Back to the Grind

It was business as usual today at bootcamp. Cardio day. And Ben did not disappoint!! We did 30:90 (active rest of high knees) then 30:60 for 20 rounds total. So we did each station 5 times for those that didn't want to do the math.. LOL.. The stations were see saw band rows, firehose slam, burpees (oh how i missed thee! NOT!) and the bike. All of this would've been a little easier if dough-head me had remembered my sneakers!! Trying to pedal that bike in stocking feet really sucked!! Believe me when I say I have put my sneakers by the door so I don't forget them again!! Ben gave us all rep goals to hit and told us to beat them. We all did really great at this. Of course as we did more rounds it got tougher to beat the goals. On the last two rounds, Ben told us that we had to beat one of these two or we would have to do two more rounds. CRANK IT!!!! And we did!! Of course I had the bike the first one so I couldn't help the girls out, but the last one was burpees. I looked at my number on the board. 15. "Ok, I haven't hit it yet, but I've gotten close. This time I'm beating it." I was SOO close!! Like 5 more seconds and I would've had 16!!! But at least I made it to 15 for the first time today. So go me!! Luckily the other girls beat their #s too so we didn't have to do 2 more rounds. However, the fun was not over yet!! We did 1 minute intervals of planks and supermans.. er.. womans. Lol.

After we were done, it was time for Ben to come to my house for my kitchen makeover. It was very informative! I've already been cutting up my fruits & veggies and putting them in tupperware (I tape labels to them) in my fridge. So I'll put 1 cup of cantaloupe in one container. Another one will have 10 medium strawberries, etc. Ben seemed fairly impressed with my system. Whenever I take a container out that I'm going to use for the day I take the label off and stick it to the side of my fridge. Then when I cut up some more stuff I can just grab one of my labels. Works pretty well. My cupboards weren't too bad. I just need to move the supportive foods to the front and make sure all the unsupportive stuff is at the back out of view. It was funny because Ben said: "I like how you have the chips and cookies at the back of this bottom shelf." I was like: "we have cookies?!" Mike's going to have to hide them!! I don't want to see them! Another tip is to have some fruit out on the counter so that if you get hungry that's the first thing you see and probably the first thing you'll grab. Also, keep your shopping list on the side of your fridge so that when you see you're running out of something it's right there and you can write it down for the next time you go to the store. Keep your freezer stocked with protein sources. You can buy the big packages and then repackage them into single servings. Then when you want to take something out for supper or the night before you can take that single serving out and let it thaw to use. Ok and one last one, buy different sized ziploc bags for storing your stuff or when you need to take things on the go. All very good tips that I will definately use!!

Ben gave me my reward for Missy & I winning (he mistakenly put Erica in the blog) the sprints on the day we did Fight...Gone Bad. Prograde Lean CHOCOLATE protein shake. And let me tell you, it really wasn't that bad!! I tried it with water first and then later with milk. It was a little better with milk. It kind of tasted like chocolate milk, but had a little different taste. Not a bad taste though.

My left knee is a little sore tonight. I put some Mineral Ice on it, but I think I'm going to ice it for a little while. This is the knee that I injured last year at bowling. I had (stupidly) gone to the bathroom wearing my bowling shoes and went right up to bowl after. My foot didn't slide at all and I fell forward, right on my knee!! I was unable to bowl for 2 weeks and did physical therapy to get it better. Now it only acts up occasionally. Hopefully this won't affect my workout tomorrow. It should be ok.

Until tomorrow!! =) Now to see who goes home on the Biggest Loser... Hopefully Mike made it and they hit the 77 lbs to keep everyone safe from elimination. But I doubt it since they continued it from last week (damn them!!!). =)

Keep on truckin!

Hello again Blogfans... I'm sure you're looking for a listing of the crazy workout that we did this morning, but Ben has caught the bug that's going around and was sick this morning. So no workout today. Bummer! Hope you feel better soon Ben!!

