Get YO Butt in GEAR;)

I mean that in the nicest of ways!! I guess we all have those weeks when we eat badly and neglect the physical activity nagging us in the back of our minds. (workout! workout! workout!) Life gets in the way sometimes...and the workouts become less. And the snacks start becoming a nightly ritual. And then, all of a sudden, those favorite jeans don't seem to like you anymore. Just can't get those babies up:). It happens to everyone. I'd like to think that even the super toned girls in the fitness magazines have those weeks, too. Bet they do. It's part of being human, I guess.

I asked my sister, Becca, what she does to get herself back on track again...after having one of those awful weeks. And I really, really liked her answer:)

There are definitely weeks in life that are just plain harder then others. Usually a hard week means a bad workout/eating week also. Usually during a week like that, I feel I am just jumping off the healthy band wagon. I find I get really hard on myself and question my whole journey so far. This last couple weeks have been like that. I have had no time to get to the gym and am so tired by the end of the day that I couldn't even ride my bike at home. I did eat pretty okay still, allowing myself some yummy treats. I have boiled it down to this: sometimes hard weeks happen. It is okay! I am still worth every pound I've lost. Life would be so horrible without the occasional week of relaxing a little on the eating and exercising. So my take on what I do to get back into it- Realize how much I actually enjoy the feeling of getting back on track.... Even though I know I will jump off again, only to get back on... life is a journey!

I agree! Part of the fun is getting back into it! Setting new goals, and finding self control and discipline again. Here are some things I do to get myself back into healthy living mode again...

1. Get a new workout outfit. I normally look *SO BAD* when I workout, I try not to let Phil even see me. And he's seen me at my worst:) Yeah, it is that awful a sight. It's one of the reasons I won't go to the gym. I'm a scary beast when I am sweating. No one should witness it. Really, not ever. But...a new workout outfit will get me into gear:). I don't know why, but it puts me in a good frame of mind.

2. New sneaks. I buy new sneakers about twice a year. I have to. I run a lot, and my sneakers take a beating. I'm no lightweight, so all that pounding makes it a necessary evil:) Anyways, the week after I get a new pair of running shoes-- OMGosh...I'm a terror. I run everyday. So excited to try them out:). Definitely does the trick every time!

3. Try a new routine. I always run. Have to. It's truly the only thing that leans me out. But I also lift weights and do the occasional workout video (Insanity is my #1 video pick). It is nice to throw a wrench in your routine. For me, it gives me something new to focus on. I'm not thinking- wHAAAAAaaaa...I don't want to do this again. My mind is focused on the new moves, my form, and new techniques. Before I know it, the workout is over:). My most recent new try-- these wrist weights. I can wear them when I run, and they definitely work my arms. It is an easy way to burn a few extra calories:).

4. Plan a date. My mom always told me, "If you want the house cleaned up, invite people over." And the same goes for getting in shape. If ya want to tone up, get the hubby a'lookin':). I like to feel my best when I'm all dressed up for muh man...so, I try to workout extra hard those weeks when I have something special to look forward to doing with him.

5. Finally, get back into the routine by planning your favorite workout first. Like I said, I always run; but I lift as well. I hate lifting legs. Uh, that is thee worst. But, I really, really enjoy lifting my shoulders. That's the workout I do first. Running and shoulders. It's just my thing:).

Feel free to share your own method for getting yourself back into your workout/healthy living routine!! Like we said-- bad weeks happen to every girl...And part of life is getting yourself back on track. How do you do it??...

Re-Cap of the Week.

This week has been a nice break from the computer for me. I've been on in spotty places, but too much going on to get my thoughts in order for any sort of blog post over the last couple days:). We had a party for Phil's birthday on Tuesday night. My family looks for any excuse to throw a themed party;), so this year all our birthday celebrations are themed around our favorite shows. Phil chose Bizarre Foods, and I cooked him cow's tongue tacos. Yes. Cow tongue. It actually tasted just like a super moist pot roast...but I couldn't eat any more than a bite. Not after cutting off all his little taste buds. It just sort of grossed me out. Phil LOVED it. And brought the rest to work today for lunch. I hope lots of people ask him what he's eating, cuz he can't wait ot see their reactions:).

Yesterday we deemed 'sports day.' We lined up the activities and had a blast. Tennis (kids rode bikes), home-run derby (I can't pitch...but Phil managed to knock a couple goods ones anyways), and then we hit some golf balls. By that time, we were all super sweaty and ready for a visit to the ice cream stand:).

And, I finally got my new dreads in. Back to being a brunette:). My sister put them in over a three night span, and she sucked me into the Bachelorette. I don't like investing myself into those love stories, mostly because they rarely end in a forever after that lasts. But after watching two episodes, I may be hooked. Plus, it's funny to talk about our favorites, and we realized we are exact opposites as far as who would get a rose. And who wouldn't. The last episode both my picks left the show (bye Mickey...I must have a thing for dark Irish guys;)...Anyways. I'm in it now.

So for anyone who watches the show...who's your favorite??...And who do you think returns?? Looks like someone comes back in the last preview. Hope it's the last guy who got kicked off. I kind of liked him.

xoxo

Beach Day #2 (and my non-existent golf game)

I think we need to start planning beach days when the sun is out! It was pretty cloudy today, but the kids still had a good time. The water was fairly warm for a sunless day, and the kids had fun rolling around in the waves:).

