Tools I Use for Fitness

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I have been using a few things to help me along in my quest for better health. I need to lose weight. I have put on about 25lbs over the last few years & this is the year it is coming off. I am down about 11lbs so far so almost 1/2 way there! Along with being nerdy I love technology. There I said it. I love being able to track besides a pen & paper. Although I love my pencil & paper & still have a day planner.

So the 1st tool I use is www.sparkpeople.com. This is a free website that you can use to track food AND excercise. It has a great community message board to keep you motivated & its super easy to navigate around in. And if you have a smart phone their app is WONDERFUL! I use this to track my food. They have a bar code scanner so you don't have to type if you don't want to but their library of food is amazing. If by chance what you eat isn't in there you can add it.

Body Bugg

 



2nd tool is the body bugg. This is new to me, I have only had it a week. So far so good! I love being able to see my calorie burn for the day & not guess. My husband got a great deal on this so keep you eye out for them. I just have a basic one, no watch, ect. The cons: I don't like to wear it all the time (to bed is the worst so I usually take it off then) & the website. You are able to track your food on it but there is limited selections compared to Spark People. So at this point I am only using the website for calorie tracking. You are also required to pay each month to use the website. My bugg came with a 6 month subscription so I am planning to have the weight off in plenty of time so I don't have to pay.

3rd which I don't use anymore due to the bugg is a heart rate monitor. I LOVED my Polar Monitor but the chest strap died (had it a few years). I fullly plan to replace it at a later date. I could wear it while I worked out & it was more accuate than the machines PLUS wearing it was when I found out I wasn't getting my heartrate up high enough. I have another heart rate monitor but I didn't like it as much as the Polar. My husband even has one for when he is training and we have got one of our friends who is trying to lose weight to get one. Can you tell we LOVE it!!

So there are my 3 go-to items in getting fit. Did you notice the scale is not one of my tools?? I tend to lean to how I feel and look as to if I am getting towards my goals. I weigh in MAYBE once a week, more like once a month though. I know you need to know if you are moving towards where you want to be but I also want to feel healthy & happy.

So get out there & move this weekend! Maybe do a little more for me since I am stuck home with a horrible cold.

Do Good, Feel Good

 

 

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I am sure most of you have heard about random acts of kindness but have you done them? I have been doing some research & there is even an organization devoted to this. Ann Curry started one, google it & you can find tons of examples. I am so interested as I love to give back when I can. But it seems life gets in the way & it happens less & less. Yes the holidays bring out the best but it should be a year round event. So I am adding this to my happiness project but for the whole year.

 

Please include this in your year too. It doesn't have to cost a ton or take loads of time, small tokens mean the most. As always, let me know if you do start & what you do.

January = Energy & Health

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I saw this & lol. It kind of reminds me of working out with my husband.....

 

January is my focus on my energy & health. It is hard to move through life feeling tired & worn out when you are trying to be happy so month 1 is a me month. ME, ME, ME!!!

So this month here are my main focus points:

• Exercise : It is a proven fact people that exercise are happier. It is a proven fact I feel 100% better after I exercise so why sometimes is it so hard to get my butt there?!

Plan here: Get my butt to the gym & get moving! When home get moving instead of sitting on my rear. Not only does this increase your calorie burn but it also get stuff done around the house!

• More Sleep: I tend to get overly tired, which leads to sitting on my butt, snapping at my husband & just overall unhappiness.

Plan here: Get a night time routine down. I tend to get a 2nd wind of energy after the gym making it hard to get to sleep. I am planning to be in bed by 9/9:30 & read for a 1/2 hour or so, always calms me down. I was doing this in MN & it worked wonders. Plus I LOVE to read so its a win, win.

• Eat Better & Smarter: Once again my body knows when I eat poorly. I feel gross & sluggish.

Plan here: Make better choices. I don't want to "diet", I don't believe in them at all. I want to make healthier choices & not beat myself up when I don't. Food makes me happy. I love baking, cooking & trying most new things. I also am adding in more water, less soda. As much as I LOVE my Diet Coke I know there are healthier options (water) when I am thirsty.

So it seems like this is a typical New Years story BUT it all ties to a persons happiness. I know 100% I feel wonderful when I take care of myself so why not do it. It makes me nicer to be around & my husband is so supportive it increases his happiness also. Now I have a secret, I have been working on this for a few months. I have already lost 10lbs with exercise & a smarter diet. Will I ever be 100% clean eater, no. I love sweets, breads, & food in general too much. But I do find myself making better choices.

