My Lowcountry Hiatus

Hi gang, family, friends and beloved special people who occasionally swing by for some Kelly Will news! I have taken some time away from the blog to sink into the Lowcountry life and immerse myself in my new job on Fripp Island and lots of other exciting adventures that God/the Universe - whatever you call the great positive power out there - has dropped in my lap this year. I am still working out, playing a lot and living my best life each day. I hope you are doing the same! I love you all and I send you all my super positive vibes for a great day, week and year. Let's go nuts and live in the moment! Catch me on Twitter for little updates as I spin through life. I'm sure I'll be back one day very soon! xoxoxKelly

New Month, New Weight!

Photos: Part of the Fripp Island gang out on the boat for an evening cruise after work. The second pic captures the total love I have for this island, the people and my new job. I'm loving life!!!

Total Weight Lost: (since September 2009): 58 LBS!

Total Weight Lost on Nutrisystem (since November 2010): 18 LBS!

My Lesson: It's a new month and a whole new Kelly! I've ditched another 2 lbs over the last 2 weeks...and I'm incredibly excited!

My Nutrisystem: Nutrisystem is still in my life and helping me reach my weight loss goals. I have favorite foods, but there is such a variety, even in the frozen foods, that I can't get tired of anything. I can eat something different every single day if I feel like it.

Words of Wisdom: The busier I am, the sleepier I get and the harder it is to avoid all the fried food options that surround me on Fripp Island...fried fish...fried fish...fried fish. There's ice cream and pizza and every kind of comfort food you could want 10 feet away from my office at the Beach Club Food Court. It's killer tempting but I fight it and only allow myself to eat it once every couple of weeks. I have to find a little more time for a little more sleep. Somehow!!!

Would you like to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Visit Nutrisystem today or call 888-853-4689.

FTC Disclaimer: I am receiving the Nutrisystem program complimentary in exchange for my personal reviews each week.

Weight Loss Success!

Absurd, Sweaty Fun Wedding Dancing

Wedding Hilarity Continued

My fierce Lowcountry friends and me.

(Pics: Friends wedding 3 weeks ago...it was hot and we love to get the party started with some ridiclous dancing.)

Total Weight Lost: (since September 2009): 56 LBS!

Total Weight Lost on Nutrisystem (since November 2010): 16 LBS!

My Lesson: I am feeling a little like a rock star this week. I have hit my original goal weight that I set about five years ago before I truly committed to success. At that time this was a weight I always thought would be “skinny” and frankly, impossible to get to. It was not impossible and I am pushing past it. I would like to knock off about 15 or so more pounds, slowly but surely.

My Nutrisystem: I spend many nights on Fripp Island where I work and where about 75% of my life now exists, so I pack days of Nutrisystem at a time in my cooler and bags. Trail Mix Bars, Biscotti and Chocolate Chip Granola Bars are everywhere I go and the yummy frozen foods are in my cooler. I also throw in apples, carrots and hummus because they are easy to pack and off I go.

Words of Wisdom: No doubt about it, eating healthy when I am away from my home for so much of the week is turning into one heck of an effort, but I refuse to give up. NEVER GIVE UP.

Would you like to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Visit Nutrisystem today or call 888-853-4689.

FTC Disclaimer: I am receiving the Nutrisystem program complimentary in exchange for my personal reviews each week.

My Nutrisystem Body Rocks!

Photos from the Taste of Beaufort 5K - all three of us girls got our fastest runs ever!

Total Weight Lost: (since September 2009): 55 LBS!

Total Weight Lost on Nutrisystem (since November 2010): 15 LBS!

My Lesson: I’m a little stuck on my lowest number ever and it’s so mental. I never imagined I would be this thin (relative to my former less than lean size…) and so I am trying to conjure up a new image of how I’ll look skinny. I want lean, cut arms, legs and abs and that’s the new mental image goal.

My Nutrisystem: Nutrisystem is really more than just healthy food, it’s good, filling and CONVENIENT healthy food. Now that I’m swamped with work and training for the triathlon in June, I can be brainless about my food thanks to Nutrisystem. Nutrisystem has changed my life in terms of portion size and believing that a smaller portion of something really WILL BE FILLING.

