HR monitor

I got a new HR monitor.. yeah.. I don't know what took me so long... I have been kinda sorta wanting one.I bought mine used on ebay. Seriously people.... ebay can save you so much money, especially on fitness stuff. It was easy to figure out and set up.. it comes with a chest strap and monitor. Today was the first day I used it....Silly me I thought my target HR was up in the 160's... so I was working my ass off wondering why I was not reaching my HR. I was like Damn how much harder can I workout... I was dripping in sweat...My fitbit had 10 petals which is basically the max. After the fact I looked at my stats and I was in the zone all along.... well at least I got a good workout out of it


Interesting that Lifting weights and push ups got my HR up really quick and also I seem to recover really fast... I heard Chris say on Extreme weight loss that this is a good sign of cardiovascular fitness.

Reward

A new netbook- Asus 1215 B netbook.....

My dell laptop broke after having it just over a year.. the motherboard is bad. I have been sharing Liv's computer, but am happy to now have this netbook to blog on.

shopping spree

today I went on a shopping spree.. my 1 year reward


I tried on so many different items today ... tops, dresses, skirts.. I went to macys, the limited and NY company. I spent 3.5 hours shopping.  I love all the colorful tunics out.. but they just don't flatter me .. too boxy. I found a must have shirt dress at NYC but I needed a size up that they were out of.  I really think I need to check online because what I was looking for was a casual knee length skirt and top combo... I found either maxi skirts or pencil skirts.... nothing in between. I am really feeling a pull towards my girly side.. trying on more dresses.. but did not find a keeper today. It is my goal to find a cute dress.

I ended up with four tops and earrings.... I still need a cute pair of wedge or mid  heeled sandals and I want some cute skirts.

I got this Limited mesh top.. I plan to wear it over a cami and with my jeans or white pants


I got this fun green striped top.. for the weekend.. I am a sucker for a striped top


I hardly ever buy two pairs of the same thing... but I love these so much .I got a pair in gold and silver.. they are so lightweight and petite... they just shimmer so pretty. I am usually more of a silver girl, but I am liking the gold too. I forget I have these on. I loathe heavy earrings that weigh my lobes down.

I also got a coral lightweight sweater and a orange/black geometric tank top.



gotta go through my summer clothes basket and see what fits and really make a plan.. because if I just walk into a mall I am bound to buy all cute tops and accessories and nothing I really need

Reward

This was my recent reward purchase... I have to go back to recall my last purchase. I reward myself once a month for working out. I got it new on ebay for a steal... well a steal to me anyway. I have been very spendy lately... 2 new pairs of jeans, 2 new tops.... those were more necessary expenditures because my other pants were falling off. I will probably start doing rewards every three months after my year anniversary. I still think it is important to reward ones-self for a job well done.

3/16/13 new hair-do

before & after

Week 33 reward

a new winter coat by DKNY in a rich purple/burgundy color- the one I was really wanting that was on sale was gone.... no worries.. this one is much more functional

week nine/week 33 & week 18/week 33

am weight 134


33 weeks... yeah me. I have been working out consistently since May. I work out doing 30 min minimum of cardio 5 days a week, doing heavy weights 3 days a week. My average workout is 50 minutes long. Honestly I thought my visible physical results would be more " WOW" after 33 weeks of hard work. I am working really, really hard. There are numerous non-scale victory's- better heart health, improved digestion, muscle tone, better sleep. I don't get winded going up stairs, I can run 3 miles. I have been 1 stinking pound away from my goal weight of 133...... it's comical at this point.  I have lost 13 lbs so far and 8 inches total. I went from a being a snug size 12 to a loose size 10, even my wedding rings are too big... which is silly since I weighed 133 on my wedding day... I must have really conditioned my fingers. I am really going to ramp up my routine because I want to have more wow results on my 1 year fit-anniversary.





                                                            week 9 & week 33

week 19 & week 33

I love my tassimo

I am loving the convenience of my Tassimo single serve beverage brewing system!!! I have no idea why I am so late in the game on these gadgets.. it's just as if I woke one day thinking that I would really like one of those and then spent time researching the difference between the brands and finally watching & bidding. It is a little indulgent... but cheaper than going to star bucks.





It bugs me a tad that the Keurig  K cups are everywhere and yet the T discs take a little more work to find. That is one thing the Keurig has going for it, while the Tassimo gets bragging rights to being able to make excellent lattes with the shelf stable milk discs. According to the Tassimo website Target, walmart, lowes, best buy and bed, bath & beyond are the local stores in my area who carry T discs.  Walmart had only two types of plain coffee.. but they had the best price, Target had about the same selection, none were available at lowes or best buy, bed, bath & beyond had every online flavor of T disc available . I was able to get a 20% of coupon to use in store. Bed, Bath & Beyond also offers free shipping and I got 20% off my online order. The nearest Bed bath & beyond is not very close.. not as simple as running to the corner store, however it is somewhat near my office so It won't be a problem to run in and stock up. I will prolly continue to shop online since they offer free shipping.




 I wish Tassimo sold a sampler pack of coffees so that you can try different flavors before committing to purchase and whole box.  I have tried the cappuccino, earl grey hot tea, Peach iced tea, Mastro lorenzo crema and  finally my favorite the Chai latte. I am waiting on my order of Gevaila caramel macchiato and French Vanilla coffee to arrive. The Iced tea was $7.99 for a box of 16 discs.. so 50 cents each. The lattes are more like $1.00 each.

