21 Day Fix Week 2

Week 2 is in the books!

I’m trying to get my workouts in before the kiddos get up in the morning but it doesn’t always happen. Luckily Miss Harper typically likes to sleep in till 8/9:00am and I can let MJ sleep in on Tuesday/Thursdays as they are non-daycare days right now. Nap time is hit or miss with little miss thang. There have been a few days I didn’t get up early enough to workout and I get interrupted multiple times but thankfully the workouts are mom friendly and I can pick up right where I left off.  

This week, starting the workouts over, I definitely am feeling stronger than last!  It’s crazy how much of a difference I feel in just one week. 

This week I cooked a few chicken breast in the crockpot to keep on hand for meals. My favorite was my "Chipolte salad" which included mixed greens, brown rice, shredded chicken, 21DF approved creamy avocado dressing, and a little salsa. Totally hit the spot and filled that Chipolte craving. This plan has also gotten me to try out almond butter and I gotta say I am a huge fan! So yummy on a banana, with apple slices or in with my Shakeology.

Clockwise from Top Left: Steak with mushrooms, peppers, and blue cheese serves with sweet potato with cinnamon and raw veggies; 2 eggs on whole wheat toast with avocado; whole wheat waffle with peanut butter, turkey bacon and cuties; banana with almond butter and coffee; taco salad.

Then pizza happened again.

We had an impromptu lunch date with the in-laws at Happy Joe's Jungle Bungle so MJ could run off some energy. Thankfully you are allowed pizza to swap out a meal with once a week.

Saturday night Dave and I had a much needed/delayed date night out with dinner and a movie. We went to dinner at Tantra which is Asian Fusion, it is really delicious fresh food. I had a Ginger Beef Stir Fry with brown rice AND a glass of wine (which is also allowed on the eating plan!). It was the perfect amount of food and I didn't feel overly full or heavy from the food. So good! We saw the movie Sisters with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler (highly recommend, seriously funny!) and we skipped the popcorn :)

21 Day Fix Week 1

I was just recently introduced to the 21 Day Fix by Beachbody from a friend of mine whose been using the program for the past year and became a Coach. She decided to start a 21 Day Wellness Challenge group in January on Facebook for anyone who might be interested in joining who wanted a healthier and more balanced life.

 Getting closer to the countdown of going back to work I emailed her for more information about the program. I have been wanting to get back into an exercise routine and shed a couple more pregnancy pounds prior to going back to work in hopes to have a few more regular clothing options and start packing up those maternity clothes. We would be doing the workouts and following the eating plan together while holding each other accountable. The program sounded pretty doable and a great way to ease back into things. What I really loved was the idea of doing it with a group for that accountability and having to check in everyday so I went ahead and decided to try it out. 

I just completed week 1 and let me tell you I am out of shape! The program comes with a DVD of 7 different 30 minute workouts, one of each day of the week. I can do them in the convenience of my living room, or my case basement, and all I need is two sets of weights (I don't have a yoga mat that is suggested). The first 4 days I was so completely sore all over. Working muscles I haven't worked for awhile!! But I have to admit at day 5 it was starting to feel good again. 

The workout schedule includes

Monday: Total Cardio Fix

Tuesday: Upper Body Fix

Wednesday: Lower Body Fix

Thursday: Pilates

Friday: Cardio

Saturday: Dirty Thirty (Sweat session!)

Sunday: Yoga

There is also a Bonus 10 minute Abs that can be added on to any of the days as well as a Bonus DVD with an additional 30 minute workout. 

The eating plan was a bit more of an adjust for my the first couple days. I think I was trying over complicate things. The containers are completely deceiving!! They look so tiny when you're looking at them, I was thinking I was going to be starving the entire 21 days. But fear not, the portions are on point and it helps that you're suppose to eat every 2-3 hours. 

 A few of my meals from the week: Lots of eggs! Clockwise starting at the top Left: Hard boiled egg, turkey bacon, whole wheat toast, blackberries; mixed berries; spaghetti zoodles; eggs with sauted sweet potato, mushroom, onions and cilantro; egg white omelette with spinach; apple with almond butter. 

The eating plan is all about portion control and clean healthy foods. I think my entire maternity leave the only vegetable I've eaten are french fries....those count as a vegetable right?! I've made some freezer meals I stocked up on prior to having Harper and things people have dropped off or made for us. But we have been eating out a lot, picking up fast food or having pizza. Nothing good for this waistline, so it definitely have been a challenge this week to get change mindsets. 

