Day 26 BBM 90 Day Challenge

Image: http://facebook.com/BikiniBodyMommy

Day 26 BBM 90 Day Challenge

Exercises for today and my rep count.  First time I did them this week, as opposed to others who did it for third time.  My back is better, but I didn't over-do it with the dumbbells.  Did wear my 1# hand weights for everything.  =)

1)  Squat/Curl/Press with 'heavy' weight (I used my 5# plus gloves), 3 minutes straight:  45 reps

1 minute rest

2)  Teeter Totter Lunges, 1 minute each leg:  24 left leg, 28 right leg

1 minute rest

3)  3-part Shoulder Series, 3 minutes straight:  25 reps

1 minute rest

4)  Bend over rows, 3 minutes straight:  56 reps

1 minute rest

5)  Extended Plank:  1:15


See you tomorrow!!

Sites I use:

MyFitnessPal:  http://www.myfitnesspal.com/jamarino73
BBM on FB:  http://www.facebook.com/BikiniBodyMommy
BBM Home:  http://bikinibodymommy.com/
BBM on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/BikiniBodyMommy
BBM on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/BikiniBodyMommy
Online Stopwatch:  http://www.online-stopwatch.com

Please comment, share, Like,  RT, Plus, Pin...whatever works.  Thanks!  XO

~Joy~

Day 25 BBM 90 Day Challenge

*Work In Progress*

Day 25 BBM 90 Day Challenge

Hey friends! 

Well, you may have noticed I did not post for days 21 through 24 and that is because my back was still pretty bad.  It probably wasn't my sciatica, because I had a good-sized knot on the right side of my mid back and the pain radiated from my tailbone up...not down my butt or leg.  Anyway, whatever it was, it was really bad and I had trouble standing or sitting...even lifting the baby (she's about 13#)

I did weigh in on Sunday and dropped ~3# so that is exciting.  I've not eaten the way I should've this week.  But, I am not beating myself up at all.  After all, it's a marathon, not a sprint.  And, there are going to be days or even a week or two, when things don't go quite right.  I am just going to keep pushing forward.

The picture above is me, pre-workout, tonight.  The camera was tilted, which frustrated me since I have been crooked like a question mark all week.  Now that I can finally stand straight, the photo is tilted.  LOL  Oh well.

Today, I am still off Bikini Body Challenge workouts and did my revised 20 min HIIT cardio.  Tomorrow, I am back on plan and back to the challenge.  PLEASE...share your comments below.  Are you on a challenge?  Are you working out?  What are you doing to improve your health this year?

Did 5 minutes of jumping jacks (regular ones)

Did 2 minutes of sprinting in place and 3 minutes cross-punches.

With one minute rest between each exercise.

Total: 20 minute workout *all with 1# gloves*

Would LOVE to hear from you.

See you tomorrow!!

Sites I use:

MyFitnessPal:  http://www.myfitnesspal.com/jamarino73

BBM on FB:  http://www.facebook.com/BikiniBodyMommy

BBM Home:  http://bikinibodymommy.com/

BBM on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/BikiniBodyMommy

BBM on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/BikiniBodyMommy

Online Stopwatch:  http://www.online-stopwatch.com

Please comment, share, Like,  RT, Plus, Pin...whatever works.  Thanks!  XO

~Joy~

Day 20 BBM 90 Day Challenge

Day 20 BBM 90 Day Challenge

Hello friends!!

Today is the last day of the workout week.  It is supposed to be a Cardio day.  However, I am going to rest today.  Not only is my back still "iffy" but also, it's been a heck of a day.  I've been in and out constantly since 4:30am and it is cold.  The cold really zaps my energy.  So, I'm feeling a bit blue, to be honest.  I want to work-out, but know that with my state-of-mind, birthday cake from my step-daughter's 21st birthday and a he** of a day, I just want to cuddle in a blanket and sleep.

So, I am flipping things around a bit, again.  I will do my 8 exercises from yesterday's schedule early in the day and probably Cardio later, at night.

Then, back on schedule for Monday!

Have an amazing night!!


See you tomorrow!!

