3 Miles!!! and a F.F.F. Breakdown

Well I have been sticking like glue to my plan for this week.  The scale this morning showed no weight results but hopefully I have at least been getting in better shape.  I ran/walked 3 miles yesterday in about 45 minutes-not a fantastic time but not awful either.  I had a running buddy for it which helps-it brings out the competitive side of me and also helps keep me on pace.  And honestly, the 3 miles was not as bad as I thought it would be!

On to a F.F.F breakdown:

Fitness: I have hit it hard this week.  I ran a mile & Zumba'ed Monday, ran a mile & went to Dance Fit class Tuesday, ran my 3 yesterday and intend to go to Zumba tonight.  I also looked in to the next session of a boot camp I have gone to in the past.  It kicks off March 4 right after my 5K so I think I'll start that back to mix things up for my body. 

Faith: I have been really good this week about reading my Bible in One Year plan, journaling and tonight am participating in a Bible study group with some girls from church.  Via Facetime since they live in Lexington.  Should be interesting :)  We are reading The Purpose Driven Life-which is very thought provoking.  I'm on Day 6 and so far, I like it. 

Fun: Fun this week for me has been exercising-always a party. :) I also was giddy with anticipation of the newest New Girl-any other fans?  It is my FAVORITE show-I always actually lol-which is rare.  This week's episode did not disappoint but I hope they don't let the whole Nick and Jess storyline fade away.  I have definite issues but I could see myself with a Nick.  Oh dear.

And that's the wrap up/break down for now.
Peace out homies and Happy almost Friday ;)

The Superbowl, The Agony of Ice Skates and Getting Back on Track (long enough title for you?)

Whew what a weekend-since becoming more active at church and expanding my social circle my weekends seemed to gone from a time to recoup and relax from the week to a whirlwind of activity that needs another weekend to recover from.

It started out, luckily, with a relaxing snow day on Friday.  Thank goodness or I really don't think I could have pushed through my Super Bowl hangover this morning.  But I digress...

Saturday a large group of friends from church decided to go ice skating.   Which I have never done.  Which is crazy hard people-except apparently not for five year old whiz kids who raced by me like Apollo Anton Ohno chasing down the gold.  Nothing like feeling horribly incompetent at a sport children can master with ease.   Good for the pride.  Luckily one of our friends took pity on me clinging desperately to the wall and pin wheeling my arms like a fool and gave me a few instruction that helped. I am happy to report that by the end of the evening I was off the wall, skating with reasonable skill for a first timer and only fell once-sadly while I was just standing there but still, only once.

*May I add here that rented, old, look like they've been chewed on by a dog, ice skates HURT people.  I think I could have done better if not for the screaming pain induced by those savage things.

So, skating survived, I crashed that night with some friends that live in Lexington, the same time as my church.  We got up, made it through church and Sunday School and then lunched at a delightful Italian place.  Where I had pizza.  On top of the spaghetti the night before at Carrino's.  To be accompanied by Super Bowl chip and dip and chili spaghetti with my parents later that night.  So to say I had a bad weekend eating wise is a gross understatement. 

So it's Monday and its back on track for both diet and exercise.  I have resurrected the use of the My Fitness Pal app (a great calorie tracker that is easy to use and free!) and am sticking to a workout plan.  I have been working out a lot but my diet has been, well, not so hot and a few pounds have crept back on so it's really what needs tweaking.  So today here's the plan:

*healthy eating
*calorie tracking
*M-run a mile, Zumba
  T-run a mile, Dance Fit class
  W-run/walk 3 miles
  R-run a mile, Zumba
*stay positive, stay motivated, stay ON TRACK!!

What are some things that help you get back on track or stay on track?

The Best Workout Clothes

Since I have been a serious worker-outer (yes I realize that is not a word but what can you do?) I have been on a constant search for...
-the perfect work out pants
-the perfect Zumba shoe
-the perfect running shoe
-and the ultimate, the un-attainable, the perfect sports bra.

I have found one or a variety of most of the above items.  Some I am still in search of...some I fear (ahem, bra, I'm talking to you) I will never be completely happy with.  Such is life.  Se la vie.

