8 years ago I began what I now refer to as my "journey into lifestyle fitness". After a yearly check in with my Dr he said I looked "really good on paper, but I might consider losing a few pounds" I wasn't offended... I knew I needed to but it seemed like to much work at the time. In that year we had adopted 2 girls out of foster care, plus caring for my 3 sons & husband sort of left me on the back burner taking care of "me". I told him I "used to" walk & he encouraged me to at least get back to that. I left his office that day, started, & never quit. As time moved on my walks increased in length & speed. I started mingling some jogging into it...then after more time some short sprints. One day I realized I was doing more running than anything else. I learned to run longer and farther. I constantly challenged myself to do more. I realized I had turned into a runner & was loving it. I have since run 6 half marathons, 2 full marathons, and my first 50K scheduled for March 1,2015. Not bad for a girl who just started off walking not quite 2 miles! My body was now beginning to show the results of my work as weight & inches dropped off. I began to add in boxing & weights on days I wasn't running. Over time as the fat left, my new muscles were waiting underneath =)
Obviously, I also made some food changes. Nothing drastic..just started eating less and trying to eat better.. I hated diets and how they made me feel....deprived & left out of all the fun...so adjusting & eating less of what I liked and moving more.. I found myself getting in decent physical shape. It began my thinking of lifestyle and not "dieting". As I got stronger,healthier & more fit it was an easier process to "let go" of some of the foods I had enjoyed. I had more energy, strength and confidence in what I could do. It was empowering. It made me realize that I probably wasn't the only one who wanted to lose weight, be healthy & strong but not always be on some sort of "diet". Maybe my journey & what I had learned & been doing might possibly help others to success in their lives...
I consider myself to be rather normal and ordinary ( meaning I haven't always been into fitness and healthy eating) it has been a steady, daily, learned process with good days and bad days and my hope is that you too, will see the greatness in you, and that you have the ability and power to change and do anything you put your mind to. If you want change, you can make it happen. It's just one day at a time, making smart moves and better choices, and before you know it, things are happening.
Get started on your journey, really, what do you have to lose ? And yet, so much to gain =)
Happy Monday world! This isn’t just another Monday. Here in the states it’s Memorial Day.
Yes many often view it as a three day weekend, a kick start to summer and a day to BBQ. The reality is, its a day of solemn remembrance for the men and women who served and gave their lives for our country.
I know if I made a trip to the military cemetery where my father is buried, a flag would be on his stone as well as the thousands of others who surround him.
My father did two terms in Vietnam. He was always immensely proud of his service to our country.
He never talked about his time there. It wasn’t until the last year of his life that he said some things that made sense to some of his ( we thought, idiosyncrasies) and I think it was only the advancing of his alzheimers that may have loosened the memories and let them out.
He always wanted the windows closed and locked. It made my mom crazy. He revealed in his later days that the enemy used to hide in the jungle and trees and then attack. ( we live in the country surrounded by some very dense terrain) he had never lost the worry that they were still out there.
Or more chilling how the sound of aircraft made him tense… the enemy would fly over and throw the dead soldiers from the helicopter. A reminder they could be next.
It was a roadside bomb exploding and causing the vehicle he was in to crash causing injuries that sent him to Germany to rehab and then finally home.
I’m not sure you or I can even begin to grasp what our service men and women go through, or how it makes a lifetime indelible impact on them physically, emotionally and spiritually.
On this day we remember those who sacrificed their lives. Those who left behind loved ones, dreams, and plans for the future.
Ithought of how so many laid down their lives as…..
I passed a man selling fresh produce on the side of the road this morning.
I saw a bumper sticker proclaiming political views.
I drove by multiple churches.
I made plans for my business.
I recently voted in an election.
I shopped in stores with a great abundance of food and other items.
Freedom.
We have so much freedom in our country to use our voices, to run businesses, to move about freely, to worship as we choose, or not choose. We have freedom to vote for our elected leaders.
We have so many freedoms and it’s on this solemn day we stop to remember…to remember those who gave all so that we can live in the daily freedoms we take so for granted.
Thank you seems so small…..such small words for gratitude of giving and serving with ones life.
As you gather with your family on this day, I hope you take a moment to pause and give thanks for the precious gift of freedoms you have and for the lives of those who make it possible.
We are approaching that time of year here in south Texas.
The time of year where there are longer days, warm evenings and easier dinners.
One of the foods that make frequent appearances at our summer meals is the sweet and flavorful watermelon.
And not just for dinner but it’s also a cool, sweet, refreshing treat on a hot afternoon.
Let’s take a look at how this delicious treat breaks down…
Watermelon consists mostly of water (91%) and carbs (7.5%). It provides almost noprotein or fat and is very low in calories.