Words of Wisdom: Goals. Mental blocks will get me everytime, but with a new triathlon on the horizon next month, it’s time to kick it into high gear and focus on what my body needs. I want to drop a few more pounds and turn some other fat into muscle. That’s the plan for this month and I can make it happen. I make goals from week to week or month to month and then have maybe one big one. Make many goals realistic but still dream big. Set a few new health/fitness goals for yourself. Practice makes perfect, even in creating and achieving goals.

Would you like to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Visit Nutrisystem today or call 888-853-4689.

FTC Disclaimer: I am receiving the Nutrisystem program complimentary in exchange for my personal reviews each week.

An Easter with NO weight gain!

It is that time of the week for a Nutrisystem healthy life post! It is always nerve wracking to get back on the scale the week after a holiday, but I did it and I am identical to my last weigh in. I worked out nonstop during Easter, but I ate an absurd amount of delicious food. I got home on Sunday night and went right back to Nutrisystem and my healthy meals on Monday. We are all allowed a break for special days, but you have to refocus again right after - don't slip back into old habits - it is very easy to slip that way. I will be doing my regularly scheduled weigh in early next week!

Here is my key to keeping it together – a priority list. I may not have kids, but between a daily 90-minute commute to work at Fripp, working 50+ hours a week on the island, teaching 4-5 spinning classes a week, writing for the paper and cooking/packing every meal, it all adds up.

Make your priority list.
(Mine looks like this.)
*Sleep
Eat Healthy
Workout Daily
Time with Family
Focus on Career
Time with Friends
Read Daily
Television

*The NUMBER ONE key to weight loss is SLEEP. Are you getting enough? Figure out how many hours makes you feel best and commit to getting quality sleep every single night.
**As you look at the bottom of the list, these things must go first if you run out of time in the day.
***Working out daily really does come above work for me. I will do whatever it takes to handle those top three – that is what makes me better in my career.

Would you like to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Visit Nutrisystem today or call 888-853-4689.

FTC Disclaimer: I am receiving the Nutrisystem program complimentary in exchange for my personal reviews each week.

Photo - It's my brother! Chris Will - he's such a great, cool, smart guy, I thought I'd feature his pic from skiing this week in Breckenridge, CO at 12,500 feet. His adventurous attitude and own fight to be an adult athlete inspires me every day.

Total Weight Lost: (since September 2009): 55 LBS!

Total Weight Lost on Nutrisystem (since November 2010): 15 LBS!

My Lesson: TWO POUNDS DOWN AGAIN!!!! I am super excited. I was stressing out bigtime early last week when I did my last post and I knew I had to break down my mental barriers to move that scale! I was so focused on the number crunching; I became obsessed with the scale. I let it go and the weight came off! In my world, it is all mental.

My Nutrisystem: Placed a new Nutrisystem order and cannot wait to get some new food to try. The frozen foods are perfect for work – I pack up my little lunch bag cooler for the day and I have delicious lunches ready to heat up. I have not had a single moment of worry about what I would eat while at work all day on an island in the middle of the Atlantic. Nutrisystem has been incredible for this transition from longtime freelancer to every day office job.

Words of Wisdom: Almonds. Every day. Plain, unsalted, roasted almonds have become a major kick of protein for me each day. I put 2 servings in a cup in my lunch bag and it is my midmorning 300 calorie snack/meal. I do actually eat about 3 small meals a day and a 4th larger meal at lunch or at dinner. This is a change I made just last week - I credit the almonds and their lean, mean protein power with some of that 2 lb weight loss!

Would you like to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Visit Nutrisystem today or call 888-853-4689.

FTC Disclaimer: I am receiving the Nutrisystem program complimentary in exchange for my personal reviews each week.

My Nutrisystem Weight Loss Story Continues

Photo: Me after I teach a Spinning class!

Total Weight Lost: (since September 2009): 53 LBS!

