9/11 - Never Forget

Today is a day of remembrance. A day to be thankful for the freedoms that we have. A day to know that we will stand up to terrorism. A day that I will never forget how many flags flew on the houses after the towers fell, after the Pentagon was damaged and the plane crashed that was meant for its target but taken down by those brave passengers, to show that WE ARE PROUD AMERICANS and we will not be silenced! We will not be brought down. We will mourn though for those lost. We will pray for the families still affected and we will never forget this day. Much like its predecessor Pearl Harbor this is a day that will always be remembered, even the smallest detail will be remembered. And it is our duty to teach our children and to help them remember and honor the memories and this day.

I wrote this on Facebook but thought I should do it here as well. I was eating breakfast with my roommates at Denny's and we were told by our server to come see the TV because a plane just went in to one of the Towers. We rushed home and watched both towers fall. All of us in shock about what happened and what was going to happen next. Then later that day, I still had to go to Marching Band practice. Coach sat us down to talk about what happened and having a moment of silence for all affected. During the moment of silence F-16's flew over head, freaking us all out silently since planes were not allowed to fly. It is amazing how one day can leave such a clear impression on you. Praying for the families of those who were lost and for those affected by this day 13 years ago.

On To The Next

So I am in the finally countdown to PiYo. I only have 1 more week to go and I have finished it. I will have my full review coming up of it. So far what I have learned is that I can work out. Pushing play is the easy part. But the eating, that is where I really struggle. I not longer crave sugar and sweets, and salty foods but that doesn't mean I still don't like to eat them and find join in them. It has been one thing after another though with me, and I am finding an excuse to eating what I want to eat. this is the last time I will eat this, or why not? Are my current excuses. So what better way to kick the habit than finding a new fix. SO here comes my next project 21 Day Fix. This is the original program my coach recommend me but I was too scared to try it, because A) I didn't trust that I would follow it, and B) I made an excuse. I can't do that while nursing... WHY NOT! I know how many more calories to eat so I follow the appropriate guide for the calories I need. So here it is! My next project. I still plan on doing some PiYo training in it because I really loved some of the workouts. BUNS for sure and CORE is amazing too! 

What is 21 Day Fix™?

21 Day Fix is a nutrition and fitness program that makes losing weight so simple, anyone can do it. Easy-to-follow portion control and 30-minute workouts take the guesswork out of losing weight to help you see results fast—up to 15 pounds in just 21 days! 

Whether you want to lose a few pounds before your next vacation or jump-start a bigger weight-loss goal, 21 Day Fix is the program for you. It’s simple, it’s fast, and it works. If you’re ready to get serious, 21 Day Fix can help you lose the weight. 

How does 21 Day Fix work? 

With the 21 Day Fix container system, you’ll learn how to create healthy portions simply and intuitively. It shows you how to eat whatever you want, in the right amounts, so you can reach your goals fast. No guesswork, and no calorie counting! 

The 21 Day Fix workouts are designed to burn a lot of calories in only 30 minutes. Any fitness level can do them. If you’re a beginner, follow the on-screen modifier. And if you’re an advanced exerciser looking to shed those last few pounds, dial up the intensity and challenge yourself to push harder. 

Why is 21 Day Fix effective?

Because it’s so simple! You don’t have to count calories, points, or log your food into diet software. With 21 Day Fix, everything is laid out for you. All you have to do is use the specially designed portion-control containers and do one 30-minute workout per day. Commit to it for 21 days, and you’re going to love your results.

What makes 21 Day Fix unique? 
It’s the only fitness and nutrition program that combines portion-control containers and world-class workouts. By placing equal emphasis on fitness and healthy portion control, 21 Day Fix can help anyone lose weight—and keep it off—in a way that’s simple and sustainable. Whether you want to lose 10 pounds or 100 pounds, you can do it with this program. 

Autumn Calabrese is your personal trainer
Autumn Calabrese is a celebrity fitness trainer, busy mom, and national-level bikini competitor. She came up with the idea of a portion-control container system after watching a client eat an entire 1,300-calorie salad in one sitting because it was “healthy.” Autumn realized that supersized portions were hurting her clients’ weight-loss success because they were eating too much without knowing it. So she developed portion-control containers to help people see how simple it is to eat the right amounts and lose weight easily. And as a single mother, Autumn understands how hard it can be to fit exercise and healthy eating into a jam-packed schedule. So she created short but effective workouts that take only 30 minutes a day, along with a simple eating plan that doesn’t require you to spend hours in the kitchen. 

What do I get in the 21 Day Fix?

Challenge Package:

• 7 color-coded portion-control containers
• Shakeology Shaker Cup
• 6 easy-to-follow 30 minute workouts
• 21 Day Fix Start Here quick start and workout guide
• 21 Day Fix Eating Plan - Step-by-step nutrition guide that tells you exactly what to do.
• 3 Day Quick Fix Guide, Autumn's secret weapon for fast weight loss
• Dirty 30 bonus workouts 
• 30-day trial to the Team Beachbody® Club. 
• Shakeology- the best and healthiest meal of the day!
  
  

  BEST PART: IT IS ON SALE FOR THE REST OF SEPTEMBER! 

  
  

Do I need Equipment?

• Dumbbells or resistance bands (not included in the 21 Day Fix Essential Package). 

Is this good if I have a weigh loss deadline?
Yes, this is a great program and can help you lose weight fast.  If you commit to this program you can be feeling amazing for the big event.---FAMILY PICTURES for ME! I want to look great in them since they are going to be around for a long, long time!

Can I do the 21 Day Fix more than one time in a row?

Yes, you can do this for a one time workout and nutrition program or if you have not reached your goal weight then you can do it one time right after the other until you've reached your goal weight. Pictured below is from my fellow coach, Hazel, after 2 rounds of 21 Day fix. Real people! REAL RESULTS! 

Here are my results! I lost 20 pounds in just 5 months by following the 21 day fix program! 

Can I eat out at restaurants when I do the 21 Day Fix?
Yes, the Eating Plan includes a restaurant guide that shows you how to practice portion control at your favorite restaurants.

What does it mean when you say "no off-limit foods"?
The 21 Day Fix Eating Plan shows you how to incorporate treats (like chocolate!) into the plan . . . and you can still lose weight.

Is this too complicated for busy people?
No!  The 21 Day Fix takes out the guesswork so you don’t have to spend all day in the kitchen or the gym. Just follow the Eating Plan and do one 30-minute workout per day. That’s it. 

I don't know where to begin.
21 Day Fix shows you exactly what to do in order to lose weight. You’ll learn how to incorporate your favorite foods into a healthy, sustainable lifestyle that you actually enjoy. 

I want to do the 21 Day Fix and have support and accountability…now what?
Fill out the application below for a spot in my upcoming 21 Days to Great Challenge Group. Beginning September 22! Seriously, it's only 21 days! If you could get great results in just 21 days, would you do it?

Are you ready to start your journey? CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT THIS APPLICATION TO JOIN MY NEXT CHALLENGE GROUP AND TO LET ME KNOW YOU WANT TO BEGIN! 

September Week 1 Recap

~So in love~

Happy Anniversary to us! It has been our anniversary weekend so we have been busy, busy, busy! And this week has been no less busy. I am still trying to find the happy balance of being a mom of 2, doing all my household chores and teaching. Let's just say, I have a very large pile of clean clothing that needs to be sorted and hung up/put away. At least I got the laundry clean though! 

We had an extra family day this week, thanks to Labor Day. Matt's fav tradition is to watch the Married With Children Labor Day episode and laugh the whole way through, eat beans with chips for lunch and of course follow in Al Bundy's steps in grilling! We didn't get to grill, it was just too hot, so we let 5 Guys do that for us. Yea for me not having to cook.

We also took the afternoon to go grocery shopping together, which is being a weekly occurrence for us. My new fav place that I am figuring out, TRADER JOE'S! They really have everything there that we need but in their own brand and the prices are always great! And they have good organic food. So it allows me to get the clean organic food I want and at a price that I can live with.

The rest of the week was full of me being with the boys and teaching. I love teaching. I have such eager students that are craving to learn about music and are so devoted in their practicing.

They have made a commitment to themselves to practice everyday. Why is it so hard for me to get that same drive in working out most days??? ARGH! I am still pushing play and exercising but I feel like I am dragging and I am starting to notice that I am making excuses. Is it cause the numbers on the scale aren't going down? Or the fact that I still like to eat food I shouldn't, cupcakes for my anniversary, maybe...But still I made this commitment to myself and I need to PUSH PLAY! Tomorrow I am announcing my next project! check it out because I got working out down I just need to get my eating in check too!

