Day 150 Complete but will keep on going

I have made some great accomplishments over the last 6 months. I have lost 20lbs in total by following the Weight Watchers program online. It has really taught me on how to keep my calories in check and to stay on track and not over eat. It is truly a eating plan...not a diet! I have trained and ran a half marathon in May. 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 9 mins. I just completed the Reno Tahoe Odyssey relay run this weekend. A team of 12 takes on 178 miles starting in Reno thru Tahoe, Carson, Virginia City and ends in Reno. My 3 legs totaled 18.8 miles. My 3 legs were 5 miles at 6pm in the evening, 5.8 miles at 2:30am in the morning and my final leg was 7.5 miles at 11am Saturday morning. I ran my first leg in 49 mins, my second leg in 59 mins and my last leg in 79 mins.

I have reached a weight of 120lbs. Not my goal weight yet and would like to lose my last 10lbs and reach 110. I absoultely feel great, and everyone notices that I have lost alot of weight. I am very tone...my lower and upper body are well developed and yes I do have some muscle tone.

My next steps for my Fitness journey is to continue following the Weight Watchers plan to lose my final 10lbs. I will continue to go to the Double Diamond gym and take the classes I love the most. I will continue with Reno Running and Fitness and be a pacer for them. I will pace the 10K group with a goal to increase my speed which is currently about 9:30-10 min miles. I just joined a Belly dancing class for the month of June. It is fun and a great core workout. It is great for the abs, butt and thighs. I am not sure what runs I will sign up for in the next couple of months but I will most likely focus on shorter runs with a goal to increase my speed.

Day???? Lost count

So I lost count on where I am ...have not posted in awhile. I am doing fine...holding my own in the weight department and fitness level. Next weekend at this time...I will be running the RTO...178 miles around Reno and Tahoe...24 hours with 11 other team members. The total of my 3 legs are 19 miles. Wish me luck!

Going out to dinner tonight for the anniversary and then the rest of this week will be cracking down on eating and working out to be ready for next week.

Day 109 Monday, Monday...dont like this day

I am feeling out of sorts today with the weekend and the crazy weather...it is supposed to be Spring..I am wanting to feel the Spring Fever but when it is rainy, a bit chilly and windy outside it has totally thru me off today. Need to take the day to re-group and get back on my game again.

Day 107 Getting psyched for RTO

My RTO Run is only 3 weeks away...so gearing up to do my 19 miles in a 24 hour period. Ran with some team members this past week...I am about in the middle of the pack when it comes to speed. Legs were really sore afterward...I think I need new running shoes!!

Day 102 Re-Focus

Time to re-focus my goals in getting off the last 10 lbs and gearing up to run RTO. This month is a great month to sum it all up for myself in eating and fitness. With summer right around the corner, I will be there. It will be a fabulous summer in shape and at my goal weight!!

Day 100 10lbs within goal weight!

I am now 10lbs within my goal so having that in sight is so great! Hearing many comment on how great I look and that I am getting so thin is so inspiring. This will continue to push me towards my goal. It is only 4 weeks away until the RTO- 178 mile relay run with a team of 12 around Tahoe. This month will be all about keeping in running shape for that and hopefully knocking off as close to 10lbs as I can get!

Day 94 Accomplished!

I accomplished my half marathon on Sunday...2 hours 9 mins 49 secs. Great day, felt good until about mile 12 when I started to get muscle cramps in my legs and feet. Ouch! It took about an hour but worked it out. Burned 1300 calories during my run but I ate good that day and felt good. It was a great day but by 5pm that evening I was done. Took an aspirin and laid in bed watching television. Getting all that rest that night and I was up the next morning at 5:30 am roaring to go. Cleaned up the house and headed to Pump class.

Day 91 Im Ready

Clothes laid out, Garmin reset, IPOD charged, Gu Chomps and Sun tan lotion ready to go. Relaxing after my daughter gave me a foot and hand massage. What can be better? I am ready to have a great day tomorrow. What is better than a run by the Truckee with a large group of runners and then a party afterwards. There is nothing better :)

Day 90 Gearing up for Race Day

Eating light and getting in light exercise over the next 2 days are key before the Half marathon. I don't usually do a carb load when I have a run as I feel I really don't need it. I just eat balanced and don't eat anything strange or different than usual especially on the night before the run. Eat the same breakfast the day of the run that you usually do on your training runs and it will be fine.

See you tomorrow.

Day 84 Whirlwind

Today we had such a wind storm in Reno. 120 per mile worth of winds ripped up 12 trees in my neighborhood. Crazy..so opted to just run inside on the Treadmill. Started out slow and steadily increased my run today. 13min mile down to an 11min then a 10 min mile for the final mile. Ended with a steady progressive 8:30 min mile. Felt great..I am ready for my half marathon!!

Day 83 Feeling Fine today

Feel great this morning as I took my Body Pump class. I am feeling thinner and so much better. The plan for this week is to eat good and drop a few pounds in the process. This is the weekend of my Half Marathon. I am rocking and it will be a great week.

See ya tomorrow.

Day 80 Spinning Out

So I took a Spin class this morning. Feeling a little dizzy and also I had an aching pain in my right leg. Not good to feel this in the middle of the night when you are trying to sleep and it wakes you up. It was very strange as I have never felt this before. It was like a pinched nerve. I decided to Spin anyway and see if I can work it out. Got to be ready for my last group run tomorrow of 6 miles.

So, I ended up burning 386 calories today according to my Garmin and my heart rate hit a high of 158. Got to check my burning range again as I don't have that on top of my mind.

Tomorrow should be a very nice day and I should rock out my 6 miles in an hour. See ya tomorrow.

Day 79 Sorry for the Slacking off

Ok it is Day 79 and I am slacking off..Not been here since Monday. This week so far, Pump on Monday, Combat on Tuesday, Spin class on Wednesday...Today was a Day off. Tomorrow is Pump again and then my 6 mile run on Saturday Used all my daily and weekly points this week but have 30 Fitness points so about a balance.

Day 76 Muscle burns Fat

We all know that Muscle burns fat. Many women are afraid of building muscle and looking bulky. It just isn't so. Toned lean muscle is sexy..you look tone and well defined...but most of all it helps you burn more fat. During my 11 mile run the other day I burned 1100 calories according to my Garmin. The Garmin doesn't even take the amount of muscle that I have in account. It is just based on my weight and age. I do know after that run I burned mega calories and it helped me eat better that entire day.

Day 75 Get comfortable with Hungry

I have found that at night if I am still hungry while I am lying in bed it makes me want to go to the kitchen and get a little something. It is OK to be hungry, actually going to bed a little hungry is good especially if you know you ate well and exercised well for the day. How to overcome the feelings of undoing your day and hitting the kitchen? Brush your teeth, go to bed and if all else fails and the hungry overcomes you, treat yourself to a cup of tea or my favorite Fat Free, Sugar Free International coffee- a mere 25 calories that won't undue your day!!

Day 74 Rocked it!!

