RAD Rookie

 If you'd have asked me 8 or so months ago if I could see myself running a 5K, I would have replied "No way!" I wasn't very physically active and I wasn't making the best choices with what I was eating. All has changed and I definitely have adopted better life/health choices. Now don't get me wrong, I don't workout or run everyday and I do indulge here and there. I never knew how much I would love to run!

This past Saturday I participated in my first ever 5K - Color Me Rad! - with some of my besties! What a blast...a colorful blast! :) I had my running buddy Janine that kept me going and motivated. We are all ready for another run. I felt as if I could take on the world after we crossed that finish line.


If you've never heard of a Color run before it is definitely an experience. Volunteers toss color bombs at you at certain spots along the run and others spray you with color. We were making it a point to not really get our faces and hair but a lot of people had it caked on and looked like blue, purple, and green alien people. :)

Myself, Janine, Jeannette, Carla and her friend Tina

 

Oh yeah! Color Bomb!!

 

We're RAD!

 

First 5K - DONE!! :)

 

 

 

 

Fair Fun & Down On the Farm

Wow, life has been busy with lots of smiles! We've been building on great family memories! Sorry if this post is a bit long. ;)

Florida State Fair


 



A Friend's Birthday Party on the Farm

 



Dr Seuss' Birthday

Parker's school had a little celebration in honor of Dr Seuss. The kids wore silly hats and brought in their favorite Dr Seuss book. I wanted to put something together for the kiddies in Parker's class and he's always up for helping me with putting stuff together.

The mix is made up of CheezIt ABC's, Color Goldfish and Chocolate Teddy Grahams.

My "get healthy" journey is still going strong. I did however allow for a cheat meal here and there though. What?? Sorry, I love food. ;) I'm still seeing progress and have added to my workout routine.

Total Loss: 13lbs


Yummy, yet Healthy Recipes
[Toddler & Hubby tested ;) ]

Baked Ziti
http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/RecipePage.aspx?recipeid=224411

 

Skinny Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo
http://www.tablefortwoblog.com/2013/01/16/skinny-chicken-broccoli-alfredo/



I am planning on trying out some crock pot recipes,so I'll share those that are a hit with my guys.



This Week's Healthy Tips

And for the lower tummy problem area



Valentine's Crafty Fun

Valentine's Cards
My son and I had a great time making his Valentine's for his classmates.

We used crayons from my class, broke them into pieces and then placed different colors into a heart shaped mold. The molds went into the oven for 15 minutes at 375 and cooled for 30 minutes.

I made a cute card on the computer and printed them on yellow card stock. Once the hearts were cooled, I put a pea-sized dot of hot glue onto the card and placed the newly formed heart crayons down on it.

 

 

 

 

Fitness Update

Time to set my next goal! I missed my initial goal by 1.7lbs. Darn! But, I'm alright with it. 10.3lbs is a great loss plus I'm feeling awesome. I plan to add to my workout plan so I can reach my next goal.

I'm starting a morning workout:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Week Four: Need to Lose a Few More

February finds me in the midst of a healthy and active change, trying out new recipes, and searching for crafts to create.

 

 

 

 

 

As I reach my first weight goal (Feb. 9), I'm deciding on my next goal. I like the idea of setting a date with my goal because it gives me a mental goal line to reach. I am so close to my initial goal and am hoping that I can shed those few last pounds by then. Will I be crushed if I don't? Nah, I have seen and feel so many positive changes in me that I wasn't anticipating. I'm going to "keep on, keeping on." :)







Healthy Recipes My Fam Loved

Baked Avocado Fries
http://www.morethanmary.com/2011/01/27/heavenly-and-healthy-delicious-dish-baked-avocado-fries/

Almond Crusted Chicken Fingers
http://klevere623.blogspot.com/2012/12/almond-crusted-chicken-fingers.html
This is a recipe I got from my friend Kelly who is on her own healthy living journey.

February Crafting

It's the month of L-O-V-E and all things hearts, red and pink. My house has been decorated for the past few weeks because I just love to decorating for holidays.

I did Valentine's cards for the first time last year with Parker. They were cute, store bought Toy Story ones that had a bookmark that came with each one. This year, I wanted to make something with him for his Valentine's Day cards. I decided on making crayon hearts from crayons that I had at school. Pictures of this project will be on my next blog.
 
While we were at Michaels craft store, we came across some Valentine's foam crafts for kids. Parker chose a Valentine's house. I figured, hey we make a gingerbread house for Christmas, why not a Valentine's house for Valentine's Day. I just punched out all the foam pieces and then we had a family night putting it all together.

 

 

 

This Weeks Helpful, Healthy Tip:

 

I know that we really shouldn't drink our calories, but sometimes you just need (OK, want) some Starbucks coffee!!!!

For all those Starbucks lovers out there:
 



Week Three: Feeling like a new Me

I am kicking some major butt with my resolutions! Oh yeah, I'm giving myself a high five. :)
 
By changing my diet and calorie intake, sticking to my exercising and being more active I am feeling wonderful - like a new me!

 
My busy week and weekend has lead to my blogging being a little late. We have had family in town for vacation and for the Gasparilla day parade.