The nutrients in 2/3 cup of raw watermelon are:
Calories:30
Water:91%
Protein:0.6 grams
Carbs:7.6 grams
Sugar:6.2 grams
Fiber:0.4 grams
Fat:0.2 grams
You can eat a whole lot of it for minimal calories!
Watermelon contains 12 grams of carbohydrates per cup.
The carbs are mostly simple sugars, such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose. Watermelon also provides a small amount of fiber.
The glycemic index (GI) — a measure of how quickly foods raise blood sugar levels after meals — of watermelons ranges from 72–80, which is high.
However, each serving of watermelon is relatively low in carbs, so eating it should not have a major effect on blood sugar levels.
Don’t listen to health “experts” who criticize fruits because of sugars in them. These are naturally occurring sugars and not the simple sugars in cokes, candies or other sweet things.
Those…you definitely need to do in moderation.
The benefits of a fruit far outweigh the natural sugars in them that some people try to demonize.
What other good things does watermelon offer?
Vitamin C.This antioxidant is essential forskin healthand immune function.
Potassium.This mineral is important for blood pressure control and heart health.
Copper.This mineral is most abundant in plant foods and often lacking in the Western diet.
Vitamin B5.Also known as pantothenic acid, this vitamin is found in almost all foods to some extent.
Vitamin A.Watermelon contains beta carotene, which your body can turn into Vitamin A.
Watermelon is an exceptionally healthy fruit.
It’s loaded with citrulline and lycopene, two powerful plant compounds linked to lower blood pressure, improved metabolic health, and decreased muscle soreness after exercise.
What’s more, it’s sweet, delicious, and packed with water, making it excellent for maintaining good hydration.
For the vast majority of people, watermelon is a perfect addition to a healthy diet.
Tasty ways to eat it
Really the best way is just a big slice, still in the rind, cold, and juicy running down your hands while you eat it.
Yeah, super messy but it’s also one of those fun easy ways to enjoy it
When I serve it with dinner I do cut it from the rind into neatly sized pieces for more manageable eating 🙂
So it’s a dark and rainy night here tonight. I “feel” like I should be doing something “productive” instead I’m plopped on my sofa in oversized clothes drinking copious amounts of coffee.
I may or may not sleep tonight.
I decided I could be productive and write, but don’t feel motivated enough to have to think to hard writing on my usual health/fitness/lifestyle/nutrition mantra.
Yeah I do try and be on my A game when I deliver all that stuff…
Soooo…since I was goaded recently by a fellow blogger ( *cough * he shall remain nameless) that I hadn’t written a post recently on my other life….that of furniture flipping…vintage and antique kinds of goodies that is.. I decided tonight was the night.
That comes easy enough to chat with you over coffee Haha
Me: I literally just stumbled into it last year. Like seriously. I did a piece or two. It was fun. The visions came without effort. People liked it and started buying it and well…here I am
I always joked my mom had all the artistic talent. And she did. She could paint all kinds of things and it actually looked like…rose’s or scenery, tiny details or whatever…
Beautiful.
She tried hard to “teach” me. Sigh…. my art work was less than stellar.
Along the way I learned my gifts were more “active” and just decided I had no creativity.
So of course it came as a surprise to me when the furniture thing came so effortlessly to me. I’ve been asked by lots of people if I could teach them how to do it.
Yeah, I could do that. But what I can’t teach is the stuff that’s in my head. The way I get almost immediate visions for pieces. The way I can see the end result already in my head.
I can’t teach you that.
It’s at that point I realized it wasn’t that I didn’t have my mothers artistic abilities, they were just…. different….and that was ok.
Not only ok, it was cool. Cool to do something that took a piece from ugly and hopeless to updated, beautiful and useful again.
I cannot begin to say how satisfying it makes my “work”.
I like old things and I cannot lie…
My son asked me years ago before I was even into this why I liked “old junk”. I have appreciated, for a long time, older things. It’s just gotten stronger as I’ve aged. Perhaps I just have a different appreciation for it.
They have a life and story to them that modern day items do not have. There is a “feel” to them. They have somehow traveled through time, families, traded hands numerous times and somehow I get entrusted with it.
The pieces bare wear marks, scratches, missing parts etc of the life they’ve lived. I never try and make an old piece look “perfect”. It has lived life and should still have reflections of it.
I’ll show you some projects..…
I’ve done quite a few things now. I have literally a barn of cool things waiting for me….some personal…others to sell..
I picked up this 1930s radio cabinet last month for 25.00. I knew I was keeping it. I’ve repurposed it to use in my kitchen to hold linens and baking items
It’s pretty beat up from age. The top opens where the radio used to sit. We are putting a solid piece in so I can store linens. The details make me wanna weep they are so gorgeous.
Ok you wanna see it now?
The back isn’t finished yet…but you can see all the pretty parts. I hand sanded the paint back off all the details so they’d pop. I left the doors original for some contrast and because I always try and leave some of its former life if I can. This makes such a pretty piece in my kitchen now.
