FitSisters.com

I have finally worked my way up to some heart racing, out of breath, dripping sweat workouts.  I love it…and really missed it.  I have been gradually (really gradually) increasing my workout intensity overthe past five months with the help of my p.t.  I am now back to running, cycling, wake boarding, horseback riding, etc.  I still have a long way to go but I just love feeling exhausted after a good run or cycling class.  My back has been feeling great through all of this.  It isn’t totally healed and never will be but the pain is pretty mild and doesn’t linger for days. 

The downside to working out harder is a huge increase in my appetite!  Figures.  I am back up about three pounds and can’t seem to stop eating.  I am thinking about joining WW again just to loose these last lingering pounds.  Pathetic huh? 

Slow and steady right? 

That’s apparently my motto with weight loss. At my WW meeting this week, I received another gold star finally! 15 pounds lost, baby. I really needed that. We’re headed to the beach this weekend, so I’m going to have to be careful about not going completely off the wagon. However, I do plan on fully enjoying a nice, moderate breakfast at Pig-n-Pancake! yummmm….. My next goal: lose 5 pounds in August. love you sistahs!

The definition of namaste according to Aadil Palkhivala (world-renowned yoga teacher):

The gesture Namaste represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart chakra. The gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another. “Nama” means bow, “as” means I, and “te” means you. Therefore, Namaste literally means “bow me you” or “I bow to you.”

Ideally, Namaste should be done both at the beginning and at the end of class. Usually, it is done at the end of class because the mind is less active and the energy in the room is more peaceful. The teacher initiates Namaste as a symbol of gratitude and respect toward her students and her own teachers and in return invites the students to connect with their lineage, thereby allowing the truth to flow—the truth that we are all one when we live from the heart.

I went to the yoga class tonight at the gym. It’s the first yoga class I’ve been to in several years. Yay for me! It did kick my butt, but it also felt great to be back doing something for my body that I really enjoy. Namaste.

Hey ladies,

Yeah, I’ve been slacking on the posts. I repent. Anyway, I’m doing okay with my WW/fitness goals, although I seem to always take two steps forward and one step back. Just when my workouts were going good, I got completely off track with my eating. So back on the wagon this week.

I am enjoying the summer so far and being more active with the chitlens. We have been on nature walks, at the park and outside in the yard quite a bit. My next active goal is to get my bike tuned up and go on bike rides with Emma. I may even splurge on a bike trailer to haul Gabe around. What are you all up to this summer to stay active?

So what’s up with the FitSisters? Haven’t seen a new post in a long time! I guess that’s my clue to get busy and start writing. My last fitness success came when I was working for a weight goal for my trip to Vegas. I worked really hard and got within 3 lbs of my goal. I was a little disapointed, but I made great progress. It was so nice to go to Vegas and feel good about myself. I even went to the over-crowded pool in my swim suit. That took some guts but it was alright. I also completely enjoyed the eating. It was so nice to relax about calories and eat good food. I was surprised that my eating healthy habits followed me and I found myself picking healthy food when we were out. But after splurging a little, I am over-due for another kick in the butt. I am starting tomorrow and committing to another goal. I have to re-establish some routines and get serious. I’ll keep you updated, in the mean time, GO HARD GIRLS! I hope the best for all of you!
Reb

Yeah, I’m thinking about renaming this blog temporarily because I am a complete and total wreck. Nothing fit about it. I caught an awful cold last Friday but was hoping for a mild case. No such luck. We left for Seattle on Saturday morning and by the afternoon I was a snotty, coughing, feverish, body-chills mess. So we ate the cost of our hotel and came home. I rested a lot on Sunday, and thought I was feeling better on Monday, so talked myself into bucking up and be a Sullivan and get my vegetables planted. That was stupid. The vegetables got planted, but I wore myself out and the cold sore that inevitably comes with my colds has grown into a hideous mass on my nose and above my upper lip. That and my glands are swollen and sore, and I am physically exhausted way beyond my usual sleepiness. For me, all this equals an immune system wondering what the heck is going on and struggling to get better. So all I’m doing this week is resting, drinking lots of fluids and trying to keep my kids from going nuts. And complaining.

Goodness this is taking forever, but yes I am five pounds away from my goal.  At this point it is just a serious mental game….will it ever end?  Anyhoot, hurray for me. 

I was looking through my old memory boxes and came across some pictures of what I looked like at 255 pounds.  It is hard to look at them because I was an unhappy person.  It has taken me about 10 years (and two babies) to get this off and keep it off.  Weight loss is not a quick journey but it is worth it for a happier life. 

Hang in there my fellow weight loss sisters!  YOU CAN DO IT!

sara

Well I made it! A whole 10 days of no food, just lemonade and tea. It was a great experience and I feel great now! In fact lettuse and apples never tasted so great! I am hoping to keep a great mental attitude and keep the foods I put into my clean vessal- Wholesome! That means fruit, veggies, whole grains, and limit the dairy and meat. If you are thinking about doing this cleanse- do a lot of research, read the book, and call me!
Hope all of you are doing well with your fitness! I can’t wait to work out this week!
Love you all
Reb

At the retreat I reported about my efforts to eat more veggies. Up until now I have mostly been a “steamer”, but I tried roasted vegetables a few weeks ago and loved them. So here’s the recipe from my WW cookbook that I use as a guide. I use the veggies that I know my kids and I will like. Root vegetables like potatoes, carrots and sweet potatoes are also yummy when roasted. Also, I’d love to get the fruit salsa recipe from Rebecca and the cabbage salsa recipe from Ann!

Classic Roasted Vegetables

2 medium red bell peppers, seeded and cut into four panels
1 medium zucchini, trimmed and cut on the diagonal into 1/4-inch slices
1 medium yellow squash, trimmed and cut on the diagonal into 1/4-inch slices
1 medium sweet onion, root left in tact and cut into 8 wedges
1 pound thick asparagus, trimmed
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp. dried basil
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 450. Spray 2 baking sheets with nonstick spray; set aside

2. Cut each bell pepper panel on a diagonal into 2 triangles. Toss all of the ingredients together in a large bowl until evenly coated. Divided the vegetables between the two baking sheets.

3. Bake the vegetables, tossing occasionally, until tender and lightly browned, 25-30 minutes. Serve immediately or at room temperature.

Makes 4 servings (one serving = one cup); 2 points per serving