Happy Birthday

HaPpY BiRtHdAy to TwO AmAzInG WoMeN!  JeN R's BiRtHdAy WaS JaN 9th & MeGhAn'S BiRtHdAy iS ToDaY!!!!!!!  WiSh ThEm a HaPpInEsS & PeAcE tHaT's As SwEeT & BeAuTiFuL aS tHeY aRe :)

Feel Good Friday

Good morning, slimmin' women :)  Everyone's comments yesterday were great- I am so impressed with all that movin' & shakin' going on! 

Fridays are all about positive mental vibes, each of us inspiring ourselves and each other to hold strong through the weekend to our commitments.  Often, the huge chasm between doing the healthy lifestyle and bingeing has to do with a teeny tiny mental dialogue we have with ourselves.  The biggest one I used to fall victim to a lot was "Oh, well, who cares, this little thing isn't going to make a difference" and another one was "I worked so hard- I deserve this!"  BIG pitfalls!  I think that's why I love this article so much: 7 Mental Tricks That Shed Pounds.

I think to change our internal dialogue, we first need to reflect on all of our accomplishments and hard work, acknowledging our little successes, the decisions where we made the right choice, each bead of sweat that dripped from our bodies, every time we reached for the veggies and fruit, etc.  After you've got your good base foundation of feeling proud of yourself, then add to that all the things that you are grateful for, building your resolve tall and strong.  Then finally, after you're filled to the brim with good pride and gratitude, add a little roof to that tower, a roof of all of us 10 in 6 gals who are in your same position, who are trying our hardest, who are cheering for you and supporting you.  That's a pretty good looking building, eh?  :)  YOU are amazing and YOU deserve to feel confident, sexy, and proud NOW of all you've accomplished this week!  YOU are showing your excuses and old habits who's boss!  YOU are defining who you are and what you will become, not letting life just happen to you.  YOU rock, girls :) 

Here's the first side-challenge, should you choose to participate :)  This will run from today to next Friday morning.  Those who participate and email me their plan by next Friday morning will be entered into a drawing for a fun little prize that I'll give or mail to you. 

Date nights or Girls Nights Out don't have to be nights and they don't have to be centered around a 10lb italian pasta dinner with a dozen breadsticks- challenge the traditional notion of dates/GNO! Schedule a fun and active adventure instead! Plan and schedule a big active activity for you and a significant other or for you and a girlfriend to do some day within the remaining 5 weeks of this challenge. Pencil in the date, get confirmation from the other particpant, and then let me know via email what your plan is! Once I get them all, I'll make a post of them (censoring specifics so we're stalker-free). Come up with even better ideas than I have here :)  Is there an indoor rock wall gym near you that you and a friend could go to for a few hours of workout and laughter? Is there local gym that you and a friend could try out a "free-look" day pass at (pretend you're interested in joining) and take a spinning class, or take a dancing class, then relax in the pool, sauna, or hot tub afterwards? Is there a local dance studio that you and a friend could venture into for one lesson? Is there a yoga studio you've been wanting to check out that you and a friend could make a date to pop in for one session- maybe try Bikram if you've never tried it before? Is there a local ice skating rink or roller rink? Is there a state park that you and a friend could plan a hike through? Is there a local park district cross-country ski class that you could sign up for? Plan an afternoon or evening at a ski resort learning how to snowboard or ski with a friend (many places offer highly discounted evening passes from 5pm to 10pm). Try something new! The key here is to HAVE FUN and to be creative! And when we do it with a friend or spouse, we have even MORE FUN! Show your friend/spouse the new committment you've made to live life with spontenaity and fun, to be active, to make workouts an adventure! "When a friend is waiting for you, you're less likely to back out!"

Feel the Burn Thursdays

Good morning, calorie blasting beauties :)

Have you gotten in any good workouts this week?  What do you have planned for the weekend?

Here are my two favorite moves right now that are both kind of fun :)  Wacky Jacks that really work your obliques (sides of your core) and Swing Kicks (horrible quality video but all I could find on you tube) that really work your hips, quads, hamstrings, and lower abs. 

Did you know that your public library has workout DVDs you can check out for free (even TurboJam & all the expensive infomercial DVDs)?  And Wal-mart has all the Biggest Loser and Jillian Michaels workout DVDs for around $9 each?  Do you have a gym membership & go to the gym?  Do you practice yoga, running, cycling....?  Do you have equipment at home you use? 