Total Weight Lost on Nutrisystem (since November 2010): 13 LBS!

My Lesson: I have lost 1 more pound since my last weigh in - 16 lbs til my ultimate goal. I’m a little frustrated, though. Staying focused is not the problem, I know my goals, but I’m really obsessing a lot about the numbers. The number of calories I’m eating, the number of hours I’m working out and the number on the scale. I need to detach a little from the pressure I’m putting on myself. I’m feeling pretty uptight about all those numbers and I know it’s not helping me lose weight.

My Nutrisystem: Despite starting a new job and making a big change in my life this week, I was still able to stick to my Nutrisystem plan. I daresay I even ate better than normal – check out my words of wisdom below! They work. I enjoyed lots of delicious NS meals this week and my co-workers all commented on how good they would smell in the microwave. The Ravioli Formaggio was a big office hit as well as the Philly Cheese Steak.

Words of Wisdom: Plan your meals and pack your food the night before if you have a day job or a super busy day. I just went back to work full time after being a freelancer from home for nearly 6 years. I plan ahead. I grocery shop for what I’ll need for meals besides my Nutrisystem stock, once every week, and that way I don’t grab at anything random while working. I have a little lunch box that I fill each night with apples, strawberries, carrots, hummus, yogurt and granola bars + my Nutrisystem food.

Would you like to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Visit Nutrisystem today or call 888-853-4689.

FTC Disclaimer: I am receiving the Nutrisystem program complimentary in exchange for my personal reviews each week.

Nutrisystem Thick Crust Pizza & Trail Mix Bar

 

 

Photo: Nutrisystem Thick Crust Pizza & Trail Mix Bar

Here is a little slice of what the food looks like on Nutrisystem. The pizza, a dinner entrée, comes with sauce and cheese, I added a bit of onions, some lean ground turkey and a tiny bit more mozzarella cheese. The trail mix bar, a lunch entrée, is the most delicious and satisfying bar you have ever tasted. It’s the perfect sweet and salty mix with WHOLE almonds, peanuts, pretzels, raisins and granola. It’s delicious and packed with protein.

The thick crust pizza is 250 calories and the trail mix bar is 200 calories. I add protein, dairy, fruit and vegetable at minimum to every one of my Nutrisystem meals.

I can guarantee these are two items among many everyone will enjoy.

Would you like to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Visit Nutrisystem today or call 888-853-4689.

FTC Disclaimer: I am receiving the Nutrisystem program complimentary in exchange for my personal reviews each week.

Why I Am Working So Hard to Promote a Healthy Life

 

I love being a part of the NS Nation bloggers and getting to tweet with people everyday about health, fitness and overall wellness! Getting to share my exercise/food knowledge and doing it all hand in hand with Nutrisystem has been a blessing for me.

This week, a Twitter friend asked me why I was willing to create free workout plans, give tips and motivate online. My answer:

I believe beyond any doubt that most people are generally unsure of what to do for a healthy diet and exercise plan. I work with women all the time at the Y that are confused and have no idea what they should be eating, even for breakfast. I love empowering women and men, because I've been so motivated by my own weight loss and athletic story. When I turned 30 in 2009, I decided the yo-yo-ing was going to stop and I was just going to be healthy and become a true athlete in my 30's and beat back at all the excuses I had made up over the years. I did it and I love how I feel. I wish everyone could feel like I do!

My ultimate favorite quote, borrowed from workout queen Denice Davis:
"Your biggest challenge isn't someone else. It's the ache in your lungs and the burning in your legs, and the voice inside you that yells 'CAN'T", but you don't listen. You just push harder. And then you hear the voice whisper 'can'. And you discover that the person you thought you were is no match for the one you really are."

Now go out into the world, set your fitness and health goals and make them happen! I believe in you.

FTC Disclaimer: I am receiving the Nutrisystem program complimentary in exchange for my personal reviews each week.

 

Pic: My cupboards and freezer loaded down with my new delivery of Nutrisystem.

Still Losing Weight! Two more pounds down on Nutrisystem.

 

Photo: Me and my brother, Chris, at the Savannah Rugby Tournament this weekend. His Fort Bragg Rugby team took 3rd place overall and he won the “man of the match” award. (Think of it as tournament MVP – he’s my athlete inspiration!)

Total Weight Lost: (since September 2009): 52 LBS!

Total Weight Lost on Nutrisystem (since November 2010): 12 LBS!

My Lesson: Busy is always best. Between work and play this week, I was too busy to think about food, so I really, REALLY ate only when I was hungry. I packed up healthy food for all the travel to and from Savannah and for work and I managed to eat when my body needed it, not based on any time of day or out of boredom. That always spells success. The busier I am, the less I think about food.

My Nutrisystem: Nutrisystem flat bread pizza and chicken dumplings are rocking my life. It’s all ready to go and I add a vegetable and protein in and my meal is served. I love Nutrisystem because it is really travel friendly – it can go anywhere from planes to trains to automobiles. I toss a boxed meal in my backpack with an apple, some carrots and a yogurt and I know I’m set for my next meal if hunger strikes while I’m out.

Words of Wisdom: Water, water, water. I’ve been hearing some scary things about how soda and diet soda will suck the nutrients from any food right out of your body. I vote to eliminate them all and JUST DRINK WATER. Get a water bottle you will love to carry with you, make sure it fits in your handbag or work bag and act as if it is glued to your hand. Make yourself drink water all day long and refill it over and over. It was an active choice I made years ago and now I can’t imagine not having water as my all day beverage.

Would you like to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Visit Nutrisystem today or call 888-853-4689.

FTC Disclaimer: I am receiving the Nutrisystem program complimentary in exchange for my personal reviews each week.

My Weight Loss Story Continues!

 

 

 

Photo: Me on the bike – getting ready to teach spinning class and then a shot after the 60 minutes of grueling fun! I may be super sweaty but I never feel better than after a successful spin.

Total Weight Lost: (since September 2009): 50 LBS!

Total Weight Lost on Nutrisystem (since November 2010): 10 LBS!

My Lesson: Despite watching my calories and having many intense workouts this week, my weight remained the same…and that’s ok! On to another week with even less food slip-ups and more conscious eating.

My Nutrisystem: Nutrisystem is guilt free food. I know I’m eating the right stuff and it takes the time out of meal planning to know I’m going to grab one of their healthy meals. My grocery list is almost identical each week to support the entrees Nutrisystem provides for me. I love their French Toast and Pancakes – the pancakes could be the best I’ve ever had – they’re delicious! I drizzle a little pure maple syrup on them and slice up a peach. It is a tasty breakfast!

Words of Wisdom: Ground turkey in any form is my new best protein friend. I use lean ground turkey for the top of Nutrisystem pizzas or pasta. I use it to make huge “taco” salads sans chips and dressing, but loaded with fresh salsa and a little cheese. I eat turkey breakfast sausage with NS omelets or eggs and I dig the sweet turkey sausage style brats. I have been buying the Jenny O brand, but any form of turkey is a great lean protein. Get behind it and give up a lot of red meat for turkey. It’s an easy swap and you won’t miss the fat, calories or cholesterol. I still enjoy red meat once or twice a week – I’ll never give it up completely.

Would you like to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Visit Nutrisystem today or call 888-853-4689.

FTC Disclaimer: I am receiving the Nutrisystem program complimentary in exchange for my personal reviews each week.

Spinning DJ - Tonight's Music Set List

 

This is a WINNING set list for any spinning class - if you love popular music. This is a 60 minute spinning class. This has all the latest fun releases - every Friday I try to add 2 - 3 ALL NEW (in the words of Oprah) pop songs that people may or may not have hear yet. Tonight's additions include Adele - Rolling in the Deep, Wilow Smith - 21st Century Girl and Britney Spears - 'Till the World Ends. A few oldies and a lot of newish music with plenty of Glee remakes, too.

Breaking the Plateau!

 

Photo: ME! Driving through the snow (in Ohio) w my bro after the holidays.

