my new health and fitness challenge

I am at it again... I took a little over a week off between challenges and was ready to hop right back in. When I look back over the week in between, I have to say that some of my new habits stuck. I may have eaten out a couple times, but I watched my portions and snacked less. That said, my old clothes are only just starting to fit, so I needed another organized challenge to get me motivated.

Not much is changing on the challenge (plan), I plan to follow many of the same exercise goals – play sports, walk, do my Shred DVD (although I am moving up to level two). The biggest addition is my mini abs challenge. Seriously, someday I want to wear a bikini (I know, not good timing since summer is almost over, but who knows maybe I will get to go on a vacation this winter), so I am going to do a daily abs routine. I call it 9 ways to pain. Yep, fun. It comes from a workout I clipped out of Sports Illustrated for Women – it is really old, probably 10 years old, but it is good. The workout only has seven ways to pain and I added two more. In my opinion, it focused too much on the upper abs, so I added reverse crunches and bicycles at the end. It hurts, but I think it will be worth it. Last night, I did it during the first few minutes of the women’s beach volleyball match – tv and good breathing make it bearable.

For diet and nutrition goals, I am going to work on variety and paying attention to how foods make me feel – does it make me sleepy, am I hungry one hour later or do I have tons of energy. For the variety part, I am going to try one new recipe a week and the recipe has to include either an ingredient, spice or technique I haven’t done before.  I hope to post about these too.

Lastly, it is a 5 in 5 challenge. Five pounds in five weeks. Doable. And best part, this time I have a challenge partner. Our 5 in 5 goals is the same, our plans are different, but having the positive motivation is key and makes it really fun. I am excited!

Anyone have any great healthy recipes to suggests? Unique ingredients I should try? I have a bunch of recipes pulled, but I am open to any inspiration I can get.

Hope you guys don't mind reading about all this health and fitness stuff. Posting it helps me feel accountable - so thanks for your help :)

Comments

[chris]

If you are speaking of the Shred dvd (30 day/Jillian Michaels) I have that one on the way to me now. I also picked up Tony Horton 10-minute Trainer. I do two of those workouts each day and now walk again. Let me say that Tony Horton kicks my butt! I enjoy your posts with challenges and I find them full of good ideas and inspiration - even if I don't follow suit. Keep it up! I'll be reading along - and this time, exercizing along, too.

[Lynds]

Wishing you great success with your 5 in 5 challenge. I'd like to wear a bikini someday, not sure if even getting in shape would cure the baby marks left behind. :/

[Dawn]

I have a great recipe for crake cakes that are made without mayo so there's a lot less fat and they are so tasty!

Best part is you can make a big batch and freeze them. They taste as fresh as the day they were made. I'll email you the recipe.