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Weighing In #12

WAAHOO!!! I’m loving weigh in days or at least for the time being. I get to report another weight loss this week. I lost 2 pounds!! I'm up to 11 pounds GONE. After 4 more pounds, I get to treat myself to a haircut (and I NEED one - my hair is getting so LONG!).

Again, I finished the week with weekly allowance points, which really surprises me after the milkshake that I had last week. The one thing that I did do is not let that one mistake bring me down and destroy the whole day or week.

I didn’t workout this week as much I had in the past two weeks. I didn’t walk on my lunch hour like I had been and didn’t go to the YMCA for strength training like I had planned. I really need to get better about my workouts. It’s not all about losing weight but I want to tone up.

Total miles walked: 10.5 miles (down from last week)
Total miles on elliptical: 7.45 (up from last week)Stability Ball
Arm & Leg Strength workouts
The Firm workout (aka Kick My Butt workout)

My goals for this week are to lose 2 pounds. I’d like to try to add in the fitness classes that I mentioned last week. I need to work on my schedule. The traffic has picked up in the evenings and it’s taking me longer to get home (on my later nights). On soccer nights, it really messes things up. Hopefully, I will get all that straightened up and will be able to attend at least 1 class this week.

Question – attend Weight Watcher meetings or not?!?! I’ve talked to a few people about WW and they suggest attending the meetings. They have seen better results since attending the meetings. Is it worth the money and time? What are your thoughts?

Here’s the breakdown (FREE registration until May 10th):
$12 a week for Pay As You Go
$39.95 monthly pass (avg. $9.22 a week)
$10.90 10 weeks prepaid

So, I can always go to the first meeting for FREE! Do I go to the first meeting to see if I like it then decide? Get a monthly pass and just stick to it? Forget it about because I already have the information I need, why pay to be weighed in?

Day 80, Food and Exercise Log

I was extremely tired this morning. There was no morning exercise for me! I didn't plan on walking this morning since my legs were sore from yesterday's leg workout. I wanted to try to get in some ab workouts...guess I'll do them tonight in addition to my other workouts.

Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 35

Breakfast:
Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino (made with white milk) (4 points)
Asiago Cheese bagel (6 points)

Lunch:
Turkey Sandwich (4 points)
Yoplait Fat Free White Chocolate Strawberry Yogurt (2 points)

Snack:
Strawberries with Marshmallow Creme (more strawberries than creme) (3 points)

Dinner:
Chicken & Dumplings (Yummy!!) (8 points)
-this is actually probably less than 8 points since I used fat free cream of chicken soup and fat free chicken broth.

Exercise:

2.25 miles walking on treadmill

Daily Points Used: 24
Weekly Points Used: 0

Overall thought: What happened to my exercising?!?! I knew I should have gotten up in the morning and exercised! I missed my afternoon workout at the YMCA because I had to drop off my resume and cover letter for a job closer to home. With my son's soccer being at 6, it was hard to squeeze in that workout. However, I did find out that my older son's coach has a Wednesday night practice at 6:00 (same field as my younger son) so I am going to see about him practicing with the older kids. It will help him as well as work better in my schedule. These kids are old and more experienced - what he needs!

Day 79, Food and Exercise Log

Almost weigh in day! I did talk to a few ladies here at work that are also following the WW program. They tried to do it on their own for the first 2 1/5 months of the year and didn't see much results. They joined the meetings at the end of March and have had better results - 16 and 20+ pounds! So, I am considering joining for a couple weeks to see if they do any good. My $30 that I am saving from cancelling my tanning membership might be put towards WW. I'm still thinking about it though.

Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 17

Breakfast:
Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino (made with spoiled white milk - UGH!) (4 points)
English muffin (2 points)

Lunch:
Progresso Light Italian-Style Vegetable Soup (0 points)
Turkey sandwich (4 points)
Strawberries with Marshmallow Creme (more strawberries than creme) (3 points)

Dinner:
Baked Ziti, garlic bread (13 points)

Exercise:
1.5 miles walking on treadmill
1.75 miles/200 calories
Leg strength machines @ YMCA
2 miles walking on treadmill

Daily Points Used: 24
Weekly Points Used: 2

Overall thought: I really need to spend a few hours finding dinner recipes that aren't so high in points. I've been eating the Progresso Light Zero point soups to make sure the daily points aren't too high. Again, I ended the week with Weekly Allowance Points!

Planning Ahead for a "Healthier" Outing

Do you plan ahead when you know that you are going to be away from your home? I do. I pack my food for work everyday - breakfast, snacks and lunch. I also keep snacks at work. The snacks are usually less than 200 calories (1 or 2 WW points). I'd rather have too much than not enough "healthy" snacks. The last thing I want to do is make a run for the vending machine.

With the boys playing soccer now, I make sure I take along my "snack-on-the-go" bag . It's got a few 1 or 2 WW point items in it. For example, on Saturday I wasn't sure how long we would be gone so I took my snack bag. It has the Weight Watcher Chocolate Chip cookies in it. I had those rather than go inside the YMCA to grab something out of the vending machine or get so hungry that when I walked in the house I was grabbing whatever was in sight (which probably would have been full of sugar and not healthy at all). Along with the "snacks-on-the-go" bag, I also grabbed a few of my frozen bottles of water. These will melt over time and I will be able to have cold water to drink. It's easier and quicker than filling up a cooler with ice and loading up drinks. If I don't drink them, I can return them to the freezer or just put them in the 'fridge when I get home.

Besides the extra snacks and frozen water, I also always have a pair of tennis shoes and socks in my van. This allows me to take advantage of those unexpected opportunities to exercise. They've come in handy quite a bit lately and it keeps me from using that as an excuse not to exercise.

The last thing I do is check out menus before getting to the restaurant. I like to know what I am going to get before I go that way I am not tempted to order something more fattening. Or something that the waitress/waiter talks up. For me, that's what normally happens.

What are some things that you do to make your outing "healthier"?

My Weekend 4/25-4/28

I thought I would take a moment to share with you a little bit about my weekend.

Friday night, my fiancé took the kids up to the “property” to play and release some energy. That’s exactly what they did and even got dirty filthy in the process. While they got dirty filthy, I relaxed and got caught up on a few errands that needed to be ran. I cancelled my tanning membership resulting in an extra $30 for me each month!

Saturday, we had soccer games (my son got to play his nephew's team)

then we headed back out to the “property” to ride 4-wheelers and drive the excavator.

Since I do not have one, I got to walk and run all over the place making sure the kids were OK.

I even got some step aerobics in by using these logs.

On Sunday, it was a day of cleaning for me. I cleaned the patio in hopes of warmer weather to enjoy the outdoors.

Not only for that reason but to put us one step closer to opening the pool.

Then it was off to the great indoors…cleaning everything in sight, washing laundry, putting it away, cooking – all the “not-so-fun” stuff.

It was pretty eventful as you can see.

Day 78, Food and Exercise Log

Oh what a busy Monday!

Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 19

Breakfast:
Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino (made with white milk) (4 points)
English muffin (2 points)

Lunch:
Progresso Light Italian-Style Vegetable (0 points)
Turkey sandwich with Woeber Hot & Spicy Mustard (my new best friend!) (4 points)
Strawberries (1 point)

Snack:
Grapes (1 point)

Dinner:
Pork Chops, AuGratin Potatoes, Green Beans, Dinner Roll (10 points)

Snack:
Banana Bread (4 points)

Exercise:
1.5 miles walking on treadmill (I have had enough walking!!)

stability ball ab exercises

2.7 miles/400 calories on the elliptical

Arm strength machines @ YMCA (3 different machines)

The Firm - Fat Burning Cardio...ok, this kicked my butt. I could figure my left from my right, up on the step from down on the floor, leg kick versus knee up. I'm surprised I did fall flat on my behind! I'm much better with classes but it was cancelled tonight. Why?!?!? Because I was going to attend?!?!

Daily Points Used: 24
Weekly Points Used: 2

Overall thought: Well, I threw out the banana bread. We had saved one loaf to eat and I had eaten a couple pieces and no one else had touched it so it went in the trash. I can't afford to eat the whole loaf. I had planned on attending 2 fitness classes last night but they were cancelled. I attempted The Firm workout last night. I ended up turning it into my own version of the The Firm since I couldn't keep up...left, right, up, down, kick, knee lift...it all started to run together.

Menu Plan Monday 4/28/08

Last week we ate from our menu for the most part. We ate leftovers one night which pushed our menu back a day and then on Saturday we settled for lunch meat sandwiches. There are two “new” recipes that we didn’t get to try – Mini Cannelloni Bake and Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings. I’m going to go for the Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings on the early soccer practice night. The Mini Cannelloni Bake I am going to replace with the Baked Ziti because it seems easier.

Check out last week’s post here. I updated the post with my comment about each meal.

Monday – Baked Ziti (instead of Mini Cannelloni Bake – seems easier), crescent rolls, salad

Tuesday – Awesome Slow Cooker Pot Roast, mashed potatoes, corn, rolls

Wednesday - Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumpling

Thursday – Stuffed Peppers – not sure what we will have with them

Friday – Crock Pot Pizza

Saturday - Salisbury Steak, rice, green beans

Sunday - Lemon Pepper Chicken, pasta salad

For more meal ideas, check out Menu Plan Mondays at "I'm an Organizing Junkie".

Day 77, Food and Exercise Log

Not really off to a very good start but I was pretty hungry yesterday. With not having lunch yesterday and probably not again today, I thought I would get a start on eating...LOL (not really)

Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 24

Breakfast:
McDonald's Sausage McMuffin (9 points)
Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino (made with white milk (4 points) - didn't drink it all but counting all the points

Lunch:
Banana Bread (4 points)

Dinner:
Chicken Club Sandwich and a few homemade potato chips (12 points)

Exercise:
No formal - scrubbed patio and patio furniture, cleaned everything in sight pretty much (lots of walking and squats...LOL)

Daily Points Used: 24
Weekly Points Used: 5

Overall thought: Ok, I'm not sure of my total points for dinner so I guesstimated high....better safe than sorry. I definitely could have done better on the breakfast especially since it didn't taste good at all. I was busy from 11-9:30 - I didn't stop so I didn't really have time for any "formal" exercise so I'm hoping that staying as busy and moving as much as I did will pay off on Wednesday.

I will say that this weekend was probably better than the past couple and we ate off our menu!!

Super Saturday Savings - 4/26/2008

I'm a couple days late but I wanted to share my Wal-Mart shopping trip with you. We are going to Myrtle Beach in June so many of these items will be used on that trip. These are all items that we regular priced so if you've got your coupons for them. Jump in the car and head to Wal-Mart to pick up yours.

I got all these items for $.20!! I had coupons to get the Cascade and A+D Ointment for free.

Hope you were able to score some deals this week too!

Day 76, Food and Exercise Log

Here's to hoping for a food and exercise weekend.

Daily Allowance Points:24
Weekly Allowance Points: 24

Breakfast:
Egg and Bacon Sandwich (6 points)

Snack-on-Hand:
2 WW Chocolate Chip Cookies (2 points)

Dinner:
Turkey and Cheese sandwich (6 points)

Snack:
Banana bread (4 points) - actually I was just tasting.

Exercise:
walking...LOTS AND LOTS! If I wasn't walking, I was jogging. Busy, busy weekend...will post about later.

Daily Points Used: 18
Weekly Points Used: 0

Overall thought: Yippee! I had a pretty good day. We have been busy and I have walked so much that my legs are killing me! I was getting nervous around dinner time and then my fiance's BIL showed up with lunch meat!! Thanks BIL, you saved the day!! No telling what we would have had since we were so tired.

Frugal Friday - 4/25/08

It's Frugal Friday over at Biblical Womanhood. It's been a while since I posted on the Frugal Friday. I wanted to share with you my frugal idea. My kids are always asking for paper to draw and write on. It's gets pretty expensive after a while. So, I started saving my unwanted papers and the bottom half of the paper where one coupon prints on the page. After I get a stack, I hole punch it and put a ribbon through the wholes to hold the paper together. The kids love them. We reuse the ribbons as well. Save on paper and ribbon by reusing!
To check out other great ideas, visit Biblical Womanhood's Frugal Friday post.

Fitness on Friday - 4/25/2008

It's Fitness on Friday over at Bye Bye Fat Mom. I missed the last couple Fitness on Friday posts. Last week was a good week for me. I got my workouts in and had weekly allowance points left. I've felt really good after my workouts. It has actually given more energy and at times too much.

I did report a 1 pound weight loss on Wednesday. I'll take it but I was really hoping for more (aren't we all!). I just hope I can get some better results over the next couple weeks since we head to the beach in 6 weeks. I was able to get into the capris that I wore last year (size smaller than I am currently wearing). It felt good - I may not be losing the weight that I want but the inches are making up for it.

My goals for this week are to eat better over the weekend and get more exercise this weekend. I'd also like to go to a few fitness classes but not sure if my schedule is going to allow that this week. I need to make some arrangements with the kids to be able to do it.

Hopefully, everyone out there hasn't given up and reached for that bag of chocolate candy (like I used to do). Good luck to everyone on the fitness and weight loss goals that they have.

Day 75, Food and Exercise Log

Day 75 already?!?! 9 pounds in 75 days??? Oh, I really have a lot of work to do. However, I was able to get into a smaller size pants this morning and they aren't tight...they are actually pretty comfortable.

Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 24

Breakfast:
Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino (made with white milk) (4 points)
Weight Watcher Chocolate Chip Cookie (1 point) - not impressed, but will eat the rest!

Snack:
Banana (2 points)

Lunch:
Progresso Light Zesty Southwestern soup (0 points)
Turkey Sandwich (4 points)
WW Chocolate Chip Cookie (1 point)

Dinner:
Southwester Casserole (approx. 10 points - I don't know the exact. I will try to figure it up a little better when I have some extra time. We're on our way back out)

Exercise:
1.75 miles walking on treadmill
3 miles/450 calories on the elliptical
.75 mile jog on treadmill

Daily Points Used: 22
Weekly Points Used: 0

Overall thought: Really not a bad day. I even got exercise in on a Friday!!

