35 days till next 1/2

AAAAHHHHH!!!!  How does the time always sneak up on me - I signed up with there was over 150 days left this should not be a surprise!

Well at least between the space coast 1/2 marathon and this one I did not stop training.  I focused more on the cross training with 21 day fix and p90x3 and distance walking on Saturdays.  However now it is crunch time.    So last night I got in a 3 mile trainer and Saturday I will go for distance.

I had reached out to the ladies of Mom's Run this town (#MRTT) about my speed.  The walking just wasn't seeing great improvements like I wanted.  They encouraged me to go back to my intervals.  I wasn't sure, but I did it last night just to see what kind of difference it would make.  Yeah ok it made a huge difference! My average pace per mile (which I need to be at 16) went down to 17:08 from 18:28 +.   My only issue?  That was only 3 miles and I was tired!! Can I do that for 10 more miles?

Well we are going to see what happens on Saturday for the longer distance.  I thank all the ladies in the #mrtt who are always there to support me, answer questions and even suggest meeting up to run together.  It is great to belong to another group of women who know how to lift each other up and not put them down to lift themselves up.

We are all at different speeds and places along our journeys.  We all have our stories and our dreams. Together we are helping each other over come and reach those dreams.

 

Day 45, Day 30 going strong

No worries, no excuses still going strong here!

For those that have been following me you know that I started counting my workout streak from the day of my 1/2 marathon - that means I am on day 45 of this streak.  So what is the day 30 all about?

I'm glad you asked! Yesterday was day 30 of p90x3 round 1.  I am 3 days in to week 5.  For the next three weeks it is mostly new workouts with a few goodies still there - like today's yoga! Love the yoga!!  My legs are still tight after yesterdays tricometrics and today's yoga helped stretch them back out.

I am seeing progress at this 30 day bench mark.  Not as quite as fast as others and I had to remind myself yesterday that I am not everyone else.  My journey is not theirs and we all have our struggles.  Clothes are fitting better.  The scale is down and inches are coming off.  I am starting to see tiny definition in my muscles - which is really cool!

My eating plan has been smack on and I love how that makes me feel.

Remember even if it is a baby step it is still a step! It counts.  Just like in my running how I've learned to be ok with my speed (ok I need to get 2 min faster, but that is because of a races time requirement not me) I need to be ok with my weight loss speed.  That is my focus for this week.

Day 1                                                 Day 30

Some times you face disappointments

    Kinda dissapointed - was planning on getting in 9 miles this morning but was only able to do 6. I had to remind myself it is not race day and it would not do good to get hurt now, and yes I was at the point that if I pushed I believe it would have knocked me out of working out for at least the next week. 
    I have 39 days until the Disney Princess 1/2 marathon weekend. As I realized in the last mile that I wasn't going to be able push through for the 9 I made a plan that I will start working shorter walks back into my schedule. I have to keep up with my p90x3 for the weight loss though too - so it will be a boot camp of sorts for the next 39 days! 
   I am going to get the p90x3 yoga in later today and maybe even those last three miles. 


Here are two quotes I like to remind myself of:

"It is not how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get back up." - Vince Lombardi

"Shoot for the mood. Even if you miss you will land among the stars." Brian Littrell


Happy Saturday! !

For those keeping track - this is day number 41 of the workout streak.

Why I love my Crockpot

    I get up around 5:30 in the morning. I workout and am out the door headed for work by around 7 am.  Usually I do not make it back home until around 5 pm.  Depending on the night I am usually back out the door by 6:30 pm.  This use to mean a lot of rushing around and figuring out what for dinner.  Some nights it is just my husband and I and some nights we also have my step sons.
    Well since I participated in a Crockpot clean eating 5 day challenge my life has changed!  I do not use my crock pot every night, but on those nights that I have to be back out the door by 6:30 I do for sure.  On other nights we decide the night before.
   I now get to come home with the smells a healthy meal wafting through the house.  Sit down and have a cup of tea.  Help the youngest with his homework if needed and just talk with my husband about our days.  I get to enjoy dinner instead of seeing how fast I can eat it before rushing out the door.
   Have you ever tried one of these Clean Eating Challenge groups?  Would you be interested in one?  If I get enough response back I will start one.  It is for 5 days, Monday through Friday.  I will include some ideas for Breakfast and Snacks as well.  So who is in?  Comment on my fitness facebook page here: RFit4Life

http://www.food.com/recipe/crock-pot-chicken-with-black-beans-cream-cheese-89204

This is husband and 8 year old approved

Day 38 of working out and day 6/366 getting my shakeology in.  Feeling amazing!

