Week 4: SBBC and Fitness Challenge

This past week was a little goofy schedule wise.  Monday and Tuesday I had half days with students and then spent the afternoon in parent/teacher conferences.  Tuesday night I was stuck at school till 8 pm also holding conferences.  Needless to say, Tuesday was a yucky day for eating right and working out – a big fat ZERO!  Wednesday I also had a half day but was able to leave at 12:15 so I came home and spent the afternoon outdoors with my doggies!  Thursday and Friday I focused on getting in 2 hours or more of quality workouts which felt great.  This mini-spring break just gets me pumped and ready for summer.

As far as my goals for the week – I did better than I thought.  Let’s start with the good:  I did 3 days of abs/strength exercises, I definitely got 9 fruits and veggies on Saturday, and got 2 + hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  The bad:  I did not get in any WOW’s.    So that is my only goal I am going to set for this week.  To do WOW on at least 2 days. 

Here’s the recap of my week:

• Monday – 7 Freggies, 48 ounces of water.  30 mins of yoga, 15 min abs and 15 min walk. 
• Tuesday –  0 Freggies, 90 ounces of water.  0 mins of workouts. :(
• Wednesday – 5 Freggies, 112 ounces of water. 30 mins of yoga, 15 mins abs, 15 min run, 40 min walk. 
• Thursday – 9 Freggies, 96 ounces of water. 30 mins of yoga, 85 min hike, and 30 min walk. 
• Friday – 5 Freggies, 80 ounces of water. 60 mins of Muscle Mania class, 90 mins of Yoga, and 20 mins on elliptical. 
• Saturday – 9 Freggies, 100 ounces of water. 30 min walk, 60 min hike with beagles, 60 min hike with hounds. 
• Sunday – 7 Freggies, 80 ounces of water. 15 mins of yoga, 45 min walk.

 

 

I received my Vega One bars as one of the random drawing winners from SBBC on Monday.  This was my first time trying that brand of protein bars and I have to say that I really like them.  They taste good and are packed full of good nutrients!  I feel satisfied after I eat them and am not hungry for a couple of hours.  I think I am going to look into trying their protein powders and smoothie mixes.

Week 3 – SBBC & Fitness Challenges

Almost half way through the SBBC and Fitness Challenge.  I have really enjoyed the extra little push to increase my workout schedule!  In the Fitness Challenge at school my team is currently in 1st place by just a hundred points so we are all working extra hard to stay there.  One of my team members was frustrated this morning because out of 168 participants she is 15th and as she said the “slacker” of our team because we all have points above her.  Talk about motivating you – she is on fire now to kick our butts this week.  Which just makes me want to continue to up my game.  I am just a little competitive!

I was thrilled to win one of the random drawings this week in the Spring Booty Buster Challenge! I can’t wait to try the Vega One bars.  I haven’t been doing too well with the points for SBBC.  I definitely have to work on getting more fruits and veggies in, and trying out some of the WOW videos. 

I did accomplish my goals last week.  I got in one session of strength training, focused on some ab exercises and did manage to get some fruits and veggies in this weekend.  So this week I want to accomplish at least two days of completing a WOW, two days of ab/strength exercises, and reaching 9 servings of fruits and veggies on Saturday.  I also want to spend at least 2 hours working out on Thursday and Friday – my mini-spring break from school.  Here’s my breakdown for week 3:

• Monday – 8 freggies, 96 ounces of water.  28 min walk in the snow and 30 mins of yoga.
• Tuesday – 5 freggies, 64 ounces of water.  24 min walk.
• Wednesday – 7 freggies, 96 ounces of water.  26 min walk, 30 mins of yoga
• Thursday – 7 freggies, 90 ounces of water.  60 min walk, 15 mins of yoga, 15 mins of abs
• Friday – 6 freggies, 81 ounces of water.  22 min run, 16 min walk, 16 min yoga
• Saturday – 6 freggies, 90 ounces of water.  60 min Walk, 45 min Hike
• Sunday – 8 freggies, 96 ounces of water.  90 min Walk – with breaks for lunges, steps, jumping jacks, standing crunches, leg lefts, etc., 71 min Hike, 15 mins of yoga.

 

 

I was slacking on taking pictures this week.

