Building Goals

Okay, full discloser. I like to only post when life is good. I LOVE to brag on my accomplishments. I see the transformations of the amazing people in my accountability groups and I want to "keep up". But this just isn't real, and I have a hard time dealing with that. I will go into hiding and not be seen until I can figure out how to get back into perfect status. Not anymore.

So my goal was to drink my shakeology 7/7 days.

Now, you would think from the start of this post that I BOMBED. In reality - I was able to get my healthy breakfast in 5 out of the 7. Most people look at me and think I've lost my mind, but this is so common. We have this dream that we will make a plan, and it will go perfectly. We will change overnight and become the best versions of ourselves. We will be perfect.

In reality - we are all still human. I'm still human. So I'm owning up to my 5 out of 7 days. And more than that - reevaluating my goals and how they fit into my lifestyle. Reality is that I spend time with friends and family on the weekends. I look forward to my Sunday "cheat meal" brunch. I never go overboard, but it is something I look forward to and it is one of the few indulgences I allow myself. If this journey is a lifestyle, why in the world would I want to give up my farm fresh eggs and farmers market berry breakfast Saturday, and my portioned out brunch Sunday? Is it perfect? Of course not. Is it me? YES IT IS!

So my workouts have continued to be awesome, my Shakeology is right where I think it will be (I'll still try to get it in as lunch maybe on the weekend - that may work for my lifestyle!).

New goal - getting in the right amount of water! Stay tuned for a review of two new Shakeology boosts next week too!!!

Consistency!

Hi all! Sorry there was no post on Sunday - life got away from me a bit when my school asked me to help out for summer school on the fly. HOWEVER, I have stayed on track and just completed day 9 of my TurboFire reboot!! This also includes keeping in line with my running schedule as well, so there are days working out means two in one day!!!

I've really thought about this, and how I am staying on track with my workouts, and it is all about support. I have a great network of friends, but most importantly, my challenge group. One day I was messing around on instagram, and came across some interesting pics about a challenge group using the product I just purchased - 21 day fix. I had NO IDEA what this meant but I found Kari (my now coach) on Facebook, and she explained the process to me. It is an accountability group and a network of people with the same goals as you.

Kari is AMAZING in her groups, and she not only motivates you with daily prompts, pushes the group to interact by posting their food diaries and workouts, but hosts mini challenges with "points" attached to them. Now, you tell me I can EARN A PRIZE and I am IN! The more engaged you are, the more motivated you are to stick to plan!

As a result, I completed week 1 of TurboFire, and feel AWESOME! I do have my days - like today. I ran 2.45 miles, went to work, and came home in the afternoon. I had NO DESIRE to do a 40 minute workout. Did I do my best? Probably not. Did I still get up a sweat and finish the whole thing? YES I DID! Its that consistency that keeps me going!

My goals for the end of the week? Keep up with my workouts, and drink Shakeology EVERYDAY. Its about building on good habits till you've changed your lifestyle right? And if you are struggling with consistency, FIND A COACH AND GET INTO A CHALLENGE GROUP! I highly recommend mine! ;-)

So, I've dabbled in Beach Body programs since 21 day fix, and I haven't been able to fully stick to a program, or commit to my fitness for a number of EXCUSES. (Key word there!) However, after looking around the On Demand website, I came across TurboFire, and fell IN LOVE! I listen to Chalene's podcast, and have always found it inspirational, and did a few kickboxing classes at my gym that I really loved. This program put both that inspiration and love of cardio choreography and kickboxing together for me! 

I started off strong. REALLY strong. I did over 20 days in a row and was loving my workout and my programs! Then my sister's wedding hit. It was insane. My mom was essentially a wedding planner and I her PA. Note to all those brides to be - HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER. Life without one was crazy - no food, no sleep, and of course, no workouts. I've been back a week after the week in Vegas, and it is time to get serious. This time, I've opted for a reboot.

I just finished Day 1 again, and I was so afraid I would feel defeated and lose my motivation. But Chalene's infectious energy got me through it, and all I want to do is finish strong! I'm so excited to do this program right!!

Little Surprises By Mail

So it has been A LONG TIME since I've posted. Life has gotten away from me, and I forgot about the doing the activities I love and enjoy in lieu of those that just keep my head above water. But here I am - back and ready to continue my journey to live life in the best way possible for me. So it is Saturday, and if I remember correctly, it is a product review day!

