Journal - June 3rd

Hello Friends~

Spring has sprung (finally) here in Sacramento and is quickly moving toward summer! We (dear hubby and I) are once again enjoying our evening walks! I also started taking the kids on the bike path in the morning, so I am (trying) to get double the time in. =)

Goal update ...

• getting to bed on time - only twice
• drinking 8 glasses of water - I'm at 4 big glasses
• calories - haven't been counting closely, but I am starting to notice when I've eaten enough calories even when I'm not full. and my snacks are getting less often and smaller.

...still making progress (baby steps) but progress none the less.

Measurements:
Weight -0.8
Bust -0.5
Chest same
Waist +0.25
Hips -0.5
R Arm same
L Arm -0.25
R Thigh +0.25
L Thigh +.025
Total -1.25

Keep on keeping on! We can do it!
Thanks for the encouragement!

Really Quick Sweatin´Journal

You´ll never guess where I am??? well, ok maybe seens how I posted it on daily mile and facebook. :) I am just so excited. I worked so hard to be able to take the boys on our annual end of the school year camping trip. It was hard to convince hubby that we needed to go. It was raining and cloudy. But the sun came out today and God has kept the rain at bay. It´s been fabulous!

We hiked this morning, had a jog on the beach, did Jillian´s Ab workout in the sand, and hiked uphill back to camp. Of course, I logged all my calories burned! woo hoo. and only had a couple bites of the boys icecream. LOL

The boys are swimming right now in the campsite pool, I have my middle son waiting for me to go join him. It´s freezing. We have it all to ourselves though. jeje

OH .. my weight went down to an all time low to 124 but I was unable to hold it there yet. My measures are all the same still. ;) Just maintaining here.

YOu all are great motivators! I love reading all about your fitness journeys and knowing that you are working hard makes me keep working hard! What a blessing you all are!

Love Sweating it with ya,

Dani Joy

Walking, walking, walking : )

Just wanted to share that even though our Springy time is over, I think I beat my walking record today. We went with out church ladies on a walk (while the men played soccer with the boys) and we walked and walked and walked in a huge park near our church. It didn´t seem like too much, but I logged it on "dailymile" and it was almost 4 kms.
From there we rode to our camp property which had been robbed and we worked there for about an hour cleaning things, as well as doing inventory on the losses. Sadly most of what we lost was out of our kitchen, but no one was hurt and God is still in control.
When we got home my daughter Sandy and I had talked of going downtown Madrid to video tape a procession (today is holy Friday). I had been to one at the age of 13 that left a huge impression on my heart for the need here in Spain. We left the house at 6 and got home at 10:30 p.m. We can´t log this on "daily mile" because we were on and off the subway (loads of stairs) but we figure (and our aching feet are witnesses) that we did another 3 to 4 kms. Sandy was all happy for me and said, "Mom, you are really going to rack up the points today". I informed her that our Springy time is all over, but that I´d share with you that I walked a lot, and was able to do so without getting tired because I´m in better shape.
Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday celebrating our LIVING Saviour.
Love,
Joy

If you fail to plan ... (last springy journal)

... you plan to fail. This is my life this last week.
3 good weeks out of 10 is discouraging. But I will look forward and not back. =)

This past week I spent 20 "official" minutes exercising.
I gained 1.2 lbs.
I lost 2.25 inches.

There you go.

I have my spreadsheet set up to continue tracking my measurements and weight, so that it will be easy to continue that part. I have a day set aside to plan my days/meals/etc... so that hopefully the rest of the school year/baseball season will not find me with so many "fail" days.

Thanks ladies for your encouragement, faithfulness to your fitness journeys and example of how to make it all work.
Thanks Danielle for continuing this blog and encouraging everyone.
Have a blessed Easter!

Dani Joy´s Last Springy Journal -

Ketty and I had a great time! She did a fabulous job organizing the first Christian Homeschool Retreat here in Spain. After everyone had left we got a picture together.  I should put before and after pictures of us both too. ;) 

Ketty and I before the Christmas challenge.

 

This picture taken March 31, 2010!

Spring Into Shape Challenge Finale

I know, I am late with my measurements. I came home with a terrible headache. I curled up on the sofa and don´t remember anything else.

This morning, I weighed and measured  And totaled.

Spring Into Shape:  Start                                      Finish
                        Lbs: 131                                        127
                       Bust: 32"                                        same
                     Chest: 30"                                         29"
                      waist: 30"                                         29"
                       Hips: 37.5"                                      36.5"
                    Thighs: 22"                                         21.8" just a little
                     Arms: 10.5"                                       10"

Total lbs = 4lbs

Total in. = 4in.

I didn´t quite make my 125lb goal, but I know I will! I usually get very active during the summer. Plus, I now know, I depend heavily on motivation and our challenges! I love you, all so much! Thank you for participating!