La vie. 
Hardy har. 
Anyway I digress.  Here are some of my favorites:

*Disclaimer-I am a cheapy.  I teach, I am single, therefore I do not have a disposable income on which to spend untold fortunes on workout clothes. So for you bargain shoppers or people on a budget-enjoy!

Work Out Pant
I have tried a blue million.  Old Navy's are ok but tend to fall down and I HATE constantly having to tug my pants up while exercising.  I sometimes wear yoga style capri pants but lately I have become a big fan of fitted capris-maybe not the most attractive but they stay up and compress any unsightly jiggling...mostly.  My two picks are:

Danskin Now Performance Capri-Available at Wal-Mart ($10-$12)

Xersion Fitted Athletic Capris-Available at JC Penney ($10-$20)

 

Both of these pants are on sale often.

 

Zumba Shoe

 

I started doing Zumba in a pair of Nike Musiques that the instructor recommended and they are great-an essential thing in a Zumba shoe is a pivot point on the ball of your foot.  But when I had danced all the cushion out of these shoes I started looking for something new. And found these:

 

Kelly Ripa Collection Ryka Transition Shoe-Available at www.amazon.com (price varies)

These have the pivot point but are not strictly a dance shoe.  I have done boot camp in them and have run in them-they are comfy for both.  They are really lightweight which is great.  When I bought them I got them for around $50 which was about $20-$30 cheaper than what I could find in stores-gotta love Amazon!

Running Shoe
I am a Nike lover-always have been, always will be.  They just fit my foot best.  So for my fellow Nike lovers I offer you:

The Nike Dual Fusion Running Shoe-available pretty much everywhere-price varies



 

 

These shoes are SO COMFORTABLE.  They are my favorites just to wear and are also really great for running- not to mention they come in a bunch of colors :) Always fun!

 

 

Under Armour Micro G Defy Running Shoe-available at www.amazon.com -price varies

 

 

These I just bought the other day to try for my 5K and because my Nikes have about had it.  They were only $38 at Amazon (tip-when shopping on Amazon always check out the diff colors of an item-this style of this shoe was $38, all the others were $78-worth a try to save yourself several bucks). I've only worn them a few times but really like them-light, very cushioned and comfy. 

 

 

And so we come to, my nemesis, the sports bra.

 

Sports Bra

Understand that I am....chesty.  Well endowed.  Whatever you want to call it-I'm rocking a DD ladies.  And I have NEVER, EVER found a bra that contained the girls on its own and believe me I have tried tons.  My best solution is to double up. I usually wear a non under wire regular bra from Lane Bryant (the Cacique bras are the bomb for you busty ladies like myself).  Then I layer a snug sports bra over that.  My fav:

 

Old Navy Padded Sports Bra-available at www.oldnavy.com - ($10-$15)

 

This bra is great for high impact, which lets face it, if you have a big chest is anything resembling physical activity.  They come in fun colors too-I believe mine are XL.  Great moisture wicking.  And cheap-on sale a lot too.


So there you have it-my must have run down.  If anyone has any work out gear they can't live without, please, do tell.  I am thinking about investing in some workout undies-any recommendations?  And if anyone has found the miracle sports bra cure-please, please share!!

Happy working out!





Taking It To the Street

Well it's official. Three friends and I have officially signed up for our 5k. We are The Frenetic Four (an inside joke of a name that would not make sense or be funny to anyone else even if I explained it). And this, and the crazy 68 degree break in the recent Artic temps, inspired me to hit the streets today in preparation.

Holy mother of running shoes the treadmill just doesn't cut it, does it folks? I knew this. But I had forgotten. My legs and lungs certainly have. And I know it is totally a mental thing taking me back to my basketball suicide running days of high school, but I cannot get my breathing right. Oy. To the vey.

But I made it. Just under two miles at the sluggish and slow pace of 16/mile. You know, slightly faster than turtles and slugs. But I kept going. I had to walk some but I kept going. I'm beginning to believe more and more that running is about 99% mental and 1% physical. So I'm going to pray about it and think positively and make it happen. I'm going to finish the race. I may be slow and I may walk some but I'm crossing that finish line.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)

Confessions-Part 2

Just when you thought I'd said all I had to say....