Very recently I signed up for two different subscription services: Little Lace Box and Popsugar Musthave. I received a "mini" Little Lace (they do their full boxes every other month, and a little "surprise" box on the off months). It was nice, a couple pieces of make up, that unfortunately do not match my complexion, a really cute birthday card I will definitely use, and a voucher for a delivered wine that sounded YUMMY, but alas, my state does not allow for such deliveries. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.

Then my PopSugar box came in yesterday!!! OMGeee, was I excited. Lots of stuff I will use, including a Judy Blume book, some great sunglasses, a Pacifica eye shadow palette, some candy, of course, and my personal fav, a Spongelle. I got one of these bad boys awhile back as a birthday present and was completely perplexed. I did not understand WHY I would want a pre-soaked sponge of shower gel. It seemed like it would be a complete horror show of a product. But, it was a birthday present, so I tried it out, and they are really great! It is a course sponge, so I use mine to exfoliate, and the one I received with PopSugar came on a really nice black ribbon with Velcro (which is awesome because I can get it around my towel bar to dry). It has a really yummy papaya scent, which is perfect for the summer!

For anyone who has NO IDEA what I'm talking about (which I get, it was new to me too), I've included a link to both PopSugar and Spongelle. *Note, I am not paid or endorsed in any way for either of these products, I just think they are fun!*

As a workout treat, this box was great, and my little exfoliating sponge is good for 5-8 washes and is reusable after that (though I normally throw them out after 10). Word to the warning though, the soap used WILL dry you out, so make sure you either use a body conditioner or a lotion right after! Great find overall, and it is wonderful to be back!

Use Whatcha Got

I keep telling myself I want to live in a “waste less, want less” world – and yet – my recent buying spree continues to crush me. I tell myself, “but I really NEED that”, or “it’s a BOGO deal, I should stock up now”! This is not working for my space or my wallet. It’s time to trim the freak down. What better way to keep myself on the “lose baggage, lose stuff, lose weight” kick than to review the mass of stuff I have as I go through it all.

Right now, I have a perfume issue. For a time, I thought it was a really good idea to spend 115 a year on samples that they will pretty much GIVE AWAY at any department store or Sephora if you were nice to the sales rep. Now, granted, I didn’t have to shlep to the mall (which I try to avoid at ALL COSTS), and be my fabulous gregarious self when I all I want is free swag. For $15 dollars a month, Birchbox will get me out of the hassle, fill a box full of deluxe samples, and the second Friday of each month was a baby Christmas. Awesome.

Instant Problem. I am a hoarder of samples. I don’t know why. I love them and I keep them. I put them in my gym bag, I think that I’ll “get to them” on a “at home spa day” (internal uncontrollable laughter), or that they will be PERFECT to pack for the airplane (yes, because I’m willing to try a brand new product when I’m on vacation and want to look my best . . . .). I currently have 6 boxes worth of items. This is not normal. Something must be done.

So, right now I’m going through my perfume collection. After 1,000 mini bottles sent to me from the wonderful people at Birchbox, samples thrown in my bags at department stores, and a deluxe sample kit from Sephora, I am starting to have quite the collection. Each mini-bottle gives me about 2/3 applications, which is nice because I can see how I feel about each fragrance and if this is something I should invest in. Note: I have a “signature” scent. VS Bombshell and I go way back and it works with my chemistry SO WELL. It’s the only perfume I’ve ever worn where strangers will stop me and ask what I’m wearing. That being said, it’s always important to have a couple “scents” because your body chemistry changes and, well, sometimes they just discontinue stuff. Always have a back-up. Always have a “day” and “evening” scent. Never be without perfume. It’s my mantra.

So this week, I have been testing my collection out.

1.)    Chloe, Roses de Chloe: This has the traditional undertones of magnolia and bergamot that is found in any of the Chloe lines, but I feel that this one is much lighter and has a “fresher” smell. It stayed around really well, and lingered without being overpowering. It smelled nice and clean – perfect for the random spring day we had this weekend. This is perfect for day, weekend or work!

2.)    Lancome, Tresor:  I made the HUGE mistake of wearing this to work. This stuff is strong. It’s like I fell into a lilac vanilla bath. Personally, it isn’t for me. It’s a super popular fragrance and a Lancome bestseller. It is traditional “romantic” musk, and would be perfect for a date night. That being said, I feel like I smell like a wealthy old lady. I’ll wait and revisit again when I’m in my mid 40s and want a “distinguished” scent.