Love, Dani Joy

Post Final Springy Journal Post

OK, OK, OK, I know the last post was yesterday, and I did do one. I just wanted to report that this morning when I weighed I have finally reached my weight loss goal!

I'm now 51 kg, or 112 lb. So excited to be here!

Everyone keep working at your goals, if you stay at it, they are achievable. I didn't make my weight goal by the end of last challenge, but I kept at it, and have finally made it. Slow and steady really is the best!

Thanks again Dani Joy for being such a gracious blog host, cheerleader and encourager for us all.

Tami

Final Springy Journal - Vicki

Hooray! We made it! I am so happy with my results and glad for the motivation and accountability this blog provided for me. I noticed last week when I was exercising that my t-shirt no longer bunched up over my hips, but now hangs straight down. :) I didn't get to exercise as regularly as I wanted - what with small kids, ministry responsibilities, and having colds two different weeks. But overall I am glad with my progress, and motivated to keep at my final goal. I even managed to lose one more pound than I had set for my goal! Also, when I measured tonight my arms were smaller. They are getting more toned since I have been using 2kg weights while doing step aerobics.

End results:
weight lost: 11lbs.
centimeters lost: 7 centimeters
hours of excercise: 45+

Final Springy Journal - Sarah F.

Well I can say that throughout this whole challenge that my weight pretty much stayed the same. The lowest it got was 122 lbs - which was when I first started doing my twice daily workouts for training. I increased my calories and I'm holding strong at 124-125 lbs.

I have lost a few inches - mainly from the waist, hips, butt, and thighs. But nothing to write home about.

The 2 pictures below are of me back in November

These 2 pictures were taken of me today... in the exact same workout attire so that you could see.

To me there is not much of a change... if any, but then again my goal was not to lose any weight but just to stay healthy and train for my next race.

I hope you all enjoyed this challenge as much as I did. Until next time....

Final Springy Journal - Ashley

Well, I have been keeping track of my exercise day by day, but my mom just hasn't been updating my ticker (until today). Most of my recent exercise has come from playing outside and exercising with my mom. I found that I lost some weight during the middle of the challenge, but I wasn't very careful about what I ate while my grandparents were visiting, and I gained back most of what I had lost. I am glad I did this challenge, and I see that I need to eat more healthy and exercise often.

Thank you for cheering me on.

Ashley

Final Springy Post - Tami

Hello everyone, This springy challenge has been more of a challenge than I thought it would be, as I ended up having company for over a month. That really affected my schedule and exercise. These past few weeks have been difficult personally, as I have been sick. I ended up with a sinus infection, and then my parents and sister came to visit. Everyone eventually got sick, and I ended up running an infirmary at my house, playing the roles of doctor/nurse, dietary department, and housekeeping. I missed regular exercise, but still did quite a bit of walking. I didn't keep track of what I was doing, so I have zeroed out my ticker. I know I gained quite a few more points, but I'm not sure how many, so I took them all off.

My parents left last week, and finally I have gotten back into regular exercise. Ashley and I even got matching workout outfits, and I wanted to at least post a picture of us in them, but Steve is out of town and he has the camera with him.

This morning I weighed and measured for the final time. My weight is down 1/2 kilo to 51.5 kg.

Here are my final stats compared with the starting ones:

Jan 20, 2010 March 31, 2101

bust 33.5 33.5
chest 29 28.5
waist 27 27
hips 38 37.5
R thigh 21.5 21
L thigh 22 21.5
R arm 11 10.5
L arm 11 11
weight 53.5 51.5

For this challenge I have lost 2 kg and 2.5 inches. I know that doesn't sound like much, but I came close to my weight loss goal. I would still like to reach 51 kg, or .5 kg (1.1 lb) less than I am now. Even still I am pleased with my results and glad that while I was sick and not able to exercise I didn't gain.

I'm really excited to have finished the challenge, and to have met so many wonderful encouraging friends.

Tami

Last Springy Journal - Joy

We did it! Another 10 weeks of exercising has come and gone. Sure seems like it went by quickly this time : )
I´ve had something really crazy happen...and a bit discouraging. One of my birthday gifts was a new scale, and after using it for the last 5 days, I´ve discovered that my original scale was almost 4 lbs. ( 2 kilos) off. This makes my original weight (back in Sept. ) much higher.
The good part is that I have lost weight and lots of inches. The down side is that I´m weighing in today at just a kilo short of where I thought I was in Sept. Not sure if that makes a lot of sense, but mentally it has been like starting over. But, I´ve asked the Lord to help me to stay focused on the progress and not on the reality.
I could easily turn this into an inspirational post : ), but it is time to go for my 2 km. walk this a.m., so will post the measurements and the time exercised and send along a big hug to you all. May the Lord encourage our hearts and keep us all exercising and eating in a way that will care for our bodies for His glory.
Love,
Joy

P.S. I never got around to the video, but since my clothes feel looser and...I´ve now had 2 people say, "you look thinner, have you lost weight?", I´m posting a picture taken at a wedding on Saturday.

