Dark Cocoa Almonds = PARTY in YOUR TUMM!

Seriously- my kids could not stop eating this little "healthy" treat. I had a hard time not taking more then a handful myself for my snack time:) Here is the recipe from Joy Bauer's latest cookbook Slim & Scrumptious.

1 egg white
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups unsalted raw almonds, skin on
1/4 granulated sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder ( I used Ghirardelli..only the best right:))
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt (not table salt)

1. Preheat the over to 275 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil, and coat the foil with oil spray. (totally takes away from the clean up mess)

2. In a large bowl, combine the egg white and vanilla and whip until very frothy. Add the almonds to the bowl and stir until they are completely soaked in egg white, about 2 minutes.

3. In a small bowl, stir together the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt until thoroughly mixed. Add the sugar-cocoa mixture to the almonds, and stir until the dry ingredients are completely incorporated and evenly coat the almonds (no dry powder should remain at the bottom of the bowl.)

4. Pour the almonds onto the prepared baking sheet, and use a spatula, spoon, or your hands to spread them in a single even layer. Bake for 25 minutes on the middle oven rack.

5. Using a spatula, flip the almonds over in small batches and bake for 15 minutes.

6. Cool for at least 15 minutes. Break the almonds apart before serving. Store in an airtight container.

Nutrition breakdown: Calories: 212 Protein: 7 g Carbohydrates: 13 g Total fat: 14 g
Saturated fat: 1 g Cholesterol: 0 mg. Fiber: 4 g Sodium: 35 mg

in other words--- A perfectly healthy snack in EVERY way!

Healthy Snacking:)

Make it a lifestyle change and INCLUDE your kids

Kids love to do whatever they see mom and dad doing. If they see you sitting on the couch watching tv, they are going to want to do that to. If they see you cooking in the kitchen- they are going to want to help out. If they see you exercising- they will follow suit and mimic your actions.

Most people fail at diets or exercise programs because they aren't making it a lifestyle change. It is easier for someone to make a lifestyle change when they have no one else to worry about.... aka.... family! :)

Once you have a family it's game over! Haha- just kidding- it just takes a little more creativity.

Kids LOVE to be active! It is in their nature- and our nature in case you were wondering.

They need exercise and running around the park or running outside is more then enough! But- sometimes throwing in a few staple exercises is always a good thing too.

Here is one of my kids favorite things to do after school or when I feel like they are being too wild in the house and need to outlet some energy:)



Next up- some healthy recipes from Joy Bauer's latest cookbook "Slim and Scrumptious"



On this weeks menu I will be testing with my kids:

Lemon Sage Chicken Breasts
Sesame Chicken Tenders
Turkey Tetrazzini
AJ's Mac n Cheezy
Cinnaomon-Sugar Almonds
Frozen Hot Chocolate (Serendipity style minus the fat!)

I will be making a video of each adventure and give it to my kids to pass the test!

Get ready for some YUMMY Slim and Scrumptious meals!!:)

ps- who wants me to do a give away of this wonderful cookbook?? :)

No EXCUSE hot ABS!!

It's The Bertinator here-- and did I hear that ya'll want some good lookin' abs!! :) Who just wants good abs for the summertime?? NOT ME! You need those tight abs all year round! But who has the time to sit around and do abs all day, you ask?? WELL......................

Back by popular demand is my NO EXCUSE segment!

The number one e-mail I get from ladies is them asking how to fit in a workout when you have multiple kids, multiple activities, and all the normal mom duties- some working, some stay at home, etc.... and the number one answer I have to give them is "if you really want it you'll make the time" -- haha! Yes- that is true-- BUT! and that is a big one-- unless you love it, unless you have a passion for fitness the likelihood is that instead of "making" the time- you just have to realize all the waiting around us moms do- and take ADVANTAGE! Do you know how much time you REALLY have on your hands?? How long are you in the car everyday? How often are you just waiting for your kids activities to be done-- or watching them at the park?? Or waiting for your food in a restaurant?? Or on hold for a phone call??

Seriously- seems like I do quite a lot of that- and I'm guessing you do too- whether you have kids or not. That is why I created the NO EXCUSE exercise segment in the first place. And - I'm impressed with all of you who are taking me up on the challenge!