How about this old button box? It was so dark and dreary…I love how sweet it looks now!
That sold almost as soon as I posted it.
I found this awful, sad and crusty table at a thrift store but I could see its potential…
Look at how it transformed though!
How sweet is it now??
But then I found a vintage suitcase. Hubby asked what I was going to do with it. The corner was broken and crushed.
Me…with confidence…I’m gonna fix it up! Hahaha ( have I mentioned how much I love a good challenge?)
Let the repair work begin!
I dragged in some old weights to plop in corners while gluing damaged area….
Then the base coat after repairs.. can you tell which corner was broken down? you ready to see the end results?
Of course you are 😉
Not bad for a broken down suitcase right? I was soooo thrilled with how it came out.
Then I bought this old, brown antique table. Solid wood and heavy with gorgeous details, I couldn’t pass it up.
And it’s much brighter after pics …
Another piece that sold almost immediately:)
Ok I’ll show you one more…..
I got this cute vanity that was someone else’s better idea project they abandoned
And it’s transformed look….
I found the little bench a few weeks later and it was perfect for it.
I had been itching to do something in pink and black and this was the perfect set to work it out on. I had scored the black and white paper at the thrift store and wanted to use that too. It all came together so well.
It was all meant to be together ha
Do you love all things vintage?
Ok I’ll shamelessly plug my business page and you can follow all of my furniture flipping shenanigans there if you like.
It’s a page devoted to sharing with others my transforming work, selling some of it, and educating when I can on various pieces.
I do occasional posts here on it ( often in my Monday Musings posts) but my business page is all things vintage fun. Mostly furniture but I get other items as well. Currently bread boxes are the cats meow. They sell as soon as I finish them. Hubby was teasing me one week ’cause I had actually managed to get my hands on a few and I had one in my shop.
“you have four bread boxes.”
Me: Yep.
A week later they were all gone. 🙂
Ok so here is the page:
Find it…www.facebook.com/shadesofyesterday
If this wasn’t enough vintage/furniture flipping reading find a couple other posts here..
Do you ever see clothes and the size is listed as “one size fits all”?
For a woman it’s almost the kiss of death meaning the garment may or may not potentially fit you like a sack..
If you’re a woman like I am, at 6’0 the probability is even greater.
Except now it’s a much shorter sack haha
Why then do people try to approach exercise/fitness and nutrition in that manner?
There is no one size approach. I know with so many new diets and exercise trends hitting the market its easy to get swept into thinking you have to follow one of them to “be successful”.
Let’s not forget social media with the constant barrage of same old fitness poses, looks and “ideals”. That alone can be overwhelming to alot of people.
With all of that in our face, where do we start?
First, it may be trial and error. You try different things till you find something that sticks with you.
Not what your neighbor or sister does. Not what you saw on social media that tells you you’re supposed to do, but the thing ( or things) that you want to go do. The things that make your heart race and make you feel alive.
I can’t tell you the times I’ve had people tell me they admire what I do but “they don’t run”
Ok well then, don’t run.
Easy.
The things that make me feel alive and I enjoy are mine. They may be yours too but they don’t or won’t necessarily be something you choose.
Being out on the road whether it’s running or cycling, working hard and putting in the miles, is my jam.
I love being able to challenge my body, push beyond comfort zones, and dig deeper into myself. It’s crazy satisfying.
And yes most people I know think I’m crazy for what I do.
Find the thing you love, and pursue it to the point people jokingly tell you that you’re crazy.
Bodies are different
Even though we are all designed the same, how we look, how our bodies will develop with exercise and good nutrition, will all be different.
We all have different genetics that determine our bodies development. Your best body won’t look like someone else’s best body and that’s ok! Embrace who you are and celebrate your own unique qualities. Be compassionate and loving to yourself. You don’t need to look like the girl or guy next to you at the gym and comparison is the thief of joy so don’t do that.
Rest
Listen if there’s someone who has struggled at times taking a rest day ( from workouts) it’s yours truly. This is most true when I’m training for something. I intellectually know a rest day or two is neccessary and beneficial, but I hated taking them.
Now I understand the value more.
Give yourself permission to rest.
Looking healthy
Here’s a big misconception. Looking healthy and feeling it aren’t always the same thing. There’s such a focus on “looks” today that we over look healthy as a feeling, an overall well being. Learning to eat well, with healthy foods, allowing for some treats, and exercising in a healthy way is nourishing to our mind, spirit and body. Yes we want to “look” healthy, but feeling it is even more important.
The energy you have for your days, the ease with how you do activites, the appearance of your skin, hair, eyes, how you feel overall and then yes, how you look on the outside all add up to total health.
