one more day to the challenge!!

I am getting both excited and scared. Dax Moy's website is full of energy again with lots of people introducing themselves and asking question. Whoever is interested, you still have one day to sign up! Go to http://www.londonpersonaltrainingstudio.com/ for more info on this 30 day "Meltdown" challenge and join us!

30 days of a fairly strict, yet super healthy diet, and about an hour worth of workouts, broken down into 4 short sessions. I know I can do it and that I will feel and look fabulous afterwords! It is amazing what you can find out about food sensitivities once you eliminate a lot of stuff, I know that for me it is the gluten... I don't realize how bad it makes me feel until I am off it, but of course there are too many temptations around. For the next 30 days I will be eating very clean, and hopefully much longer. Can't wait for it to start!

Why I am doing this challenge?

Dax wanted us to write about why we are doing this 30 day challenge.... Well, I know that I need some pressure and motivation to stick to a diet and rigorous workout regiment. By myself I probably do better then 80% of the population, meaning I work out, I eat my fruits and veggies, take my vitamins etc. But I do not push myself, I tend to get lazy, and I especially go overboard with sweets.

I know what to do and how to do, and yet I don't do it! And I want to get back into my skinny pants and not having to worry about the muffin top issue. I want to go into summer being able to wear a swim suit. I want to be strong in body and mind. I want to be the athlete again I used to be when I was young. I want to keep up with my almost 7 year old and teach him as many sports as possible!

By doing this challenge (and I know it will be a challenge with 4 daily workouts etc) I know I will be with a group of like minded people, I will get Dax checking in on me daily, and I will just do it!

New year - new challenge! Dax Moy's Meltdown....

I got an e-mail from Dax Moy about his upcoming Meltdown challenge, and signed up right away at http://www.londonpersonaltrainingstudio.com/blog. 30 days of being kicked in the rear, working out 4 times a day and following a strict, but doable diet. Am I crazy?? No, I don't think so, after having done 3 months of his LGN challenge this past summer with great results. After that challenge I slacked off a little, then a little more, and then a little more. I have been on Angie Schumachers Fit Chick Express site and really enjoyed her workouts and support, but it is time for a "drill sergeant" right now.

There is still time to join the fun, please sign up too, its free and will be great! http://www.londonpersonaltrainingstudio.com/blog

I know I will have some extra challenges during those 30 days (like a 3 day meeting at work with lots of dinners and tons of sweets to eat - yes, I work for a dessert company...), but I am so looking forward to the structure and instruction this challenge will provide. I know it will be hard, but well worth it!

3 more weeks in this year....

Time just goes by so quickly, again 2 weeks without a post! A comment from JavaChick made me think about why I eat the way I eat. Seems she has similar issues: eating clean and healthy for a while, and then blowing it.
I have read tons of stuff on emotional eating, will power, determination, etc. etc., and still it seems something doesn't click with me. Some people would say that I am not serious about weight/fat loss. Others might say I have no will power. Whatever it is, I haven't figured it out yet!
In general I think I eat healthier then 80% of the population even on bad days, and I know that I feel much better without wheat and any processed food. And of course without sugars, and here is the problem. Even when I did the Dax Moy Elimination diet for 3 months this summer, which was awesome and I did well on it, the moment I allow myself a little treat it is all over.... One bite leads to the next, and its all downhill from there.
As much as I try not to like sweets: I love them!!! Even after 3 months, when I was hoping my taste buds had evolved, I still fall for all the sugary crap.

I do well for a few days or weeks, and then boycott myself with out of control sweet intake. Yes, I eat more, when it is there and I see it. Yes, I eat more of it when I am stressed at work. Yes, I eat more of it when hubby and I have an argument.

But still, why can't I get a grip on this? I know what is going on, and still fall short of my goals, what gives?

Okay, much more to ponder and think about. Its a journey, and sometimes it is a step forward and a step back. But there will be progress and I will not gain weight over the holidays! Hopefully I will even loose a pound or two in the next 3 weeks!

late November resolutions and goals

This is a picture of the lake and the mountains where I grew up: beautiful Bavaria!

Wow, it has been almost a month since my last post! Partly because of my parents visiting, partly because of being sick with the flu and traveling, and partly because I felt that I needed my sleep more then computer time at night...

