Friday Fives (5s) -- Post V

Not everything always fits into the theme of a Blog Post -- So I wanted to start a collection of things I'm currently crushing over each week that didn't necessarily get captured in my posting.

This will be the fifth post of a series called Friday Fives (5s)

{One}

Great Motivation from Tone It Up girls

If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.

 
The same can be said for many things..

If you lead, you're a leader.If you cook, you're a cooker.If you teach, you're a teacher.If you learn, you're a learner.If you sing, you're a singer.If you love, you're a lover.

No tests, no licenses, no membership cards. Just lead. Just cook. Just teach. Just learn. Just sing. Just love. Just be you <3

I love that.

{Two}

Riley is a cuddler.

I love this about her.  No matter where I go in the apartment she follows me and just snuggles.

{Three}

My Berry Filling for these delicious pastries!!! So good!  Had on an English Muffin too :)

{and guess what -- it's healthy?!}

{Four}

GREEN SPINACH SHAKE!!

Don't worry, you can't even taste the spinach! 

The Protein Shake tastes like a Chocolate Peanut Butter Reeses....

{Five}

SOUP.

Nothing is better on a cold day than warm soup. 

Yesterday I had Broccoli Squash Cheese soup in the cafe and then Amy's Minestrone Soup for dinner with a salad... I could eat soup for almost every meal!

Questions for the Day:

What are you loving this week?

Any big plans for the weekend? Workouts? Dinner Dates?

Do you believe in the superstitions surrounding ::gasp:: Friday the 13th?

You Are What You Do

Gread Motivation from Tone It Up girls today:

If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run.

The same can be said for many things..

• If you lead, you're a leader.
• If you cook, you're a cooker.
• If you teach, you're a teacher.
• If you learn, you're a learner.
• If you sing, you're a singer.
• If you love, you're a lover.

No tests, no licenses, no membership cards. Just lead. Just cook. Just teach. Just learn. Just sing. Just love. Just be you <3

I love that.

Riley is a cuddler.

I love this about her.  No matter where I go in the apartment she follows me and just snuggles.

precious!

Sadly, even with all the plans last night I was not a runner...

Our good friend Kris called with EXCITING NEWS on a business deal he had closed and wanted to celebrate.

Friends trump running sometimes...

We went to BJ's Restaurant and Brewery (which I love!)  and the only issue was that the menu is extensive and the lighting was very dim at our table!  So what did I do?  Pulled out my Evo and turned on the 'Flashlight App' with the kickstand so everyone could see the menu:

Gotta love technology! hahaha

And I had a Turkey Burger on a Wheat Bun with Avocado to complement our Champagne toast.

Tonight is GIRLS NIGHT and we'll be watching Grey's Anatomy, but I hope I can finish up at work with enough time to scoot on over to the gym first - otherwise I may be doing my squats and situps as the show plays!!! 

Questions for the Day:

What did you have for dinner last night?? 

How many miles do you think a person should complete per week to consider themselves 'A Runner'?



Friday Fives (5s) -- Post IV

Not everything always fits into the theme of a Blog Post -- So I wanted to start a collection of things I'm currently crushing over each week that didn't necessarily get captured in my posting.

This will be the fourth post of a series called Friday Fives (5s)

{One}

Tone It Up Sunset Workout.

The first move - Sundown Pike is my favorite! I'm obsessed with this quick workout!

{Two}

Reasons To Be Fit Tumblr
A collection of thoughts for reasons people are choosing to live a fit lifestyle!

{Three}

Finding new running/bike trails to explore...

{photo credit}

{Four}

Shopping at Central Market.

The people are always super nice and super helpful! 

This week I even scooped up an awesome deal on Wild Caught Salmon and whipped up some sauteed brussels sprouts, onion and mushrooms as a side! 

Delicioso!

{Five}

When my favorite shows start back on TV!!!

The Biggest Loser is BACK with Season 13!!! a season of "No Excuses"

and Dolvett is coming after Bob's Black Team with a vengeance!

OMG no way!  Grey's is back already?!?!

And a new *love* - Once Upon A Time

  If you love fairy tales you're going to be hooked.

Thank goodness I have DVR though or I'd never catch these shows...

Questions for the Day:

What T.V. show are you most excited for this season?

Are you a 'talker' during shows?

I definitely am... my friends are only friends with me because a 'pause' button exists so they don't miss anything as I chat about the show -- but I see it as a social activity! If you wanted to watch the show in silence, watch it alone at home, no?

