Tough Mudder Tampa 2012

“Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. With the most innovative courses, half a million inspiring participants, and more than $2.6 million dollars raised for the Wounded Warrior Project, Tough Mudder is the premier adventure challenge series in the world.”

Here’s last year’s course in Tampa.  Why am I posting this?  Because I’m doing this!!!  Last year I went gator harvesting…this year I’m playing in mudd!!

I’m starting my training on Sunday beginning with actually following the P90x schedule.  I agreed to sign up for Tough Mudder before I even knew what it was and was humbled that my friend Jaque thought enough of me to tag me for her team on Facebook.  When I watched the first video I went back and commented, “WTF??  That’s INSANE!” but was still gung ho about doing this.  I want the coveted orange head band!  Skinny Bitch has her work cut out for her!

To date, Tough Mudder has raised over $2.6 million for Wounded Warriors.  I’m proud to do my part to help with this incredible cause.  If you want to join me post below!

I lost 15 inches in 3 months!!! Slacker Fattie, be gone!!

Well, actually it was more like forty-five days since I didn’t do a whole lot the first forty-five.  I recently came to the end of a fitness challenge with a friend and was dumbfounded, shocked, flabbergasted, bewildered, surprised, amazed, overwhelmed and downright blown away when I did my final measurements last night.

I made myself stop measuring about six weeks ago because I was getting flustered and irritated.  I couldn’t weigh myself since I tossed my scale in the garbage a year ago and avoid the scale at Publix at all costs except to do my initial weigh in and the ending weigh in (why is it there’s no one near the scale when the kids are on it but the second I get on suddenly there’s a swarm of people nonchalantly trying to see how much I weigh??).  So needless to say, my results made me very happy and proud.  Skinny Bitch is here to stay!

So, how did I do it?  I gradually cut out the unhealthy foods I’ve grown up on.  This included fast food, whole milk, soda, processed foods, Kool-Aid, chips, any type of candy and eventually pizza (that was the hardest to let go).  By the end I no longer craved any of these foods or drinks- even eating my beloved pizza made me feel crummy inside (and I was NOT happy).  I’m eating more lean proteins, drinking mostly water (occasionally I’d allow juice or soda), more fruits and veggies and in the last thirty days I was substituting breakfast with a Visalus shake usually mixed with almond milk or orange juice.  I also went back to using a smaller plate which was a huge wake up call the last time I lost a lot of weight- who knew we didn’t actually need gobs and gobs of food?

As far as exercising goes I chose to mix things up a bit.  I started trying to follow the Brazil Butt Lift and P90x schedule but if I missed a day or two I felt I needed to start over.  I’m a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants kinda girl and prefer to do whatever I’m in the mood for.  Having danced for a large part of my life growing up I still have a burning passion for it.  I took a big leap and joined an adult jazz class at Centerstage Dance Academy  (if you’re a So You Think You Can Dance fan you may remember Ricky Jaime who was an instructor at Centerstage).  The Wednesday class had so much fun we added a Friday class so I knew I’d get in at least two dance workouts every week.  I also did Core Rhythms DVD’s, Billy Blanks, Wii Zumba, Wii Just Dance 1 and 2, belly dancing, Flirty Girl Fitness and Jillian Michels DVD’s.  I had so much fun mixing things up and seeing which workouts were more intense and which ones were more for warm ups or cool downs.  I also jogged on my rebounder, took walks and my favorite exercise- boogieing while cleaning!

Working out doesn’t have to be boring, in fact if it is you’ll most likely stop doing it.  Find what’s fun for you and what works for you and stick to it.  I don’t do well with treadmills, stair climbers or elliptical because I don’t push myself.  With DVD’s or Wii I make myself keep up with whatever is going on on the screen.  My friend Echo did squats while cleaning her baseboards and got a great rear workout!

Workouts are everywhere…you just have to find them!

Working out at Walt Disney World

Say what??  Who goes to Walt Disney World and even thinks about working out?  Real Fit Mom does!