I will continue to check in on where I am at & of course, life & all that fun stuff.

My 2013 Plan of Action

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Happiness is kitty snuggles.....

 

So I have been putting together my own 2013 happiness project & decided I don't want to do a whole year plan. I have so much I am looking forward to I am going to only hit 6 months so I can move forward!

 

So here are what my 6 months will look like, more details will come up each month for what I am working on.

 

January: Energy - Health

February: Love - Marriage

March: Family

April: Friendships

May: Attitude

June: Life

 

Besides my mini happiness project I will be focusing on finances & clearing out clutter. I have slowly been working on the clutter so that will be a continuing goal along with getting what is left organized. My finances have not been looked at in a long time & I am ready to tackle them. One major thing I will be working on this year is to curb my spending, do I really need that shirt from Target???? I have thought about only buying some stuff 2nd hand but have not set down with an actual plan. I will continue to use coupons as 2012 I saved over $1000 with coupons & we actually have some extra on hand instead of rushing to the store.

 

2013 is an exciting year for me & its been a while since I could say that. I am always so worried about my job drama, family drama & petty stuff around the house I am ready to be free & have some fun!

 

So what are your 2013 goals??



Happiness

My happiness to start my year.....

Dancing with my husband at the end of a great night out with friends. It was perfect.

Happy New Years & I can't wait to begin 2013.

Happiness Project

So I have recently read this book and it is wonderful. I have been recommending it all over the place and actually bought it for my Kindle AND the paperback for sharing.

I will be the first to admit I am happy but not as happy as I could be. I rush through life, get annoyed easily & get down when things aren't that bad. So this was an eye opener book for me. Does it teach you the "secret" to being perfectly happy.....no. BUT it does help you look at your own life & where you maybe need some work on. This book was interesting to me no only because it had great reviews but it had research on different principles of happiness. My inner dork LOVES research.

So pick it up today & I will be returning with my own happiness project 2013.

Chicken Stock

So with not baking in all my spare time I get to work on some of the stuff I have wanted to do but haven't had the time. My list is huge but I did get to try 2 of them today.
1. Roast a chicken in the oven.
2. Homemade chicken stock.

As weird as it is I have never roasted a chicken in the oven. Crockpot yes but it wasn't the same. So this morning it happened. Washed it up, dried & seasoned. baked for 90 minutes & it was done! So easy and tastes so good!

And since I had all the fixins I made some homemade chicken stock. Now I knew it was easy but I thought maybe it would be not worth the effort when you can just buy it. Its worth it. My house smelled wonderful all afternoon and I love that I know everything that is in it. As I get older I tend to be a little more aware of what I am consuming. Does this stop me from eating fast food, processed food, ect....no. I know I don't have the time to 100% do this right now. BUT when things get settled on the homefront I tend to move us more over that way.

Chicken Stock!

 

Here is my unofficial recipe AND I haven't used it yet. Next weekend chicken & noodles is on my radar.....

 

Handful of baby carrots (I had them in the house but you can always use regular ones peeled & cut up)

3-4 celery stalks cut in a few pieces

Onion 1-2 medium

Chicken Carass & Scraps

1 TBSP Kosar salt

Seasoning (pepper, rosemary, ect)

4-5 Qts water

 

I just used salt & pepper for this batch. I will play around later with new herbs.

 

Brown veggies with some olive oil, add carass, water & seasoning. Bring to a boil & then turn down to a simmer for 4-5hrs. I did 5 today & it smells so good! Strain all solid stuff & you have chicken stock. I stuck mine in the freezer & will thaw to use.

 

Super easy & a new homemade in our house!



OPI Snob

So for the longest time I didn't do my nails because I did a ton of dishes by hand with the bakery. It just didn't last & I didn't have the time to mess with it. BUT I love to do them so I am a little excited to be able to again.

I am a little snobbish when it comes to nail polish. I LOVE OPI and that is what I mostly grab. I will buy some others but like I said OPI is my favorite. I went in for 1 bottle a few weeks ago & came out with 3.....oops.

So tonight I finally had time to do my nails & I have to tell you I am in love with this color, I might never change it.

 

dutch 'ya just in love - OPI

 

It is such a great fall color & not super bright. So with all my rambling what is your favorite color & brands?? I love to try new products!