So today I'm just going to "keep on truckin" and just keep up with my food. I do have to admit that I miss the energy boost that I get from the workouts. Last night we stopped in to see my sister-in-law, her husband and our two adorable nieces (love you Allie & Beth!). After we left I was pumped. Mike (my husband) was like, "man you are wound!!". Yep, playing with my neices gave me another energy boost. At least I finally HAVE the energy to play with them! I can't believe how much better I feel and how much energy I have. It's crazy. But it's SOOO great!! Allie (the 4 year old) and I get into a tickle fights all the time which generally involves running after each other. I used to only be able to do that for a few minutes before I got worn out and had to sit down. Now I feel like I could run after her for hours!! I can't wait for all this snow to melt so we can run around outside!! I can't believe I'm even saying that! It's something that I've always wanted, but couldn't do until now. So thanks Ben! (and Moo92!)

I'm also already feeling the results of this journey body wise. My clothes are becoming quite baggy. I'm enjoying putting on shirts I haven't work in years and having them fit. SO cool!! Who knew?! All the people that have been following and supporting me in this, that's who!! I never knew I had so many people that cared and would support me. Well, maybe I just didn't open my eyes! So thank you again to everyone that's supporting me in this.

So stay tuned.. hopefully Ben will be feeling better tomorrow and the work will continue. TTFN!

A relaxing Sunday before the work continues!

Aaaah I do love a relaxing Sunday. What's more fun than hanging out with my awesome parents and my husband? Absolutely nothing!!

The day started late because of the time change, but I started out with 1 whole egg and 2 egg whites scrambled and a banana for breakfast. I didn't bring my Better'n Eggs egg substitute so I worked with what my parents have here. Looks like we'll have a late lunch, but we're having chicken breasts, salad & corn. YUM!! See, you can be away from home and make good choices. It's a little more tricky, but it definately can be done! I know I keep saying that over and over, but I think it's an important thing. I used to be one of those people that used that as an excuse to eat poorly. "Oh well, this is what they're making. Guess that's what I'll have to have!" No. Ask to have butter on the side. Suggest a healthier way to cook something. As an example, my mom makes really AWESOME pork chops!! She puts a few rings of onion on them, then a spoon of brown sugar, a teaspoon of honey on top (or you can use lemon juice like I did) and ketchup. Bake @ 350 for 20 minutes covered with foil. Then 20 more uncovered. Oh they are SOOO good!! Now obviously I can't have the brown sugar or the ketchup (all it is is tomatoes & sugar!)so my mom just used the other stuff and they were still just as yummy!! With the chicken breasts today I think my mom will probably bake them, which is good. Love them that way. But I may show her the flattened one I've suggested in previous posts since she has a Foreman Grill too. I love that show Project Runway, and what does Tim ALWAYS tell the contestants? "Make it work!" . Right on Tim, right on!

Me Vs. Oatmeal Round 2!!

Yesterday was a tough yet fun day in Mooserville. Our first stop was at Mooserville Headquarters, Moo92. All five of us, plus Ben, gave a short interview about how it's been going so far. It was fun!! I talked about my first experience with oatmeal. Pretty funny!! Ben recorded it so stay tuned to his blog or Moo's website as I'm sure they'll post it at some point!

Then it was off to BBC (as Missy the abreviation queen calls it!! ha ha ha) for our workout. We did Engine 8. 8 stations, do each one for 1 minute no rest between. 2 of the stations were 1 minute rests and believe me I was counting down to when I could get to those stations (descriptions are on Ben's Blog). We went through the whole list 3 times. I felt like I was going SO slow! It seemed like I was only doing a few reps. I know I was doing more than I think, but it didn't feel like it at the time. I also know I'm my own worst critic so I'm sure Ben will say I did fine. I will say that I did a hell of a lot more pushups than when we first started!! I think I did like 15-18 every time around so that's a minimum of 45 pushups!!! What did I say in my first blog? I did like 18 in a minute & a half with 30 second rests in between.. Hell yeah! Like I told the girls at work, I'm gonna have "guns" before we're done!! Get ready for the gun show!! LOL

But the fun didn't stop there!! After that we alternated between wall sits and farmers carries. Ooooh my quads were BURNING!!! And then the fun continued as Ben had us pull him across the room & back. We each had to go twice, and the final time for Missy & Erica (Christine had to sit out because of her knee - but we know she'll be back to full strength soon!! =)) Ben decided that he was going to sit on the floor and have them pull him. It was HILAROUS!!! The video is even better!! OMG!! Ass on fire!! Too funny!!

