Week One Check In

Week one of the 9 Weeks to 29 Challenge is done! So how did it go? Well, it went alright...not as well as I would have liked because I got stuck in San Francisco for several more hours than I planned on my trip to Southern California, and I got a nasty cold. Fun times.

So far I've taken my vitamins everyday, not had a single sip of diet coke, and tracked everything I've been eating. In that regard, I'm quite pleased with how the week went. It was a good way to notice that my diet needs some more cleaning up, and overall I feel well. I didn't get in my five workouts though, and that's what I'm most bummed about. I got in three and a half...not my best showing. But it is what it is, due to the circumstances, and I'll just have to do better this week!

I did get to ski, take a spin class, elliptical and treadmill at the gym, and go for a walk (that my half workout because it wasn't a particularly hard walk).

skiing with my sister in NH

We had a pretty nice snow day last week too, which was nice because I got to stay home and prepare for my trip. It's also the day I took spin class because I was home already, so I didn't have to worry about commuting and traffic and not making it to class on time.

snow day!

As I mentioned before, I also traveled to California on Thursday. I'm here to visit my mom for a while (who is spending her winter away from the aforementioned snow and in the sun). I got a free week pass to the YMCA here, and already have some interesting sounding new classes picked out for Week 2! I'm not sure I have the skills for all the classes, but at least at the YMCA in Southern California, I'm far less self conscious! And California has much better weather...

so much wonderful sunshine

Now that I'm in one place for the week, I'll be better about updating about my new workouts this week...there's one on the agenda for tonight!

Shampootivation!

Wednesday’s workout was a 1000m swim and Thursday’s was an hour spin session. I’ve been paying more attention to making sure I have enough fuel each day to make it through my afternoon workouts and it has made a huge difference. Though I had plenty of energy for my workout on Wednesday, my motivation was lacking. I had to use what I like to call “Shampootivation”.

For everyday use, I buy Dove Shampoo and Conditioner, it’s not too expensive and it works well. But I allow myself to buy a special shampoo or conditioner that can only be used after a good workout; I have to earn it, no easy half-assed workouts. It may be odd, but I absolutely love when my hair smells extra good, it puts me in such a good mood! Knowing I can use a product that smells great and will leave my hair feeling a little softer than usual pushes me to go that workout done. If I have a date night with the hubs or a get together to go to, I’m likely to leave out the workout with the excuse that I need to spend time getting ready, preparing snacks for a party, etc. but not if I know that I want my hair to feel and look amazing for the occasion. I find myself waking up at 5 am or taking a longer lunch to get that workout done, no excuses. It’s a win win – I feel better about myself because my hair feels good AND because my body has had its workout. Sometimes, especially when I don’t have a race goal in mind, I just need that little push and a fancy treat like shampoo or conditioner works like a charm.

My current motivator is Davines Love Smoothing Conditioner. I came across it in my Birchbox and have been hooked, it is crazy good. It’s a lot pricier than any other motivator I’ve used but a little goes a long way and I had points to use so it was really affordable. It was the perfect reward for pulling through a tough (both on me and my hair) swim! Other past shampootivation includes Herbal Essence and the samples from Birchbox that are perfect size for my gym bag.

I’m sure using other treats like a special eye palette, piece of jewelry or putting money aside to pay for a spa treatment would work too.

Anyone have some fun workout motivators?

Have a great weekend!!!!! I'll be recharging my camera so I can get some more pictures up on here :)

Sweaty Run & Mushy Stuff

Here is last night’s very sweaty workout:

5 Minute Walk/Jog Warm Up

2 Minute Jog

1 Minute Sprint

Repeating the 2/1 Minute Segments for 35 Minutes

5 Minute Jog/Walk Cool Down

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, it’s fun to think about my favorite past celebrations. In college, the best way was to wait until Feb. 15^th, pile into a car with my girlfriends and visit the nearest Walgreens for ½ priced candy.  Romantically, I think my favorite was the first Valentine’s Day Jay and I celebrated together. I had spent the week leading up to and including part of the 14^th out of town. Before I left town, I had created a treasure hunt of clues and little treats (bags of chocolate, a homemade XOXO tic tac toe magnet set, etc.) all around his house. On the morning of the 14^th, I called him and told him where the first clue was hidden. He really seemed to enjoy the thought and effort I put into the gift and it made our being apart a little easier. Due to a little mix up with the airline company I almost didn’t have a flight back to Albuquerque, however, after a run through an airport, some tears and a lot of anxiety I did make it back home. Jay made reservations for us to eat in the wine loft of the Slate Street Cafe (highly recommend it) where we leisurely shared a cheese plate, amazing wine and entrees.  After such a hectic week and freak-out when I thought I’d miss our first Valentine’s Day, it was such a treat to enjoy a meal and so much conversation. We spent the rest of the night enjoying the world’s most ridiculously delicious chocolate covered strawberries (made by a donut shop?!) with a little TV and our pjs.

My Valentine

Reflecting on my favorite elements of my favorite Valentine’s Day- a leisurely meal, conversation and comfy pjs- I knew just what we should do this year. Our plan this year is to cook dinner and dessert at home; Jay will be taking on dessert and I’ll be handling dinner. The one rule is that it can’t be something we’ve made before, so I guess Valentine’s Day meatloaf, veggie chili or fish tacos are out of the question…drats! I was hoping I’d pick dessert because I had so many fun ideas in mind and I just love to bake. I’m looking forward to the challenge and the surprise that awaits on the 14^th.  