Total Weight Lost: (since September 2009): 50 LBS!

Total Weight Lost on Nutrisystem (since November 2010): 10 LBS!

My Lesson: I did it! I did it! I lost 2 lbs this week on Nutrisystem! Meredith at Nutrisystem sent out a note reminding all of us in the NS Nation to pick one day a week and a set time for weigh in. I just loved to torture myself with daily weight checks. I became OBSESSED with the number on the scale and lost focus on the objective of eating healthy and less each day.

My Nutrisystem: The Nutrisystem Trail Mix bar is the most perfect snack/meal ever made. It’s loaded with raisins, nuts, even small pretzels, with a light coating of chocolate on the bottom. It’s super filling and I had my first sampling of it this week. YUM!

Words of Wisdom: To be successful, you have to move past the stress in your life and focus on your weight loss. Whatever your weakness, and mine is eating for comfort and out of boredom and exhaustion, you need to stay in the present and not eat passively/mindlessly. I had to really refocus and sharpen my goals this week. I reset my determination to lose weight and it worked. And you bet that I ate those 5 to 7 veggies/fruits each day this week!

Would you like to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Visit Nutrisystem today or call 888-853-4689.

FTC Disclaimer: I am receiving the Nutrisystem program complimentary in exchange for my personal reviews each week.

Another Clothing Size Lost!

 

Photo: Me with my bro, Chris and my dad, Ken - at the Cincinatti US OPEN Series Men's Final. Federer def. Fish.

Total Weight Lost: (since September 2009): 48.5 LBS!

Total Weight Lost on Nutrisystem (since November 2010): 8.5 LBS!

My Lesson: The exciting news - I’ve lost another entire pants size despite not losing pounds. Lean muscle gained and fat lost this week and month, big-time. I’m basically a size 12 all over and that is INCREDIBLE! The last time I fit into an adult size 12, I was in 6th grade. A bit sad, I know.

So my dilemma now is a happy one. My shorts from last summer swim on me. My clothes are too big and my beautiful dresses are mostly too large to wear. I wear a lot of leggings, sweaters and skinny jeans - easy to fit to my shrinking shape. I have no intention of going out and buying a new wardrobe but I’m going to treat myself this weekend to a couple inexpensive smaller items like a dress and some hot new workout shorts at Target or TJ Maxx. Budget and size friendly.

My Nutrisystem: I entirely credit Nutrisystem with providing my body the proper energy to teach 4 – 60 minute spinning classes a week, keep me bursting forward on my 3 mile sprint runs and fueling my tennis matches.

Every day, I can actually feel my body processing the Nutrisystem as I burn through calories – it is the best thing for my body. It is so nutritious, low on the glycemic index and well-portioned.

One of my recent favorites for dinner is the Salisbury Steak with Macaroni & Cheese. The Roast Turkey Medallions dinner has a majorly oversized serving of vegetables in it as does the Glazed Chicken Tenders. These are hearty, really yummy and wholesome meals.

Words of Wisdom: I depend on Nutrisystem as the basis of my meals and now I am kicking it up a notch in the fruits and vegetable department. I do not let a day go by that I don’t make sure I’ve gotten at minimum, 5 servings of fruits and veggies. If I can, I’ll go up as far past that as possible. I carry 2 + apples and carrots just about everywhere with me because they are the quickest to grab and transport if I’m away from home all day. I’ve always got broccoli, cauliflower, onions, celery and asparagus ready to cook. If I can find inexpensive plum or cherry tomatoes, I buy them, too. I also picked up some spinach during my grocery run this week.

FTC Disclaimer: I am receiving the Nutrisystem program complimentary in exchange for my personal reviews each week.

Nutrisystem for Breakfast

 

Here's my little update on the Nutrisystem Garden Vegetable Omelet. It's already tasty and now it gets a few additions. I love to add a little salsa on the side, heat up a slice or two of lean ham and melt a half a slice of cheddar or swiss cheese over the top of the omelet. The omelet begins at 100 calories as is and with the adds (salsa, 2 slices of ham, 1/2 slice of cheese) it comes in at a breakfast of 300 calories!