Back to the real world

After an amazing 10 days off from work today I had to return.  I felt rested and renewed which was my number one goal of the break.  My other goal was not to lose my workout streak - which I am happy to report I did not.  I am still going strong with day 37 today.
  This is week 4 of P90x3 - it is considered a transition week - so today was dynamic stretching.  Great way to get back into the 5:30am start times.
  As most of you know I am tackling the Disney Princess 1/2 marathon again this year on February 21st.  Two years ago when I attempted it I ended up having a major asthma attach at mile 8.5.  I am determined to finish this year and have been training hard.  I'm not quite at the pace I need to be at yet, but my training is now set to kick into a higher gear aimed directly at that issue.  Today the released the change in costumes, I am thankfully not affected by this change - but just in case there are others of you out there that may not have seen it yet, here is the link new-rundisney-costume-and-safety-guidelines.
  I was right on with my meal plan today - my morning snack was a little later than I wanted due to a meeting, but I was still able to stay on track.  Right now that is my biggest focus - because as Autumn Calabrese says "you cannot out workout the kitchen".  I am loving the results I am seeing so far with P90x3 and can't wait to see what days 30, 60 and 90 will show.

If you are interested in what I am doing, they are having a sale right now on 21 day fix - the program that really got this journey focused in the right direction.  This is the first program I have followed where I saw consistent results week after week - and it is continuing with P90x3.
 Comment below if you want to ask me any questions. Or if you are interested in either of these products or others by beach body follow this link: Beachbody Coach.

Day 5/366 of having my healthiest meal of the day - Shakeology
And get ready coming January 11th Latte flavored is coming!

 

Tough Day

I wasn't feeling 100%this morning, but I pushed through and finished p90x3 warrior workout.
O took the challenge this year to have my.shakeology every day - today is day 2 and by the end of the year I will be a #366er (it's leap year this year).
Well apparently I was a little more under the weather than I understood  by 10 am I was back in bed and just woke up about an hour ago.
Not sure what is up, but I'm taking it easy.
Happy Saturday.

This is more than a "Little" thing

P90x3

This is way more than a little thing - this has changed my way of life.  When I started back in March I was at my wits end.  This PCOS had me so frustrated I was ready to give up and just be however big I got.  Then my brother introduced me to Shelley.  Shelley, my coach, has PCOS also.  Her story amazed me.  Here is another woman suffering from the same thing as me and she was losing weight.  She didn't pretend it was easy, but she showed if you stick with it you can and will see results.  So I took the leap of faith and started 21 day fix.
   I loved the workouts.  Only 30 minutes but I could tell I was getting a great workout.  I was barely using 5 pound weights at the time.   The food plan that came with it - Amazing! I love these little containers.  Portion control in fun little containers.  Best of all I started seeing results right away.
   Over the summer I need a change of pace - enter CIZE into the picture.  Oh my did this bring back fun memories of my dancing years.  Shaun T really shows you how to hip hop dance and you get a good work out in the process.
  I did one more round of 21 day fix to get through Thanksgiving (I actually lost weight over Thanksgiving!!!).  Then I decided I needed to step my game up to the next level.  I asked a bunch of questions and then took a leap of faith and got the P90x3 program. To be honest I wasn't sure how my knees were going to hold up.  I have had both my ACLs repaired so I'm very protective of them now.   I didn't need to worry with the modifier I am good to go and have been having an amazing time with this.  I am now up to 10 pound weights for my workouts!!!  I am starting to see definition in my biceps and my calves - I don't ever remember having definition in my muscles!!   This is my third week with the program.  Stay tuned for the results from week three - but I am feeling fantastic, stronger than ever and I am starting to notices the changes in the way my clothes are fitting.
  So today was day 1 of 366 days in 2016.  Each day is a blank page and I am writing my story.  How are your pages going to be filled this year?

Like my superhero buddy, Jocelyn, show the world you are a fighter and never forget to smile!