Workout Recap:
Sunday: rest, much needed rest after the race!
Monday: PiYo Upper Define & 1.5 mile walk with kiddos - YEA!
Tuesday: Sweat - this day it was like pulling teeth to do it!
Wednesday: Lower Define
Thursday: PiYo Core
Friday: rest
Saturday: rest- out all day for my anniversary

Week 2 of September Goals: Running! Adding running back into the mix. I know for sure on Saturday I am going to go running in the morning! YEA! But now I need to fit it in during the week too! How and where???

~12 years later, Still in love and now have 2 beautiful kids~

12 Years! WOW!

Happy Anniversary to my sweet, kind, supportive and understanding husband MATT! We celebrate 12 years of marriage today. I just can't believe that it has been 12 years first of all and the fact that I am saying, "Yeah, I've been married for 12 years!" just kind of is mind boggling!

Funny thing, most people think we have only been married for a few years since our kids are so young. Often when I tell someone that I have been married for 12 years they always remark, "WOW, you got married young!" And it is always a shocker. They just didn't know that it took us 9 years of trying to be blessed with Mason. I am so lucky though, looking back of course, that I had those 9 years with Matt before kids. Yes, there were hard times and stressful times but we also had a ton of fun. We traveled, moved cross county 2 times, lived in the beautiful mountains and now we know that this is where we are supposed to be and raise our kids.

I am so thankful to be able to say "kids" too! I have wanted this for so many years to bring children into this world and I am so thankful to raise them with my kid at heart husband who, if you ask him, will say kids are ok, but he really loves them and throwing Mason around and wrestling with him and teaching him new things.

Going into our 13th year actually at this points is looking like a great year (despite the general bad luck associated with the number). And I am so excited to know that we are in this together. Matt is my rock when I feel like glass that can shatter into a thousand shards. He holds me up and supports me in all my endeavors and is my cheering squad, massage therapist, my therapist and my best friend. So glad that you picked me, Matt and so glad that it is for all eternity! Love you babe for ever and more!

Slacker???

Recently I have had my friends tell me that they were being slackers or slacking off in their workouts. These are friends that are making an effort to actually workout or have been regularly working out for awhile!

You are not a slacker if you miss a workout, or if it is like pulling teeth to get through a workout. We have all been there. There are days that are just hard and suck but the thing is, you did a workout, or if you didn't you did the next day. You must keep going and try again. And if you did your workout I bet you feel a heck of a lot happier after the workout than when you started.

If you haven't found the workout groove yet and just can't find the motivation, that's ok too. It will happen. It takes hard work but the first step is always the hardest because that is when you decide that you want it! And when you go YOU WORK HARD FOR IT! And do it because you, yes you, are so worth it!

We all need and will look for that breaking point to help us get moving. Just start walking everyday or every other day. Make a schedule and pretty soon you are going to start feeling better and you will enjoy it more. I promise you! It just takes 1 step at a time and just keep going! Even if you walk, walking is amazing for you and you will feel so happy by the end of it! Just try it and let me know what you think!

2014 Charlottesville's Woman's 4 Miler - Race Recap

I have done my first repeat race ever! It was kind of fun knowing the course and what to expect going into my second time doing the same race. What an exhilarating experience running with so many other women though! It is such an awesome feeling.

My race I knew I was going to be slower than last year since I hadn't trained for it and certainly not like last year. I went into the race last year ready to conquer it and to kick it's butt. This year I was just happy to be there and to actually do it. I was nervous and scared of getting hurt so I did not push myself like I could have. (which makes me wonder how well I could have done if I had.) But it was my first postpartum race, and first time doing 4 miles in a row for a very long time!

We lined up in our corrals and I lined up with the 13-14 min mile pace. I trusted my body and knew that I could sustain that for a little while. I had a couple of friends in this pace group that I was going to run with, so why not!

We made our way to the line ups and before we knew it, it was time to go! Me and 2 other ladies who were starting together. One took off like a rocket and we told her to keep going, she did! The other 2 we ran together. One friend took a stumble just before mile 1 and I stayed with her to make sure she was ok and T kept on trucking along. It took me awhile to get back up to her. V was ok and got back up. Her ankle was hurt so we slowed our pace to let her get back into the groove. I started running with another lady and encouraged her to pump her arms more and we started talking. V caught up with us and then there was a third lady I started talking to along the course. She said she was going to pace with me and another lady did as well. So we just kept on trucking.