Whatcha Eatin' Wednesday

Good morning, healthy girls! 

Here's the simplest explanation for weight loss that you all know: You burn more calories than you consume.

Here's a little bit more complicated explanation: If you cut calories alone and don't exercise or strength train, the weight that you lose will be a good portion fat but also a good portion muscle.  Exercising combined with a reduced calorie diet will help you preserve muscle.

Here's a little more indepth look at the calories you're eating:  Eating highly processed foods doesn't take your body much energy to digest (an article from two weeks ago that we shared on here equated highly processed fast food to partially-digested food---ick!) and eating more "raw" or "natural" type foods like veggies, fruits, nuts, etc. take your body a lot of energy to digest and burn, thus burning more calories!  So over time, as you're getting used to a reduced calorie diet, you'll find via trial and error, that some foods just stick with you longer and some make you feel more satisfied, while others feel empty.

And here's what I'm really interested in studying out as of late: Will certain foods (i.e. high protein foods) further yet increase the fat lost vs muscle lost ratio?  We already know that high protein foods help us feel fuller longer, help our muscles repair and grow stronger, and give us lots of energy.  And we know that six 300 calorie meals/snacks are healthier for our metabolism and mental satisfaction than three 600 calorie meals.

Ok, ok, enough technical mumbo jumbo, but please do share if any of you guys know something or feel like researching the subject :)

Today's the day where we swap snack ideas and meal recipes :) So what have you been eating?????  What are your favorite healthy recipes?  Any yummy snacks you've come across?  Speaking to Kim's question, can you share breakfast & lunch ideas, too?

Tuesday's Motivation

Good morning, weight loss wonderwomen! Your "whys" behind embarking on this challenge are great :) How did your first day go? The beginning of any new fitness adventure, or any goal for that matter, enjoys high motivation. This post will hopefully help us all prolong that motivation for the long haul, so we can all hit our goals!

There are a few really short articles for you all to check out. This one is all about how to stick to the great goals that you've set for yourselves. Scheduling in workouts and treating them as a high priority in my day has helped me a lot. I love how it suggests to focus not on what you have left to accomplish but focus on your mini-successes. This one is about the importance of surrounding yourself with positive people, a network of friends and family who are dedicated to you achieving your goal. Share what you're undertaking with your spouse, boyfriend, best friend. Tell them why you're doing what you're doing. Try to spend more time with those friends or family members who are positive and less time with those who are negative. This one talks about motivation for beginning exercisers. Check out the fourth tip. It's exactly what yesterday's post was about! When you're feeling low, go back to yesterday's post and read why you're doing what you're doing. Remind yourself this is a lifestyle change and not some little fad or race. Your reasons for why are passionate, important, and worthy of you giving it your all. You can do it!

This blog's mantra is to Challenge your Excuses. Each of us has excuses, some more than others, but they're debilitating and crippling sometimes. Only we know what our own excuses are, and likewise, only we can make the consious decision to challenge them. Every morning we make a choice if we're going to sit idly by and let those excuses steamroll us OR if we're going to step up to them and try our darndest to challenge them. Ask for tips & tricks from other ladies on here! Re-evaluate your schedule. Decide that your healthy lifestyle is a priority for all the reasons you gave yesterday. Find a way to work out at home before the kids wake up or find a way to involve them in your workout or swap babysitting with a friend a few days a week for an hour. Try working out on your lunch hour or in the morning if you're too tired in the evening. Put the effort into making up a healthy meal plan and buying healthy snacks so that you eliminate the "it takes too much time to eat healthy" excuse. Whatever your excuse, decide today to challenge it!

Today, comment and tell us all how your first day went, what are your initial thoughts, what in any of the 3 articles struck home with you for your particular situation, and what you're going to do this week to challenge your excuses!!!!!!

Monday Morning Check-in

Good morning, girls!  22!!!  That's how many ladies are on the same boat as you, about ready to give it their all just like you, ready to challenge their excuses and rock this challenge just like you! So exciting!