(Usher anyone?)

I must, must always have my toenails painted.  Even in the dead of winter when no one but me sees this.  I used to always have them painted and never my fingers but now I am obsessed with finger nail color as well.

I take super fast showers for a chick.  For a human really.  We're talking less than 10 minutes here folks.  And that includes leg shaving.

I LOVE horses.  Have shown them since I was a child.  Own more than one.  My father and brother have trained them and I have spent the majority of the weekends of the summers of my life at a horse show, prepping for a horse show or on horseback.  It was something I never thought I would give up but the people, not the horses have soured it for me.  Showing?  Not so big on anymore but my horses I'll always love.

I get ready, again for a chick, nearly as quickly as I shower.  I roll out of bed in the morning at about 6:40ish and arrive at school at between 7:15-7:25.  In that time span I get up, get dressed, do hair and makeup, let my dogs out, pack my lunch and hit the road.

I have a thing with teeth.  Smile and good teeth are among the first things I notice, in guys mostly, but also in all humans. 

It is all I can do not to correct peoples grammar and spelling when they write things on FB.  The only thing that stops me is not wanting to be an insufferable know it all twit.  But gosh it's hard to fight it.

I am not proud of this but I cannot contain my laughter when I see anyone fall.  I always check to make sure they are ok and then.  I.  lose.  it.  I realized this weekend during a mini ice storm that this extends to dogs, as hilarity ensued every time my pups slid right on past the back stoop.  he he.  he he he.  I am so ashamed.

I love cake.  All cake.  Cupcakes (the offspring of cake) included.  But I enjoy my cake cold, as in refrigerated.  Yum. 

Enough fluff.  More serious heavy stuff to follow.  Maybe.  Maybe more fluff.

F-Filter Free

I have reached a point in my life in which I (think) I no longer care about trying to be nice and polite all the time.  I think I have about reached the breaking point that will lead to me removing my filter.

Now, for those that know me or have met me you may be thinking-filter? Lindsay? HA! But believe it or not (and this may terrify you to your very marrow) very little comes out of my mouth that has not been judiciously edited before leaving.  I know...its hard to believe.

Now this whole impending filter free movement is not an excuse to be mean or to hurt people with rude comments.  That is never a good idea and like Ellen I think we should "be kind to one another".  It is rather an honesty movement.  Maybe instead of sugar coating things I just let er' rip.  Maybe instead of bottling up hurt feelings or questions or comments I just say what I think and feel. 

This could be a dangerous experiment but goodness don't you think it would be liberating?  No one would be left wondering about what you really thought of them or if you were romantically interested or if they had made you mad.  No double talk, no passive aggressiveness.  I think it would be so freeing. How many time have you wished, hoped or prayed that you could really know what someone was thinking? Good or bad, it would be better than wondering...always wondering.

I'm almost there folks-I am teetering on the brink of an all out filter free fest.  It's only matter of time until I jump off the ledge.

If I Were a Boy

Linking up with Erin over at http://www.livinginyellow.com :)

If I were a boy....

....I wouldn't have had to worry about pulling my hair into a pony this morning because I didn't feel like doing it.  Running a brush, or more likely, my hand through it would have done the trick.

....the khakis and school tee I pulled on for hump day wouldn't have been a cop out or a comfy treat but my normal uniform.

....while running on the treadmill last night controlling my boobs in a variety of bras to prevent my being knocked unconscious would not even be an issue.

....I would not have the compulsion to eat anything chocolate that is not nailed down.

....Hallmark and Sarah MacLachlan sad puppy commercials would not reduce me to tears.

....I could sew wild oats and date around and act a fool and no one would call me a floozy or a tease or a hot mess. I'd just be "being a guy". 

....comfort over fashion could always, always be my motto.

....dressing up would still consists of pants and a shirt.  I'll whine about the tie but it won't even come close to matching the horror or pantyhose, Spanx and heels. 

....I'll be able to simply stop drinking REGULAR Coke to lose those pesky 10 pounds I picked up over the holidays.  Within a week they'll be gone.

In short, I will live a charmed life.  But sadly I will never, ever understand women.  It's okay though.  They don't understand us either.