Catch up!! Days 10, 11, and now 12

Boy did I get side tracked!! 

Day 10-- Wednesday

Wednesdays are chaos in my house so I wasn't to surprised I had to take it as my "off" day. 

My foot is still hurting and I can't get to the DR till Tuesday the 25th but I do have the appointment scheduled already. I spent that day doing extra homework with my kids and prepping them for a very busy weekend with my husband being home.

On to Day 11-- Thursday.

I didn't do an actual workout other then some light stretching but that's because my day consisted of carrying junk off of porches and helping my husband tape off windows and doors of my mother in laws cabin so we could paint it. 

 I spent all day being his gopher-- running to and fro getting anything he needed. Then we ran to town to buy more primer and the actual paint. While he did a Home Depot run for that I did a dash thru Walmart with 2 kids to shop for the week-- on the plus side I only forgot 2 things LOL

Then he ran out of primer with only about 20-30 ft left to primer. With our high winds that feel like your being sandblasted in the spring and fall we had to get more primer. We talked it over and decided that since it was getting late we would all go back into town and do our mad dashes again. Neither one of us like driving at night but on the plus side I got the stuff I forgot earlier so YAY!!

Now here is today-- Friday. 

We are back at my mother in laws painting and the house looks great!!! 

(When he is done with the trim I am taking pictures!!)

I am inside working today, having been running around on my feet all day yesterday THEY HURT!!

FEAR NOT!!

I did the Muffin Top Workout and a bunch of Pilates so now my back is mad at me.

It's not even 2:30pm and I did my workout on top of helping hubby again today (but not nearly as much as yesterday). I am hoping that once we get back home  I can do one of my yoga routines to help stretch and relax but I really feel good knowing that I did something. 

By the end of  last night I was really sore and annoyed I didn't actually workout for 2 days, it fueled my fire to make sure and get it in today. I really do feel so much better when I do workout.

On another note having gone to town yesterday I went and glanced at the clearance racks (as a mom of 4 that is really how I do all my shopping), sure enough they had a bunch of shorts there so I grabbed a few pairs to try on. One in the size I last bought which was back in June, and one in the next size down--- being HOPEFUL.

Well my hope paid off since that's the pair I bought. They are not loose but they are not killing me tight. I prefer loose shorts but needed something for a trip to the city where its still in the high 80's and sometimes low 90's --- I have another week to see if I can get them a tad bit looser.

I really hope that you are having fun doing your challenge also!!

Blessings,

Cris

A new day and a new challenge...Day 9

Well I woke up breathing alot easier today but my foot was killing me. Due to my foot I have been trying to take it easy today, I did massage and ice on it but no change.While I am not actually hurt (at least I don't believe I am)  I have a weird pull in the arch of my foot. Any time I step down completely flat footed, it feels as if the muscle locks and I can't do it.I am planning on calling my Doctor tomorrow to see if I can get in and have it checked. I just want to get it looked at to prevent hurting myself.

 I still did workout today but since I knew jumping would be a bad idea on the foot I went for Yoga Booty Ballet which a friend recommended. I found a link on YouTube for one of their cabaret videos and decided to give it a whirl. 

While its not what I was expecting I enjoyed it. It made me sweat and helped me have fun. Those girls are crazy funny. I probably won't do this one alot but it was fun enough that I will do it if I need a slightly easier day.

Tomorrow is Wed, my hardest day to get a workout in since my hubby comes home and we spend alot of our free time tidying the house up before he arrives. 

I am praying that I wake up with my foot feeling great and ready to kick butt. I also pray that I get this memory verse. It's not one that is sticking easy for me. I am praying since I know I have issues with always worrying about the days ahead that God really helps work this verse into my heart. I think that is why its so hard for me this time around---- I need this verse!!!

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough troubles of its own.

Matthew 6:34

I can do this!!! So can YOU!!!

Blessings,

Cris

Day 8

 I am exactly one week into the challenge and I am loving the feeling I get after a workout now.

Even though today was HARD to get motivated between my sniffling and sneezing every 5 seconds I still put in a full 30 day shred workout.

I love that after just doing this workout a few times I can actually do the moves fully. I am starting to move into the more challenging moves on some of them because I can't feel the modified moves pullingl on my muscles. 

This week my  focus is on healthier snacks, more fresh veggies is my number one goal. 

I also am drinking more plain water, this is hard!!! I so want to add something to it but I am not going to.

Here is tomorrow and maybe even getting in a walk with the kids before dinner. 

Hope all of you ladies are doing well in your challenge and if any of you have tips or things to share I am always open for them.

Blessings,

Cris

Day 7... SLEEP!!!