You don’t always have to go all out
I’m saying this to myself too. I love workouts that are challenging. But doing ones that are shorter or a notch less than what I usually do is ok too.
I feel like that doing yoga. It’s such a different kinda of strength workout but it’s not like how flying down the road feels. It brings me down and reminds me there are times it’s ok to not be going all out.
Same for you too. Find times to do activities that aren’t your full speed ahead usual ones.
Lifestyle changes take time
They really do, but they are worth the time and effort invested. Don’t jump on the snake oil trains of “lose weight get fit in 90 days” nonsense.
It takes time, slow and steady, but the results are satisfying and worth it.
Focus on what your body can do
Again, being constantly bombarded with images of what we “should” look like or what size our ( insert body part here) should be or shouldn’t be you may be left feeling like you’re lacking or should be “better”
Recently I’ve read articles on stretch marks, cellulite, not having skinny thighs, getting a thigh gap, and let’s not forget how…. over the top tired I am….. of seeing huge butts in my fitness newsfeed.
Bigger butts are on trend now. Lucky me Haha
Seriously though….none and I mean none of that stuff matters when you’re running, cycling, doing yoga, lifting weights, rowing whatever it is.
The last thing on my mind when I’m grinding out miles are any supposed “flaws” I have..
I am aware though of how my body moves. How it responds to what I ask if it. The way it feels to pick up a bar loaded with weight. How my legs work to pedal strongly up huge hills or run up them or when I can simply use my body weight in planks or side planks or difficult yoga positions
Those are the things that matter.
Stop obsessing over size
When I first started on my health journey 8 years ago it became a game to get smaller.
Where it is important to be aware of weight gain, you shouldn’t be hung up on sizes.
The more I’ve grown knowing myself the more I realize it’s not about being small. I’ve built a strong, powerful body and I celebrate that.
Focus on building a healthy, strong body, not the smallest size or some arbitrary number on the scale.
So as you move along on your health and fitness journey remember you are unique. Your needs are unique. Your body will respond to what you do in different ways from someone else. There is no one size approach. Find what works best for you and go after it.
Tell me have you ever tried fitness or nutrition approaches that were not good for you or weren’t a good “fit”? What has worked best for you?
If there is one thing that often seems to be a stumbling block to people who want to lose weight it’s this….
They think there has to be an “all or nothing” mentality to get it done.
Either they have to exist off of kale and water ( both of which I have nothing against) and live a totally miserable existence constantly checking the scale to see if a pound or two has vanished.
They go back to counting down the days till they can get back to “normal” again because they don’t think there is room in a nutrition plan for having a hamburger or Chocolate cake on occasion.
I feel bad when I see people choosing a complete deprivation plan. Mainly because I know they are setting themselves up for failure.
It’s the same when they choose a specific diet that eliminates food groups or severely restricts foods that make life enjoyable.
We just aren’t wired for complete and total extremes. None of us are.
Who wants to be at a birthday party watching everyone else eat cake or not enjoy a meal out that you splurge a little?
Freedom is being able to do those things and knowing the end of the world won’t happen because you did.
In our daily nutrition we should strive to eat well with a good balance of all food groups. Little daily healthy choices add up for long term success.
Each meal should contain good portions of vegetables and fruits and a good amount of protein ( about 30%)
A healthy lifestyle means getting the appropriate nutrients we need but allowing ourselves a bit of freedom to have that treat.
It means that we can trust ourselves enough with those foods to eat and enjoy it and move on with life. When we blend our favorite things into a healthy eating plan we are less likely to binge because we’ve restricted ourselves
Building an awareness of food in our life will help us learn balance but also will lead to a slow steady weight loss that will be permanent
Asparagus. It’s one of those grown up foods that took me awhile to get into.
When I say a grown up food I mean I literally started eating it like, a year or so back.
I know. Late to the party but better late than never, right?
There are so many amazing, tasty, and healthy veggies in the world I’m not sure how I almost missed out on this one.
Ok, why should you eat it ?
I can imagine some of you curling your lip at the idea of eating this stalk looking tree type veggie.
Hold up…don’t dismiss it just yet
This giant veggie is one of the most nutritionally well-balanced vegetables — high in folic acid and a good source of potassium, fiber, thiamin, and vitamins, B6, and C. A 5-ounce serving provides 60% of the RDA for folic acid and is low in calories. You can enjoy this veggie raw or with minimal preparation.
The name for asparagus — a member of the lily family — comes from the Greek word meaning “shoot” or “sprout.” Now widely cultivated throughout the world, this regal vegetable is believed to have originated 2,000 years ago in the eastern Mediterranean region, where it was prized for its unique texture and alleged medicinal and aphrodisiacal qualities.
Asparagus spears grow from a crown planted in sandy soils and, under ideal conditions, can grow 10 inches in a 24-hour period. The most common types are green, but you might see two others in supermarkets and restaurants: white, which is more delicate and difficult to harvest, and purple, which is smaller and fruitier.