Free - Atkins Advantage Bar

Start you day off with a healthy alternative - Atkins Advantage Bars (not a Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino). Click here for your Buy 1, Get 1 Free coupon.

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More Ice Cream Deals

Why do I tell you about these ice cream deals? Well....let's see, how can I put this nicely. I would like for you to eat the ice cream for me, gain the weight for me, and feel the guilt from eating it for me. Sound good?

Dippin' Dots will be giving away Free cups of Birthday Cake Flavored Dippin' Dots on Tuesday, May 20th from 4:00-close! They are turning 20 years old. Click here to find a location near you.

Now that I think about it. My birthday is 2 days later...maybe we can celebrate together - me and Dippin' Dots (that is if I lose 15 pounds before the 20th....LOL - not happening!).

Don't forget about the other two events coming up soon...

Tuesday, April 29th - Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream. Read more here.

Wednesday, April 30th - Baskin-Robbins. Read more here.

Day 74, Food and Exercise Log

Ugh, I am so tired!

Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 35

Breakfast:
Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino (made with white milk) (4 points)
Fruit - grapes, pinepple, strawberries, kiwi (4 points)

Lunch:
Arby's Berry Swirl Shake (13 points ) OUCH! I won't be having another one! Looks like I will be exercising ALL weekend!
Turkey sandwich (4 points)

Dinner:
Stove Top Coated Pork Chop, French Style Green Beans, Au Gratin Potatoes (10 points)

Exercise:
1.5 miles walking on treadmill
Mowed lawn - this was much tougher than my morning walk! The grass was so thick in the backyard.

Daily Points Used: 24
Weekly Points Used: 11

Overall thought: Note to self - no more milkshakes, unless I make them at home and can control the calories and fat!! It has been taking me longer to get home in the evening - must be the nice weather. With that said, I am having to pick the kids up as soon as I get in the area and not able to stop by the YMCA. I am going to see about changing my hours and leave a half an hour earlier.

Weighing In #11

Weigh in day again! I lost 1 pound. I’ve still got my broken scale (we’ll the little plastic thing with the line comes off and you have to sit it back on there). I think I will try to get out and get a new scale this week.

I finished the week with weekly allowance points and I would have earned activity points but I don’t bother with trying to track those. I do need to pull out my Weight Watch recipes and start fixing some of them for dinner. I need to get my dinner points down below 10. I need to be more focused on the weekends too. I need to eat what is planned.

As far as my workouts, I need to make sure that I am getting a workout in on Saturday and Sunday. Rather than walking everyday on my lunch hour (since that’s what I do in the morning and evening), I’m going to try to get to the YMCA for some strength training 2 or 3 days a week. Here’s the breakdown of my workouts this week:

Total miles walked: 12.75 miles (up from last week)

Total miles jogged: 2.0 miles
Total miles on elliptical: 6.1 (down from last week)
Strength training: 1 day

My goals for this week are to LOSE 2 pounds. I’m going to add in a few fitness classes now that I know the boy’s soccer schedules. I’ll give it a try for a week to see how it works out and make adjustments as I go. Here’s what I am going to try to squeeze in…

Fitball (30 minutes)
Turbo Kick (30 minutes)
Hip Hop (30 minutes)
Glutes-n-Guts (30 minutes)
Zumba (30 minutes)

Day 73, Food and Exercise Log

What a morning!! I decided to take a different route to work so I could drop dinner off to my sister. When I went to get on the interstate, a Chevy Tahoe just about flipped. I guess I was going enough over the speed limit for him. He cut me off and almost missed the exit. He was going pretty fast around the ramp on two wheels! Then I get off the interstate at my sister's exit and a deer is running along side the road (yep, pretty much right next to me)...as if I hadn't already been freaked out enough.

Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 35

Breakfast:
Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino (made with white milk) (4 points)
Banana (2 points)

Lunch:
Turkey Sandwich (4 points)
Carrots with Ranch (4 points)
Strawberries (1 point)

Dinner:
Buffalo Chicken Chili Mac (small serving) (5 points)
1/2 slice of meatloaf (3 points)

Exercise:
1.5 miles walking on treadmill

Daily Points Used: 23
Weekly Points Used: 0

Overall thought: Need to plan my day a little better. I had forgotten about the Diego Live show so it messed up my workout routine. Then there was an hour soccer practice following the show. By the time I got home, I was wore out! No walking for me in the evening either.

Day 72, Food and Exercise Log

I need to do really good today being that tomorrow is weigh in day.

Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 19

Breakfast:
Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino (made with white milk) (4 points)
Banana (2 points)

Lunch:
Turkey Sandwich (4 points)
Carrots with Ranch (4 points)
Strawberries (1 point)

Snack:
Fiber One Bar - Peanut Butter (3 points)

Dinner:
Buffalo Chicken Chili Mac (10 points)

Exercise:
1.75 miles walking on treadmill
4 laps around the track on my lunch hour (I think I need to drive around the parking lot near the track to find out the distance of the track.)
1 mile jogging on treadmill
1.5 miles walking on treadmill

Daily Points Used: 24
Weekly Points Used: 4

Overall thought: Really not a bad day. I didn't get to the YMCA after work as I had planned. I don't know what happened to the time. I headed out to go and it was 4:50...I had to get the kids picked up so we could eat before soccer practice. I definitely need to get a plan in place for practice nights.

Walgreens April Easy Saver Rebates

Don't forget that the April Easy Saver rebates end on Saturday, April 26 (yep, this Saturday). Your rebate submission must be postmarked by Saturday, May 3.

Coupon Insert News again!

The new Proctor & Gamble P&GbrandSaver coupon booklet will be in the paper on Sunday, May 4th. It will have $69 in savings such as Clairol, Tampax and Pampers(perfect for CVS shopping)! Find out here if your local paper carries the P&G Brand coupon booklet.

If you haven't requested your Solutions for Easy Living coupon book with $31 in savings on P&G brands, click on here to request it.

Huggies Choice Rewards

You can get your choice of a $5 rebate, free lullaby CD, or free exercise DVD. All you have to do is buy 3 packages of any Huggies Diapers (varieties listed on order form and website link) on one receipt. Send completed official order form, 3 UPC codes, and original receipt dated between 4/21/08 and 5/18/08 with date and participating products circled. Must be received by 6/20/08.

More details here.

My choice would be the Blast Off Belly Fat but I don't buy diapers anymore. I wish the offer included pull ups!

Random Thoughts...

Just some random thoughts and happenings...

On Friday, I had my interview. I thought it went very well. I had worked with the VP a couple years ago so he was pretty familiar with me and my work style. He said he had to follow company policy of conducting an interview for all qualified applicants (he couldn't just go off what he knew). They are looking to make a decision soon. Hopefully I will be hearing some good news soon. I could REALLY use a pay raise!

Do exercise at a gym? If you do, do you watch tv or listen to music while you workout? I do. I embarrassed myself the other day. Instead of listening to my iPod, I will watch the Ellen show (usually get there in the middle of the show). Last week, I started cracking up laughing while I was exercising and half the people in the fitness center looking at me.

Does anyone that reads my blog live in the Myrtle Beach area? We're planning a trip and I need to get some information (other than what the Chamber of commerce and all will send me). I am looking for discounts and freebies in the area (did I just say that?!?!). I will say, I have applied for my Bi-Lo card already.

