Hotties Getting Healthy

The heartbreak of a Hottie

2009-04-26T06:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning, on my morning walk with my mother, there was an elderly couple (I would estimate them to be over 70 years old) walking along holding hands. Now, I noticed them because I found it sweet that they shuffled along together at the same pace. I had my iPod on and kept on at my usual pace. That image alone was just absolutely endearing. But my mother, who was going much slower than I, had walked behind them for quite a while. It turned out that this particular couple spent their turns around the park just talking to one another... and when they reached the end of one turn and would start the next round, the man would turn to his wife, pat her hand and ask her if she was alright enough to continue walking a little more. The woman would turn back to him and would, in most concerned tones, state that she would only take another turn around the park if he was ready for it. She didn't want him to work too hard or put himself out just for her. And so they shuffled on some more, never letting go of one another's hands.

When I met my mother back at the car, having finished my turns, she told me how for every round that couple made, they would have the same loving exchange. As we left, we could see them still walking along holding hands. It even had my mother's eyes all foggy, and she is quite the cynic! Needless to say that the sight really touched me.

Even thinking of it now, my heart just aches and my eyes get teary. I probably did not do the couple justice in describing them. It probably struck me more because I recently went through a breakup, and it turns out that so have a few other Hotties. So it made me just long to be able to find someone to attain that... to be old and grey, but be able to hold hands with my husband as we tried to keep one another healthy long enough to have as much time together as possible.

I thought that my breakup hadn't affected me. But my numbers last week weren't the best. They were a giant step back, almost, from all the progress I had been making. While I don't think I binged on food (at least I tried to keep myself in check, but after the disappointment of a relationship ending, I felt once or twice a few chocolate kisses were warranted), I definitely wasn't as active as I could have been last week. Sure, I went through the motions of exercise and I thought that it was enough. However, while I was doing my walk yesterday morning, even my mother remarked at how off I had been the week before.

We are emotional creatures and a lot of our bad habits stem from a need to find pleasure in some way. What is more pleasurable than food? And when we are depressed, we usually sleep less... yet aren't as active as we could be. I wish it weren't the case. I wish I could get myself back on track the way I should be. After all, this was a commitment to myself and my health. If anything, this is but a test on how to really work through those tough patches.

I feel as if I'm slowly coming up from under water. Although I still feel as if I'm treading water, this will hopefully come back together for me. I can only hope that the same can be said about the other Hotties who had had to deal with similar situations. The best as I can say is to bottle up the self-righteous disappointment, bottle it up into momentum and create a disciplined routine. The first few days may be rough but then it gets easier. And if there is a day when you just don't feel like it, give yourself that one day to wallow. Let it all out of your system; release it and don't let it poison you from within. Then go back with renewed strength.

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I'll even share my favorite quote for a little added inspiration...

“Only the test of fire makes the finest steel” - Abraham Lincoln

Some simple workouts

2009-04-24T18:36:00.000-07:00

As this Hottie has mentioned before, I really do not have the chance to go to a gym. I work from home and am stuck in the middle of no where. So while I do take walks early morning on the weekends, and do bellydancing (I use these) on weekdays, I always feel like maybe there is more that I can do.

I spend a lot of time browsing MSN and I found these wonderful slides with simple workouts for key areas. I know that our Hottie deadline coincides with the start of bathing suit season, so I thought I would share them.

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If you really don't work out much, it's always good to have an idea as to what you are staring off with and then see how you improve.

So, test your flexibility; measure your cardio fitness; & assess your balance.

Now with that done, go get started:

This one swears that it is the best bikini workout.

And this one promises that your body will be beach ready.

I don't know about this one, since the slides show a guy, but it says that it will downsize your thighs, so maybe it's worth a shot!

And who doesn't have nightmares of having a muffin top? I know it would keep me awake at night. So here is this one that will help keep that area in check.

The general Hottie update questionnaire

2009-04-24T18:20:00.000-07:00

We realized that some people were not getting their Hottie emails! Pouty princess sends out the stat email on Tuesdays. The Hotties are supposed to fill them out by Wednesday before they go to bed. Then on Thursdays all the stats are put together so that we can see the progress that has been made.

But, just in case someone does not get the questionnaire, I'll post it here so that way it can just be copy/pasted to be sent in on Wednesdays. Sometimes the final questions are changed around, but the formula is the same.

