Waiting

" You should not wait; the time will never be 'just right'. Start where you are, work with whatever is at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along." - Ybonette Gonzale

Gray Matter

from www.jillianmichaels.com



Do you do your cardio on the treadmill or the elliptical machine? How about trying a little of both? Does the thought scare you a bit? Most people like to stick to one machine for cardio, but I want you to change your mind-set. To reach your fitness goals, you have to let go of that all-or-nothing mentality. And let's face it — eventually, you'll need more than one cardio option. One day the weather may not be cooperative for your usual outdoor jog, or all the ellipticals will be in use, or the pool will be closed, or your bike will be in the repair shop. Be flexible. To get you thinking big picture, let's take a look at all the options available in the always-popular walk-jog-run trio.

You can perform any of these activities on a treadmill or outdoors. The key is to mix it up and keep it challenging. To burn maximum calories, you have a few options: you can walk on an incline, walk fast, jog, or run, depending on what you're ready for at your current fitness level. Try performing intervals by running or jogging in quarter-mile bursts. You can also work different muscles in your legs by running backward every once in a while — obviously you can't do this everywhere. You might also try sports drills like running sideways, or karaokes, in which you run sideways by crossing your right foot first in front of your left foot and then behind your left foot; you then switch directions, crossing the left foot in front and then behind the right foot.

I get a daily email from Jillian Michaels and there are some GREAT tips! You can get the same ones by visiting her website at www.jillianmichaels.com

Happy Fitness!

-Jenn

Vision & Venture

The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps – we must step up the stairs. – Vance Havner

Hungry Girl (or Boy)

Leslie H. had recently told Bucky and I about these "guilt-free" egg mugs by Hungry Girl. I decided to give them a go and was floored by how GREAT they were! I can't get enough and there are so many possibilities with them!

The Egg Mug Classic

PER SERVING (entire mug): 95 calories, 2g fat, 490mg sodium, 3g carbs, 0g fiber, 2g sugars, 14.5g protein -- POINTS® value 2

*Ingredients:1/2 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (like Egg Beaters Original)One wedge The Laughing Cow Light Original Swiss cheese, cut into pieces

Directions:Spray a large microwave-safe mug lightly with nonstick spray. Add egg substitute and cheese and stir. Microwave for about a minute. Stir gently, and then microwave for another 30 - 45 seconds, until scramble is just set. Stir and enjoy!

MAKES 1 SERVING

Egg Mug Awareness:

A Must-Read GuideSome tips and tricks for your egg mug fix...

1. Don't worry if the contents of your mug expand and rise to crazy-high heights while in the microwave. This is okay and expected. They'll calm down after you're done nuking them.

2. Our egg mug recipes are 100000% guilt-free. Sometimes we eat two at a time. Sometimes we pair one with a lovely Fuji. Just sayin'...

3. On the go? Wrap your microwave-made scramble in a high-fiber tortilla or stuff it inside a Sandwich Thin. Mmmmm!!!

4. Brush up on Hungry Girl history. Check out our original egg mug email -- packed with SIX MORE nukeable scrambles -- by clicking here!

Hope you all enjoy this recipe! It's great for on the go and fantastic for at work!

Happy Fitness!

-Jenn

A life that counts

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years" - Abraham Lincoln

Obstacles . . .

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal. – Henry Ford

The Week 1 Results Are In!

Great job everyone! We rocked the scales this week!
As a group we lost a total of 55.8 pounds!
That is a average of 2.43 pounds per person.
Keep up the great work!

Happy Fitness!
-Jenn

Biggest Loser Recipes

If you're anything like me, I am always curious as to what everyone else is doing for their meals. Also, if you are the one who has to cook all of these meals, things can get very mundane fast! It is always nice to get some inspiration to try something new.

I would LOVE if you all would submit your recipes to me so I could post them on the blog!
You can email your recipes to me at jenn@pacheat.com and I will post them here on the blog.

Happy Fitness!
-Jenn

Limits

Know your limits, but never stop trying to exceed them. – Author Unknown

I think that this inspirational quote is very relevant to today's week 1 weigh-in. We all know what we need to do to keep up the weight loss or what to do to step it up a notch. Hang in there everyone! You are doing great!

Last chance -

Did anyone do a last chance workout today?
If so, what did you do?

Jillian Michaels

Yesterday Leslie H. submitted some information about Jillian Michaels and her website. Here is a little blurb from Jillians website:
"Jillian's program takes into account three factors — self, science, and sweat. Weight loss is a process that's both mental and physical. There are no gimmicks or get-skinny-quick schemes here — we're talking about fitness for life! You're going to have to tackle three hurdles before you can finally get fit: you need to get support, eat right, and exercise!"

You can sign up for a free "mini" version of a customized weight loss plan. To get an in depth weight loss plan there is a fee of $4 a week. When you sign up for that it will include:

* Tracking your weight online

* Starting a complete cardio and fitness program

* A customized meal plan

* Daily motivation from Jillian Michaels

Jillian's website is VERY motivational. If any of you have ever seen her on "The Biggest Loser" you know that she can push people to the limits. If anyone does sign up for her program I would be very interested in knowing how it all worked out.

Happy Fitness!

-Jenn

Getting back on track

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in, forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day, you shall begin it well and serenely." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today's inspirational quote was submitted by Cheryl M.
She said that this quote helps her get back on the right track.

Pain . . .

"Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever." - Lance Armstrong

Today's inspirational quote was submitted by Leslie H.

That's right everyone!
After receiving all of the starting weights, we have a group total of 4,184.9 pounds.
That is just over 2 TONS!

How much is 2 tons you ask?

approximately 16,000 sticks of butter
approximately 479 gallons of ice cream
approximately 1,333 large pizza's
approximately 647 gallons of gasoline

Well, you get the idea.
Every week I will publish the total amount of lbs lost for the group as a whole.
This should be pretty interesting to see what kind of numbers we can pull as a group.

Good luck & Happy Fintess!

-Jenn

Don't lose sight -

"If you have a goal in life that takes a lot of energy, that requires a lot of work, that incurs a great deal of interest and that is a challenge to you, you will always look forward to waking up to see what the new day brings." - Susan Polis Schultz

Let the Biggest Loser competition begin!

It is so exciting to see the turn-out for Pacific Heating's first "Biggest Loser" competition. There are currently 21 people signed up and the pot is at $630.00 and growing!

Today is the last day to submit your starting weight!

Distance is not an issue here, we've got people signed up from all over the United States.
If you would like more information about this competition you can email me at: jenn@pacheat.com

Here is some basic information about the competition: