Tuesday Weigh In- Family Time Fitness Review

If you have been reading my Tuesday Weigh In posts since the beginning, you may remember that I had mentioned that having an accountability partner was one of the keys to my weight loss success.  Well, I recall one particular day towards the beginning of our journey when I received a text message from my accountability partner that said something like the following, "Remind me why we are torturing ourselves like this again?"  And this is why it is so great to have an accountability partner...  someone who is going through the muck just like you are, but willing to drag you along when you get too weak.

 

So, after I laughed at her text ...because she was saying exactly what I had thought several times that day already ...I replied.  I told her we doing this because God calls us to take care of our temple and glorify Him with our bodies (1 Cor. 6:19-20).  I told her we were doing this to feel better about ourselves, and to simply feel better.  I told her that by doing this, we would be better equipped to fill our God-given roles as wives and mothers.  And I told her that we were taking care of our bodies, so that we could teach our kids to do the same.

 

And I meant it.  Family fitness is now very important to our family.  We take the time to go on family walks and workout at home together throughout our week.  Our kids often join me when I run.  We've started a family hiking club that meets monthly.  We've joined the YMCA and have been going about three times a week for over a year now.  And it's why I am so excited to tell you about a new product I have been reviewing for the Schoolhouse Review Crew.  

 

Family Time Fitness is a physical education program designed for schools, homeschools, and homeschool co-ops.  I love this diagram offered on the front page of their website:

 

 

As a homeschool mom, I have to say, that picture is a great motivating tool to me to get my kids moving!

 

Family Time Fitness offers many curricula for homeschools including workbooks, basketball modules, and a highschool level strength training program.  I received the Fitness 4 Homeschool Core 1 Physical Education Program.  This program is intended to use with students ages 4-13 and includes 260 lessons in ebook format.

 

Each lesson is approximately 30-45 minutes.  And there is no book work.  This is 30-45 minutes of physical activity.  Something we all need!

 

Each lesson includes the following:

Warm up (Usually about 3 activities, think Standing Leg Circles, Angel Arms, and Toe Raises)

Activity (3-4 more activities that usually require a little more cardio/strength, like Crab Walk and Who Can Hula Hoop the Longest?)

Cool Down (Again, a few slower paced activities to cool the kids down)

Outdoor Activity (One idea is always suggested for outdoor play.  These ideas sometimes require multiple students and might require simple P.E. equipment like jump ropes, cones, or hula hoops. 

 

Are you concerned that you don't know what some of those activities are?  No worries!  Not only does Family Time Fitness include detailed instructions for each activity, it also includes a link to a video they created showing kids doing that activity.  Seriously, every...single...activity has an accompanying video.

 

What I love most about this program is how completely flexible it is.  Activities can be adapted to fit the age and ability of your child.  Most of the activities do not require equipment.  Family Time Fitness does suggest a few items to make the lessons "more enjoyable", but you can often use something else in a pinch or skip that activity if you need to.  Suggested equipment is: bean bags, jump rope, hula hoops, playground balls, foam balls, cones, measuring tape, stop watch, and exercise mat.

 

You could easily just randomly pick out a lesson and go with it without having to build a lesson on one another.  I think this truly makes Family Time Fitness an incredible value.  It's basically a treasure trove of physical education ideas and games.  Once you've gone through all the lessons, just do them again and again!

 

The Fitness 4 Homeschool Core 1 program also offers an assessment test to chart your child's progress as he/she works through the program.  A Daily Food Diary, Grocery List, Meal Planner, Nutrition Log, and Tracking Calendar is also offered.

 

Because we are already incorporating physical activity through a variety of activities, we generally use Family Time Fitness on the homeschool days that we are not going to the YMCA, which works out to about 2-3 times a week.

 

Here are my kids doing the warm up exercise for Lesson 6 ... good ole jumping jacks.

Confession:  Why are jumping jacks always considered a warm up activity??  In my opinion, they are much more considered a make-me-wanna-die activity, which should be placed somewhere in the middle of my cardio workout rather than in the beginning.

 Can you tell that they are having fun?!

 

Our kids love Family Time Fitness.  They ask to do this program again and again.  I love having a structured P.E. program that I can fall back on.  I don't have to plan the lessons.  I just open my laptop, click open my ebook, and click on the video links.

 

Fitness 4 Homeschool Core 1 sells for $57 and can be purchased online.  The Schoolhouse Review team had several homeschool families review this product, so free to check out their reviews as well!

