ajlovestolose.com

Naked Fitness: What I did to get healthy…

AJ — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:31:52 +0000

A few of you have asked me what EXACTLY I did to lose 14lbs and 4 inches off my waist in 21 days for the Naked Fitness Challenge. Well, I am FINALLY getting around to telling you! Sorry for the weight wait.

1. I walked 2 hours a day. Period. It was the dead of winter here in Chi-town, but I spent time either walking in front of the TV (during breaks of the Golden Globes, for one example). My pedometer was broken so I just kept time on my Timex Ironman watch. Everytime I started to walk, I pushed start on the timer. Everytime I stopped, I pressed stop on the timer. When I got to 2 hours on the timer, I stopped. Now I work toward 15-17K steps a day. It is hard, but I do it. Pre Naked Fitness, I would walk about 45 minutes and be DONE. It was never longer than 2-3 miles. I can do 7-8 miles easy now. Crazy I know.

2. Eating plan. Because the trainer (Andrea) is going to be coming out with a book soon, I can’t post the actual menu on my site. BUT, she did post the first week menu here. I followed that menu religiously (except for the polenta chili– I didn’t like it so I ate Chicken and veggies instead.) 2nd week was very close to the first week, and week three we really were on our own, but sticking with 2 hours of walking and eating 1200 calories a day– 80-100 grams of protein, 25 grams of fiber and 8-11 fruits and veggies a day.

3. Elations. I owe my joint comfort to Elations Drink. I have bad knees and usually am in a lot of discomfort during and after working out. After a week drinking Elations, I had no discomfort in my knees at all. When I stopped drinking it (becuase I ran out) my knees were pretty sore. Back on the drink, no discomfort at all again. (*disclaimer: Elations was a sponsor of the Naked Fitness Challenge. I was given a case of the drink, but have purchased it for the last month on my own. I will be passing out Elations at Fitbloggin ‘10, but am not being paid or sponsored by Elations to do so. They just will be giving me the free product to pass out.)

4. Alignment exercises. Andrea Metcalf, the trainer, gave us specific movements to do depending on how we assessed ourselves in the mirror. Is one hip higher than the other? One shoulder? Which way do my hands face? If you would like more information about her techniques and to get an assessment, please follow her on twitter @andreametcalf or visit Andrea’s website www.andreametcalf.com.

5. Stretching and “rehab”. For me, this was the most important part. I am REALLY out of alignment when it comes to my hip and lower back. Without Andrea’s help, I would not have been able to continue with the program. When I walk, my lower back and hip tense up and I am pretty much pulling all my muscles. With her help (and a few of her Pain Free Videos) I can manage the pain through stretches alone. I can’t tell you how many chiro appts I went to over the years to help me fix this pain– literally, after TWO 20 minute stretching workouts, I was about 80 percent pain free. I could not believe it. I still do the DVD about 3 times a week to help keep the pain at bay.

6. Group work. Just meeting with the 30-odd other contestants kept me sane and on program. I met really nice people and made a few friends along the way. I truly believe the group helped me keep on the program.

7. A bit of greed. I can admit now that the thought of winning a cool new treadmill at the end kept me going a few of the hard days. Thought I was not “the biggest loser” and didn’t win the treadmill, I was still happy to cheer my fellow contestants on.

OK, that;t it– really. That’s all I did. Nothing fancy– walking and eating healthy.

testing a new page

AJ — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:24:08 +0000

testing testing

Related posts:Testing…. testing testing updated the photo page!

Mamavation Motivation Monday

AJ — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:31:46 +0000

I used my walking poles today and I am SOOOOO sore already– FEEL THE BURN! The weather is finally starting to warm up (almost 50 today!) and I enjoyed getting out to feel the warmth of the sun (through the fog!) on my face. I was hesitant to walk in my new neighborhood (wasn’t sure how safe it is, I have only been here 4 months and it has been cold and snowy the whole time) but it is actually very safe with lots of dog walkers and nannies out for afternoon walks. While it is supposed to rain tomorrow, I think I will get out and do another walk early.

