Whew...I got another one in. I was not feeling it today, let me tell ya. I previewed three dvds from the library this morning. Spoga..which wasn't worth watching so I turned it off after fast-forwarding to get the jist of it. The Biggest Loser's Cardio Max was worth buying for sure. It increases in intensity every 2 weeks for a total of 6 weeks. The first cardio session was led by Bob Harper doable for me at this stage. The second cardio session was led by Jillian Michaels and man is she tough. It was doable but those poor people on the dvd were Struggling with a capital S. I didn't watch the third cardio session but it was more kick-boxing styles with some other buff chick I didn't recognize. If I see it at Target I'll get it....then again I have Jillian's Ripped in 30...I could do that and be just as dead in a month. lol
I also previewed Scott Cole's Discover Tai Chi for Weightloss. I've seen bits of his dvds on youtube and I was debating between this one and his AM/PM Tai Chi. This one is better for what I need. He shows the slower movements and then accelerates the same movements to get the heart rate up. It's still very fluid but more what I need. It's about 53 minutes in length. He goes over the movements in the studio and then goes through the entire set of moves outside in Hawaii. The wind is blowing near the beach and you can totally feel the wind when you do the moves. I was calm just watching it. ;-) This one I'm getting from Amazon for sure. I don't own anything like it right now.
On to the actual workout of the day: I did the arm booster portion of the Ab&Arm Booster from Physique 57. I used 5 lb weights and I have a feeling my arms will kill tomorrow. I usually use 2lb weights. I need to amp up the arm/back exercises. That was only a few minutes. Then I almost quit. I had done my "Morning Moves" already and I'm dead on my feet. But no. I meant to do my Zumba abs workout and I wanted to time it to see how long it actually was so into the dvd player it went. Approximately 17 minutes and full of dancey cardio moves that work the abs. I LOVE standing ab work. My stomach is my biggest problem area so yes, Zumba abs is perfect. I love the particular moves combined with the music they chose. It really makes me sweat and you can feel your abs getting warmed. So...I was a good girl. Glad I didn't quit after the arms. Finished my mysterday yesterday so today my reward is my US Weekly. ;-)
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Friday, September 30, 2011
Pooped Zumba
I am pooped. But I did an express Zumba workout. 20 minutes. I got hot, my sides were burning and now I'm even more tired. I love Zumba. I don't even watch the clock when I do it. I dig the whole latin vibe, the music, reminds me of the old me. My foot was bothering me though. I do Zumba barefoot because you can't "dance" properly in sneakers. My foot issue started before the Zumba though. Anyway, I did my workout...mazel tov to me. I'm going upstairs to finish my book now. I hope I don't fall asleep on the couch. I get crazy cranky when I nap a short time until I hear the footsteps of the child that woke me twice last night....sigh.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Stretch Armstrong
Do you remember that toy called Stretch Armstrong? It had stretchable arms and legs and kids just pulled the crap out of "him"? I of course did not have this toy since it would require at least two people to pull it and I was a one and only. Anyway, I felt like I needed to be pulled and stretched like good ol' Stretch this morning. My legs were tight and achey and I felt wonderfully sore. I'm still trying to finish the bottle of water I started yesterday. I did my "Morning Moves" (which is a cute name I made up for my usual morning exercises and stretches) and I stretched again after I put the kids down for bed. Too tired for cardio but in need of lots of stretching which feels wonderful on my sore legs. The good news is I felt sore which means I actually worked some new muscles yesterday. Progress, progress.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Hump Day Cardio
Well, I stuck to it and did the Barefoot Cardio dvd today. I did my usual stretching exercises and 25 jumping jacks in the morning while I waited for my coffee. Then I put the kids down for naps and put on the Barefoot Cardio. Love that I didn't need a single thing for it. Just me in my pjs in the living room. No socks or shoes.
It really uses the tried and true exercises we've all learned over the years as well as some basic ballet moves as well. Plies and relaves (sp??) as well as the long straight arms of the dancers. I'm sitting here SWEATING. It was approx. 45 minutes give or take. I stopped for water 3/4 of the way through and I'm so friggin' thirsty I've got my beautiful bottle of Fiji water sitting in front of me. I think I'll get the liter of water in earlier today. ;-) I really loved this dvd. It's been a long time since I've found something I could enjoy all the way through without skipping sections that either killed my knees or made me get on the floor for anything. I'd love to combine this with Jackie Warner's standing abs work out. She kills you with the weights/arms/abs in that workout and it's about 20 minutes but if I had a full hour I'd do it. Right now I think I'm about dead after a solid 40 minutes but maybe I could try next week. Off to finish my water....
