4 Days Left!

So there is only 4 days left of the 31 day challenge. How did everyone do. I know that I could have done better but I am not going to get down on myself for it. It is time to keep the challenge going on. After all it isn't just 31 days we are wanting to better ourselves. It is our entire life. So, with that said the new June Challenge! What is yours? Is it the same as last time? Heather and I have a goal of running 6 miles per week. I am planning on sticking to that. Anyone else want to join us?

10 Tips to Avoid Bingeing

By Chalene Johnson

1. Brush your teeth right after dinner to remind you: no more food.
   
2. Put a sign on the kitchen and refrigerator doors: "Closed after dinner."
   
3. Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The large majority of people who struggle with night eating are those who skip meals or don't eat balanced meals during the day. This is a major setup for overeating at night.
   
4. Eat your evening meal in the kitchen or dining room, sitting down at the table.
   
5. Drink cold no-calorie beverages such as water or Crystal Light at night. They taste great and keep your mouth busy.
   
6. Change your nighttime schedule. It will take effort, but it will pay off. You need something that will occupy your mind and hands. Try knitting, lifting free weights in the living room, stretching while watching TV, or putting together your photo albums.
   
7. If you're eating at night to unwind, calm emotions, or soothe yourself, focus on getting in touch with what's going on emotionally when you head for the fridge. Develop non-food methods of coping with stress.
   
8. Eat without engaging in any other simultaneous activity, i.e., no reading, TV, or sitting at the computer.
   
9. Eating late at night won't cause weight gain. It's how many calories you eat—not when you eat them—that counts. However, by setting a cutoff point, many lose weight by simply eliminating calories they were consuming out of habit as opposed to hunger.
   
10. If you're up late burning the midnight oil, fill up on "free" foods. These are foods that, though they have minimal health benefits, are super-low-fat, low-calorie snacks and are virtually harmless. These include sugar-free Jell-O (10 calories) and sugar-free chocolate pudding (60 calories). Want something crunchy and salty? Try trans-fat-free microwave popcorn, which can have as little as 60 calories per 2 cups popped.

I am She-Ra!

Last night during BodyPump class I was either crazy or She-Ra took over my body because I was lifting some crazy amounts of weight. Hmmm, maybe it is Chalean! Day 3 here I come.
I must say that I am so lucky to have a core group of friends that loves exercise as much as I do and pushes me beyond my limitations. (actually that may have had something to do with the 5 hour energy I took before class as well) But seriously, thanks gals for keeping my accountable.

My exercise for Yesterday

~Chalean Extreme Burn Circuit 2

~Body Pump

~1 mile Run in 8 min and 49 seconds! WooHoo!

Taking it to the EXTREME~

When I first started Chalean Extreme I programed in my blackberry calender to let me know when to log in my 30, 60 and 90 day results. When my alert went off yesterday to program in my 60 day results I realized I haven't been taking Chalean to the Extreme, I have only been mediocre! I was so mad that I could be at my 60 day results right now but instead I am no further ahead than I was when I started.

With that said, I have decided that in order to get the full effect of the program I am starting my 90 days over as of yesterday. I plan to at least log what I did on the site to make sure that I am held very accountable.

Yesterday's Exercise

• Ran 1.5 miles with my hubby. :)
• Chalean Burn Circuit 1

Today's Exercise

• Chalean Burn Circuit 2
• Teach Body Pump at 5:30pm

Good luck to all of you out there with your exercise and diet routines! Day 11 of the 31 day challenge! How are all of you doing?

Pot Luck? More like You're gonna need some Luck!

Whoever started calling it a Pot Luck really meant good luck on trying no to sabotage your good eating efforts. It never fails, the minute you find yourself in these monstrous buffet situations you are faced with one of America's greatest eating challenges. How do you not offend Aunt Edna by not trying her potato salad even though Cousin Eddy brought a potato salad as well? Well, in the eyes of American's you just take a little bit of everything which makes you end up with a plate full of many different types of the same food. And then...oh no...it's time for dessert!? You are so stuffed but here you go again! Heading back to the buffet with your now unbuttoned pants for more yummy goodness. What are you left with when all is said and done? Guilt? 5 pounds? Saddlebags? Thunder Thighs? A cottage cheese butt? These all don't sound very tasty now do they. Well, then why do we do this to ourselves.
I have been trying to take a step back from my eating habits and figure out why I eat when I do and why I eat what I do. Food can be just as much as an addition as alcohol or drugs and the problem is that those of us that are addicted to food are put into situations day in and day out with overcoming obstacles. Whether it be lunch with a co-worker at a restaurant that offers whenever they want, we are faced daily with the temptations. It is like holding an AA meeting at a nothing healthy, the holiday pot luck, or a dear friend that can eat whatever they want bar! Although hopefully no one would ever do that, we can go to work and find Donuts, chocolate jars and again with the Pot Lucks!?
So, what to do? There IS help! God CAN and WILL provide HIS power, if we seek Him with all our heart, praying only for knowledge of His will for us! This means we would also be willing to take that first step of reaching out for help and surrounding ourselves with the necessary support of others who are WINNING over food or chemical dependency. When was the last time you took a step away from the buffet and prayed for help. You just may get exactly what you are asking for, a friend that understands and is there to help, instead of the badonkadonk cottage cheese butt left behind after the buffet battlefield is over.

My Mini Marathon Buddy

What a way to start the 31 day challenge! I ran/walked 13.1 miles in the mini marathon with my brother to help raise money for Youth for Christ. As my brother so importantly stated, do not underestimate the .1 in 13.1. Believe me, every step by that point was a tough one. I had so much fun doing this with my brother on Saturday. It goes by so fast when you have a buddy.

Speaking of buddies. I am checking in on each of you that are in the 31 day challenge. Do you have your buddy? Are you being a good buddy to them. Don't forget that as important as it is to be motivated it is just as important for you to continue to motivate your buddy as well. You both need each other to get through these 31 days.

I honestly know that I could not have ran the first 10K of the mini marathon without my brother pushing me along the way and last year I am sure that he wouldn't have ran as much as he did had I not have pushed him. This is an important reminder that there are times when we are strong and can help others and there are times when we are weak and need the help from others to make it through. This is what your buddy is for.

Keep up the good work everyone. 26 days to go!!!