Don't let space stop you

I fully understand that space issues can make working our difficult.  Be Creative!  I grew up in the north where there were basements - that usually meant lots of space for workouts and play.  However down here in the south no such luck!    I do not have a corner where I can leave my workout equipment laid out and ready to go - each day I have to set it up and put it way.  I actually do not have one room to do my workout in - I must use my living room and my hallway.  Yes you read that right - my hallway.  
  It also means that I can have an audience - working out in the main hangout room of the house can mean ready made excuses of not wanting to interrupt people.   This is why I get up early and my workout is done and I am usually recovering before anyone else is up.

This is Day 32 of my workout streak, Day 18 of P90x3.  I am feeling great and seeing awesome changes in my body.  Next week we have transition week and then into the workouts for weeks 5-7.  I am going into 2016 stronger then ever.  This is my year - stay tuned for the streak and strength to continue.
I have attached a little video of part of today's workout - one set of chin-ups with resistance bands and military style push ups.  I was able to up my resistance band to the 15-20 pounds, up my reps to 15 from 12 and up my push ups from 7 to 8.  Love seeing the progress I've made in just 3 weeks.

Happy New year!!!
beach body coach
Tomorrow, is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.
-Brad Paisley

Still No excuses

I missed posting yesterday - however I did not miss my workout.  The streak is still alive.  Day 29 was hit today!! I am loving keeping track of my days of working out in a row.  It really helps move through some of those excuses.

It was time for another picture in my progress line.  If I was just to look at the weight on the scale it would seem like it wasn't going so good - but look at those inches - 30.5 inches taken off in 9 months.  Yes it is frustrating that the scale is up, but I have learned for me that is just part of my PCOS.  If I stay focused and keep pushing my workouts the weight will follow, eventually.  Are you curious what I am doing?  Check it out here: Beach Body Coach

After my workout enjoying my morning tea.  With Raspberry Red Leaf tea - the kind that I use is: Raspberry Red Leaf.  I am not paid for promoting this.  However I ordered it in October and since I started taking it my periods have been less painful and about 1/2 a day to a day shorter. 

Have a GREAT Monday

Amazing day!

#day 27

Got up and got P90x3 the warrior workout in.  Really really didn't want to get up this morning, but I pulled myself up and got it done. #noexcuses.

Then it was off to Disney for the mother-in-law's Christmas gift - a day at Disney without kids.  We met up with my parents and grandma to end the evening with Hollywood studios ozborne dancing lights - this is the last year they will be having them.  

Per my tracker which does not incur the morning p90x3 workout we got in 12.55 miles of walking today.  Good training  for my 1/2 marathon. 

You can tell by the smiles what an amazing day it was.  

Good night - ps yes that is a snow man made out of sand on one of the rides :-)

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year

From my family to yours.

I hope this day has found you with friends and family and making many memories.  I got up and got P90x3 CVX in - man is that my least favorite out of the week 1-3 workouts.  Then I went for a 3.1 mile walk with my mother-in-law - it was a nice sticky hot walk, but it was nice to have a partner.

We now have the boys (the college step daughter and boyfriend even made an appearance) and are on our way to be with extended family.   Let the Memory making begin!

Commit and follow through

Oh boy was this morning a difficult one for no excuses!!  We went and picked up the Mimaw last night and did not get home until after midnight.  Then we had to get every one settled down after the long car ride, before we could then crawl into bed.  I allowed myself on hit of the snooze and then it was up and going.

I did it!  Day 25 is in the books. Day 11 of P90x3 is in the books.  The Challenge.  30 minutes of pull ups/chin ups and push ups.  You pick your numbers at the beginning of the workout out and then you strive to hit them each round of the 30 min.  You also aim to do more than the week before.  I did both!!  1 more push up and 2 more pull up/chin up.  My house does not work to use a chin up bar so I used the resistance bands.  I used a 10-12 pound resistance band.    I am already feeling it, but it a good way.

I have now had my recovery drink and I am enjoying our lighted Christmas tree with the Netflix Fireplace and Christmas instrumental chorals playing in the back ground.  No one else is up yet.   It rocks even on break to get up early get these workouts done and then have the rest of the day to relax or run around with family without worrying how to fit the work out in.

