Get fit without going broke

(created for http://www.mnmspecial.com/ and published on January 7, 2011)

Everything costs money and that includes loosing weight - health club, workout clothes, every day clothes, DVDs, etc... I remember complaining to a store associate that I have to buy new clothes, because I lost weight. It might be a good problem to have, but it is still a problem that requires financial support. But I hate to spend money. I really do! I don't spend much, but at the end of the month it all adds up, so I try to be creative in any way I can to save a buck or two.

If you really want to loose weight and don't want to spend too much money doing it, here it comes - KEEP YOUR CREDIT CARD OFF THE TABLE!

There are so many cute things you can wear while working out, but all of these things are optional. However, you probably already know that and hopefully only buying sportswear on sale.

Can GYM be replaced?
I canceled my Gym membership after not attending it for a year (I meant to do it, but it became distanation impossible for me). $30 a month come out to $360 a year, so my ultimate decision was to purchase WII + Fit + games. Here is a math: Console and board will cost you just around $300 (unless you can find them on sale). I also bought over the course of year WII Active, WII Active More workouts and few games I wished I didn't buy. I did get a good deal on all games, so even counting in the games I didn't like, I spent just around $100. So my total spending was around $400 and I have my WII for just over a year. Did it pay for itself? I think so.

DVD I get bored with DVD workouts relatively fast and I don't want to piling discs that will contribute to the ultimate dust collection, so I found few ways to save money and shelf space.

Library My library doesn't charge for DVD rent and workout DVDs can be checked out for 21 days.

Amazon on demand The cost of videos on demand is significantly less than the actual DVDs.
Where great Amazon's deal on DVD is $9, video on demand will be $2

Netflix Here is another use of WII console - there are a lot of workout videos available on Netflix. So many are on instant play and ready to be played. Others can be rented. I upgraded my plan and now I can borrow a DVD and hold it until I am done with it.

Free preview Search for free preview - there might be something available on the World Wide... And if it is, try it before you buy it.

Weights. Creativity just might save you from converting your living room into weight room of the health club (if living space is tight). You might want to look for adjustable weights - they can help you go from 1 to 20 lbs. I also made my own dumbbells from two existing ones I had around the house - I wrapped 2 lb wrist weights over 2 lb dumbbells. You can also use water bottles and fill them to get the right weight (look for the ones that will give you a good grip

Clothes
Second hand stores and friends closets might be good options. Since you are actively trying to loose weight, do you really care to spend hundreds of dollars every couples months? There are upscale resale shops that will give you really good deals on designer labels. I also never say "no" to friends that offer to share the clothes they don't need (especially if they have a good taste)

Food Cut down on trips to the restaurants and buying prepared food. There are lots of ways to make fast and healthy food for the family. I've done $10 meals that would provide 4 lunches for the family of 4 (2 adults and 2 small kids). My best kitchen friends are my slowcooker and a ricecooker. Have few backup meals in the freezer - that will stop you from going to the food chain, because you have nothing to eat in the house

There are so many more ways to save a buck while loosing weight. I don't know all of them, but really would like to learn more. Do you have any ideas?

Last week of the year - Mamavation Week 11

Image via WikipediOh, well - the time is running out and I still have so much to do...

And don't we all?

Holidays are crazy and we have to step away from Twitter-Facebook life into the shop-a-lot land. My holiday is still ahead of me. For us, Russians, gift giving and feast consuming doesn't happen till New Year. Some take the Christmas Tree down by the 31st - we sometime don't put ours on til the 30st. And we call it a New Year Tree. The biggest meal of the year happens between 11 pm and 1-2 am (Talking about late dinner) and I doubt I will be able to workout after that.

So what's the girl to do? I probably will enjoy the table (Hey, I am just telling you these things honestly) and with any kind of luck I will have just a little bit of everything.

But what is coming next? A very special week called "Detox" I think, I will give myself and my hubby few days to regroup and after that "Veggie monster, I am coming for you!"

7 days all you can eat veggie buffet. The idea is not to loose weight, but to cleanse body from crap.
If you want to know more about 7 day detox I do, I wrote about it few days ago here


Keep track of goals
1. shed 10 lbs by the end of January. 7.4 (197.4 on 12/25/10) to go from 200 lb on 11/8/10 (start 04/01/10 - 209 lb). It looks like I lost 2.4 lb since last check at the end of November.

