Spartan Race 2012

I did it!  I survived the Spartan Race.  Before the race,  I envisioned myself (literally from being awake in the middle of the night thinking about it) that I would get to each obtacle and try and fail and then do a thousand burpees for punishment.  Hubby kept saying to me not to worry and that I would be telling myself "that was no big deal" afterwards.  Not so much because it was hard.  But can I just say, I'm so proud of myself?!  On two occasions, the monkey bars and "spider man wall", I started and finished on my own! With no help from hubby.  Both times almost falling off but sticking to it with the mentality of I will make it through.  What an awesome feeling!   The times that I did need hubby's help were just as cool.  We are a team and I loved having him by my side encouraging and supporting me.

{I'm in the purple about to step on hubby's shoulder}

The kids did their own races and I am one proud mommy.  Pops and Grandma were there to watch and support them since their races went on at the same time as ours.  Their courage and bravery to do it on their own amaze me.  J-man's race was a mile and Roo's was a 1/2 mile.  Both weren't too sure about doing it but they blazed through and had a great time.

That's my son going around the mud pit because he didn't want to get too dirty!

Roo is in the pink shorts and white shirt.  Look at that face! The poor girl in front of her was fine.

 Roo said her favorite part was walking through the mud.

When their races were over they camped out by the last few obstacles and waited for us.  It was not awesome that when they finally saw us, they witnessed me throwing a spear like an absolute girl and then freak out and be a scaredy cat about jumping over the fire.  But I redeemed myself rope climbing over the wall and then rolling through way too much mud under way too much barbed wire.

Woo Hoo is how I felt too!

I just have to say that I could not have done this race without the help of Beachbody programs.  All of the programs I have done have led me to this point.  The most fit I have ever been in my life and I'm pushing 40.  Thank you P90X, Insanity, Chalean Extreme, Turbofire, and Les Mills Pump!  If you have any questions about any of these programs I would love to help!   I can even be your coach through it all.  Wouldn't that be fun?  Just click on the "Connect/email-me" button on the right hand sidebar and I will get right back with you!

Word Dumping

I've lost sight of this little blog of mine.  As soon as a blog post idea makes its way into this maze of a brain of mine, I quickly convince myself that no one would want to read about it.  We can be mean to ourselves, huh?  It's funny how quickly revelations can delete those thoughts and give me a jumpstart.

"Hey, it's your blog.  Your life.  Go and write about it and hope that it blesses someone!"

So here is where my word dumping begins and I'm praying that it makes some sort of sense and I can get back to normal.  Whatever that is.

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I finished my second round of Insanity last week.  It was the hardest workout program I have ever done.  I definitely feel different and proud.  Not of my body but of my heart.  Roo rode her bike for the first time to school the other morning.  I ran behind her and didn't even get winded.  I hate running and I usually feel like I'm gonna die but I didn't and that is more valuable to me than any award or medal.  I bought hubby (and me!) Les Mills Pump for his birthday so we will start that soon.  

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We ventured out to a local farm to pick strawberries the other weekend. 

After the picking, we bought a ton of other veggies at their produce store.  Most of the items were brought in from close by farms.  We bought this massive amount of kale for a buck.  

We made kale chips out of it.  

They were good but beware because they don't keep and get chewy by the next day. 

Will I make them again?  Maybe.  

I've been meaning to share our healthier recipes on the blog.  I can't believe my first one is about kale!  Just google kale chips and stand by and watch so they don't burn.  I'll give better recipes instructions on other dishes in the future but these were just so darn easy.  

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Don't laugh but I've been watching videos on how to put on makeup.  Eyeshadow to be specific.  It's like art in a way and I haven't gotten the hang of it yet.  I'll let you know how it's going and which ones I've watched.  I've learned alot about brushes and types of cosmetics from these pro ladies and it's fun to learn something new that makes me feel more confident during the day.  