Weekly stats

weight-

measurements (to the closest 1/2 in is fine)

left bicep-

right bicep-

chest across bust-

chest under bust-

smallest part of waist-

biggest part of hips-

left thigh-

right thigh-

something that you did that you are proud of this week-

a time when you caught yourself eating when you know you shouldn't have been-

things that have been easier than you thought this week-

things that have been harder than you thought this week-

things you learned this week-

ways you may make changes for next week-

anything you would like to share with the group-

anything you would like to share with me-

Week 3 Update with the Hotties

2009-04-23T17:54:00.000-07:00

(We had some difficulties with this week where the newsletter didn't send completely, so it had to be sent twice. Pouty Princess is the one who sends out the newsletter, even if it's the leafy bombshell who updates the blog)

If I didn't get yours this week I will email/ text/ call you this weekend and make sure everything is ok.

1. Pouty Princess

weight- lost 3 pounds

inches - lost 2 inches

something that you did that you are proud of this week-i did 5 classes at the gym- 2 yoga, cycling, cardio bootcamp, and a step class

a time when you caught yourself eating when you know you shouldn't have been-easter candy mmmmmmm

things that have been easier than you thought this week-getting back on track.. working out gives me the energy i need

things that have been harder than you thought this week-seeing some of my measurements go up or down the way i dont want them to

things you learned this week- yoga is hard

ways you may make changes for next week- more workout... less crap food

2. leafy bombshell

inches - gain 1/2 inch

something that you did that you are proud of this week- I totally kept
to doing either walking or bellydancing everyday

a time when you caught yourself eating when you know you shouldn't
have been-That sugar donut after my hair appointment Tuesday... I just
REALLY wanted it.

things that have been easier than you thought this week- Getting my
family to stock the house with healthier things to eat.

things that have been harder than you thought this week- I've lost my
appeal of sleeping at the right bedtime, so getting enough sleep but
still wake up to have breakfast and work out has been a little harder.

things you learned this week- That I can't trust the scale :( Or that
I can't get all caught up on pounds

ways you may make changes for next week- I need to find ways to really
push it daily. I know I do at least 40min a day but I think maybe I
should work up to more.

anything you would like to share with the group- Hopefully we can
build on how to best get a sense of community out of our little group!
And that I hope everyone has been getting something positive from
this experience.

3. Skinny Bitch

inches- gain 1/2 inch

something that you did that you are proud of this week- not in the gym, but I decided to quit my job. It was causing major stress for me for the past year. So as of May 31st I will be a new woman.. :D

things that have been harder than you thought this week- motivation to go to the gym. My housemate and I go together but lately she has had crazy hours so its hard to go together..

4. Neurotic Cookie---- awesome to see you here!!!!!

inches lost since week one- 10 inches

sizes lost-2

something that you did that you are proud of this week- I got into my pair
of 'less fat' jean ;)

a time when you caught yourself eating when you know you shouldn't have
been- Found a lil PRican restuartant, it soooo good but soooo bad for me

hings that have been easier than you thought this week- working out with my
son (ever try to tire a 2 year old)
things that have been harder than you thought this week- finding a Sitter
things you learned this week- don't forget liquids carry calorie content
too! (like liquor)
ways you may make changes for next week- dancing! must dance dance alot
anything you would like to share with the group- don't forgo food to have
the calories in the drinks, then you'll have drunk tummy and eat anyway so
you'd have screwed yourself over twice

Totals for group (with the information I have right now)

dont forget some people are trying to gain

total group weight - 12 pounds lost

total group inches- 21 1/2 inches lost WOW

I want to remind everyone that we are doing this together. Don't be ashamed to admit things that are hard to do. We all have those things. If you don't want you weight posted one week, send it to me (to keep faithful) and put a note telling me not to share by it. I'll respect that.

Remember that weight and measurements are going to fluctuate sometimes.. Muscle weighs more than fat does, and we are building muscle. Measurements may go up especially in the arms and thighs as may your weight. Don't be afraid to do some weight training, you won't bulk up.. Its one of the best ways to accelerate fat loss and gain muscle. Even if its 2 water bottles or cans of food. Work your muscles. It will speed up your metabolism all day long. Drink alot of water ( I hate that part).

Look online for the proper way to do exercises. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Find someone to go walking with you. Walk to places near your home instead of driving. I purposely plan classes at the gym so I have to go. If I'm not there in the first 10 minutes I will have a text asking where the heck I am. I promise that there are alot of people out there that are doing the same thing we are. Even the people we might look at and think thats theres no way they can worry about that kind of stuff. The bigger your support circle, the more you'll succeed.

Week 2 Update with the Hotties

2009-04-17T17:44:00.000-07:00

Here are this weeks updates.