So this morning everybody should weigh in and measure.  Record your weight and measurements in your MFP profile by clicking on the "My Home" tab, then click on "Check-in."  When you're all done entering in your data, click "Save Changes."  If you've already entered data into MFP before with another challenge or something, be sure to then click "Edit Previous Entries" and delete out your old weights (you can keep measurements in there, that doesn't matter) so that today's weight is the only weight in there.  You can also customize which body parts you want to measure and track.  Click on "Change Measurements" and at the bottom you can type whatever you want in the empty box to add your own.  I like hips, bum, thigh, calf, upper arm, waist, ribcage, & bust.  You can track more or less, whatever your preference is.  When you're ready to start tracking today's calories consumed, click the "food" tab, then "add food" under whatever meal you want.  You can customize the names and # of meals, too, by clicking "settings" and change "meal names" or you can customize the nutrients that show up on your daily summary by clicking "settings" and change "nutrients tracked."  I like to have breakfast, late morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, and dinner.  And I like to have fiber & sodium on my front page, too.  So ENOUGH housekeeping :) On to the fun stuff!

You've got your journey started now! Yay!  We're all going to be very different in what season we're at in life and what we do on a daily basis, but this connects us to a common purpose.  I find it SOOOO inspiring to hear everybody's "why" and their inspiration for losing weight.  Please comment on this post and share with us all WHY DO YOU WANT TO LOSE THE WEIGHT???  WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO DO IT???  HOW WILL YOU FEEL WHEN YOU LOSE THE WEIGHT???  WHAT WILL YOU BE ABLE TO DO WHEN YOU LOSE THTE WEIGHT???  WHY ARE YOU GIVING THIS BLOG A SHOT???  WHY WHY WHY???

Introduction & Set Up for Newbies- What's this All About?????

This Ten in Six blog is a free support group environment for ladies looking to lose 10 lbs in 6 weeks.  We are from all across the country and challenge our own individual excuses every day to live a healthier, active lifestyle.  The only rule for participation in this blog is that you've got to try your darndest to be positive and uplifting.  Over time, you'll get to know each other a little, cheer & be cheered, uplift & be uplifted, inspire & be inspired.  Weight loss and lifestyle renovating take time- it's a marathon and not a sprint.  This awesome group of gals will help you on your journey, whether your just starting out, if you're almost to your goal, or even if you're aiming to maintain.  No fad diets, just honestly trying our hardest to make overall changes for the better in our habits.

There are a few keys to this blog's success:  First, everyone's holding you accountable, in a positive and fun way, to whatever goal you've set for yourself.  No nagging, but just encouragement, girls excited to hear how you're doing.  Second, we have awesome tools for tracking calories burned & calories consumed with the My Fitness Pal free online profile, and awesome tips & tricks for healthy lifestyles from all the girls participating in this blog.  And third, we keep healthy living at the forefront of your thoughts each day by either emailing you the post each weekday or emailing you every time another challenger comments.

Regarding the subject matter of the posts, Mondays are typically check-in days, Tuesdays & Fridays motivation days, Wednesdays recipe/snack sharing days, & Thursdays workout sharing days.  Check it out by scrolling through our older posts over the last few months.  You can also click on any topic that interests you in the cloud of topics on the left side of the blog and it will pull up all posts with that particular topic as the label.

So, are you in?  We hope so!  If you are, follow these steps to get all set up on the program.  This next Ten in Six challenge will begin with weigh-in & measurements on Monday morning January 11th and will conclude with weigh-in & measurements on Monday morning February 22nd. 

1. Create a free personal profile on the My Fitness Pal website. This is what you'll use to enter in your goals, weight, measurements, calories consumed, calories burned, etc. If you already have a profile, zero it out by deleting the past weight measurements (Click "Home, "Click "Check in," Click "Edit Past Entries," at bottom, delete all old entries).
2. When you're in the My Fitness Pal profile, click on the tab that's called "Tools." Then click on the link in the middle of the page that says "Get Your Personalized Weight Loss Badge Now." Then the second badge on the left down from the top, copy & paste that code to me in an email.