2. 2-3 gallons of water a day. Trying, but it's hard now. Restroom is too far away. I think I do about 1 litter a day.

3. Stop night snacking. I am doing ok.

The holiday is taking its toll though - some cookies organize, attack me in various places and make me eat them

For this week
I am kicking butt with Jillian Michael's DVD and hope to be finished with it very soon (on Januaty 2nd or so)

Sista of the week
Lots of hugs to ???? on becoming a sista of the week. ???, keep it real!
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Mamavation
You might know, that I applied for Mamavation Mom Campaign. See my application here and don't forget to tweet Leah

Hey @bookieboo! I want @elenka29 to be the next #Mamavation Mom! She has my support! http://bit.ly/zqUxa

If You are on Facebook, go here http://www.facebook.com/mamavation and post the following

Bookieboo, Lena (@elenka29) has my support in becoming the next the Mamavation Mom. She is committed. (Feel free to add something nice)

Oh, and tell you friends to help out too.
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Challenge yourself

P90x in the New Year Discussion

Biggest Looser challenge with Shelley's group

WII Active Challenge

Consider Applying for Campaign 7 Mamavation Mom (15 December to 5 January) if you want to transform you life and ready to commit

Body cleansing

Image via Wikipedia

Detox. It is something that I don't like doing, but do understand that it has to be done. From my prospective any kind of diet where you restricting your body from getting nutrients puts stress on your body. That is why I don't do diets. However, I started detoxing just about 5 years ago.

Before I go any further, I am not a doctor and not pretending to be one. I do, however, share my experiences based on the information I received from different sources.

I do it twice a year (it shouldn't be done more than 4 times a year) for seven days and the first happens right after New Years to cleanse from all the crap I ate. During detox consider taking it easy on workouts. It is not an excuse, but because your body doesn't get all needed nutrients, you shouldn't be training excessively

It is a vegetables feast and if you don't like the vegetables, than you should not be doing this detox. You will eat any vegetables (except potato) and as many as you want. Because vegetables digest fast you will be hungry much sooner than usual. Drink a lot of water - it will keep your stomach full

Yes to these things all kinds of vegetables
2-3 servings of fruit
some lean protein (if you need to)
lemon juice freshly squeezed
lots of liquids including herbal teas

NO to these things caffeine
fat
carbs

Additional supplementation is totally optional

You can use something similar to this

NutriClean® 7-Day Cleansing System, which has

• HepatoCleanse — capsules cleanse the liver
• Release tablets — cleanse the gastrointestinal tract and enhance peristalsis
• Fiber Powder — provides much needed fiber and beneficial bacteria to the colon

I have done it both ways. And yes, you can have a quality cleansing without it.

I plan to eat just about 7 times a day and run to the bathroom a lot.
My day begins with a half a lemon squeezed into hot water. That helps your body to have a bowel movement.
I eat at 7 am, 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, 5 pm , 7 pm, 9 pm and trust me, if you are not in bed by 9, you will be hungry.

Don't make it more difficult than it is. Don't make crazy dishes - it is just 7 days and Girls, I can help you get through it if you need my help.

I buy a big bag of salad,
make a big pot of vegetable soup,
buy a good variety of fruits that will make me somewhat happy
whatever veggies look good and can be used as good enjoyable snacks
If you like fruit teas - knock yourself out - you can drink them all day long (or just get plain decaf tea)
I also get veggie burgers by Morning Star or can of Tuna in water.

It does require planning to make sure you have enough green stuff to carry you through the week. And here is my week plan, just to give you an idea of how to make it through the week of detox

I don't detox to lose weight, but to cleanse. However, you will lose pounds over this week (for me it is 3-5)

Let me know if you want to do it with me or to spot you whenever you are ready to do it.

XOXO

And just when I thought I tried everything in my house

And just when I thought I tried everything in my house, home from work came tiramisu my husband LOL

#Shred ON!

Ok, Girls, we are in a final stretch - there are literally few days are left out of the year, and you probably already have your new year resolutions in place. But how about starting THE LOOSE WEIGHT RESOLUTION now instead of waiting for two more weeks?

