#MarchGoal

Halfway through March already. Spring is nearly here. Of course "spring" in Arizona means 90°F days are coming fast. It was 95 on Thursday.

Halfway through March also means we are halfway done with the #MarchGoal challenge. Did you participate? How is it going for you?

For me, my initial goal was to run/log 30 miles for the month. I got off to a good start with a half marathon on March 2. Bringing my total up to just over 15 miles. I'd say I have some work to do! Another goal I have, but never really "technically" declared it a goal, was to eat healthy every single day. So far, I've done great. Aside from 3 days when we had company, I even did well on those days. I have been doing a combo of push ups, crunches, lunges or squats each day and as always a plank everyday. 

Checking out some 'goodies' at the finish line of the Phoenix Marathon

A good handful of people have joined this challenge. Some through twitter, some through facebook and some just have mentioned it to me. 

There are no hard rules to this challenge. Pretty cool, huh? So why not join in. There is still half a month to go. Plenty of time to start making a difference NOW.

Month of Numbers & A Challenge

As done in previous months, I've tried to keep up with a fitness challenge. The other day while out running, this one came to me. 

How about a Numbers Challenge? Being the science geek I am, I know that March is the month of "Pi". In math, the number Pi (pie) is 3.14 (with many other numbers following that decimal, but rounded at .14). So on March 14 (3/14) it is known as Pi Day. In honor of this month being a big math/science number month, my challenge is to set a number goal to achieve. A set number of miles you want to run, bike, walk. A number of pounds you'd like to drop. A number of pushups, situps, lunges, squats you'd like to do each day or week. 

Whatever your number goal is, try your hardest to stick to it.

My goal: to run 30 miles for the month of March.

Right now, I'm doing the plankaday challenge. Holding a plank for as long as I can, 1-2 mintues on average, each day. I try to make push ups and lunges a daily routine as well. Every little bit helps!

If you want to participate in this challenge, tag me on Twitter (@charmoon) with your goal and how you're doing. Let's use the hashtag #MarchGoal. If you are on Facebook, write on my wall with your "March Goal" or simply comment on this blog post. Let's be active this month!!

October Challenge: Check-up

Even though it's only 5 days into this October Challenge, wanted to stop by and check in. Anyone still with me?

As we get closer to the Holidays and craziness that is the end of the year, taking time for ourselves can be tough. I know I'm learning all about this being a new mom. Can I still say I'm a new mom if my little guy is now 1 year old? Where did the time go? He's so much fun, we love it!

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. I'm one to speak about crazy schedules, working rotating hours myself, but finding time to do something for yourself is key to keep the sanity around here. Can I get an Amen?! So even just 10-15 minutes a day is HUGE people, huge. I for one cherish a shower like nobody's business!

This challenge was designed made up to do just that. Just taking a few minutes a day to do something for your body will help. And who knows, might even kick-start even better choices and more time to do other fun good-for-your-body activities. 

Day 5: so the 10+1 a day challenge is on Day 5. SO you should be at 14 reps today. Ideas: Squats, Lunges, Crunches, Jumping Jacks, Push ups...or all of the above! Or any combo. It's just a starter and an idea really. Have fun with it. And hopefully by October 31st you can do 40 reps of at least one move. WOW!

Source: Uploaded by user via FitFluential on Pinterest

My progress: I've been mixing it up with Squats and Lunges. I need to keep up the push-ups as I've forgot about those.

On another note, I'm pretty proud of how I've come to eat so well. I have always considered myself to be a pretty healthy eater but since having a baby, and really in the last 9-10 months I've gotten really healthy with my eating. I basically, unknowingly, follow a Paleo/Vegetarian diet I'd say 85% of the time. Now there aren't any underlying reasons why I'm strict about these diet approaches, because I'm not, the food choices and varieties just appeal to me and are easy to eat. I'm not picky and am always up for trying new and different foods. And our meals at home that I make aren't super "weird" either. We still have meatloaf, spaghetii, tuna noodle casserole, hamburgers/turkey burgers, to name a few. I find my breakfast, lunch and some dinner choices are just more healthy. With my work schedule there are a number of days each week that we don't get to eat dinner together, and other meals, so making my own quick, easy to pack meals are..well...easy for me.

Another Instagram photo: New FitFluential tank top from ViewSport. Working out :)

Not sure any of that made sense? But oh well. I can tell things are working, so whatever I'm doing is working. I feel good. 

Motivation to everyone. Keep up the good work! Happy Weekend friends :)

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Flashback Friday: From nearly 2 years ago, we carved Pumpkins and had some Pumpkin beer. Halloween wasn't cold here, still 90 degrees.

