Challenge | The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans

May 3, 2009

Posted by christy on April 28, 2009

Research shows that on average, Americans are eating only half the recommended 3 servings of dairy foods each day. That means it’s likely we will come up short on the recommended amounts of calcium and other essential nutrients dairy foods naturally provide to help keep bones strong and bodies healthy. Encouraging your family to eat 3-A-Day of Dairy —three servings of milk, cheese or yogurt— every day is a deliciously easy way to help build stronger bones and healthy bodies. In addition to calcium, milk, cheese and yogurt together provide: potassium, phosphorus, protein, vitamins D, A and B12, riboflavin and niacin (niacin equivalents).

What’s a serving?

8 ounces of low-fat or fat-free milk (plain or chocolate)
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1 cup low-fat or fat-free yogurt
1 1/2 ounces natural cheese
2 ounces of processed cheese (like Kraft Singles)
1/3 cup of shredded cheese
1 cup low-fat pudding
1 cup frozen yogurt
1/2 cup low-fat ice cream

If you are between the ages of 19-50 the research shows that 9 out of 10 women and 6 out of 10 men are not getting enough calcium! Doesn’t that just blow your mind? Studies also say that just taking a calcium supplement doesn’t cut the mustard. You need the other nutrients found in milk, too!

Each 8 ounce glass of milk you consume contains:

30% of daily calcium – strengthens bones
25% of daily vitamin D – helps your body absorb calcium
24% of daily riboflavin – helps convert food to energy
23% of daily phosphorus – helps strengthen bones
18% of daily vitamin B12 – builds red blood cells
16% of daily protein – builds, maintains muscle tissue
11% of daily potassium – helps regulate blood pressure
10% of daily vitamin A – maintains vision and skin

Milk is not only good for your bones, it also helps your body convert the food you eat to fuel, and it provides the all important protein your muscles need, especially while Shredding!

So this week, starting today, we at the Sisterhood are challenging ourselves, and YOU, to get your daily recommended allowance of calcium – 3 servings a day for 5 days – from milk, cheese, and/or yogurt. Can you do it?

If you have any suggestions or creative ways to incorporate more calcium in our diets, please let us know!

Sources: www.3aday.org, Cooking Light Magazine, May 2009

Posted by christy on April 23, 2009

This week’s winner of the weigh-in giveaway, sponsored by Kim @ Nothing But Chatter is……..

…..our very own ValleyGirl, Tammi @ Becoming a Woman of Moderation

Tammi’s prize includes some really nice goodies to help soothe her aching muscles! Tammi, if you can email me with your mailing information, that would be great!

Thanks so much to everyone who weighed in yesterday! All of you are doing a FANTASTIC job!

Posted by christy on April 22, 2009

Can you believe we’re halfway through the Shrink Into Summer challenge? Yes, it’s true, we have 4 weeks left! Four whole weeks to meet your goal, and you can do it!

You know the drill! Hop on your scales, blog all about it, and come back here with your link. Did you struggle this week? Did you triumph? Tell us how you’re doing. Be real, be honest. This journey is hard on so many levels-physically, mentally, emotionally-and it’s important to keep a journal of how you feel each week so you can go back and realize what’s worked for you and what hasn’t.

Are you Shredding with the Sisterhood? If you are, how are you feeling? We’re now on Level 2, Day 8 and quickly approaching Level 3! Even if you didn’t join us from the beginning, it’s never to late to start the 30-Day Shred. It’s a life changing workout, and you’ll never be sorry you tried it. You might be sore, but not be sorry.

Remember, we have another great weigh-in giveaway this week sponsored by Kim @ Nothing But Chatter! In order to be entered to win, all you have to do it weigh-in and leave your comment here by 11:59pm Pacific time, and a winner will be randomly selected and announced tomorrow!

As always, don’t forget to visit your fellow Sisters and Brothers and give them some comment support and love.

Here’s to a brand new week of Shrinking!!!