Disclaimer: I have been given the wonderful opportunity to review many homeschool products over the last few years. The only compensation that I receive for my review is the free product. I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to participate in review groups and I have enjoyed trying out these products and giving you my honest opinion. Pin It Now!

Tuesday Weigh In - 150 Calorie Snacks

So, I'll just let you know up front...I'm no nutritionist.  Here at Tuesday Weigh In, I'm just attempting to share with you what has worked for me.  And sometimes what isn't working.  And I can tell you what hasn't been working this week...my will power.  It has been a hard week for sticking to my calorie count.  Ugh!

But, it's a new Tuesday and a new chance to try again.  So let me review my calorie goals with you...

1500 calories a day as follows:
Breakfast: 300 Calories
Lunch: 400 Calories
Afternoon Snack: 150 Calories
Dinner: 500 Calories
Evening Snack: 150 Calories

Today, I'll share a few of my favorite 150 calorie snacks with you.  Feel free to share some of your ideas in the comments below!  If you decide to write a Tuesday Weigh In post, let me know.  I'll add a link to your blog in this post.

-container of light yogurt with 1/4-cup of low-fat granola

-2 whole graham cracker squares and 1 tablespoon of peanut butter

-100 Calorie Snack pack and a small bunch of grapes

-90 calorie Yogurt cup and 1 low fat string cheese

 

-12 carrot sticks and 1 TB ranch

-15 almonds

 -1/2 of a whole-wheat English muffin topped with 1 wedge of Laughing Cow light Swiss cheese.

-1 small apple with 1 TB of peanut butter

-popcorn and a cup of hot tea

 

 

Join me each Tuesday, for weight-loss and healthy lifestyle tips and accountability.

Tuesday Weigh In

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Tuesday Weigh In - My Scale is Broken

 

My scale has been broken for a few weeks now.  No really, it is seriously broken.  The digital screen is blank.  And before you ask...yes, we even changed the batteries.  We tap it, stand on it, jump on it... nothing.  Blank screen.

 

I think it probably has something to do with my morning weigh-in ritual.  When I awake in the morning, I stumble sleepily into bathroom.  A few minutes later ... you don't really need to know what I'm doing in those few minutes, do you? ... I stand before the scale.  I tap it and wait as the screen happily blinks on and lands on '0.0'.  Slowly, I step on.  Right foot first.  I adjust my weight until I feel I am perfectly balanced on both feet.  Breathe out.  The number appears.

 

I step down off the scale and repeat this process one more time.  Hey!  Don't judge.  I have experienced seriously different numbers when weighing myself two times in a row.  That first number really could be wrong.   It's sort of like getting a second opinion.  If the second weigh in is the same as the first, I accept reality and move on with my day.  If it's different, I weigh in a third time and take an average.

 

I have done this every morning since July 2011.  Sometimes I do the ritual after a hard workout just to see if I hit a low number due to sweat loss.  Yes, I know this isn't my real weight.  I just like to see the low number.  Seriously, there should be no judging around here.

 

The problem is only made worse by the fact that my husband does the exact same thing every day.  It's actually quite miraculous that the scale has made it this long.

 

So, it stopped working a few weeks ago, and neither my husband nor I ran out to get another.  After all, the scale had not really been a great friend to us recently.  I've been at a plateau for some time and with my lazy summer I knew the numbers had probably moved up a few notches.  I've been working out, but I haven't been as disciplined as I should be in my eating or my workouts.

 

This weekend it was time to face the music.  We bought a brand new scale.  It's even a different color.  I tapped it....stepped on one foot at a time...big breath out.  I had gained five pounds.

 

Actually, I wasn't really upset.  My weight stays within a five-pound range anyway, so I don't get too uptight about a couple pounds here or there.  But I knew I needed the wake up call from the scale.  It's time to buckle down and get serious again.  So I've created a workable plan and am already seeing the results!  I'm down 2.4 pounds from the weekend!

 

I'm back to a 1500 calorie a day diet.  I'm eating five times a day with the following calorie counts. 

Breakfast - 300 calories

Lunch - 400 calories

Afternoon Snack - 150 calories

Dinner - 500 calories

Evening Snack - 150 calories

 My workouts will consist of a minimum of 30 minutes of cardio 6 times a week and weight training 3 times a week.

 

Look for actual food and workout ideas in the upcoming weeks.

Chad and I ran a 5K Mud Run a couple weeks ago.  There are so many things that I could say about it, but I'm going to stick with this ... it was hard, but it was worth it.

