How I'm Feeling Right Now: Tapout XT Day 3 - Plyo XT

Holy flipping cow!!! Was this a tough workout!! 

Ok, first off I wasn't even in the mood to workout. The toddler kept hubby and I up most of the night and was up way before the sun. Then we had a soccer game, when we got home we were all STARVING and did I mention we were tired?? So we ate lunch, put kids down for nap, including wild sleep-deprived but adorable toddler... All is finally quiet so I decided to get my workout in because I can't quit on day 3 right and when else in this day am I going to fit it in???

So workout is commencing, I'm dripping sweat, I've already turned down the A/C at least twice, I have adjusted the fan a multitude of times, I keep getting sweat in my eyes, I keep reminding myself to watch my form, why did I wear these pants?, and about half way through I'm thinking the whole lunch then workout thing... Was NOT a good idea... 

I did't quit, I kept going. The last 15 or so minutes really were hard. My legs were already tired and those flipping 180 elbows just suck! But I didn't quit! I finished strong! And you know what? I'm so happy I did my workout today, because I killed it!!!

So if you don't feel like working out or you aren't sure if you can do it, push those thoughts aside and just do it! You never know how far you can push yourself, mind over matter people! Anything you do is better then nothing at all! Remember IT ALL COUNTS!!!! You got this and so do I!!!

Have you ever struggled to get through a workout?

New Month, New Goals and Balance

So here we are, it's May 4th, half-way through the first week of the new month already! Crazy!!!

As I'm writing this I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to get everything I need to get done this week let alone everything I want to get done this week. I think the hardest thing through this whole journey is finding the balance. There are busy seasons, there are extremely busy seasons, there are "normal" seasons (whatever that is) and there are seasons of rest. The hard part is finding balance in all of it and keeping consistent, and that is where I tend to struggle. 

I used to almost give-up saying "I just can't do this, this is to much" and I would put my eating and work-outs aside then come back and pick up again. Anymore, I have my little pity-party, usually my husband coaches me through those and I get back up again and may just have an off day or two instead of an off week or month. But, IT...IS...HARD... The struggle is real my friends!!!! 

source

Today and all weekend for that matter I have been tired and not just "tired" I am EXHAUSTED and sleepy tired. I could sleep ALL DAY LONG! I get frustrated when I'm tired like this because I feel like I'm working out I should have more energy, why am I not out conquering the world?!?! Well, that's just not reality. The reality is I'm still human, I'm still a wife, and I'm still a momma to three little ones. My husband was so gracious and let me sleep whenever I could this past crazy, busy weekend and I am so thankful for that. Anyhow, I said all that just to let you know if you are struggling with the same thing I am right there with you. Just don't give up, do what you can when you can! No matter how small it may seem it all counts, every little change you do will add up I promise! 

So today is Move it Monday! My plan for today is  a walk on the treadmill and this month's Buttchallenge. I will start with that then see how I feel about doing any more workouts for the day. 

Source: ShrinkingJeans.net

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May Goals:

*Continue to increase my Mileage per week (Running goal)

*Continue to do workout DVD's 3-4x week (Strength and Endurance)

*Start adding in more free weight workouts (Strength)

*30Day Butt Challenge (Strength and toning)

*Continue Drinking gallon water/day

*Focus more on Clean Eating and eating the right amount

I will assess my goals weekly to see if they are working for me.

What are some of your goals for May?

Do you struggle with balance too and how do you deal with it?

May 30 Day Challenge

Hey Everyone!

Just a quick post to let you know about a challenge I will be doing in May. I've tried these challenges before and have only gotten about half way through them, this month I'm determined to finish the entire 30 days!!!!

If you follow me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter you will know that I did my long run of 8-miles the other day. It sucked! I did so many hills in the beginning, I was wondering if my hill interval training had helped me at all! Of course it has, and I didn't give up and I'm not going to give up and this is why I'm doing this challenge. I need to continue to strengthen my legs. My knees need me to, they are seriously screaming at me. Well, they aren't now, but they were.. you know.

Anyhow... I found this 30-Day Amazing Butt Challenge from Shrinking Jeans and I thought this would be a great one to do to strengthen them up a bit.

Source: Shrinkingjeans.net

If you are beginning working out or aren't sure you could do all three then just pick one! It builds on itself so you will gain the strength as the month goes. I know I would LOVE to have the support so if you join in be sure and let me know in the comments. I will also be posting on the aforementioned (big word for me this late) social media sites as I do the daily challenge.

Look out May! Time for some stronger legs!!!

Have you done 30-Day challenge before?
Is there an area you would like to strengthen?

