HBBC Roll-Up Weeks 5-7

HBBC wrapped up this past weekend! While I haven't posted on my progress in a few weeks, that doesn't mean that I didn't continue working towards my goals (and meeting some - hehe). While my average weekly points went down quite a bit in weeks 5-7, I met my number one goal of eating my full servings of fruits and veggies every day during the challenge! So I score that as a SUCCESSFUL CHALLENGE!

My first real Pregnancy Pic:
27 Weeks, Post Challenge!

HBBC Week #5 Roll-Up: 

Miles Run/Walk: 7Strength/Core Workouts: 4Yoga Practice/Stretching: 2Group Cardio Workouts: 1

Total Weekly HBBC Points: 31.5

Swims: 0

Days w/ Complete Freggies Intake: 7

Bonus Points: 8

Week 5 Goal: Pick back up on the overall exercise level. (Since I hadn't met this goal  

This week started off strong, Matt and I got to the gym Monday night after work and knocked out some cardio. But then it went downhill, Well, as we started getting sick and we had a little crud going on throughout weeks 5 and 6. Also, Matt did not get home from work as early as I'd expected for the rest of the week. So, most of my exercise was teaching my classes, walking the dog, and stretching! But still, better than nothing!

Surprise of the week: Basically, the cold surprised me and kept me on the couch for a lot of the week. :(

HBBC Week #6 Roll-Up: 

Miles Run/Walk: 4

Strength/Core Workouts: 2

Yoga Practice/Stretching: 5

Group Cardio Workouts: 1

Swims: 0

Days w/ Complete Freggies Intake: 7

Total Weekly HBBC Points: 25

Bonus Points: 8

Week 6 Goal: Pick back up on the overall exercise level. (Week 5's goal carried over, since I didn't reach it)

Lots of couch time w/ Knight! ;P

Still sick and Matt was even more so. Again, workouts involved the Pump classes that I teach and then I stretched or did some yoga poses while watching tv to just get something in!

Surprise of the week: I was surprised how the pregnancy is affecting my muscles and ligaments, in that I still just feel a little too stretched from the hip opener focused yoga that I'd done a few weeks ago!

HBBC Week #7 Roll-Up: FINAL WEEK!!!

Miles Run/Walk: 5.57

Strength/Core Workouts: 3

Yoga Practice/Stretching: 4

Group Cardio Workouts: 1

Swims: 0

Days w/ Complete Freggies Intake: 7

Total Weekly HBBC Points: 25.57

Bonus Points: 6

Week 7 Goal: Pick back up on the overall exercise level. (Again Weeks 5 and 6 goal carried over, since I didn't reach it...again ;P)

We finally started feeling well again this week (although I had a sleep hangover on New Year's Day from staying up too late and that has thrown my whole sleep schedule off). I was able to get back to the gym for BodyCombat and CXWORX and led a yoga class on Saturday that was packed and the energy was awesome!

Surprise of the week: I was still surprised at how the HBBC and group motivation was encouraging me to get out there even when I didn't want to! Whether it was the lure of points or feeling guilty when I saw all the other participants' activity, the HBBC helped to get me off the couch and out moving!

Veggies on my pizza!

Final wrap up: Huge Thank You you to Amanda @ RunToTheFinish for hosting such an amazing challenge! My overall goal going in was to use the motivation to force me to eat more whole fruits and veggies so that I can give all the needed nutrients to my Little Tuna growing in my belly! This challenge was definitely just what I needed. Whereas I entered my second trimester still not craving fruits and veggies, I am now going into my third craving them again! I can't eat enough berries, apples, and bananas. Even salads, broccoli, and green beans sound pretty tasty these days! I will be participating in the HBBC next year - and will consider the potential Spring challenge (only because it falls around my due date, but that really doesn't matter - still need to be somewhat active, right?)

Did you participate in the HBBC? What was the greatest benefit you gained from participating?

Are you wondering what the HBBC was? Well, check out this page and then plan on joining in on the fun, hopefully in the spring!!!

HBBC Week #4 Recap

We've finished week four of the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge and, while I stepped back a bit on my level of exercise, I'm perfectly okay with that. This is the lowest points week that I've had yet in the challenge, but I was traveling and we just had a busy week in general, so I did what I could and I still feel good. I have kept on track with the fruits and veggies and that is helping me to feel great. There was a day and a half of traveling/conference/dinners that I had no control over what I ate, but I still managed to stay on with my freggies. 

