TIme to RESET

I mentioned this on my facebook page...so I thought I should pass it along here...

Everyone always asks me about the healthy cleanse I do that rids my body of carb and sugar cravings and helps me RESET my system--guess what?! I can get a SLAMMING deal on groups of FOUR!! Anyone want to join me? I plan on putting in an order sometime early next week. It comes with all your meals, snacks, and supplements you will need for your 5 days--all you add is your servings of veggies and fruits! This has helped me more than once get back on track, or train for one of my running events. Who's ready?! Let me know, and I'll put your order in with mine so we can get the SWEET deal :)

(Did I also mention that you tend to lose 3-5 pounds during this time? Sometimes more? Nice!!)

What am I DOING?!! Start Here

I've started RAGE Bootcamp as of last night...let me tell you...I did not know it was possible to work so many muscles in just one night!! I am going for a month, and I am so excited for the end result of being better toned, better endurance, and of course, less to carry :)

I have signed up to run in the Epic Cache-Teton Relay in August (same idea as Ragnar...but harder (more hills!) We will start in Logan, and end up in Jacksonville Wyoming. With this coming up, I wanted to change things up a bit, and start with a couple months of Boot Camp and some body strengthening before I go into my specific running schedule for the race. (Yes, I am running the third hardest leg of the 12 legs of the race...I have a 8.3, 7.5, and a 3.8....and can you say, "HILLS?! On a few I will basically be scaling a mountain) I'm more than a little nervous :/ I figure my running can only improve if I'm building up muscle, and losing weight! Mix in a few 10k's and maybe a half-marathon, and I hope I live to tell...

SO...on that note....For all those who need a "game plan," START HERE:


It's a NEW YEAR!!

It's a NEW SLATE!!

It can be a NEW YOU!!

Me and my friends at HealthyMomsKitchen are doing a HealthierYOU2011 Challenge!! And guess what? You can win $$$ while losing weight!!

Go to www.healthieryou2011.blogspot.com and become a participant! The more, the merrier!! Final registration ends at midnight on Friday, November 7th! (the blog and all it's awesome, juicy, supportive details will become private, for all the participants to use and interact with one another)

Need a final push? A starting point? It just takes one step in the right direction...

I'm off to get my butt whooped...REALLY whooped....

CookBook

As many of you know, I'm a contributor on HealthyMomsKitchen.com. I post weekly recipes I create from my own kitchen.

I am thinking about putting together a cookbook with all my creations...

Would anyone be interested in something like this? Maybe for gifts for the holidays? Would love your feedback :)

Thoughts

Sorry it's been so long.

It seems cliche to say, "I've been REALLY busy...." but I have!

Thoughts:

1) Andy and I ran the Oktoberfest 10 K this past month. It was alot of fun!

2) New jobs are GREAT--but they really throw off your schedule/balance!

3) With just five days to go before my half-marathon, I found out I would not be able to do it, due to a very important family event. I feel bad that I was not able to check this off my "to do" list, and have had to tell myself several times to "let it go." But... I know that I was at the right place that day. At least I can say that I have run a healthy 12 miles, and survived!

4) After "inspecting" my kiddos treat bags (hehehe--you KNOW you do it!) I am going to come off the nasty sugar high I have felt today (YUCK!) and go full throttle for a healthy holiday season. (I have an amazing sugar-free pumpkin pie recipe that NO ONE will know it's any different!)

5) I am going to do one of my 5 day cleanses in "celebration" of feeling like crap from the "inspection" done on the fore-mentioned bags! (Anyone want to join me?!)

6) I made one of the BEST protein smoothies EVER this past week. Here is the recipe:
A version of "Nisha's Green Smoothie"
1 small ripe avocado
1 small banana
1 cup nonfat milk
1 cup fresh spinach
2 scoops Soyamax protein powder
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 handful ice cubes
This will serve one person for a meal, or two people for a snack :)

7) When you work full time, night running RULES! I mean, it's not really fun running unless your hands and face are numb, right?!

8) Shout out to my friend, Jamie, who ran the half-marathon and rocked it in her bumble bee costume!! Another shout out to my friend, Nisha, who ran the AF 5k, and looked radiant in her HMK Apron and 50's house-wife hair!!

9) I've been eating Fugi apples like crazy--at least one each day! They are great for when you just have "the munchies."

