I’ve been doing well in my fitness challenge.  I’ve made a commitment to try and exercise at least 20 minutes everyday if not every other day.  I will not go 2 days in a row without doing some sort of physical activity.  My biggest challenge is finding the time.  Making a commit of 20 min per day is definitely doable and I know there is no greater feeling than fulfilling a goal.  When I was in highschool, I was very athletic and I LOVED the rush I got from competing in sports.  I really miss that feeling.

Which is what I was doing the other evening when hubby and I decided to go for a walk/run.  Whew!  I couldn’t get my breathing under control, but that will come.  I’m so out of practice.  I’m guessing it was at least 3km.  I wish I had some way of tracking the distance.  Hopefully I can get out 2-3 times a week just to build up my cardio.  Plus I love getting out in the fresh air and spending time with hubby.  I could never walk or run on the trail myself.  I’m too nervous.  Besides, it’s nice to have the company and the encouragement.  I need to pick up a couple more pairs of drawstring pants though.  Yoga pants just don’t cut it!  Wouldn’t that have been nice if my pants had fallen down around my ankles and I went a$$ over tea kettle.

Well, I made it through my first 2 weeks of the fitness challenge.  I went to 3 high impact aerobic classes this week and it felt sooo good!  I’m a little sore, but not too bad.  My cloths are getting a little loose and people are actually noticing I’ve lost a little weight.  It’s not much…only 7 lbs.  But it feels great.  I’m hoping to lose 15 more pounds by Christmas.  I know I can do it!  Hubby has lost 10 lbs also…not that he needs to.  I think he looks great!  He weighs 180 lbs  and I’m down to 161lbs.  I weighed 195 lbs when I was pregnant with Gabby…Yikes!!  I’m only 5′2″ so that is alot of weight on me.  It feels great to be healthy again.

and sweat I did!!!  Tonight was my first night back to UFIT in over 6 months.  It felt sooo good and it’s a great workout.  I am always drenched in sweat when I am done.  I’d like to know how many calories I actually burn in one class.  Not to mention it is such a great stress release for me.  I feel so calm and relaxed when the class is over.  The instructor is phenominal also.  She really gets you pumped and I don’t think I’ve ever been to a bad class.  You Rock Julie!!!!

Tonight was my first “keeping fit” class and what a class it was!  I am going to be sore tomorrow.  We used the exercise ball and free weights.  Who knew you could do so much with an exercise ball?  There were things I did with that ball that I don’t do with my husband!  The instructor is very creative and I used muscles tonight I didn’t know I had.   Thursdays class is a power walk/run.  We are starting at the Wendy’s uptown and ending up at the Wendy’s downtown.  It’s quite a jaunt…5km at least!  I can feel the burn!!!

Tonight was our first meeting for the Fall Fitness challenge.  There are 35 of us, all different shapes and sizes!  We each received a booklet with ALOT of great info and some recipes.  The focus of the 12 week challenge is to become healthier.  It’s NOT about being skinny.  It’s about exercising 6 days a weeks (only 15-20 min of cardio), eating 3 meals a day with 3 snacks, watching portion sizes, balancing your proteins with carbs and last but not least….HAVING FUN! I am so pumped!!

I may even share my before and after pictures.

Someone must have been thinking of me when they invented these.  YUMMMM!  My dieting buddy gave me one this week (thanks sharon!) and I went right out and bought a box for myself.  They are only 100 calories and very small yet still big enough to satisfy my sweet tooth.  Now if I can just keep the kids out of them!

I picked up the equipment I will need for the fall fitness challenge.  A yoga mat, 3lb weights and a exercise ball.  I’m sooo excited!  The classes are taught by a girl I went to school with.  She just decided one day to buck up and get fit and her classes have become very popular.  She teaches her classes 3 days a week, two of the classes are at the legion across the field from our house.  Yeah!  The classes are only $2 each which is very reasonable and the signup fee for the challenge is only $25.  I’ve also joined CPO’s own “Fall into Fitness” Challenge on the shrinking mom’s and dad’s board (thanks seealirun!).  It’s great to have a support group to keep you motivated.  I haven’t had any luck these past few months doing it on my own and I can’t wait to see results….bring it on!!!

I have been trying to lose weight since January and not having any luck.  I’m so unmotivated and I LOVE to eat…especially snacks.  Chocolate and ice-cream are my two biggest weaknesses.  I just have no will power.  So this week, I decided enough is enough and I must get on the ball!  I injured my knee in high school during a rugby match (the day before prom would you believe!) and it has been really bothering me.  I’m hoping if i can lose 20lbs, it may help.  It doesn’t sound like much, but it would make me extremely happy.  So I am going to plot my progress over the next two months.  Hopefully it will help me be more accountable.  This week I have made the following changes:

• no snacking after 7:30 pm
• drink more water throughout the day
• eating between 1500-1700 calories per day

I am hoping to lose 2lbs per week which I think is reasonable.  My current weight is 165lbs and I would like to be 145lbs by the end of October.  By setting deadlines, I’m hoping it will help me accomplish my goal.  WISH ME LUCK!!!

P.S.   if anyone can find a site that lists calories of various foods, please send me the link…thanks!