1. Pouty Princess

this week: gained three pounds and gained two inches 1 1/2 of which is in my arms which is a good gain)

total: lost 11 pounds and 5 1/2 inches

2. Leafy Bombshell

this week: lost 5 pounds and 5 1/2 inches

total: lost 12 pounds and 9 1/2 inches

3. BGreen4Bees

I haven't heard from you since week one..... please let me know how you are doing.

4. Skinny Bitch

this week: lost 1 pound and lost 1/2 inch

total: gain 1 pound and gain 2 1/2 inches

5. Nuerotic Cookie

I haven't heard from you since week one... please let me know how you are doing

6. Dragon Lady

I haven't heard from you this week.

7. The Dish

this week lost 4 pounds

8. Scizzy

I haven't heard from you since week one... please let me know how you are doing.

Please know that I'm not being mean to the people I haven't heard from.. just trying to hold you accountable which is what this group is all about.

And we've got some helpful websites from pouty princess in the email update:

For ideal measurements for your frame or how to properly do exercises, try here

For a free food/ exercise log/ tracker try here

Week 1 Update with the Hotties

2009-04-09T17:42:00.000-07:00

Not everyone responded to their update emails, so we only got 4 of the 8. But we shall just report the ones who did respond.

1. Pouty Princess- mine are unhealthy and gross.... they kinda don't count because I'll end up gaining half of it back when I can eat again.

Weight lost- 14 pounds

Inches lost- 7 1/2 inches

Things I have learned.. I've never felt this miserable in my life (sick wise not dieting) and ER waiting rooms suck

I just want to get started and do this right without all the yuckiness I'm feeling right now. Thanks for hanging in there with me this week. And good job to everyone... this stuff is hard work!!

2. Leafy Bombshell

Weight lost- 7 pounds

Inches Lost- 4 inches

things that have been easier than you thought this week- I seem to
have adjusted well to going to bed early and having breakfast every
morning. Eating smaller meals more often has been a huge help, making
me feel better with all the good fresh veggies I have on hand to snack
on.
things that have been harder than you thought this week- Finding a
time to work out. I didn't work out at all and I really need to find
the time for it!
things you learned this week- I learned all about the importance of
sleep and testing my own will and discipline since I live with many
cookie and soda temptations with my family. They aren't making the
food adjustments I am, but the key is to just adjust a little and be
able to still have the same things but in the right amounts. So I
also learned to read labels and moderate my portions in accordance to
that.

ways you may make changes for next week- The big change I want to make
for the next week is to actually work on my fitness and exercise. I
cannot expect the key areas like my inner thighs and upper arms to
just slim on their own.
anything you would like to share with the group- I would like the
group to know that my email is always open to them and I am always
ready to listen. I'm also open to suggestions about things they'd
like to read about or learn more about on the Hotties Blog. And I
would really appreciate hearing about any great exercises they know of
to work the thigh/butt area without the need of gyms or complicated
equipment.

3. Dragon Lady

Dragon Lady sent me an email without number updates but just letting me know that shes going through a super hard time right now. We will continue to support and enourage her. Hopefully she can get some numbers to us so that we can help her through the good and through the bad.

4. Skinny Bitch

Weight gain- 3 pounds ( which imho is sometimes harder to do the right way than losing it... good job)

Inches gain- 3 inches

things that have been easier than you thought this week- increased weight lifted and increased repetitions in sets for legs

things that have been harder than you thought this week- outer thigh machine

things you learned this week- that I need to sleep more :(

ways you may make changes for next week- might try to use the elliptical machine instead of the bike and see if I try the ab machine.

I will work on an email list and get that out today along with some helpful resource links.

Good job guys lets keep up the work.

So far:

Total wieght loss for week one- 18 pounds

Total inches lost for week one- 8 1/2 inches

The Hotties: roll call

2009-04-04T17:33:00.000-07:00

These are the Hotties who decided to take charge and get their lives in order. Lets see their brief introductions:

1. Pouty Princess

goals: lose 30ish pounds, lose inches, tighten and tone everywhere, maintain weight once goal is reached, learn moderation, feel good when naked in the mirror, get ready for southern cali beach season

expectations: I'm Lucy, y'all are Ethel

plan: low carb ish, low fat protien, no white flours or sugar, eventually when I'm not PMSing I would like to cut out diet soda and drink more water, cheat days, consistent productive gym work outs accomanied by at home workout videos, turning off the TV/ computer sometimes and getting more active

2. Leafy Bombshell

goals: Drop 30lbs or about 2 dress sizes. Well, actually I want to slim the inner thigh and under arm area. As well as reduce the lower tummy pouch, tone bottom and slim waist.
expectations: I hope to be able to get the blog going into a great source of connection and positive reinforcement. To make friends with a common goal, support one another and be able to help apply myself.

