Week 1 of the Tone It Up Bikini Series was a SUCCESS! I stayed on top of my goals {for the most part} and am still looking forward to the next 7 weeks.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Week in Review - 4/30
I was going write a whole post on my goals for the Bikini Series, but since I haven't done that yet, I'm just going to share them in this post.
Week 1 of the Tone It Up Bikini Series was a SUCCESS! I stayed on top of my goals {for the most part} and am still looking forward to the next 7 weeks.
Week 1 of the Tone It Up Bikini Series was a SUCCESS! I stayed on top of my goals {for the most part} and am still looking forward to the next 7 weeks.
Sunday, April 23, 2017
Week in Review - 4/23
The Tone It Up Bikini Series starts tomorrow! I'm EXCITED!!
I've got breakfasts prepped and ready to go.
I've got lunches prepped and ready to go.
I've got snacks prepped and ready to go.
I'm a little worried about dinners, but I think I'll be OK. Dinners are a little harder because I have to think of what Jeff likes instead of only what I like. :)
But first, let's talk about this past week. A little slow to get started, but I finished pretty strong!
I've got breakfasts prepped and ready to go.
I've got lunches prepped and ready to go.
I've got snacks prepped and ready to go.
I'm a little worried about dinners, but I think I'll be OK. Dinners are a little harder because I have to think of what Jeff likes instead of only what I like. :)
But first, let's talk about this past week. A little slow to get started, but I finished pretty strong!
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Running Mistakes: Proper Fueling
This week's topic for Tuesdays on the Run is Foolish Running Mistakes.
A perfect chance to revisit 5 lessons from running I haven't learned. Yeah, 2 1/2 years later, and I am still making most of these mistakes - not fueling properly, not running at a good time of day, forgetting sunscreen or BodyGlide, and not stretching.
Today, I'd like to talk a little more about the first lesson I still haven't learned.
As a runner, I can get too focused on pounding the pavement or trails.
Too focused on pace and speed work.
Too focused on getting it done.
Too focused on the physical aspects of being a runner.
I sometimes forget about the importance of fueling my body properly.
Raise your hand if you've ever...
Yep. Yep. And Yep.
I know I'm not the only one who raised her hand for each of these.
We've all heard the sayings - You can't outrun a bad diet and Weight loss takes place 80% in the kitchen and 20% in the gym.
But it's hard to remember that, at least it is for me.
It's not all about the calories, but more about making good food choices. Good food choices increase your energy, promote muscle growth, and aid in muscle repair.
Focus on eating nutrient-rich foods, like fruits and veggies.
And protein. Lots of protein.
Focus less on fats, added sugars, and empty calories. You'll feel stronger, have more energy, and overall perform better.
Here is an amazing list of 15 of the best foods for Runners from Runner's World magazine.
It's the essence of life, right? Not only is it more than 50% of our bodies, we use it for everything! To drink {obvs}, to cook, to grow our food, etc, etc, etc.
Think of water as your body's transportation system - everything flows a little better when it's fueled properly.
The first thing I think of when I think of the importance of drinking water is that it flushes out toxins, but there are so many more benefits! It also helps to regulate body temperature. It increases energy levels. It helps prevent cramps and sprains.
Pretty much everything works better when it's well hydrated.
This is something I constantly struggle with. If you do as well, you may find these 5 tips on how to drink more water helpful.
Sleep is all too often the forgotten fuel. Skimping on sleep can derail you - even if you have your nutrition and hydration in check. Your body requires sleep to rejuvenate, restore, and repair. As runners, we are hard on our bodies physically, so we need a bit more sleep than the average person.
We hear so much about Stage 4 of sleep, REM Sleep, but most of the good stuff happens in Stage 3, Restorative Sleep. Aiming for 8-10 hours of sleep each night, on a regular schedule, will help restore and repair your body so you can perform better!
Sometimes good sleep is out of our control. Like, the night before a race. I don't know about you, but I'm usually filled with all kinds of excitement & anxiety that prevent me from getting a good night's sleep. Don't sweat it! As long as you've been sleeping well in the days and weeks leading up to the race, you'll probably be fine and headed towards that shiny PR. Check out this article from Casper for even more tips on how athletes use sleep.
If you're having trouble sleeping, make sure you consider all of that factors that help provide a good night's sleep. Is your mattress old? A good mattress will help you get the sleep that your body deserves!
Who really has the time for an extra hour or so of sleep? YOU DO! If you make time for your run and strength training and everything else, you need to make time for proper REST as well.
Don't think of REST as a bad word.
Think of it the same way you think of food and water - FUEL!
It's A-OK if you need to skip a workout or run occasionally to catch up on some ZZZs. In the long run, your body will thank you for it and perform better on the next one.
I'm far from a perfect runner and I often need to remind myself of the importance of properly fueling my body with good food, nutrition, and sleep. It's important to remember it's not just about logging those miles.
Like this post? Please consider sharing.
Tweet
Do you hate the idea of rest, or do you embrace it?
