My First Races

 

 

Last night was my first Lifetime weigh in.  I was up .8 lbs from 2 weeks ago but still in my lil window so I'm happy.  Now we'll see how I do after a month....

 

My First Races!

 

At the library Tuesday on the way to Weight Watchers I spotted this card.  I stuck it in my purse to look at it later.  Wednesday I looked up the races on Eventbrite and told Benny I wanted to walk them.  After all it's only about a mile longer than I walked almost every week to the farmer's market!  Thursday I signed up for the series!  Now, I wonder if I'll have anyone to walk with.....

Englewood Race for Roofs - March 28th

Brookside Bash Color Dash - May 16th (Benny's birthday)

Arsenal Tech 5K Run & Walk - September 19th

What did I get myself into? LOL

Week of Workouts

Thursday I did Stephanie Vitorino's Body Target 60.

Friday I did Jillian Michael's Shred-It with Weights Level 2.

Saturday was Jillian Michael's No More Trouble Zones.

Once I saw snow in the forecast I knew it'd be another shoveling day Sunday.  We had about 7 inches this time around and, just as I'd predicted, it took about 3 hours to do.  Austin didn't help but played outside (i.e. throwing snowballs at me, having me bury him in one of the piles, digging a tunnel in another pile, etc.).  Benny showed up for about the last hour.  He had to go back and fix what he did as he narrowed the driveway about 2ft on each side.  I need all the driveway I can get to back out each morning! LOL

Monday I was worn out from all that shoveling so I rested.

Yesterday I did Kelly Coffey-Meyer's 30 Minutes to Fitness Lift in Full Throttle Olympic Lifting.

Today I did the other workout on Kelly's DVD - Powersculpting.

Don't forget to sign up to guest post for the BODYpeace series!

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Weigh in Wednesday

Last night it felt so weird to be at Weight Watchers and NOT weigh in.  I have gone every week (but didn't stay for the 12/23 meeting) of this journey.  I only get a week "off" this time since next week is the first meeting of March that I'll attend.  Weighing myself this morning it looks like I'm still on the right track.

Week of Workouts

Thursday I worked my arms.

Friday I worked my shoulders.

Saturday I knew that in order to be able to make it to the library I couldn't wait for Benny to get up to shovel the driveway.  So I did it ALL BY MYSELF!  I had Austin come out and work on the leftovers but that didn't last long.  At least he stayed outside with me and off his tablet!  It took me about 2 hours to get it all done.

Surprisingly I was never really sore after all that shoveling but I still went ahead and did yoga on Sunday.

Monday I worked my arms again.

Yesterday I wrapped up Body Beast doing Cardio & Abs.

I have no program set up to go to next and have no idea what I want to do EEK!

Body Merry

I was given the opportunity to try out Body Merry's Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream as well as the Age Defense Eye Cream in exchange for my review. 

Along with eliminating my wingsuit it would be nice to clear up some of those stretch marks from my skin stretching all these years. 

Body Merry’s Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream is a natural and organic formula consisting of organic cocoa butter and shea butter, alongside lots of pure plant oils and vitamins. This cream provides intense moisturization and nourishes your skin to help visibly reduce the appearance of existing marks and scars, whatever be the cause. Not only that, it effectively prevents the formation of new ones.  Like all our products, it is free from harsh chemicals such as parabens, sulfates and phthalates.

My arm and stomach before applying Body Merry's Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream

I haven't used cocoa butter in years but smelled it immediately when I opened the jar.  I could probably sniff it all day LOL!  I applied the Stretch Marks & Scars Defense Cream on my upper arms (aka wings) and my stomach twice a day for a couple of weeks.  I personally can't see any difference in either area.  Cocoa butter is supposed to work wonders for this but perhaps because it's been too long or that my skin is too loose I can't see the effects.  I would like to use this cream again once my skin is tighter to see if it makes a difference.

I didn't know what to expect with Body Merry's Age Defense Eye Cream.  There is a slight scent to this cream, although I can't identify what it is.  I used this once a day for a couple of weeks.  Not even a full pump was enough to cover both eyes (a little dab'll do ya).  I dabbed a towel on my eyes to pick up any excess so it wouldn't get into my eyes.  I noticed the skin around my eyes feels a little smoother than before and maybe a little less puffy.

(I tried to take current pictures this morning but Benny interrupted me and I didn't get it done.)

Order your own Body Merry creams on Amazon

Don't forget to sign up to guest post for the BODYpeace series!

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BODYpeace Series

I recently completed Heather and Kasey's #StopStrivingStartThriving Challenge, beginning my own BODYpeace discovery journey. My mind kept wandering off and not focusing whenever I tried the journaling activities so I've only just scratched the surface.
 

  

What is BODYpeace?

