Getting fit and fab for my 40s

Starting the Supreme 90 DVD workouts

2012-01-05T04:04:00.001-08:00

I am so excited to share my first rotation of the year! I really wanted to get into heavy weight training along with eventually running. I thought I was going to do a modified Cathe strength training rotation but found Supreme 90 day workout at Bed, Bath and Beyond for $9.99 How can you go wrong there! I have been eyeing Chalene’s Johnson Chalene Extreme and Beachbody P90x for years but am way to cheap to pay over $100.

The Supreme 90 Day workout comes with 10 dvds featuring personal trainer Tom Holland and , a nutrition plan from clean eating expert Tosca Reno, free online support, & a 90 day support chart. I have been for the most part clean eating and going to use the structure that Tosca recommends.

The work out include Chest & Back; Chest, Shoulders & Triceps; Ultimate Ball; Tabata Inferno; Shoulders & Arms; Cardio Challenge; Core Dynamics; Legs; Total Body; Back & Biceps;. Of course you need a dumbbell and this workout does need stability exercise ball. Right now my heaviest dumbbells are 15lbs so I will need to go out and buy some more. My husband is checking these great bowflex adjustable weights. so we won't need to have weights all over the house. They are pricey but he thinks it is well worth it.

I am not expecting to get totally buff from doing this for 90 days but want to lose inches in my waist and I would be happy with being 15-20lbs down over the 90 days plus about 4-5 inches in the tummy area.

I have a done a few of the workout so far and they are great. I am really feeling it in my muscles so far. They are very core intensive which is a problem area for me!

Jennifer Rumple Biggest Loser clean eating tips

2012-01-03T14:40:00.000-08:00

I am a huge fan of the Biggest loser and also of Jennifer Rumple the season 12 at home winner. I have always felt that I could relate to her since we are fairly close in age. She shared some great simple tips on clean eating and since I have been really trying to “eat clean’ rather than follow a specific diet plan. Sometimes I over analyze what I should be eating-Jennifer's post kind of shook me back to reality.

The SIMPLE LIST:

1) DO NOT EAT ANYTHING PROCESSED. Anything in a box, a can, a package ... do not buy. Do not eat. You'll be amazed how your palate changes and no longer needs the sugary, salty, fatty stuff for things to taste yummy! Trust me on this! Just give your taste buds time to adjust.
2) Stick to lean meats like chicken, turkey, fish, egg whites. Red meat is okay on occasion, but be sure it's a lean cut and ONLY on occasion.
3) Write down everything you put in your mouth and track your calories all day long. It's the best way to monitor your intake of food ... and know when you've hit your limit and you need to STOP!
4) Complex carbs are okay. Whole foods like apples, carrots, wheat pasta, multi-grain breads/cereals. Our bodies need these carbs because they contain incredible nutrients. I try to limit my carbs in the evening. Remember one of Bob's Harper MANY truths ... "LEAN AND GREEN!"
5) Water, water, water, water. And when you think you've had enough for the day ... have another glass! :) It's key!

24 hour fitness free 7 day pass

2011-12-31T04:07:00.000-08:00

I don't have a 24 hour fitness in my area but wanted to pass along this great deal . They are offering a free 7 day pass. They have been a sponsor of the biggest loser tv show for years.

They seem to have great offering especially on their group class schedules.

Zumba at 24 hour fitness

The Zumba® program, created by Beto Perez, fuses Latin dance rhythms with easy to follow dance moves. The result of this fusion is a fun workout that feels more like a night out dancing than a "work" out in your health club. Yes it is a blast I have done the wii workout at home.

Body Pump Classes at 24 hour fitness

BODYPUMP® is the original barbell class that strengthens your entire body. This 60-minute workout challenges all your major muscle groups by using the best weight-room exercises like squats, presses, lifts and curls. Great music, awesome instructors and your choice of weight inspire you to get the results you came in for – and fast! I have done this class at my local gym over the years. It is so much fun.

