A 2 Picture Semi-Sensational Sunday

Today was defined by 2 things and although it started out pretty sensational it ended just… ok. Actually it ended with me passed out on the couch missing Once Upon a Time. Now I’ll probably have a hard time going back to sleep yet I’m physically exhausted.

Let me explain.

This morning I was registered for a local 5k just about a mile from my house. I headed out about 7AM and ran to the event after shooting my #YogaADay shot.

I’m loving this challenge. It’s fun and makes me pause at least once a day to stretch.

Anyway, I ran my butt off this morning and really pushed myself at the event. I crossed the finish line in 26:25 just 12 seconds shy of the personal record I set in August.

I was ecstatic!

I’m not naturally this fast. It’s hard for me —really hard— but the sense of accomplishment and the satisfaction of seeing my progress is such an amazing feeling. So amazing it’s really hard for me to put into words besides…

I am a runner.

I’m still uncomfortable uttering those words aloud but with every race, every event, it gets easier and easier.

The second half of the day was our yearly outing to Maize Quest. My Mom came into town with my niece and we headed out right after lunch.

All started out ok but it was cold and Little Bean was NOT having a good time. After about an hour in the maize he had had enough.

I had to leave with both boys while The Husband finished the puzzle. We then decided to call it a day early and warm everyone up in the car on the drive home.

It wasn’t our best trip there but we salvaged the day with dinner at Panera and some relaxing on the couch. That’s when I passed out.

So overall a fun day but a little challenging and I’ve done nothing to prepare for the week. Looks like Monday I’ll be playing catch up and folding an awful lot of laundry. ugh.

Anyway, hope you had a great weekend!

View the original article here

Weekend Quote: The Picture In Your Head

I just need to blurt this one out. It’s that good…

What will mess you up most in life is the picture in your head of how it is supposed to be. -Unknown

I don’t know who said it. I saw it. I pinned it. I can’t get it out of my head!

There are lot of times I get angry or upset or depressed because things didn’t turn out like I expected. The husband didn’t act the way I wanted him to act. A job didn’t go how I expected it to go. For Pete’s sake, I spent half my life not happy because my body didn’t look how I thought it should look.

View the original article here

Here’s My January 2012 Progress Picture. Have You Snapped Yours Yet?

It’s time for some photographic accountability! Last month I encouraged YOU to rely more on periodic photo-taking to gauge your fitness progress instead of the numbers on the scale. I previously scheduled myself for a January 2012 progress pic, so here it is! My next picture is scheduled for April 2012. How about you?

Personal Observations On My Progress Pic

1) The more weight I lose in my mid-section, the looser and wrinkly my stomach skin gets (can anyone else relate?). I can literally grab a small handful of skin on the lowest part of my belly. It’s not tight. And thanks to 4 pregnancies, my stomach skin also hangs a bit when I do planks and push-ups. In light of Hannah’s tummy tuck journey, I’m keeping that open as a future possibility for myself as well. I don’t need a tummy tuck to make myself feel beautiful and confident (because I already do) — I just consider the tummy tuck an optional aesthetic enhancement. It’s kind of like plucking that reoccurring woman-whisker outta my chin — that’s a bit of optional enhancement I believe in.

2) I’ve successfully kept the bod tight since the last progress picture in October 2011. This is solid proof that you can enjoy some greediness in your life and still stay on track. Because my ass was surely greedy all month long in December. Holla!

3) Diets in Review just published an article about me: True Weight Loss Story: Mother of 4 Not Too Busy to Lose 30 Pounds. Check it out and learn more about my weight loss journey from the beginning, including my transition into clean eating.

So remember this: Pictures don’t lie. Get on the progress picture bandwagon and make your next “before & after” picture comparison ROCK! There’s just something about knowing you have an upcoming picture that makes you get up off your booty cheeks and work hard. Stay accountable and don’t you dare make excuses.

XOXO,

Josie

View the original article here

The big picture (s).

I’m quite confident someone with more tech skills than I (yep that’s a shoutout to you Ryan!) could figure out how not to have ginormous photos & how to intersperse text between pics.

Alas I’ve not yet mastered the wordpress Android app. so it’s bigpicbigpic wordwordword.

You’ll have that.

Onward.

I was MizFitUpAtCrack for the flight yesterday.
It was early even for me.
I was tired.
I was messy.
I was soon obsessed with purplizing the ends of my hair when I spied the photo (above) in my seatmate’s magazine.

(Any hair stylists out there? This is a bad idea, yes? I want. I want.)

Flying to NYC was uneventful.

The cab ride to the hotel was fraught with events.

Suffice it to say I had the pleasure of riding with a cabbie who was experiencing his very first day on the job.

The ride involved a little panic attack (his).

Pulling over, sitting and panicking (again him).

Examining of google maps (me).

Being wholly unable to read a map (him).

Phone calls (me and him. with him pressing his phone to my ear and asking me to speak to someone who did not speak English. Or Fitness).

Tears (him).

Lots of reassuring (me to him).