GOOD FOR YOU!

Today's "no excuse" challenge is hot abs in the car! (part 2 coming soon)



So, get your jam on in the car like a star! I'm totally Dr. Seussin' it today!

Enjoy- and rock those abs- and let me know where you feel like you spend most your time "waiting".

Yummy Yummy Almond Milk!

I just love, LOVE almonds! Especially when they are chocolate covered-- but we aren't thinking about that right now, are we:)

I recently had heard about Almond Milk so I thought, why not give it a try?-- and you know what-- I LOVED IT! It tastes really good-- I got the Vanilla.

I totally recommend you give it a try- and here are just some of the health benefits:

1. It contains no cholesterol or lactose.

2. It is enriched with vitamins!

- Vitamin A- necessary for maintenance of normal development of skin and visual acuity.
Also associated with normal development and growth.

- Vitamin B- necessary for normal digestion of carbohydrates and helps muscular tissues.
as well as other vitamins in the vitamin B complex.

- Vitamin E- helps the blood cells and tissues, decreases the risk for some cancers,
Heart disease and cataracts.

3. Contains proteins for healthy muscles, copper,and magnesium too.

4. It is also used as a dietary fiber.

5. Rich in Arginine and low in Lysine which helps reduce the risk of coronary diseases.

AND the results from drinking Almond Milk on a daily basis is softer skin, helps heal dry itchy skin and helps keep your hair shiny and less oily.

And what part of that do you not like?!

So, next time you are in the store, pick some up and let me know what you think!!

YOU have the POWER!!!

One of my favorite things to give my girls at the end of a workout is a power move- that they only have to do 2-3 of! I do this to show them that ANYTHING is possible and you can for sure do at least 1 and most likely more:) Once they can do it- I then start adding the different power moves into their workout making it ever more challenging. My girls NEVER do the same workout twice!:) It is all about keeping your body on its toes--- so here is your first power move to try!

Just TRY it! That is all I'm asking!:)

Roll to pop out push-up

NOW- how do you feel?! It was FUN, huh?? Feel like a kid again:)

Just 15 min!

Seriously-- it is not hard to fit a 15 min. exercise routine into your day-- and if it IS- then you are too busy-- if you can't take 15 min. for yourself! So- just DO IT!:)

In just 15 min. your energy will spike up, you will feel happier, and then we will have world peace... ok- not the last one, but maybe if more people exercised. Haha!

True - the recommended exercise to get per day is between 30-45 min. - but ya gotta start somewhere AND 15 min. is better then nothing-- and before you know it- maybe you will find yourself taking "2" 15 min. exercise breaks for yourself:)

In case you can't figure out what to do- I have created a pretty sweet video just for YOU!
(pause my music down on the right to hear)

15 minutes of FUN blueprint:

60 jumps with speed rope
50 prisoner lunges
60 high knees with speed rope
50 prisoner squats
60 single leg hops on left
25 single leg lunge jumps - left
60 single leg hops on right
25 single leg hops on left
60 jumps with speed rope
20 push - ups
60 side to side jumps with speed rope
50 flutter kicks

AND continue til your 15 min. timer goes off!

Enjoy-- and HAPPY 15 min!

Contest- 50 bucks- CONTEST!!

CONTEST!

Here it is---- see the pics above?? Well- your job is to help me with a costume idea! You can sketch it yourself, you can find a picture on the web--- but what would you have The Bertinator look like?! Like my facebook page- and add your pictures to my " Costume Ideas" photo album--- if you don't have a facebook-- e-mail me your picture to bertie.fitbody@gmail.com! I'll post it for you-- then I choose all my favorites and then the fan voting will begin!

Are you EXCITED?! I AM!!!

AND GO!!

And have fun training in the mean time:)

I AM The BERTINATOR!!!

Yes-- you saw that right! I'm creating a whole new persona for myself to make training that much more fun!! Can't YOU wait?!

I know for decades now I've been saying I will post and post regularly, etc ... Well--- without Internet access- or very limited- I was unable to do so-- but NOW!!!! I'm for real?! YES- I AM!

