Monday Musings

Happy Monday, Y'all!

I hope you had a lovely weekend...mine was not too shabby...

I kicked it off with Race for the Cure (here's me looking super-pumped super-early in the morning that day):

And before you go thinking my outfit was boring...take a look at these super-cute argyle socks:

I set out with the goal to beat my best time for a 5K (which was 33-34 min - I know, I'm pretty awful with running, but working on it!) Well, I did just that...I used my RunKeeper app the whole time and based on that (haven't seen my official time chip results yet), I ran the race in 30-31 min. I feel proud of myself to have improved my running this year...it's a big deal to me to shave off even a measly couple of minutes. Anytime I wanted to walk, I was able to mentally push myself forward and keep running. That has always been the hardest part for me. I hope to break into the 20s next time - maybe for the Turkey Day Run? I am still in training for my upcoming half marathon, and this was a great confidence booster.

The rest of Saturday was pretty low-key...I got some housework done, played with my boys - Breckin and I even snuck away for a quick bike ride - and then we all made S'mores around the firepit in the evening.

Oh, but wait - I did go from this:

to this:

Oh yes, chocolate-y dark brown hair prevails for fall and winter!

Sunday was a work day - boo. But thankfully my weekend shifts end at 1:30 so the day was not completely wasted. When I got home, we decided to head for an early afternoon dinner at Los Arcos - I was so in need of a margarita...and some quality time with my boys...

Gotta love these soon-to-be 7yo expressions we get in pics now!

Here's to a happy week! xoxo

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Sunday Freakin' Funday

Oh it's Sunday...and I'm at work. Hope your day is going a lot better than mine.

 

I tried to convince my husband of this:

 

 

 

But so far it's obviously not working.

 

In other news, I ran the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on Daniel Island yesterday and it went great. Getting excited for my big race in January. Hope y'all are having a splendid little weekend! xoxo

 

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Race for the Cure

I've got my first 5K since, OMG, I think since I ran the Cooper River Bridge 10K Run in the spring, tomorrow. Wow, it's been too long since I've participated in a race event! There's been a lot going on and a lot of weekends I've had to work...but I've got plenty of these race events planned over the next few months!

So tomorrow is the big Race for the Cure event on Daniel Island. I love this race and participate every year. Who doesn't love pink?

Is there a Race for the Cure event in your locale? Do you participate?

This year I am running for my aunt, who found out she had breast cancer early last year. She almost immediately went in for a mastectomy. They scanned her afterward and found no cancer, but suggested she do chemotherapy anyway just to be sure that it was all gone. She lost her hair...I saw her for the first time since 2007 in August and she was doing her last treatment. She's been doing well...and has returned to work for the FBI. I pray that she stays well and never battles cancer again.

From Left: My Grandma, My Mom, Me, My Aunt Diane {August 2012}

I will be posting my race stats soon...my goal is a 30 min 5K...and I know I can push through without walking any of it because I ran that entire 10K for my first ever one last spring. xoxo

Make The Most of Your Routine

I strive to find a little time each day to dedicate to fitness. And knowing how hard it is to carve out that time, I want to make sure I am making the most of it. My workout needs to be effective and worth the effort I put into it. I make a point of not "phoning" it in.

Here are some tips I have for making the most of your exercise routine:

1. Change it up and often. I would say that the biggest game-changer for your fitness routine is making sure to keep from plateauing. You need to switch it up. I see so many of the same people at the gym doing the same things over and over. It's like their body is coasting...5 miles on the treadmill {check}, abs {check}...and so on and so forth. A great rule of thumb is to change things up every two weeks. Especially with strength-training. This may simply be adding in more weight/reps, or trying a completely new exercise for the muscle group you work. I found a book a few years back that changed my fitness routine forever and highly recommend it - The Body Sculpting Bible For Women. It taught me what my routine needs to entail in order to be effective. Keep those muscles guessing...and you will see better results.

2. HIIT. Another effective way to keep from plateauing is high-intensity interval training {HIIT}. This is a form of workout that keeps your heart rate high while switching off and on from different forms of cardio/strength moves that for the most part use your entire body {think Insanity}. It's also a great form of workout when you are short on time...these quick bursts of intensity keep that metabolism high and burning calories long after your workout is done.