It could help with your weightloss goals
Not only is asparagus low in fat and calories (one cup sets you back a mere 32 calories), but it also contains lots of soluble and insoluble fiber, making it a good choice if you’re trying to lose weight. Because your body digests fiber slowly, it keeps you feeling full in between meals.
Fiber can definitely help you feel satiated, making it beneficial for weight loss.It can also aid constipation, and research suggests it may help lower cholesterol.
To maximize the veggie’s calorie-torching potential, pair it with a hard boiled egg: the combination of fiber-rich asparagus with the egg’s protein will leave you feeling satisfied.
Asparagus is full of antioxidants
Asparagus—purple asparagus in particular—is full of anthocyanins, which give fruits and veggies their red, blue, and purple hues and have antioxidant effects that could help your body fight damaging free radicals. When preparing asparagus, try not to either overcook or undercook it. Although cooking the veggie helps activate its cancer-fighting potential, letting it boil or sauté for too long can negate some nutritional benefits. Overcooking asparagus could cause the vitamins to leech out into the water.
It can help with bloating
When it comes to fighting bloat Asparagus packs a mean punch. The veggie helps promote overall digestive health (another benefit of all that soluble and insoluble fiber!). And thanks to prebiotics—carbohydrates that can’t be digested and help encourage a healthy balance of good bacteria, or probiotics, in your digestive track—it can also reduce gas. Plus, as a natural diuretic, asparagus helps flush excess liquid, combating belly bulge.
Are there side effects to eating asparagus?
Yes and I wish someone woulda told me in advance.
It can make your urine smell.
I know. Gross 101. It is.
But why??
According to Smithsonian magazine, asparagus is the only food to contain the chemical asparagusic acid. When this aptly named chemical is digested, it breaks down into sulfur-containing compounds, which have a strong, unpleasant scent. They are also volatile, which means that they can vaporize and enter the air and your nose. Asparaguisic acid is not volatile, so asparagus itself doesn’t smell.
What’s weirder than a veggie causing stinky urine is that not everyone can smell it. Scientists aren’t entirely sure why this is. Most evidence seems to suggest that not everyone can smell the odor, though some scientists think that not everyone produces it.
Ok but that really is the least of your worries. Eating Asparagus and all the health benefits it offers far out weighs the unpleasant effect of stinky urine ( this won’t last long)
Let’s eat
My favorite way to eat it is tossed with some olive oil, sea salt and cracked pepper and roasted till tender. I usually throw in garlic cloves and cherry tomatoes too. I add a little fresh parmesan at the end.
It’s amazingly delicious.
You can also grill or steam it. Honestly roasting veggies is my preferred way of eating them. I think it really enhances their flavors.
It’s really, really delicious with bacon wrapped around it ha
Your turn to weigh in. Do you like Asparagus? If so, do you have a preffered way to eat it?
Raise your hand if you’re reading this through bleary eyes waking up slurping your morning coffee. Uh…don’t slurp your morning coffee…
So one thing running through my mind starting this post is….well several things running through my mind….
What you may wonder could it possibly be??
Am I the only one…please tell me I’m not…that cannot stand that “Baby Shark” song?
Tell me I’m not.
Just hearing it makes me cringe because I know it will then be trapped in my head over and over like a merry go round until I blast a dose of heavy metal into my head to get it out.
I think there are two camps on this.
Those who love it and happily sing along with abandon…
And those of us who twitch the moment it begins.
There is no middle ground.
It’s cool if you love it.. I just won’t be singing along with you.
Measurements are like ya know, super important. I need to get the size of pieces for a variety of reasons so it really, really frustrates me when people post items for sale and don’t give any measurements.
For instance, I saw a gorgeous china cabinet. It didn’t look huge as so many are. I asked the guy and I got back “it’s 54″
So I responded back, ok its 54 inches tall? How wide?
I get back…”no it’s 5’4”.
This my friends was obviously his height. This was the only measurement I was offered to determine my decision on making a purchase.
Alrighty.
I can’t tell you the photos I’ve seen where people are using their body parts or small kids as units of measuring.
Recently I saw a kids play house. One of those “free you come move it” things. The guy is standing by the door with his arm raised to the top of door.
This was so you would understand how tall it was.
Problem here big boy is I don’t know if you’re topping out at 5’8…..or a bigger whopping 6’4….
How is this helpful to me???
My favorite by far was a table with a part of a leg in the pic. I honestly thought the leg photo bombed the pic…
Then I read description and it said…”table goes up to my knee”
You really have no idea how I laughed. I kept that photo and I pull it out on days I want something to send me into wild giggles.
Like Karen I have no idea what the distance is from ground to your knee…for real.