I have some posts that I need to get working on...I have been so busy and I don't things are going to slow down anytime soon. The kids started soccer and I don't have a practice schedule yet to be able to arrange our family time and "my" time. Hopefully in the next couple weeks things will slow down.

Day 71, Food and Exercise Log

Foggy morning here this morning...school was on a 2 hour delay as well.

Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 23

Breakfast:
Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino (made with white milk) (4 points)

Snack:
Zone Perfect Chocolate Peanut Butter (2 points) - the bar is actually 4 points but I only ate some of it before find out that it had expired weeks ago. If you purchase these from your CVS this week, be sure to check the dates!! I'll be returning mine!
Banana (2 points)

Lunch:
Turkey Sandwich (4 points)
Carrots with Ranch (3 points)
Strawberries (1 point)

Snack:
Quaker Apple Cinnamon Mini Rice Cakes (1 point)

Dinner:
Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn (11 points)

Exercise:
1.5 miles walking on my treadmill
4 laps on lunch hour - still not sure of the distance (more than a mile)
4 miles/600 calories on the elliptical

Daily Points used: 24
Weekly Points Used: 4

Overall thought: I really need to find something filling for breakfast. I think that's my biggest problem besides eating because I'm bored. That's been happening quite a bit at work. I didn't walk on the treadmill after dinner since I needed to get the house cleaned and laundry done...we have soccer practice tonight (and another night this week, just don't know when yet).

Menu Plan Monday 4/21/2008

It's Menu Plan Mondays over at "I'm an Organizing Junkie". We're going to try some new recipes this week. We didn’t really follow our menu too well last week. I’m printing this week’s menu with the recipes and hanging it on the refrigerator.

Monday- Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn

-I'll try to post the meatloaf recipe. I'm not a fan of meatloaf by my fiance makes a great one without the ketchup stuff on top. He adds cheese to it! Yummy!

Tuesday - Buffalo Chicken Chili Mac
Update: I made this recipe without the celery and carrots. I forgot to cut them up the night before and I was running short on time. It was good and something different for a change. I would have liked a little more hot sauce though. I divided the recipe into two smaller casserole dishes (2 qt and 8x8) since the kids wouldn't eat it. My sis and her BF will be trying it tonight. I'll report back what they thought...

Update 4/24/08 - Talked to my sister...they loved it!

Wednesday - Stove Top Coated Pork Chops (Ramblings of a Texas Housewife), Au Gratin Potatoes, Green Beans

Update: OMG we ate leftovers!! There has been a change in Wednesday's dinner. I forgot about the Go Diego Go Live show and last minute soccer practice. We ate Monday and Tuesday night leftovers...we NEVER eat leftovers. Hooray for us!!

Thursday – Mini Cannelloni Bake* Stove Top Coated Pork Chops (Ramblings of a Texas Housewife), Au Gratin Potatoes, Green Beans, Applesauce

*Will try the Mini Cannelloni Bake next week or tomorrow night.

Update: The Stove Top Coated Pork Chops were really good. Everyone, even the kids, enjoyed them.

Friday – Tacos or Southwestern Casserole (Recipease) - I'm going to try to make this ahead of time since we seem to get home later on Friday's and really don't feel like cooking. If I can put it right in the oven when I get home, we might have it otherwise it'll be tacos!

The weekend never goes as planned but here’s what I hope to make.

Saturday – Chicken Club Sandwiches (Glimpse of SonShine), homemade potato chips

Update: Moving to Sunday Night. We had lunch meat sandwiches since we weren't home.

Sunday - Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumpling, Chicken Club Sandwiches (Glimpse of SonShine), homemade potato chips
Update: The sandwiches and chips went over very well. We spiced up the chicken a bit with some cajun seasoning. I made the potato chips. These were a hit with all the kids in the neighborhood. They couldn't believe I made our chips and had to try them. Hopefully they ran home and asked their moms to make some...LOL.

Day 69 and 70, Food and Exercise Logs

Blogging on the weekends is really getting tough. Here's my weekend food intake and exercise log.

Saturday:
Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 33

Breakfast:
Banana Bread (4 points)

Lunch:
Clif Bar - Blueberry Crisp (4 points)
Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino (made with white milk) (4 points)

Snack:
Banana Bread (4 points)

Dinner:
Egg Salad Sandwich (6 points)

Late night snack:
Pizza (small square pieces) (12 points)

Exercise: none

Daily Points Used: 24
Weekly Points Used: 10

Sunday
Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 23

Breakfast:
Egg Sandwich (4 points)

Lunch:
Banana bread (4 points)

Dinner:
BW3 - Grilled Chicken Bufflitos (16 points)

Exercise:
None

Daily Points Used: 24
Weekly Points Used 0

Overall thought: Our weekends need to be better planned. With being on the go all weekend and maybe stopping by the house for a half an hour at a time, I think I did pretty good. I have decided that until I get my weight to a certain point I will not be eating BW3's. Workouts need to be incorporated into my weekend routine as well.

5 Budget Busters

Andrea over at Mommy Snacks (check out her snacks!!) has tagged me with a Budget Buster meme. I need to list 5 things that bust my budget and then tag 3 bloggers to do the same.

1. Tim Horton’s Iced Cappucino – I don’t know what it is about these coffees but I seem to not be able to drive past a Tim Horton’s in the morning and not pick up a coffee. The price of these recently went up so I am paying even more for them.

2. My kids – I love my kids! When they want something, it seems like they always get it. They want to go somewhere, we take them. I love to clothes shop for them and I can really go overboard (not in price but in quantity). They are both into sports and other activities and it gets pretty costly with the fees and equipment.

3. Magazines – How many magazines do purchase a month? Almost every woman’s magazine published! Ok, maybe I am exaggerating a little bit but not much. I love to read magazines and I have more time to read through a magazine than I do a book.

4. Gifts – Baby showers, bridal showers, birthdays…it doesn’t matter what it is I usually go overboard on the gift. I like to put a nice gift basket together for whatever occasion it is. What can I say, I’m a giver! At least the creative piece of my brain is getting used.

5. Tanning – Yeah, I tan… I pay for tanning visits until summer when I go for the natural sun (thank goodness for our pool). I have to try new lotions all the time. I don’t know what it is about a tan but it can definitely change the way you feel about yourself.

Ok…here's who I'm tagging.
Cassie at Homeschooling Four
Marcy at Stretching a Buck
Southerner at Southern Seven

Day 68, Food and Exercise Log

Interview day! Excited but also nervous... I don't know that I want the job but I'm going for the interview experience.

Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 33

Breakfast:
Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino (made with white milk) (4 points)
Banana (2 points)

Lunch:
Lean Pocket - chicken fajita (5 points)

Dinner:
We went to the Dragon's game and I was able to hold off until we got home. I was proud of myself but my choice of dinner still wasn't that good.
2 pieces cheese pizza (12 points)

Exercise:
1.5 miles walking on my treadmill

Daily Points Used: 23
Weekly Points Used: 0

Overall thought: Not really a bad day but I really need to get more exercise in. This was the start to what was a BUSY weekend.

