WOW - JMBR Inspired Workout

I have now entered my last 3 weeks of Jillian Michaels - Body Revolution and do not have words for how much I have loved this program! You can see my 1-2 progress HERE. It continues to challenge me and is by far my favorite of all her programs, or any that I've tried at all for that matter.

So, today I've decided to put together a little circuit training workout using some of my favorite moves from JMBR:

I always start with a 5 minute warm up and 5 minute cool down. You repeat each circuit one time (more if you're a real over-achiever). You can make it easier or harder by lowering or upping your weights. You can find videos of any of these moves on YouTube if you unsure of what they are. I've included videos of a few of the moves:

Scorpion Push-Ups (my new addiction.. LOVE these):

Plank Ups:

Rock Star Jumps:

Smile, Beautiful.

I have never understood people that feel the need to belittle others. People that find even the smallest weaknesses or flaws in others and feel the need to point them out. What makes them superior? What makes them feel perfect and gives them the right to hurt those around them? What do they get from it? Does it really bring them happiness?

It seems since becoming a mother, I am far more sensitive to these things than I used to be. Whether I'm the victim, or someone else, it affects me differently now. I hurt for others being treated this way. I hope and pray that my son won't have to feel that pain, or ever cause that kind of pain. Although, sadly, I'm sure one, or both, will happen at some point in time.

It seems technology has only helped the bullies of the world. They hide behind their phones and computers and say cruel, heartless things that they can never take back. Never once thinking of how they might affect the lives of others.

I'd wager we've all been affected by hurtful words at some point or another.  Maybe you've been criticized for your size or appearance. Maybe you've been made to feel worthless. Maybe you've worked so hard to meet expectations and feel like a failure when those aren't achieved. Maybe you don't feel beautiful enough because of photo shopped models or hurtful comments directed your way. Maybe someone has broken your heart and you can't imagine how you will ever feel whole again. Maybe you shy away due to a lack of confidence. Maybe you watch life go by from the sidelines because you worry about what others might think.  

They're lies. All of it.

You are perfect the way you are. You are strong. You are beautiful, no matter your size. Embrace your imperfections. Imperfections are what makes us unique. It's what makes us who we are. Be brave. Be confident. Smile through everything. Leave the sidelines and dance your life away. You are worth it. Worth everything and anything you can possibly ever want or dream of.

Don't let anyone ever tell you differently.

Motivation Monday - Running tips

Welcome back for another Motivation Monday! I hope you grab a button and come link up with us.

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I should be updating you all on my weekly weight loss, but my scale is broken. Darn thing, anyways. It shows the same weight, give or take 5 pounds, regardless of who or what is on it. So, I'll be a taking a dreaded, yet much needed break from the scale.
My motivation, or fitness/weight loss tips are mainly running related this week. Saturday is always cardio day for me. Every other Saturday, this means a run. I stayed up way too late Friday night and made myself a running playlist. Up until this point, I've just been running to the radio. I started Saturday morning off with a little Jillian to complete my 30ds challenge for the day, and then got ready to head out for my run.
I'm short on time today (I may or may not have procrastinated a bit) so I'll have to go into more details on my run later in the week. But the playlist worked! I truly enjoyed my run and was able to push myself so much further and faster than ever. I completed 6 miles in 1 hour and 3 minutes. If I'm remembering correctly, my last run 2 weeks ago, was 5 miles in 56/57 minutes.
Here is what works for me (so far, I'm new to running):
1. Cross train! I can't stress that enough. I know I would not be able to run this far or get the times I'm getting if I wasn't lifting and doing plyo type moves during the week. I only get to run a couple times a month, sometimes 2 weeks apart, and am continuing to improve. That is, no doubt, due to weights.
2. Run with gum. I get horrible dry mouth while I'm running. Maybe I don't breath properly, who knows. But gum helps.
3. Make yourself an awesome playlist.
4. Refuel after a run. If I don't eat shortly after finishing, I get a horrible migraine. You burned a lot of calories, you need to refuel!
5. Stretch and rest days. I am the worst at taking rest days. I hate them and usually pay the price for ignoring them. However, after running 6 miles (which is a long run for me) my muscles thank me taking it easy the next day.
So, that's what I have learned helps me at this point in the game. I move on to the last 2 discs in JMBR tonight. Wish me luck! Now grab a button and come link up with us!

5 on Friday

1. It's take your lions to work day! Shouldn't the 5th be a holiday too? I think so...

                                                

In case you're new here, or are unaware, my son believes he is a lion. We're around 80% lion, 20% little boy these days. 

2. We finally got a splash pad in town. Wyatt loves it, I love it. Love all around for the splash pad.

3. After a two day break from my workouts, I can't wait to get back at it today! JMBR and 30ds are on the schedule for tonight, with a 5 mile run planned for tomorrow. 

