Saturday, April 27, 2013

ChaLEAN Extreme Lean Phase - DONE

Wow, this has been an AWESOME workout.  I have been playing around with doing it all over again right away. 

 
I combined this workout with my other Chalene fave - Turbofire.  I also joined a few of the monthly challenges others were having on Facebook & would throw a run in a few times a week.  Not a long run usually about 3 miles or so. 

The one thing I noticed is the last 2 weeks of this workout my appetite went NUTS.  I got tired of logging everything & stopped for a little bit.  With the goals I have the calories I was
taking in were making me nuts.  Even though my workouts were balancing things out the numbers get me all the time.  I will go right back to logging again Monday.  Had to set a goal :)

I am LOVING the fact that I see a lot more definition in my arms & legs.  Abs are still a work in progress but they feel great!! I am one of the believers that the abs are defined in the kitchen.  We can do a thousand crunches but truly if we are putting junk in our bodies that is one of the first places you will see it. 

Well, here are my stats.  Thanks for keeping up with me!  This has been fun.  I'm thinking I will do P90X again for my next 3 months.  I may take a week though & run to my hearts content & throw some yoga in there too.  Our bodies love the change in workouts.  Don't want to plateau!!

Drum roll please :)
Loss in phase 3: 1" and 0lbs
I did notice I messed up my addition after Phase 2 & my inches lost was actually 1" instead of 1/2"

Total weight loss with program: 3lbs
Total inches lost:4-3/4"

I love the way I feel after doing ChaLEAN Extreme.  I look forward to another round of it in a few months.  I did start P90X though on Monday.  Decided to just dive in.  I have to say I didn't expect to have the muscle soreness or have a hard time with certain exercises but I do.  I love that.  Challenges for our body are a good thing.

What are your challenges right now with staying fit & healthy?  Find one thing & set a goal to tackle it.  Don't overwhelm yourself!  I would love to hear from you!!

Be Blessed & Healthy!!

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Summertime Wreath

I saw this on Facebook & just loved it.  Figured I would share with you.

Here in the Sunshine State it is almost ALWAYS flip-flop weather but lately summer has been letting us know it's right around the corner.  Temps in the 80's.  Just wonderful.



I wondered if my friend over at Fun with the Fullwoods  would like this too :)  She ALWAYS has cute wreaths she has made.

Hope you enjoy it and if you decide to make something like this let me know!  I would LOVE to see it!!

Do you make wreaths or anything to hang on your door? 

Be Blessed & Healthy!!! 

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Dreams

Dreams. 

We all have them.  Mine have changed over time. 

Some have come true.  Some haven't. 

I remember when our oldest son was in Kindergarten (he went to a private school for K & 1st then we started homeschooling) I helped in his classroom as much as I was able.  I came home one day & told my DH "I know what I want to do when I grow up!!  I want to be a Kindergarten teacher!!".  Mrs Richards just made it look so fun & easy.  I love kids that age.  They are just so fresh (in a good way) and wonderful to be around, imo.  Well, instead of doing that I ended up deciding to homeschool my children.  The BEST of both worlds.  Teaching & being around MY children.  I would never change that decision.  So, I would say that dream came true.  It didn't look like what I thought it would but it came true all the same.

My dream after that was in the making all along.  I haven't accomplished it but I'm holding fast to it.  I want to be a personal trainer/fitness/nutritionist.  I want to help people take care of themselves from the inside out.  I want to help them figure out what their triggers are & help them find their soul-mate workout.  I want to be there for them when they feel like they can't go another day without giving in to their cravings.  I want to be there to cheer them on every step of the way.  That's my dream.

I happen to know my God is in the making-dreams-come-true business.  Now, like I said about the teaching, it might not look exactly what I'm thinking of but I know He knows my heart. 

It was huge for me to start a blog here, then my Facebook page, I'm even on Twitter now!!  Not as much as I probably could be but that (for some reason) really intimidates me. 

I have had beautiful women ask me for help or just advice.  I am honored & humbled that they would come to me. 

God has me on my way.  I'm thrilled about that. 

We can't give up on our dreams.  We need to remember that they might look a little different than we originally think they would look and that is ok!  We grow & can handle so much more than we think we can.

