Energy Workout-Did Half!

Oh boy...I took pictures for my DDP Yoga blog and here's a doozy! This morning I did my 1.5 mile walk, my arm workout,  AND half of the DDP Energy workout. I've had a busy two weeks and haven't had as much time to exercise as I'd like. It makes me appreciate this morning.

Eager for Monday, too, to do this all again.

Today's Walk

This is where we went last weekend...dry and brown. It feels SO GOOD to be able to move my body! I'm no longer dragging myself around. We took maybe a half mile walk along the river and then hiked this rocky trail, maybe about 3/4 mile or so. Since it was in the evening, it was cooler and windy, so it was very comfortable.

I've had a busy week and haven't walked since Friday morning. I haven't been drinking enough water (going to catch up on that today) and I've been eating CANDY! STOP IT! This morning's walk was difficult for those reasons.

Did my arm workout, here's what I'm doing a few times a week with 5lb weights:
bicep curl (wrists up)
bicep curl (wrists in)
deltoid press (over head)
touchdown press (arms up)

I do 10 reps and 2 sets.

I've always enjoyed lifting weights and I like the challenge of doing the numbers.

My head isn't into my weight loss right now...not sure why, but I will keep going.

Monday Weigh-In 8

Hooray! I wasn't really sure what to expect, but I'm so happy this week is a loss! I mean that in the best way. I'm not really tracking my calories anymore. I did the research on the salads, I know what I know and I make a similar salad every day, eat the same breakfast for now and I know I can have a small snack and then I try to be reasonable for dinner. I'm not dieting, this is crazy...a friend said the other day, "it almost seems EASY"...which leads me back to the Lord's glorious ways...

Matthew 11:28
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?  [dieting!?!] Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." The Message

The scale last Monday:
220.4 pounds

The scale today:
218.7 pounds

Pounds lost this week:
-1.7 pounds

Net pounds lost since May 2, 2012:
-10.8 pounds

Down ten, that's wonderful. Next goal is minus fifteen.To see weight loss by week go to the SCALE page or CLICK HERE.

Hike-Eastern Washington

We headed to Potholes State Park this weekend. Unbelievable vistas at Vantage, WA! Took a hike along the Columbia River and at the Gingko Petrified Forest Interpretive Trail, not to mention all the other walking around we did. Really different hike than what we get to do near home, loved it!

Monday Weigh-In 7

Honestly, I thought all was lost and I wasn't going to weigh this morning, but I decided this IS part of my process. I can't believe I lost one pound as I was eating more than ever...I may pay later! My belly actually feels bigger, but I keep going...

The scale last Monday:
220.6 pounds

The scale today:
220.4 pounds

Pounds lost this week:
-0.2 pounds

Net pounds lost since May 2, 2012:
-9.1 pounds

Total mileage this week:
8.5 miles

I really want to break minus 15 pounds and keep that off, but I guess minus ten is my next goal!
To see weight loss by week go to the SCALE page or CLICK HERE.

Hike-Mount Rainier

We had a fabulous time and did the Grove of the Patriarchs (for any person who can walk) and Silver Falls (a little elevation) along the Ohanapecosh River. I think it was about 3 miles. GREAT time!

INSPIRED-The Movie

I'm not sure exactly when I first saw the video on Facebook, but it introduced me to low-impact cardio with DDP Yoga. The Lord was instructing me to "GET STRONG" and I wasn't sure how I was going to do that and after I saw the video on Facebook, shortly after that it was featured on Yahoo News. That's when I started looking at DDP Yoga for myself.

Anyways, I'm on the Team DDP Yoga community forums. Of course, you can "friend" people and I'm "friends" with Arthur Boorman. Arthur sent a message to his friends list about this upcoming movie and I wanted to document it on my blog. Watch this trailer for INSPIRED-The Movie which (hopefully!) will be released in 2013. And DONATE, too!

If the video doesn't play below, here's the link: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1564946265/inspired-the-movie

or here:
http://kck.st/JTFvwx

Here's the trailer link:


MOVIE LINK: (shows up in my code, but not here...?)

Monday Weigh-In 6

It is now Thursday and I'm finally coming to the realization that I need to post this dismal Monday Weigh-In. I gained 2.8 pounds this week. I was pretty sure I would not lose, but I'm disappointed at this number! Maybe my walks this week were difficult because there's more of me to move around, instead of less! I need to take a serious look at what I'm eating as I've stopped tracking my calories because I've been eating pretty much the same thing every day. I didn't really realize I had stopped tracking!
The scale last Monday:
217.8 pounds

The scale today:
220.6 pounds

Pounds gained this week:
+2.8 pounds

Net pounds lost since May 2, 2012:
-8.9 pounds

I need to look at this long term...this is a blip in the process and I think it is important to JUST KEEP GOING. I've increased my walk and increased my strength exercises (I'm on exercise #9 of the Diamond Dozen, almost there)! I also purchased 5lb dumbbells, though I found a great arm workout that makes me think that I need 3lb dumbbells (for now).

