jump

One of the intervals on Boot Camp is simply jumping up and down in one place. The alternative is to just do calf raises instead of jumping. That's what I've been doing since I started. But today, grunting and all, even though I was slow, I jumped for the whole minute interval! I was very excited. Plus, I learned a couple things about my iPod, since the headphones kept coming loose and I didn't know how to turn the thing off. I love my hubby! (who is a follower, now) I don't think I really have a thought for the day. Mark went running, and I felt guilty that I wasn't doing anything, so I did.

wondering

So I was grunting again today. Maybe working hard to be in good shape will help next time I'm in labor! At the end of this workout, they have you kick left and right, one foot after the other, as fast as you can. Man, that's hard! By the end, it's really hard work just to lift your legs. Anyway, I'm feeling good about today and being able to get stuff done. Xander's sick, so we really can't go anywhere. I was also thinking about putting him in underwear for a little while today, just to see how he does, get him a little more ready for next week's potty mambo! Oh yeah, and I was wondering if people are actually reading this. I guess it's just a vent, and out for me, something to keep me at least a little accountable for what I'm trying to do, but I'd love to hear from you, see what works for you and if this is at all interesting or motivating for anyone else. I feel really good about what I've been able to accomplish so far. I've really only missed a couple of days of these workouts, and next week is the last week on this DVD. Then I'm on the the second DVD. I'd like to lose at least another 10 pounds (crazy!) before getting pregnant, but at this point, we aren't doing anything to prevent it from happening! Now I just need to adjust my diet a little (stay away from the jello poke cake in the fridge, or at least serve it rather than eating straight from the pan) and drink more water throughout the day, and I should be good to go. Okay, I think that's enough rambling for now, but can you give me a little feedback if you're reading this? Thanks!

grunt

While doing my workout today, I was reminded of when I was in labor with Xander. The nurse, who had also had natural births, told me to grunt and use lower sounds to get through contractions, rather than screaming like I was. So when the pushups and jumping jacks and just plain jumping got to be too much, I found myself grunting through them.

In other news, I'm trying to figure out how to fit in everything during the day. Xander's naptime isn't so much Mommy's quiet time as it is work time. Between laundry (which is now at least folded on the couch and coffee table), dishes, rooms to clean, kid to play with, errands to run, workouts to do, well, I'm losing some motivation. The house it definitely cleaner than it was when I was working full-time, so that's reassuring. I wouldn't be completely embarrassed if someone dropped my unexpectedly.

Thought for the day: Put it all together!

kick

Did I mention that the boot camp workout is kicking my butt? Well, if I didn't, the boot camp workout is kicking my butt!! It's one-minute interval bursts for 20 minutes. But it's going to be worth it one of these days. I'm definitely increasing muscle, though I can't really tell anything by my clothes. It's made me more conscious of my posture and I'm holding my abs in constantly. I should have done before, during and after pics. I watched Suzy's story from the Biggest Loser yesterday (on the workout DVD), and they showed pictures of her progress. I guess seeing the difference between start and finish would be more powerful than watching the numbers go down slowly. Maybe if I'm brave enough, I could post them. Maybe not. Thought for the day: Have a goal in mind, and know that it's going to be worth it, even if you're getting your butt kicked.

three

Still trying to stick with the biggest loser workouts, but I'm feeling very yucky today, so it's not happening. Monday and Tuesday kicked my butt, though! They were hard!! Lost another three pounds. Mark said that the dramatic change from week three to week four in the workouts is supposed to jumpstart weight loss and tease your system a bit. Oh yeah, and I had a very important doctor's appointment on Tuesday, and there is nothing standing between us and another baby except for needing to increase my folic acid (oh yeah, and "frequency," just in case you wanted to know). Thought for the day: Get better and stop feeling like yuck.

progress?