This trip was planned for six months only because I didn’t plan it- my college little sister who I hadn’t seen in sixteen years did (I never plan anything more than a week in advance and even that’s rare).  She wanted to bring her little boy and we decided to crash her vacay!   Anonymous shout out to the two amazing men in my life who made this trip possible.  Without them I don’t think I ever would have been able to take my kids to the Happiest Place on Earth so THANK YOU!!!

Ok, back to the workout thing.  With all my lifestyle changes in the last three months fitness is on my mind even more than when I started blogging almost three years ago.  I’m always looking for new things to try and new ways to fit exercising in my busy life.  One of the best exercises for your heart and body is walking.  What do you do at WDW?  Loads of walking!  If you have small children (my five year old still considers herself small) you can burn even more calories lugging them around.  I turned those times into mini strength training sessions.

While in line for the Buzz Lightyear ride my five year old wanted to be held then fell asleep during the thirty minute wait (one of the longest wait times of the day- most were 5-15 minutes).  There was one small section where I could sit for a couple minutes at a time but had to lower and rise up slowly- think of a slow, low squat with a forty pound weight bar (probably more like fifty since she was dead weight, ugh).  Instead of scooting when we were able to move I got up then sat back down getting in some pretty serious squats and no one even knew!  While sitting, I rocked her forward and backward getting in a great ab workout as well. When there was no place to sit I kept my mind off the fatigue I was dealing with by doing calf raises- just little inconspicuous ones.  🙂

  Isn’t she sweet?

We rode the Speedway twice because my son had such a fun time.  This was a great place to do an upper body workout! We stood in line for about twenty minutes the first time and about fifteen minutes the second time.  I faced away from the rail, put my hands behind me and did ‘chair dips’ for a bit working my triceps (it was near closing time and people were so exhausted I don’t think they noticed the weird woman working out in line behind them).  I also stood a little to the right of the lane, crossed my left foot over my right ankle then leaned to the bar on my left doing twenty reps before switching sides working both my triceps and biceps.  When we got to the ramp that sloped down I got in a good chest and bicep workout by gripping both sides of the bars, leaning forward then pulling back creating a good resistance with my body weight.  By this time the guy in front of us kept looking at me but I couldn’t tell if he was wondering why I was leaning/pulling/dipping or checking me out (probably thought I was just plain cuckoo).

The Tea Cups are a good upper body workout provided your in a cup with people who don’t mind spinning (my seven year old was kind of wary but did great).  Roller coasters are good for an ab workout and any time you’re on stairs you can do calf raises.  There are tons of places to workout at WDW!

So see?  You can pretty much always find time to workout even when on vacation with your family.  If anyone thought I was odd I really didn’t care.  We had an amazing time, my kids were absolutely thrilled and I got a great workout.  The next morning I felt like I’d done five P90x DVD’s in one day (or hit by a Mack truck) but as I got up and started moving around the pain quickly eased showing that I’m definitely on my way to becoming a Real Fit Mom.  If I’d done all of that a few months ago I wouldn’t have been able to move at all the next day.

How do you squeeze in workouts on your busy days or while on vacation?

The best ways to lose weight quick

I’m in the home stretch of a fitness challenge and during the first forty-five days I didn’t do much.  I have difficulty with long-term goals (often known as ‘procrastination’) so didn’t do a whole lot of exercise nor did I make many changes in my eating habits.   Erica, my challenger, has worked hard from the beginning and I’m very proud of her.  When I realized the challenge was halfway over I figured I’d better get on the ball or I’d lose the challenge!  I made a lot of changes fast.  I cut out soda, sugar cereals, whole milk, fast food (except for a few cheats) and processed foods.  I started selling Visalus (nutritional shakes used for weight loss and muscle gain) and replaced one to two meals a day with two scoops of the powder mixed with almond milk.  I also upped my water consumption and my fitness routines.  The weight started coming off really quick and within three weeks I’d lost eight inches!