I woke up Sunday morning with a MASSIVE head cold. 

Our weather suddenly changed this past week so that on Thursday morning when we woke up it was 57 degrees inside----that's cold considering our high's are still in the mid to high 80's. 

Then on Saturday I decided that since we had to go to my mother in laws for some work we would do our workout on the porch. The fresh air felt awesome but I an thinking that low 60's and sweaty Cris didn't make a good combo since BAM.

I didn't get to do a workout here because I slept off and on all day, even after my poor husband who was suffering the same as me left for the valley so he could work this week.

Today is Day 8 and I will be doing something later so come on back later tonight for details. I still have the head cold but after a bunch of hot tea, some fresh oranges and soup I have faith I can do this!!

Blessings,

Cris

Day 6

Did my third go at the 30 Day Shred and I can already tell its doing its job.

When I started on Thursday I couldn't do some of the moves fully.

I modified them for me but today I ROCKED IT!!

Fun part was three of my kids did it with me. My oldest daughter said she wanted to punch Jillian for this and that she is evil but then when she finished she said it was awesome and that she will do it with me again.

I will am going to try and do Clare's Full Body Workout later today but since we have plans with family that is here for the day I wanted to make sure to get something in now and to let you all know that I did it.

I can't wait for tomorrow, 

YES I JUST SAID THAT!!!

It's a total flip from a few weeks ago where I was doing workouts here and there not really planning my next one, now I am waking up trying to see when I can get it in.

If you are reading this for the first time it's not to late for you to join in just go to 

Peak313's page for the 

Living and Active Challenge

 to see where to start.

Here is a little photo I found that I am going to print out and put on the fridge

It totally fits for all of us starting this challenge to become healthy, happier women in Christ.

Its not easy to find the time to read your bible (at least not for this mama of 4) but its really worth it when I do.

Its not easy cooking a healthy balanced meal but worth it when I do.

This challenge isn't easy but when we push thru God will show us how "WORTH IT" it truly will be.

Blessings,

Cris

Day 5, I am still alive

Did the 30 Day Shred again.

I am loving this. I can feel it in my legs and abs. Not a painful to move feel but I can tell its working them.

As for food,

I feel like I am STARVING!!!!

I am not obviously but I figured I needed something.

This morning I tried a new breakfast:

CINNAMON-SCENTED BREAKFAST QUINOA

This was okay but not quite what I wanted. I am going to try it again but soak the quinoa over night with the cinnamon and maybe even add some dehydrated apples.

Then for lunch my hubby grilled some beef tip we bought and we slice them thin and put it on a nice bed of spring salad mix---- VERY YUMMY!!!

Then for dinner we had Southern Beans with smoked ham with a tortilla.

However even with all of that I felt hungry. I felt something was lacking so I started looking for something that would fill me up and give me energy. This is what I found, 

NO BAKE ENERGY BITES

I added in a scoop of protein powder to make it even better.

Two of my kids wanted to taste it and one announced that it tastes like a candy bar.

I also tried to find a way to drink my chai tea but none of them tasted quite right yet. I may try honey tomorrow.

All in all today was a good day,
each day exercising is getting easier and I am feeling very energized.

Hope you are enjoying the challenge too!

Blessings,

Cris

Day 4.... 30 Day Shred

Today was AWESOME!!!!

Since it is the start of my weekend (hubby is home) we did our town trips and and a family day but I knew I needed to workout. I feel that if I take a day off I will have that much harder of a time doing it each day. So I pushed on and just finished todays workout.

I have a friend that did the Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred and she loved it so it got me thinking maybe I should do it. I got a new ankle brace today and was up to the challenge.

I started with Level 1 since I am still early in the working out game. 

I LOVE IT!!!

Its a mix of cardio, strength and abs in a nice half hour session. After I finished I checked my heart rate and I was up to 141, a good burning rate for me.

I have decided that this is one to keep up every day and my kids can even do it with me if they want.

Another good thing about today was I did PUSH UPS!!! When this challenge started I couldn't do more then 3 without becoming all shaky and resting for a second. Today I did them all with the girls in the video, no stops, no shaking. Only 4 days of working out and my body is getting stronger. I can't wait till the end of the 5 weeks. 

I hope everyone else doing the challenge is having a good time too.

Blessings,

Cris

Challenge Day 3..... and the real challenge begins

Today was one of those days where had I been able to convince my children of it we would have all gone back to bed and slept all day.

I could barely get moving for breakfast let alone think about working out.

My plan had been to do my video from yesterday right when I got up but as I got out of bed it felt as if I stepped on a knife, point side up going right thru my left heel.

