January: Wrapping Up

Well Jenny and I have both had our ups and down this month, but we made it through!

Both Jenny and I noticed benefits of the AVC cleanse while we were doing it for 2 weeks. Jenny's husband said he could smell vinegar all the time, but I didn't. Jenny said the skin on her face felt softer and smoother just after the first couple days, and I can testify when I could feel like an A on normal days, I would feel like an A+ when I took the tonic. Because of my poor memory and crazy hectic schedule, I think I only did it every other day, but I could still see the benefits! :) Here's the link if you're interested in checking it out!

As Jenny mentioned last time, we're going to be doing a fitness photo challenge every month of the year! :) we have such fun with them, so I hope that you will join us. It's a great way to stay focused on goals and have a good time too! Here's the infograph for February, and be sure to check us out on Instagram for the actual challenge starting tomorrow!

Hope you all had a great first month of 2014, with many more successful days to come!

<3 Courtney :)

Mid-month Update!

Ok, it's a bit past the middle of the month...but better late than never, right?

Well, I won't lie to you, that cleanse we had going with the cold and hot water was not my favorite thing. I like a cold glass of water in the morning, but for some reason I couldn't bring myself to do the hot water at night.

Now we're moving into the ACV cleanse and so far, I'm just putting it in water and chugging it down. Bleh. I need to find some raw honey and get some lemons, but with school, work and life, I just haven't made my way out to Idaho Falls to pick any up. Maybe Courtney and I will have a little roadtrip.

In other fitness news, I'm FINALLY seeing some scale movement again. I can't tell you how long I was stuck at the same weight...it was driving me insane! But almost a whole month of no sugar has past and I am finally seeing some progress. 7 pounds down. 5 of those happened fast and I thought for sure it was just water weight, but now that I've moves past that I just want to keep going.

This week I tried something new: water aerobics. Has anyone ever done that before? It was intense! I jumped in on my husband's class and we did all deep end stuff with the float-weights. Push ups, crunches, cardio and strength! The difference being in the water is that it feels like fun and you can't tell you are working out at first...at first. Then, because gravity isn't an issue, you realize that you are having to use only the key muscles needed to make certain movements. Shoot...I was sore!! It was a blast and I think I'm going to go again next week.

Short hair, don't care.

I also got a haircut recently. I decided to chop it all off in hopes that the weather warms up quick. I know it will grow out a bit by Summer, but I like it anyhow.


I still haven't been to the gym this year...I'm not gonna beat myself up about it, since school has started and I'm still adjusting. I want to go with Courtney, but that girl LOADED her plate this semester, so we'll see how it goes.

My delicious smoothie!

Our instagram challenge has gone really well, so much so that Courtney and I have
decided to do one EVERY month this year. They will be more focused around our own challenges and hopefully help you as much as it helps us!

Make sure to check out our Insta...the link is on the side ---->

We sure love you all and hope this month is going great!

<3 Jenny

P.S. Here is me with my first ever snowman...I made him all by myself from week old snow! ;)

January: Cleanse Challenge

So now that we're back on the ball for the new year, we're going to try a few different things. First of all, we've got a photo-a-day fitness challenge going on at our Instagram account (link in the sidebar!) which you should totally join, because it's uber fun :)

And this month's challenge is going to be a little different too, because we wanted to not only try something new, we wanted to try TWO somethings new! :)

We're going to be trying two different cleanses, not to make our bodies freak out, but so that we can have a taste (no pun intended) of two different things, and see which one we like better, and be able to share our comparison and contrasting experiences with all of you!

So starting on Monday, we're going to start the first two weeks of our cleanse challenge, starting simple. Going off these articles (here and here) we're going to start drinking ice water in the morning, and hot water in the evening. They both have health benefits, albeit minimal, but every little bit helps, right?