Turbo Kick and Kickboxing at 24 hour fitness

Turbo Kick is the fitness club version of Turbo Jam and Turbo fire by Chalene Johnson. Learn kickboxing skills choreographed to energizing music. Using no equipment, this kickboxing workout incorporates a number of upper body punches and lower body kicks. Most suitable to participants of medium to high fitness levels, but newcomers are always welcome.

get your free gym pass today

Jillian Michaels iFit Workout Card - Lose Weight

2011-12-20T01:33:00.000-08:00

I recently bought a new treadmill that has ifit technology. Ifit technology is like having a personal trainer with you . An ifit card is a preprogrammed memory card that you plug into your treadmill and will have 8 weeks of workout and will automatically adjusts the speed and incline of the treadmill. .However you can override the card. My new proform treadmill came with Jillian Michaels level 1 lose weight ifit card. This is progressive, 8-week program will increase your workout each week

As a Jillian Michaels and Biggest Loser fan who has done her DVD workouts on and off for years, I was really excited to try it. The treadmill work out is kicking my butt and I am really loving it. I feel like Jillian is right next to me inspiring me to keep going for my fitness and weight loss goals. She has quirky little saying. The Level 1 only card only goes to 3.5 miles per hour but she has you on an incline at 10% so it does get intense Interval training will really works and helps burn the calories.

I would really recommend if you have an ifit compatible exercise machine, I would highly recommend getting an ifit card. She also has level 2 and level 3 which I am looking forward to trying out once I complete the 8 weeks.

Butternut Squash fries-healthy french fries substitute

2011-12-19T12:20:00.000-08:00

Sunday night in our house in we have “grill night” that means steak and French fries, burgers and French fries or oven roasted potatoes. While I love French fries I really do not like the calories or all of the fat in there. I have substituted sweet potato fries in the past and they are very good. Actually love them but while I am clean eating and low carbing for a while I want to stay away from them. I have a found a great substitution for potato fries cravings- Butternut squash fries.

Yes you heard that right butternut squash. I found about butternut squash fries from Hungry Girl I don’t even like butternut squash, but I absolutely loved these. One cup of butternut squash is 63 calories.

I am lazy so I don’t buy a whole squash my local supermarket sells they sliced up in chucks or a butternut squash already peeled.

Here is how I make them
I will cut them into French fry shapes.

I will mist them with some olive oil and add a little bit of garlic salt
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F
Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, turning the fries over halfway through baking. Fries are done when they are starting to brown on the edges and become crispy.

Low Carb Portobello Mushroom Crust Pizza

2011-12-04T05:10:00.001-08:00

Saturday nights at our house are pizza nights! With 3 boys we are running around with sports, cub scouts etc. Sometimes it is take out, sometimes thrown on some Boboli and sometimes just frozen pizza. As I am really trying to cut down on the starches and sugar, none of those are really 100% appetizing to me.

Low Carb pizza bowl recipe

I usually do a pizza bowl. I get a decent size soup bowl. Spray the bottom with oil, put a bit of mozzarella cheese, pick a couple of pepperonis from their pizzas, do some red onion, lots of tomato and a bit of sauce and some mozzarella cheese on top.

Low carb portobello mushroom pizza

This week I came cross another great idea and I think it will be my go to for pizza as it was so filling.

Basically they are stuffed portabella mushrooms with pizza stuff! I got 2 large portabella mushrooms and baked them at 400 for 5 minutes and then put some mozzarella cheese, diced tomatoes, a couple of pepperoni slices and onion. You can add peppers, sausage

I was so full after I ate them.... that I didn't go near the kitchen for the rest of the night!

I am addicted to carbs

2011-12-03T02:56:00.001-08:00

I am crawling back.... I gained some weight back and I have come to the conclusion that I am addicted to carbs!

The last time I posted was October of 2010.... I had been doing so well. I got down to 197lbs by "clean eating" primarily South beach diet style. I had a business trip to Las Vegas and then a 40th birthday trip to New York City plus a whole bunch of white crappy carbs. The first week of November last year I hurt my foot. It hurt to put any pressure on it. And then of course work got busy so no exercise for close to 2 months plus totally crappy eating-lots of bad habits. White bread, potato chips creeped back into my diet.

I am back over 200lbs which I never really wanted to be. My face is gains the weight plus my boobs. I get so top heavy looking. So with my head hung low I am getting back on track. I bought a new treadmill a few weeks back and making sure I am getting my but on that each week.

I need my mojo!

2010-10-28T03:23:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in almost 3 weeks....

I haven't really been able to get my head in the game since I went on my business trip to Vegas. Lost my mojo and maybe my motivation.

I am back at 200 plus because I let fast food, white bread into my diet and LOTS OF PEANUT BUTTER! Plus a long birthday weekend in New York City with lots of great food.

My goals for the next two months by New Years day-
Be under 190llbs (was 217 at the beginning of 2010)
Wear my tight size 14 jeans comfortably

South Beach Diet meal planning week of Oct 11th

2010-10-11T07:23:00.000-07:00

Monday Chicken, black beans and salsa

Ingredients

* 4-6 boneless chicken breasts

* 1 can black beans

* 1 can corn

* 1 jar salsa, any kind

* 1 package cream cheese (light works fine)

Directions

1.Take 4-6 boneless chicken breasts put into crock pot. (frozen is ok)
2. Add beans, drained, salsa, corn drained.
3.Cook on high for about 4-5 hours or until chicken is cooked.
4. Add 1 package of cream cheese (just throw it on top!) and let sit for about 1/2 hour.

