21 day fix....let the games begin!

the happiest of monday's to you all! i am currently pretending that i am wide awake and excited to take on the busiest of all days.  why would someone have back-to-back meetings, all day on a monday? no.thanks.

and no coffee this morning.  so that's why i am pretending to be awake ;) 

if you follow me on instragram, you've seen that the package arrived!  my 21 day fix program arrived and gave me a few days to read through the book and do some planning.  i was so excited and scared when i opened the box... lol.  because i'm kind of a wimp and although this plan helps take quite a bit of planning out of the process for you, there is still quite a bit of preparation involved and that was the part that made me the most nervous.  why?  because... fail to plan... plan to fail!

over the weekend was my chance to really sit down and start looking at the lists of foods and colored containers and really get a list going.  i used my planner and the "start here" booklet to write down all of the foods that i'd like to eat during the week this week.  let me just tell you, if you are in need of ideas for this plan, pinterest is your place! i'm amazed by all of the resources out there!

so saturday afternoon consisted of grocery list making and grocery shopping!

then it was off to the store with my little man in tow.  luckily our kroger has those great grocery carts with the cars on the front. i'm not sure how else i would have kept him busy while we walked through the store...for quite a bit..

it was quite a successful shopping afternoon and jackson was the best.  he was so good for me even though we were in the store for a long.time.  i have such a good little helper!

sunday during naptime was time to prep, prep, prep!!  and that's exactly what i (and todd!) did.  i documented my weight and all of my measurements (bleh!!!!)  and with the cooking prep, i browned the ground turkey, grilled all of the my southwestern chicken for the entire week, todd chopped up a few sweet potatoes for me and i roasted them in the oven.  i am now about 99% prepared for the week ahead!  i need to just double-check and re-pack my lunch and snacks in the evenings after dinner and i'll be all set for the next day.  obviously i'm not used to eating this way so i hope i can hack it! ;)  

next week i'll give you an update as to how the first 7 days go.  hopefully we'll already start to see some progress! tonight is my first workout. wish me luck!!

happy monday friends, how are you going to make this week an awesome one?!

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it's coming! the 21 day fix!

last week, i took a big leap and ordered the 21 day fix program via beachbody (and my new beachbody coach, megan!!)  i've been scouring the internet (found this awesome blog!) and pinterest and have found so, so much information on the program and honestly have read so many great reviews.  i've been looking into it for a couple of weeks on a daily basis. it was time to make the decision!

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my order is expected to arrive sometime wednesday evening and i'm starting to feel: scared/giddy/nervous/excited/nervous. lol

since i know the program will take some planning, i'm thinking i'll spend the next couple of days really reading through the materials and making plans.  that way saturday maybe jackson and i can hit up the grocery store and maybe in the evening i can meal prep for sunday and the rest of the week?  the idea sounds a little daunting but i know this is just what i need.  

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it is time to change some things, especially with my diet and i'm looking forward to switching up and trying some new exercises!

i'm really hoping to document the whole process and update how i'm doing each week.  i'm thinking that keeping track of my progress will help me to feel motivated and encouraged. plus, it might be nice to have something to look back on in the future if i'm in need of more motivation.  for that to happen, i'll really have to stick to it!

(if i start on june 15th, my day 21 is on july 5th. hmm. that means i have a bachelorette party, a father's day barbacue, and the 4th of july all taking place during my 21 day fix. things could get interesting!!! ugh)

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has anyone else out there tried this program or something similar? any tips or words of encouragement to get me through the next three weeks?! :)

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Motivation Monday - 10.14.2013

Oh Motivation Monday!  Although I only got in one short run last week, I was able to keep the level of activity up!  I've posted the last week according to my bodymedia armband.  

The view on my Tuesday afternoon "run". I only made it 0.66 miles before I had to stop and walk. I'm guessing a heart rate of 183 is a bit on the high side, no?  As much as I loved it, I think to get back in the groove of running, I should probably just hit the pavement solo.

This is where we ran.  This is just a few minutes away from our house and has a one mile(ish) loop around the "lake". It is actually so nice, and something more interesting to look at than houses through the neighborhood!

That is probably the most activity I've had (without actually completing a long run or some type of workout) in a LONG time.  That's what happens when you host a party at your house with several small children and close to 30 people! I loved every single minute and wish that was the kind of exercise I could get more often without actually working out!

And I'm kind of proud to say that I've really been tracking my food (good and bad) and have logged in to MFP for 30 days straight.  That is an accomplishment!  The only day I didn't log my food all day, was yesterday.  I was too exhausted from the previous week.  I needed a day to relax.  And that is exactly what I did :)

Goals for this week:

1. Try running (again) but this time without pushing an almost 30lbs toddler.

2. Keep on tracking my food and keep up with the calorie deficit.

3. Maybe (finally) give T25 a try? Now that I'm not party prepping every.single.evening.
4. Try evening walks with the boys and maybe even Bella (our dog). The weather is too nice to pass up!!

I hope we can all make it a very productive and active week!

Update!!

Because I'm totally lame... I forgot that I actually took photos on our little outing last week.  So... here they are.  He was the best running buddy.  If only I had the energy to actually run and push the stroller at the same time! 

My view as we were coming back to the car. So close...yet so far... I was ready!

