Thurs....Wait, it was ONLY Tuesday

Good Wednesday Morning!

On MY this has felt like the LONGEST week. I seriously thought yesterday was Thursday MOST of the day.....but it was only Tuesday.

Here's your Good Morning picture from Tuesday:

That was Kayla's violin playing pose since her class was going to Music. She loves striking fun poses!!! She was also EXCITED to turn in her 100th Day of School Project!!! I'll talk about that more she she actually celebrates her 100th Day.

Before that sweet girl got up, I got up much earlier & headed to the gym. It was my LONG run day on my Half Marathon trainer. I was actually excited to do it!!!!

In that 60 minutes, I did 5.60 miles....& it felt good! It's been a while since I've done a long run.

While those of us in that 5 am gym group were there, we had some excitement.....it SNOWED!!!! Not a ton, but it was exciting to look out the window & see it coming down.

This was my SUV when I walked out. We didn't get any more but a flake here or there; but it was nice to see a little. After getting home, get my quiet time with God in, shower, & Kayla ready, we headed out for our day.

Words hurt! I know this is no news flash or anything....but sometimes they do. They can even hurt when they're said to you by a 6-year-old; especially when she's half of your world. It's not that she said any one thing that hurt, but she compares my abilities to others, a lot. About a year ago, I did a Bible study & God helped me deal with not comparing myself to others. It took me a while, but I got to the point where I was no longer telling either of the girls that if so-and-so did something better, then maybe they should talk to their Daddy about getting a new Mommy. But when someone (yes, even a 6-year-old) is constantly telling you how others do things better than you do, it makes that phrase come right back to the front of your mind. Needless to say, Kayla & I had a talk about how, even though she's 6, she needs to think about what she says, how she says it, & how it would make another person feel (or how it would affect her feelings if someone said it to her). Okay y'all, she's only 6, I wasn't expecting to have to have this conversation just yet.....but ice come to realize when raising kids, you sometimes have to expect the unexpected (thanks, Survivor for that line).

The ride to school had an affect on my whole day......I had a hard time being the happy-go-lucky, positive & upbeat Tasha that I usually am. It even made me think of things I might of said to my own Mom & later in the afternoon, I sent her a text just to tell her I loved her.

And that cycling ride at lunch of 8.3 miles in 43 minutes DEFINITELY did me some good!

 

It was so cold around here, that I REALLY wanted some chili for lunch; so I had some. Unfortunately I did not practice my usual STRICT portion control, so I overate & felt miserable the rest of the day (lesson re-learned for the umpteenth time).

 

The rest of the day & evening were good. We had dinner with Gree & Poppie at our house.....White Beans with Ham & Cornbread for dinner....which was yummy! I was a good girl & didn't overeat! We also had some VERY exciting news!!!!! Nonnie has joined Facebook AND Skype!!!!!!

 

This was the girls Skyping with Nonnie & Pappaw last night. We are ALL so excited!!!! I love technology & it does my heart some good to "see" the people I'm talking to!

 

**********************************************************************************

 

So since I was utterly confused on what yesterday actually was, let me go ahead & give you the WIN & WOW Update:

 

 The Weigh-In

 

 

I’ve been logging into My Fitness Pal for the last 535 days in a row as of today (January 29, 2014).

 

As you can see, I’ve lost a total of 37.8 lbs.

I'm now at the maintain the weight but shape up stage.

 

The Workout

  

***Here is what the last week has looked like for me***

Wednesday Goal = Run/Walk

January 22
Stretching
Running 4.75 miles in 50 minutes
85 sit-ups with 10 lb. plate
Burned 498 calories

 

Thursday Goal = Cross-Training (anything cardio other than run/walk)

January 23
Stretching
95 sit-ups with 10 lb. plate
Weights
Cycling 7.8 miles in 40 minutes
Burned 679 calories

 

 Friday Goal = Run/Walk

January 24

Stretching

Running 4.60 miles in 50 minutes

108 sit-ups with 10 lb. plate

Cycling 7.8 miles in 40 minutes

Burned 820 calories

 

 Saturday Goal = Rest from Run

January 25
Stretching
121 sit-ups with 10 lb. plate
Weights
Burned 359 calories

 

 Sunday Goal = Run/walk OR Cross-Training (anything cardio other than run/walk)

January 26

Stretching

Walking 2.58 miles in 40 minutes (I know I'm not supposed to walk as a cross-training day, but it was better than doing nothing at all!)

