New Body for December 2009!!

Boss Man... I agree with you 100%. I shouldn't promise. But somehow (in my mind) I feel that when I make a promise, to me, is a "binding contract" I need to fulfil no matter what. Honestly, It has truly worked for me. Confession: Let's just say that in one of the many very critical times in my life, I've ended up making a promise to my kids that helped me get strenght I didn't know I had left, to not fail them. And here I am . But I get what your saying. Therefore, I'll rephrase by saying: I'll try my best to get over my shame (on belly issue), be a healthier/stronger person & a better looking me .
By the way, I'm not going to lie. It has been a haaard, slooow, looong road. But, in a crazy way, it has been a fun & adventurous learning experience. My family will agree with me on that. So, beacause I enjoy it....I will continue. With that said, my day went as follows:
Breakfast: Cream of wheat w/ egg white & 1/2 banana & 1 cup of water
Workout: abs only (6 min. abs video & jackie 1 0n 1 core)
Snack: Banana split protein shake
Lunch: Lean Cuisine grilled chicken w/ fettuccini & veggies (whole wheat), side salad & 1 bottle of water (liked it!)
walked 1/2 mile
Snack: peaches w/ 1/4 cup cottage cheese & 1 cup of water
Dinner: 3 oz grilled salmon w/ stir fry veggies (1 cup), side salad w/ 1 slice avocado & 1 bottle of water
Workout: walked for 45 minutes (in intervals-walk, sprint & jogged) It was too cold & windy felt about to have an asthma attack .
Snack: strawberry protein smoothie
Felt very good & pumped all day. I'm starting to notice a little change in my back, butt & arms. Haven't taken pictures, but will soon. Tomorrow: planning to try something new: Hip Hop cardio dancing. I like the idea. Recruited my kids and are very excited. Let's see how it goes since one of them has two left feet, the other one is very competitive & my living room space is not big enough for two big egos (kids), a perfectionist (hubby) & a impatient/ pre-menapausal gal (me) .

Hey, no worries at all. You have to do this in a way that's

A: healthy.

B: a 100% comfortable approach for you.

I certainly would never tell you how you should or must feel, so inspite of what I said, of course I will support whatever way you choose to look at your situation. I know you're not doing anything you shouldn't, that's detrimental to you, so I would have no reason to urge caution right now.

The main thing is, it might be long and tough, but you're definitely capable of doing it, because you've already been doing it so, so well and I hope you can feel proud of yourself, like others do of you.

Keep up the hard work and well done .

Thank you BossMan!
Yesterday, Wednesday, my day wan't as good as I had hoped for. Couldn't workout in the morning nor eat because it was "torture day" at my Dr.'s (forgot all about it). It happens every three months, unfortunately. Anyways, by 12:00 I was starving, dizzie, sick & cold. Thank God I had brought a Ham, salami, low fat cheese, lettuce, tomatoes & l. mayo (packet) on whole wheat bread & can of d. pepsi with me. I was so hungry I forgot to put the mayo (calories saved ). After swallowing my brunch, I walked about 1 1/2 mile home. Needed that walk sooo bad. Walking relaxes me & makes me feel OK. I had my Ipod full blast. Got home and decide to take a needed nap. Got up and made myself a smoothie. This time, my own version of Mocha latte. It didn't taste like the real one, but at least it made me feel happy & up beat. Prepared dinner & sat comfy on my sofa, ready to see the world series...which we won . (GO YANKEES)! Had planned to do the Hip Hop cardio video, but couldn't .

