Five On Friday

{one}

The past 2 months have been wonderful with two kids...but also very tiring. I think we tend to block out the sleepless nights when deciding to have another baby lol. As much as I would like to say we could possibly have 3 kids, I know that is simply not the case.  I feel so very blessed to have two beautiful and healthy children and I now know that Henry has completed our family. 

{two}

I'm excited that the next few months have me doing a lot of traveling. Disneyland in August, Disney World in September and now this:

We have been invited to our good friends wedding...in the Hamptons! We are heading up there for a long weekend in October and I am so excited. Little man is staying with the bestie and Sally is going to come with us. Its been about 7 years since we were up there last and I cant wait to explore the area with her. 

We are going to stay a few extra days in the city and have some fun things planned. 

Thanks to Joe's Hilton points, we are staying at the super swanky and historic Waldorf Astoria!! I'm hoping to hit up the Empire State Building, Staten Island Ferry, the huge Toys R Us (so very sad they  closed FAO Schwartz!), Serendipity, Central Park, etc. Its going to be so fun!!

Oh and I maybe booked a Disney cruise for fall of 2017 last week too!

{three}

I am so very excited for the kickoff of my MOPS group. I am the craft coordinator again this year and already have so many fun things planned. We had our retreat last weekend and it was a blast seeing all my sweet friends and planning for the year. 

{four}

I started back with my running a few weeks ago thanks to a Women's Walk/Run program here in town. Of course I'm running with my favorite running buddy (cousin/friend Meredith). I will say that it is SO hot. Why can't they do this program in the fall or winter. Anyways, between running and going back to my dance classes at the gym, I have lost 5 pounds. I have been doing weight watchers but honestly havent been following it as closely as I should. Still, every week the scale goes down a little....so I'll take it!!

{five}

Joe got a new truck! He pretty much had this same one but it wasn't as big and was pretty cramped holding two carseats in the back. My poor knees were right up against the dashboard (not safe!) to make room for Henry behind me. 

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Working On My Fitness

With a beach trip less than two months away. I am stepping up my fitness routine. My goal is to loose 10 pounds....I'm down 4 already! Here is my workout plan for the next few weeks.

Monday: TBS

Tuesday: Zumba

Wednesday: Treadmill or long walk outside

Thursday: Dance Fusion

Friday: TBS

Saturday: Dance Fusion

Sunday: Rest Day


I also want to try and take Sally on walks around our neighborhood, up to the park, etc. if they weather permits. The goal is to JUST KEEP MOVING! I can already tell a difference in my energy level, the way my clothes are fitting and my sleep is so much better.

I also made this super easy smoothie almost everyday this week. Its basically frozen berries from Kroger (raspberries, blueberries and blackberries) mixed with Strawberry/Kiwi Crystal Light...put it all in a blender until smooth...so yummy!

Is It Possible.....?

First off, HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

One of the perks of being a teacher if having this holiday off. I am working a shift for Junior League this morning and making cupcakes in the afternoon. I've also got a house to clean since we are having the family over for Easter brunch on Sunday. Now on to what I really want to talk about today...running!

I have always asked myself if I could ever be a runner. The answer has always been "no". Walker, yes, but a runner....no way! I have tried many time since I was in middle school and it has always been really hard for me. Enter Fleet Feet and the motivation from a my cousin, Meredith. 

Fleet Feet has a 5K training program that I am currently participating in. Now, I have run/walked several 5K's in the last year, (and even did a 1/2 marathon with I was 7 months pregnant!) but the goal is to either run the whole thing without stopping or run most of it with little walk breaks built in. I'm not going to lie, I was super nervous to do this program. It was out of my comfort zone and I felt like I was totally putting myself out there. But...when you want something, sometimes you have to do that. 

The training is on Monday and Thursday nights. We started out easy (a little too easy)....run 1 minute, walk 4 minutes. That was way too easy so the next week the trainer made it harder. It has gotten a little harder each time. Last night we met at Shelby Farms and did a "run 2 minutes/walk 2 minutes" for 2.5 miles. It was tough and there were several hills but everyone in the group did it!! It's an amazing feeling when you complete your run. I know its only going to get better. Joe and I are already scoping out the Spring/Summer 5K's and choosing the ones that we want to do. 

