Happy Mothers Day to all the mothers out there!!!  I hope you have had a wonderful day.  I know I did!!! I love spending time with my family, especially when my grandson is willing to take a picture with me!

Today’s challenges were extremely easy and consisted of:

Abs:  rest day

Squat: 40 regular squats

Arms:  rest day

Butt:  rest day

Thighs:  rest day

Cardio:  rest day

Like I said, very easy!!!

My morning started with my youngest son bringing me coffee in bed.  Followed by my husband making breakfast for me and serving it to me in bed.  The breakfast consisted of Migas and potatoes with onions.  Unfortunately I was only able to eat a couple of bites, but it was good. No pictures of breakfast.

Every Sunday we have lunch at my mom’s.  Today, my husband made instant pot creamy chicken (so very good and probably Keto friendly) served over egg noodles (not Keto appropriate).  And I was not able to eat the full serving I made for myself.  Hubby also made a homemade chocolate cake and it was so good.  Nice and warm served with Blue Bell vanilla ice cream.  My mother does not have much to pick from where drinks are concerned so we all drank Coke. I didn’t take pictures of our lunch but I do have pictures of the leftovers!!!

And here I am home alone while my youngest son and hubby have gone to the laundromat to wash clothes.  One day we will either get a new washing machine or the one we have will get fixed.  But for now, we will make do with the laundromat!!!!  And while they are gone, I’m going to have some of the left over instant pot creamy chicken over one piece of bread.

Please come back for tomorrow for the next installment.

I confess.  I did have the last ice cream sandwich last night.

Today has been a very long work day.  I work a double shift on Saturdays.  And even thought I work from home, while I’m working, I stay in my craffice (craft room/office) just as if I was going to an office to work.  And even though the hours are sometimes long, there are benefits.

It was late today before I did my challenges.  My back hurts and legs are still not happy with me.  But I think I might be finding my groove.  Maybe.  I’m hoping.  Today’s challenges consisted of:

Abs:  55 sit ups, 65 crunches, 33 leg raises, and 42 secs planks.

Squat:  120 regular squats.

Arms:  15 opposite arm and leg raises, 15 arm circles, 15 floor tricep dips, and 9 wall push ups.

Butt:  15 goblet squats, 15 donkey kicks, 15 sumo squats, and 9 side lunges.

Thighs:  15 lunge jumps, 15 forward lunges, 15 side lunges, and 9 sumo squats.

Cardio:  1 min 45 secs butt kicks, 1 min 45 secs high knees, and 1 min 45 secs bear crawls.

I often wonder who came up with this torture… I mean exercises.  I am sure there is a reason.  I am thankful that I do my exercises alone in my home.  I never know what sounds will be made (and from where) when I do leg raises.  But I’m doing these challenges because I want to.  I made a decision that I would do them and I am going to do my best to stick with it.  Now if I could just be a little bit more motivated with my diet!!!

Today I had hopes of eating better.  And it started out okay I guess.  Today’s intake was:

morning coffee, because I am human, no breakfast, turkey sandwich with mayo and some veggies chips for lunch and for dinner I had 1 chicken tender, some fries, ranch dressing, 1 corn nugget (my husband gave it to me), and an apple.

While my hubby and I were watching Big Texas Fix tonight, my youngest son brought me a coffee mug full of mint chocolate ice cream.  He said it was for Mother’s Day.  I ate it.  It was good.  But I refuse to over-indulge.  Everything in moderation, at least that would be a good start.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s challenges, especially since it is a rest day for everything except the squats.

Please come back tomorrow for day 12.

I have made it 1/3 of the way!!!  I really feel that this is an accomplishment in itself!  But sometimes, it would be nice to find some outside motivation.  This morning I was distracted with the normal daily struggles and did not get to my challenges until 6 this evening.  Luckily, I work from home, work was slow, and I was able to get the challenges in!

Today’s challenges consisted of:

Abs:  50 sit ups, 50 crunches, 30 leg raises, and 30 secs planks.

Squat:  rest day!!!!

Arms:  15 box push ups, 15 opposite arm and leg raises, 15 arm circles, and 8 floor tricep dips.

Butt:  15 goblet squats, 15 donkey kicks, 15 sumo squats, 8 back extensions.

