Our First Challenge Winner is.......

Woot! Way to go Gwennaelle!

Sorry it took me  a few days to post this. I'm being totally lazy this week. But, I am SO ready to get back on the wagon Monday morning, when we'll start up a whole new challenge. It would be great to get a few more participants, so girls if you know anybody interested in getting healthy, send them over.

Gwennaelle, I'd really like to post your picture over there on the side. I might just go steal one off of your facebook page!!!!
Now, tell me. Can you use the $25 giftcard, or would it work with the exchange rate? I don't know how any of that works. Let me know what you think. I could send you some goodies instead....peanut butter....a scarf...a new bikini....lol. Let me know what you think!

the best best best juice ever

Alright, after a steak and rice I was still hungry so I fixed myself another fruit juice:

One big orange

A cup of frozen cherries

A cup and a half of water with two tea spoon of brown sugar (not white) and two tea spoon of Rose water.

Several slices of ginger

This makes about a pint and it is just sooooo good.

15 points

Sunday is always my lowest day but I don't care :)

Hope you had fun during this challenge. I did.

Last day of the challenge!!!

Hey Ladies!! This is it....the last day of our first challenge. How did you do????

Me? Not so great.

So, anyway. Post your points for the four weeks will ya, so we can determine who our winner is. I know it's not me! LOL


I'll add mine up and post them either tonight or in the morning.

What do you think? Are you guys up for another round? I seriously need to redeem myself. I think we need a week off in between though.
Let me know what you think. If you're on board with more of this, if this hasn't really worked for you, or if there are some other things you might like to include in the points, or things we should eliminate.

Hope you have a relaxing Sunday!

19 points

freaking tired. Date went well :P I did not get a chance to tell all the things I wanted to but it was great anyway.

I almost ran away at the end, felt embarrassed, I don't know why. He was kind of surprised to.

Going to bed.

'Night

Thinspiration

I love Pinterest. You find so much fun stuff on there!

Saw this this morning, and I love it.

Have a great weekend ladies!!

22 points

22 points today and tomorrow is going to be a low day I think. Unless I find a way to eat healthy which I know is really hard for me to do when I go to Lyon.

We shall see.

26 points today

Tomorrow I'll go running with my little toy to check and control my heart beat. i love how I found out that I am able to lower or make it go faster on purpose. I can control my heart pretty well but not for too long. I wish I could let you play with this toy.

Belly fat

I wanted to share some exercises from an article from All You magazine here. The link's there < if you want to check it out in it's entirety. I just thought it might be easier to see it all laid out on one page here.

Belly fat is one of my bigger issues on my health journey. I have quite a bit of it, so I love coming across articles like this with exercises to target that area.

All you need is a flat surface and a broomstick. The article suggests doing these five exercise three times a week. I think I'm going to start doing this and then supplementing the other two days with a cardio/toning workout and maybe try to get a half hour walk in each day, or at least some other form of exercise.
I keep telling you guys I hate running, and I really do...but I wish I didn't. I'm always so impressed and amazed by runners. I just wish I had it in me to do it. Maybe if I had some really good running shoes and a REALLY good running bra, I'd give it a try....or not.

anywho, here are the exercises:

.

1. BELLY BLASTER: Windshield wiper

1Lie on your back with your arms out to the side and knees bent. Keep your knees together, feet lifted and shoulders firmly on the floor while you rotate your knees to the right, then lower them toward the floor. Return knees to center and rotate them to the left. Return to center. Do 10 touches on each side, working your way up to 20.

2. BELLY BLASTER: The vacuum

Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Take a deep breath that noticeably extends your belly. Exhale all the air out and pull your belly button in toward your spine―as if your stomach and lower back could meet. Tighten your abdominal muscles. Hold for 2 seconds, then relax your abdominal muscles and breathe normally. Repeat 10 times.

3. BELLY BLASTER: Broomstick lifts

Holding a broomstick, lie on the floor with your legs and arms extended, palms facing the ceiling. Lift the broom off the floor over your head, coming to a seated position, as you bend and lift your knees until your calves are parallel to the floor. Bring the broomstick to your knees (or as far as you can go). Hold for 2 seconds, then return to start. Repeat 10 times. Work your way up to 20.

4. BELLY BLASTER: The plank

Lie on your stomach and rest on your forearms. Lift your body off the ground so your weight is resting on your elbows and toes. Keep your abs tight and try to make a straight line from your head to heels. Hold for 15 seconds, rest and repeat three times. Over time, increase the hold in five-second increments until you've worked up to a full minute.

5. BELLY BLASTER: Torso twists

Sitting with your knees bent, feet on floor and hands on your hips, draw your abdominals in. Lean back slightly and soften your back, making a slight C-shape with your torso. (The farther you lean back, the more challenging the exercise.) Next, rotate your entire torso (not just your shoulders), starting at your hips, to your right side. Return to the center, then turn to the left. Return to center and repeat for 20 to 30 seconds.