There is a "M Town Race Series" that we are doing that includes the following:

Zoom thru the Zoo ~ May 23, 2013 

Harbortown 5k ~ June 7, 2013 

Gibson Guitar 5k ~ June 15, 2013 

Stars and Stripes 5k ~ July 3, 2013

I have a feeling that this whole "Sarah being a runner" thing is for real this time...and that feels great!

Fitness Friday- Week 9

Yikes! I just realized that I haven't done Fitness Friday in 2 weeks....Here goes nothing!!

How did Week 8 go?
My goal this week was to do planks.  I failed at this....didn't do them once....oh well :) New week, new goal.

Was I active?
We had gorgeous weather her this past week so my activity has been taking long walks. I also walked with Sally in a 5K on Saturday morning. Here is my plan for the week:

Monday

5K Training

Tuesday

Walking at night

Wednesday

5K Training

Thursday

Walking at night

Friday

5K Training

Weight Loss?
Yes...down 1.2 more pounds!

Week 9 Goal?

Eat only healthy snacks. I can do this...we have lots of fruit and veggies in the house so it should be easy. 

Week 10- 20 push-ups each day

Week 11- No starches (white potatoes, white breads, etc.)
Week 12- Eat a salad each day (no creamy dressing)
Week 13- Eat a whole grain each day
Week 14- Take a walk each day
Week 15- Cook only "light or healthy" meals
Week 16- 50 jumping jacks each day
Week 17- Eat 3-5 servings of baked, steamed, or raw veggies
Week 18- Eat 2-4 servings of fruit
Week 19- Do 3 sets of abs each day

Fitness Friday {Week 7}

How did Week 6 go?
My goal this week was to not eat sweets. I did great! Not one sweet touched my mouth...but you better believe that I ate a Reese's Peanut Butter Egg for breakfast...hey, it's protein and has the same amount of calories as a granola bar.

As far as this week in general, I did feel like we started to get more of our groove down with the working out. I would go when Joe got home and he would watch the baby and then I would get back and he would go while I made dinner. We ate out a few times so I did not expect to loose any...but I did!

Was I active?

I was active! I started a running program using an app called "Ease into 5k". It goes along with the music on your iphone and tells you when to walk/run. I like that I don't have to time myself and watch a clock. It starts out super easy....run 30 seconds, walk 30 seconds, run 45 seconds, run 45 seconds, etc. I can actually do it!! I am excited to try and walk/run the 5K's that I am signed up for.


Weight Loss?
Yes...down 1 more pound! It's coming off S-L-O-W-L-Y, but it's coming off!!


Week 8 Goal?
Do three sets of planks for 60 seconds each, each day. Dear God...please help me!

Fitness Friday {Week 6}

How did Week 6 go?
My goal this week was to not snack after 8 pm. I did great with this goal. There were a few times that I really wanted a snack, but I told myself NO!

Was I active?

YES!! I walked 2 miles pushing Sally in the stroller almost everyday and then sometimes again in the evenings. Yesterday, Joe and I took Sally to Shelby Farms and we walked 3 miles on the paved trails. I am going to try and keep walking my 2 miles with Sally every morning and then do something else cardio related in the afternoon/evening (elliptical, treadmill, classes at the gym perhaps?).

Weight Loss?

I didn't loose any this week...boo! I am blaming it on the fact that I started my period (sorry if that is TMI).

I have decided to change my calorie goals on Livestrong. With this calorie goal, I should loose more weight.

Week 7 Goal?
No sweets. Yikes. This could be tricky especially with all of the delicious Easter candy that we have in our house.

Here are the rest of the goals:

Week 8- Do three sets of planks for 60 seconds each

Week 9- No starches (white potatoes, white breads, etc.)

Week 10- Only snack on heathy foods

Week 11- 20 push-ups each day

Week 12- Eat a salad each day (no creamy dressing)

Week 13- Eat a whole grain each day

Week 14- Take a walk each day

Week 15- Cook only "light or healthy" meals

Week 16- 50 jumping jacks each day

Week 17- Eat 3-5 servings of baked, steamed, or raw veggies

Week 18- Eat 2-4 servings of fruit

Week 19- Do 3 sets of abs each day

Fitness Friday {Week 5}

How did Week 5 go?
My goal this week was to drink only water throughout the day after breakfast.

