Blog of the Week and MORE vacation (is it possible)

Ellen Barrett Fusion Fitness



 

I am feeling the love this week!  As I said on Monday, the hubs got hit the motivation button and we are a go!  I started with my fav workout by Ellen Barrett, Fat Burning Pilates, it was like welcoming home an old friend.  I was a bit disgusted with how out of shape I have let myself become, but at the same time was flying high afterwards!  Gotta love those endorphins!!  I was "feeling the burn" yesterday when I woke up, but was still so happy I had done it.  I decided to ease myself back in with an every other day schedule, so yesterday it was.  Now Tuesdays in my house are a mess.  My girls come home from school then my oldest has her riding lesson from 5-6 and soccer from 615-8 (we are late to soccer), what this means for mini me is hanging with mom or dad from 5-6 and PLAYGROUND from 615-8.  Well, the hubs has 1 more week before his students come back so he was able to take the big girl to riding leaving me a big open time slot...what to do, what to do????  Mini me needed a snack to refuel after pre-k and get ready for the playground so I got her some water and grapes and asked her if Mommy could workout while she snacked and played on the computer. She was agreeable as long as I added more grapes to her bowl first so it was set. :)  I hit that FBP workout again and was SO happy I did!  Got a workout, a shower then we were off to meet Dadoo and Sissy at soccer (aka playground) and then we sent Dadoo home to workout while I waited for practice to end.  Win-win!! 

 

After everyone was in bed I decided to scan the Ellen Barrett site for more videos...and found her blog.  She is an amazing teacher and I love her DVD's so imagine how excited I was to  find that she has a blog with a good collection of workout vlogs on it!  Yet again win-win!!  If you like working out in the privacy of your own home (as I do most of the time), and are looking for a workout that will trim and tone you without the instructor being too over the top, I highly recommend you check out Ellen's site!

 

This resurgence in motivation ties in well to the second leg of our vacation too.  Mini me loves, I mean LOVES the beach!  So we thought it would be nice to spend a day at the ocean and celebrate in the sand with the girls!  We had found a few nice looking beaches (at least on their websites) not too far from DC.  After researching a bit and talking to friends we decided to take the girls to Bethany Beach in Delaware.  We had SO much fun!  It was perfect weather, about 80 with a nice breeze off the ocean.  It was crowded but not too crowded, we were able to set up our blanket right up towards the edge of the water so we had plenty of sand for castle building and were able to run back and forth to get water.  This gloriously relaxing day at the beach made us stop and consider a beach vacation for next year.  Both the girls had fun, the hubs and I got to just stop and chill, it was so nice.  We are always so busy on our vacations that we need a vacation from vacation by the end.  Since coming home we have debated postponing next year's trip to Disney World a year and maybe renting a place at a beach for a week...we have friends that do it and we could go the same time as them so the kids could all hang together some.  This is our driving force of motivation right now...a week of parading around in our bathing suits...literally, I haven't felt this strongly about a goal since I was engaged.  I don't' needed to be "wedding dress" fit but I could be tighter and toner in areas...this could be a great way to make a life style change (since we have a year to work on it). 

 

OOOHHHH and if you have a chance to go to Bethany, make sure you stop and check out Grotto's for lunch.  YUMMY!!  My finicky 11 year old declared them having the worlds best fries!!  We had pizza, fried, wings and salad...all VERY good!!

 

 

 

Summer Sneak Ins

There comes a point every summer when I go to button a pair of shorts and laugh sadly as they pull a bit.  I have to laugh because what else can I do.  Since we were young girls we had the idea of summer perfection drilled into our heads right?!?!  I mean, think about all of the magazines on the stands around March promising to get you that "Beach Ready Body" by summer.  All those tag lines "it's not too late," "8 weeks to go," "6 week crunch," etc.  I laugh because I find more motivation to workout when I am buried in my comfy flannel pj pants and hoodies in the dead of winter then I do in the summer.  Now don't get me wrong, I do what I can when I can...but summer is hard for us.

