Before I start this squat challenge I am going to spend this week doing 2 - 12 squat reps of basics squats.  Better make sure I can handle that before tackling THIS:

http://blog.myfitnesspal.com/the-4-week-squat-plan/?user_id=169064465935421&alt_source=mfp&alt_medium=email&alt_campaign=workouts20160314&utm_source=mfp&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=workouts20160314&mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRoluK3PZKXonjHpfsX77ekpX6K%2Fh4kz2EFye%2BLIHETpodcMT8RgM6%2BTFAwTG5toziV8R7DBLM153N8QXRTg

As I plug along with some failures and victories this article series I found at Sparkpeople has helped!

Happy New Year! Over the past 18 months my weight has crept to an uncomfortable one at best.  I was doing great, running with a friend until I injured my hip, then about the time my hip was healed up she injured her calf. The weight was creeping up even while I was running but when I stopped it crept faster than ever.  Now I have a good chunk to lose.  My New Years goals are two fold.  #1 - to finish memorizing the book of James, #2 - Start afresh with a No Sugar Challenge, and  #3 - track my food intake, every bite, until the weight is under control.

I want to start manageable so this week my goal is #1 - memorize 2 more verses in James chapter 1, #2 track every bite this week and #3 Plan on one square of chocolate a day to ease into the No Sugar Challenge. Oh and I have been doing Pilates again and want to do that 3 days this week as well.

 Let me know your resolutions, victories and short term goals!

Cottage Berry Whip

Made this recipe yesterday and thought I would share it. I forgot the sweetener and still thought it was YummY!

Ramblings - No Sugar Challenge Ups and Downs

I maintained the no sugar challenge for a good long time!  But alas and alack fell off the challenge for about 10 days : (  I am back on.  I really wanted to do a shakeology cleanse to help me get back on track.  I was lamenting the expense and asking the Lord for mercy to get back on track without it when He provided me with a free bag of the shake mix!  I am so so thankful. I know I need to be able to get back on track without it, but am thankful that doesn't have to be now. During my 10 days of sugar intake I felt sluggish, irritable, bloated, woke with a head ache, and by the end the old hot flashes started up.

On the exercise end - I have a partner to run with and that is supper motivating for me. We don't always run the whole way together but having someone show up at the back door with their running shoes on gets us both going in the right direction.  So even through the sugar overloading I maintained some exercise, or I may have gained all my weigh back that I have worked so hard to keep off  : )

Today I ran 2.94 miles in 29 minutes.  I did a pretty hilly route which I always enjoy - when it's done!!

I am very interested in The Trim Healthy Mama book and hope to get that again from the library.  Several friends are reading and implementing the principles and I am sure I can learn and glean from it.

Happy Saturday.  I am hitting it hard here to gear up for the fall semester of home schooling. I will have children in Kindergarten, Second, Fourth, Sixth, Ninth and Tenth grades this year!  Pretty exciting (and with lots of prayer, not too overwhelming : ) )!

No Sugar Mess Up & the Big, Bad Ugly Effects

confession time.  I was going to write this last night but the increased sugar intake of late has left me way too tired! After a stressful Tuesday morning with every day life I took the kids out for a burger (since I had zero lunch plans). That would have been fine if I hadn't eaten the bun, & mayo. It left me craving. So I ate a protein bar (which had sugar in it), then a bit later a teaspoon of raw honey - ugh- and to top it off a handful of sugar cereal. Eating those things made me sluggish, lazy and just left me craving more. Naturally I had a hot flash that night. Wed. Some honey was consumed.  The effect was bad. Thursday went well. Friday, not so well. I lost track of Saturday but based on my hot flashes last night it could not have been good. I woke up with a head ache this AM and felt like I might throw up. I had cabbage salad and a cucumber for breakfast. Beef, spinach, carrots & cucumber for lunch. And a slab of chicken for supper. Attended a wedding with a dessert reception and opted for a cup of coffee with cream, determined to eat clean, rid myself of the sluggish feeling I have been carrying around, as well as the horrific dreaded hot flashes :-) . Renee, don't beat yourself up four little candies, just renew your commitment to glorify God in your eating habits, and learn from my downward spiral, it is not worth it!

No sugar Challenge Day 21

Wednesday Day 19
Lack of Sugar: Great, no real troubles
Work Out: HIIT 15 Core Challenge
Tracking: Great, met goal
Sleep: 7.5

Thursday Day 20

Lack of Sugar: Great, no real troubles
Work Out: Today was supposed to be a rest day for me, but I felt like getting a little run in.  Abram and I went running together for about 15 minutes. I also did the Core challenge.  I feel torn, as I would like to follow the recommended schedule in the Turbo Fire plan, but don't want to let my running slide.  Praying about this one.
Tracking: great, met goal
Sleep: 7


Friday Day 21

Lack of Sugar: I purchased yogurt sweetened with honey, knowing full well what I was doing.  I felt the effects within an hour as my nasal passages got stuffy.  Very interesting.  I am going for a 28 day challenge starting Sat. May 11th
Work Out: Fire 30, Stretch 10
Tracking: did not track today
Sleep: 6  UGH!!  Ooops, but my house sure looks nice, cleaned dining, living, and kitchen more thoroughly, and they needed it.  This is supposed to be our Thursday morning family together cleaning time, but that time failed to be as productive as it sometimes is : )  So I stayed up until quarter past midnight last night and woke up at quarter past 6.  I am feeling the effects for sure.