Coming soon to a blog near you!

Hi Ya'll!

Thank you for the "WELCOME BACK"! I will be posting a picture in the next few days, so prepare yourselves! I just got a fancy new hair-do (thank you Coco!), and I am excited to be "ME" again!!! I am just getting ready to make a protein shake. Today's workout (tonight) will be the following---

• warm-up
• 1 mile run, 2 mile run/walk (alternate)
• sit ups
• push ups
• stretching yoga style

Nothing fancy, but a good way to start out the week! I would like to start incorporating weights, and more yoga/pilates to the mix so watch for ideas for that as well!

** I have also been reading a new book for great ideas/changes that I need to make in my eating. "The South Beach Diet Super-Charged" is an interesting read. It has 3 phases, and the 3rd phase is normal eating but with whole grains, lean meats, fruits, vegi's, and lower fat meals. Sounds like the way we all should be eating anyways, right? I am going to be doing a daily account on the blog about my eating so that I can keep track ( I hope it doesn't bore you!), and see where I am going wrong. But also to make sure I am doing it right! I want to follow the program, because I like how it starts out strict, then slowly adds back food so you can see what agrees with your body, and then you can have anything but in moderation! I love that it is so high-protein, low carb! If any of you remember me in my "skinny days" after I had Colton, this is what I was doing- so let's see if this "older body" version of me can do it as well!

Wish me well! If you have any ideas about Phase 1 on the South Beach (SBD, from now on) I would love some input!

Picture will be posted soon, as well as weight! Maybe we will do a contest on that one!! LOL!

Ciao-

Heart, Healthy, YUM!

Grilled Sesame Salmon Serves: 4 Details: This flavorful, heart-healthy dish cooks up quickly but looks impressive, making it a perfect meal for entertaining. Tip: To test for doneness, insert a small, sharp knife in a fillet; fish should be opaque throughout. When pressed with your finger, salmon should feel firm but not hard. Ingredients: 2 medium cucumbers, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and thinly sliced 1 tablespoon salt, plus additional to taste 4 tablespoons rice vinegar, divided 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, divided 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce 2 tablespoons tahini or smooth, natural peanut butter 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil, divided 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 teaspoon chopped fresh ginger 4 salmon fillets (about 5 ounces each) 1/2 small red onion, very thinly sliced 6 cups baby arugula or salad greens

Enlarge Image Nutritional Information: 329 calories 17 g total fat (3 g sat) 75 mg cholesterol 12 g carbohydrate 31 g protein 3 g fiber 2,011 mg sodium

Directions: Place cucumbers in strainer set in sink; toss with 1 tablespoon salt. Press kitchen towel on cucumbers; drain at least 1 hour or up to 3. To make sauce, combine 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1 tablespoon lime juice, soy sauce, tahini, 1 tablespoon oil, garlic, ginger, and 1 tablespoon water in blender; puree until combined. Preheat grill to medium-high. Season both sides of salmon with salt. Place skin side down on grill; cook 3 minutes, or until skin shrinks and separates from flesh. Flip; cook 4 minutes, until done. Toss cucumbers with remaining 2 tablespoons vinegar, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon oil, and sliced onions. Refrigerate until serving. Divide arugula equally among four plates. Top each serving with salmon, then cucumbers. Drizzle sauce over servings. This recipe is reprinted with permission from the South Beach Diet Newsletter. For information about the newsletter, click here.

WELCOME BACK, WELCOME BACK, WELCOME BACK!

Hello everyone! I AM BACK!!! I've been bugged for too long about posting again from my oldest brother, Chris. He says, "Jen, everyone wants to know why you haven't been blogging?", so at his urging, and MY GUILT. Here I go... (and Chris, who is everyone?)

Chris said I should just say, that I am taking the summer off, and that I like to eat? That makes me sound lazy and obsessed about food. Not that there isn't some truth in that, but who likes to face that reality?

Well, there is no excuse really. I am trying to figure out what happened myself. I am still working out 1-2 days a week, my eating has not been at its best, but not at its worst. There is no excuse at all. Days have gone by, and now it has been months. I think I started to slack when I realized we wouldn't be going to the beach. So as I've stewed about this long and hard, here is the conclusion I have come up with...

• I am not setting a weight goal because I am going somewhere, have a "class reunion" or anything like that.
• I am not starting on Monday, or tomorrow, I am starting right now.
• I had a lovely realization yesterday when I did my BMI on an online calculator, and it read "Obese"...
• I know I am not in the best shape, look the best, or in a healthy weight range for my height.
• I know that I must be mentally prepared, and emotionally ready to get rid of this baggage.
  

SO HERE IS WHAT I WANT TO DO AND WHAT I AM STRIVING TO DO:

1. I want to lose weight. Not just for looking good purposes, but for confidence. For health- because I should be scared straight that heart problems run in my family...
2. I need to make sure I work-out 6 days a week. Why? No, this is not obsession, or excessive, I feel good when I work out, it is my time, and it is about me and for me. Mentally it helps me start my day...
   
3. I need to consume less calories each day, and be mindful of the calories I do consume.
   
4. I want to reach a goal that I can achieve each day, I want a focus that is about me, and I want to be free from the weight that is literally dragging me down.
5. Last, but not least, I find that when I have a focus and a balance in my life and about me, I am much happier!!!