So I'm sure you're wondering by now about the title of this blog.. well, it's true. I tried oatmeal again. Only this time, I took 1 cup of unsweetened applesauce, flavored it with cinnamon & nutmeg (I just sprinkled some in, mixed it up, tasted and added some more until it tasted right. Then I heated some water (about a cup), put the oatmeal in the applesauce and added the water. I think the cup of water was too much. I'll probably do about 1/2 cup next time as mine was a bit too soupy. But, (drum roll please) it was actually not bad at all. It almost (ALMOST!!) tasted like apple crisp. I think that one will definately be in my diet at least once a week. So yay to me for being stubborn & determined!! LOL.. But it's like I've been saying, just keep trying new stuff, you may actually end up liking it!! Experiment with spices (as long as they don't have salt added) and make it work for you!!

Today I'm with my parents relaxing and watching movies. I made sure to bring some fruits, veggies and (yes it's true!) a chobani yogurt with me. It's definately a little trickier away from home, but no worries!! I'm still right on track!!

Peace in the Northeast!! (stole that one from Missy too!! That girl keeps me in stiches!!)

A whole new respect for Firemen! (and women!)

You guessed it, it was cardio day in Mooserville! The stations were: my old buddy the bike (we've reconcilled, you'll be glad to know), step ups, firehose slap and a new one, band pulls. I was actually glad to see the firehose out again. That one was quite the workout and it seemed pretty fun (you HAVE to watch the video from last time!! I just about DIED laughing!! Erica and Missy were CRANKIN!!!!! You go girls!!). What the hell was I thinking?!? Holy mother of pearl!! Ben gave us goals and we had to really push to meet them. It was rough! Let me tell you, my whole body is feeling that one!! Especially from the band pulls. This was a couple of resistance bands anchored to the hanging bar. Then you have to step back and kneel down on one knee. Then pull pull pull!! You're supposed to get your arms all the way back, but wow was that hard. I think the hardest one for me is the step ups. I just can't seem to do that many!! It's frustrating, but I did hit my number once. That made me feel good!

Food was a little better today. No oatmeal thank god. But I am struggling to finish the tuna I had started to eat earlier. I mixed it with regular mustard and a little spicy brown mustard and it's not too bad, but to eat a whole can of it is not easy. It was funny this morning because I had Better'n Eggs egg substitute and the first time I tried it a few days ago I was like, ooh... I had forgotten how these tasted. But today I had them and they were yummy! I don't know what the difference was between today and the other day, but whatever it is I hope it doesn't change! That wasn't really a hard one for me, I grew up on Egg Beaters because my mom has had a probelm with her cholesterol for as long as I can remember. So she made omletes and scrambled eggs with them for us all the time! I remember she even used to microwave them.. Now that's a different taste!! Oh, and the peach Chobani yogurt is GOOD!!! Like, I didn't even need to mix it with fruit good!! The hard thing now is to try to eat broccoli, cauliflower & spinach.. but I'm going to figure out some way to do it!! Receipes welcome!! =)

Tune into Moo92 tomorrow (or log onto Moo92.com and they stream live) as the girls and I will be on there talking about our experience so far! We'll be on around 6:45am (squeezing it in before our workout).

Peace!

Toboggin?? Tabata?? What the?

Today we did Tabata. Holy shamolies!!!! Actually, first we started with dead lifts. We started with the bar which weighs 45lbs by itself. We did 8 reps, then added weight. By the time we were done Christine and I lifted 85lbs!! Woo! Looking forward to the day when that's a really impressive number. But I'm happy with that as a start. Erica and Missy were paired and they ended up lifting 95lbs!! Go girls!!

Again, a listing of the exact exercises are on the Biggest Mooser Blog. Let me tell you, I was sweating like it was raining on me!! And once we were done Tabata, we were not done for the day!! Then we did planks and supermans!! Planks are just getting in the standard push up position (no they are not called "Mens" pushups!), hips down, stomach & butt in. Hold for 30 seconds. A variant to this is to be down on your elbows & forearms. Believe me, this is no easier!! Then a rest and supermans for 30 seconds. You pull your torso up, arms straight out or out to the side (not behind you!) and pull your thighs up off the floor and hold. Let me tell ya my arms and abs are sore!! Whoo!