plan: I'm going the portion control route. As for exercise, I hope to do some fun workouts with bellydancing.. and incorporating some walking 2-3 times a week. Since I can't hit the gym, my goal is to learn as much as I can about great home exercises that don't need a lot of equipment

3. BGreen4Bees

goal: lose weight and tone up

4. Skinny Bitch

goals: gain a little weight and toned

plan: twice a week at the gym

5. Neurotic Cookie

goals: short term and long term weight loss

expectations: network to success

plan: south beach, play outside more with my son, gym 4 days a week

6. Dragon Lady

goals: weight loss

expectations: support

plan: Walking/gym, eating healthier

Sleeping our way to Hotness

2009-04-03T18:45:00.000-07:00

Did you know that people who tend to sleep less weigh more?

This Hottie was shocked to hear this! But... after this initial shock subsided, the leafy bombshell did some more research on the subject.

Well, the key target of sleep is 7-8 hours. (Isn't that what all those sleep aid commercials say?) but the National Sleep Foundation finds that the average woman gets 6 hours and 40 minutes of sleep. Everyone requires varying target sleep amounts. Some experts recommend to aim for 7 and a half hours and adjust going to bed time accordingly if you find yourself waking too early or feeling as if you aren't sleeping enough. In fact, just 15 minutes either way can make all the difference in the world. Test yourself out to find the magic sleep number (and no, we're not talking mattresses here!)

Now, one of the first things this leafy bombshell did for her new Hottie lifestyle was set a regular bedtime (now set for 11:30PM EST). I have a sliding work schedule that rules with a window of availability. So I just have to approximately be awake with enough time to have breakfast before work. I know that I require something like 8hrs to keep me happy and functioning. But I was just doing it so that less chocolate and more working out wouldn't turn me into a rampaging grouchy bitch because I was sleepy and cranky too. Seriously, I can wallow and turn into a temper tantrum throwing Hottie in no time flat if I'm sleepy.

But, sleeping to get thin?

Could it be for real?

There's actually some science behind it!

Let's see if I learned this right...

Our bodies work on a 24 hour clock(well, duh!) and every cell in our body is guided by circadian rhythms. These circadian rhythms are alternating body functions that cycle in our body according to light/dark and/or sleep/awake patterns. Basically, our bodies are all synchronized to be all digesting and working when awake, and all about cell repair and secreting the growth hormone that tells your body how to break down fat for fuel when sleeping.

So, the less time you sleep, the more your hormones will be all out of synch for when you need them. Not to mention that you will be lagging your booty because you're tired... which makes you want to scarf down on simple carbohydrates to give you quick energy boosts. A research from the University of Chicago said that people on the days they slept about 5 and a half hours of sleep, compared to those days they slept 8 hours, consumed 221 more calories a day, which equates to 1 lb of fat after 2 weeks. But those are averages! Think about how much snacking you do by comparison! (yes, the leafy bombshell gave a yikes when she thought of the calorie numbers too)

There are even varying studies on when is the best time of day to work out. But I'm sure that busy Hotties that we are, we just fit it in as best we can, whenever we can. Though they say that while exercise can help you sleep better, you shouldn't do it so late at night that it affects your circadian rhythms and won't let you sleep. Then again, you also can't be cutting into your sleep time every morning just to get your workouts in. Sometimes its best to hit the snooze button than cut into those precious hours.

We also can't forget as to why they call it beauty sleep! Your skin has increased blood flow and the cells regenerate while you sleep. So you get to look all refreshed and glowing. Not to mention that if you are sleeping right, you won't get those icky dark circles.

Overall, everywhere seemed to give the following steps to ensure a good night's rest:

Create a schedule: wake up and go to sleep at around the same time every day. While lack of sleep accumulates, oversleeping does no one any good. It's a sort of sloth and gluttony that is most unbefitting of a Healthy Hottie lifestyle.
Have a pre-sleep routine: Try to wind down from your day; turn off the tv; take a nice relaxing bath; put on lotion; et al to wind down and not have your brain all stimulated.
Abstain from alcohol/ cigarettes/ caffeine: Here the bombshell read varying reports... anywhere from nothing after 2:30PM to nothing 3 hours before bed.
Beds are for sleeping! Try to keep other activities, like reading, tv, playing games, to a minimum and keep your bed for what it was made for.

I know a few of the Hotties have been pondering fixing their sleep schedules.

