Mamavation - Week 2

    MILI

I am kicking butt! 

I watch what I eat. No, I track what I eat and that's major for me. I am trying to put in an hour of intense workout a day. Get up an hour earlier for 30 minutes and do another 30 minutes after kids go to sleep.

My weight this week is the same as it was last week 194.7 

(And Thank You for all your help my fit friend and my fit friend in progress) 

If you are looking for my regrets about not becoming a Mamavation Mom, you won't find it. Any experience is a good experience with new directions and ideas on how to improve your self. Shake it off and move on.

 

 Congrats to new Mamavation Moms

Kate (@katecoleman77) and Angela (@ninemoremonths).  The online selected moms are Kimberly (@christlikemommy) and Amanda (@beeacutie2). Keep on rocking it!

I am working on a new blog and hope to roll it out soon. New blog and workouts are keeping me pretty busy.

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Image via WikipediaThings that made me proud this week

I am a sista of the week. YAY! This is so awesome and Thank You all for making it happen (and I can't wait for my EA2)


I am loved by many - Thanks for letting me know

I workout an hour a day and get up an hour early to get my morning workout in

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Blogging Carnival

This week the blogging carnival is brought to us by Fiber Plus. Blogging carnival question of the week is

Question of the week

How are you getting more fiber in your diet this New Year?
Since I am serious about my workout, I have to be as serious about my nutrition. I am charting my food intake and that includes fiber. Because I can't plan everything, I now keep a box of Fiber Plus bars in the car. Don't want to get cought hungry


I’m writing this post as an entry to a blogging carnival sponsored by Fiber Plus. I will be receiving free product in return

Cookie exchange party

I am not a great bakers, but since my daughter is starts to understands things and is wants to help I thought it just my work

I thought would be a great idea to host a cookie exchange party since my older daughter turned 3 and like to participate in kitchen activities. Since I don't have much (or almost any0 EXPERIENCE) in cookie baking, I needed help. And that were Hershey's came to help. I generously supplied me and my party with everything I needed for starting and finishing my cookie baking - delicious Hershey's kisses, cocoa powder, cookie mix, recedes, and even an apron.


Yey to the First Annual Cookie Party with kids!

This was a very interesting experience, I have to say! The kids were excited and very helpful. I even had to donate my coolest apron to the biggest helper.

We had few moms with kiddos come over and cook with us. None of us really had much baking cookies experience (from scratch that is), so recipe cards were like a rescue pack for us. Yeah, they were in demand even among the little helpers. I think at least a couple of the cards will appear in the kids' scrap books.

It was such a blast! Kids helped mix and make the little balls

Instructions were easy to follow and the results were amazing. First, we tried sugar cookies with Hershey's kisses on the middle. They looked so delicious and tasted even better.


Simply follow the sugar cookie recipes and just when you pull the tray out of the oven, put the Hershey's kisses on the middle.

We also made

KISSES Cocoa Cookies

And what a choice it was, I have to tell you. It really doesn't take long, but it is so good with powder sugar on the top and the yummy Hershey's kisses on the middle. But why do I talk about it, here us the recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 (9 ounce) bag milk chocolate candy kisses
• 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar. Stir in the vanilla. Combine
   
   the flour and cocoa, add to the flour mixture, mix until all of the flour is absorbed. Finally, stir in the pecans. Cover and refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Unwrap chocolate kisses. Mold about 1 tablespoon of dough around each chocolate kiss. Place 1 1/2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

1. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, or until set. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Roll cooled cookies in confectioners' sugar.

Everybody had a good time and enjoyed the party. We even had the goody boxes from Hershey's for everybody to take home.

Thank You for the great party, Hershey's!!!

Mamavation 101 article

Mamavation 101

So many of us are new or relatively new to Mamavation. I have been around and active for about 3 or 4 months and I have to tell you I learned a lot. And I mean a lot! Can I share my experience with you?

When I first came across Mamavation, I looked through Mamavation.com and got somewhat overwhelmed. Somehow ended up on bookieboo.com and got overwhelmed even more.

So much stuff! What to do first? Do they want to sell me anything? What does it mean to be in a sistahood? How is that different from being Mamavation Mom? What will they want from me?