I have gotten a few emails in the past few days that have been so inspiring!! Thank you so much to those people! And for everyone that reads this blog and is following along. I appreciate your support more than you can possibly know! Here's a couple exerpts from the emails I've gotten (hope the people who sent them don't mind!!):

"Well, I have been following you on Moo92 and I like your attitude...you are so positive...and I need some motivation..... keep up the good work..you are motivating others out there...take my word for it....I like your attitude, it is honest, your comments are humorous and your positive approach makes me want to do this too."

This was from another friend:
"Hi Lisa!I have just read your blog, and seen some of the biggest mooser pics, and I can't tell you how proud i am of you! I think you are really doing a good job, and your attitude about it is really giving me inspiration! The try things, you don't know what you'll like, and the not give up - it's really great & motivating to read! Also, thanks for the Chicken on the George Foreman recipe! I love my george foreman, but til now, have never tried Chicken on it! Any more ideas? And the recipe for the Salsa meatloaf?!Anyway - just wanted to say keep up the good work - I think you're doing great, and your story is so inspiring -- I've been overweight my whole life, and if what you say is true, and anyone can do it -- I want to be one of them!"

It feels so good to get these!!

I did kind of have a bit of a rough day with food today though. I have to admit that I am not the first one to sit down to a bowl of oatmeal, but Ben suggested that I add it to my diet to get more fiber. I was thinking, ok, well I haven't tried it since I was a kid, so what the hay... WHOOOAAA NELLY!!! I did manage to choke down about 1 packet worth, but that was all I could do. I literally was fighting the urge to gag and have it all come back up. I was fairly disappointed at myself as I looked at the sign I posted over my desk "Suck it up and DO IT! No whining! No Excuses!".. The only thing I can say is that I gave it an honest effort. But I'm not totally giving up on it yet. I'm thinking that maybe if I mix it with unsweetened applesauce that it might be ok. This was just plain oatmeal that I made with milk. Bleeeeeeeehhh!! Ben had suggested fruit, but I'm thinking I may need more than just some cut up strawberries in there. Ben has a receipe that he calls brownie batter (no not REAL brownie batter sillies!!) that I'll have to get from him.

So for now, I am lifting my chin and preparing for a good night's rest before tomorrow's cardio day.

To quote one of my favorite songs: " Well tomorrow's another day, and I'm thirsty anyway, so bring on the rain. Well tomorrow's another day and I am not afraid, so bring on the rain."

Which way did she go George? Which way did she go?

I haven't written in a couple days and I feel a little bad about that. I was going to write last night about Sunday and yesterday but I just pooped out and didn't want to. But I'm here now!! =)

Sunday we played poker again (yeah, we love it!!) and again I packed all my essentials. It worked out great. Especially since I got knocked out fairly early and came home (nope not talking about it!!!!). That's about all that went on Sunday.

Monday we were right back at it and Ben kicked our butts yet again! This time we did Four Minute Madness. Missy and I were partners and Erica and Christine were partners. So he gave us 2 exercises and we had to do 12 reps of one then switch to the other exercise. You keep doing this for 4 minutes. This seriously kicked our butts! Again, there's pictures and video of everything on the Biggest Moosers blog. I'd like to say that the workouts are getting easier, but that's just not true!! Ben challenges us each and every day. That's what makes this whole thing so awesome. I have never been pushed so hard in my life!! He gives us goals and makes us break them.

Today was no different. It was another cardio day at bootcamp! Unfortunately, Christine couldn't join us because her little one was sick. =( (Hope you feel better Liberty!) We had 3 stations today instead of the 4 that we've been doing, so we did more "rounds" than before. Hoooly crap!!!!!! The stations were the bike (my old foe!), step ups and firehose slap (not what Ben will call it, but that's pretty much what we did with it!). The firehose slap was he had a firehose (just the outside thing I guess) tied to a kettlebell as an anchor. You grab the ends, wide feet stance, and then bring the ends between your legs, swing up and slap the firehose on the ground. Ben gave us goals for the step ups and firehose thing and we all kicked some butt!! Missy and Erica each did 40 firehose slaps by the end!! Then they were like, "ok Lisa, you get 40!" I was like... uh.... ok (I'd done 26 before that!). So on my last turn on the hose I turned it out and got 32 (I think!). Let me tell you, that firehose thing is NOT easy!! You're working your WHOLE body for that one!!

Well, I gotta get ready for work.. until tomorrow!!!