Fall Goals Recap

bahaha so I was late to getting my Fall goals together and then I decided that I would go until the Winter Solstice so that I could give this my best effort. In case you weren't aware, the Winter Solstice was December 21st. Suck on that, it gave me an extra few weeks to meet my Fall goals! I also have to say thank you to Kathy, formerly of Vodka and Soda, for giving me some REALLY great organization advice! Thanks, boo! 

• Get Organized and Down Size: I have a lot of stuff. I like to keep things forever and I know that I don't need to. I put these two things together, because I feel like they go hand in hand. 
• Clean out Closets--- keep things I ACTUALLY wear and that fit. 
• Hall (winter boots and scarves) Got rid of a pair of boots and 6 scarves. 
• Guest Room (craft supplies, coats, and STUFF) Haven't even touched this closet besides coats/jackets, so I have plans to get it down over Christmas Break. The craft supplies are going to work with me. 
• Bedroom (clothes and shoes, including under bed storage containers) I filled the guest room bed with clothes to donate and decided to try and re-sell a few nicer pieces. 
• Clean Desk 
• Start filing system (we have all our paperwork shoved into a drawer) Half Way started- got the filing system put together and started moving things over 
• Clean Out Kitchen Cabinets

Overall Get Organized and Down Size Grade: B+ I got rid of a ton of stuff and am still in the process of finishing this goal, but it will be done by Jan 1. Also related, we cleaned out the garage and got rid of a TON of stuff there too AND I organized my office at work, getting rid of stuff to make room for my craft/art items to be moved there-- so I factored those into my grade as extra credit. 

• Sell Said Stuff (or donate): Not only do I need to decide to get rid of stuff, I need to actually do it. Why do I need to keep the shirt someone gave me for Christmas 2 years ago that I've never worn?  

Overall Sell Said Stuff (or donate) Grade: B+ In the middle of doing this. It will be done by December 31st for tax purposes :) 

• Stick to My Routine and WRITE It Down: I am thinking of starting a calendar in the kitchen that is there for both of us to see. Gabriel doesn't like surprises and I try to do a weekly run-down, but we both have a lot going on and can forget. We tried sharing iPhone calendars--- worst idea ever!  Didn't start a shared calendar-- am looking for a cute one on clearance now. 
• Workout- I love to walk when it is this time of the year, but I need to do more than that. Didn't really do much with this goal truthfully. I stuck to what I usually do, which is inconsistent. 
• Cleaning (including the dreaded laundry) because the house gets NASTY during the wet months with the dogs. We did a big deep clean, I have been keeping up with the laundry weekly, am doing kitchen clean up 3x/week. 
• Cooking- I would like to eat out one less meal. We have been eating out 1 weeknight, Friday night, Saturday morning and night. I meal plan, so that keeps us within a set budget and gives us a weekly menu. We started eating in on Sundays nights and weekend one breakfast about a year ago, so this has been a slow work in progress. This has been better. It wasn't perfect, but definitely better. The extra meal in per week fluctuated between being a Friday night or weeknight depending.  If a weeknight, it was usually a frozen pizza. But, that frozen pizza was planned and on the meal prep menu, which now hangs on the side of the fridge. 

Overall Stick to My Routine and WRITE It Down Grade: C- I didn't do so hot with changing my workout routine, didn't start a mutual calendar, but did do really well with keeping the house clean during this nasty weather and with meal prep. I have a goal of finding a cute chalkboard or something like that to use as a weekly calendar for us and have talked to G about putting it by the garage door where he can see it as he enters/leaves. This wouldn't be such a big thing, but I teach night classes throughout the semester, take classes sporadically, have parent/teacher nights intermittently at my schools, etc. and he frequently forgets when I verbally tell him on Sundays.... So a communication board is a must! 

I loved hearing how you all organized your life, so if you have any more tips SHARE! 

Track the Tank

Follow a tank tops journey as it travels all over the U.S. and into the hands of 25 bloggers! 

It's kind of like the Sisterhood of the traveling pants only much more awesome!

Here, we share our fitness journey, motivational tips and tricks, and what keeps us lookin' fine!