We are blessed with the fact that my husband's schedules allows for him to be home during the day with the girls in the summer, and he goes in and works basically afternoon shift once I get home.  We both get lots of QT with the kids, we save on no daycare or camp costs, but it makes it hard to find that "me" time for working out.  I try to sneak things in when I can...like little bear has been my assistant dog walker and when I have the pup on the leash I can't pick her up and carry her...she has to walk the whole thing.  It's just over half a mile, not too much...but for a 3 year old I think it is pretty good.  The pup and I have been doing it every morning for the past two weeks...and have been going for  2nd walk in the evenings a few times too.  I also talked them into doing the Call Me Maybe squat challenge, but I want to finds more things that we can do together.  I don't worry as much about my big girl because she does horse back riding once a week and plays soccer on two teams.  She also swims a TON in the summer (which helps make up for the month off from soccer).  Little Bear is moving up to a new dance class this year...a full hour once a week of ballet and tap combined.  I'm SO excited, and she says she is going to try soccer again...we shall see.  Dadoo and I are also planning to put her in swim lessons this year, and all of these things are great but I want to find something, some sort of physical activity that we can do together...or all 4 of us as a family once our schedules go back to school times. 

 

What are some things that you do as a family or couple or in a group that you recommend?

 

Do YOU believe in miracles?!?!

This movie ALWAYS makes me cry.  Not in a sad weepy way, but in that "Oh my sweet word the inspiration and awesomeness of it all" way.  I get to the end and as the boys tie up the big game I can feel my nerves get tense (even though I know the outcome) and just wait to see the big finish and then I realize there are tears streaming down my face.  I love this story of the underdog, the groups that finally pulls it together and unifies as one to accomplish their goal.  In today's trying times, I wish there were more inspirational stories to rally America.  But regardless of the country as a whole, I took this as another nudge from the universe.

This weekend had  a lot of "a ha" moments in it for me.  Friday I took my girls to get their pictures taken and was able to slide in on a few and for the first time in a long time, when I saw a few of the proofs I was happy.  I even looked at one and thought "Not too shabby."  Then on Saturday I took Baby bear to a birthday party.  Later I saw a pic where I was in the background and had to double take because as I was looking at the kids on the bench, I noticed myself in the background and actually thought "those legs are starting to reshape nicely" (thanks again Pop Pilates)!!  At the beach yesterday (a place I am starting to really love going with the fam but always dread the actually wearing of the bathing suit) I caught myself checking out the other beach goers and realized I am actually6 looking pretty OK for 35.  Add all these little things up and then ice them with Miracle being on TV and it felt like another  sign from the Universe.  Any of you who have been following me for a while know that I have had these epiphanies and pushes before, and always try and take them to heart.  I can reach my goals!  I DO believe in  miracles, and lets be honest making workouts and healthy eating a priority REALLY isn't a miracle, it should be a give in, am I right or am I right?!?!

So now an action plan...time to get back in the saddle.  Where to start.  The pop pilates is good for workouts when crunched for time, I REALLY want to get back into my Ellen Barrett DVD's too, and I think it may be time to really try and hit the running trails.  There is a 5K I was invited to do in October...I should be able to get ready by then, right?

Any workouts you rec?

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary my dear readers!  Today we celebrate a year together on this strange and sometimes crazy journey!  I share today with you as it is because of you that I continue to come back and challenge myself.  It is because of you that I refuse to give up.  It is because of you (and the fam) that I am grateful for all that I have accomplished over the past year.

I have been thinking about what to write in today's blog for sometime.  What are the things that are most important?  What goals did I hit in the past year?  What goals did I miss?  Then I re-read that very first blog post, Bring it on 2012!, and it occurred to me, that was never the REAL point to this blog.  I said it myself, " I will measure them in terms of good and better...failure is not an option.  I am a work in progress."  In my heart, I truly believe that 2012 was not just good, it was GREAT! 

In my first year of blogging I have been lucky enough to have some of you not just read a post or two, but to look forward enough to my crazy ramblings that you even follow this blog.  AWESOME! I have found some other great blogs to follow myself and draw inspiration from, and had the opportunity to guest blog for a dear old friend on No Thanks to Cake.    I have kept with my healthy choices (for the most part).  There are ups and downs in every situation, but the ups are certainly more prevalent then the downs for me...even overcoming the slump from surgery that could have been my undoing.  A few years ago, it would have been.  Three weeks off my feet would have been the end of an motivation I had built up.  But I can honestly say that I made promises to you and to myself, and I had no intention of letting either of us down.

This blog is something that was just for me, then as I became more confident it started to become more.  I started to want people to read it.  I sent my link to people to make sure they did read it.  I hoped they would.  I started to hope they would share it.  I open my blog and get such a kick out of seeing the "followers" number slowly climb. 

