Playing "catch up"

 

Today I am playing "catch up".

 

I worked all weekend and then yesterday

 

my best friend came from out of town

 

and we had a girls adventure day-

 

we tried snowshoeing for the first time.

 

 

Neither of us really knew what we were getting ourselves into

 

but we both really enjoyed it!

 

What a great way to enjoy a beautiful winter day,

 

catch up with each other

 

and burn some calories together.

 

We managed to get in nearly 4 miles

 

and it was a great workout!

 

We both agreed that snowshoes

 

are now on the list of things that we need to get.

 

After working up an appetite

 

we headed to a local restaurant

 

that has an amazing soup, salad bar, and bread stick lunch.

 

It was a great day

 

with an amazing friend

 

that I don't get to spend enough time with.

 

I am very grateful that we

 

were able to have that time together!

 

 

 

After getting my fill of time with my bestie

 

Tim and I headed up to the Y

 

and got in a pretty good workout together too.

 

We ran a 5K (which after snowshoeing was a little tough)

 

and then got on the bikes for 5 miles

 

so we could check off more boxes for the Indoor Ironman.

 

It was a busy night at home so we were in a hurry

 

and didn't get our traditional post- workout picture.

 

That brings us to today-

 

Today is Tuesday and that means-

 

YOGA!

 

 

I usually run a couple of miles before yoga

 

but I forgot my iPod and watch

 

so I opted for the bike instead-

 

I know that I don't NEED those things to run

 

but I am sort of a numbers junkie

 

and I can always run tonight.

 

I got in good 12 miles on the bike

 

and then headed off to yoga.

 



too cute to not share!

I really do notice a difference in how I feel

 

when I am able to practice yoga regularly.

 

I am always grateful when I have Tuesdays off

 

and can make it to my favorite class.

 

 

Now it is time for the gratitude challenge.

 

I have not forgotten about it

 

I just haven't had time to do a post each day

 

due to 12 hr work days

 

and wanting to see my family

 

before doing it all again the next day.

 

I have kept up with the challenge

 

and have been writing in my journal until

 

I had more time to post.

 

Gratitude Challenge- Days 6- 10

 

Day 6-

"Today I want you to take about 3 minutes and stand in front of a full length mirror. I want you to write about 3 things you are grateful for about your body. NO NEGATIVITY!  Only things you are grateful for and why. "

 

OK... I have to admit that this is really HARD for me! I really struggle with loving my body and body image in general. I guess in some respects this assignment is perfect for me but it is really tough!

 1) I am grateful for my body as a whole because it carried, delivered and nourished 3 beautiful babies!

2) I am grateful for my strong legs because they have carried me through when I didn't think it was possible. They have helped me accomplish so much- from 5k to a full marathon to even a triathlon. They have kept me active and allow me to do so many things that I enjoy.

3) I am grateful for my brown eyes- just because!

 

 

Day 7-

"Write about 5 things in nature that you are grateful for today."

 

 

1) Sunshine, clouds, blue sky, sunsets

2) The changing seasons

3)The bluffs and river around where I live and all that they offer us

4) Stars and moon at night- when you take the time to stop and look it is amazing and beautiful!

5) Flowers and green grass- I am ready for spring, bring on baseball!

 

Day 8-

"Today is a tough one that will really make you think! Which one of your 5 senses are you most grateful for and why?"

 

This one has probably been one of the easiest for me! Definitely Sight!

 

I am grateful that I am able to see all of the beauty around me. I love seeing my boys faces light up then they are excited! I love seeing my little man's eyes sparkle with love when I get home and he comes running up to me to give me a hug. I am grateful that I am able to see the world around me and watch my boys do all of the things they love. You can see feelings and body language even if you can't hear it. Sight gives us so much information and so much insight into people.  I really think you can tell so much by people by looking into their eyes and by the expressions on their faces. I can't imagine not being able to see to do that.

 

Day 9-

"What photograph do you have in your possession that you are most grateful for right now? Why are you grateful for it?"

 

 

This is the picture that I am most grateful to have in my possession. This is a picture of my father-in-law. He passed away just after we were engaged. I am so incredibly grateful for having known him and getting to spend time with him! This picture is one of few that we have of him and we keep in tucked inside the frame of a picture that hangs in our living room so that he is always visible. We know that he is always with us in our hearts and minds but this is the only way that our boys know him and what he looked like. We try to talk about him often as a way for the boys to "know" him. He was an amazing man and it saddens me that they don't have him here to really know. This picture along with talking about him is the best that we can do.