I ate healthy today( finally) enjoying a BIG salad and a few whole wheat veggie ravioli for lunch. Dinner will be fish and veggies again. I am PUMPED for Fitbloggin and can’t wait to see everyone. I may have already started packing…. I have plans to hit the treadmill after dinner and get another good walk in….

So what did you do to move today?

Blog for International Women’s Day– Equal Rights for ALL

AJ — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:19:55 +0000

Today is Blog For International Women’s Day. This page gives you more information on what this post is part of. This year, we are to answer one of these two questions:

–What does “equal rights for all” mean to you?
–Describe a particular organization, person, or moment in history that helped to mobilize a meaningful change in equal rights for all.
———–

I chose: –Describe a particular organization, person, or moment in history that helped to mobilize a meaningful change in equal rights for all.

Equal rights for all means a lot me. While I am (99 percent of the time) proud to be an American, developed countries like the one I call home get every advantage when it comes to disaster relief, medicine availability, medical advancements, food availability and countless other basic needs.

In the developing world, women (along with children) are the group that sadly sees the advancements last. During my 7 years working for a large international NGO, I saw a lot being done to try to even the playing field for women. Programs were created in times of famine or disaster to make sure women receive rations to feed their families– otherwise larger (and stronger) men hoarded the food. Women were shown how to create micro credit savings and loan groups to help save money without the “permission” from their fathers or husbands needed.

Women were given information — for instance that they had the right to vote in a local or national election; not told who they had to vote FOR, just that they had the right to help choose a leader– or that they had the right to a healthy pregnant and delivery, or that breastfeeding might be the best for their infant.

I learned that information is power– and that once women in the developing world receive information and they have a voice, equality makes a giant leap forward.

The organization that has made great strides for equal rights, in my mind, is CARE. Just read their What We Do statement:

CARE tackles underlying causes of poverty so that people can become self-sufficient. Recognizing that women and children suffer disproportionately from poverty, CARE places special emphasis on working with women to create permanent social change. Women are at the heart of CARE’s community-based efforts to improve basic education, prevent the spread of HIV, increase access to clean water and sanitation, expand economic opportunity and protect natural resources. CARE also delivers emergency aid to survivors of war and natural disasters, and helps people rebuild their lives.

To learn more about CARE, please visit www.care.org.