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I can't wait to show you my painted armoire.  I'll take pictures soon.  That darn thing was almost the death of me but I'm done!  I just need hardware for the bottom of the drawers and something cool done to the inside.  

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And finally, I finished The Hunger Games!  It was a good read and I'm very satisfied.  I'm itching to find something new to read.  This reading thing is exciting.  (-:  Any suggestions?

So, if you're still here.  Thanks for letting me word dump!  

My funkness

I've been in a funk.  I want this blog to be positive and uplifting but let's face it-some days I'm not.  I have a hundred ideas floating around in my head and I have no idea where to begin.   So I made myself sit down to write in hopes that some clarity will come to me!
Funk reason #1:
I was playing around with my banner one day and completely deleted the one that Cindy made for me so I needed something fast.  I quickly created one in Picasa and, even though I really didn't like it, I had to have something.

{too plain!}

It didn't really inspire me to write any new posts.  Hence the quietness on the blog. 

I like my new one better.  It's more me and I was ready for a change anyway.  

Funk reason #2: 

I've been slightly injured.  My legs, feet, and knees were aching so much.  Not fun when you are trying to finish up Insanity.  I attribute it to bad form during lunges and trying too hard to keep up with the superheroes on the screen.  Thank goodness last week was my recovery week.  I took full advantage and allowed myself to do lower impact workouts and walks.  I stretched a lot with bands and the roller and now I'm feeling tons better.  I'm on to the Max workouts in Insanity and I'm paying special attention to my form and modifying when I need to.  Seriously important so I don't take myself out of commission in these next few weeks. 

Funk reason #3: 

(I'm going to sound very pathetic over this one) 

Our favorite show, Chuck, is over!   Needless to say, there were tons of tears shed on my end.   We really loved that show.  It was the only show for four years that we really loved watching together.  And it didn't end perfect.  I wanted it all neatly wrapped up and tied with a bow.  Even though I didn't get that, I appreciated the ending.   It just has really messed with me.  It's like a book that gets under your skin and then you think about it for days.  I think I'll be ok though.  I'm anxiously awaiting So You Think You Can Dance to start up again.  That will help.  

Funk reason #4:

Comparison.  I have let it creep into all areas of my life.  It's stealing my joy and I want it back.  Putting my focus back to Jesus is the only way I know how to combat this.  (and limit my time looking at other blogs!)

Galatians 6:4

The Message (MSG)

 ^4-5Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.

Thanks.  I'm glad I got all that written out.  I've made a to do list and am ready to tackle it.  Number one on my list was to write a blog post.  Done.  

Why I work out everyday

I just want to say that I'm not this super motivated person that wakes up everyday thinking how awesome it is going to be to workout.  A lot of days, I spend the first 15 minutes of each workout convincing myself to not give up and keep going.  But I've been working out at home for so long now and I know it makes me feel so much better that I just get it done.   

{Quote by Jim Rohn}

A huge reason I choose to work out everday is that it's actually easier for me to keep up with.

If a doctor told me to take my medicine every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and one of those days it had to be at noon, another it had to be at 3, and so on, it would be so hard for me to keep up.  Yes, I could write it down, schedule it, whatever but the fact is that it would make it even harder for me to make taking my meds a habit.  I know myself.  I know that I would miss a day, have to wait two days to catch up, I might forget again or make something else a priority and then I've blown it.  Or at least I'll tell myself that I blew it.  {We can be mean to ourselves can't we?}

I've done this time and time again with my workouts before being introduced to Beachbody programs.  I would make things so complicated and overscheduled that it was actually easier to get behind.  (And I would drive to the gym which would put another obstacle into the equation)  I've been most successful when I've made my workout schedule less complicated and just stayed at home.  Beachbody programs make my schedule for me.  They tell me what DVD to do, I pop it in, and I get it done.  Easier, I tell ya.

