I is for I did it!

     Yesterday was my friend, Sadie's birthday. As many of you may recall, she was trying to ride 100 miles before her birthday, or she had to giveaway her birthday present. To show my support, I was attempting to ride 50 miles by her birthday.

I made it!

3/20 - 5 miles

3/22 - 5 miles

3/26 - 8.5 miles

3/27 - 5.5 miles

3/28 - 5 miles

3/29 - 4/1 - Universal (walked about a billion miles...too bad that doesn't count)

4/4 - 7 miles

4/5 - 5 miles

4/6 - 3.5 miles

4/8 - 4 miles

4/9 - 2 miles

     The big question is...did Sadie make it? To find out, visit her at SlapDashMom. Remember, no matter what, she's going to be giving something away.

D is for Determination

     I love to exercise. It's just that I often lack motivation. After I do everything that I have to do during the day, the only thing I really want to do is lounge and watch bad tv. 

     With 100 Miles with SlapDashMom, I have been determined to reach my goal. As of my last update, I still had 31.5 miles to go. How am I doing now?

3/20 - 5 miles

3/22 - 5 miles

3/26 - 8.5 miles

3/27 - 5.5 miles

3/28 - 5 miles

3/29 - 4/1 - Universal (walked about a billion miles...too bad that doesn't count)

     So, I now need to do 21 miles in 5 days. That is completely doable as long as I keep my determination. If I ride everyday, that's about 4 miles a day. That's less than what I have been doing.

     Be sure to check out Sadie's progress. Remember, if she doesn't make it, she's giving away her birthday present. If she does make it, she'll still have a giveaway, but she keeps her presents.

100 miles with Slap Dash Mom

     My friend and mentor, Sadie, is attempting to ride 100 miles on the bike before her birthday (April 9th). If she doesn't make it, she is going to giveaway her birthday present on her blog, Slap Dash Mom. So far, she has done 19 miles.

     To show my support, I am going to join her (with a slightly smaller goal). 

     My goal is to ride 50 miles before her birthday. With 21 days until her birthday, this only averages to 2.4 miles a day. I know that it's a small goal, but I also know that I am running for 30 minutes, 3 times a week. Also, I will be pulling my 2 children in their new bike trailer. I'm sure that they will enjoy it, but that's an extra 80 pounds I'll be pulling around (Ugh!).

     So, wish us luck! To follow Sadie's progress, click on the 100 miles icon. You can follow my progress here or on my Facebook page.

3/20 - 5 miles. Around mile 3, I really started to feel the weight of the kids.

3/22 - 5 miles

3/26 - 8.5 miles. I rode the recumbent that I forgot I have at home. It was so much easier without pulling the kids!!!

2 weeks left until Sadie's birthday and I've ridden 18.5 miles! Only 31.5 more to go!

21 Day Weight Loss Challenge is Over!

     Well, my 21 Day Weight Loss Challenge has come to an end. It is a great program and I really enjoy the workouts.

     Better than just enjoying it, I have seen results. I have lost 3 pounds. I know that isn't a lot, but if I lose weight slowly, it's easier for me to maintain. I also have more energy. I'm not ready to go to bed at 6pm anymore. And last, but certainly not least, I don't HAVE to have a Dr. Pepper every day. I am still enjoying an occasional soda, but I don't need it to function like a normal person.

     I have not decided if I will participate in the next Challenge (a new Challenge starts each month), but I am going to continue the workouts.

     I great big thank you to Dustin Maher for this wonderful opportunity. Also, to my friend and mentor, Sadie, for inviting me to join her in this Challenge.

     Stop and see what my friends thought of the 21 Day Weight Loss Challenge; Heather & Jacqui and Elizabeth.

Day 15: 21 Day Weight Loss Challenge

     It's been another hectic week. But, on the positive side, my workouts have been getting easier. So, I've been doing each set multiple times. I don't know if I'm losing weight or inches (will measure again when the Challenge is over), but I do know that I have more energy. I used to be tired in the early evening. Now, I have energy all day. I'm liking it. In the end, I would love to lose weight and inches, but I am loving having more energy.

