Week 9 Recap and New Goals

 Grab your drink of choice and start your to do list for the week!

Last weeks goals were not that difficult so why did I not succeed?

Because life happens and sometimes you just forget. You live in the moment and do something at hand. So let's try again.

1.  Freezer wasn't done last week so I'll roll it onto this week.  It's not really dirty as much as I want to get the ice build up removed.

2.  I didn't get any outside cardio time in.  I still hit the gym and exercised on some indoor cardio but I didn't get any fresh air.

3. I did finish book 5. Finally!  So on to number 6!

4.  I don't have a current dinner mealplan ready yet but, another breakfast mealplan is ready and will be posted tomorrow.

The crepes I made were a hit with the family!


  I am extra motivated after a few good things happening last week and carrying over into this week.  Good luck to everyone else on your upcoming week.

Week 8 Goals

  Let's get ambitious this week and aim high!  No, don't we do that already? 

1.  Finish 2 books!

2.  Fitness: 25 miles, 4 classes

I like TRX I just struggle with the time.  I like all types of cardio but, to meet 25 miles of accountability I need to stick to machines because I don't have a fitbit, lol.  So if I choose to swim or even dancing those are free unaccounted for steps/miles 

3.  Cleaning: freezer

4.  Make a snack for the week.  I'm thinking granola this week! This is my favorite recipe.


  I'll stop at 4!   Anything after that will just be a freebie!

  Good luck on your new week. A new week is a clean slate!  Full of new opportunities and possibilities! Challenge yourself and be kind to yourself. 

Weekend Fitness

  It's Friday and the weekend is almost here.  You have worked all week and you can't wait to take it easy on the weekend.  That's completely understandable but your workout doesn't have to be canceled.

  I knew I would have a busy weekend but I am motivated to stay active all 31 days of October so I planned ahead.  Saturday I was going to be gone but based on my plans I was going to be walking a lot so that was my fitness for the day.

It worked out great.  I would have liked 25,000 steps but we had to go to another place at 6 and it started to rain so my plans were not quite 100 % attainable.

On Sunday I knew again that my fitness routine would be interrupted so I set my alarm a little earlier for jog before my 'official' day started! 

  Most of my cardio routines are in the morning so that's nothing new to me.  It works best for me because after noon I lack motivation for the most part.  3 miles for me!  The weekend didn't slow me down!

  Well at the end of my weekend. I feel good! My fitness was not compromised based on the weekend or busy plans.

  I still managed to get a complete week of fitness done!

  1 week done 3 weeks and 3 days to go.  This is just a view of my steps.  I didn't necessarily walk or jog to get fitness but sometimes I did both. Thursday and Friday I rode my bike and those miles don't get calculated with my app. Monday I also did Yoga.

  Do you have a goal for the month?  How are you doing so far towards that? 

Weekly Goals

  Well I succeeded with my 25 miles goal last week.

I read to the half way mark of my book! I am ahead one week with my meal plans! I worked hard on increasing numbers and engaging more next month I'm going to start keep track better with documentation! Lastly I dumped some well over due pictures!!!

This week goals!

1. Hit the gym 5 days.  This is not a challenge, chore or goal for me but taking a different class would be! I use a variety of cardiovascular equipment and lift weights but classes I tend to shy away from.

Monday: Aerial Yoga
Tuesday: TRX
Wednesday: Line Dancing (this is a regular class for me)  Maybe I will find something else on this day as well!
Thursday:  to be determined
Friday: to be determined

2.  You know what else I'm horrible at drinking water.  Even 8 glasses is asking a lot.  It's not that I'm filling up on other stuff because I'm not. I may just go all day without drinking anything. So I will focus on 8 and shoot for drinking 10 glasses everyday and keep track on app.

3. Part of me wants to add a cardio goal to go with this fitness week but I'm not sure what to set the goal at.  This week I'll shoot to cycle ...25miles is too low because I can do that in a day.  Not sure if 100 is too much. That's 25 a day.  Kind of seems like a lot. I guess I'll shoot for 50!  Let's just see what I get but, I'll cycle this week instead of run!