3. Email me (sarah.a.weight at hotmail dot com) your first name (or screen name if you want to stay anonymous), badge code, and what you want in your little bio on the right side bar. I'd love to see what your favorite workout is, what your favorite healthy snack is, what your goal for this challenge is, and what your reward will be when you succeed (massage, manicure/pedicure, new pair of jeans, new pair of shoes, new workout outfit, new swimsuit, new iPod, weekend getaway, new healthy kitchen gadget, new bra, new make-up, new CD/iTunes album, etc.). Also let me know if you want your email address added to the blog so that whenever another challenger posts, it goes straight into your email inbox. I am however limited to 10 email addresses, so first come first serve. The other option is to just be emailed once per day when I make a daily post, again limited to 10 email addresses.  And of course you could choose to not be emailed at all.
4. On the morning of Monday, January 11th, log into your My Fitness Pal profile and enter your starting weight and all the starting measurements you want to (read the instructions "How to Accurately Weight & Measure Yourself"). Start tracking calories consumed & calories burned through workouts. Check in daily to the blog here to let us know how it's going, what you're up to, share your successes & encouragement, etc. I'll ask for specific things in the posts for you to add your comment on or to check-in on, too.

Other things to note: Weights will be private (unless you want to share) b/c we'll just be reporting how much weight and how many inches we drop; no one will know the starting #s. No references to last names for security purposes please, or neighborhoods you live in, or which trail you're going to be running on at a specific time in the future, etc. Just be smart. I don't want to have to go private with the blog. Let me know your favorite songs on your workout playlist and I'll add them to the workout playlist playing at the bottom of the blog. I will also be doing 2 side challenges (one the second week and one the fourth week) for fun prizes.
If you were on the last Ten in Six Challenge and want to continue, just remember to zero out your info & send me any updates you want to your bio and what your new reward is going to be :)

If you were on the last Ten in Six Challenge and DON'T want to continue, just let me know and I'll delete off your bio, badge, & email address.

So go out and get all your girlfriends, moms, sisters, etc. to jump on the challenge here and decide now to challenge their excuses and reach the fitness goals they want to hit! I am so excited for this to start up a fresh round :) Let me know if something's unclear in the instructions above.

Monday Morning Check-In

Good morning, ladies!  I can’t believe that this six week challenge has already drawn to a close!  Thank you so much to those of you who participated.  You’ll never know how much your uplifting comments, tips, tricks, and encouragement inspired me.  It excites me every day!  I love this blog and this group of ladies.  It fills my heart & helps fulfill me.  I am EXTRA impressed that you all did this challenge during the most challenging season of the year, chock full with THREE+ holidays!  Wow!  Even if you didn’t hit what you want to hit, you should be so thrilled and proud of yourself that you even attempted a fitness and weight loss regime during this time.  You balk in the face of challenges- GO YOU, girl! 

I am very excited to hear how you all have done!  Let us know the total change #’s over this 6 weeks.  How much is your weight different?  How many inches did you shed & from where?  Do you feel any different?

GREAT JOB, EVERYONE!

Next challenge will start in one week, on Monday January 11^th, so grab your girls & get them on board :)  I will post an explanatory intro post for new folks this week.

Dr. Robert K. Cooper: Spend 10% of your time on feed back (what went right or what went wrong?) and 90% of your time on feed forward (from this moment on, what am I going to do?).  Focus on the present & focus on the forward! 

Tips for a Positive New Year from Jon Gordon (I picked & chose my favorites for you gals):

·         Stay Positive. You can listen to the cynics and doubters and believe that success is impossible or you can know that with faith and an optimistic attitude all things are possible.

·         Take a morning walk of gratitude. It will create a fertile mind ready for success.

·         Transform adversity into success by deciding that change is not your enemy but your friend. In the challenge discover the opportunity.

·         Make a difference in the lives of others.

·         Believe that everything happens for a reason and expect good things to come out of challenging experiences.

·         Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

·         Mentor someone and be mentored by someone.

·         Live with the 3 E's. Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.

·         Remember there’s no substitute for hard work.

·         Instead of complaining focus on solutions. It’s the key to innovation.

·         Learn from mistakes and let them teach you to make positive changes.

·         Focus on “Get to” vs “Have to.” Each day focus on what you get to do, not what you have to do. Life is a gift not an obligation.

·         Smile and laugh more. They are natural anti-depressants.

·         Enjoy the ride. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy it.

Feel Good Friday

Happy New Year, Ten-in-Sixers!!!!!!!  Doesn't it feel awesome to have ALREADY been doing phenomenal things for yourselves and your bodies BEFORE new year's resolution time?  Yay, you!  Welcome, 2010!