Rocked out my 11 miles today in 1 hour and 54 minutes, and burned 1098 calories while doing so. Came home and ate well and it was a nice reminder of how good your body feels after an awesome workout and when you feed your body well. I feel great!!!

Day 73 Small but Deadly

So you may think you are not doing bad. Go to a Wine tasting and have a few 2oz servings of wine. Eat a few small appetizers..shrimp, potato puffs, wontons, cheese and crackers, nuts....it adds up quick and before you know it you are very full. Yikes...got to be ready to run 11 miles tomorrow morning..Off to lay out my clothes for that one.

Day 72 Tough week for Routine

This week I have been a bit off...Exercise and Eating wise. How do I get back that Motivation from the first week. Can anyone offer any tips...is there anyone listening out there.

I need to re-group, re-think and continue on - I am half way there and I can do this!!!

Day 71 Re-thinking my Eating

Last night I looked on my Weight Watchers website to identify some Filling Foods that I can stock up in my kitchen. I made a list of some veggies like Hearts of Palm, Mushrooms, Spinach. Things I have not eaten much of these past weeks but not are they not only filling but Zero points. I am going to try to eat more of these. Some snacking will be done on Pickles (sugar-free), edaname, popcorn...all filling and very little points.

I also want to try some alternative sources of protein like black beans and brown rice or couscous. Eat more veggie burgers and opt for turkey as opposed to the beef and ham I have been eating.

Shopping for food TODAY!!!

Day 70 Tired and feeling under the weather

I was very tired and feeling bad yesterday. Sore throat, runny nose and just plain run down. I took the morning off but just decided to call it a rest day. I think sometimes you just must listen to your body. I felt a bit out of sorts by the afternoon since I had missed my usual workout routine. Body Combat is my usual class for the day and sometimes I even get a run in during the afternoon. Totally bagged it but my plan is to do some extra workouts today and tomorrow. Got to be on my game for my last big run on Saturday. 11 miles!!!

Day 69 Empowered by Fitness points

So I totally blew thru all my Weekly points this weekend. I have to keep up my Fitness points to make it until weigh in day on Friday. 14 points earned thus far but it would be nice not to use them. I am trying to stay within my 18 point daily budget.

Wish me luck!!!

Day 68 Lowering points

This morning I weighed myself and to my dismay I stayed the same. I really thought after my 10 mile run yesterday that I would show a loss on the scale. I re-calculated my WW points and it reduced me down to 18 as opposed to the 20 I have been eating these past few weeks.

So really cracking down now...I have hit a plateau and not shown any significant loss these past couple of weeks since I was increased to 20 points. I think the increase made me lax off a bit. I am measuring again to really be sure I am staying within my budget.

Dy 67 Climbing in Miles

10 miles today with my running group. Wow- I felt great. Hit a wall at the 6 mile point so I ate my Luna Energy chews. It was exactly the energy I needed to make it thru - of course coupled with my determination and my current fitness level. I can do it...it was a no brainer...just a small struggle..a great challenge...I knocked it out of the ball park...and it felt fantastic!!!!


Soaked my aching muscles in the hot tub...burned over 1000 calories today running my 10 miles..thats right people...so I did indulge a bit today and go over my daily points but heck...I eaned 11 points for activity so its a wash!!!

Tomorrow is a rest day...also weigh in day so wish me luck!!!

Day 66 What..its been 2 days

So I realized it has been 2 days since I logged in...Day 66 and what has been going on for the past 2 days...

Yesterday I ran 4 miles at the gym...Felt good and happy to get my miles in. Bought some energy gels for my big run on Saturday morning. Ate exactly my points for the day.

Today..went to Body Pump...felt it...tired but I know it will help me tomorrow when I run. Possibly over did my points today..did not weigh myself. I am waiting until Sunday morning for that. Yup after the 10 mile run.

Day 64 Kicked it with Circuit training

Today had a great workout doing circuit...8 stations of weights @ 60 secs per station or approx 8 mins of weights with 2 mins of aerobics in between. 30 mins of high intensity cardio and weights followed by floor exercises.

Sweat and tears ...tiredness!!! Ate all my points for the day...I am done!!

Day 63 Double Up It

Today I have doubled up on my workout. Intense workout this morning doing Body Combat and then an easy 50 min run for about 4 miles. Earned some points in the activity department and ate only 20 points today. Forgoed the wine tonight and I feel good. Need to be ready this weekend for my long run so the plan is to stay on plan within 20 points a day and get in my workouts. Weight training helps with my runs so will be getting in 3 weight training sessions in this week.

Day 62 Back in the Saddle

Well, have to admit that was one of the toughest weekends since I started this journey over 60 days ago. The weekend was a challenge with eating out and then Easter with all the candy around me...Yikes!! Felt really bloated last night so vowed to get back into the saddle today. Just a yogurt for breakfast and a great Body Pump workout and I feel better already. My daughter just tempted me with M&M's and I say no way not even one...I am not going there.

It is about 4 weeks until my half marathon so these next 30 days are crucial. Dropping weight and getting in shape is essential. I love the way I feel when my body is burning calories and the feeling of being fit and just eating enough rather than too much.

Feels good to be Back :)

Day 60 Trip but Do Not Fall

This little excursion to Chico, CA has been a bit of a trip...but no not a fall. I have found it difficult while being on the road to eat as well and stay within my points range. Today I start a new week...may be a tough weekend with still being on the road and with Easter Sunday this weekend. I did run 3 miles this morning and started my week off right with a workout. Tonight going out for Italian with some new friends...wish me luck...with the eating out that is :)

Day 59 Traveling

When Traveling it is best to pack some healthy snacks. Sitting in the car for a couple of hours, we had left right around lunch time. Fortunately I had my Fiber One bars. Only 90 calories and packed with 5 grams of Fiber..oh yeah. A veggie tray with some lo cal ranch dressing and some ritz crackers. Did not spoil my diet with candy bars and fast food restaurants. Used my common sense when we hit the Hometown Buffet for dinner with a big salad and some protein choices. Worst eat of the day...a small piece of cake at the buffet. Got a quick 3 mile run in before the run trip as well so Planning ahead is always best!!!!

Day 58 Darn that Chocolate!

So, got some chocolate Reeses Peanut butter cups for Easter in the house...Ouch...Darn that Chocolate. It is a big downfall for me, especially when peanut butter is involved. So, I ate about a dozen of them today..felt it weighing me down right away. In excess of 500 calories later and I felt laden down by the sugar and calories. All I could do to make myself feel better was get to the gym and take a Spin class. I believe I burned those 500 calories off from Spinning but I did not feel a deficit in my day...it was just working to keep myself at a maintenance mode.

Down to undue the damage the rest of the week. Going out of town so won't be eating at home. It will take some discipline...salad and veggies in the house...or should I say Hotel room!!!

Day 57 Monday Mornings Feel Grand!!!!