One thing I am really proud of is that I finally made Zoodles (zucchini noodles) with marinara sauce, chicken sausage and a little bit of cheese....OMG they were so delicious!! I will definitely be trying out different recipes with them. I've had a few slip ups and cheats. Of course on day 2 Dave's parents came over and brought pizza, I held strong and didn't have any even though on the plan I could have. Then two days later his mother send over M&M chocolate chip cookies, 'because they're Madden's favorite"! Those I cheated with :( but I only ate 2 two different days and not more than that or have it ruin my eating habits the rest of the day. Then on Saturday Dave ordered Happy Joe's pizza....yes pizza again....and I had my allotted amount for the program, although it actually made me feel gross. 

Overall, after one week I am actually feeling great!! I feel like the bloat is gone, I've feeling leaner, stronger, and a but more energy. Looking forward to see what week 2 brings. 

New Year, New Goals

Every year I make a list of goals I would like to accomplish throughout the year in lieu of making one or two big New Years resolutions. I don't always complete them all, unexpected events happen but they are all always obtainable goals. This year I am focusing once again on my health and family.

Health Goals:

- Try the 21 Day Fix and document results - starting Jan 11th 

- Maintain a weekly workout/exercise routine

- Add weigh lifting to workouts

- Lose the remaining baby weight, 17lbs to go as of today

- Learn to meal plan and prep healthy options for myself and family

- Participate in 3 race or fitness events

- 10k steps/day for 25 days of each month 

Family Goals:

- Baptize Madden and Harper

- Pay off Honda

- Dave find a new job

- Once the above is complete, 52 week money challenge

- Schedule mommy/Madden date nights 

- Breastfeed Harper for one year

Harper Two Months Old

         

Age: Two Months

Weight: 11 lbs 4.5 oz, currently in the 63 percentile 

Length: 22 3/4 inches long, currently in the 64 percentile

Size: All 3 months clothes and pajamas. Size 1 diapers

Hair: Her hair has lightened up to a medium brown and looks like she has lost some in the front. When her hair is wet at bath time it had some waves to it so I think she just might get some curly hair. Her head is currently in the 65 percentile. 

Eyes: Blue gray, I’m guessing she’s going to have blue eyes like her brother.

Health: This month she has been fighting off the beginning signs of a cold. She's developed a slight cough that has gotten a bit worse the past week or so and slightly stuffed up at night but the doctor said everything sounds good and clear. This girl has some major huge boogers that come out of her nose, I'm amazed she can even breathe and isn't more congested than she is. Aside from that she has been all good. 

Teeth: N/A

Sleeping: Naps really stink right now, she prefers to catnap throughout the day. Every once in a while she will get one really good nap in during the day that lasts longer than an hour but typically they are 20-40 minutes long. Her witching hour seems to be slowing decreasing! We are seeing more and more days of her giving into sleep earlier in the night and staying asleep. Some days I've been able to put her to bed around 9:00pm!! Some days it's still not until 11:00pm but it's progress. She has gone a solid 6 hours sleeping at night quite a few times and typically sleeps for at least 4 hours regularly at night before waking to eat and goes right back to sleep for another 3-4 hours. She typically wakes up around 8-9:00pm, girlfriend prefers to sleep in which is great however her brother does not.

Eating: Currently Harper eats anywhere from every 2-4 hours during the day depending on her naps and every 4 or more hours so at night.

Movement: Lifting her head up and rolling to her side

Milestones: Smiling a ton. Starting to "talk" to her "friends" on the bouncy seat and people. Kicking her legs in excitement when interacting with someone or her "friends". Can roll onto her side but not at night when swaddles yet thankfully. Has started putting a little pressure on her legs when you stand her up but only for a second or two. Staying awake for longer periods.

Favorite Toys/Activities: Eating, sleeping, pooping, being held, and her bouncer.  

Dislikes: Being alone, she really prefers to have people close by and paying attention to her. Naps, she loves fighting naps and catnapping throughout the day.  

Words: N/A

Sounds: Squawks, cries (and has added a lip quiver with it), cooing and starting to "talk"

Favorite Moments

Celebrating Christmas with all our family!

Monthly Highlights

• Developed baby acne, dry/peeling skin between the eyebrows to look like a unibrow, and now cradle cap
• Starting taking naps in bouncer (this is huge because it's not someone's arms!)
• Visited Santa
• Celebrated her first Christmas
• Took her first road trip to Cedar Falls, which was a 2 hour drive, for a family Christmas and to meet family for the first time
• Was "christened" by my Uncle Jay at his bar during our family Christmas with the help of daddy....not my idea