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Catching Up From Holidays :)

I am a little behind with my blog updates with the holidays, but I have managed to get most of my workouts in. So here is my quick recaps of the last couple Burn sessions.

Day 17: Burn Circuit 2

1) sumo squat with bicep curl - 8/12 (weight/reps) - 9.5/12 10/12
2) lunge with one-arm tricep extension- right & left- 5/12 - 8/12 9.5/12
3) dead lift row- 10/12 - 15/12 20/10
4) sumo squat with overhead tricep extension- 10/12 - 15/12 15/12
5) dead lift with double row- 10/12 - 15/10 15/12
6) bowler's lunge with single-arm row- right & left- 10/12 - 15/12 15/12
7) bicep curls with abductor balance- 8/12 - no toning band - 9.5/12 with toning band 9.5/12 w/band
8) forward-lean lunge with double row- 10/12 - 15/12 15/12
9) triple-threat push-ups- tricep, regular, & spiderman pushups - 4 of each all on knees (triceps are really weak-fell flat on my face a couple of times, lol, desperately need work there, so I can't wait to see where I am in 90 days) - 4 of each on knees, but this time I got thru the 1st 1/2 with no problems on my knees, the 2nd half was a struggle, but I have got them done. It was such a good feeling to see that I am getting stronger & can't wait to see where I am at the end of these 90 days! 4 of each, regular pushup reg, all others on knees

Day 19: Burn Circuit 3

1) sumo squat with overhead press- weight/rep- 8/12 9.5/12 9.5/12
2) lunge with calf raise- left & right both 10/12 25/12 25/12
3) squat with lateral raise- 5/12 8/12 8/12
4) lunge with frontal press- 6 each leg- 8/12 10/12 10/12
5) squat with calf raise- 10/12 25/12 25/12
6) sumo squat with delt raises- 5/12 8/12 8/12
7) squat with double overhead press- 10/10 (got to failure mark, which is okay, I will go for 12 again next week) 10/12 10/12
8) lunge with lateral raise- 6 each leg- 8/12 10/12 10/12
9) sumo squat with calf raise- 10/12 20/12 20/12

Day 22: Burn Circuit 1

1) sumo squat with hip lift- (weight/reps) 10/12 12.5/12 15/12 20/10
2) lunge with posterior fly- left & right- 5/12 8/12 9.5/12 9.5/12
3) push-up with leg lift- 12 knees 12 knees (not as shaky & better form) 1 reg/11 knees (yes a reg one!) 1 reg/11 knees
4) dead lift with posterior fly- 5/12 8/12 9.5/10 9.5/12
5) lunge with core rotation- Left & Right- 10/12 15/12 20/12 25/10
6) bench press & leg lower- 8/10 no toning band 9.5/12 with band 9.5/12 9.5/12
7) squat with side bend- 10/12 12.5/12 20/12 25/12
8) forward-lean lunge with DBL arm posterior fly- 5/12 8/12 8/12 9.5/12
9) chest fly with hip lift- 8/10 8/12 9.5/12 9.5/12

(black is week 1 weight/reps, red week 2, blue week 3 & pink week 4)

The Liebster Award

I received a comment on my 13 in 2013 page from Sarah at How My World Runs for "The Liebster Award"  I know you are probably wonder what it is, as was I, so I went looking like others have. & here is what I found--  It’s an award given to up and coming bloggers who inspire you. The word Liebster is a German word meaning Beloved, Dearest, or Favorite.  So Thank You Sarah!!

Okay to here is how this works….
Write 11 random facts about yourself.
Answer the 11 interview questions you’ve been given by the person who nominated you.
Create 11 new questions.
Nominate 11 bloggers and mention them in your post.
Go and tell the person who nominated you, along with the people you’ve nominated about your post.