NOT GOOD!!!

I am babying it a bit to see if its just from over doing it Monday and Tuesday but if it doesn't get better by next week I will be going to my Dr for a check up.

Since Wednesday's are crazy with tidying the house for my husband to come home and finishing up school with the kids I had only planned for the video and a walk around dinner. Our nights are getting lovely and walking is something the kids like to do with me......tonight it rained. 

This really felt like I was failing today and I know that our weekends get busy so I needed to make today count, I decided I was going to do the J Lo video again, it was much easier today. Then I did a few arm exercises with my band since I don't have any weights.

Food wise we did okay, yogurt for breakfast (need to make some more granola since we are out), Cheese Crisps for lunch (I know not good), and then a homemade Zuppa for dinner. 

Not my best day but tomorrow will be better, 

BY THE GRACE OF GOD I CAN DO THIS!!!!!

On a good note most of my kids and I have the verse down for this week:

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12

Blessings,

Cris

Challenge Day 2

WORKOUT 2: "Your Choice" Cardio, Muffin Top Makeover, and J Lo #1

A phone call from my hubby woke me up at 6:30 and it was so nice hearing from him first thing, I felt it started my day off right.

I promptly started the J Lo video from Clare, and wow!! I know I need the whole body workout but I never really focus on my butt. It’s much smaller then the abs and that is my main focus and with the Muffin Top going next it was a full blast hit today. I am still feeling the burn.

I decide since I was nice and warm from that I would hit the cardio right away. For that I chose to do the PussyCat Dolls Workout, I had found this at a yard sale for a couple buck, the old dancer in me jumped at it. 

Wow it’s been awhile since I did hip hop/ any real choreography (thirteen years to be exact) and I barely made it half way thru but this is going to be perfect for me. 

My kids and I also walked today before dinner. We left with the plan of a quick walk to my father in laws hills and back (we share 54 acres, I live on one side and his hills are on the other) but before I knew it we got back home and it had been over an hour. I was nice and sweaty in spite of the cloudy cooler weather.

I don’t plan on tracking all my food here but I thought I would share todays breakfast. I woke up starving this morning and I felt I needed protein so I made "Loaded Scrambled eggs"

This fed my 4 children and me.

• dozen eggs
• hand full of mushrooms
• one medium zucchini
• broccoli
• onion
• 2 medium potatoes
• 2 slices of  provelone  cheese cut into chunks with kitchen sissors
• bacon
• topped mine with  homemade  salsa (tomatoes, garlic, bell peppers and onions)

I took the onion, potatoes, and zucchini and ran them thru the fine julienne setting on my slicer.

Then chopped the mushrooms and broccoli, I am really wanting a chopper like this to help. Blended all the veggies together and cooked them before adding the eggs.

As for the bacon few months ago I started cutting our bacon in half and depending on the meal maybe even further from there. Today I used the half I had left over from last week. One it was cooked crisp I chopped it and then added it back into the veggies.

I really should have weighed each thing with my food scale but didn’t think about that till now.

Now mind you my kids HATE veggies, so I load them in there and julienned them very fine so they can't pick them out. I had my medium frying pan FULL of the veggie mix before adding in the eggs.

I thought I would share a few pictures from our walk

My joys in life and reasons for doing this!!!

 

A random shot on my property.

The cloud coverage made for some beautiful weather.

DAY 2...... DONE!!

See you tomorrow for my next workout.

Blessings,

Cris

Challenge Day 1

DAY 1

Wow was today a kick in the pants!!! 

First off I prefer to workout early before the kids are up so I don't have to compete for my space, that so didn't happen this morning. I woke up at 5am to it pouring rain, original plan had been to take my laptop out there and do Clare's video...... that didn't happen so I went back to bed. Go figure when I woke up again an hour later my power was out....one of the many pains about living off grid and having cloudy days. I kicked on the generator and powered the house back up and instead of working out since the kids were up we did chores and school.

Finally got my workout in about 1:30 when the generator got shut off.

Boy was that a workout, by the end of the first go round (did it three times) I was sweating like crazy. Good sweating. Bad thing is I forgot to drink water before and after so a little while later I started getting a bad headache. Meds and a shower helped as well as a scolding from my 10yr old daughter telling me that I know better then to workout without my water bottle close by.

A few things I have notice is that next time I do this video and probably most workouts:

• WEAR MY ANKLE BRACE--- I did the first Hover move but it hurt quite bad so I didn't go to my tippy toes anymore. I may go back into my doctor and see if its normal for me to still experience discomfort 7 months after the sprain and if I should just work thru it or what. I can't afford to further damage it.
• Double up on the sports bras!! I was wearing a regular sports bra and a tank top with built in support-- that wasn't enough when doing the jumping.
• DRINK WATER!!! This is my scatterbrained fault but I am going to start charting my water as well as my workouts. 

