Lose the Dough-Iowa Style

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This month I am embarking on my own Lose the Dough-Iowa Style Challenge. I am a daily reader of a blog called Carrots N Cake (http://carrotsncake.com/) and Tina the blogger has embarked on her own Lose the Dough Before the Big 3-0 Challenge. She has a great philosophy that she wants to get in better shape and eat healthier, but not worry about specific numbers and measurements.

I have never really gone on a specific "diet" but I did lose weight during college, because we were walking all over campus. However, during my first few years on my own, my roommate and I turned into big fast food diners and ate LOTS of junk food. I gained quite a bit of weight. Once I was diagnosed with cancer, the only foods that tasted delish were carbs. Bring on the pasta! And, I was not very active since my energy levels were very low.

However, one year after I stopped chemo, I lost 25 pounds! My oncologist asked me what I had been doing and I told him I got a dog and took daily walks. He said animals are a great way to stay in shape by walking/running/playing with them. That was 2008 and since then I have maintained my weight, just fluctuating by 5-7 pounds. However, I'd really like to get in shape and have even more energy.

Matt and I try to add a vegetable and fruit at every dinner and to keep healthy snacks like yogurt and apples on hand. Here is a look at my fitness schedule:

Monday - 45-minute exercise class

Tuesday - 45-minute exercise class

Wednesday - Off

Thursday - 45-minute exercise class

Friday - Off

Saturday - workout DVD

Sunday - workout DVD

*I also try to take Bows for at least one walk per day.

**If I can't make the class, like last night I went for a walk/jog up to Walgreens. Turn an errand into an exercise.