Kettlebell work

Burned 577 calories

 

Monday Goal = Run/walk OR Cross-Training (anything cardio other than run/walk)

January 27

Stretching

Running 4.98 miles in 52 minutes

Burned 483 calories

 

Tuesday Goal = Run/walk

January 28

Stretching

Running 5.60 miles in 60 minutes

Cycling 8.3 miles in 43 minutes

Burned 895 calories

Goals

I said it before & I’ll say it again (& you’ll keep seeing it): Someone once told me to keep my goals in front of me. And as bad as my memory is, it's REALLY hard for me to remember my goals if they're not in front of me.

Personal Goals:

1) Make healthier meal choices when eating out.

2) When indulging in something that's not a healthier choice, practice strict portion control!

3) Eat at least 2 fruits & 2 veggies daily.

4) Drink 72-96 oz of water daily.

 5) Workout 5 days a week.

6) Log EVERYTHING into My Fitness Pal every day.

7) Be comfortable enough with my body to wear a 2-piece for Summer 2014, even if I don't actually buy one.

8) Walk different 5Ks throughout the year.

Wish List.....so far:

March 15 Run or Dye (registered)
March 22 Do It For Ben

March 29 The Glo Run (registered)

April 5 80's Retro Run (registered)

May 10 Foam Fest (registered)
May 23 Zoom thru the Zoo

June 13 Glow in the Park
June 15 Gibson Guitar 5K
August 23 Inaugural Dogwood Dash 5K Benefiting The ANGEL Program for Kids with Autism
September 14 I Do It For ______ Foundation Run
September 9 Teal for a Cure Walk Run 5K
October Breast Cancer Walks
November Heart Walk

 

I'm sure this list will grow!

9) Walk/Jog Half Marathons.

Planned:

April 26 St. Jude Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville (registration transferred from Memphis Half Marathon cancelled Dec 2013)

December 6 St. Jude Half Marathon in Memphis

10) Stop weighing/measuring everyday....don't be number-driven.

11) Be less self-conscious & more confident with myself. [I think I will always be working on this]

 

**************************************************************************************************************

This post was a link up with

Weigh-In Wednesday

------------------------------
Have a Sunshiny Day,
~Tasha Sunshine
>

Not Too Bad, Monday

Good Tuesday Morning!!!!

I will have to say, Monday was not too bad! I think it had to do with the fact that I was productive Friday afternoon so I was run ragged on Monday.

Here's your Good Morning picture from Monday:

 

Before those little cutie pies got up, I hit the gym for this:

 

Which was 4.98 miles in those 52 minutes.

 

Monday morning was SOOOOO nice getting to have an easy morning!!!! I didn't feel overwhelmed at all! At lunch, Cathy needed to run to the grocery store & we had nothing for lunch; so we didn't go to the gym. But I got to go up to Backermann's Bakery for lunch meat & fresh baked bread.....yummy!

 

Then we went & had lunch at Jalapeno's, an AWESOME local Mexican joint that also serves a great burger.....cause it's a real, hand pattied out burger & not frozen from Sisco (it's not that I don't like Sisco, it's just you get it everywhere). I love me some chips & salsa!

 

And the Arroz con Pollo is my absolute FAV!!!!

 

I only ate 1 serving of chips & salsa & 1/2 my meal, so I have lunch leftover for later this week.

 

Since it was Monday, that meant it was Dance & grocery shopping night. We were EXCITED by a surprise when I took Jamie in: Pictures of the costumes for the big show in June!!!!

 

This is Jamie's costume for her Alley Cats number:

 

This is Kayla's costume for her "Sunshine Medley" number:

 

And this is Kayla's costume for her "Country Girl" number:

 

Do you remember when I blogged about last Monday in Manic Monday that Kayla got sick to her stomach with no fever after Dance class???? Well, this week we did her dinner during Jamie's dance class:

 

FYI: McDonald's in Oakland has been deemed "the best McDonald's" by the girls....because it has a play area; which they have never played on. Anyway, we might change that soon. When it was time to go get Jamie, we went & got her & then took her & Daddy (he went along with us) to his truck at the office (to kill the 45 minutes before Kayla's class). Then Daddy & Jamie grabbed her something to eat & headed home. Jamie is pure exhausted once we have gone shopping & waited on Kayla's class to finish at 8:15 after being at school all day. So we decided to try getting her home after her class.

