Archive for the ‘Health’ Category

Posted on February 18, 2010 - by Mary

Day 3 of the 200 Squats Challenge

Whew! I just got done doing day 3 of the 200 Squats Challenge! Let me tell ya, today was the hardest day yet! I mentioned in my video from Day two, that I started out on week 3 because I was able to do 31 consecutive squats in the initial test, and I’m also trying column 2. Well today, I did in between column 1 and column 2…LOL. The first set I did 22, 2nd set 25, 3rd set 18, 4th set 18 and the 5th set I squeezed out 25, but it about killed me LOL. I don’t know if I had such a difficult time because I did them later in the day than I normally do, or what, but whew, I am out of breath! I have a few days rest now, so we will see how I do next week.

In the mean time though, I was thinking about going ahead with the 200 situps challenge. I really want to get in some form of exercise every day, so I’m going to do situps on the days I don’t do squats. My belly is my most problematic area, so this will be really good for me

If you’re looking for a nice challenge to build up your strength and lose weight, I highly recommend these two. They are free and don’t take a whole lot of time to do…about 30 minutes a week! You’ll feel the fat burning off…okay maybe that’s just the burning in my thighs…but I can definitely tell a boost in my metabolism and my jeans are getting looser!

Posted on February 16, 2010 - by Mary

200 Squats Challenge Day 2

Hi there! I just completed Day 2 of the 200 Squats Challenge. I realized I goofed up how you’re supposed to do them, so bear with me as I explain what I did. Haha!

Did you start the challenge yet? If so, I’d love to hear how it’s going for you

Posted on February 15, 2010 - by Mary

First Day of the 200 Squats Challenge and Blogging Contest

Hi ya’all! I just wanted to pop in real fast with a couple of things before I head out to Celebrate Recovery. I began Day 1 of the 200 squats challenge and I was able to manage to squeak out 48 of them! I was pretty impressed with myself. My daughter is home from school today, so she counted for me and I think it motivated me to keep going. I might have been able to squeeze out a couple more, but I was starting to lose form, and I didn’t want to do them incorrectly…that’s cheating anyway…I’d only be cheating myself. So, I’m very pleased with 48. I will do them again tomorrow because Wednesday’s I’m in town all day working on youth ministry stuff, so Monday, Tuesday and Thursday are going to be my squat days. Friday’s I think I’ll do a cardio workout.

Well, you’re probably wondering what the blogging contest is all about. If you look on the sidebar, you’ll see a button called “Plus size bloggers.com”. If you are a plus size blogger, and you keep track of your weight loss efforts and weekly weigh ins on your blog, you’ll be eligible to be entered in a drawing for a Wii Fit Plus!!! I’ve been wanting a Wii Fit Plus for a very long time now and would totally love to win it! So, I added my blog to the tracking contest (which officially starts March 1, 2010) so I can have a chance to win. So, if you’re tracking your weight loss efforts on your blog and blog weekly about it, then head on over to plussizebloggers.com and get in on the contest too One more reason to stay motivated, right?!!?

Posted on February 14, 2010 - by Mary

Weight Watchers Weekly Weigh in #4

Here is the weigh in report for week number 4 on Weight Watchers! Enjoy!

Here is the link to the two hundred squats challenge in case you’re interested.

Thanks for watching!

Posted on February 11, 2010 - by Mary

Stepping up the Exercise for Better Fat Burning Results

Hello! How are you all today? I’m doing great! My thighs are slightly burning and sore right now because I just did 31 squats. Why did I do 31 squats you ask? Because I am taking the two hundred squats challenge! If you’ve been following my blog, you know that I’ve been doing Weight Watchers for the last few weeks and am dedicated and motivated to lose 80 pounds by Sept. 1, 2010. So far my weight loss has been super slow so I’ve decided to step up the progress by adding more exercise. I’ve been doing a dance aerobics video which is 25 minutes and is a good cardio workout, but I need to also tone and strengthen my body…not just lose the fat. Plus, when your body has more muscle, it naturally burns more fat. So, I am doing the 200 squats challenge for a couple of reasons: 1) To help my body burn more fat and 2) to get my legs back in shape. I used to have pretty, thin legs, but since I’ve put on the extra poundage and have gotten older (how did that happen so quickly???) my legs are cellulite ridden and heavier. It would be nice to have decent legs this summer

