ajlovestolose.com » Mamavation

Naked Fitness: What I did to get healthy…

AJ — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:31:52 +0000

A few of you have asked me what EXACTLY I did to lose 14lbs and 4 inches off my waist in 21 days for the Naked Fitness Challenge. Well, I am FINALLY getting around to telling you! Sorry for the weight wait.

1. I walked 2 hours a day. Period. It was the dead of winter here in Chi-town, but I spent time either walking in front of the TV (during breaks of the Golden Globes, for one example). My pedometer was broken so I just kept time on my Timex Ironman watch. Everytime I started to walk, I pushed start on the timer. Everytime I stopped, I pressed stop on the timer. When I got to 2 hours on the timer, I stopped. Now I work toward 15-17K steps a day. It is hard, but I do it. Pre Naked Fitness, I would walk about 45 minutes and be DONE. It was never longer than 2-3 miles. I can do 7-8 miles easy now. Crazy I know.

2. Eating plan. Because the trainer (Andrea) is going to be coming out with a book soon, I can’t post the actual menu on my site. BUT, she did post the first week menu here. I followed that menu religiously (except for the polenta chili– I didn’t like it so I ate Chicken and veggies instead.) 2nd week was very close to the first week, and week three we really were on our own, but sticking with 2 hours of walking and eating 1200 calories a day– 80-100 grams of protein, 25 grams of fiber and 8-11 fruits and veggies a day.

3. Elations. I owe my joint comfort to Elations Drink. I have bad knees and usually am in a lot of discomfort during and after working out. After a week drinking Elations, I had no discomfort in my knees at all. When I stopped drinking it (becuase I ran out) my knees were pretty sore. Back on the drink, no discomfort at all again. (*disclaimer: Elations was a sponsor of the Naked Fitness Challenge. I was given a case of the drink, but have purchased it for the last month on my own. I will be passing out Elations at Fitbloggin ’10, but am not being paid or sponsored by Elations to do so. They just will be giving me the free product to pass out.)

4. Alignment exercises. Andrea Metcalf, the trainer, gave us specific movements to do depending on how we assessed ourselves in the mirror. Is one hip higher than the other? One shoulder? Which way do my hands face? If you would like more information about her techniques and to get an assessment, please follow her on twitter @andreametcalf or visit Andrea’s website www.andreametcalf.com.

5. Stretching and “rehab”. For me, this was the most important part. I am REALLY out of alignment when it comes to my hip and lower back. Without Andrea’s help, I would not have been able to continue with the program. When I walk, my lower back and hip tense up and I am pretty much pulling all my muscles. With her help (and a few of her Pain Free Videos) I can manage the pain through stretches alone. I can’t tell you how many chiro appts I went to over the years to help me fix this pain– literally, after TWO 20 minute stretching workouts, I was about 80 percent pain free. I could not believe it. I still do the DVD about 3 times a week to help keep the pain at bay.

6. Group work. Just meeting with the 30-odd other contestants kept me sane and on program. I met really nice people and made a few friends along the way. I truly believe the group helped me keep on the program.

7. A bit of greed. I can admit now that the thought of winning a cool new treadmill at the end kept me going a few of the hard days. Thought I was not “the biggest loser” and didn’t win the treadmill, I was still happy to cheer my fellow contestants on.

OK, that;t it– really. That’s all I did. Nothing fancy– walking and eating healthy.

Mamavation Motivation Monday

AJ — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:31:46 +0000

I used my walking poles today and I am SOOOOO sore already– FEEL THE BURN! The weather is finally starting to warm up (almost 50 today!) and I enjoyed getting out to feel the warmth of the sun (through the fog!) on my face. I was hesitant to walk in my new neighborhood (wasn’t sure how safe it is, I have only been here 4 months and it has been cold and snowy the whole time) but it is actually very safe with lots of dog walkers and nannies out for afternoon walks. While it is supposed to rain tomorrow, I think I will get out and do another walk early.

I ate healthy today( finally) enjoying a BIG salad and a few whole wheat veggie ravioli for lunch. Dinner will be fish and veggies again. I am PUMPED for Fitbloggin and can’t wait to see everyone. I may have already started packing…. I have plans to hit the treadmill after dinner and get another good walk in….

So what did you do to move today?

Monday Mamavation

AJ — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:36:30 +0000

First off, let me say, I am not a Mama. Well, not a REAL one.

I have a fur-child.

But that doesn’t really count, now does it.

I have been following a lot of the Mamavation Sistas and Mama’s on Twitter for a while, and I have been intrigued by this group of amazing, inspiring and helpful women– they are on their health and weight loss journey, and together they are suceeding.

I emailed tweeted BookieBoo and asked her if I, childless party of one, could also join this group so I could have more support during MY journey– and she said yes.

So hear I am, the only childless one, pledging to be part of the Mamavation Sistas.

This is my first (of many, I hope) Monday Mamavation posts.

Most of you know I was cosen to be part of the Chicago Naked Fitness New Year Challenge. I was blessed to be part of a 36 person strong group that lost over 300lbs total in 21 days. I myself lost 14lbs and 4 inches off my waist. I even gave up diet soda!

You would think that would have been the best motivation out there.

But I have slipped.

This (and, lets face it, last) weekend was a free-for-all from hell. I was tired, stressed out, lonely and just plain tired of eating grilled chicken breasts every damn day. I had movie popcorn. REGULAR COKE. A HOT DOG. PIZZA.

I just couldn’t stop. Everything tasted SO GOOD.

But today I have the stomach ache from hell and the heartburn to go with it.

Why do I do this to myself? I was doing SO GOOD. I was FEELING so good.

Last night, since I felt so crappy, I only walked 30 minutes. Today, I felt so bad, I DID NOT WALK AT ALL.

I know I cannot continue like this. I am not happy with who I am. I am not appreciating the GIFT I was given with Naked Fitness.

One thing I do know was this was a temporary BLIP on the radar.

Now for the positive side of all of this:

I DID continue to take my multivitamin.

I DID continue to drink my Elations joint drink.

I DID eat a healthy breakfast each day.

I DID sleep 7-8 hours each night this weekend (helping to catch up on some of that sleep deficit I had.)

I have to remember that I DID do some of the things I learned on Naked Fitness, even when I was being “bad”.

And that is GOOD.

Tomorrow, I start over.

Tomorrow, I go back to my week one menu, I write everything I put in my mouth down, and I walk 2 hours.

NO EXCUSES.

Kick my butt Sistas!!

I promise that I will help you by being supportive on your blogs and on Twitter (both by kicking your butt when you need it and giving you props when you deserve it) and honoring your great group by sharing it widely.
Thanks for giving me a chance!