Making the Most of Your Economic Stimulus Check

Kroger is offering a 10% bonus if you put your stimulus check on a Kroger gift card!

Sears and Kmart is also offering a 10% bonus. This is a little different. You must present your check at the register to convert it into a gift card.

Check out Carrie's post at Money Saving Methods for more details.

Toys R Us: $5 off $25 Purchase

Received an email about a 2-day sale at Toys R Us...it also included a coupon.

Toys R Us has a coupon here that allows you to save $5 on purchase of $25 or more – good this Friday and Saturday ONLY.

Day 67, Food and Exercise Log

Another busy day here at work.

Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 35

Breakfast:
Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino (made with white milk) (4 points)
Banana (2 points)

Lunch:
Progesso Soup - Light Italian Style Vegetable (0 points)
Quaker Apple Cinnamon Mini Rice Cakes (1 point)

Snack:
Clif Bar - Chocolate Chip (4 points)

Dinner:
Family Size Burrito (1 serving) (9 points)

Dessert:
Slice of banana bread (6 points)

Exercise:
1.25 miles walking on my treadmill
2 miles/300 calories on elliptical
Strength training @ YMCA
2 miles walking on treadmill

Daily Points Used: 24
Weekly Points Used: 2

Overall thought: It sure pays to have healthy food on hand. I originally had lunch plans that got cancelled because I needed an outfit for my interview. I didn't have time to pick up something to eat - took me that long to find an outfit. Instead of giving in to the vending machine, I opened my desk drawer to healthier choices. Strength training at the YMCA was fun and felt great. I definitely do not have any upper body strength.

Good news!!!

The last 24 hours has been pretty miserable for me. Nothing has gone my way...not even remotely close. I just got a call for an interview on Friday afternoon (with my current company for a better position)! Very exciting news until I realized I didn't have anything to wear. I've never interviewed...what do I wear?!?! On top of that, I received an email from a company that I had applied at...they want to set up an interview as well. Now I'm so confused, stressed, and all the other mixed emotions that come with (possibly) changing jobs. What will I do about my vacation? I have so much of it and it's all already scheduled. It will be something to be discussed, if the job is offered to me.

Weighing In #10

Weigh in day again! FINALLY, I get to report a weight loss. I lost 3 pounds. However, someone broke my scale - the piece that covers the little arm and numbers. Every time I got on, it would fall off (I’d hit it with my toe). I did get readings from 3-5 pounds so I am going with the lower amount. I’ll glue it back on that way I don’t have to change scales and possibly get a different weight reading.

Again, I finished the week with weekly allowance points remaining. Even though I have points remaining, I don’t think my food (and drink) choices were very good. I need to pull out my recipes and look for things that are healthier and less fattening! I’ll post some recipes on this site for others that might be looking for healthier, less fattening and/or Weight Watcher recipes.

As far as my workouts, I need to make sure that I am getting a workout in on Saturday and Sunday. I did pick up a few schedules for fitness classes and am going to try to work a few of them into my routine. I’ll have to see how I can fit them in with the soccer schedules (both boys are playing). I’m also planning to workout or walk on my lunch hour except for Fridays (lunch with mom). Here’s the breakdown of my workouts this week:

Total miles walked: 10.25 miles
Total miles jogged: 2.0 miles

Total miles on elliptical: 18.78 miles

hand weights

stability ball crunches

Leg press/extensions

My goals for this week are to LOSE 2 pounds (at least). I’m going to continue with the workouts that I have been doing. I will also be trying to add in a few of the fitness classes.

Day 66, Food and Exercise Log

Wow what a busy day! I have lots of work to complete before going home today. I had to run back home (30 minutes from here) to get my son under control and change his pants (Ugh!)

Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 35

Breakfast:
Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino (made with white milk) (4 points)
Hard boiled egg (2 points)

Lunch:
Progresso Zesty Light Southwest-Style Vegetable Soup (0 points!)
Turkey Sandwich (3 points)
Pineapples (1 point)

Snack:
Quaker Apple Cinnamon Mini Rice Cakes (1 point)

After workout:
1/2 Clif Bar - Peanut Butter (2 points)

Dinner:
Family Size Burrito (1 serving) (9 points)

Exercise:
1.25 miles walking on my treadmill
walk on break time
4.1 miles/600 calories on elliptical
2 miles walking on my treadmill

Daily Points Used: 22
Weekly Points Used: 0

Overall thought: It was a pretty good day. I knew dinner was going to "cost" me quite a bit so I had one serving (maybe a little less). I came in under on points today as well. If I keep this up, I might be fine over the weekend when my bf wants to go out to dinner (not planned, but expected).

Mark Your Calendars - April 29th and 30 - Cheap and Free Ice Cream

April 30th is $.31 scoop night at Baskin-Robbins. Purchase ice cream between 5-10 pm and you can get up to 10 scoops for the $.31 price. Read more about it here.

Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream will be giving away FREE cones on Tuesday, April 29. Click here to find the closest Scoop Shop.

For those in the Dayton, OH area, I found Ben & Jerry's Dayton 1934 Brown StreetDayton, OH 45409.

Go Organic! for Earth Day Coupon Book

Be on the look out for your Go Organic! coupon book. It has more than $18 worth of coupons in it. I found mine last night at Krogers (even took a few extras for friends). I even used the Clif/Luna coupon out of it. It was in the store lobby with the other coupons. To find a store near you, click here.

Day 65, Food and Exercise Log

Last day before weigh in...I've got to make it a good one!!

Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 9

Breakfast:
Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino (made with white milk) (4 points)
Quaker Apple Cinnamon Mini Rice Cakes (1 point)

Snack:
Banana (2 points)

Lunch:
Progresso Zesty Light Southwest-Style Vegetable Soup (0 points!)
Turkey Sandwich (3 points)
Pineapples (1 point)

Dinner: (not a good one)
Peanut Butter Clif Bar (4 points)
String Cheese (2 points)

Exercise:
1.25 mile walk on my treadmill
4 miles/45 mins/600 calories on elliptical
Hand Weights
2 miles walking on my treadmill

Daily Points Used: 17
Weekly Points Used: 0

Overall thought: A little episode around dinner had me a little stressed so rather than possibly over eating I went to the treadmill. Since dinner was chicken, I wasn't about to reheat it in the microwave. I was left with a cheese stick and found a Clif bar that I had purchased the other night with a coupon from my Go Organic coupon book.

A Few Freebies

I wanted to pass along to you some freebies that I found this morning.

Energizer Hearing Aid Battery

Energizer and Susan G Komen for the Cure - Free Tote Bag offer
- you must purchase energizer batteries and send in the mail-in certificate (expires 12/31/2008)

Icy Hot

Prilosec OTC

15 FREE 4x6 Prints @ Walgreens - Today ONLY

15 reasons to smile on Tax Day!

Order 15 Free prints at Walgreens. Enter coupon code TAXDAY.


What perfect timing! I want to get a few photos from this weekend printed. Now I will get them printed for free!

Gas Prices & Saving on Gas

I was checking gas prices today in our area. This morning I passed a gas station that had gas for $3.18. That same station is now selling gas for $3.45! I was going to post about how much I was saving on gas since my fuel filter and pump had been replaced (thanks to my fiance'). Not the case now that gas has gone up almost $.30 a gallon in a matter of 6 hours!

