Union Pacific Railroad Trail

The kids and I enjoyed a brisk hike on the Union Pacific Railroad Trail near Frank's work.

Marie-Anne

Healed

After service last Sunday, Pastor Hart prayed for those who were sick. I had chronic back pain that was getting worse. So, I asked for prayer. Pastor had me sit in a chair and he lifted my legs straight out in front of me. One leg was noticeably shorter than the other. He called Frank up then as he prayed for me the shorter leg evened out!

Before this prayer I couldn't even stand long enough to do dishes without having to take breaks. I have been pain free for almost a week! God is a wonderful God!

Marie-Anne

Sugar Busters

My husband and I just started sugar busters. Hopefully this time I’ll stick to it and reach my weight loss goals.

Marie-Anne

Getting in shape with Billy Blanks

A friend let me borrow Billy Blanks’ Taebo Amped. It is a workout and a half! Frank and I did it together and we were both sweating after only 20 minutes. I could not even come close to keeping up, but I do like Taebo and we agreed to do it together 3 nights a week. (Of course, we will buy our own copy so I can return my friend’s.)

I have lost my motivation for losing weight, but I just found it again. I also taped up a picture of me at 135 pounds and a picture of me now on the inside of the pantry door with the question, “What do you want?” That should help keep me motivated!

Marie-Anne

TV and computers

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 2 not watch television, which I followed with Alex. It is a bit harder to follow with Sabrina because Alex is allowed to watch pre-approved cartoons on the computer (we do not own a TV) and we watch documentaries together. For the most part she is in another room while Alex watches DVD’s.

Alex has been on the computer a lot lately. I was very tired during pregnancy and a lot of times I am busy with Sabrina. The good news is Alex is on mostly educational preschool websites. He is quite good at many of the games. The bad news is I think he spends too much time on the computer and he thinks he doesn’t spend enough time on the computer. I am trying to come up with crafts and other activities to keep him occupied offline. There’s a balance to be found- I just got to find it.

Marie-Anne

Exercise Week 2

Monday- walk 20 minutes; Nordic Rider, Squats, Side-kick/punch 50 each; Crunches, Reverse Crunches, Leg Lifts, Weights 100 each; Stair Sprints 10

Tuesday- walk 20 minutes; Nordic Rider, Squats, Side-kick/punch 50 each; Crunches, Reverse Crunches, Leg Lifts, Weights 100 each; Stair Sprints 10

Wednesday- Squats 25; Crunches, Reverse Crunches, Leg Lifts 100 each

Thursday- walk 10 minutes; Nordic Rider, Squats, 50 each; Side-kick/punch 20; Crunches, Reverse Crunches, Leg Lifts, Weights 100 each

Friday- Rest

Saturday- walk 30 minutes; Nordic Rider, Squats, Side-kick/punch 50 each; Crunches, Reverse Crunches, Leg Lifts, Weights 100 each; Stair Sprints 10

Sunday- Crunches, Reverse Crunches, Leg Lifts, 100 each; Nordic Rider 50

Marie-Anne

Obesity in Children- Who’s to blame?

When I hear about or worse see obese children it breaks my heart. The other day I saw an obese toddler with an ice cream cone and I thought, “He doesn’t need that! He needs to go for a walk!” I understand that kids, like Alex, do not want to get up and exercise when they can just play on the computer. That’s where parenting comes in.

I make Alex go for a walk with me and once we’re outside he enjoys it. Alex sees me exercising and sometimes he joins in, I try to make it fun and a part of daily life. I don’t keep candy around- it is a treat. Alex eats a salad when I eat one and most of the time his snacks are fruit. I am the parent I control what food comes into our house and how much Alex gets. I set the example with exercise. I am the parent.

Marie-Anne

Exercise week 1

Monday- bike 20 minutes, DVD 15 minutes, walk 30 minutes, crunches, reverse crunches, leg lifts, weights 100 each, squats 50, stair sprints 15.