Here are some other helpful tips to get the weight off quickly and safely:

Using a smaller plate or bowl during meals will help you cut down on the amount of food you consume.  This was one of the best things I learned in a weight loss contest I was in two years ago.  Upping your protein as well as fruits and veggies is important as well. Allow yourself little cheats.  A candy bar, slice of pizza, fast food or soda once in a while is ok.  But beware!  You’re now healthy body may reject your cheat and leave you feeling yucky and sluggish inside.  Cutting your calories will help you slim down quick but be sure not to cut them down too low.  According to Web MD–

The truth is that cutting calories below 1,050 per day is counterproductive, because you need         strong muscles to be able to exercise effectively.

             “When you eat too few calories you lose fat but also precious muscle, which is the worst thing           you could do because it slows your metabolism and makes it more difficult to increase exercise intensity or duration,” says Dansinger.

You don’t need to workout six hours a day to slim down.  Committing to a 30 minute walk with or without weights 3-5 times a week can really help you get on your way.  Of course the more days you walk the quicker you’ll lose- increasing the weights, walking longer and/or upping it to a jog or run will help even more.  Because I’m in the home stretch I’m doing two to three workout sessions a day.  I’ve said this before- find something you love and own it.  I love dancing so most of my DVD’s are dance related plus I do Wii Zumba and attend dance classes twice a week.  Wake up and workout!  Exercising before breakfast is a great way to burn fat quick.  Be sure to add strength training to your new cardio shedule- or better yet, find a fitness program that combines both to cut down on your fitness time. If you can stand it, try interval training.  It’s awesome but hard!  Keep on it and you’ll do better each time.   I’m also loving JNL Fusion and P90x.  Write down what you eat, what exercises you do and find a fitness buddy.

(I have these and LOVE them!)

The easiest change to make doesn’t require letting go of your favorite foods or working out like Rocky.  Sleep.  Get more.  Sleeping at least eight hours a night can really benefit your weight loss (as long as you’re not eating in your sleep!).  If you can, take a 20 minute nap midway through the day as well.  It will really help revive your energy to get through any evening workouts or other evening activities you have.  Make sure you don’t go over 25 minutes though or you’ll be more tired than if you hadn’t taken the nap.

Raw Andrew sums all of this up best:

The secret to rapid and easy weight loss is that you have to change your lifestyle. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results. If you want to shed weight permanently you have to live a healthier life. Change your eating habits and exercise more. Change your way of being and you will see results fast and effortlessly. I don’t say it’s extremely easy because I know it isn’t. But it’s worth the struggle. My life was forever changed and yours can be too. From the bottom of my heart I hope you will get a healthier lifestyle. Find the weight loss solution and workout routines that best fit you.

Also check out Dr. Flavorful’s diet and The Taster’s Choice for some great recipes and

Doctor Approved Crash Diets  Shedyourweight.com

Day 47 I’m dancing my way to healthy

*Update- I changed the title from “I’m dancing my way to skinny” to “I’m dancing my way to healthy”

For people who can follow the P90x type workout DVD schedules- more power to ya!  For people like me who don’t, we dance to a different beat.  Literally.  Well, at least I do

I’ve decided to stop stressing over trying to stick to the schedules I keep making and do things my own way.  I’ve always said ADDers have more fun!  I got up this morning and went on a 30 minute walk after taking the kids to school.  I waited a little bit then did the Wii Zumba ‘easy’ that I did yesterday.  Still not easy.  I know I need to do some strength training, too, so I wandered over to Jennifer Nicole Lee’s youtube and did the following arm workouts:

The last one is my favorite and by far the hardest.  I was proud of myself for doing 10 reps and 3 sets where appropriate.  I did the one with the toe touches on the tire last and was pumped up when I went to pick the kids up.  However, about halfway home my arms suddenly felt like rubber.  I know I’ll feel it even more in the morning but it’ll be a good hurt.

Normally I wouldn’t exercise after 7:30 but things get busy sometimes with four kids so it was a must this evening.  Since I’m dancing my way to skinny I figured I’d finish up the day with 50 minutes of Just Dance 2 on the Wii.  I had a great time and a fun workout.

According to the scale I’ve only lost four pounds in the last 47 days but I did have three people tell me tonight that I looked a little thinner.  I hope so!  It looks like Skinny Bitch may be conquering Slacker Fattie after all.

100th POST!!!! Day 45 1/2 way there!

