Healthy Habits – Fitness and Weightloss | The Fit Yummy Mummy Transformational Challenge

Week One Fit Yummy Mummy Challenge

As I am well into the first week of the FYM Transformational Challenge using the Fit Yummy Mummy Lifestyle System, a system that you can do completely at home, I am starting to feel like I am seriously heading in to the next 3 months of concentrated focus on my health routine.

Here is yesterday's report, as it is the first day that I have been using my journal. I will aim to report mid week and on Tuesdays with my updated stats.

You will see through my blog posts the benefits of keeping a journal as the insights from both the WINS and the MISSES are key tools in a successful outcome.

MY FIRST INTERVAL WORKOUT

I was very excited all day about doing my first Interval workout. (stay tuned for more on the importance of using this method of exercise)

As luck had it, it was a busy day and I didn't get to do it until almost bedtime, but I did it! And I loved the feeling. That familiar feeling when you just know you're burning calories and taking a step up towards a healthier and better bod.

IS EVENING EXERCISE BETTER THAN NOTHING?

I know that there are going to be many days that I am not able to do my workout until the evening, sometimes I question whether or not that is too late to see maximum benefit.

Morning or afternoon is probably better, but I would say that evening, even late evening, is better than not at all.

I don't know how it effects the metabolism boosting benefits, but it definitely works towards toning and cardio health, so my note to self, and anyone else who has this issue is – just do it!

And I can say that I felt better this morning. I am breathing deeper and I can feel that I pushed my muscles. I feel a little stronger. I like that feeling.

FIT YUMMY MUMMY WORKOUT – FAST AND EFFECTIVE

Today will I'll be doing the Introductory A workout again. It amazes me how such a short workout – it takes about 15 minutes – can challenge muscles that I forgot I had but will be so happy to see again – especially the muscles on the side of my upper hip/abs.

There is a muscle right above my hipbone that I swear I haven't felt since I was about 12 years old and had not an oz of fat on my body. I like that feeling too!

CLUB FIT YUMMY MUMMY

And I'm really looking forward to spending some time at Club Fit Yummy Mummy, an additional resource that is simply amazing.

The information, motivation and friendliness that I have already experienced there has really amazed me. It is like an extension of Holly's energy and positive energy only magnified a few 100x over.

It is obvious that she has really worked hard to make it a nice place to be.

The owners of the gym in our town were the same. It was called Girlfriends and when you were there, everyone was treated like a special girlfriend. It was one of the things I liked best about the place and one of the reasons I went there so often and was a big part of my success.

So I am very happy to have found an online version, available to me 24/7.

HITS

I did well in my calorie count, had a few extra's in the evening but since I had been on track during the day it wasn't a disaster.

Did my Intervals today (that's another perk to doing it at night instead of not doing it, you don't have to say that you didn't do it! Even to yourself.

I kept up my journal, which is why I can tell you exactly what I did.

I resisted the urge to check the scale. I already feel lighter and less bloated, but it is really important not to be a slave to the scale so I am content to just feel better for now

MISSES

I didn't drink my water. I just plain forgot and will be getting back on track with that today, it is so important. My daughter took my water bottle to her volleyball tournament though so I will have to adapt. Sounds funny, but I find the smallest change of routine can through me right off. It's something watch. Don't let anything keep you from doing what you need to do. Many times its as simple as grabbing a glass instead!

I was busy and didn't walk either, but I've been doing well and missing a day or two here and there is not something I'm going to fret about. It probably is a good thing to have a day off from it for 2 reasons – so I don't get bored with the same old same old every day and to give my walking muscles a rest. The trick is not to let it become a habit and to be sure that I get back out there today.

After all the joking on my before picture page, I had 2 beers with Clamato juice! I mention this because alcohol is really something to watch – not only because of the calorie count in the actual drink(s). It's nice to relax once in awhile, but it is the reason that I ate more chocolate covered almonds than I would have (and they are bad, bad news calorie wise) – food tastes better with alcohol in my experience and in a relaxed state, it is harder to be disciplined. Those almonds had stared me in the face all day and I resisted, but after a few beers – they were too good to resist. That said, I still did much better than I would have normally, but be forewarned if you like to have a few drinks here and there.