HBBC Week #4 Roll-Up: 
Miles Run/Walk: 12.04
Strength/Core Workouts: 2
Yoga Practice: 1
Group Cardio Workouts: 1

Swims: 0

Days w/ Complete Freggies Intake: 7

Total Weekly HBBC Points: 28.04
Bonus Points: 8

It was in the 30s and I was running:
This is actually a big victory!

Week 3 Goal: Keep up my run/walk mileage. My goal will be to get in between 10-15  miles between runs and walks.

Even though I was traveling mid-week and was too lazy to pack workout gear ;), Matt's early morning-week encouraged me to get out there and jog with the dog on days where I would have otherwise stayed in bed! And when Sunday morning rolled around and I was short of meeting my 10 mile minimum goal, Matt asked me one more time if I wanted to join he and the puppy on their run. Even though it was super short (because I just wasn't feeling it), it was enough to get me over 10 miles for the week! Small victories, right? 

Surprise of the week: Well, my surprise this week was how pregnancy has already affected my yoga practice. Last week, I had practiced yoga each day in order to help relieve the stress in my back, which I am sure is a side effect of the baby. However, during the yoga class last Saturday, I realized about half-way through that I needed to take it a little easier, so I did. But I am still feeling like I've overstretched  (another side effect of being pregnant) my hip flexors and groin and so I've been taking it easy on the stretching front.

My running buddy, asking
me why I'm so slow!

Week 4 Goal: Pick back up on the overall exercise level. Matt is supposed to be getting home early from work this week, so our plan is to get to the gym together after that!

Are you letting holidays affect your workout routine? Are you letting that get you down, or accepting it and then setting your #bestfoot forward again?

HBBC Week #3 Recap

Started the week with broccolini
in my ham and eggs.

Another successful HBBC week! I am really happy with how the group and the challenge is motivating me to get out there (mostly out of bed in the morning) when I'd rather stay tucked in!  I blew both my run/walk mileage and my points totals out of the water. Part of that was due to Matt being away on business and so I was encouraged by a wet nose to get out and run and walk more than normal. But, hey whatever it takes, right? Can I keep up the mileage? That's my plan! As far as freggies, I'm doing very well and am so happy about that. I'm still craving fresh fruits, but I also picked up a bag of dried mangos and cherries for when I'm on the go (and maybe to go in my belly in lieu of gummi bears!) Additionally, I've started keeping a bag of spinach in the fridge for my morning eggs. That's just too easy to do, but for the longest time, I just didn't feel like it!

HBBC Week #3 Roll-Up: 
Miles Run/Walk: 13.69
Strength/Core Workouts: 3
Yoga Practice: 7
Group Cardio Workouts: 1

Swims: 1Days w/ Complete Freggies Intake: 7

Total Weekly HBBC Points: 48.79
Bonus Points: 8

Week 3 Goal: Swim!

I got my swim in. I had to overcome a few obstacles...old equipment and then being out of swimming shape. But once I got through that, I got in a 30 minute swim on Friday and am so happy that I did. My back felt great while swimming, but the second I stepped out of the water, gravity kicked in again. (can we live in the water) I intend to continue to get at least one swim in a week, maybe even more!  

Surprise of the week: Yoga practice on Saturday was great in that it was like it was planned for me. Our instructor lead a whole practice on hip openers! Awesome, that's just what I've been working on to help loosen up my back. My buddy and I left feeling awesome; she felt so great that she came over in the evening and took the puppy out for a 4 mile run!

Week 4 Goal: Keep up my run/walk mileage. My goal will be to get in between 10-15 

Tired puppy post run.

miles between runs and walks. 

Have you had to overcome some obstacles to meet your weekly goals? Have you ever felt like a group workout was created with just you in mind?

Jumping back into the pool

Me and Noni, sometime in the 80s.

My goal for the HBBC this week was to get into the water at least once. It's Friday and I met my goal! Whew! It was close! I planned on starting the week off right and swimming on Monday, however, upon pulling out my swimming gear, realized 1. that my goggle straps were dry-rotted and 2. I might not even have a swimsuit that fits! Yikes! Being a swimmer, I should know better, right? I guess, if I really am still a swimmer, I wouldn't have gone a year without swimming and I wouldn't be in this predicament! But, such is life, so I'm not going to beat myself up about it. :) Monday afternoon, I ordered some new goggles, as well as a new swimsuit, and they should be in tomorrow. But, I won't have time to swim tomorrow and I just know me and won't do it on Sunday, so I had to fit it in while I was at the gym today.