**Disclaimer: My blog posts are about my journey and what is working for me. I am not a Registered Dietician, a Certified Trainer or a Medical Doctor. Please always consult with your Healthcare Provider before starting any diet or exercise program. 

Watery Wednesday: Strawberry, Lemon & Basil Water

Hey Everyone!

It's Watery Wednesday so I'm just checking in on my water goal. I'm actually doing really well with this goal, and surprisingly after the first of couple days it's been really easy.


I was thinking it might be nice to mix up the water, so I made some Strawberry, Lemon & Basil water using this recipe from Natasha's Kitchen.

I just followed the recipe grabbing up a few strawberries, lemon slices (I used the whole lemon since mine was small), and some basil.

Added the fruit and basil with some ice then water and that was it. 

It was really easy to do and tastes pretty yummy too! You could adjust the ingredients to your personal taste adding less or more and the longer you let it sit the more intense the flavor will be.

I think this will be a nice weekend treat and I would imagine it would taste good with sparkling water if you are missing the "bubbles" from cutting out soda.

Do you have trouble getting in your daily water goals?
Have you ever tried fruit-infused water?

Progress & Goals Update

Well, it has been far to long since my last post! Goodness, I have to figure out how to work this in somehow! Ha

Anyhow, since I've last updated I'm doing much better. In an earlier post here and here,  I had talked about re-evaluating my goals and trying to figure out what I wanted to do. I can honestly tell you I have been doing so much better and feel so much better!!

I am still aiming to eat mostly clean, but I'm using the Old Weight Watchers Point system, from about 15 years ago, to help with portion control and my food choices.  I am totally ok with doing this old system. I lost about 40lbs when I used the old system and I never really gained the weight back until I got pregnant, so I thought I'd give it another go since it seems to be a lifestyle that works well for me.

I did join Weight Watchers in 2011 with the new Points Plus system and I just never could get into it as much. I have had to adjust the old way a little to the way I currently eat. You have to remember that when the old points system was out it was the age of "Fat Free" and "artificial sweeteners." I don't do Fat Free unless the food is naturally fat free and I don't do artificial sweeteners, so at first it was somewhat difficult to get around that but I have found a way and it works. Do you realize that most clean foods are naturally low in fat and high fiber? That helps to make the points count really low and still stay clean eating.

I am eating way more carbs then I have in the last year or so, but I make sure they are almost always 100% whole wheat or a heather carb. I even tried to make Eggplant Pizza the other night, but my Eggplant failed when I was roasting it. I will definitely be trying that again. I think with all the running I've been doing the carbs have been great. I'm able to go farther and faster with adding them back into my diet. I just needed more then what I was getting and that works for me, maybe it doesn't work for you, and that's ok.

I am getting in my water and I think that has helped me feel better too. My goal is a gallon of water and if you remember I was starting with a full gallon and drinking from the gallon to help me keep track. I still have days where I don't quite get the whole gallon drunk, but I'm always very close on those days.

So what is my progress so far... I'm down 5lbs from last week. Whether it be water weight fluctuations or because TOM left (TMI i'm sure), but that was the number on the scale. The best part is I tried on a smaller size jean and... they fit! I did not squirm or have to lay down to get in them, they simply went on and zipped up! YAY!!!! That is for sure a measure of progress!

Goals for the next week:
I'm going to keep going with what I've been doing.
Tracking my food regardless of whether it is clean or not and tracking regardless if I'm going to be over in points/calories.
I'm going to continue to aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise 3-4x week, regardless of the calories burned or the actual workout, I'm just going to move!
I'm going to continue to get in my water everyday.
And...

I am going to add in one thing that will be extremely hard for me, I'm going to start tracking my fruits and vegetables, read: "Dirt-by-products" Those who know me well, know that I am not a huge fan of dirt-by-products, especially the vegetables! You do not need to tell me how good they are for you what this one does and what that one does I already know. It is something I struggle with so I'm being open with this new goal of mine and I'm hoping you will be there to help support me to do better.  I WILL include more vegetables and fruits in my diet!!!  And I found this nifty chart, intended for kids, that I'm going to use to help me keep track and "reward" myself if you will.  My goal is to aim for 5 fruits and vegetables (preferably veggies first) ;)

Source: Andrea's Notebook

Have you been meeting your goals?
Do you have trouble getting in your fruits or vegetables?

Watery Wednesday

Good Wednesday to you!

It is the middle of the week and I'm reviewing my goals for the week and seeing how I'm doing.

So far I'm doing ok. I haven't really been journaling my food or at least I start then I don't finish out the day. I need to do this regardless if what I'm eating is "clean" or not, right now it's more about tracking and portions.

