The Monday after...

The Walt Disney World Marathon weekend has come and gone. We weren't there, but were definitely cheering everyone on from home! I love seeing all the pictures, posts, and stories from friends and strangers alike.

From when I said, "Never again!"

Now that it's Monday, I'm sure some of you (like me) are high on pixie dust and ready to jump into another runDisney event! We are focused on the 2021 Marathon Weekend, with Kate taking on the marathon (her first!!!!) and with me being crazy and doing Dopey just one more time. (Anyone remember 2014? That "one and done" race? I lied, I guess!). We are also going to follow the race weekend up with a cruise, and yes, doing that challenge too. Starting in May we will also be APs, so expect to see us on every course from Wine and Dine 2020 through Star Wars 2021.

Since it's Monday, and we are all motivated, I figured I'd share some of what I'm doing to help coach Kate to the marathon! Here's our January focus:

1. Build a good base and exercise habits. We are both focused on a few runs per week just to get in the habit of getting out there.
2. Focus on nutrition and weight loss. It's hard to lose a ton of weight during a training cycle, and we don't want to have to focus on that when we're already focused on the miles. Dropping a few pounds in the next couple of months will only make training and running easier.
3. Get started with a Disney budget! Maybe not the most fun, but we are both starting to save for our upcoming trips. 
4. Start looking for proof of time races. We definitely want to have a proof of time so we have a little buffer for corrals.

So take that motivation, and let's do something with it. Who's running Disney soon? 

Week In Review: 3/5/17

It's time to get accountable! If you follow me personally on social media, you know that I had a big smack in the face a few weeks back. I just haven't been keeping up with anything in life, from workouts to eating to even blogging, and that isn't working for me. I need to get back to being healthy and doing the things I love. Yes, writing and sharing with all of you is included in that!

I originally started blogging WAY back (I had a different blog 'Just Keep Swimming') when I took on my first Goofy Challenge. It was a way for me to document and track my progress. It kept me accountable. Fast forward to my first Dopey Challenge and Disney Runs in the Family was created. I wanted a space to share not only my running, but my whole family's journey in running, fitness and Disney. I thought we could help some people along the way with our experiences during runDisney events. We love them, we do a ton of them, and let's face it, they can be overwhelming if you don't know anything about them.

But I digress.

Just as I'm doing in my diet and exercise, I wanted to get back to basics with the blog. Time to get back to my weekly wrap-ups. Maybe you'll get some training ideas. Maybe you'll get some motivation. Or maybe it'll just be for little old me to stay accountable. Regardless, expect some weeks in review posts coming at you!

So--here we go! This is what my workout week looked like:

Sunday: Taught HIIT
Monday: Total Body Cardio Fix (a.m.), Bootcamp Class (p.m.)
Tuesday: Upper Body Fix
Wednesday: Lower Body Fix (a.m.), Taught BodyPump Express & Trigger Point (p.m.)
Thursday: Pilates Fix (a.m.), Taught BodyPump (mid-morning)
Friday: Cardio Fix
Saturday: Dirty 30

Wait...no running? Nope! I'm actually working through the basic 21 Day Fix program first. Then training will start for Tinkerbell weekend. I knew I needed to get into some good, solid habits, and running just isn't possible for that with a baby, no treadmill at home, a husband who travels, and cold NY weather. It's coming, I promise!

My nutrition wasn't too bad either. I've been following the 21 Day Fix meal plan, but the beginning of the week added a few extra treats from Robby's baptism. That's all good, though, because life is about living and I was not going to deprive myself at his party. I didn't go overboard. Oh, and I passed off all the leftover treats to the students at work.

Hope you had a successful week too! I'm planning on another great week ahead!

The Woes of a Cross-Country Move

Do you know what happens when you are moving your whole family clear across the country? Well, I can tell you what DOESN'T happen: working out and eating clean!

We are finally packed up and the move is here. We're in our new home, and by "in" I mean the truck is here full of our stuff and the house is empty, needing a deep clean, and not quite ready to go. I've been sleeping on a couch for almost a week, Robby is a cranky mess (because try explaining to a 6 month old why his world is completely upside down...the boy just doesn't get it), and needless to say, I haven't even made a to-do list because the thought is overwhelming.