And what's in it for you? When the journey is over...YOU get a chance to win it!

I got the Sisterhood of the Traveling Tank in the mail on Saturday from Darci and will be sending it out to Erin. If you haven't checked out all the amazing places that this tank has been, head over to Tia's and take a look a the #TracktheTank page. 

I took the tank on an amazing walk around the lake that is behind our house. This is the place where I like to walk/run and just have some quiet time. On to the big question-- what motivates me? What I just said is exactly it, I like to have the me time. I like the peace and quiet of being with my thoughts. I like that I am taking time for me. Don't get me wrong, the outcome doesn't hurt. I like to feel good and like me when I look in the mirror. I think that the time to reflect is so important to the way I feel about myself and life, which is what I get when I take the time for me. Do I lose focus sometimes? Yes. Do I feel like crap about it? No. I realize that sometimes I prioritize things that I shouldn't or let others influence how I am acting and go back and change that shit. 

For me, that is the biggest part. Making sure that what I am doing is for me. Is it a bonus that Gabriel has been going on walks with me? Yes. I love that we spend the time together and it is totally no pressure, we can walk silent or talk about our days.  He is super, duper into health and fitness and works out ALL THE TIME. Am I doing this for him? Nope. He just happened to come into my life at the same time that I realized I had to change parts of my life. I couldn't eat like shit everyday, drink a pitcher of beer and sit on the couch. I needed to do more than that. So, I bought an elliptical and plopped that sucker in my living room. That's how I started. It went with me from my apartment, to our rental house, to our right now forever home. Right now,  do I use it frequently? Nope. I like to walk outside when it's nice out instead. I still prefer to do workout DVDs in my living room than go to the community center when I am by myself. That's just me. I am ok with that. I don't feel bad about it. I like trying new online videos and laughing at myself when I try new things. 

What motivates you? 

Fall Goals--- Any Advice?

I know what you are all thinking, girl Fall has been here and it's almost Winter and you're just now putting together goals?! Yep, I am just now getting my shit together to put my goals down on paper. I want to put them out there in the world to hold myself accountable. So, for me Fall started Nov 1 and will go until December 1. 

• Get Organized and Down Size: I have a lot of stuff. I like to keep things forever and I know that I don't need to. I put these two things together, because I feel like they go hand in hand. 
• Clean out Closets--- keep things I ACTUALLY wear and that fit. 
• Hall (winter boots and scarves)
• Guest Room (craft supplies, coats, and STUFF) 
• Bedroom (clothes and shoes, including under bed storage containers)
• Clean Desk 
• Start filing system (we have all our paperwork shoved into a drawer)
• Clean Out Kitchen Cabinets
• Sell Said Stuff (or donate): Not only do I need to decide to get rid of stuff, I need to actually do it. Why do I need to keep the shirt someone gave me for Christmas 2 years ago that I've never worn? 
• Stick to My Routine and WRITE It Down: I am thinking of starting a calendar in the kitchen that is there for both of us to see. Gabriel doesn't like surprises and I try to do a weekly run-down, but we both have a lot going on and can forget. We tried sharing iPhone calendars--- worst idea ever!  
• Workout- I love to walk when it is this time of the year, but I need to do more than that.
• Cleaning (including the dreaded laundry) because the house gets NASTY during the wet months with the dogs. 
• Cooking- I would like to eat out one less meal. We have been eating out 1 weeknight, Friday night, Saturday morning and night. I meal plan, so that keeps us within a set budget and gives us a weekly menu. We started eating in on Sundays nights and weekend one breakfast about a year ago, so this has been a slow work in progress. 

Does anyone have any tips? I am trying to de-stress and de-clutter my life so that I can focus more on being the best me all the time. I would love to hear how you've organized your life! 

Fleurty and Fit End of Summer Challenge

So, in an effort to give myself a swift kick in the ass, when Jasmine  said that she was going to be hosting an end of summer challenge, I thought to myself why not? Well, why not indeed. We each needed to set 5 goals for ourself and try to do our best. Did I do the best? Nope, but I am ok with that and I'll share why below. 

