Booyah... 30 day SHRED

With inspiration from this blog Mama Laughlin, I decided to start Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred. 

I did each level for 10 days.  Yes, I did do this for 30 days straight. Working my way up to a new level every 10 days. Ok, truth be told, there were 3 days that I just didn’t do the workout. I regretted it horribly the next day. Looking back I totally could have found 30 minutes to get a quick, effective and efficient workout in, but I didn’t and I kick myself in the ass for this. However, that is pretty damn good to only miss 3 workouts in a 30 day period. Especially when you have a, um, life.

In the beginning I would do this workout  late in the evening, while Josh did Easton’s bath or after Easton was in bed. But then I realized how bad is sucked to run on a treadmill after completing this workout so I started doing it in the mornings. I get up around 5:30 am anyways, so what’s 15 minutes earlier. Before working out in the morning, I would get up and take my time, not rush, scroll facebook, shave, shower, and pee every morning. Ya know do my thang. Well something had to give once I began getting up to workout so no more morning shaves. That is strictly a night time shower routine (BTW my husband loves my smooth non-prickly legs at night ). No dilly dolling around in the morning. No wasting time scrolling facebook, no more moving at a slow pace, and all clothes, including Easton’s, are decided and laid at the night before. Efficient, efficient, efficient! And you know what? Not only did I start feeling a million times better throughout the day, but I also left the house much sooner than I did before. I blame it on being energized from my morning workout.  It wasn’t just my morning routine that affected by this new workout commitment, but my night time routine was also.  I was in bed by 9:30 am (I need 8 hours people!) Old I know, but shit 5:15 am comes sooner than later.  Because my “bedtime” was moved up, I spend less time watching TV.

Level 1- The first 4 days I was so sore that I flopped down on the toilet to pee in an effort NOT to use any muscles in my legs.  My arms ached when I would pick up Easton. I was miserable the first several days, but then my endurance and muscles started to build and by day 6 I was a Level 1 pro. Able to complete the workouts without stopping for breaks.

Level 2- I hate it! It is the devil. Out of all three levels this one is the worst to me. I seriously dreaded this workout. But I sucked it up and pushed through. I never got to the point when I could complete Level 2 without taking a break. I just wasn’t happening. I could, however, see a change in my endurance and fitness level after several days of doing level 2.  

Level 3-  Oh bring on some crazy arms. I felt level 3 really worked my arms. Which is great because my are in need of a serious overhaul! Especially the undercarriage that does a lot of shakin’ when I do some waving bye! Some of the moves I had to modify because of my knee (afraid it would impact it too much), like the jump squats and rockstar kicks (rockstar my ass).

There were times when I would be eating my cheerios after completing my workout and sweat would still be rolling off me and into my cheerios.  Now that’s an awesome 30 minute workout!

Now on to the results…

STARTING STATS:

Weight: 193

L. Arm: 12 3/4"

R. Arm: 12 3/4"

Chest: 39"

Belly: 41 1/4"

Hips: 43"

R. Thighs: 25"

L. Thighs: 25"

ENDING STATS:

Weight: 186.8

L. Arm: 12 1/2"

R. Arm: 12 1/2"

Chest: 38 1/2"

Belly: 40"

Hips: 42"

R. Thighs: 24 1/2"

L. Thighs: 24 1/2"

INCHES LOST:

Weight: -6.2 lbs 

L. Arm: -.25"

R. Arm: -.25"

Chest: -.5"
Belly: -1"

Hips: -1"

R. Thighs: -.5" 

L. Thighs: -.5"

Total Inches Lost: -4"

2/16/12 Before

3/16/12- After

2/16/12- Before

3/16/12- After

Overall I am happy with the results, of course you are always wanting more, but I can really tell my booty got an uplift.   My muscle tone and endurance have increased tremendously over the past 30 days also. What's up next on mission get Momma's body back? Well, running! And LOTS of it! I am also going to continue doing the 30 Day Shred except I am going to rotate the levels every day. So every three days I will be starting over. We will see what happens next month!