Week 2: SBBC & Fitness Challenge

Week 2 is complete! I am really enjoying the challenges so far.  Three weeks ago I would have told you I don't have time to workout for a hour or more.  Somehow though - you put a challenge in front of me - I have found the time.  I have really put in the miles with walking and running this week which is great.  I feel like I have been building strength and getting the kinks worked out of my IT band and hip.  I have also kept up with the yoga.  However, my goals for next week include adding in more strength training and to actually eat fruits and veggies on the weekend since somehow I didn't manage to get hardly any this weekend.

Here's my weekly recap.  I logged this in a draft throughout the week, but am not loving the format.  So please bear with this version as I experiment and find a better way to document and share my workouts.

Monday:  80 mins - 9 freggies and 80 ounces of water

• 2.8 mile Run with Copper Dog for 28 minutes, 20  min walk with the other dogs and 30 minute relaxation yoga.

Tuesday: 37 mins - 7 freggies and 90 ounces of water

• 1 mile walk with the dogs for 22 mins and 15 min yoga.

Wednesday: 90 mins - 8 freggies and 80 ounces of water

• 4 mile run with Copper in 43 mins and 1 mile walk with the rest of the dogs
• 30 mins of yoga

Thursday:  90 mins - 8 freggies and 72 ounces of water

• 60 min walk with dogs and doggie related chores 
• 30 mins of yoga and meditation.

Friday:  90 mins - 9 freggies and 80 ounces of water

• 30 min, 3 mile Friday Family Fun Run to stretch out for Saturday's March Madness Race
• 30 min walk with dogs and doggie related chores once again
• 30 mins of yoga and meditation

Saturday: 98 minutes, 88 ounces of water

• 35 mins March Madness 5K plus Warm up and Cool down
• 33 mins Walk with Dogs
• 30 mins Yoga and meditation

Sunday: 147 minutes, 90 ounces of water

• 50 mins of walking and hiking
• 67 mins walking with the beagles while they looked for bunnies to chase
• 30 mins of yoga

Looking forward to Week 3!!

Week 1 - SBBC & Fitness Challenge

This year I am taking part in two fitness challenges.  I am really appreciating the extra push and motivation to get out and put more time into working out.  I have really been slacking quite a bit over the last few months and this is just what I needed to get back into gear. I am still building up my running base and struggling with hip issues so I have been doing more walking then running.  Here is a quick summary of my week along with a few photos from the week:

Monday 3/4 -  60 minutes Total

• Yoga (30 min), Walk with the Dogs (16 min), and Nike Trainer - Legs Sculptor(15 min) 

Tueday 3/5 - 56 minutes Total

• Walk with the Dogs (41 min) and Yoga (15 min):60 mins

Wednesday 3/6 - 75 minutes Total

• 3.19 Run with Copper (35 min) , Walk with Dogs (10 min) and Yoga (30 min)

Thursday 3/7 - 60 minutes Total

• Yoga (15 min), Walk with Dogs (35 min), Stretching (10 min)

Friday 3/8 - 65 minutes

• Yoga (15 min), 2.8 mile run (29 mins), Walk with Dogs (25 min)

Saturday 3/9 -30 minutes

• Walk with Dogs (30 min)

Sunday 3/10 - 130 minutes

• Walk & Stretching (60 mins), Yoga (30 min), 2 mile walk (40 min)

Accomplishing Goals

A few of my goals this year are to increase my fitness level, make yoga a habit, try meditation, plan weekly menus, make only one trip to the grocery store a week, and of course save money.  I have been doing pretty good with most of the goals so far.  I can't believe we are already 3 months into the year.

I have been practicing Yoga since the middle of January by using the YogaStudioApp for the iphone/ipad.  It is an amazing app with just what I was looking for in terms of yoga practice.  I have noticed a huge improvement in my patience, stress level and flexibility.  If I miss a day, I can't wait to get my yoga time the next day.  I don't like feeling that stress and frustration build up and yoga definitely helps that to disappear. 

http://yogastudioapp.com/

The other goals that have been so benefical are menu planning and one grocery trip a week.  I take time each Saturday or Sunday to plan out several meals for the week and then get to the grocery store to stock up.  I find we eat better, healthy and less processed/packaged meals.   I am excited to cook each night and put together our meals and have plenty of time to do so because I don't have to stop at the store.  Because I don't make several grocery store stops I am saving quite a bit of money.  I don't shop when I am hungry and I am not picking up whatever looks good.  I focus on getting just what is on my list. 