Measurements:
Chest - 104 cms. - same
Waist - 86 cms. - same
Hips - 107 cms. - same
Left and right arm - 30 cms. - same
Left leg - 62 cms. - today 61 cms.
Right leg - 58 cms. - same


Total Weight loss...lets not even go there : ( My new scale is really beautiful!!!!
Total lost in centimeters since week 1: 4 cms.
Total minutes exercised - 1440 = 24 hours

Springy Journal #10

Well, this has been a fast ten weeks.  I feel like we just started.  Thanks to you ladies I've learned many new things that I plan on using in my exercising and diet.  It's been great to read the posts and get encouraged to be fit for our Master's use.  Thank you all!

Week 10                                                   Total

weight          -.4 kilos                                    -2.3 kilos
upper arm
     right         -.5 cm                                       -2 cm
     left           same                                         -.5 cm
upper chest   same                                         -3.8 cm
bust              -1 cm                                        -4.5 cm
waist            -1 cm                                         -3 cm
belly             -2.5 cm                                      -2.8 cm
hips              same                                          -3.5 cm
thigh
    right         -1 cm                                          -2.7 cm
    left           -1.5 cm                                       -2 cm
calf
    right         same                                            + .7 cm
    left           same                                            +1.4 cm
ankle
    right         + .3 cm                                        +.4 cm
    left           + 1.3 cm                                      +1.4 cm
                                            
minutes        290                                               2,744   =   45.73 hours

Last Springy Journal of this Challenge

I can't believe this is the last day of the challenge. This has been such a great way to jump-start me on becoming a more fit individual for God's glory!

Once again, I've mostly walked - if you really want to see what I've been doing, just check out my widget on the blog. I actually do post on that regularly.

Now on to the summary of these past 10 weeks:

Since this challenge began...

I have worked out a total of 54 hours and 20 minutes which has allowed me to lose 6 pounds and 35.5 inches.

I was hoping to lose more than 6 pounds, but I'm still happy with the progress I've made. Probably my best thing was I lost lots and lots of inches and went down 1 size. Here's the breakdown of where the inches came from.

Total Loss in each category:

Bust: 5 inches lost

Chest: 4.5 inches lost

Waist: 6 inches lost

Hips: 5 inches lost

Right Thigh: 5.5 inches lost

Left Thigh: 5.5 inches lost

Right Arm: 1.5 inches lost

Left Arm: 1.5 inches lost

Thank you everyone for your encouragement! Thank you Dani Joy for allowing me to join this challenge. And just because this challenge is over doesn't mean getting fit and active is over, keep on keeping on!!! You guys are the greatest!

Running like a Chicken with...

haha... Made ya look!

You thought I was going to say with it´s head cut off. Didn´t ya?

Well, our vacation starts tomorrow with a 5-6 hour drive to a farm in the state of Toledo. 

No, we don´t have to go so far to visit a farm, but we will be attending the first ever Christian Homeschool Retreat here in Spain. (that we know of) We call it CECA. Cristianos Educando en Casa. It will be held at a Farm School for kids. We look forward to the fun and relaxation as well as meeting many other homeschool families. (which is very rare in Spain)

I hope to get in a lot of fun filled exercise with my boys as well as some very great chats with some wonderful homeschooling families.

I will be wearing my heart monitor and recording my workouts. Don´t think I will be able to post on daily mile but, I hope to keep track with my time for estimated miles. I love tracking my miles. It´s so rewarding. ( prob. doing a 10-11 min. mile now)

I will be around to see you all when I get back Wednesday night. I will post my last Springy Journal and the winners when I get back. There may be more than one so stay tuned and stay focused on your goal.

Love ya, all!

Remebering Jesus is the Reason,

P90X Yoga

Insane is all I can say about this one. I do not have time to do 90 minutes of straight yoga. I find it hilarious when he says "clear your mind" on the DVD.. HA... Clear my mind when I have a 4 and 2 year old doing circles around me!

I feel like you do downard facing dog no less than 300 times. Granted it's a great stretching and strength (your own body strength), but I honestly get BORED!

This is why I choose to skip the yoga and use this as my running day instead. Now for those of you who like this kind of thing, then by all means. But to me... It's NOT worth the money!

TIP:

Go out and get a cheaper yoga or pilates video... It is nice to stretch and relax.

