Embrace the FRIZZZZZZZZZ.................!!!

As women, we love to primp and prime ourselves.  One thing that goes into that process is getting our hair done! When we get our hair done up it puts an extra pep in our step and makes us feel put together and even more confident. We can put on a HOT outfit, some cute make up but if our hair isn't fixed, then the look is not complete.

I have natural hair, but even when I had relaxed hair I would hate to sweat out my perm! LOL.. With natural hair my sweat may cause some frizz or worse depending on the style I am wearing.  Sometimes I get my hair straightened and then I really don't want to work out and revert it back.

So then I find  myself questioning whether I should work out or keep my hair looking fly??????

I have to take a deep breath and look at the bigger picture. My health and my body IS the bigger picture. My hair is just a small part of the picture.So far I've been managing ok, just ok... but I will do some research on some protective styles so that even while I'm on this weight loss kick, I can still look good while doing it! =D

Please send me suggestions if you have any!  I will try to update you all on things that works for my hair while I'm working out.  But for now... I will EMBRACE my FRIZZINESS!! =) (It's not the end of the world)

~Tiana

my confession

Hi all,

Womp womp!

I've been such a slacker. Ever since I went to San Diego for my trip, I have been a true slacker. I have eaten and drank with no restrictions. Whats worse! I didn't workout at all. Then on top of that, Mother Nature made a visit so I gave into all my cravings.

I feel so horrible. So I have rededicated myself and started again. I know at times there will be off days and I will fall short. But the message I got is we all fall down, but we must get back up.

As Hannibal Smith says "I love it when a plan comes together." So with that in mind, I will attack this mission with a fresh perspective and new plan.


Step 1: Take it a day at a time

Step 2: Plan for the next day and if I get good, plan for the week.

Step 3: Stick to the plan as best as possible but remember no one is perfect.

Step 4: Be realistic

So with a renewed strength, tomorrow is the start of a new day. I still have time to get it together before the bday trip in May.

Plan for Thursday:

Breakfast: Orange juice, toast, scrambled egg
Snack: Cheerios
Lunch: Cheeseburger, Whole Wheat Bread,  Fruit Cup
Snack: Popcorn
Dinner: ??
Activity: Yoga

I'll check back in on Thursday evening to let you know how it goes.

~Kanae

Week 2 - Running isn't so bad after all! =)

So I'm in week two of my running routine according to this website: http://www.c25k.com/c25k_treadmill.html and its not as bad as I thought it would be!  If you remember in an earlier post, I stated that I hate running.  The main reason is because it usually hurt my knees.  Running on the treadmill feels like it offer me a little more cushion than running on concrete. However, when the weather warm up, I plan on taking this party outside! =)

One thing that I did learn from this website:http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/default.htm that Kanae wrote a post about is that even though running will lower my calories which ultimately will help me lose weight, I also need to add some weight lifting to my routine. Lifting weights will build muscle and help tone the area I'm going after (mainly my back and abs). I don't want to do any heavy lifting which will cause me to bulk up.  I plan to do light lifting with a lot of repetitions to tone the area.

Since I run for 3 days a week, I think I will do my toning exercises either on the same days after I run or on my exercise day offs.  I plan on doing the following exercises found here.  I'm going after my back first! I'll let you know if I see any differences =)

Positives so far
===========
- I'm doing great at watching what I eat
- I'm snacking on more healthy items like nuts, trailmix
- I'm sticking to my running routine.

Need Improvement
==============
- Although I'm drinking more water, I still don't drink 8 cups a day. I average about 5-6 cups a day.

I plan to stick this thing out and I'm trying not to get discouraged because I want to see immediate results.  I know slow and steady will win this race!

~Tiana

least effective exercies

Hi all,

Courtesy of WebMD, 9 Least Effective Exercises

I found this slide show on things you could possibly do wrong while working out in the gym.

Click on the link for the 9 incorrect moves and how to effectively do them.

