Category: Weight Loss

Two years ago I went to my local gym and tried a few sessions of Zumba. It was super cheap and I had always been interested, but that particular class just wasn’t a good fit. I was the youngest person in the class by a minimum of 10 years. It was a small, extremely crowded room; and I just wasn’t comfortable. The instructor was lively and easy to follow, but she was catering to her older, slower crowd. Therefore, I did not get much of a challenge or workout. (I’m not hating on older women trying to stay fit and have fun, I’m just saying I needed a faster pace to break a sweat.) Then, I had a baby; and you can’t take babies to crowded Zumba classes…

Until last week. I recently made some new friends by attending my local Enlisted Spouses Club meeting, and one lady just happens to teach free Zumba classes twice a week. She also has quite a few stay-at-home-moms in her classes and has 2 small children herself, so she was highly sympathetic to my current situation. She allows moms to bring their kids provided they do not disrupt the class. So last Thursday, I went to Zumba. And it was AWESOME!!

I had so much fun! The instructor was high energy and took the time to check in with each of us to make sure we were picking up the moves. The small class was polite and welcoming, and my son took to them quickly. He’s a fast judge of character, so him liking people is key to the experience we’re going to have anywhere we go. After the hour, I was sweating and hungry and had drank most of my liter bottle of water. This is the kind of workout I think I needed. An added boost to help me try and keep up with how much I ultimately end up eating every day. My diet discipline is terrible, but I can always workout more.

My first thought when the class was over was that I should look for a Zumba workout video so that I can do it at home on a daily basis. But then I realized, a lot of the reason I had fun was  because I was there with other people who were sweating just as hard as I was. I think Zumba is much better as a social workout experience, so I will not be purchasing a video. I will keep going to this class twice a week and enjoy my time there. I’d like to drop 5 more pounds or so before my husband come’s home next month.

If you’re a San Antonio local, here is the link to my instructor’s page and class info. Please join us!

Everyone knows it’s easier to take in calories than it is to get rid of them. Whether you want an extra bonus on top of your workout or you’re trying to ease into the whole exercising thing, here are some routines that you can start today to burn extra calories.:

1. Dance- I keep a charger in my kitchen just so I can plug up my phone and turn on Pandora without killing the battery. I dance and sing while I cook meals and load dishwasher. May not sound like much, but how much time do you spend cooking each day? An hour of dancing can burn 336 calories! And it’s fun!
2. Park further back- I used to be the parking lot shark who would drive around Wal-Mart for 15 minutes looking for a close spot. Now that I work out, I’ve stopped being so picky. I’m not saying you can’t take the good spot if it’s open, but if it’s not, walking from the middle of the lot won’t kill you.
3. Check the mail- Maybe this doesn’t apply to you, but base housing here has apartment-style mailboxes. That is to say, all of the boxes are located in one central location rather than on the front of your house. I used to just drive by and stop on my way back from the grocery store. Now, I walk there and back, 15 minutes every day. Maybe yours isn’t that far, but the calorie burn is still worth it. Jog for an extra boost. I can burn 62 calories a day just checking the mail. That’s about 3 tootsie rolls, or just one of those caramel-filled chocolates you got for Valentine’s day.
4. Clean a room- You probably already have a chore or two that needs to be done around the house anyway. Put some elbow grease into it! Scrub out your bathtub. Vacuum the carpets. Pick one room in the house and go at it! If you’re like me, you’ve got 3 baskets of clean laundry right now that are still waiting to be folded, so get to it!
5. Get laid- Ok, so this might be easier for some of you than others, but grab a partner and get busy! You can burn upwards of 300 calories in an hour long love session. It’s a win-win situation, so just remember that the next time you “have a headache”. (The release of endorphins during sex can also alleviate headaches, by the way.)

What everyday activities do you do that could be modified to burn extra calories? Let’s make this a long list!

If you’re trying to lose weight, it’s important to have an end goal. Like me, for instance. I want to weigh 130 pounds again. But weight loss is not easy for most of us, so it’s important to stay motivated. This is why you need a goal outfit. So how do you choose?

1. Be realistic- I started my weight loss journey at a snug size 14. I’m not going to buy a size 2 outfit and expect to ever fit into it. I may be petite, but hips and booty like mine don’t come in a size 2. So whether you’ve always had a lanky body or a curvy one, choose your goal outfit accordingly.
2. Only go a few sizes down- If you’ve got more than 20 pounds to lose, it could take a while. So don’t pick an outfit in the final size you’re shooting for. You’ll only get frustrated at how long it’s taking you to get there. Choose a transitional outfit a few sizes down from where you are. I chose a pair of jeans in a size 9. That’s not my end goal, but if I can get back into single digits that’s a huge accomplishment! And when I get there, I’ll buy another outfit a few more sizes down.
3. Go cheap- DO NOT pay top dollar for a goal outfit. You don’t know exactly how your weight loss is going to happen. You may not be the shape you thought you would be, and that can drastically affect how your outfit fits. I’d be mad if I spent $50 on those size 9 jeans and then when I get into them they just don’t sit on my hips right. So hit the thrift store, or the discount/closeout, or the outlet stores.
4. Shop for next season- Not only is it cheaper, it gives you a nice time cushion to get down to that size. Take, for instance, my bikini here. I spent $8 on it, and swim suit season is still about 3 months away. That’s plenty of time for me to get down into a size medium.

And after you’ve chosen a goal outfit or 2, keep them out where they will be constant reminders of your goal. That bikini is hanging in my kitchen right now. That way, every time I reach for a snack I see it and remember that I need to choose apple chips rather than Tootsie rolls. So where are you going to look for your goal outfit? My jeans came from a thrift store and the bikini from a Rugged Wearhouse. I also love stores like Ross and DD’s Discounts. Tell me where you find the best deals on goal outfits!