Instead, I'll leave you with some tips on saving on gas...
1. Don’t speed (bad habit of mine).

2. Avoid "jack rabbit" starts – accelerate slowly.

3. Anticipate stops – don’t slam on the brakes.

4. Keep your tires properly inflated.

5. Avoid traffic jams and stop-n-go driving, if possible.

6. Travel light. De-junk your vehicle – remove unnecessary items, bike racks, and ski racks.

7. Combine trips.

8. Leave off the air conditioning (definitely not needed around here today).

9. Make sure your vehicle has had proper maintenance – air filters, spark plugs, fluid levels and possibly even the fuel filter.

10. Drive less (wish I could get on the work from home plan).

What are gas prices like in your neck-of-the-woods?

Day 64, Food and Exercise Log

Now I really have to watch my points since I am down to just 9 weekly allowance left and 2 more days before that refeshes.

Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 9

Breakfast:
Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino (made with white milk) (4 points)
Banana (2 points)

Lunch:
Progresso Zesty Light Southwest-Style Vegetable Soup (0 points!)
Turkey Sandwich (3 points)

Snack:
Quaker Cinnamon Apple Rice Cakes (1 point)

Dinner:
Cheeseburger, French fries (baked) and pineapples (13 points)

Exercise:
1 mile walking on my treadmill
50 weighted crunches on stability ball
4 miles/45 minutes/600 calories on elliptical
1 mile jogging on my treadmill

Daily Points Used: 23
Weekly Points Used: 0

Overall thought: I really had to watch my snacks today. Instead of snacking, I picked up my water bottle. I'm pretty much full of water at this point. I'll watch the water intake tomorrow since weigh in day is quickly approaching. I had planned on trying out a new fitness class tonight but forgot about parent/teacher conferences...dang it!

Menu Plan Monday 4/14/08

It's Menu Plan Mondays over at "I'm an Organizing Junkie". We're going to try some new recipes this week. The Tangy Slow Cooker Pork Roast went over very well! We didn't have the Honey Mustard chicken on Saturday as planned so I've put it back on the menu for this week. Over the next week, I'll be looking for recipes that are lower in fat. We have a 30th class reunion to go to in a few months so my fiance and I are both going to be committed to losing weight (NOTE: not my reunion - I just celebrated my 30th anniversay of birth last year!).

Monday- Cheeseburgers, French fries, fresh pineapples

Tuesday - Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken, pasta salad, fruit

Wednesday - Family Size Burrito

Thursday - Buffalo Chicken Chili Mac

Friday - Take out (travel night - taking son to grandmother's house an hour or so away)

Saturday - Buffalo Wing Pizza

Sunday - Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings

A Few Freebies

Thought I would pass on a few freebies that I found...

Free bottle of Benefiber (or $5.99 off your next purchase)

Free samples from DenTek (use redemption code INS1VS) - You will get to select 2 products after answering the questions.

Day 63, Food and Exercise Log

I'm not off to a very good start. I definitely need to work on my weekends!!

Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 17

Breakfast:
Egg, sausage, home fries, biscuit (15 points)

Dinner:
Pork roast, mashed potatoes, corn (9 points)

Dessert:
1 piece Butter Pecan cake with Cream cheese frosting (8 points)

Exercise:
Again, no "formal" exercise. Cleaned the whole house.

Daily Points Used: 24
Weekly Points Used: 8

Overall thought: My weekend food intake really need to improve. I've got to make better choices on the weekend and get exercise in.

Day 62, Food and Exercise Log

Seems like we have a busy weekend planned. We're going to spend the day up at the "property" (aka SIL's land). We will be riding 4-wheelers, dirt bikes, grilling out and having a fire! Then tomorrow we are going to look at a few campers (for our summer vacation).

Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 31

Breakfast:
Egg Sandwich (5 points)
Tim Horton's Iced Capp (made with white milk) (4 points)

Snack:
2 chocolate cookies (4 points)

Lunch:
Subway Club on Wheat (6 points)

Dinner:
Cheeseburger (8 points)
2 Smirnoff Ice (11 points)

Exercise:
No "formal" exercise but I did walk all over the hilly 12 acres that the boys were riding their 4 wheelers on. It was a better workout than my morning or evening treadmill walks.

Daily Points Used: 24
Weekly Points Used: 14

Overall thought: My weekends need work!!!!

A Few Freebies

Just wanted to pass along a few freebies that I found today.

Free address labels from Paralyzed Veterans of America

Free sample of PowerPak from Physician's Preference Vitamins & Supplements

Free sample of Garlic Gold

Free sample of Extra Topping from Dog Lover's Choice

Free Flexitol Sample - you choose the sample

Free 16 pods from Senseo - must take a survey

Day 61, Food and Exercise Log

Happy Friday! I'm SO glad it's Friday and the work week is coming to an end! I don't like the thought of a rainy weekend but maybe I can get some stuff done at home that I have been putting off AND get some exercise in.

Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 33

Breakfast: the usual - I came across a recipe to make something similar. It won't cost me few points but it will cost me fewer dollars!
Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino (made with white milk) (4 points)

Snack:
Banana (2 points)

Lunch:
6 in Subway Club on Wheat (6 points)

Dinner:
2 slices of pizza (8 points)
Cocktail!! (6 points)

Exercise:
1 mile walking on my treadmill
100 crunches on stability ball
4 miles/45 minutes/600 calories on the elliptical
Leg Press - 3 sets of 15
Leg Extensions - 10

Daily Points Used: 24
Weekly Points Used: 2

Overall thought: With the exception of the cocktail, the day wasn't really bad. If your just joining me, I have this problem on Friday's - I'm ALWAYS REALLY hungry! I got more exercise in today than I normally do for a Friday as well. I'm definitely making progress even though the scale hasn't moved!

Day 60, Food and Exercise Log

Beware - bad mood Thursday going on here!

Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 34

Breakfast:
Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino (made with white milk) (4 points)

Snack:
Banana (2 points)

Lunch:
Progresso Zesty Light Southwest-Style Vegetable Soup (0 points!)
- I'm not one to eat brothy soups but this is good. I think I need to go to Kroger and get more while they are on sale!
Toasted Cheese Sandwich (3 points)

Snack:
1/2 cup pears (1 point)
2 pieces of dark chocolate (3 points)

Dinner:
Meatball with crescent roll (10 points)
Celery with ranch dressing (4 points)

Exercise:
1 mile walking on my treadmill
4 miles/600 calories/45 minutes on the elliptical w/arms
1 mile walking on my treadmill

Daily Points Used: 24
Weekly Points Used: 3

Overall thought: Today was ok up until the point that I had the two pieces of dark chocolate. After that wore off, I went down hill PLUS my fiance came home last night. He didn't want what was planned for dinner so the kids changed their mind too. I felt GREAT when I left the YMCA last night. I pushed myself to get the extra mileage in since the weekend is approaching and exercise is almost non-existant on the weekend. HOWEVER, the temperature is supposed to drop back down into the 40's and have rain so maybe a workout or two will happen this weekend. We'll see.

A Few Freebies

Here's a few freebies I came across this evening. Just click on the product name.

