Absolutely FABulous Day 5: Back Me Up People!

THE

ABsolutely FABulous 

14 Day Challenge 

14 days worth of Ab Workouts, Healthy Habits & Positive Thinking

DAY 5

BACK ME UP PEOPLE!

I'm always striving for a strong and sexy back so I can feel confident in clothes with interesting backs like this.........

Happy Monday 

Here is the challenge:

AB Challenge:  Lower back extensions.  4 Sets of 20.

Even workout clothes have cool backs!

Healthy Habit Challenge: I rarely slow down.  My brain is running a million miles a minute at ALL TIMES.  Today I'm going to attempt to meditate for 5 full minutes.  Last time I tried this I got to 2 full minutes and was SO PROUD.  Here's what you do:  Lay on the floor before bed.  Set a 5 minute timer.  Shut your eyes (don't sleep) and let your brain go blank until the timer goes off.  Eliminate all thoughts (this is the hardest part)....I usually never make it to 5 minutes.  But I sure as heck am trying!

Positive Thinking Challenge: Forgive someone.  Anyone.  It could be the guy who just cut you off during rush hour traffic or the snooty barista at a local coffee shop.  Just forgive.  Hating & anger require too much wasted energy.  

Ahhh ZEN.

PS - In my next life I want to be a house dog.  Sleep, eat, run, play.  See Ruby below....

ABsolutely FABulous Challenge Day 4

*** Quick break in the challenge to tell you about my new favorite fitness blog The Athletarian.  Christina is ADORABLE and is currently having a great giveaway that I think EVERYONE should enter.  Click HERE to check out her blog.

THE

ABsolutely FABulous 

14 Day Challenge 

14 days worth of Ab Workouts, Healthy Habits & Positive Thinking

Ok ......here we go!

AB Challenge: Here's how it works:

Step 1 - Lift your legs in the air and toes your toes.  

3 Sets of 20

Step 2: Tap the outside of your left foot then your right.  3 Sets of 20

Step 3:  Breathe....you're done!  Easy right?

Healthy Habit Challenge:  Drink more water!  Summer is hot, we are all active and everyone could use more water.  Did you know one of the best ways to stay hydrated is by eating fruit?  Fruits like pineapple, watermelon, grapes & peaches have high water content and stay in your system longer.  This doesn't apply to them as juice.  That's usually high in sugar.

Positive Thinking Challenge:  Hug.  All the time.  Hug people more often.  I love hugging but don't do it enough.  My husband is always asking what I am doing (which is usually blogging) and I always tell him I'm busy....but am I really to busy to hug him.....of course not.  A little less blogging and a little more hugging never killed anyone!

Did everyone have a good weekend?  I TOTALLY did! I played around in my closet and came up with this.  Also went to a comedy club & jewelry party.  Woo hoo.

Day 3 of The ABsolutely FABulous Challenge

THE

ABsolutely FABulous 

14 Day Challenge 

14 days worth of Ab Workouts, Healthy Habits & Positive Thinking

Day 3

Ab Challenge:  Meet Jack Knifes.  They are ABsolutely one of my favorite ab exercises.  I forgot about them until I went to an abs class at the gym the other night and our instructor had us do them.  They hurt the next day.....in a good way.  Enjoy!

Do 4 sets of 12.

Healthy Habit Challenge:  Only eat foods today that are not processed, boxed up or pre made.  This one is a bit hard for me because  it requires a little planning and more time in the kitchen.  My food for the day will likely be eggs for breakfast, salad for lunch & fish with veggies for dinner.

Positive Thinking Challenge:  Give compliments!  To strangers, friends, co-workers......whoever.  The other day someone stopped me on the street and told me they loved my hair.  It was so random but felt SO GOOD.  I feel the same way when someone leaves a comment on my blog.  Warm fuzzies.  I love that.

I'm giving one of my compliments virtually to my friend Carolyn below.

Carolyn - You are one of the most interesting and and inspiring people I know.  5 minutes after meeting you I knew you I wanted to become your life long friend!  

The ABsolutely FABulous Challenge: Day 2

THE

ABsolutely FABulous 

14 Day Challenge 

14 Ab Workouts, Healthy Habits & Positive Thinking

Day 2

Daily Ab Challenge:  Today we'll keep it simple with crunches.  Do 4 sets of 25 in the middle, left side (obliques) & right side.  Yes folks, you counted correctly. That is 300 crunches total.  

JUST GO FOR IT!

Healthy Habit Challenge:  Yesterday was fruits and today is veggies.  I'm terrible about eating veggies so I add carrots to my homemade shakes.  I've also added veggies like celery & kale which are almost tasteless (and low cal) but packed with nutrients.  See my shake from yesterday with carrots, cherries, peaches, oranges & blueberries.

Positive Thinking Challenge: Write down 3 things you like about yourself.  We are all fabulous and should cut ourselves a break once in awhile!  Often we are our harshest critic.  Here are my 3...