Bakin' Mommas! Strawberry Burst Cookies

Saturday morning after swim lessons Easton and I did some baking. Well... I did baking, she did more licking and sneaking powder sugar. 

 (don't worry it's just cool whip)

 

 These are Strawberry Burst Cookies and they are absolutely AMAZING! I have made these several times over the past month. Easton and Josh love them. I seriously have to fight/argue with Josh about taking some to work. Since the recipe makes like 35+ cookies, I don't think it is in my best interest to leave that many cookies lying around our house. Oh, and this recipe was found on Pinterest!

Lemon Burst Cake Mix Cookies

1 box Lemon Cake Mix*

1- 8 oz container Cool Whip

1 egg

1/3 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

• Preheat oven to 350°
• In medium bowl, beat cool whip, egg and cake mix until well blended. Dough will be thick and sticky.
• Drop by teaspoonfuls into a bowl of powdered sugar and roll to coat.
• Place on parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 10- 12  minutes

*Try these using strawberry or orange cake mix for variety.

Enjoy the burst of lemon flavor from these light and soft baked cookies.

Our Little Fishy is back in the Water

Easton is back in the water! This past Saturday was her second swim lesson and since both Mommy and Daddy could make it Josh was able to take pictures of our little fishy. She sure does love the water and did fantastic! (sorry some of them are so dark)

 Blowing bubbles



Cutie-Patootie Friday!

Road to 13.1: Truffle Shuffle 5K

(*These are my thoughts... I cuss... Try not to.. Shit happens)

This past Saturday was the first race of the series Road to 13.1.  The Truffle Shuffle was flippin' cold! We are talking 33° with a wind-chill of 22°. It was seriously the longest 3.1 miles of my life. Not only was it cold, but the majority of the race was on rock. Teeny, tiny rocks. Make your calves, ass and thighs burn the entire race kind of rocks. It was more of an off road course and the next day I paid for it. My outer thighs and ass ached. Everyone has a go to song. One that makes them suck it up and just do it. To push through those thoughts of quitting or just walking. Well, Christina Aguilera’s song Fighter was repeated several times on my i-pod. It’s my stop being a weenie and keep moving your ass song.   

Best Race Moment: The last stretch of the course I really pushed myself. I had been keeping up with booty girl (that is the name I have her because she had a big ol’ booty) the entire time. I decided it was time to pass that bitch*. I kicked it up a notch and started gaining ground on her. Then booty girl picked up her pace. Hell no! I bumped it up another notch and caught up to her. Then I dug down deep… I mean real deep because I was freakin’ exhausted and sprinted for the finish line. It seriously was a neck and neck finish. Guess what… my neck was longer! I beat her… barley.

*I have no idea if this girl was a bitch. But it got my ass in gear. Sorry it’s the competitive side in me.

Worst Moment: When I no longer could feel my hand and fingers because they were red and numb from the wind. We were only halfway into the first mile.

Truffle Shuffle 5K

Time: 32:11

Pace: 10:22

Miles: 3.1

The Road to 13.1 series is races that I and my BFF Lexie are running everyone month until October 20^th. It’s the mini races leading up to the BIG Momma… aka Waddell Reed Half Marathon.  It will be a fun, painful and rewarding journey.

Next up: Garmin Land of Oz: Dorothy Dash 5K 4.21.12

FYI: I am on day 22 (Level 3) of Jillian Michael’s 30 day shred. I am going to do a picture reveal, inches lost, and weight lost post once I complete the 30 days. Day 30 is March 16^th. I can already tell things are “tighter”. I must say she kicks my ass every morning! And like I told my cousin… Sweat may or may not fall into my cheerios when I am eating breakfast after completing the workout.

And now on to some race pictures

Hard core finish!

Post Race: Hot/Cold Sweaty Mess!

