Come visit me ....

So I started this blog a few years ago to try & keep my workout life seperate from 'normal' life... but I have found out that my normal life can't be seperated from my workout life ... its all part of the same...

& I thought I would really focus in on health, fitness, running & working out here... but I see I have so much more to focus on...& I'll never be as awesome as most of you that run every day & do races every weekend.  I'm in awe of you - but I'll never be that blogger....

& with life being so hectic - one thing I'm focusing on in 2016 is to simplify things more... so for awhile, I am only going to be blogging at my Home blog...

JUST CLICK & come on over

I hope you all come visit me there.

I know that many that do visit here also come to my other blog... & if you haven't, know that I am a 5-day-er over there typically... not like here where I'm good to do once a month...so lots to read over there.

& I may actually devote one day specifically for a health/fitness/workout post on my home blog... so if that's the only thing you care to read about, then come visit me on that day (Probably going to be on Tuesdays)

... I'm leeaving this open because I dont want to let go fully here yet... I'm horrible at goodbyes anyways...

heck, I may end up posting again tomorrow... or maybe not...

but until then... you know where to find me :)

A good workout week

Look at last week....

I am patting myself on the back.  I did really well!

I almost did a yoga work out on Sunday to have every day marked, but ended up just saying forget it & enjoyed a evening on the couch knitting a cowl.  #oldladystatus

I love how much stronger I am feeling with the workouts.

I even upp'ed my weights to 7 lbs for the Upper Body Fix... & felt good with it.
I do always have to watch my shoulder & know which exercises I need to be careful with & maybe go down to 5 lbs for that arm, but I love the feeling of progress.

It has been so warm this past week too & I almost scraped the #fixmas thing happening to get outside & get in some walks or runs.... I just hate that its so dark by the time I get home & get changed.  By the time I got to a location to work out, it'd be dark.  That's depressing.  So, I stick with the plan.  That's OK.

I will admit - I have been slouching on the nutrition a bit with Christmas candy being EVERY WHERE in my house. I need to hide it.  Or tell the hubs to hurry & eat it all.  Its so easy to just pop in a little mini Reese's cup... a few times a day. UGH!  That adds up.  & I have my year end goal.

I need to dig in deep for self control. I can ignore the candy. I can...

I will.

So are you doing good working out during the Holiday season?

Any struggles with the Holiday Candy & yummies around?

Fixmas - week 1 ... & my first year end goal

Well it may be Wednesday but here it is anyways - last week's workouts.

As you can see, I'm back on the 21 Day Fix workout schedule for now.

There's a whole big event going on Facebook with over 56,000 people doing the 21 day Fix for December which leads right up to Christmas week.

This works out great for me since right after Christmas, I'll be getting my schedule all ready for Half Marathon training....

.... ohhhh - that excites me.

I love a good training schedule.  Something about it keeps me sane & calm knowing what I'm going to be doing 2 months down the road.

I have enjoyed the 21 Day Fix schedule again though.

Those workouts aren't no joke!

But look at me.. on one arm.. with a bad shoulder!

Progress baby... progress....

I may need to start adding in more cardio though on the days that are 'calmer' - like Pilates night - I need to burn some extra calories.

Great for the abs... not so great for the calorie burn

See, I have a goal.

My birthday is December 30th - close enough to year end... & I have a number in mind where I want to be for my first part of my weight loss.  I'm still 31 lbs... I want to be 35 lbs.  4 lbs to go... with only 2.5 weeks left.  I've actually had some weeks where I did loose 2 lbs each week so it IS possible... but I need to really be on check with everything...

... & its hard when we're running around more... & there's chocolate all in my house in Christmas decorations & easy to just walk by & grab.

This is temptation central right now...

4 lbs...

I can do this - right?

... & this isn't the end.  This is my FIRST goal.  The 2nd half comes when its time for my half marathon at the end of April... I want to have 25-30 lbs off by then... so I still have a long way to go...  but convinced I'll get there...

I can do this!

You doing any December Challenges?

Any Year end Goals?

Catching up...

I'm still alive! ... struggling through anyways.

I've been here & there with the Holidays kicking off, being on vacation, & fighting some dizziness & tooth pain  - because life always has to have some sort of dramatic effect happening, right?

