CONFESSION: I am an Oprah Junkie...

Everyday I tivo Oprah so that I can watch it at night. Oprah's starting out the new year by broadcasting a week long "Best Life" series that covers topics on how to improve your body, mind, and spirit in 2009. She started the week on Monday with an episode entitled "Falling Off the Wagon" where she confronted her own weight loss and spiritual challenges over the last two years.

Oprah confessed that her weight gain had nothing to do with lack of knowledge or information. Her problem was one of life balance. She neglected to take care of herself. She worked too much, focused all of her time on others and had little time to dedicate to herself. I wondered how many of us have felt the same way at times. I certainly have. Working full-time, going to school part-time, being a wife and a mother of 2 little boys- doesn't allow for much me time.

I guess why I loved Monday's show so much is because it showed that she too has failed at weight loss. A celebrity who has access to nutritionists, trainers and everything else- has weight problems just like me.

Oprah and Bob Greene are hosting an on-line web conference on Monday night- I hoping to sign up for it. Prior to the seminar Bob has asked that everyone answer the following questions:

1. What are you really hungry for?

2. Why are you overweight?

3. Why have you been unable to maintain weight loss in the past?

4. What in your life is not working?

5. Why do you want to lose weight?

And they aren't just supposed to be obvious, surface answers like…”I am overweight because I like to eat donuts while watching re-runs of the Oprah Winfrey show.”

I'll be working on the answers to my questions.......

Night Everyone!

Biggest Loser Workout: Cardio Max Review

........ I LOVE IT!

So a few things about the DVD:

1. The DVD is divided up into 3 segments of workouts: Week 1 & 2; Week 3 & 4; Week 5 & 6

2. There are 3 different levels you can choose to workout on- Level 1 which is about 30 minutes and up to a level 3 which is 50 minutes. (Once your comfortable with level 1 then you move up to level 2 etc)

3. You can customize your own workout- you can select if you want to do the warm-up, just the cardio, what level etc.

4. You can choose to listen to the trainer talk or just watch the movements and listen to the music. (Music isn't anything special- so I recommend listening to the trainer)

This morning I only did the Level 1- Week 1 workout. This workout is with Bob but Jillian and Kim are in the DVD as well (must be on different levels). So far I thought it was really good. Bob gave options for low intensity and high intensity. This level did require weights.

I am not going to lie- I was sweating and a little out of breath during these 30 minutes. The moves are basic but they MAKE YOU WORK. So if you need the fancy choreographed workout DVD's this one wouldn't be for you. My level workout consisted of a 5 minute warm-up, 30 minute workout and then a 5 minute stretch/yoga. I am really looking forward to the other workouts on the DVD.

One thing I really liked about this DVD- is that some of the past contestants were featured doing the workout in the background. They all looked like me- sweating, tired and giving Bob the evil eye- lol! They were just 'normal' people doing the workout like all of us. **NOTE** I hate the workout DVD's where they all have matching outfits, no one breaks a sweat and they just sit and smile the entire time-lol**

My over all rating:

**NOTE** I rented this DVD from our local library. Great way to check out workout DVDs before you purchase them!

The Biggest Loser

My FAVORITE show started tonight- Biggest Loser!! I just love that show! What I wouldn't give for a week with Bob and Jillian! Eleven great teams started the show tonight but I have to say I was so sorry to see 9 people go home tonight. What a shocker!!

In honor of the show starting tonight- I have decided to start a new DVD tomorrow morning:

Biggest Loser Workout: Cardio Max

I'll keep you posted on what I think!

Menu Planning....

When I am losing weight the hardest thing for me- is trying to figure out what to eat. Not so much what food is good and bad but the planning of it. I think that is why I loved Jenny Craig so much. I joined JC after the birth of my first son. I dropped 20 pounds in 4 weeks through JC. For me it was the ease of it- here is your food and a list of what to eat on what days- it required no thought. Now as I try to lose the baby weight from my second son, I find planning my meals so difficult. I feel like I don't have enough time to plan out the meals that I would like to eat especially on a tight budget.

My first goal for my weight loss- is to make out a monthly meal plan. Tonight I am taking the time to write everything out and post it on my refrigerator so i can see it front and center.

With that said I have decided to post a new budget friendly, healthy recipe on my blog every Thursday: "Thinning Down Thursday Recipes". Make sure to check them out! I will be posting the recipe as well as pictures each Thursday!

UPDATE

UPDATE on using my new Wii fit: WOW! I am surprised at how sore I was yesterday! Boxing left my shoulders, back and arms so sore! I think I boxed for a total of an hour on Sunday and later that night I ran using the Wii fit for a total of 15 minutes (did the game a few times) and did strength training for about 10 minutes. What I really love about the Wii is that it keeps my time on how long I have been on it.

Funny thing about the Wii fit- it provides motivational insults-lol! I was doing a balancing game- which I obviously wasn't good at- and the Wii's response: "Your score is not very good. Do you fall down when you walk?" Shocked at first at what it said and then I couldn't stop laughing. I am really happy with our Wii fit!

Wii FIt

This is my new FAVORITE toy:

Hubbie bought it this morning and I am slightly addicted.........
It's a lot of fun, and not a bad workout. It keeps track of my weight, my BMI, and my workout time. So far I have been skiing, ski-jumping, boxing, running, hula hooping, some yoga and strength training. With the freezing cold weather we have been having here lately- it's a perfect solution for an indoor workout. I have to admit I enjoy a more 'vigorous' workout but I can definitely feel the soreness in my legs from the games played today.

Let the Competition Begin!!!

I just signed up to take part in:

Biggest Loser Blog Edition

I'm really excited!! This will be a great way for me to stay focused and motivated to accomplish my goals!

So I weighed myself yesterday and to my disappointment.... the scale read: 193!!!!!!!!!!!

I have to admit I was a little shocked- I did not think it was that high! I gained 4 lbs since the last time I weighted myself....what a downer.

Let the challenge begin!!!