I think I definitely need to plan more. My meals, my snacks, my exercise routine...everything. Without a plan, I'm just not getting it done.

I am not losing steam

I am just channeling it in an other direction.

I am trying hard not to get too carried away with this story. I think he and I are grown ups who have had their share of heart aches and trials and if we want this story to last OR to have a beautiful end we need to take time. I hope I am not being too much of a jerk to him. Anyway I think we are going to talk a lot on Saturday. I'll keep you up to date.

If this works I guess I will need you two cause I don't feel like talking about it to my close friends and relatives beside my sisters (one is on her mission in Italy and the other fortunately is living in the same city as I do).

Yes, he is not a member and I know some people will be all eyes and ears. I guess I want to talk about it to anyone who is not a member and living in France.

But we first need to talk a lot on Saturday.

Basically, if I don't write here on Saturday it will mean that I am too busy to spend time with you :P

Anyway I got 22 points yesterday.

Ooops

I totally forgot to write here yesterday.

I did bad anyway like 19 points for my Aïkido class that got me 9 points and eating my calories range. I did not eat enough veggies and fruit and I kind of ate here and there.

Blah

Hey ladies, Im still here, and still trying to lose weight. Im just in a funk right now. My scale is steadily increasing even when I *know* it should be going down. Im eating healthy, exercising plenty and doing the right things (even with the wrong ones thrown in there). Im sure some of it has to be muscle increasing. I can visibly see some of my fat (especially on my legs) disappearing but the number on the scale is making me depressed. I know its just a number, but that number is taking over my life. I know this is silly to say but I could really use some prayers right now.

oh, my abs are gonna' hurt tomorrow!

So much for my big start to the final week. I got 5 points yesterday. How is that even possible?

Not even trying.

Different story today though. I did a cardio/ab sculpt workout this morning. I think I'll be sorry tomorrow. I think my abs are already hurting.

Got my power smoothie down already. Added a big ol' handful of spinach to some juice and frozen fruit. It came out very green today. Usually my boys like to give my smoothies a try. Justin just turned his nose up at it today. That's alright--more for me that way. It was actually pretty yummy. (frozen pineapple made it super sweet).

Saw this list of metabolism boosting foods and thought I'd share.
A few of them surprised me though......

Well, one of them suprprised me. Cottage cheese boosts your metabolism? Who would have thought?

I'll have to find out about that one. Sometimes I like cottage cheese. Depends on the curd size I think.

I've got three super ripe bananas to use up, I'm going to research a healthy recipe for them today. I'm thinking banana chocolate chip muffins. I'll share the recipe if they come out good.

Have a great day--and week!!

in and out

Just popping in real quick before I go to bed. I had to go into work tonight, and that put a kink in my plans for the day. (I was supposed to be off). I'll tally up my points for the day in the morning and post them then.

Sweet dreams for now!!

And,,,,,out!

23 points

I ran so well today that I did 45 minutes this time.

Then I rushed home for a shower cause I had a meeting for pictures.

Well it turned out it was to do porn pictures and I had already given my business card. I could not retrieve it. Too bad.

The whole thing lasted 1h15 and it was really funny to see how it was hard to make him tell me what he was expecting from me. When it eventually came out of his mouth I remained sooooo cool. I am impressed. Anyway it is going to cost him an arm and a leg to show me his little thingy. the best is that he knows he has a beautiful body. Ok ladies, you know at first glance despite the clothes when a man has a beautiful body right? Well I could not be as sure as he is.

I mean it was not to make porn pics exactly, it was to make pictures that will get him in this industry because he really believes in his potential you know girls? I mean every time he sees a woman he just want to f*ck her one way or another.

Er....Man do you realize that those adult movies actors are not just pervs but have real physical abilities? I mean you just told me that you can't do it when you're tired well movies are not going to be made when you're in shape, you have to be in shape for the movie and that's all.

My gosh....

And the best was that he was so stupid. I mean he did not understand a word out of two that came out of my mouth and we are supposed to both speak French. I should have guessed it was a bad idea when I had him on the phone and he had the same stupid accent as my ex.

Anyway, hope you had a great laugh.

worst week ever!

Seriously....93 points for the week! It would have been 69 if we didn't have those slacker points.

Can you tell I threw in the towel this week? Hardly made any effort.

Well, I'll be back on track tomorrow ladies. What about you??

Last week of the challenge coming up. I'm going to "challenge" myself to make it my best week yet. (that ain't saying much!)

Who's ready for a strong finish?

14 points today

I barely made it. I spent too much time today biting my nails, worrying about what to say, what to do, what is proper, what is not.

I almost forgot to eat or to take anything in waiting for "his" email.

Is this the best time? When anything is possible so you just wait anxiously showing enough interest to keep him coming but hoping you don't show too much so you don't scare him away.