4. We went to Cheyenne yesterday and spent the 4th with family! I made a red, white & blue cake and made sure not to bring the left overs home. 

5. I'm shrinking out of my clothes! Instead of keeping them in storage "in case I need them some day," I'm getting ready to donate/sell them. Good riddance! 

Let's Have Coffee...

If we were to have coffee together today, I'd probably tell you:

* I am so excited for the 4th of July tomorrow! Happy Birthday, America! Fun with family and friends, and a day off from work. It doesn't get better than that.

* While standing in the checkout line yesterday, staring at all this temptation, foaming at the mouth like a rabid raccoon, I decided it should be illegal to put sweets by the register.

* I'm doing this crazy awesome 30ds challenge with Amber and Holly. Of course, I still have Phase 3 of JMBR, so I'm doing two-a-days. There is a high possibility Jillian might kill me this month... 

* But it's worth it for the results. While cleaning out the storage room, I came across this coat this past weekend. It used to barely button across me.  It is moments like this that make all the struggles, stress, sweat and tears worth it. 

Have a safe and enjoyable Independence Day everyone!!

R.I.P Sweets

These past several days have been a huge eye opener for me in terms of my eating habits. I've been stripped of all, and I do mean all, food groups that I enjoy. It's only temporary, but it's been necessary. Proteins and dairy (fat free cottage cheese, greek yogurt, cream cheese, sour cream and milk are the only ones allowed) are my least favorite things to eat. I don't enjoy them. I could go months without them and not give it a second thought. Needless to say, this has been challenging.

But more than that, I'm realizing just how much food has controlled my life. How food controls my over-all mood. I've been a major crank the past week. I want bread, cheese, chocolate, snacks, crackers. Anything with some flavor! I've been angry I can't have it. This morning as I was eating my eggs and oat bran that I've had daily for what seems an eternity, I was almost in tears because I wanted something more. Tears!  I wanted ketchup with my eggs. Or peanut butter and jelly toast. Mmmm waffles.

After a little pity party, I snapped myself out of it a bit. So what, Tiffany?! Get a frickin' grip already. It's food, not a lost puppy. Food is meant as fuel, not as a past time.

I've yo-yo dieted most of my life. I tried dieting in middle school. For some time I was eating under 400 calories a day at that time. I did weight watchers in High School and had some success. I've done the lemonade diet, HCG, Weight Watchers again, SlimFast, and of course Jillian Michaels Online where I had the most success. Never once, through any of these, did I realize how out of control my eating habits actually were. This gives me hope that something is different this time. That it will stick for good.

I said last week that I was going to strive for a more positive attitude, when in reality I'm in a major funk today. So here's some positive thoughts from others instead...

Motivation Monday

Time for another Motivation Monday Link-up! Grab a button and join us for sharing your progress, recipes, tips... whatever motivates you!

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I reached a big "milestone" in my weight loss this week. I have finally  reached (and passed) my pre-pregnancy weight! It took me 25 months, but am thrilled to have made it. This isn't the end though, I still have a long ways to go, but I am confident I will get there. 
I'm joining the lovely Amber and Holly for their July 30 Day Shred Challenge. It had been a long time since I'd done this workout! Love it! 

As I mentioned last week, I'm starting a program to help with my eating. Fitness is never the issue for me. I love working out, especially the past few weeks. I'm starting to see results in my endurance and muscle definition and that helps to keep me motivated in that area. Food... food is a different story.
This program has you answer roughly 80 questions about yourself, most of them pertaining to food preferences/habits and generates your program accordingly. That being said, I have 6... yes, SIX days of "Pure Protein." 
Now, don't freak. I'm still an "everything in moderation girl." That won't be changing. Problem is, I struggle with the "moderation" part. Cookies, candy bars, processed sugars, chocolate... yeah, they aren't meant to be consumed daily. I would count them in my calories for the day, in fact, I would adjust my meals around the crap to save for them. That is just not healthy. Not on a daily basis. 
So, for six days straight, I am eating only lean proteins and non-fat dairy as well as some daily oat bran. After those six days are up (end of day Wednesday), I will start adding certain veggies and then eventually everything else. This is a type of detox, as well as to jump-start your body and flush out all the processed junk and sugar. You guys... it's rough. I knew I loved my sweets, but it is consuming me these past few days! It also doesn't help that I'm not a huge meat eater so I'm getting bored with my food. It's shown me just how badly I need help getting these things under control and learning to eat healthy. Not just temporarily to lose weight, but for the long haul. 
Keep your fingers crossed that I'm still alive on Thursday when I'm allowed veggies. Green foods will never have tasted so good!!
And, to leave you all with some cuteness...