What is your most common foolish running mistake?
How many hours of sleep do you average a night?
I'm linking up with Marcia, Patty, and Erika for Tuesday's on the Run.
*This post was inspired by Casper but researched and written by me. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Please note I am not a registered nutritionist or health professional.
A perfect chance to revisit 5 lessons from running I haven't learned. Yeah, 2 1/2 years later, and I am still making most of these mistakes - not fueling properly, not running at a good time of day, forgetting sunscreen or BodyGlide, and not stretching.
Today, I'd like to talk a little more about the first lesson I still haven't learned.
PROPER FUELING.
As a runner, I can get too focused on pounding the pavement or trails.
Too focused on pace and speed work.
Too focused on getting it done.
Too focused on the physical aspects of being a runner.
I sometimes forget about the importance of fueling my body properly.
Raise your hand if you've ever...
- ~ Eaten poorly the night before a race or a long run (or even a short run)
- ~ Drank too much {alcohol} or too little {water}
- ~ Stayed up too late or got up too early
Yep. Yep. And Yep.
I know I'm not the only one who raised her hand for each of these.
Good nutrition, hydration, and sleep are essential for all athletes - even the most casual of runners.
FOOD
We've all heard the sayings - You can't outrun a bad diet and Weight loss takes place 80% in the kitchen and 20% in the gym.
But it's hard to remember that, at least it is for me.
It's not all about the calories, but more about making good food choices. Good food choices increase your energy, promote muscle growth, and aid in muscle repair.
Focus on eating nutrient-rich foods, like fruits and veggies.
And protein. Lots of protein.
Focus less on fats, added sugars, and empty calories. You'll feel stronger, have more energy, and overall perform better.
Here is an amazing list of 15 of the best foods for Runners from Runner's World magazine.
WATER
It's the essence of life, right? Not only is it more than 50% of our bodies, we use it for everything! To drink {obvs}, to cook, to grow our food, etc, etc, etc.
Think of water as your body's transportation system - everything flows a little better when it's fueled properly.
The first thing I think of when I think of the importance of drinking water is that it flushes out toxins, but there are so many more benefits! It also helps to regulate body temperature. It increases energy levels. It helps prevent cramps and sprains.
Pretty much everything works better when it's well hydrated.
This is something I constantly struggle with. If you do as well, you may find these 5 tips on how to drink more water helpful.
SLEEP
Sleep is all too often the forgotten fuel. Skimping on sleep can derail you - even if you have your nutrition and hydration in check. Your body requires sleep to rejuvenate, restore, and repair. As runners, we are hard on our bodies physically, so we need a bit more sleep than the average person.
We hear so much about Stage 4 of sleep, REM Sleep, but most of the good stuff happens in Stage 3, Restorative Sleep. Aiming for 8-10 hours of sleep each night, on a regular schedule, will help restore and repair your body so you can perform better!
Consistent bouts of good sleep will also reduce the risk of injury. What runner doesn't dream of that?
Sometimes good sleep is out of our control. Like, the night before a race. I don't know about you, but I'm usually filled with all kinds of excitement & anxiety that prevent me from getting a good night's sleep. Don't sweat it! As long as you've been sleeping well in the days and weeks leading up to the race, you'll probably be fine and headed towards that shiny PR. Check out this article from Casper for even more tips on how athletes use sleep.
If you're having trouble sleeping, make sure you consider all of that factors that help provide a good night's sleep. Is your mattress old? A good mattress will help you get the sleep that your body deserves!
Who really has the time for an extra hour or so of sleep? YOU DO! If you make time for your run and strength training and everything else, you need to make time for proper REST as well.
Don't think of REST as a bad word.
Think of it the same way you think of food and water - FUEL!
It's A-OK if you need to skip a workout or run occasionally to catch up on some ZZZs. In the long run, your body will thank you for it and perform better on the next one.
I'm far from a perfect runner and I often need to remind myself of the importance of properly fueling my body with good food, nutrition, and sleep. It's important to remember it's not just about logging those miles.
Like this post? Please consider sharing.
Tweet
Do you hate the idea of rest, or do you embrace it?
What is your most common foolish running mistake?
How many hours of sleep do you average a night?
I'm linking up with Marcia, Patty, and Erika for Tuesday's on the Run.
Please note I am not a registered nutritionist or health professional.
Sunday, April 16, 2017
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day!
Did you know that April 12th (today) is National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day?
A delicious grilled cheese sandwich is one of the best comfort foods out there! I don't know about you, but I definitely love me a good grilled cheese. So quick. So easy. So delicious!
Think a grilled cheese sandwich is just for kids? Think again.
Here are a few ways to Grow Up your next grilled cheese sandwich.
A delicious grilled cheese sandwich is one of the best comfort foods out there! I don't know about you, but I definitely love me a good grilled cheese. So quick. So easy. So delicious!
Think a grilled cheese sandwich is just for kids? Think again.
Here are a few ways to Grow Up your next grilled cheese sandwich.