I think it’s fitting that my 100th WordPress post is on Day 45 which marks the halfway point of the fitness challenge I’m in with my friend Erica.  She’s been doing great!  Me, on the other hand have not.  But I’m cookin’ now.

I was very proud of myself for getting in four workouts yesterday.  I felt great at the end of the day and was proud of my eating as well….ok, except for the chips.  I wasn’t as tired as I thought I’d be and got a good nights sleep.  I woke up this morning ready to hit the DVD’s and youtube videos again, until I moved.  I knew I’d feel all those workout when today and I was right!  I need to keep this sort of schedule up for the last 45 days.

I gave Hubby a lecture last night and told him no more pizza, no more fast food, no more late night snacking, no more cocktails during the week and none on the weekend unless I’ve worked out at least once a day during the week.  I’ve started saving my pennies to pay for Erica to enjoy her spa day because I know me.  I’ll slip, I always do.  Had I pushed a little more in the very first fitness contest I entered I would have won the trip to New York.  But I slacked off- damn Slacker Fattie!  I know I should be positive and say that Skinny Bitch will prevail but I’m being realistic because I know me.

If I lose this one I’ll keep on truckin’!  I refuse to ever weigh more than 140 lbs and will continue to fight for under 130 lbs.  My goal is 115 lbs.  I’ve been there before I can get there again, it just may be on my own time.

With this being my 100th post it’s probably time to take a look back and see how my journey has gone so far (feel free to click a month and scroll through all posts):

February

Feeling good!  This appears to be my first Real Fit Mom post.  Kinda sad this is what I was doing on Valentine’s Day.

April (not sure where March went)

Running  Ok, apparently I was still trying to figure this WordPress thing out.

May

Hello!  Ahhh, this is my “first” Real Fit Mom post.  Finally got the hang of things.  There’s a few good posts in May including my Before Bikini pics (still need after pics), my world famous Sexy Smoothie (a girl can dream).

June

P90x/Brazil Butt Lift Challenge The first of many of my “charts.”  Challenge and Motivation  Wow, yeah, so those pics look familiar…that’s sad.  Haha, me a fitness model…funny This Week I’m Pretending to be a Fitness Model.

July

ADD- Ditzy or Debilitating  This wasn’t a fun post but very true.  The ever irritating Hip Injury.

August only had a post about Adderall.  Ahh, September had a few good posts including the introduction of Slacker Fattie and Skinny Bitch (still trying to find someone to make them come to life).  October was full of more weird things, complaining and yet another contest that I failed miserable at.

I was a mess in November.

December

Kind of a crappy month with my family under quarentine, my ass crack getting rammed by the bath tub, but at least it started off well with a boost of Holy Motivation (still excited JNL is following me).

January had three posts.  If you like pork chops and weight loss parties travel over there.  February also had three posts.  One I’m sure is a disappointment to those who Google “naked fit moms”- Stand Sideways in the Mirror Naked.  I’d been blogging for one year on WordPress and was still where I am today…this is the “real” part of Real Fit Mom.  🙂

March was a great month!  You’ll have to go see for yourself.  There are too many to point out.  Yay me!

I’ll finish this in another post tomorrow.  I’ve shared several for you to visit today.  It’s 11:00 PM and I’m bummed that I didn’t get in another workout other than Abs Rapido (14 minutes) and Core Rhythms Full Workout (50 minutes) but that’s the life of this Super Mom!

Day 44 Three, four skip some more……..UPDATE!!!

UPDATE AT THE BOTTOM!!!

Hmmmmm, I can tell you that having four kids who are very active is a reason for me not doing much the last several days.  I can tell you that I haven’t had the time to workout because I’m a busy mom, cleaning, cooking, laundry, etc.  I can use trying to get a new website up and running has taken up a lot of time but those are just excuses.  I’m incredibly grateful for my Wednesday and Friday dance classes because I know I’ll get at least two good workouts a week.