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2010-03-07

ajlovestolose — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:53:00 +0000

I'm attending BlogHer '10 — http://blogher10.eventbrite.com #
Whatcan you do for ME????…. but you've done so much already…..!!! #mizfitonlineisawesome #
Darn naps! I missed all the cool stuff! Btw, get your blogher tickets soon, less than 100 left!! I got one this year, thank goodness! #
My cat is currently being a massive jerk at the vet fight now. They are sedating him now. Poor crabby old kitty…… #
Ahhh! I am officially going to #blogher10 – I just bought my plane ticket.:-) Cheap fare on @JetBlue. Never flown them before. #
I know I am waaaay ahead of the game, but if you are looking for a roommate for #blogher10 please DM me– I have already booked a room. #
has anyone seen the "I'm Going!" #blogher buttons for BlogHer'10? I can't seem to find them. @BlogHer #
Hi #mamavation ladies! I love you so much, I want 2 join the sistahood! I have a Mon Mamavation post, —am waiting for group approval. #
PS: #mamavation ladies– I've never used the hashtag b/c I thought no children meant no mamavation for me. I thought wrong!! #
God morning! 1 more hour till I get on the treadmill. Using my awake time to do some good in bed yoga moves. Feels soooo good! #
Darnit!!! RT @MizFitOnline: @MrsFatass thank u. Im 98% not going & 2% considering. teeeting toward the NAAAAAH. #
Treadmill walk to begin in 15 min. Starting overcis so empowering! #mamavation #
How did 7 am come so soon?! Off to the treadmill! #
An hour of walking down, another hour (later) to go. #nakedfitness #mamavation #
Having kind of a disapointing morning. Long story. #
Should b hearing back from the vet w/results from @mrmorethecat appt last nite. She suspects heart disease and the big C. He's 16. #sad #
if U can catch it, watch @rogerebert on Oprah 2day. He looks great & the tech he uses to talk is AMAZING! #
I was on TV tonight! The video should be up tomorrow, right @nbcchicago ?? http://bit.ly/cCviNu #nakedfitness @Andreametcalf #mamavation #
Saw hot tub time machine last night– suprisingly very funny. If u liked the hangover, u will like HTTM. #
One hour of walking down one hour to go!! #nakedfitness #mamavation #
I just got my picture taken with an Oscar!! They are fricken heavy!!So cool! Will post pic asap!! #
Check out this ginormous strawberry!!! http://twitpic.com/16ltsf #
U have got to b kidding me. #murphyslaw RT @MizFitOnline: This is my life cashier just dropped a case of water on.my.foot. #
my favorite commercial is back — the Cadbury Egg one with the cat that says "bock-mow" "bock-mow" . #
In other news, I burnt my arm pretty good pulling my baked pork out of the oven. OWIE! That's what I get for cooking! #mamavation #
Brian Williams is the bomb-diggity. Yes, I said bomb-diggity. #1994 #
#ff @andreametcalf is a great person to follow if u r trying to live a healthy life #fitbloggin #nakedfitness #mamavation #
2 movies down, 3 to go! #amcbps hurt locker was amazing, as was An Education. #
All geared up 2 walk outside with my walking poles–then saw that its starting to rain. Well, I'll go out later. #mamavation #nakedfitness #

Naked Fitness New Year Challenge Videos are up!

AJ — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:40:16 +0000

Some of you already know I auditioned and was one of 36 people (out of over 200) chosen for a 21 day weight lose challenge program here in Chicago called the Naked Fitness New Year Challenge (PS: Before any of you ask me, “Naked” is just in the name, we don’t workout naked or anything. Number one question I get asked. )

Below is a link to the video from the “reveal” of the winner from Tuesday night on NBC-5 Chicago. While I was NOT the overall winner, I did lose 14lbs and 4 inches off my waist in 21 days. The link below will also give you an idea of what we ate (lots of protein, veggies) and did (walk 2 hours a day) to lose the weight. I had a great time and met a lot of great people. We will continue the program through out the year and be followed by NBC here in Chicago.

Here’s the News video from the other night– scroll down the page, and look for the deceptive picture of the trainer (also an Andrea) in a yellow top with a medicine ball in the middle of the words. Click on that picture, and watch the progression pictures and interview video. The segment is about 2 minutes long and I am toward the middle and end. I make a few appearances. I am the person who says “4 inches off my waist”. The other video on the page is the live portion of the night. I am in the back center in the live video. Enjoy! http://www.nbcchicago.com/station/as-seen-on/naked-fitness-86092387.html

Twitter Updates for 2010-03-04

ajlovestolose — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0000

I was on TV tonight! The video should be up tomorrow, right @nbcchicago ?? http://bit.ly/cCviNu #nakedfitness @Andreametcalf #mamavation #
Saw hot tub time machine last night– suprisingly very funny. If u liked the hangover, u will like HTTM. #
One hour of walking down one hour to go!! #nakedfitness #mamavation #
I just got my picture taken with an Oscar!! They are fricken heavy!!So cool! Will post pic asap!! #