 

Day 10-

"What song in your life are you grateful for? Write the words of the song that you are grateful for and why."

 

I have so many songs that I am grateful for! I think music really has a way of connecting us to what is going on in our lives and helping us connect to what we are feeling. It always feels like I hear just the right song at just the right time for what is happening in my life. I am not going to include just one song. I have a few that really stand out to me and they are all from our wedding day.

 

Here is the first:

 

From This Moment On

Song by Bryan White, Shania Twain

 

From this moment life has begun
From this moment you are the one
Right beside you is where I belong
From this moment on
From this moment, I have been blessed
I live only, for your happiness
And for your love, I give my last breath
From this moment on
I give my hand to you with all my heart
I can't wait to live my life with you I can't wait to start
You and I will never be apart
My dreams came true because of you
From this moment, as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing, I wouldn't give
From this moment on
You're the reason I believe in love
And you're the answer to my prayers from up above
All we need is just the two of us
My dreams came true because of you
From this moment, as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing, I wouldn't give
From this moment, I will love you
As long as I live from this moment on

This was our first dance song at our wedding and it really sums up that day for me.

 

The second:

 

 

This is another song that we danced to at our wedding with Tim's brothers and their wives.  It really meant a lot to us to include something like this tribute to Tim's dad.

 

The third:

 

 

This was a song that Tim's aunt and uncle sang at our wedding because we always felt like this touched us due to losing Tim's dad when we were so young and before our wedding, etc. I also lost my grandfather when I was very young and I always felt like he was an "angel among us" throughout my life!

 

I couldn't help but ask my husband what his song would be and his response was this and it really didn't surprise me at all. His dad loved eagles and this song was played at his funeral.

 

On Eagle's Wings

 

 

 

I really am enjoying this whole gratitude challenge!

 

I am also seeing changes in the

 

way that I look at things.

 

Before I close

 

I need to report back about last week's intentions:

 

Run 3 times- Ran 2 times

Complete weekly challenge exercises at least 5 times- completed 3 times

Attend yoga class- DONE!

Attend group strength training class- DONE!

Eat mindfully and watch portions- Did pretty good with this. Still have work to do but making progress.

No late evening snacking- DONE!

Water, Water, Water- DONE!

Complete daily gratitude challenge- DONE!

 

I am not perfect

 

but I am making progress

 

and that is what it is all about.

Three Things Thursday

Happy Thursday everyone!

 

 

 

Today is my "Sunday" as I work

 

the next three days (12 hr. shifts).

 

For today's post I am going to do "Three Things Thursday".

 

1) Workouts-

 

I am feeling really good about my workouts this week!!

 

Last night I got in another great workout

 

and got in way more than I had planned.

 

Having run in the morning

 

I told the boys that they could run

 

and I would take it easy on the recumbent bike

 

and read my book.

 

I don't normally read while I work out

 

but I wasn't going to push it on this workout

 

and just wanted to get some bike miles in for the Indoor Ironman.

 

I had about 6 miles in when

 

Tim and Ry were done running

 

but the weight area was packed

 

so they got on the bikes next to me

 

until the weight area opened up a bit.

 

Another 6 miles later it looked good.

 

That made 12 miles on the bike for me!!

 

Riley was hesitant about a workout

 

so I promised him a "fun" workout

 

and that meant...

 

medicine balls!

 

We set up a couple of different circuits

 

that I had a ton of fun with

 

but I am not sure that Tim and Ry

 

would agree with me.

 

Things were starting to get busy again

 

so we headed home to do our challenge workout.

 

Riley killed it again with a time of 5:12!

 

I don't know how he does it

 

but I know I won't get close.

 

I did PR again

 

but at the cost of losing my form!

 

Instagram from last night's workout.

 

Being that today is Thursday

 

that meant Group Strength Class at the Y.

 

Today was another challenging workout

 

but it felt amazing to get through it.

 

We took another field trip to the gym

 

for our warm up.

 

This is a whole workout in itself!

 

Weighted step-ups on the bleachers,

 

medicine ball wall slams

 

and pushing 25 lb plates across the gym

 

all times two.

 

I was definitely "warmed up"!

 

 

Then it was back to the studio

 

for the "real workout".

 

Last week I took a friend to the class

 

and she joined me again this week.

 

It was nice to have a friend there next to me.

 

She was a ROCKSTAR!

 

 

2) Latest read

 

Above I mentioned reading while I biked last night.

 

A few weeks ago I started this book:

 

 

After reading at the Y last night I got sucked in

 

and couldn't put it down!