All this to say…is it really that hard to measure something with ya know, the typical measuring devices?
And speaking of measuring things. This week I was again wondering who on earth determines how much of hair products to use in your hair.
Conditioner often says to use something “the size of a quarter” and work through hair, Like… that isn’t a whole lot…
I bought a hair conditioner this week and it said to use 2 pumps… which is nothing… I mean come on Bob I’ve got enough hair for three people that whole “2 pump” thing isn’t going anywhere with me. More like 2 pumps per section of hair haha
Obviously, this cannot be a one size approach to everyone but I’ve been left wondering how they determine that usage for customers..
I’m in denial…..
April is almost half over and Easter is rapidly approaching.
I have not bought one single chocolate egg, not one stuffed bunny, or plastic eggs for the kids to do an egg hunt.
I have a million baskets to make.
Yes, my adult kids still like getting baskets.
One year, and may I add, one year only, I had thought to be clever and make couples baskets.
I mean, the married ones live in the same house and all right? It shouldn’t be a problem.
Ha. Oh no.
I never lived it down…no one wants to share their chocolate 🤣
So besides baskets I’ll also be planning a tasty menu to feed the crew
I’m torn between traditional Easter food or going all southern and throwing a brisket on the grill.
I made this recipe last year and it was a huge hit….
I have a hard time being inside when the weather is so perfect outside. Whether it’s working in the yard ( I cut miles of grass today with a push mower) working on my furniture or exercising, it makes me feel so alive to be in it
I’m looking forward to longer rides and serious sweat again.
Nothing like the sun coming up on you 🙂
No matter how I mix up my workouts, being outside is always the best. I mean seriously, the world becomes my gym.
It doesn’t get better than that.
Ok your turn! Wanna weigh in on the shark song? What are your Easter plans? Do you enjoy working out in the “outdoors”?
Short, sweet and easy enough to go down with your morning coffee and whatever you chase it with.
Speaking of short.. I’m gonna hit on that thought with exercise today. It seems when people think of exercise they have the idea it has to be long and drawn out.
Don’t get me wrong. I love a good solid workout sesh and feel like I’ve not done enough if I come in under an hour. I love rides that I’m gone for awhile or days I did long runs and was gone for hours.
The reality is, sometimes we’re all short on time and we wanna get as much in our valuable time as possible.
Yesterday I got up and per usual had my list for my morning before me. I had to be gone from home by a certain time and knew I didn’t have my hour( plus) to spend hefting weights.
I spotted one of my HIIT workouts I have written down and decided.. hey a fast and furious 20 minute session is where it’s at today.
This one is all about using just your body weight, although I added weights to a few things to make it harder.
I alternated rounds doing pushups then renegade rows with my 25lb weights.
I used a 25 lb weight plate to do butterfly situps.
The beauty of these workouts is you can modify up or down depending on your fitness level.
( ok and maybe I just wanted to squeeze in a little weight work too 😉 )
It’s pretty straight forward after that. I set my watch to cardio, then knocked off as many rounds as possible in that time.
Today it was “only ” 4. Then I realize that makes 120 situps Haha
I ended just planking as long as I could after everything and not just 30 seconds which is ridiculously easy for me anyway. I made it to the 2 minute mark.
I’ll tell you these workouts always leave me feeling it and I need that. It challenges me in a different way. I know my time is short and I have to work hard, and I’m horribly competitive and want to do as many rounds as I can 🤣
You can make your own HIIT workouts up by using any combination of moves. It can involve having some weights or just bodyweight work.
Remember to warm up for about 5 minutes before starting, and good form is always key so if you start to tire or hurt slow it down or modify what you’re doing.
And if you are struggling to get into an exercise routine, 20 minutes is a short sweet way to get started.
It may not be easy, and you’re gonna sweat, but it’s short and you’ll be on your way to your day.
Tell me. What’s your favorite short and sweet workout?
Is anyone else appreciating that the days are slowly getting a bit longer and for us, warmer as well?
So I’m feeling a bit victorious...
Why you ask? I’m coming off a 9 day stint of taking care of my very active, busy, precocious 2 year old granddaughter while my son and wife were in Ireland.
Rough for them I know 😛
Anyway, I dusted off my 24/7 mom skills and thankfully they were still in place. And it should be mentioned, being fit has payoffs in keeping up with a non stop 2 year old.
Thankfully she enjoys being busy and enjoyed running and going places with me.
She loves being outdoors with the sun in her face and wind in her hair. She wants to explore and is open to new adventures. She’s fearless and doesn’t hesitate from jumping into things.
She’s my spirit animal, seriously.
We went to the park one day. And of course she wanted me running up the hills with her, and then climbing up the big slide. She delightedly waited at the bottom for me to slide down squealing in joy. We got on the swings, her in my lap holding on to the chains thrilled we were sailing into the trees.