 

BODYpeace is a safety net and guidebook with a supportive Facebook community to help women rid themselves of the body shame brought on by the unrealistic perfection expected of us by society and ourselves. This journey helps you to stop using diet and exercise to restrict yourself in any way. Although it involves food it's not a diet or weight loss plan. The journey is set for 30 days but you're not expected to transform overnight. Like myself you may have to go through the journey many times before you're comfortable but you'll take away something every time. When times get tough you can always return to the individual lessons for reference and restoration.

 

 

The first half of your BODYpeace discovery journey involves BODYtruths. You learn to change your mindset and what you think about your body. Each day's lesson is accompanied with meditation and a journaling exercise. I have personally struggled with meditation over the years (i.e. every sound distracting me, dozing off, etc.) so that makes it even more difficult for me to journal.

 

 

The second half involves BODYfuels. It opens your eyes to any fears you may have about food. You learn how to look at food as fuel instead.

 

Starting Your BODYpeace Journey

 

To get started on your own discovery journey you need to:

 

1. Purchase a copy of BODYpeace on Amazon.

  

2. Go to www.BODYoeaceMovement.com/book to download the meditations and join the Facebook community.
 

3. Get a journal specifically for BODYpeace to use throughout your journey.

4. Set aside the time and energy to commit to this journey.

5. Set your WHY for taking this journey.
 

The Series
 

I would like to have a weekly series of guest posts starting in March for other women to share their thoughts, experiences, or what they have learned from their BODYpeace discovery journeys. Tuesdays will become #BODYfuel day where someone can share a recipe or anything else food related. Thursdays will be #BODYtruth day where someone will share what she has learned about her body (that she is comfortable in sharing of course and nothing pornographic).
 

If you are interested in guest posting please read the guidelines (excluding the age as a woman of ANY age can be on this journey) and complete the form here, indicating which category you want to share. I will contact you and set the timeframe for your post.

 

 

All BODYpeace images courtesy of Kasey & Heather.

Welcome to Lifetime

Apparently there was an error in the posting that listed the Organic Chia Seed opportunity as a review and a giveaway.  It was only supposed to be a review.  I want to thank the winner, Kimberly Job of Sublime Reflection for being a good sport about it!

I weighed in last night down 1.4 lbs and signed up for the Lifetime Membership at Weight Watchers.  As a Lifetime Member I'm considered a permanent part of the family!  As a Lifetime Member you receive a charm, membership card, free eTools subscription, and unlimited meetings (although I don't see the need to attend more than once a week but some feel it necessary).  Since I only need to weigh in monthly now I'd like to know what you'd like to see instead.

Do I take a picture of my scale before my Wednesday workout like this?

Or do I have something else here?  Please leave your ideas in the comments.

Week of Workouts

Thursday it was Cardio & Abs.

Saturday was Build: Chest/Tris before heading to Comic Con.

Monday I began week 12 with Bulk: Back.

Yesterday was leg day.

Today I did Bulk: Chest.

Wizard World Comic Con

On the Indiana Women's Blogger Facebook Group I was given 3 passes to Comic Con earlier in the week then on Thursday I got a notice that I won two more (never got used by anyone).  Neither Benny nor Austin seemed too thrilled to go, especially with the high prices for autographs and photo opportunities.  I finally got them convinced to attend but boy was it COLD!

We didn't go until late because of Benny so I missed out on some of the panels.  We popped in William Shatner's talk but left about halfway through; Benny said it wasn't what he expected.  Did you know that Shatner owns horses and comes to the Indiana State Fairgrounds in September for some kind of horse race?  He also mentioned that he helped design a motorcycle and will be driving it from Chicago to Los Angeles this summer.  It's quite an interesting looking bike!

After that we walked around the exhibit floor.  There were so many cool looking things displayed and for sale.  Austin and Benny went into the zombie shooting range and took home their targets.  We ran into Spock manning a booth.  Don't know if I startled the guy or what but my picture came out blurry when he took it.

We popped into the concert by the Critical Hit Band (leader is the guy who writes the music for World of Warcraft) while waiting for the costume contest.  The lady in the middle was playing an instrument I don't recognize.  It had the neck of a cello but a tiny body.  (lights too bright so I couldn't get a good picture)

There were many interesting costumes that entered the contest (as individuals or groups).  Winners included costumes from Spaceballs, Aladdin, Labyrinth, and Star Wars.  Some spent months and probably a lot of money putting their costumes together.  It put my Halloween costumes to shame!

I couldn't imagine being there all day but I would've liked to go to the talks or panels.  I would like to go to another one in costume and hang out with other cosplayers.

For those of you that have gone to a ComicCon or GenCon, what did you enjoy the most?