If we are counting Crystal Light as water (and I am) then I did awesome. I didn't drink anything this week besides water with lemon and Crystal Light.

Was I active?

I walked a few times this week and also went to the gym to do the elliptical machine.

Here's my plan for this week:

Friday- Working in the yard and taking a power walk around the neighborhood
Saturday- Elliptical at the gym
Sunday- Rest Day....hey....it's Easter!
Monday- Elliptical at the gym when Joe gets home from work
Tuesday- Walking in the neighborhood
Wednesday- Elliptical at the gym
Thursday- Walking around neighborhood

Weight Loss?

I only lost about 1/2 a pound this week....I'll take it though. A loss is a loss. I also weighed myself after breakfast because I forgot today was Friday. So I'm pretty sure I probably lost a pound.

Week 6 Goal?
No snacking after 8 pm. I think I can do this....no problem!!

Fitness Friday {Week 4}

How did Week 4 go?
My goal this week was to not eat french fries. Well I messed up the very next day and ate fries. I totally forgot. We went to Central BBQ and I got chicken and could choose 2 sides. I chose green beans and french fries without even thinking. Later when I was putting my dinner into Livestrong.com, I remembered and I was like "Nooooo!". Oh well....mistakes happen. It didn't happen again :) I am still going to try and limit them...not that I eat them a lot. My favorite fries? Huey's, Chick-fil-a, and Gus's...those are really the only paces that I eat fries.

Was I active?
I only worked out a few days this week. Joe was out of town from Monday-Thursday. I realized that this is something that will happen and I need to have a back up plan...Enter Jillian.

When I cannot get outside to walk, I can do the 30 day shred.

I am so excited that working out is becoming a habit and something I look forward to! I have noticed that when I workout in the morning, it makes me think twice about eating badly later in the day. I am so ready for Sally to be able to get into our stroller that is much more mobile than the one we are currently using.

Weight Loss?

I lost a pound this week..yay! It is SLOWLY coming off. I am trying to be patient. I really want it all gone now, but I know in reality this is NOT going to happen.


Week 4 Goal?

Drink only water throughout the day after breakfast.

This should be easy....does Crystal Light count as "water". I really only drink Crystal Light and water usually.

Here are the rest of the goals:

Week 5- Drink only water throughout the day after breakfast
Week 6- No snacking after 8 pm
Week 7- No sweets
Week 8- Do three sets of planks for 60 seconds each
Week 9- No starches (white potatoes, white breads, etc.)
Week 10- Only snack on heathy foods
Week 11- 20 push-ups each day
Week 12- Eat a salad each day (no creamy dressing)
Week 13- Eat a whole grain each day
Week 14- Take a walk each day
Week 15- Cook only "light or healthy" meals
Week 16- 50 jumping jacks each day
Week 17- Eat 3-5 servings of baked, steamed, or raw veggies
Week 18- Eat 2-4 servings of fruit
Week 19- Do 3 sets of abs each day

Fitness Friday {Week 3}

This week I really got going on working out and getting moving! I also have seen my first big results this week, which is making me so excited to continue this journey!

How did Week 3 go?
My goal this week was to drink water in the morning instead of juice. I am happy to say I did this each morning! It was easy so this is another goal I will continue! I will occasionally have my morning juice, but not every morning. I don't like drinking my calories. It has been a real eye opener to track every bite of food that goes into my mouth. If I eat too much during the day I will run out of calories...not fun! We went to Firebirds (my favorite!) this week for dinner and I really wanted the BLT salad (my favorite!). After looking on the website I saw that the dinner portion (the one I usually get) had over 1,000 calories...yikes! I settled for the smaller portion and ate less bread. I was still over my calories for the day, so I knew I had to walk when I got home. That's the way you have to do it. If you eat more calories than you should, you have to work them off.