Please stay safe and if you are traveling be patient and arrive safely.

I wish you all healthy, happiness and HOPE this holiday season.

If you are looking for something to push you until the end of the year the virtual race I host is still going until Dec 31.  I've attached the flier.

Merry Christmas Eve.

Christmas colored outfit to get this challenge going

Yes I'm hot and sweaty,  but I'm feeling good

Virtual Race Flier - any time, Any where, earn some bling.  Sign up by Dec 31

It's starting to look a lot like....

Well at least the inside of the house is looking like Christmas.  Growing up in Minnesota I am use to white Christmases, even after 7 years I'm still not use to it.  Add on this year we are looking at record Highs.

Oh well I am officially on vacation for the next 10 days!!!  I slept in an hour extra and then got up and remembered in was P90x3 yoga day!! Oh happy day!! My muscles were so glad for the stretching the yoga gives them.  I was even able to catch the amazing sunrise.

Merry Christmas eve eve.  Enjoy your time making memories

#day24

Taking time to remember

Channeled my buddy today - so I wore my I run 4 Jocelyn shirt to give me that extra push this morning.  What is the picture in the lower left you ask?  Well that is 1 of 2 lines of tape with X's on it.  This is used during the Agility workout for P90x3.  Never imagined just how good a workout one can get from two lines of tape and 6 x's!!!  It keeps you accurate throughout the whole work out.  

We are both off for the Christmas break!!! So we decided on an impromptu dinner date.  Love when these happen.  Just us before we fill our time with family and friends and the joy of kids at Christmas.  

Day 23 streak still going strong!!  Going right through the holidays with this streak.  There is no stopping me now!  

Why a random cardinal picture?  Well today is a very special day.  Today is my Gram's birthday.  She is no longer here with us, but every time one of these very special birds passes within my view I am reminded of this very special woman.  She loved these birds.  She was quite, but oh so smart - and when she had something to say you stopped and listened.   Everyone called her Gram.  All our family, but also all our Friends.  It also happens that she was called Alice as well.  She is who I am named after and I couldn't ask for a better person to try to live up to the name of.  May she be watching over us and be proud of the people we are today.  

I don't Want TO!!!

That is what my inner 2 year old was yelling at me this morning.  I really didn't want to work out.  Even though I had gotten enough sleep I was tired.  I have some soreness going on - but it is not bad soreness.   I don't know if that make since to any one else, but it is something I have always been clued into in myself.

It is Monday and I made a deal to #nevermissamonday and I also have the deal of #noexcuses.  I am happy to report that my deal is still on and my streak is still alive.  #day22!!!

P90x3 Day 8.  Back to synergistic.  The first 3 weeks you do the same workouts, then you progress on.  I actually found today to be harder than last week.  But that could be due to the fact that I upped the weights.

Yes my inner 2 year old threw a tantrum so I showed it who is boss!!  I only have two days of work this week and then I am off for 10 days so I knew I could push it and see what happens.  So .... for any weighted exercise this workout I used 10 lbs.  Last week was 5 pounds.  For the pull ups/chin ups I use the resistance band and I used the one that says it is 10 - 12 pounds.

It is now 6 hours later and I am feeling those extra pounds!!!  But I am ok with that. For week one I am down 1" total over all measurement areas, but I am up 3 pounds.  I know logically all the reasons for being up - and including that if you feel better and your clothes are feeling better than that is more important than what the scale says - but it is still very hard to see the scale go up when you are trying so hard to do things right.

I am making my goal this week to keep up with the workout streak and to focus on my eating plan.  Maybe I was off somewhere last week where I wasn't watching close enough.  This week shall tell.

It is Christmas week - don't let the holiday's make you stressed - find peace and love and let the rest go.

If you are looking to make changes in your workout and eating plans in the new year and want a coach to help encourage you and a challenge group to keep you accountable - please reach out to me.   You've seen me.  My progress, my ups, my downs.  You know I keep it real and I promise to keep it real with you too.

Whose watching you?

Happy Sunday!!! Up and getting in Dynamic stretching on this Day 7 of P90x3 and Day21 of my workout streak.  10 minutes left of the workout and my littlest monkey comes out to see whats going on. Then he asks if he can do it with me. Absolutely!!!  So for the last 9 minutes he finished p90x3 dynamic stretch with me.

