Quick Check In

We are moved into the new place but still unpacking. How does one accumulate so much stuff over time?!
Friday we have new furniture being delivered and Saturday we are hoping to be fully finished with the old place; all belongings out and the place cleaned thoroughly.
I probably won't be back to my fitness/food routine for another week or so. I have however *lost a full pant size*! I'm sure all the movement, bending, working from 6am - 6pm daily, running up two flights of stairs, stress, and eating less has helped to lose weight. As I was going through my clothes I noticed things that were too tight or one size down now fit me loosely!

Dealing with changes

My dear father-in-law has passed and we are deeply saddened. I haven't been posting since my husband has been on bereavement and I just haven't felt like doing much. This is the 4th death of a loved one in about a year and a half and has been a very painful time.
We have decided to move rather suddenly (within a few weeks), so I'm not sure in the next month or so how often I'll be able to post. I may not have internet for awhile, since we are going to overlap places for a month and I will be busy packing, cleaning, unpacking, etc. Once we're through, I will be back on schedule with exercising and posting.

*Deal Alert!*

Just wanted to alert you to a great bargain. Misty Tripoli's Body Groove dance sets are available on Amazon for a low price. If you like freestyle, barefoot dance you should look into these. They have an African Dance vibe, low impact, done barefoot, and they feel good to do!

This morning I did Spirit Groove off of the 4 DVD original Body Groove set, now $7.99 (I believe both of these were originally $60)! I have yet to do the Latin Groove, Yoga Groove, Pilates Groove, or the bonus ab workout. Spirit Groove is a 36 minute dance workout. She tells you to do whatever you want, but guides you through isolating body parts and moving to the live drums. You will strike poses, march in place & around the room, do side leg lifts, shimmy, hip circles, squats, etc.
Her new set Body Groove Delicious Dance is available for $9.99 and contains dances/songs you can mix or match or stick with her pre-mixes. This one contains all types of music and styles of movements from African to kickboxing.

Checking in

Yesterday we went bowling. I hadn't been bowling for four years and of course I pulled something in my elbow. It started hurting right after the first game - in which I scored higher than my last 4 scores (totally sucked the 2nd game though)! By evening my wrist and shoulder started hurting and still upon waking this morning. At first I was going to take a rest day today, but then I feared I was making excuses so I decided to do Strong Knees

since my lower body wasn't hurting me. Then I decided to do my daily JV workout

and pay attention to how I felt and adjust accordingly. I did omit two exercises - rear lateral raises and overhead tricep extensions since both hurt to attempt.

I was feeling so good afterward I decided to do the aerobic cardio premix from Start Here.

So lesson learned - do what you can! I did what I could and feel great.

Week in Review

I had a wonderful week! I am feeling so much stronger and firmer. I have been avoiding the scale and tape measure. I know it can be quite motivational to see that you lost something, but last time I lost weight (more than 10 pounds) it took 4 months to see any difference on the scale and that was so discouraging, so I am just focusing on making long-term lifestyle changes.

This past week I did not count calories, but completed all 6 of my daily JV Total Body Workouts and...

Strong Knees (5 times!)

Zumba Exhilarate

Classical Stretch (Season 4, episode 1 - Deep Muscular Stretch)

Classical Stretch (Season 5, episode 501 - Full Body Slenderizing)

Classical Stretch (Season 6, episode 609 - Shoulder & Stress Relief)

Yoga Dance Earth

Regarding Yoga Dance Earth, upon preview I did not like it and thought I would be selling it, but after doing it, I really enjoyed it and have ordered the other two in the series, Fire and Water! It felt great, combined yoga, African dance, & tai chi movements and was fun. The disc contains three 20 minute workouts that are done barefoot (love that!) and are low impact.

This next week I will be counting calories, staying in my range, and eating more fruits & veggies daily. I may take my measurements, but am not planning on stepping on the scale anytime soon. I can see & feel a difference in my body and that makes me happy!

I will be doing more Classical Stretch workouts in the upcoming weeks since I am contemplating getting the other 2 seasons that I do not already own - 7 & 8. Since they are so pricey I want to make sure that I still enjoy Classical Stretch and they will be worth it to me. I still find that Season 5 is by far my favorite and feels the best. I feel fortunate to have bought one of the last remaining new copies - it is out of print and sells for hundreds of dollars on Ebay, Amazon, and other venues. I had two additional copies and sold one full set, but still have one Tone & Stretch DVD in case anyone is interested in purchasing it.

Meatless Monday Recipe

This recipe has been adapted from Whole Foods Market.

Minestrone Stir Fry

1 cup yellow onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
1/2 cup carrot, chopped
1 can dark red kidney beans, rinsed
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp red chili flakes
2 tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped
2 tsp EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
elbow pasta, cooked

Saute first 9 ingredients in EVOO for 5 minutes over high heat, adding broth as needed to prevent sticking. Add tomatoes & remaining broth, saute for 3 minutes more. Add remaining ingredients and saute 1 minute longer. Serve over elbow pasta.

Week in Review

This past week I did my daily JV workouts for 6 days and did Strong Knees for 3. I know I need to get cardio in, but I am so happy that I've been able to keep up with what I have been doing - I am noticing alot of firming going on!
Yesterday was my birthday and we ate out both Saturday & Sunday without counting calories.
One fitness related gift I received was Yoga Dance Earth and I am looking forward to trying it out this week.

I am looking forward to warmer weather so we can walk the 2.3 mile loop in our local park.
Last Sunday we did get out and walk a little at another park.