Welcome to week three of my Fresh Start for the New Year! The first week I talked about my general health & fitness goals for 2011, then last week I gave an update on my general goals and outlined some ideas for getting more fit in the new year.
This week I’m going to update you on my general goals (lose weight, exercise 3X a week, drink more water, eat even less processed food), a few specifics (journaling, vitamins) give an update on my exercise progress, and set some healthy eating goals for next week!
So let’s get to it.
Goal Review
Drinking Water: A
I have been doing a very good job at drinking the full 64 oz of water. I have only had one day where I didn’t reach my goal-and that was because I was out of the house and forgot to take a water bottle with me.
Journaling: C
Yeah. I’m actually doing worse on this. I have started out each day planning on keeping track but keep letting myself get derailed around lunchtime. I continue to work on this goal.
Taking Vitamins: A
Ever since I started filling up a 7 day pill case with my vitamins and leaving it on the counter, I have taken them every day! Go me!
Lose Weight: Ungraded
Honestly, I have not yet weighed myself. I want to lose weight in the long term, but I don’t want to focus on a number on the scale initially. Instead I am trying to create some long term behavioral changes (exercising 3x a week, drinking water, journaling) before I take on an eating plan.
Exercising 3X a week: A
I have been doing well at this. I started my workout plan at our local gym. On days I haven’t been at the gym I have done something aerobic or exercised every single day except for last Sunday & today (hey-a body needs an occasional break). Now that I’ve been exercising for a couple of weeks I am starting to get sore-so I need to really keep the pressure on myself and make sure I don’t give in to excuses.
Exercising
So how exactly have I been exercising? While there are tons of ways you can exercise at home without spending a cent if you have discipline and knowledge, exercise equipment can help you get results and stave off boredom. I am extremely lucky that as one of the Walmart Moms participating in the Fresh Start for the New Year campaign I was sent $150 and a list of fitness items to choose from. I headed out to my local store for a healthy shopping spree!
Now I need to make a point here-exercise equipment only works if you use it.
Yeah-I know. Shocking.
Now that I have that out of the way, here is the equipment I chose, and why.
Gold’s Gym Circuit Trainer 36″ Mini Trampoline
I am intrigued with the idea of using a trampoline. . . it is supposed to be easier on your joints and good for your lymphatic system while providing a good aerobic workout. And of course it is much smaller and less expensive than something like a treadmill or arc trainer. I had already received an Urban Rebounder to test as part of this campaign, so I thought it would be interesting to compare the two pieces of similar equipment-especially since there is about a $60 price difference. Look for that post separately!
Jillian Micheals Total Body Kit
This kit is a set of tubes, bands and handles that you can combine to create different lengths and different resistance. There is also a jumprope included 
I like the idea of this set because it can be used in many different ways. I’ve been given bands for physical therapy with my shoulder and ankle before-so I am familiar with them. I also have used bands for resistance training with the EA Sports Active game for the Wii-and they have given me a good workout.
I thought that this kit, while not replicating nautilus style weight equipment at a gym, would offer a home version of some of the exercises. It comes with a small bag for storage-so it’s pretty small and easy to store. Even if I don’t wind up using them much now-I could see when the kids are older and in various sports THEY might want to use them at home to work out. Princess is already planning on being a swimmer-so upper body strength will be important.
We have hardwood floors throughout our house, so it can be pretty hard on the joints to do any jogging in place, situps, stretches etc. This mat is nice and cushy and can be used for exercising for years to come. Since it is a “puzzle” mat I can always take it apart & store it when not in use.
Gold’s Gym 65cm Exercise Stayball
I have two reasons for choosing an exercise ball. #1-Several years ago at one of those “turn off TV week” type events my kids won an exercise ball. They LOVE rolling around on the thing, and fight over it.
I’m tired of hearing them fight over it. Two exercise balls means that both kids can use one.