Twitter Updates for 2010-03-03

ajlovestolose — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Ahhh! I am officially going to #blogher10 – I just bought my plane ticket.:-) Cheap fare on @JetBlue. Never flown them before. #
I know I am waaaay ahead of the game, but if you are looking for a roommate for #blogher10 please DM me– I have already booked a room. #
has anyone seen the "I'm Going!" #blogher buttons for BlogHer'10? I can't seem to find them. @BlogHer #
Hi #mamavation ladies! I love you so much, I want 2 join the sistahood! I have a Mon Mamavation post, —am waiting for group approval. #
PS: #mamavation ladies– I've never used the hashtag b/c I thought no children meant no mamavation for me. I thought wrong!! #
God morning! 1 more hour till I get on the treadmill. Using my awake time to do some good in bed yoga moves. Feels soooo good! #
Darnit!!! RT @MizFitOnline: @MrsFatass thank u. Im 98% not going & 2% considering. teeeting toward the NAAAAAH. #
Treadmill walk to begin in 15 min. Starting overcis so empowering! #mamavation #
How did 7 am come so soon?! Off to the treadmill! #
An hour of walking down, another hour (later) to go. #nakedfitness #mamavation #
Having kind of a disapointing morning. Long story. #
Should b hearing back from the vet w/results from @mrmorethecat appt last nite. She suspects heart disease and the big C. He's 16. #sad #
if U can catch it, watch @rogerebert on Oprah 2day. He looks great & the tech he uses to talk is AMAZING! #

Twitter Updates for 2010-03-02

ajlovestolose — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:00:00 +0000

Whatcan you do for ME????…. but you've done so much already…..!!! #mizfitonlineisawesome #
Darn naps! I missed all the cool stuff! Btw, get your blogher tickets soon, less than 100 left!! I got one this year, thank goodness! #
My cat is currently being a massive jerk at the vet fight now. They are sedating him now. Poor crabby old kitty…… #

Monday Mamavation

AJ — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 05:36:30 +0000

First off, let me say, I am not a Mama. Well, not a REAL one.

I have a fur-child.

But that doesn’t really count, now does it.

I have been following a lot of the Mamavation Sistas and Mama’s on Twitter for a while, and I have been intrigued by this group of amazing, inspiring and helpful women– they are on their health and weight loss journey, and together they are suceeding.

I emailed tweeted BookieBoo and asked her if I, childless party of one, could also join this group so I could have more support during MY journey– and she said yes.

So hear I am, the only childless one, pledging to be part of the Mamavation Sistas.

This is my first (of many, I hope) Monday Mamavation posts.

Most of you know I was cosen to be part of the Chicago Naked Fitness New Year Challenge. I was blessed to be part of a 36 person strong group that lost over 300lbs total in 21 days. I myself lost 14lbs and 4 inches off my waist. I even gave up diet soda!

You would think that would have been the best motivation out there.

But I have slipped.

This (and, lets face it, last) weekend was a free-for-all from hell. I was tired, stressed out, lonely and just plain tired of eating grilled chicken breasts every damn day. I had movie popcorn. REGULAR COKE. A HOT DOG. PIZZA.

I just couldn’t stop. Everything tasted SO GOOD.

But today I have the stomach ache from hell and the heartburn to go with it.

Why do I do this to myself? I was doing SO GOOD. I was FEELING so good.

Last night, since I felt so crappy, I only walked 30 minutes. Today, I felt so bad, I DID NOT WALK AT ALL.

I know I cannot continue like this. I am not happy with who I am. I am not appreciating the GIFT I was given with Naked Fitness.

One thing I do know was this was a temporary BLIP on the radar.

Now for the positive side of all of this:

I DID continue to take my multivitamin.

I DID continue to drink my Elations joint drink.

I DID eat a healthy breakfast each day.

I DID sleep 7-8 hours each night this weekend (helping to catch up on some of that sleep deficit I had.)

I have to remember that I DID do some of the things I learned on Naked Fitness, even when I was being “bad”.

And that is GOOD.

Tomorrow, I start over.

Tomorrow, I go back to my week one menu, I write everything I put in my mouth down, and I walk 2 hours.

NO EXCUSES.

Kick my butt Sistas!!

I promise that I will help you by being supportive on your blogs and on Twitter (both by kicking your butt when you need it and giving you props when you deserve it) and honoring your great group by sharing it widely.
Thanks for giving me a chance!