So...despite this set-back, I can forge forward!

UPDATE 06/29/2012:  My sister loaned me her 3lb weights!

World's Most Difficult Walk

Whoah. Today surprised me because my body was really tired! My legs and knees were feeling tight and the pavement seemed harder and steeper, even though it was exactly the same as yesterday! I had a very difficult time emotionally just finishing. I suppose this is all part of my process, though. I think I need a rest day, but I'm really glad I finished. No muscle work today. May take a rest day tomorrow, not sure if I need to push through this or rest. We did go 2.4miles on Sunday then Monday and Tuesday another 3 miles, so that's 5.4miles in three days. That is more than usual so I think tomorrow I'll rest. My muscles and knees will thank me for it on Thursday!

Hike-Horseshoe Bend

Another stunning hike in the North Cascades. 2.4miles round trip along the roaring mighty Nooksack river. Perfect day as it was cool with no bugs. We took a couple adventurous side trips, including driving to the very end of the Mt Baker Highway capturing photos of Mt Shuksan in the glorious alpenglow.

New Walk Triple Eyelash Big Loop 1.5 Miles

Yesterday I eyeballed another loop and this morning DID IT. Nice inclines and a beautiful front yard perennial garden, too! I'm adding about .4 miles...I need to get up earlier! I'd like to be out by 6:30am...today was 8am by the time I got out the door. On my next walk (Sunday or Monday), I'll time this new walk...my guess is about 40-45 minutes.

Did move #5 on DDP Yoga, loving Diamond Cutter as I can tell my flexibility is already improving!

Today's Exercise

Even though my walk took the full 30 minutes-I FELT LIGHTER! I'm not having shin pain since I started stretching and using the arch supports (YAY)!!!

DDP Yoga has 13 basic moves...I've been learning them one-by-one for a short time after my walk every morning. Tomorrow I get to move on to Move #5! I'm pretty excited to try the first workout called Energy, but I have to learn the moves first. It is astounding that just clenching my muscles and bending over can bump up my heart rate and get me sweating! NO impact. Love it!

A note about photos: I mostly use my own photos. Other photos are purchased and licensed to me...my favorite is istock.com, please don't steal.

Monday Weigh-In 5

I really didn't think I'd lose anything this week because of my losing battle with the chocolate chips toward the beginning of the week! But I can feel my clothes are getting a little more loose. Thank you Lord for this good work you are doing...I've NEVER lost 12 pounds by "not dieting" ever before!

The scale last Monday:
221.3 pounds

The scale today:
217.8 pounds

Pounds lost this week:
-3.5 pounds

Net pounds lost since May 2, 2012:
-11.7 pounds

Terrific! Now I've exceeded my first goals and now need to set more!

To see weight loss by week go to the SCALE page or CLICK HERE.

Product-Newman's Own

Newman's Own Lite Balsamic is a GODSEND! LOVE this dressing! I use it as salad dressing and drizzle a few grams in my tortilla wraps. GREAT tasting, lower calorie, lower carb, lower fat option. Thank you Newman's Own!

Product-Milk Substitute

This post is my official low-sugar milk substitute comparison. I originally posted about wanting to reduce my daily sugars. Noticing that any milk, whether skim, 1% or whole, had the same amount of sugars (about 12g sugar per 1C serving!!), I decided I didn't want my sugar that way! I could make up the protein and opted to find a dairy-free option simply to reduce the sugar hit to my system.

I started with the bare bones...Pacific Almond Unsweetened.

Pacific Organic Almond Original Unsweetened

So Delicious Coconut Milk Unsweetened
1C=8oz=240ml
45 calories
4.5g fat
2g carb
0 protein
1 sugars
1 fiber

Pacific Organic Almond Unsweetened Vanilla
1C=8oz=240ml
40 calories
2.5g fat
2g carb
1 protein
0 sugars
0 fiber

Notes:
Pacific Almond Unsweetened is REALLY THIN. I like the taste, but added 1/2T heavy whipping cream to my cereal for a thicker liquid. I like it!

So Delicious Coconut Unsweetened
This is nice! Not really any flavor, but thick and creamy for a milk. Still added the cream, yummers.

Tomorrow for the new one.

One container is about 945ml...giving me almost 8 servings (120ml per serving=1/2C). So...one container lasts about a week, which is perfect because they aren't supposed to last beyond about 10 days once opened. So I use one per week, same kind and switch every week if I want something new.

My friend left her Kirkland Organic Rice Milk in my frig the other day, so I thought I'd put it up for comparison!
Kirlkand Organic Rice Milk
1C=8oz=240ml
120 calories
2.5g fat
23g carb
1 protein
6 sugars
0 fiber
So there you go...120 calories and 23g carbs. Nope, I don't want my carbs that way, I prefer something cracker-y in my salad, thank you very much! That's what I'm loving about counting calories...I can't lie to myself! Numbers don't lie!