#2-I am fascinated by the idea of using an exercise ball as a chair. Supposedly this helps strengthen your core and increase your balance. Of course there are conflicting reports not only on the effectiveness but also on possible side effects-so if you are considering this option make sure you research the idea thoroughly and talk to your health care professional first. My intent is to use the ball as a chair for a limited amount of time each day.
Note: The “stay” in the stayball is a sandbag inside that keeps it from rolling. Love that!
Cap Barbells (neoprine coated)
I chose to get 2 sets of barbells-a 2 lb set and a 3 lb set (NOT all the ones shown in the picture). Those will be good for toning my arms with curls, flies and shrugs. They can also be used when necessary with exercise DVDs-many of which have segments using light weights. No matter what they come up with in the future, dumbells will be dumbells and still work. They won’t go out of style
Of course I could just take along the regular dumbbells above when I go walking (in the spring-when the weather is warm enough to walk) but I really liked how these had the straps so you don’t have to hold on quite so tightly. And hey-they are pink 
Dance off the Inches: Country Line Dance DVD
This just looked like fun. I love to dance, and line dancing is fun.
The Shake Weight
I just couldn’t resist. After all the commercials I’ve seen-I just had to go for it.
Additional Items
I was also sent an Urban Rebounder, EA Sports Active2 for the Wii and an Xbox 360 with Kinect with the Kinect Adventures & Shape Up games. And of course my dad bought me a gym membership for Christmas.
I said at the top of this list-equipment only works if you USE it-so what did I use?
I went to the gym 3X and did the strengthening & conditioning workout, I did the basic workout on the Urban Rebounder, I’ve done one workout with the EASport Active 2, I’ve used the Stayball as a seat for half an hour 2 days in a row, and I’ve played the Kinect Adventures several times with both Yankee Bill and the Kiddos.
And I’m sore.
My thighs were definitely feeling it both after the Urban Rebounder workout last Thursday and again today after the squat heavy EASport Active workout yesterday. I have been very sedentary for the last year, and especially so since the cold weather hit, so this much strenuous exercies is a HUGE change for me~and I can feel it.
Goals
1. I will continue to work on my stated goals in the coming week, especially to continue exercising.
2. I will specifically review some of the equipment/programs for you in the next couple of weeks-because I think you all would really like to know more specifically what I think of them so you can make an educated choice on whether or not you should spend your hard earned money on any of these products.
3. My biggest goal for next week is to start looking at the food portion of all of this healthy living-how to make better choices and eat less processed food. I will look at why I overeat when it happens, and what the worst offenders are for triggering snacking and such. I will tell you where I have made substitutions for healthier living, and where I CAN make changes but haven’t yet.
So what are your favorite ways to exercise? What things are on your exercise “wish list”?
Disclosure: This post is part three of a four part “Fresh Start for the New Year” series I am participating in with the Walmart Moms. Walmart has provided me with compensation and product for these post. My participation is voluntary and opinions, as always are my own.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds like you’re doing pretty well with your resolutions! I zeroed in on the drinking water part – I’m doing a Water Only Challenge for the month of January that @kevin_is_money posted at the beginning of the year. I haven’t been perfect, but for someone who usually drank 1-3 sodas a day, I can tell you that a.) I drink close to 96 oz of water a day b.) I have had exactly 3 sodas all month.
Keep up the great work!
BTW, the Shake Weight……I’d like to talk to the inventor and ask once and for all “Are you a marketing genius, or did you seriously NOT understand the comedic windfall you were about to bestow upon planet earth?”
Wow – you got a lot of great new exercise equipment there! Have you tried the line dance video yet? If so, do you like it? How long does the session last? If you think it’s good I might have to give it at try.
My favorite ways to exercise are either 1) take a walk outside, or 2) use an exercise video. I used to exercise with Denise Austin when her programs came on in the morning on Lifetime TV. These days I’m doing well to fit in a 20 minute session several times a week. I mostly use a Leslie Sansone walk video. I have trouble staying motivated!