Workout Wednesdays - Week IV

Weekly recap, at least for myself, of what I actually accomplished or got done!

This happens to be on Wednesdays because 'Workout' starts with a "W" and I'm a sucker for alliteration. Guess that's what happens when your mom is an English major!


Also feel free to follow/friend me on The Daily Mile!

This Week in Workouts:

Thursday, December 29th -

REST DAY. 

Spent time with Mike and Baby Jackson and Ashley today!

Is there anything cuter than baby yawns?!?!

Friday, December 30th -

Treadmill 3.5 mi 00:30  08:34 pace
Mike's Gym 00:50

Tone It Up Sunset workout plus I added 3lb weights to the 'hugs' move. Finished out with additional strength training machines, kept it up and moving for about 50 minutes after my cardio! So all in all good workout today!

Felt good to get in a run! it had been a few days!

Saturday, December 31st -

Outside Run near Mike's Place   3.07 mi 00:26   08:31 pace

Beautiful Outside run! really hilly which was difficult on my breathing.. I mean really hilly.  After the short run had to rush to get all my baking done for our NYE Pot Luck Dinner and House Party!

Sunday, January 1st -

Biking 9.7 mi 01:00   9.7mph pace

 

Mike and I went biking! My knee hurt too much from New Years Eve to go running.. umm you try standing around in 6inch heels all night!  Shnikes! 

 Beautiful Sparkly Shoes

Also, Mike's Iliotibial Band was still hurting... it was cold at first but warmed up once we got going! I had on mittens AND leg warmers which helped!! Found a super cool trail at the end of our ride... it was kinda an off road trail and we're excited to go check it out later!

Monday, January 2nd -

Treadmill 6.07 mi 01:00 09:53 pace

Bored ... stayed on for an hour, walked a little... blah. At least you ALWAYS feel better afterwards!!

Tuesday, January 3rd -

First Day back at WORK.
REST DAY
They kept me for 11 hours!! boo

Wednesday, January 4th -

Day of Death.
Woke up this morning so so sick.. didn't even make it to work until lunch time.  Speaking of lunch, I haven't had any :(  Today's workout will probably be light yoga once I get home and early to bed! 

EDIT:  So when I got off work I was feeling a little better and had even kept down a greek yogurt.. Mike and Kris were headed to the gym to get in some endorphins and I was far to jealous to let them go without me!  I followed them to the gym and just said I'd accomplish whatever felt okay.  I ended up starting on the treadmill... first mile was slow/warm up, second was tempo, and then for mile 3 I sprinted quarter miles increasing speed by .2-.3mph each time and walking for < 1min in between to catch my breath PHEW!  Then I finished up with some strength:

20 Jillian Runners on each leg

10 Hugs on each side with 3lb weight

10 Ab Jacks

20 Swimmer Kicks (alternating Legs)

40 Flutter Touches (Abs)

20 TIU DeadLifts w/ 10lb weights

30 Pull Backs on Weight Machine

20 Walking Lunges

20 Love Triangles on each side

Finished with 20 Warrior III Leg Lifts each side (made that up, it works!!)

Basically you do Warrior III pose and use your Gluteus Maximus to lift that back leg in the air about 2in higher and pulse.  Super challenging!

Felt way better after my workout and even had an appetite for the first time all day -- left over Chicken Sausages and Veggie Rice please!

Reasons to be Fit:

What was your favorite workout you did this week?  

Workout Wednesdays - Week III

I'm completely ADD when it comes to my workouts.. I can only follow a basic plan outline nothing exact because it makes me feel too trapped and scheduled.  If it says "x" # of runs per week, "x" day do cardio, "x" day do strength training of some sort I can kinda follow that.. but really when I want to run I run, when I want to go to the gym I do, and when it's freezing and rainy outside I turn to my collection of workout DVD's and the lovely internet.

Because of this I feel it may be good to do a weekly recap, at least for myself, of what I actually accomplished or got done!

This happens to be on Wednesdays because 'Workout' starts with a "W" and I'm a sucker for alliteration. Guess that's what happens when your mom is an English major!


Also feel free to follow/friend me on The Daily Mile!

This Week in Workouts:

Thursday, December 22nd -

Did not feel so hot today - got in 30 minutes on the Elliptical.