My my calves were on fire and starting to cramp up around mile and a half. I kept thinking, how on earth am I going to do this. I am so silly to think I could just up and do 4 miles. I have to keep going to help these ladies. And that last thought gave me the motivation to just trust my body and to listen to it and keep going. We walked then jogged back and forth doing intervals. Allowing all of us to not over do it. Around mile 2 my legs started to feel pretty good and 2.5 miles in they were finally warmed up and I felt like I could keep going and fly! I started to push my pace a little more and 2 out of the 3 ladies I had with me now were keeping up but V and her ankle were hurting. She said to keep going and we did. At some point I lost another of the ladies but me and one other were able keep on going and push each other.

I was shocked at how my body was feeling. I was breathing fine, and my legs were doing great. It felt like I had been running all along. It is amazing what the body can remember doing even after so long of a break. Mile 3.2 is the long downhill and I just let gravity take me and ran the whole way down. I caught up with one of my starting buddies at that time. She was just trucking along! As we approached the end, I had to take a 15 second little walk break and K who was my running buddy kept going. I sucked up the little bit of tiredness in my legs and just ran the last 1/4 mile to the end. Thankful to have actually finished with doing as much running as I did. 59:53 is what I finished in. Last year I finished in 55 min so I was pretty pleased with myself. I knew I could have gone faster, but didn't want to risk injury and I had ladies that I was running with. It wasn't about me anymore it was about making sure they finished and crossed the finish line safely! And they did. I waited for V to make sure she was ok. She was fine until she stopped running and then the pain hit. Her knee was pretty banged up too but SHE FINISHED and that is what it is about people, just finish. It doesn't matter if you run the whole thing, walk or run/walk as long as you finish is the key!

Overall it was a great race. It wasn't too hot, it was humid but it was overcast the whole time! It was well organized and everyone I talked to had a great time. I love the field where the spectators watch and it allowed Mason to run around like the crazy 3 year old boy he is! I am looking forward to next years race and blowing my time out of the water!

I am so proud of all the women who ran for the great cause of supporting the University Of Virginia's Cancer Center Breast Care Program. And all the money that goes towards their research and care of the women. Donations are still being accepted. So if you would like to donate, click on the picture below and make a donation in support of me as the runner! EVER PENNY COUNTS!

August Week 4 Weekly Recap

I made it! I did my first postpartum race Saturday, and I did it! I am feeling pretty good about my race and everything! I was expecting like 1 hour and 5-10 min time to do the 4 miler but nope, I made it under an hour, BARELY! But that is ok. I was also under my 15 min/mile rule that I had during my pregnancy. AND I know that I had negative splits for the last 2 miles because my legs finally warmed up and I know I was running and walking faster! I will have my race recap up later this week!

I am trying to get into more of a routine schedule with Mason and his "pre-pre school" with me. He isn't potty trained yet so he can't go to pre-school yet so WELCOME to the Allen Academy! I am also trying to schedule in more play groups during the week to give him more social interactions. We went to 3 last week. It was great watching him play, but I was still the center of his attention. Except at the race. There were tons of other kids that would rough house with him and while I was running, he was too. He was exhausted when we got home!

This week on the workout front wasn't as great as I wanted, but it was also taper week. I adjusted my workouts so they wouldn't kill me for the race. Next week, the first week of Sept. I am buckling down! Getting back into my schedule and will finish PiYo soon. Looking into starting another workout routine that includes portion control. I have lost inches, it is now time to start losing weight too!

Workout Recap: 
Sunday: rest
Monday: PiYo Upper Define
Tuesday: PiYo lower Define
Wednesday: 1.5 mile walk
Thursday: rest
Friday: rest
Saturday: 4 mile

5.5 total mileage
14 weeks postpartum

QOTD: Do you do extra workouts "doubles" on Labor Day? Let me know below in the comments!  I am planning on doing my workout plus a nice family walk later today! 

Race Day Prep

TOMORROW, TOMORROW, I'm gonna, try so hard, to noooottt hurt my-self! (you have to sing it to get it!)

Things not to do, run a race that you haven't trained for. OOPS! Well tomorrow is that day. I am going into a 4 miler race, COLD! I just haven't done it. I have helped out at the training and most of the summer I had Collin with me and when I was able to run other things happened that didn't allow me to do the full mileage. I have done max of 3 miles total in one run/walk this summer so to say that I am ill prepared for tomorrow, yeah!