Source

I am proud of my accomplishments so far and can't wait to see what the next few months will bring.  I hope to try new recipes, take yoga classes in town and maybe even give cross-fit a try.

QOTD:  What 2013 goals are you accomplishing?

Spring Fitness Challenges

Well, it is that time of the year again where I attempt to get myself back into a workout routine and include more than just running.  This past year I have really decreased my mileage and am trying to get myself back up to a consistent running schedule.  However, right now I am struggling with some hip issues that I hope get resolved soon.

In order to get me motivated I have joined two fitness challenges for the spring.  The first challenge is through my workplace and the second is with the Spring Booty Buster Challenge with Amanda at Run to The Finish.  Hopefully between these two challenges I can indeed get my butt into gear. 

Today was the kick-off for both challenges and I had a pretty successful first day.  I started off with a great breakfast - strawberry/banana smoothie, multi-grain muffin, and yogurt.  I focused on eating several fruits and veggies, preparing a balanced dinner and making sure to get plenty of water. For my workouts I got in a 15 min walk with the doggies, 15 min strength exercise using Nike Trainer and 30 min Yoga - Balance class.  Hopefully tomorrow I can get home early enough to get a walk/run in.

Thanks...

"What if you woke up tomorrow with only those things you thanked God for today?" 

This question made me catch my breathe the other day.  Wow...what if?  Needless to say I spent the rest of the car ride giving my thanks.  There is too much that I am thankful for to even being putting it into words, but this time of the year always makes me stop and count my blessings. 

I wish the world was different and much more old fashion that it currently is.  I wish we could go back in time to better appreciate those things we are thankful for.  I believe that so many people today get wrapped up in the "money and business" rather than really enjoying this holiday and the ones to come. 

My goal for the next 5 1/2 days is to slow down, take deep breathes and just enjoy the little moments.  I don't want to rush through the holiday, I want to enjoy and be thankful for each and every moment.



Thank you Father God for the Beautiful Sunrise and another day to praise you.

Abundance

Today's Meditation mantra was "I create my personal abundance from an infinite source."  Which I quickly changed to "The abundance in my life comes from God."  God has given me more than I could have imagined and the grand blueprint plans he has for me - although a mystery to me, I know is just right. 

I am a control freak in many ways!  Not knowing what is in store for me, not being able to create a plan of my own has always been something I struggle with.  It is hard for me to give it to God completely.  More than anything I hope these 21 days of Meditation gives me an opportunity to release stress, frustrations and control of many things and to turn it over to God.

Somehow though, I have to find a quieter place and time for my meditation.  I am quickly distracted and frustrated with the noises around me when I am suppose to be releasing tension.  Copper and his continuous licking was driving me nuts!  I didn't end up as relaxed as I would have liked so I might try some other meditation tricks before I lay down tonight.

The thing I need to remember is that I have abundance of so many things in my life.  I need to be continously thankful and grateful for what the Lord has given me. 

And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1: 14(NKJV)

Getting Back Into Things

Well it has been quiet a while since I've been blogging here at Endless Jubilee.  I have been reading everyone's blogs, but just haven't had much to share of my own.  However, with the holiday season approaching and so many online/virtual challenges popping up everywhere, I am considering joining a few and starting to journal my progress.

The older I get, the more I notice my body not keeping up.  It is time for me to get back into a routine and shaping myself in more ways than one.  First I want to focus on building up my fitness levels.  I need to spend time exercising - more than just once a week.  I am still very active but not by means of daily workouts.  I want to increase my weekly mileage and get in some more pilates, yoga and meditation.

The first challenge I joined is the 21 Day Meditation Challenge hosted by The Chopra Center.  I need to find ways to relax and destress each day.  This is just one way that I am going to explore this month.  I have registered and made it halfway through Day 1 - before my network connection cut me off.   I really found that the meditation audio file was well done and I found myself really relaxing and when done -refreshed and reawakened.