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Week in Review - 4/09
Happy Sunday! How was your first full week of April? Work was a little crazy for me, but everything else was pretty good! I'm excited for the rest of the month.
Since I'm not currently training for anything in particular, I'm switching up the format for my weekly review posts.
Since I'm not currently training for anything in particular, I'm switching up the format for my weekly review posts.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
March Report Card
Something happened in March. Well, a lot of things. Things I didn't handle well - mentally, emotionally, physically. It's kind of hard to describe, and I'm not sure I want to publicly.
It was mostly a silent struggle. No one else probably even knew I was struggling. I kept it all bottled inside and struggled to get out of my head. It started out as just an emotional struggle, but it definitely seeped into my physical life as well.
I just felt off.
In my head. In my body.
Even lounging after work in my favorite chair was off. And walking down the hallway at work. Despite all the yoga I was doing, I felt out of alignment. Like, I couldn't sit or stand straight. It was weird. And frustrating.
Somehow, I was still able to keep up with most of my workouts, and most of my goals are still on track, but it was a real struggle.
I'm ready to put March behind me. I'm ready to get my mind and body back in order.
It was mostly a silent struggle. No one else probably even knew I was struggling. I kept it all bottled inside and struggled to get out of my head. It started out as just an emotional struggle, but it definitely seeped into my physical life as well.
I just felt off.
In my head. In my body.
Even lounging after work in my favorite chair was off. And walking down the hallway at work. Despite all the yoga I was doing, I felt out of alignment. Like, I couldn't sit or stand straight. It was weird. And frustrating.
Somehow, I was still able to keep up with most of my workouts, and most of my goals are still on track, but it was a real struggle.
I'm ready to put March behind me. I'm ready to get my mind and body back in order.
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Week in Review - 4/02
March is over, and I'm not really sad to see it go. Nothing too crazy this final week of March - just trying to make it through. :-)
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Ultimate Coffee Date - April 2017
Happy April!!
It's a new month, which means it's time for the Ultimate Coffee Date!
March ended up being a really difficult month for me, emotionally, but I think I'm ready to pull myself out of my pity party - starting with catching up with all of YOU.
If we were having coffee today, I would tell you that back in 1997 I graduated from a 2-year women's college. It was a wonderful time in my life and some of my best friends are girls I met there. This weekend is our 20-year reunion weekend. I am loving following along on Facebook and reminiscing about my time there, but I'm also very much regretting my decision not to go. It would have been fun to catch up in person as well as see how the campus has changed in the past 20 years. 20 YEARS?! Still, not sure how that is possible.
If we were having coffee today, I would tell you that I've decided not to hike the Grand Canyon this summer. It was an optional goal of mine for 2017, but the more I thought about it the more overwhelming it became, and the more the excitement wore off. Plus, I didn't feel up for the challenge of the training it would require.
Instead, I'm going to focus on planning a kick-ass adventure road trip for my 40th birthday in August. It will involve lots of hiking and lots of waterfalls. I'm in the very early stages of planning right now, but there will be stops in Northern CA, Southern Oregon (think Crater National Park), and the Columbia River Gorge (Northern Oregeon). I'm 99% sure we'll be including a hike to the Oneonta Falls.
If we were having coffee today, I'd tell you I'm probably going to be switching up my hairstyle this weekend. We'll see how creative I get. It might just be a simple color change, or I might go a bit bolder with some cutting involved. Whatever I do, I'm sure I'll post pics on Instagram. Unless it's a total disaster. 😉
In addition to changing up my hair, I'm also excited to play around with some new makeup that I got free from Influenster. I haven't really been taking time for makeup in the mornings, but it's time to get back to it. Or maybe it's an excuse to go out and do something fun soon.
Well, that's it for now! If I'm going to get all fancy with my hair and makeup, I better get to it before the weekend is over. It's funny how quickly the weekend can fly by.
If we were having coffee today, what would you tell me?
Do you ever drastically change your hair?
How do you pull yourself out of a slump?
Tweet
Have a fabulous weekend! And, be sure to stop by our lovely hosts Deborah and Coco to catch up over coffee with some other amazing bloggers.
It's a new month, which means it's time for the Ultimate Coffee Date!
March ended up being a really difficult month for me, emotionally, but I think I'm ready to pull myself out of my pity party - starting with catching up with all of YOU.
If we were having coffee today, I would tell you that back in 1997 I graduated from a 2-year women's college. It was a wonderful time in my life and some of my best friends are girls I met there. This weekend is our 20-year reunion weekend. I am loving following along on Facebook and reminiscing about my time there, but I'm also very much regretting my decision not to go. It would have been fun to catch up in person as well as see how the campus has changed in the past 20 years. 20 YEARS?! Still, not sure how that is possible.
 |
| Graduation Day holding my niece |
If we were having coffee today, I would tell you that I've decided not to hike the Grand Canyon this summer. It was an optional goal of mine for 2017, but the more I thought about it the more overwhelming it became, and the more the excitement wore off. Plus, I didn't feel up for the challenge of the training it would require.