And by the way tonight I hate our interpretation of what the gospel is supposed to be but I guess someday I will say "yay I am so glad things went this way".

It'd better happen.

Still here!

I'm still here. Yay.

I think Jon may have decided not to bother getting rid of the connection. We had a slight disagreement about it over the phone and he hung up on me; but hasn't said anything about it since. So we'll see.

If anything else goes wrong though, it'll be over I'm sure. (the internet connection, not our marriage lol).

Well, here's what my weekend has consisted of so far:

I'm pretty sure I've lost this challenge.
But, Monday starts a new week. Thank goodness for fresh starts!

23 points today again

Ok? Am I the only one here?

That'd be too bad :(

23 points

23 today and keeping my fingers crossed that everything will be alright for Mikki.

If not I think that if Khourt is interested we could make this blog and challenge permanent in a fun way that we could try to figure out.

At least this way Mikki could jump on back anytime she wants.

But let's hope nothing of the kind happens.

Super disappointed

Ladies, I may have to drop out of this challenge.

We're having some financial problems currently, and my husband feels one thing to help would be to eliminate our cable and internet connections to save money.

Don't know if it's going to happen for sure, but thought I'd give you a heads up. If I seem to disappear from the radar, then that's what happened.

I'm granting you both (Gwennaelle and Khourt) admin priveleges to the blog, so you can make changes if you need to.

Hope you choose to continue on with the challenge!

Thank you Mikki for the "healthy" link you posted.

I am going "healthy" too in my posts. Here is a little Breast cancer campaign awareness:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsyE2rCW71o&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL7B119E21BDE8595F

Dr. Oz says....

Wow, I got 5 points yesterday.

Just, wow!

I didn't keep a food journal yesterday, and I can't remember what I ate. I'm pretty sure I went over my limit though.

15 for today.

Way over my calorie limit.

I did exercise though.

I really need to plan out a menu for myself.

I think I'd do much better that way.

Saw this great list somewhere the other day. I added it to Pinterest and now I'm adding it here.

Click on the picture to go to Dr. Oz's page with this on it.

It's much easier to read there.

I really like Dr. Oz.

I think if he thinks the stuff on this list is ok, then it works for me too.

Saving my spot...

Just a quick fly-by post before I get more detailed tonight (when the kids are in bed) but yesterday was a LONG day for me and today wasnt much shorter. I ran 11.25 miles yesterday (longest run EVER) and today I feel surprisingly well. Not walking funny or anything ;)

The 2nd Team Losh event (hosted by the local homeschool 4H) happened tonight and we were able to attend. Losh had a blast. Ill get pictures and a better update on my progress later..

Ive been on track with eating healthy, but snacks are still killing me.

I am not done with my soda bottle yet :)

My Aïkido class got canceled because only the girls showed up (3) and on Thursday we are supposed to put the tatami back in the closet. Being only four it was nearly impossible so the teacher canceled the class.

So I worked out at home a little to have my exercising for the day.

Tomorrow I am buying a new thingy for my heart rate since the other one is not working. I should be able to use it on Saturday :)

Gosh I just remembered that I must take my pics back from the café where I was exhibiting them! They are going to hate me if I just leave them there.

Anyway my points for the day are 21-1=20

Back on the right track

I ran 45 minutes today because I could. I know I won't be doing this again as a regular thing.

I got 23 points but I am taking one out because I bought a bottle of diet coke which I intend to enjoy! Dang it :P

I had to go for it, it is not like it jumped in my fridge by accident. So I got 22 points for the day :)

Craptastic Week!

I'm blaming it on my period. That's all there is to it.
Oh my gosh, I was so sore yesterday! My cardio/sculpt workout on Monday tore me up. All I could bring myself to do yesterday was some very low key stretching. Like 10 minutes worth.
I have these fabulous varicose veins, and since I'm on my period, they're SCREAMING at me. They didn't help matters yesterday. Thank goodness, I thought to wear some compression hose to work last night. I think I would have been dying otherwise.

To top it off, I have thrown all caution to the wind when it comes to making good food choices. I had like, two cups of chocoalte nut crunch popcorn for breakfast yesterday. Actually it was more of a morning snack-I skipped breakfast. I made a special trip to the store JUST for a Pepsi. Thank gosh the food selections at work sucked last night. I made myself a turkey sandwich. I think that's the only thing that saved me from going over on my calories. But let me tell ya', I 've got my calories goal set pretty high, so that's not really saying much. I'm only aiming for a half a pound per week weight loss goal.

So, I managed 18 points yesterday, thanks to my high calorie goal. I think I should lower it, because I'm not even losing that half pound a week right now.

Haven't got my workout in yet today, and breakfast has consisted of a Pepsi and half a donut. Looks like I'm off to another spectacularly unsuccessful day.