Friday, December 23rd -

Didn't have a lot of time today before my date with Miss Ashley to have lunch and see LES Miserables, but snuck in one of the Roommate's Turbo Fire DVDs... umm those are INTENSE.  I did the Fire 30 CD but it was longer than 30 minutes for me since there's an option for 'first time' where they walk you through some of the moves so that you know what you are doing.  The most interesting part of the CD was the 'firedrills'.  You hear an alarm sound and for a whole MINUTE you work super high intensity 'because you can do anything for one minute, right??'  

Saturday, December 24th -

Made time for a holiday run today even though it was 39 degrees and the weather channel said it feels like 34 (which is practically freezing... and being from Texas my whole life I really do not do well in the cold!)

Knocked out the first 3 miles in 24:42 (Holy Goodness -- 8:15min miles?!?! That's a miracle for me!!)

::small walk break to catch my breath::

STILL finished my 6.3 mile out & back in 57:10 (9:05min mile average).

YAY!!!!!!!!!!

I beat myself in my "challenge run"... Last Wednesday my average last time was 9:28min miles, and I have NEVER finished a 5k in under 25.

Sunday, December 25th -

Quick workout Christmas Morning - snuck in the TIU Sunset Workout plus some extra deadlifts at the apartment before rushing over to the parents'.

Monday, December 26th -

3 Miles on Treadmill in 26ish minutes... it was a really rough 3 miles, I think all the sugar from Christmas really got to me, but AFTERWARDS I felt a lot better!  


Mari and I took over my apartment gym and turned on a really great workout mix.. 


Mari and I completed the TIU Sunset Workout circuit 3 times PLUS we did about twice as many flutters and dead lifts as the circuit called for!  Since there was only one pair of 5lb dumb bells at the gym I had to use 10lbs but for dead lifts it wasn't too bad.  


We also did the following:


8 Reps Chest Presses (3 x's)
10 AB leg lifts in Roman Chair (3 x's)
20 triangle love handles (TIU move - see photo below)
Plank 1 min
Side Plank 1 min each side
10 triceps extensions on each side in deep lunge


Take that Christmas Pie!!!!

Tuesday, December 27th -

5.5 Miles Outside Recovery Run with Mari.


Really slow pace for me but my sister is recovering SO WELL from her knee surgery!!! We averaged an 11:49 pace including the walking we did... she ran 2 miles straight, then walk to calm her heart rate, then ran one mile, walk again then .75 miles finished strong! So proud of her!! BTW the temperature dropped half way through our run and it got stinkin' cold!!  I did sprint forward and back at one point just to warm up.... next time even if it's sunny Imma sport the jacket.

Wednesday, December 28th -

Went to the Hospital bright & Early this morning to meet my GODSON baby Jackson!!!


Meet Jackson:

Born December 28th, 2011
9.37 lbs and 21" long!

Hi Precious Baby Boy!!!!!!!!

TIU Tone Every Part In 30 Minutes Routine 

Follow along with the printout here.

I will say the Triangle Love Handle move feels awesome two days later after doing it every day!  My sides are so sore... 

Reasons to be Fit:

What was your favorite workout this week?  Any new DVD's or circuits I should try??

Friday Fives (5s) -- Post II

Not everything always fits into the theme of a Blog Post -- So I wanted to start a collection of things I'm currently crushing over each week that didn't necessarily get captured in my posting.

This will be the second post of a series called Friday Fives (5s)

{One}

Breakfast or Lunch @ Cafe Brazil.  They're open 24/7, have a Coffee Bar with unlimited refills, and their egg white veggie omelette is incredible.

{Two}

Low, Side-Part Buns for Work.  Quick, fast, and professional looking.  Or at least I feel that way when I do my hair like this.  I mean business.

{Three}

Holiday Themed Coffee - Starbucks finally has a Skinny Peppermint Mocha!!

{Four}

Days I get the gym to myself.  I can do any of my ToneItUp inspired workouts without worrying that people are staring at me as I jump pike my butt into the air from my yoga mat... 

{no, having huge J Lo inspired thighs is not on my list... I just can't help it}

{Five}

Cuddling with Riley - it's much too cold outside, we should all just stay inside and snuggle! 

This Friday was an amazing  one!  I got up early and snuck in one of the Roommate's Turbo Fire DVD's she's been trying to get me into... I only had 40 minutes to workout so the DVD was perfect!  Those ladies are intense!!  After that I showered up and met the BFF Ashley for a lunch date and a PLAY!  We saw Les Mis and had a little drama because she started having contractions at lunch!  Luckily she made it through the whole show without popping - she isn't due until Wednesday, but then again that's only a few days away at this point!