Tuesday-DVD 20 minutes, walk 45 minutes, crunches, reverse crunches, leg lifts, weights 100 each, squats, side-kick-punch 50 each, stair sprints 15

Wednesday- bike 30 minutes, DVD 20 minutes, Nordic Rider 3 minutes (too hard I'll try to do it in reps next week), crunches, reverse crunches, leg lifts, weights 100 each, squats, side-kick-punch 50 each, stair sprints 20

Thursday- DVD 15 minutes, crunches, reverse crunches, leg lifts, weights 100 each, squats 50, stair sprints 15

Friday- DVD 30 minutes, walk 20 minutes, crunches, reverse crunches, leg lifts, weights 100 each, squats, side-kick-punch 50 each, stair sprints 15

Saturday- walk 20 minutes, crunches, reverse crunches, leg lifts, weights 100 each, squats 75, side-kick-punch 50, stair sprints 10

Sunday- day of rest

This week the DVD has been Postnatal Power. Sometimes I have had to force myself to exercise, but I think it will pay off.

Marie-Anne

Energy

I have only been seriously exercising for a few days, but I have a lot more energy! I feel very good, (and also a little sore). If it is your goal to get in shape this year, let me encourage you that if I can do it you can too.

Marie-Anne

Postnatal Power Taebo Workout

I checked out Postnatal Power Taebo Workout with Shellie Blanks Cimarosti from the library. I love it! I have NOT been exercising for a looong time. Right now 20 minutes is a workout for me. I like the fact that Shellie filmed this DVD 10 weeks after having her baby. She’s very understanding and encouraging. Even if you didn’t just have a baby if you are new to exercise I highly recommend this DVD. If nothing else check it out from the library, like I did and try it. This is one I will be checking out again, or buy it.

Marie-Anne

Weight loss goals

My weight loss goals are attainable, but not without a lot of hard work. I want to be 135 when Sabrina turns one. I got 10 months. I will be posting my weekly update of how I’m doing with exercise and with healthy eating. It won’t be easy. I have not been exercising regularly for quite some time and I’m a recovering junk food junkie. The good thing is I like to exercise and I do like fruit and veggies. I am serious about losing weight. I am going to make my weight loss a reality instead of just a fantasy.

Marie-Anne

The Twitch

I have never gotten a diagnosis on the twitch. Thank God, for the most part it’s gone though it still happens from time to time. It’s not the all day every day occurrence it once was. Sometimes I even go months without it now. For those of you who don’t know, when I was 22 the twitch started in my right leg only at night. Originally we thought it was restless leg. Then one day it was continuously twitching during the day. After months of this sometimes for a few minutes sometimes all day it progressed to the other leg, arms, hands, feet, and head. Now it can be any combination of these at any time.

Unfortunately it has come back since I’ve been pregnant, though not as severe as before. If it continues I’ll get it documented. I really do not want to go through all of that again, so for the most part I ignore it and hope no one notices.

Marie-Anne

Seven pounds

My doctor told me she only wants me to gain seven more pounds. I gained that much in the last month! Well, if I’m to only gain seven pounds and if I’m serious about losing weight once Sabrina is born I need to make some changes. I need to give up the junk food that I’ve been eating lately and start exercising again.

Today I walked on the treadmill for 15 minutes, I did 20 reps of 10 with my five pound weights, and I used the exercise bike for 10 minutes. I have to confess I also ate junk food.

Marie-Anne

In Stride Cycle

We got an In Stride Cycle which is like a bike’s pedals. I can sit on the couch and “ride a bike” while I read a book. Frank and I both love it. Even Alex uses it. It can also be used for arms, but I haven’t tried that yet. We got it because it doesn’t take up much space at all and we still get a workout. It was less than $25 at Wal-Mart.

Marie-Anne

Yoga-who me?

I got Heather Seiniger’s Yoga Pregnancy from the library. I tried it today and I like it. I was only able to do about 10 minutes, then it got harder than I can do right now, so I did the first 10 minutes three times today.

With Alex I gained about 50 pounds, but this time I am not gaining too much. In fact I talked to my doctor because I wasn’t gaining, but she said it’s nothing to worry about and I am to gain 22 pounds. I am a lot more active than when I was pregnant with Alex and I’m eating more fruit. After Sabrina is born I am going to exercise and change my eating habits so that I get back down to what I was when Frank married me.

Marie-Anne