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Sunday, July 26, 2009

Extreme Floor Makeover

We have finally bitten the bullet and torn up our dirty carpet and vinyl! We have been wanting to install wood floors in our home for quite some time and also found excuses to delay it---time, money, laziness! Well, there is no turning back now because we are walking on bare concrete. We started the process on Friday and hopefully will have it complete by the end of this week. Alex keeps telling us "I like to sit on the wood floors!" We'll post pics when the project is done!

My 30 DS is still going strong. I am currently on Day 19 (11 more days!) I finish Day 10 of Level 2 tomorrow and will start Level 3 on Tuesday. Again, like I've stated before, I am seeing results by the way my clothes fit. I do have days where I say to myself "I'll take a day off today, or I'll double my workout tomorrow." But, I get an encouraging push from Mike and know that I will hate the nagging guilt of not doing it, so I do. I am also playing around with the idea of starting to train for a 5K. I am not a runner. Never have been. I always thought that my lungs were just not built for running but I want to really test my endurance (and lose weight!). I will start a program called c25K (Couch to 5K) which will gradually train your body to run. I am excited to learn that there was a program like this and that there was hope for people like me!

Well, off to bed! More updates later this week!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Day 3 of Level 2

It has been almost 2 weeks since I've started. I believe I've lost more inches than I have pounds. Honestly, I didn't weigh myself nor measure myself but I am guesstimating I've lost 2-3 lbs since I started. I am really basing my progress by how my clothes fit and considering I am back into size 8's (gasp!) I think I'm doing pretty well!

Level 2 is still kicking my butt. I am doing modified positions especially during plank jacks and squat thrusts. Holy heck those are hard! Hopefully my body will adapt and these excercises will get easier!

I am also looking at Jillian Michael's Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism program after I finish the Shred. I really like her attitude and motivation. She is a hard-ass but I like her style. My cable provider has her program on On-Demand so I don't even have to purchase the DVD! So, no excuses for me!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Day 10 of Level 1 and Day 1 of Level 2

Okay, this is going to compress two days of the workout. Day 10 of Level 1 complete. My stamina has improved and I have increased my "real" push-ups up to 10! Woo-hoo!

Here's the scoop on Day 1 of Level 2. It kicked my butt. Mike literally laughed at me when he saw me struggling with the plank jacks. I mean why name an excercise that makes me immediately think of flap jacks? Not a good combination. Anyway, it was hard but fun at the same time. I need to perfect my form because all I did was glance up at the t.v to make sure I was doing everything right.

I am still seeing a lot of improvement with my body. The pregnancy belly is still there but I can see my waist shrinking down and my abs peeking out (and it's only Day 11)! Will update more tomorrow!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Day 9

Complete. It's getting harder to motivate myself. It's hard when I want to crash on the couch and catch a few zzz's while the kids are napping. It's hard when I need to fold laundry, unload the dishes, or catch up with my business. Time is so valuable when the kiddos are sleeping. But, I must persist. I drag myself upstairs, change into my workout clothes, blast the fan on high, and play the DVD. Twenty minutes later (or so), after a quick shower, and fresh clothes, I am renewed. It's like getting my second wind of the day. So, I'm not even a half way through the program and I already have to mentally coach myself. I will do this, I will complete this, I am woman hear me ROAR!!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Day 8- No more yoga pants!

So, as I was shredding it up about 30 minutes ago, I was thinking about what I could write for today's post. I didn't want to bore you with more updates about the actual excercises so I was trying to come up with something. Motivational anecdotes perhaps? Complaints? Well, as I was still pondering what to write, I decided to try on my "fat" shorts from last summer. These were the shorts that made me realize I needed to lose some major weight. Pictures of me wearing these were unflattering at the least. In my desperate attempt to stay cool during this summer, I tried them on a few weeks ago and to my disappointment they were too small :( I tossed them into a plastic bin in a fit of fury and decided to wear my go-to yoga pants. Well, I am happy to say that I tried them on today and they are actually loose! I was in shock and tried on another pair of shorts (even smaller) and they fit! Yes! Progress! Now I don't believe this 30 Day Shred is a miracle worker but combined with healthy eating, it really works! I am still watching my diet by eating whole grains, low-fat, and fat-free foods. I also watch my portions (no more 2nd or 3rd helping for me!) I do not starve myself especially since I am a nursing mother (which requires you to add an extra 300-500 calories) per day. I just choose to eat foods that are good for you (no chips, chocolate, soda). Yes, I may stray a time or two but I am proud to say that I don't do it everyday!
So, that's it. I am a long ways from my smallest sized short but at least I don't have to live in yoga pants anymore!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Alex in the Splash Park!