I will post more videos, more fun fitness ideas, amazing recipes-- and eventually my new site will be up and running!

But for now-- follow me on facebook--- the button will be on my sidebar!!!

I will update that quite often--- maybe sometimes even twice a day-- and it will be much more interactive!!

Can't wait to see ya'll over there--- because I need ideas on a costume-- so let's get to it!:)

NO excuse exercising!!

I'm going to start a weekly segment on my blog - with the theme of NO excuse exercising- everyone thinks they have a legitimate "excuse" as to why they can't find time to exercise. Well- guess WHAT?! I will find you the time- and I want you to try to give me an excuse that I can be like, "oh- yeah! You totally can't exercise!" I guarantee I will be able to bat that excuse out of the ball park- and you WILL get your workouts in. Seriously- TRY ME!:)

Now- I NEVER ask my clients to do anything that I wouldn't do myself... so- here is a video with me making a COMPLETE fool of myself in public.

Now it is your turn! Squat to it:)

Super set for Sexy Shoulders

Who doesn't want some nice shapely shoulders for those cute tops and swim suits that you will be dawning all summer long?? I love to super set my shoulder exercises because not only do you get your heart rate up, you also really burn those muscles out to create those perfect shoulders. Here is one of my FAVORITE super set of all time.

Super Sexy Shoulders blueprint:

1. surrenders - 10 each leg, arms up the whole time

2. power climbers - 1 min.

sets: 3

Tips: 1. Always use a weight challenging enough to really push yourself and that become difficult by the last 2 reps- almost to where you want to quit.

2. Never lock your arms out, keep a slight bend in the elbows.

Super set= doing 2 exercises back to back without any break in between.

AND remember-- you get out of a workout whatever you put INTO the workout! So, don't short change yourself by only putting in 50%-- give it your ALL- and believe me- it will be over quicker then you think AND you will feel SO much better afterwards then you did before:)

HAPPY TRAINING!

Boot Camps!

I'm not gonna lie- when I first heard all of this huplah about bootcamps and how they are all the rage- I was like-- WHATEVER! They are expensive- they are only 4 weeks long and after that unless the person keeps exercising they will gain everything back, etc.... However-- I have to eat my own words-- because bootcamp is AWESOME! So many benefits-- you are in a small group setting- most bootcamps will top out at 20 bootcampers so that they can really focus on each person as an individual. You are getting a personal trainer each session for half the cost! You get to meet other people who have the same goals as you-- it motivates you to go because you have not only paid for it- but someone will kick your butt for you AND the time is set everyday.

Did you know Americans waste more than $15billion a year on unused gym memberships. Recent studies estimate that of the roughly 40 million Americans who pay 4 the gym each year, nearly 80% don't go-with an average cost of $480 per year, that's an awful lot of dough 4 absolutely nothin!

So- if you are one of those peeps who EVERY YEAR get a new gym membership and think you will go- but then never find the time because something always comes up- I say invest in a bootcamp! You will love it, have fun, and most of all get in shape fast! Plus- you don't have to just do 1 4 week session- you can do them over and over-- they will have something new for you everytime!

It is also a lot cheaper-- if you get a gym membership and don't go then you are wasting money- if you get a gym membership but have no clue what to do and you just go walk on the treadmill or play around with the weights, then you aren't really getting your moneys worth anyway-- so GO to bootcamp- and you will not only get your moneys worth, but you will also save a ton- instead of hiring a personal trainer who can cost anywhere between 40-80 dollars an hour- you will have one for 4 weeks for less!

So- if you are bored and not working out and are unsure of what to do- try out a bootcamp and you may just find you like it... NO- LOVE IT!!

Burn MAXIMUM calories with this HIIT sprint workout!

If you are stuck in a rut-- and are tired of the same old training or cardio routine- or have hit a plateau then this video is for YOU!

This is a HIIT or high intensity interval training video with a fun sprint workout. HIIT is when you go back and forth at a 1:2 ratio between going full force and then recovering at a slower pace. For instance- in this video- I sprint for 20 seconds and recover by walking around for 40. Then I do it all over again:)

Now- this was another location test video at the cheer gym I teach boot camp. There were quite a few people in the back ground still talking- so sorry if you can't hear me- and I think next time I'll have to make it a little more "professional".

