Monday Motivation

After an amazing fall weekend away and a couple months of major slacking compared to how I was prior to vacation...it's time to get back into the full swing of things.

No one can nor has to eat extremely healthy every meal of every day. It's a balancing act. I firmly believe that. For the most part when I'm on track I can balance this very well. The one part I seem to lack when it comes to the daily grind of it all is the exercise. I know I can do it. I have, a million times over. There was a time in my life I went to the gym every day and loved it. I don't have time, the money or the babysitter to do this now though so adjustments need to be made to still get what I need daily within my means.

I have the discipline, the desire and the motivation. In the summer I worked out 21 straight days in a row. This is something I have never done before in my life and I did this at my heaviest weight. I don't believe it's necessary to do it without any rest days or breaks but proving to myself I can made me proud.

Next week I start a group with my beach body coach, so this week I am preparing for that. I want to get into the groove of it all again which includes protein shakes/shakeology, working out, drinking enough water, food prep/meal planning and healthy grocery shopping.

I got a free 3 day pass to the gym by my work and I will be going there today through Wednesday. This is jump start my motivation for exercise. I made a protein shake for my breakfast today. I will concentrate on my water intake and make a point to drink even when I am busy at work. The next few dinners are planned for my family. I am ready!

I figured I would do a variety of exercises this week. The gym during my lunch break is one, some lifting at home and walking with Parker after school since it should be nice outside. I will be getting a new beach body workout dvd in the mail later this week called Country Heat. I like to have a good variety of workout dvds so I don't get bored and a plus is Parker should like this one since he loves dancing and country music. It can sometimes be hard being home with him and trying to get a good workout in. He loves to be on top of me, such a mama's boy, which I am not complaining about. This dvd should keep us both moving while also having fun.

Time to fall back in love with myself because I deserve to. Whose with me?

Keep a look out for some healthy recipes...


good vibes,

Jenn

Prepping for Spring

Spring is less than two months away.  March 20th can't come soon enough.  I usually love winter, but I think I speak for everyone when I say it was just too cold this year.  I am ready to be able to be outside, take the dog to the park, go on walks, sit out on the balcony, go to the farm and there's nothing like a cold drink on a warm or hot day.  I know I am more active and healthy in the warmer months too because there's more to do, more day light and just more motivation to move.  Not to mention the smaller clothes so usually people watch what they eat more.  There's a lot I want to do before spring comes around though.

Here is my list of spring cleaning for myself and my home:

-- Donate, donate, donate!  Get rid of clothes and anything else in the house or garage that I don't need anymore, that don't fit and never will again or that I haven't worn in many years.
-- Pack away some things I still want but just don't have room for where we live now or just don't use never often right now.
-- Organize the garage so things are easily accessible so instead of going out to buy the item again I can just grab it.  I have a problem with buying too many kitchen towels based on the season or holiday.  They are all packed away but every year I seem to buy more.
-- Fully clean the entire house, from head to toe, using all cleaning supplies and not doing it half ass.
-- Reorganize my dresser drawers and closet.
-- Try to keep the house this way or at least keep up with it from time to time instead of just letting it become a crazy disorganized mess.
-- And something for me, just to make me happy, buy a basil plant for the kitchen window and a nice spring wreath for the front door. :)

All these things are mainly for my home but they will all make me feel good and refreshed to start off the new season on the right foot.  It's not a small list either which is why it's good to start early.  Make your own list and let the spring cleaning begin!

But for today I leave you with this list of things to do...

In Honor of Earth Day

A 6 mile hike on a beautiful Sunday morning...

    

  

Healthy Sun-Day

Weekends make it tough sometimes to stay active and eat healthy especially for me, but since I have started to really make it a part of my lifestyle it's much easier.  I seem to have better control too.  I went grocery shopping last night and got a lot of healthy and clean eating items.  It's weird but I actually crave healthier foods now instead of the fattening foods filled with nothing good for your body.  At Wegman's last night I was surrounded by bagels, donuts and very sugary muffins, but I choose a multi-grain carrot and apple muffin.  Eating that and a cup of skim milk was a great way to start my Sunday.

I also bought some flatbreads at Wegman's which I have never seen before at Shoprite.  The brand is "Flatout".  They are only 90 calories, 5 grain flax, great source of fiber and 53% fewer net carbs.  They are small flatbreads that are a good shape so they can also be folded in half for sandwiches or panini making.  I highly recommend them.

After relaxing at home for a bit I decided to venture out, get some coffee and drive around looking at new hiking places.  I ended up stopping at the local farm to pick up a tomato so I could use it for my lunch.  Local produce is fresher, less likely to be contaminated, tastes better and helps support your local farmers.  Having farms close by is a huge plus, not only because of the fresh food, but also it's a great atmosphere.  I got to get some sun and see some animals that brightened my day...

The duck and roaster were both very vocal and cute.  The roaster was actually waking everybody up in this picture haha.  I also saw lots of goats, bunnies and an adorable pig.

The tomato I got at the farm was perfect for my flatbread pizza I made for lunch.  I put little bit of olive oil on the bread, added slices of fresh tomato instead of tomato sauce and then sprinkled some dried basil and part skim mozzarella cheese.  Delic!  Notice the shape I was talking about...

I headed to Shoprite after the farm because I forgot to get water last night.  I got a mini work out in by carrying the water to the car and up two flights of stairs.  Every little bit counts!  :) 

Have a happy healthy Sunday everyone!

Some Oldies...

Great Swamp

Just a few photos from our family walk today...