***me…attempting to bend all 6’0 under the slide over hang***
It was all fun and games till she let one arm go. I was trying to keep her on my lap while the swing was twisting wildly and I’m internally freaking out ’cause I’m terrified I’m gonna break her little arm. When I finally get the crazy swing under control and stop us, she turns to me and says “Nanny come on, do it again!” While my heart is still pounding out of my chest…
I got to climb bars, swing from them, and all kinds of other things while well behaved moms in yoga pants sat chatting watching my antics.
It’s the cool thing about being old. You just do what you want and you don’t care if anyone may or may not be approving.
There’s a crazy amount of freedom in that.
And you know something? It is true…what people used to tell me…that grandkids are awesome and blah, blah…I thought they were just running their mouths
You love them in this crazy, awesome, different way from your own kids. They are the reward for not eating your own offspring 😜
They own your heart in ways you can’t explain.
I have 6…and a 7th due in less than a month…another little girl to own my heart. My first born son expecting his first born. I can hardly wait to see him in a daddy role to his baby girl.
I just hope he doesn’t pass out during the delivery….
So yeah, grandbabies are kinda cool.
Then one day, we’re in my car hitting the highway. I drive a Charger and it never gets old letting it open up, hearing the engine kick in, and that swift feel of rapid speed. It’s a head rush.
I do love it.
Then from the backseat I hear….”Whoa!” Followed by a wild delighted laugh. I glanced back to see her with this big smile on her face. It appears she may enjoy it too…
This was us “driving” later. I may be ruining her for her dad hahaha
The next morning as we were going to car she runs for drivers side and I hear…”Nanny are you ready?”
I spent a whole lot of time laughing. 😂😂
Her parents returned home after a fun trip and collected her.
I missed her sleepy little face that first morning they were back, waking up, calling me and giving me morning hugs and kisses.
We had been partners in crime.
Fortunately they live next door so I don’t have to go to long before I get those again.
Later, I got to enjoy my coffee in a cool cup. Pretty sure not many people have a coffee cup like this around Texas….
Oh yeah, aside from busy 2 year old care, I had time to work on lots of projects for my business. That has kept me running too. I love all the creativity that comes with it.. I find it quite relaxing in a weird way.
I finished this cool antique table this week. I’m excited it has sold already.
Look at those claw feet. I’m a sucker for those.
I repurposed an ugly vintage suitcase…
Look at it now…
And I turned a boring brown table into a clock table which I love…
I’m on a black and white kick….
And one other thing. Check out this super cool antique radio cabinet I scored. I’m totally repurposing it for something else…I can hardly wait to start it.
In other random stuff….
I was running through the store the other day and spotted this.. .
Like…what the heck Barbie?? I know times are a changin’ ya’ll but.. this isn’t the Barbie I knew and loved.
I love the glamorous Barbie even if the world thinks she’s unrealistic. What’s wrong with fantasy and fun play? I like my Barbies with crazy long legs and unrealistic waist sizes.
She had amazing clothes, cool cars and equally spiffy boy friends.
I don’t want a thick Barbie in mom jeans.
I know that may not be politially correct to say but it’s my personal opinion. Childhood is short, why can’t you have something wildly fun and non real to enjoy before you have to grow up?
Maybe there is a market for the mom jean Barbie….I prefer the Barbie who knows how to dress and has the cool car.
Your turn to weigh in…what do you think about a modern looking Barbie? What new projects or adventures have you been up to this week? How will you spend longer days?
Happy Monday you crazy kids! The kick start of a new week and new beginnings. The day new diets are determined to be started and Friday plans are already formulating.
I don’t have any weird hang ups with Monday, I’m just glad I’m still invited to the party, ya know what I mean?
Spring is slowly settling in over south Texas and with that comes warmer temps, lighter clothes and the promise of longer days.
But before spring is really in solid, we do usually get a few cooler days before those warm days are permanent.
Of course with the changing seasons, it means retailers will mark down clothes to make room for the incoming season.
It’s amazing what can be found there if you time it right.
Yeah, you have to wade through the usual cheese graters, random glasses, candleholders, tired picture frames and whatnot to get some cool nugget but I find the hunt as fun as bagging the game.
Anyway, I was waiting for the door to open last week (’cause they don’t open till that clock hits 10 ya know 😉 )
They had racks of markdown winter clothes out front, I guess giving us something to do while we waited. I had noticed this leather jacket hanging right on the end of the rack
I tried to ignore it.
Really.
I have enough black, rocker chick type jackets. I have a thing for them and they in turn, work for me.
But it was just hanging there like it was waiting for me to find it…. and then I thought.. I think it’s my size…
“just try it on” the little bad voice in my head whispered
I pulled it off the hanger, slipped it on, and of course, it fit like a glove.