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Back to Beast Mode

I weighed in last night down 1.4 lbs...back in my goal window.  The Weight Watchers leader said last night that next week I'll receive my Lifetime key charm!  So if anyone's interested in seeing what it's all about you can come for free Tuesday night at 6 PM (they offer 1 free meeting to everyone).

WEIGHT WATCHERS STORE CENTRE EAST

10537 E WASHINGTON ST STE E

INDIANAPOLIS , IN 46229

Giveaways

Don't forget I have two giveaways going on now.

Microbiome Probiotics - 5 Winners, Ends 2/14 @ 1 AM EST

Organic Chia Seeds - 1 Winner, Ends 2/16 @ 1 AM EST

Week of Workouts

Thursday I did Jillian Michaels' Shred It with Weights Level 2.

I was so exited to get Body Beast again so I can wrap up this program.  If it hadn't snowed I would've picked it up at the library Wednesday night.  Instead I got it Thursday night.

Friday I returned to Body Beast with Bulk: Shoulders.

Saturday I did Cardio & Abs.

Sunday was Build: Back/Bis.

Monday was leg day.

Tuesday I wasn't feeling it.  I don't know how to describe.  I ended up just doing Cardio without the Abs.

Everything was back to normal today for me to do Bulk: Shoulders.

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Organic Chia Seeds Review & Giveaway

I had never thought of chia seeds before (besides the Chia Pet) but I'm looking for different healthy foods to ease my way into new recipes.  Just the other day Benny said he wanted me to cook something different.  So the opportunity to try chia seeds falls in at the right time.

I received Chia Seeds GOLD™ - 100% Organic (2 pound bag) by NutriGold for free in exchange for my review.  Since this is my first experience with chia seeds I've been scouring Pinterest trying to find what I can add them to or simple recipes I can make.

Most of the time I'd add them to my yogurt or oatmeal.

For dessert I frequently have a cup of #yogurt ... Last night was half vanilla half strawberry with about a tbsp natural #peanutbutter and about 1/4 scoop of #organicchia seeds. #200ktransform @dymatize @bodybuildingcom

A photo posted by Cassandra Schmigotzki (@longandwindingroadtowellness) on Jan 27, 2015 at 6:48am PST

I tried twice to make chia pudding using a simple recipe but neither time did the pudding solidify.

Austin has been wanting me to buy apple butter but perhaps I can make it with chia seeds in the crockpot during the week (so he doesn't know the seeds are there).

 I found a simple Chia Jam in the BodyPeace book.

 

 

I used an apple as my fruit.  I cut it up and put it in the microwave for a minute.  Since I don't have a food processor I used my mini chopper...it seemed to take forever!  I didn't measure the honey but added it little by little.

 

 

How the red apple made green jam...I don't know.

 

I mixed the jam in a bowl with about 2 tbsp. of peanut butter.

 

 



I still wanted something more substantial so I added a yellow container amount of oatmeal.  I did add water to it but never warmed it up in the microwave.

It tasted a little too sweet once everything was mixed together.  I have a bunch of frozen fruit and cans of pineapple I can try next.

Entry-Form

Maintenence Week 4

I wrote this post on Wednesday but didn't post until Thursday.  I was trying to find more information on neuroendocrinology (see physical therapy wrap-up below) but I'm not seeing much on this field.

 

At weigh in last night I regained the 3.6 lbs I lost last week.  I stopped taking the probiotics and TOM snuck in there so perhaps it was a combination of the two.  This TOM has been horrible!  I've felt so weak and miserable Monday and Tuesday.

Week of Workouts

Thursday was Kelly Coffey-Meyer's 30 Minutes to Fitness Bootcamp Workout 1.  It was way too fast for me so I never went back to do Workout 2.

Friday was Kelly's Lift in Full Throttle Powersculpting workout.

Saturday I did Jillian Michael's Extreme Shed & Shred Level 2 and boy was that tough!

Sunday was 75 minutes of Yin Yoga with Kim Eng.

Monday I woke up so crappy from TOM that I took a rest day.

Yesterday I did 33 minutes of Yin Yoga.

Since I was feeling a little better today I did Kelly Coffey-Meyer's 30 Minutes to Fitness Circuit Burn Workout 2.

Physical Therapy Wrap-up

Yesterday was my last PT session.  We determined the cause (basically me tensing up and holding everything in my neck) and a solution (the exercises and Alexander Technique).  This is from years of behavior that I have to undo so it's not anything that can be done staying in PT.  I have to do this on my own.

With the crappy TOM I brought up menstrual migraines (since I was having one).  She suggested that I see a doctor specializing in Neuroendocrinology.  How would a PT know anything about this?  Her husband did his fellowship in this very area so she has some basic knowledge.  His office is up in Carmel so I've asked my GYN if he knows someone closer before I get the PT's husband's contact information (that just sounds so wrong LOL).

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