hi

Hi all! How is everyone doing on this challenge? I've noticed that most people have gotten on here, but I've heard from some that there is a little technical confusion. If you are having difficulty getting on the site/posting text or call Nicholas or me and we can probably help. Has anyone lost weight yet?

Weight Watchers

Yesterday I went to Weight Watchers. I love Weight Watchers- it really fits with my personality and the way that I accomplish things. I am a planner and an organizer so planning meals and keeping track of points actually helps me to relax because I feel more in control. So here we GO!!!

I've been checking out Pilates videos on netflix and found this one... Sweet!! Sounds like the best exercise video of all time!!!

Hello?

Why aren't people posting? I would really like to use this blog to motivate and archive my efforts. I might feel a little silly doing it all by myself...

My FLEXIBLE plan...

As you can see, I'm just fooling around, learning to navigate this new blog:)

Today was a productive day! In between diapering, feeding, and caring for the babies I went and mapped out my plan for the next 6 months. Each week I am working on creating a new habit or achieving a new healthy goal. I know myself well enough to know that I work better by planning and breaking big projects into small babysteps.

It's a lot like when I was teaching. At the beginning of each school year I was expected to take the Tennessee State Curriculum and create a year plan. If you have ever seen the curriculum, you would know this is quite a daunting task! But by my fourth year of teaching, I got pretty good at it- knowing full well that all good plans are flexible.

So here is my flexible plan through April....

Total weeks: 26

January (4 weeks)

February (5 weeks)

March (4 weeks)

April (4 weeks)

May (5 weeks)

June (4 weeks)

January

• buy a scale
• Weigh self (230.4)
• pray and fast for guidance and success

• pay $100 to biggest loser pot
• write health goals down and post on bathroom mirror
• Rewrite routines
• Create chart to graph weight loss
• Incorporate 10 minutes exercise into morning routine
• Find weight watcher’s meeting
• Sign up and go

February

• Find motivating books, etc to help keep head and heart motivated and going (create an ongoing list)

• Drink 6 cups water daily
• Take a multivitamin, an omega-3 supplement, and a calcium supplement

• Create Word Document for menu and grocery list that includes proper servings, etc.
• 3 meals and snack (portions, how many servings, etc)
• The five food groups are grains, vegetables, fruit, meat, and dairy. One serving of grain is 1 slice bread or ½ cup pasta or ½ a bagel. It is recommended to consume six to 11 servings of grain per day. One serving of vegetables or fruit is ½ cup vegetables or ½ cup fruit. It is recommended to get three to five servings of vegetables per day and two to four servings of fruit per day. One serving of meat is 2 or 3 ounces. It is recommended to consume two or three meat servings per day. One serving of dairy is 1 cup milk or 2 ounces of cheese. It is recommended to eat at least two servings of dairy per day

• Kitchen makeover
• http://www.healthcastle.com/kitchen_makeover.shtml
• Eliminate soft drinks
• Eliminate foods with trans fats from diet
• Eliminate fried foods, white bread, white rice, regular pasta, and high-fat dairy products, including whole milk and high-fat cheeses
• instead is a wide variety of veggies, fruits, low-fat and low-sugar foods, such as soy products, whole wheat pasta, frozen fruits and vegetables (i.e. blueberries, strawberries, corn and squash), fresh grapefruit, spinach, mushrooms, shrimp, chicken, vegetable soup, chicken soup, lentil soup and yogurt. Greene also suggests many brand-specific foods, like Raisin Bran, Fiber One, Cheerios, Slimfast drinks and Wasa Crispbreads.

such as strawberry-orange smoothies and whole-wheat toast for breakfast, a walnut cannellini wrap for lunch, chicken sausage jambalaya for dinner, maple-nut yogurt as a snack and roasted peaches with ricotta for dessert.
ensure that this habit continues how?

• Create first 2 week menu and use it

March

• change babies’ schedules to four hours (cut out Tessa’s last bottle) in bed by 9:30pm
• Stop eating at least two hours before going to bed.

• Increase activity level /Train for 5k

• Increase activity level /Train for 5k
• Before you get moving and begin exercising for the Best Life Diet, determine your activity level. If you are new to a fitness routine, Bob encourages you to try going up a level or two after checking with your physician.
  Level 0
  Any activity beyond what it takes to get through your day is accidental.
  Aerobic Exercise: none
  Strength Training: none
  Level 1
  You see value in activity, so you look for creative ways to move throughout the day, but you don't formally work out.
  Aerobic Exercise: none
  Strength Training: none
  Level 2
  You have a moderate but consistent exercise schedule.
  Aerobic Exercise: three times a week, at least 90 minutes total
  Strength Training: none
  Level 3
  You make sure to exercise at least five days a week, usually the same workout.
  Aerobic Exercise: four times a week, 150 minutes total
  Strength Training: at least two times a week, a minimum of six exercises
  Level 4
  You work out almost every day, cross-training with multiple activities.
  Aerobic Exercise: five times a week, at least 250 minutes total
  Strength Training: at least three times a week, a minimum of eight exercises
  Level 5
  Exercise isn't just how you stay healthy; it's a way of life.
  Aerobic Exercise: six times a week, a minimum of 360 minutes total
  Strength Training: at least three times a week, a minimum of 10 exercises

April

The Fourth Annual Run For The Schools is set for Saturday, April 7, 2012, at the Knoxville Zoo!

So... that post was by Nicholas using my name!!! I am so excited for 2012!!

The journey begins

I have to decide if I will spend the winnings on golf clubs or a cruise : )