I purpose The 30 days shred

I know it is the worst time to start the Shred right now, because it is the busiest time of the year - shopping-cooking-wrapping, but listen me out:

I hate to be in a "New Year Resolution" crowd, mostly because the biggest percent will quit before reaching the goal. I know I can do it, but just to make a point I would prefer to form my own crowd of 1, that would not say "New Year Resolution" on it.

Tomorrow starts today, and I want to walk into the new year tall with a good plan and well on the way of making myself a better person.

I know the time is tight, but it is only 20 minutes a day - I spend more than that on talking myself to get off the couch. This 20 minutes that can get things rolling for you.

I know I will eat the stuff I am not supposed to eat over the next few weeks, but if I workout, the delicious sweetness will not become the extension of my butt. Maybe be I will maintain the same weight, but I will not wake up on January 1 to find myself 5 pounds heavier

(I keep balancing just under 200 lb, and I fear of getting on the scale and find myself crossing 200 again.)

Let's kick each others behinds in this challenge!

How to get started:

You need weights and a DVD

Recommended weights are 3 to 5 pounds, but if you already spent all your money on gifts, use juice bottles or anything else for that matter that is easy to hold

DVD
"Jillian Michael 30 day shred"
Here are the options:

Buy the DVD $8.99 (Amazon)
Buy Amazon on Demand $4.99 or $1.99 per episode (there are 3)
Rent it from Netflix. Plans start at $7 or so
Rent it from the Library
Watch it for free here http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/UgpuDex8Iuo/

If you thought of doing it or started shreding, but got sidetracked, today is the day.
Who is on boards?

Please comment below, so I know you are IN

Mamavation - Week #10

If you ever see this kind of a tweet coming from me, here what it means

"I stuck to the couch and I can't get up. I know I have to workout, but I feel so comfortable, I really do not want to get up".

So if you are around, please take a second and kick my butt.

I have been doing good with shred and would like to invite everybody to join me. See this post for details and the reasons why YOU need shred

I hate spending money. When I realized that the weights I was using were too light (2lb), I got immediately unhappy about a trip for heavier weights. However, before I made it to the store, my hubs and I found a creative solution to our problem - I wrapped my 2 lb wrist weights around my previously used 2 lb free weights and now I have new and improved 4 pounders.




Flashlight moments of the week

1. Even lazy steps can get you there
I do not like pushing myself and some of you can probably relate to that. That means, if I am riding a bicycle and going up the hill, I start getting tired. Instead of closing my eyes and continue pedaling, I look ahead at the 3/4 of incline and stop "There is no way I can make it there" (That's where the "Mind over matter" is supposed to kick in, but my mind's kicking abilities are too weak). I will walk up the same hill every time, because I know I can't make it there.

Since I started doing the shred with my good friend Jillian (and some of you, girls), even with my "I can only do so much" attitude I go further and stronger every time. But the only way to notice that, if you doing it every day. It might not look like much of a progress from day to day, but I feel the difference after doing it half way


2. I only hate my life before I workout
Don't know about you, but for me the longest part of my workout is getting off the chair. During the warm up I still hate my life, and my brain continues to tell me - relax it. "Watcha movie, hava tea. U had a hard week. You deserve it..." And I am very tempted, but if I can get off the couch, I can finish the workout. With sweat comes the desire to make it though the workout. And after that, I feel like a "bad ass"!

3. Don't be sore
You know, when you start working out, you are sore beyond believe and You feel You can't workout, because even the idea of lifting your arm is making you mad and sad at the same time? Guess what - one way to avoid that is to continue working out day after day (unless, of course, you enjoy being in pain)

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Keep track of goals
1. shed 10 lbs by the end of January. 9.8 (on 11/28/10) to go from 200 lb on 11/8/10 (start 04/01/10 - 209 lb). I will check my weight next weekend

2. 2-3 gallons of water a day. Trying, but it's hard now. Restroom is too far away. I think I do about 1 litter a day.

3. Stop night snacking. I am doing ok.

However, I have been picking some treats in the lunchroom. Weak, weak me!

For this week
I will continue working through Jillian Michael's DVD every day and will do my best with water intake.