So, Chris, I would like an official WELCOME BACK from you! I am back, and I am ready to be held accountable. I need to blog about this, as embarrassing as it is, I am overweight, and ready for a change. So, I will post a picture tomorrow, I am going to the gym, I will weigh in, I will take the measurements, so folks, be prepared. I am going to get "REAL"... You may be shocked, or you may not be. I hope I don't embarrass myself, my family or my friends, by what I post. But, I am tired of being tired, and I probably embarrass myself more now with the shape I am in, than by doing something about it!

To all who read and come across this, please feel free to comment, and share your weight loss success, your insight, and add me as a link to your blog. If you know me, and come across this, please drop me a line, I'd love to say hello!!!

HERE IS TO MY SUCCESS, TO A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER ME!!! This is....

MY PERSONAL TRIAL

DAY 16

Spin class rocks! Second time in class, and it was great! I ran a mile to warm up, stretched then headed into the darkness... I had to mentally wrap my brain around how "great" I was going to do today, and it I did! It was a great class, lots of "hovering", "jumping", and "sprinting"- but it was fun! All of these terms I am learning as I go, but now I am slowly getting it! I am feeling great, and just in case any of you are wondering- I am not taking any crazy diet pills. I had thought about doing "Hydroxycut", but then my cute little friend said- Jen, why not use your own energy? Who does that? So, I am diet pill free, and doing this all on my own steam! I do go to bed rather early, but it is the only way I can get up at 4:30 am, and still have energy the rest of the day!

I LOVE IT!

tOodLEs...

Day 14

I feel amazing! It has almost been 2 short weeks of working out, and I am feeling great! I took this morning off, I was tired, and I some food didn't sit well with me last night- if you catch my drift! I am down 10 pounds, and going strong! I will have to admit, I haven't posted a picture yet, mostly because I am sick about what it looks like! I will post when I am down 25 pounds, so that I look a little more decent!!! I am now running 1.5 miles on the treadmill, and consistently doing 45 minutes of cardio! The weight training is going well, I have started using the "Body for Life" weight training as a guide, and I am really enjoying it. Now for the last week's cycle class- I have to give props to my girlfriend Trish! She teaches this class at a gym in Draper, and I can honestly say- how in the heck did you teach this 9 months pregnant??? I got spanked! I loved the class, I had an amazing instructor, he was very entertaining, thank goodness, and challenging. I walked out of the class, legs shaking, and my entire head was like a wet mop! I am looking forward to Thursday this week to do it again!!!

As for my eating, I've been doing quite well. I am trying to eat every 2-3 hours, so that I don't get hungry and go nuts. I am staying away from soda, white sugar, and white flour,- yes, I've had a bite here, and a banana brownie there. But nothing like I used to. I tell everyone I know, I am a firm believer that 85% of weight loss is what you eat! You can work out, but if you eat like crap, you aren't going to lose any weight! I have been doing 3 protein shakes a day, eating apples, vegi's and lean meats. I don't generally feel hungry until Bry whips out the ice cream, then I just head to bed!

Next point, GET SOME REST! I now understand that my body needs more, MUCH MORE than 5 hours of sleep. This may have worked for me in my 20's but not anymore! I go to bed between 8:30 and 10 every single night. And I need it! I can actually go work out, and not come home and need to crawl back in bed- GO FIGURE!

I am down to 73 days, and I am feeling a little anxious! I can't wait to go to the beach, lay in the sun, and enjoy myself- I have so much work ahead of me, I know it will pay off if I can stay focused!!!

If you have any advice, leave me a comment, I am running 1.5 miles this week, then jumping up to 2 next week! First of June, I will start the "Hal Higdon" training guide for a 1/2 marathon!

GIDDY UP!

DAY 7

Camera is no where to be found, and no I have NOT quit my regimen!!! I've been so exhausted and have been busy so I haven't had the time to blog! Today was the beast of it all!!! I went to Pilates, and I didn't think it would be too bad- boy was I ever wrong! It kicked my trash! I couldn't do all of the moves, because my thighs, abs, and butt were burning beyond belief! I highly recommend the class, I will definitely be going back! I will be lifting and running tomorrow, and Thursday is SPIN CLASS. I have every reason to be SO NERVOUS about this class. I have done it ONCE forever ago, and it was insane! I am looking forward to the pain! Thank goodness I don't have much going on today, cuz I am exhausted, sore, and so sleepy! I'll be hittin' the pillow by 8:30 tonight!!! Sleep, eat right, and exercise- THE WEIGHT IS COMING OFF!!! I AM SO EXCITED FOR THE BEACH THIS YEAR!!!

DAY 4!!!

I am so happy it is SATURDAY! That means I can sleep past 4:45am tomorrow morning!!! I ran again, and I did run 1 mile. And then another 33 minutes of cardio. The cardio is going great, I am feeling more confident in my routine, and excited to start my "program" on Monday! Also added some push-ups, and sit-ups to the routine today, with a TON of stretching! This is key!!! I can't find the camera yet, but I will say, I am so jazzed to show you a picture, then be able to post again my weight, inches, and a new picture in 4 weeks! I've decided 2 things: ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING, and so is what you put in your mouth! Isn't that interesting! Enjoy your Saturday as I will mine! I will be back after a wonderful weekend, ready to go on Monday!