Fitness Friday: Goodbye 2013

Welcome to Fitness Friday!!

This year has been an incredible fitness journey for me. As I was just coming out of having a baby and moving into my new role as mommy, while struggling to get back into shape, I found how much I LOVE fitness. My passion for healthy eating and living blossomed and although I haven't mastered it, I have found ways to eat a more balanced diet. I began working more on eating well and incorporating more toning and weights. This was all very new to me. I just thought if I out ran my excessive eating technique, that I would be 'skinny.' This couldn't be further from the truth. What I may look like on the outside, does not reflect what is going on on the inside. I'd rather have some 'not-so-proud-areas' and be healthy, than be very 'skinny,' and starving. Good is too good, it's my medicine. Why take vitamins when a delicious kale salad is waiting. And YES kale can be tasty. Don't believe me, ask my husband :).

I really took an interest in health when I first got pregnant. Caring for a little one was of upmost importance. It was my turn to try to be the best mommy and give EVERYTHING I could to this little life, even before she was wiggling and kicking in my arms. 

Here was my week in fitness:

Saturday: 10k, run to and from work

Sunday: 5 mile run, 5 minute plank

Monday: Hot yoga

Tuesday: Hot yoga

Wednesday: 5k

Thursday:8.5 miles

Friday: Tone it Up workout on my new Beach Babe DVD

I really feel so encouraged where I am in life now. I know that it doesn't have everything to do with health and fitness, but it really makes my life easier. Here is why I exercise:

1. Me-time

2. Helps me cope

3. I am a better problem solver.

4. I am more patient on days I workout.

5. I am less fatigued.

6. I am setting an example to health to those around me.

7. IT'S FUN!!

8. It is both communal and solitary.

9. It benefits me wholly.

10. I draw nearer to God (especially on my runs and during yoga).

I challenge you this year to take your fitness to the next level. It may just be walking a mile, or eating less sugar. It may by riding yourself of an unhealthy habit. DO IT! It's time that you took a moment for yourself because in the long run  (hehe) you will be better, stronger, and more confident that you have accomplished a physical task.

Comment below how you WILL be resolving to make a change in your health/fitness.

How will you make a difference in your health?

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 www.mommyhoodandmarathons.blogspot.com

Happy Holidays!!

This season turned out to be full of memories. Last year I pushed and pushed, only resulting in my frustration with all that we DID NOT do, instead of appreciating the moments of joy.

Light tours

 Gymnastic fun (Polar express)

Tree Hunting

General silliness 

Friends of the Friendless Party

Fun at the park

What are your favorite holiday activities?

Lilly Mae; 19 months

Oh my sweet girl. You have grown so much in this last month I can hardly believe it. We are so blessed by your sweetness and love your gentle personality.

LOVES GYMNASTICS!!

Can now say: auntie, applesauce, ball, papa, 

Loves to dance and move

Uses her hands to direct you where she wants you to go (by pointing or physically moving you)

Learning independence

Wanting to talk

Gets frustrated when she can't communicate

Likes to take her shoes off

Falls asleep on mommy's chest and transfers to bed

Getting her molars!!!

Had some restless nights

Doesn't like baths, but likes the shower.

Loves to walk and explore.

Loves the park.

Not a huge fan of the stroller.

Likes to give kisses. 

Holds your face sometimes and kisses you.

Doesn't like onions or meat.

Can't eat tomatoes and dairy

Our sweet Lilly Love. We pray that you will be a gentle spirit but one with a bold voice. We love you baby girl!!

Book Review: The Rosie Project

The Rosie Project Book Review

I LOVE books!!! Just ask my husband. I went through a phase where all I wanted was books. Non fiction, fiction, and trilogies OH MY!!

It's not until I finished this book had I found a new favorite. My latest favorite was When Love Walked In by Marisa De Los Santos. An incredible read. Lovely characters, a thrilling story. That boon will forever be my favorite. But then I met Don. 

What a wonderful character so real I felt like I knew him. And Rosie, a woman I'd wish to have coffee with. 

The story is about a professor, who social awkwardness is the both comic relief and the heartache in the story. He is determined to find a mate by creating a survey for women to fill out. He has it perfected, knowing exactly the women who answered these questions correctly would be his match. But what he finds is unimaginable  and certainly unacceptable in Don's eyes. But it is love and true love isn't always what we thought it was.

I fell in love with this story because the characters seemed so real. I loved that Simison highlights their flaws in such an endearing way. I seem to also have a love for characters with Asperger's. For instance, I loved the stories: The Curious Incidents of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon, Loser by Jerry Spinelli, and Rules by Cynthia Lord. These book sall have characters who are on the spectrum. I also LOVED the movie Mozart and the Whale!!! And who isn't a fan of the classic Rain Man. 