The Journey Rolls On- Week 12!

 

Photo: Me on the beach at Hunting Island last month.

Total Weight Lost: (since September 2009): 48.5 LBS!

Total Weight Lost on Nutrisystem (since November 2010): 8.5 LBS!

My Lesson: I need to forgive myself, know it’s a struggle and let it all go and start fresh to get the weight to come off.

I’ve hit a plateau and I’m feeling frustrated. It has been a difficult time since the end of the holidays. One of my freelance writing jobs folded, so it’s been a real effort to drum up work and cash flow. I caught a pretty rough case of strep throat and was seriously sick for 2 weeks. Through it all, I’ve definitely used food for comfort, so despite intense workouts, I haven’t lost weight!

My weakest time is at night. I can eat great all day and then I go crazy for calories at night. It is the worst time to overeat and I use food as a tool of relaxation – not good.

My Nutrisystem: The food is great and I tweak it here and there to enjoy Nutrisystem in different ways. I use a lot of salsa on the frozen lunch entrees like the Chicken Quesadilla and the Steak and Cheese Melt. I add ground turkey to the marinara sauce on the pastas and I still die for the Ravioli Formaggio – it is my absolute favorite item and needs no work. The Asian Style Beef and the Roasted Vegetable Pizza are brand new and truly items I love to eat.

Words of Wisdom: I’m starting over. I’m 100% healthy again and it’s time to refocus and restart. Fresh beginning today! I am going right back to fighting against using food for comfort – food is for nutrition – it cannot be my emotional support system.

FTC Disclaimer: I am receiving the Nutrisystem program complimentary in exchange for my personal reviews each week.

My Favorite Nutrisystem Food + Recipe!

 

I have been munching on Nutrisystem for 3 months now and I've lost about 9 lbs on NS!

One of my favorite Nutrisystem offerings is the Italian Flatbread Pizza. It comes with the crust, a packet of sauce and a packet of cheese. It is a dinner item, but I often eat it for lunch before I have to teach a spinning class. The package components equal 270 calories. I made if for dinner this Sunday with some special additions making one pizza about 400 calories.

Spread the ample sauce provided over the crust
Sprinkle on a little less than 1/4 cup of low-fat mozzarella
Add a half serving of cooked ground turkey
Toss on lots of thinly sliced onion
Add the packaged cheese over the top

It makes a delicous pizza and you can nix the added mozz if you want or the ground turkey and load up additional veggies instead for an almost zero calorie add.

I had carrots and hummus to start and I finished my meal with a little fruit and cottage cheese - bringing me in just under 650 calories for a large and complete dinner. I did 2 workouts on Sunday, so I definitely was ready for a nice evening meal.

Hit up Nutrisystem to see how you can get all their awesome NEW food delivered today at 2003 prices!!!

FTC Disclaimer: I am receiving the Nutrisystem program complimentary in exchange for my personal reviews each week.

The New Music Spinning Set List 3

 

This rocked last night's spinning class. I had the most students ever in a class, every single bike was taken and people were standing at the door watching! Good times!

Click on the actual iTunes screen grab to see it larger.

The Journey Rolls On- Week 10!

 

Photo: Me, one year and 25 lbs ago at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia home of the Australian Open. (Vamos Rafa!!!)

Total Weight Lost: (since September 2009): 48.5 LBS!

Total Weight Lost on Nutrisystem (since November 2010): 8.5 LBS!

My Lesson: You better believe I’m counting that ½ lb this week! I’ve gained tons of muscle, been eating great and feeling slimmer than ever. I can see a 4 pack developing in my stomach, well, JUST developing, but it’s starting! My leg muscles are getting more defined and my legs continue to slim down. I’ve never had skinny legs and they’re lookin’ pretty fierce!