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3. Focus on one or two muscle groups per workout {strength-training}. I don't like to be all over the place when strength-training. I find it best to focus on one big or two smaller groups of muscles per workout. If I jump from arms to legs all the time, I'm not sufficiently tearing down those muscles enough to rebuild and tone them. When you focus on a single {or two smaller} group{s}, you are able to tear down the muscles...and afterward provide sufficient recovery via rest {wait 48 hrs to work the muscle group again} and nutrients to rebuild them...which brings me to my next tip:

4. Simple Carb + Protein after each workout. You have to refuel your body with the right nutrients post-workout to rebuild what you just tore down. This is the best method I have learned. Great examples of this type of post-workout snack would be - chocolate milk, fruit protein smoothie, string cheese + fruit, nuts + fruit, etc. Your simple carbs are sugars - try to get those from something like fruit, not candy...and then any protein source - nuts, eggs, cheese, lean meat, whey protein, etc.

5. Aim to workout 5-6 days per week. An ideal workout includes a focused strength-training workout {one large or two smaller groups as described above} and at least 30 minutes of cardio. Here's an example of the workout schedule I try to follow and rotate week to week:

Day 1: Legs/Glutes, Cardio - Elliptical 30 min
Day 2: Shoulders/Biceps, Cardio - Treadmill 30 min
Day 3: Back, Cardio - Elliptical 30 min
Day 4: Legs/Glutes {I work these twice a week}, Cardio - Treadmill 30 min or a Spin Class
Day 5: Chest/Triceps, Cardio - Elliptical 30 min

And I just keep on rotating those, while maybe adding in a barre class, outdoor running, etc. in place of something else to keep mixing it up. One rest day a week is important...and always listen to your body.

Do you have any tips of your own for making the most of your workout routine? I would love to hear them!

Need a Couple Days...

Hey y'all! A lot has been going on lately between family, work and all of the fall goings-on around these parts...

I could create some quickie crap posts, but I don't really want to do that to you...you deserve better than that.

Just a lot jumbled up in this head of mine and need a couple of days to clear it out, get some fresh ideas and also just spend time with my family without being blog-headed.

I do have some posts lined up to go at www.i-heartfitness.blogspot.com - so head over there to get some fitness inspiration while I'm out. xoxo.

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Just Grin & Barre It...

I am in love with barre class.

You may have heard of this fitness method - places such as the Bar Method and Physique 57 have really helped bring it to the mainstream in the world of health and fitness. It's claim to fame is that the exercises help you achieve dancer-esque body status - you know, long, lean and tone muscles.

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I danced for so many years and I'd love to look a lot more like a dancer again. These classes are training muscles I haven't utilized in years. It is definitely challenging - but what is challenging is what transforms you.

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Be warned - this is not like the dance classes you may remember taking as a little girl {though I remember those being quite strenuous as well, especially during competition season}. These classes use balls, bands, weights and likely some muscles you didn't even know existed.




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I always look forward to my next class.

See you at the barre.

World Run Day 2012

I think this is absolutely one of the coolest running events I've ever heard of. Anyone in the USA can participate. YOU choose the location you run. YOU choose the distance you run. YOU JUST RUN.

Go to www.runday.com to register and have your name and location included in the participant list on their website. You will get a t-shirt and a bib number mailed to you. You will also receive instructions for uploading your photos and running stats after the event.

View this video for more information:

 

World Run Day is Sunday, November 11th, 2012

I am definitely in. I am currently in training for my first ever half marathon coming up in January and according to my training plan, I will be due a 7-mile run on this particular weekend. Normally, my long runs during training are slated for Saturdays, but I will also be participating in the Old Village 5K Run on November 10th, so I will flip-flop my usual Sunday 3-miler and do that on Saturday {a 5K is 3.1 miles} and do my long run on Run Day.

So are you in? Head over there and sign up! Do you have a great idea for a nice place to run in your local area? How many miles are you going to aim to complete? Happy running!

Trend Watch: Leopard Scarf

1/2/3

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Monday Musings

Welcome to another Monday! Truth be told, I don't even feel the difference because I worked all weekend anyway!