It really uses the tried and true exercises we've all learned over the years as well as some basic ballet moves as well. Plies and relaves (sp??) as well as the long straight arms of the dancers. I'm sitting here SWEATING. It was approx. 45 minutes give or take. I stopped for water 3/4 of the way through and I'm so friggin' thirsty I've got my beautiful bottle of Fiji water sitting in front of me. I think I'll get the liter of water in earlier today. ;-) I really loved this dvd. It's been a long time since I've found something I could enjoy all the way through without skipping sections that either killed my knees or made me get on the floor for anything. I'd love to combine this with Jackie Warner's standing abs work out. She kills you with the weights/arms/abs in that workout and it's about 20 minutes but if I had a full hour I'd do it. Right now I think I'm about dead after a solid 40 minutes but maybe I could try next week. Off to finish my water....
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Gloomy Tuesday
So groggy every morning lately. This gloomy weather ain't helpin'. I needed coffee so while the kids were having breakfast I brewed some coffee and did my exercises. Not a full workout but some weights for my arms, you know, bicep/tricep stuff, some squats, lunges, twists, stretching, etc. There are about 10 exercises that my dad swears by and it's the exercises they have kids learn in PE. Arm circles, stretching, jumping jacks, stuff like that. It works. People think you need to break a sweat each and every time you exercise but that's just not true. I used to think yoga wouldn't work but after losing 13 pounds on just straight AM/PM relaxation yoga a few years ago, I was looking good without breaking a sweat.
So, the stretching and morning exercises done, I sat down with my cup of coffee and just watched the birds on the deck standing in line at the bird feeder. I also noticed a pig of a squirrel chowing down and a line of ants going up the deck straight to the bird feeder. "Get it while you can wildlife, cuz when the bird feed is finished Mommy's closing up shop!" lol I do not wish to clean the mess the squirrels leave and have to deal with ants visiting through the fall.
I previewed a dvd called Barefoot Cardio. Perfect for me since I work out in pajamas. lol I do put on socks and shoes to do cardio and strength training or my circuit training downstairs though. I need the foot/knee support. So Barefoot Cardio is a mix between pilates/dance moves and is slow and easy and yet still gets the heart rate up. Definitely want to give that a try tomorrow. (I say this and tomorrow of course I may be in a totally different mood.) Zip on the water intake today. Tsk, tsk, I know.
An inspiring mom I know is going up to Maine to run a marathon relay there. I googled Northern VA marathons and this came up.
http://destination-va.site.raceit.com/race-info.htm
13.1 miles in 3 hours and 30 minutes. I think I'm out of my mind to even consider it. It's 8 months away. It's a goal. Even if I didn't run it, it would still be something cool to work towards. I don't know how to even train for something like that. First thing though would probably to begin running. I power walk a mile with two children in a double stroller and God only knows how long it takes me. I've never timed it but there are several rounds of "I'm TIR-ed! Can we go home after this??" Telling my son that Mommy is fat and needs the exercise doesn't help much. Time to google "Training for a half marathon" to see what comes up....
So, the stretching and morning exercises done, I sat down with my cup of coffee and just watched the birds on the deck standing in line at the bird feeder. I also noticed a pig of a squirrel chowing down and a line of ants going up the deck straight to the bird feeder. "Get it while you can wildlife, cuz when the bird feed is finished Mommy's closing up shop!" lol I do not wish to clean the mess the squirrels leave and have to deal with ants visiting through the fall.
I previewed a dvd called Barefoot Cardio. Perfect for me since I work out in pajamas. lol I do put on socks and shoes to do cardio and strength training or my circuit training downstairs though. I need the foot/knee support. So Barefoot Cardio is a mix between pilates/dance moves and is slow and easy and yet still gets the heart rate up. Definitely want to give that a try tomorrow. (I say this and tomorrow of course I may be in a totally different mood.) Zip on the water intake today. Tsk, tsk, I know.