Thighs:  15 lunge jumps, 15 sumo squats, 15 clock lunges, and 8 forward lunges.

Cardio:  1 min 40 secs high knee, 1 min 40 secs butt kicks, and 1 min 40 secs Plyo jacks.

My legs still hurt and my lower back still aches.  Please, someone, anyone, tell me what I can do for this discomfort.  Tylenol doesn’t seem to want to work.

Today I had my usual coffee in the morning.  And it was good!  I drank the last of my Ginger Ale then switched to water.  As for as what I ate, I had 1 chicken tender (those things are HUGE), french fries, corn nuggets and hush puppies.  I would have loved having gravy with my chicken tender, but since Dan’s Seafood and Chicken do not offer it, I used ketchup.  And that is all I have had today!  There is a very good chance that I will have an ice cream sandwich tonight as well.  Might as well finish those off too!!!

Tomorrow I have to pick up groceries for my mother and I have also added some lemons, apples, and turkey slices.  My water will taste so much better tomorrow!!!!

Please return tomorrow for day 11.

I must start this issue with a bit of honesty.  Last night after I published Day 8, I was hungry so I had a hamburger. The gross kind made with some frozen meat that claims to be hamburger but no one really knows what it is.  I had visions of a grand hamburger with some melted cheddar cheese, a little onion, some lettuce, and my favorite condiment for my burgers, mayonaise.  Instead, I was barely able to eat half of it.  Even the frozen air fried fries covered with ketchup couldn’t get rid of the taste.  YUCK.  I compensated myself for the bad decision by allowing myself to have an ice cream sandwich.  Obviously, this week is not exactly on the healthy eating track.  Hopefully things will improve soon!!!

Day 9 challenges completed this morning and included:

Abs:  45 sit ups, 30 crunches, 30 leg raises, and 35 seconds plank.

Squat:  45 regular squats.

Arms:  15 wall push ups, 15 box push ups, 15 floor tricep dips, and 7 opposite arm & leg raises.

Butt:  15 donkey kicks, 15 sumo squats, 15 goblet squats, and 7 side lunges.

Thighs:  15 lunge jumps, 15 side lunges, 15 forward lunges, and 7 clock lunges.

Cardio:  1 min 15 secs high knees, 1 min 15 secs bear crawls, 1 min 15 secs butt kicks.

I’m hoping the pain in my legs and lower back will subside.  I’m also hoping the challenges will eventually get easier as time goes on.  It does get easier, right???

Today’s daily consumption of non-health eating consisted of my normal morning coffee, chicken noodle soup, popcorn, Ginger Ale, air fried fries, and another ice cream sandwich.  There is a possibility I might have another one before I go to bed!!!  I know tomorrow will be a full on fried lunch!!!  Taking my youngest son to get his favorite shrimp, chicken for my husband and myself.  I might even splurge and get myself a Dr. Pepper to drink!!!

Sorry no pictures today.  Maybe tomorrow I will share pictures of the yummy lunch!!!

Please come back for day 10!

Today has been better than yesterday.  Stomach is definitely better!  And today was a FANTASTIC challenge day!!!!

Abs:  rest day

Squat:  50 regular squats

Arms:  rest day

Butt:  rest day

Thighs:  rest day

Cardio:  rest day.

My legs do not hate me today!!!!

As far as my meals go, of course I had my morning coffee.  And I have been drinking Ginger Ale all day.  It truly does help an upset stomach.  Around lunch time, I had a bowl of potato soup with onions and bell peppers and some Ritz crackers.

I had an afternoon snack of unsalted top crackers with peanut butter.  It wasn’t bad and it definitely met an immediate need!!!!

It is a little late, but I have not had anything to eat for a while and I am definitely hungry.  I will likely have a hamburger patty with some cheese and maybe a side salad.  I’m just not sure yet.  Who knows what I will have, but I will definitely find something to nibble on.

I hope to have more to share tomorrow.  I know there will be more exercises to add!!!

Today did not start of great and it really hasn’t improved much.  I was not able to exercise first thing this morning like I have been doing everyday since I started this.  Such is life… and an upset stomach.  So instead of knocking the challenges out all at one time, I paced myself over a couple of hours this afternoon.  And there was definitely no diet in any way shape or form today.

