My Body Back Journey by Libby- final installment!

Before

Wednesday 11/9 10pm

I watched everything I ate today, only healthy things and a lot of water! I wish I did that every day as I felt so much better. I was worried I was going to be disappointed in my weight loss which I was a little, but again I didn’t give this 100% the last few weeks. Although I now fit in my pre-maternity pants which is something in itself! So I know the weight will come in time and wearing my regular clothes will help me get there!

A few weeks ago Jackie asked us to give up a bad habit. My bad habit is drinking soda. I drink about 1 a day. Somehow I stuck to it and kicked the soda everyday and now have about 1 soda a week so that was a big accomplishment for me! I’ve drank more water in the past 8 weeks than I ever have and now it’s a habit to fill my water bottle every morning.

 

 

 

After

The assessment class tonight went a lot better than I expected! I lost a total of 5lbs. As much is this was about weight for me, it was more so about starting new habits and changing my life. I had 10 extra pounds from having 2 kids and I knew this was my chance to get over the hump and once I did, I would be back to an even healthier me.

I can’t do it all in 8 weeks but I feel really good about the path I’m on now. These 8 weeks were about taking time for myself and realizing I needed to make changes in my diet and start exercising on a regular basis even if it was for 15 minutes while my kids played. There is always an excuse, especially with our busy lives and having children but nothing works with an unhappy and unhealthy Mom. I want my children to have healthy lifestyles.

Before

This class taught me a lot. It taught me to start small with exercising, changing what we eat, drinking more water and slowly giving up thinks like sugar and soda of which I love both! I loved the inspiration I got from Jackie and the other Mom’s in class. I think we all need the support in class and outside. I really enjoyed the facebook group as it was encouragement during the week, sometimes when I needed it most.

Sunday 11/13 8pm

Tonight we had a Final results party! It was at the Blue Jean’s Bar. It’s a great store with tons of different types and styles of jeans! A great place to reward yourself for 8 weeks of hard work! It was fun to see everyone in “regular” clothes with makeup on! More importantly it was exciting to see the changes we all made over the past 8 weeks and the support that got us all there! Thanks Jackie and Victoria!

After

Here I am 8 weeks later….I lost 5 pounds. I lost 2 inches in my waist which I am thrilled about as I knew it was something since I am no longer in my maternity pants! Bye-Bye maternity pants, it was fun! I think the best part for me was seeing the before and after pictures. I look so different! My pushup improvements were 60% but to be honest, I only did 6 the first night of class. I am not a fan of pushups. My plan improved 40% and overall I am very happy with where I am 8 weeks later.

I will miss this group as it really did change my life and how I view exercising. I will miss Jackie saying “Belly buttons in”, as I always need the reminder. I might even miss Friday nights and dreading Saturday mornings. But once I was at class on Saturdays I was so glad I made it and left knowing it was the best way to start the weekend and to remind myself of what to do and what not to do! I will miss Jackie’s upbeat music but I know this is a start to a new me and I don’t want to let myself go back to where I was. I’m so glad I took this class for many different reasons! Jackie, I’ve said it before and will say it again, you are a true inspiration!

My Body Back Journey by Libby

Wednesday 11/2 8pm

I missed class tonight which I was bummed about as it sounded challenging! I guess they did 100 of multiple exercises! I am also missing Saturday’s class so I will have to try and keep myself on track. Tonight I made the Chicken Verde recipe which is one of the recipes in our workout book. I have to say it was super easy to make and delicious and of course healthy! I have a feeling that recipe will be a regular meal in our house.

Sunday 11/6 7pm

We were out of town this weekend so I missed the Saturday class. It’s always difficult when you’re away to watch what you eat especially when you are in the car for a few hours which we were. I felt like I did pretty well and in the back of my mind the reminder of final assessments this week played into helping me control what I ate and drank.

Monday 11/7 9pm

I went to the Monday night class tonight to take “after” pictures. I only see these ladies usually once a week and could tell a difference in each one of them. It gave me motivation for the next two days before it was my turn for assessments, which I was totally dreading! In all honesty, I gave this class about 70%. My 3 month old ended up having surgery in the middle of the 8 weeks and I let things slide a bit.

 

Recipe of the Week- Sweet Potato and Collard Greens Salad

You can tell that I am on a fall and winter veggie kick right now :)  Here's another yummy way to get in some greens- you could substitute swiss chard, kale or spinach for the collards.