And that will lead us into the last two weeks of the month, when we're going to try another cleanse, that is a little more intense: the apple cider vinegar cleanse. My mom has done this before, and she swears by it. Not only does it promote weight loss, but it also heals whatever ails you. There's a video at that link which explains all the health benefits, which are many. So I'm excited to give it a try! If for no other reason than because I can kinda treat it like lemonade, which is my drink of choice :)

So if you're feeling brave or ambitious, feel free to try it with us! Or let us know how you're starting the year off! Just leave us a comment and let us know :)

<3 Courtney

Hello 2014!

Oh hello there.
In case you are just visiting our blog for the first time, my name is Jenny and along with my best friend Courtney, we are on a journey to lose weight, get fit, strong and healthy.

I roped Courtney into this last year after I had a miscarriage. I knew I wanted to improve my health for the next time my husband and I tried to conceive and Courtney and I had always been complaining to each other about our weight, so what better time to kick it into gear.

We were super green when we started things. We had never really been a part of the fitness community, nor had we really ever delved into diet and exercise. We had a lot to learn.

Most of 2013 was a learning curve for both of us. We have now learned through lots of mistakes and trial and error what works for us, what is just hype and what's not. We have also learned that we still have a LOT to learn.

So it's a new year, and while I've never been one to make resolutions, we're excited to put this last years learning experiences into action! 

We have planned out monthly challenges for each other and for you if you'd like to join us.

We are hosting photo challenges on our instagram twice this year (maybe more!) in an effort to rally support and include others.

We are also setting our own personal goals and we plan to blog every other day about our progress and what we're learning.

 

All in all, we're doing everything we can to change our lives and bring you along for the ride.

Won't you join us?

xoxo Jenny

30 Day Challenge July!

Courtney:

Wellllllll just to recap, June was a pretty big bust for me. I attacked the gym whenever my schedule allowed, but it certainly wasn't 6 days a week. I didn't drink any more water than normal, but I'm a fish anyway, so that was no big thang. The no-sugar and the portion size is what killed me - like always. I lost a couple pounds, but anything I lost in June, I'm sure I gained it back over the past week while I was in Mexico for my brother's wedding. Mexican food = my weakness, so let's just say I'm not that excited to get on the scale tomorrow morning... But there's nothing I can do about what's done, so I'm starting a fresh clean slate tomorrow. Yes, on Wednesday. You don't have to start a new goal on in January or on a Monday, every day of the year is a new opportunity for change! So tomorrow I'm re-committing to my healthy lifestyle. ESPECIALLY because I'm doing a study abroad in the United Kingdom for the month of September, and I want to actually like my pictures and be able to show them off without hating how I look, so I'm going to try to lose at least 20 pounds before then, if not more! And in addition to eating healthy (I haven't decided how I want to do it yet) Jenny and I are starting these workout challenges (provided by my friend Amanda Laine! :)

So there's 31 days in July, and starting TODAY (July 2nd) means we'll still be able to finish! :) If anyone else wants to join us, please feel free! And let us know how you're doing with your health and fitness goals! :)

<3 Courtney

Jeni:

It's all my fault that this is going up a day late, but you have to forgive me because to today is my birthday! ;)

Friends, it's been one heck of a year in the Waahila home. From miscarriage to depression and now some new health concerns, it's been a year of trials, tears and testing. Luckily, there is hope in any hard time. I've lived through enough of them in my life to know that what follows tribulation is always glory (D&C 58:4) and that God truly loves those he tries.

With all of that being said, I'm happy to say that this challenge will be a welcome addition to the good lifestyle changes I've already made. I've decided because of June that sugar is like poison in my body and I think I've sworn it off for good. (Except days like today of course...who has a b-day without cake?!) I've slacked off with working out and drinking water lately, but I can only promise as of now that my water intake will increase and I will complete this months challenge.

Until I know more about my current health issues, that might be all I can do. My hope was to run a marathon at the end of the summer, and I still have hope for that, but I will let you know ASAP what I'm really able to do.