But I've still been working out.

let's do the fastest recap in the world.

here's a little view of last week

I love I got a new wipe board that I can keep track of my weekly workouts.

I feel so fancy.

I was so happy when it was actually nice & warm on Thanksgiving where I could do a run for the Gone for the Run Virtual 5K

I hadn't run in the LONGEST...

& my knee still acted up.

Yes way...

UGHHHH!!!!!

There's that whole life & dramatic effect thing again I guess.

That was a tad discouraging because I already have my training schedule marked on a 2016 calendar for my half marathon in April.  I thought all the rest doing other exercises would have made my knee better.  Drats.

I'm not going to let it discourage me. I'll make adjustments.  Even if I have to walk the whole half marathon, I will... I'm doing it - no matter what.

But anyways - it did feel good to get 3.11 miles under me for Thanksgiving

... I totally signed up for this just because of the socks.

But it also earned me a piece of pumpkin pie... which I made... & was the most delicious thing I ate all Thanksgiving day!

How was your Thanksgiving?  

I've seen all the Turkey Trot posts - love it!

Hopefully I'll get back in the swing of things now that life is getting back into its groove

... & if you dont see me here for awhile, feel free to visit me over at Knit by God's Hand  

Cherish

... protect & care for (someone) lovingly

... hold (something) dear

... keep (a hope or ambition) in one's mind

I'm sorry - when I heard the word today to discuss, all I can think of is Kool & the Gang from the 80's

... is it true he wrote that for his dying wife?... I'll have to google that now.  That was the rumor when I was in middle school.  But middle school is also the time full of made up drama.

Is anyone else singing it now in their head?

... cherish the love...

So much to cherish in life.
All the people we love - all the memories we have.

Kool & the Gang was onto something....

For me when it comes to myself & fitness though, I think of every day - how much it is something to cherish to have the ability to move & function & to have the means to try & take care of myself.

I know when I'm sick & I can't work out, or my schedule is so busy that I do good to get 'life' done, much less getting in a good sweat - its those moments that I really realize how much I cherish being able to work out - to make myself healthier & stronger.

It's something we should never take for granted....

it is a blessing to be able to move, to sweat, to push ourselves to be a better you.

& now I'm off to cherish memories of my 8th grade dance with Kool & the Gang playing in the background

... keep enough room for Jesus in the middle...

#SweatPink - Favorite Strength Moves

So yesterday was amazing here with all the visitors for the Blog Hop.

I hope I didn't scare anyone away & fingers crossed I have some new blog friends.

I love blog friends.

but back to ordinary life.

& today I'm talking about favorite strengthening moves.

I've always been a cardio girl. I've talked about this before. I feel like the heart has to pump for it to be considered a great workout...

but I've also learned that isn't true.

The things you learn as you grow older.

I have so many stinkin' injuries & aches & pains that I have to be careful in strengthening moves, but still love them.  Especially when I can see the results.

Like I can see some muscles in my quads lately

& I really love when I can up my weights on some upper body moves.

Progress.  That's what its all about.

Some of my favorite moves.

Squats

Good ole basic squats.  It works the whole lower body & I love them.  I love to see how many it takes before it feels like my legs are jello.  That's sorta messed up but I know other people that enjoy fitness & health are giving me a mental high five.

The weird thing about squats?  I can do them no problem with my knees.  Now, give me lunges & I'm ready to cry in pain. It hurts when I have to make my knees separate.... so I'm glad I can do squats pain free.

Inner Thigh Criss Cross

Loosing weight, I'm finding that my inner thighs are getting really REALLY loose.  Like gross loose. I used to love working my inner thighs & am taking a whole new obsession with them since all this shaking is happening.  This is one of my favorite moves. I can remember doing it in Jazzercise & feeling the burn.  I actually have to do it with bent knees because ... well... bad knees is my middle name.  But it still works with bent knees.  Believe me.

Shoulder raises

I can always remember watching Bravo show with the trainer Jackie Warner on it & she would talk about when she trained her stars for the red carpet, the first thing is always the shoulders because it gives the impression of a small waist.  These things stick in my head.  But I love basic shoulder raises.  Forward & side.  Now again - with shoulder injury, I have to be careful & the side raises are more dangerous for me then the front, but I love doing these - especially front raises all the time.