I prefer to not even have alcohol the house personally for a few reasons, but I have a husband who does so it can be a temptation on those days that I could use some unwinding. Maybe I will try hopping on the treadmill next time! Or going for my walk!

The trick is to get OUT OF THE HABIT and do something different if you know it is going to take you a step back instead of forward (not to mention I have a headache this morning!)

All in all, I'm extremely happy with my new motivation to get fit by spring. You can get in on the Fit Yummy Mummy Transformation Challenge until the end of Feb, why wait?

You get an incredible support system as well as resources, even a chance to win some awesome prizes. Of course the main prize will be your health and vitality, it doesn't get any better than that.

You can read what I like about it at my Queen of KAOS at Home blog…

Bikini Ready in 12 Weeks

Week #2 – Going Down!

I've been very happy to be following the Fit Yummy Mummy Transformation Challenge the past week.

I am seeing and feeling results, and really have just seen the tip of the iceburg.

It really is a lifestyle change. The best part is it's simplicity and that you can take it step by step.

It hasn't been hard or complicated.

So…

After a harrowing day yesterday, I did my measurements this morning.

I could feel that I was less bloated, and it turns out that I was right.

MY STATS FOR WEEK #2

Height approx 5 3.5 (interestingly enough, I got my daughter to remeasure me and I am 1.5 inches taller than I thought, this challenge really is working!)
Weight 130.5 lbs (down 2.5)
Waist 75cm (down 3cm)
Belly Bulge 90 cm (down 3)
Hips 93 cm (down 1cm)
Thighs 52.75 (down .75cm)

Here are my stats from last week.

Height approx 5.2 – I have scoliosis which has shortened my height and extra padding allowance.
Weight 134 lbs
Waist 78 cm
Belly Bulge (more kindly called midrift) 93 cm
Hips 94 cm (looking at both, it basically means that I basically have a butt sticking out the front and back!)
Thighs 53.5 cm

I really do feel better, both more comfortable already in my clothes, every little bit helps! But I also am feeling so much better – my posture feels better, I am breathing deeper and seem to have more energy, although I have been sleeping better too.

And I feel like a million pound load is off of me, just because I am DOING what I have known I had to do and wanted to do for the past year – get back on track!

WHAT'S GOING ON?

Although I am thrilled with the numbers, I felt that I should add a few notes.

As a rule, I don't drop 2.5lbs in a week, during the last challenge I did, I was pretty much steady at 1, give or take a few weigh ins.

I am thinking that my beginning weight was a little high, probably prebloat because "that time of the month" was coming.

I mention this because it is important for anyone who is seeing fluctuations to know that your menstrual cycle will effect your measurements and not to let them get you down.

As I rule, I always knew that there would be one week each month when things probably weren't going to look that great, or that I would feel a little bloated (although never as bad as when I was not looking after my health)

As luck had it for me, this time it was the beginning week of the challenge, so I am seeing a big payoff this week.

Next week, I will be happy if I lose 1 lb.

When I was at the gym, sometimes I would feel that my measly 1lb losses might not seem like much to others, but to me they were HUGE, because I have wrestled with this last 10lbs (turns out to be actually 15, there's a lot of fat hiding in those abs!) for years, interestingly enough, since I got my computer… hmmmm.

Anyway, and for me, I had to stay very with the program to even lose that. Some women with more to loose, lost more.

So it's all relative.

My thought here is that as long as you are heading in the right direction, you are doing great!

Never get discouraged if you feel that you are not seeing enough progress.

As long as it is steady, you will get there. Just stick with it.

If you are stuck, there are fixes for that too.

With Fit Yummy Mummy, Holly answers all of your questions. She will help you get over the hump.

I know quite a lot myself about weight loss and good nutrition, but I have to tell you, some of her answers have surprised and enlightened me.

Holly is a truly inspiring human being, in every way. That's her in the picture below. Have a look. That smile is exactly what you get, along with tons of encouragement and solid advice on exactly what to do.

If you are struggling, I am telling you that the Fit Yummy Mummy program will give you results, as long as you do it.