Couponing....

Yes I coupon......not in a completely crazy way but in a yes we have extras on hand. The super sweet thing about living up in MN right now, I am by a ton of stores. So I have been taking advantage of some sales & freebies. As some stores you can only use so many coupons, ect. My favorite place to coupon......Target. I don't have my lists done yet but tomorrow night I will finish cutting coupons & head to score some bargins Wed/Thursday night.

There are some great facebook pages to follow easily. Some of my favorites Totally Target & Wild for Wags. There is a Walmart one also along with several local groups. I don't often shop at Walmart just for personal reasons so I tend not to even plan going there unless there is something I have to have. They are not coupon friendly so I would rather pay a little more to have the comfort provided at Target.

I hopefully will start posting some of my trips or at least my lists so you guys can share the bargins if you so want to. The great thing about couponing is being able to help others out if needed.  I love to take boxes to families in need or the animal shelters.

So as the holidays get closer take a look at how you can help others in need. Even if it is a small token, volunteering or a kind word, it all makes a difference.

Long Week....

I know everyone has these weeks, the ones that never end during the work week but weekends fly by. This week was busy at work due to meetings, busy at night due to dinners & other projects I am working on, and busy this weekend getting the yard ready for winter. Which by the way is a better workout than stepping foot in the gym, boy am I sore today!

Traffic one morning, but everyday sucked this week.

 

I did get some snow this week in Minnesota. I also had some great workouts this week. I need to step it up a bit and get my butt back in gear. I have been slacking a little & I can tell. Work is great BUT I think we are going to stay in Iowa so I need to find something back here. I hate to say that because I love my job but I love my family more & no job is worth breaking up a marriage.

 

This makes everything better. I LOVE this creamer....

 

Hope everyone had a great weekend & I need to get back to my to-do list!!





Home Sick

It has been a hard week for me be being away. I haven't felt the greatest, my back hurts & my workouts have sucked because of all the above. I need to just keep reminding myself of that statement above. I know if I am strong everything will work out no matter where we land.

On a wonderful note......tomorrow I head home for the weekend!! I can't begin to tell you how excited I am about this!!!! So goodnight. I am off to bed, its going to be an early morning!

Fall Fun

So it has been a busy few weeks. I was in 3 state a few Fridays ago! Sounds cool...but it wasn't. Fall is upon us & I am in love.

Check out this great picture on my way back to Iowa!

 

I spent 1 weekend in a small Iowa town called Elkader. I thought it would be a little boring town....it is nothing even close! Yes it is small but there is so much personality, small shops & great food. Another plus....the scenery is beautiful. I adore this town & can't wait to go back. While I was there I took a little drive to Dubuque to finally visit the All Things Sweet Shop, a little cupcake shop. I not only was excited to meet the owner as we have been talking back & forth but I have been dying for some baked goods! Jenn delivered on all levels. Yummmmm now I am craving a muddy farmer cupcake.....

 

drool

 

I spent last weekend locked in my house. I have been homesick & was excited to be back. Friday we partied it up at a wedding & a friends birthday. Poor Sunday I didn't leave my cuddle duds......I did cook up a storm for the hubby to have some dinners & lunches while I am away this week. I am already counting the days till I am back home!

 

On the new job.....it is going well. I just can't get over how quiet it is. We just need lots of prayers to get the hubby up here on the job front. I don't think we will be able to keep going back & forth for long term. I have been throwing myself in the gym & have lost 5lbs!! Exciting I know.



Fall Beauty

 

 

One of the great pictures I took on my way back to Iowa. I love the fall!!

Step 2.....

Step 2 is to stay in the moment.......

So to finish up last week work was ok. Training is never fun & always just a little boring. But it was exciting to go home Friday & spend the weekend with my husband & cats! I can not describe the joy it was to see him when I got home. I think it was even better than when we 1st starting dating......

He did a great job of spoiling me & I hope I did a good job with him. Monday morning was sad BUT I only teared up a little leaving. Skype has been a great tool for us. Its nice to see each other, even if you get to see up someones nose.....

This week has been better but I find myself planning going back to Iowa. Planning the worse case in my head. Maybe its the quiet office or maybe its the missing of my family. I keep pulling myself back to now & here. I need to give this my all whether it works out or not.