4.  Finish my book! Sounds like a great idea! There's 450 pages in the book!

  Hey do you think if I don't put dump more pictures if I will actually do it?  I have it on my to do list and it just keeps getting transferred to the next day.

Steps for a Fitness Change

  Just a couple years ago I was trapped in a medical boot.  After several visits to various doctors, different tests done and x-rays and scans completed. 2 months later of me hobbling I was diagnosed with a stress fracture.  I had that boot on mobilizing my freedom of movement for 6 months.  I was an active person prior to that so that was hard.

 If your interested in getting fit what's stopping you? Get your pencil out and list your pros and cons.  Make goals instead of excuses.

1. Know your why!

  Working out is all what you put in. Just like at your daily job whether it's in a office or at home.  If you put in minimal work your will get minimal results.  Think about what you want to accomplish. Set goals that you can climb up to.  Making them attainable although slow will help the process be more manageable. What are you looking for weight loss, muscle tone or definition, more endurance.

2.  How much time do you have?

  How important is fitness in your life?  What are you willing to do to make it happen?  Wake up at 5am to get some time in before work? Don't run out the gate with a timeline of 2 weeks.  It will be a process.  You may not see results for the first couple weeks but at the end of a dedicated month small changes may be visible. I shoot for at least an hour at the gym more is good but definitely not less. 30- 45 minutes of cardio followed by some weight training.  You will not I repeat you will not get huge if you pick up weights.  Stronger but not huge.

3.  Be open minded.

  You are trying to make changes in your lifestyle so you have to come to terms with all that means.  Sweating, hot and thirsty.  You will be tired and that's because your working your body like never before. The nice thing is it will feel good. The exhaustion will pass and you will feel relieved.

  There are so many options you can utilize on this journey and I'm going to share what I use for my fitness routine to include the gym and other resources. You can spend money but that's not necessary.  You can workout for next to nothing! I'll be back with options to shed, tone or build endurance.

1st Day Hike

  Sunday I took advantage of the 1st day hike at my local state park here in VA.  I already hold a pass for free entry which was another lure for people but I wanted to start the year off on foot and fresh air!

  In addition to the free entry fee a variety of parks offered guided tours or encouraged unaccompanied tours.  I was running late so I hiked alone.

  I choose a local park versus one I really wanted to go to that was several hours away.  Chippokes State Park is one of my favorites.  I have been here a few times and nothing gets better then finding a new trail and exploring more!

  Chippokes Park is locates in Surry, VA and offers a unique experience in addition to the pool and cabins.  This park has working farm as well as an antebellum mansion.

  I have toured the house and the kitchen located in a separate quarters but I love the walk to the mansion and the view!

  I had a great day.  A solo day had so many rewards and gave me a lot of time to think and reflect on myself, the new year and explore my surroundings.

  I always use Map My Run as I'm the only one without a Fitbit to keep track of my miles but the phone battery died so on the way back it stopped calculating.

  Not too bad if you take into account stopping to take a ton of pictures!

  I can't wait to take my family back to show them the new path I found!  Keep following as we have a fee more state parks to explore before we have seen all of them in the state! 

For more information about this park check it out here.

9 Days of 30 Day Fitness Challenge Recap

  So at the beginning of the month I made a couple goals.  One of those goals was to workout in one way or the other for the month of Dec.  Yes, I did workout before but never everyday. Never with the mindset that I had to get a workout in EVERY day.  Never have I ever worked out with a purpose everyday until now.

Here's what 9 days of working out looks like!

Day 1 I started on the elliptical.

Day 2 I swam laps for 30 minutes.

 





 

Day 3 I worked out at home but not alone!

 



Day 4 I ran on the treadmill.

 



 

Day 5 I rowed 5000m.

Day 6 I took a Piloxing class.

 



 

Day 7 I swam sat in the hot tub and spent minutes in the sauna.

 

Day 8 on the bike.

Day 9 also on the bike.

 

 

 

  I would like to say that's a pretty productive 9 days.  Some of my cardio days included weight training with an exception of the class and swimming days.  I alternate between legs, arms and abs.  This second week I started with protein shakes in the morning and even meal prepped my lunches for the week.