I have been posting on Angie's Fitchickexpress site, and she had the idea about not waiting for January 1st to come up with resolutions, but to start right away.

I did post whatever popped in my head at that time, but I think that this list would be a really good one to work from. So here it is again:

1. stop procrastinating - why postpone a workout or a hard work project, I know I need to do it anyway? I might as well do it right away and then have "play"time

2. Stop over-eating/drinking. I eat so well for a while, and then I just loose it and eat whatever and have the beer or wine with it as well. Especially sweets, really bad. I feel this is what's holding me back, since a couple days of pigging out make all my good eating null and void. So how to get better? I will start a food journal for a few weeks (not sure if I have the patience for Sparks, a good pocket book might have to do).

3. Take daily quiet time for myself: meditation, reading a spiritual book, practicing yoga...

4. Take my 6 year old hiking/skiing/skating/in-line skating/play tennis with him, work out with him.... on a much more regular basis!

5. Start learning Spanish! Even though I would love Italian much more, but Spanish just comes in much more handy!

and for good measure:
6. Answer friends e-mails right away (instead of tomorrow, later, whenever I have time - because that just doesn't happen, and then: see point 1!!!)

That's my list for now, there might be a few add ons later, but I feel that will keep me plenty busy!

Have a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving!!

finally coming out of the flu fog....

Well, this was supposed to be a fitness blog, but this week it is turning into a sick blog. Last Sunday night over dinner our 6 year old remarked nonchalantly that he was not feeling well, and a quick temperature check revealed 103 fever. Into bed he went, and stayed the next 2 days, sleeping pretty much all day and night. If you have an active 6 year old you know that they must be really sick to stay in bed!

Thank goodness for my parents, who stayed home with him. Tuesday night though I felt a tweak in my throat and just didn't feel good - well, the next morning I had over 103 fever! So my parents had 2 patients to take care of, while my husband was trying his best to stay healthy, since he had a crazy week.

We ended up taking Sky to the pediatrician on Friday, since he started developing some secondary infection (he has mild asthma). Sure enough, they confirmed the flu (they don't test for H1N1 or seasonal anymore), plus some bacterial stuff on top. I called in to translate, the the doc questioned all my symptoms and ordered me to stay in bed and drink plenty of fluids, since they were certain I had the flu as well.

I have never had the flu, also never had a flu shot in my live (I am not a big believer in too many shots and worry about the side effects of the shot more then the flu), so I knew I had it. Today is day 4, and this afternoon I am finally feeling a little more normal again. Enough to get up and sit at the laptop for a while, waiting for trick-or-treaters to come around to at least get a glimpse at the party!

I am a little worried about loosing a lot of strength in those days and are eager to get back to a workout. Actually, right now is the first time I can even think about working out, to be honest.... I know I will wait another day or two, but can't stop wondering about how much muscle I am loosing in my lethargy. I am not worried having had too much food, since all I could handle was some apple slices, some joghurt, a few slices of challah bread with butter, and tons of herbal tea and grapefruit juice (gotta get that Vitamin C!!).

Again, a big Thank you to my parents, who have been absolute life savers this week, I can only pray that they and hubby are not getting it now! Hopefully I will be back at work on Monday, I am going on a business trip Wed through Friday, so I need to be fit again! And back to working out as well, will keep you posted on how it is going!

But now, back to bed.... hot water bottle on belly.....

Angie's workouts

It is not even 6:30 am, and I am done with my workout for the day - Hoorayh!!! 20 minutes of intervals on the Nordic Track, followed by 4 rounds of Angie's mini lower body challenge no. 1: reverse lunges, squats, sgl leg step-up, squat jumps.

Wow, that combo made me huff and puff and work up a sweat! I am in the middle of a 24 hour fast right now, started at 11am yesterday, but have to say that I had lots of energy for the workout and felt really great. I started doing the fast a few weeks ago, one day a week, usually Monday noon to Tuesday noon works really well for me. Besides a few minutes of hunger, that go away with lots of herbal tea and water, I feel actually really good, and it is so liberating not having to think about lunch, snacks, etc. A few more hours to go and I have a nice oatmeal waiting for me at work, and red beets and kale with goulash probably after a lunch time walk around the neighborhood.
The sun is finally shining again and the temps are climbing up - I am not ready yet for winter!