I also want to share that I have an accountability partner now she blogs over at Dirt Road Lessons. 

 I have also joined a Facebook group for this as well. 

Now here is the scary part of this post. I am going to do photos each check in, my lovely daughter helped snap these from my cell phone so they aren't the best quality. But here is the true me.....

I will be charting my measurements and pounds and will update once a week on if there is any loss. Praying hard that there is.

I CAN DO THIS!!!

Blessings,

Cris

Why the Living and Active Challenge

Here is some random information about me ......I don't diet as I feel it makes things worse ( being a daughter of a chronic dieter and I can see now that none of it ever worked and has now caused serious health issues. I refuse to do that to my kids). I believe eating healthy/ regularly and staying active  is how I will do it, however my problems are with regular eating I am never really hungry so I have to remind myself to eat and with staying active. We tend to get into a cycle and then something comes along and bumps it off track and before I know it its been a month or more. We do eat tons of fruit and veggies (my kids love snacking on carrots and homemade hummus), I make most of our meals from scratch and I don't drink alot of soda (only when hubby brings me home some as a treat or we go to town). We do have sugar and other treats but not often. I am trying to learn how to switch out sugar with honey in my baking.

Now here is why I am doing this challenge, I am a 31 year old mother of  four kids that hasn't been below 200 pounds in over 6 years. At that point I was at a high of 245 pounds which scares the crap out of me even now. I was a size 26 and barely able to keep up with my kids. We moved out of the city and almost instantly (first 6 months) I dropped to 220 pounds. Seeing that I started trying to lose weight then I found out I was expecting again... baby #4 was on her way, not a big deal I could do it but it did put a damper on my weight loss. Now here I am with her turning 4 years old in 6 months and I am still over 200 pounds. I don't want to be dropping  80 pounds in the next year but if I can do 30 or 40 pounds and actually KEEP IT OFF I will be happy. I want to help teach my children to enjoy working out and I want to be able to do fun things with my kids. One of my biggest goals is to be able to ride my bike with the kids when we go to the lake. There are a few trails that I think would be amazing, but I am not nor have I ever been a hiker. I did however LOVE my bike when I was younger. My biggest problem is right now I can barely do 20 minutes without my legs turning to rubber and having to coast some of the way. I do realize that I am just months away from being hit with snow but I want to ride as often as I can this winter. I don't have a specific weight or size in mind that I want to be, I just want to be healthy. I am taking this challenge to jump start my body before winter hits and I get stuck in doors.

I am planning on following the workouts Clare puts up on the site for the challenge but since we do PE in our home-school and its something that the kids NEED daily I will be doing more then just her 4 workouts. Our PE is very simple, we either do a circuit, a timed exercises, a walk (depending on weather) or a DVD. I have all of it written on index cards and then the kids rotate who draws the card each day. I will be doing the challenge early mornings and PE will be later in the day. I may even add some of her workouts into our schedule if my kids can do them.

Come back tomorrow night as I will post an actual photo of me and tell you just how hard Clare's Favorite Full Body Workout  and Ab Workout really was. I will also include what we did for PE just so its out there.

 

Blessings,

Cris

I am not a normal blogger

Okay no matter how much I have tried to schedule blogs or even plan topics my life doesn't allow for it. Being a stay at home/homeschooling mother of  4 children isn't easy and I am finding that as they get older its getting harder. I miss the days of just laying on the couch reading book after book or coloring all day with the kids. Now with having kids that need real lessons and a structured schedule I am out of time at the end of the night when all I want to do its watch one of my Netflix shows. (Yes Netflix before blogging!!! It helps me relax before bed and my laptop comes to bed with me on nights the hubby is gone.) I really don't understand how some of the blogs I read do it. I don't know where they get the time and how they always look so good/together when posting new pictures every week. I love them for it even more now that I have tried and failed.
BUT.....with all of that being said I am going to start using this blog DAILY for the next couple of weeks. I am going to be doing the Living and Active Challenge over at Peak313 Fitness. I have done a few of her exercises and I was doing a really good job of riding my bike every morning till sickness hit the house but now that we are recovering and needing the activity I am jumping in head first. Since I don't have anyone local to do the challenge with (part of it is accountability) I am going to just post here daily and if anyone sees it and wants to join in.
If you are reading and want to join me, DO IT!!!! and feel free to message or comment, I would love to see that someone is holding me accountable.