Here is a fun New Year's quote I found:
“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.” -Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Think about your Most Amazing Future.  This is something we talk about a lot in the business world, with various coaches & authors touting the advice.  If you could think about your most amazing future possible, not just a cool future, not just a so-so future, not just the future that you think will probably happen, but DREAM HUGE and think about your absolute most amazing future, absolute best case scenario, if there was sno limit whatsoever to your dreams.  Take a piece of paper, write in big letters in the middle of it My Most Amazing Future.  Then all around it in smaller lettering, write all the things that are in your most amazing future, whether its qualities, characteristics, actions, habits, locations, activities, feats, accomplishments, whatever it might be.  And when you think you have it complete, DREAM BIGGER!  Add more.  Add it until the whole page is full.  If you want, do this as a family for an activity and come up with your FAMILY's most amazing future. 

Check out this audio clip that is the audio version of the emailed message I got earlier this week from the motivator Jon Gordon, that's kept me excited. 

Think about your goals within that Most Amazing Future (some of them will be short-term goals and some of them will be 30-year goals, that's ok).  Every choice every day will take you closer to that most amazing future or it will keep you stalled where you're at.  LEAP despite your self-doubts.  In that moment  when you're on the edge of decision, on the edge of choice in your attitude, remember that you have a choice- to give up or keep striving forward.  No longer allow fear to paralyze you.  No longer allow your self-doubt to limit your potential.  Be excited to jump into the ocean of abundance!!!!!  Take a leap of fate.  No one is going to push you over the chasm of struggle to create the life that you want.  YOU must take the leap!

What are a couple of things from that Most Amazing Future that MOST excite you?????????  Share a couple that are fitness related maybe....

And the winner is.......

Thanks for donating such an awesome prize, Amy!  The winner receives cannister of Arbonne caffeine free daily detox tea, a package of Arbonne Figure 8 weight loss chews (really yummy BTW), & an Arbonne eye shadow sample.

The participants in the "send me your schedule" side-challenge were all entered onto pieces of paper, put in a bowl, and the winner was drawn at random....

Drumrolllllllllllllllllllllllllllll....

TADAAAAAA!!!!!!

Congratulations, Abrey!  I'll give you your prize this coming week!  Horray!

(I'm out of town Friday morning through Sunday evening)

Thanks to Jen, Marianne, Tara, & Red Hot for also particpating :) Bum one of those yummy chews off of Abrey next time you see her!

Feel the Burn Thursday!

Good morning, girls! I am so stoked on a personal level this morning- I crossed a threshold that was HUGE for me! I entered a new “decade” on the scale. Feels good to be out of the old weight “decade” that I had been stuck at for a long time! That high feels so great! Having a great week so far, hoping the weekend will hold a lot of fun adventure!

I am listening right now to the audio book 50/50 by Dean Karnazes in which he tells the story of him doing 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. He did this in 2006, sponsored by North Face, in a big tour called the Endurance 50. I get so amped up to run when I get to listen to these snippets throughout my week! Granted, it’s only 15 minutes maybe every other day, but having that playing in my car is so fun. I’ve learned a lot about sweat rates, altitude training advantages, physiological elements, and hill workouts, etc. One of my favorite things in there is his talking about motivation- how sometimes we get burned out or otherwise need to overcome low motivation. He says,
 “MOTIVATION MUST BE CHOSEN.”
I love that. It’s a choice. Something we talk about on this blog a ton. Every morning is a choice. Every setback presents a choice. Every moment our attitude is a choice. Every excuse that pops up we have a choice to challenge it or to let it win as usual. He doesn’t like doing motivational speaking b/c the pump-up effect on the crowd is so short-lived. External motivation doesn’t really last or doesn’t have a lasting impression. The person needs to CHOOSE to be motivated, needs to DECIDE to be motivated. What do you think of that?

What great workouts have you done this week??? Or what do you have planned for this weekend??? My knee is feeling a ton better after having taken it easy this week and so I’m planning a good run for this evening followed by some indoor cycling- can’t wait! I will have some long relaxed runs this weekend, too.

Laura, how’s your new elliptical machine working out??? Red Hot, how did your runs go while on vacation since you had free babysitters in some awesome family members??? Abrey, is your foot healing??? Amy, is your head cold gone??? I hope all of you have a phenomenal weekend & a beautiful new year celebration.

I am very stoked about tomorrow’s posting, BTW, all about the new year, so start thinking now about your goals for the next year that freak you out they’re so big & lofty!!!!!!

