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.

Augustathon Recap

Let's get down to business.

While I did very poorly to blog about my Augustathon challenge, I still managed to stay active and do something everyday. My cardio workouts weren't as extensive as I'd hoped but my push-ups/crunches/lunges regimen were strong (pun intended). Here's the breakdown.

 18 days of cardio.
31 days of strength/core.
48 miles.
4200 calories burned

Headband from Bic Bands - Aqua Sparkle

My workout buddy in the AM at the gym.

Lovely pink Compression socks from ProCompression

Stay active. Keep up with what you're doing. Stay hydrated.

Source: chasefear.com via Tori on Pinterest

Source: chasefear.com via Tori on Pinterest

Source: backonpointe.tumblr.com via Amy on Pinterest

Have a great weekend! Enjoy family and friends and time with loved ones. Remember all those who can not be with us at this time and all those who are not with their loved ones. Take a moment to remember all of them. Be safe.

Just sitting here watching airplanes go by

Augustathon Day 4:


Type: Elliptical
Time: 30 minutes
Distance: 3.2 miles 
Cals: 410


Total Augustathon: 7.8 miles


Had a great workout this morning while Jackson napped after I did a great set of crunches. My legs feel awesome! So ready to kick this training into full gear. 


Running outside has been tough, so I'm alternating and going slow with running outside. I need to start running outside at a different time of the day, preferably when the sun goes down. If I can maintain about 2 miles a day for a week or so then I think I can start bumping up the distance. Slow goes it, but it goes. I like that.


Jackson and I went to watch some airplanes the other morning at the airport. (cue the music to that Gary Allen song...) I thought it might be fun (for him) to see some airplanes up close. He was interested for a short bit, but I think the noise was weird for him not knowing where it was coming from. We stayed for a while before it got hot (8am).

Getting less interested and more interested in a nap. "Mom, where can I lay down?"

Got to throw in a picture of my Joshy. Oh how I love this man :) Hard to believe 7 years ago we climbed our first mountain together (my first, not his).

Augustathon here we go!

Augustathon Day 2:


Type: Strength
Time: 30 minutes
Distance: 0.5 miles
Cals: no idea


Total Augustathon: 3.1 miles


Augustathon Day 3:


Type: Running
Time: 22 minutes (est)
Distance: 1.5 miles (est)
Cals: no idea


Total Augustathon: 4.6 miles

{Source}

I wish I was running on the beach...ahh. Nope, just in the desert. 


My run on Friday was estimated because I looked down after 6 minutes at my GPS (my phone) and it froze. So I know I ran for longer than 6 minutes, because looking at the clock when I left and when I came back it had been about 20 minutes or so. And judging my the distance I ran on Wednesday I ran just a bit shorter. So estimating, but still ran.


Have to alternate running outside since it is so warm. Still trying to adjust to running out in this heat. I'm getting there slowly. Slow but sure. I'm determined to get better and run farther.

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.

Get your sweat on!

It's back to work for me starting tomorrow, as my weekend is over now. What an enjoyable weekend it was with my little family. We had some great time swimming, being silly on the floor playing (that's a daily thing!), and we even got to take a trip to Target (big deal, I know) and we each got a few new items, yay! All part of being grown up and getting excited about small things.

I had a great workout today, after getting so much accomplished around the house this weekend.

Ran outside 1.7 miles / 22 min
100°F+ outside
45 push ups, 60 crunches, 30 squats, 3x45 planks & even some lunges. Wow!

It sure does feel good. Though, running outside, at 5pm, during the hot afternoon (& slightly humid) probably wasn't the best idea, it's one of my only options and I take what I can get.

Have a great week!

My running canal. And my post-run "sunburn or lack of oxygen" face. I've always had such a red face after running, strange. I promise I was breathing.

Random Plane (Days 16, 17 & 18)

Another combined post. And wow, over half way done!


Daily progress on the Juneathon challenge. If you want to know more about the challenge, check out the Juneathon page.


Day 16:


Type: Walking
Duration: 25 min
Distance: 1.0 mile
Calories: 100
Juneathon total: 31.1 miles


Day 17: 


Type: Swimming
Duration: 60 min
Distance: 1.0 mile 
Calories: 250
Junathon Total: 32.1 miles


Day 18:


Type: Cycling/Biking
Duration: 23 min
Distance: 4.78 miles
Calories: 100
Juneathon total: 36.88 miles


And boy do I need to get going. I'm nowhere near that 100 miles I had as a goal. I guess that's what happens when life, work, family, life, being a mommie, life get in the way. At least I'm staying active. That's always a plus!


Here's to putting on some miles this week!

A post overnight shift checking out the clouds and random plane, picture.