 

And that is sort of how I feel about this whole healthy lifestyle thing. 

 

It was hard to lose 60 pounds.  It's hard to lose the last 30.  It's going to be hard to maintain it.  But it's worth it.

 

Perhaps you think being healthy is hard too?  Might I suggest shifting your focus?  Yes, it is hard.  But don't focus on that.  Focus on the fact that it's worth it.  And it really, really is.  A couple weeks ago I climbed 12 foot walls, I crawled under barbed wire through thick mud, I jumped over fire.  You might not think that being able to run a mud run is worth the pain and sacrifice to lose the weight.  But I can assure you that the fact that I am actually strong enough to do those things is definitely worth it.

 

...So, I'm not adding a link up this week since we haven't had much participation.  But if you decide to post a Tuesday Weigh-In, then leave a comment!  You can also leave a comment to keep me accountable or if you'd like some accountability.  You can also leave a comment just because I like comments. ;o)

 

UPDATE:  Lynn at Ladybug Chronicles posted a Tuesday Weigh In post as well!

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Tuesday Weigh-In: Kids Triathlon

This week, I thought I'd let my two oldest boys inspire you...

E8 and G11 completed their first triathlon this Sunday.  I am so proud of these boys. 

When we arrived, they got marked up...

...and then they checked out the pool.

E8 raced first.

50 meter swim.

On to the bike.

Bike 3k.

 And run 1k.

He did awesome!

Next G11 lined up for a 100 meter swim.

He told me later that he had trouble because he swallowed water accidentally during his swim. 

His bike was a 5k.

G11 and E8 both had an awesome cheer team.

G11 transitioned into his 3k run.

And finished strong!

He did admit that after the pool water swallowing incident, he got sick along the trail, but kept going!  After the race was over, he won a door prize for new running shoes and a gift certificate.  He was so excited about it.  His daddy was teasing him and told him he might have to give the shoes to one of his siblings.  G11 said, "No way!  I threw up for these shoes!  I'm keeping them!"

Ha!  I love it!  I've got some strong, committed boys!

How's your commitment been this week?  Weigh in by linking up with your blog post or comment below.

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Tuesday Weigh In: Color Run

So, this week we decided to add a little fun into our workout. ...Okay A LOT of fun!!!

The Color Run came to town and we joined with thousands of other runners for the happiest 5K on earth.

At every kilometer color spray specialist were spraying us with a colored dust.

Here, Chad insists on me showing how I got sprayed directly in the armpit.  No worries, though.  Still having fun!

Next year, we will totally register early and take the kids.  This was too much fun to not include the entire family!

Here I am in a blue cloud.

And the grand finale is a huge multi-colored cloud covering everyone.

Are you adding fun to your workout?  Comment or link up below with your Tuesday Weigh In post!

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Tuesday Weigh In- Workout DVDs

     Workout videos are an inexpensive and great way to ease into working out while still in the comfort of your own home.  They are also a great way to get your kids involved.  Last school year, we would often pop in a workout dvd after lunch to get P.E. in for the day.  The kids loved the break from bookwork and so did I!

Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds videos were perfect for me as I first started working out and the kids enjoyed doing these right along with me.  She uses just 4 or so basic steps: walk in place, side to side, kick backs, etc.  The above video has 4 different walks from ranging in distance from 1 to 4 miles.  That's right, you can walk 4 miles without leaving your living room! 

The Biggest Loser Power Walk dvd is another workout that ticks away the time in miles.  Yes, we are Biggest Loser junkies around here.  We've caught up with every season thanks to Instant Netflix.  I also like Jillian Michaels dvds to work up a good sweat and feel good about my workout...that being said, I usually do these by myself.  The sports bras and occasional coarse language on Jillian's dvds are not something I want my children privy to.

GyMathics is a cool dvd that combines education (grade 1-4 or so math facts) with exercise.  This is really fun to do with the kids and I even used it in a co-op class with 2nd-4th graders.

Another thing you should consider is that Netflix has many workout dvds.  There are a limited number (and they are pretty generic) of workouts available on their instant program, but lots of the big name workouts are available to get through their mail program, including the Biggest Loser workouts and Leslie Sansone videos.  You can rent a dvd, keep it until you are bored with it, return it, and get a new one!

TUESDAY WEIGH IN:  So, I didn't get a workout with hubby every night last week, but we did do a couple.  Plus I did some running and even weaseled a friend into joining me in my Wednesday spin class (which I  L.O.V.E!!!)  It's also a good week for me on the scales because I'm weighing in on low side of my 5 lb range that I tend to stick in.  Still hoping to bust through it soon!

