First Things First...

To start off this adventure, and I like to call it an 'adventure' because really it is. You will discover new things about yourself...How far you can go, how much you can do, how disciplined and determined you will be.
There are 4 specific things you will want to read about and decide before you get started, here ya go!

1. Calculate your BMI
(Body Mass Index is a number calculated from a person's weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness.)
This is a good way to have an idea of where you are at on the scale and what's expected at your measurements.
Here's a great link to a site that you can calculate not only your BMI but your kids too. I also have a calculator set up to the side for your convenience.

Once you figure that, you'll know exactly how many calories you burn on a daily basis, how many you should burn, and a list of daily duties we do around the house that burn MAJOR calories!

2. Set a Goal
Decide now how much weight you want to lose
How much muscle you want to gain
How healthy you want to eat
And of course, how much work you are willing to put into it.

A healthy lifestyle requires balance, in the foods you eat, in the beverages you consume, in the way you carry out your daily activities, and in the amount of exercise you include in your daily routine.
While counting calories is not necessary, it may help you in the beginning to gain an awareness of your eating habits as you strive to achieve energy balance.
I did it for the first time after my 2nd and it made a huge difference.
The ultimate test of balance is whether or not you are gaining, maintaining, or losing weight.

Its not easy at first ladies, but I promise you that it will get fun, you will feel soooo good, and you will actually love having it in your life, you will need it, crave it! Let exercise be your sweet escape to all the stresses of your daily life.

3. A Plan
Find your eating and workout plan that works for you (that's where I will fill in those question marks!)
Eating:
When it comes to maintaining a healthy weight for a lifetime,
the bottom line is – calories count!
Weight management is all about balance—balancing the number of calories you consume with the number of calories your body uses or "burns off."
For the first 2-4 weeks you will need to be super cautious of what you are consuming and the levels of sugar, carbs, etc.

I have a plan (coming soon) that will require a huge amount of discipline but ya know what, because you will work hard, you will be that much more determined to keep it off and really love your results!
I'm all about high proteins, and low to no carbs or sugars for the first few weeks. That, I am telling you will make the BIGGEST difference in your excess fat, the bulge, and best of all...Cottage Cheese!
Lot's of you want to know how to get rid of the 'Muffin Top'
I promise this will get rid of it!

Working Out:
There are many different ways of doing this depending on your frame, and desired goal.
If you are wanting to lose fat first, you are going to have to do routines that keep your heart rate at a fat burning heart rate (such as speed walking, or swimming) I walked 1-2 times a day 40 min. each time for the first 2 weeks, after that you'll go into higher intensity for muscle building.

Before I figured that out, I was doing lot's of weights, high intensity stuff (which that's what all the trainers at the gym were telling me to do to get off the baby weight. Boy were they wrong!)
The only thing I saw was muscle on top of fat, and that wasn't pretty!
You have to shed the fat first, than build muscle on top of healthy fat that's supposed to be there.

Once you get into high intensity workouts there will be many different ideas and plans I'm going to give you to decide which works for you.
I personally love the gym, but that's not always the best thing for some people, especially if there's no daycare available.
I'm currently living in the middle of nowhere so I have to make things work here at home.
With the workout equipment I have, it works perfect for my lifestyle and actually very workable with kids around.
I'm a HUGE fan of workout videos...they have to be the right videos though to make it worth it!
I have a few different videos I will be posting about very soon for you to choose to purchase...at a much lower price than retail!


4. Mainting your weight
Now that you've lost weight, you have to maintain that success.
Watch your diet, Be Active, Stay on course
If you start to lax a little or a lot because you get where you want, it will slowly creep back up on you. This 4th point might be the most important part of the process. Or you will just be starting all over again, and you don't want to do that!



With this list of what the process is going to be about, if you comit, prepare yourselve's for amazement ladies!
Please please add my blog to your's, send it out to others you may know who would be interested and don't forget to come back often.
I will be posting frequently for your bodies benefit!
Use this site and everyone who is a part of it for support and drive. Afterall, we're all going to need a little pushin'!!

My email is also on the side if you have any random or personal questions, feel free to send it on over!