So 11 random facts about myself-
1) I have PCOS
2) I started started my weight loss journey May 2012
3) My son has Asperger's
4) I started running just this year
5) I love just about all veggies, can't think of 1 right now to even list 1 that I don't like
6) I need to get more fruits in my diet
7) I live with my parents still
8) I am a morning person, but yet again I am also an evening person. Go figure that one.
9) I hate being late for things
10) Probably can't love without my iPhone at this point
11) I am constantly taking pictures

Questions for me to answer-
When did you start your running or fitness journey? Started in May 2012
What is your favorite form of exercise? walking/running
What is your favorite food? Healthy or not. sweet potatoes & pumpkin
What would your dream job be? stay at home mom
What is one goal you have for 2013? stay with this journey & continuing to get healthier
What is your favorite song in your playlist? "This'll Be My Year" by Train
Favorite piece of workout clothing/accessory? moving comfort maia
What is your favorite holiday? Use to be Christmas, but in light of this weekend's events (see previous post), I think this will quickly be changing, but to which one I am not sure right now :(
Do you have a favorite book? Twilight & Hunger Games series
Do you have one piece of advice for fellow bloggers? keep blogging away as you never know how much you truly do inspire new people on their journeys, so many times I didn't feel like working out until reading thru some blog post
What would be your favorite place to travel to? Ghana-- my youngest daughter is 1st generation American on her dad's side, so I would love to be able to take her to meet her family still in Africa

Nominees Questions-

1) Do you prefer to workout with a partner or yourself?

2) What was the breaking point to get you started on you journey?

3) When do you prefer to workout?

4) How many days a week do you workout?

5) What is your favorite workout program?

6) What is your favorite cheat meal?

7) What is your favorite workout song?

8) Who is you inspiration?

9) Do you have a favorite motto & if so what is it?

10) When did you start your journey?

11) Do you have any advice for fellow bloggers?

Now for my Nominees-

1) Sisters and the Scale

2) MommyWeighLess

3) Run, Mommy, Run

4) Running & Baking, oh my

5) Runny? Really, what was I thinking?

6) Will Run For Coffee

7) RUNInspired

8) Debs Daily Life

9) Breathe Deeply & Smile

10) From Icecream to Marathon

11) Never Trade what you want the most

CLX Day 15: Burn Circuit 1

Friday's workout didn't happen with the Burn It Off & Recharge.  I am having problems with my left foot & after the cardio in Burn It Off on Monday my foot has really been bothering me.  & Then after hearing about the Newton, CT school shooting where the young kids & adults were killed, all I wanted to do was spend the evening enjoying my kids.  After my older 2 got home from school, my dad & I took them to pick out our Christmas tree & watching Christmas movies on TV with them.

I continued spending time with them all day Saturday as it was my scheduled rest day.  In the morning we went to hear "The Polar Express" story-telling & visit from Santa.

Lydia in Santa's rocker waiting.

Steph & Brady getting train ticket punched.

Lydia got her Santa. 

Then Steph & I got some cookie baking done!  We made chocolate chip, mint chocolate chip, peanut butter, snickerdoodles, chocolate peanut butter chip, & some holiday chocolate chips colored pink with blue stripes.  :)

Steph making cookies.

Then the evening went to hell & back with not 1 but 2 family emergencies at the same time.  Thankfully our prayers were answered & the state police were able to find my brother in time before he did anything stupid like he was saying he was going to do on Facebook & texting his friends.  After he was found & taken to the hospital by the police we finally got my dad back into the ER to have his arm checked out as he is still having lots of pain from when they put the stent in a week & half ago. The on-call cardiologist want him to go get checked out for a possible blood clot, but thankfully the ultrasound came back negative for one but still no answers as to why he is in soo much pain still from it.  In case you haven't figured it out, I NEED A BREAK HERE!!  So now much sleep last night & today was just a somber day around the house playing the waiting game to see if my brother would call since we did not get to see him last night per his request to the officers.  He did call my parents, but still requested no visitors.  It's going to be a long week, as it's sad to wish Christmas was here & gone already without even having celebrated it yet for my brother to get thru this, but then not being able to wait to be able to enjoy it with the kids.  It's going to be a hard year for it for sure. :(

I really needed to get out of the house today & was wishing I already had my new sneakers as I was desperately wishing to go for a run while my ex-mother-in-law came & got all 3 kids to give me a break this afternoon for about 3 hrs, but I didn't dare try without having them.  I might see how my foot & shins do tomorrow night as Angie & I are going to meet up tomorrow to get our new shoes.  :)