And it isn't that hard. The hardest part is getting started.

And the 3 month challenge that is open to join until the end of February is just the fix for that. Don't miss this opportunity to get your self back.

If you're not sure, but you are sure that you want to look better, feel better and improve your health, I encourage you to have a look, and join me in the challenge!

It's actually fun and it just keeps getting better!

Week #3 Fit Yummy Mummy Transformational Challenge

I am entering week three of the Fit Yummy Mummy Transformation Challenge, a healthy weight loss program that is not only about weight loss, but about health and lifestyle changes that for long term success.

I had a very interesting week, both for hits and misses.

I am loving the program, every week I am learning more about weight loss and healthy living, and have really only touched on the tip of the iceburg as far as things that I ~~can~~ will be doing in the coming weeks.

It seems that every time I look in Holly's handbook, which is almost every day, I find something new.

And that is the nature of the whole program, you build week upon week with new habits and exercise challenges.

I am seeing a pattern of things that are problem areas for me.

This is a good thing, so that now I can be prepared and put a plan into action to head them off beforehand.

My stats this week are not as good as they should have been (see more in misses) but they are still an improvement, and I saw an improvement in my biggest problem area, my jelly belly.

So I am happy and am looking very forward to this coming week to kick butt, mainly my own.

I will post an updated picture next week as well.

MY WEIGHT LOSS STATS FOR WEEK #3

* Height approx 5 3.5

* Weight 131 lbs (up.5) – I am definitely toning and adding muscle so I am not too concerned. I wasn't expecting much in weight loss this week (see below)

* Waist 74cm (down 1cm)

* Belly Bulge 87 cm (down 3) Yippee!!

* Hips 93 cm (same) I don't have a lot to lose here, so it may not go down. Again, toning is what I am interested in here. I may even see the number go higher if I add a lot of muscle to the back end :0))

* Thighs 52.75 (53.5) I am having some problems with my thigh measurements, being sure to measure always in the same place. I'm not terribly concerned about it. As long as I'm toning, I'm happy. It could be that I measured in the wrong place last week because this is my starting thigh measurement.

MY WEIGHT LOSS STATS FOR WEEK #2

* Height approx 5 3.5 (interestingly enough, I got my daughter to remeasure me and I am 1.5 inches taller than I thought, this challenge really is working!)

* Weight 130.5 lbs (down 2.5)

* Waist 75cm (down 3cm)

* Belly Bulge 90 cm (down 3)

* Hips 93 cm (down 1cm)

* Thighs 52.75 (down .75cm)

HITS

Switched from juice in water to straight water. I am glad about that and actually liking it better.

Have progressed from doing my exercises at night because I put them off all day to wanting to do them in morning. I wouldn't think of missing a day now, they feel great and I am already seeing results. I am also seeing progress in what I can do.

Drinking more smoothies. Smoothies are a power house of nutrients and are easily absorbed and taste great!

Timing nutritional support around my workouts for even better results, as instructed in Holly's Fit Yummy Mummy handbook.

MISSES

A few days that I didn't drink enough water. Some days I drink all day no problem, and others, I just don't. But I'm working on it. Best thing is to put it on my desk in the morning. It reminds me and is handy when I am working.

My husband was home for the week. I find it much harder when he is here, both because he brings things in the house that I wouldn't, and because we generally eat heavier meals. And because he has beer in the house. (we're Canadian, eh)

The beer deserves it's own little spot because alcohol really is a problem, both because it takes up valuable calorie space and because it makes food taste better, I struggle not to eat too much if I have a few. (and I mean a few, 2 is my limit but is still a problem). The best fix is to not have it in the house, which is not a problem when my husband is gone. I don't miss it. But if it's here, I find myself at days end thinking I'd like to kick back and relax, and boom, there I go.

Part of the problem is that we have a connection problem with our internet – sounds lame but follow me on this. While I would love to do some odds and ends work at night on the computer with the kids on the other one, when we both are on, my computer won't work properly. So I have decided to find another fix. I need to substitute the computer substitute, which seems to be the tv (I always watch a movie when I drink it) for something else or another location that I enjoy. Will work on that next time (there is none now so I don't have to worry for now). There is big potential here as there are a million more productive things that I can be doing once I am in the habit.