Posted by christy on April 12, 2009

Hello Sisters (and Brother)! For this week’s mini-challenge, we’re going to revisit the 5 servings of fruits and vegetables for 5 days challenge. And just to spice things up, we’re going to have another recipe carnival? Spring is the time when all the ranchers in my area are rounding up the goats and sheep, so we’ll call this carnival a roundup! I like the sound of that!!

This Roundup is going to focus on, you guessed it, fruit and vegetable recipes. All of us have been trying to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into our diet, and we’ve had some wonderful successes!! I’m so proud of all of you. Vegetables can get kind of boring though, and there don’t seem to be too many fruit recipes out there, so why don’t you share you favorite recipe with us? Even if you don’t have a recipe, why don’t your share your favorite vegetable or fruit and preparation method?

For example, right now I’m on a frozen mixed vegetables kick (exciting, I know!), and I love to steam them in the microwave using my Pampered Chef micro-steamer (if you ain’t got one, get one! It’s my new favorite thing!), then I spray them with some I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray, and sprinkle some Parmesan cheese on them. Voila! Frozen mixed veggies a la Christy

So why go post your favorite vegetable recipe on your blog and come back and leave your link in the comments. Or, if it’s short and sweet, just leave your recipe in the comments section!

Posted by lisa on April 8, 2009

Yo, yo, yo Sisters and Brothers! We’ve made it through the second week of the Shrink Into Summer challenge!! How do you feel? Are you shrinking yet? Are you ready to don a bikini and hit the beach? Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe never.

So much has been going on this past week here at the Sisterhood. We have been hopping with new posts, new challenges, new recipes and new sisters. It is so exciting, isn’t it?

Before I get to all the “reminders”, let’s get down to the business at hand. It’s our favorite day of the week: weigh-in day. Go jump on that scale (isn’t this fun?!) and come back and share with us how you are doing. Leave your results in the comments and write a post on your personal blog sharing you struggles, your successes, your thoughts….ANYTHING. Make sure to come back and leave the link, though. We want to read all about it!

To sweeten the weigh-in pot, everyone that weighs in will automatically be entered to win a Sansa Clip MP3 player. I have one of these myself and I absolutely love it. My favorite features include:

it’s size- small and compact
you can “clip” it on to your shirt or shorts during workouts
it has good sound quality through earbuds
it recharges through USB cable connected to computer
there are easy online instructions to follow
you can download rockbox software from internet to make MP3 player compatible with iTunes/iPod music you already have saved

We will randomly choose a winner from the comments received by 11:59 PM Pacific time tonight, and announce it tomorrow. All you have to do is WEIGH-IN in the comments section!

Other news:

One More Mile is offering one lucky reader the chance to win a tank or short-sleeve shirt of their choice. Contest is open through Friday, April 10th at 11:59pm Central. Winner will be randomly selected and announced the following day! To enter this contest, then click here. Can you guess which shirt I have?
Mini Challenge #2 is currently going on right this very second. Are you drinking enough water every day? At the minimum, you should be consuming 8 8oz glasses of the clear stuff (water, that would be). So fill your favorite glass, throw some ice in, and drink up!
Lastly, are you getting your SHRED on? We sisters and brothers are SHREDDING the inches away with Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred. Today is Day 3. How is it going for you? Do your arms feel like they are going to fall off? What about your legs? Are you loving this exercise? Hating it? Loving to hate it? Stay with us- keep on going. Keep on doing it. Shred your unwanted pounds away.

That’s it folks. Weigh Away!

If you’re not part of the Sisterhood, and would like to join us, just let us know!

If you aren’t following us on Twitter, please do
You can also subscribe to our site here.

Posted by christy on April 6, 2009

Since we started the 30 Day Shred at the Sisterhood today, we think it would be a great idea to have a mini-challenge that revolves around water consumption! If you’re Shredding with us, you should be drinking so much water!! Water will help your muscles release the toxins and keep you from feeling so sore. Don’t get me wrong, you’re still going to be sore, but drinking lots of water will help! Even if you’re not doing the Shred with us, you should still be consuming at least 8 8 ounce glasses of water a day. That’s 64 ounces!

You can read more about the benefits of water here!

So this week, we’re challenging you to get in a minimum of 64 ounces of water a day. EVERYDAY!!

