Just for the Health of it

I touched on this today on my facebook page, but felt like I needed to keep the momentum of this discussion going.  More and more people in my age range (mid 30-early 40) are taking a more active approach to their own health and fitness and I think it is just AWESOME!  I mean, I think back 15 years ago to my early 20s and the crowd of smokers/drinkers/partiers I hung out with and was a part of, and I can't wrap my head around the fact that we are now the 5k, 10K, half-marathon crowd.  we are juicing and detoxing and working up a sweat.  It just makes me so damn happy and proud.  I mean, it seems like not too long ago our generation was written off as a bunch of slackers...no here we are changing the world fr the better and starting with ourselves!  We are more aware than I think even we ever thought we'd be.

Examples...my hubby and I, on and off the workout wagon for years, but in the past 6 months-year we have been pretty sticking to things....one of my besties for 20 years who guest posted here is not only an avid exerciser now, she is a Race Director for Susan G Komen...one of my hubby's friends from way back is training for his first half marathon (not even bothering with 5 or 10K just all in on the half), another friend has gotten SCUBA certified and dives frequently, and yet another hired himself a personal trainer to get it done.  Fellow parents are becoming Beach Body coaches, competing on Fitbit, doing 5Ks, taking Moms with Moves dance classes...its like an upsurge in fitness and it is just GREAT!

One of the best parts is seeing the trickle down effect to the kiddos.  Now that Momma and Dadoo both have fitbits, mini me wanted one (big girl is above such things haha)...one of my besties has one then her daughter wanted one.  She got it for her birthday and baby brother just got his for his birthday, if there dad sticks with the trainer, he may just get one for Fathers Day. :)  And it's the kids that are setting up the challenges...weekly and daily and they are busting their little butts to win.  My friends 9 year old is averaging 20K steps/day right now.  WHAT!!!

The kids want to do more too...they have asked about 5Ks, but they are all so busy with different activities already (dance, soccer, football, cheer).  We don't want to lose that excitement about being fit and healthy, so we are looking at options like virtual races, our friends at Level Up Runs can help you with that!  They have registration open RIGHT NOW for their Incredible Virtual Run which you can do on your own dime, in your own time.

The future seems so bright right now...I can't wait to see what these kids push us to do next!!!

Weight Off my Mind

Remember this guy...the one that had my heart breaking when he went missing and then 6 weeks later came home again!?!?  This cute little fur ball that I love so much?!?  Well, as of late this guy has been a bit of a stinker.  He LOVES to help Mommy get ready in the morning, so much so that he will stand out side of the bathroom door while I shower and call for me until I let him in.  He then proceeds to chatter away while I dress and get ready (as quickly as  I can due to his loudness).  All seems pretty cute and sweet right?  I mean, I think so, but the hubs...not so much.  After all, I get up at 530am and all this chit chat happens in our bathroom.  when hubs doesn't have to be up until 730....it's a touchy subject.  So I have had to rethink my morning routine some, and I have to say...I LOVE what I came up with, let me share.

I have this goal in my head for 2016...this is my year our year, for better health, smarter choices all around.  We are making changes everyday and I am seeing the benefits start to kick in, for example the chatty cat problem has actually been a win win overall.  I have been doing my best to get in at LEAST 30 minutes of cardio everyday.  Yep, that's right, I said EVERY day and it has been working.  I am running 3-4 days a week and have crossed over the 4 mile mark/run.  My distance has increased and I have cut 1 minute off my mile in three weeks.  Woo hoo!  I am also doing the Piyo by Beachbody 5-6 days a week. 

As someone who loves both yoga and Pilates, this workout is PERFECTION! It challenges me, gets a good amount of strength training in, and has enough variety that I can use it as cardio on off days with one of the longer workouts...or like last night do a shorter workout (lower body in 20 minutes, yes please) after a run and it REALLY helps to relax and stretch those tight running muscles. 

Ok, so the morning situation.  Since I get up at 530 NOT to workout but because that's what time I HAVE to get up to get my big girl up and off to school by 7, my workouts happen AFTER work.  Well, if I workout AFTER work, I need to shower after work...so that is what I have been doing.  If I know I have to shower at night, it makes me more apt to do that workout...and if I shower at night, there is no chatty kitty to wake the hubs in the morning.  I lay my clothes out in Mini Me's room the night before (as she snuggles with Dadoo once I am out of bed), and my makeup and hair stuff are all in the downstairs half bath now.  It actually allows me a little more time in the mornings too so I am not as rushed packing lunches and making breakfast. 

The other win out of this is that I have stopped obsessing about the numbers on the scale.  Our scale is in the master bathroom.  I had a habit of getting on it everyday....EVERY day, so each little fluctuation made me crazy.   So with this new routine, I am not near the scale so my on;y weigh in options are the weekends, I am relying on how my clothes fit ans how I feel the rest of the week. This has proven to be a good great thing too as I had been plateaued out for a while, and now with a few new changes (more workouts, so more carbs added back into my eating plan), I broke through and dropped another pound.  What a weight off my mind (and body).

I have also been back to my oil pulling 5 sometimes 6 days a week and I have to say...my teeth are whiter and my skin has a but more glow to it...it's probably a combination of everything, and I love it...so I know this is a plan we can stuck with for a while.

I HAVE added more carbs into my eating, but am making sure I am choosing healthy ones...more nuts and fruit...still avoiding pasta and breads and rices etc. 

So that is where I am right now.  Starting month 2 of 2016 strong and with a plan feels great!!!  Oh and in case you are wondering, this month's challenge is the wall sit challenge.  February is also going to have a GIVEAWAY so make sure you check back!