The other thing is that if I have an inkling that I will be having some, to adjust my calories through the day and make these my cheat "meals". Not that they are meals, but they are my biggest cheat.

Chocolates. My husband brought some around Valentine's Day. I did resist quite well (200 calories for 3 is not worth it!) but ended up eating the last 4 in the bag. The fix is the freezer. If there is junk in there, I generally forget about it. But I had been staring at these chocolates here and there for 2 days, it was bound to happen (I looove chocolate).

Adjusting my early day eating. I had been trying to eat more earlier in the day. My prior habit has been to eat less earlier and more later. Some days this was fine, but others I found that I had gone too far the other way so went over on calories because I still ate (or drank) too much at night. Will work on better balance this week. A quick fix is to have veggies ready to munch at night. At that time most of the time I just feel like munching, anything will do if it is handy.

My biggest win is that I am seeing and feeling some definite toning going on, and have made the Fit Yummy Mummy program exercises a regular, and enjoyable part of my day.

Am I disappointed? Ever slightly because I know I could have done better. But mostly I am pumped for the week coming. Even with my minor set backs, I have come out of this week better than I went in and closer to my , and that's what counts.

My focus this coming week will be more balanced nutrition and staying within my calorie range for weight loss, which is approx 1400 calories per day. There's not a lot of play there, but I can do it if I watch where the calories are coming from.

Holly has provided a lot of information in this area, so I am really looking forward to experimenting with some Yummy and nutritions foods.

The Fit Yummy Mummy Transformation Challenge is still open.

If you would like to join me and see some results, you should do it now.

FYM is a healthy weight loss program – a healthy lifestyle – that you can do at home.

There are lots of Fit Yummy Mummy's doing the challenge and seeing results, some amazing in so short of a time.

They are a major motivator, every single day.

Fit Yummy Mummy Amazing Bonus + Challenge = a Great Gift of Health

I am going to be posting my weekly stats later today, still moving in the right direction!

I wanted to let you know about the new special bonuses that you can only get until tonight.

I have been so happy with Holly's Fit Yummy Mummy program.

I was even happier when I recieved her news letter that said she is giving some really amazing bonuses with the purchase of her ebook.

This is the 39.99 version and she is including her introductory and beginner workout video as a bonus as well as an online meal planner that takes all of the guess work out of creating a meal plan that is in the righ calorie range for you AND is easily adjusted to give you all the nutrients you need every day.

I've never seen such a handy meal planning tool for health.

This special bonus offer is only good until midnight tonight, so if you want to get fit for spring, with the video to help you along, you need to go and place your order today. I have been using mine religiously since the beginning of the month and I am seeing and feeling definite toning going on – I LOVE the video, it brings it all to life.

GIVE THE GIFT OF HEALTH

I am surprising my sister with a copy. It has been just what I needed so I am thinking that she will like it too.

She is interested in fitness and looking for "the plan", I think this one is it.

For me 39.99 is a drop in the bucket compared to the benefits she can have from using it.

GET IN ON THE TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGE

One more thing! The Fit Yummy Mummy Bikini Ready Transformational Challenge will be closing in 3 days, you really don't want to miss it.

The motivation and support from the other challengers is amazing. Watching their progress is too.

JUMP ON NOW, DON'T BE SORRY LATER

If you're on the fence, give it a try.

Since starting with Fit Yummy Mummy, I have been eating so much healthier, I have been challenging myself with regular exercise, I haven't felt deprived, or beat up from too much exercise.

I've felt terrific.

I want that for you! And so does Holly.

check it out

Fit Yummy Mummy with Video and Meal Plan Bonus

You may not see them listed on the sales page, but you will receive them with your order. If there you don't receive them, just let me know or email support and you will be taken care of (in a good way )

My 3 Week FYM Stats – Last Day for Challenge!

I'm still plugging away at the challenge and am finding that it is indeed turning into a lifestyle.

I don't want to miss my exercises anymore.

I don't want to mindlessly pig at the cupboard anymore.

I want to eat healthy and drink more water.

And there is still more to learn. And to do.