After we washed up at home, Philly and I headed to the driving range so I could hit a couple buckets of golf balls. I use to frequent the driving range much more often. And I hit a golf ball straight and far (back then). At least that is the way I remember it-- like I was PGA tour-worthy. (I'm pretty sure my mind is playing tricks on me and I am subconsciously glorifying my past golf abilities.) Anyways, I went earlier this week and hit some balls with my brother. Ehhhem. I sucked. Like, really embarrassingly sucked:). And not playing a sport well just eats at me. So, I've hit balls twice since then. And I have the blisters to prove it. Yesterday, when I got to the range, there were two older guys there...and, after hitting my first three balls in every direction but straight, I seriously considered running to the truck and forgetting about my golf ambitions. But, why not just suck it up and learn something new?? I swallowed my pride and hit the rest of those balls-- well, everywhere. (except backwards. i managed to at least keep them in front of me.) Today was a bit better. I straightened maybe 2% of my hits out. I really like to stay active and teaching myself something new is a fun way to do it. I'll just have to channel my inner Rory Mcilroy;)

Meanwhile, until I get good, please excuse my haywire golf swings fellow driving range visitors. And the fairly common ground balls I bounce down the fairway. Oh, and the disgruntled under-my-breath mutterings of a wanna-be golfer:). I'll get there. I'm just gonna need some patience.

and a miracle:).

Anyone else trying something new this summer??...

It Really is Black and White. (and Pink).

Last night the kiddies slept over my parents, and Phil and I went back to our new favorite restaurant for some more seafood. It was such a nice, low-key date night. They are the best kinds, I think. I'm pretty sure we both had our life-time quota of fried food...but, it was sooooo good. I ran 7 miles today just to balance it all out. And I still think I gained 5 pounds. (EEK) I have a sister's post coming soon about getting back into healthy living once you've fallen off the wagon...(or is it gotten back on??...I love that Seinfeld episode;) Anyways, now is probably a good time to post it. I actually didn't fall off. I rolled off last night. While still stuffing my face with hush pupppies and crab dip.;)

Today I went with a loose fitting summer dress. To hide my food baby:) Haha. I love this dress. It's the perfect length and doesn't need any accessories at all. It's one of my closet favorites, especially in sticky hot weather!

Recipe

dress, Free People

shoes, Modcloth

hairclip, Hive and Honey

Kisses

I love to fold origami animals. I have a an origami book from years ago that I just love flipping through. It's kind of cathartic...just folding and creasing and shaping some little object out of a flat sheet of paper. I found this little frog tutorial on youtube...and he came out so cute, I paired him with a princess. And he's my frog prince:). Maybe;) He hasn't received a kiss just yet;).

Philly loves to give me kisses-- thinks I'm his girlfriend. So, whenever my sister Jen comes over, I tell him he can give her only ten kisses:). Today she is staying over night, so we put this sweet little box (with a kiss from Niamh, too;) on her bed. I love when the kids get excited over making something special for someone they love. It's not something as common today...but it is nice when children appreciate those little things in life! They literally pulled her upstairs to show her. They were so excited!

Recipe

box, tutorial here

frog, tutorial here

To Do List Under the Sun

I have a To Do List today that is longer than Santa's Christmas list I think. One of my to do's (the most self-absorbed one for sure) is to fix my tan lines (aquired from yesterday's beach day, which was overcast for the most part...but somehow those UV rays left their mark). And, seeing how the kids have a sleepover at my mom's house this Friday (which means Date Night for me and the Mr!), I kinda want to get rid of them. I have a really pretty denim dress that I've been wanting to wear, and it's strapless. So, need to banish the zebra effect between today and Friday. It's almost 90 degrees, and the sun is shining bright...so I crossed off 5 items from my list under the sun:). Tried to get the kiddies to come out and play while I was on the deck, but they didn't last long. I'm in my glory on a super hot summer day. But, not everyone enjoys sweating and burning up like me:). Oh, well...Took some supplies outside. Got some storyboarding done for a book I'm working on sending out to publishers this summer...and even read my Bible. BAM! Tan lines faded and list in gear:).

I did indulge in a little juicy gossip magazine reading as well. I mostly just look through the pictures. See what all the famous girls are wearing:). I put it down after I started feeling pangs of jealousy while staring at Carrie Underwood's legs. I think she needs to wear longer dresses. It's just not fair...those gorgeous legs of hers. *sigh*...Oh well...;)

Beach Day # 1

Summer beach days officially resumed today. We love everything about being down there. I think Philly could walk around for days completely covered in sand and not even notice:). I wish we had beach weather all year long. I love the heat, the sun and clouds. The smell of suntan lotion and coconut oil. Even the sand. Love it all.

We ended the day at the park. My two little piglets kiddies are completely worn out. Haven't heard them this quiet for weeks:). Gonna sleep well tonight!

A New Card...

I saw this really pretty handmade card on the Simply Sassy Dt blog...and immediately wanted to give it a try. It is called a center step card, and I used this tutorial to figure it out. Wow-- it literally took three minutes, and I had it all cut and folded...looking just about perfect. (I think a heavier cardstock would look a tiny bit nicer than the one I chose...but hey, it's my first one:) I needed a card to send to my grand parents, so I used a vintage image from my Etsy shop. I really like this little sweetie:). You can find the artwork version here.

So easy! Niamh is in the middle of making one for her cousin. I think my days of buying cards are over:). They are a nice way to take a break from artwork, but still stay in my creative groove;). Have a great night! xo