Full April Progress

Yes! I'm alive! This month has been crazy as I've adjusted to a new schedule of cross training and mostly running. I can feel that my weight loss is slowing down since I've lost over half of what I want to. I was prepared for this and don't feel like I need to adjust my eating or anything like that, I just need to continue being consistent and keep pushing my body. I am glad that I am making progress and that my body continues to feel stronger each day. Some days are definitely harder than others, but I find that as long as I am consistent I am successful.
Here are my measurements for this month:

Right Arm: 13 (1 inch lost)
Left Arm: 13 (1 inch lost)
Right Leg: 24.5
Left Leg: 25
Right Calf: 15  (.5 inch lost)
Left Calf: 15.5
Natural waist: 30 (1.5 inches lost)
Waist at belly button: 33.5 (1.5 inches lost)
Hips: 42 (1 inch lost)
Bust: 38.5

Left: Jan 4//Right: April 29

Left: April 1//Right: April 29

Starting weight: 197.6//Current weight: 164.4//Loss since Jan. 4: 33.2 pounds//Overall: 75.6 pounds

Aldi Haul #1

Oh Aldi. I've recently re-discovered how much I love shopping here. And my wallet agrees. I'm here to bust the myth that eating healthfully has to be expensive. Now, I don't do all of my shopping at Aldi, since there are a few treats and certain things I enjoy that Aldi doesn't offer. I have found that I can get most everything that we eat there. I am picky about how certain things taste and a few items, the Greek yogurt mainly, that I purchased this time were to try out. I do prefer certain brands because they may have less sugar or fat, but I'm willing to try it once before I completely rule it out. 

The food above will last about 2 weeks. I will most likely do a smaller trip to pick up eggs and milk, but for the most part, this is it. 

I plan to do some posts about easy dinners that are actually things that we eat. I tend to post my breakfasts and lunches to Instagram pretty regularly, but if people are interested in those as well, I will post them. 

I'm including a spreadsheet of the prices I paid at my local Aldi, these may vary based on where you live. All of the food pictured above cost me $102. That's crazy! I love how far my dollar goes at Aldi. 

Here's the pricing list: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XJ5p1UQPMIal6woPM4CnB61-mrFsP7S-9xM97EoAVmM/edit?usp=sharing

Full March Progress

Sorry I've been a bit MIA with the updates, this month hasn't been extremely impressive as far as changes in my weight. I'm okay with that, as I've been focused on improving in other ways. I finally saw a drop in weight as the week progressed. I find that I tend to lose more weight later in the week, I'm not entirely sure why. Now that I'm incorporating running into my exercise routine 5 times a week, I find I'm more focused on cross training as well. I do more to strengthen my muscles overall, but I still enjoy the workout I get on my recumbent bike.
I can feel how my body is changing as well. My calves and quads are much more pronounced and strong. My arms have some definition now as well. I can also feel my core strengthening and can feel muscles when I flex.
Here are my measurements for the month:

Right Arm: 14 (1 inch lost)
Left Arm: 14 (1 inch lost)
Right Leg: 24.5 (1.5 inches lost)
Left Leg: 25 (1 inch lost)
Right Calf: 15.5
Left Calf: 15.5
Natural waist: 31.5 (1 inch lost)
Waist at belly button: 35 (1 inch lost)
Hips: 43 (1 inch lost)
Bust: 38.5 (1.5 inches lost)

Left: Feb 28//Right: April 1

Left: Jan 4//Right: April 1

Starting weight: 197.6//Current weight: 170.6//Loss since Jan. 4: 27 pounds//Overall: 69.4 pounds

Motivation and March Update 1

This week has been a difficult one as far as staying motivated. The main reason being that our A/C wasn't working until this morning. The other being that I felt stuck in my routine. I knew I needed to do something to switch things up so that I would stay on track.
One big help is my wonderful husband who keeps me going and another has been just doing it. Sometimes I slog through the first few minutes of my workout, but I always feel better after I do. Since I've kept to my routine, it has been easier to continue on. I watch an interesting show, put on some new upbeat music, find some new moves to work into my bodyweight routine, basically anything to mix it up. Everett and I have been going outside to the park or walking trails almost everyday now that the weather has warmed up and I love it. He is a big fan of the outdoors as well, which makes it fun for the both of us.

So the past few weeks I went from 177.6 to 173.8, almost 4 pounds down. I'm now at the lowest weight since I had Everett and I was around this weight a year ago almost exactly. I still have about 39 pounds to lose, but I am feeling so much stronger and better overall than I have in a while. I'm proud of what I've accomplished and it makes me motivated to continue to make changes and try new things constantly.

