I LOVE LOVE LOVE the gift set from the Honeyline Flip challenge. thank you so very much for having honeyline. I do love the great prizes. But even more so, I love this site. I'm still keeping up with my walking. Gotta work on the other exercises and my diet....but I am so much better off than when I first started here.


Thanks to all the wonderful bees here too. You guys rock. :D

So, how are you guys using your notebooks? I got mine and almost started putting something in it, but then drew a blank as to what to do.


Suggestions?

Ok I've always been an "ALL OR NOTHING" type of person. I am either eating like a saint and working out like a madwomen OR eating sugar for breakfast, lunch and supper and not working out. My husband pointed something out the other day (for which I got mad at him) that really made sense. The all or nothing cycle goes something like this. Eat like a bird for 3-4 days, workout like an Olympic athlete, breakdown and eat or overeat something like chocolate, sabotaging all of the previous days progress. Get frustrated at seeing no results and start the whole cycle again. Net result - NO RESULTS. With the little challenges that I did this week I realized that it is not about setting a huge goal and aimlessly trying to achieve it through some miracle. It's about setting a goal with small steps (challenges) to get you there. Those small daily challenges WILL get you closer to your goal. No one is perfect and it is important to expect setbacks so you know how to deal with them. It's the simple daily things like keeping track of your food and workouts, eating more green, eliminating sugar for a day here and there - doing these things CONSISTENTLY will get you where you want to go.

Ack. A little late posting...but spent the day yesterday traveling to and from my daughter's vball tourney. (Foreshadowing to my stress issues! )


1 - Friday was another crazy day. Didn't get as much exercising as I wanted to, but did do some of the wii fit and some walking with my errands.I did try to park further away and to walk quickly while i was doing it.

2 - Well, exercising on Saturday was out. So, today, I am planning on hitting my lake walking trail.Its been a few days since I've been able to hit it and it looks like bad weather is in the forecast, so I need to get it in when I can.

3 - I love the Gabby smoothie. I even add my Katies Greens to it. YUM-OOOO!

4 - Stress related issues?? Timing. My oldest is involved in many things and does not have her license yet, so that means being taxi driver. And now my youngest is getting involved in stuff too. Its good for them to be involved, but it does put a strain on my to try and get them where they need to be when they need to be there.

5 - My special thing I did??? I invited an online friend that I have never met in real life before to come and bring his girls to watch the volleyball tournament. He did and it was really nice. His daughter had been expressing an interest in playing vball, but they didn't realize that club ball existed. So....it was good all the way around. BTW, he's a super nice guy. I"m glad I did that. Even though it sounds freaky to say...I met a man that I met on the internet. LOL!!


thanks for the challenge. I did have some troubles with it. Mainly timing. Oh and the no sugar...especially in my drinks. LOVE my koolaid.

I really enjoy the support from the challenges posted this week. Hope you'll be coming back to us with another challenge as it is very motivating and thought provoking. Writing it down is really excellent and gives you accountability. Looking forward to more.

Well, the no sweets thing was really hard. I consider myself a sugar addict but I did it! I need to make that a frequent and daily challenge to eliminate sweets. I also joined the group "NO MORE JUNK FODD" so we'll see how I do trying to live by that!

1. Workout for at least 30 minutes: Worked up a good sweat with some cardio and tried some new (to me) yoga poses. I'm feeling it today.

2. Plan, make time for your workouts this weekend: I've already coordinated it with my husband, so he can be with the girls while I go out for a run. My 4 yr old wants me to chase her while she zooms around on her scooter!

3. Make a recipe from our recipe section: I'm making the Baked Cinnamon Apple Crumble tonight. I need a sweet substitute for my usual nighttime treats.

4. Think about 1 thing that makes you stressed and find a way to decrease that stress: LACK OF SLEEP!! So I was in bed before 10 last night (I usually go to bed around midnight) which is why I'm posting this morning..... I usually do my computer stuff late at night, but I'm changing my habits so I won't be so sleep-deprived and stressed.

5. Do something to make this day, Friday Feb 26th memorable to you: I went out to dinner with a friend last night. We went to a local restaraunt that was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. It's family owned and ran. I could see the Owner-Dad-Chef in the kitchen while he was preparing the food. Great fresh ingredients. AMAZING Salmon and a delicious salad with apples, chicken, pecans. GIRLS NIGHT OUT at a great place, supporting a local family. GOOD STUFF!

Hey everyone,

I was kind of sad when I logged in this morning and realized that we've come to the end of the mini challenge! I find them so motivating and they really help hold me accountable...so I'm looking forward to the next one!!


Also wanted to share that I made Gabby's oatmeal recipe this morning and it is so yummy - you have to try it!! It fills you up without weighing you down!