How about you?  Join me for a Tuesday Weigh In by posting on your blog and linking up below.  Share your updates and/or healthy lifestyle tips and I would love it if you would link back to my blog.  You can even grab the Tuesday Weigh In button from my sidebar.  Have a blessed week!

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Tuesday Weigh-In: Doing Hard Things

A year ago the idea of working out was still intimidating.  I wasn't sure what I was capable of doing, but I knew it wasn't much.  I wasn't into sports when I was younger and had truly never pushed my body to the limits of its capability.  Actually, I didn't even think that was a wise thing to do.

Be forewarned, I now totally think we should each be pushing our bodies to the limits of its capability through prayer and on a consistent basis.  As I pray through a workout, through a morning jog, through a half marathon, I have come to realize that God is ever present.  He is my Help.  He is my Strength.  He does not ever leave me.  And because of all this ... I CAN DO HARD THINGS.

I can do hard things.  I know that now because I have done things that I truly thought I wasn't capable of doing.  This has revitalized my walk with the Lord and the calling He has given me.  It is not uncommon for me to have thoughts like the following...

"Remember when I drug myself out of bed at 6:30am and outside to run 4 miles in below freezing temperatures? ... I can get out of bed now and face the children waiting for me to feed, clothe, and teach them."

"Remember when I felt the pain shooting through my calves up to my lower back with every step, but managed to pull out just one more mile? ... I can handle the pain of this hurt, of this ache, that is grieving me today and persevere through it."

"Remember when my arms were shaking like jelly and I thought I was going to fall flat on my face but instead I grit my teeth and held that wall stand for 30 more seconds? ... Well, if I can tackle that then I can tackle the job of teaching this child long division.  Let's just get it done."

There are times when I am running and worshipping and feeling God so fully... feeling as though He is just carrying me through.  But more often, I feel the pain of each step, each breath.  Every movement hurts and I move not to enjoy the journey, but because it brings me closer to the end result.  I know people who love running.  I don't love running.  But I love that I have ran.  

And I think God keeps me in that place, because I have so much to learn about staying committed even through trials...about persevering to the end.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." ~Hebrews 12:1

Tuesday Weigh In:  This week my goal is to work out each evening with my hubby.  He is in training for a Tough Mudder event that he is doing in October, but with work and leading us here, he finds it difficult to squeeze in enough gym time.  I know it will be a blessing to him if I am motivated enough to work out with him.

How about you?  What are your goals this week?  How was last week?     

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Tuesday Weigh In - Addicted

I have known from a very early age that food had a hold on me.  It wasn't until I became a Christian and began considering weight loss from a Biblical perspective that I realized that truly I was addicted to food.

I think my addiction started as most addictions do.  I had an emptiness that needed to be filled, so I filled it with what was available.

If I was sad and wanted comfort, I turned to food.
If I was lonely and wanted companionship, I turned to food.
If I was stressed and wanted an escape, I turned to food.
If I was happy and wanted to celebrate, I turned to food.

Food is easily accessible and completely acceptable (after all, we must eat to survive).  But the problem is food was designed to fuel our bodies.  It was not designed to be our comforter, companion, or escape.  But if not food, then where should we turn?

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." ~2 Cor. 1: 3-4

"We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ." ~1 John 1:3

"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." ~Matthew 11:29

"Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness." ~Psalm 29:2

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." ~Phil. 4:19

It is high time that we realize that God wants us to turn to him for our every need.  If we are turning elsewhere, we are disobeying God.  That is called sin.

Years ago, Chad and I participated in a book study at church based on the book Thin Within.  This is when I first began the realization of how 'out of place' food was in my life.  Thin Within discusses the idea of food addiction and turning to God to help you overcome.  It offers practical advice such as eating only when you are truly hungry and eating only until you are satisfied.

Made to Crave is another book that is currently gaining popularity on this subject.  This is not a "diet" book, but a book about finding your "want to".  The author discusses in depth how we were made to crave...God, not food.

Obviously, realizing that we have a food addiction is just the first step...probably, the easiest step.  The hard part is doing something about it.  Thankfully, the same God who promises to meet our every need also has the power to overcome strongholds.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,  and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor." ~Isaiah 61:1-3

MY WEIGH IN:  In all honesty, I needed the reminder of each of these verses this week.  I am still struggling with putting food in it's proper place.  This week my plan is to count calories again, eating about every 3 hours, and upping my water intake.  I am also working on memorizing some key scriptures to help me in moments of weakness.  I'll also be getting back to my exercise routine after our vacation and general summertime laziness.