All in all, I am thrilled to have hopped on board with the other Fit Yummy Mummy Challengers.

Not only are there really cool prizes (everyone wins something – including better health and weight loss), but I feel better. And I look better already too.

I didn't get a picture this week, am barely getting a chance to get my stats posted, one of those weeks!

But even on a hectic week, I've managed it, because it really isn't that hard once you get to it.

If you would like to turn things around – get your body and your health back – be a good role model for your kids – you have until the end of today (Friday Feb 29.08) to get on the Fit Yummy Mummy Transformation Challenge.

I really wasn't planning on being bikini ready by spring, but I am thinking that I might just get there!

I actually bought a bathing suit last week that I need to lose a little bit to make it look better, but before the challenge I wouldn't have even looked at it – for me. I would have looked at it wishing I could buy it.

I will post more on that later!

For now, here are my stats. I measured Tuesday, as usual.

MY WEIGHT LOSS STATS FOR WEEK #4

* Height approx 5 3.5

* Weight 130 lbs (down 1) -

* Waist 74cm (holding) – down a total of 4 cm so far – works for me!

* Belly Bulge 86 cm (down 1) – this is the one I'm really concerned with – seeing slow but steady improvement. YIPPEE! Down a total of 7cm!

* Hips 93 cm (same) Same thoughts as last week. This number is likely not going to fluctuate much because it isn't a problem area for me.

* Thighs 53.5 – Seems to be holding. I'd like to see them go down a bit, but they may hold as I switch fat for muscle. I've always had muscular legs.

MY WEIGHT LOSS STATS FOR WEEK #3

* Height approx 5 3.5

* Weight 131 lbs (up.5) – I am definitely toning and adding muscle so I am not too concerned. I wasn't expecting much in weight loss this week (see below)

* Waist 74cm (down 1cm)

* Belly Bulge 87 cm (down 3) Yippee!!

HITS

Stayed at a Holiday Inn for a surprise party my daughter's friends planned. I was chaperon. Used the workout room twice – once in the evening and once in the morning. A first for me! And got a few hours of swimming in too – highly recommend it if you can access a pool.

Graduated to the beginners exercises from the introductory. Continue to challenge myself on the intervals – getting stronger every week.

Stayed pretty much on track all week. Looking forward to adding more components that will help me to get even better results now that I have got the first round of basics established.

No beer!

Felt really good at the hotel where we stayed. I didn't feel frumpy at all. In fact, I am already looking noticeably enough better that I even felt not so shabby in my new workout pants . I felt like a Fit Yummy Mummy!

MISSES

The birthday party and stay at the motel was great, but I did overindulge in chocolate and some candy etc. But it was a controlled splurge – I knew what I was doing and thought that it was a fair trade since it is a rare occurrence.

Didn't eat as much salad or raw veggies. I love it, need to get back to it.

I don't really have much to report on misses this week. It went quite well!

All in all, I had a good week. My stats aren't off the wall but I feel so much better and I know that as I continue, I have no where to go but to where I want to be.

It is happening.

This is the last day to jump on the challenge.

The program will always be available, but there is something incredibly empowering about joining a group of women with the same goal in mind, and to be accountable.

If you want to get it together, and feel better than you have in so long you probably can't remember, get in there with us today.

Really.

(the community is the most supportive I have ever seen. The members are fun, and we are all in the same boat. And there is an incredible amount of information and Holly is everywhere helping us out.)

An observation – something that occurred to me yesterday as I was looking at the new challenger's pictures. We all post one. It isn't so bad. The good thing is that I noticed that there isn't one woman in the challenge that "hasn't got the goods". No matter what the size, the shape, the look.

Not one that I don't see great things happening for if she simply follows the Fit Yummy Mummy program.

It doesn't matter where you are now. It just matters where you are going.

FYM was created by a mom, for us moms. It works with us, not against us.

It really isn't that hard.

You just need start where you are.

Get on board the Fit Yummy Mummy Transformation Challenge .

Weight Loss – Getting Stronger!

This week I am feeling great. I did well, am feeling much stronger.

My stats didn't change a lot, bloat week possibly.