Anyhow on a better note since I wasn't able to go for the run I so wanted, I did get some strength training in with CLX!  Today was the start of week 3 already!  Only 1 more time of doing this workout before moving on to the Push Circuit right at the New Year.  I increased my weights again tonight & boy am I feeling it in my arms as I am typing this.  :)  Here's my recap:

Burn Circuit 1
1) sumo squat with hip lift- (weight/reps) 10/12 12.5/12 15/12
2) lunge with posterior fly- left & right- 5/12 8/12 9.5/12
3) push-up with leg lift- 12 knees 12 knees (not as shaky & better form) 1 reg/11 knees (yes a reg one!)
4) dead lift with posterior fly- 5/12 8/12 9.5/10
5) lunge with core rotation- Left & Right- 10/12 15/12 20/12
6) bench press & leg lower- 8/10 no toning band 9.5 with band 9.5/12
7) squat with side bend- 10/12 12.5/12 20/12
8) forward-lean lunge with DBL arm posterior fly- 5/12 8/12 8/12
9) chest fly with hip lift- 8/10 8/12 9.5/12

(black is week 1 weight/reps, red week 2, & blue week 3)  I am really happy to see how I am easily progressing each week.  I'm also starting to get anxious to find out what the Push Circuit is like.  :)

CLX Day 12: Burn Circuit 3 & Winning a pair of Therafit

I wasn't as sore today as I was last week for Burn Circuit 3 this week, so I once again was able to up the weights  :)  Plus it help's that Santa arrived early with the heavier weights.

1) sumo squat with overhead press- weight/rep- 8/12 9.5/12
2) lunge with calf raise- left & right both 10/12 25/12
3) squat with lateral raise- 5/12 8/12
4) lunge with frontal press- 6 each leg- 8/12 10/12
5) squat with calf raise- 10/12 25/12
6) sumo squat with delt raises- 5/12 8/12
7) squat with double overhead press- 10/10 (got to failure mark, which is okay, I will go for 12 again next week) 10/12
8) lunge with lateral raise- 6 each leg- 8/12 10/12
9) sumo squat with calf raise- 10/12 20/12

For the most part I am thinking most of these will be the same weights next as most of them were very tough to get to the 12 rep, but I did it!  Can't wait for next week to see if they are still a struggle!  :)

Oh & one last thing is I won a pair of therafit shoes from Sneakers & Fingerpaints, so I can't wait to get them & give them a try.  :)  Now I need to figure out which color I want if I get my choice!

ChaLean Day 11

Today was Burn Intervals & Ab Burner again.  I got it done before lunch today as I knew I was going to celebrate Christmas with my mother-in-law as she will be traveling across country over the holidays.  I was able to use the 5 lb weights for the entire workout rather than having to switch to the 3 lb today.  I also used the toning band for the exercises. I am very sore this evening & ready for bed, so this is going to be a little short & sweet note.  Have a good night/day all!!

ChaLean Burn Circuit 2 Week 2

At least things went better this week than last week & we didn't end up with an ER visit, but I did do the same thing as last Tuesday & put this off until after bedtime cause of Brady's chorus concert this time.

But I got it done & here is the recap & let me tell you my arms are soo sore just trying to write this blog recap! :)

1) sumo squat with bicep curl - 8/12 (weight/reps) - 9.5/12
2) lunge with one-arm tricep extension- right & left- 5/12 - 8/12
3) dead lift row- 10/12 - 15/12
4) sumo squat with overhead tricep extension- 10/12 - 15/12
5) dead lift with double row- 10/12 - 15/10
6) bowler's lunge with single-arm row- right & left- 10/12 - 15/12
7) bicep curls with abductor balance- 8/12 - no toning band - 9.5/12 with toning band
8) forward-lean lunge with double row- 10/12 - 15/12
9) triple-threat push-ups- tricep, regular, & spiderman pushups - 4 of each all on knees (triceps are really weak-fell flat on my face a couple of times, lol, desperately need work there, so I can't wait to see where I am in 90 days) - 4 of each on knees, but this time I got thru the 1st 1/2 with no problems on my knees, the 2nd half was a struggle, but I have got them done.  It was such a good feeling to see that I am getting stronger & can't wait to see where I am at the end of these 90 days!