I hope you all have a fabulous Monday! Get out there and move!

February Progress Week 3

This week was good. I feel like I'm finally in a really good routine. Everett is transitioning to one nap a day, so I did have to adjust to that, but overall I feel like I'm getting into the groove of things.
I ran my first mile. You can read more about that here.

I have been very grateful to see great progress so quickly. I know that won't always be the case, but I'm glad to have had a great jumping off point. It isn't only about the weight loss for me, but that is a nice bonus. I love how great I feel. I love trying delicious new foods and being creative with what I make. I love being able to devote my time to feed my body correctly and by being active and getting strong.

I am having logistical issues with figuring out when and where to run that will fit into my day. I'm leaning towards running at a gym early morning or in the evening, with the option of running during the day since the gym will have child watch. Everett doesn't do well in those kind of situations so I don't really want to torture him by doing that.

The upside to that would be that I have access to the weight lifting equipment and classes at the gym as well. That is a huge bonus for me.

Please subscribe to my blog if you have a minute and let me know in the comments what kinds of things you would like to see talked about here!

Starting weight: 197.6//Current weight: 180.2//Loss since Jan. 4: 17.4 pounds//Overall: 59.8 pounds

My Current Fitness Routine

I'll start off by saying that fitness doesn't need to be going to the gym or doing anything specific. JUST MOVE YOUR BODY! Many people, myself included, get discouraged because they don't know where to start.
My favorite way to get active is getting outside with my family. It can be difficult especially since it is colder right now, but bundle up and get moving!
My current routine works mainly because my toddler still naps twice a day for 1.5-2 hours. Do what works for you and your routine.
Currently I'm using this bike which I received as a Birthday gift from my wonderful husband. I bike for 30 mins to an hour a day. I also do weighted arm workouts while I'm biking along with a different body weight workout for each day.
I also use my FitBit to help track my steps and activity. I aim for 7,500 steps a day, which can sometimes be a challenge since I stay at home, but I do like a challenge.
Please add me on MyFitnessPal and FitBit if you have them so we can motivate each other.

Here's a breakdown of my daily bodyweight exercises. I try to do these daily, but I'm focused on always completing my biking first.

Monday:                                                     Tuesday:

20 jumping jacks                                         40 jumping jacks
1:00 hamstring stretch                                 15 lying toe touches
:30 high knees                                              10 roll ups
20 jumping jacks                                          3 lying leg lifts
10 squats                                                       40 bicycle crunches
10 side lunges-each side                               20 flutter kicks
5 calf raises                                                   10 seated knee tucks
20 lunges                                                       5 extra slow roll ups
10 one leg calf raises-each leg                      3 lying leg raises
10 squats                                                       10 reverse crunches
25 inner thigh leg lifts-each leg                    10 lunge twists
10 side lunges-each side                               30 jumping jacks
5 jump squats                                                Plank for as long as possible
1:30 hamstring stretch
:45 calf stretch-each leg
3:00 pike stretch

Wednesday:                                                Thursday:

40 jumping jacks                                          20 jumping jacks
:30 jump rope                                               10 wrist circles
:20 high knees                                              20 arm swings
:20 butt kicks                                                10 kneeling push ups
30 mountain climbers                                   10 tricep dips                                
5 jump squats                                                10 weighted arm circles
:30 jump rope                                                10 tricep dips
25 jumping jacks                                           20 incline push ups
20 pivot upper cuts                                        1 full bridge
:30 march in place                                          5 tricep push ups
35 jumping jacks                                            20 arm swings
:40 jump rope                                                 10 kneeling push ups
5 jump squats
:30 high knees

Friday:                                                          Saturday: 

:30 plank                                                        30 jumping jacks
:20 side plank-each side                                 5 burpees
30 oblique crunches                                       2 star jumps
20 scissor kicks                                              40 Russian twists
20 mountain climbers                                     10 oblique crunches-each side
5 V sit ups                                                       :30 side plank-each side
:30 plank                                                         :40 plank
10 vertical leg crunches                                  20 bicycles
10 Russian twists                                             30 jumping jacks
15 mountain climbers                                      3 burpees
10 scissor kicks                                                20 mountain climbers
:30 plank                                                          10 side leg lifts-each leg
                                                                         30 Russian twists
                                                                         :30 side plank-each side
                                                                         10 oblique crunches-each side
                                                                          5 burpees

So there it is! The full routine. Again all of this can be tailored to fit your fitness level and lifestyle.
What is your favorite way to get active? Let me know in the comments.