Swimming and Playdate

So Josh took Easton to her first swim lesson class this past Saturday. They are at the Y from 9:00  to 9:30 am... which is perfect. Not too long and not too short of a time frame. I was not able to attend because of race (separate post coming soon). Josh said at first she was a clingy, but soon she was gulping down the water like it was her own personal bath tub. Friday evening I snapped these pictures of her trying on her "Pretty" aka swimsuit. Josh did say that I no longer could do races while we have swim lessons. He apparently had some trouble with getting himself dress and Easton opening the family restroom door.

 Saturday afternoon we met the Wiseman Clan for the first annual play date. Now this isn't all of them, but it is a good chunk of the kiddos.

 Easton enjoyed playing with the play-doh

 And giving Baby Ava a million kisses and hugs.

 Also getting assistance from Rylie and Austyn with putting her shoe back on.

Daycare Drama!

Last week was our first week at the new daycare (Mrs. Debbie). Monday was horrible. That morning all the way to Debbie’s I talked to Easton about going to a new daycare and having three new playmates. I told her how much fun it would be and she would have three boys to play with. I think I was mostly reassuring myself about leaving her with somebody new. Because I, of course, look at like I am abandoning her with a stranger. That I am leaving her in this new place not knowing a single person.

The first day I picked Easton up early, around 2:00 pm. Some things irked me; she took a nap in her shoes; she sleep with her lamb (she normally doesn’t sleep with any stuff animals); didn’t seem like she received enough water because when we got to my parents she chugged the water I gave her. I called her twice that morning and I had this feeling that a lot of TV was being watched. To top it off it seemed like she wasn’t listening to me. I guess since she had been doing it for 30 years she MUST know my child better than me. Go figure. So day one.. Not good. My mom and everyone else kept saying give her a chance. It’s everyone’s first day and it will take some getting use too.

Day two… I called once mid-morning and surprise, surprise they were watching TV. Hmmm… When I picked Easton up that day there she was with three little boys watching TV holding a book. She comes running over to me and I pick her up and say “Are you reading a book?” Debbie happily says “Yeah Noah (4 maybe 5 year old) was reading Easton the Ho Ho Ho book.” She must of saw the look on my face as I looked over at the little kid because she quickly said “Oh, and Debbie, too.” Hmmm… really you read my daughter this book. Could have fooled me with the laptop open on the coffee table and the papers strewn out. Riiiight. So I am annoyed. I gather all Easton’s stuff up and head out my car to load up. A lady who is walking her dog comes down the street and approaches me. At first I didn’t recognize her, but then I remember she had brought her two girls over that morning to Debbie’s to catch the bus.

Lady: “Is that Easton. The Easton that went to Mandy’s?”

Me: “Yep, this is the Easton that went to Mandy’s.”

Lady: “The Mandy that has breast cancer”

Me: Yes, Do you know Mandy?”

Come to find out that she did and actually lived across the street from Mandy when she was growing up. We started chatting and come to find out that Mrs. Debbie isn’t all she is cracked up to be. Like thought they watch a lot of TV. They are not very stimulated or nurtured. Are kidding me! We are out of this place. I cried all the way home (dangerous I know, but I couldn’t keep it together). I got home and Josh asked me what was wrong. Through tears I said “We aren’t taking her back there”. Josh said we don’t have to, but what happened. I filled him in on everything. He agreed we would not be going back there. Later that evening I had Josh call Debbie and tell her he wasn’t working the next couple of days and Easton would be there. I needed to get our ducks in a row before I made the dreaded phone call of “we will no longer be going there”.

Thursday I scheduled an interview with an in home daycare provider. We had originally interviewed this lady when I was pregnant, but thought she was a little high for daycare. But now since Easton is a toddler her rate is much more reasonable. Anyways, we visited with her Thursday evening and Easton really warmed up to her. She had art work displayed, pictures of her daycare kids, toys, play areas in her back yard, and so much more. She has a very structured day and when I asked if the kids watch TV she said only in the morning while I am making breakfast and kids are arriving. The rest of the day we are doing activities, reading books, quiet time/nap time, and outside play. This is what Easton needs. We begin Monday, March 12th. Hopefully this transition is easier than the last one.

Seriously... who couldn't love this face!