     My personal challenge for the week: Do a light workout on my off days

     Dustin's challenge for this week: Tell someone you appreciate them

     I am excited to finish up this challenge. I am proud of myself for doing so well. I know that I will continue this workout even after the Challenge ends.

Be sure to keep up with my friends Jacqui & Heather, Sadie and Elizabeth as they also complete the 21 Day Weight Loss Challenge.

I am participating in the 21 Day Weight Loss Challenge free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

Day 8: 21 Day Weight Loss Challenge

     Week 1 was intense. I'm not going to lie. There were days I didn't want to get out of bed, let alone work out. However, I can honestly say that I survived week 1. Yay me!

     Day 2 was the hardest. I was so sore. It hurt to walk, bend and mostly, it hurt to laugh. Dustin doesn't really encourage stretching before a workout. But, I did find that stretching on the off days and doing a light warm-up made me less sore throughout the day. I'm not saying that this would work for everyone, but it's definitely working for me.

     The hardest goal this week was the sodas. Apparently, I get a little crabby when I don't have my caffeine. So, for the first week I cut down to one 12oz soda per day. Today is my first day caffeine free. Wish me luck.

     Dustin's Challenge for this week is: have a 10 minute conversation.

     My personal challenge for the week: Zero sodas!

     Check out what my friends Jacqui & Heather, Sadie, and Elizabeth have to say about the 21 Day Weight Loss Challenge.

I am participating in the 21 Day Weight Loss Challenge free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

Day 1: 21 Day Weight Loss Challenge

     Before I start talking about the program, Dustin Maher, creator of the 21 Day Weight Loss Challenge said that we need to set goals. Realistic, but challenging goals. So, here are mine.

     Goal 1: Lose some weight. I want to lose at least 10 pounds before the year is over. Hopefully, these 21 days will be a great help in achieving that goal.

     Goal 2: Break my Dr. Pepper habit. I have at least one Dr. Pepper every day. With the challenge, I lose points for my Dr. Peppers. So, I am trying to quit soda all together.

     Dustin's Challenge for the Week: Spend 10 minutes reading something you enjoy. I love reading, so this is an easy one for me!

The Workout

     

     I was in pretty great shape when I was in high school. Let me tell you, that girl was no where around my house as I did Dustin's workout today. I did warm-up, strength training, cardio, core and stretching. I will do all  5 sections every other day. 

     The warm-up was pretty easy. It got me loose but wasn't enough to make me break a sweat. I'm sure that I looked pretty silly doing some of these warm-ups. But, there was no one around to see me. Just one more advantage to working out at home.

     Strength training was intense. There were moments where I wasn't sure that I was going to be able to finish a set. But, I pushed through and I'm glad I did.

     Cardio was what really kicked my butt. He only has you go for 45 seconds and then rest for 45 seconds. But the 45 seconds of work seems like 45 minutes and the rest seems like it's over before it begins. 

     The one that I wasn't prepared for was core training. I know that my core is my problem area. However, I didn't know how much of a problem it was. These exercises made me use my deep core muscles. I finished my workout about an hour ago and I can still feel those muscles.

     Stretching was cool down and flexibility training. Basic yoga to help with the soreness and slowly ease your body out of the workout.

     So far, I am very satisfied with this program. I can't wait until my next workout. However, I'm also glad that I have a day of rest in between.

     As far as the nutritional part of the Challenge, my store doesn't carry a lot of the gluten-free and sugar-free things that the recipes call for. Yay for living in podunk with only one grocery store. So, we're going to pick up a bunch of the ingredients when we're out of town. For now, I am going with the general theme of the Challenge's healthy meals.

I am participating in the 21 Day Weight Loss Challenge free of charge in exchange for an honest review.