Instead, I'm going to focus on planning a kick-ass adventure road trip for my 40th birthday in August. It will involve lots of hiking and lots of waterfalls. I'm in the very early stages of planning right now, but there will be stops in Northern CA, Southern Oregon (think Crater National Park), and the Columbia River Gorge (Northern Oregeon). I'm 99% sure we'll be including a hike to the Oneonta Falls.
If we were having coffee today, I'd tell you I'm probably going to be switching up my hairstyle this weekend. We'll see how creative I get. It might just be a simple color change, or I might go a bit bolder with some cutting involved. Whatever I do, I'm sure I'll post pics on Instagram. Unless it's a total disaster. 😉
In addition to changing up my hair, I'm also excited to play around with some new makeup that I got free from Influenster. I haven't really been taking time for makeup in the mornings, but it's time to get back to it. Or maybe it's an excuse to go out and do something fun soon.
Well, that's it for now! If I'm going to get all fancy with my hair and makeup, I better get to it before the weekend is over. It's funny how quickly the weekend can fly by.
If we were having coffee today, what would you tell me?
Do you ever drastically change your hair?
How do you pull yourself out of a slump?
Tweet
Have a fabulous weekend! And, be sure to stop by our lovely hosts Deborah and Coco to catch up over coffee with some other amazing bloggers.
Sunday, March 26, 2017
Week in Review - 3/26
I realized something this week.
You know how they say not to go out too fast during a race? That you run the risk of running out of steam if you do? Well, I feel that's what happened to me both in February and March. I'll go into it more during my March Recap later this week, but let's just say this past week was a tough one.
I'm talking zero motivation. To workout. To be active on social media or blogging. To do just about anything other than go to work and veg when I get home. Ugh.
You know how they say not to go out too fast during a race? That you run the risk of running out of steam if you do? Well, I feel that's what happened to me both in February and March. I'll go into it more during my March Recap later this week, but let's just say this past week was a tough one.
I'm talking zero motivation. To workout. To be active on social media or blogging. To do just about anything other than go to work and veg when I get home. Ugh.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
Week in Review - 3/19
All's well that ends well, right?! I had a great weekend, including a fun, outside my comfort zone, hike. There were a couple days during the week of low motivation and a couple skipped workouts, but I'm OK with that.
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
First Creek Trail
This past weekend, Jeff and I ventured out to discover a new trail!
Our intention was to do a trail inside Red Rock National Conservation Area, but we got a late start and by the time we got there, the entrance into the park was closed. We assume it was because all the parking lots were full. It was a GORGEOUS day, after all.
Instead, we headed to First Creek Trail. It's just over 4 miles farther down Hwy 159 from the entrance to the park. All of the parking lots along the highway were pretty crowded, but we easily found a spot at the First Creek Trailhead lot.
This trail is marked Easy, according to the sign at the trailhead, or Easy-Moderate, according to the Red Rock Canyon visitor's guide. The sign at the entrance also says it is a trail system, which is pretty evident when you enter the trail and find a few different options of paths to choose.
Instead, we headed to First Creek Trail. It's just over 4 miles farther down Hwy 159 from the entrance to the park. All of the parking lots along the highway were pretty crowded, but we easily found a spot at the First Creek Trailhead lot.
This trail is marked Easy, according to the sign at the trailhead, or Easy-Moderate, according to the Red Rock Canyon visitor's guide. The sign at the entrance also says it is a trail system, which is pretty evident when you enter the trail and find a few different options of paths to choose.
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Week in Review - 3/12
Can't complain about this past week at all. My workouts were on point, and we squeezed in a bit of active fun as well.
Sunday, March 5, 2017
Week in Review - 3/05
Happy Sunday! Who doesn't love Sundays?! It's a great time to reflect on the past week and make plans for the next one.
If you stopped by for our coffee date yesterday, you'll know that I've decided to give up on my ultra training. I think I'll write a future post on all the reasons why, but it really boiled down to being too much too quickly. I'm pretty much OK with the decision. 😥
But you'll see that my plan for this past week wasn't at all what I ended up doing. LOL.
If you stopped by for our coffee date yesterday, you'll know that I've decided to give up on my ultra training. I think I'll write a future post on all the reasons why, but it really boiled down to being too much too quickly. I'm pretty much OK with the decision. 😥
But you'll see that my plan for this past week wasn't at all what I ended up doing. LOL.
Saturday, March 4, 2017
Ultimate Coffee Date - March 2017
I missed our coffee date last month, and that made me sad, so I decided I wouldn't miss out again this month!
If we were having coffee today, I'd tell you that I've decided to forego my goal of running a 55k at the beginning of April. I probably wouldn't want to go into too many details about it. It's kinda fresh. But let's just say that other goals are taking a priority and with my knee acting up, I don't want to push it too hard and risk more serious injury.