So I work out every day and it's pretty much a habit now.  If I miss or decide to take off a day, it's ok,  I'll be ready to do it tomorrow.
If you have any questions about my journey to a healthier lifestyle or Beachbody products please shoot me an email.  I would love to chat!

Healthy Hump Day-Challenge yourself

 How did a week go by already?! The long weekend threw me off, I guess. We spent our weekend in Austin so hubby could run the Tough Mudder race in Central Texas. The kids got some time with the grandparents and we got a night out with some friends after the race.

What does all of this have to do with Healthy Hump day? It's about challenging yourself! While I'm not going be the first to sign up for Tough Mudder (too much mud!), hubby and I got to talking about doing a different kind of obstacle course/race together. Two years ago, I would have never even entertained the thought of such a thing! And the reason I can now is because of Insanity and completing other Beachbody programs before it.

Hubby knew I could do it and challenged me. He tells me all of the time "See, I just wanted you to know that you could do it, too!"  I'm so glad that he did.  I now have the confidence that I could complete an obstacle course, little marathon, or do P90X2 (coming out at the end of the year).  I just have to challenge myself and train for it!

{See the big guy on the left?  

He's challenging himself to run the race again next year 100 pounds lighter!}

What could you challenge yourself to do? 

Whether it's a new workout program, bringing lunch instead of eating out, or giving up coke, every little challenge, little or big, is for the better.

Healthy Hump Day-Workout clothes

Today I want to share with you some of my workout clothes.  But rest assured they are not fancy and none of them are brand new.  I don't spend a ton of money on workout clothes because all of them get worn so fast anyway.  Most of mine are easy on the budget and from Academy or Target.  Also, they must be comfy!  I'm a firm believer that if you feel better in your workout clothes, you do a better job and are more likely to actually workout.

My absolute favorite pants are from Target.  They are the perfect length and not too tight but still conform to my body (you can get them in short and long length).  The waistband is wide and awesome because it gives me a little help in the sucking in department and doesn't "cut me off" in the midsection.  You can find them here:

I often pair it with a sports bra and a simple tank from Old Navy.  I can wear this to the store and start my workout right when I get home.  Bonus.

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I got this at Target too and I wanted to show it to you because of the flared out bottom.  It's slimming on the top but takes care of having to suck in on those days I just don't feel like doing it!  Find it here:

And this is what you would see me in most days lately because of doing Insanity.  I'm just getting used to showing my legs off a little but it's a necessity to wear shorts while doing this workout.  I sweat like crazy and it is SO hot here. The shorts are from Target too.  Do I go anywhere else?!  Find them here:

The thing I love most about these shorts is the waistband.  See how it is not too "elasticky"?  I hate too much elastic because it cuts me off and who wants to feel their tummy over their shorts while working out? Not me.  I'm glad that I bought three pair of them!

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I should stop here but let's talk socks for just a minute.  Oh my goodness, I never thought socks would make that big of a deal.   I recently bought the Champion brand short socks at Target and they are like heaven on my feet.  (They are kind of like this but these aren't the Target ones)  I said goodbye to my flimsy ones forever.  And a side note, short socks make your legs look longer.  Why did I ever wear the fold over socks with shorts?  

It's taken me a while to figure out what makes me feel good while I work out.

I hope this gives you some ideas the next time you shop!

To learn more about my healthier lifestyle, click here!

Healthy Hump Day

This one is easy!  One that I will do today, right now.  I will choose to chew gum instead of snack, snack, and snack the afternoon away.  Usually I'm finishing up my workout right when it's time to get the kids.  So when we get back home, I'm needing a snack too.  But lately I've been convincing myself that I can have a little more and then a little more because, you  know, I'm working so hard at Insanity and all.  But today, I'll have my designated snack and then chew some gum and hope that it stops me from grazing.
p.s.  This is my favorite kind right now.

Orbit Bubblemint.  

You can blow great bubbles like you are a kid and it's not too sweet and just a little minty.