Oh & one last thing!!  I love my new weights!!  My arms & yes, even my thighs, are sore right now!!  :)

ChaLean Burn It Off & Recharge

Today's workout started with CLX Burn It Off. It was a quick 27 min cardio workout. The workout starts with about a 4 or 5 minute warm up. After the warm up, you do a series of 5 moves. These moves are high intensity, so you really want to get moving and get your heart rate up. In between each move you get a short breather, and then on to the next move. After the 5th move, you get a much deserved, one minute break. Grab some water, and come back for 6 more moves, with a short break in between, and then the cool down.

Then that was followed by Recharge which is a 21 min of ChaLean's stretching to stretch all the muscles out.  This actually felt nice to do.  In the past when the stretching/yoga lasted to long I tend to get bored & not finish the workout, but with tonight's only being 20 min I was able to stick with it & finish it.

ChaLean Schedule Change/ Burn Circuit 1

After doing CLX burn 3 on Friday, Saturday should have been Burn It Off & Recharge & today being the rest day, but with going to Atlantic City for the weekend, I did a little rearranging to get my schedule back the way I want it.  Saturday I kept as my "supposed" REST day (if you can call swimming with the kids for an hour & a couple miles of walking on the boardwalk & around the casino as a rest day that is- LOL) & so that I wouldn't have my Burn circuit back to back this week, I kept Burn 1 on the schedule for tonight & tomorrow night which was to be another rest day (that I took yesterday) will be Burn It Off & Recharge & Tuesday will be Burn 2.  With that here is tonight's recap of the 2nd round of Burn Circuit 1 (this week is in red)


Burn Circuit 1
1) sumo squat with hip lift- (weight/reps) 10/12 12.5/12
2) lunge with posterior fly- left & right- 5/12 8/12
3) push-up with leg lift- 12 knees 12 knees (not as shaky & better form)
4) dead lift with posterior fly- 5/12 8/12
5) lunge with core rotation- Left & Right- 10/12 15/12 
6) bench press & leg lower- 8/10 no toning band 9.5 with band
7) squat with side bend- 10/12 12.5/12 (still need heavier on this one)
8) forward-lean lunge with DBL arm posterior fly- 5/12 8/12
9) chest fly with hip lift- 8/10 8/12

I loved having my new weights to be able to use for these tonight!  I am anxious to try & find the other 25 lb adjustable weight to go even heavier where I can.  I was surprise by being able to go heavier on just about all of these exercises already.  Can't wait to see how net week goes already!

I sure didn't go home today! :)

Santa Arrived A Little Early

Well it looks like I made the good girl list for Santa this year & he knew exactly what I needed & wanted this year!  :)

After getting the chance to see Santa this weekend & talking about how my fitness journey is going with my running coming to a stand still for my shins & needing to wait until after Christmas to get myself fitted at a running store (which are all at least 30 min from my house) & some compression socks, my Santa was nice to give me some cash to be able to go get them now rather than wait, so that way I can be ready to try & get back out there as soon as I can instead of having to wait even longer to get them. :)

Later this weekend Santa found out I had started ChaLean Extreme, but I was in need of some heavier weights to really make the program effective for me on some of the exercises.  & it just so happens that on Thursday I received an email with a great deal on adjustable weights that were originally $70 on sale for $20 this week, so we stopped by on our way home from Atlantic City this afternoon & found some.  Santa got me a pair of 12.5 lb adjustable (settings are 3, 6, 9.5, & 12.5 lbs) dumbbells, but then the store only had 1 of the 25 lb adjustable (5, 10, 15, 20, & 25 settings) so we grabbed that & I am on the lookout at the local stores here for another one this week.  If I can't find one, I will order it offline, but at least for now I have a little heavier.

