Reunion

We had our first high school reunion the day after Thanksgiving.  It is hard to believe that I have been out of high school for 10 years.  It is one of those situations that I say I can’t believe it has only been 10 years since I graduated, and in the same breath shock that 10 years has passed so quickly.  I can’t believe all that I have accomplished and survived since high school ended. 

I have been excited and dreading this day for awhile.  On one hand I really wanted to see a few people that I went to school and shared so many memories with.  On the hand I was a lot skinner in high school, kids and life have changed my body greatly, the fear of being the “fat girl” worried me. 

Well on the day of the reunion I was going back and forth on if I really wanted to go.  Finally at 6pm I decided that I have worked really hard to lose the 20lbs I have recently lost to stay home.  The people that I wanted to see were not going to care if I wasn’t as small as I use to be.  So I got dressed, dropped the kiddos off, and off we went to the reunion.

I have to say, I am so happy I went.  Knowing how hard I have been working, I walked in with confidence, and was proud to show off the new me!  I had a great time catching up with old friends, and talking about our old high school memories.  We also had a blast trying to figure out who half the people in the room were.  Not sure half of those people were at the right reunion….LOL…wow if 10 years was hard, I hate to try to recognize people after 20. 

I will continue to work hard at losing this weight until I reach my goal (with each lb that comes off I notice I feel happier and the confidence continues to grow) – then I will hard to maintain that weight.  I am not on a diet – I am living a new life style. 

What to make for Thanksgiving

So I finally decided what I am making tomorrow!  I was trying to wait to see what the family was bringing to my mom's house before I made my decision. After a few phone calls I am ready to hit the grocery store (this should be fun with two kiddos)!  

Even though I am eating healthy, I know some of my family members are not.  I know they want our traditional family food, which is awesome, they should have it!  I am the one who has to be responsible and make good decisions and eat what I really want, but in moderation.  So I am making 2 side dishes that I know the points for and that my family enjoys (lol ok - atleast I enjoy).

So tomorrow I will be making Zucchini Casserole & Mashed Butternut Squash.  (other people are making turkey, dressing, corn casseroles, salad, cranberries, green bean casserole  & sweet potatoes & mashed potatoes & pie) 

I did Zumba this morning & doing Fusion tonight (with the paper plate workout....my booty hurts just thinking about it) so I will make up for the extra I eat tomorrow!!! 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING - Even though life is crazy we are so blessed!!!

Explanation of Paper Plate Workout

Here is a better explanation of the Paper Plate 

Workout - ENJOY!!!  

One of the fun new exercise tools seen on the internet and in the health clubs is a gliding disc.  "Gliding", a workout designed by Mindy Mylrae, IDEA Instructor of the Year, is a fun way to get toned muscles and a stronger core.  If you don't have a gliding disc, try these 10 great moves with a paper plate.  Now that's an affordable workout!  These exercises work multiple muscles at once, giving you a quick, effective workout in a minimum amount of time, right in your own home.  Do one set of 15 repetitions with each exercise.  As you get stronger and need more challenge, add one or two more sets of each exercise.


 1. Side Lunge-Start with your weight on your left foot, and the ball of your right foot on a paper plate.  Slowly glide your right foot directly to the side, making sure to keep your left knee just above, or slightly behind the left toes.  Return to neutral and repeat.  After 15 repetitions, switch sides.  For variety, slide the plate behind or in front of the standing leg.  This will engage the inner thigh muscles.

 2. Back Lunge-Stand with feet hip-width apart, left foot resting on a paper plate. Bend the right leg while sliding the left foot back into a lunge position, keeping the right knee behind the toe, torso upright and abs in. Slowly slide left foot back to starting position and repeat.  After 15 repetitions, switch sides.  For variety, add a lateral raise with light dumbells in the hands.

3. Lunge Twist- Begin with the same movement as the previous exercise.  As you reach the lunge position, hold, and rotate your torso toward the outside of the front hip (if your left leg is front, rotate to the left).  Then, rotate back to the front and return to the starting position.  After 15 repetitions, switch sides.