Exercise and Calories In VS Calories Out: I teach five, 60-min spinning classes each week and usually run on the 6th day. Day 7 is always all about REST and RECOVERY. My body (and yours, too) needs at least one full day of nothing, to relax and rebuild. I burn 800-1000 extra calories each day with exercise, so I’ve locked myself down to eating 2500 calories each day. That means I’m in a minimum calorie deficit of 300 – 500 calories each day. That allows for a healthy weight loss pace. As I gain muscle and add specific exercise to do that, I can’t be too worried about the number on the scale.

My Nutrisystem: After over 2 ½ months on Nutrisystem, I am getting so used to the food that it’s a no brainer what I’m going to eat everyday. The good thing about this is that I know the food, so I don’t feel like I have to binge or overindulge. I eat for nutrition but still enjoy the taste of those chocolate peanut butter bars. I’m pretty excited about the newest frozen foods that were just added – I was desperate for a little change in meals and I got it in my last delivery.

The Newest KW Favorites: the margherita pizza, the roasted vegetable pizza, asian style beef and of course, the orange crème bar.

Words of Wisdom: Go to the grocery store, stock up on fruits and vegetables and come home and slice them so they’re ready to eat all week. After years of hearing this as a tip over and over again, I finally did it this week with my broccoli, cauliflower and green beans. My diet has benefited immensely by having a couple heaping servings of veggies each day because the majority of the work was done already.

FTC Disclaimer: I am receiving the Nutrisystem program complimentary in exchange for my personal reviews each week.

Tonight's Spinning Music Set List 2

 

Fitness tool kit addition! Here's the new spinning set of the week - it was a hit. My fave - Robbie Williams Rock DJ. I always keep extra warm up/cool down and work songs at the end, as usual. I'll probably swap out Get Together, because I use it to start another set and I don't like to reuse too many songs across my classes during a week. I used this set to do combos, where I use two songs as one work song, like the ladder - we climb up during Millenium and we ladder down during Bones. I've got double Killers, double Robbie Williams and double Michael Jackson, just because they're the hits. This set had us out of the saddle a lot more than some of my other sets and it was a nice change. I had a crazy calorie blast, I couldn't get a glass of milk into my system after class fast enough.

*My spin classes are 60 minutes in length and I aim for 56 minutes of pretty intense work and just go over a little with stretches and cool down at the end. We don't waste a second!

My Life's Little Lessons: Part 9

 

Photo: My brother, Chris, and me in Chicago during the day after Christmas snowstorm. Getting ready for our 16 hour drive back to the Carolinas!

Total Weight Lost: (since September 2009): 48 LBS!

Total Weight Lost on Nutrisystem (since November 2010): 8 LBS!

My Lesson: Dropping these last pounds is killer tough, but my healthy lifestyle is a complete habit now. I’ve found things that are fun and inspire me! Getting into eating right and exercising may take some time to develop, but it gets easier and easier – ONLY IF you work to find food and exercise that you will ENJOY. It has to be fun. Try different things to find the fun. Get some cute workout clothes that you love, take a little time to create a music set that will really inspire you to push during cardio and invest in your health. Find a day you can actually take a little time at the grocery store and make it a positive errand. Something you are doing for you and your family, because your family will become motivated by your changes, too.

My Nutrisystem: I am a picky eater but I have found some delish foods on this program between the frozen Nutrisystem Select and their shelf-stable program. If you’re picky, these are likely to be a hit for you, too. You can always personally adjust your order to the foods you love. There really are too many to name, but find me on Twitter (link at the top of the blog) and ask me about any Nutrisystem food!

KW Favorites:
Ravioli Formaggio
Stuffed Shells with Spinach
Flat Bread Pizza
Turkey Sausage Pizza
Creamy Fudge Bar
Ice Cream Sandwich
BBQ Pork Wrap
Chili with Beans
Chicken with Dumplings
Cinnamon Bun Bar
Fudge Graham Bar
Double Chocolate Caramel Bar
Cinnamon Roll

Words of Wisdom: Eat at home as much as you can. You will save an incredible amount of money and lose weight. I can pretty much guarantee those two things will happen! Prepare your own food and plan out healthy meals when you are going to the grocery store. Foods that are good for you do not have to cost tons of money, especially if you have a Walmart Supercenter, year-round local farm stand or occasionally clip coupons.

