Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Working It Wednesday: Some Things I Want

Today is Working It Wednesday, where I will normally be posting about exercises or workouts that I love, that I'm doing or what I've done in the past.  However, today's edition will be about the health and fitness things that I want.  These things are most likely on my Pinterest boards in one place or another.

1.  The Garmin Forerunner 15
Isn't it beautiful?!  Okay maybe not beautiful but it is a very nice piece of hardware to add to my fitness gear collection.  I need something that works for me in a way that I don't need to use the apps on my phone and wear down the battery.  I love that it can tell me the distance, the time, the pace and the calories.  I think that it could really help me with my training and I wouldn't need to pull my phone out to see this information. 

2. Nathan Handheld Bottle
This is actually something that I have been on the fence about.  I need to hydrate but do I really want to hold something in my hand while I am running?  I have a FlipBelt that carries all my stuff in it so I am currently hands free while running. It is super important to hydrate, especially on longer runs so this is a great solution. I like that the bottle is small enough so I wouldn't feel weighed down while carrying it.  It also features the strap so that it is on your hand, not so much like you are holding the bottle.  

3. Under Armour Women's Qualifier 1/2 Zip
Unfortunately, I live in an area that gets to experience all four seasons and it get cold around here.  We have days where you need the heat on in the morning and air conditioning in the afternoon.   I hate the feeling of bulk so this is a great way to get the warmth that I need without too many layers or being puffed up with a coat.  I like things to be snug to my body while running too. 

I am pretty basic when it comes to how I work out. I don't need the latest and greatest gadgets or things just to say that I have them.  I am always looking for ways to simplify and make it easier on myself.  The three things are just that.  I may have to put all three on my Christmas wish list....or weekend wish list. ;)

Disclaimer: I was not compensated or scripted for this post.  These are simply items that I have found that I am hoping to buy in the near future.  All opinions are my own. 





Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Staying on Track

Why is it always so hard to stick with something?  I have been trying to find a way to stay organized, on track and scheduled so that I can get everything that I need to get done, done.  I'd love to say that I did find that special trick to keeping it all together and that I am super organized now but I can't, ha.  I am still scatterbrained and not functioning to my best ability.


I am trying to simplify things and really only tackle the necessary things.  I am trying to volunteer myself less and focus on my priorities.  My family, my jobs and fun. I am trying to narrow down the list to things that work better for us and things that make my schedule easier.

I've changed my work schedule at both jobs so that I can spend more time with my kids and be there three days a week to see them as soon as they get home from school. That may not seem like a major thing to some people but to me, it is a very major thing. In order to do this, I had to reduce my days working at the gym down to two days a week and changed the hours that I work at the ice rink.  This means that I won't be able to do any of the classes at the gym that I love but I had to seek out what my real priorities are and I put my family first.

I plan on doing the T25 program to stay active and really focus on my fitness journey.  This will allow me to do short 25 minute workouts (with the husband) and target those areas that need work without spending an hour at the gym and having to figure out how to squeeze it into my schedule.

T25 Program
I've also learned to ask for help.  I've always been that person that has just done it all on her own and complained about it.  The reality was that I am a control freak and I wanted to do it all and be that super mom that could juggle it all.  That is, until I realized that I couldn't do it all.  I started asking for help with transporting to and from sports practices, with switching shifts at work and even having my husband do some pickups or dropoffs.  I've always just thought it was my responsibility and it is, but it's okay to ask others to help out.  It has saved me a ton of aggravation and headaches.  I am not super mom all the time, I'm okay with having that title part of the time. ;)

I'm just a part time super mom!


I still need to find that one perfect way to get all the information down and organized though.  I've seen the life planners, I've seen the bullet journals and they both seem like great ways to keep everything on track but I'm still not sure if those are the answer. 