Eventual tipping (again me to him though it should probably have been the other way around).

I finally made it to the Hilton (shoutout to the *hard* to locate Stone St. Doubletree!), unpacked my newly procured winter garb (photo above) and set out to find me some Kelly Olexa.

And the fitness center.

Not in that order and *not* to workout (as evidenced by the streetclothes photo above).

We headed out into the cold and forraged for food.

And then headed back indoors and forraged for Fitfluential people.

And then ate.

Again.

And talked.

A lot.

To be continued.

I promise it gets more exciting…

View the original article here

Warning: This Is NOT Some Random Picture Off The Interwebs

Frivolous Demands:
*Subscribe to the blog
*Follow me on Twittah
*Like me on Facebook
*YouTube my videos

Product Spotlight: Fitness Donuts, Anyone?

Last workout, 8/2/11: Insanity Day 9, “Pure Cardio”. Click here for my daily training log.

—————————————-

Grab some Shakeology in my Beachbody shop.

Shakeology is a complete meal (shake) developed by Beachbody, the makers of P90X. It contains 16-18 grams of protein and 140 calories per serving. The shake will help you lose weight, reduce cravings, improve digestion, and lower cholesterol. It can also improve stamina and libido, alleviate hormonal issues (including menopause-related), aid memory, support immune function and boost serotonin levels to improve mood and symptoms of depression, while also reducing the symptoms of high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis.

Shakeology 30-Day Recipe Calendars

Chocolate and Greenberry nutrition labels.

90 Days of Shakeology: My Experiment

Shakeology money back guarantee.

If you’re passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and you’re committed to achieving financial independence, contact me now about becoming a Beachbody Coach.
—————————————-

Sponsored YUM! & Partners

GroceryCouponUpdate.com

Strengthen your core for the summer with a new exercise ball.

Get the facts on Slimfast weight loss.

My Lifestyle Diet

Florida Drug Treatment

Become a Sponsor .

—————————————-

Full Disclosure regarding paid advertisements, affiliate links and product reviews. .

.

View the original article here

A 4 Picture Word-less Wednesday

I saw this at the grocery store today. Seriously? The only thing I can say is at least they are calling a spade a spade.

That’s me and the boys this Mother’s Day. I had a bit of a meltdown this morning and wrote this. I feel better and pretty much took the day off trying to catch up on sleep.

That’s a shot from a new recipe I’m working on for GreenLiteBites. I’m not ready to post it yet. Should be up by tomorrow night. Delish!

And finally. My EVIL cat. I posted the full picture on PoopButterflies. Just look at her.. it’s like she’s plotting the destruction of the universe.

I just didn’t have it in me to keep the food journal. I need sleep. Now.

View the original article here

A FitBloggin’ Three Picture Thursday

Those were three of my favorite shots taking during FitBloggin and shared on Twitter. I, for the life of me, can’t remember who snapped what. I’m pretty sure MizFit took the one of The Husband and Mom. Anyone want to claim the other two??

Anyway, I’ve been wanting to share these for almost a week! That’s how far behind I am. I don’t think I have it in my to write a post like last years. With a 2 day event there’s just SO MUCH. Plus I think I’d rather you read about the conference from the attendees point of view. Not mine. All I did what run around like a chicken without a head making sure stuff started on time.

BORING!

Instead…

View the original article here

A Picture Play-by-Play of My Sensational Super Bowl Sunday

First, Little Guy and I played with his Mindscope track while starting the laundry.

We had quite a mess on our hands to start the day…

I mean…. really.

That didn’t stop us from having a healthy breakfast. Little Guy had Old Fashioned Blueberry Oatmeal and I experimented with an apple spice bowl for myself.

Soon it was nursery time! Crib and changing table needed assembling.

I focused on close organizing. :) We just got this cute jeans outfit and a hysterical Freddy Krueger onsie. How could I NOT?!? We are seriously thinking of dressing him up as Freddy for Halloween based on that shirt.

The boys did a GREAT job and the room is starting to come together. Note: if you are wondering about the black wall check out last week’s pregnancy update.

However, we have a loooog way to go.

Soon it was time for lunch. We had leftovers. Dad? pasta. Kid? chicken and cut veggies. Me? Leftover taco meat and beans turned into a wrap with veggies.

After lunch I had the husband snap a pregnancy pic. A few people have been asking and I just realized I’m not having a shower so they’ll be no excuse to take pics. That’s where most of my pregnancy pics from Ryan came from.

Surprisingly the house recovered quite well.

For our special Super Bowl dinner we had, what else, but wings and pizza! However… I cooked everything homemade! :)

Click here for my Husband approved spiced wings.

As for the pizza, I used Trader Joe’s whole wheat dough. And even though both husband and child requested plain, I veg’ed it up.

Chopping small and putting all the green stuff under the cheese, I call it "spices." :)

They both ate it with no complaints.

Then it was game time!

Now I’m watching a cheesy movie and staying up too late again with the hubz. MAN! I love Sundays. :)

View the original article here