The Finish Line!
Well, folks - I've reached the end of my Month of Motivation. Let's take a look back at my original goals:
Here's what I'm-a gonna do:
- I'm going to include ALL my meals in the Small Slice album for the next 30 days - straight.
Ha! Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Okay, here's what happened. New computer, camera issues, just plain forgetfulness. This was a miserable failure. I'm renewing this vow. The good thing about taking a photo of my plate before sitting down is it makes me really think about what I'm eating. If there isn't enough color, or too much of any one item, I'll see it and think twice.
- I'm going to fill my salad-sized plate with a colorful variety of healthy foods. Once per meal.
Actually, this was really successful - I'm not going back for seconds, and am completely satisfied after a meal. Hooray!
- NO SNACKING WHILE PREPARING MEALS. (Gaaah! The bane of my existence.)
Yeah, well. Still working on this - but it's much, much less.
- I'm going to commit to AT LEAST 30 minutes of jog-walking (following Hal Higdon's training plan)
After discovering that my legs are prone to nasty shin splints, I have laid off on the jog-walking for a while. I am still getting in at least 30 minutes of jogging/jumping on the trampoline or something similar, but I'm thinking my training plan to run a half-marathon is way shelved for now. I'm hoping once the kids are in school I can make a stab at it.
- AND an additional 30 minutes of some other exercise, be it weight training, dancing like an idiot to the Wiggles, the Stripper DVD, something. Every day. For 30 days.
Oh yeah, baby. This was a wild success, and a great mood elevator. One of the hardest parts of daily exercise with kids is the entertainment factor. My seven-year-old, five-year-old and three-year-old are great motivators, and we all enjoy the time spent acting like loons together. I managed to check off a few of the challenges you guys have submitted, and will be reporting back on Belly Dancing later today... my first attempts = holy crap my arms are sore. This is good!
Here's the revised measurements. After a month, I wish I was seeing more here, but I'll take it. Every 1/4 inch of it. See? A total of 3 1/2 inches lost!
Waist: 40 inches - 39 inches
Hips: 45 inches - 44 inches
Ribs: 38 inches - 38 inches
Neck. 15 1/4 inches. 15 inches
Bicep: 14 inches 13 1/2 inches
Thigh: 24 inches 23 3/4 inches
Calf: 16 1/4 inches 16 inches
I started the Month of Motivation at 178 pounds. This morning, I weighed 175. However, this weekend I weighed in at 173.5 - so I suspect that I'm retaining water.
That sounds like a horrible cop-out, but my left ankle is horribly swollen and taut, and about the same diameter as my calf. We've had several straight days of brutal heat (like 109 degrees F) and as I've mentioned - we have NO AIR-CONDITIONER. Thank you, genetics!
Grace has challenged me to give Bikram Yoga a try. I planned on taking a session or two this weekend, but with the regular temperature causing me to sweat just staring at the wall, I was afraid to overwhelm my delicate little constitution. As soon as BlogHer comes and goes, I'm going to dive in.
Speaking of BlogHer... I'm going to record my meals with the camera, but forget about the formal menu. It's too hot to cook, and I've been rummaging around, eating salads and yogurt and drinking gallons of water.
So, how did you guys do with your goals? I'm excited to hear. Fill me in!
I do not care to discuss it.
My mommy has been here for the past five days, baking for me. 'Nuff said.
(I'll bring the leftover brownies to BlogHer, 'kay?)
Posted by: mothergoosemouse | 07/24/2006 at 05:45 PM
Wow, Jenny, WAY TO GO! Those are awesome results, because they are results. Excellent!
Posted by: Stephanie C. | 07/24/2006 at 07:16 PM
Hey..congratulations! I'm assuming you were doing the Wiggles with the kids and not the striptease DVD?
Posted by: Jen Jen | 07/25/2006 at 12:25 AM
I'm proud of you, my friend. Honest and for true. And I can't wait to see you! :)
Posted by: Mir | 07/25/2006 at 06:26 AM
yay! We had stomach nastiness over here and now my abs have more definition.
Posted by: the womom | 07/25/2006 at 06:31 AM
WOW. You did really well! Good for you!
I didn't make 40 pounds lost, but I made 35 lost, and I'm satisifed with that.
Posted by: Carmen | 07/25/2006 at 07:32 AM
Jen....I've been on a terrific streak, sincerely motivated (no-carb type ordeal) and have lost 3 lbs so far. It feels terrific to feel so committed (a novel feeling that I hope lasts!)
Posted by: Jen | 07/25/2006 at 12:13 PM
You lost 4 inches in 30 days. That's amazing! Once you're burnt on the stripping dvd you may want to check out Pole dancing! I hear its the next big thing. LOL. Hope to meet you in person at blogher this weekend.
Posted by: francesca | 07/25/2006 at 12:22 PM