 

Which meant when it was time to drop off Kayla, I headed to the store & this happened:

 

I know that one day I will miss this...them being this size & wanting to be with me all the time!!!! And I love to grocery shop!!! But it's nice not to have the distraction & have to backtrack back & forth across the store several times!!!! It made my trip seem not as rushed. And since posting that on Facebook & Instagram, I have gotten 80 people who have clicked "Like" & 11 comments that agree....so apparently I'm not the only one who feels this way.

 

After getting Kayla & getting home with Jamie going home earlier, it meant she was sound asleep when we got home....but she needs her rest at the wonderful age of 3. I checked folders to see how the teachers said the girls' days were. Kayla had no red marks & had done great. On Jamie's daily summary note, it said that her teacher was proud of how hard she had worked today on her worksheet & coloring sheet. So before I looked at the sheets, I pulled out her 1st coloring sheet from this school year....and here it is:

 

 

And this is what she had done on Monday:

 

Oh how far she has come in just 1/2 a school year!?!?!?!

 

I must have appeared to be running around like I chicken with my head cut off after that trying to get groceries unloaded & put up, tidying up the kitchen, & trying to get some prep done so my Tuesday morning went smoothly. I say this cause Hubs came into the kitchen, told me to stop, & go relax in the bubble bath he had just ran for me. It was a good idea he had! I need to remember to take just a few minutes for myself to relax each day.....especially right before I go to bed. I slept great!

 

How was your Monday????

Just Keeping it Real

Good Thursday Afternoon to you!

 

Here's your Good Wednesday Morning Picture:

 

Jamie was so excited she looked like a Dalmatian (her label not mine) with her hood up since it has ears on it. Kayla was excited her class was going to Art!

My morning started with a trip to the gym & it felt GOOD! I got in stretching,

sit-ups with 10 lb. plate,

& weights.

The morning with the girls went pretty smooth; but I think I have some of the slowest eaters on the face of the earth. Work was steady but not overwhelming so it was good overall.

At lunch, my co-worker & I went to the gym to hit the cycles

Since it was Wednesday, we did our weekly pre-church dinner at a local spot called The Hut.

Have you ever had a decision in your life you were trying to make & you begged, even pleaded, & sometimes tried to bargin with God saying "If You'll just give me a Mack truck size flashing neon sign, Lord, I'll follow Your plan"??? Well, I know I have (like when I was trying to decide on wish college to go to, or about changing my major, or about making a career change). God always answers our prayers, it just may not be in the way or when we expect Him to.

And sometimes God just gives you a wake up call. Or puts something so heavy on your heart you know He's telling you what to do. 

Well, I had one of these smack me in the face wake up call moments on Tuesday night that pertains to my usual Wednesday night routine. My Wednesday night routine since last spring (or maybe before) has been to take the girls to their church activities & then I run or walk the neighborhoods (or parking lot when it is dark) or hit the treadmill at the gym. A time or two I've sat in on a Bible study so I could get the information or book & do the study solo during my personal quiet time with God. 

We'll not any more....God made me stop & think: what kind of example am I setting for my girls if I just drop them off & leave the church instead of participating in what the church has to offer for me?!?!?! I'm telling them it's okay to just drop your kids off & leave; that you get enough on Sunday mornings but your kids need to be there every time they can be. I'm telling them it's okay to put anything & everything else in front of your time with God & spending time learning about Him through His people.

WHAT?!?!?!

This is NOT what I want my girls to get from me!!!! Needless to say, God spoke & I listened. So I went to the Bible study, prayer meeting, & Bible study lead by our preacher. I'm excited about the 1st Bible study as it is based on faith, food, fitness, focus, & friends. The prayer meeting will help me have more specific prayers for the members of our church. The Bible study lead by our preacher is also interesting.