Today, Thursday, felt great! Got up early in the morning & did the Hip Hop video . It was fun, easy to follow & did a little sweating (not bad). Since it didn't feel like a workout to me, I did 3 sets of 20 squats, sumo squats, kick backs & dips. Can't do lunges for now (foot problem). Made breakfast & showered. The rest of the day went as usual, but after dinner, my kids went to play soccer (I didn't- too cold for me) & I decided to do a "walking program" in my living room. Walked (3 steps back & 3 forward ) for 30 minutes w/ "toning spurs" every 30 seconds (side steps, knee lifts, front kicks & butt kicks (my favorite). Did HIIT jumping, but only 3 sets. Didn't have the energy...don't know why? Got a call from an old friend from college. She's coming to New York on a business trip & wanted to go out for dinner in 10 days. OMG! That made me very happy, excited & anxious. Why? Don't know. I just want to look good. She is very athletic & fashion forward (well, she used to). So, I want to look good (it's a "girl" thing). Confession: after the call, did the whole entire Tae bo video . Changed my strategy. Planning to do:
Friday (tomorrow): upper & lower body
Saturday: Intense cardio
Sunday: Off
Monday: abs & upper body
Tuesday: abs & cardio
Wednesday: abs & lower body
Thursday: abs & cardio
Friday: abs & upper
Saturday: abs & running (I'll try my best)
Sunday: DINNER WITH MY FRIEND!
Let's change subject cause just thinking about it makes me want to workout more & I'm very tired . OK, deep breath. Not working. So, will take a shower & try to go to sleep....Not after I read a little to calm my nerves down .

Hey mami! Hope your foot is feeling better!

You don't need to do abs that often, but if you're into it... (: Sounds cool about seeing your old friend. I'm sure she'll be impressed. You've been at it, honest and true, for awhile now and even if the changes are too subtle for you to see everyday, I have no doubt other people are going to notice! Especially if they haven't seen you in awhile!

It usually takes me awhile to recover from one of those fast things from the dr, so I wouldn't worry too much. Just keep it up, working out, eating and sleeping right and you'll be back on in no time!

Have a good weekend!

Thanks Les! That makes me feel much better. Couldn't sleep last night. Maybe the anxiety or maybe the coffee on the moch latte . But this morning was very pumped! Did upper body workout & HIIT jumping (WOW!). Had so much energy I was bouncing of the walls (literally) OUCH! didn't see that one coming . Anyways, my hubby asked me to watch his boring morning show w/ him. Translation: to calm down So, I did & It worked

If I go to my dad's when I have too much energy (often, I use his computer and washer), I usually just bug him and the monster til they kick me out. Usually it's something along the lines of "shouldn't you be doing something?" or "Wash my car."

Hey girl! I think you are doing great and I love the way you find fun ways to exercise. If you want to see a really great cardio workout that is fun and challenging go to the Forum "Cardio Training" and click on Wolfen's thread called "Jumpstyle" and watch the you tube video he has posted there. Talk about a great workout! And so much fun! I thought you and especially your kids would really like it - something fun to do together!

Lesplease...My youngest son can relate to you. Those same words are said to him every single night after dinner. That boy can lit up an entire community with all the energy. Hey, I might have the solution to lowering my electric bill...hook up all my electronics to him . Just kidding!
fitoverforty...Hey girl! How you doing? . Haven't looked at the video, but I can assure you I'll try it. Anything to keep my routine from being boring & at the same time, have fun. Well, my kids will. Example: This evening, before my hubby & I went to the movies, decided to do "dead lifts" (heard an actress on tv said it was good for the butt). Heard the word BUTT! & right away, I went & did 3 sets of 20 w/ 5lbs weight. Didn't feel a thing. Went out, came back & when I was about to sit down to talk about the movie...COULDN"T. I was in pain. They started to laugh soo hard. Making fun about how old I was & how they were going to take turns to change my diapers...WHAT? I'm only 39 . But, it was funny & so we laughed. So, anything for a good laugh & a toned body .
My day was pretty high energy all day. After I got home, started to prepare dinner & watch a little TV. While turning channels, I heard about the deadlifts & did them. My hubby got home & reminded me it was "solos night" (alone night). That's when we have a night out all to ourselves . We like scary movies, so we went to see paranormal activity. The movie sucks! Camera moves to much (my hubby suffers from motion sickness), they talk to much, it keeps you in suspense (cause you think something will happen) but it doesn't until 3/4 of the movie & only the dragging scene & the end it's good. When it was finally over, nobody thought It was the end until the credits started rolling. I think The Ring was 100% better. My hubby was so disappionted he talked about making his own scary movie . I believe him, he's done it before. Not scary though....action (for the family). He thinks he's Steven Spielberg & I don't like to bust his bubble . Anyways, had a good time & laugh talking about how he could've done it better . Besides the "daydreaming" in the car, my day went like this:
Breakfast: My specialty omelette, whole wheat bread & 1/2 cup d. pepsi & 1 cup of water
Workout: Upper body & HIIT jumping
Snack: strawberry protein shake w/ 1/2 banana
Lunch: Grilled chicken & veggies stir fry & side salad & 1 bottle of water
Snack: 1 Guava (LOVE IT) w/ peanut butter & 1 cup of water (strange combination-didn't like it)
Dinner: Homemade Chicken noodle soup (whole wheat pasta) & lots of veggies, big chef salad & 1 bottle of water
Workout: 35 min. walking program (intervals of walking & jogging) & 3 sets of 20 dead lifts & 20 hula hoops (had to go)
Movie: 1 thumb down & 1 up (hubby...2 thumbs down ) Drank water
Snack: Pina colada (no alcohol)- (triple YUMM!- it was like a slushy type & it was AWESOME) Didn't care it was freezing outside.
Tomorrow: Family day! But will not cheat & will workout as hard as planned....OK! as hard as I can