I remembered that I had another pair of goggles in my boat bag; they are sunglass goggles, but they'll work. And I figured I could just wear my training two piece that I normally reserve for summer outdoor laps. So, I packed up my stuff before BodyPump class and told my girlfriend that I was going to swim after class so I couldn't back out!

After BodyPump, I headed to the pool. (Thankfully, the top of my swimsuit can still hold me in, even though my chest has grown 4 sizes in the last 5 months!) Once at the pool, a pro-aqua jogger made sure that I knew I had to shower beforehand; she must've read swimmer all over me...'cause, um, we don't shower...that's what the pool is for! But, I didn't want to get kicked out, since I work there, so I showered and then hopped in.

2009 Alumni Meet;
goggles pre-dry rot!

And holy cow, the first 400 yds almost kicked my butt! Long gone are the days of 6,000m workouts. I went in with a goal of 30 minutes and realized early, that wouldn't get me far, but that it would be enough! The next two 400s were much better, once I found my stroke again. I also needed to tweak my flip turn. Apparently I arch my back too much when pushing off the wall and it pulled on my lower abs, which are really tender and stretchy now! So, once I started bracing my core, things felt much better. I finished off with 4x25yd sprints and 100yd cooldown. 1400 yds, but, wow, I was pooped and starving!

Good news, I was happy to be back in the water. During the HBBC, I plan on setting a new goal each week, and adding that to my new baseline. So, the baseline is set, at least one swim per week. I know swimming will come in extremely handy over the next few months, so I'm glad I had the HBBC to push me back into the pool.

What goals is the HBBC helping you to reach? Do you have any goals for the next 4 weeks?

Don't Leave Home Without 'em: Dried Plums...

...aka prunes! Whatever could be the topic for today? If you know me, like Jamie Lee Curtis, I'm not shy about talking about regularity. ;) I wrote a bit on how and why I incorporate probiotics into my diet awhile ago. Check it out here. Growing up, I was always regular, but a few years ago, when I did my first serious juice cleanse to start the new year, I learned first hand what it's like to not be, and I was not a fan. That is when I really understood the importance of probiotics as well as an added benefit of healthy fats: to keep it all flowing smoothly!

This is my prebiotic, probiotic, enzyme powder.
See "Note"!

When I became pregnant, I began to read pregnancy books and websites and read that a possible side affect of pregnancy is hemorrhoids. Thankfully I've never had them, but I really don't want to find out what they feel like either. And a means to prevent them is to stay regular! So, I wanted to take probiotics as they are my go-to in this department, however everything says to 'consult your physician' before taking while pregnant, right? Even the back of my probiotics bottle and packets say that. So, at my first appointment, I ask my doctor if it's alright if I take probiotics. He looks at me funny and says, "why do you want to take probiotics?" Now, I know why...because it helps to keep my stomach and intestines healthy. But in that moment, queried by a Professional, of course I froze up and imagined him envisioning me with Jamie eating yogurt! So, like a dork I just said, "uh, because I eat a lot of vegetables and like to stay regular." And then he didn't say anything. So, I still don't know if it's ok or not! What did I do at this point? Turned to a food that I know helps with this matter as well;

And here's how we have come to prunes! 

Look: Fiber and Antioxidants!

I had one questionable day in the regularity department about a week after the aforementioned appointment. And somehow prunes popped into my head, so I ran to the store and grabbed a package. Guess what, I ate just one that night and before the night was done, I was good to go. I was also sold. Since that day, I have eaten the package stated serving size of 5 a day and all has been running smoothly! I have converted Matt as well and we are so serious that, when we traveled to DC for the Army Ten Miler in October, our first stop was the store where we picked up prunes, Naked Juice, and bagels. :)

If you haven't tried prunes yet, and you've been searching for something to keep things moving, by all means, please join us on the prune train! You'll never go back! As an added benefit, I get two fruit servings per day, plus FIBER! (If you're on the HBBC, you know how big that is this month!)

Do you have any secrets to keeping yourself running smoothly? ;) Please share!

Note: Head to head comparison by Matt and I between Sunsweet and Del Monte and we overwhelmingly preferred Sunsweet, so I was stoked to find this huge bag at Costco this week. Sunsweet's were more plump and juicy!

HBBC Week #2 Recap

Week #2 of HBBC is in the books. I did well this week; although not as many workouts and points as last week. I did manage to increase my whole Freggies intake as opposed to just from whole fruit and veggie juice. And I did meet my goal. I want to build on this base and continue to meet my goals in the rest of the HBBC.

