Step-by-Step, oooo baby....

New Kids on the Block is playing a concert here in July.... and that has nothing to do with my update except that it ties into the title of the post.

I feel like I'm finally getting into a steady rhythm of working out in some form and eating better. It's still baby steps, but I feel like this is a lifestyle change and not a diet or some short-term fix.

Tonight, Jay and I took Bear and Bruiser for a walk around the neighborhood which the dogs and I LOVED. (Jay, however, did it mostly out of obligation but was a pretty good sport.) The dogs never go on walks so this is a huge treat for them, hopefully one that will stick around as it tuckers them out for the rest of the night. (I sit at the computer with Bear laying behind me sound asleep.)

Other days in the past week I've rotated between taking walks with others and working out on the Wii Fit. Since my last update I think yesterday was the only day I haven't excercised at all.

Oh, I almost forgot to talk about my snacks. I found two great, healthy, and filling snacks to help keep my hunger and calories under control.

1. Baby Carrots and Peanut Butter - I was a skeptic at first (sorry Lindsay), but the peanut butter overpowers the carrot to the point where it's wonderful and not weird.

2. Blueberry Bran Muffins - Don't let the "bran" part of the title scare you, they're good, and this is coming from an I-hate-wheat-bread-and-bran-anything type of girl. I'm going to use this as my basic muffin recipie and start adding different types of fruit as they come in season. (Another great reason to start checking out the farmers market for goodies.)

I found myself really excited to go grocery shopping yesterday. It took me almost double the time, but I read labels and picked out responsible choices for snacks, meals, cereal, etc.

My next snack test is Grapenuts and yogurt, to be continued.....

959 steps closer to being fit - Rachelle

Tonight was my first workout with the Wii Fit. Half-way through, I stopped, and had to ask myself why I thought I needed a gym membership when I had the almighty Wii Fit sitting under our coffee table in our family room.

After six sessions of their step routines, I tried their Free Step Program. The Free Step is all about keeping the same pace while trying to reach a target number of steps within 10 minutes, my goal was 800. (Can I brag for a moment that I hit 959 and demolished my 800 step goal!)

One of the biggest struggles I have is getting rid of dessert. Before I got married, I rarely ate dessert, now it's a daily thing. Of course I made the mistake of making one of my favorite desserts, butterscotch brownies on Tuesday. The good news is that there are no more left, hooray! It's easier to be successful when there isn't temptation.

I'm trying to research some filling, yet healthy snacks that I can eat at work and at home. Anyone have any ideas?

Rachelle - Day #2

Sunday kicked off the first day of the challenge.

I was more aware of what I ate and how much of it I ate. I did however, endulge myself with sugar cookies for dessert. The good thing is it used the last of the cookie dough so there's no more in the house, hooray!

Excercise Day #1: One mile on the treadmill

Today was a Monday, and those are rough by themselves, not to mention when you're trying to watch what you eat and lose weight. I tend to be snacky at work so I need to learn to spread out my food through out the day to keep the amount I eat "in check". My splurge today was going to Tully's. Although I got a non-fat, sugar-free vanilla latte... I got a blueberry muffin with.. gulp... 570 calories! (May I add that their maple bar has under 400 calories, how unfair is that.) Needless to say, no more muffins for this muffin top!

Excercise Day #2: Walked Ollie (Katie's dog) for 20 blocks.

I feel better already but at this point I think it's mental and not physical.

Introduction

This blog is on the Dump tha' Junk challenge.

Challengers: Myself, my mom, and my friend Katie

Challenge #1: To lose 5% of our body weight. The first person to do so gets $50.

Challenge #2: To lose 10% of body weight. Winner gets an outfit paid for by the other two challengers.

This blog will help track our progress, but will most likely track mine more than anything. Hopefully I'll teach my mom how to blog and her and Katie will update too. (Maybe I can even talk my dad into joining the challenge!)