church and this morning to take Olivia to the doctor. Check out my almost completely thrifted striped outfits! Oh and maybe one day I'll wear my hair down again but with this super hot summer, humidity, and a newborn- up is the way to go!

Top: thrifted; Charlotte Russe
Tank Top: Old Navy
Shorts: thrifted; Gap
Earrings: The Jewel Box



Top: thrifted; Gap
Tank Top: Old Navy
Skirt: thrifted; Apt 9. Kohls
Necklace: Dominican Republic (I found this pretty necklace on our honeymoon!)

Health & Fitness: Day 13

Today I began level 2 of the 30 Day Shred. It was definitely harder but I kept up. I was quite sweaty by the end of the workout and I'm actually a little sore so I think it was a beneficial workout.

Am I the only one who doesn't like other people to see you workout? I think that's why I never kept up with a gym memership or the rec center in college. I didn't want other people watching me. Maybe I'm just a weird one. My husband hopes that he comes home while I'm working out one day... I hope he doesn't and I'm working out when I know there's no way he'll be home. But I don't care how I look after a good workout so I took a picture today. Julianna asked me when I was finished, "Mommy, are you okay?"

Day 13 Exercise:
-20 minutes of Level 2 of the 30 Day Shred



Health & Fitness: Day 12

Today is day 12 of my health and fitness journey. My workout wasn't quite so hard today. Trust me, I felt it but I made it through it much easier today than yesterday. We all slept much better last night so that was definitely made it easier. Exercise is happening everyday. I'm pretty proud of myself for not skipping out on it. Healthy eating is going well too- except I really love peanut butter. I didn't realize how many calories were in reduced fat peanut butter so I have to watch just how much I'm eating at a time. It's so good on apples! Last night, we had grilled shrimp kabobs for dinner. So delicious and healthy, too!

Shrimp kabobs ready for grilling.

Day 12 Exercise:
-30 Day Shred, Day 10 of Level 1. I will be starting Level 2 tomorrow and continue it for the next 10 days.

Heath & Fitness: Day 11

Day 11 was by far the hardest for me. Why? Our sweet little two year old would not go to sleep last night. Screamed for 75 minutes. Slept for 45. Screamed off and on the rest of the night. It was exhausting. Josh took care of her while I was feeding Olivia every 2 hours. I took over Julianna duties at 4am and just got her down for a nap at 11:30am. Oh my goodness. I am tired. This is why day 11 was tough. Even though it was tough and I was tired, at least I did it. I probably didn't go as hard as I should have during my workout but at least I completed my exercise. Can I take a nap now, girls? Please?!

Day 11 Exercise:
-20 minutes of the 30 day shred... including warm up and cool down, it's actually about 25 minutes- the warm up is a work out too!!

Olivia- 8 weeks old

Olivia Grace is 8 weeks old today. She is getting so big, so fast. She's already in size 2 diapers and some of her 0-3 month clothing is getting snug. I would guess that she's about 12 pounds now but we'll know for sure when we go for her checkup next week. Her nighttime sleeping is getting better. She still starts out the night in her swing but moves to the bassinet when she wakes up between 2am and 3am. She'll sleep there until about 8am. I'm surprised When she is awake, she's such an alert and happy baby. She smiles when you talk to her and coos in response.

Health & Fitness: Day 10

Today is day 10. I'm pretty sure this is the longest I've ever stuck with an exercise/weight loss regimen. I'm pretty proud of myself! I know that I am making progress. Last night when I couldn't sleep after putting Olivia back to bed, I was wishing that I had taken a "before" picture. I did find a picture that was taken of me the week before I started my journey.

This was on June 26 at the zoo. I was 6 weeks postpartum and I weighed 150 lbs. So this is my "before" shot. I wish I would have taken one where you can see my arms and stomach better because both have definitely changed during the past 10 days. It's amazing what 10 tens of exercise and healthy eating habits can do. I'm excited to see what kind of results I get after 30 days.

And if there is one thing I will try to talk my daughters out of doing, it would be getting their belly button pierced. I thought it was great when I was 21. But after 2 pregnancies, it's not so cute anymore! I'm anti-belly button piercings now! Don't do it! (Unless you never want babies.)

Day 10 Exercise:
-20 minutes of the 30 Day Shred

Weekly Meal Plan: Week of July 16-22

When Olivia was first born, I didn't cook at all. I just didn't have the time. Breastfeeding is super time consuming in the beginning. I literally nursed her for the majority of the day since her tummy was so tiny. Now, Olivia eats about every 2-3 hours during the day so I actually have a little bit of "hands free" time to prepare dinner... except for the cute little two year old that constantly wants to me to "hold you." I started creating a weekly meal plan a few weeks ago so I am going to start sharing it on the blog to keep up with meals. I try to prepare pretty balanced meals- healthy that taste good. So here's the plan for next week...I have linked recipes where necessary.

Monday- Chili Lime Chicken Burger: http://www.supperforasteal.com/chili-lime-chicken-burger/#comment-182 with baked beans.

Tuesday- Salmon: http://thedevilspunchbowl.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/drinking-coffee-at-8pm-fierce/ with a salad- spring mix with strawberries and light raspberry vinaigrette dressing.

Wednesday- Taco lasagna: http://www.thecookingmommyblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/taco-lasagna-easy-style.html

Thursday- Whole wheat penne pasta with red sauce: (Del Monte Traditional pasta sauce, Del Monte diced tomatoes with basil & oregano- no salt added, and browned ground turkey).

Friday- Homemade pizza with turkey pepperoni, Roma tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese: http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/easy-homemade-pizza-dough-687346/

Saturday- Cook out with friends from church.

Sunday- Leftover Day (every Sunday is leftover day because our fridge is usually full of leftovers by the weekend, even with Josh taking leftovers for lunch.)

Now, I'll use this meal plan to create my grocery list. When I shop, I always try to get the lowest priced item so I often buy the store brand. But if there is a lower calorie, lower fat option that is not a store brand, I buy that.

Health & Fitness: Day 9

Today I am making a BIG change. Well, it's big to me. I am completely giving up soft drinks. This has been a work in progress since I got pregnant with Olivia. I cut back a lot when I got pregnant. But now this is it. No more soft drinks. I really don't enjoy them as much anymore and I just feel icky after drinking one. Plus they aren't good for you. Diet or not, they're filled with terrible stuff. I'll just stick with my one cup of coffee in the morning for my caffeine fix. I poured our last 2 bottles out this morning. Goodbye to soft drinks!

My weigh-in was super motivating yesterday. I lost 3 lbs. last week. I don't expect to see that kind of weight loss every week (and it's not healthy to) but I am excited that the lifestyle changes that I am making are paying off. I will be at my first goal weight in no time!

Day 9 Exercise:
-20 minutes of the 30 Day Shred
I am currently working on Level 1. I planned to do each level for 10 days. Today was Day 7 of Level 1 and it's getting easier for me each time... as in I am not panting for air after 2 minutes. I can tell my body is changing and getting stronger.