I don't care how big it is....

I have always been one of those girls who thumbs through magazines and instead of finding clothes or shoes I would like, I find boobs, thighs, abs, and buns I would kill for. Healthy habit hunh??? My latest indulgence (Oxygen magazine) had the body of a woman on the front that was nice, maybe on the thin side for my taste. Then I saw the caption that she was a MOTHER OF 6!!!!!! I almost fell over. Then I thought, if she can do it....I can too.

I saw that she was an inch shorter than me an weighed around 129. So I arbitrarily made a number that has been my sole focus. I became a little obsessive about being "skinny" like that. In fact, the Duke mentioned I needed to hang out with my chic friends more because he is tired of hearing about skinny/fat/cellulite/etc and isn't that what chics talk about??? LOL I was obsessed with a number on the scale...135.

In walks Stacy. Stacy is a brilliant instructor at my gym who teaches class different than any instructor I have ever had. We do HUNDREDS of reps...and we always work every muscle group to failure (meaning that you can't do one more, your muscle just stops working) And she gets results...incredible results. The people that have been taking her class for awhile look amazing. I have taken three classes with her, and my arms are starting to cut up. She offered to train me through a system known as gravity training. It was the hardest workout of my life. 1 and 1/2 hours of pure torture...I almost puked. But hey, I'm still here to type about it.

Gravity® small group personal training is the perfect option for those individuals that seek the motivation of a personal trainer and the dynamics of a small group class. Designed using one modality, the GTS® (Gravity Training System) targets muscular strength and endurance exercises for the total body – including unique core and stretching exercises – all done while the body is positioned in various angles against gravity. This is a must for those wanting a total body workout in a very unique and time efficient manner.

We weigh in every Monday and she writes it down in order to keep us accountable. When I told her what my current weight is, an what I thought I wanted to be she said she felt that I wouldn't be able to lose that much weight without sacrificing muscle. Hmmmm....that stinks I thought to myself. But today in class I noticed changes in my body. Muscles peeking out from under that insulating layer I don't need for summer. It was empowering.

I have now officially adopted the brilliant philosophy of an old aerobics instructor I had. "I don't care how big it is...I just don't want it to jiggle". My body is pre-programmed to have a certain size limit. I don't want to lose the muscle I have worked so hard for. My current plan is to do her class once week, cardio 3 times, and some other form of weightlifting during the week, taking two days for rest. And no obsess about the numbers on the scale, or pics in a magazine. Wish me luck.

Baking soda deodorant...without the mess!

So I was in the grocery store last week, perusing the aisles for some organic products to introduce into our family lives, and I stumbled upon this:

Arm & Hammer Essentials deodorant.

I picked one up, and have been using it religiously for several weeks now.

It has the Arm & Hammer seal directly in the center of the container, which reads "The Standard of Purity" just below it. Although Arm & Hammer makes other styles of deodorant, in various scents, my store only carried the Essentials Natural Deodorant in the fresh scent.

Product Claims-

Provides natural protection*

Aluminum free*

Paraben free*

Made with Arm & Hammer Baking Soda and natural plant extracts to absorb and fight odor.

IngredientsDipropylene glycol, water, propylene glycol, sodium stearate, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), coriandrum sativum (coriander) fruit oil, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf oil, lavandula hybrida (lavandin) oil, fragrance, tricolsan, tetrasodium EDTA, allantoin.

Have you ever been confused by the chemical names ingredients go by these days?

The label pulls back to reveal a list of ingredients, how they are derived, and what they do! This alone gives it a royal thumbs up! I am trying to be keenly aware of what goes into my body these days, and this is just great!

Taken from the package:

Glycol (dipropylen/propylene): Derived from natural gas from the earth

Water: Purified water

Sodium Stearate: Derived from palm nut/fruit

Baking Soda: Natural mineral deposits from the earth

Coriander Fruit Oil: Coriandrum Sativum (Coriander fruit)

Rosemary Lea Oil: Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) leaf

Final thought???? It is a bit sticky when you first put it on, just wait until it dries before dressing. The fresh scent is nice. As for the deodorant properties? I have been very pleased with it's performance...even after a 1 and 1/2 hour grueling workout!!! I love this product and it has now replaced my usual favorite!