Goals:

-Drink only 1 weekend night (I love my glass of wine with dinner): I did well with this, but was not 100%. Instead of saying no at events like tailgating, weddings, bachelorette parties, etc. I just tried to be more conscious and aware of the liquid calories I was consuming.

-Eat breakfast everyday: 100% done. This was a struggle for me, but not a huge one. Breakfast is usually the first thing to get cut from my morning to do list when I am running late. Then I am hangry at 10am. So, I stocked up on meal bars, yogurts, and pre-cut  apple slices so that I could throw them into my purse and run out the door. I also had no shame in eating at "unofficial" meetings.

-Run 3 days/week, workout 5 total:  I averaged 2 workouts per week, which for me is womp, womp since I knew this was my biggest struggle. I taught a night class for 4/5 weeks, which I didn't plan around and I should have and was sick for a week with a nasty sinus/chest congestion. The part I am most excited about is that I signed up for a 5k with 2 of my best work friends and this year I am going to run it with them, versus last year when I walked. I also am running with one of them 1/week, which is a big one for me, since she runs ALL THE TIME and the thought was intimidating.

-Bring lunch to work everyday: Done. Did it. Big struggle. I hate eating left overs, thing from boxes and icky tupper ware... I did this 100% and hated every. single. second.

-Incorporate new veggies into my diet/meals Incorporate new food/recipes into my meals:  I had to re-work this goal, as I didn't take into account my food allergies. I am allergic to a shit ton of things in life, food items being A LOT of them.  I made my own spice rubs, tried BONE IN chicken (!!), roasted said bone in chicken in the crock pot, tried an over night fresh peach crockpot cobbler (skinnified), made my own marinade, cooked pork chops for the first time... the list is endless! This was my favorite goal, honestly.

I have to admit, for me the this challenge was really hard. I didn't realize how much of a "loner" I am when it comes to my fitness/food. Which is so weird, because I blog and am super social in real life. It was a struggle for me to answer emails and texts, not because I am not interested, because I am, but just because. I can't even say why, truthfully. It was just harder than I thought it would be to share my struggles with others and ask for things in return. It was also more comfortable for me to email/text people individually rather than a mass text. It helped me to start a really stressful school year feeling like I have control and making me more aware of what my daily habits are.

What were your end of summer goals? Did you meet them?

My Fave At Home Workouts

 

I have to admit, working out is not something that comes naturally to me. I don't particularly enjoy it or find it pleasurable. Shocking, I know. Because of this, I try to make working out at home as painless as possible. I do own an elliptical and kettlebells, so I use those on the regular, but when I am not using them I love all of the workouts below!

Piloxing: I took this as a class for a few months and loved it! This DVD is the exact same as the class, except there is no bumping music. Oh, and there is a token chubby girl hidden in the back. 

Piloxing

 

 

Blogilates: This girl has some of the most fun workouts I've done. She constantly has challenges and calendars up on her site that can be difficult, but rewarding! I love that she integrates current pop music into her videos and explains/cues very well. At times, she can be a little too much, but overall amazing!

 

 

Pop Pilates by Cassey Ho

 

10 Minute Solutions DVDs: This may sound like a cop out, but I actually really like these DVDs. If you are in a hurry, you can choose to do one 10 minute segment if you've got more time you can create your own workout. I generally like to do a 30 mintue targeted workout if I have done something else. I just found a kettlebell one, but I haven't seen any reviews on it yet.

 





 10 Minute Solutions Quick Tummy Toners

10 Minute Solutions Knockout Body

10 Minute Solutions Slim and Sculpt Pilates

 

 

Kama Fitness: This is another website with TONS of workouts! I love that moves are explained well and the workouts are generally fast and quick. She also does a variety of workouts, so it is not one specific style (i.e. yoga). I linked below to one of her kettlebell workouts that I really enjoy. 

 

Kama Fitness

 

Tone it Up: I have to admit this was a pinterst find for me. I troll Pinterest like it's nobodies business and saw one of their workout calendars. These two women are fun, easy to follow, and come up with workout calendars that target specific things (i.e. Bikini Series). 



Tone it Up

 

 

What are your favorite at home workouts? Have you done any of these before?