REACH® ACCESS™ FLOSSER

ACTIV-FLEX™ Lightweight Cohesive Tape

Metamucil Berry Burst!

Greenies Pet Sample (Dental Chew/Treat)

Gas X Sample with coupon

WFMW: Free Gym Memberships

It’s Work for Me Wednesday over at Rocks in My Dryer. I’d like to share what works for me. Free gym memberships work for me! I like to add a little variety to my workouts and try new things. Depending on the gym, you may get access to a trainer. Since these memberships can range from a day – 30 days, I use this time to ask questions and get ideas of what I could do to help me lose weight (plus use their equipment). There is a catch to these FREE memberships. They will hassle you into purchasing a membership. If you are open with them and tell them upfront that you are not currently interested in joining, they normally leave you alone.

I’ve compiled a (small) list of some fitness clubs/gyms that offer free trial memberships. I have found that just about any fitness club will give you a day or week free trial – just ask.

24 Hour Fitness - 7 day free trial

Fitworks - Free 21 day Membership

Bally’s Total Fitness - Free 2 week guest pass

Dolphin Fitness Clubs - Free 7 day membership

NeoLimits - Free 14 day trial membership

Gold’s Gym – 1 day free membership

Curves – 3 weeks free offer
got milk?From March 17th through July 17th, 2008, get 3 Weeks free at Curves when you bring in 3 Milk Caps to a participating Curves club. Offer valid with 3 milk caps from any 3 fluid milk containers. Three free weeks must be redeemed on first visit or exchanged for special membership discount. Limit of one 3 week Curves membership per person. New members only. Valid only at participating Curves locations. Offer valid only in US.

Free Stroller Fit Class – find a location near you, register then print your coupon

FitQuest (West Chester, OH) – free two week trial membership

Ideal Fitness – 5 day free pass

Fitness 19 – 5 day guest pass (For locations, www.fitness19.com)

Fitness First (Ohio location) – Free week membership and free Yoga class

GlobalFit - 1 day free pass

Fitness First - 1 day free pass

Premiere Ladies Fitness (Ohio) – I didn’t find anything on their website but they almost always offer a free 30 day membership. I tried them out years ago on a 30 day free membership.

Weighing In #9

Weigh in day for me! It was supposed to be exciting. I was really counting on the scale moving in the downward direction. Instead, it didn’t move at all! I wanted to cry. However, I think it might have to do with my TOM. I have heard that some people gain anywhere from 2-6 pounds in water weight during their TOM. To stay positive, I’m going to blame it on that and hope the weight is gone (plus some for this coming week) when I get on the scale next Wednesday.

I finished the week with 4 weekly allowance points and didn’t add in the exercise/activity points that I earned (too much for me to keep track of). Could I have eaten better? Definitely! I’m working on my menu for next week and things are going to be better. My family will have to learn to like less fattening food or they will learn to cook their own dinners. I have got to lose this weight! My water intake was really high over the last week too. There was only one time that I had something other than water to drink.

I worked out everyday and gave 110%! I normally do not work out on the weekend (Friday – Sunday). This past week I did something everyday! I even started getting up at 4:00 a.m. to get that extra workout. My walking and elliptical routines are never the same – I add an incline or resistance and vary the workout. I do need to add some variety though but want to make sure that I am physically ready for it. So, it might still be a week or two before start back on my fitness classes. Here’s the breakdown of my workouts this week:

Total miles walked: 14 miles
Total miles on elliptical: 11.4 miles
hand weights
stability ball crunches
30 minute bike ride

My goals for this week are to LOSE 2 pounds (at least). I’m hoping for more than that and will work towards at least double that. I’m going to continue with the workouts that I have been doing. I need to add in my jump rope routine and even the strength training machines at the YMCA (leg press, abdominals, chest press…those machines).

I had cleaned out my closet and got rid of LOTS of clothes (actually, they are in bags in my family room until I decide what to do with them). Since my fiancé is out of town, I have been going through what I decided to keep (no summer clothes in my current size!) I did come up with two outfits that I would *heart* to get back into (pic below)...which would maybe even mean more date nights!!

Day 59, Food and Exercise Log

Ugh, I'm tired!! Well, it's time to refresh the weekly points. Weigh in day!

Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 35

Breakfast:
Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino (made with white milk) (4 points)
Banana (2 points)

Snack:
Banana (2 points)

Lunch: Progresso Zesty Light Southwest-Style Vegetable Soup (0 points!)
Toasted Cheese Sandwich (3 points)

Snack:
EAS AdvantEDGE Carb Control - Chocolate Peanut Butter (after workout) (4 points)

Dinner:
Meatball Sandwich (9 points)

Snack:
1 cup grapes (1 point)

Exercise:
1 mile walking on my treadmill
Walked outside @ lunch: 4 laps/35 minutes - not sure of the distance...it was over a mile
2.78 miles/30 minutes/400 calories on elliptical
1 mile walking/1 mile jogging on my treadmill

Daily Points Used: 24
Weekly Points Used: 1

Overall thought: I thought today went pretty well with the exception of the weigh in. I'll keep up with the exercise like I have been doing. If things remain the same next week (no weight loss), it will be off to the doctor for me to make sure there's not something else going on there.

Workout Wednesday - Stability Ball

Workout Wednesday: Stability Ball

I call it a Stability ball but you may know it as a Swiss ball. Stability balls are simply large, vinyl balls on which you can perform a number of strengthening exercises. By learning to balance your weight on the ball, your back, stomach/ABS and buttocks areas all get a workout.

There’s nothing quite like a stability-ball workout. It's easy to learn basic moves, and you don't need a lot of space or special equipment.

Early last year, I took several fitness classes that incorporated the use of the stability ball. I will share 7 of my favorite (I could write about many, many more of them) that do not include the use of weights. Using weights with a stability ball will be posted in a different Workout Wednesday post.

If you have questions about these exercise, leave me a comment.

Crunches:
Lie on your back on top of the ball with your legs bent at a 90-degrees and feet firmly on the ground. (The stability ball should be between your hips and shoulders following the curvature of the spine.) You can pick where you put your arms - across your chest, behind your neck, or out in front of you. Do NOT pull on your neck, if you decide to place your hands behind your neck. Relax in this position to obtain a stretch of the abdominal wall. Now flex your midsection raising your shoulder blades off the stability ball. Squeeze the abs at the top of the motion and slowly lower yourself back to a fully relaxed and stretched position.

Pass the Ball:
Lie on your back on the floor with your arms over your head holding the stability ball and legs straight out. Don’t let it touch the floor. Begin to raise your arms up at the same time begin to raise your legs up until the two meet. Now pass the ball from your hands to your feet and lower your arms and legs back to the floor. Again, do not allow the ball to touch the floor. Continue passing the ball from feet to hands, lower, raise, hands to feet using your midsection. Repeat.

Crisscross:
Lie on your back with the ball in your hands, above your stomach. With your back against the floor, raise your legs to a 45 degree angle from your hips. Raise head, neck and shoulders off the floor. Bend your right knee and bring it towards your chest. As you do this, bring your hand and the ball down towards your left knee (which should still be straight at a 45 degree angle). Continue switching legs as the ball moves up and over toward the straight leg. Repeat.