Tuesday Tuna tomato skillet

Wednesday Pork chops

Thurs Chicken and broccoli

Friday clean out the fridge night

Saturday Pizza bowl

South Beach Diet meal planning week of Oct 4th

2010-10-04T07:01:00.000-07:00

I really need to get back on track with eating

Mon Tuna, tomato and white beans

Tues Chicken with tomatoes, peppers and onions in the crockpot

Wed Salisbury steak with green beans side

Thurs Beef and broccoli

Fri Salmon with TBD sides

Sat Pizza bowl

Family support

2010-09-29T09:49:00.000-07:00

I watched episode 2 of the Biggest loser last night. I always love the early episodes of each season because you deal with the I can't do it and see them oh Yes I can come on through many times. Family was a theme that we heard with many families being seen during the health discussions via video camera

Family support I know I need it from my husband. I don't need someone enabling me in my bad eating. Darn I can that all myself. Plus my husband does some of the morning kid duties so I can make time to workout. Luckily we have a little competition and he has lost 50lbs this year.

I feel bad for Allie who went home. How could any mother get her child gastric bypass surgery at age 14 - and then feed her nothing but junk?!? Follow that up with refusing to get the chocolate out of the house-she left it right on the counter for tempation. . I don't know what the family dynamic is there but it seems very sad. I am glad that Allie got some support from Danny and has lost 60lbs so far.

Do you get family support in your weight loss efforts?

Are your eyes bigger than your stomach

2010-09-28T08:09:00.000-07:00

One of the reasons I gained weight over the years is that my portions were sooooo large! I have been to weight watchers enough over the years to know that 3oz of chicken is about the size or a set of cards or my fist.

I took the Portion distortion quiz
from SparkPeople
You scored 9 of 16 correct on this quiz.
On Your Way to Proper Portions
You've picked up some portion facts here and there while working towards your healthy goals. But the more you learn, the more successful you will be. Check out the links below for more help with portion sizes.

I knew the meat portion but the fruit and diary.

How did you do?

Publish Post

South Beach Diet meal planning week of Sept 27th

2010-09-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

Good clean eating is on tap this week

Monday chicken breast in the crockpot with tomatos, peppers mushrooms and onions

Tuesday Ground turkey with BBQ sauce and brocolli stir fry

Wednesday Breakfast for dinner

Thursday Pork chops, green beans

Friday clean out the fridge or fish

Saturday Pizza bowl

Glad to be back home

2010-09-26T05:12:00.000-07:00

Mentally and physically I am totally done from my business trip to Vegas. I wish I had a pedometer to track all the miles that I walked in high heels. The blister are starting to finally heal.

Food wise I didn't go crazy but I did eat the bread st several of the steakhouses that I visisted. I did also have the mashed potatos. I didn;t eat the pastries that were in many of the conference rooms. I guzzled water like a fish and but had plenty of wine at night.

I did get a couple of compliements from co-workers who I haven't seen since our last conference 6 months ago.

The best part was that I got to wear a size 16 cocktail dress that I think I bought before my last pregnancy for our nightclub night. I did wear nylons (and I hate nylons) because it was a little shorter than I sometimes.

I am not weighing in until next Saturday so I won't be demotivated.

Close to VFT again

2010-09-18T06:11:00.000-07:00

So close to a new VFT virgin fat territory

I dropped one pound this week. I am at 197 again and my lowest weight in the year that I have really been focusing on my get fit and fab to 40s. I did have the Burger King incident on Sunday which I thought I would not see a loss.

I did finalize my shopping for Vegas. I got a nice gray and black animal print (it is not tacky) jacket and will be wearing that with a fitted black top that sucks me in! I also got a nice brown and cream color top that I will wear with brown pants and I have another outfit from an early summer trip. There is a big party going on as well so I have a dress that I fit in from a few year back.

Trying to Shred negativity

2010-09-15T01:57:00.000-07:00

Resolve, determination, you can do it. Maybe if I keep telling myself I can do it. I will actually do it! I got a bit off track over the weekend again This weekend self sabatog is really irking me. I asked my husband for burger king and potato chips on Sunday night. Can you beleive that and he got it. I felt so ill on Sunday-gas, cramps,bloated from all the salt. And the peanut butter monster has gotten in my head again.