Was I active?
I am so excited to report that I was active 5 out of the 7 days this week! That is my new activity goal and I met it, yay! I did not go back to the gym this week. I just didn't feel like I was ready to get too hard core yet...plus I still haven't had my OBGYN 6 week check up and gotten the go ahead to return to the gym. I walked outside instead. I still feel like I got my heart going and its nice to just have some "me" time and take in the sights and smells of spring. Hopefully I will get to the gym in the next few weeks.


Weight Loss?
I lost 2 pounds this week. Yay! I think the working out helped a lot with this. I guess when you go from doing nothing for the past month to doing something, you see results.


Week 4 Goal?

No french fries...this shouldn't be too hard for me. I love french fries but do not eat them all the time.

Here is the list of goals:

Weekly Goals (to be accomplished each day of the week):

Week 1- Track Calories
Week 2- Move every day
Week 3- Water each morning instead of juice
Week 4- No french fries
Week 5- Drink only water throughout the day after breakfast
Week 6- No snacking after 8 pm
Week 7- No sweets
Week 8- Do three sets of planks for 60 seconds each
Week 9- No starches (white potatoes, white breads, etc.)
Week 10- Only snack on heathy foods
Week 11- 20 push-ups each day
Week 12- Eat a salad each day (no creamy dressing)
Week 13- Eat a whole grain each day
Week 14- Take a walk each day
Week 15- Cook only "light or healthy" meals
Week 16- 50 jumping jacks each day
Week 17- Eat 3-5 servings of baked, steamed, or raw veggies
Week 18- Eat 2-4 servings of fruit
Week 19- Do 3 sets of stairs each day

Fitness Friday {Week 2}

How did Week 2 go?

My goal this week was move every day. It took some adjustments but Joe and I finally figured out a schedule so that we can both work out while having a one month old. As soon as Joe gets home, we do the baby handoff and I go walking. When I get back, he goes running. While he is running, I make dinner and we eat when he gets back. I also continued to track all of my calories on Livestrong.

Was I active?

This came easy this week since it was the goal for the week! I started back with my 2 mile power walk around the neighborhood. I did it almost everyday.

Weight Loss?

I lost 1.5 pounds this week...yay!!

Week 2 Goal?

Drink water in the morning instead of juice...This should take off about 120 calories each day!

In other news, I have taken my gym membership off hold. I have already looked at the class schedule for the week and here is my workout plan:

Saturday:

Working out at home or walking at Shelby Farms with the baby. Joe is in Key West for the day.

Sunday:

Power walking around the neighborhood when Joe gets off work.

Monday:

Power walking around the neighborhood when Joe gets off work.

Tuesday:

Extreme Fitness class at 4:30

Wednesday:

Spin Bootcamp at 5:45

Thursday:

Zumba at 6:00

Friday:

Elliptical in the afternoon sometime

Here is the list of goals:

Weekly Goals (to be accomplished each day of the week):

Week 1- Track Calories
Week 2- Move every day
Week 3- Water each morning instead of juice
Week 4- No french fries
Week 5- Drink only water throughout the day after breakfast
Week 6- No snacking after 8 pm
Week 7- No sweets
Week 8- Do three sets of planks for 60 seconds each
Week 9- No starches (white potatoes, white breads, etc.)
Week 10- Only snack on heathy foods
Week 11- 20 push-ups each day
Week 12- Eat a salad each day (no creamy dressing)
Week 13- Eat a whole grain each day
Week 14- Take a walk each day
Week 15- Cook only "light or healthy" meals
Week 16- 50 jumping jacks each day
Week 17- Eat 3-5 servings of baked, steamed, or raw veggies
Week 18- Eat 2-4 servings of fruit
Week 19- Do 3 sets of stairs each day

Fitness Friday {Week 1}

How did Week 1 go?
My goal this week was keeping track of calories. I am super excited to report that I completed this goal. I did a good job this week meeting my goal thanks to Livestrong.com. It was super eye opening to see what I am eating and how quickly the calories add up. At the end of the day, if the calories are gone, I don't get to eat anymore. It makes me make good choices about if something is "really worth it". This is something I will for sure keep doing because it held me accountable.