Sites I use:

MyFitnessPal:  http://www.myfitnesspal.com/jamarino73
BBM on FB:  http://www.facebook.com/BikiniBodyMommy
BBM Home:  http://bikinibodymommy.com/
BBM on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/BikiniBodyMommy
BBM on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/BikiniBodyMommy
Online Stopwatch:  http://www.online-stopwatch.com

Please comment, share, Like,  RT, Plus, Pin...whatever works.  Thanks!  XO

~Joy~

Day 19 BBM 90 Day Challenge

image from BikiniBodyMommy.com

Day 19 BBM 90 Day Challenge

Today was supposed to be the 8 exercises from earlier in this week, however, with the still sore back, I decided to do another day of HIIT cardio instead.  It worked well yesterday and I didn't tweak anything.  I also decided against taking a night off since I am the type to go more than one day, if I do take a day off.  I cannot let myself slow done if I want results.

What did I do?  Well similar to yesterday, but there were a couple of changes.

**I wore my 1# weighted gloves for the entire 20 minutes.**

1 min mod. jumping jacks.  I modified these by stepping out to one side, then bending at the knee (like a partial squat) as I brought my hands together over my head. Return to center and then do the same with other leg.  The very last set, during the last 30 seconds, I did regular jumping jacks to gauge my body's reaction and it went very well!!

1 min. rest

1 min modified jogging in place, along with some cross-punches.  I did thirty seconds of sprinting in place, arms tucked in.  Then the other 30 seconds, I stood legs spread and cross-punched in to the air in front of me.  By twisting at the hips, there was no pain in my back.

1 min rest

Repeat four more sets so that I have done 5 sets of jumping jacks, 5 set of sprints, 5 sets of cross-punches,  and 10 minutes rest, total of 20 min.  

**Again, I modified it to fit what works for me, my available space to workout and, to minimize any further damage to my back.  I did do the cool-down stretches after, as well.**

Since I did not need to watch a BBM video for guidance and needed something to inspire me, I played this video repeatedly for the entire 20 minutes.  ;)  It always gets me going and makes me move as fast or as hard as I can, especially the punching.  LOL

link:  http://youtu.be/PstrAfoMKlc

My eating was a bit off today as I'd run out of most of my stuff for the week.  I did make sure to eat throughout the day and will log in to MFP and enter my meals for the day.

Off to take a hot shower now!  ;-)

See you tomorrow!!

Sites I use:

MyFitnessPal:  http://www.myfitnesspal.com/jamarino73

BBM on FB:  http://www.facebook.com/BikiniBodyMommy

BBM Home:  http://bikinibodymommy.com/

BBM on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/BikiniBodyMommy

BBM on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/BikiniBodyMommy

Online Stopwatch:  http://www.online-stopwatch.com

Please comment, share, Like,  RT, Plus, Pin...whatever works.  Thanks!  XO

~Joy~

Day 18 BBM 90 Day Challenge

Day 18 BBM 90 Day Challenge

Today is Cardio!!  I chose, again, to do a 20 minute HIIT workout.  

Now, here's the thing about today.  I woke up sometime this morning with a painful lower back.  My sciatica was bothering me despite stretching the lower back muscles out during last night's workout.  In fact, I felt awesome last night.  My thought is that sleeping on the couch with the baby, after such a workout, tweaked something back there.

This is a concern for me.  I mean, it really scares me because at least twice in my life, since having my first child, I've gotten  STUCK.  Like, crawling on the floor in tears kind-of stuck.  Like, going to the E.R. stuck.  Even with bending at the knees, I was still moving those muscles and causing pain.  If you don't know what I mean, count your blessings.  If you do, then you know something as simple as sitting or rising from the toilet bowl is a challenge.  But, all the more reason for me to keep working out.

So, I didn't let it deter me.  Yes, I procrastinated because I was scared as he**.  But, I decided that since today was cardio, I could modify my workout and reduce any bending that may inflame things further.  And, after a couple hours of putting it off, Day 18 is DONE.

My meals went the same today as most days, except I don't have any more whey protein for my after-workout drink.  So, I will have some celery and spicy hummus as a snack.  Of course, I am drinking up my water.

What did I do today?  Well these are modified from the simple, everyday exercises we all know, but this is what I did.  Oh and I wore my 1# weighted gloves for the entire 20 minutes.

1 min mod. jumping jacks.  I modified these by stepping out to one side, then bending at the knee (like a partial squat) as I brought my hands together over my head. Return to center and then do the same with other leg.  Briana shows the step-out modification in one of her videos for those who can't jump due to knee or hip problems.

1 min. rest

1 min modified jogging in place.  I have a very small area to work with, and jogging in one spot drives me nuts, so I jog back and forth across the room.  I further modify by lifting by knees up like members of a marching band do when they walk.  Can you picture that?  I am trying to strengthen my core, annihilate my baby belly and create a beautiful booty, so if I can throw some knee lifts or squats in anywhere, I will!  LOL

1 min rest

Repeat four more sets so that I have done 5 sets of jumping jacks, 5 sets jogging in place and 10 minutes rest, total of 20 min.  