My plan was to go home & get on the treadmill; but I was just TOO tired once the girls got into be & I did my usual night prep for the next day. So I decided on Mondays & Wednesdays (the nights we have activities), I'll hit the treadmill instead of doing weights.

Speaking of my workouts.....here's your WIN & WOW Update:

 

 The Weigh-In

 

I’ve been logging into My Fitness Pal for the last 520 days in a row as of yesterday (Wednesday, Jan. 16).

 

As you can see, I’ve lost a total of 37.8 lbs.

I'm now at the maintain the weight but shape up stage.

 

 

The Workout

 

 

***Here is what the last week has looked like for me***

Wednesday Goal = Run/Walk

January 8

Stretching

Day 8 squats & push-ups challenge

Cycling 8.1 miles in 42 minutes

Running 3.53 miles in 40 minutes

Burned 713 calories

Thursday Goal = Rest from Run

January 9

Stretching

48 sit-ups with 10 lb. plate

Weights

Cycling 8.5 miles in 42 minutes

Burned 688 calories

 

 Friday Goal = Run/Walk

January 10

Stretching

54 sit-ups with 10 lb. plate

Weights

Cycling 9 miles in 44 minutes (cross-training)

Burned 705 calories

 

 Saturday Goal = Cross-Training (anything cardio other than run/walk)

January 11

Stretching

Running 3.76 miles in 45 minutes

Burned 372 calories

 

 Sunday Goal = Run/walk

January 12

Stretching

Running 3.84 miles in 45 minutes

Day 9 & 11 squats & push-ups challenge (I'm officially WAY behind on this)

10 lb. kettlebell with girls

Burned 776 calories

 

Monday Goal = Run/walk OR Cross-Training (anything cardio other than run/walk)

January 13

Stretching

58 sit-ups with 10 lb. plate

Weights

Cycling 8.4 miles in 40 minutes

 

Tuesday Goal = Cross-Training (anything cardio other than run/walk) OR Run/walk

January 14

Stretching

Walking 1.99 miles in 45 minutes

Burned 152 calories (light day due to growing pains)

Goals

I said it before & I’ll say it again (& you’ll keep seeing it): Someone once told me to keep my goals in front of me. And as bad as my memory is, it's REALLY hard for me to remember my goals if they're not in front of me.

Personal Goals:

1) Make healthier meal choices when eating out.

2) When indulging in something that's not a healthier choice, practice strict portion control!

3) Eat at least 2 fruits & 2 veggies daily.

4) Drink 72-96 oz of water daily.

 5) Workout 5 days a week.

6) Log EVERYTHING into My Fitness Pal every day.

7) Be comfortable enough with my body to wear a 2-piece for Summer 2014, even if I don't actually buy one.

8) Walk different 5Ks throughout the year.

Wish List.....so far:

March 15 Run or Dye (registered)

March 29 The Glo Run (registered)

April 5 80's Retro Run (registered)

May 10 Foam Fest (registered)

June 13 Glow in the Park

 

I'm sure this list will grow!

9) Walk/Jog Half Marathons.

Planned:

April 26 St. Jude Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville (registration transferred from Memphis Half Marathon cancelled Dec 2013)

December 6 St. Jude Half Marathon in Memphis

10) Stop weighing/measuring everyday....don't be number-driven.

11) Be less self-conscious & more confident with myself. [I think I will always be working on this]

 

**************************************************************************************************************

This post was a link up with

Weigh-In Wednesday

------------------------------
Have a Sunshiny Day,
~Tasha Sunshine
>

WIN & WOW Update

Yesterday was Wednesday so here is my Weigh-In (WIN) & Workout Wednesday (WOW) Post.

 The Weigh-In

 

I’ve been logging into My Fitness Pal for the last 515 days in a row as of TODAY.

 

As you can see, I’ve lost a total of 37.8 lbs.

I'm now at the maintain the weight but shape up stage.

 

 

The Workout

 

If you follow me on any other social media (Facebook or Instagram & if you don't follow me, you should), you will see any combination of these pictures posted for a daily workout:

 

Sit-up challenge with a 10 lb. plate.