I have made two new, healthy dishes that we all LOVED! I found both of the recipes on Pinterest. Oh Pinterest, how I love thee!! ;)

Skinny Sour Cream Enchiladas:
http://skinnymom.com/2012/05/11/skinny-sour-cream-enchiladas/

 

 

 

Zucchini Pasta Lasagna:

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/02/zucchini-lasagna.html

(Minus the ricotta and Parmesan cheeses and egg for me)

 

 

 

Total Loss:  10lbs

 

 

Helpful, Healthy Tip:



Week Two and Big truck fun

I love seeing progress! Woohoo!

In the past two weeks, I'm eating better (way better), exercising more, and feeling awesome! My apps on my phone have really been working perfectly for me. I'm able to plan out my meals and snacks so easily. I find myself choosing healthy options and cooking healthier meals. That's a bonus that my guys are eating better too.

Total lost so far .... 8lbs

We have been living in our new house for a little over a year now and there are still "incomplete" decorating spots. Ever since we took down our Christmas tree at the beginning of January, there has just been a void staring me in the face. I had some ideas as to what to put there but I also posted a picture on Facebook for any ideas. I am happy to announce that the void has been filled and I am quite pleased by the outcome.

Last night we surprised Parker with Monster Jam! We went last year so we knew he'd love it. So fun to hear and see him cheering and saying "Oh yeah!" I must admit, I was cheering along as well. :P

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, I'm off work tomorrow and Tuesday. I'm looking forward to time with my buggy boy Monday and then having a Mommy day to do whatever Tuesday.

 

 

Let Me Inspire You:

 

 

Week One is Done!

 

           My first week on this health journey has went well. The first two days were doozies because I found myself feeling hungry but I pushed through. I have found out that I was simply eating waaay to many calories. I've been using a few helpful apps on my iPhone.

Cal Counter - It is exactly what you'd think. I added in my current weight, my height, my measurements and my first goal. I track my breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks along with my activities/workouts that I do.
 
Restaurants - With this app I can find the cal count for potential meals. This app helped me see just how many calories I've been eating when eating out. I mean OMG!!!

Pedometer - I can track my steps, miles and calories burned. This is perfect for my evening jogs and when out walking with the fam.


           Now, I don't think that I will be posting my starting weight just yet. ;) However, I plan to update when I weigh-in each week.

This week I have lost 5lbs! Woot!

 

 

 

 

 

My resolution Update:

 

           So far so good! [Check - Bring it on 2013 - for my 2013 Resolutions] I have selected 4 new, more healthy recipes but have yet to cook them. I plan to get all the ingredidents on our next grocery store run. We took a family walk/jog/bike ride yesterday and I jogged 3 times this week. Currently I am reading "The Host" by Stephenie Meyer. Exercising my brain muscles. ;)

 

 

 

 



 

Bring it on 2013!

 

Happy New Year to all!

              It has been awhile since I blogged, but thought with the new year upon us, what would be a better time then now to start back up again.


               It's the time of year that some people begin thinking of and setting their new year resolutions. I always think I need to set some too, but then find myself with the same resolution year after year -- "Loose weight". UGH! Yet again, here I am feeling like that could be it once again, but I need to get specific so I can be healthier and just feel all around good about me. I hope that these resolutions can create habits for me and in turn be shared habits with my three-year-old son, Parker.

1) Find a new, more healthy recipe the first and third Sunday of each month. And then COOK IT!

2) Go on a family walk/jog/bike ride each week.

3) Jog solo at least three times a week.

4) Select and READ a new book every two to three months. [I've got to exercise my brain too :)]

5) Create new resolutions as needed.

I hope that my fifth one doesn't seem like a cop out, rather an opportunity for more growth.

               In 2012, my family had to see it through a unexpected loss. Our baby girl was due to be born on or around Jan. 10th. As that day approaches, I am at peace and know that nothing can be done to change or erase our loss. I will always have my moments of remembrances and of grief, but I have found strength within me, with my family and with my friends. "All is well."

               In 2013, we hope to expand our family by one more. The road of trying to conceive is a bumpy road, or as some consider it, a roller coaster. As I seek to become healthier for myself, I also seek to become healthier for this journey and potential little bean. I have a very loving and supportive partner in this journey as well as many supportive friends near and far.

               My buggy boy, Parker, keeps me smiling and in amazement daily. He is so funny and clever. I just love seeing the world through his eyes. As he grows, I'm savoring every moment that I can. He is such a sweet boy, as I often call him. He loves to help, cook, color, read, tickle, race, act like a dinosaur, crack jokes, give kissies and huggies, play games, watch movies and TV. Right now Super Why! is his thing. I can still remember watching his first favorite movie "The Bee Movie" over and over....and over again.


Things I look forward to this year...

nurturing my connections with old and new friends

watching Parker grow into a thoughtful young boy

another Disney family vacation

SUMMER!!

swimming in our pool

getting to a healthier me

Anthony and I's fifth wedding anniversary

parade season

building positive relationships with my students

a new addition

blogging

creating new crafts

building a happy home with love

making memories

 

 

Bring it on 2013!