Was I active?
Let me start off by saying that it is hard to be active with a newborn. My whole day consists of tending to her every need. When she sleeps is when I get stuff done around the house. Luckily my goal next week is to move everyday. So to answer the question...not really :(

Weight Loss?
I weighed myself a few times during the week and the number kept going up and down. I think I actually lost one pound.

Week 2 Goal?
Move every day......I'm on it! Like I said, this could get tricky. Joe and I will have to take turns watching Sally. He runs everyday so in order for me to workout, he will have to watch her. I am going to start slow....probably will take a power walk everyday.

Fitness Friday

Now I realize that I just had a baby 3 weeks ago, but I am beyond ready to get my body back. I was in the process of loosing weight when I got pregnant last May. I had completed 2 weeks of Weight Watchers and I was working out several times a week. I have already lost 25 pounds of the 35 gained while pregnant....which means that I am only 10 pounds away from the pre-baby weight. I still would like to loose about 20 pounds on top of that.

I just found this idea on another blog, The Blessed Life. I love how she has broken down her goals into weeks. One fitness goal a week. I am going to start at "Week One" and go from there.

Weekly Goals (to be accomplished each day of the week):

Week 1- Track Calories
Week 2- Move every day
Week 3- Water each morning instead of juice
Week 4- No french fries
Week 5- Drink only water throughout the day after breakfast
Week 6- No snacking after 8 pm
Week 7- No sweets
Week 8- Do three sets of planks for 60 seconds each
Week 9- No starches (white potatoes, white breads, etc.)
Week 10- Only snack on heathy foods
Week 11- 20 push-ups each day
Week 12- Eat a salad each day (no creamy dressing)
Week 13- Eat a whole grain each day
Week 14- Take a walk each day
Week 15- Cook only "light or healthy" meals
Week 16- 50 jumping jacks each day
Week 17- Eat 3-5 servings of baked, steamed, or raw veggies
Week 18- Eat 2-4 servings of fruit
Week 19- Do 3 sets of stairs each day

I changed a few of the goals to suit my needs.

So today starts Week 1. My goal this week is counting calories. Come back on Friday to see how I did this week.

After Baby Body

After watching what I have eaten my whole life, I throughly enjoyed being pregnant. It was nice to take a few months off from the gym and to not feel bad about eating chocolate. Not gonna lie though....I am ready to get back on the bandwagon. It just feels weird not to be in kickboxing class or on the elliptical machine. Although I didn't gain too much weight (according to the Dr.), I hit that number that I NEVER wanted to hit.

It doesn't matter though...I have a plan of attack:

I am breastfeeding as much as possible so I am hoping that will help with calorie burning. I will also be taking Sally on a lot of walks.

Once I get the go-ahead from the Dr. at my six week check up, I will be starting Weight Watchers and heading back to the gym.

Does anyone have any advice for me as I get ready to try and get my before-baby body back?

St. Jude 1/2 Marathon

On Saturday I walked the 1/2 marathon....7 months pregnant. Yes, I am crazy. When I did it last year I saw a pregnant girl doing it and I thought...I can do that when I am pregnant. So when I found out that I was pregnant this summer, I knew that it was something I still wanted to do. My hubby ran the full last year and he was doing it again.

On Friday we went and picked up our race packets and then went to a pasta/carb loading party at Tyler and Katelyn's. On Saturday we woke up bright and early and got ready and then headed downtown. We found a place to park and walked to the stadium to check our bags. Next it was time to line up...my friend and I were at the back with the rest of the walkers. One of my favorite parts of the course is when we get to go down Beale Street.

I did fine in the race until about mile 9...then my lower back started hurting and I could feel blisters forming on my feet...but I finished. My final time was 3 hours and 44 minutes.

After we were done it was time to wait for Joe to cross the finish line. Here he is in the gray shirt.

and about to cross over the finish line!!

Yay!!! Here we are with our medals!! Sally did pretty good :)

Me and Meredith (my cousin/friend/walking buddy)

Meredith and her hubby, Ryan (he ran the 1/2 and did great!)

Joe and our friend, Craig

All of us!!

We went for a late lunch at Huey's and then hobbled around the rest of the day doing pretty much nothing. I plan on doing it again next year!!

Genius!