I was going to workout after dance on Friday but, well, I’m not sure if I did one or not.  I can’t remember!  I know I had to hurry and make dinner so we could get to my oldest daughter’s football game on time- it was an hour away.  Slacker Fattie moved in this weekend- Saturday was hectic because I had to get up early (stayed up late with Hubby, ugh) and get my son to his baseball game at 8:30 AM.  I napped off and on then had to feed the kids and get ready for my Mom’s Night Out.  Hubby and I went out after that but I was good and stopped after two drinks…..mostly because I had two at the MNO, haha.

I know I burned some calories on Sunday walking around the Monday Night Football tent looking at cars, standing around to test drive cars and getting signatures from football players.  However, the pizza I had with Sue negated any walking around we did.  So, did I fall back into my old pattern of keeping on the bad track?

Hell no!  Skinny Bitch showed back up!  I got up this morning, ate Cheerios instead of Frosted Flakes (and I didn’t add any sugar, woot! woot!) then did the cardio part of P90x CardioX- I hate yoga.  Then I had a snack of apples and peanut butter.  I started to eat left over chips and queso from last night but felt guilty since Hubby had just told me ‘no’ so I put them down and walked away.  I’m having issues with exhaustion and started drinking coffee (with a few, ok four, spoonfulls of sugar and a little, ok, a lot of milk) and it’s helping some.

I’m bound and determined to start getting in three cardio workouts a day so now I’m off to suck down a cup of coffee and do my kettlebell DVD.  I’ve realized I suck at workout schedules and am no longer going to stress over trying to complete them.

Move over Slacker Fattie, Skinny Bitch is bringing you down!!!

Coffee pic from fellow wordpress blogger yearofkindness

Mom pic from Whispers From Wildwood

Skinny Bitch beat Slacker Fattie’s ass today!  This is what she did today:

Cardio portion of P90x CardioX

Go Fit Kettlebell

JNL Hot Ass workout on youtube and

Core Rhythms Quick Workout

Man do I feel great!  Oh, and for food:

Cheerios (whole milk, fail, I know)

Apples with peanut butter

4 chips with queso (felt guilty so I put them down)

Small hamburger with a little ketchup

Handful of chips with salsa (got my hand smacked for that) and

Salmon with steamed veggies (from Outback, only ate half so I can have half for lunch)

Day 28…..pretend you’re reading yesterday….again

I’m only one day behind thanks to the fabulous “relax” day on the Brazil Butt Lift schedule- which means I don’t get to relax.  Most of today (ok, yesterday) was uneventful, made breakfast, cleaned, made lunch, cleaned, in-laws came and went, cleaned.

The highlight of my day (not) was taking my oldest daughter Homecoming dress shopping with her boyfriend.  Yay!  She already knew which dress she wanted but because her boyfriend and I are mean, we made her try on about 20 other ones just cuz.  She got the one she wanted (an hour later) and then decided she needed shoes.  Double yay!  Off to Traffic we went!  Another hour later she got the shoes she originally wanted but again, her boyfriend and I made her try/look at several others.  Hubby got tired of holding dinner so I told him to go ahead and we’d eat when we got home.  He made some German noodle/meat/potato dumpling thing that, if I liked German food, would have been super yummy.  I ate it but I’m an All American girl- God help me if I ever make it to Europe!

After all that uneventful stuff, I decided I needed to get back on track NOW since I was only two days behind.  Move over Slacker Fattie!  Skinny Bitch is determined to stick to the damn schedule this time!  I did my daily Cardio Axe then the Bum Bum but <gasp> when I went to get the P90x Plyometrics DVD……..<enter dramatic pausing music here> it was missing!  <Dum dum dummmmmmm>  And I so LOVE doing the Plyo, too.  I was devastated.  Heartbroken.  In tears.  HAPPY TEARS!  Hahaha, I hate Plyo but was ready to do it anyway.  So now I’m going to have to hang ‘LOST, Plyo DVD.  Please return to owner if found.  #867-5309.’  If you’re not an 80’s kid you won’t get that.  LOL

Bahahahahahahaha!  This is funny (at least to me).  I was hitting up Google images for a Brazil Butt Lift picture to add to this post.  I spotted a before and after butt shot and thought there was NO WAY that girl’s butt looked like that after doing the DVD.  I was right.  She had butt implants.  All she had to do was call me.  I’d have given her some of mine.  Would you do this?  I’m all for breast implants but butt implants?  Mmmmmmmmm, no.  But that’s just me.  So here’s a nekked hiney pic for you to start your day.  WARNING!!!  Put your coffee down before looking at the picture.   I will not be held responsible for you spewing all over your computer.