The second challenege I am considering joining is the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge.  I read about this challenge alot last year and so many people enjoyed the challenge and the results they discovered.  I think this may be just what I need to keep myself focused and encouraged to work out each day.

I also have a few personal goals such as focusing on eating better and taking time for myself that I have set for myself this month. Both of these virtual/online challenges will help me to meet those two goals.  So it is time to come up with a game plan, make a decision about the HBBC and continue the meditation challenge this week and see how things go.

March Madness 5k Race Recap

Hello all.  I know it has been a while.  I think I suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), otherwise known as the Winter Blues and just have no motivation, desire, or ambition to keep up a consistent workout in the winter.  Therefore, I had nothing worthwhile to blog about so I took a break from blogging, again.  BUT….. spring is almost here.  I say almost because although we have been having gorgeous spring weather I am fearful that ol’ man winter is going to rear up his ugly head at least one more time before spring really gets here.

With the gorgeous weather this week I have noticed a huge difference in my mood and ambition.  I made it out for a run five times this week!  It felt so good to get out there in a sunshine and work up a sweat and hear the sounds of spring.  My last run of the week was during the first road race of the season here in this area.  (Side note:  one thing I love about blogging is being able to look back at previous entries.  I loved that I was able to go back and read about my race during last year’s March Madness 5k.)

I  look forward to this race because it is the first race of the season, but don’t love the course.  This year however I actually found myself enjoy the whole thing.  The weather was fabulous, hardly any wind (compared to last year) and I felt good.  I had no goals or expectations going into the race since I have had very little training this winter with an average of oh, maybe 4 miles a week.   All of my runs this week must have woken up some tired but not groggy muscles and got them ready for the race. 

I was very pleased with my time – 23:24 - a whole minute faster than last year.  SB,  a 10 year old and a 16 year old were the only other females ahead of me and I kept them  in sight the whole time.  I could tell that I was pushing it but never felt that I was dying and I recovered very quickly at the end.  I think I may have been so determined to not slow down or take it easy because so many of my students were in the race as well.  To my knowledge only 1 of them beat me! :)  Even my adorable little sixth grader who threatened me with “You’re going down” at the start of my race couldn’t catch up.  Whew!

Since it was Saint Patty’s Day we of course all wore our green. 

Even little Ella was dressed up with her Shamrock shirt and hair tie!

Thanks SB for the pictures.

Now that the seasons are changing and racing season is starting back up I hope to return to more regularly scheduled blogging!

Wordless Wednesday

Life is crazy!  Just a quick moment before bed to share a great image I found today on Facebook. 

This sums up my house, my windows, my glass door.  Except I don't have just one dog making nose art, I have SEVEN!   (No they aren't in the house all the time, but they are in here enough to leave lots of nose art - everywhere - but I love them regardless).  

TGIF!

I has been a rough week!  Nothing seems quite “right”.  Haven’t been feeling the best and definitely haven’t been doing well with my fitness challenge. I am glad it is Friday and I can wrap up this work week and focus on a relaxing weekend.

I didn’t make it to the gym this morning but am planning on a nice run after school and then a Girls-Night-Out with my sisters! It is much needed and long overdue.  I am looking forward to going out to eat and having someone else wait on me, cook for me and clean up after me.  Cowboy hates to go out to restaurants so when he is away I tend to splurge and enjoy.   Here’s hoping it is a quick day!

Tuesday’s Tip

So last week I bought and prepared avocados for the first time.   I think I’ve had them before but I have never prepared them myself.  I thought for my first attempt I would just cut them up and add them to our great big salads last Monday.

I didn’t do my research before hand so when I went to pick out my $1.00 avocados I had no idea if avocados should be soft, hard, mushy, etc.  So I just took my best guest.  When I got home I use good old Google to learn a little bit about avocados.

If the avocado yields to firm gentle pressure you know it's ripe and ready-to-eat. If the avocado does not yield to gentle pressure it is considered still "firm" and will be ripe in a couple of days. If the avocado feels mushy or very soft to the touch it may be very ripe to overripe. (Avocado Central)

Did you know….