 

Treadmill at home (late night or early morning when I can't get to the gym)

Treadmill at the gym (cause sometimes I have extra time while I'm there & sometimes my co-worker & I hit this during our lunch time)

Weights at the gym

Cycle at the gym

Sit-ups with 10 lb. plate

10 lb kettlebell work

And for the month of January, I am doing this challenge

One of the options for dancing with the girls.

Zumba dancing

Some core/ab work

The girls got their own kettlebells & sometimes do it with me.

 

***Here is what the last week has looked like for me***

Wednesday Goal = Run/Walk

January 1

Stretching

Walking 4.14 miles in 60 minutes

10 lb. kettlebell work

Day 1 squats & push-up challenge

Burned 738 calories

Thursday Goal = Rest from Run

January 2

Stretching

39 sit-ups with 10 lb. plate

Weights

10 lb. kettlebell work

Day 2 squats & push-up challenge

Walking 3.28 miles in 45 minutes

Burned 1021 calories

 

 Friday Goal = Run/Walk

January 3

Stretching

44 sit-ups with 10 lb. plate

Weights

Cycling 8.1 miles in 40 minutes

Burned 679 calories

 

 Saturday Goal = Cross-Training (anything cardio other than run/walk)

January 4

Stretching

Running 3.90 miles in 45 minutes 19 seconds

Day 3 & 4 Squats & push-ups challenge

Just Dance Dancing with the girls

Burned 600 calories

 

 Sunday Goal = Run/walk

January 5

Stretching

10 lb. kettlebell work

Running 3.91 miles in 46 minutes

Burned 733 calories

 

Monday Goal = Run/walk OR Cross-Training (anything cardio other than run/walk)

January 6

Stretching

Just Dance Zumba

Day 6 squats & push-ups challenge

Spartan Abs 300

10 lb. kettlebell work

Burned 899 calories

 

Tuesday Goal = Cross-Training (anything cardio other than run/walk) OR Run/walk

January 7

Stretching

Running 3.96 miles in 45 minutes 3 seconds

Cycling 8.40 miles in 43 minutes

Day 7 squats & push-ups challenge

10 lb. kettlebell work

Burned 1120 calories

Goals

I said it before & I’ll say it again (& you’ll keep seeing it): Someone once told me to keep my goals in front of me. And as bad as my memory is, it's REALLY hard for me to remember my goals if they're not in front of me.

Personal Goals:

1) Make healthier meal choices when eating out.

2) When indulging in something that's not a healthier choice, practice strict portion control!

3) Eat at least 2 fruits & 2 veggies daily.

4) Drink 72-96 oz of water daily.

 5) Workout 5 days a week.

6) Log EVERYTHING into My Fitness Pal every day.

7) Be comfortable enough with my body to wear a 2-piece for Summer 2014, even if I don't actually buy one.

8) Walk different 5Ks throughout the year.

Wish List.....so far:

March 15 Run or Dye

March 29 The Glo Run

April 5 80's Retro Run

May 10 Foam Fest

June 13 Glow in the Park

 

I'm sure this list will grow!

9) Walk/Jog Half Marathons.

Planned:

April 26 St. Jude Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville (registration transferred from Memphis Half Marathon cancelled Dec 2013)

December 6 St. Jude Half Marathon in Memphis

10) Stop weighing/measuring everyday....don't be number-driven.

11) Be less self-conscious & more confident with myself. [I think I will always be working on this]

 

**************************************************************************************************************

This post was a link up with

Weigh-In Wednesday

------------------------------
Have a Sunshiny Day,
~Tasha Sunshine
>

WIN & WOW Update

Happy New Year!!!

I am going to try to get more regular with my blogging.....sorry to all my regular followers! On days when I don't have anything I specifically blog about, I'll try to do posts to catch you up (like Christmas pics).

But yesterday was Wednesday so here is my Weigh-In (WIN) & Workout Wednesday (WOW) Post.

 The Weigh-In

I’ve been logging into My Fitness Pal for the last 505 days in a row as of Monday, December 30.

I hit day 500 on Christmas day & I was REALLY pumped & excited about it!!!! Oh how my body has changed in 505 days....I'm SOOOOO glad I started when I did!

As you can see, I’ve lost a total of 37.8 lbs.

I'm now at the maintain the weight but shape up stage.