So here's to a new month with lots of promise. I love you all!

Stay happy and healthy!

xoxo Jenny

Just Do It June - Update #2

Courtney:

Well I've learned a couple of things about myself over the past few weeks, but the biggest one is this:

I'm not very consistent. Whether it comes to dieting or blogging or working out or whatever. I have a hard time sticking to a plan. And that's because I'm just very chill, very go with the flow - whatever happens, happens. I can make things happen too, but not on a schedule or a time frame. And sometimes that can be a good thing, but other times not so much. So I don't necessarily think it's something that I need to change, it just needs some fine tuning, to work more for my success, betterment and benefit.

My workouts have been very inconsistent because I get off work at a different time every day.
Hard as I try to plan meals ahead, I often fall off the bandwagon in the nanny home when it comes to sugar.
Drinking water and portion control have been a breeze. My problem isn't quantity, it's quality.

And I have made progress on the quality front, but I still don't have that will of steel to say NO every time.

Now I'm on vacay with my family, which has proved to be even more difficult. I miss working out and I hate travel food. I also have homework that is backing up as I type, but I'm going out of the country for the week, so I wanted to update this blog before I go off the grid.

Just whatever you're doing, don't give up! If you want to see results, then you have to quit quitting. And I know I need to take my own advice too. So cheers to your goals and progress and to much success!

<3 Courtney

Hello loves!

How has June been for you? Thus far in my life there have been birthdays, tests, medical issues, new jobs, more busyness and...*drumroll please* WEIGHT LOSS!

Here's the instagram pic :) 5lbs down!

It's been a crazy journey, but I finally saw the scale move after 4 months of working hard at these goals.

Here are my confessions about it all:

I haven't been using MFP this month...like at all. Not sure if it's the reason why I'm losing weight, but I think I was becoming a little too obsessed, so taking a break has been nice.
I mentioned that my calorie intake is generally low since we're cut sugars out, and I'd say that's mostly true still. I've had some pizza this month...that was great, but I knew that day was gonna be crazy.

As for straight up sugars and desserts, I'm happy to repost only one splurge since my last entry!! Ed asked me if I would eat a root beer float with him so he didn't have to have it alone. He's been so supportive about all of this that his sugar intake has gone down as well. It's awesome.

Other than that, I have been happy to eat fruits and such as my only sweets. It's not to say the temptations aren't all around me all the time...trust me, passing on the cinnamon rolls in my early morning class the other day was rough, and not eating a treat when it's been a long day and I'm hurried to get something in my tummy is no easy thing. I walked around the grocery store yesterday for an hour just to find something acceptable to snack on.

All of it is worth it when I think of the awesome feeling I get stepping on that scale. I've lost 5 lbs. total now and I feel awesome about it.

I have more energy, I'm sleeping better and I feel good about myseld, which is really the most important thing.
It helps that Ed has noticed the changes. I put on my bathing suit the other day so we could go down to the river and he couldn't keep his hands off of me...that alone was worth passing on the treats! :)

So yea, it's tough...reading every label, feel frustrated and deprived from time to time, but it's been worth it!

My exercise life has taken a dip due to some medical things I'm working out right now. I'll know more next week and let you all know what's going on and how I'm going to proceed, BUT I'm still going to my aerobics class twice a week and getting a good burn going those days.
I'm also walking more. All this energy means that I don't mind walking around for things and being quick about it. My pedometer app has helped me see how I've been improving and I'm happy that the numbers are going UP!

I need to do better about water, especially now that it's hot all the time, however, I am eating LOADS of watermelon these days and that's been helpful :)

Not sure what else to say and if I think too hard I won't finish...so I love you all! Have an awesome 4th of July and BE SAFE!

xoxo Jenny

Just Do It June - Update #1

Jenny:

I taught my mom to take some selfies ;)

Oh hello friends. Here's something awesome: My mom (and cousins) came to visit me from California! :D YAY!
Another awesome thing: we all went out to ice cream today and I didn't get any!