Now I'm going to hit 'publish' on this post and go grab ingredients to make a Salad since that's my assignment for Christmas Eve dinner tomorrow night -- Happy Holidays everyone!

Workout Wednesdays - Week II

I'm completely ADD when it comes to my workouts.. I can only follow a basic plan outline nothing exact because it makes me feel too trapped and scheduled.  If it says "x" # of runs per week, "x" day do cardio, "x" day do strength training of some sort I can kinda follow that.. but really when I want to run I run, when I want to go to the gym I do, and when it's freezing and rainy outside I turn to my collection of workout DVD's and the lovely internet.

Because of this I feel it may be good to do a weekly recap, at least for myself, of what I actually accomplished or got done!

This happens to be on Wednesdays because 'Workout' starts with a "W" and I'm a sucker for alliteration. Guess that's what happens when your mom is an English major!


Also feel free to follow/friend me on The Daily Mile!

This Week in Workouts:

Thursday, December 15th -

Ran through the sprinkling cold rain to the small gym my apartment complex opened up near my building! (There's a bigger one but I have to drive to it.. it's in the other gated section of buildings)

Honestly can't remember exactly what I did, I think I knocked out like 3 mi on treadmil and a few weight exercises.  My phone has been BROKEN all week! So hard to get any pictures or leave myself notes (a.k.a. Brittany you did this today and ate this today.. ya I have that bad of a memory!) 

Good News?  The issue was covered under warranty and I get a new phone.

Bad News? Phone has taken a whole week to come in the mail!!!

Friday, December 16th -

2 Miles on Eliptical - my calf has been so tight and cramping :( it hates me.
Attempted moves from Jillian workout and Tone Every Part In 30 Minutes routine. 
Total gym time = 50 minutes.

Saturday, December 17th -

Long workout at the gym!!  I've been really trying to focus on more strength training since I have been so lax on it lately... 
There's a new Jillian workout featuresd in SELF Magazine this month and it's INCREDIBLE but I cannot even finish it!  {Recap Below}. 
I also tried the TIU Tone Every Part In 30 Minutes routine.  {Recap Below} 
ABS on the Roman Chair (3 sets 10 full leg lift ones)
Lunges with tricep curls
50 Dead Lifts with 10lb weights
then 1 mile on treadmill in 8:30 (starting slow, sprint at end)
and finishing with high resistance eliptical.
WHEW.
Total Gym Time: 1.5 hrs

Sunday, December 18th -

Where does time go??  Almost no time today.. snuck in the TIU Sunset Workout.

Monday, December 19th -

REST DAY

Tuesday, December 20th -

REST DAY

Wednesday, December 21st -

Outside Run -- longest one yet!!!  6.5 miles in 1 hour baby!!!! 

I always feel best doing long runs after a rest day.. my body has so much extra energy to burn!


Review of Circuit Workouts:

New Jillian workout featuresd in SELF Magazine this month and it's INCREDIBLE but I cannot even finish it! 

The entire circuit is set up to have you perform as many reps as possible for 1 minute, then to rest 1 minute.  Honestly, I can't continuously perform these moves for an entire minute straight!  Something to work towards!

Has you start with Up & Overs

These are killer but FUN. 

Channel the Karate Kid...

"Get Up and Go" 's... a new favorite of mine!

And I don't want to put the entire workout on here because you can get it for free here at SELF or in the new magazine featuring Jillian on the front cover this month!

One thing I will mention... there's a move where you start in full plank and 'pop up' into a surf like position... umm ya epic fail on my part there. 

How you're supposed to look after "popping up":

How is she so smiley??!

The circuit will really push you so I would recommend checking it out!  Not for beginners.

TIU Tone Every Part In 30 Minutes Routine 

Follow along with the printout here.

Each move with 20-30 reps, repeat circuit 3 times.

I love this workout -- it isn't too hard and is easy to add on to any workout you're already doing.

I will say the Triangle Love Handle move feels awesome two days later after doing it every day!  My sides are so sore... 

My other favorite move from this workout is ..

The funniest thing is when I do these workouts at Mike's apartment... The roommate and I own an arsenal of smaller weights, bands, yoga mats, etc... but the bf doesn't have that so I have to improvise.  This is where I use Costco sized glass jars of Spaghetti Sauce as weights ;)

Reasons to be Fit: