Recapping Januarys health and fitness goals

Recap of how I did with my January health and fitness goals.

#1 Ditching the coffee- In January I did pretty good at sticking to a my once a week Starbucks treat. I maybe cheated 2 or 3 times. If you have kids and regularly rely on coffee I am sure you understand my slip ups! Although I have found a few different tea brands and flavors that I like none of them had enough of the kick I was needing.

I did however discover BSN Syntha-6 Caramel Latte Protein which when mixed with iced black coffee is surprisingly delicious. The protein alone is great but I just wasn't sure that when I mixed it with strong black coffee if it would have enough sweetness to make it taste like I wanted but 1 and a half scoops is just perfect to a cup of coffee. 

#2 Warm lemon water- I am absolutely hooked on this and am so glad I decided to give this a try. It is a perfect warm fresh start to the day. It has actually helped curb that craving for a warm cup of coffee in the morning which is great. Also, I tend to have some slight stomach issues and I have noticed since starting this I feel great and don't tend to get stomach aches. Plus the great amounts of vitamin C I am getting everyday is great.

#3 Stretching- Why did I not start this sooner? I really should have known better. I grew up doing gymnastics and I know how important stretching is and how great it can make you feel. I suffer from horrible upper body/neck/shoulder pain. I have always suffered from migraines and after having Chaz I noticed a considerable amount of pain. I am sure just regular tension and stress but it never seemed that I could get a handle on it and control it. I have been told by multiple massage therapists that I had the worst knots and tension in my upper back that they have ever seen :/

So on NYE I got an aaaaamazing massage from a friend, while excruciatingly painful it was exactly what I needed for a fresh start. This is the one goal that I really wanted to put all my effort into keeping and boy am I glad I did.

Surprisingly enough I didn't focus on stretching my upper body much, instead I focused on lower back and legs. I read in a book (can't remember the title) that it makes no sense to stretch an area with knots. Think about it.... you tie a knot and then pull it from each end, what happens? It becomes tighter of course!!!! See, I have been doing it wrong for so long. You want to massage knots and stretch good healthy muscle. So with some bribing and betting I was able to get/win some rub downs from the husband and focused on stretching the rest of my body. I cannot say how much of a difference this has made. I seriously feel like a new woman!

All in all I feel good about my goals and sticking to them!

Since I have slacked on setting new ones for February I am just going to continue with Januarys and set a fresh new set for March which I will post about as soon as I decide on them. Plus I want to set a few goals for my home life, which I will share too!

Love!

Health/Fitness in 2013

I am not big in to resolutions per se, for some people sure they work but for the masses I really think they just set people up for failure. People tend to set such high and unrealistic resolutions, so this year it isn't about resolutions, huge achievements or momentous events for me. Instead it will be small things I want to incorporate into my life and my family's life that will become habit. Sure I have a few things I hope to do in 2013 and I am hoping these small things will help me accomplish them but I am not setting anything in stone that MUST BE DONE!

To make it easier on my OCD brain I am going to break them into category, make a list within that category and then break that list down into smaller lists of things I hope to incorporate each month.....follow that?! Can you tell I like to make lists?

Ok, so the first category is health and fitness. Below are the things I would like to see come from 2013 when it comes to my health/fitness:

• Pick up running. I ran a 5k in May of 2010, I have never been much of a runner so this was huge for me. I trained for about a month before and actually took 5th place in my age division (trust me I was shocked). Well guess what? I haven't really ran since ha! When I was training I loved to get out and run, let all the stresses of the day disappear and just be one with the run but shortly after my 5k I just stopped, I let excuses get in the way. Now I make time for fitness, I work out often but have never got back to running. So in 2013 I hope to get back into it. I would like to run a few 5k's this year.
• Be more sport-active as a family. If you know my 3 (almost 4, ahhhh) year old you would know we are very active...hyper active that is :) None of us lack energy, we are always on the go and active individually. This year though I want to focus on being active as a family, mostly when it comes to sports. I want to make a point to go to the park and throw the ball around together, have a mini football game in the backyard, strap the bebe on the back and treck a tough hike... that kind of stuff.
• Create an even healthier lifestyle. In the last 9 months or so Brett and I have completely transformed our lifestyle. We have become such a healthier 'us' and I am so proud and I don't want it to stop or slow down. Our diet has changed so drastically, switching mostly to unprocessed foods, complex carbs, healthy proteins, cut sugar etc. We have also made it a point to make fitness a part of our lifestyle. This year I hope to ramp that up to the next level. In addition to eating well and working out, I want to focus on our deeper health mentally, physically and emotionally.
• See a difference in my physique. I am at what I set as my 'goal weight' but I am still not where I want to be. I don't have a size or weight in mind but instead a vision of my ideal physique. Which looks something like this...

 

     

So there you have it. I wouldn't be surprised if I throw a few additional things here and there but for now these are the things I hope to come in 2013.