Whatcha Eatin' Wednesday

Good morning, ladies!
I LOVED all of your awesome quoted yesterday! You really pumped me
up. Jen, yours took the hat for me- I am going to have to put that one
somewhere in my home!!!!
Regarding recipes previously posted on here, I tried Jen's black bean
soup on Sunday night and it was yummy! I made it without carrots,
used green onion instead of a diff kind of onion, and we dipped hint
of lime tortilla chips in it. Scrumptious! And the Thai pasta, I made
that Monday night but used only a tablespoon of olive oil instead of
the 2/3 cup it calls for to cut down on its calories and it didn't
affect the taste at all for us- recommend that one for sure!

Check out this article that I haven't been able to stop thinking about
for days:
http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s1-4-21-21409-1,00.html

Although I find it funny they suggest not counting calories, I am now
obsessed with their parallel of fast food and processed food being the
equivalent of PARTIALLY DIGESTED food! Ick!!!! Our body burns more
in the digestion of raw fruits and veggies. Thought I'd share so you
all are equally as grossed out as me :)

Share what you've been eating! Any good recipes to share or snack
ideas?

Make today phenomenal!!!!

Tuesday's Motivation

Good {Early} Morning, Girls!
Here's an easy post for the day- a bunch of motivational quotes!  Check out all these gems here.  Which one is your favorite?

I loved:
Ralph Marston: "Your goals, minus your doubts, equal your reality."


Share your favorite motivational quotes with us, little mantras that really get you going :)

Monday Morning Check-In

Hi, ladies! How was your week? Let us know the results :) Let's make
this last week of the challenge really be everything we've got!

Feel Good Friday

I hope you all had a beautiful Christmas surrounded by loved ones & the

warmth of the season.

If we focus on being grateful for our blessings, we recognize and
see more blessings. If we focus on our peace and tranquility, we find
more calm. If we focus on our accomplishments and successes, we will
find ourselves well on our way to achieving more goals. But the
reverse is also true. If you expect to always be let down by people
and find the wost in people, you will always find something negative
around you and in others. If you say to yourself that you're
unhealthy and will always be unhealthy, you probably will be. If you
tell yourself you can't accomplish anything, you probably won't
anytime soon. If you find yourself bound by excuses for not working
towards your goals, you will continue to find more and more excuses
until every day is put off to tomorrow.

Be cognisant of all of the blessings in your lives. You can't
simultaneously be grateful and feel sorry for yourself. Recognize the
incrediblemess of every little success you acheive. You are amazing.
Celebrate the tackling of each barrier in your life. Dr. Randy Pausch,
author of The Last Lecture, said that "Brick walls are there for a
reason. They let us prove how badly we want things." Every obstacle
and excuse that blocks your path can be overcome, but only YOU know how to overcome your own brick walls. Show your passion and vigor. Prove to yourself how badly you want the fit you. I am so
inspired and impressed with how hard you have been working towards
your goals during the time of year when excuses are more plentiful
than snowflakes. Your perseverence helps me push forward!

I am so grateful for each of you! Your friendship and encouragement
have been amongst my biggest blessings I have reflected upon this
holiday season.

Merry Christmas! I love you all!

Feel the Burn Thursday

Happy Christmas Eve, ladies!

So how many of you got in a great icy shoveling workout this morning?  I know Meghan did!  Hope it felt great when you were done.  What workouts are you squeezing in today, tomorrow, & this weekend? 

Check out this article about how to Winterproof Your Workout.  What's something new you could try to mix things up?

Whatcha Eatin' Wednesday?

Good morning, girls!  For those of you who did the side-challenge, THANK YOU, and we know by looking at your list what YOU'RE eating :)  But please share a new recipe or old recipe with us, some tip or trick with regards to food, let us know how you do the amazing things you do :)

My new Fitness magazine came a couple days ago and last night I ripped this yummy Chipotle-Glazed Roast Chicken w/ Sweet Potatoes recipe out b/c it sounded so good & I wanted to try it in January. 

The Roasted Chicken w/ Zucchinni & Feta sounded yummy, too, but I'm going to make it with chicken breasts instead of thighs.

For those of you hosting Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas dinner for your family, what have you planned that's healthy?  We're having two families over, guys that Doug works with.  I can't wait!  One family's bringing ham.  I am baking up Rhode's multi-grain rolls (my fav kind!).  As opposed to cheesy taters or mashed taters & gravy to go with our ham, I'm making this Sweet Potato & Apples Casserole.  Can't wait to try it! 