Health is not all about calorie counts, hitting the gym and stepping onto scales....

No time like the present, this bombshell advises, to get on the right track.

The Hotties confessing

2009-03-30T19:35:00.000-07:00

As the start date looms and the questionnaires slowly get filled, it seems the Hotties are beginning their first dose of reality.

Is it a bad thing that you want to diet just because you're going to step on the scale?

This leafy bombshell thought so.

But luckily this Hottie wasn't the only one.

Pouty Princess spoke of her fears to have to take her own measurements.

Neurotic Cookie had this to say over twitter: the inches were fine, spatial recognition is shot. but pounds that I understand. was about to take a shotgun put myself out to pasture.

And this bombshell ended up wanting to melt into tears over measurements instead of over the scales like I thought. So that was a real learning lesson.

I think the whole idea of realism instead of just hypothetical fantasy has sunk in for sure. With just something a little over a day until the Hotties officially get into action, the numbers are coming in and the excitement is bubbling over!

And I believe we even gained a Hottie!

Stay tuned!

How the Hotties will work

2009-03-29T18:22:00.000-07:00

We've got Hotties located all over; from the East Coast to West Coast, even one in the Caribbean! So we will work primarily through emails and the internet. Some of the Hotties know one another and others are complete strangers, but all are coming together for this collective mission. Along the way, this shared experience will only bring us all closer. No doubt there will be many IMs shared in support when it's late night and all those yummy donuts and ice cream are calling our names!

But until then, we are gathering the basics from every Hottie in our ranks to begin with.

Name/nickname: because we understand how hard it is to be all candid about the weight and size of our bottoms, we think a level of anonymity will only be a benefit to all involved. We're also going to have a file with all contact info but each Hottie will be at liberty to decide her own level of discretion.
Height/ Weight: These are good totals to keep in mind, especially when we take into consideration how we have varied frames.
Measurements/ Sizes: Not everyone will want to measure themselves merely by weight. So we're pulling out the tape measures and learning our dimensions.
Goals/ Expectations: Here is where we will learn what every Hottie hopes to get out of this. Gain weight, lose it, work out, visit dietician, monitor calories. We want the general goals and then we want the concrete way we're going to get there. All is well and good to say it but we're going to work for our dream bodies, not remain in fantasy.
How will you be monitoring/ reporting your progress: With the weekly report/newsletter, we have to know what it is we are looking for. Is it the inches or the pounds? Is it overall health or mentality?

Once we have all initial numbers (Due Tuesday, March 31st!) we launch our plans into action.

The overall rules are simple:

Meet goals in a healthy and proactive way.
Weigh/ measure yourself every Wednesday.
Send reports to Pouty Princess no later than 6PM PST on Wednesdays.
Help and support one another to reach their goals.

But most importantly:

Stay Positive! Have Fun! Be Fabulous!

The Hotties' mission

2009-03-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

So here we go!

We've decided that this is the beginning of a new chapter of our lives....

The beginning of the time where we stop making excuses and moving timelines and not feeling as awesome about our bodies as we should for whatever reason.

This idea came up because we realized how it seemed as if we had the worst diet/ fitness habits in the universe. We were the first to admit them but we seemed unable to really do anything about them.

Some would say that they were going to begin eating right... but maybe not this week, next week.. definitely!

Some would spend a week eating nothing but junk and moping around the house about it... followed by a week with two plus hour gym days and nothing but health food.

Others would say that they wished they could step on the scale and not burst into tears, but instead of trying to make those numbers lessen, they would cry harder when the dial increased.

And still others lamented the jiggly skin that doesn't seem to firm up, yet forgetting that they were trying seriously and consistently to tighten that area up.

We soon realized that we ALL have those qualities that hinder us. It can be lack of moderation, resolve, determination, motivation or consistency. But now we've gotten a group together to specifically overcome those hinderances, collectively steel our resolves and reach our goals.

This group will be designed to help us all individually. Ultimately, we all have our separate goals.... there are some losing weight, some are gaining, some are toning up... but we are all doing it together. However if we gather these 10 people and all get involved with a weight loss goal of 100 pounds between us, then it will both be both safe and achievable within the next few months. We even have some who have plans on gaining weight! For those that are planning on gaining, they need not worry since some of us dont mind losing a couple extra to meet the goal.

The official start date is Wednesday, April 1st.

The tentative conclusion date will be June 1st.

If any or all of us would like to continue after that, it could only lead to more amazing things!

** We're open to both new members in our extended network of friends, as well as suggestions! This group will only grow and evolve, so we're will document this amazing mission and journey as best we can! **