With this in mind, my goal for 2013 is to continue building on what I have started.  To continue to focus on my health and the health of my family; to continue to make fitness a priority for all of us, and to continue to build confidence in this blog.  I have some ideas cooking up...and hope that you do too. 

What are some things you'd like to see from Waits and Measure(ment)s this year?  what are some challenges you'd like to make to me?  Let's not WAIT to see how far we can go! 

Where's My Cape?

So, how many of you want to conquer everything but just dont' have the hours in the day or the stamina to do it all?  I am constantly jealous of my BFF who is a stay at home mom.  Her house is always clean, her scrapbooks are all caught up, she works out when she wants to...I WANT THAT!  But, my situation is not the same as hers...I work full time and my children are in more activities then hers and life is just different for the two of us.  I dont' begrudge her anything, I just wish I had a cape some days and the superhero ability to do it all.

This comes on the heels of a weekend in which , yes I indulged a bit, but not in excess as far as I thought...yet the scale seemed to think otherwise.  I was SHOCKED this morning when I got on the scale...shocked I say.  My hubs always tells me that I have to move the scale around and check a few times and take the "average" because our calibration is sometimes sub-par...but this was not just a calibration issue.  This was a full on assault of the numbers.  I mean, wow.  WTH! 

I have been feeling "doughy" lately, as that is the only word that seems suitable.  But I had a great week at the gym...well, two weeks ago.  I know I need to be better, and should have been building oin that momentum and moving onward and upward last week, but schedules and need for sleep got the better of me.  I even was at a point where I was craving comfort style food and embraced that in my cooking last week (although, I am SUPER proud of my version of beef stroganoff that I made).

So, this morning when I saw those numbers staring back at me I knew it was time to take charge and jump start this body of mine.  First plan of attack, I made myself a sensible breakfast.  I made 2 eggs to start my day off with a burst of protein and had a small glass of OJ.  I even went through the cabinet and got my vitamins out to hopefully help kick my sleepiness.  I made sure to log everything with myfitnesspal.com (something I have also been slacking in) and packed a sensible lunch with controlled portions.  It's a start.  I am hoping that the hubs gets out of work early enough to relieve me at soccer practice and maybe I can even get a workout in tonight.  I may need to think about getting up earlier and trying to workout before work.  It just means I will be going to bed earlier...which means getting the little one to bed earlier...so that is actually a good thing, right?!?!  I still need to find time though where I can have some QT with the hubs.  Where is that cape again????

So my request to you is to help keep me going, keep me challenged.  I am going to make sure I have time each day to "come clean" to you...or sing my own praises...hopefully more of the latter.  I need to get back on track so I can start feeling good about myself again.  When I feel good, I can see my positive energy radiate out through my kiddos and husband and it makes the world a brighter place, well, my world anyways. 

With that being said...what is your challenge to me this week?  I am going to ask you to help me.  Be more than just my inspiration and source of accountability...be my virtual trainers and chefs.  I implore you!!

Now for a little Friend Making Monday, even I need something a little lighter after all that :)

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Uniquely You

1) Do you prefer to talk or text? Lately I would say I prefer to text, as I can do it anywhere and feel like I’ve been running all the time from activity to activity.

2) How often do you make your bed? I make it every day, but generally after work.  When I leave in the morning for work everyone in my house is asleep…so one of the things I do after work is make beds….absolutely makes the room look better.  If my youngest is in my bed when I leave, I will go make her bed so as to feel like at least 1 room is pulled together.  I have that fear of someone wanting to stop by for a surprise visit and get a whole house tour…not sure whey!

3) What sounds do you hear right now? The water cooler in my office and the keyboard as I type.

4) List three things that you always carry with you. Pictures of my kids, my iPhone and my lipstick.

5) What are your favorite TV shows? While my TV time is limited to what I tape and watch when I can…I do have a few guilty pleasure shows…Drop Dead Diva, Grey’s Anatomy, The Office, Bones and Pretty Little Liars.

6) Is there a hobby that you’d like to devote more time to? If so, what is it?  I wish I had more time (and funds) to scrapbook the way I’d like to.  I also want to learn to knit (properly), crochet and sew.

7) What is your favorite drink? Cherry Coke Zero.

8) Share a couple of cool facts about your family. My girls look exactly alike at age markers (meaning my 3 year old looks just like my 11 year old did at 3), my husband is just as much of a neat freak as me, I try to talk to my mom and dad a few times a week and although he may not know it, if something were to ever happen to my husband and me my little brother is the person I would want to take over care of my children.

