I had to be out of the house today, so I am working from Joe Muggs! It's fun to be able to work no matter where I am!!
I've got everything I need! Internet (check), chai latte (check), phone (check), list of things I need done (check)!!! My only problem today is that I didn't know that Joe Muggs charged for their internet use. I would've left, but I already had everything set up and just didn't feel like putting it all away and going somewhere else. BUT, NEXT TIME, I'll go to Starbucks. I picked Joe Muggs because it is less crowded and noisy. But, I won't pay again for the internet usage. Sorry Joe Muggs!
We had a GREAT time yesterday with the fam! Taco family dinner. Brian wanted to go out on a limb and try something new and different - he succeeded. Pulled pork tacos with coleslaw. They all loved them, he got the idea when we were in Branson in Oct. The kids all loved it. I stuck with my usual - soy meat and avocado and salsa, lettuce - just the basic taco!!
Madelyn ate all the sides - olives, tomatoes and chips with dip-dip (salsa). She's my kind of girl! She was having fun wearing mom's sunglasses and looked so cute with her pigtails!
Happy Valentine's Day or as my kids used to say, Happy Balentimes, mom! If you haven't gotten your sweetie a gift yet, try something simple and easy. Cook their favorite meal, make a mix tape (that is what Brian requested and got!), a nice massage, clean the kitchen after dinner, so many easy ways to please your partner that won't break the bank!
However, Brian, if you are reading: that ice maker would be the perfect gift :) HA HA HA!!!
Discussion: Do you go all out for Valentine's or do you prefer a low-key night? I love comments and I will respond, please leave one!!
I was asked recently - "how do you build endurance?"
Well, I am glad you asked. Here's my thoughts on the subject!!
When you first start working out, you may not be able to keep up or go as long as you think you should. This is completely normal! You have to start out slow and work up to the harder moves, longer runs, and gaining strength.
Go as hard as you can each and every time you work out! Constantly push yourself. Now, don't go so hard that you are feeling faint, sick or can't go on, but you know your limits and most people don't even come close to pushing it as hard as they can. Make your brain match your body!
Cross train! Don't do the same thing everyday. Your body gets used to what you are doing. You have to keep mixing it up. If you are doing a workout DVD, switch it up for a few days, try a different workout for a week. If you are on the treadmill, change the intensity, add in some "hills", walk/run longer. If you have reached a plauteau, then change it up.
Get your heart rate up! This goes along with going as hard as you can, but if you are only lifting weights, your heart rate won't be as high as if you are doing cardio. Mix it up! If you are walking, do bursts of light jogging or brisk walking. Don't get complacent. Change it up, push yourself.
Get your diet in order! You can't build up endurance drinking sodas and eating burgers and fries everyday. That will weigh your body down. Eat clean, whole foods, water, that is what is good for your body. Give your body the fuel it needs to do the job.
STRETCH! Your body needs to stretch, seriously. Your muscles will cooperate when they are happy! Stretching makes muscles happy. Yoga and stretching are so important. A quick, daily stretch will go a long way in increasing your endurance. Once a week, do a longer stretch or yoga routine, you will thank me for this one! This will cut down on muscle cramping, soreness and you will become more flexible.
Get a fitness buddy! You are more apt to push harder when you are working out with a friend. Most people go harder and longer when someone is with them. Work out together, encourage each other and push each other! Don't have a buddy? Take advantage of my online fitness coaching (it's free!!). Sign up here!
Dedication and commitment are KEY! Don't give up, keep working out daily or atleast follow your workout regiment. If you are sporadic with your workouts, your endurance will be slow in building. Keep going!
Discussion: What motivates you to keep going? To build your endurance?
I have had one of the most fun days I've had in a while. I have been with the girls today. We have laughed our heads off and my face hurt from smiling. The day is hardly over, tonight is date night with Brian! I know that I'll be laughing even more.
We started off the day shopping at Sam's. Found some fun things, got new pillows (we need these!!), some leggings and sweats and blackberries (random, I know) and then headed over to Joe Muggs for a quick, warm drink. Off to lunch after that and then to the local beauty supply store for hair color. The girls are all getting together tonight to color their hair. I have to miss out on this one, bummer.
Brian and I are going to celebrate Valentine's Day a little early. Too many people out (amatuers) on the ACTUAL DAY!!!! Dinner and then the casino for a while. Should be a blast!
Some great photos of the day so far:
I loved this!
Might be the largest icicle I've seen
So many funny stories, probably not as funny when written. The BS meter going off in my car, the largest icicle on the news, the hair color lady not being very helpful, and of course, the PILE of napkins the little girls had......
Are you a pill taker? I am not!
That is why I drink my Shakeology each and every day.
I want to get all the nutrients, but not have to take a handful of pills. I don't take a multi-vitamin on top of my shake, but I do take a few things, things I think EVERY person should take daily!
Vitamin D - (I take 4000 mg each day) is absolutely necessary for everyone in my opinion! I don't think people get enough and you can't get in the sun to get enough either.
Reduces your risk of 17 types of cancer
Regulates your immune system
linked to maintaining a healthy body weight
promotes healthy brain function
My personal observation - helps with muscle soreness
Core Omega 3 - Fish Oil. I love the Beachbody version. It smells like vanilla. Wish we had smell-o-vision.... No nasty after taste. I am waiting on my next shipment, I ran completely out! Brian and I both take it! This is important for all kinds of reasons:
Promotes healthy heart function
Promotes healthy blood pressure
Promotes healthy blood viscosity and cardiovascular health
Promotes healthy joints
Promotes healthy immune function
Promotes healthy brain and nerve function
Supports and maintains healthy retina and eye function
If I am feeling a little run down, then I will take the Herbal Immune Boost. This stuff is GOLDEN!