October Challenge: Who's in?

Over the summer I've done a couple Fitness Challenges and challenged myself to do others. I'm on track with eating healthy and have done well (for myself) in losing all of the pregnancy weight and then some after having my son a year ago. Wow, a year. Anyway, now I'm training for a half marathon in January. So excited! I think that being active and keeping a regular fitness routine of some sort is important in every day life. Whether you're training for a marathon, a 3 mile race, a friend's wedding, the holidays, a family get together or you just want to become more active; you have to fully commit and stay on track.

The idea behind these challenges for me have been to keep me accountable. If I have something I "have to do" or am "supposed to do" then I am more likely to do that activity. 

Source: fitsugar.com via Mary on Pinterest

So why not create another challenge? If you'd like to participate, leave a comment here, or on my facebook or tweet me your progress every day. It's like a journal entry to keep you accountable. I will do the same.

Source: 2012lastfatyear.blogspot.ca via Samantha on Pinterest

October Challenge: 10 + 1 every day

I thought about previous challenges and how they were geared towards doing a workout/run every day of at least 30 minutes. I still like that idea but want to change it up a bit. How about some core strength movements? Don't forget about cardio, that is still important.

Source: get-thinspiration.tumblr.com via Samantha on Pinterest

10 + 1 every day: Choose either push-ups or lunges, or alternate. On the first day (Oct 1) do 10. The next day, do 11. On the 3rd day (Oct 3) do 12. Each day adding one more, and by Oct 31st you will have 40 push-ups or lunges to do. 

I have faith that you can do this! So, who's with me?

Source: google.com via Samantha on Pinterest

Challenge: Accepted Part 2

Remember Juneathon? Do you MISS Juneathon? If your answer was yes, then come with me! 

My fancy pink compression socks from ProCompression which are amazing to help with circulation!

I was challenged/asked to start another challenge by a friend for this month. 

Augustathon?! 

Why not?! A month long challenge to keep yourself accountable and keep yourself motivated to exercise or workout each day. Whether it is a 10 mile run to start your day, or 15 push ups before bed, anything will do, so long as you are being active. Watching TV while flexing your ab muscles doesn't count, sorry.

My awesome post-run "red face". It was 100+ degrees outside!

I like to set my own standard of 30 minutes each day (minimum). I will do my best to blog about each day, though it may be a week re-cap. My schedule & family life is a bit busy so blogging isn't a top priority, sorry! I'm on a computer all day at work so when I get home I enjoy not staring at a screen any longer unless I need to (bills). 


Want to join in? All you have to do is BE ACTIVE! You can comment on my posts for what you've done or blog about what you've done. If you need to write it down, then do it. Setting goals is fun, it makes you work hard toward that goal and it is something to look forward to. It isn't fun when you start thinking you HAVE to workout and you aren't getting anything out of it. Set a goal that is reasonable. Like 30 minutes a day, or 10 push ups or crunches or lunges or jumping jacks or a walk around the block. Then increase it slowly. 

Maybe your goal is to do 50 push ups a week. Or 2 sets of lunges each day. Or to run 5 miles a week. Or to walk 5 miles a week. Set some sort of goal for yourself. In June I set a goal of running/biking 100 miles by the end of June. That's not a bad goal. I was close, I got to just over 60 miles. So maybe a stretch. SO this time, my goal is to get past 60 miles by the end of August. Pretty reasonable.


So here we go:


Augustathon Day 1:


Type: Running
Time: 30 minutes
Distance: 2.6 miles
Cals: 350


Total Augustathon: 2.6 miles


Hope you don't get bored! Thanks for reading along.

Juneathon -- I'm In!

So thanks to my amazing blogger friend Hanna over at {bouffe e bambini} and the motivation I've been storing to start running/training for a half marathon, I've decided to join Juneathon. A month long challenge to exercise/run every single day, and blog about it.

My only downfall, the blogging part. I can see finding the time to get the exercise in, even with my crazy schedule. The blogging part might be tough. If I can't get that done, then obviously I'm not as cool and great as the rest of the people signed up, but if I can get 2-3 posts a week, that's my goal. If I surpass, awesome. 

I think this is great motivation for everyone to get out, get moving and get in shape. Enjoy summer! I'll have to figure something out to compensate, since running outside in 105+ degree weather will be tough. Lots and lots of water!


Today I started my challenge, yes two days early, who cares!


See the activity on RunSaturday

Type:	Cross - Elliptical
Duration:	0:35:00
Distance:	2.75 mi
Calories:	305

What are you excited to get out and do this summer? Anything new you're trying for the first time?