 

  I am not looking for major changes although some pants have slid on a little better then they used to; that's kind of nice let's just be honest.  The scale hasn't moved but, you know what they say its about how your clothes fit!  I just want to condition my body and tone it.  I wanted to set a challenge/goal for myself and 30 days of fitness sounded like a good place to start.  9 days down 3 weeks to go!  See what I did there?  The weeks were less then the days so I am fooling myself.

 

 

  If you feel motivated to join me I would love to hear your goals whether they are fitness related or not.  What are you currently challenging yourself with?  Finish reading one more book before the end of the month?  Finish shopping a week ahead of Christmas?  

 

Voting Day Shenanigans

  I got up early to beat the crowd.  Turns out it was a party for me as everyone was there waiting.

I decided to take the time in line to do some constructive blogging.  If my voice is to be heard today this is where my vote goes.

I vote for 7-11 prices ($1.85 PEOPLE) for my Starbucks coffee!  Never fear coffee is free here! 7-11 with you I voted sticker and the app!

I vote for breakfast.  At this point I won't be able to go back to sleep and I'm hungry!  My polling station did have complimentary coffee and donuts but, it's early and there was a small chance a green muffin treat could be all mine due to sleeping children.

I vote for a quiet day to finish reading my book.  Its been taking me forever to finish even though it's good.  I'm half way through; I know the end is near.

I vote for some fresh air and perhaps a bike ride to squeeze some miles in.  I just filled the tires and although my legs are sore from yesterday I still want to be consistent.

I vote for a nap since your asking as I did get up early to vote!

Lastly, I vote for a nice peaceful night out before a war of the worlds happens tomorrow.

  I hope you have a great and productive day.

Cheers (clanks glass of wine) to the beginning of the future of our country.

Moving forward think kindness and courtesy towards our neighbors regardless of the outcome.

#NaBloPoMo

Family Game Night (review)

  One of my favorite reviews this week were part of a game.  I had to run out and get the rest of the set so we could take advantage of the review product.  This product even thrilled my kids.  We have been playing for days now.

We got a box of 6 birdies.  With the simple push of a button inside the tip they are illuminated into a rainbow of colors.  They are made with Goose feather, plastic and and the tips are a soft foam type material. 

I had never played badminton in the dark before but now will be playing more often.

Badminton is such an easy game for anyone to play. Young or old it's easy to catch on to the concept of the game and bat the Birdie back and forth.  Of course you will have that one competitive person your playing with but it's still presents a fun time spent outside. 

I received this product for a discount for my honest review and all opinions are my own. 

LED Badminton, URPOWER Shuttlecock Dark Night Colorful Goose Feather LED Badminton Glow Birdies Lighting For Outdoor & Indoor Sports Activities, 6 pack(Include 1pcs Color Changing Shuttlecock) (6) 

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Available at: https://www.amazon.com/Badminton

Hiking with Children (a hiking group review)

  Do you know what's nice?

1.  Getting outside to enjoy the fresh air.
2.  Spending time moving.
3.  Meeting new people with a common interest.

  Today I finally got to join a group that I have been watching from the sidelines.  A group that supports, promotes and encourages you to get out and explore your neighborhood with your children.  You know I am not shy with my kids and hiking.  We have trumped through over a dozen state parks, paddled in boats and took on the Lighthouse Challenge in New Jersey climbing up 100's of steps!

  This group provides a platform to meet up with other individuals and their children to hike together.  Even if your a regular hiker or walk your neighborhood these guys provide an outlet to maybe see a new area.  They have regular and spontaneous hikes.  The hikes meet at different areas and offer different paces, trails, and offer hikes that are stroller friendly and some that are carrier only.

  The group is all based on volunteers but I'm sure it doesn't seem like work when your meeting up with friends for a regular 2 mile walk.  Today we (the kids and I) walked 2 miles with this group (you choose a group based on your preference of location, miles and child options be it stroller, carrier or walker.

  On our walk it took us to a new area! We saw some new things.

My kids made new friends 

And we got in some miles today!

Check them out hikeitbaby and see if they have a local branch for you to connect with.  It's a good way to get out and about.  Shake off those winter blues! 

All it takes is one step!