I did check my heart rate to make sure I was getting it going and yep, I was.  Lifting arms or legs seems to help get the heart going, even though I wasn't running fast or jumping.  Awesome, eh?

Best part, my back did not bother me at all.  My legs and arms burned, but I breathed and pushed through it.  I did notice as I got to the later sets, I was doing less and less, because my body was burning.  I just kept at it, breathing through the burn and feeling each movement carefully.

Again, I modified it to fit what works for me, my available space to workout and, to minimize any further damage to my back.  I did do the cool-down stretches after, as well.  They hurt, but after, it felt great.

Off to take a hot shower and then enjoy some celery and hummus.  By the way, I LOVE Sabra hummus. Especially the spicy ones.  If you've never tried it, you should.  =)  It's a better alternative to sitting in front of the TV with chips and if you're having a Superbowl party, put it out and hide the fattening dips.  ;-)

That's it for today I think!  See you tomorrow!!

Sites I use:

MyFitnessPal:  http://www.myfitnesspal.com/jamarino73

BBM on FB:  http://www.facebook.com/BikiniBodyMommy

BBM Home:  http://bikinibodymommy.com/

BBM on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/BikiniBodyMommy

BBM on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/BikiniBodyMommy

Please comment, share, Like,  RT, Plus, Pin...whatever works.  Thanks!  XO

~Joy~

Day 17 BBM 90 Day Challenge

Image from www.BikiniBodyMommy.com

Day 17 Bikini Body Mommy 90 Day Challenge

So, with the bad weather, life's been a bit chaotic at our house.  Winter storm Janus had our household and the schools in quite a state.  LOL  Only 1 of my school aged children went in on Tuesday and then came home early, just after 12:30 and the schools were closed today, so all of them were home.  Needless to say, my eating and sleeping schedule was way off.  But, I still made the time tonight to GET IT DONE!

Below are BBM's 8 exercises for today.  This is the second time this week we are doing them and I definitely found it a bit easier, since I knew what to expect.  Beside each exercise is the number of reps I was able to complete.  Left/Right are the results for exercises that required doing one side at a time.

1. SQUAT SWING (Set timer for 2 minutes, 1 minute per arm): 25/25

2. PUSH-UP “T-STANDS” (Timer set for 2 minutes and do as many as you can):  25

3. LUNGE KNEE-UPS (Timer set for 2 minutes, 1 minute per leg):  19/20

4. MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS (1 minute on these bad boys):  52

5. BICEP CURL “3 REP ROUNDERS” (Timer set for 1:30 – 30 sec of full range, 30 sec of half way down, and 30 sec of half way up):  12/12/11

6. STEP-UPS (1 minute per leg): 15/14

7. STRAIT-LEG SQUAT THRUSTS (Timer set for 1 minute):  20

8. HUNDREDS (Timer is set for 1 minute):  143

Then switched over to the Warm Up/Cool Down video here and cooled down.  Link is:  http://youtu.be/U6H4wKN8Sq4 and the cool down starts just past the 7 min mark.  My legs were burning tonight, so there was NO way I was going to skip the cool down!!

I remembered my water tonight, and drank about 16 ounces on rest periods.  After I cooled down, I drank my whey protein shake.  Now...off for a hot relaxing shower.  After that I will apply my stretch mark concoction and relax for the night.

Oh and as a side note, I took some bikini photos and even though I disliked them immensely, I want to have something to compare to in a couple months.  I may not walk the boards in a bikini, but I sure as he** want to know I look good in one!  LOL

Day 17...DONE!


Sites I use:

MyFitnessPal:  http://www.myfitnesspal.com/jamarino73
BBM on FB:  http://www.facebook.com/BikiniBodyMommy
BBM Home:  http://bikinibodymommy.com/
BBM on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/BikiniBodyMommy
BBM on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/BikiniBodyMommy

Please comment, share, Like,  RT, Plus, Pin...whatever works.  Thanks!  XO

~Joy~

Day 16 BBM 90 Day Challenge

Day 16 Bikini Body Mommy 90 Day Challenge

Today's workout:

CARDIO:  Choice between 45 min or 20 min HIIT exercise.

I will almost always choose 20 min HIIT because I don't have 45 minutes (plus warm-up and cool-down) and this time of year, walking or running is out.  We just got a TON of snow!!