So, the initial test is to see how many squats you can do, in the proper form of course. For my age, 31 is in the excellent range, so I’m pretty proud that I could do 31 to start with. I did take a 3 second breather after 28, so I should probably only count 28, but I did push myself to 31. After doing them, I was out of breath and my legs felt like jello, but it did feel really good to do them.

It doesn’t cost anything to join the challenge, so I encourage you to join too if you’re looking for a great way to get motivated and give yourself a goal to reach. I’ll keep you posted as to my progress. Leave a comment and let me know if you’re going to take the challenge as well.

Posted on February 7, 2010 - by Mary

Weight Watchers Weekly Weigh in #3

This is my 3rd week on Weight Watchers and I’m happy to report a loss this week. I tell ya! Low thyroid is no fun when trying to lose weight! I do find that exercise seems to help a lot, so I’m really going to try to step it up this week. I hope you enjoy the video.

Be sure to check back next week as I journey down the road to a healthier new me! Also, be sure to leave me a link to your blog so we can help hold each other accountable, give each other support and encouragement

Posted on February 2, 2010 - by Mary

How Lack of Confidence Affects Work

God has really been laying on my heart this subject of lacking confidence lately. Recently, I’ve been working very hard at creating some “how-to” videos for a client with my voice. I’ll be honest with you, before I started doing these videos, and prior to taking Kelly McCausey’s Verbal Confidence webinar, I thought I was an okay speaker. I know I’m nervous, and I also know I can’t speak in public without a script or being fully prepared, but I still thought I sounded okay. Hahaha. After working on these videos for the last 3 days and listening to my own voice over and over, I realize I’ve picked up some pretty bad speaking habits. For instance, I say: fer instead of for, ta instead of to, and I sure do say Uh a lot! So, making these videos has been good for me and my speaking ability.

They have also helped me in the area of confidence. When I’m making the videos (you can’t see me in them by the way, you can only hear my voice) I find that I sound more confident when I sit up straight. I also find it very effective to take a deep breath before I begin, as well as to think about what I’m going to say. I do have a script to follow, but I find I sound ‘choppy’ when I use the script and like I’m reading from it. I find I’m much smoother if I think about what I’m going to say first, write out an outline just to keep me on track and then record the video.

While I was waiting for one of the videos to render, I started thinking about how lacking confidence in ourselves can really affect our work. I was reflecting back to when I was a receptionist for this manufacturing company and how much I lacked confidence, and it really showed. I was afraid of people, especially some of the bosses, so it stopped me from really doing a good job there. There have been other times in my life when fear and lack of confidence have stopped me from growing or being all that I could be, too. Because I was afraid of making a mistake or failing, I simply wouldn’t go after or do some of the things I desired, such as continuing voice lessons, learning an instrument, going out for cheerleading, and pursuing a career in nursing. Let me just say that though I would still love to be a nurse, I’m very happy that I’m able to work from home now and couldn’t imagine working for or under someone else. Working from home has given me the freedom I need to take care of my family and live my calling as a youth leader.

Another way lack of confidence affects your work is because you feel like you’re not smart enough, or capable enough or afraid to step out and really go for your goals and dreams, so therefore you sit there in a job you don’t like, wishing for so much more, but not having the confidence to go after what you desire.

Perhaps you’re not even aware that the reason you don’t achieve your dreams and goals is a confidence issue. Maybe you’ve never had the opportunity to try to understand the reason or reasons you don’t pursue your dreams and desires, though you certainly have them. If this sounds like you, I’d like to pray for you. And I’d like to leave you with this scripture: Psalm 139. Read it every day for a month and see if you don’t begin to feel more confident about yourself. And remember, God loves you. You are his creation, and He doesn’t make junk.