It does exactly what it says - boost your immune system. Good stuff!
Several people think that you don't have to supplement your diet if you are eating healthy. I really don't agree with that. Our soil is depeleted, the nutrients are not the same. The food is usually shipped in and will lose it's potency over time. I've even read that it is better to buy frozen if you are not buying locally.
You have to get a LOT of variety in your diet to get ALL the nutrients you need. I think if you eat a balanced diet without a lot of processed foods, you can use a multi-vitamin to supplement what you are missing. It won't hurt for sure! Do I think you need to take a handful of pills daily, NO! Do I think you are getting all your body needs in your diet? NO! I think there is a happy medium in there between eating raw fruits and veggies and whole grains, clean proteins and taking a shake a day vs. popping every kind of pill on the market.
Discussion: What is your take on vitamins? Take them or not?
I didn't get to post yesterday, I was so stinkin' busy getting ready for my trip. I got a LOT of work done, things all ready, packed and yet.... no trip today.
The view out my front door, the walkway was cleared when we went to bed last night - UGH!
I knew it was iffy with the weather forecast, but they couldn't possibly get it right on two occasions, right? WRONG! They were dead on again. It is snowing like crazy outside, flights are canceled, and I am NOT going to Chicago to the Chalene Johnson Social Media Training! I am so bummed, I've been up since 5:00 this morning watching the flights, the weather, the road conditions and anything else I could think of. BUT, all the watching didn't matter, it wasn't going to change a thing.
So, I had a quick little pity party for myself and now I am moving on with my day. Luckily, I got most of my work done. I can take my time today with my workouts, get caught up on my reading and audio. So, I'm sure it will still be a good day. I just won't be freezing in Chicago, I'll be freezing at home!
Fit Club last night was a blast. We did Slim Series - Firm it up! That one is killer. I am feeling it this morning! It is amazing to me that I can sweat as much with this workout as I do with my turbo workouts! Love it! I also LOVE Debbie Siebers. She is the nicest person.
If you want to start a Fit Club in your area, please contact me. It's a great way to stay on track with your own fitness journey, but you get to help your friends/family/community get healthy as well!
Be sure to check out my posts about my workout and health routine these days. I'm blogging daily about it here! Also, don't forget the message boards. Support and accountability. AND, I've created a closed accountability group on facebook. If you want to be a part of it, let me know and I'll tell you how to get involved!
Discussion: what is the weather like where you are today? Are you so over winter?
Ww had a great time yesterday at the super bowl party! Food was GREAT! Had a couple of drinks and then just enjoyed the evening!
Glad to just be around my family and friends!!
Allen and Brian dressed alike, isn't that sweet?
me and my boys!
can't go without one of these shots!
Me and Hermina
the girls!
the family room was full!
Lauren enjoyed her snow sno-cone! Blue tongue!
So, we all enjoyed the game. Several were cheering the Steelers, fewer for the Packers, but in the end, Brian was wanting the Pack to win because he had the right numbers for the pool!!! YAY! He won $125!!
Good times for everyone! I was disappointed in the Natioanl Anthem, Christina can really sing, but I think she over-sang it and I think she was more into the "runs" than remembering the lyrics. The commercials were so-so...... My favorite was the Doritos one where the guy sucked the cheese off the other guys fingers and mini Darth Vader. I thought the halftime show was pretty good. So sad that the sound guy messed up somewhat, but I enjoyed it. I was one of the only ones that did.....
Discussion: What did you think about the game and all the events?
I love football. Growing up, we ALWAYS watched the football games on Sundays. Never missed them! So, it is a tradition that has carried over to my house as well. My favorite team is the Kansas City Chiefs, I have loved them for years, through thick and thin! There's been quite a bit more thin than thick! So, I am excited for Superbowl 2011 today. Not as excited as I would be if the Chiefs had made it, but excited enough to have a big party! YAY! A reason to celebrate!!!
We are having friends over and it will be loads of fun! I'm cleaning and cooking this morning and then be ready for the big game! Brian LOVES the Steelers, so I think I'll be cheering on the Pack! Really, I like both teams and don't care which one wins!
I'm making a BIG pot of veggie chili, a "cheesy" dip (don't tell!!) and a veggie tray. One of our friends is going to cook the phesant that they hunters brought home from their last hunting trip and everyone else is bringing a dish as well. There will be GOOD food!
It's now time for a little truthful tell-all!
I have really not done well the last few weeks with my workouts or my eating. I've been watching what I eat somewhat, but probably eating more than I should. I thought I was ready to get back into my daily routine, but I didn't stick with it! So, when I got on the scale this morning, my eyes popped out of my head. It has caught up with me and FAST!
I have a bad relationship with the scale. Either I weigh several times per day or I don't weigh at all. Neither one is good. So, I'm bringing the scale back out. I need to, I have to know where I am. It's NOT PRETTY!!!!
Brian and I have decided that a little wager is in order so we can get back to our healthy habits. This should be fun. I think I might be in trouble though. Brian can lose weight easily if he really puts his mind to it. So, I am going to have to be extra diligent!
I'm going to be posting the good, the bad and the ugly all here for you to help me stay on track! I'm going to be doing Insanity ( I think, going to make my final decision today) and I'll post it all! Workouts, food and how I am feeling! I hope you don't mind, but I have to have the accountability! I need the fitness support!
We are going to Savannah in about a month and I think I need to be on track and in shape for that trip! I may have to put on a bathing suit.. That should be motivation enough...
Discussion: What is your motivation to stay on track, getting your workouts done and eating right?