Have a great weekend!

Ange

Thankyou so mucho much hleditor & plumeria...ya'll are the best ever...Thank you!!! Know I can't perfom this week but will be able to be back into the swing next week...Love u all!!!

1. I worked out my legs today and I feel the burn all ready. It was a hr DVD.
2. I am doing a Kenpo workout tomorrow which is a type of martial art. WIll go for a walk on Sunday with friends.
3. I have always wanted to make sweet potato fries but I never buy them. So today I went and bought some and I plan on making them this weekend.
4. Trying to get my girls off to school in the morning always stresses me out. So I am going to try and get up a little earlier so I have more time.
5. I had both my girls at the Opening Ceremonies tonight for softball and I will always remember it. My girls are growing up to fast..

1. This morning I did the circut the I did yesterday and power walked for 30 minutes. It definitely worked me.
2. As for this weekend I'm going to try to stick with the same morning routines so I don't get out the habit.
3. I'm going to make the Baked Cinnamon Apple crumble tonight for dessert. It looks so good and I think my kids will enjoy it also.
4. I have a couple things the stress me out and I've been working on them for a while to let them go. This why exercising is good because I can release any stress or excess energy. I also try to stay calm and I ask myself if it's really worth worrying about. Sometimes I need some quiet time to refocus.
5 Today, I was trying to focus on some of my goals and trying to decided on what I wanted to focus on and improve. For Fitness I'm going to start the 30 day challenge, because it's an overall focus on health and creating a healthy lifestyle. I also wanted to focus on my family, on showing my love to my children but still giving guidance and having patience with them.
Today I also visited a couple friends to see how they were doing and gave them a homemade card with a little thought in it. I think it's important to reach out to other and do things for them, not only does it uplift them but it helps us forget or own worries.
Thank you for the challenge to get back on track and creating a healthy lifestyle for not only me but for my family and encouraging those around me.

1. Completed todays Core/mix Adv.workout on the Ball. Love those exercises, including the move of the day, because they feel great on my back.
2. Tomorrow I'll do a 45 minute cardio followed by the 360 Health planned workout...likewise on Sunday a 30 minute cardio followed by the 360 Health planned workout. I just love the fact that someone sets the program everyday and all I have to do is turn on my netbook and take it to the gym for my workout. Excellent...I also like being surprised because then I just do what the program is without anticipation.
3. I tried the Healthy French Toast...I eat yoghurt Parfaits nearly every day so I do need some variety and it's great!
4. My stresses are keeping the family going...All the finances weigh on my shoulders because I am the primary breadwinner...My husband plays alot of golf and enjoys life, especially now that our son is away at college and our daughter is driving herself to high school. He is good about helping around the house but I am still the one who carries all the weight of our livlihood...It can be tough.
5. I made a special low fat dessert (apple cake with whipped cottage cheese instead of sour cream and bananas instead of oil) for some friends who I'll be sharing the evening with. One of the friends may have to move out of town and that is very upsetting because she is a dear dear friend. Looking forward to finding out more tonight and hoping to help her get her photography business going so she can stay nearby!

CHALLENGES FOR FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26


1. Workout for at least 30 minutes - Sweat & Strengthen: Today I did created my own circuit training since I only had 30 minutes at the gym while my daughter napped. I did a great back/biceps/shoulder routine that went like this:


lat pulldowns x 15

bicep bar curls x 15

shoulder ball raises x 15

abs


row x 15

hammer curls x 15

lateral raises x 15

abs


close grip pull downs x 15

21's x 15

back flys x 15

plank



2. I have planned to do a power yoga class tomorrow morning and Sunday I will be doing p90x tapes in my basement.


3. I just went through all the recipes and there's some really great ones! I'm going to try Gabby's quinoa salad tomorrow for lunch! I just bought a huge bag of quinoa at Costco so this is perfect!


4. I would have to say that would have to be spending too much time online when I have other things I should be doing. So, what I plan to do to combat this is always do the things I don't want to do 1st and then look at email/blogs/sites after.


5. Today, I called a friend that I have lost touch with. It was hard because so much time has passed but she's been on my mind lately so I just called. I left a message so I'm hoping she calls back!

I played beach vb today for 2 hours so I got my workout in - lots of squatting, sprinting, and jumping.
Tomorrow I am going to meet up with a friend at the stairs. If it rains we will go to the gym. Sunday I am going to go for a run.
Which leads me to my new goal. Today is special because I just decided to run a 10k, my first ever. I have been putting it off as I always talk about doing it but I promise I am going to. I feel good just saying it. So now I need to run a lot more because I don't just want to run it I want to do well ocourse!
Recipe
Gabby's White fish
I never cook fish, not sure why? So tonight I'm a gonna cook it! I am going to serve it with a big salad, some quinoa,and wine! YUM wish me luck!
Can't wait for the next challenge. I need to be able to get into a bikini by May so I better get my act together!