I'd tell you that I spent some time this morning writing out a workout plan for March. My plan is to really focus on Core and other strength and/or endurance workouts, so that I can get stronger for that possible Grand Canyon hike. I'll only be running 2-3 days a week, with some hiking or biking thrown in. I'm also going to start a 30 Days of Yoga for Beginners playlist on YouTube. I was very specific with exact videos/workouts I want to do, so I won't need to waste any time figuring out what to do each day. It's a pretty solid plan with working out or running in the mornings and yoga in the evenings. I'm hoping that Jeff will do the yoga with me (or at least some stretching while I do the yoga) in the evenings. I don't normally do 2 workouts in one day, but I'm tired of being so lazy in the evenings.
If we were having coffee today, I'd remind you that I'm so excited to be an aunt again. The last time I became an aunt was in 2002! My two youngest brothers each welcomed a baby boy at the end of February. I would definitely show you pictures that my brothers and their fiancées have shared on Facebook.
If we were having coffee today, I'd tell you that I got to have lunch with a former co-worker yesterday! It was so much fun, plus I got to hold her little 6-month old. She's adorable! I'd also tell you that we got to talking and totally spaced snapping any pictures. I hadn't seen her in probably 9 months, so hopefully it won't be quite as long before I see her again.
If we were having coffee today, I'd tell you that I've decided I really like butternut squash. We got some in a recent Bountiful Basket. I peeled it, cubed it, and then roasted it. So delish! I ate it as a side, in a smoothie, and in a salad. I'm blown away by how much I like it. I really don't remember liking it this much. LOL.
Time to get going...
Oh, one last thing! I'd tell you that Jeff and I are heading out for a bike ride this afternoon. We haven't gotten in the saddle for MONTHS! I'm excited to get out there. Plus, it's gorgeous outside right now, and I don't want to stay cooped up inside all day long!!
Have you ever set out with a BHAG - only to re-evaluate and change your goal in the middle?
If we were having coffee, what would you want to tell me?
Be sure to head over to Got 2 Run 4 Me or Confessions of a Mother Runner and catch up with everyone else!
Until next month...
Tweet
If we were having coffee today, I'd tell you that I've decided to forego my goal of running a 55k at the beginning of April. I probably wouldn't want to go into too many details about it. It's kinda fresh. But let's just say that other goals are taking a priority and with my knee acting up, I don't want to push it too hard and risk more serious injury.
I'd tell you that I spent some time this morning writing out a workout plan for March. My plan is to really focus on Core and other strength and/or endurance workouts, so that I can get stronger for that possible Grand Canyon hike. I'll only be running 2-3 days a week, with some hiking or biking thrown in. I'm also going to start a 30 Days of Yoga for Beginners playlist on YouTube. I was very specific with exact videos/workouts I want to do, so I won't need to waste any time figuring out what to do each day. It's a pretty solid plan with working out or running in the mornings and yoga in the evenings. I'm hoping that Jeff will do the yoga with me (or at least some stretching while I do the yoga) in the evenings. I don't normally do 2 workouts in one day, but I'm tired of being so lazy in the evenings.
If we were having coffee today, I'd remind you that I'm so excited to be an aunt again. The last time I became an aunt was in 2002! My two youngest brothers each welcomed a baby boy at the end of February. I would definitely show you pictures that my brothers and their fiancées have shared on Facebook.
If we were having coffee today, I'd tell you that I got to have lunch with a former co-worker yesterday! It was so much fun, plus I got to hold her little 6-month old. She's adorable! I'd also tell you that we got to talking and totally spaced snapping any pictures. I hadn't seen her in probably 9 months, so hopefully it won't be quite as long before I see her again.
If we were having coffee today, I'd tell you that I've decided I really like butternut squash. We got some in a recent Bountiful Basket. I peeled it, cubed it, and then roasted it. So delish! I ate it as a side, in a smoothie, and in a salad. I'm blown away by how much I like it. I really don't remember liking it this much. LOL.
Time to get going...
Oh, one last thing! I'd tell you that Jeff and I are heading out for a bike ride this afternoon. We haven't gotten in the saddle for MONTHS! I'm excited to get out there. Plus, it's gorgeous outside right now, and I don't want to stay cooped up inside all day long!!
Have you ever set out with a BHAG - only to re-evaluate and change your goal in the middle?
If we were having coffee, what would you want to tell me?
Be sure to head over to Got 2 Run 4 Me or Confessions of a Mother Runner and catch up with everyone else!
Until next month...
Tweet
Thursday, March 2, 2017
February Report Card
Wow! How is it that the shortest month of the year always seems to drag on and on? I'm almost ready to declare it one of my least favorite months of the year. Thankfully, it's now March. Whoo hoo.
Since it was such a short month, apparently I needed a couple extra days before doing my monthly report card and check in on my 2017 Goals. 😉
Since it was such a short month, apparently I needed a couple extra days before doing my monthly report card and check in on my 2017 Goals. 😉
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Week in Review - 2/26
After last Sunday's painful 5-hour run, I decided I needed to step back from training for at least a week to give my knee a little time to settle down. It was so twingy both Sunday afternoon and Monday, that I was afraid it was something worse. I even wore a skirt on Monday, so I could slip on a compression sleeve for a few hours.