McLean Family Update!



***We interrupt our regularly scheduled program to bring you some exciting news....Melissa-Rose Caitlin McLean is formally engaged to her long-time high school sweetheart Cameron Nelson! Melissa (the 3rd oldest of the McLean girls) got engaged over 4th of July weekend under a waterfall (well, not quite literally under it but in front of it, I don't know if they got wet...) but nonetheless they are ENGAGED! Congrats to Melissa and Cameron*** We now return you to our regularly scheduled program.

The happy couple :)

Evelyn rolled over! Yes, our little 3 month old decided that she was bored being on her back so she has accomplished the feat of rolling over! Of course, she's pretty mad when she finds herself on her stomach. I mean really Eva, what's the point of rolling over if you don't like being on your tummy? Really! Just kidding...she's a sweetheart and will probably start crawling soon!


Also, we got a visit from Mike's ol' college pal, roommate, and Godfather to Alex---Ryan. Ryan was here for a wedding and decided to make a weekend out of it by hanging out with the fam. Alex had a blast playing with his Godfather! Here are some pics!



Evelyn and Uncle Ryan

Da Boyz


Alex posing with Uncle Ryan


These kids are going to have so much fun together!


My little sweetheart!


Day 7 of the 30 Day Challenge

Complete. The excercises are getting a tad easier or maybe it's the fact that I'm not quite as sore anymore. I am challenging myself by sinking into the squats a little deeper and increasing my weights. The jumping jacks still KILL me especially when I have to do two sets in a row! This body is not made for jumping! I still feel great after each workout though. I am re-energized and I haven't even felt like taking a mid-afternoon siesta anymore! 3 more days till Level 2. I'm kinda scared but up to the challenge!

Monday, July 13, 2009

Just call me a Shredhead

Okay, it's been 3 months since Baby Eva made her appearance and I am still 10 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight and about 20 lbs from my "goal weight". I've been following Weight Watchers for almost 2 months now and have been able to shed 15 lbs of the 43 lbs I gained. I initially lost 20 lbs without any diet or excercise at all. Have I lost you yet? Well, I know it's only been a few months and I've heard the addage "It took you 9 months to gain the weight, expect to take 9 months to lose it!" Well, I think that's all well and good but it was my unhealthy eating habits and lack of excercise that was really stalling the scale. Who would have thunk that staying within a healthy calorie range and actually excercising would actually help me lose weight? Ding ding ding! So, I have decided to incorporate an excercise routine into my life. I chose Jillian Michael's "30 Day Shred" for the simple fact that it only took 20 minutes to complete! Taking care of 2 kids, a business, and household chores didn't allow for much excercise time so this was perfect for me. 20 minutes you say? How can I achieve any results from just 20 minutes? Well, this DVD simply kicks your butt. It is a 3-2-1 system which is basically 3 minutes strength, 2 minutes cardio, and 1 minute abs in 3 cycles. There are 3 difficulty levels to be completed in 30 days. My muscles were so sore the first day that I couldn't even bend to lift Baby Eva from the floor! I am now on Day 6 of Level 1 and I can say that I am definitely seeing change. I fit into my jeans which recently wouldn't even pass my thighs! Yes, they're still a bit tight but it's progress! So, I will check-in daily and let you know how I am doing. I thought this would help me feel accountable! Wish me luck!

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

4th of July Festivities

Happy 4th of July everybody! I know, I know, a little late but I hope everybody enjoyed their long weekend. We had a very nice, relaxing weekend at home and welcomed another set of visitors too. My cousin Mike and his girlfriend Wendy were in town to visit her aunt and they stopped by to say hi to the new baby and see Alex (I guess Mike and I were part of the equation too!) It was nice to see them and catch up.
On Friday, Mike, Alex, Eva and I took a trip to a local park. It had a petting zoo, a miniature train, and a running creek. It was the perfect summer day! We sat under a shady tree and watched the kids catch crawfish. Summer in Colorado is truly beautiful!

Uncle Mike, Eva, and Auntie Wendy

Ready to watch the fireworks!

Alex loves when people visit him!

It was a little wet that night but it didn't stop the fun!

Mike and Eva checking out the animals at the petting zoo

Watch out, the kid has sticks!

Having fun!

Alex making friends with the sheep



He wasn't scared at all!