So with that being said I have been throwing myself into the gym. Tonight I did my 1st body pump class & boy I can already feel it.......Lord help me tomorrow.

Step 1......

Step 1.....leave the house. Who would have thought that would be the hardest thing I have had to do in a LONG time.

I started my new job Monday and at 5:45am I was on the road to Minnesota. I cried the night before & on & off the way up there. I hate leaving my husband & it was 100 times harder than I ever thought it to be. I wanted to turn around.

But I am through day 2 and am trying to keep busy & focus on anything but missing them. Which is harder than it seems.....

I have my bed filled with my laptop, phone & charger, a notebook & pencil, pillow pet & remotes. Whenever I travel without Tom this is what I do, fill my bed up with stuff trying to fill my biggest missing piece. So with that being said I should get to sleep. I don't know if this will get easier but I know we will get through this challenge with a new respect & deeper love than we had before.

I love you to the moon & back Thomas!!!

Bittersweet Week

So this week is a sad but exciting week. I accepted the position in Minnesota and start next week. I am excited but terrified of what is to come. I think my biggest issue is leaving my husband AND cats. I am sad thinking about next Monday mornings drive.

I am praying that his 2nd interview goes well Friday & that we won't be apart that long. I am going to use this extra time to throw myself back into the gym. I also joined a bookclub (dork alert!!).

How can you not miss this face!!

 

So I am going to make the most of this week & keep most of our routines in place. I will make some extra food for the hubbys meals & try to make this as easy as possible. I am going to miss being around all the time & just hanging out. I take a little comfort that it won't be forever though!!

Holiday Weekend = Camping??

So I know you don't know a ton about me but here is a little tidbit......I am a "city" girl. I don't like being in the wilderness for extended periods of time, swimming in dirty water or peeing outside. BUT my husband love the outdoors. He will also go camping in the middle of no where. He has been trying to get me to camp with him & his friends for ages but I always have a reason not to until this weekend. So Saturday he bought me a sleeping bag (thanks honey!) & we packed up the truck. I was not looking forward to this as there are no toilets or running water. GROSS!!

By the way there are no pictures.......I looked like I had been through hell & back this morning. Anywho....we got the tent up, fire going & food cooking. To be honest with you I loved all of this. Although we did forget to get smores stuff. The things I don't like, peeing outside & super drunk boys.

But I made it home in one piece and with some great hubby bonus points!

Getting Back into the Groove

So this week we have been getting back into the swing of things since last week was anything but normal. Work/gym/dinner you know the drill......

Tonight though is the night of all nights for the hubby.....fantasy football draft. Lets just say this is his Christmas!! We did an online draft instead of a live one & it was fun & much easier. So we are both sacked out on the couch laptops in hand, Bears gear in full force.

Like my new hat????

 

So now we are ready for the weekend. I have to bake tomorrow morning & then I am FREE!! Time to keep working on our house, yard, grocery shopping & all that fun stuff!

 

So on that note: GO BEARS!!!



A Sad Goodbye

Monday night my Grandpa passed away after a long struggle with COPD. Although I will miss him everyday I am glad he isn't in pain and comfortable finally.

He was the best Grandpa anyone could ever ask for & I am lucky to have been able to spend so much time with him. I was glued to his side growing up & always a Grandpa's girl. We had some pretty great times together!!

It is now time to spend our time not grieving but remembering all those good times. It has been nice spending so much time with my family & my husband has been wonderfully supportive. We have been going through pictures & telling stories. Friday & Saturday will be hard but as a family we will get through it.

Remember to give your loved ones a good squeeze tonight & tell them you love them. You never know what will happen & I have come to find out family is everything!

Sunday Onto Monday

And we are at the end of our weekend and it is bittersweet. We had a wonderful weekend filled with good food, friends & lots of together time. It was a great change of pace from our normal weekends.

BUT this week is the week to make our final decision on moving out of state or not. Its hard because there is family here, our house & a sense of home. At the same time moving opens up so many new doors for us. New jobs, house & a fresh start. There is no wrong decision but it is a big one regardless of how you look at it. My biggest downfall is not living with Tom for a while. The longest we have been apart is a week. It breaks my heart to be away from him & the cats. Yes that is dorky but they are our children!

So I leave you with a reminder to hold those close to you this week, remind those you love them & all they do for you. My Grandpa is in his final days with us & I pray for comfort for him. I am so proud of my family being a complete support unit for each other the last few months.