My head was getting crowded with questions. Like most of you I am busy busy busy, and cannot just jump on a new thing I found on the Internet. However, I have been working hard on loosing weight, and I got an idea that “Mamavation boat” was going in a similar directions. I started my blog earlier in the year and kept myself accountable to my web diary trying to loose weight. With no one else reading my posts I got disincourged in few months and started sliding off my good plan.

What does it mean to be a sista of the Mamavation sistahood? It is all about giving sisterly love to others. We all come from different walks of life – stay home moms or executives, in Washington DC or Texas we might only have one thing in common – we want to take a better care of ourselves and loose weight. A good supporting word goes a long way (like from Wisconsin to New York kind of a long way). If you want to be loved, love others – give a lot support to people you never seeing face to face, and you will feel like you know them very well after a while. Come any time and let’s talk.

Mamavation.com and Bookieboo.com work together. If you start on one I will eventually end up on the other one, so don’t freak out if you see yourself on the different website from where you started. Both websites have a lot of information -Just take it slow and explore it one page at a time.

What to do first?
So I decided to write a post for Mamavation Monday and after few tries I even linked it into the right place. For the first time somebody came to my blog, read my whining and even left a comment! I got getting excited and haven’t missed a single Mamavation Monday since then. That’s were we keep track of our progress and talk about our ups and down. Check the email from Bookieboo on Sunday to make sure you get an entry in the giveaway

How to spread your love support?
One thing I didn’t want to do is open a Twitter account. I really couldn’t grasp the idea of the website and I was a Facebook kind of girl. Big mistake! This should of being my second step. Start using #Mamavation, look for people who are active on Twitter and start talking. Ask a lot of question! If you don’t ask, you won’t get answers. I know some of you might feel sometimes like you are talking and nobody is there. That’s how I felt until I found a person I can address. I found Greta! I started asking her questions and she had no other choice, but start answering. Relate to other people problems and share your personal experience. And answer other sistas tweets. If I only had 5 minutes to spend on Twitter in a day, I would spend 1 minute asking questions and 4 minutes answering questions others (rather than talking about myself).

Forums and Giveaways
Start stopping in the forum section of bookieboo.com and look for topics that might be of interest to you. You will be able to find interesting topics of conversations, new workout challenges and giveaways.

What is Mamavation Mom campaign?
Each campaign (whenever it takes place) offers anybody to apply. When should you apply? If you think you are ready for a drastic change in your life and already started making steps toward healthy lifestyle. If you understand the expectations and are willing to commit to the rules and obligations, go ahead - apply.

Wow, that took a little bit longer than I thought. But let me put it in a different way - If you need to loose weight and looking for support, you are in the right place. Just take it one baby step at a time.

XOXO

@elenka29

Mmamavation Monday Carnival - Week 1

So many of us are new or relatively new to Mamavation. I have been around and active for about 3 to 4 months and I have to tell you I learned a lot. And I mean a lot. Can I share my experience with you?

When I first came across Mamavation, I looked through Mamavation.com and got somewhat overwhelmed. Somehow ended up on bookieboo.com and got overwhelmed even more.

What to do First?

For sure - Mamavation Monday Post

2nd and very imoprtant
Tweet using #Mamavation, look for people who are active on Twitter and start talking. Ask a lot of question! If you don’t ask, you won’t get answers. If I only had 5 minutes to spend on Twitter in a day, I would spend 1 minute asking questions and 4 minutes answering questions others (rather than talking about myself).

Forums and Giveaways
Start stopping in the forum section of bookieboo.com and look for topics that might be of interest to you. You will be able to find interesting topics of conversations, new workout challenges and giveaways.

But let me put it in a different way - If you need to loose weight and looking for support, you are in the right place. Just take it one baby step at a time.

Now it is time to support others, so do me a favor – go to the next post. But whenever you do have time, come back here and read the full version of the article “Mamavation 101 article”

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Things that made me proud this week

I finished my 7 day detox. My husband joined me, but he insisted on using more of lean protein

Coach's Oats answered my #breakfastclub call out

Lifeway Foods, Inc #FF me on Monday

I am starting Move It and Loose It challenge

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Move It & And Loose It Challenge is ON!!!

