Sizzle Summer Slim Down: Update- Week 1/Goals- Week 2

 Week 1 is a done deal. Our focus was to be on getting back into the habit (or getting into it for the first time) of tracking our food intake. This is not a problem for me- it's one of the few things that I can/will/do, do.

But the scale didn't move one iota.

I think it was due to too many of these:

Followed by too little of this:

Which didn't burn enough of these:

The caloric intake was under what myfitnesspal.com recommends for me. It was also under the 1500 that I was going to set for myself. But now I'm thinking that I have to go back to the 1200 daily calories if I expect to lose any weight at all.

The exercise has to change also (That day with no exercise? It was raining like crazy and not one time did I think to do the Shred--my brilliance astounds me at times.). It's going to have to go like this:

• walk either Tucker or Strider
• walk whichever dog didn't go the first time out (Tucker doesn't enjoy walking with Strider)
• go back out for a training run
• 30 Day Shred, level 2 OR Tae Bo OR Yoga Booty Ballet (will probs mix it up)
• Get myself over to the senior center and join (inner debate to come)

Yes. It's going to be a huge pain in the rear.
Yes. I have to do it anyway.
No. I've not lost my mind.

But I've also not lost any weight. And that sucks. Completely. Totally. Without a doubt. It sucks.

Water intake was fantastic! Wish that was all it took to get the job done!

 So this week we are supposed to focus on exercise. We are to try to get in 6 hours for the week. I'm hoping this won't be a problem since I have to change what I'm doing so drastically.

Also this week, I am going to try a little menu planning. I'm going to try a few new RAW recipes. Here's the menu for this week:

MONDAY: Zucchini spaghetti (gluten free)

TUESDAY: Sweet n’ Creamy Tomato Soup (RAW) and RAW Fajitas

WEDNESDAY: Portobello Mushroom Burger (Vegetarian/gluten free)

THURSDAY: Spinach and Raw Mushroom Quiche

FRIDAY: RAW Tacos

SATURDAY: Baked Broccoli Burgers (Vegetarian and gluten free)

I'm setting up a page tab for a list of all the participants in case anyone would like to visit and throw some much needed encouragement their way- there's no doubt in my mind that any and all encouragement is more than welcome and greatly appreciated!

Have a great week y'all! 

Workout- What else

It just follows that I would use workout for my 'W' word. It goes right along with my theme of health and fitness this month!

There's just no way to get fit, healthy and/or lose weight without working out. It can't be done. We have to participate in some form of working out.

Since the very first time I decided to get fit/healthy/lose weight I've gone through quite a lot of workout options. I finally arrived at the walking/running combo but check out this list of the things I tried before I got there (in no certain order):

• Wii Fit- fun but didn't last
• Yoga Booty Ballet- Holy Cow! This is intense and works great but was short lived.
• Tae Bo- OUCH! I never figured out how to breathe AND workout to this.
• Richard Simons Sweatin' to the Oldies: couldn't do it. I hurt myself from laughing. 
• P 90x- WTH?!
• the treadmill- LOVED this but stopped when I started walking outside every day.
• the gym- short lived but sure did enjoy watching those 30 year old guys lift weights.
• Walk away the pounds- B.O.R.I.N.G.
• spin class- LOVED this! But my rear didn't. I never did get adjusted to that seat.
• biking- this was fun and done in combination with walking. Tuck even had a basket on the front. But DoodleBug's bike was stolen from her house downtown so I gave her mine. College kids downtown must have bikes.
• Pilates- LOVE this! Will probably take it back up at some point.
• Zumba- I actually liked this, might have to pick it back up.
• Wii Just Dance- still do this but mostly for fun.
• Aerobics- dance: I would have enjoyed this if they didn't do stupid steps and repeat them for ten hours.
• Yoga- HA! NEVER again
• Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred- I really like this which is surprising because I hate her. But this is good and I am going to start alternating this with running next week. Thanks to  Momma Brown for the idea!
• Walking/running: I'm doing this now and I LOVE it! 

Ok, so looking at this list makes me realize that I really do have the attention span of a Boykin Spaniel. What can I say? I get bored. Easily.

But here's the point I'd rather you take from my list: Just keep trying different things until you find what you enjoy doing! If you find the thing you enjoy, you will easily find the time to do it and you won't stop!

The benefits will blow you away! You will, to name a few:

• have more energy
• breathe easier
• tone your muscles
• build your endurance
• improve your mood (endorphins do a mood good!)
• lose weight

In other words, you will GET FIT!

So share- what's your workout like?

This is the twenty-third day of the A-Z April Challenge. I thought I might try a theme this year and focus on my personal journey to health and fitness, including weight loss.

Today's letter is W and my word for the day is WORKOUT.