Today I had to work all day and then pick up the kids but I wore my pedometer and tracked my steps and was able to walk 2 miles.
I did look up a recipe during my lunch break- that I feel is do-able for the kids and I- Barbeque Chicken Burrito. I like that it had few incredients and used Roasted Chicken (already cooked) and my kids love tortillas and could make it themselves.
At this point in my life I don't have any big stressors- my only challenge is my very active 3 year old who newest interest is throwing objects in the toilet. I am trying to enjoy this fun age but keep him out of harms way. Thankfully the older son is 7 and has matured quite a bit lately.
This weekend I won't be able to go to my usual Zumba class on Sunday because of a birthday party but I will squeeze in exercise with the boys. My son's school is having a "Walk Across America" contest with pedometers and we are both entering - he loves watching the numbers go up on his pedometer. An old friend from college found me on FB yesterday and we spoke live this afternoon- I haven't talked to her in 20 years and found out that she lives 40 minutes away and has two little kids like me- it was awesome talking about old times and we are meeting together in March-

Ok did my workout today - approx 75 minutes circuit, weights and cardio - felt great.

This weekend I will do short workouts during my youngest son's nap - squeeze in approx 30 min of pilates/yoga.

I made the meatloaf out of the recipe section and it is awesome. My kids even like it!! Went grocery shopping today and did a quick food "inventory" before I checked out. Put back two junk items that we did not need - baby steps.

I'm going to call my parents today - I avoid it and then it stresses me so I'm just going to do it. I'm also stressed about money but just admitting to my husband I'm stressed helps so I did and feel a bit better.

Today is a special day as I am going to mark it as the start day of a 30 day challenge to be truthful to myself about my eating habits. I'm logging EVERYTHING so that I can really zone in on why I am struggling with my weight. As part of the challenge I am going to be consistent with eating MEALS avoiding SNACKS.

That's it for me! Thanks for the challenges this week - it's been fun.

1. In addition to fast walking for around 40 minutes,(my legs have run many days this week, and my long run will be Sunday), I did the move of the day from yesterday and today, and did my best to do 5 normal pushups, followed by 15 “girlie”pushups! I contemplated doing my circuit workout- but only had a little over an hour to exercise today!
2. I have a college alumni, parents, and friends dessert reception tomorrow night, but I’ll either work out mid-morning or late afternoon tomorrow. Sunday, I’ll make time for my workout after church, probably mid-afternoon so I can about 4-5 miles.
3. I had lots of fresh produce in the house, including zuchinni I hadn’t used up, so I made a recipe Gabby had modified in her recipe tab on the site. Lunch was lunch—Garbanzo Bean and Zuchinni Salad, and further modified it as I had to use ¼ of a ripe tomato I had to use up, and some toasted sesame seeds (1/4 t.). I didn’t have any lemon juice, or fresh lemons, so I used a fresh lime to make juice, and used that! YUM! The flavors blended great and I also added a slice of 100% whole wheat bread! A burst of flavors that reminded me of summer—I think this would be a great addition to any cookout! I think I’ll take it to the next event I have to bring food—that way I’d have a healthy alternative! We are eating at a gathering at around 6 PM, so that’ll keep me going until then!
4.I become stressed when my hubby(who travels a lot for business is gone although he was in Haiti this month so some of that stress was legit! ) and I have to keep up with a part-time job, homeschooling an elementary school child and a high school child, all the while training for a half-marathon and trying to stay connected with family and friends…but exercise seems to ease that stress, as does planning low cost, nutritious meals and scheduling exercise ahead.
5. In addition to calling my parents(that also stresses me out), I called one of my best friends from high school that I hadn’t talked to in about a year and a half and we got to chat for about 30 minutes-sadly one of her kids has cancer and is undergoing treatment. We have one of those friendships that transcends time and distance—whenever we get together or talk, it’s like old times. She has had a lot of stress in her life and didn’t think to call me—but now she knows—to call anytime, no matter what hour of the day or night. A very Honeyline type principle!

I don't know what happened yesterday, but I totally fell off the challenge wagon.TOTALLY.


I did not exercise. I ate crappy...hmmmm....I should say yummy yet bad for me food. Drank pop and koolaid. I just totally did not get done what I should have done.


ARGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!


Why....when I know I should do better, that I let myself do this?? ack.ack.ack. Sigh. maybe day 4 will be a little better.