Pilates

While on this journey to healthy living I like to mix things up in the exercise department. On some days I am able to make it to the gym for my favorite spinning classes but on many days I just can't get there. For the first 6 weeks of my journey I exclusively worked out at home and lost 19 pounds so having a gym membership is really not necessary to get results.

Last week I took the challenge thrown down by The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans and tried a new workout. I have to tell you that it certainly was a challenge because I have tried most types of exercise at least once. Luckily, I had a pilates DVD from Jenny Craig- the Core Plus Reformer that I hadn't tried yet.

This DVD is from Gaiam ( a brand that I know for the yoga DVDs that I love) and the class is led by Mari . She provides direction during the video while her students execute the movements. The DVD comes with a four pronged resistance band for use during the workout. Although it takes some adjusting to get used to using this contraption, I have to say that it certainly takes an already challenging workout up a notch. Every exercise uses the core muscles - even if it is targeting another area like the legs or the arms.

One thing that I really appreciated was the modified version of the exercises. It is going to take me a long time to reach the advanced level of some of the students in the video. As a matter of fact, seeing their flexibility at some points made me want to hit them - they made it look so easy and I have to tell you, Pilates is far from easy!

I know that with consistent use of this DVD I will see my muscles tone up. I will build strength and look leaner if I keep at it. Pilates is certainly not for the faint of heart but it is a workout that will give you results. This DVD was difficult but I highly recommend it. If you are interested in trying it out, visit your nearest Jenny Craig location. You don't have to be a member to purchase this DVD.

Disclosure: I received the Core Plus Reformer DVD from the company but was never asked to review it. As a matter of fact, I've had this thing since September and never opened the box until now!

Operation Weight Loss Week 11- The incredible shrinking woman

After a great trip to Nashville for the Blissdom blogging conference I had no expectation of dropping any pounds. Although I made pretty wise food choices, I did indulge more than once. My weakness is craisins and almonds, I had them with me for a snack and let's just say "I can't believe I ate the whole thing!" LOL I also had some fried foods - coconut shrimp and a puffed pastry that was amazing. Despite these indulgences, I still made sure I exercised. I tried a new machine at the hotel gym called the Mountain Trainer and that thing kicks butt! If you are a member of a gym and they have one you have to try it out. I burned crazy calories in a short amount of time! Staying at the Opryland Hotel ensured that I'd get exercise too. That place has over 2800 rooms, it is huge! Walking around was a workout.

At today's weigh-in I was pleasantly surprised to learn that I am down .9 - almost an entire pound! This brings my total weight loss to 26.2 pounds! I am ecstatic. Check out my video to see more of my enthusiasm and it looks like in a couple of weeks I may need to go shopping for a smaller pair of jeans! I am certainly shrinking fast!

Momspotting

If you follow me on twitter you've probably seen me use the hashtag (#) #momspotting and wondered what in the world that was all about. Momspotters are community journalists - moms that are chronicling their experiences using technology and how it effects our everyday lives. At least three times a day I tweet about technology and parenting and I also participate in the Family Connections forum on BlogHer where I and 19 other moms are writing about our experiences with technology.

We'd love to have you join the conversation. You can simply join in and use the hashtag on twitter or even join the forum and participate there. I'll make it even easier for you - I am doing a meme and I'd love for you to join in, either in the comments or on your own blog. I am really curious to hear your responses to these questions - I'll start.

1. Which expensive electronic device do you most often let your older children abuse or your baby drool on?

My son is two and a half and I let him use my iPhone all the time. He actually started trying to use as soon as I received it in April of last year- right before he turned two. He watched me using the touchscreen and picked up the concept immediately. A friend of mine directed me to all sorts of things that I could download for him and I now have several apps (all educational of course) that my son uses on a daily basis. I also have downloaded episodes of his favorite shows for those times when I need to keep him entertained (especially when we drive in the car, this saved us on our roadtrip to Nashville yesterday!).

2. How many take-out restaurant numbers do you have programmed into your phone? I actually don't have any take-out restaurant numbers programmed into my phone. The only take-out in my area is Chinese (my favorite) but since I've been focusing on my health I've been eating at home (with the exception of when I am out of town) and haven't had Chinese food in 3 months.

3. How many hours of television do you so totally not let your kids watch a week?

Television? Are we counting time spent on the iPhone watching downloaded episodes of shows? Okay, I don't let my son watch "way too much" television although when he does watch television it is educational so that has to count for something, right?

4. Do you think people who say “we don’t watch television” at playdates but really mean “we just watch DVDs” are lying liars from Liarville?

I think that is hilarious and whatever it takes for people to feel better. My best friend and I have playdates with our sons and we chat while they play but we ALWAYS have DVDs on hand to entertain them. It keeps them enthralled and they don't fight when they are watching movies. Sometimes mommies want to have grown up talk without interruption. DVDs help us make that happen.

5. How many miles have you driven with your child and not one device of electronic entertainment in a single car trip? See question 1. Unless we count the miles when my son is sleeping, he usually has my iPhone in hand during a car trip.

6. What’s your record for calls to the pediatrician or Ask-a-Nurse in a single day?

I've been pretty good about not calling my pediatrician excessively. I was most distraught the first weekend I had my son home from the hospital. And of course, my doctor was in the Bahamas. She told me to call anytime so I waited until the morning and called her on a Sunday to ask if my son was nursing enough. She called me within two hours and although I was very apologetic, things worked in my favor because she'd returned home early - the weather was terrible in the Bahamas.

7. What’s the sexiest thing your husband/partner could text you after a hard day?

Don't cook, I'm making dinner (this is a fantasy, my husband will only cook if I am knocked up or seriously sick. Neither of which is happening anytime soon).

8. What’s your favorite iPad joke? Hmm, I am not sure about this one. Something about #momspotters needing an iPad, yeah, I'm sure that was it. LOL

9. What’s the dumbest parenting tool, gear, gadget or device you ever bought?

I can't take credit for buying this but I still think it is a dumb device- a wipes warmer. Mom, I know you had the best intentions but that thing is a breeding ground for bacteria and I stopped using it to heat wipes after the first couple of days. I just warmed the wipes by rubbing them in my hands - worked great!

10. How many years will it take for your child to become more tech-savvy than you?

Years? At the rate he is going, I think my son will be more tech-savvy than I am by next week!

Please feel free to answer these questions too - no pressure, but I'd love to read your answers!