14 Week Challenge :: Week 3

Week 3 in our 14 Week Challenge is coming to an end. One more week and I'll weigh in. I hate having a number in my head of where I want to be but the thought of not losing more than 4 pounds kills me. And yes, I know that I need to think positive but let's just say, you'll know how I feel about what I've lost when I post it. If there are exclamation points then you will be able to easily guess my mood.

Martin has lost around 8 pounds already. But he's a boy so he doesn't count. (But I am SO proud of him.)

Let's talk exercise.

With all the shows on like Biggest Loser and well, that's all I can think of, I seem to think I need to spend hours at the gym. My doctor told me a few months ago that I only need to do 30 minutes a day of cardio then if I want to tone, do light weights every other day. She said that in order to be healthy you need to workout your heart muscle. To workout your heart muscle you need to keep it at an elevated rate for 20 to 30 minutes a day. The way you lose weight and keep it off and BE HEALTHY is in what you eat. (Yes, Aaron you've told me this before too. I just don't like to think it's that simple!) (Aaron's my brother, he's a doctor.)

I've been going to the gym and doing 30 minutes on the elliptical. It's easy and I LOVE the personal trainer button they have. It breaks up the time by telling me to do specific stuff like go at least 6 mph for one minute or pedal backwards for two minutes. I go up on the resistance about every two weeks to keep my heart rate up.

I'm in my brother-in-law's wedding in April and I have to wear a short strapless dress. That means I need some attention on the ol' arms. That's where the kettlebell comes in. That's right, the kettlebell. All one word. Not Kettle Ball like I have been calling it for longer than I would like to admit. I bought the 7 pound one at Target the other day (which people seem disappointed when I tell them it's 7 pounds, like they expect me to say 55 pounds or something?) and it came with a free 30 minute Bob Harper workout DVD. I thought that was special. OH MY WORD. I did the video last night and let's just say, it was not about being special.




That thing ripped my body all to shreds. I did more squats than anyone should do in a lifetime. Bob was making me (yes, making me) squat down and pick the kettlebell up off the ground, swing it out in front of me and then PUT IT BACK. Over and over and over. Then I had to do this balancing thing on one foot while lifting the kettlebell with one hand. Over and over and over. Then I had to do the windmill. Just trust me it was torture.

I think this goes without saying but, I can hardly walk today. I hurt. But do my arms hurt? No. It's my booty. And my legs. And my knees. And my back. And my toes. But my toes hurt because it's gorgeous outside and I felt need to wear my five inch high, open toe heels today to celebrate the sixty-something degree weather. Dumb.

But they look great. See?



So I guess no pain no gain applies to shoes too, right?