And it was black. And it had all the zippers and snaps, and cool stuff I love on those jackets….
I casually asked the lady what the price was since there wasn’t one on it.
Her reply… “Oh, it’s 3.99 but all that is half price today.”
I blinked twice… and popped the jacket back off the hanger into my waiting arms.
2.00? You’re coming with me baby.
It even matches my car 😉
Ok, I don’t always find cool clothes… I don’t really look for them. As stated, I’m usually after discarded goodies I can flip for my shop. Sometimes, I’ve got an armload and other times I’m left empty handed.
One week though, I had decided that there was nothing I needed/wanted/ could use. I was on my way out and did a final “drive by” down the frame aisle. I saw a lady holding a sampler.
A “sampler” is what girls used to do back in the day, practice their sewing. It could contain things like numbers, ABC’s, simple pictures etc. I love them and have several in my home.
How had I missed these the first time???
I lurked around looking at random things hoping she’d discard it and walk off.
She did.
I snatched it up and also a smaller one on the floor next to it.
My first thought was that they were so heavy. They were framed in glass, double glass.
My second thought was… these look really old.
Like… old.
I didn’t hesitate, but scooped them up, paid the clerk the 11.67 they came to and left.
Outside, I eagerly examined them and came to the conclusion, they had to be real because who would go through such trouble to preserve something that wasn’t that old unless, well, it really was??
And why were they tossed in with the cheapo frames on the floor?
Yes, this one is dated 1872.And this one is dated 1820. 200 years old next year.
I have questions.
Who would get rid of these? Why would someone take such effort to preserve them to only have them land in a bin of cheap frames and art work? Why was something so old, obviously antiqued, so cheap??
Lucky me.
They fit right in with my love of old cool things. And I got both for 11 dollars and some change.
It was my lucky day 😉
Before we leave this topic….
Hubby and I went to a big flea market yesterday. I found a bunch of cool goodies, but this table, how cute is it?
I love these old school tables. The claw feet always help me to date it. They just don’t make such detailed furniture anymore.
This is going to go through a lovely transformation… I promise to show it off when it’s done 🙂
When I’m not flipping furniture……
Spring time also means birthdays in my family. My daughter in law requested a chocolate cake I make with strawberries. It’s a family favorite…
Honestly though, the frosting I could just eat out of the bowl. With an entire pack of real butter and rich chocolate, it melts in your mouth.
I’ll give you a minute to just stare at it and imagine….. haha
Well, I did make some healthy side dishes for the meal… that helps right?
There are lots of recipes for asparagus and tomatoes but I kinda do my own thing. I toss the asparagus and tomatoes together with some olive oil, crushed pepper and sea salt, plenty of fresh garlic, and then roast in oven turning frequently till it’s all tender. I added fresh parmesan cheese at the end.
It’s like heaven.
It should also be noted that we were celebrating her birthday early ’cause next week her and my son will be in… Ireland….
and it should also be noted I will be watching my 2 year old granddaughter while they are gone.
She’s like 2 going on 20.
She makes me laugh and she does crazy things.
She’s my spirit animal.
I’m grateful that I’m an above “average energetic” grandmother ’cause it’s gonna be a busy 9 days 😛
And in some final what on earth?? thoughts….
I heard a story on the news recently that made me just wonder … wonder why on earth it even needed mentioned.
It was about some actress or some famous “ish” person “coming out”….
What was she coming out about?
She has stretch marks.
Yes you are reading correctly. She was coming out that she had stretch marks a common normal thing millions of people have.
I was scratching my head at how this was newsworthy and I guess on some level she had felt this had made her less than a person or something like that.
This is what our world has come to. That our value is based on surface things. That if we are somehow “flawed” there’s something wrong with us.
Listen, you may be genetically blessed and not have a single one. You may have done every thing possible to not get one and boom, there they are.
It’s not just that. You don’t have to look far to see that besides stretch marks, cellulite ( again something millions have, even skinny people) is another damning factor making you less than worthy.
Let me just state this incase you need reminded.
Those things don’t define you nor do they make you less valuable.
I can tell you this. When I’m on the road running or cycling or when I’m lifting heavy things, the last thing on my mind is my stretch marks. ( and yep I got some with pregnancy) they don’t define my strength and power. They don’t affect my performance. They don’t keep me from wearing running shorts and a sports bra or a 2 pc swimsuit.
And photo bombed by an amazing sunrise….
And I hardly let them bother my self esteem.
We live in such a shallow world where such surface things can define us or reduce the value we feel for ourselves. Society. social media and beauty magazines do a good job promoting this crap.
This is just a reminder that you, and your real or perceived flaws are fine just the way you are.
Now… tell me…. do you go to thrift stores? Do you like finding treasures others have cast off? With the arrival of spring, what’s your favorite outdoor activity?
sassyfitnesschick 