(Update-- Santa happen to find the matching 25 lb weight at the local store today!! 12/10/12)

I'm soo thankful for my boyfriend being soo supportive of me & encourages me in every way he can!  Thank You!!

ChaLean Day 5: Burn Circuit 3

Boy, Oh Boy!!  Let me 1st start off with my shoulders, biceps, back, & abs are soo sore from the past 2 days, but I love it!

CLX Burn 3-

1) sumo squat with overhead press- weight/rep- 8/12
2) lunge with calf raise- left & right both 10/12
3) squat with lateral raise- 5/12
4) lunge with frontal press- 6 each leg- 8/12
5) squat with calf raise- 10/12
6) sumo squat with delt raises- 5/12
7) squat with double overhead press- 10/10 (got to failure mark, which is okay, I will go for 12 again next week)
8) lunge with lateral raise- 6 each leg- 8/12
9) sumo squat with calf raise- 10/12

Many of these lower body exercises I wish I had heavier weights for, so hopefully I've been a good girl for Santa.  :)

CLX Day 4: Burn Intervals & Ab Burner

Decided not to chance waiting for bedtime this evening either, so after kids got on bus & I got Lydia settled in the living room I was able to push play!  

Burn intervals was great! It is very intense. It’s 45 minutes long. After a quick warm up, you go into alternate segments of high intensity cardio and light weight training. The cardio portions last about 1.5 minutes. The weights portions last about 2 minutes. All the segments were different. You do alot of jumping for sure…but that gets your heart racing! The weights portions were designed for recovery and muscle endurance. You definitely work every muscle. Towards the end of the workout…it really starts catching up to you.

Today's workout & weights included:

1) jump rope
2) various bicep curls - 5 lbs
3) speed skate - no band today
4) overhead shoulder press - 5 lbs for 1.5 min & 3 for 30 sec
5) kickboxing drills
6) lunges
7) lunge with jump shot - 20 each leg
8) bent over row - 5 lbs
9) plyometric bowler lunge
10) bent over tricep extension - 3 lbs
11) kickboxing (hi-lo) - no band today
12) lateral raise - 3 lbs
13) sumo burpees - 20
14) more various bicep curls - 3 lbs (had to lower for this group as arms were really shaking here)
15) plyometric reverse lunges
16) weighted crunches - 5 lbs
17) kickboxing drills (speed bags)
18) squats - 5 lbs
19) jumping jacks/knee highs - no band
20) lower body blast for quads/abductors

& then last a 10 min ab workout with Ab Burner.  I am thinking every other week I will be mixing this one with Extreme Abs if not throwing this in for an extra ab workout along the way as I know I need to work on them badly also.

Update on Dad

After mentioning him in my previous post, I thought I would give a quick update to let you that he had his heart cath done this morning, & they found that he had a vein collapse by one of his previous stents (he has 5 already, well now 6) & they were able to put another stent in to reopen it. :) He has to stay one more night in the hospital, but thankfully they found it & were able to get it opened up in time. Now I can rest easy this weekend.

CLX Day 3 Complete

After not getting to it yesterday cause of the ER run, I got it done this morning like I said I would while waiting to hear something on my dad from the heart cath.

I hate this game!!

After getting kids on the bus & getting Lydia settled, I was able to push play & get my workout done, so here is CLX Burn 2 recap-

1) sumo squat with bicep curl - 8/12 (weight/reps)
2) lunge with one-arm tricep extension- right- 5/12, left- 5/12
3) dead lift row- 10/12
4) sumo squat with overhead tricep extension- 10/12
5) dead lift with double row- 10/12
6) bowler's lunge with single-arm row- right- 10/12, left- 10/12
7) bicep curls with abductor balance- 8/12 - no toning band
8) forward-lean lunge with double row- 10/12
9) triple-threat push-ups- tricep, regular, & spiderman pushups - 4 of each all on knees (triceps are really weak-fell flat on my face a couple of times, lol, desperately need work there, so I can't wait to see where I am in 90 days)

I am really hoping I was good enough this year for Santa to bring me some heavier dumbbells.  There was a couple exercises in this group that I could've gone heavier with, but the heaviest I have is 10's for right now.  & so far I am still loving the weights!  Why didn't I start & stick with this sooner?!?  Already looking for my next program when I finish up in 90 days.  I'm think Les Mills Pump as I heard that is only 3 days a week which would fall into my plan of running 3 days a week come the nicer weather after winter comes to and end.  :)

ChaLean Extreme: Day 2 & 3

The ChaLean Extreme (CLX) schedule called for a rest day on Day 2 already & it was such a nice gorgeous Dec day out that I tried to use it to my advantage & get out for a nice run, but my shins had other plans I guess. After I got my youngest, Lydia, to bed I set out to do a quick 5K, but before I could even get to the 1 mile mark I had to find the nearest bench at the school to sit down on. My shins were hurting soo bad.

Both types of pain right now. :(

 After about 5 or so min they felt better so that I was able to get back up & moving again. I played it safe to finish my run by doing a walk/jog. I got my 5K in & sat resting my legs for the rest of the evening. It's really starting to sound like I have shin splints, so I'm taking a break from my running/walking miles until 1) I am able to get to a running speciality store to have my feet fitted for new sneakers, 2) I get some compression socks/sleeves to wear for my shins, so with those 2 I'm thinking it will be the New Year before I try again. I'm going to concentrate on CLX & then once Les Mills Combat arrives (supposed to be shipping out this week) I'll start it for some cardio giving my legs a full weeks rest at least.

Day 3 was another gorgeous Dec day, so I spent much of it outside with Lydia thinking I could get CLX Burn 2 done after my oldest's Holiday Choral Concert at school & getting Lydia to bed.

Steph is 3rd from right front row with the glasses.

 Well, apparently my dad had other plans, & I had to take him in to the ER last night for chest pains.

He was admitted for observation & after his other recent stay the weekend before Thanksgiving & nothing coming up, they have decided to go ahead & do a heart cath to make sure everything is ok. The other visit showed no signs of his chest pains being cardiac related, but they want to be safe as he already has heart troubles. So with that I didn't get home until after midnight last evening so day 3 didn't get to happen., but it will be getting to happen very soon as once I get Brady off to to school in about an hour, I'm pushing play on the DVD player! :) I'll need to take a look to see if I will try & get Day 4 in this evening yet to or just go on from here to hopefully get the rest days back where I want them eventually. :) Hope all have a great day & can get their workouts in as planned!

ChaLean Extreme: Day 1

While getting things ready to start this tomorrow & looking at the schedules, I saw that the rest days are on Monday's & Saturday's which I really like with all the traveling I do on the weekends to take my youngest back & forth to her dad's, so I went ahead & started it tonight.  Yes that does mean tomorrow is already a rest day, but I like Monday's to be one of the days I get my runs in on so I'm thinking this will workout really nice.

Burn Circuit 1
1) sumo squat with hip lift- (weight/reps) 10/12
2) lunge with posterior fly- 5/12
3) push-up with leg lift- 12 knees
4) dead lift with posterior fly- 5/12
5) lunge with core rotation- Left- 10/12, Right- 10/12
6) bench press & leg lower- 8/10 no toning band
7) squat with side bend- 10/12
8) forward-lean lunge with DBL arm posterior fly- 5/12
9) chest fly with hip lift- 8/10

The only dumbbell weights I have are 5, 8, & 10's so I will probably be getting the 12's if not 15's soon also.  Maybe Santa will bring them for me.  :)  I think I will be trying to increase the weights on most of these next Sunday when they come back around.

P.S.  I also got my 25 squats & 16 burpees today!

December's Here

Wow, where did November & the rest of the year go?!?  I can't believe it's December & 2012 is almost over!  Well anyhow, how did you do on your goals for November?  Here is how mine went-

1) Lose 4.7 lbs, well I'm sad to say that I didn't make this goal by a very slim margin.  I LOST 4.6LBS & came down with a nasty head cold these last few days which has side tracked me.

2) Eating clean- Well still same issue here, I do good for some meals, but then it's dinner time & there is goes cause of having to make 2 separate meals.  I need to continue working on this one!