Bicycle for Abs

I love this move. It works the whole ab area for me & I really love when working the abs, something that works the obliques.  Again, I've always heard it said, the more your obliques are toned, the smaller your waist is.  I hold valuable information in my head when I need to.  & keeping that head up works the core anyways so this is a full ab workout that I love to do.  I'll even just do a few during commercials.

These are just a few of my favs.... 

what are some of your favorite strength moves you like to do?

All are welcome!!!

.... OK - so my title just totally reminded me of the movie Poltergist.

I blame ABC Family for playing it during Halloween & bringing back flashbacks of a childhood of the 80s when the movie really freaked me out - but now I see how corny the special effects were.

But that little lady's voice still does kinda chill me to the bone...

What am I talking about?

I got side tracked!

Today is my day & I'm talking about Poltergist?

I love so much where Kristy from Runaway Bridal Planner set up a Grow Your Blog bloghop... I love finding new blogs & getting to know people so I'm thrilled to be a part of it.

& today is my designated day where you get to meet me & learn a little about me....
If you've been here awhile, this is all probably old news to you - or you may find out something new about me... & for those who are visiting for the first time?  Yep, all are welcome!  (I couldn't resist doing it again... DANG YOU HALLOWEEN MOVIE-THON)

So far, I guess you can tell, I'm windy & could talk for days.
& kinda get side tracked & walk to a beat of my own drum

But just take it all as a lover of life....

On the serious side, this here blog is just basically my journey on health & fitness.

Fun facts about me in the fastest method possible....

*This is what I look like - not really Jennifer Aniston

* I swore I'd never run
* ... until I did my first race at 37 years old
* My first race was a half marathon
* I nearly died (wish I were joking)
* I crossed the finish line & swore I'd do it right the next year
* I beat my time by nearly an hour the next year
* I love running now!

That was quick & fun, right?

But I love all things fitness.

I just love the idea of taking care of myself the best way possible.  Which means so many things - exercise, nutrition, mentally in the game... it all counts.

Let's do another fun fact rundown....

* I gave up Diet Cokes after being a total addict
* I also gave up meat 5 years ago & could never at anything that breaths air again
* I have recently lost 30 lbs using 21 Day Fix plan
* I am just half way where I want to be in my weight loss
* I am a Beauty & the Beast freak & am convinced we are one in the same & I'll convince everyone that its true someday

* I also love ALL things Disney #nevergrowup
* I usually do posts labeled {DL} that just stands for "Daily Life" & just like to keep a health journal here
* I am a wife & have stepdaughters & 3 grandsons
* I hate medicine & will do anything as natural as I can
* I have so many injuries & issues with my body, its crazy - but I keep PRESSING ON!
* Yes, my dogs are like my children to me

* Most importantly - I love Jesus & am so thankful for His mercy & grace - its the most important thing to me in my life.
* The name of my blog is from my life verse in the Bible - Phil 3:13-14

... did I mention that I could talk for days?

I wont let this post go on for days - I promise...

But I just wanted to give you a quick look at who I am... just an ordinary gal... someone who has good days & bad days... your new blog buddy!

Be sure to stop back by & see where life has taken me for my Daily Life - I'll try not to be so awkward & windy

... & I'll be sure to join in on your life adventures.

I want to go to Old Navy right now!

I have to say, ever since I have found my camo leggings at Old Navy -  I'm obsessed with them.  I have 2 different pairs & love to alternate them.

So now I'm hooked on Old Navy workout clothes. I actually just went back in & got a new shirt this weekend as well...

I'm not being compensated in any way - I'm just posting what I like... the latest things they have

Here are some of my favorites....

Patterned Compression Leggings

How stinkin' cute are these leggings?  I love the pop of color but they still have a lot of black to keep that 'trim' thing going on.  These are sale right now for $25.00 too!

Leg-Graphic Compression Leggings

I'm for anything with motivational words on it.  & you don't usually see words on your legs. I may have to order these STAT because right now, they are on clearance for $12.00!  Heck, I spend $12.00 on one trip to Starbucks!