HIIT Sprint Mania Blueprint:

1. Get some heavy weights ranging from low to high-- at least 3 weights, you can do more to increase the intensity. If you don't have weights- just grab things that are heavy from your house- rocks, book ends, a globe, bricks, tires, use your imagination:)

2. Set markers 25 feet or more apart. The longer you have to sprint the more intense it will be!! (SO DO IT!)

3. Put the weights at one end- and you start at the opposite end of the weights.

4. Run towards the weights as FAST as you can-- pick up the lightest one and run back to start and put it down, continue this pattern til' all objects or weights are on the same side.

5. Recover for 40 sec. to a minute.

6. Repeat 10-15 times and you will be GOLDEN!

ps- I want you to run SO fast on the sprints that you can't even TALK to me by the end of each set:)

And remember- Always warm-up for 5 or so minutes and always cool down for 5 or so minutes and STRETCH afterwards!!

Now- go ENJOY every fun moment of this HIIT workout and just think how many calories you will be burning-- the fat will MELT off of you:)

Can YOU crawl under a barbed wire fence?

I love getting requests for different exercises you want to see, or want me to work out for you!

This is one requested by Amy Lawson, who wanted some more core and upperbody exercises-- and this is JUST the beginning.

Don't ever be intimidated by something you see here and think you can't do it-- you CAN and you can work up to the number of reps given. If you need modifications for any of these exercises let me know and I can give you some.

You can do the barbed wire on your knees if need be- but I say do as many as you can on your hands and feet first.

Blue print: (3 sets)

1. barbed wire crawls: 15

2. mountain climbers 1 min.

3. squat push-ups: 15

4. squat thrusts: 1 min.

Happy HAPPY training:)

and if you have a request- leave a comment and I will dedicate a video to YOU!

Let's work your ABS!

This video was too funny not to post-- it also helps remind you, that YES we would all LOVE to have the perfect body- but that- is it REALLY the end of the world if we don't have six pack abs?


So, now that we have worked your abs a little with laughter- don't forget that even while you are on the road to getting the body you want... you can still ENJOY life! And YES- you can also enjoy that little treat here and there!

Quadruple Quad Threat!!

Are you ready to have your quads literally on FIRE?? Put these 4 exercises together, one right after the other, and your legs will be burning!

(pause my playlist on the right towards the bottom of my page to watch video)




FEEL the burn baby, FEEL THE BURN!

Quadruple Quad Threat blueprint:

1. standing reverse squat (20 reps)
2. jump squats (10-20 reps)
3. down-down-up-up (10 reps ea. leg)
4. star jumps (10-20 reps)

3 SETS!

Happy Leg Day!:)

Personal training-isms.....

If you read this blog then I'm almost 100% sure you have either done a workout video, been to a class at the gym, or have even had your very own personal trainer. We are a fun bunch of folks, don't you think?! I love how everyone seems to have their own style of teaching or my personal favorite personal trainer-isms! If you notice- most instructors or trainers will say the same thing over and OVER again- whether it is a cheer of enthusiasm- YOU CAN DO IT! Or every time they do a certain move they will make a whoop- whoop sound, or even maybe right before they are about to show you a move- they are like, "Alright- check it out" Sometimes it is a face- and the funny thing is, it is so commonplace for them and habitual- they don't even know they are saying it or doing it over and OVER again-- and I LOVE IT!

I want to know what YOUR favorite personal trainer-ism is! I don't think I have one-- but then again- apparently we are not in the "know". And you will soon be able to tell me if I do or not BECAUSE starting Friday- I will be doing video posts again!! My new HD video camera is due to arrive sometime Friday- and I will test it out with a new plyo sequence just for ya'll!

Let's hear a YIP! You won't want to miss it-- it is a killer leg sequence- I mean KILLER!!:)

Until then- tell me your favorite personal trainer-isms, and maybe I'll slip some in for you - so that you will feel special- and like a secret shout out to you in my videos-- try some of these out! :) Wouldn't that be fun?! TOTALLY FUN!~

Keep rockin' your workouts!!

the DEVIL!!!