Progression

Tomorrow officially starts week 11 of Half Marathon #1 training. With only a month left before the race, it seems like a good time to have a recap of how things have been going. First of all the old adage, “If it were easy, everyone would do it” is completely true. Training for anything or making fitness an integral part of your life is hard work, and in some ways, like a second full time job. The only difference is that the ROI isn’t money, but health, fitness, and a renewed sense of accomplishment and self esteem. 

Awhile back I briefly explained my schedule. Its a combination of things I was already doing along with a running schedule. Basically it broke down to four runs a week (one of them being tempo and one long), 2 sessions of personal training, 1 session of a partner kickboxing training, and then a group kickboxing class. It is a lot. In order to keep to this schedule, I have to be in the gym or running outside every day except Sundays. 

Weeks 1-4 I was on FIRE. There was no stopping me. I was making meal plans, tweaking my schedule, staying focused and on track. I made a fitness journal and got a Nike Fuelband (best invention ever). I went to the gym and was energized with every workout. I spent my free time thinking of new ways to log my miles, research the best equipment, the best foods, and what to do on my down time. 

Then life happened and I got sick. Not a little cough sick. Raging flu “I think I could die tomorrow” sick. I had to take an entire week off, which was HORRIBLE. I felt anxious about it. I felt guilty about just letting my body rest. I couldn’t wait to go back into the gym. The next week I came on strong and did what I needed to do and killed it! But life, once again creeped up on me and it was February vacation.

My wonderful, fabulous, amazing parents sent me down to the condo in Florida hoping I would use the time to “get away” from the craziness of my job. In order to prep my job and pack for this trip meant another 4 days out of the gym. When I got to warmer weather, all I wanted to do was rest, sleep, and be as lazy as possible. BUT, I did get out there and put three days of workout in (two run days and a 4 mile walk on the beach day). No, it wasn’t NEARLY enough, but I was determined to do something. 

Getting home on Friday, I became obsessed about getting back on track, no matter what. So threw my “rule book” into the Charles River (figuratively people), and went a little crazy. 7 miles on Friday, 3 on Saturday, a 3.6 mile run/walk on my “rest day”, and then back to regularly scheduled programming. 

WORD OF WARNING: DON’T EVER DO THAT. I am now in complete overtrain mode as my mileage keeps creeping up. I need to hit large numbers and not letting my body rest has been a major problem. I stopped tracking the fuel that is keeping me going through this, and started making bad choices because I knew my body needed something to give. I’ve lost energy, drive, motivation. It is a bad scene. I took two rest days, got back on track and finished my first ever double digit run OUTSIDE (yesssssssss.) But its time to get back on track. Its time to really go back to the purpose of this and rethink what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. 

I only have four more weeks left, so this may just be the fear and the jitters, but this is no joke training and it is hard and scary. Especially for a girl who still looks in the mirror and finds an overweight, uncoordinated, shy, unsure, non athlete. The body changes long before the mind does, and you need to listen to it in order to be truly successful. Here’s hoping I can get there.

So it is Friday, which is not a post day. But after illness and then travel I thought a quick post was warranted.

February is wrapping up and it is still snowing here. This endless winter continues to make it difficult for me to train or even get excited to workout. So what is my motivation through it all? WHY ITS MY NIKE FUELBAND SE!!!! I want to point out that I have not been paid in any way to review or promote this product. It would be nice though, I'm not going to lie.

Word of warning - it will work by itself but the app is only available for Apple products, so sorry android users - reason 1450 to own an iPhone.

That being said, my little "bracelet" is one of the best motivation tools I have to keep moving. I am rewarded with virtual badges, connect with other users (a.k.a. converts) to hit group goals, and work towards personal achievement through movement.

There is a session button for those spinners and yogis to track a more accurate point measurement when you are moving without a lot of wrist action as well. I think I am in love.

I am also at the half way mark till my first half marathon, and I'm getting nervous. My pace is staying at an average 12:20, which is DAMN SLOW, but I keep telling myself I am in fact moving so suck it up and RUN. Today I hit 7.24 miles - the longest session I've clocked so far at 1'24''. Hopefully more speed drills and kickboxing sessions will keep up the strength needed to fix my speed.

Well, I'll check in tomorrow dear ones! And the message of the day? Never miss your flu shot.