Yesterday, Friday, Family day! We decided not to go out, stay home & relax. OMG! Those dead lifts really work for me. I couldn't sit nor bend (ouch). Like it, cause I know it's working. Went to the park in the morning (weather was unexpectedly warmer), walked about two miles (intervals & some "incline") & headed back home to do breakfast. During lunch time, did the 6 min abs video & somehow, a hula hoop competition began. Love the workout! Afterwards, decide to go to the park before it got darker & walked for 10 min. Then, started running for 4 min & 4 min walk. Did 40 minutes total + stretching. I couldn't concntrate on my run because I depended on my cell phone's alarm for the time (to beep every 4 minutes) & it was very aggravating (setting it on & off). Wasn't happy . I think I could've done better w/ intervals, speed & distance. Maybe I should buy a watch or a timer. Any Suggestions? At night, dinner & a little upper body workout (my lower was hurting ) & little cardio. Guess who joined me...my hubby . Well, not exactly. Only did one set on each upper body part (not the lifts) . He tried. When we finished...Guess what? The banana split smoothie! Now you know why he did it .
Anyways, my schedule went like this:
Workout: walked 2 miles & drank 1 bottle of water
Breakfast: Oatmeal w/ eggwhites & 1/2 banana & 1 cup of water
Snack: 2 teaspoon peanut butter w/ 1 whole wheat toast, 4 strawberries & 1 cup of water
Lunch: Grilled chicken wrap w/ lot of veggies & lettuce & few shredded low fat mozarella & 1 bottle of water
Workout: 6 min. abs video & 1 hour Hula Hoop
Workout: Walked & run program 40 min.
Snack: Pineapple w/ 1/4 cottage cheese & 1 cup of water
Dinner: Grilled steak (well done) w/ 1/2 cup of brown rice, 2 pcs sweet plantain, big side salad & 1 bottle of water
Workout: upper body & little cardio (15 min )
Snack: Banana split protein smoothie! & 30 minutes later...1 bottle of water
All that water has me making lots of trips to the bathroom. Considering to either sleep in there or wear a diaper .

This might interest you. I have a nike + which I really like. It's 20$ and plugs into your ipod (if you are into such things) and calculates all kinds of cool things for you. If you don't use an ipod, the wristband for it is 60$. That probably doesn't much interest you (: But they have USBs that plug into the computer and track your progress. Unless you are a runner, it really doesn't do too much good (but they are super fun!). Mostly it graphs all the input data, and Lance Armstrong comes on and tells me I've done a good job when I beat an old record (: Nike.com tracks everything for you. It is very neat.

