Mamavation Monday... Countdown to a Better Me

...and it's Monday! That means all toes on the scale and...

Now, don't get too worried. I knew when the new (FABULOUS!) EatSmart Digital Bathroom Scale arrived, the number would be higher than I was used to. This week I am soldiering on and am not going to dwell on the new start. It will only go down from here bay-bee! I will have a separate post and review dedicated just to this scale Monday. -So stay tuned. If you are currently in need of a new and accurate bathroom scale this is the one I would recommend.

First off, Monday night will mark the announcement of the 7 Mamavation Mom Finalists. My fingers are crossed, but regardless of the outcome I wanted to thank each and every one of my friends and followers for supporting me on this quest. The best part is, it isn't over. If I am chosen, I will need support and votes to earn a spot in the final 2. If I am not chosen, and it is a great group of ladies applying, then I will be able to push myself with the Move it and Loose it Challenge. So, the good times are still going to roll!

Today was the first day in the past week the air quality was good enough for a good old fashioned walk with the kiddos. Armed with a new pedometer, the RunKeeper Pro app for my droid, and the Phil & Ted Double Stroller, we were off. 3.5 miles around our "neighborhood" loop.  Um, yeah... don't see many neighbors, do you?

Besides horses and cows we did see a bunch of turnips. Poor rotting turnips. Not the best smell on a winter walk, but is not strange in our country life.  Turnips are not bad sliced up on a vegetable platter. Raw, they are delightfully crunchy and  spicy. Give them a try and save a poor turnip, won't you?

Last Week's Goals

• I started a quick 2 week yoplait light tune up. It will be over before Mamavation Boot Camp and hopefully will help me re-examine my breakfast habits.
• Continue the EA Sports Active workouts for the week (4 total)
• Plan each meal carefully for balance, whole grains & eat appropriate portions
• Get 30 - 45 minutes of walking, jogging or running a day

I rocked it last week folks! The Yoplait Lite was a simple way to get a good breakfast in every morning. I just had to mix up my grains and fruit. The EA Sports Active 2 challenge began and I am sore, but loving it. I was better about my meal planning and had 45 minutes to an hour of exercise everyday.

This Week's Goals

• Complete the Yoplait Tune Up this week
• Continue the EA Sports Active workouts for the week (4 total)
• Meal Plan and log my food intake for the week
• Get 1 hour of walking, jogging or running a day
• Increase my water consumption and continue with the no soda, no alcohol rule.

Okay, that should get me started. I am hoping for a  pound of weight loss this week or more. I am pretty sure I should start seeing more results if I am walking daily and doing strength training through the Wii or DVDs. I am looking forward to the week.

MAMAVATION TV: Join us Monday night at 7pm PST/10pm EST on Mingle Media TV

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by @mrsalonpas.   The winner will receive a Yoga Package including a yoga mat, yoga belt, water bottle, towel, and Salonpas samples.  To be eligible answer the following blogging carnival question in your weekly Mamavation blog post and mention Salonpas with a link back to their Facebook page.  Link up your post here.

Have you ever been injured starting a new exercise routine? Tell us about it…If not, do you get any aches and pains? Where?

I haven't really been injured. I have been known to pull muscles when I started new dance aerobic classes during college. I am not good about holding back and often do too much. Usually my quads get sore, and if I am not working on strengthening my lower back it can get sore. Twitter and time sitting has caused me some lower back pain in the past.

So, what about you? Let me know what healthy things you are up to right now. And how would you answer this week's question?