 

 

Now for the month of January. I am starting small this month and there are a few things I am trying to incorporate into my life.

 

 

#1- Ditch the coffee (for the most part). When I have coffee I tend to go over board with the creamer or flavored stuff. I entered myself into a body fat % competition recently (I will post more about it another day) and it runs through April. I am pretty strict when it comes to cutting out unnecessary fat and sugars in my everyday life... other than my coffee and trust me I drink my fair share of it. So in order to help with cutting body fat I am going to cut out my coffee until the end of the competition...other than on Wednesdays! My Mom and I have a set coffee date on Wednesdays and while yes I know I can still have tea on my coffee date I must allow myself to splurge slightly. For the record I am not giving up caffeine... I don't want to kill over. I will be drinking tea so if you know of any stellar teas let me know. I love to try new stuff.

 

#2- Warm lemon water baby! Have you ever read up on the benefits of drinking warm lemon water? No. Well go HERE (just make sure to come back). This is only one site listing some of the benefits, there are lots more but these are the some of the best. So I have decided to start off every morning with a warm cup of lemon water throughout the month of January to come to a verdict of my own.

 

#3- Stretching. Pretty simple. I was a gymnast for a good portion of my adolescent life and damn was I flexible. I still have a bit of it, I am probably more flexible than most people (especially my husband) but not near where I would like to be. Stretching is also good for the body all around, not just to impress your husband with the splits haha so I am in. Shooting for a mini morning stretch session and a good 15 minutes in the evening every day.

 

Peace!





And the dust settles...

Wow, what a crazy holiday season! The last thing I remember was Halloween and BAM it is 2013!

Happy New Year to you and yours! I hope your holidays were filled with as much joy and excitement as mine.... I however hope it wasn't filled with as much hecticness.

As much as I love the holidays I am oh so glad they are over and life can get back to normal. Who am I trying to kid my life is never 'normal' but what fun would that be anywho?

October through December was fully of laughs, hugs, kisses, moments where I wanted to cry, more laughs, moments where I wanted to pull my hair out and then some more kisses! I hope to sneak in some pictures of our adventures from the last few months (minus the crying and hair pulling) in the next few posts but for now I this is all I have.

Don't worry we came back from Mexico in one piece!

I am just horrible at blogging.... wait, that is a lie. I think about blogging regularly but lately we haven't had Internet at home so my only chance to blog is from work on my lunch. So if I was actually able to blog all the times I think of blogging this place would be BOOMIN' with posts :)

Back to the Mexico recap...

Resort, poolside. The resort was absolutely stunning I am sad we didn't take more pictures of it.

Out on the dock, down the beach from the resort.

 Enjoying a drink....or 5 the night we arrived!

 

The Mister enjoying a drink in the hammock....I cannot even begin to explain the entertainment involved watching him try to get into it!

An awesome Lagoon just a short walk from our resort.

Cheering 'Happy Anniversary' to us with some new found friends.

 

 

All in all it was an amazing trip that the both of us deserved! It was great to just get away sans kids and truly enjoy each other.

 

We made some great friends and even greater memories!

 

Happy 5 years to us!

 

 

If you ever vacation to Mexico I would highly suggest Ocean Maya Royal by H10. The grounds are amazingly beautiful, the food has great variety and very tasty and the entertainment is well, entertaining!

 

We will absolutely by returning one of these years!



Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

I am 1 in 4. To my sweet baby in heaven Mommy loves you!

Love to all of those that have suffered or been effected by the loss of a sweet angel.

Leaving on a jet plane!

 

 

 

 

 

In 1day, 17hours, 20minutes and 40seconds , not that I am counting or anything, the mister and I will be off to our own little paradise for a week to celebrate our 5th anniversary and can I just say I CAN'T FREAKIN' WAIT!

 

I cannot believe it has been 5 years since we said 'I DO'! The last 5 years have flown by but at the same time SO much has happened, so many memories created. I hope the next 5 bring even more love, memories and happiness.

 

(with my brother and sister inlaw on our wedding day)

 

 I am the luckiest girl in the entire world and wouldn't change the life I have been blessed with for ANYTHING!

 

Goodbye Summer, Hello fall!

Today is officially the last day of summer and I have bitter-sweet feelings about it. While I am looking forward to cool evenings cuddled up with the fam, football, fall clothes (what fashionista doesn't love fall layering?) and of course all things pumpkin I feel I didn't enjoy summer to the fullest. I mean the only time I even went to the pool was while on vacation. Luckily, the little ones were able to enjoy their pool at home and at Nannys house so they got to splash their little hearts out all summer which I am happy about.