IMO, there was nothing wrong with that girl’s butt to begin with.  But I bet she’s happy with her new rear.  Wonder what it feels like when she sits down.  Hmmmm…….

90 day challenge

I’ve been challenged to a duel.  Not a weapons duel, thank goodness, but I might wish it were once I get going.  It’s an exercise duel!  My friend Erica sent me a text telling me she didn’t like Tony Horton because he kicked her ass with the Cardio x from P90x (which happens to be my favorite of the DVD’s).  We went back and forth a bit and before I knew it I’d agreed to a 90 day challenge.  What can I say?  I’m a sucker.

We’re taking before pictures and at the end of the 90 days, whoever looks better gets treated to a spa day by the other.  I think I should go get a part time job just in case.

Erica is already skinny but wants to tone and get rid of cellulite.  Unfortunately, after going to the doctor recently I’ve discovered that I’m exactly back to the weight I was two and a half years ago when I started a Sexy by Summer contest (which I won 🙂 ).  I was/am 138 pounds.  My goal is to get back to 118 pounds which is where I was at the end of the contest.  As far as inches go, I’d like to lose 12 overall. I threw away my scale recently so it’ll be easier to measure than weigh plus muscle weighs more than fat!  I also want to tone up a lot to get as close to my JNL goal as I can (don’t laugh, we all need goals no matter how unreasonable they may be).  I know I won’t be as hot as her but I’ll get kinda sorta close to where I feel comfortable.

Soooooo, what’s my plan?  Brazil Butt Lift mixed with P90x and the South Beach diet.  I haven’t checked my email yet to see what my meal plan is for the next two weeks so I don’t feel guilty for eating an omelet while writing this….yet.  You’ve been with me for over a year now and have seen all of the goals I’ve made for myself and watched me fail time and time again.  Erica has done what Sexy by Summer did for me- provided me with support, encouragement and a great prize at the end.  Okay, okay getting healthy and fit should be prize enough but what woman wouldn’t work harder if they know they’re going to get pampered at the end?

When I reach my goal, I might even let Hubby pick out a super sexy Halloween costume for me this year!

It’s time to get Slacker Fattie fit and healthy so Skinny Bitch can have some fun!

But, but, but I want moooorrrreeeee!!!

I don’t know why Hubby won’t let me buy more exercise stuff.  I don’t really have that much!

Actually, when you pile it all neat and tidy like that it doesn’t look like much at all.  Meanie-head you say?  Nah.  He’d gladly buy me pretty much whatever exercise gadget or DVD that I wanted.  So why doesn’t he?  Well, probably because before I took the picture  I had to dust it all off.  The Ab Lounger was given to us by my father-in-law and if you just happened to pop in unannounced you’d find it covered with a Sponge Bob Square Pants sheet because the cats like to use it as a bed.  The ball and circle thingy (yoga ring)  in front of it were a birthday present from my biological mom and the Reebok weights were from my Aunt Nancy.  If you squint really hard you can see the Brazil Butt Lift that I just had to have after seeing an infomercial in the middle of the night so Hubby caved and ordered it.  All of those were bought for me with promises I would use them- which I do…..sometimes.  In fact, at this very moment I’m bouncing on the ball with the circle thingy between my thighs squeezing away.  🙂

I begged for the Reebok Step.  I told Hubby I wouldn’t ask for take out for two weeks if he bought it.  Instead we ordered take out for two weeks.  Then I bought it for myself a few months later after I’d gained 20 pounds.  In all honesty, if it had come with a decent DVD I would use it a lot more- ok, I’d use it period.  Instead, the cats tend to use it as a scratching post if I don’t put it away (or my 17 year old uses it to sit on when she washes the tires on her car).  The weight bar Hubby bought when he decided to get buff several years ago.  I think he’s used it about as many times as I’ve used the step although, in his defense, it needed those metal things on the ends to keep the weights from falling off which he finally bought.   The mini-trampoline was a hand-me-down for the kids but don’t tell them that- they think it’s mommy’s, Shhhhh.  The sparkly hula hoop, yup, that’s mine, too!  The kids know not to touch that because they’ve already bent two.  Those are fabulous ab workouts!  My 17 year old and I spent an entire hour hula hooping one night- whew did my abs hurt the next day.

