Back when I was a runner {Yeah, OK, I was never a runner. I ran one race: The Army 10-miler and then called it quits because my knee janked up too much. I run for Interval Cardio on the treadmill, but rarely outside. Just not my cup of tea, really.} I bought the Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS watch to calculate my mileage and caloric burn during my running. I really do love it! it's an older model and works JUSt as wonderfully as the newer one.

It came with a heart rate monitor band that you strap under your boobs. I never used it once.

After having it for almost a YEAR, I decided to break that bad boy out yesterday and start using it during my indoor cardio routines (DVDs and cardio on the treadmill). I wanted to see just how many calories I burned doing them.

Well, after some research online, I sadly found out that the calories burned on the watch are only accurate on outdoor runs, because it uses the GPS, your body info, age and heart rate to determine your calories expended. Since I wouldn't be "trvaeling" while inside technically, it would give me the wrong amount of calories burned. BUT-----TA DA! I found a website you can plug in information and using your average heart rate during the workout, can determine the amount of calories burned. Score. That website is HERE. Naturally I'm a bit of a skeptic, so I went to several online heart rate calculators just to make sure they were all around the same number. Some were different by 10 or so calories, but it works for me. I think that one I posted is the most accurate.

When I start Insanity I wanted to compare just how much harder it is than what I currently do. I have NO doubt it is. Just sayin'.

Yesterday was actually a strength day, and I did Bob Harper's Super Strength DVD. I didn't make it through the entire 60 minutes, only 49 minutes. In those 49 minutes, during a STRENGTH workout, I burned 358 calories.

Something I've always known, but seem to forget once I get into a slump of bad eating, is that eating healthy and clean and NON-PROCESSED food makes you feel good.

A plus to eating healthy? Weight loss. I'm down 3 pounds since last Monday- AND that's with me even drinking a bottle of wine this past weekend and a "Newman's Own thin crust White Pizza." Delicious by the wayyyyy. I added chicken breast to mine for added protein. A nice treat!
I contribute that not only to my Interval Training on my treadmill and P90X, but mostly to my eating habits. It's only been a week and I actually don't miss anything I was eating for awhile there. I don't even know why I let that happen.

I know what to eat to make myself feel good. I know what foods to eat to make me LOOK good, but ate the junk anyway. I guess we all may need that momentary lapse sometimes. Now I crave my chocolate protein shake....
Anyway, the point of this post was to tell you all I lost 3 pounds and I'm even more excited than ever to start the Insanity workout and Shakeology. Damn. I'm gonna be HOT! (I'm just kiddin', of course. But not really. Remember..I'm on my way to being the fittest I've EVER been, and I'm going to do it.)


;)

I'm such a program/schedule organized freak. At heart, I'm a structure loving being. I love chaos, when I feel like I can control it (What the what?), but otherwise....I like to have a piece of paper in hand of what I'm doing, where I'm going.

I love P90X- albeit a bit annoying (ahemTONYCOUGH!)- and have been looking at other Beach Body workout programs. The beauty of these programs is they give you something to follow- they tell you what your ass needs to be doing on any given day to see the results you expect from the DVDs.

Insanity looks ridiculously hard- I've scoured YouTube watching people record themselves doing the workouts. Look at this woman. She's freaking FIT. She's struggling on DAY 1...THE FIT TEST!! WHAT!!!

Something else by beachbody I want to try is their Shakeology shake. They kinda sound delicious...I have a thing for chocolate protein shakes. Yeah. Weird.

Shakeology has a 3-day cleanse program and I'm excited to try it. This "cleanse", in short, isn't like other fasts or cleanses. This shake has nutrients, vitamins, veggies, etc. It's not a liquid of crap. It supplies energy and stuff you need to sustain LIFE. You DO want to continue living...don't you? Anyway, go read up on it. I spent all last night reading about it and watching videos. It's expensive. Yeah. That's what my BFF e-bay is for :)


I haven't bought any of my supplies yet. I'm waiting a few weeks so I can do my own thang first. Building up my cardiovascular and fitness level is going to be EXTREMELY vital before starting this program. I don't want to start and then immediately quit because I can't get through a workout.

So, yes, I've decided to embark on this Insanity journey. I'll be documenting it once I start, but don't expect me to videotape myself doing ANY of it just so you guys can have a good laugh. No.


So, let me brief you on my workout progress since Monday.

Overall? Good.
Let's backtrack...