 

I read while we watched TV

 

and then I even read for a while before bed

 

because I had to finish it.

 

What a great book!

 

It was interesting to read about Chrissie's life

 

and her triathlon and Ironman experiences

 

but it was also very inspiring.

 

It definitely made me think about pushing the limits

 

and what that means in my life.

 

I would definitely recommend this book!

 

 

3) Gratitude Challenge, Day 5

 

"Today we are going to write about nutrition and food. I want you to write about 3 foods or nutritional type things that you are grateful for and why you are grateful for them.

 

 

1) I am grateful for Oatmeal- I love to start my day off with a bowl of oatmeal (especially these cold winter days in Wisconsin).  There are so many ways that you can change things up and make it different each day. It is also very filling and holds me over till lunch. Oatmeal is one thing that I can eat for breakfast and then run shortly after eating it. It is always my breakfast before a race! 

 

2) I am grateful for fruit- It is an easy snack or addition to a meal. Unlike veggies, it is easy to get my whole family to eat fruit! I love to make fruit smoothies after a tough workout or run!

 

3) I am also grateful for dark chocolate, specifically this chocolate!

I love to keep these in the house for that sweet treat once in a while after supper. I tend to have a sweet tooth and one square totally satisfies that craving without over doing it. YUM!! 

 

 

 

Now it's your turn...

 

What 3 foods or nutritional type things are you grateful for and why?

 

Do you ever read when you workout?

 

What book would you recommend?

 

Please comment below to share!!



If it doesn't challenge you...

This week is shaping up to be a pretty

 

good week as far as workouts go

 

and I am really enjoying the gratitude challenge.

 

I am definitely challenging myself

 

 in many different ways this week

 

and that is what it is going

 

to take to make changes!

 

Last night I got in 8 miles on the bike

 

and then we lifted arms/back.

 

I also pushed myself hard

 

on my weekly challenge workout

 

and I believe it is a PR.

 

My Instagram from last night. I love this quote!

 

The Y was busy last night so we (Tim, Riley, and I)

 

 ended up doing the challenge workout

 

in the basement at home.

 

Riley has really been getting into this one

 

and I believe his time was 5:12!

 

Dang kid!!

 

I am going to have to push it harder

 

to keep up with him.

 

After we were all done

 

and I was spending some time stretching

 

this is what I witness and it melted my heart!

 

 

Aidan wanted in on the action

 

and Riley was teaching him to plank.

 

By looking at the last picture

 

I think Little Man has pretty good technique

 

and should tell Ry to get his booty down!

 

That brings us to today.

 

I got in a solid (ok but not wonderful)

 

5 miles on the treadmill at the Y.

 

I spent a good amount of time stretching

 

and ended it with some time in the water

 

where I got in a half mile.

 

The water felt wonderful but the run left me

 

with little in the tank.

 

 

Gratitude Challenge, Day 4:

 

"Today I want you to write about a situation you have been in that at the time was not good, but in the end you are grateful you went through it. What lesson did you learn and why are you grateful for it now?

 

I have had several situations that I could use for this entry. I have written about several in my journal but for this post I will go with being a melanoma survivor.  Two years ago I learned that I had melanoma and had to have a portion of my ear and lymph nodes in my neck removed. That situation straight up SUCKED! I was diagnosed right before Christmas but couldn't find out anything more until early January when I had my surgery. The waiting and the worrying were just awful. I don't know that I am ever going to be grateful for having gone through all of that but I definitely learned some lessons from all of it. I learned who had my back and who was there for me when I needed them the most! Going through those couple of rough months helped me to be grateful for the little things and taught me that those are actually the big things in life. The beauty in the little things were greatly magnified and still are- the beauty of fresh fallen snow, the twinkle of Christmas lights, the smiles on my boys' faces, the sky full of stars on a dark night. During that time all of those things became so important to me and helped me get through it all. Having that tough time helped me to be more present and live in the moment and to make the most of the time we have. You aren't guaranteed tomorrow and you just never know what is ahead!

 

 

Here is assignment number two for the day...

 

yep, double duty today!

 

"Write about a talent you possess that you are grateful for and why."

 

????

 

I am drawing a blank on this one. I don't necessarily consider myself a talented person so I don't know where to go with this assignment. The first thing that comes to mind is that I am relatively flexible but is that really a talent? The second thing that comes to mind is that I am able to push myself to my limits but again- I don't know that I consider that a talent. All these questions/doubts led me to looking up the definition of talent.

 

A natural aptitude or skill.

