Update on Healthy lifestyle challenge

Well now that it's been a couple of weeks, I can tell you that I've lost a few #'s and lowered my body fat to 24%. Disclaimer: results not typical. My understanding is you don't generally lose 1% body fat per week. So we will see what this week brings. Not to mention that it should be that time of the month soon. Uck!!

Can I just tell you how sore my ass is?! Lunges and squats...whoa!! You don't really realize how little you use some muscles until you actually start working them.

My cardio has been HIIT {High Intensity Interval Training} for about 30 mins. a day {6x a week}. For those that think that is extreme for a beginner, I do it often so I will stick with it. Otherwise a day off turns into a week off, then a month off, then I stop altogether.

Weight training with dumbells 3x a week. I want to build up my lean muscle and burn the fat baby!! Will keep updating {when I only have good news ;)}

xoxo ~ Onegirliegirl

"Mommy"

This is my big boy. My big "little" boy. He is also the last of my boys who calls me "mommy". Is there any sweeter sound than your offspring calling you mommy? I think not. I'm enjoying this year with him because I know {I've seen it happen twice before} that sometime within the next year, he will become a real boy. A real. big. boy. First grade and turning 6 does that to boys. All of a sudden the baby fat is gone, the little lispy way of talking is gone, their head shape is now longer, therefore not round and so Charlie Brownish.

So here I am loving the sound of "mommy, mommy, mommy." Don't you just love those words?

Mmmmm...Chipotle

I love the taste of Chipotle's chicken. I also love the way they put everything together. Why is it that food always tastes better when someone else does it? Well my friends, I have come up with the closest replica to Chipotle chicken bowl, black beans, tomato salsa, sour cream and lettuce that I could.

Start with this wonderful marinade so appropriately titled with the name chipotle pepper. Marinate your chicken breasts for a day. Yes, a day. This means put it in the fridge in the morning and cook that night. You can grill it or just cook it in your pan. Cook it with the marinade. You want that flavor!!! Chop up the chicken and the rest is relatively easy.

I get me some Romaine, chop it up. Next are some black beans {from a can...doesn't get much easier}, btw, I do rinse them fully.

Next your off to making salsa. Easy...chop up your roma tomatoes { I use about 6}, a jalapeno {sans the seeds}, some cilantro, a clove of garlic and onion, mix together, squeeze some lime juice on there and Voila...salsa. I also do this step in the morning so the flavors can marry together.

Finally you can put it all together however you want. Please don't forget the sour cream. I actually like to mix a little milk into mine, just to make it creamier. I know...strange. Hey to each his own.

My order is exactly like they do at Chipotle's. But since I mix up the whole thing it really doesn't matter. I just like playing mind games with myself.

Let me know if you try this delicious way to have Chipotle at your house. Enjoy!

Just a little body fat percentage, fyi

Just so you know what I'm up against. My husband who is the same age as me {43}, eats a bowl full of brownie {I make this for him every week} and icecream EVERY night {Really. Truly. Really. I wish I were exagerrating} and does not excercise. But does have a ton of energy {think bunny} and does do 50 sit-ups and push-ups every day {just to stay in shape}. This man, this wonderful hunk of a man has 13% body fat. Seriously, this puts him in the category of Olympic Runner, I believe.

I ask you, how do I deal with that? Hmmmmm.....

*the caveat to this is that he's got the body of a cosmo guy. Seriously, I've looked!

Time to get Healthy

First off, let's get something straight. This is not my weight, this is just the picture off the box. Thank you for your attention.

If you've been reading along you will remember that I had those resolutions for the New Year. Having always had difficulty staying motivated, at least when it comes to exerting some kind of energy, I bought this scale to keep me going.

I admit I was nervous to see all the calculations this fantastic, futuristic wizard of a scale was going to show me.

Do I really want to know my body fat percentage*?....uh, no, not really. Mine is starting out at 26%...WHOA. Does that really mean that a quarter of my body weight is fat?!?! Seriously? Feel free to run screaming from the room now, I totally understand.