P90X Plyometrics and Kenpo

Plyometrics:

Out of all the DVD’s this one is my favorite! It’s a great workout all around. It works every muscle group in the legs, your core muscles to land with agility, and it a great cardio boost. I showed some of the “Easier” moves in my video last week, but there is SO much more on this DVD. This is the one workout that I feel would be worth buying because it’s not like anything I have ever done before.

Kenpo:

Kenpo is essentially kick boxing. I know a lot of people don’t like this one, but I do. Way back in my college days I actually taught kick boxing – so I feel it’s a great workout. I tend to play my own music to it though… it fuels me a bit. With this being said, I don’t feel like it’s worth the money. There are so many other “kick-boxing” DVD’s out there that are much cheaper and are just as good. Like the Tai Bo DVD’s… they’re great! So just add in a 30 minute – 1 hour of kick boxing and you basically have done P90X Kenpo… it’s a simple as that!


TIPS:

With plyo the key is landing softly so that your knees, hips and ankles don’t take a painful hit. If you haven’t watched my video, do – just listen to the sound of my knees and hips popping. This is why it’s important to land nice and easy!

Kenpo (Kick Boxing) – Don’t ever lock your joints when doing this exercise. You should make very quick and fluid movements – not jerky or snapping movements. This is to also spare your joints from being over worked. I also recommend playing music with a great beat. I punch and kick to the beat. I LOVE my punching bag that I have – it’s a great stress reliever.

I will be posting a video of some kick boxing techniques!

First things First - SJ 11 and tip

This saying is not my own , but is inspired by my favorite quarterback in the NFL, Kurt Warner, who btw just retired and now I have to pick a new favorite team.  Check out his charity/ministry HERE.

It´s so important for us to evaluate our lives and keep a good balance before the Lord. He wants us to put Him as our priority and "all these things shall be added unto you."  Keeping First things First.

How easy it is to get out of wack. I am out of wack with my schedule in the morning, but I think it´s because I need a break and a fresh start. So, we are re-evaluating, and getting ready for a break. Spring Break here I come!

Exercise and fitness have taught me some great values to discipline and organization. They are now becoming my hobby, but as well, I know I need them. I believe that the Lord has helped me get control of this area in my life to help me to stay balanced, focused and to encourage others. It has proved that I can be disciplined with God´s strength.

So I am going to give a tip and then take my own advice, and keep my priorites straight!

oh, also all my measurements are the same. My waist is firmer though! 

Keep Springing it, ladies! 

Dani Joy

                                                                                                                                                            

Week 10 Video

One more try.  If this doesn't work, I'll just post a picture.

Last post

Today is still Sunday and I am not very sure I will be able to have internet again before Wed. So I am going to post my final post with measuremnts. I don´t have the points with me here so I might call Dani to add them up if I don´t get in here until I get home. I am on vacation, away from computers.

Ok, I was wondering if I would be able to finish up this program this time around. For sure I have been able to keep eating the same way, so I think I have change my eating habits for life.

Here are my measurements.

03/31//2010
Bust 39 in. NOW: 37
Chest 32.5 in. NOW : 31
Waist 33 in. NOW : 31.5
Hips 39 NOW : 39
R thigh 20.5 in. NOW : 20
L thigh 20.5 in. NOW : 20
R arm 10.5 in. NOW : 10
L arm 10.5 in. NOW : 10

I´VE LOST 6 INCHES,

Weight 151 lb. NOW 145.2 LB I´VE LOST 6.2 POUNDS, 2.81 kilos

I hope you all enjoyed this time together here, sure I did.

I am hoping and praying I can keep up this way of eating and moving forever.

love

Ketty

Springy Journal March 25

Well, it's been a mostly good week. Thursday I managed to get my housework done and yogalates (60 min). Friday we went to the snow and had a hike to get to the snow and I made it 3 times almost in a row, so I'm counting 20 min. =). Saturday was my off day - the kids had AWANA games and then we went to my nephews birthday party. Sunday the family went for a walk - I finished at 60 min! Monday after school I took the kids out again and walked for 20 min came in and walked up and down the staircase for about 12 min then finished the 20 min timer back and forth in the house while my dh put on his tennis shoes and then we walked for the last 20 min! Tuesday I could hardly move. I did manage to do yogalates for 60 min. While the kids were at AWANA dh and I were sitting on the couch. I got up to do something and my dh laughed at how I was walking. Apparently I was sore. =) Yesterday did not go according to plan. My 3 yo went to watch softball practice with me, so I didn't get to walk around the track like I had hoped. Hoping to walk again after school today.

Food choices: I have been counting calories. I am noticing a pattern, and trying to work on that this week.

Measurements:
Pounds -1.4
Inches -6.75
Which puts me measurement wise about where I was the 1st week into the challenge. Weight wise still last Nov. I am feeling swollen and puffy today though, so ...

Hope you have a great last week! Keep up the great work!