Orrrrrr you can get a pedometer! I looove pedometers! (Mainly what I use my nike + for). A lot of them have built in stop watches. Or you could get a plain ol' stopwatch. Booooring! Anyway, check these out and see what you think. You can get them at sporting goods stores or places like target and wal mart. I order everything online cos I'm agoraphobic and it's cheaper (: Stopwatches you can get nearly anywhere for about 5-10 bucks. But pedometers are way funner. Yes, funner.

http://www.amazon.com/Sublime-Premium-P ... 566&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.com/ACCUSPLIT-Accuspl ... 66&sr=8-10
http://www.amazon.com/DMC-07-Seven-Day- ... 66&sr=8-11

Some of them come with calorie counters. This is total BS. Don't set store by the calorie counters. They are terribly inaccurate. Just look for one that has decent accuracy on the # of steps taken, and a built in stop watch. Some can calculate distance by using your stride length. Those are pretty radical too. Some of them can get terribly pricey, but you can get something pretty good for under $20.

Considering to either sleep in there or wear a diaper .

Also, ew.

Chill Les! I'm kidding. I love my comfy bed too much. Also, thank you for the pedometer info. I used to have a small one I bought at Walmart for $7, but I lost it at the park when playing soccer back in June. It showed steps, calories burned & miles but didn't have a stopwatch. Will check into your suggestions, specially the Nike +. Need to buy one ASAP!
OK, yesterday, Sunday, was my day off!? NOT. Didn't really workout, but I did work. Yes I did! Washed clothes, clean bathrooms, floors, etc. To me, that's exercise. My breakfast was light: simple omelette w/ whole wheat. For lunch: grilled chicken wrap w/ lots of veggies & side salad. Dinner: 1/2 cup of brown rice, grilled chicken & side salad. For snack: peanut butter & whole wheat toast & strawberry protein shake. Water: 7 cups of water. After all the cleaning....needed a break .
Today, Monday, started my day in a really good mood. Beautiful weather, my hair looked pretty & picked what to wear quickly . Did my upper body workout. Concentrated on my shoulders & back. Problem: have been noticing my biceps & triceps a little tighter, but that area in the back of the shoulder where it meets with the armpit looks flabby & fat. Also, my biceps, when you look closer, looks wrinkled? a little like cellulite/cottage cheese? Not good . Noticing now, since my tan is gone. What exercise can I do to "fix" this problem? Anyways, worked on my upper body, abs & did 3 sets of 30 squats. Had a very good day & just finished doing the Tae bo video . My schedule went like this:
Breakfast: Cream of wheat w/ eggwhite & 1/2 banana-1 cup of water
Workout: Upper body, abs video & 3 sets of 30 squats
Snack: fruit bowl & small piece of low fat cheddar cheese & 1 cup of water
Lunch: Turkey burger w/ lettuce, tomatoes, onions & mushrooms & 1 bottle of water
Snack: 2 teaspon of peanut butter & 4 strawberries & 1 cup of water
Dinner: Big chef salad & 3 oz grilled steak w/ 1 small baked potato w/ 1 bottle of water
Snack: chocolate protein smootie (Delicious!)
Will be posting new pictures on Friday . Hope you can see the difference. Still working very hard on my belly. Started using Aveno firming cream to help with the stretch marks. Even practice the "belly sucking" motion while walking Everything to have a flat belly. How crazy is that?

Try something like bio-oil instead for Stretch marks. Firming Creams, might not do what they say they do. Most are probably a bit pathetic anyway I daresay.

Funny enough, a female comic was asked once if she used anti-wrinkle cream, and she said no I think they're all rubbish, but if anyone made a cream, that got the wrinkles out of a guys genital area, she would, as that would mean it must be good .

Keep training the way you are, and don't worry for now. The things you say are happening, might just dissapear over time.

You can also take Vitamin E capsules, break 'em, and rub them directly over the skin.

Thanks for the options! Willing to try anything legal, safe, that works & approved by FDA .
Boss Man...That's very funny . Bio-oil? Never heard of it. Will google it.
Lesplease...vitamin E capsule? Cool. My mom has some, will defenitely try! Only vitamins I have...iron.