Get your glasses ready and let’s do it!

Posted by lisa on

It was as not as bad as I thought it was going to be.

I think the expectation in my head far exceeded what the Shred actually was, FOR ME.

Don’t get me wrong. It was hard and I was “heavy beathing” before the first circuit was over. And push-ups are the hardest exercise out there and well, I don’t like them very much. What genius came up with push-ups I wonder? They are a necessary evil (I guess) but man oh man, they can bite me.

However, overall, this video did not kick my ass as badly as I previously thought it would.

And I’m not sure why. I have an idea, though.

Granted, I used 3lb weights throughout the circuit training. I think I will be ready for 5lb weights very soon and I might even try 5lb weights on a few of the exercises tomorrow.
Granted, I am accustomed to carrying around my 17 lb 6 month old baby all day long.
Granted, I am accustomed to lifting the 17 lb baby and the 38 lb 3 yr old in and out of their car seats, multiple times a day. I no longer lift the 5yr old!
Granted, I started exercising a few weeks ago and I think my body is SLOWLY getting back in shape.

Yeah, I think I just might to up the weight a bit for a harder workout.

Granted, the CARDIO segments kicked my ass and the most huffing and puffing happened during those TWO minutes of the circuits. Jumping jacks- yeah, not a fan. They can bite me too.

Of couse, I did pop two ibuprofen BEFORE the workout in anticipation of feeling sore afterwards- I think ahead. It could be that after the ibuprofen wears off, I won’t be able to move.

I am THANKFUL though, that the SHRED is ONLY 22 minutes long (including cool-down), from start to finish. I kept repeating to myself:

KEEP GOING. KEEP GOING. IT”S ONLY 22 MINUTES LONG. DON’T LET HER GET THE BEST OF YOU. DO IT. DO IT. DO IT.

How did you do? Was it HARD? Did you love Jillian? Cuss her out? Are you excited about exercising tomorrow, all over again? I actually laughed out loud typing that last question, I just couldn’t do it with a straight face. I am so NOT looking forward to MORE push-ups, UGH.

I do have to agree with Beth, though. I feel ENERGIZED for the day.

Good luck! Let us know how you are doing, either in the comments section or by writing a post on your personal blog and leaving the link in the comments section. I want to KNOW how you are doing.

Shred baby, SHRED!

Posted by christy on April 5, 2009

The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans would like to crown Dawn, with 3428 spins, as the Mini-Challenge Hula Queen! She diligently swayed her hips almost everyday, checked in with her new scores, and has taken the grand prize – a travel hoop and beginning DVD thanks to Hoopnotica!

We would also like to include some honorable mentions for our hula-girls!

We’ve deemed Catie the runner-up, even though she had the highest score! She was quite honest with us and mentioned she had to pause midway to help her daughter in the bathroom! She had an amazing 3466 spins!

Becca – She was without a doubt dedicated to this challenge! We’re so proud of her undying desire to improve her score, day after day! Her highest was nothing to scoff at: 3420

Saj also hula-d her hips off and came in with a high score of 3315 spins!

And let’s no forget Ann! She was definitely our most improved hooper! We’re so proud that she jumped on the hula wagon with the Sisterhood!

All of us at the Sisterhood want to thank each and every one of our hula girls for joining in! We all had so much fun and promise to bring this challenge back in the future! In the meantime, keep getting on those Wii balance boards and swinging your hips in nice wide circles!

Posted by april on

Tis the night before Shredding begins over here, And I think most of us are afraid we’ll shed tears. Work out clothes and weights have been set out with care,

In hopes that we’ll seriously shrink our derrieres.

I know that tonight when we’re all snuggled in bed, We’ll have dreams of Jillian yelling in our heads, Because we know what’s coming after our night’s nap.

We’re going to sweat, maybe cuss, and be sore as crap.

Beth has so bravely gotten a head start of a few days, She’s warned us what’s to come when it’s our turn to play. It’s going to be hard; we’re going to sweat more than a bit.

But I have no worries that we can all surely do it!

Now April! Now Melissa! Now, Lisa and Christy!
Crooked Eyebrow will sit this one out; she‘s gonna have a baby! Get those push ups done! Work out until you fall!