I figured if I did not like the Machine I would re-sell it on ebay... but it's a keeper.

week 28

am weight 135


All is well over here.... starting to get in the Christmas Spirit. Liv is really into her " elf on the shelf" this year and she still believes in Santa ( thank Goodness). I found this website where you can create a personalized video from Santa for Free and Liv was just tickled pink about that when she got her special message from Santa. I like How Santa reminded her to keep working hard to control her temper and knew she was full of energy. I have a link on my Facebook if anyone is interested in viewing her special video or making one. John has been a little blue, he is saying business is the worst it's ever been.I have put out a few feelers for full time employment. We will see what life brings. I really like my job. I think John has a tough logical choice to face whether or not to keep working at his business or find full time employment.


I have a Birthday coming up.. the Big "45"... feeling pretty good at 45. Physically I feel great, I don't like how the skin on my neck & hands is changing.. not much I can do about that. I am getting myself in great shape, eating well and taking care of this body of mine... Life is good. I am very proud to say that since I began this commitment to get fit back in May.. I have worked out five days a week without fail.... No excuses. Only missing 2 days when Ill.


My Birthday Gift/week 28 reward to myself is a Tassimo single brew coffee machine. I can't wait until it arrives. After much research between the tassimo or Keurig.. I went with my gut and the reviews that sold me on the Tassimo. I got mine on ebay of-course ( $20 plus shipping... woot!). While Keurig seems to have cornered the market for K cups and having a wide variety available at stores, from what i hear Tassimo brews a better cup. Also I could get a refurbished Tassimo at a much better price than a used Keurig. I enjoy Latte's & specialty drinks, so I am willing to purchase the T discs online. I have already found them on ebay at a great price.

Reward Shopping Spree

I went a little cray cray with this months reward- but like I said before my reward 4 weeks ago was returned... so I felt justified doubling up. I try to keep it at $50 or less every 4 weeks. I reward myself for working out 5 days a week  for a month without fail. So far in the past six months I have only missed 2 workouts.

 Here is what I purchased:

New Nine West burgundy tote that is a look alike for the Micheal kors tote I love- bigger than I am used to but I just love it so much.

Three new tops/ One pre-owned Top ( ebay)

1 new scarf

a pre-owned pair of brown riding boots  ( ebay)

grand total of $105 for everything- I really made my money stretch by shopping at Burlington & Gabriel Brothers and of course eBay. 

I really want some burgundy colored jeans.. as pictured with the top I already bought. Maybe for my birthday coming up.

week 20

All is well over here- in the past 20 weeks I have only missed 2 workouts, one for a sinus headache and one while recovering from my root canal. I am really proud of my consistency and progress working out five days a week like clockwork. The other day I noticed I was only 1 lb away from my goal weight and it was not about the scale anymore. I was happy to see 134 on the scale, but I am far more invested in just being healthy & strong. A few of those lbs was from not being able to eat sufficient calories when I was in pain.  If I could say anything to myself 20 weeks ago or to anyone just starting out.... I would say be patient... just keep doing it, be consistent in working out, start small & add on as you feel stronger, challenge yourself, keep making smart choices with your diet.. all those small changes add up and soon you will feel & see the rewards.

I never want to go back to the old way I was living. I think I have found balance now in my healthy living and that is a beautiful thing. This week I fit into my old size 10's.. that was a nice moment. My thermometer jeans which were to small to even button but they now fit perfectly.I have rubbed off on Liv, she is reading labels and very aware of sugar content now. I always want to set a healthy example for her. so yeah.. Life is feeling really good. I can't believe it has been three years this month since I returned to work and went from SAHM to career woman.


I am going to take some measurements & pics soon.. I am still not done with my journey.. I still want to firm up & lose fat and get into a size 8.. this is a lifelong thing. You will see me on here in 20 more weeks with week 40 updates.


have you started your healthy journey yet? what week are you on?

My week 20 reward was supposed to be a massage... but I want new fall clothes more than I want a massage... so I finally bought some clarks shooties I had been coveting forever. I hope they come in the mail today.

Rewards

a pedicure & lunch with my friend... my week 16 reward a little early - I am just wrapping up week 15. I allow myself a little splurge reward every 4 weeks.


week 4 - fit-bit

week 8 - workout clothing

week 12 - new top & jewelry

week 16 - Pedicure with my friend

week 12 reward

Every four weeks I reward myself so long as i do not miss a workout. I was ill on Wednesday and missed a w.o but made up for that on Saturday... so my streak is still intact. I had originally planned on getting a massage, but instead felt the itch to shop.I shop so much resale/goodwill that going to the mall is a treat. I had a coupon for $15 off $30 for the Limited and I had been eying the lace tee online and that was indeed so lovely and I may purchase it when it goes on sale,but I ended up getting this instead and I also bought this necklace in silver and some earrings. I love the limited I do... I was really hard to just choose one blouse. I am loving all the colors out for fall- royal blue, mustard,wine, purples. I love the colored pants & skirts. I wish everything was not so darn sheer requiring one to purchase a tonal cami... smart marketing ploy I guess.

How do you reward yourself for your hard work?