I just feel that all in all we as a family didn't take full advantage for everything summer has to offer. Honestly, I feel like most of this has to do with the fact that I am just now starting to get the flow of having 2 children.... I know I know, Ava is a year old! It's the going out and about that has caused me so much anxiety up until recently. Well, you can't change the past but you can definitely shape the future so the fall it is! The fall will be filled to the fullest, in fact I think I will make a fall bucket list (thank you Pinterest for the idea) for our family.

I hope everyone had a great summer and I hope your fall is even better!

Bring it on fall! Bucket list to come.

Sprinklers are a GO, I repeat sprinklers are a GO!

It only took 4 days longer than we had anticipated, 3 (maybe 4) more trips to Home Depot, a near flooding and a treasure hunt for buried sprinkler heads but at last we have fully working sprinklers....just in time to blow them out and turn them off for the fall/winter! But hey come next year I will be one happy Momma!

I must give a zillion and one shout outs to my awesome husband, sure I helped if you consider getting water and sandwhich making helping :) He single handedly did it all and I am forever grateful and impressed.

Sprinklers may be the death of me

Let me start off by saying that if I ever hire YOU to do any sort of construction/repair work to my home that I will be handcuffing myself to you until the job is complete, mmmkay?

 

Why you ask? Well because I had ONE shitty experience with ONE shitty contractor and it has left a sour taste in my mouth about them all.

 

When Brett and I bought our house 5 years ago there was no landscaping and the basement was unfinished. We thought this was great because then we could make it our own, just the way we wanted it. Ha silly stupid us. 'Making it our own' has be such an effing headache thus far and again I blame that on ONE shitty contractor.

 

Long-short of it, we hired good ol' Luis of Wendys Landscaping (local buyers beware) to completely landscape our yard. Leveling, sprinklers, curbing, gravel, sod... the whole nine yards. He was a smooth talker, a deal maker and a flake. Half way through the work he disappeared with payment in hand (our fault, I know I know). I am an honest person so I guess I just expect everyone else to be but this guy truly f*cked us sideways. Not only did he not complete the work but the work that he did do is sooo jacked that it has become more work for us to fix his mistakes than it would have for us to just do it all from the get go.

 

So here we are on day two, 4 Home Depot trips later and still the shit isn't done. And we are just talking the sprinklers right now, not to mention the rest of the shit the yard needs. What we thought was a simple job of hooking a few things up (since the asshole at least laid the sprinklers) has turned into a nightmare. Things like this really do test your patience and I need to constantly remind myself that my husband is not the reason for my frustrations... he is just the closest person around to take them out on.

 

LOVE YOU BABE :)

Who we are and what we are doing here!

Daddy and Mommy- Or Brett and Rachel if you'd rather. Before there was 'us' there was a high school football star and a shopaholic. Then in '07 we met each other and decided we didn't want to live another day without each other, we were married 7 months later. Brett is the impulsive, go getter, do it now er and I am the plan it, think it....plan it, think it again-er. I am the out going, life of the party and he is the quiet but loyal type. We love each other beyond belief and love the life we have created.

Chaz- Born 6 weeks premature, he came into the world practically running and hasn't slowed down since. If it has to do with robots, dinosaurs or super heroes he is in. He is the most compassionate, free spirited yet ridiculously smart 3 year old I know. If he loves you/it he will tell you....multiple times and will never let you forget it. Our boy, our soul, our everything.

 

 Ava- "Feisty" was the word all the NICU nurses used to describe baby girl. Taking after both her Daddy and I she started out extremely competitive and had to 'out do' her brother from the get go and showed up 8 weeks premature. She is a fighter, a lover, a sassy pants and the light of our life.


I have blogged numerous times before (you can find my old blogs HERE and HERE) but like most people the every day life caught up to me and I let it go. Now as I am watching my children grow and my life evolve and change I find myself thinking I need to document these things. I have something happen every single day that I don't want to ever forget so here I am again. I know I could have simply picked up where I left off, who would have cared.... I WOULD HAVE CARED! My OCD wouldn't allow me to so welcome to my new (and hopefully LASTING) blog.

So what shall I blog about? Well EVERYTHING of course.

Children, you will read more about my children then you will probably want to but like every mother I think my children are constantly doing such AMAZING thing (that are actually probably pretty average) but you can bet your ass I will be braggin' about it here.

Fitness, Brett and I have turned such a corner in our lives when it comes to our health and fitness. Some would say we are a bit obsessed but I take that as a compliment.

Craziness, Brett and I recently have decided to jump head first into finishing/renovating our home. We have a life long project list but would like to have it done in ohhhh... a year, maybe two. Did I mention we will be doing most of it ourselves? Ok, when I say ourselves I mean with the involuntary help of family members that don't know they will be helping yet :) Don't worry we will pay in beer! Ha, like I said.... craziness.

Love, awwww! We really are both hopeless romantics and while I will try to keep the intimate stuff between the 2 of us I can't promise I won't come here to brag about the amazing amount of love we have and how we have it.

AND LOTS LOTS MORE!