3) Strength training- I didn't get a single workout for strength training as I was too concentrated on mile mileage & steps for the other challenges.

4) Challenges- Pile on the Miles- My goal was 85 miles in November, well I DID IT!!  I actually went beyond the 85 & got almost 100 miles this month.  I got 95 miles in this month.  As far as the Step It Up Challenge- I didn't make this one either.  I got 353,595 steps when I needed 390,000 to average the 13,000  per day.  Oh well, you can't win them all, but I will hit that 100 miles in a month at some point! :)

Now for December's Goals

1) Starting ChaLean Extreme on Monday Dec 3rd!  Going to work on the strength training this month!

2) With the cold weather really getting to my lungs, my plan is going to be to get at least 1 mile run in outside 3 times per week &  finishing those runs up with some interval or hill training on the treadmill.  I still want to work on my runs outdoors to get the fresh air & see if my lungs will ease up to it after awhile.

3) I want to lose 4 more lbs this month, but with starting on ChaLean & building up some muscle, I am not sure I will quite get there, but I am going to try to!  Not sure what inches 4 lbs might equal to measure it that way, so as long as I either lose inches or the weight, I will call this a success at the end of the month.

4) Lastly, but not least, friends & I are up to more Facebook challenges.  The 1st one is Holiday Squat Challenge.  2nd Challenge is 500 burpees for Christmas which basically comes down to 16 burpees a day.  3rd challenge is Surviving December which is just committing to 20 minutes of activity a day, so it could go hand in hand with doing the other ones.  4th challenge this month is Running the 25 Days of Christmas which is another one of just getting any type of activity going with prizes that you could win.  :)

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Turkey Day everyone! I hope everyone has had a great day with family & friends!! I know my kids & I did! I started today out with the 40th Anniversary Millersville Turkey Trot (didn't get any pictures of myself this time, but I will let you one of my shirt & bib), Then we got to sit down to watch some football, & relax. After bedtime, I needed to catch up on some of my miles for the Pile on the Miles & some steps for the Step Challenge so I went ahead & went back out for another walk of 2.75 miles. That's 7.5 miles for me today to warrant that piece of pie, ok ok, the 2 pieces of pie & some cookies.

came home to a fabulous dinners which my kids help my dad prepare the main courses as Steph & I prepared all of the desserts yesterday as I knew I'd be gone all morning.

Take a good look at this picture, do you see anything wrong with it?!? LOL

I was feeling great so after dinner, Lydia & I walked up to the park & I got a 1.5 mile walk in while she played & then I played the last half hour with her before it started getting dark.

 

We came back home for some pumpkin pie! Yummy!! My 1st of the season & it was made from fresh pumpkin that I cooked down. :)

Then we got to sit down to watch some football, & relax. After bedtime, I needed to catch up on some of my miles for the Pile on the Miles & some steps for the Step Challenge so I went ahead & went back out for another walk of 2.75 miles. That's 7.5 miles for me today to warrant that piece of pie, ok ok, the 2 pieces of pie & some cookies.

 

Lydia was enjoying these as they were setting up yesterday!

Update Pile On the Miles Plan

I won't bore you with a full blown update since I just did that with my November update, but I thought I would update you on my daily progress on our plan for the challenge.  The red is what I have actually done each day. :)

Week 1 (1st-3rd): 6.1 miles
1st - 2 mile run/2.1 mile walk-- 3.18 miles walk
2nd - 2 mile walk-- 0

total- 3.18 miles

Week 2 (4th-10th): 25.67 miles
4th - 5 mile run-- 4.25 walk/jog
5th- 3.68 walk/jog
6th - 3 mile run/2 mile walk-- 3.5 treadmill
7th - 3 mile walk-- 1.5 treadmill/3.0 treadmill
8th - 3 mile run/2 mile walk-- 2 treadmill/3 treadmill
9th: 2 mile run/2 mile walk-- 2 treadmill/2 run

total- 24.93 miles

Week 3 (11th-17th): 21.1 miles
11th - 7 mile run (11k)--  7.0
12th- 3.5 mile walk
13th - 2 mile walk-- 1.6 walk/1.7 treadmill
14th - 3.5 mile run-- 3.51 walk/jog
15th - 2 mile walk
16th - 2 mile walk
17th - 4.6 mile run (5k in morning, 1.4 through Christmas lights at night)