On Sunday I did Jillian Michaels: Shred-It With Weights which was on Exercise TV. It is a great combo of cardio and strength and gets your heart beating fast. She used Kettlebells and a modifer do use a dumbbell . I used an 8lb dumbell and I kept my heart rate up. If you like Shred you will like this workout as well. I will probably add the level one of the workout in maybe once a week for something different. Since it is on Exercise TV I will probably just do the workout from there. It is just level one and honestly that kept me going,.

South Beach Diet meal planning week of Sept 13th

2010-09-13T03:50:00.000-07:00

I am eat low carb/south beach really removing the sugar and the white stuff out of the diet!

Mon Buffalo chicken casserole made this two weeks ago and was such a family hit!!

Tues Spare ribs spinach casserole

Wed Ground beef and broccoli

Thurs Tuna Tomato skillet over whole wheat pasta

Fri Clean out the fridge night

Sat Pizza bowl

Warning scale stayed the same

2010-09-11T07:34:00.000-07:00

I had a good week and was in a bouncy happy mood and was thinking the scale will go down the scale will go down! I gained one pound last week and was happy that pound would be lost but alas it stuck around and still at 198. I just get so frustrated and really sometimes just want to give up. No matter what I do I just lose so slow. It is hormonal since I am in the middle of my time of the month

I went shopping for my upcoming business trip. I wanted to find a decent blazer. Nope I am so big on top that nothing looked good. I hate shopping especially for good clothes at this weight. I am heading out shopping after soccer today again.

Sorry for the pity me post but Momma said that they would be days like this.

Jillian Michaels new DVD Shred it giveaway at That's Fit

2010-09-10T02:51:00.000-07:00

Jillians Michaels has a new DVD out there is a giveaway for it at That's Fit AOL online fitness blog . I wanted to try this one out yesterday because it on Exercise TV on demand but it was having hissy fits. So I did my own version of the Last chance workout DVD. See even my video isn't available I can still work out!

Jillian Michaels Shred it with weights DVD /

Make sure you enter in your commits by end of day Sept 10th! Good luck

It is not your Momma's biggest loser

2010-09-07T11:48:00.000-07:00

I am a realty tv junkie and was excited to see Workout star Jackie Warner with a brand new show that is inspiring weight loss called Thintervention. It focuses on 6 women and 2 men that have about 25-60lbs to lose. While Jackie is very close to Jillian Michaels personality wise that is the closest these tv shows get. There is no competition aspect or a people living in an isolated ranch. They are in the real world well as real as the LA area can be.

I feel like I can relate to these folks more than the people on the ranch on the biggest loser. They complain, bitch and moan. They are dealing with outside temptations and showing that it can be hard to break bad habits I have used her DVD Workout: One-On-One Training with Jackie when it was on exercise tv. I like her style and approach.

Here are some tips from her book This Is Why You're Fat (And How to Get Thin Forever): Eat More, Cheat More, Lose More--and Keep the Weight Off

1. It’s not how long, it’s how strong. Incorporate 20 minutes of high intensity cardio each day. Walk fast on a treadmill for 2 minutes at a 15 incline then sprint for 2 minutes on flat ramp. Cool down for 1 minute and repeat this cycle 3 more times until you reach your 20 minute goal.

2. Women, make sure to include weight training at least 3-4 days a week. If you add 3-5 pounds of muscle to your body, you will burn 250-500 extra calories per day which equals 3-5 pounds of fat loss per week

3. Visualize the muscles you are working on–this is called the mind muscle connection and it will actually increase tone.

4. Your body hits a plateau with cardio and resistance training in one month so change your weight, reps and exercises accordingly

5. The fastest way to get the body you want is through my power circuit training. Combine 3 upper body exercises and 3 lower body exercises together to make one big set. Do not rest in between and alternate quickly from upper to lower for maximum fat burn.

6. The only muscle groups that really burn fat are the primary muscles like the chest, back, quads, glute and hamstrings. Focus hard on those!

7. You have to eat within an hour of working out to make sure you’re not eating into the muscle for energy. Make sure that you combine proteins and carbs like a blended protein shake with fruit and peanut butter or a piece of fruit with a low-fat string cheese.

8. Don’t just set a weight goal, set a physical goal too like running a 3k or training for a charity marathon. Human beings are competitive and you will spark that inner competition by trying to reach a difficult physical goal.

9. A little thing like changing your music playlist every week can go a long way. The more your mind is stimulated during your workouts, the better your results will be.