Sista of the week
Lots of hugs to Christi (@ChristiDarty) on becoming a sista of the week. Christi, you rock!
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Mamavation
You might know, that I applied for Mamavation Mom Campaign. See my application here and don't forget to tweet Leah

Hey @bookieboo! I want @elenka29 to be the next #Mamavation Mom! She has my support! http://bit.ly/zqUxa

If You are on Facebook, go here http://www.facebook.com/mamavation and post the following

Bookieboo, Lena (@elenka29) has my support in becoming the next the Mamavation Mom. She is committed. (Feel free to add something nice)

Oh, and tell you friends to help out too.
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Join us for Mamavation TV this Monday. We will be talking about Mind, Body, and Soul with the guest Special Guest: Suzanne Forbes-Vierling, PhD (@tribalenergy4u). Please visit Tribal Energy Cardio to learn how to move your body and mind.

Consider Applying for Campaign 7 Mamavation Mom (15 December to 5 January)

if you want to transform you life and ready to commit

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Challenge yourself

P90x in the New Year Discussion

Earth Footwear: "All's Well That Ends Well" Blogging Program

30 day Shred

Biggest Looser challenge with Shelley's group

Your Average Minivan Mom

(created for www.slightly-off-kilter.com and published Wednesday, January 5th, 2011)

There are 3 kinds of moms - SAHM, WAHM, and WOHM. I belong to the category of moms that spends 50-60 hours a week working for somebody else and worried that she doesn't spend enough time with her kids. I am your average minivan Mom. I am always running late taking kids to babysitter or classes. I am in grocery stores, doctor offices, and playgrounds. I am like so many and I want to be Your next Mamavation Mom.

I have two kids, two very active monkeys - 3 year old girl and 18 months old boy. They are the best when they first wake up in the morning (don't they all). They are so adorable - I would film their every move and would watch it after they go to sleep


My husband and I met at the dealership and didn't like each other. It's been 11 years and I can't imagine my life without him. So, I guess I don't believe in a love from the first sight, ah?


I have a pretty picture of me, where I am 125 lb and a lots of pictures where I hide behind my kids. My weight just might have something to do with it. I want to have pictures I like. I know it's a long way, but with the support of my family and the sistahood I just might get there.

Thank You for being here for me and for support I get every day. I will continue doing what I can to give you back the same.

XOXO,
Lena
(@elenka29)
Video application

Don't forget to tweet

Hey @bookieboo! I want @elenka29 to be the next #Mamavation Mom.
She has my support! http://bit.ly/zqUxa

My Mamavation Application

Just in case, if You missed my tweet or just want to see my video again, it is here.




Make sure to send a tweet to @Bookieboo

Hey @bookieboo! I want @elenka29 to be the next #Mamavation Mom! She has my support! http://bit.ly/zqUxa

If You are on Facebook, go here http://www.facebook.com/mamavation and post the following

Bookieboo, Lena (@elenka29) has my support in becoming the next the Mamavation Mom. She is committed.

(Feel free to add something nice)

Oh, and tell you friends to help out too.

Thank You!
You are the greatest!

Non-workout

Image via WikipediaSo, You have been doing OK kicking and jumping and suddenly one day of the week you just don't have what it takes to get off the couch.

It might be that time of the month...
It might be excessive reading of "Why aren't you sleeping yet?" book to a toddler
or all the stress of the day (week, month) suddenly attacked you and made you weak and tired

So, what do you do?

Do you hide in a Snuggle?
Somebody might off called it a useless invention, but for You now it is the ultimate Nirvana

Do you snick into the kitchen for a cookie and milk,
because Santa might work hard once a year, but You have to do it every day of the year?

What is that one excuse when you give yourself a break and relax a little? How do you treat yourself? Do You feel guilty afterwords for being weak?

I feel the need to spend an evening on the couch on the special day of the month (could do more than one, but I don't). I don't want anything. Just let me be...

How about you?

Mamavation - Week #9

Finally found a minute to sit down - kids are down for a nap, but the little one keeps trying to wake up.

First and foremost, Thank You Janice for kicking off the 30 day Shred. I managed to stay consistent for most of the time and hope to continue doing it. I did miss Saturday this week. Came back from parents so tired, I swear, I put kids to sleep and fell asleep before even laying down. I am definitely doing it tonight. And that will be my number 11 out 30.

It was challenging to workout while on vacation, just because there is so much going on. Kids were very active and I ran around a lot with them.