If that's the case, bring it on, I'm feeling better bloated than I used to on a good day!

I could be plateauing a bit, we'll see how it goes next week.

Or, it could be too much stress the past week or so. I've been a little over scheduled so my cortisol levels are probably up. OOOHHHHHMMMMM.

MY STATS GOING INTO WEEK #5

* Height approx 5 3.5

* Weight 130.5 lbs (up .5)

* Waist 73cm (down 1) – down a total of 5 cm so far – that's 2". I find it hard to believe!

* Belly Bulge 87 cm (up 1) -bummer, but I was expecting this kind of thing at least once per month, it seems to be right on schedule.

* Hips 93 cm (same) Same thoughts as last week. This number is likely not going to fluctuate much because it isn't a problem area for me.

* Thighs 53.5 – Seems to be holding. I'd like to see them go down a bit, but they may hold as I switch fat for muscle. I've always had muscular legs.

MY WEIGHT LOSS STATS FOR WEEK #4

* Height approx 5 3.5

* Weight 130 lbs (down 1) -

* Waist 74cm (holding) – down a total of 4 cm so far – works for me!

* Belly Bulge 86 cm (down 1) – this is the one I'm really concerned with – seeing slow but steady improvement. YIPPEE! Down a total of 7cm!

* Hips 93 cm (same) Same thoughts as last week. This number is likely not going to fluctuate much because it isn't a problem area for me.

* Thighs 53.5 – Seems to be holding. I'd like to see them go down a bit, but they may hold as I switch fat for muscle. I've always had muscular legs.

HITS

Went to the mall with my daughter and her friends and had to keep pulling my pants up! These are the same pants that were getting so tight that they where bothering me before I started the challenge.

Increased weights and intensity in my resistant and interval exercises.

Planned out my exercise plan and varied meal and food ideas for the next few weeks including the habit of trying new things.

Made the realization that "real food" tastes MUCH much better than dead, processed food.

Went for a walk, I haven't been out for awhile and really noticed a difference. I no longer felt that I was "hauling you know what", I could feel that my muscles where actively carrying me, rather than me carrying them. It really helped to clarify the changes that have been going on even though my stats didn't move much this week. Transformation is ON!

MISSES

Find most of my cheats are because of temptations from food other people in the house are making. It's something we all have to learn to deal with. On a whole I'm doing much better at looking at dead food as just that, and I don't even want it most of the time. But when I do, it's nice to know that I am keeping it in check so I've been within bounds this week (thinking of french fries and chicken wedges in particular that my daughter made. It hit the spot and counted as a cheat meal, so not so bad) But if she hadn't have made it, I wouldn't have eaten it. Bad girl :0)

Still need to get back on track with veggies. I LOVE greek salad but just haven't made it. Very busy week again. Need to get making things ahead.

All in all, I stuck to the program quite well this week.

I'm listening to Holly's coaching call from last night. It's very motivating. Gotta finish my water, have a snack (maybe a greek salad), and then go do my intervals!

If you want to get with the program and get into that bathing suit this summer, you can learn more about it at Fit Yummy Mummy.

Shaking It Up – Going Into Week 6

I just realized that the end of this week will mark 1/2 way into the bikini ready transformation challenge.

What's the verdict?

I won't look 20 again and no program except surgery is going to make me Bo Derek (here I am dating myself again), but I think that if I want to, at the end of the challenge I'll be able to wear a bikini without being laughed off the beach.

And I'm not the only one, there has been some amazing progress made by Fit Yummy Mummies, already being forced to shop for new clothes (the horror!) because their old clothes are TOO BIG. Far too big.

I did find a nice bathing suit a few weeks ago that I would never have considered buying before because it's slightly too tight and I just wouldn't have the confidence that I would be in shape by spring if I wasn't on the Fit Yummy Mummy program.

But it is a nice design, a cross between a 1 and 2 piece suit. I won't feel ridiculous wearing it and I although the place that is the tightest – across the rear – is were I am less likely to lose much – I think I will be able to pull it off – well – more importantly – put it on!

Since the kids are home for march break this week, (well, except my oldest daughter who is vacationing with her friend and family at Myrtle Beach, lalala) I will see if I can get a picture so that I will be able to see the difference by spring.