Let's keep each other accountable!  Post your Tuesday Weigh In on your blog.  You can offer advice or post frustration or success.  Grab my button from above or on the sidebar and then link up below.  If you don't blog, feel free to leave a comment instead! 


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Tuesday Weigh In

     In one of my last posts I mentioned that I have lost 65 lbs this year.  Actually, I lost 65 lbs in about 7 months and have been maintaining my current weight for about 5 months. Many people have been asking me how I've lost the weight, what diet did I use, etc.  However, this hasn't been about a diet for me.  This has been a lifestyle change.

     I had "dieted" and lost weight before.  But I had never made a lifestyle change.  I could deprive myself of the unhealthy foods I craved for a limited amount of time...but eventually I returned to them.  I had even "worked out" for awhile and seen results, only to become lazy again when I reached my desired weight.  And then the weight came back. 

     So I had to make a choice.  And this time I decided that becoming healthy was as much about taking care of my temple (which Scripture mandates us to do), and as much about being strong, and as much about teaching my children healthy habits as it was about losing the weight.

     There have been four major keys that I had to put into play to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. 

          1. Turn to God instead of turning to food.  I will eventually write a post about all the scriptures God has brought to light for me in regards to this, but here's the basic deal.  God says, "You shall have no other gods before me".  Do you find yourself running to the pantry when you are stressed, angry, tired, bored, depressed, overwhelmed?  I did. Sometimes I still do.  But God intended for us to turn to Him during these times.  Consistent prayer, daily Bible reading, and worship has been paramount to helping me turn down unhealthy (but oh-so-delicious) foods and to push me past my physical "limits" as I realized I really could do "all things through Christ who strengthens me."

          2. Eat less and eat better.  Honestly, this is the hardest part for me and it is still a work in progress.   In the beginning I worked on portion control and I counted calories.  I used an app on my phone to keep a food diary which added the calories for me until I felt like I had a good general idea of what I could and couldn't eat each day to stay within my calorie budget.  I still treat myself (too much, really) but I wanted to make a change I knew I could live out forever.  I was surely doomed to fail if I decided I would never have a treat again.  But for the most part, I try to choose healthier foods and only eat until I am satisfied.  (As a side note: I am still about 30 lbs away from my goal weight.  I have just met with a nutritionist to help me more in this area because I know this is my area of greatest struggle.  I'll keep you updated!)

          3. Move more.  There are so many ways to do this, but I am telling you ... YOU MUST MOVE MORE.  Even if you are seeing weight loss with just dieting, get up and MOVE!  Strengthen your muscles and your heart.  It is so worth it.  I have used many resources for this.  Workout videos are cheap, fun, and easy.  My family and I joined the YMCA (free childcare!).  I started running (google 'couch to 5K' for a great beginner running plan).  And we also love to hike.

          4. Find an accountability partner.  I started this process last June (one month after my youngest was born).  Another mom I knew who had just had her fourth baby also wanted to lose weight so we decided to keep each other accountable.  In the beginning we emailed a quick update every day to each other.  Each week we would either call or email what our goals for the week were.  And once a month, we would meet for dinner or a smoothie and evaluate how our month went and what our new monthly goals were.  About month 3 is when we decided we would start running.  We met up weekly while we were training for our first half marathon.  After a couple of months, my husband decided to join in and I can think of at least another half dozen friends who have joined in to make healthy lifestyle changes as well.  I cannot tell you how valuable it has been to have other people to walk this journey with.  When I wanted to quit, I had people telling me to keep going (even though they wanted to quit too).  They understood and we have all pressed on together. 

     ...Which brings me to this meme.  Tuesday has always been my "Weigh-In Day".  I actually weigh in pretty much every day, but Tuesday is the only day it counts. :)  Each Tuesday, I plan to share a healthy lifestyle/weight loss tip and 'fess up about my week.  Are you brave enough join me?  I'd love to hear about what's working or NOT working for you and maybe we can all keep each other accountable.  You are welcome to post your weight loss for the week if that is a goal of yours, but that is certainly not a requirement.  If you blog, write a post and link up below.  You can even snatch my 'Tuesday Weigh In' button up top or from the sidebar.  If you're just starting with your healthy lifestyle change, try writing out what your beginning goals are and what your plan is to implement them.   If you don't blog, then just comment below.  I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

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