~Kanae

yoga =)

Hi all,

As you saw from the last entry, high impact cardio is not really good on my knees so I am back to doing my favorite yoga. It is very relaxing and very beneficial. No matter, if I am in a hot room or just my living room, yoga always leaves me feeling good. The breathing calms my spirit and I feel centered. Its not very stressful which I love and you push yourself as far as your body tells you to.

Personally my favorite positions are the Downward Facing Dog, Plank, Child's Pose, Warrior 1 and 2, and Lotus. I love to end with Namaste.

Some benefits of yoga are:

Increasing flexibility

Increasing strength

Better posture

Increasing lubrication of the joints, tendons, and ligaments

Massaging all organs of the body

Complete detoxification of the body

Toning

If you are interested, here are some good yoga websites:

Health and Yoga

ABC of Yoga

Yoga Journal

~Kanae

Plyometrics workout?

Hi  all,

I was on Self magazine website and saw the following article Plyometrics workout: Burn more calories in less time! Basically, it says that if you do a plyometrics workout (high powered explosive jumping movements) you will burn 100 calories in a short amount of time. According to bodybuilding.com, pylometrics are characterized by their ability to increase reactive strength, jumping skill and coordination. So in theory, it is an amazing way to burn calories and get rid of that fat quickly.

Sean Burch, a professional trainer, created a 10 move pylometrics workout plan, and by following this workout plan 5 times a week, Burch and Self claim that you will burn 100 calories in 10 minutes. These 10 moves are aimed to help you melt away the fat and be bikini ready in no time, and if you do it twice in one night, say adios to 100 more pounds.

I wonder how effective this workout plan is so I am going to try it for a month straight and let you know what I think.

My moves to master are:

1. Soaring Eagle
2. Pop-Up
3. Pogo Stick
4. Hurdler Hop
5. Carioca
6. Tush Tuck
7. Open Sesame
8. Flutter Kick
9. The Straddler
10. Getting Jiggy

Update: I tried this workout and I must say it does require a ton of energy. I did the first 5 and was panting. LOL Then my knees started hurting. This workout is not the best if you have bad knees. It is extremely high impact. Therefore, I must ammend my pledge, I cannot do this for the sake of my knees. I did however enjoy some nice yoga.

~Kanae



Healthy Choice... YUMMY?!

So if you live in Chicago, you know that is it extremely cold outside.  I didn't not pack a lunch and knew that I was not going to step outside in the Arctic HAWK to get something to eat.  Well this posed a slight problem. What am I going to eat??!!! I decided to venture downstairs to the CVS on the first floor of my work building. If I get something to eat from there, its usually a roast beef sandwich. I head to that aisle and......... There's No SANDWICHES!! =O  Now, what do I do??? I contemplated just running outside to Corner Bakery.. but I'm not that crazy.  I'm not going out until its time for me to leave and go home.  So I sigh and try the soup aisle, where I came across this item called Healthy Choice Fresh Mixers.  The name intrigued me enough to pick it up and look at the specs...  I was amazed that a pasta dish was included in the rather small container and that you could cook it in the microwave. I'm not fond of microwavable food but beggars can't be choosers right??

I decided to try the Ziti and Meat Sauce one.  It had 340 Calories and 6g of Fat and fit right into my lunch goals!  I love that you just fill the container to the line with water and cook for 3:30 mins and then strain the excess water with the strainer built into the top of the container. How cool is that!?  Then you warm the sauce in its container for 30 mins, mix it with the pasta and WAHLA! You have a ready-to-eat pasta dish! =)  Now what you really want to know.... how does it taste??  Now.. I can say that it does not taste like my home cooked food. I put LOVE into my food! However, you don't really expect it to right? So it is ok in taste. Not great but not bad.  I plan on trying the other types.  It was a very quick low calorie meal.  So for what I'm trying to do. It works for me!

Let me know if you tried some flavors that you absolutely love! (Or at least like lol) =)  You can see all there items at this link http://www.healthychoice.com/products/fresh-mixers.html

~Tiana