Waist	40.0
Hips	50.0
Bust	40.0
Arm L	15.0
Arm R R	14.5
Tights L Tights R BMI	28.75 28.5 36.19

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Keep track of goals

I am now 194.2 (initial start 04/01/10 - 209 lb). Have 4.2 lb to go to my goal of 10 lb loss by the end of the month.

2. 2-3 gallons of water a day. Did great

For this week
Starting some serious workout this week

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Challenge yourself

Biggest Looser challenge with Shelley's group Join FB page and don't forget to chart your progress there

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Note

Come join us for a Twitter party launching the 7th campaign of Mamavation on January 17th from 5pm to 7pm PST
You haven't vote for the Mamavation Mom, do it here! I am elenka29

30 Day Shred Giveaway DVD - Closed

I preached it, I worked through it, and I know I am giving it away!

30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels DVD

Don't worry it is not my old DVD I am trying to get rid off. I have brand new Jillian Michaels sitting here in the box waiting to get started with you.

Here is my review of this amazing DVD below, and details about how it can be yours

I might be lazy and don't want to get off the couch half the time, but as long as I talk myself into turning Jillian Michaels ON, there is not turning back. My daughter (who is "sleeping" in the next room) sticks her head out "Mama, Press the button" "Mama, take minimote (remote)" And she won't stop until I am up and and start moving.

According to my husband, I got smaller and firmer. Hey, he can see that better than I can.

My stomach area though started showing some interesting details I haven't seen in a while. Very recently I discovered a waistline (I honestly forgot, where it was). The pants are definitely looser.

I got some mama guns I noticed this morning. They definitely were not there before. Since sometimes I have to carry two of my kids at the same time - 3 yo (33 lb) and 18 mo (26 lb), it recently got a little bit easier to do so. I think I spent an extra minute in front of the mirror this morning showing off.

Bottom line is - Jillian Michaels made me sweat. She made me cry. She made me lay on the floor for 10 minutes after she was done with me. And I kept coming back for more

Shred ON!

How to get started:

You need weights and a DVD (Recommended weights are 3 to 5 pounds, but start with something you feel comfortable with)

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To Win this DVD

MUST DO
Vote for me for Mamavation Mom
Follow this link to Mamavation website . Find applicant elenka29 (that's me!). Check the box and click on VOTE. Come back here and leave a post

"I voted for elenka29 to become a Mamavation Mom"


CAN DO to get more entries
- Become the follower of my blog. Leave a comment
- Tweet about this giveaway. You can tweet up to twice a day. Come back and leave a separate post for each tweet

I just entered to #win 30 Day Shred DVD @elenka29 #giveaway http://tinyurl.com/4k3q245 ends 01/17

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This giveaway will end Jan 17th at 11:59 am CST using random winners program. Open to US residents 18 and older. Winner has 48 hours to respond

Love me, Love me not - Mamavation Monday 13

Since we are on the middle of choosing finalists for Mamavation Campaign 7, I figured this is a clever title. Don't you think? Maybe be not that clever, but I like it.

Since, I am starting to feel like a politician during the election season, I'd like to say this:
Nah, I am not going to say anything. Vote for who you think is right for the job

We are hear to lose weight, learn to live healthy and support each other. So, let's do just that.

My biggest achievement of the week - I completed 30 day shred. YAY!
Biggest project of the upcoming week - Detox! Since the holidays are finally over, I think it is time to get rid of some unwanted stuff in my body. I love my carbs, so it won't be easy (it is never easy - and I've done this few times). At work I am still temporarily relocated, so the closest restroom is quite far and ... it will not be fun...

If you haven't had a chance to check out my post about Kefir, please find a minute and do so - it could make a great addition to your healthy life syle.

Have I ever been injured start­ing a new exer­cise rou­tine?

I decided to get a health club membership after my first baby and worked out for about a week and a half before I had an actual session with the personal trainer. The trainer made me do an exercise and I told him that my knee made a noise. He ignored it. The knee kept popping and ended up getting dislocating. I went through few days before getting my chiropractor to put it back. However, it became a constant problem, because I got pregnant at about the same time and weight gain just made knee dislocation are regular thing. It got much better after I started loosing weight though
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Keep track of goals
-2.4 lb since last weigh in I am now 194.2 (initial start 04/01/10 - 209 lb). Have 4.2 lb to go. I could get used to this progress
2. 2-3 gallons of water a day. I empty my jumbo bottle every day (2.2 L is 9 glasses of water) and sometime fill it again half way

3. Stop night snacking.
I am much better now since holiday treats are gone

For this week
I am planning to start my 7 days detox on 01/10. More about my detox here.