I love that it doesn't have brown sugar in it- just lots of all-natural flavors and sweetness.  We'll give it a shot! 

Is there anyone else out there who WANTED to do the side-challenge schedule but just hasn't had the time to?  Let me know, because if so, I'll gladly hold off on the prize-drawing until everyone who wanted to participate has.....

Tuesday's Motivation

Good {albeit late} Morning, Winter Beauties!  I'm a bit slap happy today :)  It is so motivating and inspiring to read real people's success stories!  It helps us to realize that it DOES take a long time but that it's DOABLE and that people like US (or better yet people with even more excuses than us) can make their DREAM bodies happen!  SO, here's the charge for the day: search online and share a link for your favorite success story that you come accross, one that particularly motivated you or sang your song.  There should be zillions out there (but if you get stuck, you can check out Fitness Magazine, Shape Magazine, Runners World Magazine, Women's Health, Weight Watchers, Biggest Loser, etc. )  I can't wait to see them all and to be motivated to kick even MORE butt this week!!!

Here's my favorite :)  Lisa Delaney in Runner's World  I think I had to pick a runner b/c I am passionate about that and running not only helps the pounds come off, it heals and transforms people.  The successes and progress are so much easier to quantify and measure than other workouts, too, so I think you're proud of yourself earlier on in the weight loss than journey other strategies.   I just LOVED her success story.  I loved how she turned around her thought processes from a diet being all about things you "CAN'T" do to being all about finish-lines everywhere in your life.  

"I still experience those rock-star moments, every time I make it through a 5 a. m. six-miler when I'd rather be in bed, or finish a hard set of intervals on the treadmill at the Y. There may be no cheering crowds, no medals, no booming baritone announcement. But the finish-line feeling lives on, in my head and in my heart."

Side-Challenge: Schedules

Email me your schedules for the next two weeks and I'll print them out then scan them in as .jpg files to post here!  Click on each to see it enlarged. 

Sarah's Game Plan:
I just revised my schedule to reflect how I REALLY eat, and to provide for the flexibility of my "moods" in what I feel like eating any particular day.  This will be more realistic for following & provides more flexibility.  Can't wait to see what the rest of you are doing!!!  It will give me good ideas for the two weeks after this challenge instead of the same ol' same ol' :)  I hearby COMMIT to the following schedule:

Abrey's Game Plan:

"Here is my schedule for the next two weeks or at least a pretty good idea of what will come. I know things will not be exactly as ordered but I do have the menu worked out and my workouts haven't been changing much except adding time/distance/weight."

Red Hot's Game Plan:

"I don't have a schedule, but I do have a plan:  I hereby commit to the following schedule:  I will diligently write down everything I eat and not "sneak" any treats (w/o accountability).  I will go running every day that we're on vacation...free babysitting, so no excuses!!"

Jen's Game Plan:
"Here's my 2 week plan. I want to explain a little: I usually only plan dinner; however, when staying with relatives I have no control over that, so I just will do my best. During the day I do lots of repeat snacks, each a combination of a fruit or veggie with a protein and maybe a whole grain. If it looks repetitive, it is, but I like all these foods. I vary the smoothies or yogurt to add variety. I planned to have 1 treat on Christmas and 1 on New Year’s Eve. Make it a great 2 weeks everyone!"

Dec 22

Yoga/strength builders/ 15 minute walk

oatmeal/walnuts/milk

Traveling: String cheese, granola bar, apple, grapefruit, prunes, handful of mixed seeds/nuts, deli meat slices

Sweet potato, cottage cheese

Sandwich for dinner

Dec 23

Yoga /15 minute walk

Oatmeal/nuts/milk, apple/PB, granola bar/string cheese, PB/toast/grapefruit, Egg white sandwich

My mom’s food: I’ll select meat and a veggie.

Dec 24

Yoga/strength builders/ 15 minute walk

Oatmeal/nuts/milk, apple/PB, granola bar/string cheese, PB/toast/grapefruit, Egg white sandwich

My mom’s food: I’ll select meat and a veggie.

Dec 25

Yoga / 15 minute walk

Oatmeal/nuts/milk, apple/PB, granola bar/string cheese, PB/toast/grapefruit, deli sandwich

Chili, 1 treat.