HBBC Week #2 Roll-Up: 
Miles Run/Walk: 4.07
Strength/Core Workouts: 3
Yoga Practice: 7
Group Cardio Workouts: 1
Days w/ Complete Freggies Intake: 7

Total Weekly HBBC Points: 36.57

Finishing up yoga, followed by foam rolling

Week 2 Goal: Practice at least 20 minutes of yoga daily

I managed to practice at least 20 minutes of yoga each day and I really do feel like it's slowly making a difference with the pinch in my back. I am focusing on opening up the hips and hamstrings and I think that is making the difference. I just have to keep it up this week. 

Surprise of the week: I started craving whole fruit again...as opposed to the gummi bears and sour patch kids that I've been craving. (not to say I haven't stopped craving those). We went to a party on Saturday and they had a huge fruit tray - I ate half of it and took the other half home (ok, that's a little dramatic). But it tasted SOOO good. So, I picked up some fresh berries at the store today and already ate a whole box of blackberries today. (I guess the baby likes fruit - good news)

Extremely dry-rotted straps=
no swimming today

Week 3 Goal: Swim! I decided a few days ago this would be my goal. I planned to start the week off right and swim after BodyPump this morning, but while putting my things together, realized my goggle straps had dry rotted! Yup, I'm ashamed to say that I haven't swum in over a year! So, I quickly ordered Matt and I some goggles tonight and we'll be back in the pool soon...hopefully I will be later this week so I can meet my goal! (I know I'll be relying on swimming in the next 4 months to help relieve some back pain and get some low-impact awesome cardio in).
Did you set and stick to any new goals this week? Have you found yourself actually craving your Freggies and not just eating them for points? :)

Need more water!?

Have you been trying to add more water intake to your daily routine? Have you been trying to cut out or limit some other kind of liquid??? Maybe soda or coffee? And we all know how important water is to our body as we are made up of about 60-70% of water.  The recommended daily intake of water is about 8 cups or 64 oz. When we sweat more, we probably need to replenish the body with more as well. A great rule of thumb is to drink when you're thirsty...however, some of us (trust me, I'm included) grab for the Diet Coke when we're thirsty instead of water. Add that caffeine (which acts as a diuretic, not allowing your body to absorb the water) and then you're sending your hydration level in the opposite direction. (UGH!!)

So, here are some ways that I have used to:
 1. cut down on soda and 2. increase my water intake:

1. Flavored water. The most frequent reason I hear that we don't drink enough water is that the taste (or lack of) is boring or unappealing. There are lots of ways to flavor your water, such as no-sugar drink mixes like Crystal Light or Nuun no calorie electrolyte drink tabs. Crystal Light is easy and everywhere, but just remember that it's usually sweetened with Aspartame, so if you don't like that, then nix it. However, I discovered Nuun when prepping for my first Ironman in 2009 and I have been a loyal fan ever since. They come in all sorts of flavors and not only provide taste, but also add electrolytes, so they are especially awesome when you're in the midst of a heavy sweat session like BodyCombat or Spinning! Nuun is readily available these days. I've seen it in Sports Authority and even some grocery stores! Awesome.

1a. Homemade Flavored Water. This was a staple in my fridge this summer and my husband was always begging for it. Cucumber, mint and lemon water. It's so easy and it adds great flavor, plus the added benefits of cucumber (more water plus Vit B), Mint (facilitates digestion), Lemon (antibacterial and immune boosting). I also slowly let some of the cuke slices fall into my glass and I eat them up to get the added fiber benefit. :) Recipe at the end of post.

2. Green Tea /Low cal energy mix. I also will make green tea in a large pitcher and add lemon as well (and possibly a little stevia if I expect Matt to drink some as well). The benefits of green tea are tremendous (fighting cancer and heart disease, weight loss, etc.). An alternative to this is a great energy drink called FRS. This provides antioxidants (just like green tea does) and also claims to "promote thermogenesis to increase metabolic rate and help the body burn excess carb[s] and fat"* Before I was pregnant, I used to trade this out for my coffee before my early morning gym class.  MiOEnergy is another one that I've tried a few times to add no-cal flavor and energy to my water. It was good, but again something I've just stopped taking since becoming pregnant.