Monday mornings feel Grand....I used not feel good on Mondays after a weekend of overeating and overindulging. But not anymore..I feel great today. I feel thinner, and more fit than I have felt in a long time. I really feel I have control over my eating now. I consistently log in my points on WeightWatchers.com. Even on the days that I go over my points I am so consciencious to cut back the next day. I continue to log in my Fitness points on a weekly basis and never use them for eating. Therefore I am alway at a deficit for the week. I have been losing one pound a week consistently so chipping away at the old block :)

Day 56 A Soak in the Hot Tub does Wonders

I had aching muscles last night and today so spent some time soaking in the hot tub yesterday and this afternoon. Definitely helped alot..also I recommend Bio Freeze gel for the aches and pains of working out. My lower back, thighs and calves feel better after using this last night and nothing better than a good night sleep to help those sore muscles!!!

Day 55 Pushed myself today

Today, I pushed myself to a longer mile run than I have done in about 3 years now. 9 miles...the midpoint which was a 4.5 mile run out before I turned around was to an absolutely beautiful section of the Steamboat Trail. It was out above the homes and the highway. Beautiful snow capped Sierras, crystal blue skies and warm sunshine shined on my face as I admired the homes and the highway below me. It was so inspiring, so enlightening to run out that far..the farthest I have ever been on the Steamboat trail. It was awesome.

The last 2 miles of my run were the hardest but I pushed thru it and made it to the end. I ran 8:30 per mile at my fastest and 10:30 at my slowest. Beautiful day..good run. Aches and pains in the lower back and my calves were incredibly tight. A swim in the heated pool and a soak in the hot tub did them just fine.

Day 54 Shake, Rattle and Roll

Today I was feeling lazy..especially after that Circuit Fit class last night. So I took a Noon time Body Pump. Ouch - muscles were a bit tired so had to really push through it. Tomorrow is my 9 mile run and I am ready. Clothes are out...my best socks are by my shoes and my Garmin is set. Just need to charge the IPOD and I am ready to Go!!!

Day 53 Circuit Training Rocks!!

Doing a combination class of weight training and cardio definitely rocks and burns some major calories. I have a great class that is 60 minutes - 9 stations that cover every body part with a combination of high intensity cardio work in between. Do 3 sessions of cardio for about 2 minutes and a circuit of weights where you change every 1 minute in between sessions and you are Rocking up a Storm and burning some mega calories. Go Forth and Conquer people!!!!

Day 52 Your Body is like a Fine running Machine

When you eat well and exercise efficiently...Your body will Thank you. There is no doubt in my mind that when you take good care of your body by feeding it well. Feeding your body with good wholesome, natural foods like healthy dairy, meats, fruits and vegetables your body will feel the best it can. When you exercise your body, challenge your fitness level, work your muscles and your cardiac level 5-6 times a week you will improve and you will feel the best you can be. I had that enlightening today...I feel awesome...and I am looking so much better than I did 52 days ago. Yes, thats right only 52 days ago when I started this journey and it feels a light year away in what I am feeling today. See you all tomorrow!

`Day 51 Busy, Busy

Today was a busy day so I did not get in a workout...very unusual for me as I always make time. But I really watched my points today so I feel good. I even got a compliment from a friend telling me that my weight loss is really showing and I am looking good. Brownie points...and the boost is always welcomed. Onward and upward...tomorrow probably throw in an extra workout somewhere :)

Day 50 1/3 of my journey and 1/2 of my weight

It is Day 50 of my Journey and I am 1/3 of the way through my 150 days to Fitness. I am now at my half way point of weight loss. 15lbs pounds gone and 15lbs to go. It has been a slow and steady loss with me averaging 1.1lb weight loss each week. I have had some better weeks and I would like to start changing up some things to spur my weight loss even more. It may be just tweeking my diet a bit and increasing my workouts. I also am adding some fiber intake into my diet. I am succeeding and I will reach my goal in the next 100 days!!!

Day 49 Fiber increase

This week I would like to increase my Fiber intake...eating oatmeal, wheat bread and even adding in some psylium fiber to my diet to help boost my intake. This is my plan as we approach Monday morning.

See you all tomorrow!

Day 48 Run, Run, Run

This morning I ran 8 miles with my running group in prep for my half marathon scheduled for May 3rd, and the Reno Tahoe Odyssey Relay run scheduled for June 5th. Running is so great...I love the free feeling of just hitting the trail, challenging yourself and being with a group of like minded people who also enjoy getting in the miles. I always feel great after the fact and while I am running I am feeling so free...free of responsibilities, freedom to just go and do it!!! Got home and had more running to do...in the way of taxi cabbing the family around. But having that time to do my 8 mile run was a total great way to start my day and now end my day. I feel a bit of soreness setting into my muscles but just knowing what I accomplished today is such a great feeling that the soreness doesn't matter.

Day 47 Chipping Away

So felt like I lost more than a pound but the scale only showed one pound gone. Good news is I really feel the strength and soreness in my muscles. Clothes continue to look too baggy but not ready to buy any new until I am closer to my goal. Total of 15lbs gone since the beginning of the year. Tomorrow I am running 8 miles so that should burn some major calories...Trying my best to be good this weekend at eating and drinking.

Day 46 Lighten Up Francis!

So yesterday I went over my usual limit of 20 points and actually used 38 points. Wow - if you are not watching closely those points can really add up quick. Fast food can kill you...I ate a Kids Happy meal and it equated to 12 points alone...and that is not including the soft drink that comes with it. So really think about it when you are eating that cheeseburger and fries from Mickey D's!! Small indulgences like a piece of cake and a couple of snack size chocolate bars (4 to be exact) and Boom you are way over what you need for the day.

So the plan for today is really keeping my points to a minimum. I only have 2 points left in my weekly point allowance. This is a good thing and my week resets tomorrow so I think I should come out fine. Fortunately I have a decent amount of Fitness points accumulated so I believe I will still come out on top this week....Or should I say with the scale showing a loss!!!

Day 45 Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

Happy St. Pat's Day and Happy Birthday to my daughter who is 6 today!! So yes, I know I will partake in cake as well as a Green beer or 2. Have to plan that in my calories for the day. Just worked out and burned some mega calories. My husband surprised my daughter with a small cake this morning. Yup cake for breakfast then worked out. The plan is to watch what I eat for the rest of the day so I can partake in the evening activities.

Day 44 Stress is a Drain..Unless you use it wisely

Stress in your life will have a negative effect on weight loss and sleep. If you can relieve yourself from it then it will be most beneficial to your weight loss. Yes, easier said then done especially since in this day and age..Stress is in most people's lives. So what is the answer..Not letting it get the Best of You..Learning to deal with Stress in a constructive manner. Using your energy in a positive manner rather than negative. Use Stress to burn up calories and use up energy during the day...but get your sleep at night. Exercise is a great Stress reliever..it burns up energy, burns up calories but most of all it relieves Stress!

Day 43 Turning up the Heat this Week

I am going to really turn up the heat this week by really increasing my water intake...throwing a couple of extra workouts in and trying to keep my daily points in the 20 point range each day. I have been using my 35weekly points up by the end of the week and I would like to have some left over. I usually have a good amount of fitness points that I never cut into so this is good...I will
c ntinue to earn these points but would like to have about 10-15 weekly points left over. Lets see if I can accomplish this!!