Anyway, the main character Don is so lovable and real, it was hard for me to believe I wasn't going to run into him while walking down the street. Simison does a beautiful job creating a story that is so real and beautiful!

A MUST READ!!!

6 out of 5 hearts. I mean it is that GOOD!

 

Fitness Friday: Holly Jolly Christmas

Five days till Christmas! And man I've been eating so many goodies. Homemade treats are my weakness. Even though there is sugar, butter, and loads of flour in these treats I can't help but enjoy a few bites. Still trying to fit in some exercise though!

This week in fitness:

Saturday: 6.2 miles

Sunday: Rest

Monday: 1 hour hot yoga

Tuesday: 1 hour hot yoga

Wednesday: 1 hour hot yoga

Thursday: 3 rounds of Karena's Holiday Arm Workout (Tone It Up)

Friday: Hopefully some running

This week I caught a cold. Not a huge cold, but one that comes with an annoying barking cough. I haven't been able to get out and run, as now little miss has it too. I've been going to yoga in the morning, which has helped cleared out my congestion, but then I have little energy this week for running. Bummer. It's been so nice out too. I'm hoping at some point today I can at least get a few miles in. But it won't kill me to take a week off, even though it feels like it is killing me :)

I have such a hard time with not working out. Its my saving grace. I NEED it. It helps me sort out my problems. And even though I love to snuggle up with a great book during LM naptime. I find it had to not feel guilty that I didn't at least do some physical activity. Boo! I've got to learn how to enjoy RESTING!!!

Have a wonderful holiday break!! And I'll be trying to find the balance in resting and recovery and gobbling down homemade goodies.

Fitness Friday

Goodness another Friday!! Just two weeks till Christmas. I mentioned a few weeks ago about how I had been working on giving up sweets. Well...that hasn't been going well. What has is that I'm not eating a ton, but I keep buying candy and munching on it. The feeling after inhaling a box of Mike and Ike's isn't great. So I'm trying to remind my mind that each time I have a craving.

My yoga practice has had some big accomplishments. I'm feeling more energized, despite the 5:00 wake up. I've mastered crow/crane pose, even being able to go from it into chaturanga. I'm feeling a lot stronger, but also realizing my weak spots. I love the practice of yoga and how just like running it brings me closer to God. The ability to manipulate your body reminds me to be grateful that I have movement in my body, of health, and of the persistance I have to continue to challenge/humble myself.

This weather is my favorite for running. Even though I finished my goal of running a half each month, I'm already planning for next year's California International Marathon. I'm not sure of how much I will have to run.

Saturday: REST

Sunday: 1 hour of hot yoga, 7 mile run

Monday: 1 hour hot yoga

Tuesday: 1 hour hot yoga

Wednesday: 1 hour hot yoga

Thursday: 1 hour hot yoga, 4.5 mile run

I'm not sure what I will work on today. I'm wanting to work on some yoga poses now that I have mastered crow/crane. Possibly get in a longer run too!

Have a lovely weekend!!

 

Fitness Friday: Baby It's Cold Outside

This weather is cold!!! California cold that is. Yesterday I went running at 9 and it was below freezing, nothing like making sure you don't slip on ice. However, we are in need of some rain. Despite the cold, it is beautiful. The sun is shining. But I forsee the new year bringing in some heavy downpour to make up for the dry November and December. 

How are you staying active despite the weather?

Last month I won a free month of yoga at a nearby hot yoga studio. It's not Bikram, but they do a lot of Vinyasa yoga, which is quick paced. I've been trying to go to the studio before school. They offer a 6 am class and I am able to leave just a little early to shower and get dressed. Despite my hair looking like a wet dog, I've managed to make it to school on time. In just the two weeks I've been going ( a total of 7 times), I've noticed a HUGE change in my body, mostly in my waist. It is more shapely. My running has also benefitted. I'm not having knee pain or back pain as much.

I was also able to finish my goal of running one 1/2 marathon every month for a year. It was challenge for sure. Some months a 13.1 mile run did not look fun and other months I was able to go further. On a cool June morning, I completed 16 miles. Reflecting back, this was a great challenge for me to be able to complete. I'm not sure how I will challenge myself next year, but I'm hoping that 1/2 marathons will become fun again :)..

This week in fitness:

Saturday: 75 minutes yoga

Sunday: 13.1 mile run

Monday: REST

Tuesday: 1 hour hot yoga, 2.5 mile run

Wednesday: 1 hour hot yoga

Thursday, 3.3 mile run

Friday: hot yoga and a run?

The California International Marathon commences this Sunday. I wish that we lived in a place where we could sit outside and watch the marathoner's go by. It is such a thrill to be a part of that event. I wish all those runners luck!!

Happy Friday! Make today count!!