 

When I think of talent I think of music, art, writing, or being a stand out in a sport. I feel like I have been a pretty good athlete but never a stand out. I think there is some natural ability as far as sports are concerned but I have really had to work for what I have achieved in that area. I am grateful for that natural drive to push myself in all that I do. I am grateful for that interest in being active because it has brought with it go many great experiences where I have met many wonderful people.

 

 

Have you been doing the weekly challenge workout? If so, please comment to share how it's going!

 

What is a situation that was bad at the time but that you are now grateful for having been through? What lesson did you learn?

 

What is a talent that you possess that you are grateful for and why?



I am grateful for...

So far today has been a great day-

 

Day off of work = great workout day!

 

I got the boys off to school

 

and headed straight to The Y

 

where I got in a nice 5K run

 

and followed that with my favorite yoga class.

 

 

I ran into a friend

 

and was tempted to swim but decided

 

that yoga was just what I needed

 

after not being able to attend in nearly a month.

 

It really is a great workout

 

and always leaves me feeling

 

more relaxed and balanced.

 

I am grateful for such a great morning-

 

getting active, finding peace, and getting things done!

 

Now it is time for today's gratitude challenge exercise...

 

 

Gratitude Challenge, Day 3:

 

"Today I want you to write about 5 friends you are grateful for and why. If you would like to take it a step further- tell them. Write a handwritten note to tell them you are grateful for them and why. A handwritten note means so much in today's virtual world."

 

I am really struggling with today's exercise not so much the having friends part but the best way to approach it. I have so many wonderful friends that I am incredibly grateful for. I really don't feel comfortable putting names in my post and picking just five. I really don't want to hurt anyone's feelings if I missed them or didn't pick them for the post. I have completed this exercise in my journal but I am going to go a different route for my blog post.

 

Like I said, I have many friends that I am incredibly grateful for. In thinking about it more this morning while doing my journal, these people are friends on many different levels and in different categories in my life. Some friends may fall into multiple categories but in general these are all people that I have built a genuine connection with. They have my back and I have theirs. They are all people that I totally and completely trust and respect.

 

Best friends/lifetime friends- This is by far the smallest group! These are the people that know me the best and on the deepest level. They have been by my side through the most crappy times and have been there for the best times. There are a few people in this category that have been in my life the longest and really know where I have come from in life. We may not see each other every day or even every week but we are always in touch and can pick right up where we leave off. I am so grateful for these people in my life because they are my biggest supporters in ALL that I do. They encourage me, push me, listen to me and are there for me to lean on. I could never say enough about how much these people mean to me!

 

Mom friends- This group is growing as each of the boys are participating in more and more activities and as they are beginning to be with the same kids more. This is a very special group of friends! They understand the demands of being a busy, working mom and trying to fit it all in. They have been there to help support me in so many ways- from helping drive kids to keeping kids overnight to help get them to games/activities. At times these friends are just as much of a parent to my kids as I am. I look up to so many friends in this group and hope to be as great of a parent to my kids as I witness them being to theirs. The level of contact with these friends tends to change with the seasons but many of them are always around in some capacity. I am incredibly grateful for the friends in this group and all of the support and love they have given to me and my family!

 

Work friends- What fun would work be without these people?  It isn't always about fun though... these friends are people that I know have my back when it comes to work related issues. How would I get through the long 12 hour shifts without these people? These friends have supported me in so many ways. They have been there when I needed a trade or time off. They have been available when I have had questions. They listen to me whether it's an interesting story or to vent. They let me bounce ideas off of them and help give me ideas when I need to figure something out. They help me see the bright side of various situations. They encourage me and care about helping to make me better in my job and as a person. These are the people at work who have taken time to get to know me as a person and ask about my family. They remember things that I am doing and then ask about them. I am very grateful for all that these friends do to help make all of the time that I spend at work the best that it can be. 

 

I am blessed beyond belief with some wonderful friends! I can only hope that I am being that much of a blessing back to them!!! I can't even begin express my gratitude for all of these wonderful people in my life. I hope that the things that I have said above do them justice and you can bet that over the next few weeks I will be expressing my gratitude in person and/or in writing.

 

It's Monday

 

Last week was a little rough for me

 

in the areas of fitness and eating!

 

I got in some good workouts

 

on my days off

 

but on the days that I worked

 

I let excuses get in my way.

 

Eating was good until the end of the week

 

then a stressful day got the best of me.

 

I had a goal for the week to eat mindfully

 

and I was very mindful of the fact

 

that I was emotionally eating Friday night!

 

I guess acknowledging that is the first step, right?

