Tuesday, May 31, 2011

My belated birthday and staying committed!

Last year for my birthday my family surprised me with "Maggie's Swirly Tart"and how could I not ask for it again! It's beautiful, delicious and for a cake it's pretty darn healthy to eat :)

I think last year's edition was a bit fancier in design, but in terms of flavor both were amazing. After serving it out, I had to take a pic. It turned out to be a really messy shot though, so you get the pretty before pic. All I can say is yum and thank you everyone who celebrated with me!

I turned 29 this year! I can't believe it, I only have one year left till I hit 30! Some of you may know that I want to reach my goal weight by the time I hit 30, which I believe is possible. In total I have lost 48lbs since December and I want to lose another 30lbs by my 30th.

Yesterday I started a new/old fitness challenge, Jillian's 30 day shred. I really love this workout program, it's tough, challenging and short! I have no excuses to not fit it into my day :) I seem to have commitment issues when it comes to workout programs. I have yet to complete a 60 day or 90 day program, but give me a 30 day and I can bust it out. I think this has something to do with being able to envision the finish line easily, knowing that it will end and I will be able to start something fun and new.

It does pay to learn what workouts keep you motivated during your weight loss journey, that way you can focus on staying committed. For example, a lot of people I know have to join a gym and allot a certain time of the day to working out. There are many examples of this, just find what works well for you :)

+Short workout programs (3 weeks-30 days): A lot of programs are set up this way, look up a favorite trainer or favorite exercise and you should find something.

+Long workout programs (60 day to 90 days): I don't know a lot of programs that are this long other than P90X, Insanity and Turbo Jam or Turbo Fire.

+Game console workout programs: There are tons of workout programs and activities on different game consoles. Most are really well done and get you sweating. Plus I always feel like I'm playing a game more than working out. I always do some online research about the workout/game before purchasing.

+Free Internet workouts: YouTube has a ton of exercise videos posted, bodyrock.tv is another great site that posts workout routines for free.

+Gym routines: Join a gym and get into a routine where you stay committed to it for an hour a day. Before work, after work, before the kids go to school, after your partner gets home from work?

+Local community activities: More than likely your community will have some sort of active program happening. A hiking group, running group, fitness challenge, boxing group. Often you can find these advertised at local gyms, community centers, community track. Just watch prices they can range from free to a few dollars to the hundreds.

+Find a workout buddy: Sometimes it really pays off to recruit a friend into working out with you. That way you can challenge, teach and support each other during workouts. It can have drawbacks though, you should really find someone who is just as committed as you.

+Buy your own equipment: This doesn't have to be expensive either. A few weights, a yoga mat, some boxing gloves, the list goes on...

+Get outside: This can be weather permitting but, start running, biking, hiking, walking the track...the list goes on :)

Those are just a few of the ideas I have been using to keep my workouts interesting and fun. One month I'll commit to a short workout program and if weather permits I'll also run. Another month I'll join a local ladies swim class and walk the track. I hope these examples will help you because they sure have helped me stay motivated :)

On to my funny Popeye find...

We are harvesting a lot of spinach from our garden, which I love! Every morning I'm out their picking my daily smoothie, juice and/or salad base. Anyways, I saw this shirt the other day with a picture of Popeye flexing his muscles that said "I eat spinach, not drugs!" If it had been a girl's tee I would have bought it on the spot and worn it while working out! Too funny!

9 comments:

Tash said...

Happy Belated Birthday! Enjoy your last year in the 20's but actually the 30's aren't so bad!

Huge congrats on the progress you're making! That's an incredible achievement, I hope you are proud of yourself!

Wish spinach was successful in my garden but I don't seem to have much luck! xxx

Maggie said...

Thanks hun! I'm really excited for my 30's to come :D I feel ready to move on from my twenties. Weird I know..but I just feel content and ready for it.

Thank you for the congrats :) It's a lot of dedication, but I am so much happier with myself and it pays off in other areas of my life. I feel much more energetic :)

As for the spinach..the soil mix might be the answer to it not growing so well for you. We mixed in garden top soil, peat moss, organic mushroom compost and some of our own homemade organic compost. Spinach really likes the compost because of the nutrients in it :D

Hope you doing well! xoxo

Mary @ Bites and Bliss said...

Happy Belated Birthday!!! Next year you'll be 30, flirty, and fun. ;) Had to quote 13 Going on 30- haha!

I'll look forward to hear about how the 30 day Shred will go! I've heard a lot of great things about the DVD.

Maggie said...

heheh Mary your so funny :D Love it! I admit I have seen that movie...lol :D

I've done the 30 day shred once before in Feb-March and I can share my loss from that round :)

Weight loss: 11.2lbs

Inches lost:
Chest: 2"
Waist: 2"
Hips: 3"
Lower Waist (Belly Button): 2"
R.thigh: 1"
L. thigh: 1"
R. Arm: 2"
L. Arm: 1.5"

Total inches lost: 14.5

I still incorporated extra cardio because I didn't feel like I was getting enough with just doing that workout dvd :)

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated Birthday! Girl you look AWESOME!!! xo

Maggie said...

Thank you so much hun! *HUGS*

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated Birthday!!! You are so young!!!! Only 29???? Wow, what I would give to be that age again!!! I will be turning 37 this year.....UGH....I am creeping to 40...I can't even believe I am saying that....I feel like a kid still!!!! LOL

Maggie said...

Sam I thought we were around the same age! I'm not just saying that either! You are gorgeous, hun! I know what you mean by agecreeping up on ya. My grandma used to say to me when I asked her how old she was, "I am 72, but I feel 19 maybe 20 today lol" The ages would always change too :) Our bodies age, our minds grow, but i think deep down we all stay young at heart :)

Anonymous said...

LOL-thanks for the compliment!!! I don't feel as old as I am and hopefully if I stay on the healthy path I can keep the age gracefully status.....:) I like your grandmothers saying....will have to remember that!!!