I have too tell you, "Here come Santa Clause" never sounded sweeter, but when you are in the swimsuit fighting fake waves of the wave pool of the waterdome.

OK, back to the coldness now. I forgot my weights, so I had to improvise. I had to make sure that I would get my workout done fast before my left dumbbell spoils.

I did workout every day I was there. YAY me!

I also decided to make an ultimate commitment and apply for Mamavation Mom Campaign. Working on the video now, where you get to hear my adorable Russian accent. Chosen or not it will be an incredible experience.


Keep track of goals
1. shed 10 lbs by the end of January. 9.8 (on 11/28/10) to go from 200 lb on 11/8/10 (start 04/01/10 - 209 lb). I haven't checked my weight and will wait a just a bit longer. However, jeans fit loose loose loose
2. 2-3 gallons of water a day Totally failed. Will do better this week
3. Stop night snacking Could of done a little bit better - blaming vacation

For this week
I will continue working through Jillian Michael's DVD every day and will do so much better with water intake and night snacking

Congrats to this week’s Sista of the Week: @jessicafiumara from the blog “Hundredth Time’s a Charm“.

All my friends,
I need your support in becoming a next Mamavation Mom. I will post my video application December 15th. If you think I deserve it, please tweet Leah the following

“Hey @bookieboo! I want @elenka29 to be the next #Mamavation Mom. She has my support! http://bit.ly/zqUxa”

Shredthirty, December Shedheads, My Shredding Buddies

Image via WikipediaThank You Janice (@fitcheerldr) for Starting 30 day shred. It is December and we are going through a major storm of holiday treats, bad weather outside, and just a good desire to cuddle under the blanket and watch TV. January is on the way to give us "I want to change my life for the better" charge, but we are not there just yet.

Trust me, I love my comfort and the last thing I want to do is Jumping Jacks and Butt Kicks, but the butt of mine is not getting any smaller. However, Julian Michael with her "pain is a fear leaving your body" is a damn good motivator.

"You might think you're going to die..." I have to say, I felt quite suicidal the first few days of working with this DVD, but it does get better. Now I can make it through the whole workout without saying "You gotta be kidding me" a single time

So, Thank You all for jumping on the wagon. It has been 12 days since day 1, but I don't think any of us are that far yet.

So, let's make sure we have a list of who is on board. Correct me, if I am wrong and let me know how you're doing.

1. @fitcheerldr

2. @WickedQueenOne

3. @debs412

4. @CrazyHmSchlMama

5. @paperfairies

6. @wildlifebio

7. @MiddleAgedJock

8. @rachelsteffen

9. @notimemom

10. @FriedChk2Tofu

11. @PaulyBeariver

12. @FitTwitEmily

13.@VirgoMommy

14. @elenka29

Mamavation - Week #8

Once again thank You everybody for the support . It is greatly appreciated - You are getting me going!

This week was about overcoming ongoing or let's just call it Stomach Flu week. Monday night my daughter throw up, but I didn't really know what to make out of it. It didn't hit me until other members of the family started getting sick. My mother-in-law (aka babysitter) on Wednesday, my 1 yo son on Thursday, my husband on Friday. Clearly I saw it coming my way, so drank insane amount of water, had some aloe and probiotic. I got away with very minor symptoms (few unplanned trips to the washroom). The moral - water heals. Call it whatever you want, but I truly believe in water intake (I probably took close to 5 liters over Friday and Saturday)

30 Day shred.
Girls, thank You very much for giving me a butt kick I needed to get up and move. It is not easy to do butt kicks when your butt is 200 lb. I never realized how much I like my couch like I did when I was kicking my butt (sorry for the redundancy, but this is my #1 unliked exercise). I refuse the weight myself for now, because I do not want to disappoint myself with muscle growth (weight gain). I got a late start, but I did complete 4 workouts this week. 26 to go

We going on vacation for few days, so I will be working out in the hotel room.

Keep track of goals
1. shed 10 lbs by the end of January. 9.8 (on 11/28/10) to go from 200 lb on 11/8/10 (start 04/01/10 - 209 lb). NOT CHECKING WEIGHT NOW
2. 2-3 gallons of water a day 5 out 7 days
3. Stop night snacking I slipped on Saturday - didn't eat because of the stomach, but couldn't handle it by the end of the day

This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Earth Footwear. Walk it and work it!