OK...so let's be honest, this has NOT been an easy challenge. But here's how I'm doing:

2/5 Days worked out.
Portions: GREAT (until tonight)
Water intake: Needs Improvement
Sugar: Average (scale of 1-10 I'm at 8)

Here's the dealio...I might be sharing TMI, but without my Fiber One Bars I get a little back up, if you know what I mean. I swear by them (as Courtney says), but they have chocolate in them :(

I tried going without them the first two days and it was NO BUENO, so I've had one each day since. Other than that, I can't say I've done too bad. I try to read EVERY label and "just say no" when things aren't meeting the criteria. I even said no to some sugar free popsicles because they used Splenda.

So I feel good.

Here's what I'm noticing:
I'm less and less hungry and crave sugar less and less with time.
I have more energy (go figure) and I'm not "crashing".
I don't eat as many calories because my food options are smaller and make me want to keep my portions small.

Overall, so far so good...except I need to exercise more, but with my mom in town, that was my excuse ;)

Also, my loving husband saw I was bummed to say goodbye to my mama, so he got me some Italian food and I ate WAY too much. Luckily, I felt it and stopped, but about 30 minutes later I got my watermelon out and went to town. I guess I was hungry today!

That's all for me. I hope you're all having a great day!

Be happy and healthy!

xoxo Jenny


Courtney:

I think the reason I'm not losing weight anymore is because I'm stressed. And I'm not sleeping enough. Not to make excuses for myself and word-dump on the blog, but seriously, I picked a heck of a time to start a new eating and workout regiment.

Just the motivation I needed!

Working 12+ hours per day, 2 online science classes that I don't understand and will determine when I graduate, temple rep over the YSA conference for the entire summer, random Sunday school teacher and RS teacher, also planning my brother's wedding reception for June and trying to spend time with my sister before she leaves to serve an 18 month mission for the LDS church in July. On top of all that, I have to plan healthy eating habits and spend 1 or 2 hours at the gym (plus showering afterwards). Needless to say, I'm a little bit frazzled these days. I get home from work or the gym completely exhausted, and have to stay up till all hours of the night doing homework, then get up early for work the next day. It's a never ending cycle, and it's going to be the death of me. I didn't realize I had taken on so much this summer till it was too late. Now I'm just going to have to suck it up till the fall. So if you could just pray that I don't fail these classes, cause that will be the straw that breaks the camel's back.

But I'd say I'm doing pretty good so far on the June challenge, considering... everything.

- I've worked out every day since Monday.
- The only portion I haven't been controlling is my salads, they are out of control and I love it! :)
- Water intake is strong and steady at 8+ glasses per day.
- The sugar thing is kicking my trash. I haven't been doing very well at avoiding it, or even taking the time to check if the things I'm eating have sugar  :/ *derp*

Example A - good day!

Example B - bad day

Though I have had a little breakthrough of my own, not directly in correlation with our monthly challenge. I've been counting calories for over a month now. And I love the MyFitnessPal app, if for no other reason that showing me what kind of crap I've been eating, and how I can eat everything better in moderation. I'm slowly learning what's best for me and my body. Here are some of the pie charts from the MFP app, and I just love seeing what has my ratio is every day. It makes me more cautious and aware, and I don't really count the calories so much anymore, as I do the nutrition of what I'm taking in. So I'm not stopping here, I'm definitely going to be staying on top of this challenge and finding the right ratio for me, but MFP/counting calories is not going to be me for the rest of eternity, it's just a means to an end, until I get to a point where I'm knowledgeable and in control enough to not use it as a crutch anymore. Somewhere in the future, down the road, I will get there! :)

If you're new to our blog, introduce yourself and share some of your stories, successes or secrets! We're excited to get to know all of our friends and followers here :) hope you all have a great weekend ahead!

<3 Courtney