Day 42 Your Clothes will Tell You

I have noticed the definite improvement in my body by wearing my clothes. Jeans are very comfortable and baggy. I have a pair of black stretch pants that I had bought around Christmas and they are very loose. It feels so good to put on my clothes and feel so comfortable. The mirror is showing the improvement, people are noticing the change and it only motivates me to keep on going!!!

Day 41 My Fitness Level is Improving

Today I ran 7 miles with my Running group. Averaged a 11:20 pace but hit an all time fast pace of 8:29 at one point in my run. This peaked about 35 mins after I started. I can tell you that I know I have improved because I am Not Tired or Sore. Wow- it feels good to feel the improvements in my fitness and health over these past 41 days. Onward and Upward from here..:)

Day 40 Slowing...have I hit a plateau?

Things have slowed down a bit..1/2lb to 1.0 weight loss and I really need to change something up to spark this plateau...I may have to increase my workouts and also really watch my extra weekly points. I can use 35 and I have been using them up each week. I may shoot only to use 1/2 of them next week.

Day 39 Sometimes You just Got to Have It!

So tonight I decided to make lasagna for the family. I made a meat lasagna with sausage and a vegetable lasagna with spinach. Had to try a little of both and I must admit they were tasty. I saved some calories by making my own sauce so there was absolutely no sugar in the sauce. I used fresh spinach. The pasta was not whole wheat and I used part skim ricotta and mozzerella is pretty low fat, this was probably a bit more than I have planned and ate for weeks now. But sometimes treating your body to this is a good thing. My plan tomorrow is to work out hard.either a Spin class or Body Pump. On Saturday, running 7 miles is on the schedule.

Day 38 Belly Dancing - yes thats right!!!!!

So I tried Belly Dancing last night and Wow has that caught me by surprise. I did not expect the workout that I got from doing this activity. It was 90 mins of total muscle concentration on the butt, and abs. It feels SO GOOD!!!! I can feel every thread of a muscle in my abs and I absolutely LOVE IT. I can feel those washboard abs developing and with this activity it is possible. Fun is allowed..thats right it is sexy and I even got to wear a scarf tied around my hips. Had fun with a friend that was also a part of the class so it was a great experience. Our instructor was in absolutely great shape without an ounce of fat on her body. Very impressed with this opportunity and would recommend it to anyone!!

Day 37 Water is VERY IMPORTANT

Water is very important to weight loss and I am trying to increase my intake. Good guidelines is 8 glasses of 8 ounces throught out the day and for every hour of exercise you should increase that by another 8oz cup. There is an awesome article that I had first seen on Ediets called Water, Water, Water. This article explained all the benefits of drinking water daily and it is absolutely a great reading for anyone. If I can find it I will post it here but I recommend everyone to read an article on the benefits of water. Read it often to keep it in time of mind awareness...and with that I am going to search for this article and hopefully will find it so I can post it here.

This is not the article I was looking for but this is the only one I could find ....

You must have heard of diets that promise to make you lose weight quickly. You must have also tried taking different pills and supplements that do not seem to work and just left you more frustrated with your weight and made you feel bad about yourself. The key in losing weight fast is to find the best diet plan that works for you. You can begin to work out which diet is best suited to you by understanding which of the 4 Essential Factors for Weight Loss apply to you - gut, sugar metabolism, thyroid and brain chemistry. We have different body types and metabolism rates. These two are the biggest factors that you have to consider before trying different kinds of diet plans.

One of the best and most trusted ways to lose 10 pounds fast is drinking plenty of water. It might sound very simple and easy so when people hear that drinking helps a lot to lose weight, they do not really believe it.

One should start with the basics to aid and maximize any kind of diet plan. Drinking water not only quenches thirst and hydrates your system so they could perform better. Did you know that drinking water can help you suppress appetite so you tend to eat less during meals? There are many times when our body sends signal to our brain for us to drink water and re-hydrate our system. But for most of us, especially for those who are on the heavier side, this signal is interpreted as hunger. Well in fact it is only thirst. So when someone feels these signals, the first thing that most people do is to go to the fridge and grab something to eat.

What's worse is that the first thing that we eat is those that we crave for. Drinking plenty of water also lessens our tendency to crave for food that our bodies do not really need. Sadly, our cravings are those kinds of food that are not good for us especially if we are trying to lose 10 pounds fast. Drinking water will give you the feeling of being full for a long time even if you only had little to eat.

Another great thing about drinking plenty of water regularly is it cleanses our digestive tract so it is easier to digest food. Drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day really helps promote better bowel movement because it helps a lot to improve your metabolism.

Drinking water really has a lot of benefits and the great thing about it is it is so easy and cheap to drink plenty of water. Can you think of other diet pills and supplements that cost as little as water? So go ahead and drink your way to slimmer body and lose 10 pounds fast.

Day 36 Healthy Proteins - Yogurt and Soy

Good choices when it comes to a healthy combo of proteins and carbs with a little bit of fat as well is a choice of yogurts and Soy proteins such as soy milk. I know that my body was thanking me for the tasty treats I ate today. My choice was a Low carb yogurt and later followed by 8oz of Chocolate light soy milk...YUM...this was a healthy choice for myself today that tasted and felt good.

Day 35 Oh those aching muscles

35 days into my Fitness program and all I can say is Oh my aching muscles. Today is a day to treat my muscles to a relaxing day. Hot shower, a soak in the hot tub is great. A body massage is so relaxing and I find it helps me immensely. Today, since it is Sunday I may have my 5yr old daughter walk on my back. It really helps get some of the kinks out of my sore muscles.

Day 34 Feed Your Body Well

Feed your Body well with healthy foods. Healthy foods are fuel to make your body run efficiently and effectively. When you feed your body with good healthy foods then your body will thank you by running the most efficiently and effectively that it can be. Take care of yourself and eat cleanly..avoid preservatives and chemicals that are now found in many processed foods. Eat as closely to the earth and as natural as you can and your body will feel the best it can be.

Day 33 Slow and Steady wins the Race

We all like to see a steady weight loss of a pound or 2 each week but it is important to remember that you will not lose weight like this on all the weeks that you diet. Slow and Steady is the key to long term successful weight loss. I know we all hear this regularly but we still will expect leaps and bounds as we weigh in and honestly that is just not always going to happen. I show a significant loss last week that my program even increased my intake by 1 point or approx. 100 calories. This week only 1/2lb is showing but that is OK...I still feel Like this was a successful week...I am still down and I am feeling incredibly fit and Sore but it is So Good!!

Here is to another weekend...Success is at my fingertips. :)

Here is a great article that I just found>

Burn More Calories Walking

You don’t have to be a professional athlete to reap the benefits of interval training, in which you alternate bursts of fast, intense activity with periods of slower and less-intense activity, which allows your body to recover. In fact, by doing interval walking for a mere 20 minutes every other day, you can shift your metabolism into high gear so that you burn more calories and fat in less time than if you were working out at a steady pace.