Dec 26

Yoga/strength builders/ 15 minute walk

Oatmeal/nuts/milk, apple/PB, granola bar/string cheese,

Party: lowest fat/sugar & highest protein choices

Dec 27

15 minute walk

Oatmeal/nuts/milk, apple/PB, granola bar/string cheese,

Party: lowest fat/sugar & highest protein choices

Dec 28

15 minute walk

oatmeal/walnuts/milk

Traveling: String cheese, granola bar, apple, grapefruit, prunes, handful of mixed seeds/nuts, deli meat

Sweet potato, cottage cheese

Sandwich for dinner

Dec 29

Yoga/strength builders/ 15 minute walk
Yogurt/oatmeal/flax meal, smoothie, salad with ham, granola/string cheese

Black Bean Soup

Dec 30

Yoga/ 15 minute walk

Smoothie, omelette, PB toast with apple, prunes, granola/string cheese

Eating out: salad at restaurant.

Dec 31

Yoga/strength builders/ 15 minute walk

Oatmeal, egg white sandwich, smoothie, granola/string cheese

Homemade pizza

1 treat

Jan 1

Yoga/ 15 minute walk

Oatmeal/nuts/milk, apple/PB, granola bar/string cheese, PB/toast/grapefruit, salad

Carrot & Sweet Potato Soup

Jan 2

Yoga/strength builders/ 15 minute walk

Oatmeal/nuts/milk, apple/PB, granola bar/string cheese, smoothie, omelette with veggies

Sesame Chicken with brown rice

Jan 3

15 minute walk

String cheese, granola bar, apple, grapefruit, prunes, handful of mixed seeds/nuts,

Black Bean Chicken Soup with Almond Nut Corn Bread

Jan 4

Joining the gym today to start running on the treadmill 3X weekly.

Tara's Game Plan:

Marianne's Game Plan:

"I have made a simple schedule that I feel like I can honestly stick to. Simplicity is the key for me - I make everything on this schedule easily and quickly and our 3 kids eat everything listed very well (even our littlest Luke with soy and milk allergies). When I have simplicity in the kitchen, I am out enjoying more active parts of life more and have happier children - thus, again, freeing up more time for play and other projects. I'm going to duplicate this schedule for the second week, too. Minus the ham on Christmas, but including the cross-country skii on saturdays! Sat Jan 2nd is the Candlelight Ski/Snowshoe/Hike at Blue Mounds State Park. Here's a link for info: http://www.wisconsinguides.net/candle-light-ski-314.html "

wed

kashi go lean

cut vegis

grilled chicken steamed vegis

4 mile run

grilled vegis, berry smoothie

thurs

kashi go lean

apple

roasted vegis, squash soup

turbo jam, elliptical

vinegar popcorn, salmon

fri

kashi go lean

cut vegis,

at lakehouse with friends, roughly expect:

oatmeal cookies, ham, grean beans

roasted pear, gingerbread

run 4 miles, sledding with lots of kids

sat

at lakehouse with friends, roughly expect:

kashi go lean

apple

cheeseless pizza

cross-country ski

berry smoothie, gingerbread

sun

kashi go lean

cut vegis

whole grain bread and jam

potroast, vinegar popcorn

mon

kashi go lean

cut vegis

grilled chicken, steamed vegis, brn rice

4 mile run

grilled vegis, berry smoothie

tues

kashi go lean

apple

leftover rice dish

turbo jam, eliptical

black bean soup with whole grain bread

Monday Morning Check-in

Hello, ladies!  How was your check-in this morning?  Let us know how much you're up or down, any changes in energy or how you feel. Can't wait to hear!

And the winner of the Crisco sculpture side challenge was Amy! Congrats, Amy!  You win a pack of handwarmers and an iTunes giftcard to help with your winter running!

The new side challenge today to carry us through the next and final two weeks comes from Nicki. Inthe next day or two, come up with a schedule for meals, snacks, & workouts for the time period of 12/21-1/3.  For those 14 days, plan out your effective strategy for beating the holiday hullabaloo. Email me your shedules in whatever format you want, as simple or as detailed as you want, then I'll post them all on here. Let's say by Wednesday morning?  Does that sound ok?  Then from all the girls who participate, we'll draw a name of a winner and that person will win Amy's Arbonne prize :) I know this will help us all!