I always tell ALL my clients that the scale is the devil- and the only thing it is good for is weighing your food-- but not YOU!

Here is a perfect example as to WHY I hate the scale-- I mean- HATE it. Lots of people think hate is too strong of a word-- but in this case I think it goes along perfectly! Or you can try any number of these words and they will do about the same:) Abhor, detest, loathe, resent, (you get the picture) The scale is a TERRIBLE measurement against fat loss.

As we all know- I had a baby 12 weeks ago now... and I did take measurements and I did get on the scale-- but I have not retaken my measurements til' NOW!

So- here are my measurements from 2 weeks after baby was born and measurements that I actually took 1 week ago.

(Jan. 12, 2010)....................................(Mar. 15, 2010)
weight: 157............................................159!!!!
neck: 12.5 in............................................12.5 in.
wrist: 6.5 in..............................................6 1/4 in.
hips: 42 in.................................................41 in.
waist (smallest point): 30 in......................28 1/2 in.
belly button: 32 in.......................................30 1/2 in.
bust: 36.5 in. ...............................................35 in.
calves: 15.5 in.................................................15 in.
biceps: 12 in....................................................11 3/4 in.
thighs: 21.5 in..................................................22 in.

So- I would be devastated if I was just going against what the scale said- because if you take notice-- I went up 2 pounds on the scale- but all my measurements went down?! If I wasn't also tracking my measurements- then from my scale reading- I would have automatically said, "forget this!" If I'm gonna gain weight eating and exercising- then I might as well do it the right way-- and pigged out-- and wallowed in self-pity for a day or two. This is why we throw ourselves backwards instead of forwards--- and this is WHY we need to measure our progress and monitor your fat loss- not "weight" loss.

Here is why:

Yes- this picture is totally sick- and literally makes me want to throw up looking at it- because of that big glob of fat..... but it is important to point out, that no- technically muscle doesn't weigh more then fat- because a pound is a pound--- BUT- it takes up WAY less space! This is why going by measurements or how your clothes feel or body fat percentage is WAY more accurate and better for your self esteem then going by the stupid scale! (did I mention I really don't like scales?)

So, if you haven't done so already- TAKE your measurements and then every other week or once a month- CHECK to see how you are losing:) I guarantee you, you will be happy to be free of the "devil" and you will be happy with the end result!

Good luck and HAPPY training!

Getting SERIOUS!

(before I start- real quick- those of you who are still waiting on your "free" month programs- they ARE coming! Each of your individual programs are close to being done! Thanks for your patience:))

NOW

Whooo! It has been a while- and more importantly it has been a while since I've posted "after baby" pics! So- I think it is about time for me to restart getting back to my pre-pregnancy body!

I took some pics of me 2 weeks after Ms. Molly was born, and I wasn't sure I wanted to sport a swimsuit JUST yet.... but in a swimsuit-- I have NOTHING to hide- and can tell the actual progress I am making vs. having to guess, because too much is covered up. SO- without further ado-- I'm re posting "after baby" pics.... IN a bikini- so I can keep track better.

I'm not going to lie-- as evidence of my "non-progress", for the last 8 weeks- I haven't been on my best behavior. I know I said that I am taking things "slow" because I am nursing and I don't want to jeopardize that by dieting too much. However, I have been eating out too much, eating more then my fair share of desserts-- and I need to at least "control" that better. Working out has been pretty good-- and I hope to keep better track of what I do on a weekly basis. I will add my measurements to this post tomorrow morning... because I like to weigh/measure first thing in the morning for sanity's sake. Haha.

And without keeping ya'll in suspense-- here are my first "real before" pictures. I will begin updating again on the 1st and 15th of every month. Taking these pictures KEEP me on my game-- and knowing ya'll are watching me-- makes it even better:) So, THANK YOU!!

11 weeks postpartum!

(click on image to enlarge)

Now- I'm getting back to business as usual!

Spreading the LOOOOVVVVEEEEEE!