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Mamavation TV

Join us Monday night at 7pm PST/10pm EST on Mingle Media TV. This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Salonpas.

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Challenge yourself


Biggest Looser challenge with Shelley's group Join FB page and don't forget to chart your progress there

WII Active 2 challenge



Join us on Wednesday, January 12th from 8-10pm EST for the Less Pain More Gain Twitter Party with SALONPAS

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Giveaways You might like

Kidswitch Giveaway light switch to let small children safely and easily turn lights on and off without having to reach, stretch or use unstable items as stepping-stools

Big Yoga – Flexibility This DVD focuses more on creating more flexibility in the body, to make a more challenging Yoga practice comfortable for those with weight issues, stiffness, or injury

YumYum Dishes, are cute ceramic bowls that hold up to 4oz of our favorite snacks

Your Name in Crayons,These crayons are made in plain or swirled letters of your choice. They also come in the following alphabet letters.

Mistery of KEFIR

Few days ago I noticed some of you were asking about Kefir, and I figured I have to put my 5 cents since I consumed gallons of it through my childhood

I grew up drinking it back in Russia. We had a lot of different Image via Wikipediasour milk products, but kefir was the most popular.

10-15 years ago You could only find kefir in Russian stores, but now it is sold practically everywhere -Whole Foods, Jewel, Dominics, Wal-Mart, etc.

Kefir is a cultured probiotic beverage similar in taste and texture to drinkable yogurt, and made from milk fermented with kefir cultures.

How is Kefir different from yogurt?
Kefir and yogurt share a lot of common traits. They are both cultured dairy products and have similar flavor profiles, but kefir has more than double the amount of live and active cultures. In fact, kefir made by Lifeway has 12 probiotics in all, as opposed to the 2 or 3 typically found in yogurt. This is because of the longer fermenting process involved in producing kefir – process takes between 14 and 16 hours.

Additionally, kefir is 99% lactose free, making it easier to digest for those with lactose issues.

Besides that and good variety of flavors (like Pomegranate, Blueberry, Acai), it has other benefits

• Enhancing the immune system
• Stimulating digestion
• Easing lactose intolerance
• Lowering cholesterol
• Controlling the growth of harmful yeast overgrowth.

See "How Kefir Helps You" for more info http://www.lifeway.net/HealthWellness/HowKefirHelpsYou.aspx.

The bottom line for me - a person with gastritis, colitis, and lactose intolerance - I can drink it.

Story of Lifeway
Here is a story behind the product that is known to Russian community here in Chicago

In 1986, Russian immigrant Michael Smolyansky began manufacturing kefir in his basement to bring the taste of his native country to the U.S. After Michael Smolyansky passed away in 2002, his daughter assumed the role of President and his son became Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Together they took the production to the whole new level, by getting it into the stores of major retailers.

Today, Lifeway is the country’s leading manufacturer of kefir, with multiple flavors and varieties that include lowfat, whole milk, and organic versions. They also have a children’s line of kefir for kids called ProBugs.

Just to let You all know, I do not work for Lifeway and do not represent them.

There reason I did this post was because I found Mamavation ladies asking about Kefir and figured, I can tell you more about being Russian and living very close to Lifeway headquarters.

Let me know if You'd like to know more about it.
I contacted folks at Lifeway (manufacturers of Kefir) and they've been very helpful with the information I didn't know.

30 Day shred - should you try it?

Image by Elizabeth Soon-Jung via FlickrOK, I got few people asking me how I feel about the shred since I am just about to complete the 30 day course.

You have to understand, when I jump, my 3 yo says, "Mama, stop jumping" and I think it would be so much easier to do, if I wasn't 200 pounds.

I might be lazy and don't want to get off the couch half the time, but as long as I talk myself into turning Jillian Michaels ON, there is not turning back. My daughter (who is "sleeping" in the next room) sticks her head out "Mama, Press the button" "Mama, take minimote (remote)" And she won't stop until I am up and and start moving.

So, here we are on the Day 28. How did my body change?