Side Bend with Straight Leg Side Lift:
Begin on both knees. Hug the ball into one hip. Lean sideways over the ball (hip and side against the ball) with you hands behind your head. Straighten and lift the leg that’s away from the ball to hip-height while leaning into the ball. Don’t move away from the ball. Do 10 times before switching to the other side.

Diamond Hip Lifts:
Place your ball against the wall. Lie on your back, with your feet on top of the ball and soles of your feet together, knees open out to the side (your legs should look like a diamond). Apply pressure to the ball with the outside of your feet, pressing your knees open wider, lift your hips up and squeeze your buttocks (maintain the diamond shape with your legs). Lower to the starting position. After repeating a couple times, hold your hips up, squeeze your buttocks and pulse for 10 counts.

Grasshopper:
Lie over the ball in a prone position with your upper thighs slightly turned out on the ball, feet together and knees pointed out in a slight V, with elbows on the floor. Lift both knees of the ball, while squeezing your buttocks (pelvis will remain against the ball). (You might think you are going to flip over…my first try, I did.) Return to starting position with your knees on the ball. Repeat.

Reverse Crunch on the Floor:
Very similar to Pass the Ball except you will not pass the ball. The ball will stay on the ground over your head. Your legs point up to the ceiling, as straight as possible. Hold you legs firmly together in a parallel position by lining up your ankle joints, the inside of your knees, and your upper thigh bones. Lower your legs halfway to the ground (your core will be engaged). Don’t let your lower back leave the floor! At the point where you feel your muscular control is about to run out, roll your legs overhead (to the ball), and exhale into the muscles surrounding the rib cage. Your feet end up resting on top of the ball (you should have legs straight from your buttocks to your heels). Exhale and roll down one vertebra at a time. Remember not to let your legs/feet touch the floor!

Sorry that I don’t have pictures. I’m not in shape to have my picture taken and couldn’t talk anyone else into it. If I can come across some, I’ll post them.

Day 58, Food and Exercise Log

Tomorrow is weigh in day. I can't wait. I'm really hoping for a weight loss.

Daily Allowance Points: 24
Weekly Allowance Points: 12

Breakfast:
Tim Horton's Iced Cappucino (made with white milk) (4 points)
Banana (2 points)

Lunch:
Progresso Zesty Light Southwest-Style Vegetable Soup (0 points!)
Toasted Cheese Sandwich (3 points)

Snack:
1 cup grapes (1 point)

Dinner:
Cheeseburger, French fries (baked) and pineapples (13 points)

Dessert:
Small Ice cream come (9 points)

Exercise:
1 mile walking on my treadmill
Walked outside @ lunch: 4 laps/35 minutes - not sure of the distance...it was over a mile
2.7 miles/30 minutes/405 calories on the elliptical
2 miles walking on my treadmill

Daily Points Used: 24
Weekly Points Used: 8

Overall thought: I did it! I finished the week with points to spare! I worked out quite a bit today, if you take into consideration all the other things that I did. With my fiance out of town, it's been pretty nice. I could exercise instead of sleep! Now for the big weigh in...

Barrel Beware!

Dear Orange Barrel,

I’m writing you today to let you know that I am annoyed by your presence. I'm tired of you following me around. When you showed up at I-70 and I-75 (almost 7 years ago), I thought that you were just coming into the area to check out the site for a couple months (or a couple years at the most). Not the case. You’re still there and you’ve called in your gang to surround me, as if that major intersection wasn’t enough. You were on St Rte 202 and I-70 until I found a way around you. Then you decided to move over to St Rte 201 and I-70. Again, I was able to find my way around you for the most part. Now you’re headed to the area of I-75 and Rte 4.

The sad part about this is that you have found out other places that I visit/travel and are starting to send your gang out in those locations (i.e. St Rte 73 and I-75 close to 129). I guess I can plan on see you and/or your gang along our route to Myrtle Beach?!?

Well, I wanted to finish my saying, I DON'T like you! Would you please leave me alone and stop stalking me? Before I take you permanently out of business with my soccer mom mobile!

Signed,
Mom_of2boys

A Few Freebies

Just wanted to pass on a few freebies that I found this evening...

Eucerin Calming Creme

John Frieda Sheer Blonde or Brilliant Brunette Lustrous Touch

John Frieda Frizz Ease Straight Ahead or Curl Around Shampoo, Conditioner and Serum

Freebie - April 19th, Walmart

On April 19th at 8am, you can pick up a free Nickelodeon's The Big Green Help seed card. You can plant it and watch it grow into a beautiful wildflower.

Also, pick up your free custom-made reusable bag that they will be giving away at the same time.

*Both are while supplies last.

Could I walk a little more?

The answer to that question is “YES!” Even though I have been walking or trying to walk at least 3 miles a day on my treadmill, I could still use a little more walking. Here are a few things that I have been doing…

Parking further out in the parking lot – whether it’s at work (which I normally park probably 15 steps from the door) or at the store

Take small walks around the office throughout the day – we try to walk on your two breaks that we are allowed but I also get up at least once an hour to walk about for a couple minutes. I also send all my print jobs to the other side of the building so I get more walking in.

Walk during your lunch hour – this kind of goes with the last one but this would probably be a longer walk. I plan to start doing this when the weather is nice. I hate to walk by myself but I put the weight on by myself so I’ll have to work to get it off by myself.

Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator – I’ll let everyone else take the elevator or escalator and Ill take the longer approach to getting upstairs.

Make several trips to unload that car – It seems like every morning we load the van up with everything from the house to go to work and daycare. Then I have to take it all back into the house when we get home. So I do it in several trips.

I walk when I am on the phone at home – nothing major, just up and down the hallway, in and out of bedrooms…

I can’t wait to mow the lawn – it will be all walking since we have such a small yard. We’re looking for some land and I told my fiancé I would push mow the yard even if we had 10 acres. (If we ever get any acreage, I’ll let you where my last statement still stands or not.)

Walk to the store when you are only going after a few small items – I’ve done this with the kids when I wanted an extra Sunday paper or they want ice cream. We walk to UDF.

Other ways to get more walking in that I don’t do are:

Walk your dog – don’t have a dog to walk

Walk your children to school instead of driving – I’m at work when my kid’s go to school otherwise, I would do this one (at least in when the weather permitted)

Take laundry (or other items) upstairs in small trips versus everything at once – we don’t have stairs in our house otherwise, I would consider it.

Do you have any other ideas? What do you do to get more walking in?

Menu Plan Monday 4/7/2008

It's Menu Plan Mondays over at "I'm an Organizing Junkie". I wanted to add in some Weight Watcher recipes but my fiance is out of town so I'll be cooking for the kids this week. My fiance should be home on Friday so it will be back to real dinners on Saturday.

Monday - Chicken Strips, mashed potatoes, corn

Tuesday - Cheeseburgers, French fries, pineapples

Wednesday - Meatball sandwiches

Thursday - Spaghetti w/meatballs, garlic bread

Friday - Pizza (didn't have it last week)

Saturday - Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken, pasta salad, fruit

Sunday - Tangy Slow Cooker Pork Roast, sweet potato fries