Now Shred away! Shred away! Shred away all!

We’re springing to our feet, getting up from our couches, We’re going to Shred for 30 days! Heck, we’re no slouches! In 30 days, lots of weight will be out of sight!

Happy Shredding to all, and to all a good night!

Posted by christy on April 1, 2009

Cockadoodledooooooo! Wake up sleepy heads! It’s Wednesday morning and time to weigh-in with the Sisterhood! It’s our first official weigh-in for the Shrink Into Summer challenge. Quick, go potty and the hop on your scales! How did you do? Did you shrink this week? We hope so!

Oh my, it’s been a busy week around here! And you realize it’s April Fool’s Day, right? Well, there ain’t no foolin’ going on around here. Lots’s of other good stuff though!

Did you see all of our new Sisters? Yes, we have that many new members of the Sisterhood! WOW!
Did you get a load of our first mini-challenge? Oh yes, we’ve got some mad hula skillz around here. Join us and hula! It’s not too late since the challenge runs until Saturday at midnight. And there is a fabulous prize!
Speaking of prizes, we’ve pulled out all the stops for our next mini-(well, not quite so mini) challenge! We’re giving away 7 copies of Jillian Michael’s 30-Day Shred to 7 lucky readers. I know!!!! And do you know why we’re giving them away? Because our next challenge starts on Monday, April 6th, and we’re doing the 30-Day Shred Sisterhood style. You, me, her, him, that girl over there, and oh yeah, you too! The giveaway ends at 3 p.m. TODAY, so hurry over and find out how to enter!

So get your post ready on your blog, come back and check in with your weigh-in post, and start spreading some support to the other Sisters.

p.s. Your weigh-in comment will automatically give you a chance to win yet another copy of Jillian Michael’s 30-Day Shred, compliments of our very own Melissa! Isn’t she awesome? Aren’t we all?! So leave your weigh-in comment on this post for a chance to win!!!

Posted by lisa on March 29, 2009

I decided to “drink the kool-aid” and I am participating in our Hula Hoop Mini Challenge.

Today was the first time that I have ever done Wii Fit Hula Hoop for 10 minutes AT THE SAME TIME.

Here are some thoughts that ran through my head during these 10 minutes:

Wow. Who thought up this challenge?
Ten minutes sure is a long time.
I think I might throw-up.
Breathe. Hula. Breathe. Hula.
How many more seconds do I have left?
Ah hell, now I have to hula to the left! Wasn’t one way enough?
I wish there were different musical sets to pick from.
It sure is hard to hula to the left. My body seems so awkward.
I better “catch” all the hula hoops tossed at me if I want to get the highest score.
I can’t believe it. I am actually gasping for breathe from hula-hooping. Who ever knew?
Does this hula hoop make me look skinny?

My grand total for today’s hula was 3360 spins- not too shabby! Good luck to everyone participating!

Posted by christy on

1st Mini-Challenge

The first mini-challenge of the Shrink Into Summer Challenge is geared to those of you who have Wii Fit. We’re going Hula!! Now, I know not all of you have a Wii or a Wii Fit, so maybe this challenge is just the reason you need to go out and get one! You can always beg, borrow, or steal one from a friend! If that’s not an option for you, grab an old-fashioned hoop hula along with us just for fun.

Now for the challenge! If you have Wii Fit, you must hula enough to unlock the Super Hula option under Aerobics. It won’t take long, trust me! Okay, so do you have Super Hula unlocked? Good. Once you unlock it you’ll be able to choose the 6 minute option, and if you do it enough, you’ll unlock the 10 minute option. Are you there? Okay, here’s where the fun begins! Our challenge is to see who can get the highest number of spins in 10 minutes! My best prior to starting this challenge is somewhere around 3,000 spins, and I plan to improve it throughout this week to see just how many hoops I can get.

