New workout idea

I just found this new idea for an at-home, on vacation work-out. All you need is a deck of cards. Here's what you do:

Draw 5 cards.
Add up the numbers on the cards.
Do that many jumping jacks, crunches and push-ups.
Rest for that many seconds.
Draw 5 more cards.
Repeat the process until you work through the whole deck.

Here is an alternative deck of cards work-out to try too.

I haven't tried it yet but I'll let you know how it goes. I think it will be good for my nightly exercises. I like to do push-ups and sit-ups while I watch TV. That way I feel like I burn some of my many calories I eat during the day.

On a side note...I've almost reached my goal weight. I have to lose two more pounds by June 1. If I do I get to go shopping! Yay!!

My Inspiration

Yesterday I was reading a short biography on Sister Dalton, the new Young Women's General President (who happens to be my 1st grade teacher's daughter.) Anyway, I read that when she was a young mother with kids at home, she wanted to start exercising. She decided she wanted to run, but she had never been a runner before. She started running 10 steps then walking ten steps until she could finally run a mile. She went on to run 18 marathons!! Now that is dedication! I have never been fond of running because when I get to about a mile, I am just beat. But I never thought about taking it that slow before. Those of you that know my husband know that he is really big into running. He has always wanted to run 5k's with me and maybe even marathons (we'll see.) Well, I'm just here to tell you that I have been inspired by Sister Dalton and I am going to start running. It might take a long time, but I can do it. I'm not promising any marathons, but definitely a 5k!

By the way, does anyone have any good ideas for rewards? I'm not the best at keeping up with exercise, so I need to reward myself. I was thinking a monthly reward. Preferably not food or anything $$$. Thanks!

Oh NO! Not the scale!!

I know that some people will disagree with me but I had to share something with you guys. People keep asking me how I'm losing weight. I haven't been able to pin point exactly what I've been doing different. I'm eating smaller portions. I exercise 3-4 times a week. I try to drink more water. But I think one of the keys to my weight loss was weighing myself every few days, sometimes every other day. I used to dread the scale. I heard people say, just judge weight loss by how your clothes fit. That's not concrete enough for me. So I bought a scale and weigh myself on a regular basis. It motivates me to eat better during the day. This may not work for everyone but it has worked for me. I think it's better for me to be fully aware of what I weigh, rather than in denial. I gained a little on our recent vacation so I'm working hard to get that weight off again. I want to reach my weight loss goal by Jun 1st. I still have 6 pounds to lose. If I reach my goal I'm going shopping!

Anyone there?

So, is anyone still working out? I haven't for a while, but my hubby and I are motivating eachother. Just wondering how you're all doing.

Notes from my Underbelly

Snacking

One of my bad eating habits is snacking. When I was losing weight I was only having two snacks a day and I made sure those snacks were somewhat healthy. I really like crackers so I found a semi-healthy low fat one that was pretty good. I get emails from a group that's doing "The Biggest Loser." They had already been doing it for awhile when I heard about it so I'm not part of it but I still like to hear their tips. Here is one of the emails I received recently...
"An excellent low cal snack for when you have a major sweet tooth!
Dieting really sucks when you're craving something sweet. Instead of hating life and going completely without, or caving in and eating something you're totally going to regret, here is an alternative which can satisfy you, yet not blow your calorie goals for the day! I saw these at Walmart and looked at the nutrition label and it isn't a bad snack so I bought them. They are so good! Problem is they are so good it's hard to stop. No that I'm suggesting it, but even if you eat the whole bag, its only 780 calories! 60 cals per serving (13 servings per 7 oz bag)
Quakes Rice Snacks - (I've tried a few flavors and the only one that tastes really good is Chocolate)"
I haven't tried them yet but they sound good. Do you guys have any yummy healthy snacks, that aren't fruits and veggies? ...I already know those are healthy.

Eating Healthy

I need some help everyone! I am really bad at incorporating fruits and vegetables into our diet. With dinner, I always try to have one or the other as a side, but that's about the only time we have it. I was just thinking that we need to eat a lot more of it, and less junk (which I am struggling with.) Do any of you have any good tips or suggestions? If so, please send them my way! Thanks!