So, DREAM ON friends.  Don't stop!!  Go after it with all your heart.  You are WORTH IT!!!

What are your dreams??

Be Blessed & Healthy!!!

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Easter Fun

 
Our Easter tradition starts with church in the morning.  This year I got to sing with a GREAT choir (if I get a picture I will post it).  It was just amazing to see the congregation just get into "Alive Forever Amen" with us.


Miss E with her basket of cookies & coloring books
After church we come home & enjoy some egg & basket hunting.  They know full well who hides everything & they just LOVE the hunt.  My younger son (14yr) realizes while it may be a little "young" for him he loves the perks he gets for doing it.  We hide plastic eggs & I put "coupons" in them every year.  "Ice Cream night" (we only do ice cream on Sundays), "Dinner of Your Choice", "1 Week of NO Chores" (this is the popular one), etc. 

The annual hunt for the basket :)
This year though I did something different for the baskets.  Usually I have found little things to put in the baskets that they would enjoy & add a candy bar that is their favorite or jelly beans.  Stuff like that.  As so many of us are finding, finances are a bit tight lately.  This year I made everyone their favorite kind of cookie.  It was really nice to be able to do that for them AND be able to keep it a surprise!  I even ventured into making homemade "oreo" cookies.  My daughter & I are gluten free so I was able to do something for her as well.  I had all the ingredients but a couple & in all it cost me under $10 to do the whole thing including the eggs. 

We ended our day with a GREAT dinner at my sister's house.  My nephew turned 5 on Easter this year so we got to have yummy spaghetti dinner with some delicious cake for desert!  I couldn't imagine a more special end to a very special day!!

 
Prince Charming FOR SURE!!



Hope your Easter was filled with fun & blessings!!!
 
Be Blessed & Healthy!!


Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Logging Your Workouts & Calories




I have mentioned this before. 

Every workout -  you should write down.  Every bite you take - you should write down. 

Something as simple as a notebook where you keep your workout equipment & another in the kitchen.  I use MyFitnessPal online.  I really like the site.  I have used a couple others & this one is my favorite.  The workout & food database is really extensive.  The only thing I don't like some times is that the workouts & calorie intake just doesn't seem to match up for me.  Um, that isn't the site's problem though (haha). 

I think a lot of frustrations for people that would like to lose a few pounds or just stay on target with what they have already lost is the fact we aren't thinking about all the calories we are taking in.  I already know my problem area of the day.  I see it in black & white every day I post in my food diary on MFP.  Now I know what I have to do. 

I like logging my workouts in most of all.  I am able to look back & see what I did the week before.  When I'm working on a specific program I log in the weights & use & the reps I do.  SO important.  That way I can make notes if I need to change the next time around.  I just can't remember those things.  Life really gets in the way.  It's great to see the changes.  When I started working out years ago 5lbs was enough for bicep curls.  Now I'm doing much more & looking for heavier weights to add to my collection!! 

Check out MyFitnessPal.  They have an app too you can use so it is so much easier to use.  If you join, look for me at Imperfectly Pamela. 

Have you ever kept track of your calorie intake and/or workouts?  What were the pros & cons for you?

Be Blessed & Healthy!!!


Tuesday, April 2, 2013

ChaLEAN Extreme - Lean Phase & Update

I can't believe how much I am ENJOYING this workout.  I love that she changes it up.  Starting out easy (Burn), lifting heavy (Push) then focusing on everything to get Lean. 

When I first started the Lean Phase I have to say my brain was screaming NO!!!!  She works the arms & legs at the same time & I think first thing in morning my coordination just isn't there.  This being my 2nd week I can say I'm doing much better at that & LOVING it. 

The 2nd phase "Push" she really stresses upping your weight.  "Go Heavy or Go Home".  I love that.

So in measuring this time around I didn't lose any weight but I did lose a 1/2".  Oh yes  1/2 ".  I will be happy with that.  I saw changes in the measurements.  Loss in places & slight gains in places.  It's all good.  Saw my dr yesterday for a check-up & she is really happy with what she is seeing.  That works for me!!

Looking forward to the final measurements & just seeing how this Lean Phase changes things for me.  Already looking ahead to my next step. 

What did you do for Easter?? 

Be Blessed & Healthy!!