3. Whole fruit juices. There are a plethora of whole fruit juices on the market these days for those of us too lazy to juice at home (even though we have an awesome LaLanne Juicer...yes, I'm talking to myself!). My current favorites are Naked Juice (more on that in another post) and V8 V-Fusion. Both of which also help you get some of your freggie nutrient intake in as well! Score! V8 V-Fusion is a mix of sparkling water and fruit juices. This is what I grab when I feel like I want a soda and it does the trick. I also make my own version using the amazing Sodastream. I whip up a bottle of carbonated water in the Sodastream and leave it unflavored. I keep that in the fridge and when ready, I pour half a LARGE glass of POM juice over ice and fill it to the top with the carbonated water. Love it! Again, makes me think I'm getting a soda, while bumping up my water AND freggies intake! Yay!

4. FREGGIES! What? Yes, whole fruits and vegetables. A lot of fruits and veggies are packed with water. By eating them daily, again you're upping both your hydration level AND your freggies intake, but this time, by also getting the added benefit of the FIBER and NUTRIENTS. Yippee! Here are just some of the great freggies that can work in this category:
- Cucumbers
- Watermelon
- Lettuce
- Blueberries and Raspberries
- Oranges and Pineapple
- Peaches and Plums
- Celery
- Tomato
- Zucchini

So, there are a lot of ways to stay properly hydrated every day! I love BALANCE, so a happy mix of water, flavored water, juices, and freggies would be a great way to keep your body properly hydrated and to keep that heart pumping nicely! (and in the essence of balance, then your occassional Diet Coke wouldn't have such a negative impact!)

What means do you use to increase or track your water intake? Have you cut out soda from your diet? If so, how have you been successful?

*Description from the FRS Package

Cucumber Mint Lemon Water Recipe

Cucumber Slices

Lemon Slices

Fresh Mint Sprigs

Fresh Lemon Juice (I sometimes use the large bottle I get at Costco) (optional)

Liquid Stevia or sweetener of choice (optional)

Fill a large pitcher with tap or filtered water. Add cucumber, lemon, and mint to a pitcher and set in the fridge to steep. If you need a little sweetness, you can add a few drops of stevia in as well, but I usually only do this if I'm also adding the lemon juice to make something closer to lemonade. Either way, you'll love the freshness of this water! Keep it in the fridge and pour it over ice!

HBBC Week #1 Recap

So, Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge Week #1 is in the books. Bottom line: it was awesome. I was so inspired by everyone's daily workouts that I surely ran and worked out more than I would have had I been left to my own devices! I hope that I can continue to use the amazing motivation and carry this on through the remaining 6 weeks.

There is still time to join. Click Here!

HBBC Week #1 Roll-Up: (I'm going to borrow Jill Conyers method of wrap-up)
Miles Run/Walk: 9.17
Strength/Core Workouts: 6
Yoga Practice: 0
Group Cardio Workouts: 4
Days w/ Complete Freggies Intake: 7

Total Weekly HBBC Points: 41.1




Week 1 Goal: Eat my fruits and veggies

I did very well. I realized that I was actually doing better than I thought I'd been before the challenge, however a lot of that was coming from juice and I'd like more of it to come from whole fruits & veggies. During week #1, I did increase my whole Freggies intake, so that's good. I just want to keep it up.

No, this isn't my workout buddy,
but it's the only pic I took this week! ha!

Surprise of the week: Matt had more free time than we'd expected, so we got in a lot of buddy workouts, which is always awesome. We did BodyCombat together on Wed, BodyCombat and CXWORX on Thanksgiving, and he was able to come to both of my BodyPump classes on Friday and Sat, after which we sweat on the elliptical together and then joined our friend Katrin for more CXWORX. It makes the workouts so much better when my buddy is there. ;) And with his busy schedule, I know he loved having the time to get some quality workouts in as well!

Were you able to stay on track with your goals through the crazy holiday week? Do you have your own method of accountability to keep your workouts and nutrients on track?

Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge 2012 Kick-Off

It's that time of year again! Time to gear up for the holiday season! And in order to do that, I am participating in Amanda's (RunToTheFinish) Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge (HBBC). This year is going to be better than ever. Amanda has rallied a ton of sponsors and will be giving away some awesome gear throughout the next 7 weeks!

New to the HBBC? You can check out the details here, but in short it's a way to motivate participants to focus not only on Family and Fun during the holidays, but to also maintain a Healthy (maybe even HEALTHIER) version of who we are/want to be.

There is still time to join in on the fun and prizes by clicking here; if you do, please add me as your referral!

My goals during this year's HBBC are to focus on eating my fruits and veggies daily and to maintain my steady workout regimen. By setting these goals, as well as having the carrot of the awesome HBBC prizes (which are amazing, by the way), I know I will have a HEALTHIER and HAPPIER holiday season.

What will your goals be?

Speaking of goals, I've got to get to the gym!!!