 

Of course I’ll be picking up a treat for my other Valentine:

My Furry Valentine

 

What is everyone else planning for the 14^th? Favorite or least favorite Valentine’s Day?

Super Sore Sunday

The weekend just flew right by!

I opted for a rest day on Friday but was up bright and early Saturday to get my 600m swim done. I hadn’t realized just how sore my arms were from my circuit workout earlier in the week until I was swimming. Ouch! Following the swim, I helped out with some yard work. Yard work = workout #2! My body was so worn out that despite my excitement, I didn’t even make it through Melissa McCarthy’s SNL monologue. We are currently without a DVR so I’m going to have to be old fashioned and wait until they rerun it. Or it ends up on Netflix.

Knowing we had a day of football and indulgences, the hubs, my dad and I took off on a forty-five minute bike ride. I had considered not going on the ride because my legs were sore from Saturday’s work but I’m very glad I did. If anything, I think the ride helped loosen my tight muscles a bit. The rest of the day was spent eating fajitas, shrimp cocktail and drinking beer.

The hubs decided to bring his favorite beer mug to the Super Bowl party because he felt it was only right to honor a team that came so close to making it to the big game. He’s a good sport and doesn’t mind my jokes about the Buccaneers too much. 

Go Sox!

I’ve been thinking for years about picking an NFL team to follow and everyone has been telling me that I need to pick one, esp. because the hubs is very into it. This year I finally narrowed it down between the Seahawks (mostly because I love that bright green…) and the Saints (I love NOLA). Before their playoff game, I announced to my family that whoever lost was going to be my team. Saints lost and it was decided. Or so I thought. Minutes before the game even ended, I received multiple texts about how I shouldn’t root for the Saints for a number of odd and unconvincing reasons. The real reason? Saints are apparently the Buccaneers division (is that even the right word?) rival and my family is apparently (and in the cutest/funniest way) team “Jason”. I think the household rivalry will be fun and if it means I finally watch a full game and get into football, I think we all win. Especially the hubs!

9 Weeks to 29

Well hello there! It's been a while. As Mari mentioned, we're back! We've been chatting and we both realized we needed this space again to keep up going and motivated. I'm excited to overshare with all six of our readers again!

For me, the hiatus has absolutely been because I feel off the fitness wagon in an awful way. Work and life got crazy and I just couldn't make it work. It happens some times, and I'm not happy about it, but I've decided not to dwell on it any longer and just move onto better things.

In an attempt to get myself back on track, I've worked out a personal fitness/healthy lifestyle challenge...Nine Weeks to Twenty Nine. So what's it all about? Well, nine weeks from tomorrow, I am turning 29 years old. I'd like to be in a much healthier place come my birthday, so each week from now until then, I'm going to challenge myself to something new.

Ground rules: For all nine weeks, there are some things I'm going to stick to. They are:

1. At least five workouts a week - 30 mins or more and skiing counts
2. Vitamins every day - iron and multi-vitamins
3. Water water water...and no Diet Coke - I'm not cutting out booze, but the DC is outta control
4. Only one cup of coffee each day - I think my caffeine intake is affecting my sleep
5. Keep a food and workout journal - tracking has always been key for me

Each week, I'll take those ground rules and incorporate a new challenge. They are:

Week 1 - Back to Basics - this week I'll just be incorporating those 4 rules above into my life. I need to go to the store and get the vitamins, probably buy some healthier snacks, etc. I'm taking this week to set myself us to be successful.

Week 2 - Try Something New - I'm going to be traveling the whole week for week 2, so "Try Something New" should fit in well here. The 5 (or more) workouts will be something I have done before...maybe a new class, a different studio on the road, a workout video, etc. Should be interesting!

Week 3 - Cooking with Maddie - I never cook. Ever. When the hubs travels and I'm left at home, I eat a lot of cereal and canned tuna. But this time, I'm going to cook! The first part of the week I'll be traveling with the hubs, but then I'll be home without him for a few days, and so it's my chance to actually cook and make some healthy stuff.

Week 4 - No Meat Week - I don't eat a TON of meat, but I eat enough that it should be interesting to come up with a week's worth of menus without meat!

Week 5 - Try it Again - Mari came up with this idea, and I love it! This week, I'm going to try things again I've sworn off...Zumba, eggplant, peach yogurt..we'll see how it goes.

Week 6 - Photograph Life - Meals and workouts will be documented in photos. Keeps you honest about what happens when you have to share the photographic evidence.

Week 7 - Seven Straight - In week seven, I'm going to work out seven days straight. It's hard for me to fit in a full workout everyday, so this is going to take some good planning and dedication, but I'm going to push myself extra hard to squeeze in all those workouts.

Week 8 - Take it from Someone Else - Also an idea from Mari, each of the workouts this week will be something from another blog. I read a lot of the healthy living blogs out there, and lots of those wonderful ladies give some great workout ideas. I'm going to borrow them (and give credit where credit is due, of course).

Week 9 - No Sugar - This week is going to suck. A lot. Which is why I'm leaving it to the end...so I can celebrate making it through no sugar week with a giant piece of gluten-free birthday cake. But I know I eat way too much sugar in my life, and while I'm not about to give up sweets or dessert for the entirety of this challenge or my life, I'm thinking a week will do me good.

So that's that! I'm sure it might require tweaking throughout the process, but for now, this is the plan and I'm hoping for the best. And now I'm off to CVS to buy a new stash of Flintstones vitamins.