Go Warm Long Sleeve Tea

With the cold air coming in, I love anything that has the name "Go-Warm" in it.  This looks so comfy.  I think Old Navy is known for really soft & comfy shirts - thats why I always go back to them.  I bet this one is pretty nice. & this one is only $15.00 right now too! ... (my cart is filling as I type)

Medium Support Racerback Sports Bra

I know bra's are a sticky issue with everyone because it all depends on the support you need. But I love this one - again, with the words of motivation - even if they are on my boobs.  I'll take it.  I have a few Old Navy bras & they really seem to hold up well after lots of wear & tear.

Sweater-Fleece Vest

Another $15.00 bargain happening right now.  I think vests are my favorite thing to wear when running outside.  They keep my chest warm but gives me some moving room in my arms.  Heck, I wear these vests on a normal weekend day with my jeans. To me, they are always perfect to throw on.

Graphic Tank

I actually have this tank in 2 other colors - but I love how thin it is when working out indoors - or on really hot summer days - & I love the cut on the shoulders.  Makes your shoulders looks broader & more toned. I'll take any piece of clothing that makes me look better & more toned.  Plus, its $9.00... I buy pajamas for more money then that

Fleece Cowl-Neck Tunic

I am in love.  First of all, the cowl neck!  & the zipper on the side?  & pocket in the front?  Yep... I want this!  & its $20.00!!! ... this really would be a great weekend wear as well as putting on to go to the gym or putting on when you get those chills after working out.  They have a beautiful teal color one too.

Which one of these is your favorite?

Do you like Old Navy's workout line?

{DL} I blame Jane Fonda....

Monday ... it was rainy & cold.  The way Monday should look actually.

I was excited to see what my workout called for in his new Hybrid T25/P90X3 series.  Every day is something new & a new way to work my body...

& Monday was about P90X3 Dynamix

I hadn't ever done this video before so I was excited to see what it was.

YAWNNNNNN

No, they're not sleeping - they are actually working out.

I have to say, this whole "not blowing your heart out cardio" is new for me.

I always felt like working out meant getting the heart pumping, the blood flowing.  Why bother if you aren't going to burn any calories.

I blame Jane Fonda & her leg warmers & the unitard.  Yes, I have those workouts - totally on VHS tapes... & they still are fun to do every now & then.

Talk about a #ThrowbackThursday!

I think one Thursday, we need to start a movement to do 80's workout videos.

y'all... I totally have this video & even can hum the song they are doing this too

OK - I got side tracked here...

But I have to say, these workouts & most of the Beachbody programs, they have these workouts in the middle of them.  Workouts that are about stretching the body, working on conditioning moves more then cardio based moves.  Pilates.  Yoga. Ones like this that you do a lot of moves on the floor where my heart rate doesn't even get out of the range that it does when I'm watching TV.

But, I'm learning that this is part of building a stronger body.

It's taking me a bit to learn this... & I still have a mini panic attack when I hit my Polar at the end of it & see I only burned 160 calories in 30 minutes ... but again, my goal is to have no pain - stronger knees - no issues with my back.  To get this, its going to take some full body work - including stretches & conditioning. 

Its OK if my calorie count isn't out of the roof - right?

I mean, if you eat healthy during a day anyways, its not going to hurt you to take care of the body more then pound on the joints & jump & burpee away for a day.

At least that's what I'm telling myself.

We shall see.

Just call me Cardio Girl.

OK - I just googled "Cardio Girl" & there's T-shirts already made
... you really can find anything on the internet...

Weekly Wrap ... P90X3 & T25 took over my life

Joining in with the ladies to see how my week went - especially since I am on week 1 of the Hybrid workout of P90X3 & T25 in the goal of becoming awesome... isn't that the goal of every workout plan?

Yeah baby!



Monday - Total Synergistic

I havent done these workouts in such a long time & forgot that some pretty simple, basic moves, can kick my butt with just a simple add in of weights.


Tuesday -  Speed 1.0

I always love a good fast paced cardio workout.  This one is great because it has actual stretches built into the workout.  Who doesnt want that?


Wednesday - P90X3 The Challenge 

Basically nothing but upper body - full of chest presses & push ups.  My arms were pretty much spaghetti noodles at the end.  I would love to be able to one day get a pull up bar & to do the full blown moves... & then my bicep tendon laughs at me & tells me to dream on.  Never say never is all I can say back.