And there’s a bonus: With interval training, the higher the intensity of the exercise, the longer the afterburn; that is, you will continue to burn more fat and calories even after you stop exercising! Below are seven tips to help you get the most out of your interval-training session:

Wear shoes that will give you proper support, such as walking shoes, cross-training shoes, or running shoes. Avoid cotton socks and choose synthetic athletic socks instead; these will wick away moisture and keep your feet dry and blister-free.

Begin each session with a short walk at a slow or moderate pace. This allows your muscles to warm up before you start doing your intervals.
Be mindful of maintaining good posture while you’re walking. Tighten your abdominals and keep your chest lifted and your chin parallel to the ground (leading with your chin while walking can result in neck and back pain).
With each step, strike the ground from heel to toe and feel your buttocks (glutes) contract. This strengthens your buttocks and hamstrings (the backs of your legs) as you walk.
Wear a watch or carry a stopwatch to keep track of time so that you can keep tabs on the number of intervals you walk per session.
Remember that doing a little is better than nothing. Do what you can at first, and then gradually increase your periods of intensity and total distance.
If you're not up to doing higher-intensity interval training on a given day, be sure to take a recreational walk for 15 to 20 minutes.

Day 32- Incorporate something New

I have found that mixing up your routine or incorporating something new can really boost your workout. Yesterday during Circuit Fit I did Ski Slides and Wow...Am I sore today from that exercise. Awesome...always feels good to challenge myself and when I feel a little extra sore then I know I am working.

Its all good today!!!

Day 31 Stress Relief

There is nothing better than getting in an Energy packed workout when dealing with Stress. You may go into a workout feeling angry or sad but once you get those endorphins flowing during a workout...it is sure to get you in a better mood. I started out today stressed, angry and upset but by the time I completed my Circuit training workout and got home....I am Feeling so Much Better!!!!

Day 30 Grab a Friend

If you are losing motivation and need some inspiration to workout then I recommend enlisting a friend to meet you at the gym or participate in your workout with you. It helps keep you accountable to someone else...lets face it you not want to bail on your friend. You are there to keep each other motivated and on track. So when possible having a friend to meet up with will help you face the music and get yourself to the gym.

Day 29 A New Month and time to Increase weights

It is a new month,now March 1st and I have increased my weight during my weight training workout at Double Diamond Athletic Club. Body Pump is a 60minute workout that has you pumping every body part for 60 minutes to some great tunes. I increased my weights across the board for legs, chest, biceps, triceps, back and shoulders....Ouch - I was tired after this fat burning workout. My plan was to run a quick 2 miles if I still had something left in me but I did not. So got my 60mins of weights in then hit the showers!!!

Feeling trim...Feeling fine :)

Day 28 It just becomes Routine

They say it takes at least 3 weeks to become routine..and I certainly agree. This is not a diet...it is just eating healthy. Eating healthy does take planning and you do not have to deprive yourself from anything...You just need to plan for it if you are going to enjoy it. So yes, I eat healthy but I still enjoy desserts. Desserts like Fat Free puddings, or jellos. I sometimes will have an International coffee like Swiss mocha. Fat Free - Decaffeniated of course. If I want a glass of wine or 2, or even a beer there are light alternatives like Miller MGD which is only 64 calories and counts only as 1 point. A glass of wine (4oz) is 2 points. So do not deprive just figure your eating desires into your plan. It is possible to lose weight and eat a little of what you want and like, even if it isn't totally Low Fat or Calorie conscious.

Tomorrow is March 1 and I am still as motivated as ever. I have lost 12.5lbs and I feel better. I can tackle the next 10 without a hitch. The next 10lb weight loss will bring back into the teens again. 10lbs from now I will weigh 117.5 and that I must say Is truly motivating :)

Day 28 Feeling GREAT...after my run that is

I had a restless night of sleep last night...not sure if it is the food intake or the wine but I woke up a few times. I was feeling a bit dehydrated and really kind of crappy this morning. I had a 6 mile run ahead of me and was really questioning myself if I could get thru it. I have to tell you the first 2 miles were hard but my runs are getting progressively easier as I increase my mileage. I felt fantastic after my 6 miles were done and I must say I am so glad that I pushed myself out of bed this morning and got out there and told myself...."JUST DO IT!!"

Day 26 Have fun with friends

Tonight I planned a get together with some girlfriends...Healthy pizza from Whole Foods. A artichoke, spinach and calmata olive blend on a thin crust. Very yummy! And then I had a couple of glasses of wine. I had planned for this so saved up my calories or rather WW points and even though I went over a little, I have not lost control. This is key. I had a good workout in the morning followed by a much needed massage. I am good to go for the weekend.

Day 25 Cover all My Bases

This morning I did Body Flow which is a great Yoga class. Yoga is great for balancing and strength and a good class to put into your routine. It really helps you work you muscles especially in your core area with holding various positions. And Yes you will break a sweat when you do Yoga. After a great strengthening workout you get to lay back and relax. You can just cover yourself with a light jacket , put on your socks and really get into the Zen of the music. It is great for the mind to just lay back and unwind before you go on with your day.

Today, I am really covering all my bases. After having a Rest day yesterday..I will also be taking a Circuit class tonight. Circuit is a combination of weight stations and aerobic exercise. The class starts with a 2-3 minute high energy aerobic workout and then you head to various stations for a weight workout of approx 10-12 minutes. Every minute or 2 you change stations and truly get an entire body workout.

Heading to class shortly...

Day 24 RELAX

Today was a Relaxation day and a much needed one. I have worked out for the past 10 days and decided to take a day off. Your body really needs time to recover and I am glad that I took the day to do so. Sometimes the Rest days are just as important as the Exercise days.

Day 23 Uping the Anny

I had a great workout today at my Body Combat class. Always a great class that delivers an awesome workout. Tonight I will be heading back to the gym to run a couple of miles on the treadmill and then add in a 45 minute Spin class. Not too motivated now am I????

Tomorrow may be a Rest Day so I can recoup...I have been exercising pretty consistently for the past 10 days or more??? I am not even sure right now.

Day 22 Cause and Effect

I am at Cause with my Journey. I am making things happening and the effect is Great. I am feeling and looking better. It always feels great when someone says...."You are looking thin" . "Wow - Your so tiny..Are you losing weight?" " You are Looking Good."

All these comments have been coming my way and they are very motivating and the proof of my efforts are paying off. I feel the muscles coming alive and I notice the difference in my clothes. My motto is Nothing Tastes as Good as Being Thin Feels. This journey is Easy..It is now routine to eat healthy and exercise.

Have a good night!

Day 21 OH YES I CAN!!!

It is Sunday, Feb 21st and on this snowy day all I can say is OH YES I CAN!!!! I have to admit I was a bit disappointed on my Friday weigh in when I only saw a .25lb change. I could not understand it...I felt thinner and I was sure to see a couple of pounds gone. It did not deter me in the least. I kept on my track as a matter of fact I was determined to really have a good week next week and see some major movement.