9) List one thing that you will do for yourself today. Get back on track!

10) Share something that you’re thankful for today. My family, as I am every day.  I am a very lucky girl!

Now it's your turn to answer this week's questions! Don't forget to come back and link up in the comments. And try to say something to someone new this week. There are some pretty cool people connected here. Happy Monday, friends!

Monday Madness

My sweet 3 year old
 

Well, for starters this fine Monday morning...I can officially say I am the mom of a 3 year old.  She had the best weekend ever!  It was a busy one, but an amazing one!  We started off with a soccer game Friday night for my oldest and a thrown together party at the coach's house after with all the kids!  SO fun!  Saturday morning the birthday baby woke up singing "today is my party day" and helped me start on the decorations before dance class.  We had a Tinkerbell fairy extravaganza.

the cake...yummo!
 

some of the festive decor

Daddo and big sister did the table decor, made and hung some fabulous fairy posters, and had banners hung all around.  Birthday girl and I did balloons.  She has been talking about balloons since her sister's party a few weeks ago.  Did you know that there is a national helium shortage and you can't get helium right now?  We have our own tank and couldn't get it topped off due to the shortage.  We had just enough to make her happy.  Sad to think that this may be the last birthday with floating balloons.  I also made some balloon flowers (thank you Pinterest).   Had ANOTHER soccer game Saturday before the party too.  Crazy, busy day.

Sunday was the actual birthday and we celebrated by doing one of my most favorite fall activities...APPLE PICKING!  I love going to the orchard and picking fresh apples.  We even got a few raspberries this year as well.  What made the timing of this so perfect as well is that I have a friend who I have known for many years, and thanks to the world wide web, we have been able to re-connect over the past few years.  I have mentioned hr here many times before, it's my dear friend Kelly from No Thanks To Cake.  Kelly is having a wonderful family vacation right now before heading off to Fitbloggin 2012 and she asked me a few weeks ago to write a guest blog on her site.  I was THRILLED!  It is my first "guest blogger" experience and I certainly hope it won't be my last.  Anyways, I digress.  When I sat down to write my post for NTTC, I automatically went to my fav fall thing...the apples and birthdays!  I had a blast watching the kids climb and pick yesterday, and if you have an extra minute...check out my post, Seasons Change, To Cake today...and check out the whole site if you haven't yet.  It is Fabulous with a capital FAB! 

my wonderful family at the orchard...by far the best "pick" of the day

 



So that brings us to Monday!  Woke up feeling great after a great weekend with the fam...and started it with a 7am Zumba class.  This class was awesome!  I have taken Zumba classes before and they have left me feeling good, but not always like I had gotten the most from the workout.  Maybe because the classes were so large?  not really sure, but today there was only 6 of us and the instructor was the best one I've had yet.  After and hour I was feeling the burn and dripping with sweat.  I loved it!  It's been a while since I felt that challenged.  I am so excited to see what the other classes I'm scheduled to take are like.  I may mix it up a little more and take this instructors other Zumba class later in the week instead of Tai Chi...but haven't decided yet.  I'll keep you posted though for sure. 

So to recap, successful birthday weekend, apple picking, guest blogging, and great workout...what's missing this crazy Monday, well of course my Friend Making Monday update.  Here you go...and here's to an amazing week for all of us!  Can't wait to see what kind of updates I get on Friday for Feel Good Friday...I am already making my list. 

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

Blog Stuff

1. Have you ever met anyone through your blog that led to an in-person friendship/relationship? Haven’t met anyone through the blog, but started mine off of the inspiration of someone I already knew.

2. Most bloggers have a specific niche. What would you discuss if it didn’t seem inappropriate on your blog? Certain family dynamics (in-laws and ex’s).

3. If you could meet three bloggers, who would they be? Not sure…I read a few daily…In have already met Kelly from No Thanks To Cake (have known her for MANY years), but would love a reunion!  I think it would be great to meet you Kenlie!  I love reading your blog!  I also wouldn’t mind a face to face with Gina at SkinnyTaste!

4. If you had to choose between Facebook or Twitter which one would you choose? Facebook…hands down.  I haven’t really delved into Twitter yet, so it’s still a foreign concept to me.