My hydration level? {diet coke addict, here}. That number is around 55%. I think that's ok.

My bmi...uh, well, ummmm, 22. That's on the verge of overweight. Technically it's in the normal range, but it's right on the edge.

So this is where I'm starting. My goal is to get my body fat down to 20%. I don't know how many pounds this will equate to. Evidently the real measure of healthy weight is all about body fat. Damn, does it really have to be? Because I'm thinking to get all this fat off my body is going to be a lot of work over a long period of time. Will I look better in time for the dreaded swim suit season, a.k.a. summer? Is this going to even be possible? I know this, I'm going to do my best. I've started using the treadmill again, and will eventually work my way up to running. I am determined to do it.

My mother died at 62 from cardiovascular problems. Her father had his leg amputated for the same reasons. Let's just say, I view this as life and death. Not that I worry I'll die anytime soon, my lifestyle isn't quite like my mothers was. I quit smoking 15 years ago, I have normal blood pressure and cholesterol. But I did develop gestational diabetes with 2 pregnancies {one brother is a diabetic} and all these things add up to genetics. So I'll be doing my best to keep this heart healthy!

I don't mind working hard, it makes me feel good. Working out, that is. It's not supposed to be easy. Or else everyone would have the perfect body shape and size {for them}.

I'll be posting regularly on my progress {just another way to keep me motivated}.

xoxo ~onegirliegirl

*I'd like to say that judging from the huge jiggly area in my mid-section and backside {sorry too much info} that I do not consider myself in the "healthy" range for bodyfat.

Yeeee---Haaaaa

Did I mention the whole horse thing?

Acting like a tourist

Hubby and I have been talking about taking the kids down to Williamsburg for, well, ummm, forever! It's only about a 2 1/2 hr. drive and they're well known for the Christmas Decorations (the pictures don't do them justice) and we haven't been down in so long and we were out of school for 12 days and the weather was actually cooperating and blah, blah, blah.

Here's a few pics. incase you've never been. But first let me just say the wreaths of greenery and whatnot are unbelievable. There are volumes out there on just these decorations. Go check them out at your library or B&N as I prefer to call it.

Here is the classic shot that EVERY tourist MUST take. Even if you're not a tourist. If you're not quick, a line will form and believe me it gets quite unruly because what I said about the line, well, um, truth be told, there isn't really a line...it works on the merit system. The merit system of Tourists. Familiar with that, are you?! Editor's note: HA!

Where are these when I really need them?

Who Loves horses more than anything right now? One guess!

Oh, the joyous squealing of excitement that came from our youngest upon seeing these beauties. Let's just say, I'm glad we're not responsible for some kind or rearing and kicking incident. (Hey, it could happen)

Did I mention the wreath's?

Hey, we have a blue ribbon winner here!

Aren't these colors gorgeous!! And that's indian corn. I was just amazed at what they could make. The original craft movement :)

Oh, and they dress in period costumes...Love it!

A great job...whittiler?! Seriously, who the heck wants to be told to go out and make about 1,000 sharp sticks. Oh yeah and make sure they're all the same width and height. Me! Me! Me!...Not!!!

** The frames used on these pictures were all courtesy of DSP. Awesome resource!

A whole new year

Generally I'm not one for making New year Resolutions, so I won't say that's what these are.

These are the reminders, guidelines, dare I say principles, I will live by this year.

1. Get Healthier. {Did you know this is always the top item on New Year resolutions?}
2. Be thankful.
3. Forgive more.
4. Be Patient.
5. Love.
6. Help others
7. Reduce Stress {Hahahahahahahaha, haahahahahhaaaaa}

Wow, that's a short list! I know I have a lot more faults than that. There must be more I need to remember. Things I could try and carry into my conscience being. Hmmm...

What about you? Any resolutions I could glom off of ya?

Thanks ~ Onegirliegirl