An inspiring mom I know is going up to Maine to run a marathon relay there. I googled Northern VA marathons and this came up.
http://destination-va.site.raceit.com/race-info.htm
13.1 miles in 3 hours and 30 minutes. I think I'm out of my mind to even consider it. It's 8 months away. It's a goal. Even if I didn't run it, it would still be something cool to work towards. I don't know how to even train for something like that. First thing though would probably to begin running. I power walk a mile with two children in a double stroller and God only knows how long it takes me. I've never timed it but there are several rounds of "I'm TIR-ed! Can we go home after this??" Telling my son that Mommy is fat and needs the exercise doesn't help much. Time to google "Training for a half marathon" to see what comes up....
Monday, September 26, 2011
Get off the couch!
Well, I don't really sit on the couch. The couch is reserved for my son. My seat is at the kitchen table where I can read, have my coffee and supervise the living room chaos. We were all up early this morning but breakfast dragged forever, they played and honestly I don't know what I did....probably counted the minutes until nap time. They are sleeping now..hopefully. I should probably go check the monitor upstairs in a minute.
I'm ashamed of myself. I wasn't a very good girl for the last 3 weeks. I measured myself August 18th and started working out every day during nap time with the exception of weekends. I'd call my cousin or she'd call me and we'd share our workouts. She has 5 pounds to lose. I have about 60. She's hot and got a few compliments so she's content now. I, on the other hand, have lost nothing but maybe an inch here or there and still weigh the same I did in August. Somewhere between going to bed late, my never-ending period and life I lost my mojo these last 3 weeks. Time to step it up.
The Firm Wave, Zumba, Turbo Jam, Jillian Michaels, Richard Simmons, Brazil Butt Lift, an insane amount of toning, yoga, balance ball, balance pod, weight lifting and dance dvds to put me on the Beachbody website. You'd think I'd be ripped by now. Sigh....you would think, wouldn't ya? That's okay, I'll get back on the wagon! Kicking myself in the butt ain't gonna make it smaller. lol So today I did The Firm Wave's 10 minute intro and then half of the Cardio Express workout. It's a lot of stepping on the Wave, they go really fast and I'm still slow of course. I'm moving around with 60 pounds more fat than these women. I made it through, figured I was a sweaty mess so that's a step in the right direction. I cooled down with the Malibu Pilates chair (I'm telling you, my excuses are not because of lack of STUFF). Pilates abs 60 count, the standard chair leg exercises and some arm push-downs to work the arms and stretch my back. It's amazing how stiff you get in just a couple of weeks. I'd love to spend the rest of the day watching tv and not talking to anyone.
I'm pooped and I have a headache. Ah yes, water. If I drink SmartWater will it give me Jennifer Aniston's body?? A liter a day is my goal. I don't care to look up how many actual glasses of water a liter is but who cares. I go all day and only take a few sips of water so a liter is a hell of a lot better than what I've been doing.
Tomorrow's workout will be....I dunno. I do know I don't want to do floor ab work or push ups. Maybe Zumba's Ab workout with some Jackie Warner standing abs. Or maybe I'll get some Disco Fever with good ol' Richard. I tell you...seeing 300lb + men and women lifting their legs and moving and shaking makes me feel like I have zero room to complain. Strangely motivating. I'll let you know tomorrow!
I'm ashamed of myself. I wasn't a very good girl for the last 3 weeks. I measured myself August 18th and started working out every day during nap time with the exception of weekends. I'd call my cousin or she'd call me and we'd share our workouts. She has 5 pounds to lose. I have about 60. She's hot and got a few compliments so she's content now. I, on the other hand, have lost nothing but maybe an inch here or there and still weigh the same I did in August. Somewhere between going to bed late, my never-ending period and life I lost my mojo these last 3 weeks. Time to step it up.
The Firm Wave, Zumba, Turbo Jam, Jillian Michaels, Richard Simmons, Brazil Butt Lift, an insane amount of toning, yoga, balance ball, balance pod, weight lifting and dance dvds to put me on the Beachbody website. You'd think I'd be ripped by now. Sigh....you would think, wouldn't ya? That's okay, I'll get back on the wagon! Kicking myself in the butt ain't gonna make it smaller. lol So today I did The Firm Wave's 10 minute intro and then half of the Cardio Express workout. It's a lot of stepping on the Wave, they go really fast and I'm still slow of course. I'm moving around with 60 pounds more fat than these women. I made it through, figured I was a sweaty mess so that's a step in the right direction. I cooled down with the Malibu Pilates chair (I'm telling you, my excuses are not because of lack of STUFF). Pilates abs 60 count, the standard chair leg exercises and some arm push-downs to work the arms and stretch my back. It's amazing how stiff you get in just a couple of weeks. I'd love to spend the rest of the day watching tv and not talking to anyone.