The Workout

I was doing SOOOOO VERY good, & then in October, I had to have a toenail removed & it threw me way off. Once I was full recovered (which took a lot longer than I had anticipated), I started getting back on track. I was just walking my hard-core pace or doing sit-ups & kettlebell work here or there. I was getting back on track to at least cross the finish line walking the St. Jude Half Marathon.

But then, we got some icky/icy/snowy weather & for the 1st time, St. Jude had to cancel the race. The finish line was a solid sheet of ice. 

That kind of depressed me cause I was SOOOO very pumped for it! I had a few more lazy days; & then I kicked it into high gear!

We joined the gym that's about 5 minutes from the house on December 11.

I completed this app on my phone:

It has me do a few more sit-ups each time I do it (designed to be done 3 days a week) in order to work myself up to doing 200 in one workout session. I also like it cause it praises me when I'm finished & allows me to post for my accountability people (you know, those peeps who check on me with my workouts & such):

I have re-started the 200 sit-up challenge, but I've added a 10 lb. plate.

If you follow me on any other social media (Facebook or Instagram & if you don't follow me, you should), you will see any combination of these pictures posted for a daily workout:

When I hit the treadmill at home (late night or early morning when I can't get to the gym)

When I hit the treadmill at the gym (cause sometimes I have extra time while I'm there & sometimes my co-worker & I hit this during our lunch time)

When I hit the weights at the gym

When I cycle at the gym

When I do sit-ups with 10 lb. plate

When I do 10 lb kettlebell work

And for the month of January, I am doing this challenge

***Here is what the last week has looked like for me***

Wednesday
December 25: Stretching, 25 sit-ups with 10 lb. plate, & working with the weights
Burned 431 calories

Thursday
December 26: Stretching, 33 sit-ups with 10 lb. plate, weights, cycling 7.20 miles in 35 minutes, & walking 2.09 miles in 30 minutes
Burned 810 calories

 Friday
December 27: Stretching, 35 sit-ups with 10 lb. plate, weights, & cycling 9.30 miles in 45 minutes
Burned 713 calories

 Saturday
December 28: Walking 2.25 miles in 32:02 minutes & 10 lb. kettlebell work
Burned 548 calories

 Sunday

December 29: Walking 3.12 miles in 45 minutes

Burned 276 calories

Monday

December 30: Walking 3.32 miles in 47 minutes & 10 lb. kettlebell work

Burned 644 calories

Tuesday

December 31: Walking 3.07 miles in 46 minutes & 10 lb. kettlebell work

Burned 614 calories

***Starting next Wednesday (January 8), this is what my workout goals will look like during the week***

Wednesday Goal = Run/Walk

Thursday Goal = Rest from Run

 Friday Goal = Run/Walk

 Saturday Goal = Cross-Training (anything cardio other than run/walk)

 Sunday Goal = Run/walk

Monday Goal = Run/walk

Tuesday Goal = Cross-Training (anything cardio other than run/walk)

There will also be other workouts like weights, kettlebell, etc. on these days.

Technically, I'm starting my this run/walk schedule this Friday (January 3). But it won't be a full week of these goals when I post my WIN & WOW Update next week.

Goals

I said it before & I’ll say it again (& you’ll keep seeing it): Someone once told me to keep my goals in front of me. And as bad as my memory is, it's REALLY hard for me to remember my goals if they're not in front of me.

Personal Goals:

1) Make healthier meal choices when eating out.

2) When indulging in something that's not a healthier choice, practice strict portion control!

3) Eat at least 2 fruits & 2 veggies daily.

4) Drink 72-96 oz of water daily.

 5) Workout 5 days a week.

6) Log EVERYTHING into My Fitness Pal every day.

7) Be comfortable enough with my body to wear a 2-piece for Summer 2014, even if I don't actually buy one.

8) Walk different 5Ks throughout the year.

9) Walk the St. Jude Half Marathon.

10) Stop weighing/measuring everyday....don't be number-driven.

11) Be less self-conscious & more confident with myself. [I think I will always be working on this]

I need to think about these goals again.

**************************************************************************************************************

This post was a link up with

Weigh-In Wednesday

------------------------------
Have a Sunshiny Day,
~Tasha Sunshine
>