That little purple thing on the left is my Go Fit kettlebell which is another great workout even though the DVD is uber cheesy and I’ve yet to find another one.  I’m tempted to make one myself but for now I use the one it came with and some youtube videos.  On the other side is one set of weighted balls (there’s no telling where the little kids hid the other set) although I’ve never really understood the best way to use them.  My 7 year old son uses them to beef up his little muscles for baseball- it’s adorable.

As I was typing this I figured I should probably take a closer picture of the DVD basket so, there ya go!  On the sides are ankle weights which I also use as wrist weights (they’d work better if I didn’t have scrawny wrists which, by the way, are the only scrawny part of my body).  The black and yellow set came with the Brazil Butt Lift Deluxe Pack- oooolala- along with the green and yellow bands.  There’s a red one floating around the house somewhere- Hubby used it to shape his baseball glove….no comment.  The blue ones I bought just because.  I’m not really sure why I still have the Legs and Arms video since the only VCR in the house is in the little kid’s playroom and mommy’s not allowed to touch it.  The Billy Blanks DVD’s which retail for $14.99 a piece I got at Goodwill for $1.oo a piece.  That reminds me, I need to do a post about that.  Those I start, but take out after about 10 minutes and do The Core Rhythms because the warm up kicks my butt.  Core Rhythms came from one of the weight loss contests I was in because I didn’t want the gym membership (I’m sooooo not a gym rat, I’ve tried, it doesn’t work).  I could do Core Rhythms every day, loads of fun and I sweat my non-Latin booty off.  Oh, yes, the Carmen Electra Striptease DVD’s.  Ummmm, she should stick to modeling because she’s worse at teaching a dance DVD than she is at acting- still love her though!  Crunch Go-Go Dancing is another DVD I absolutely love.  The only problem is that it’s been missing for 6 months and I’m NOT happy.  I got Buns of Steel because my butt looked hawt after doing the original Buns of Steel video I used to have after baby #2.  Something changed in 10 years because I don’t think I’ve ever made it to the end of the new DVD- it’s hard!  The Pussycat Dolls dance DVD I got when F.Y.E was going out of business along with the Denise Austin Power Zone Pilates DVD.  I was ready to give the first one a horrible review until I did it two more times.  Being a former dancer I was looking for more than one or two counts of eight but it’s grown on me.  The pilates…uhhhhh….I think I took the wrapper off- maybe.  On the end is Brazil Butt Lift which is fantastic- I just need to stick with it and follow the schedule.  In the front are the lame Reebok Step DVD’s, free McDonald’s DVD’s I got when they released their new 3 servings sized “healthy” salads which I always got with fried chicken instead of grilled- tastes better.  Oh and the Walk Away the Pounds DVD which I opened then lost the case.  It’s probably got the Go-Go Dance DVD in it.

Last but not least is my trusty dusty (only thing I never have to actually dust off) iPod which I bought for myself and absolutely adore.  It’s ADD friendly with only one big button to push, yay!  I plug it in my head when I’m cleaning the house, ironing and making dinner but only when the older kids aren’t around because it would be extremely embarrassing to be caught boogieing down to the 80’s in front of them.  I also threw in my measuring tape which I use to track my non-existant results after learning that scales were evil inventions made by the Devil himself.  Oh, geez, DOH!  I almost forgot!  Not pictured are the P90X DVD’s because ummmmm, they were uhhhh given to me and (looks around whistling) aren’t in the original cases….or on the original discs.  Sorry Tony!

So see?  I really don’t have that much!  (But you should see my wish list, heeheehee)