According to my husband, my boobs got smaller and my butt got firmer. Hey, he can see that better than I can.

My stomach area though started showing some interesting details I haven't seen in a while. Very recently I discovered a waistline (I honestly forgot, where it was). I also started to see some muscle lines on the sides. Don't take me wrong, I still have a mommy pouch, but my stomach now is not all pouch. YAY!!!

The pants are definitely loose.

Also, I think twice about eating something late at night, since a big part of the belly pouch came from night snacking. I didn't loose 20 pounds - I lost about 5, but I wasn't religiously good with my food (Holidays and all)

UPDATE from Tuesday!
I got some mama guns I noticed this morning. They definetely were not there before. Since sometimes I have to carry two of my kids at the same time - 3 yo (33 lb) and 18 mo (26 lb), it recently got a little bit easier to do so. I think I spent an extra minute in front of the mirror this morning showing off.

Do I recommend 30 Day Shred? Yes, I do and I will be here to support every single person who decides to #shred.

Shred ON!

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/

This is it - Mamavation week 12

I figured I need to stop at some point and look back. I had my 2nd child in July of 09 and made my first afford to get my body back just about a year ago (December 09) when I bought WII.

My husband works long hours and I have no options of getting to the health club with two kids, I can only rely on what my home workouts. What are the ways you can work out without having to leave the house? DVDs and games mostly. My Netflix lets me rent and instant play so many workout DVDs (and all for flat fee). When it comes to the WII games, I take it very seriously with plenty of research and Gamestop gives me that with reviews and detailed information. By the way, check this deals out - Buy Two Get One Free. It is ON right now and can save you some serious money!!!

Well, back to the goals tracking -
I lost 12 lbs since last January.
I lost 2 inches in hips
I lost 1 inch in breast and waste

It looks like I did loose one dress size

Yes, I could of done better. Well, I will do this year. WITH YOU!!!
I am a very outgoing person, but since English is not my native language, I've been very shy about speaking up. Any kind of popularity contest? Let me cross my name out. Here at Mamavation, I had to speak, because I wanted to be heard. And I Thank You for making go out of my comfort zone

I need to loose around 70 pounds to get to my ideal weight. I know the pounds are not as important as inches are, but I haven't been less than size 10 for so long, I don't know what is the good size to have. Anybody?

And I have to tell you about the 30 day shred! It really got me serious. I only have few times left, but I have been workinf it 6-7 days a week. I didn't loose too many pounds, but these jeans were just right on me in November.

I know we are getting very close to make a decision who is the best suited to become the next Mamavation Mom and I would like to say few words about that. You can look at my application here and read more about me here. However, whoever does make it into the boot camp is in for a hard work and great payoff. All of the applicants are so deserving to make it and that is why there is "Move It and Loose It" Challenge. At the end of the day, girls, we made a commitment to ourselves, our families, and our friends to get fit and nothing should stop us.

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Keep track of goals
1. want to shed 10 lbs by the end of January start 200 lb (11/8).
-2.6 lb I am 197.4 (initial start 04/01/10 - 209 lb). Have 7.6 lb to go

2. 2-3 gallons of water a day. I did relatively good. My biggest achievement is drinking my super-size bottle (2.2 L) on New Year eve between two New Eve dinners

3. Stop night snacking.
I had few down days

For this week
I am planning to start my 7 days detox on 01/05. More about it here. Let me know if you'd like to join me or just have questions.

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Mamavation
You might know, that I applied for Mamavation Mom Campaign. See my application here and don't forget to recommend me for Mamavation Mom to Leah here

Also tweet this
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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Mamavation TV

Join us Monday night at 7pm PST/10pm EST on Mingle Media TV with Mamavation Mom Applicants as special guests. This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by @GameStop.

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

Biggest Looser challenge with Shelley's group Join FB page and don't forget to chart your progress there

WII Active 2 challenge

WII challenge

Join us for a special twitter party on 1/5 from 8-10pm EST, http://bit.ly/gICF5o #gamestop with GameStop and discover all the ways your personal fitness goals can be personalized in 2011. We will also be discussing ways to get back into health in the New Year and tips on how to start without having to leave your home.

Join us on Wednesday, January 12th from 8-10pm EST for the Less Pain More Gain Twitter Party with SALONPAS

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