I skipped my strength workouts this week, too. Don't freak out! I still got in some good yoga videos, so I still feel really good about the week.
Unrelated, my little brother welcomed a little boy into the world Friday morning. I live so far away, so I won't get to meet the little guy for awhile, but I was so excited to receive a text from him Friday morning letting me know Teddy had arrived and momma was doing well. I have another brother that is expecting to welcome another little guy this coming week. Exciting!! 👶 👶 👶
Edit: My other brother welcomed his baby boy on Saturday night, but I didn't hear anything until Monday morning. So excited for both my brothers. :-)
I skipped my strength workouts this week, too. Don't freak out! I still got in some good yoga videos, so I still feel really good about the week.
Unrelated, my little brother welcomed a little boy into the world Friday morning. I live so far away, so I won't get to meet the little guy for awhile, but I was so excited to receive a text from him Friday morning letting me know Teddy had arrived and momma was doing well. I have another brother that is expecting to welcome another little guy this coming week. Exciting!! 👶 👶 👶
Edit: My other brother welcomed his baby boy on Saturday night, but I didn't hear anything until Monday morning. So excited for both my brothers. :-)
Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Staying Fit in Sin City
I love living in Las Vegas! The lights, the glamour. The overindulgence.
It's a fabulous city, but isn't exactly a place synonymous with healthy. Being a local for several years now, I have learned a few ways to make your visit to the Las Vegas Strip a bit healthier.
Skip the taxis, Ubers, and Lyfts. Instead slip on a pair of comfy shoes and walk, walk, walk. No better way to see the Strip and really experience Las Vegas (a.k.a. people watch) than on your feet. If you're a step counter, you'll quickly see that number skyrocket.
Be forewarned that while some of the casinos seem relatively close together on the map, they are deceivingly far apart. I definitely recommend good walking shoes.
This is one of my favorite things to do in Las Vegas! I live about a mile from the Strip and run it at least every couple months. I love it because it also incorporates a lot of stairs with all the pedestrian bridges, so I feel like I get an even better workout.
If you do this, I recommend going early in the morning. 6AM is the sweet spot, but I wouldn't go much later than 8 or 9, or you'll be dealing with large crowds. It's about 4 miles from the Stratosphere to Mandalay Bay, so you could easily get in any distance up to 8 miles. If you're looking for an even longer run, take it all the way downtown. It's about 6.5 miles from the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign to the Fremont Street Experience.
There are a LOT of pedestrian bridges along the Strip to help the flow of traffic. They make for a nice and convenient workout, too. Here's my favorite stairs workout at the Wynn / Fashion Show Mall. It goes up and down escalators and stairs and crosses a bridge over the Strip.
Again, I'd recommend doing this early in the morning. Not staying in this part of the Strip? I'm sure you could come up with a similar workout using any of the other many pedestrian bridges.
You could do an Indoor Hike at the Aria (after you've clicked to their site, hit the + symbol at the bottom of the fitness section to see all their fitness services). I've never done this but it sounds fun. This is not just a simple walk through the resort. It's a guided tour of the Aria's art collection as well. Your guide also throws in push-ups, squats, and other fun exercises. You will definitely get in a good sweat, according to this review in the Review-Journal. A little spendy for this girl, this indoor hike/tour of the Aria costs about $50, but I believe it also gets you access to the spa.
There are numerous excellent hikes off the Strip as well. The most popular is probably Red Rock National Conservation Area, which is gorgeous and only $7 per vehicle entrance fee. Of course, you'd likely need to rent a car, taxi, Uber, or Lyft, since it's about half an hour from the Strip. There are so many more places to hike as well, but all would require transportation off the Strip.
Most of the resorts have a Spa and/or Fitness Center that offers a variety of fitness classes. You could do Dolphin Yoga ($50) at the Mirage or learn to pole dance at Stripper 101 ($39.99-$149.99) at Planet Hollywood.
We all know that staying fit is more than just exercise. What's the saying? You can't outrun a bad diet.
Well, Vegas has you covered in this respect, too. Many restaurants on the Strip have healthier options. Just peek at the menu before deciding which restaurant to dine at. If you don't see something that meets your needs, move along to one that does.
I don't actually eat out that often, but I did a search for healthy eating in Las Vegas and found these gems.
The Juice Standard, in the Cosmopolitan. If you're into the juice craze, this is THE place to go on the Strip. Maybe even if you're not. 😉 They have juices, nut milks, & smoothies. Cocktails. Salads/wraps, toasts, & other snacks.
Harvest by Roy Ellamar, at the Bellagio. Only open for dinner, this is Farm to Table goodness. Everything sounds so good. Some options, of course, are healthier than others.
Mon Ami Gabi, in Paris. This came up on a few different lists of healthy options. I think mostly due to the variety of seafood.