Here's what I did today:

1 minute jumping jacks with 1# weighted gloves

1 minute rest

1 minute jump rope with gloves and 1 pound wrist weights as the "handles" for my imaginary jump rope.

1 minute rest.

Repeated until hit the 20 minute mark on stop watch.

Now, I used online-stopwatch.com to count each minute and sound a chime.  At the same time, I used the stopwatch on my phone to count my overall workout time.

Every time I felt the burn, I pushed harder.  I jumped higher, swung my arms more, whatever it took to push through the pain.  I started only doing 25 modified jumping jacks (stepping out instead of jumping) and by the 5th time, I did over 50 (20 modified, 5 jumping, 20 modified, 5 jumping).  Hoooowahhhhh!!!

Briana, Bikini Body Mommy has plenty of advice and recommendations for exercises to do.  I have limited space and am stuck indoors, so I work with what she gives me and modify it as I go along.  Like, adding the weighted gloves and hand weights was totally my idea, not anyone else's.  My arms are flabby as he** so I will use those gloves every chance I get.

After, I cooled down, I drank ~20 ounces of water because I forgot to bring it with me and followed that with a whey protein shake.  Now...off for a hot relaxing shower.  After that I will apply my stretch mark concoction and relax for the night.  

Day 16...DONE!

Sites I use:

MyFitnessPal:  http://www.myfitnesspal.com/jamarino73
BBM on FB:  http://www.facebook.com/BikiniBodyMommy
BBM Home:  http://bikinibodymommy.com/
BBM on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/BikiniBodyMommy
BBM on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/BikiniBodyMommy

Please comment, share, Like,  RT, Plus, Pin...whatever works.  Thanks!  XO

~Joy~

Day 15 BBM 90 Day Challenge

This image is the wallpaper on my computer!

Day 15 Bikini Body Mommy 90 Day Challenge

Welcome friends!  Thanks for dropping by.  If you don't know already, I started the Bikini Body Mommy 90 Day Challenge to get myself trim and toned this year.  I actually started working out and watching what I ate back in December, but joined the Challenge this month.

So today (well, yesterday), January 20th was Day 15 of the Challenge.  It wasn't until the middle of the night, when baby wouldn't sleep well, that an idea came to mind.  Let me rewind a little bit.  Today, in addition to the exercises, I was to do my weigh-in, measurements and pictures.  Well, the results?  Broke even on inches, gained almost 3 pounds and my pictures were only a slight bit different than on January 6th.  *SIGH*  That's okay though...I am determined as he** and I have a long way to go and a lot of work to do.

What I want to do in this blog post is just summarize where I've been and how I've done so far.  Then, I plan to daily blog about my activities, feelings and thoughts.  Most days, these posts will be short, sweet and even boring.  BUT...in 75 days time, I want to be able to look back and see what the journey was like, during the time I was on it.

I will post pics later on, because to be honest, I am mortified at what I see.  But they are dated and will be provided at the end of the 90 Days.  =)

Notes about working out.  Hm, well, to be honest, I've only done about 1/2 the exercises I should have.  And, I am weak as he** right now.  My body has been deprived off food (see below) and nutrition, and all that I do have goes to the baby when I nurse her.  So, I think that is part of the reason that I fall apart during workouts.  I'm really loving Briana's workouts, though and see that when we repeat certain exercises, my body does better than it has the previous time.  I can't wait to re-do the Fit Test at the end and see those improvements, as well as the ones in the mirror, scale, measuring tape and photos.

Starting Stats:

Waist:  32"

Hips:  37"

Pooch (area below belly button aka baby tummy):  39"

Thighs---L/R:  20.5"/21"

Arms---L/R:  11.5"/11.5"

Neck:  13.5"

Calves---L/R:  13"/12.5"

Weight:  135#

I am not concerned about certain areas of my body, like my bust, because in that case, I am nursing, so measuring is a moot point.  Other areas like my forearms, ankles, and such all are pretty much the same as always.  =)

Stats at One-Week Mark:

Waist:  31"

Hips:  37.25" 

Pooch:  38.25"

Thighs---L/R:  21"/21"

Arms---L/R:  11"/11"

Neck:  13"

Calves---L/R:  12.75"/12.75"

Weight:  134#

Stats at Two-Week Mark:

Waist:  32.5"

Hips:  37"

Pooch:  37.75"

Thighs---L/R:  20.75"/20.5"

Arms---L/R:  11"/11"

Neck:  13"

Calves---L/R:  13"/13"

Weight:  136.5

Overall Stats:  

Weight:  Up over 1 pound from start

Inches:  Broke even (lost some, gained some)

Daily Regimen:

Biotin 5000 mcg for hair, skin and nails. Started this before Challenge.

