Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Exercising While Watching TV

I was watching the Biggest Loser last night and feeling guilty about not getting in enough exercise lately. I have not been feeling well this week and so far all I have done is get on the treadmill Sunday afternoon. So, while watching the competition of the show I got an idea.
Past contestants were offered an opportunity to get back on the show. In order to do that they had to compete. The first one to reach 1000 steps won the opportunity to go back onto the Biggest Loser ranch. So I watched them doing nothing but stepping onto a step and then stepping back down. 15 minutes into it the one in the lead was half way there at 500 steps. Of course we were not watching in real time, they sped the things up and hit just the highlights, but I thought, if they are sweating that much and going that long I could do that for exercise too.
I had planned on at least getting on the treadmill since I still was not feeling well, but the only problem with it is that it is so loud. Not only is it loud, but I have to crank the TV to hear it over the treadmill so the noise level really gets high. However, I happen to have daughter that is very sensitive to loud noises and she was enjoying the show with me and I didn't want to run her off. Since I had no step of my own I just stood at the end of my treadmill and started stepping. I did 500 steps and was really feeling it by that last 100. It took me just under 20 minutes and then I did 30 sit ups and 2 minutes worth of reverse curls to tone in on my abs a bit.
I think I will get me a step. I know they sell them for exercise but I might even have my husband just make me one, he is handy that way. When I finished my steps, my husband decided to do the same only he didn't count and went for about 45 minutes! My daughter then did a few, bless her heart it was so cute. It felt good to be setting a good example for her.
So the next time you are sitting there watching TV and thinking, I really need to exercise, just do it! Grab a step and just start going up and down, or do some crunches, curls, sit ups, push ups, jumping jacks, whatever sounds good. As Bob says in one my videos you just have to get your body moving. There is nothing magical that is going to make it happen, you just have to get off the couch and move!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Weigh In: March 18, 2010

I had another good week and lost 2 3/4 pounds leaving only 3 pounds to go to reach my goal! I will not be weighing in the next week though, as I will be out of town and have really struggled getting exercise in this week. I am working more on maintenance this week and hope to get back to losing again next. I am close enough that I am not sweating it and am using this time to try and figure out how to live life staying at a healthy weight rather than constantly thinking about losing some! It will be an interesting transition as it has been 10 years since I have done that.
However I was successful in the past and maintained a healthy weight for over 5 years. The lack of exercise was the biggest factor in starting to gain the weight but poor food choices have ultimately been my downfall. For the first time in my life I actually enjoy eating healthy. I find fresh veggies so much better than fattening side items! Granted they still have to be cooked, I am not a raw veggie eater, though I can tolerate the occasional carrot and celery stick if need be.
Anyway, I will have no weigh in to report until April 1st. I hope to be at my goal by the end of that month if not before!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Weekly Weigh In: March 11, 2010

As I suspected, I had a slight gain this week. I gained 3/4 of a pound. Since I had such an off week my goal was to see if could maintain my weight this week, but I did not. I think it boils down to the fact that I did not get in ANY exercise all week long. I know that I could have eaten those portions had I exercised.
Well, this week I am cracking down and I will get all my exercise in and not eat over 1400 calories each day. I will get that 3/4 pounds back and then some.
I also hope to get back to the blog more this week and share some things other than my weekly weigh in. I have been a bit preoccupied with personal problems but I am staying focused. I think it was a good test for me to have some trouble come. So, while I gained 3/4 of a pounds and did not get in my exercise, what I did not do was let my stress lead me to turn to my old friend of comfort...chocolate cake (and other fattening "comfort" foods). So even with the slight gain I still feel I had a successful week because while I did eat more calories, I still made wise food choices.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Weigh In: March 2, 2010

Well, I lost another 1 1/2 pounds leaving me with only 5 pounds left to go to my goal! I can not believe I am so close. Of course I weigh in again tomorrow. This post is so late because I have had a horrible week. I have been down physically so my exercise has been almost non-existent. I have eaten a bit more than I had been as well. I am hoping to come through with a turtle tomorrow (staying the same weight) but fear there might be a small gain. (Especially since I have a special luncheon that will not allow me to really regulate my caloric intake that afternoon.) Regardless of how it turns out, I hope to be up and around and back to my usual self by the end of the week and working out enough to make up for lost time.
I also hope to be able to put up a few more blogs soon about some other foods, tips and programs I want to share. I hope all you fellow bloggers have a great week!