Thursday - T25 Lower Focus

Picture says it all.  It just kills me to do leg day.  My quads were shaking like a wimp.  It's just always hard for me to do a lot of these with my bum knees... but I'm hoping the stronger my legs get, the better my knees. A whole circle of life in the knee sense happening here.


Friday - Rest day

Which was a good thing since my legs were basically not moving at full capacity anyways.


Saturday - P90X3 CVX

This really is my favorite work out in the P90X3 series - my kind of speed - its aerobics done with weights.  My shoulders are crying while my heart is bursting... yeah baby - just the way I like it.


Sunday - Rest Day
No working out but it was a good day of walking all day long at stores & keeping pace with my husband. That is technically a workout in itself with Mr. Long Legs....

So my first week going into the Hybrid Fight Club workout was a success. I totally felt it all over. I just need these knees to heal up.  I see the end of the year getting closer & closer. I want to head into my half marathon training in the best shape ever.

Let me rephrase that.....I WILL be in the best shape ever!

Friday Funny

"You're trying to get me arrested"

This is great...

if you ever tried Kale Chips or Kombucha for the first time, you'll appreciate this

I should be on the show The Originals

OK... am I the only 40-something person that still fan girls over these things?

Yep, I started off as a Vampire Diaries gal - which I still watch faithfully -#TeamDamon #always - & when The Originals came on, I was hooked on that as well.  Because as much as I love Damon, I am more of a Elijah type of girl. 

#TeamElijah #foreverandalways

What the heck am I even talking about?

Well, on The Originals, one of the original vampires is 'special' - he's a hybrid.  He's both a vampire & a werewolf.  Told you - special.

But that's all I keep thinking of now since I started my new workout program that is going to take me through 2015.

I found on Pinterest a hybrid of a program that alternates P90X3 & T25 for 12 weeks....

Pinterest - the place where you can find pretty much anything.

This will take me right through the time till I need to start my next half marathon training.

I think it will be good for my knees to get a break ... & of course, it is always helpful to build some strength & muscles & get a little more toned up.

I'm excited about it....

something new - something to work the body differently - a plan.

I like a good plan.  I NEED a plan in my life.  My days laid out for me.

& who knows - maybe it will make me feel as tough as a vampire and werewolf combined ....

I'm still around... even a little less of me (YEAH!!)

OK - it's been dark here on the blog for the past week.

I was on vacation....

YAHOOO!!!!!

We actually had plans to do some things, but life threw some other things our way & none of the to-do-list got any check marks... except one - I did get to clean my closet. 

oh well.  I still didn't have to go into work.  Still a win win.

But while on vacation, we also got to celebrate our 20 year anniversary.

Proof that I CAN get a little waist
... I'll get there again...

2 decades.  That blows my mind.

It has gone so fast...

On the fitness front, I decided to just take the week off from working out.  My knee is in such extreme pain discomfort that I thought it would be good for it anyways & heck, its vacation.  Who wants to worry about working out on vacation?

OK... all you people that find gyms when you travel on vacation? I applaud you. I've learned that is not me. I dont even want to work out in my own home where its convenient when I'm on vacation.

Blame the knee.

Always blame the knee in my case.

& on the nutrition front, I knew I didn't want to miss any opportunity to enjoy life.  Like, on our anniversary, yes, I did have some carrot cake. Not much - I kept the reigns in my hand - but I did enjoy life a little more then I usually do.

It was as good as it looked.... amazing!

& then at the end of the week, I thought, let's see the damage.  Let me weigh in.

I expected to see a little bit of a gain on the scale with no working out - with the nutrition not being spot on...

& then got on the scale to see that I reached the 30 lb mark

WHAT?!?!?!?!?

YES YES YES YES YES YES

Talk about a feeling of happiness!

I don't think there is anything better then expecting the number on the scale to go up & seeing it drop - 2.5 lbs at that for the week!

I will say, while I did eat a little more then I probably usually do, I did stay very aware of what I was eating - I did stay below my calories for the day.  Yes, even on the days I had the carrot cake...

& apparently, it still worked out - even with the exercise being on hold.

That's so encouraging to me...

gives me an extra boost to really watch my food more then anything.

But I have to say, I was pretty dang happy to put on my workout clothes yesterday & get back to it.

& yes, my knee still wasn't happy about working out, but I'm taking it slow - knowing that any extra strength training is only going to help my knee... & keep that number going down even more.