That being said, not a whole heck of a lot happened this weekend. Hubby went hunting shortly after I got home from my Saturday work shift, so I took the boys to Tazi Bites & Blends for dinner {I was not feeling the itch to cook}. I love that place, they serve healthy wraps and smoothies...and I even got myself a shot of wheatgrass. Tastes like you mowed a lawn with your mouth, but oh-so-good for you. Tanner and Breckin enjoyed the P.B.S. (Peanut butter, Banana, Strawberry) wrap.

Despite the lack of goings-on this weekend, I do have a wonderful announcement for you:

I have reopened my health and fitness blog, i-Heart Fitness, and it goes live TODAY! So pretty please hop on over there and consider becoming a follower. I hope you'll find it a great source for health and fitness information and inspiration. xoxo.

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Dirty 30 Bucket List Update - 1/2 Year To Go

I am 6 months away from {gulp} 30. {Note to Hubby if you are reading [which you aren't]: Start planning my party!}

I created this bucket list 3 months ago and shared it here with you...time for a little update...{basically not a ton has changed, I just desperately needed to publicize it again so as to hopefully light a fire under my ass.} So here it is:

1. Run a Half Marathon {Scheduled for October 21st, 2012 in Myrtle Beach} Common sense came upon me and I realized that training for this during July/August/September in the South when I'm not already a seasoned runner is just plain cray-cray. I've still got the goal and just re-started my training on 10/1 to run the Charleston 1/2 Marathon in January.
2. Start Selling My Art - seriously need to find the time to paint because I really want to do this. I have been seeking inspiration lately and plan to get going with my first collection hopefully in time for Christmas.
3. Take a Stab at Photography {and get a nice DSLR camera} & Start a Portfolio - Plan to purchase DSLR in December...lots o' dollars coming my way soon. Yippee!
4. Lose 15 lbs - Um yeah, still working on this.
5. Take a Long Weekend Getaway - Just Hubby & Me
6. Take Jake & The Boys to Idaho to Visit My Family {Happening 7/21-8/8!}
7. Finish Redecorating the House - Work in progress, but a lot accomplished since this list was first made!
8. Start {and Keep} A Vegetable/Fruit Garden - Spring plans...
9. Take My Sons to Pick Up Litter on the Beach
10. Rediscover My Inner Dancer and Take Classes Again - Have been hitting barre, but need to dance!
11. Find the Courage to Sing in Front of a Group of People
12. Volunteer at My Church
13. Start Training for a Full Marathon {and maybe run one if I'm ready and can find one before my birthday} - I need to get the half done in January...then start working toward this.
14. Have My Blog Reach 1,000+ Followers {You can help me with this one! Spread the love!}
15. Take A Cooking Class
16. Take a Girls' Weekend Trip
17. Complete a Round of Insanity - Did like 1/4 of a round a few weeks back...started again this week.
18. Complete a Round of Insanity: Asylum Vol. 1 - Will have to finish #17 first.
19. Get a Family Pet That Tanner Can Learn to Care For We got some fish (8)! And just got a new Siberian Husky {which I have to care for, Tanner helps}
20. Take the Boys to LegoLand - In planning stage
21. Find the Courage to Let Go of the Clothes in My Closet I Truly Don't Need Anymore - Garage sale last weekend!
22. Give My Husband a Wonderful 35th Birthday
23. Quit Drinking Diet Rockstars/Energy Drinks - I don't want to talk about it. #failingmiserably
24. Take a "Brothers" Picture of Tanner & Breckin At Least Once A Month
25. Get Professional Family Pictures Taken {Preferably Once in the Fall & Again in Spring}
26. Open an IRA {Don't worry, Hubby does have an account through USCG! I'd just like to help out too.}
27. Start a Ladies Fitness Group/Boot Camp - Got the Facebook Group for other Lowcountry gals started, but need to do some meeting up!
28. Find a Hairstyle/Color that I Love and Can Maintain
29. Monetize My Blog
30. Find out I'm preggers with #3...? {This is a big maybe, but definitely want it to happen by 30 if it's going to!}

So, some of this is date-specific, which is out of my control, but there are a few other things I've lost sight of since I created this, so I'm glad I pulled it back out so I can get myself in check. Hope to come back in another 3 months with a {more accomplished} update!

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