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed (about 3 cups)
2 T olive oil
1/2 t. sea salt
1/4 t. fresh ground pepper
1 bunch collard greens, chopped (about 4-5 cups)
1/2 c. roasted pumpkin seeds
1/4 dried cherries (I used cranberries)
zest and juice of one lemon
1 T. coarse ground mustard
1 T. pumpkin seed oil or olive oil

Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast on a baking sheet at 375 for 25-30 minutes.  Remove from the oven and toss collards with sweet potatoes directly on the hot baking sheet, then return to the oven for another 5 minutes until the greens begin to wilt.  Transfer the greens and sweet potatoes to a bowl and mix with pumpkin seeds, dried cherries and lemon zest.  In a separate bowl, whisk the lemon juice, mustard and pumpkin seed oil together, then toss with the salad.  Enjoy at room temperature or refrigerate and serve chilled. 

From Experience Life Magazine, December 2011.

Recipe of the Week- Pumpkin French Toast

Here's a yummy breakfast for Thanksgiving morning!

4 slices whole wheat bread
2 eggs
2 T. pumpkin puree
1 t. pumpkin pie spice
splash of milk

Heat a large skillet or griddle over med-high heat and spray with cooking spray.  Whisk the eggs in a shallow bowl.  Add the pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice, whisking until pumpkin breaks.  Add a splash of milk and whisk until smooth.  Dip the bread in, turn to coat and set aside- don't let it sit too long or it will get soggy.  Place the french toast on the skillet and turn when cooked, about 2-3 minutes.  Serve with a sprinkle of fairy dust- also known as powdered sugar.  Our favorite dippers are apple sauce or vanilla greek yogurt, but I supposed syrup would do as well- just make sure it's 100% pure maple syrup to avoid icky additives :)

Recipe of the Week- Butternut Squash Soup

This soup is so simple and delicious! I've been having it as an afternoon snack, drinking it in a mug while chasing the girls around.  It would be a great starter to your Thanksgiving meal too.

1 butternut squash
3 T. butter
1 large chopped onion
1 t. dried ginger (or 4 t. fresh)
4 c. low-sodium chicken stock
1/2 c. half and half
salt to taste

1. Preheat oven to 400.  Cut the squash in half, remove the seeds and place cut side down in a roasting pan.  Cook about 40 minutes, or until squash is cooked.
2.  Melt the butter in a large soup pot.  Add the onions and ginger and cook 5-8 minutes until tender.
3.  Scoop out the inside of the squash and add to onion mixture.  Add chicken stock and bring to a simmer, stirring to break apart the squash. Simmer 10 minutes.
4.  With an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth.  If you don't have an immersion blender, you can use a regular blender or food processor.
5.  Stir in the half and half and salt to taste. 

Recipe of the Week- Kale, Peppers and Pine Nuts

Recipe of the Week- Kale with Bell Peppers, Garlic and Pine Nuts

This is a great side, but can be made a main dish also by adding beans- kidney or cannelini work well- after preparing. 

1 bunch kale, tough stems removed and coarsely chopped (about 4 cups)
2-4 garlic cloves, minced or sliced
2 T. olive oil
2 T. pine nuts
1 red bell peppers, cut into strips
Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Wash the kale and allow water droplets to remain on leaves.  In a small dish, add the garlic to the olive oil and allow to sit.  Heat a heavy skillet over medium high heat and toast the pine nuts until golden and fragrant, stirring constantly for about 1 minute.  Remove the nuts from the pan.  Add the garlic and oil to the pan, stirring once to flavor the pan.  Add bell pepper strips and season with salt and pepper.  Saute peppers for about 2 minutes and add kale.  Stir briefly, cover the pan with a lid and turn the heat to low.  Cook for about 2 minutes, then stir.  Cover again, turn off heat and allow veggies to steam in the pan for 2 minutes.

From Experience Life magazine, Oct. 2011

My Body Back Journey By Libby

Thursday 10/27 9am

I missed class last night as my daughter was sick and husband was out. I decided to use my class DVD once the kids went to bed. I would have rather been at class but it was a good substitute! Jackie even found time to text me and tell me what to do workout wise since I missed class. Such a big part of this process for me is the little nudge that Jackie gives me.