Bruxie, at The Park. Their menu is filled with lots of decadence, but their killer salads look divine!
Nordstrom's Marketplace Cafe, in the Fashion Show Mall. Lots of delicious options! Plus their menu shows calories for each item, so you know what you're getting into.
Vegenation, Downtown. I threw in one off-the-Strip option, but still tourist-friendly. 😊 This is one I really need to try! They are 100% plant-based and support local farms. Win-win.
Ok. Now, I'm officially HUNGRY!
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While you're in Fabulous Las Vegas, be sure to also check out Vegas.com for great deals on hotels, shows, tours, and more!
Fun fact: In June it will be 5 years since I came to Las Vegas on vacation and never left! That's just crazy to me because it seems like just yesterday. Of course, most people do make it back home after a trip to Sin City. 😉
Have you ever been to Las Vegas?
What's your favorite tip for staying fit while traveling?
I'm linking up with Angela for Sunday Fitness & Food.
It's a fabulous city, but isn't exactly a place synonymous with healthy. Being a local for several years now, I have learned a few ways to make your visit to the Las Vegas Strip a bit healthier.
Walk. Everywhere.
Skip the taxis, Ubers, and Lyfts. Instead slip on a pair of comfy shoes and walk, walk, walk. No better way to see the Strip and really experience Las Vegas (a.k.a. people watch) than on your feet. If you're a step counter, you'll quickly see that number skyrocket.
Be forewarned that while some of the casinos seem relatively close together on the map, they are deceivingly far apart. I definitely recommend good walking shoes.
Run the Strip.
This is one of my favorite things to do in Las Vegas! I live about a mile from the Strip and run it at least every couple months. I love it because it also incorporates a lot of stairs with all the pedestrian bridges, so I feel like I get an even better workout.
If you do this, I recommend going early in the morning. 6AM is the sweet spot, but I wouldn't go much later than 8 or 9, or you'll be dealing with large crowds. It's about 4 miles from the Stratosphere to Mandalay Bay, so you could easily get in any distance up to 8 miles. If you're looking for an even longer run, take it all the way downtown. It's about 6.5 miles from the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign to the Fremont Street Experience.
Make your visit to Las Vegas a bit healthier with these tips from @EnjoytheCourse.
Do a Stairs Workout.
There are a LOT of pedestrian bridges along the Strip to help the flow of traffic. They make for a nice and convenient workout, too. Here's my favorite stairs workout at the Wynn / Fashion Show Mall. It goes up and down escalators and stairs and crosses a bridge over the Strip.
Again, I'd recommend doing this early in the morning. Not staying in this part of the Strip? I'm sure you could come up with a similar workout using any of the other many pedestrian bridges.
Go for a Hike.
You could do an Indoor Hike at the Aria (after you've clicked to their site, hit the + symbol at the bottom of the fitness section to see all their fitness services). I've never done this but it sounds fun. This is not just a simple walk through the resort. It's a guided tour of the Aria's art collection as well. Your guide also throws in push-ups, squats, and other fun exercises. You will definitely get in a good sweat, according to this review in the Review-Journal. A little spendy for this girl, this indoor hike/tour of the Aria costs about $50, but I believe it also gets you access to the spa.
There are numerous excellent hikes off the Strip as well. The most popular is probably Red Rock National Conservation Area, which is gorgeous and only $7 per vehicle entrance fee. Of course, you'd likely need to rent a car, taxi, Uber, or Lyft, since it's about half an hour from the Strip. There are so many more places to hike as well, but all would require transportation off the Strip.
Take a Fitness Class.
Most of the resorts have a Spa and/or Fitness Center that offers a variety of fitness classes. You could do Dolphin Yoga ($50) at the Mirage or learn to pole dance at Stripper 101 ($39.99-$149.99) at Planet Hollywood.
We all know that staying fit is more than just exercise. What's the saying? You can't outrun a bad diet.
Well, Vegas has you covered in this respect, too. Many restaurants on the Strip have healthier options. Just peek at the menu before deciding which restaurant to dine at. If you don't see something that meets your needs, move along to one that does.
YES! You CAN eat healthy while visiting Fabulous Las Vegas! Check out these healthy gems that @EnjoytheCourse found.
I don't actually eat out that often, but I did a search for healthy eating in Las Vegas and found these gems.
The Juice Standard, in the Cosmopolitan. If you're into the juice craze, this is THE place to go on the Strip. Maybe even if you're not. 😉 They have juices, nut milks, & smoothies. Cocktails. Salads/wraps, toasts, & other snacks.
Harvest by Roy Ellamar, at the Bellagio. Only open for dinner, this is Farm to Table goodness. Everything sounds so good. Some options, of course, are healthier than others.
Mon Ami Gabi, in Paris. This came up on a few different lists of healthy options. I think mostly due to the variety of seafood.
Bruxie, at The Park. Their menu is filled with lots of decadence, but their killer salads look divine!