I'm pooped and I have a headache. Ah yes, water. If I drink SmartWater will it give me Jennifer Aniston's body?? A liter a day is my goal. I don't care to look up how many actual glasses of water a liter is but who cares. I go all day and only take a few sips of water so a liter is a hell of a lot better than what I've been doing.
Tomorrow's workout will be....I dunno. I do know I don't want to do floor ab work or push ups. Maybe Zumba's Ab workout with some Jackie Warner standing abs. Or maybe I'll get some Disco Fever with good ol' Richard. I tell you...seeing 300lb + men and women lifting their legs and moving and shaking makes me feel like I have zero room to complain. Strangely motivating. I'll let you know tomorrow!
Friday, March 4, 2011
Old School Black Mama
To Spank or Not to Spank, that is the question.
I've come to the conclusion that I am an old school black mama at heart. The crazy loud stereotypical mama. You hear comedians talk about their crazy mothers....but you know what...they came out successful, full of pride and a good sense of humor to boot. Almost everyone I know spanks their kids...and the ones that don't are either afraid to admit it, their kids are too young or they're afraid of their children. I don't mean abuse. I don't mean burning your kid with cigarettes or not feeding them breakfast because you're passed out from drugs and alcohol. I'm talking about when your kid steps over the line after a firm warning just to test the limits...SHOW HIM THE LIMIT. Kids need structure, they need to know what is expected of them. When you set limits, when you tell and show your child what is expected of them...and then they STILL step out of line? Wrong choice, now they'll get the message. Oh yeah, stickers? Eventually they'll get old enough to tell you to take all your smiley face stickers and shove 'em where the sun don't shine. Then what?
Here's the thing...there are some children that shape up just by the sound of your voice. Just by the look you give them across a room. I call that a smart child. I was like that. Was I asking for trouble? HEYALL no. If my mom was having a bad day I stayed the hell away from her! That is NOT the day to test the limits. Kids want power, they want to know they are somebody. That's fine, I'm all for choices and letting the kids speak their mind. But if you say no, that means no. They are welcome to ask me something but if I say no, they better drop it. "You keep whining in my ear and giving me a headache? Take the hint baby, take the hint. When Mommy warns you...back off."
I'm pretty self-aware. I'm not an instigator. I don't go looking for trouble. I can feel myself getting frustrated. I can feel the anger start to build up with every additional step. I warn people. I'm calm...I try to diffuse a potential argument...but if you don't get the message and you keep pushing it....don't get upset when I get mad. It takes me a while to get really mad. I don't go from 0 to 60 with no warning. I'm not politically correct. I'm conservative. I don't believe the "children should be seen and not heard" rule BUT...if I say nicely and calmly, "Mommy needs to make a phone call and you need to be quiet until I'm done."......and two seconds later you come nagging me about something totally unimportant? You better hope whoever I am talking to keeps me talking.....lol
How many times have you seen some nasty child in a store who wouldn't quit...and his mother just looks like she just gave up?? Puhlease. That kid needs a spank and so does the mother. I'm not saying spank the kid in the middle of Target...but a good "look" (see my blog on "The Look") should keep him in check until you leave the store where you can properly explain where he stepped out of line.
I watched a youtube video where this chick was talking about a SuperNanny episode where the little girl grabbed the pot of boiling water off the stove while her mom was cooking and they put her in time out. Are you kidding? That kid isn't going to learn the severity of what she did. But I guarantee you if she got spanked she'd remember not to pull that crap again and think twice the next time she felt like being a brat in the kitchen.
I know some people who only have one child...and that child is a girl. You most likely don't have the drama in your household or the chaos..because one little girl usually ain't all that bad. I didn't get into much trouble...in fact I was a piece of cake. My mom had it too easy. If you have multiple children (and God help you if one of them has a penis) then all bets are off. I bet you they'll get spanked either by you or your spouse at some point. I have yet to see successfully grown teenagers that aren't into drugs/alcohol/sex that don't talk back and are actually respectful of their parents from non-spankers. I'm sure I'll meet one someday but so far it hasn't happened.