I wanted to thank all my wonderful clients this month with a fun Valentines Day gift.... but I couldn't get them flowers- because they don't last, I couldn't get them chocolates--- because that defeats the purpose and I want to give back to them, not hurt their progress:)

So, as I was sitting and rocking Molly it hit me! I should give all of them a FREE month. But why stop there? I feel so blessed and have been so grateful for each and everyone of my online personal training clients that I decided not only will I give them love-- but I'm going to spread the LOOOOVVVEEE even further and give EVERYONE a free month of on-line personal training. No catch- this is not a gimmick- it is just a free month so that you can see if maybe on-line personal training is for you!! It isn't for everyone- and I don't want you to pay me for my services if you don't actually get around to using them-- because I want you to progress- I don't just want your money. I want you to see results- that is my real payment:)

If you want to take some of my love-- then e-mail me at bertie.fitbody@gmail.com or leave me a comment with your e-mail address in it- and I will e-mail you a questionnaire so that I can make a plan catered to you!! If you would like to know what you will be getting for the month- go here and it explains what on-line personal training is. (you do not need a gym membership or access to a gym for this!)

You have until Valentines day to take me up on this offer!! So- that is TEN days for you to either snatch up the free month right away or mull it over!!

Plus- as a bonus-- if you spread the looooovvvveeee and repost this in your status or as a link on your facebook, blog, blast e-mail, etc... any which one you choose- then you will get a second month free!! Just let me know which one you did in your e-mail to me......

Don't forget-- bertie.fitbody@gmail.com is an e-mail address you will ALWAYS want to remember:) So e-mail now and get your free month of on-line personal training!

Short TERM goals

How AWESOME is this quote?? Now instead of the word "job" replace it with the word exercise or goal or just one more rep!! You don't have to do 10 push-ups in a row to FINALLY check off a goal-- if you have never done one before -- and you finally CAN... then that is a HUGE milestone. Health and fitness is taking baby steps and before you know it you will be toughing it out with the best of them, one push-up at a time!

So - today I'm sharing with you my short term goals... because if you don't have short term goals- you will NEVER get to your long term goals. Your short term goals are the stepping stones on your way to your long-term goals.

I'm still getting back to my pre-pregnancy fitness level. It is funny- I think I can pop out a kid and then get back to doing exactly what I was doing before... and it is a rude awakening when I can only do 10 push-ups before getting out of breath or only being able to sprint at half the speed before.... etc.... So, my long term goal is to get back to exactly where I was and keep growing from there.... and to get there:

1. I'm beginning the 100 push-ups challenge again, because there is just something about hitting that 100 that makes you feel like you are on TOP of the world.

2. This same guy has a 200 squat challenge- and since I LOVE squats and lunges, I'm going to go for that too. (he is coming out with a 25 pull-up challenge as well- and I'll be on board that one whenever it comes out)

3. I will also be doing 2 days of HIIT training and 3 days of steady state-- and then alternating it week from week.

I will stick with these 3 goals for now, as when I feel like I have too many goals on my plate- then I end up giving up too quickly and then none of them get accomplished until I decide to start over.

Since I'm still nursing Molly and realistically know that "inches" won't be dropping off-- then I'm going to focus more on my gains in fitness. I will still record my weight, stats and update progress pictures on the 1st and 15th of every month.... but do know the progress will be rather slow until I stop nursing.

Now it is your turn.... take out a piece of paper or even better, START a progress blog and write down your short term goals and share them with me! It is always fun to watch and see what other people are accomplishing and to cheer them on.

Keep workin' it!!

2 weeks AFTER baby and we are OFF!!

So--- here we go again!! One thing I love about having babies is it brings a new challenge to get back into shape after each one-- and there is nothing like a good challenge to motivate you to conquer your goals:)

To give anyone just now joining the short story...... here is where I started 5 years ago- when my 3rd was just 15 months old. I competed in Ms. Fitness Delta and took the crown and competed in Ms. Fitness Texas and took 3rd... and then had the "post competition blues" and put on close to 30 pounds because I was a little food happy after a pretty strict diet......