But the great thing is, I am already in pretty decent shape. Yes, I might be bigger than all the other girls, and yes I did just have a baby, BUT training while pregnant was a major AWESOME thing I did, because my body remembers and craves to run. So I think I will be ok tomorrow. I knew I would be walking more than running in this race months ago and I was totally ok with it. Next year, I plan on blowing away my time from my first race (unless at that point I am pregnant again) But still I am not giving up. I love running and I still plan on doing it as often as I can! I have a plan coming up for Saturday long runs in September and I love running in Sept and Oct. The weather is so beautiful!

Couple of things to think about for today as it is the day before the race:

~Keep on hydrating! I talked about it yesterday but still cut out the other drinks and just do water. (not that I drink pop or other drinks all that much, well, except for milk. So no milk for me.)

~Disney has this huge Pasta in the Park event the night before their races, but that is just not the best thing to do before a race. Yes, it is widely known to carb load before a race, but it is only 4 miles. It is not a marathon. So if you do eat pasta tonight before the race don't over indulge. (Olive Garden's pasta dishes are enough pasta for 3 people. Know your portions.) You can probably go just a smidge over a cup of pasta but don't, don't, don't over do it! I personally am looking forward to my butternut squash soup tonight! YUM! (Thank you Whole Foods Market for awesome butternut squash soup)

~Lay all of your race clothing out tonight so you know where to find everything. It is an early call tomorrow and you will be excited. Don't want to risk leaving anything at home. So have your outfit, bib and a bag filled with what you will need for tomorrow.

~Also put out your kids clothing and hubs too, so that there is nothing to think about in the morning so you can try to sleep in as long as possible and not run around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to find everything tomorrow morning when you should be leaving!

~Plan on leaving early and arriving way before the cut off for the street to be closed. There will be traffic if you arrive too late. If they ask you to be there between 6-7 am be there by 6:30 so that they aren't in a huge rush to get everyone off the roads for the race to start.

~I already mentioned this but pack a bag of things you will need after the race. I pack an extra pair of socks and flip flops. Depending on how my feet feel post race I get to choose. The grass tomorrow will be damp so I will prob change my socks before I race so I don't have soggy feet when running (like last year) And the flip flops will be for after the race. Pack a towel and a change of shirt too if you want. (Me I'm brining a change of bra because nursing in a sports bra not made for nursing, almost impossible!) Sorry if TMI! For the 4 miler race, bring some chairs to sit in. So that you don't have to sit in the grass, unless you want to sit in the beautiful grass you can but we learned from last year, bring some chairs!

~Make sure you eat something tomorrow morning before you run and drink a glass of water before you leave the house. You need fuel for your body. You need water. A Banana is great. don't drink 24 ounces of Shakeology, unless you are used to doing that before a run of course, but just eat something small. Don't make your body work too hard by having to do 4 miles and digest a large breakfast. Snacks and fruit will be provided at the end of the race, and you can always bring your own snacks to munch on after the race too.

So there are my tips! Hope everyone has a safe race tomorrow. Rest today for tomorrow we will play! See you there!

HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE!

2 days and counting down to my first postpartum race on SATURDAY! Today begins the 2 day of binge drinking! WATER THAT IS you silly people! I am not going to be over drinking water I am going to make sure that I am drinking the required amount of water for my body.

General rule of thumb to drinking the required amount of water is divide your weight in half and make that number into ounces and that is the minimum amount required. Plus if you workout and drink 8oz while working out, add an extra 8 ounces to replace the 8oz you sweat out. And since I am nursing, I have to drink even more water in general so I am drinking at least 150-200 ounces a day. It's a lot but I love my water and my body is used to it!

The biggest thing to not do before a race is to drink gallons of water leading up to a race. Because it can deplete our electrolyte levels prior to running, plus I don't want to feel squashy when running. The best thing we can do is just make sure that we cut out the other types of drinks, i.e. pop, sugar drinks, alcohol, and such. And replace those drinks with just water. It will keep us more hydrated and we will feel better the morning of the run.

So for the next 2 days, drink plenty of water, but not too much and cut out the other drinks.

Can't Believe August Weather

I just can't get over how mild the weather has been in central VA this summer. (I am knocking on wood right now as I write this!) It has been such a mild summer that I am getting nervous as to what this winter will have for us. But still it has been amazing. The past 2 mornings have felt almost cold and perfect running conditions. The Saturday runs for the training program have all been amazingly tolerable, except for maybe 1. I just can't believe how amazing this "summer" has been.

I am looking forward to the fall, because it is my favorite season! I love running in the crisp morning air and see the fog hanging heavy on the grass in the mornings. I already told Matt that Saturday mornings are mine to go running so I am totally looking forward to that!

What season is your favorite to run in?