One to-do that I'm really excited about, though, is getting back to my healthy, fit self. I've slipped. Maybe slipped isn't even the right term. I went head first down a steep mountain filled with boulders. Between packing, finishing up at work, not having any sort of normalcy, and days of eating out as fast as possible, I'm a mess!

What's a girl to do? Go EXTREME! Yes, tomorrow I'm starting the 21 Day Fix Extreme--all of it--from the meal plan to the workouts to the Shakeology. Of course, that means I have to find it in the boxes today, but I digress. I will be finished just in time to meet up with my friends and fellow coaches at Beachbody's Summit in Nashville, plus it's the perfect way to kick off my delayed training for the Disneyland races in September.

There's no more excuses! I can't keep putting this off--it's not good for my health, which is not good for my family. SO...here goes nothing!

I'll be doing some blogging here about the next 21 days, but be sure to follow me on Facebook for daily updates :) Using the social media thing to keep me accountable!!!

Progress Post: 5/3/16

Well...what a difference a week makes, right? I'm surprised I haven't published this sooner because I've had the most encouraging week so-far! Yep, that's right! I finally got out of my own way and, like Nike, just did it!

If you've been following along, I've had a really tough time getting into a healthy routine after having Robby. The weight is NOT falling off like everyone expected, and exercising has taken a backseat to being the tummy time entertainer. I have no regrets, though. Robby's health and happiness are my top priority, but I do truly believe that for me to be a great mom I need to take care of myself too.

Got my workout streaming and baby monitor buzzing!

I'm happy to report that this past week I got in a groove! I've been loyal to the 21 Day Fix meal plan. I got over myself and my "I only like to workout in the morning" attitude. I sucked it up and completed the first week of Focus T25, working out every night when Robby went to bed. I know, I know, I'm going all "I love Beachbody" on you all, but seriously, I do! I've come to the conclusion that until Robby is old enough to run with (6-8 months old), I've got to workout at home. I just don't have a choice right now.

What were the results? I broke through a weight loss plateau that's been haunting me. I proudly modified moves to accommodate for my knee still bothering me. Most importantly, I taught my class on Thursday night virtually pain FREE!!!

One week down, a lifetime to go. I know that this is just a small start. My biggest upcoming challenge is going to be keeping the momentum as I receive injection treatments on my knee. For the next 3 weeks, I can't workout Wednesday or Thursday, and I have to keep it low impact the other days too. I plan to really focus on nutrition and keep up with some of the T25 workouts. I won't be able to follow the calendar exactly as written, but I'll modify and be sure I continue to work at it.

Finally, a progress post where I can say "I MADE PROGRESS!!!!"

Progress Post: 4/25/16

I'm channeling my inner turtle lately--slow and steady wins the race, right? I was I had more "progress" to talk about, but really the only progress has been that I'm set to start Euflexxa injections in my knee. I saw the surgeon who did my surgery two years ago, and he's hoping that the extra lubrication that these injections will add will "get me over the hump" so I can workout more, lose the baby weight, and finally feel better.

This past week, I have to admit I didn't do much at all to make progress. I taught my 3 classes at the gym and did one walk with Robby. Food wasn't the best either. SO, why the heck even write a post about it? Well, I told myself I needed to stay accountable so here I am, being accountable.

I took some progress pictures, or rather, lack of progress pictures, and I plan to take my after shots in 6 weeks. Stay tuned for a (hopefully) noticeable transformation! For this week, I'm sticking strictly to the 21 Day Fix meal plan + Shakeology. I'm home alone with the baby pretty much the entire week, so my workouts will consist of walking with him and modified Beachbody workouts. Since my knee isn't up to any kind of heavy workouts, I'm going to take it slow and really work on my core and upper body. I also plan to incorporate some of the PT exercises I was doing after surgery. Can't hurt, right?

There you have it! Minimal progress, but a few steps in the right direction, nonetheless. How was your week?

Even Robby's less than impressed with my progress!

The Honest Truth

On Sunday, Robby turned one month old! It's been a whirlwind month, full of happiness, ups and downs, and trying to figure out my new role as full-time mommy. You want the truth? I have NOT had any focus on nutrition OR working out! Yes, I took a few walks, but I have mainly been at home, on the couch, vegging out in front of the TV and binge eating junk food. I stocked my fridge with healthy options, but even eating a ton of healthy foods makes the scale move in the wrong direction.