Friday 10/28 4pm

Today was a good day for me…..my pre-maternity jeans fit! They are snug but I got them on and was able to wear them! My son is about to be 4 months so this was a feel good moment for me. I have lost a few pounds but more importantly some amount off my waist and hips to get my size 8 jeans back on! BIG DAY! I am tired of wearing my maternity jeans. If this isn't motivation, I'm not sure what is!

Saturday 10/29 11 am

This was the hardest class yet! Just when you think it might get easier, it gets even harder. The best part is leaving class feeling an immediate difference! Jackie always has the best music. I always look forward to the Sat morning class as it’s such a good focus for the weekend. I think as Mom’s we have so many things to juggle and it’s easy for things to go by the wayside (especially on the weekends)!

My Body Back Journey by Libby

Wednesday 10/18 9pm

It felt really good to get back to class tonight after missing last week! I knew the weigh in was going to be bad but it was worse than I thought. I won’t even go there. I know if I am going to get my body back, this is my chance. I need to be pushed. At first I was upset but then decided I really needed to get a move on, the class is half over. Tonight’s workout was really good. Every time I wanted to give up, I remembered my weigh in and that I only had 4 weeks left to give everything I can. I owe this to myself and to my children. If I can just get over this hump of where I seems to be stuck weight and body wise, I can make the change happen. I am determined to do this. I love the motivation I get from the other Mom’s and Jackie. I need them to push me over the hump! This is going to be my breaking week!

Saturday 10/22 11 am

It feels so good to start the day with a good workout. I think it also encourages me to make better food choices on the weekends. It’s too easy to get into a food/drinking slump on the weekends! Jackie is great at pushing you yet encouraging you at the same time. I would not be doing this on my own. Every time I leave her class, I can feel a difference in my body, right away! We also got a second food journal today and I love that it has new recipes.

Sunday 10/23 11 am

It’s was so nice out today we took the kids for a 2 hour walk! My husband commented that I now walk faster. J I think I just have more motivation! It feels good to feel changes taking place and encourages me to keep with it and do a little extra each day!

 

Trick or Treat Aftermath

It's that time of year.  The day after Halloween and we are left with buckets of candy and temptation at every turn. Before you bite, here are some calories counts of some of your favorite candy's AND the exercises that you would have to do to work those calories OFF.  Thank you to our instructor Victoria Slone for this guest blog post!

 Snickers (one fun size candy bar) – 72 calories. Running for 8 minutes is your fastest approach. Don’t like running? A 19-minute walk will burn the same number of calories.

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, Skittles or Twix bar (one fun size) – 80 calories. Riding a bike for 10 minutes will do the trick to get rid of this treat. You’ll need to work equally hard if you eat a fun size Twix bar or a fun size package of Skittles.

Plain Hershey’s Milk Chocolate (one fun size bar) – 70 calories. Eat one and you’ll need to swim for 9 minutes to burn off those calories. 18 minutes if you eat two. (etc.)

Candy corn (11 pieces) – 70 calories. You can almost eat that many in one mouthful. Unfortunately, burning them off isn’t as easy. Don’t despair, 10 minutes of step aerobics will get rid of those candy corn calories.

Twizzlers or Sweet Tarts (treat size pack) or 1 Hershey’s Nugget- 50 calories. The treats are tiny, but the calories are mighty. Good news, there are plenty of ways to burn them off. A 15 minute game of Frisbee or a 5 ½ minute of tennis with a friend will get rid of them.

Tootsie Pop – 60 calories. A harmless lollipop? Not so fast. An innocent looking Tootsie Pop packs in 60 empty calories. Although eating one takes a while and actually burn a few calories, you’ll need to skip rope for 6 minutes to burn it off for good.

Butterfinger or Kit Kat (snack size) – 100 calories. It was yummy but now it’s “Payday”. Just hop on the treadmill for a brisk 15 minute walk to ditch those unwanted calories.

M&M’s (fun size) – 100 calories. Option 1: rake leaves for 20 minutes, or option 2: do 100 pushups to undo the damage from a fun size pack of plain M&M’s. Double that if you eat a pack of fun size Peanut M&M’s (180 calories).

If you did indulge - you now have the tools to help you get back on track.

Our best tip, get the candy out of your house!  Have the Great Pumpkin Fairy or Switch Witch come and trade all of the candy for a special present.