Onto this weeks stats!

MY STATS GOING INTO WEEK #6

* Height approx 5 3.5

* Weight 130.5 lbs (same)

* Waist 73cm (same)

* Belly Bulge 87 cm (same)

* Hips 93 cm (same)

* Thighs 53.5 – (same)

These are the same as last week.

It would be nice to see some numbers going down, but the past two weeks have been what could be called 'down times' – last week was bloat, maybe even a little still this week, and my husband was home last week.

For me, it is always a bigger challenge and never my best time because there is so much more tempting food in the house, and my schedule is always off.

He made cake, and cookies, and lasagna. And home made bread. And out for chinese food. And I didn't over do any of it.

I had some, but the cake and cookies alone would have been a 1 – 2 day binge for me in the old days, so I am happy.

The lasagna is calorie dense, so I went over a few days what I would have eaten, but this is a lifestyle system, I'm not going to fret about it.

The fact that I didn't gain, makes me very happy.

HITS

My husband made cake, and cookies, and lasagna. And home made bread. And out for chinese food. And I didn't over do any of it.

Bought two more 5 lb weights so I will be able to really cook this week.

Switched to drinking water out of our large coffee mugs. 2 of them = 1 of my water bottles, so I find myself drinking more water. And quite a few times I wanted water instead of tea or coffee, I found myself just having a glass of water because I wanted to, not because I had to. Big change!

Not sure if I mentioned the spinach smoothies before, but they are a big find that I learned from Holly. I struggle to eat enough green veggies, and this really helps. And I love them.

An indirect win is that since I am drinking more smoothies, the kids are too. They are a nutritional powerhouse that really boosts their daily intake of almost everything good.

I don't know if this is counted as a hit or a miss, but when hubby got beer, I told him to get me some red wine. Ugggh. The cheap, bubbly stuff is better, but I don't think that it can possibly be healthy and being passed out after one bat man McDonald's tumbler – ok – 2 (we haven't had wine glasses around here for about 15 years) was enough to convince me, this red neck girl will never be a wine connoisseur.

Almost forgot, my husband couldn't seem to pinpoint the change (probably afraid to say too much , but he called me his "fit young mummy" (I had to correct him on that, it's yummy, not young!) and to be honest, I had to tell him to give me some space man! I may need armour and a stick, not a bikini by the time this challenge is finished!

MISSES

Some days I didn't use my food journal. Those days I found I did not eat properly. There is a direct connection. My food journal is one of my greatest tools to keep my diet in check.

Breakfast. I have been busy in the mornings and forgetting to eat until later in the morning – reverting to my old habits. Bad, bad, bad!

I missed an exercise day, which really surprises me. On the other hand, I think I had a touch of something and was bone tired for at least 3 days, probably more, so in some ways it's a miracle that I kept up at all. The good news is that I doubled up and got caught up on Saturday. The interesting thing is that it seemed to have really given me a boost. Sunday I felt extremely good. So I am going to shake up my exercise routine this week and do my resistant and intervals on the same day, with a complete day of rest in between and see what happens.

I think that my body has adjusted to my routine, so it's time to switch things up anyway. And I will be considerably challenging myself with my new weights. Interested to see how it goes the next few weeks. After that, I am hoping the weather is good enough for me to start biking again although it probably will be a little while yet.

A note on the scales. Holly strongly discourages us from using the scale to measure our progress and it can be offsetting.

On the other hand, I have been struggling to get below 130 for a year now, when I hit that mark, I will be ecstatic, so I am keeping an eye out :0)

I do believe that my body has set that number as the number it thinks it needs to be at, so it is going to hang on if possible. But I have not a doubt that if I keep going, I will see 129, and maybe less. If I never get below that, I will be happy enough as long as I continue to drop fat and get firm.

I have complete faith in Holly and her Fit Yummy Mummy program.

One of the keys is it's flexibility. At first I thought it was great because it made it more doable. But now I am finding that it is also great because I can customize it to what my body personally needs to see weight loss and good health, and stay well within the program.

The exercises, while stuctured, allow for so much customization – in scheduling and load – that it is easy to switch it up as need be.