Nothing like your little one watching and joining in to remind you why you are doing this and you never know who is paying attention.  As Tony Horton says "To your best and forget the rest".

Feeling pretty good now. Was stiff when I got up after all of yesterday's workouts and fun.  We carried on the family tradition on raced in the Jingle Bell 2 miler.

Rest and Restore today - tomorrow is Monday all over again!

Yes I know it is a star trek shirt, yes I know it is the dreaded red shirt - I don't own any star wars shirts.

One day cold enough in FL to wear a hoodie - well before the race started at least

Update on Jocelyn - she had a scare on the operating table, but she is ok.  She has a lot of restrictions but she was able to go home.  Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.
#irun4jocelyn

Make Saturday Count

Holy bananas!  Up at 5:30 to get P90x3 The Warrior workout in.  Then suited up for the Florida cold (it felt like 48 when I stepped out) and hit the road for 3.1 miles walking - training for 1/2 in February.  I was planning on trying for 6.2 miles - however my legs started cramping. I was pushing through it and then I remembered I have the Jingle Bell 2 miler tonight.  NO good to push now and not have a god race tonight.  So I Co ceded and stopped at 3.1 miles to warm up and get ready to take the little man for a birthday surprise.
#noexcuses get out there and make this Saturday count!

To Accomplish something you must first...

To Accomplish something you must first decide to try!!!

Day 5 p90x3 CVX - cardio with weight! Whew now that was a hard workout.  You could feel your muscles fatiguing while the cardio was making you feel tired!!!

Needless to say it took me longer to recover and get ready for work today!  I'm glad today is Friday!!!  I still have the weekend workouts ahead of me with my 1/2 marathon training on top of Saturday's workout, but #noexcuses!  I've got this!!

So who is ready for Christmas?  I still have some wrapping to do, other wise I am ready to go!!!

Remember you choose - decide to try!

Challenge yourself!

P90x3 Day 4 - The Challenge: 30 min of Pull ups/chin ups and push ups.  Pick your numbers of how many before had and hit that number for each round. Holy buckets!!  Challenge yourself and this workout kicks your butt.

Today I had to send my buddy some extra superhero vibes - she had surgery today. And yet she continues to smile and encourage me to keep push.  If you haven't checked out her page yet, please check it out and tell her I sent you. Hope-for-Jocelyn

Tomorrow is Friday!!  Tomorrow we will hit Day 5 of P90x3.  I am loving this program!!! I feel like I am getting an awesome workout in only 30 minutes and I feel like I'm getting results already.  Non-scale victories!!!

Shout out what State you are in - either here in the comments or in any of the pages that linked you here.   Have a great night and make it an amazing Friday.

Sending superhero vibes to my superhero

My superhero spreading smiles wherever she goes

Keeping it real - and going uncomfortable

Alright I so did not want to get up today - too many late nights in a row that have kept my brain buzzing through the night.  However the streak is still alive - Day 17 in the books!!!  No excuses is the way I am living.

"If your sick of staring over, stop quitting!" - Autumn Calabrese

I have take this quote to heart and I am living it.  What progress will I make if I keep letting my frustrations get to me.

P90x3 Yoga was the name of the game this morning.  LOVED IT!! as you can tell from how relaxed I am in the second picture. :)

Another awesome thing happened this morning - I saw some definition in my arms - I mentioned it to my husband thinking maybe it was just wishful thinking - nope he saw it too!!! woot woot!!!

Ok so what did I mean by going uncomfortable  - no I was not talking about wearing clothes that are too tight!!!  I meant push your comfort zone to make you better at what ever you are try to succeed at.  Last night I was the "presenter" for our team call.  I took some training over the weekend and they asked me to give my summary and tips from it.  I was nervous - I tend to speak really, really fast when I'm nervous or excited and I was both nervous and excited.  But I did it.  Afterwards I felt great! Felt like what I shared was valuable and that I kept my speech speed at normal rate!!! LOL I know not necessarily something people generally worry about.

Remember No Excuses and make your goals and reach your goals!

If you haven't checked out who I run 4 please do www.whoIrun4.com
Have you checked out my fitness page: RFit4Life
If your on instagram you can find me @hopcoach

Before Yoga

After Yoga