Nordstrom's Marketplace Cafe, in the Fashion Show Mall. Lots of delicious options! Plus their menu shows calories for each item, so you know what you're getting into.
Vegenation, Downtown. I threw in one off-the-Strip option, but still tourist-friendly. 😊 This is one I really need to try! They are 100% plant-based and support local farms. Win-win.
Ok. Now, I'm officially HUNGRY!
Tweet
While you're in Fabulous Las Vegas, be sure to also check out Vegas.com for great deals on hotels, shows, tours, and more!
Fun fact: In June it will be 5 years since I came to Las Vegas on vacation and never left! That's just crazy to me because it seems like just yesterday. Of course, most people do make it back home after a trip to Sin City. 😉
Have you ever been to Las Vegas?
What's your favorite tip for staying fit while traveling?
I'm linking up with Angela for Sunday Fitness & Food.
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Week in Review - 2/19
Ugh. This definitely wasn't one of my best weeks. My body must have needed some rest, cuz that's what it got this week.
Before I get into my review of the week, a huge THANK YOU to everyone who entered my giveaway for a StrideBox.
a Rafflecopter giveaway Please watch for an email from me, so I can get a StrideBox out to you.
Before I get into my review of the week, a huge THANK YOU to everyone who entered my giveaway for a StrideBox.
a Rafflecopter giveaway Please watch for an email from me, so I can get a StrideBox out to you.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Running Love: Reasons I Love Run
Happy Valentine's Day... and Tuesday!
Today's topic for Tuesday's on the Run is... (no surprise)... Stuff I love about running.
Obviously, I love so. much. about running.
Here are a few reasons why I love to run.
In no particular order.
Running clothes are super cute and comfy. Next to yoga clothes, I'm not sure anything beats running clothes. At least the stuff I buy. I mean, I get by without wearing a bra or undies - cuz they come built it. 😏
Running makes me happy and feel alive. There's just something about getting that heart pumping and sweat flowing. It brings an energy that just makes me smile. Yes, even when it hurts - though sometimes not exactly in the moment.
Running allows me to have lots of little personal victories. It's such a personal sport where you can challenge yourself to go just a tiny bit further - in time, distance, pace. You name it! It's 100% customizable, and when you've pushed yourself and beaten even the tiniest of goals, you just feel so. damn. good!
Running gets me outside. If it weren't for running, I'd hardly leave my house. I certainly wouldn't explore my neighborhood as much as I do. It's a great excuse to get out there and enjoy the weather. Sun, rain, snow, clouds. I've learned to find beauty and joy in it all.
Running can be done anywhere. I'm not going to lie. I'm sometimes a pretty lazy runner. I love that I can just lace up and run from right out my front door. Or if I'm travelling wish I could do this more often! I can run in the neighborhood of the hotel/resort. Never forget to pack the running shoes!!
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Despite all of the above, sometimes running is hard and we need to remind ourselves of not only why we love it, but how to enjoy it. Be sure to check out my tips to make every run enjoyable for those runs when you're not feeling the love.
Don't forget to visit our TOTR hostesses - Marcia, Patty, and Erika - to read more posts about running love.
Why do you love running?
What makes you wanna lace up those shoes and get out there?
Doing anything fun for Valentine's Day?
Today's topic for Tuesday's on the Run is... (no surprise)... Stuff I love about running.
Obviously, I love so. much. about running.
Here are a few reasons why I love to run.
In no particular order.
Running clothes are super cute and comfy. Next to yoga clothes, I'm not sure anything beats running clothes. At least the stuff I buy. I mean, I get by without wearing a bra or undies - cuz they come built it. 😏
Running makes me happy and feel alive. There's just something about getting that heart pumping and sweat flowing. It brings an energy that just makes me smile. Yes, even when it hurts - though sometimes not exactly in the moment.
Running allows me to have lots of little personal victories. It's such a personal sport where you can challenge yourself to go just a tiny bit further - in time, distance, pace. You name it! It's 100% customizable, and when you've pushed yourself and beaten even the tiniest of goals, you just feel so. damn. good!
Running gets me outside. If it weren't for running, I'd hardly leave my house. I certainly wouldn't explore my neighborhood as much as I do. It's a great excuse to get out there and enjoy the weather. Sun, rain, snow, clouds. I've learned to find beauty and joy in it all.
Running can be done anywhere. I'm not going to lie. I'm sometimes a pretty lazy runner. I love that I can just lace up and run from right out my front door. Or if I'm travelling wish I could do this more often! I can run in the neighborhood of the hotel/resort. Never forget to pack the running shoes!!
Tweet
Despite all of the above, sometimes running is hard and we need to remind ourselves of not only why we love it, but how to enjoy it. Be sure to check out my tips to make every run enjoyable for those runs when you're not feeling the love.
Don't forget to visit our TOTR hostesses - Marcia, Patty, and Erika - to read more posts about running love.
Why do you love running?
What makes you wanna lace up those shoes and get out there?
Doing anything fun for Valentine's Day?
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