It's true that avocados have a high oil content, but they are also packed with vitamins A, C, and E--primary vitamins in the antioxidant group that protect the cells in human tissue. A high protein content makes avocados a good meat substitute, and unlike animal fat, the fat is not saturated. The big surprise in avocados is how high they are in dietary fiber--they have one of the highest fiber contents of any fruit or vegetable. (Produce Pete)

My biggest challenge was how to cut these things up.  I figured there was a pit inside but I wasn’t sure and didn’t know how to get it out. So…for anyhow else who doesn’t know how to cut an avocado (or am I the only one?)…here’s what you do:

1.  Hold the avocado lengthwise and carefully slice around the pit.

  

2.  Take your knife and carefully but firmly tap the blade into the pit and it will pull right out (my co-teacher told me this tip after I struggled with trying to scoop out the pit.

3.  Score the avocado half into cubes.

4.  Gently squeeze the avocado and little cubes will just pop out.

So much easier than I thought and it was delicious on my salad.  I think this week I will try to make some guacamole.  I also want to try to prepare kale or attempt to make kale chips.  Any good links for recipes to prepare kale?

Family Fitness Challenge – Week 1 Recap

I know I promised this yesterday, but yesterday got away from me.  I still wanted to share our successful first week of our Family Fitness Challenge.

I felt like I started the challenge off great.  I easily increased my fruits and vegetables to the 5-7 servings a day and a few days even reaching 8 and 9 servings.  Salads at least three times in the week got me several points.  I have become quite fond of the Hunger Runner Girl method of roasting broccoli which we had with dinner at least two nights.

   
source

I also found that dried fruit is delicious especially apricots!  Love them!  They taste just like candy.

As far as the exercise points I had two days in the week where I did two workouts – am and pm.  I made it to the gym three times and did lots of different weight/strength sets.  I like the Jamie Easton’s Live Fit daily exercise plans.  She does a great job of breaking it down into two areas to focus on each day and gives great videos demonstrating the movement.  I also got in two great runs last week and some Pilates and yoga.

My family had a great week as well.  Everyone participated and had anywhere from 250 – 450 points.  All of our teams were really close overall.  My sister and I were first of our four teams by just 50 points.  My little niece (2 years old) was a baby-exercising queen and fruit/veggie monster!

A great start to our five week Fitness Challenge!  Looking forward to another great week although I’ve been slacking a little bit in the exercise department.  Time to step it up!

Monday Motivation

I’ve been a little MIA lately and I apologize.  The weekends are always so busy and I try to not spend as much time on the computer since I am usually strapped to my computer during the week.  This weekend was busy but at the same time relaxing.  I was able to spend a good chunk of Saturday finishing up the last book in the Hunger Game trilogy.  Those books are awesome!  Once you start you don’t want to put them down.

My family had an awesome first week of the Family Fitness Challenge!  I will share more details in a Week 1 recap later.  I’ve found during the first week of the challenge that it can be really easy to get your daily 5-7 servings of fruits to vegetables with just a little effort and planning.  I’ve enjoyed trying some new things too and my body likes the increase of fruits, vegetables and fruit juices.

Now for another week.  It’s going to be a busy one too.  So let’s start the Monday off with some motivating images.

Another Wednesday

Can’t believe it is the last Wednesday of January already!  Time is flying by as usual.  It was the second day of our new semester so I am tuckered out once again.  The start of the semester, getting everything prepared and being extra-on-top-of-my game “ just wears me out.  I always try to start out extra tough in the beginning and then loosen the reins.  Be tough is exhausting….at least for me…I am a softie at heart.

However, I am not letting school craziness mess up my exercising for the week.  I have really been doing pretty good for the month of January with not necessarily a lot of running miles, but quality time at the gym and at home doing cross training, weights, yoga and Pilates.

Today I got things ready for tomorrow and then headed out of school to meet SB down at the gym.  I decided to give my little arms a rest since I can still feel a little soreness from Monday and focused on my lower body.  I tend to not do as much lower body weight workouts because I feel like they are “in shape” however, I know only certain muscles are in shape and there are lots more that need a little extra push.   So I tried a few new machines and hopefully worked my legs out enough that I will feel the good-soreness later on.

Tuesday’s Tip

If you are looking for a good Yoga DVD you should check out the following: 

Christine Felstead’s Yoga for Runners.