So it's time to get real, get honest. I spent (almost) all of my pregnancy eating healthy and staying fit. Yes, I slid a bit toward the end--I was just too tired to workout hard and well, I have no excuse. I just got into some bad habits. So I'm putting it out there--I'm changing things up and getting back to my healthy self! Here's the plan:

Nutrition: I'm going to follow the 21 Day Fix meal plan, adding extra calories to ensure I have enough to continue to breastfeed. Lots of water too to keep myself milky. Of course, Shakeology daily to get in my daily dose of dense nutrition!

Fitness: This one is a bit harder because I feel like I've lost a lot in this area. For the rest of this month, my goal is walking at least 3 days per week and running 1-2 days per week. I have the inaugural Hot Chocolate 15k at the end of the month to keep me on track with this goal. I'm also planning on adding PiYo twice per week. It's the perfect new momma workout since it focuses so much on the core.

Time will definitely be a challenge, especially when I go back to work next week. I tell my clients all the time that time is just a terrible excuse, I can't use that as an excuse either! It's time to practice what I preach! Let's do this!!!!

New Year's Resolution Update

Gotta keep myself accountable, right?  So here's my update!  If you remember, my resolution is to adopt new healthy habits each month.  January's goal was to take better care of my teeth.

I hate teeth, by the way!  I tell people that, and I usually get the "but you have nice teeth" answer.  I took some important steps this month--it's definitely not perfect, but I definitely improved.  I now have a Sonicare fancy shmancy toothbrush, and I am regularly flossing.  I went to the dentist for a cleaning and exam, and had some much needed work done.  Now, I need to keep up with it!  Hold me accountable!

Now, onto February!  I had a few ideas, but I decided that this month I'm going to work on portion control.  I'm doing the 21-Day Fix program, and just ordered the 21-Day Fix Extreme program.  It kind of scares the pants off of me--extreme is no cheating, no treats, no wine.  I am hopeful, though, that I can stick it out for the 21 days!

How are you doing on your resolutions?

My Plan to Get Back on Track for 2015

Happy New Year Everyone!  2014 was so crazy I barely have had time to get a list of resolutions together.  Luckily, tomorrow's "Friday Five" is about goals, so I'll save that post until tomorrow.

Today, though, I'm planning how I'm getting back on track after a bit too much of indulging over the holidays.  Of course, it won't be a straight path, since I have 3 race weekends in January that include travel (it sounded so good when I planned the races). 

I have a ton of friends who have had great success with the 21-Day Fix program.  Since becoming a Beachbody coach, I've been wanting to try this program, but knew I wouldn't do the workouts.  Between teaching classes, doing PiYo at home, and running I don't know when I'd fit in another home workout.  Then, as if it was made just for me, Beachbody came out with Portion Fix, which is just the nutrition part of the 21-Day Fix.  Perfect!  My kit arrives Wednesday, along with the 3-Day Refresh.  I'm super excited to get started.  Nutrition has always been my struggle, and I know that losing some pounds will definitely help my knees and my running.  I want to get back to running faster, and this is definitely a key component.

In addition, to keep me motivated, I've organized and joined another Diet Bet.  It's worked for me before, and I get to help others while doing it.  It's seriously a win, win (and lose).  Love it!  (By the way, if you want to join, here's the link: http://www.dietbetter.com/games/56749 I'd love to have blogging friends join me--invite your friends too!).

The hardest part, for sure, is going to be NOT going crazy during my two Disney trips.  For the Goofy Challenge, I'm only there for 3 days, but I'm sure I'll have a treat or two.  The following weekend I'll be traveling to Disneyland with my hubby and friends for Star Wars.  This trip will be harder!

I'm not setting a strict number goal, because I know that it's not just about weight, but I know I have at least 20 pounds I can lose.  I'm going to focus more on eating whole, clean foods, cutting out the quick and easy solutions like the occasional fast food or the more frequent frozen lunches.  Who knows...maybe I'll learn to cook in 2015! :)

Happy 2015!  I can't wait to see what this year has in store for me...and for you!