I'm slowing catching up on the laundry, but there's still one more load to go into the washer and two loads of sheets and towels on the couch. I've been able to keep the living room floor clean for about 2 days now. We'll see how that goes over the weekend and when I have to work tonight through Monday. The main part of the kitchen counter has been mostly clean since Monday or Tuesday, and I even cleaned my bedroom yesterday. It's nice to walk in the room and not have laundry baskets on the floor. Parenting is difficult, especially when your children are in your bed at 6:10, when it's still dark outside, making popping noises with their mouths and wanting to snuggle with their brother. But it's so worth it to see these little people grow from helpless bundles to chatterboxes and smarty-pants. Hopefully we'll get to do it again... Gotta fit in the workout later while P and/or Xander are sleeping (I have princesses today). Thought for the Day: It's worth it!

today

It's week three, day three. Just finished my workout a little bit ago. I missed the workout yesterday, but I don't feel as guilty about it as I thought I would have. I was little surprised at myself, but then again, I think I worked as much putting this (I found it for $8 at Target. I'm hoping that I can use it in place of my shoe crates behind the front door. Unfortunately, those convenient canvas bags like the one you see sitting on the shelf are way too small.) together as I would have doing the strength and sculpt part of this.

Plus, I walked down to the pond with the boys after school to feed the geese. Oh, and I carried Xander most of the way back while trying to get Zack to stop and wait for me. He was running ahead of me because he was mad at me. He had dropped his lollipop on the goose-poop-covered ground and I threw it away. He lost all privileges for last night and sweets and desserts for the rest of the week. He actually handled it pretty well. This was after he was late for school because of a temper tantrum about losing his legos. He refused to put them in the tub (he was worried about breaking the things he had made), so I took them away. He proceeded to trash his entire room during time-out, then tell me that it was too big of a mess to clean up. I was really proud of myself because I didn't yell (I raised my voice in a strong way) and I didn't throw a temper tantrum myself. I was even laughing about it when I was telling Mark on the phone. Anyway, today's an early release day, so hopefully it will go better with Zack.

Thought for the day: Even when things are difficult, children are being loud, schedules don't work out, house becomes chaotic, every day and every person (big and small) in your life is a blessing.

company

Week three, day one...had to shorten the workout, but still got it done. Went grocery shopping after lunch, Mark and I decided that we should try to get more fresh foods, less processed foods (duh!). So trying to work that out by buying catfish and raw shrimp rather than trusting the Gorton's fisherman. And the house is actually pretty clean right now, because I watched a friend's little boy during her dentist appointment. I admit, though, that I had to do a quick clean-up and stash this morning before she got here. Thought for the day: I should have company more often, my house stays cleaner that way. :)

lacking

I'm just not feeling it today. After stressful and intense dreams, I guess I wake up to stressful mornings, even if they aren't really so. I let the boys get to me, I let myself get to me, I let myself be a mean mommy, I let myself doubt myself. I've been too lazy today, haven't even put a bra on! Don't know if I can find the motivation to work out, but I'm going to be kicking myself if I miss a workout during my second week of it! And so the laundry that I should have already folded is going to sit on the couch, unfolded, and I'm going to drag my butt to get changed and try to find energy. Thought for the day: Maybe downer days are the best days to work out so I pull myself together. Maybe.

going

Week two, day three. Is it a good thing or a bad thing when your quads starts hurting during the warm-up? And I suppose that cinnamon rolls don't really go along with a biggest loser workout. Zack had a two hour delay, and it seemed okay to give him that much sugar, since it would be a little while before he was at school. But anyway, if I'm to lose weight with this workout, I really need to eat less food, drink more water (so that's my thought for the day). Eat less, drink more!

busy

I have to admit that Mondays are going to be harder. It's my grocery shopping day. After I drop Zack off at school, I go directly to the grocery store. Sometimes this happens on Mondays and Tuesdays, depending on sales. So now, here it is 1:30, lunch has been eaten, we've played outside, and Xander is happily watching Mickey Mouse (with the promise that he will nap afterwards, we'll see how that goes) and I'm about to start my workout. I'd rather do it earlier.
UPDATE: Got the workout in before naptime. Hopefully I can do the weights tomorrow morning instead of waiting til later. Have these weird marks on my arms, in the inside just below my elbows. I think it could be friction something-or-other from doing punches across my chest. Don't know, but it doesn't hurt. Tomorrow, must do laundry!