10) Two running dates: I'm signed up on the "Save the Tetons" team for the The Epic Logan-Teton Relay Race in August, and I'm thinking about the April Hobble Creek half-marathon in April if I can keep on a good winter running schedule.

STILL waiting for 50 viewers so I can give away a book...sigh...

xoxo

Finding Motivation

One thing I have found to be crucial is the value of setting a goal. Without being held responsible for something, and having to own up to it, there is usually not much motivation to see it through.

This past year I was able to do the Ragnar Relay/Wasatch Back (189 miles divided by 12 crazy people with the addition of nonstop running for about 22-40 hours). I signed up for this in January/February of this past year. I posted my upcoming feat on facebook, and told all my friends and family. By doing this, I was committed. If I didn't follow through, I would (bascially) feel REALLY stupid!! What is more motivational than saving face?!

SO...I am going to put it out there again...

I am going to run the Halloween Half Marathon coming up in *October! I have looked up a training schedule, and after a "NON LABOR" Labor Day weekend, I will start this training schedule, just as I did with Ragnar.

I am proud to say, this is something I have really worked on for over the past year. When I first starting running again a year and a half ago, I logged an 11:00 minute mile...yup...I thought I was "running." I had to take baby steps. I had to do interval training, where I would walk a block, run a block...slowly adding to the "running" part until I actually ran a full 3-4 miles nonstop! My mantra was always "slow and steady wins the race!" It was being able to run longer, and longer, each time.

By Ragnar time, I was running 9-10 minute miles :) And I could run 12 miles, non-stop!

Ragnar really taught me that a goal is a good thing. Being held accountable is a good thing. Following through is a good thing. Completing a goal....PRICELESS!!

My next goal was to run the Red Rock Relay in September. I wanted to be running an 8.50 minute mile by then. I posted it on facebook. I told my friends and family. THEN....Life happened...and I am not going to be able to run the relay. BUT...I still wanted to reach my goal of 8.50 minute miles. I am proud to say, that despite taking a three week stint from running recently, that the other night, I ran 5 miles in 42 minutes!!! That's not only 8.50 minute miles, but 8.40 minute miles!!! Check it off, baby!!

I never saw myself running a Ragnar/Relay type race. I never saw myself as someone who could run anything close to an 8 minute mile. What was the catch? Setting a goal, not only within yourself but publicly, written down, or shared with others. It was having to actually follow through with a plan, and enduring through the rough times to see it happen.

Many of you know that I am also a contributor on HealthyMomsKitchen.com. Guess what my awesome friend Nisha has started? "Commit to be Fit Fridays!" What do YOU want to achieve by the end of October?!!

Take the next step! Set a goal, and like Nike says, "just do it!!" You will be glad you did!!

I'm featured on KitchenMonki!!

One of my favorite websites, KitchenMonki.com, is featuring ME on their site!! I've shared my ideas and some of my "go to" recipes!

Take a look!

Become a follower of my blog and leave a comment here, and on KitchenMonki, and I will give you 2 more chances to win one of my favorite books, "Healthy For Life!" The more people who can follow my blog, the more resources we can have to help each other reach our healthy goals!! LOVE synergy!!

School Year Theme and Physical Happiness

This year we decided to have a back-to-school theme. This would help us not only have a reminder for our school efforts, but in all areas of our life and family.

The theme is FOCUS.

I thought this can also be a theme for anyone trying to change their lifestyle to a healthier one.

Without some serious FOCUS, your chances of changing your lifestyle are pretty slim..or should I say...NOT slim?!

You have to have this FOCUS to be able to really stick to a new program, especially in the beginning, when bad habits or addictions are trying to "lull" you back to them.

It is also important to have your FOCUS be on the right things! If you are constantly focused on "I miss eating this...." or "I hate having to exercise..," your FOCUS on the positive attributes of a healthier life are eventually going to succumb to the negative views you perpetuate.

Start with small areas of FOCUS. Maybe it is drinking more water, and less soda. Maybe it is getting better sleep. Maybe it is eliminating one bad eating habit from your lifestyle. Maybe it is simply taking your vitamins. These "small" areas lead to HUGE improvements, and the HUGE consequences of feeling better, looking better, and a better lifestyle in general!

I invite you to join in on the FOCUS of the new school year....or the new lifestyle/body/health that you are looking to achieve!

“It's not what's happening to you now or what has happened in your past that determines who you become. Rather, it's your decisions about what to focus on, what things mean to you, and what you're going to do about them that will determine your ultimate destiny.”
-Tony Robbins