Exercise: 20 minutes of cardio (I am moving exercise to the beginning of my daily details since I typically do this first thing in the morning before eating anything which is highly recommended to burn fat and also to get my metabolism going right away - I personally am not quite awake and have a marked reduction in performance in the wee hours BUT my heart rate gets into cardio mode and that is what matters.)

Breakfast: Oatmeal with flaxseed and syrup and cinnamon, low sodium V-8, water, coffee (I know I am boring for eating oatmeal everday, but I love love love it!!! seriously, but don’t worry when I go on vacation or travel I might opt to be a bit more adventurous, and occasionally like yesterday I go crazy and have some breakfast for lunch again…)

Lunch: Whole grain hot pocket lite (yes they actually make a lite version of a hot pocket - it tastes great but unfortunately and honestly it is also less filling), water, flavored low-calorie sparkling water

Snack: Apple and a handful of smoked turkey jerky (I was going to dip my apple in peanut butter but we got the healthy peanut butter and it just didn’t taste right…)

Dinner: small chicken breast marinated in Italian dressing and sauteed in olive oil and rosemary, garlic, onion, and basil, peas in butter (I didn’t have any fresh green vegetables so I had a very small serving of these peas that were packaged in a butter sauce), brown rice mixed with black beans, flavored sparkling water, large glass of low sodium V-8.

Snack: coffee (in case you are wondering I take my coffee with a bit of whole organic milk and 1 splenda)

I have noticed that I have been starving by the time I go to bed. If I didn’t have to write it down here, I would totally be pigging out right now…

What I could have done better: I really should not have had a frozen hot pocket. I was starving and I really need to go food shopping for some better choices of fresh fruits and vegetables. Better planning on my part would be an improvement. Particularly on weekends, I need to think ahead and plan what I am going to eat. I need to make sure that I have healthy choices in my home. I need to drink more water and I need to eat more vegetables throughout the day.

Weight: Wow! Down 5.2 pounds which is more than I expected.  What a pleasant surprise.  Something is working!  44.8 pounds to go…

I live a very hectic lifestyle. I have two kids, a dog, a fish, and a husband. I travel often for work. I have been really struggling to get to the gym to make the cardio commitments that I know are needed for weightloss (or even just weight maintenance for that matter). I wanted to find a cardio machine that burned a high amount of calories in a short period of time and provided a full body workout. Here is what I decided upon:

1) A Jumprope: Seriously! Don’t Laugh. Jumping rope is incredibly easy for you and everyone can afford it. The only problem I have is that I live in New England (which is cold) and I have low ceilings in my home. Plus, whenever I try to jumprope my kids want a turn immediately (this problem was solved by buying two more jumpropes).

2) Indoor Rowing: I have an “apple” shaped body, also referred to jokingly by myself as a “footballer” or “barrel” shape. For this reason, I wanted a machine that would work not just legs but also core. I wanted something that would not cause repetitive injuries. I wanted something that burned a high number of calories relative to other machines. I also wanted the convenience of a home machine for less than $1,000. I bought a Concept II ergometer, and after using it for a week or so now I feel great. (Actually my husband took the initiative to buy it - can you say “hint!” - but seriously, thanks honey.)