I lost close about 15 pounds on my own with intuitive eating..... and then decided to train for another fitness competition, this time remembering that I can't just go hog wild after I'm done competing! That is why I started this blog... to help keep me motivated and anyone else who needed that little extra something to help push them that much further towards what they want our of their fitness goals. This is the progress I made within the first month..................


(April 4, 2009).....(April 15, 2009).......(May 1, 2009)
weight: 154............... 150.........................147.5
neck: 12 1/2 in........ 12 1/2 in....................12.5 in.
wrist: 6 1/2 in. ......... 6 1/2 in....................6 1/2 in.
hips: 41 in. ................40.75 in..................40.5 in.
waist: 27 1/2 in. ....... 27 in.........................26.5 in.
belly button: 29 1/2 in. .......29 1/4 in............28 3/4 in.
bust: 33 in. ......... 33 in...........................33 in. (I'm not losing in my boobs because there is already nothing there:)
calves: 15 1/2 in. ...........15 1/4 in...............15 1/4 in.
biceps: 12 in. ..............11 3/4 in...................11.5 in.
thighs: 22 in. ........... 21 1/2 in......................21 in.


Then I got pregnant.... and nine months later I'm ready to get back on track.... with slight modifications. This is me 2 weeks after having Molly Mae. My measurements are under the pictures.... I luckily only gained about 27 pounds this time around... where I usually gain about 50!! So, I was proud of myself for that alone:)
I've got about 10 pounds to lose- but weight doesn't mean much to me if my measurements are all out of whack... so I prefer to go by measurements and bodyfat. And I have quite a few extra inches around my waist that I didn't have before!

(Jan. 12, 2010)
weight: 157
neck: 12.5 in
wrist: 6.5 in
hips: 42 in.
waist (smallest point): 30 in.
belly button: 32 in.
bust: 36.5 in. (whoo-hoo! I love my nursing boobs) lol!
calves: 15.5 in.
biceps: 12 in.
thighs: 21.5 in.

I will be back with another post tomorrow with my goals and time frames. Keep in mind I'm breastfeeding- and with Ethan I started dieting right away- and lost my milk after 3 months. This time I won't let that happen- so my diet will be healthy and well balanced and lots and LOTS of water........... and my exercise for the next little bit will be progressing back up to where I was and what I was doing before the baby came. Since I am breastfeeding- my progress will come slower then if I wasn't, due to my body really wanting to hold onto that extra fat til' I'm done. I'm keeping THAT in mind, so I'm not disappointed if I'm not right back to where I started asap.

Here goes nothing!:)

What are YOUR fitness goals for this year???



ps- if you didn't subscribe to my daily motivational e-mail..... then your inspiration today is Rocky's training program in my sidebar with music! Watch it and see if it doesn't make you want to go HARD next time you are working out!! And if you want to subcribe to my motivational e-mails, send me an e-mail to bertie.fitbody@gmail.com and put the subject subscribe!

What does the New Year bring??

Lots and LOTS of

MOTIVATION!

But how long does it last?? Did you know that by April 90% of the "resolution" gym goers no longer go to the gym. One of my all time favorite quotes is:

"Some people say motivation doesn't stick. Well either does a shower-that's why we advise you to take one everyday." ---Zig Ziglar

What motivates you? Do you have a daily source of inspiration? When the New Years resolution mania wears off--- what keeps YOU going?? What keeps ME going is having other people hold me accountable. Letting other people know my goals and then surrounding myself with positive people who care and want ME to succeed!

That is why tomorrow I will be posting "after baby" pics- and starting back up where I left off with my road back to fitness. I will post more details tomorrow about my goals and other fun info.

But for now- I want you to think about what keeps you going when the "initial motivation" starts to wear off?

I'm also going to start a daily motivational e-mail. If you would like to receive this e-mail to help give you that daily jump start, please e-mail me at bertie.fitbody@gmail.com 0r you can leave your e-mail address as a comment.

This is going to be a FANTASTIC year-- and I'm excited to restart my journey and to share it with you. And I'd love for YOU to share your journey with me!!

I'd say that this little sweetheart was worth me being sidetracked for the past 9 months:)

Remember- find what MOTIVATES you-- and refresh yourself DAILY.....