One extreme or another isn't good. I think a good dose of fear is good for kids, we do it in other ways. They need to be afraid and wary of strangers, being alone, of sharp objects and other dangerous things. They need to know consequences of their actions and it's not expecting too much of them.
P.S. My mother thinks she was wrong for the way she raised me and now thinks I should let my kids walk all over me. I think grandparents should never raise their grandchildren unless they're the tough kind that don't put up with any crap, regardless if it is their first born grandchild or not. That's all folks, time for my beauty sleep. :-)
I've come to the conclusion that I am an old school black mama at heart. The crazy loud stereotypical mama. You hear comedians talk about their crazy mothers....but you know what...they came out successful, full of pride and a good sense of humor to boot. Almost everyone I know spanks their kids...and the ones that don't are either afraid to admit it, their kids are too young or they're afraid of their children. I don't mean abuse. I don't mean burning your kid with cigarettes or not feeding them breakfast because you're passed out from drugs and alcohol. I'm talking about when your kid steps over the line after a firm warning just to test the limits...SHOW HIM THE LIMIT. Kids need structure, they need to know what is expected of them. When you set limits, when you tell and show your child what is expected of them...and then they STILL step out of line? Wrong choice, now they'll get the message. Oh yeah, stickers? Eventually they'll get old enough to tell you to take all your smiley face stickers and shove 'em where the sun don't shine. Then what?
Here's the thing...there are some children that shape up just by the sound of your voice. Just by the look you give them across a room. I call that a smart child. I was like that. Was I asking for trouble? HEYALL no. If my mom was having a bad day I stayed the hell away from her! That is NOT the day to test the limits. Kids want power, they want to know they are somebody. That's fine, I'm all for choices and letting the kids speak their mind. But if you say no, that means no. They are welcome to ask me something but if I say no, they better drop it. "You keep whining in my ear and giving me a headache? Take the hint baby, take the hint. When Mommy warns you...back off."
I'm pretty self-aware. I'm not an instigator. I don't go looking for trouble. I can feel myself getting frustrated. I can feel the anger start to build up with every additional step. I warn people. I'm calm...I try to diffuse a potential argument...but if you don't get the message and you keep pushing it....don't get upset when I get mad. It takes me a while to get really mad. I don't go from 0 to 60 with no warning. I'm not politically correct. I'm conservative. I don't believe the "children should be seen and not heard" rule BUT...if I say nicely and calmly, "Mommy needs to make a phone call and you need to be quiet until I'm done."......and two seconds later you come nagging me about something totally unimportant? You better hope whoever I am talking to keeps me talking.....lol
How many times have you seen some nasty child in a store who wouldn't quit...and his mother just looks like she just gave up?? Puhlease. That kid needs a spank and so does the mother. I'm not saying spank the kid in the middle of Target...but a good "look" (see my blog on "The Look") should keep him in check until you leave the store where you can properly explain where he stepped out of line.
I watched a youtube video where this chick was talking about a SuperNanny episode where the little girl grabbed the pot of boiling water off the stove while her mom was cooking and they put her in time out. Are you kidding? That kid isn't going to learn the severity of what she did. But I guarantee you if she got spanked she'd remember not to pull that crap again and think twice the next time she felt like being a brat in the kitchen.
I know some people who only have one child...and that child is a girl. You most likely don't have the drama in your household or the chaos..because one little girl usually ain't all that bad. I didn't get into much trouble...in fact I was a piece of cake. My mom had it too easy. If you have multiple children (and God help you if one of them has a penis) then all bets are off. I bet you they'll get spanked either by you or your spouse at some point. I have yet to see successfully grown teenagers that aren't into drugs/alcohol/sex that don't talk back and are actually respectful of their parents from non-spankers. I'm sure I'll meet one someday but so far it hasn't happened.
One extreme or another isn't good. I think a good dose of fear is good for kids, we do it in other ways. They need to be afraid and wary of strangers, being alone, of sharp objects and other dangerous things. They need to know consequences of their actions and it's not expecting too much of them.
P.S. My mother thinks she was wrong for the way she raised me and now thinks I should let my kids walk all over me. I think grandparents should never raise their grandchildren unless they're the tough kind that don't put up with any crap, regardless if it is their first born grandchild or not. That's all folks, time for my beauty sleep. :-)
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