I went to the gym today and ran on the treadmill. Happily I did my first mile at a 11:30 pace and then increased my second mile to a 10:30. The last and final mile on this 3 mile run I increased my pace to a 10:20 and at the half mile mark to a 10:00. The final quarter mile I went to a 9:50 pace and the last 1/10 brought it in at a 9:40...Woo Hoo!! Feeling so on top of the world I decided to step on the scale. I am down 3lbs since Friday...No I did not lose all that weight over the weekend. Chance are I was holding water on Friday when I weighed myself. Sodium intake will do that to you! So I am happy to tell you that I am down 12lbs since the beginning of the year....I rewarded myself with a soak in the hot tub to ease my aching muscles.

OH YES I CAN...I can run, I can lose weight and I can be the most motivated person in the world.

Day 20 Increasing my speed

Today felt great. I had a 5 mile run with my running group. Started out at an 11 min pace but felt a burst of energy and I increased over the entire run. My last 1.5 miles, I ran in 14 minutes so that is less than a 10 minute mile. I was surprised and it felt good. I plan on increasing and will probably start out pacing the 10:30 group next week. Eating well and sleep are definitely important factors to this workout. Next week is a 6 mile run. Eating good this weekend and my plan is to do a 2 - 2.5mile run tomorrow morning...I am ON FIRE!!!

Until tomorrow!!!!

Day 19 Weekends

Getting ready to start another weekend. I am psyched to have a fantastic weekend food wise and exercise wise. Eating healthy and running 5 miles tomorrow morning.

Back on top of the world!!! See you all tomorrow.

Day 18 - Avoid the Buffet Line

Day 18 - And we all know in this journey there will be bad days. Went out to dinner with the family at a local casino and they opted for a buffet. Not a very good choice when you are trying to watch what you are eating! I was very hungry since we had a full afternoon out and about. Everything looked good so I know I blew my points for the day. I definitely did not overstuff myself but I know what it feels like to eat just enough at dinner and I was a bit over that feeling of contented fullness. Fortunately for today my points reset for the week.

Learn from your mistakes- Get right back on track which I am doing today! Get out there and do a workout, eat right and forget about the slip ups. But most of all my point to this post is Avoid the Buffet Line. Buffets give you good choices but they are also very tempting to try alot of other foods and usually offer an array of tempting desserts. Buffet Lines are OK when you are in maintenance but when you are trying to lose weight...Opt for a sit down restaurant!!!!

Day 17 Just Dance

It was a fun and great workout today doing the Body Jam class. I had a great time doing a little salsa and learned some great new dance moves, and all the while burned some calories while having a blast. This weekly class changes a little each week so it really keeps you on your toes and you are guaranteed a great fat burning workout as well as a good time.

Making Fitness Fun is so important and when you can take a class, learn something fun and new while getting your groove on - what a better way to get your exercise in for the day!

Day 16- Winning is the Only Option

Day 16 of my Fitness challenge and I have decided to increase my workouts. Today I did Body Combat and a Spinning class. I think I probably burned close to 900 or maybe even a cool 1000 calories today!! Awesome day...and now I need a good night sleep to rest up for tomorrow.

Still doing well with the Weight Watchers plan...this is the first week that I started using up my Fitness points...so it is a good thing I am earning extra. Hope to see some good changes on the scale this Friday..Wish me luck!! I am in this to Win this Challenge!

Day 15 - I DO LIKE MONDAYS!!

Happy Monday and Happy Presidents Day everyone! I really DO like Mondays because it gets me back into my regular eatting and working out routine. This morning I went to my Body Pump class - this is an hour class that trains your entire body to some great uplifting music. I have to admit I really felt it today. I can truly feel my muscles underneath starting to fire and I think it is time to increase my weights.

It has been 2 weeks since I have been talking to all of you. I am now 9lbs thinner than I was at the beginning of the year, Jan. 1, 2010. I have to tell you that I am Absolutely Feeling Terrific...I can see some changes in the mirror and I can feel the changes in my body. It has elevated my mood and I love the feeling of success!

Make it a GREAT day everyone!

Day 14 - On my Journey of Fitness

Happy Valentines Day everyone! I went out to dinner for sushi last night and I have to say I am feeling rather full this morning. I did not do the All You Can Eat, and I am glad I did not because I know I can tend to overdo it when I decide to eat this way. Instead I picked 2 rolls and when presented with the 16..I could only eat 12. I felt very full as I ate and enjoyed one glass of sake. A tasty rice wine. I finally ended with a scoop of green tea ice cream. Too many calories for the night so my plan today is to really cut back. I have enough food to last me at least until noon today. The plan is to get in a workout this afternoon. See you all tomorrow.

Day 13 Wings beneath my Heels

I had an incredible run today on the Steamboat ditch trail with my running group. It was a beautiful clear day here in Reno - not a cloud in the sky and the trail has definitely improved from last week. I had the pleasure of pacing a small group this morning and I have to say I think I had a break through. I was running along my usual 11 minute mile pace and an incredible feeling of energy came over me. I can run faster and so I took off and by the end of the 2nd mile I had the 10min mile pacer clearly in my view. I felt so terrific that day that I can honestly say I felt like I had Wings beneath my heels. What a GREAT day it is!

Day 12 Think before You Eat

I wanted to share some ideas when it comes to eating and determining if you are really hungry or just experiencing cravings. These tips come directly from Dr. Agatston, creator of The South Beach Diet. This is a great meal plan that really helps you get off eating sugar.

Hunger is natural, but cravings can hit from time to time, and if you're like many people, it's not always easy to tell them apart. Here are some simple guidelines that can help you determine the difference:

When It’s Hunger:

Hunger is the feeling you get when you experience a normal and gradual drop in blood sugar about four or five hours after a meal. It's your body's way of telling you that eating is overdue. Hunger signals can come from your stomach (in the form of growls, pangs, or a hollow feeling), as well as from your brain (which may include feeling headachy or fatigued).

Make sure that you are adequately satisfying your hunger with the right foods, such as lean protein and plenty of vegetables at every meal. Another way to ward off hunger is to enjoy a mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack. Strategic snacking is especially important when you’re following a healthy eating plan. Studies show that it takes relatively few calories to prevent cravings but many more to satisfy them once they occur. "The quality of calories in your satisfying meals and snacks, along with a dessert that contains protein, should help keep your hunger at bay," says Dr. Arthur Agatston, creator of the South Beach Diet. "We encourage you to eat until you’re full and snack before you get hungry." Some snack ideas include turkey roll-ups, reduced-fat cheese, celery sticks with hummus, or fresh fruit (on Phase 2).

When It’s a Craving
Cravings, on the other hand, happen within a couple of hours of your last meal. Ironically, eating some foods can make you hungry! "Cravings can be caused by exaggerated spikes and dips in blood sugar that occur after you eat highly processed carbohydrates like white bread or cake or other highly refined baked goods, or white rice or white pasta. These foods are digested so quickly that they cause an almost immediate rise in blood sugar followed by a rapid dip soon after," says Dr. Agatston. It's this drop in blood-sugar levels that causes a craving. Moreover, the sight and smell of food can produce cravings as well. This is when the South Beach Diet "Three-Bite Rule" comes in handy: Simply take three bites of something you’re craving that you normally wouldn’t allow yourself to indulge in, such as a decadent dessert, for example, and then put it aside for a few minutes. Most likely you won’t come back to it. You’ll soon discover that just a few bites can be very satisfying.