The nutritional support information and structure that she gives us works much the same way. There are endless improvements that can be made as we progress, but it is set up to be completely customizable to our own needs and preferences.

And that, I believe, is the key to a successful lifestyle system.

If you're looking for a lifestyle, not a diet, if you have been searching for a better way and frustrated in your efforts to lose weight and/or get in shape, I can honestly recommend that you give Fit Yummy Mummy a shot.

3 Keys to Weight Loss

The end of this week will mark the half way point of the Fit Yummy Transformational Challenge.

It seems like hardly any time has passed.

THE FIRST REAL CHANGE SETS THE PACE

The funny thing is that the biggest change I am seeing – and feeling – is not in my size.

It's in my attitude.

I had been "intending to lose", the last 10 lbs for about a year.

Ever since I started packing it back on after our local gym closed.

I had lost 10 lbs there, vowed not to fall into my old ways – you'd think I would have known better.

Anyway – sure enough – I gained almost 5 of it back.

I was carrying around that feeling of failure – both in losing my hard won win with the weight I had lost – and because I just couldn't seem to get back on track – even though I knew how to do it?

I found Holly's Fit Yummy Mummy, weight loss program for mom's and even then, left it sitting on my computer for 2 months, pulling it out for a day here, a day there, but not getting on the program.

February marked the 2 year anniversary of the first spring "bikini" ready challenge I had been successful with.

I was primed and vowed that I was going to get on the program.

And as it goes sometimes, I hit the jackpot when I got an email from Holly saying she was running a Fit Yummy Mummy Transformation that would go from Feb – May for a total of 12 weeks.

I was on board!

Over the past weeks I have been getting increasingly stronger, have lost about 4 lbs of the 10 I'd like to loose.

I am heading in the right direction.

And I can tell you, it's so much better than knowing that I am heading in the wrong one.

I don't feel guilty anymore.

I don't feel like I am schlepping through life.

I feel stronger.

In body but especially in spirit.

The good news is that that strength spurs me on, it keeps me going and wanting to do better.

PROBLEM SOLVING OUR WAY TO A SMALLER DRESS SIZE

I have been finding some interesting things going on as the challenge progresses.

The first one is again – frame of mind.

When things aren't easy, when things aren't going as planned – the cookie jar is no longer the solution.

I'm finding also, that we are problem solving. It has become the natural thing to do.

Members of the club will post a problem and ask for feedback. We'll get our thinking caps on and share what has worked for us.

I've received very helpful advise and hopefully given some too.

And of course, Holly is always there with a solution.

It has become a process to look for the answer – to find out what we can do differently – where we are going wrong – how to solve it, instead of mindlessly eating, excuses, neglecting exercise and wondering why we are out of shape and growing out of our clothes.

The process of problem solving is a major component of successful weight loss and good health.

THE ACT OF CHOICE

The next thing that I've noticed, and it is the foundation of problem solving, is that we are actively choosing – making the choice to eat better, to exercise regularly.

Weight loss and good health is a series of small choices made daily.

The first choice is the act of deciding either to develop the habits we need to have to accomplish a healthy lifestyle – or not.

I hear women making food jokes quite often – the sea food diet – when I see food – I eat it type of thing.

These women are making a choice every time they decide to sustain the lifestyle that enables them to keep cracking the food jokes.

They are giving themselves permission to live this way.

Which brings me to the last point.

GIVING YOURSELF PERMISSION – It's not what you think.

One of the biggest changes that I made – during both of the weight loss challenges I have participated in – has been to withdraw permission for myself to continue with unhealthy habits.

When I stand at the cupboard intending to graze mindlessly on dead, processed food – I make the choice to deny myself permission to continue.

I like to say "lets not and say we did".

I walk away and 5 minutes later, it doesn't matter to me if I ate it or not, I've forgotten all about it – one of the good things about getting older.

USING THE POWER OF CHOICE, PROBLEM SOLVING AND SELF PERMISSION

These are 3 key areas in developing the kind of midset that you will need to take the weight off and to continue with your healthy lifestyle.

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Make It Your Day, Jan Ferrante