4. Push Ups- Begin facedown on the floor with hands next to shoulders, elbows bent to 90 degrees, paper plates under each hand.  On your knees or toes, straighten elbows and push torso up, abs tight, body in a straight line from crown of head to knees or toes.  At the top of the movement, squeeze the chest and slide both hands in (on the paper plates) until they touch directly under your chest.  Slide them back out, and lower into pushup (elbows bent at 90 degrees).  Do 15 repetitions.

5. Hamstring Curls- From a seated position, place the right heel on a paper plate.  Sitting tall with your core engaged, slide that heel out and in, squeezing the hamstring to create maximum resistance.  Do 15 repetitions and then switch sides.

6. Seated Side Lat Pull-  From a seated position, bring feet to the left side of your legs (like a mermaid).  Place the right hand on a plate, and slide the hand out and back in.  Try to engage and use the big "lat" muscles in the back.  Use your left hand for balance or gentle support if necessary.  Do 15 repetitions and switch sides.

7.  Lateral Flexion- Sit cross legged and place your right hand on a plate.  Extend your left arm up by your left ear.  Slowly slide your right hand out to the side, bending at the waist and very slightly curving forward to feel the crunch in your waist and obliques.  Reach up and over with the extended arm to create added stretch.  After 15 repetitions, switch sides

8. Abdominal Curls-  Lie on your back, with both heels on a paper plate.  With your fingertips lightly touching the back of your head, crunch up as you squeeze your heels closer to your butt.  Lower back to the starting position. Do 15 repetitions.

9. Leg Cross Through-Now comes the hard work! Begin in a push up position with a paper plate under one foot.  Slide that foot in and under the body, letting it come out the other side.  Do as many as you can, working up to 15 on each side.  This one is tough, so for beginners, just work on holding the push up position for 30 seconds to one minute.  When you have mastered that, start to use the paper plate.

10. Pike Tucks for Core- Begin in a push up position, this time with both feet on a plate.  Glide your feet toward your hands using the muscles of the core to tuck into a pike position.  You can bend your knees or for a more advanced option, pull straight legs in, lifting your hips as you come in.  Do as many as you can, working up to 15 repetitions. 

http://www.denisedruce.com/workouts-and-exercise-tip/2008/7/13/paper-plate-workout.html

Turkey Cartoon

Working out with Paper Plates!

Who would have thought that 2 paper plates would hurt so bad?  When we walked in to our Fusion class tonight, our instructor handed us 2 paper plates and told us that we would be using them during our workout … some Thanksgiving fun! 

In my mind we were going to just hold them and use them as props as we worked our arms or something….Oh yes the nice little images I have in my head!  After 30 minutes of cardio fun it was time to grab out plates.  And this is where the fun began!!!! 

You know those handy little circle things that you put under furniture to help it slide across the floor? Well imagine that under your feet doing strength moves…..OMG!  We started with just one plate under one foot, let it slide out to the side, and then pulled it back in…and did this a million times.  (Oh the burn I feel just replying this in my head LOL).  Then she had us slide one foot behind in a lung and slide it back up.  (At this point I hated my paper plate!)  We continue the fun by lying on our backs, pushing into a Pilates bridge, and sliding our feet out one at a time.  Then when I thought we couldn’t have anymore fun, we rolled over and did push ups & planks & abs with our paper plates.  (She had a lot of other exercises we did with our plates, but due to my exhausted muscles, I am trying to block them out right now LOL)

Who needs expensive equipment – 2 paper plates kicked my booty!  On a serious note… I will be doing some of these moves in my kitchen….I can only imagine what my four year old will say when she walks in and sees what I am doing with paper plate ( not to mention what the neighbors will say...better get those blinds installed.) 

Thanks Jamie for a memorable workout that I will be feeling in the morning! 

Calisthenics

Here is another one I want to try!!!  I really love when others do the work of putting things together and I can just follow!!! LOL....why remake the wheel! 

http://piecesinprogress.tumblr.com/post/12081483974/i-just-used-this-since-i-cant-get-out-for-my-walk

15 minutes

I found this today!  The girl that posted it has lost a ton of weight.....so I am going to give this a try.  Been looking for some extras to do....This is 15 minutes!  


http://piecesinprogress.tumblr.com/page/2