Unwanted Christmas Gift

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas I gave myself an easy, but unwanted, Christmas gift--extra weight. I don't know what it is about that time of year, but all of my resolve hitched a ride to outer Mongolia and left me incapable of resisting the cookies, candies, chocolate, breads, desserts, turkey, mashed potatoes, yams, and ice cream. I just shoveled it in. In my defense, I did try to exercise a bit, but when all of my kids came home and wanted to hang out and do other stuff, I let that slide as well (we did do Just Dance several times so that counts, right?).

So, now I have this extra weight, but I don't want it. I don't like it. I want to return it and exchange my fat self for a thinner one.

Of course, we all know it ain't that easy so . . . .

I've gone back to my regular eating habits--no sweets, no ice cream--basically no white sugar or flour. Lots of salads, fruits, fiber, lean meat, and water. And I'm back to exercising every day.

I'm trying a new exercise program called KettleWorx. It's a 20 minute routine, 3 days a week, with a kettlebell. I add an extra 10 minute routine, use a heavier kettlebell, and do it 5 times a week. I like the routine and it feels like I'm getting stronger. Now, if I can just get that extra weight to drop off. Why is it so much easier to gain weight than to lose it?

Anyone know where I can return my unwanted Christmas gift? Do you think Walmart will take back these extra pounds--they take back everything else :).

Exercise is Killing Me!

I used to play basketball in high school. In college, I took aerobics classes and then found exercise shows on TV after I had kids. I loved working out to "Gilad's Bodies in Motion" in the 90s. I then found "The Firm" and "Tae Bo" videos/DVDs. I've worked out over the years, some times more than others depending on pregnancies.

One of my older daughters has returned home to go to a local college that is far less expensive than her out-of-state first year. And she's discovered P90X, a new exercise program on DVDs. My nephews have been doing P90X for a few years and talked a lot about it but I never thought much about it.

What is P90X? Well, it's death by exercise. No kidding--Tony Horton, the creator, is an exercise madman. This guy is definitely the inspiration for the Energizer Bunny. He's 45 and totally ripped. He looks better than most guys half his age. But, the guy really belongs in a torture camp.

This exercise program is not for the wimpy (me). It is a serious program that boasts a complete body change (if you stick with the program and follow it closely) in 90 days. I think all it will do to me is send me into cardiac arrest. But, I am going to stick with it nevertheless. My daughter will make sure of that.

I did Plyometrics this morning which is one of the 13 DVDs and is basically aerobics on crack. Lots of jumping and barely any time to breathe. But, if I can keep up with it without sucking so much air by the end of 90 days, I will really accomplish something. I want to be in better shape as well as take some weight off.

Wish me luck!

Weight Loss/Exercise

In my post yesterday, I mentioned something on my wish list: to lose 25 lbs.

After my first baby was born, I was amazed that all the weight I'd gained during pregnancy, and even some extra pounds, just fell off. After subsequent births, I lost all the baby weight and became accustomed to my new, lower weight.

That all changed after baby #9 when I could no longer lose the weight. I lost the weight I'd gained with #10, but still couldn't shake the weight from #9. Maybe it's because I'm old now (at least according to my kids) that it seems much more difficult to lose the weight.

I've always liked to exercise. My favorite exercise DVDs are The Firm, Tae Bo, and Walk off the Pounds. While in Walmart the other day, I saw some new walking DVDs and decided to purchase them in an effort to motivate myself to increase my exercise time. I've decided to commit to using my walking DVD everyday for the next two months and see if it makes a difference. The DVD (with Leslie Sansone) is an hour long and is the equivalent of 4 miles. I'm hoping it'll jump start some weight loss and help me get in better shape (so I can chase my 2 year old around and actually be faster than he is).

I'll keep you posted.

I'm a Kangaroo

I've decided that I should move to Australia because I must be a kangaroo. Why else would I have this belly pouch?

Up until baby #9 I could lose the weight I gained during pregnancy. In fact, after baby #8, I attended my high school reunion weighing 15 pounds less than when I was in high school. For some reason, though, #9 did me in. I even lost all the weight from #10 (which was on top of the weight from #9).

I exercise every day. I can't go to the gym, so I work out to videos or DVDs. My favorite is The Firm. I especially love the Time Crunch Workout because I can better fit it into my day and it works me pretty hard. I've always exercised or played sports and I continue do so now because it makes me feel better. I just wish I could see the efforts of it more easily, or at all.

So it seems that no matter how hard I work out or how much I limit what I eat (I don't eat chocolate or ice cream everyday--I wish I could), it seems as though I'm destined to keep this pouch. So . . . I must be a kangaroo.