The good news is that eating the South Beach Diet way (which means enjoying wholesome, fiber-rich foods, lean protein, whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies, low-fat dairy and heart-healthy unsaturated fats) can actually help you curb your hunger and cravings by reducing spikes in blood sugar.

Day 11 Rest Day

Sometimes you Must give your body a rest! I have been working out consistently for the past 7 days and decided to take a rest day. I most likely would not of done so but I also had an early morning doctors appointment so it was a given to take a day off. I find that working out in the morning works best for me. I just get dressed in my workout clothes and go. Every once in a while I will do an afternoon workout before dinner and this is also a good way to start off your evening. I find when I workout in the evening, I usually will not undo my entire evening by indulging in too much food or drink.

See you all later....

Day 10 - An All Time High!!

I am feeling on top of the world today. I am eating well and I am exercising extensively. I can feel every muscle in my body and I know that my body is in burning mode by the way that I eat and exercise. It is noticeable not only in my clothes but in the mirror. I only weigh myself once a week - Fridays and I am actually looking forward to it. This is a journey and I will succeed..it is in my mind. I see myself at my goal weight..I see myself accomplishing physically what I want...The Reno Tahoe Odyssey Run. For those of you who do not know what this event is...it is a 24 hour run around Lake Tahoe. You are part of a team and you run 3 runs ranging from 5 -7 miles in a 24 hour period. I see myself wearing the clothes that I truly love and want...and damn I look good in them!!

So, are you in? How are you all feeling out there? Comments welcome!

Day 9 Kick it!!!

I have had an awesome workout at Double Diamond Athletic Club today....Body Combat class which is also known as Kickboxing. This is a Total body - High Energy workout that has you punching and kicking...and has your muscles screaming!!!! If you truly want to get your body is shape put a Tae Kwon Do or Kickboxing workout into your routine. It is a fun and energizing workout that is sure to tone your body and burn mega calories!! All in all I feel great today after my workout. I am very focused this week and ready to see a loss on the scale.

If you need some extra motivation...Ask me about my DVD...Know for Yourself. A great motivational video that will help you put your goals into prospective and strive to achieve them.

I also have my DVD - Join the Evolution that is totally free to all my registered users when they become a community member at http://www.laurak.ijango.biz
This DVD is the beginning steps of positive and motivated thinking!!!

Day 8 -Spin Your Way to Success

Today I would like to talk about Spin classes. For those of you who are not familiar with Spinning - it is an awesome cycle class set to music that you may be able to find at your local gym. This aerobic burning workout can deliver 500-700 of pure calorie burning fitness in one hour! If you have not tried a class, I highly recommend it. If it is your first time Spinning definitely consult with the instructor and let them know. They will help you set up your bike so you are most comfortable and effective. Some terms you will hear are Jogging (out of the saddle) Running(also out of the saddle) Jumps (in and out of the saddle)...and the different positions you will hold your hands on the handlebars are Position 1 - 3.

You don't need Cycle shoes to do a Spin class but if you happen to really enjoy the class and do Spinning consistently then I highly recommend you invest in a pair. The biking shoes clip into the pedals and really increase the effectiveness of your workout.

Make sure you do have a bottle of water with you. This conveniently fits into your cup holder on all of the Spinning bikes. Drink often and a good rule of thumb is the 40 oz rule 8 -20 -12 - 8 ozs before the class, 20 during the class and 12 ozs after the class. It is also a good idea to have a healthy snack after the class like a fruit and a mozzerella cheese stick or a yogurt that offers a balance of protein and carbs.

Spinning is such a great workout...and it uses much more than just your legs. You get a great ab and glut workout as well. Not to mention the arms when you are balancing yourself in and out of the saddle or doing jumps.

Variety is the Spice of Life...I definitely recommend trying a Spin class to really give a jolt to your metabolism by trying something new in your routine. So Spin Your Way to Success!!!!

Day 7 Super Bowl Sunday

And so my blog now brings me to Day 7 of my 150 days to Fitness and to the ultimate party day of the year, Superbowl Sunday. Snack foods, alcohol beverages and partying with festive people. My plan is in motion today. I got a weight training workout and I am eating well. I had a couple of eggs in the morning and a salad for lunch. I am going to get through this day and still have fun. Superbowl Sunday is all about spending time with friends and watching the game. It is not about what I put in my mouth so I have the proper mindset to go into this day. This will be a GREAT DAY. See you tomorrow.

Day 6 Weekends

I have alway found weekends to be the most difficult when I am trying to eat healthy. Lets face it we have the challenges of breaking up our daily weekly routine and this can often lead many people astray from their eating and working out. I like to schedule in a workout at least one of the days over the weekend. Keep it to my typical morning workout time and this usually will set my tone for the entire day. Most importantly you must Plan. Plan for your day. If you are having a dinner party or going to an event then make a plan on how you are going to eat up to that point. I like to eat as few calories or points as possible so I can have more available points to eat at the event. Even so I make a mental note of what I am eating and if I slip the most important tip I can give you is - Get right back to it with your very next meal. This is a process and don't lose your Focus.

Day 5 Weigh in day

I have made Fridays my weigh in day. I only lost 1/2 lb this week even despite all my working out. A couple of slips in the eating along the way so it is understandable. All in all I have a total of 8lbs gone since the beginning of the year so I am very happy about this. My goal is to knock off 2lbs by next Friday. I am Determined!!!!

Day 4 Get Organized

Getting Organized is definitely a Key to Your Success. I have to admit my family can be very disorganized and I find that when I take the time to get things in order in the way of the house and my personal items, it not only feels great to be in organization but it makes my day go alot smoother. I always get up first thing in the morning and unload my dishwasher, organize my kitchen and living room while I make coffee and before I plan my breakfast.

Having your kitchen and refrigerator in order with healthy foods is key. I like to have 3 - 5 days, if not more of healthy foods at my disposal. f you do not have them readily available is it way to easy to fall off. I also like having my workout clothes clean and in order. There is no excuse that I do not have my running socks, or my favorite workout clothes when I pre-plan and organize. Organization of foods and workout clothes has been very helpful to my success of getting to my workout and eating good for the day.

Day 3 - Listen to Your Body

You will find as you participate in this Fitness journey that you must listen to your body. There will be days when you may need some extra calories or days when you are not feeling up to your regular exercise routine. You are adjusting to your healthy lifestyle and sometimes you may just need to take it easy some days or indulge in that extra snack during the day. Do not Fret - it will not ruin your routine. Just get back in the saddle the very next day. Do not do like I had for many years. I would mess up mid week and then just shrug my shoulders and say "Oh well - I will start again on Monday." Just start again tomorrow with the very next meal or get back to your exercise routine. Your body will thank you for giving it what it needs.