So, are you up for it? Great! Here’s the deal, everyday come back here and let us know what your highest score is and at the end of the week, the person with the highest overall score will be eligible to win this fabulous giveaway:

Sisterhood Review & Giveaway

Looking for a fresh new way to shed some calories while having fun too? Of course you are! Do you remember how much fun it was too hula hoop as a kid? Well Hoopnotica has a great product and DVD set that gets your hips and inner core muscles moving!

Hoopnotic Hoopdance is a part dance, part exercise activity that gives you an energizing and effective workout. If you don’t believe how fun it is go watch the video on the site. The instructional DVD encourages you to keep trying and offers troubleshooting on how to perfect your hooping. Once you become familiar with your hoop you will soon find it’s not just great for your hips, but it also includes your arms for a full body workout.

With hoops starting out at around $30 and DVD’s around $20, hooping will be a great activity for years to come. Once you learn the basic moves you’ll be able to make up your own workouts and be hooping your way to a great body.

We are giving away one travel hoop and beginning DVD thanks to Hoopnotica.

Reviewed by Crooked Eyebrow!

**Contest will run from Sunday, March 29th through Saturday, April 4th at 11:59 p.m. CDT. In the event of a tie, the winners will have a hula hoop-off to determine the winner. Prize will be shipped to the US only. If someone outside of the US wins, they will be responsible for shipping charges incurred by the Sisterhood. The Sisterhood is not responsible if you pull a muscle or strain your back, so always use care when starting a new exercise program.**

Posted by christy on March 25, 2009

At the end of each challenge, we like to announce our Biggest Shrinker, present him/her with a fabulous badge, and conduct a little get-to-know-you interview.

Meet Christine!

Christine was our Biggest Shrinker for the Kiss Me, I’m Shrinking Challenge, with 7 pounds lost! Way to go Christine! Since Christine doesn’t have a blog (she does have a Facebook page!), I’m going to proudly display her Biggest Shrinker badge here. Maybe several times!

Here is our interview with Christine:

Your blog address (if you have one!!): Don’t have one

Challenge start weight: 182
Challenge end weight/total lost: 175 / lost 7 lbs

What made you decide to join the Sisterhood?
I joined because I liked the idea of being able to communicate with others who are trying to lose weight as well as keep motivated and to share ideas that work. We all want to look and feel better so this is a great way to encourage each other.

If we were to stalk you for a day, what would your average day’s food plan look like?
For breakfast I eat oatmeal with raisins, but I try not to eat till around 9:30am. For lunch I eat a low fat turkey and cheese sandwich with lettuce on Weight Watchers bread and eat 1/2 a grapefruit or other fruit. Later in the afternoon I eat a Weight Watchers yogurt. Sometimes if I am really hungry I will have some mini rice cakes or a 100 calorie pack of cookies. I also drink water throughout the day, at least 48 oz. I save most of my points for supper as I like to eat meat. I have a serving of beef or chicken and at least 2 servings of vegetables. If I have any points leftover I will have another fruit or low calorie snack.

Clue us in to your favorite “healthy” snack:
I LOVE sugar free/fat free chocolate pudding!

Do you follow a specific diet plan?
Yes, Weight Watchers online.

What does your exercise regimen consist of?
I have a treadmill which I do 30 minutes a day. Now that spring is in sight I try and get outside and walk for 30 minutes on my lunch break as well.

What are your biggest cravings? Do you ever give in?
I LOVE potato chips!!! Not the baked ones either. I don’t buy them as I would eat the whole bag, but if I am someplace and they are being served I will have some.

What one item of clothing are you looking forward to purchasing once you reach your goal?
I have my eye on a particular sundress.

You are such an inspiration to all of us here at Shrinking Jeans! Where do you get your inspiration from?
I just feel so much better physically when I am eating right and exercising. The feeling of my jeans getting baggy is awesome, and visiting your blog helps to keep me on track!

If you could offer one piece of advice to the rest of us at the Sisterhood, what would you say?
It’s ok to go off your plan occasionally as long as you are still accountable for what you are eating. Just get back on track as soon as possible and maybe drink some extra water and do an extra workout or 2.

Christine, congrats again on being our Biggest Shrinker! You’re hard work and dedication definitely paid off during our 3-week Kiss Me, I’m Shrinking Challenge.

MWAH!