Home-made skin concoction from BBM blog (olive oil, aloe gel, vit A, vit E) to minimize stretch marks

Water:  (3) 33oz. bottles per 24 hours

3 Meals* and 2 snacks per day, plus protein shake after working out.

****

I have a big problem with eating.  I am not bulimic or anorexic, I just tend to go busily through most of the day without eating; living off of light & sweet coffee.  What happens when you don't get enough calories?  Your body goes in to starvation mode and HOLDS ON TO THE FAT!  UGH!!  

SO...what I am doing for the first month is drinking 2 SlimFast shakes a day, plus a small meal at dinnertime.  I am also having two snacks in between, like hummus and celery or low-fat Greek yogurt.  Then, after my evening workout, I drink a whey protein shake made with milk or almond milk.  I need the calories, but want them to be healthy ones that don't go over in carbs, sugars, sodium, fat and so on.  That can be challenging on a very tight budget.  For now, this will have to do.

You need to do what works for you.  If you follow the BBM challenge, Briana provides a wonderful meal plan with weekly benefits, straight to your email inbox.  Just click the link below, on this page to check it out.  As for me, I need to get my body to stop holding on to the fat.  I log EVERYTHING into MFP (MyFitnessPal) and this way I can make sure that I am getting enough calories to keep my body going in the right direction.  If I fall short because of allowed extra calories for working out, I will find something healthy or at least home-made to eat.  We don't use MSG in our meals, and salt was as big of an addiction for me as sugar, so at least I know my sodium will stay normal.  

Oh and I switched to stevia for my coffee, but the taste takes getting used to, so I cut sugar use in half and add 1 packet of Truvia.  Hoping to transition over completely soon, but going cold turkey was really hard on me.  Good thing?  I drink far more water, readily, because stevia leaves a weird taste in my mouth, at present.

Goals:

By the end of the Challenge, I would like to:

• Be down to 120#
• Have lost most of my baby 'pooch'
• See definition in legs and arms
• Be comfortable in my own skin

Then, I will either start a new 90 Day Challenge or move to Laura London Fitness as she is closer to my age and has older children as well.  I started with Briana and BBM because she has young children, like me, and the timing was right.  Laura, on the other hand, competes and takes things to a whole new level.  I don't want to compete, I just want to look HOT and feel AMAZING, set a good example for my kids and BE HEALTHY!.

And, to clarify, if the above paragraph was confusing, my kids are: 22, 14, 12, 11, 8 and 4 months old.  =)

Sites I use:

MyFitnessPal:  http://www.myfitnesspal.com/jamarino73

BBM on FB:  http://www.facebook.com/BikiniBodyMommy

BBM Home:  http://bikinibodymommy.com/

BBM on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/BikiniBodyMommy

BBM on YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/BikiniBodyMommy

Well, that was a really long post and I apologize.  I am sure you probably don't care about my individual stats but to start this blogging off right, I wanted to put it all out there.  It's also logged on MFP and that link is above.  If you have any questions, concerns, thoughts, comments, feel free to ask in the comment section below.

If you want more information about the Challenge, use the links above to connect with Briana, the Bikini Body Mommy.  =)

Thanks for stopping by and reading.

To a wonderful 2014!!!

~Joy~

Happy New Year

Hello friends and Happy New Year!

I hope that your 2014 is off to a wonderful start.  As for me, things are moving along slowly.  Could have something to do with the wacky weather.  Today it is about 9 degrees with winds making it feel like -15.  Hello?!  *LOL*

Anyway, been doing the family thing for the most part as we've just gotten off of Christmas vacation, then had a snow day and today a delayed opening.  Kids are enjoying the extra time home, but I tell you it wreaks havoc on me not to have a schedule.

I've been writing quite a bit and have some things planned for 2014.  I've made a lot of new online friends in the past few months and that has been a huge source of inspiration for my writing.  I also am on Day 2 of the 90-day Bikini Body Mommy Challenge.  I hurt EVERYWHERE.  But, it's all good!

See the challenge here:  https://www.facebook.com/BikiniBodyMommy

I took my "pre" or "before" photos the other day and let's just say...BRING IT ON.  I need the challenge.  My baby will be four months old this week and I am not waiting any longer to get my "sexy" back!  Hopefully even better than a year ago.  =)

How were your holidays?  What did you do?  What were your favorite presents?

Please leave me a comment and say Hi!

~J~