Like my clothing, I also have a bit of “uniform” plan to my food. Even when I have to be out running around I have my stylin’ “green” bag at the ready to fill up with carrots, celery, nuts, sandwiches, high protein/low cal granola bars and of course water at all times. I do not like getting caught super hungry while running around far from home or at work. I pack the good stuff so I won’t eat the bad stuff in a desire for food fast.

FTC Disclaimer: I am receiving the Nutrisystem program complimentary in exchange for my personal reviews each week

Tonight's Spinning Music Set List 1

 

Here's one for your fitness tool kit. For all my busy fitness followers out there, if you are looking for some music to amp up your workout and pump you up mentally, this is a good mix to do it. It will help get your intensity up, ease it back and guarantees a good calorie burn. I always have excess warm up and cool down, but I even use my spinning sets for time off a bike. I use these music sets for running and dancing around the apartment. All the songs between the warm ups and cool down are considered "work songs" and that's the core of my workout. These sets got me through some Rocky style runs with my brother across the Midwest in the ice and snow!

Happy New Year!

 

We spent the day at the beach and then Will and I came back to my place to get glam and throw together my NYE cocktail party. It was a night full of good food and laughter and when we made it downtown to Plum's, great music from the Broke Locals!

New Year's Beach Pics!

 

My friend Will Morgan came back to South Carolina for some Lowcountry fun last week. We drove into Charleston for some fabulous food and shopping and of course spent a day at the beach. New Year's Eve, in fact! I decided to do my own polar bear plunge and ran in and ran right out of the Atlantic Ocean. It was absolutely warmer outside than in the water. (Air temp was about 63 degrees and I believe the water temp is now in the high 50's.)

Thanks to Nutrisystem and my drive at the gym and teaching spinning classes, that is a beach photo of me in my swimsuit! I'm confident enough to drop that pic to the internets for the world to see. I'm only getting more and more toned each day and it's pretty fun, why not photo document it on Blonde Rules?

Happy New Year!

My Life's Little Lessons: Part 8

 

Photo: Susanne (below-mentioned fit friends and my dedicated Spinning class participant) and me on New Year's Eve 2011.

Total Weight Lost: (since September 2009): 48 LBS!

Total Weight Lost on Nutrisystem (since November 2010): 8 LBS!

My Lesson: It’s a lot easier to stay fit when you have friends that want to join your fit mission. My weight loss and passion for fitness and activity has helped to inspire friends who are now working out with me. People want to know how I’m doing it and they want to know all about my diet and exercise. I’m teaching 3-4 spinning classes at the YMCA every week and all my girlfriends try to take them. It is another level of being held accountable. It’s almost impossible to be an out of shape spin instructor!

My Nutrisystem: Nutrisystem continues to help change my life and my eating habits. They are now combining their two programs for one low price, so everyone can get the delish frozen foods AND the shelf stable bars and meals that are the core of my busy grab and go days. It’s a program that combines the two so you get a custom food plan that YOU will enjoy. I’ve been eating every 2 to 4 hours, light meals and snacks and my body looks and feels slimmer than ever.

Words of Wisdom: Don’t judge yourself so much. It’s easier to love yourself when you are well on the way to weight loss, but you should always love you no matter what you weigh or how you look. I used to be so uncomfortable in my body – the inner me never felt reflected in the outer me. I was more harsh and mean to myself than any bully was – I hope I can let go of that self-inflicted pain forever. If you are torturing yourself this way, stop now! Love who you are at all times. Accept who you are and then you can change more easily.

Even though it is hard to eek out the last pounds, my body feels more toned than ever and no matter what the scale says I get up each day feeling strong and fairly svelte. That is not something I’ve EVER felt before. My clothes almost always look good on my bod – it’s totally awesome.


FTC Disclaimer: I am receiving the Nutrisystem program complimentary in exchange for my personal reviews each week.