Day 2 - Eat Clean

Day 2 of my Challenge and my tip for today is to EAT CLEAN - Whole Grain, Natural Foods that are packed with Vitamins and Fiber. A great way to do this is my shopping the perimeter of your local food store. Shopping the Produce, Meats and Fish aisle and Dairy products are the best way to choose your foods wisely. Stay away from the interior aisles as these aisles are usually the shelves that have all the processed foods. It is amazing how America has so many processed foods. I had the opportunity to visit Europe and I have to say that the food tasted so wonderful. The breads, meats and cheeses tasted so delicious and "Real" that it made me really become aware of the Processed taste of some foods we have here in the States.

The Closer you eat to Nature the Better..Eat Organic and enjoy the taste of the fruit without eating all the chemicals they now use to keep fruit fresher longer. Shop your local store that offers a great selection of these foods such as Whole Foods, or Trader Joes.

Day 1 Make the Commitment - Determine Your Mindset

Today, is February 1, 2010 and this is Day 1 of my 150 day Challenge to Fitness. I am making the commitment in a public forum to keep myself accountable to me and to all of you out there who wish to tune in. You see...Failure is not an option....There is only Success.

We all have challenges...each and every one of us. Some big, some small but lets face it, we do not all live in a perfect world. We must overcome our obstacles and our challenges if we truly wish to be successful. Success comes when we make up our mind that this is the only option and we will not let anything stand in our way. Remember you are not alone...our challenges may be different but you must decide Mind over Matter. Some of us may have challenges with time...family, career. Some of us will use excuses like being too tired, too busy, not focused or motivated. Some of us may have unsupportive families, difficult relationships, or use the excuse of genetics. We are not here to speak of the challenges or the excuses...we can only leave them at the door and decide to be successful. I am hear to speak about the focus, the motivation and the success. I am here to offer tips on eating healthy and exercising. So I ask you..."Are you Ready?" I know that I am!

My methods of my journey will be as follows: I am going to follow the Weight Watchers online plan (registration is currently free). It is truly a great plan. I have started on the plan a few weeks ago and I am happy to report that I have lost 7.5lbs since the beginning of the year. My exercise plan will be to use my gym membership at the Double Diamond Athletic Club. I like to participate in several different classes including Body Combat (kickboxing), Body Pump (weight training) and RPM classes (spinning). I also will be participating as a Pacer for the Reno Running and Fitness Club. Training for the local half marathon starts this week. I am making the commitment for the next 150 days and my mind is set only on Success. So I ask you, "Are you In?

Have a Great Day everyone - You Absolutely Deserve it! See you tomorrow.

Exercise...Make it part of your daily routine

The recipe to success is not only eating right but fitting exercise into your day. If you are new to doing any type of exercise I recommend you start easy and work up to increasing your amount of activity. So many people decide to take the world by storm, especially in the New Year they start out strong and in a few weeks totally tire out or get hurt. Exercise should be fun as well as healthy for you. If it isn't fun then you will lose interest quickly. If you can make exercise a daily part of your routine...just like brushing your teeth then you will soon feel the benefits and getting a workout in will be a no-brainer.

When I first started exercising I used to get to the gym by 6am every morning. I just decided one day that is was more convenient to exercise before I went to work everyday. It took me 3 weeks to finally get into the routine and then I would wake up effortlessly and get myself to the gym. Once I started going to the gym, I started making friends at the gym and before I knew it we would start hanging out together outside of the gym. That was 20 years ago, but it became part of my daily routine so much so that I would miss my workout if for some reason I could not get to the gym. And now to this day I value my gym membership and the time that I get to workout. My workout is for me and when I am there getting in my exercise it feels great.

Find something you like to do. It may be a sport, joining a gym or becoming part of a running group. Most importantly start moving, try something new, meet friends and have fun with it.

I look forward to getting started with all of you on Monday. On Monday...I will discuss overcoming challenges and making a decision to having a positive mindset.

Choose a Eating Plan

I recommend that you choose an eating plan that will work for you. A healthy plan that you can live with is important to your success. I will be following the Weight Watchers Online plan. Right now you will see advertisements that let you register for free online or at a meeting if you prefer checking in to a local facility. It is a great time to get involved with Weight Watchers. Their motto is "Stop Dieting and Start Living" Love the motto and love the plan because it will not deprive you of any foods. You can enjoy anything in moderation of course...as long as you keep within the point system.

The Weight Watchers plan give you daily points to work within...for me it is 19 points a day. You also get an additional 35 points for use during the week. So if you go over the daily points, you start deducting from the weekly points. You can also accumulate points for daily exercise. The online program accumulates your activity points and once you deplete all your weekly points it will start deducting from your activity points. At the end of the week on your weigh in day the Weekly points reset and your Activity points return back to zero. I think the plan is great and very easy to use. The online plan is very easy to track all your points for food and exercise. There is a variety of tasty recipes to try and there is also an online community you can participate in. There are different groups or challenges you can join and converse with other Weight Watcher members.

Thumbs up for the Weight Watchers plan! Be Back tomorrow with other tips and comments.

Hello World

Hello Out There:

I am setting out on my 150 Days to Fitness Journey starting on February 1, 2010. My goal is to lose 25lbs by June 1, 2010 and get physically fit for the Summer and frankly Forever.

First, a little about me...I am a Wife, married for almost 15 years to my husband, Dave. He is an entrepreneur and CEO of his own company, Renegade Concepts, Inc. He does Sales, Marketing of several product lines and is a Business Consultant. I have 2 daughters, a 5 year old and a 13 year old daughter. I Homeschool my 5 year old, now in Kindergarden and my other daughter attends middle school here in town. We reside in Northern Nevada.

I also consider myself a Fitness buff and coach. I can even label myself an "expert" dieter because I have tried every diet under the sun. From the 9 Day Wonder diet as well as other Fad diets to prepackaged plans like Jenny Craig. I even worked for Nutri-System many years ago. I currently belong to a popular gym in town that uses the Les Mills program for all their classes. I participate in Body Pump(weight lifting), Body Combat (kickboxing), Body Flow (yoga), RPM (spinning classes). I am also a Pacer for a local running group and help train runners to complete 10K runs and half marathons.

You would think with all my knowledge and with all the exercise that I participate in that I would be in the Best Shape of my life. I have to admit I have had some hurdles to overcome this past few years and I am now ready to get to my goal weight by using the age old system. Eating right and Exercising.

So Why am I blogging this? Well to keep myself accountable to me so that I will reach my goal but also to keep myself accountable to YOU. I intend to blog everyday to you and share some tips on diet and exercise. I am hoping to help someone else out there that wants to follow along with me and reach their goals. So, if you are reading this blog...and have a goal to attain in the ways of Fitness or Motivation or attaining a Positive mindset then please tune into my blog. I will be sharing ideas of this nature with you. You, see Physical Fitness really starts between your 2 ears...thats right with your brain. You must first get yourself into the Mindset of where you want to be so you can be Successful.

I will see You Tomorrow.