In addition to all of that, I am trying to stay on track with my running and training for the half marathon that is now less than two months away!!  I've got a good foundation to my running but I need to stay on course with the mileage and consistency. I've had some small issues like severe cramping that has sidelined my weekday runs a bit.  I'm not running today so that my body can recover from another strange thing going on.  I have a strong fear that I won't be ready and I don't want to sabotage this.  I am hoping for a better time this year than last year's half so I am hungry for success.  I am thinking that maybe as soon as the routine gets in place, I will be in better shape to focus more on the training. We'll see though.  

What do you do to stay on track?  What are your best life organizing tips and tricks? Please share them with me!! ;)

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Sharing That Feeling

I've been lurking over at BeachBody for quite some time.  It has been most likely over a year since I started checking things out, reading up on their business, watching videos, infomercials, workouts, products and I decided to just jump in.  No, it wasn't a light decision.  I had thought long and hard why I would want to add something else to my plate.

I want to help others. I really do.  I know that my last post about helping others was about those in need.  People that are looking to get healthier, more fit, lose some weight, tone their muscles, slim down or just feel their best are in need too.  Most of the time, it is to feel better about themselves.  It is hard to look in the mirror and not like what you see.  I've been there, in fact, I am there right now.  I haven't been exercising like I used to, I've slacked off some. I'm not eating very healthy at all.

I can't make changes for anyone else other than myself.  I can support, encourage and be by their side, but I can't do it for them.  People need to want to change their lifestyles or habits.  I can be a guide.  I can be their cheerleader.  I can help them along their journey and that is just what I want to do.  I want to help others.

I am now a Beachbody Coach.  This means that I can be that person who gives you a daily reminder to do your best, to put that effort in, to be the shoulder to lean on when the day is rough and you really don't feel like exercising but need to vent, to just be there on both good days and bad days.  I want to help others.

This is a business, yes, I am going to make a commission from sales but that isn't what drove me. I already have 3 other jobs.  I am looking for a way to encourage others to be healthy and to be that driving force behind a smile.  A good feeling about themselves and determination go a very long way.

I will also be using the products, I want to be an example to others.  I am human, there are days when I do not want to be active.  I want to sit on the couch and eat those damn cookies.  I have done that....I may have done that two days ago.  Today is a new day.

I need to start over and change my ways.  For myself and for others.

Have you heard of BeachBody?  Do you want more information or want to try one of the products?  Just let me know.  I am thinking of trying out the Focus T25.  I thought that maybe Chuck and I could try it together.

Friday, August 1, 2014

Do Good and Good Will Come Your Way

I've heard this a few times and it has started to really resonate with me.  I want to do good for others, not because I feel like good will come my way but the way I feel when I know that I have helped someone in need is beyond measure.  I can't hold it in my hands, I can't put a monetary value on it or give it to anyone else.....it's pride, it's happiness, it's a full heart.

There are so many people that I want to help.  I am always looking for ways to help others and just this morning, my husband asked why I am always so into getting involved with donations, setting up fundraisers, etc. My answer was simple, "because I can."  That's all it takes.  I willing heart.

I know that there are a lot of charities out there.  There are millions of people in need and choosing whom and when to donate or volunteer can be overwhelming. I get it.

The Monkey Do Project is important to me because we are helping people in our own area that are living as though they are living in a third world country.  Some without electricity or heat.  Some with no food or water.  Yes, this is happening in our own country, only hours from where I live.

For some families, summer means that their children are not getting regular meals because school is not in session and they cannot afford to buy the food that the kids need.  The food banks are not flowing with food to give.  Children are going days without eating.

Here is a statistic from the Monkey Do Project that is shocking and sad.

6 OUT OF 7 AMERICAN SCHOOL CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMS WON’T HAVE ACCESS TO REGULAR MEALS DURING THE SUMMER
This is not okay.  We need to do better. We need to help those in need.  How can you help?  What can you do?

You can head over to the Monkey Do Project and make a donation, any amount is appreciated and we can help those families, those children to get the food and nutrition that they need.