Blonde Ambition

Awhile back I started taking a step aerobics class. I was looking for a change to my workout and had always enjoyed it when we did it in high school PE. The first class I took was insane. The instructor went a million miles a minute and didn't give any instruction. I felt discouraged but knew I wanted to give a different instructor a try. I tried a class with an instructor I had in the past for yoga. It was a blast! It's a lot like a dance class with routines and different moves. So it keeps my interest and time goes so quickly because I'm focused.
The great thing about it is that you can tailor the class to your level. For instance, when you are doing knee lifts from side to side you can add in a turn or extra step between lifts. Also, you choose how many risers you add under your step. Last night I was beginning to think maybe one riser was becoming to easy. Coincidentally, the instructor decided to play "musical steps" where whenever she calls it, you have to go find a different step to use. While doing this I got to try a step with 2 risers. Oh....my....gaw.... I was dying after 10 seconds. I'll stick to my 1 riser for now!
If you have ever thought about trying a step class but are afraid you will be lost, check out http://www.turnstep.com/Moves/index.html. It has a description as well as an animated picture demonstrating the basic moves.

Posted by Laura at 2:08 PM 3 comments

Labels: Exercise

I know how beneficial it is to incorporate fiber in your diet and as a weight watcher I know it's important because enough fiber can lower the point value of a food. I try to get it in as much as I can but finding high fiber foods that taste good can be a challenge. I had heard of FiberOne but was always afraid to try it. Let's be honest, it looks like a bowl of twigs. Through the The Grocery Game I was able to try some of their bars. I figured, even if they taste like crap, I'm only out like 50 cents. I bought the Oats and Chocolate Bar and much to my surprise, the were awesome!





They are nice and chewy and pack 9 grams of fiber in each bar. That's more than a third of your daily recommend fiber intake. After trying these, I decided to give their cereal a try. I still couldn't bring myself to try original so I tried the Honey Clusters.



Yummmmy and one cup has half your fiber for the day! That's insane! Now that I am hooked on Fiber One products, I signed up for their site and received a sample of their new cereal in the mail yesterday. It's called Caramel Delight and it tastes a lot like Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Yummy yum yum!

Posted by Laura at 11:59 AM 3 comments

Labels: Food

Tomorrow is Gunner's birthday. It's not his actual birthday but it's the anniverary of the day we adopted him, so I count that as his birthday. He was turned into the Mission Viejo Animal Shelter by some guys who claimed to have found him tied up to a tree. Who could give up this adorable baby? Oh well, their loss!

I can't believe we have had him for two years. Although I can't remember life without him, it still feels like we just got him. Here are a few highlights from the last two years:

Waiting at the shelter for someone to love him







Ringbearer at our wedding







Halloween 2006











Christmas 2006














What he does best, sleeping









Halloween 2007










Christmas 2007










Playing with his brother, Bailey








Happy Birthday Gunner, Mommy loves you.

Posted by Laura at 10:25 AM 2 comments

Labels: Doggies

Just a little warning, my life isn't that exciting. In a nutshell, I'm 25 and have been married since July 2oo6. We live in a quaint 1 bedroom house with our 2 Boston Terriers. I do have a few hobbies that keep me entertained so I thought I would start this blog to share them with others. They are as follows:

1. Working out

I started working out consistently about 6 month ago. I have NEVER worked out that consistently in my whole life. I have never felt better and I'm working my way toward a rockin' bod. I recently changed up my routine after months of the eliptical. I could feel myself growing tired of the monotony and decided I would try something new. I started taking a step aerobics class once a week and now run and ride the bike. I'm even training for the half marathon of the 2008 Nike Women's Marathon in October. I signed up with a group of Nesties. It's a raffle system and they only choose 20,000 people. So I'm not sure if we will be chosen but I'm hoping that if not we will find another one.

2. Weight Watchers

I found WW over 4 years ago. I had a lot of success but never made it to my goal. This past fall I decided I was tired of my weight going up and down so I signed back up and went full speed ahead. I've learned that it really isn't a diet, it's a way of life. As corny as the commercials are, they hit the nail on the head. I hit my WW goal weight in December and am really close to my personal goal. I've decided to work on just maintaining my weight for a while, which is a totally new way of thinking. I've never been in this position so I'm learning to continue this lifestyle without the excitement of watching the scale go down. I'm learning to judge my successes in other ways like my clothes or my increasing physical fitness.

3. The Grocery Game

A few months ago I learned about this from a coworker. For those of you who haven't heard of it, it's website that publishes a list of all the great deals using sale prices and coupons for certain grocery stores. For a small fee, you can have access to those lists. I love saving money (who doesn't?) and thought I would give it a try. It has become my addiction! We save so much money and get to try products we wouldn't necessarily try at the regular price.

4. Sewing

In my quest for total domestication I askd for a sewing machine for my birthday last year. My projects are still simple but I really enjoy it and hope to try more challenging projects soon.

So that's

Posted by Laura at 1:44 PM 6 comments