10. Instead of focusing on being fat, you’ve got to focus on being fit. If you think healthy, it eventually becomes reality to you. I always push my clients to focus on how strong they’re getting, how well they’re sleeping, and how happy they’re feeling by exercising.

If you missed the show I am sure it will be shown on Bravo again or it is on HULU.com

South Beach diet meal planning week of Sept 6th

2010-09-06T02:19:00.000-07:00

Here is the dinner meal plan for my South Beach diet

Monday Cookout at a friends house

Tuesday Chicken with spinach casserole

Wednesday Pizza burgers (tomato sauce, cheese and mushrooms melted onto a turkey burger)

Thursday Beef and broccoli

Friday Clean out the fridge night or fish

Saturday Pizza bowl frozen pizza for the family

Sunday Steak, black beans,tomatos and onions

the real Skinny Switch deal

2010-09-05T02:28:00.000-07:00

One infomercial that has caught my attention lately is the Skinny Switch. The Skinny Switch is basically calorie shifting for that matter is the fact that you can lose weight fast without dieting, by tricking your body into increasing metabolism & fat burning. You combine specific foods for 3 days and eat alot to rev up your metabolism and then for the next 2 days you eat what you want. Sounds so easy as most informerical make it sound.

It sounds like a decent idea and almost like something I tried earlier this yea r Up day down day diet orThe Alternate-Day Diet by Dr James Johnson. You would eat lower calories only 500 calories or so on Down days and then up on the up days eat until you are satisfied. I really did well the first month and then didn’t lose anything more after that. There have been some folks that have lost 100lbs plus and have kept it off. There is a pretty good support group on the low carb friends board under other plans.

Back to the Skinny Switch diet calories shifting or calorie cycle makes the body guess. However I would not waste your money on it. You are paying $5.95 a week for 6 months but you need to pay it all as a lump sum.

Don’t waste your money you would be better off spending the $150 dollars on some exercise DVDs or a new pair of walking shoes so you can get your exercise in.

No drum roll

2010-09-04T05:42:00.000-07:00

No big drum roll today for weight loss. I was up 1 pound to 198. This is so frustrating. I feel like I am trying to do everything right but my body doesn’t want to listen. I know how frustrating but atleast I am not seeing the number two at the beginning of my weight.

I got my hair cut yesterday and I don’t know if it was the angle of the mirror in the salon but I could see a double chin that I thought was going away. I know I have a fat face but honestly I thought it was going away. It kind of made me sad, but in a way more determined.

Exercise has been going well. I had 615 exercise minutes in August-2nd month in a row that I was over 600 minutes. I was hoping to get to over 700. I am going to keep September 600 as I will be away for one week in Vegas and between the last nights and everything else that happens in Vegas.

Here is the plan for the week

Drink 80-100 oz of water a day
Get in 5 days of exercise of atleast 30 atleast twice this week
Continue to Meal plan and keep the treats low in the house

September my new year

2010-09-02T06:38:00.000-07:00

Aaah the boys are back to school and fall is near. September is like the new year all again for me. I evaluate fitness goals as well as my weight loss. In the past 9 months I have done well-I am not heavier than I was on Jan 1st which in past years is often the case. I have stayed consistent with my eating except for a slip-up or two.

Getting something new I finally order and my new kickboxing work for being under 200llbs The Cathe DVD Kickmax has been out for 5 years but it still packs a punch. ! The first time I did it, I did all Combos and the Blasts (about 50 minutes). The Blasts were incredibly challenging and intense, but they went fast. The choreography may be challenging for some, but I was able to pick it up after watching just a few the first time. I think it gives the workout more variety. My legs have been on fire for days! On another day I did the leg conditioning drills...these are slow paced but very effective...your legs burn the whole time while you're doing them. I am going to try to incorporate this atleast 3 times a week into my week with the choice of different premixes I know I will not get bored.

South Beach diet menu planning of week of Aug 30th

2010-08-30T02:41:00.000-07:00

Here is the meal plan for the week

Monday night
Buffalo Chicken casserole
2 cups cooked chicken
3 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 C. Ranch Dressing
1/4 C. Frank's Hot Sauce
1/4 tsp. Garlic Powder
1/2 C. shredded cheddar cheese
Optional added in celery and stewed tomatos
Season chicken with Seasoned Salt, or salt & pepper. Sautee in oil till browned. Place in greased 13 X 9 Baking dish.

Tuesday Pork chops, baked spinach casserole

Wednesday Turkey Sausage, mushroom, peppers, onions
Thursday Meatloaf, veggie sides
Friday Clean out the fridge night
Saturday Pizza bowl pizza for the rest of the family