So, this morning, in an attempt to calm my stomach, I had a few powdered donuts.  And yes it worked.  Or maybe it worked because I was also drinking Ginger Ale.  Before I started exercising this afternoon, I had a banana.

Today’s exercises seemed more difficult, but I think that is because I wasn’t feeling 100%.

Abs:  40 sit ups, 20 crunches, 20 leg raises, and 30 secs planks.

Squat:  90 regular squats.

Arms:  15 arm circles, 15 floor tricep dips, 15 wall push ups, and 5 opposite arm & leg raises.

Butt:  15 goblet squats, 15 sumo squats, 15 donkey kicks, and 5 back extensions.

Thighs:  15 side lunges, 15 sumo squats, 15 clock lunges, and 5 forward lunges.

Cardio:  1 min 10 secs bear crawls, 1 min 10 secs high knees, and 1 min 10 secs butt kicks.

I ended by day with a bowl of Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup and Nabisco unsalted top crackers.  And, of course, Ginger Ale.

Now I’m tired.  I think it just might be time to go to bed.

Good night!  Please come back tomorrow  to see how day 8 goes.  I know it will be much better than today!

For some reason, I felt it would be a great idea for me to start a 30-day challenge and seriously watch what I eat on a daily basis.  I am seriously pushing 60 and I have COPD and some dietary restrictions so my ability to actually complete this is questionable at best.  But I am going to give it my best shot!

I have tried a modified version of Keto three separate times and although I did lose weight, the diet also contributed to some gastric issues.  So Keto is out, especially a strict Keto.  Another issue for me with diets in general is inability to tolerate any and all artificial sweeteners and also the “natural” sweeteners that are currently on the market.  My body just does not tolerate them in any way, shape, or form so I’m 100% sugar.  With that being said, I plan on limiting my sugar intake and also watch my carbs but not omit either.  As of May 1st, I have omitted all soft drinks and my beloved sweet iced tea.  I have replaced it with water and lemon.  I have never been a fan of water so that has been a real adjustment for me.  But I have made it work for me so far!!!

6, YES 6, 30-day challenges when I started my serious planning for our upcoming cruise.  I wanted to start exercising and eating so I can make sure the clothes I purchased for our last cruise will still fit for our upcoming cruise.  I have seen a lot of 30-day challenges on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram but I felt I would have a better benefit from an app.  So I started searching for FREE apps for 30-day challenges.  I looked at one that said it was free, but when I downloaded it and started the initial assessment stuff, I found out that this free app was not free.  In fact, they wanted approximately $5.00 per week!!!  This $5.00 per week would give you a personal workout plan and meal plan.  Thanks, but no thanks.

I finally the 30DayFitness app.  I am so glad I stumbled onto this.  The app has 8 different challenges (Abs, push-up, squat, arms, butt, plank, thighs, and cardio) and each challenge has two beginner levels, two intermediate levels, and to advanced levels.  Considering my age, health, and level of exercise (or lack thereof), I decided on the beginner level 1 in SIX different challenges, Abs, squats, arms, butt, thighs, and cardio.  I decided if I am going to do this, I might as well get the best benefit for all areas.

As of today, I have done 90 situps, 35 crunches, 34 leg raises, 72 seconds of planks, 215 regular squats, 36 arm circles, 10 wall push-ups, 47 floor tricep dips, 11 opposite arm and leg raises, 37 box push-ups, 50 side lunges, 55 sumo squats, 55 donkey kicks, 37 goblet squats, 36 forward lunges, 24 clock lunges, 37 lunge jumps, 85 seconds of running in place, 55 seconds of high knees, 85 seconds of bear crawls, 15 Pylo jacks, and 60 butt kicks.

My legs are sore.

My thighs are sore.

My lower back hurts real bad.

NO PAIN, NO GAIN!  I’m going to conquer these challenges.

A lot of these exercises I have never heard of, but luckily the app has diagrams of each exercise.  Any exercise I struggle with, I try to modify it ever so slightly until I am in better shape.  I am looking at these challenges as an adventure.  I have not woken up in the morning dreading to do exercises.  But I do enjoy a nice long hot bath immediately afterward!

I hope to blog about this one a daily basis and will include information and maybe pictures of what I eat each day.

So please follow along on my 6, YES 6, 30-day challenges!