I bought this DVD about two weeks ago and have tried it a few times.  I really liked the stretches and poses that she walks you through.  I felt a huge difference as I was doing the poses.  When I started I couldn’t get my heels down during a Downward Dog pose but by the end of the DVD I was having no problems getting the heels down.  I felt two inches taller and my legs just felt so stretched out.  The next day I could tell that I probably pushed the poses to far, but by going through the DVD again I got everything stretched back out again. 

Probably one of my favorite poses from the DVD is the Pigeon or Bird of Paradise pose which is another hip opener pose.  Check out this link for more information on this pose.

This blog site has a lot of great info on the pose as well.

I just did a quick search on Amazon and noticed there is also an intermediate level Yoga for Runners DVD.  That might be on my shopping list for later on in the year.  Right now I got quite a few DVDs in my rotation that I am putting to good use as I try to rack up points for my Fitness Challenge.

QOTD:  Do you have a favorite yoga pose?

Monday Motivation

 

(Source:  motivationintohabit.tumblr.com)

Today is the first day of my school and family Fitness Challenge!!  Off to the gym for an early workout and a run is planned for after school…time to rack up the fitness points!

Fitness Challenge 2012

Each year, my school holds a fitness challenge to help encourage us all to exercise and eat healthy.  Last year I really got into the challenge and kept track of my workouts each week.  Here’s my recaps from last year’s fitness challenge.

This year is bound to be another good year and just the motivation I need to bump up my exercising and running.  This year they are doing things a little different.  Here’s the challenge:

Participants will be divided into teams. Each team member will have the opportunity to earn one point for every minute of exercise (outside of the work day) completed throughout the 5 week challenge. The type of exercise you choose is up to you, but here are some examples: walking, running, biking, exercise classes, swimming, strength training and outdoor winter sports such as skiing and skating.

Additionally, we’re eating our way to wellness! Participants will receive one bonus point for each serving of fruits and vegetables consumed during the challenge. It's simple - one serving of fruits or veggies equals one point. The team with the most points at the end of the 5 week challenge wins! Weekly and Grand Prizes will be distributed!

My sisters have participated in similar challenges at their school but this year they aren’t offering the challenge so I have created our first:

Although they think I am crazy…my dad, mom, sisters, sister in law, brother in law and husband are all participating!  I drew names today and paired us up in teams of two.  I created a fitness log in excel and sent it out to everyone to log their exercise points and fruits/vegetable points.   I know SB already made a trip to the grocery store to stock up on fruits and veggies.  I will be headed to the grocery store tomorrow to do the same.   Amanda (my sister) is excited to count her green monster, fruit smoothies as points every morning.  I even made a log for my little niece, Ella, so Robyn (my other sister) can keep track of her fruits and veggie points and any baby exercise minutes.  Ella’s points will rotate to be added to a different group each week.

So I will be competing in two challenges, one at school and one with the family.  It should be a busy five weeks – but I know that I will love the way I feel and look by the end of it and finally get myself back in shape and ready for the racing season which will be here before I know it.  I think I might even train for my first 15 mile Trail Run race!

Snowy Saturday

What a great day!  Woke up to a wonderful, white blanket of snow on everything…a little glimpse of Winter Wonderland.  I got a ton of housework done and made carrot cake, brownies and chocolate chip cookie bars before I tackled making vegetable soup. 

When I got all my “chores” done I treated myself to a great workout.  I did a Yoga for Runners session which was absolutely fabulous.  I was able to stretch out and lengthen so many tight runner muscles.  More coming on Yoga for Runners in my Tuedsay’s Tips.

I also had a chance to spend a few hours with my family which was much needed.  It was good to see everyone and spend some time relaxing and watching my niece.  She is two years old and is so fun to watch and play with.  She has quite the imagination and her vocabulary is getting quite impressive. My dad got out his train set from when he was young and set that up for my niece.  She loved watching the choo-choo. 

When I finally made it home I found the motivation to get all my essays and final grades calculated for my classes and even managed to plan out most of next week with the start of a new semester and new classes.  I am ahead of the game which will make tomorrow and Monday that much easier!

What a great day!  I hope you had a great day too.