1.  My Hair:  I hated it as a kid (curly, red...I mean come on!).  I've learned to embrace and appreciate it for what it is.....LARGE & IN CHARGE!

2.  My Arms:  I do push ups EVERY night before I got to bed.  It makes me feel stronger....plus look better in tank top dresses...haha.......see below.

3.  My Attitude:  I choose to look at the glass half full.  It isn't always easy but helps me to not sweat the small stuff.  The grass is always greener on my side!

I would love to hear about what you are doing!  Do you have an AB workout you love?  A healthy habit you live by?

The ABsolutely FABulous Challenge

The 

ABsolutely FABulous 

14 Day Challenge

14 Days of Ab Workouts, Healthy Habits & Positive Thinking

Day 1 (each day changes)

Daily Ab Challenge: See below.....think Fergalicious!  Who doesn't want to have abs like that??!!  14 days might not get me to Fergie Ab status but will give me a good foundation!

Daily Healthy Habit Challenge: Eat three pieces of fruit minimum today.  Any fruit you choose.  Maybe even try something you don't normally have.  My fruits for today are  watermelon, peach & raspberries.  I NEVER eat these but love all three.  I'm using fruit as my 3 small snacks in between meals

Daily Mind Body & Soul Challenge:  Write down 3 things you are thankful for.  I often forget how many things I am thankful for so writing it down on a post it note and putting it on my mirror shows me how great life already is.....

I'm thankful for:

1.  Having a job I like.  I might be in the minority on this one!  Most people hate getting up for work.....I actually look forward to it!

2.  My friend Shana from Colorblind who I just found out is coming to visit me in September!  Yay for me (bad for my bank account).

3.  My husband.  He is so handsome.  Pain in my butt....but handsome.

Song of the Week: Who Doesn't Love & Little Sun?

Stare Into The Sun by Graffiti6

I use this song for many things:  Working out, getting ready, cooking, cleaning my closet, a little motivation in the car before a meeting.  Enjoy!

Starting TOMORROW: 

The ABsolutely FABulous Challenge

Jessica's Lifestyle Makeover Week 6

There is much to celebrate this week!

Goal Weight: 140 by Oct 1

Weigh in Last Week: 164

Weigh in This Week: 161

Total Weight Loss This Week: 3

Total Weight Loss Since May 30th: 11

HUGE week for many reasons!  First of all she surpassed the 10 pound mark.  Ten pounds is not easy and a great milestone on this journey.  Second, she is only a few pounds away from entering the 150's!  Woo hoo!  Jessica hasn't been in the 150's since high school.  Third, her clothes are WAY too big on her and everyone continues to notice her weight loss.  Who doesn't love hearing someone say how great you look or ask if you've lost weight!  Compliment are ALWAYS welcomed in my book.

All of my fashion bloggers are going to have to help make Jessica over once she gets closer to her goal!  

Normally, I post the weigh in on Monday however we had a bit of a hiccup yesterday and waited until today to share results.  Yesterday when Jessica got on the scale it showed that she was still 164.  She had felt a little off yesterday and was disappointed to not have any weight loss for the week.  Low & behold she woke up today feeling much better and when she got on the scale it showed 161.  Lesson Learned: Being self aware of your body is really important.  A scale is only a scale.  We know when our bodies aren't quite right.  Your intuition and gut instincts should always trump a scale!

Increase Protein & Decrease Carbs

Mango Salsa

1 mango, chopped

1/2 jalapeno, seeded and diced

1/4 onion (red preffered, any onion OK)

juice of 1 lime, zest of 1/2 lime

mix ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate

Zesty, Creamy Topping

Skip the sour cream and use this instead!

1/2 cup plain lowfat yogurt, strained (Place a paper towel in a strainer and add the yogurt. This helps give the yogurt a thicker consistency like soft cheese. It needs about 2-3 hours in the refrigerator and you can skip this step if you don’t have the time)

1/2 tsp chili powder, taco seasoning, or fajita seasoning

stir and refrigerate

 Fish

about 2-3 pounds white fish (we used tilapia or shrimp)

 season with salt and pepper

squeeze juice from 1/2 lime over fish

broil or grill on low to medium heat for 6-8 minutes (don’t over do it or your fish will be tough)

You will also need…

 Corn Tortillas

1 cup cabbage, shredded (green or purple – whatever looks good)

Making the Taco

Add the a little of each item and voila!  You have easy, simple fish tacos!

Indulge in a healthy, nutritious lunch or dinner… and feel great!

Final Day of Boot Camp: Zzzzzz.....

Final Boot Camp Day:  Rest & Relaxation.....

My cure to everything is 8 hours of sleep.  I love sleep.  I know this because I love to go to sleep and I hate getting up.  So in those 8 restful hours something magical must be transpiring!  

Honestly, today was a lay on the couch and just be lzy day.  Best end to a full week of Boot Camp.  Enjoy!

Boot Camp Week: A Little Music To Pump You Up