The 30-Day Life/Blog Happiness Project

// 6.15.09 // 7 Comments » // Food & Fitness, Homeschooling, Tech & Blogging, Thriving

Most of my life I’ve been mistaken for someone in a bad mood. I think it’s genetic to some extent (um, Hi Mom!) because my sister has the same issue (um, Hi Sis!). When we answer the phone people ask us, “What’s wrong?” We just have gloomy dispositions. And I’m sometimes anxious and overwhelmed and not particularly social.

I was never particularly bothered by this facet of my personality until I started noticing it manifesting in my children. After reading a magazine editorial that said, “Smile more. Your face speaks volumes to your child,” the truth I’ve always known was driven home once again: What you model is way more important than anything else you do in raising your children.

And there’s the issues of my weight (not happy with it) and my career (need to commit and focus).

So today I am starting my 30-Day Life/Blog Happiness Project. My goals?

• Lose weight, eat better and continue working on the Couch-to-5K program in anticipation of the BlogHer 5K.
• Consciously work on being more calm, patient and happy.
• Follow ProBlogger’s 31 Days to Build a Better Blog.

Every day I’ll post an update of how I’m doing. It’s a lot of work to change life-long habits, but perhaps with accountability and the help of a wonderful blogging community (not to mention a supportive spouse), my children can soon see a happier, healthier face when they look at me.

Shred Level 2: Squat Thrusts? Planks?

// 3.24.09 // 11 Comments » // Food & Fitness

So there I was, boasting how easy the Shred was getting for me. Patting myself on the back for running 7 miles. Giggling with glee for losing 7 pounds.

Then I, well, um, fell down my stairs. A whole flight of stairs, carrying a basketful of laundry. I did a roll-over and everything. Two days later I burned my right hand on our wood stove, making it very hard for me to type or even sleep because I had to keep ice on it for a whole night.

I lost a few days of Shred progress. I started up again this morning, moving on to Level Two, also known as the “Squat thrusts? Are you effin’ kidding me?” workout.

Die.

The squat thrusts kicked my trash and if I hear the word PLANK again… But on the plus side? Progress. Less pouch in the belly. Tighter ass. I’m likin’ it.

So this Shred workout seems to deliver on its promise. Not just for me, but for a lot of other Shredheads. Check out the progress here.

Wouldn’t You Like to Be a Shredder Too?

// 3.3.09 // 11 Comments » // Thriving

Kristen of Motherhood Uncensored started talking on Twitter about Jillian Michaels’ 30 Day Shred Program and one thing led to another… And @shredheads was created.

I’ve got several of Jillian’s workouts available for free through Comcast On Demand, so I decided to go for it. Thirty days of 20-minute workouts sounds do-able and it’s great to have the motivation of a group. Kristen started a blog and asked all of us shredders to post an intro on our own blogs. With a bit of trepidation, here are my “before” stats. (I used that trick they use on TV where you try to look as skanky as possible so your “after” photos seem even more awesome.)

Code Name: PHAT Mommy
Tag Line: I’m neither apple nor pear, but cantaloupe-shaped: one on my stomach and one on my ass.
Weight: 185
Goal: Get down to 145 and get into an exercise habit
Diet Plan: Follow Isagenix plan, drink tons of water
Personal Rules: Consume bagel, dessert and alcohol only once per week
Shred Plan: Choose one program daily from Comcast On Demand selection.
Starting with Level 1, 1 – 5 lb weights. Continue regular runs for my marathon training.

Day one wasn’t too bad. The pushups were the hardest part for me. Then I threw up half the night last night, so I’m not sure what’s going to happen today. I’m hoping to feel well enough later today to get in day two’s workout.