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Motivation Monday - 10.07.2013

I forgot to weigh in this morning but I'm feeling pretty good.  I don't have high hopes for a weight loss although I did really, really well with tracking in MFP the entire week leading up to the weekend.  Monday - Friday I was all about it and under my calorie goal every single day. Friday night rolls around and we had dinner at our favorite Mexican food restaurant (again!) and Saturday was IKEA day (although it is the best, it does involve several hours of sitting in the car) and Chipotle for lunch and then pizza on Sunday.  

Luckily, doing laundry and running several errands helped me to keep my activity up yesterday.  This is the most activity I've had in awhile.  Now I just need to start running again.  I guess one thing at a time?

Ally and I are officially registered for the Drumstick Dash on November 28th so it is time to get my butt back in gear!  Once we do this race, that will be my 4th race in 2013. Woah.

To try and get myself back up and running (haha - lame) I am going to attempt this training plan once again.  I look forward to getting my mileage back up and feeling better!  Time to lace up those running shoes!

So if I I was to start the training program this week...this is how my running/training week will look:

Sunday: Rest or Easy Walk - CHECK!  I got plenty of steps yesterday!

Monday: Weight Training or Cross Training

Tuesday: Run 1 Mile

Wednesday: Weight Training or Cross Training

Thursday: Run 1 Mile

Friday:  Cross Train or Rest

Saturday:  Run 1.5 Miles

I better make sure my watch is charged up and ready to go... now to find a workout to do this evening!  Wish me luck!

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Motivation Monday - 09.30.2013

Where to begin?  Well, I have to be honest that there was zero exercise done last week. Sad but true.  I had intentions of doing some type of exercise and wearing my armband all week to track my progress.  At least part of that happened!  I consistently wore my BodyMedia armband for the entire week.  I tracked my food (good and bad) and even though my diet wasn't perfect.... I ended up down a pound.  Just need to keep my focus and try again this week.

Here's where I'm at today.  And although it is almost two hours later than the time I posted last time, I'm already in a better spot.  I'm trying to get up and get moving...that's the main goal.  Move my body and keep an eye on what I'm eating.  When I'm not eating right, I'm not feeling right.  So this last week was a great start and now I'm motivated to keep it going!

As I type this post, Todd is downstairs trying his first T25 workout.  I told him to try it out and let me know how it goes.  25 minutes a day isn't too bad, right?  And if I was able to complete a full month (maybe a week or two more) of Insanity, I should be able to do a 25 minute workout right?!  That's the idea anyway.  We'll see what he has to say. 

Also, a friend of mine that is now quite the runner was talking about a couple of upcoming races that she (we) should sign up for.  The Drumstick Dash on Thanksgiving day and the Santa Hustle Half Marathon on December 15th.  The thought of trying another half marathon is so tempting.  I'm not sure how training in the cold will be or training to run in the cold might be.  It sounds interesting.  At least you wouldn't have to worry about being too warm, right? ;)  PLUS, if you register for the Santa Hustle, they give you a shirt, beard and hat.  Why would anyone say no?

With all of that said... I am going to try and actually workout this week and think about these upcoming races.  If I decide that I'll try and run these races, I'll need to find another good half marathon training program.  So. Those are my goals this week.  Let's make it a good one!!

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Motivation Monday - 09.23.2013

Monday's are not typically my favorite day of the week.  Although at my previous job... I had "work-from-home-Monday" so that helped a little.  Although I am thrilled with my new job, any Monday is a little sweeter when spent working in your pajamas while sipping coffee at your own desk.  Sigh.  Oh well. I guess I'll survive!

This Monday started off with sleeping in a little (yay!) and breakfast with my little man. That helps set me up for a good day.  I'll take his smile and an extra hug and kiss anytime.  Especially since I normally leave so early in the morning, I usually miss out on any time with him.  So today was a good day!

After sending the boys off to school, it was time to get ready for my dentist appointment. Who makes a dentist appointment for first-thing Monday morning?  This girl.  Not only that, but I showed up to my appointment 20 minutes early after rushing out the door.  Well done.  Needless to say, it was a good morning!

On to something a little more positive...  Motivation for my Monday!  Recently I've realized that not running 3 days a week really does change a person.  I'm so used to moving that this "break" I've been taking is going to quickly start taking its toll.  It is time to whip myself back into shape!  Time to get moving again!  And it is also time to NOT eat whatever sounds good.  (Please disregard that after I drafted this post, I quickly sat down and inhaled several Oreo cookies with my husband.) 

So to get myself back on track and renew my motivation, I've broken out and charged up my old friend, the BodyMedia Armband.  This thing is amazing.  After having Jackson (almost two years ago, what?!) I wore this armband religiously while tracking my calorie intake and trying to get in some exercise.  I was able to lose quite a bit of weight (and keep it off!) and I didn't "diet" at all.  Ate what I wanted, just kept track of it.  Intake vs. Outtake.  I love it.  Pair the Armband with MyFitnessPal and you have a win-win situation.     

As of dinner, here's where I was with my data:

Now I just need to enter my Oreo intake and hope for the best.  I will quickly get back into the hang of it and not eat...all...the...food.  But today was a good start.  Here's to keeping myself accountable!

Another thing I really try to work at and improve:  Motivation to Work Out. I have NEVER been into fitness or sports. I am trying to change my mindset on this as well.  Physical activity is so good for you and makes you feel amazing.  I need this for myself and for my family.  So here are a few workouts that I've found on Pinterest (of course) that I am going to try and complete this week.  I'll try to follow-up with how they went.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!  

via POPSUGAR

via Back On Pointe

Here's to a great week!  

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