5. Do you vlog (video blog?) Not yet J

6. How many blogs do you read on an average day? Most days probably 2-3, sometimes more, sometimes less.  Depends on what is happening during the day.

7. What is the coolest thing that you’ve seen online recently? Another soccer mom I am friends with has a blog Joan Satow where she showcases her artwork, and recently she has posted some BEAUTIFUL pieces of our town.  I just love it!

8. If you gave your blog a new name what would it be? I’m not sure…that will take some pondering.

9. Have you ever attended a blog conference like Fitbloggin? If not, would you? I haven’t, but I think it would be fun to get out and connect IRL with other bloggers, and meet some of my faves!

10. In the past I have asked why you blog. Now I want to know why you read blogs? What do you take from it? Advice, support, ideas.  It’s a safe space where you can interact with people with common goals and not worry about distance or time zones. 

Have a great week everyone!!

 



Jump Start

I got an email this week that made me VERY happy.  Once again, thank you Universe for interceding.  Both my husband and I work in the wonderful world of academia.  This has many perks; college tuition for the kids...CHECK, flexible work hours...CHECK, fancy college gym facilities at our disposal...CHECK.  At first, I was intimated at the idea of going to the gym where I work...imaging throngs of hard bodied, young college kids everywhere reminding me that age keeps marching over me, but I was pleasantly surprised. 

The university I work at has a free college rec center (my normal workout location of choice) but also has a fancy gym you can buy a membership to.  The fancy-pants members only gym offers a wide range of classes, has a smoothie bar, and has excellent equipment (proof that they USE those memberships fees wisely).  It's super nice, but spending that kind of money each month when I have access to two free gyms is silly to me.  A few times a year though, it's like Christmas for the workout community.  A few times a year, the fancy gym offers a week long open house with access to all of the classes, facilities for the entire week for FREE!!  I have mentioned the fab freebie before, and was SO excited to see that email! 

I tend to take the free classes when they are offered, then I can try things I may not normally try...and also squeeze in a few tried and true classics.  So, without further delay...here is my class lien up for next week:

Monday: Zumba! (bright and early at 7am)

 

Tuesday: Yoga (a personal fav)

 

Wednesday: Qigong/Tai Chi (what?!?!  Not sure, but it sounds interesting)

 

Thursday: Barre Fitness (showing off my Mom and Me dance skills :)

 

Friday: Cardio Muscle   (ending the week with a bang)

I am psyched!  Has anyone tried some of these?  I am very intrigued by the Qigong.  Never even heard of it...I have done Tai Chi before, so I am hoping for the best.

What are some of your favorite workout classes?

 

Oh Universe...you're talking to ME?!?!

     Have you ever had one of those days where you think the universe really is noticing you and trying to get a point across.  I just mentioned the other day how cyclical I am in my motivation.  I find something and latch on 110% and then other things tend to fall to the wayside.  Well today, the universe gave me a push in the right direction.  I was EXHAUSTED last night after work and was actually hoping that the hubs was going to take the little one to soccer practice for the big one.  I thought, if he does that I can try and muster up the energy to work out.  By the time he got home, he looked even more tired than I felt...so guess who ended up at practice with a 2 year old in tow.  That's right, this girl.
     It worked out well for him though because he got a nap in, made dinner and then when I was ready to crash, he stayed up and HE worked out.  (I had mentioned the workout idea, and I'm glad at least 1 of us got to do it).  Anyways, this morning I was starting to feel that nudge of guilt again for having gone SO long without a workout.  I get it world, I should be working out and I;m not and I feel bad about it.  I will try and get it together.
     Then, I open up my google reader today and find a post from an old friend (old as in from childhood, not age...we are fabulously young still if you ask me) all about staying motivated.  It's even called Staying Motivated, it doesn't get more clear cut then that.  Thanks universe...the self induced guilt was good, but this pushes me a bit more.  I get it!
     Next, yes next...I get an email update from Fitness Magazine where the subject line is: Outsmart your Inner Slacker.  Really?!?!  As if the subject line wasn't enough of a giant billboard telling me I've been lazy, the contents are 12 steps to get going-many of which I already know!  Roger that universe!  I hear you, 10-4 good buddy! 
     Needless to say, I will be sure to make time tonight to get in some sort of workout, even if it's just a walk around the neighborhood with the hubs and kiddo, or a bike ride, or one of my actual workout DVD's...I will do it.  I'm actually a bit afraid of what might happen if I don't. :)