 

Stopping it once I acknowledge it is the next step!

 

It is now a new week

 

with a fresh start!

 

I need a do-over on the challenge exercises

 

 so we are keeping them the same this week.

 

20 jumping jacks

20 crunches

20 squats

20 push-ups

:30 plank

Repeat 3x for time

 

NO EXCUSES this week!!

 

I have mentioned in a past post

 

that I have been doing daily intentions

 

but I don't think that I mentioned

 

that I have also been doing weekly intentions (or a weekly focus) as well.

 

As a way to hold myself accountable

 

I am going to share them with you this week.

 

Run 3 times

Complete weekly challenge exercises at least 5 times

Attend yoga class

Attend group strength training class

Eat mindfully and watch portions

No late evening snacking

Water, Water, Water

Complete daily gratitude challenge

 

I will do a follow up at the end of the week

 

to report back.

 

If you follow me on social media

 

feel free to hold me accountable to these intentions!

 

 

Gratitude Challenge, Day 2:

 

Take a few minutes to look around at your surrounds and write about what you are grateful for in regards to  your surroundings.

 

As I look around me I realize that I really do have everything that I need to live a wonderful life! First, a nice home to keep us safe and warm. My home isn't large or fancy but it meets our needs just fine! We live in a nice neighborhood with amazing neighbors that I am very grateful for and am blessed to have in my life. I am grateful to live where I do- I love experiencing the four seasons and all of the beauty that goes with each. I love everything from the river to the bluffs and all that each have to offer as we seek an active lifestyle.

 

I am grateful for an amazing family who loves and supports me as well as one another. My three boys are my world and I love that we are able to do so many wonderful things as a family. My husband is my best friend and my rock! He supports me through it all and is right by my side on all of our crazy adventures.

 

I am grateful for the many wonderful friends that surround me and support me in so many ways! I can't imagine my life without them.

 

As I look around me it isn't necessarily the "things" that I appreciate- they are just things! It is the people and the environment that surrounds me that I appreciate so much.

 

How about you? Please share what you are grateful for in regards to your surroundings.

 

 

**Note: I worked a 12 hour day shift and came home and got right down to business and got my weekly challenge workout done. YAY ME!!!

 

 

 

 



February filled with...

February already?

 

It's crazy to think that we have already

 

completed one full month of 2015!

 

 

Before I get to my main point of this post

 

I just have to say how PROUD

 

I am of this boy!!!

 

 

He was a ROCKSTAR

 

in his basketball game yesterday.

 

 

He was full of hustle

 

and teamwork!

 

It was so much fun to watch

 

him score points, assist in plays

 

and be a leader on the team.

 

He has made so many improvements

 

this year and we are so proud!

 

Ok...

 

now back to my main topic for this post.

 

I said in an earlier post that I am going to focus

 

on something each month that I would like to

 

change/improve in my life, so-

 

February is going to be filled with...

 

 

Filling my heart with gratitude

 

seems like the perfect

 

 way to focus/challenge myself in February.

 

Through out the month I will also be

 

participating in a Gratitude Challenge

 

that is being hosted by an awesome blogger

 

that I recently came across and love-

 

Jennifer @ Just A Mom Giving It A Tri.

 

You can also find her on Facebook and

 

request to join her challenge group.

 

Each day,

 

during the month of February,

 

she will post a question

 

and we are to record our answers

 

in whatever way we would like-

 

podcasts, Instagram posts, Twitter, Facebook, blog, or even old school paper and pencil.

 

I am excited about participating in this challenge

 

because I have read so much on the benefits of gratitude

 

and it is something that I have been working on for several months now.

 

I am hoping that by doing this daily

 

for the next 28 days that I can make it into a habit that I will stick with.

 

Just a few of the benefits of expressing gratitude:

 

helps promote health,

 

improves our outlook on life,

 

and helps us handle situations with less stress.

 

Today's question:

 

Why did you accept this challenge and what do you hope to gain from it?

 

I accepted this challenge because this is an area of my life that I have been working to improve. Let's face it- life gets CRAZY! Work is busy. My husband and I are spending most evenings rushing kids from activity to activity. We are trying to keep the house clean, laundry done and put healthy food on the table. We are trying to maintain a relationship with each other, with friends and with other family members. We are trying to fit in time to do activities that we each like to do. It is easy to get caught up in the craziness of day to day life and forget about all that we have to be grateful for! Gratitude is so important and I know there are so many great benefits to having gratitude be a regular part of my life. By participating in this challenge I am hoping to make this a daily habit!