My littles have been sick so Monday was the first day I was actually able to exercise. I got in about 40 minutes of Billy Blanks Tae Bo DVD ( not an affiliate link), the kids wouldn't let me finish it all but I'm ok with that everything counts no matter how much it is. I also ended up running just a little over 3 miles on the treadmill. I plan on doing something today, but it will all depend on our schedule. Oh, and before I forget, be sure to join me next Monday for another MOVE IT MONDAY! I think it's going to be a great way to start off the week right! Actually, I would love to have you join me every Monday!  I will have a post up here and and also on my Facebook Page so you can post how you got moving, remember everything counts!!!

I didn't mention it in my last post, but I'm also trying to get in a gallon of water a day. I'm usually pretty good about getting in my water but there are some days when coffee rules the day and I would like to be more consistent with my water intake. So here's to Watery Wednesday, drink up! I have a gallon jug that I'm using for my water for the day so I have no trouble keeping track of the amount of water I actually drink. The only trouble I should have is keeping my littles from using the same cup. For some reason mommies cup is always better! :)

Anyhow, that's where I'm at.
How are you doing with your goals? 
Do you do well with drinking water or do you struggle?

Random Thoughts and Streamlining Goals

So, I'm not sure where this post is going to end up going. Hopefully not to scattered, but my mind is kind of reeling with where I'm at now and what I want to do or should be doing.

Yesterday I completed Day 3 of my second round of Whole30, today it ended, and.... I'm totally ok with that! I did my first round of Whole30 in June of 2014. I followed it to a tee, not cheating one bit and had great results with it! The problem, the rebound. It... was... HORRIBLE!!! Once I was done I ate and ate whatever I couldn't have. Overtime got discouraged, stopped working out, stopped eating clean and gained most of the weight and inches back that I had lost.

The whole time I was on Whole30 I was not myself. I was in a bit of a fog, grouchy, and honestly the last week I hardly ate anything because I was so tired of what I had to eat but I still wanted to finish since I was almost done. But I lost weight, I lost inches, and I did actually "feel" pretty good. I don't have any allergies or intolerance and I did not cure my sugar addiction.

Fast Forward to January and I did a mini-Whole30 of 14 days. It was totally intentional to be so short as we had some family events that would be happening I knew I didn't want to miss out. I did great that time! I didn't have the headaches, the fogginess, I wasn't as much as a grouch and I even had some of that Tiger Blood the Whole30 talks about.

Now to this week, it was AWFUL! I have no idea why, I wasn't eating any worse now compared to  back in January but I was so disoriented and confused. I know it was all part of the detoxification process and getting rid of those sugar addictions but to me, at this point, it's just not worth it. I agreed with my husband that if I had an experience like I did the first time then I would stop. So, that's where I'm at.  I'm not doing another round of Whole30 at this time. Do I feel like a quitter? Absolutely not! If I gained anything from my first and complete round of Whole30 it's that I have an extreme attached relationship with food and although it's good to live without certain foods it's also not healthy for me to feel like I live in a food prison.  

I learned that I can live without certain things and function, even if it's not 100% of what I would like it to be. I've also learned what works for me and my body, I think that's kind of the whole point of Whole30 don't you? Even they tell you it's not meant to be long term. So even though I mostly felt crummy during the process, I did actually gain something from Whole30. It was more then just pounds or inches lost, it was me learning to be completely honest with the way I view food. Do I think everyone should give it a go? Sure! Do I think it's for everyone? Absolutely not! You will just have to try for yourself and see. Sorry if that doesn't help you much, but it really is an individual experience.

So, where does that leave me? Well, I know I will continue to eat clean that to me is simply the best. Eating clean means different things to everyone and for me I have an idea what will work and will continue to figure out what's best for me. I know I won't be 100% clean, but I will be at least 80% and realistically should be closer to 90% to get to my goal. 

I need to track my portions!!! I'm not sure if I will be using a Weight Watchers Points system or if I will just log my calories in My Fitness Pal or both until I figure it out. I need to be more consistent with my workouts. I have struggled with being consistent with my workouts for sometime now. My goal at this point is to just...get...moving! I will spend the next couple of weeks trying to narrow that down and get specific goals but for now I think 30 minutes 3-4x week would be good.

 I know there are no quick fixes and I want this to be a lifestyle change and this to me is what is going to work, for me!

What are some of your goals that you are working on?

**Disclaimer: My blog posts are about my journey and what is working for me. I am not a Registered Dietician, a Certified Trainer or a Medical Doctor. Please always consult with your Healthcare Provider before starting any diet or exercise program.