Week 4 (18th-24th): 21.2 miles
18th - 6.2 (10k) mile run
19th - 2 mile walk
20th - 3 mile run/2 mile walk
22nd - 4 mile run (Turkey day!)
23rd - 2 mile walk
24th - 2 mile walk

Week 5 (25th-30th): 18.5 miles
25th - 5 mile run
27th - 4 mile run/2 mile walk
29th - 3.5 mile run/2 mile walk
30th - 2 mile walk

Total: 88.9 miles-- Changing this to now be 100 MILES!!!   This will be the 1st month to hit 100!  I've come close a couple of times, but haven't actually made it there yet. :)

November Goal Update

Well we are now halfway thru November already, so I thought it would be a good time to take a look at my goals to see where I am at with them to see if November is being awesome for me!  & I think it is!! 

1)1) As of this morning when I weighed in I am at 214.6 lbs.  I want to shoot for that scale to say 209.9 lbs or less.  That's only 4.7 lbs to lose!  I am doing really great with this one!!  As a matter of fact the scale was my friend last week!!  :) I'm down to 210.5, so only 0.6 to go for this goal this month!!

2) I have been struggling with eating clean.  I can do good for 1 meal or 2 but not usually all day consistantly, so for this month I want to eat clean all day for at least 4 days a week.  If this goes good this month, next month I plan on increasing to 5 days a week.  Well I am still in the same boat here.  I am good with 1 or 2 meals a day & then the last one isn't to hot.  I think it's something to do with having to make myself something different than the rest of the house that is hindering this goal.  So lets see.  We have 15 days left this month, so I want to shoot for 6-7 good clean eating days.  :)

3) I haven't very little to none upper body strength, so I want to commit to strength training 3x's a week!  Ok, this is the one that really has gotten me.  I haven't done any of my strength training this month & that needs to change.  Going to put CLX in the DVD player today!!

4) Last but not least goal has to do with 2 challenges I have joined for this month!
The 1st challenge is a step challenge from a friend on Facebook.  She named the challenge "Step It Up."  This challenge is to get an average of 13,000 steps daily for the entire month.  I did the challenge with her back in July & was able to complete it.  If you want to check it out, here is the link. Step It Up Challenge.  
The daily step challenge is going really good.  I am behind a little from the days we went to NYC right after Hurricane Sandy to check on family, but I am slowly making them up.  After 14 days we are to be at 182,000 steps & I have 173,929 steps, so that leaves me only 8,071 steps behind & half the month to make them up.  :) 

 

The 2nd challenge I have joined for November is "Pile on the Miles" My friend Angie stumbled upon a running blog that talked about this one which she mentioned to me & since we already have our "Run to the New Year" challenge going on, we both thought they could go hand in hand with each other.  This one is all about running a little more mile instead of the usual gaining a few pounds with the holiday season fast approaching. The challenge ask us to set a goal for the month & since I saw Angie set a goal of 85 miles of walking/running, I thought we could work on the same amount & keep pushing each other as we may each need.  85 miles in a month breaks down to 21.3 miles/week & of those I personally would like to see 12 miles come from running. :) This one even has prizes!! Even though it would be nice to win one of them, my prize is hopefully will be to weigh in under my goal.  The blog Angie found this challenge at: Run Eat Repeat!!
I am doing really well with this goal/challenge also. I am actually ahead of the game! :)  Right now I have completed 45.32 miles, so I am over halfway there.  Less than 40 miles to go & still have 48.3 miles planned on our November training plan.  Hmm???  I wonder if I should just go for the full 100 miles this month?!?  With what is completed & what is planned that puts me already at 93.62 miles, so I would only have to add another 6.38 miles into the last half of this month.  You know what, I am going to go for it!!!   :)