#1: Today was a mini-failure and it's only 9:30 a.m. Today was going to be my Two-A-Day workout for the week, but I didn't get up this morning. In my defense, going to sleep at 1:00 a.m. doesn't bode well for an early morning cardio session. I don't feel bad about it. I'll get in two cardio sessions Saturday. No big deal.

#2: A month ago I was used to Bob Harper's Strength DVD...yesterday I was reminded of what it was like to have my ass handed to me by Bob. It sucked. It was hard. I haven't picked up my dumbells in so long it felt like my arm was ripping from the socket after two bicep curls. Tomorrow is Bob Day once again. This time I'll just strive for a little more than what I actually finished yesterday.

#3: Great cardio session Monday.
Yesterday I began my first experience with a book on CD. "Horns" by Joe Hill.  It's cool, for lack of a better word. I put it in when I left for work Monday morning, and my commute being about 35 minutes, I got a good way into the book. It's kept my attention so far, but make no mistake that at first I found it difficult to drive and listen. LOL! That makes me shake my head. I'm a freak for sure. But come ON!?! When you have to concentrate on not hitting the car beside you while switching lanes...sometimes it's kinda necessary to backtrack the CD. Am I right?!

When I resume healthy eating, after not giving a shit for so long, the first week is always the worst! I'm already missing whole wheat bread and lots of carbs....I'll reintroduce them in a few weeks...*sigh* I can do this.

Day Two of "The Best Shape of My Life" begins....Yup. That's my goal in case I didn't mention that in one of my more recent posts. To be in the very best shape I've EVER been in. I've accepted that it may take more than 6 months. I'm looking at a year here people, and for THIS impatient woman, that's torture. Blech.

Yesterday's workout was an interval cardio session on my treadmill. I wanted to do 30 minutes, but could only make it 22. I was struggling- but that's good news. It's supposed to be tough!

Strength Training Day this afternoon with Bob Harper. I love a good beat-down............

On my way to work this morning I'm going to start my very first book on CD. I always considered this cheating- it's not reading. There are, however, lots of books on my list I've been dying to read and I decided to give it a shot. I can only hope my attention span can keep up. HAHA!!

I'll be listening to "Horns" by Jim Hill. Stephen King's son. Not a big King fan, but we'll see how his son's books measure up.


Do you listen to books on tape? If you do, what do you like and dislike about it?

Veggie of choice for the next few days? Baked Brussel Spouts. LOVE! I don't know why they have such a negative connotation with kids. I've loved these since I was little. Funny story: I actually ACTED like I didn't like these when I was little. Ya know. Just for the fun of it. Cause that's how I was supposed to act. I actually loved them. Oh me, and my sophisticated pallet.

I love it. Really, I do.

For the longest time now, I've wanted to shed this extra weight I gained while living in D.C. in 2009. I was living the good life, indeed. My last post detailed next week's workouts and I plan to follow it strictly, along with my clean-eating diet. No cheat days...at least for a month. Then I'll consider it. :)

I was looking around in some old photos on my computer and came across a few that were taken of me back in college around 2005/2006. This was when I was in the gym almost daily, with one rest day, and ate really well. I barely drank alcohol around this time- and was in shape.

I thought I was fat.

Happily, today is my Friday. YESSSSS.

I never knew there were Farmer's Market's in my area- seriously, I was clueless and always got pissed off and rantedand raved because "WHY don't we have farmer's market's??!! I hate this place." haha

Little did I know.
So that's what I'm doing this Saturday morning bright and early. Is it weird I'm excited about going?

My reason for heading to the market is to pick up some tomato's and green beans- I'm stocking my fridge with all the healthy foods I love....because, if I'm being honest, I've eaten horribly the past month or two. Downright HORRIBLE...and my body and energy are true testaments to this.

Along with not eating right, I haven't been working out regularly.

Last weekend I was online shopping for new clothes...suddenly, a light bulb FO REALZZZ appeared over ym head. I walked to my closet(s) and stood in front of them. A barrage of dresses, tops and cute pants overwhlemed my eyeballs....I finally admitted that I don't need NEW clothes...I need to lose this extra weight I've put on to FIT BACK INTO the enormous amounts of cute clothes I already have. Dummy. haha

So, last night I sat down and laid out my workouts for next week. My plan is pretty simple for the next few weeks: LOTS OF CARDIO.

(*** I've done research on HIIT treadmill workouts and lots of people claim that you cannot get a true HIIT workout in on a treadmill because of the inability to immediately start and stop. I'm also convinced that my speeds are not HIIT qualified. The fastest I usually get on the treadmill during these interval workouts is 8 mph. Everyone has their own speed, I know, but I think it's more factual to just call these workouts "Interval Training"....but HIIT sounds so much better. I do what I can...)

So, that's it. This would normally be what I consider to be a light workout week, but since my ass has been lazy it's gonna kick me...hard...in the face.

I plan on gradually adding TWO-A-DAY cardio workouts TWICE a week after about a month.

I have a big long-term goal in mind.....next Summer my friend Marion and I are planning a Greek Island/Mediterranean cruise and I want to be in THE best shape I've ever been in.....it's time.

I'll keep you all posted every week on the changes to my workouts and updates on my weight loss/muscle gain. :)

Yeah, I had no better title.

I haven't written a beauty blog since Reagan was Prez. It's about time.

I stumbled upon this AMAZING nifty chart on Temptalia.

It's pretty much the most accurate, coolest invention on Earth.

On a daily basis I wear one of these two foundations:

I received this e-mail, that seriously, couldn't be any more awesome!

Francesca's Collections is offering 50% off any regular priced item simply by "liking" them on Facebook. That's so ridiculously sweet my tooth hurts.

I took advantage of that and snatched up the white, summer dress, called the "Ready to Ruffle Dress," sported by the ever-fabulous, Kendi from Kendi Everyday. Who doesn't look her? Gah! I loved the way she added the scraf and looks so fresh and pulled together.

Mornin'.

Happy Monday.

Somehow, I arrived at work 25 minutes early. It usually happens that I'm RIGHT on time because I'm a mom to two Chihuahua's and they are VERY...very needy. haha

How was everyone's weekend? I don't think mine could have gotten more uneventful.

OH! I mowed the dry-dead-like hay/weeds grass. A job that usually takes an hour or so only took me 20 minutes because all that was there to mow down were some rouge weeds and dead patches. *sigh* never claimed to be a yard person, mmkay? I kinda wish I was, but frankly the Alabama humidity is just too much for me to stand.

Let's talk about something fun and pretty, instead of yard work....such as the photos below. I'll leave you with that. Come back tomorrow. Maybe I'll be more entertaining!

I wouldn't work EVER because interviewing for a new position STRESSES ME OUT and I do NOT need to be stressed out.....alright, alright, mostly I'm anxious.

Wish me luck, for tomorrow is a big day for little 'ole me.

Thanks in advance. I'm counting on you guys....no pressure or anything.

I love eggs, egg whites and broccoli...This recipe is right up my alley!

Recently I discovered skinnytaste.com, blogged by Gina. I must have been living under a rock! Her recipes are So amazing and healthy- I must have printed about 35 for my recipe book.

I made these babies last night. They came out SO delicious! Mini omelets for on-the-go. So, instead of my usualy two boiled eggs, I think I may slip these into my breakfasts this week. YUM! (And I never say the word "yum.")

• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 4 whole eggs
• 1 cup egg whites
• 1/4 cup reduced fat cheddar
• 1/4 cup good grated cheese like pecorino romano
• 1 tbs olive oil
• salt and fresh pepper
• cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350°. Steam broccoli with a little water for about 6-7 minutes.

When broccoli is cooked, mash into smaller pieces and add olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix well.

Spray cupcake tin with cooking spray and spoon broccoli mixture evenly into 9 tins.
In a medium bowl, beat egg whites, eggs, grated cheese, salt and pepper. Pour into the greased tins over broccoli until a little more than 3/4 full. Top with grated cheddar and bake in the oven until cooked, about 20 minutes. Serve immediately. Wrap any leftovers in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator to enjoy during the week.
Do you start out the day eating a well-balanced, healthy breakfast?

I AM! At first, I thought it was just my work computer, but it's happening at home as well. I never have issues commenting when the comment form "pops-up." But I've tried commenting on 5 blogs today that have the embedded comment box and I can't! I try and try, get frustrated and just say forget it....

So I changed my comment settings. Not sure if any of you were having issues commenting on my blog, but if so, try now and see if it's better.

Is this why everyone has been so quiet???? Or do you just hate me? Don't answer that ;)

A HUGE thanks to everyone who entered the Orient watch giveaway. There were only 16 entries, which is kinda sad, but I'm sure the girls who entered were OK with that!