Fitness Friday -- on a Saturday

Oops! I wrote this Thursday night in preparation for Friday and I forgot to post it .. I just noticed I can actually set a post time for it and it will post for me! This blogging thing just got a bit easier!

Anyways.. I am so excited to share with everyone that I am now a Sweat Pink Ambassador!  

Never heard of it? No problem...  I will fill you in! I will write up a post this weekend about why I wanted to become an ambassador and what it means to me! In the mean time ...

Check them out over at www.fitapproach.com

Anyways.. The reason for this post! I was chosen to do a review of a fitness video website called Gigabody (www.gigabody.com)! I will be giving 1 lucky follower a free month membership to Gigabody! Stay tuned over the next few weeks for my thoughts and progress using the site and for details on how to win! 

Happy Halloween :)

Or now... Happy day after Halloween and good luck with all the candy!

10k - check

Fitness Friday is back!

Last weekend I ran my first ever 10k, I have run 3 5ks this summer, which was less then I hoped for but things happen.  I needed a 10k to have a time to submit for my half marathon in February! 

The weekend itself was extremely busy so I wasn't fully rested for the race. I woke up at 415 Sunday morning and jumped on the train to the city. The race was on Roosevelt Island to I got to cross something off my NYC bucket list - ride the tram!!

Once over on the island I headed to Starbucks for a pre race pick me up! It was freezing cold and windy so I stayed in Starbucks for as long as I could!

Once it got a little closer to race time I started getting good luck messages and I started to get butterflies in my stomach. I sort of had a time goal of 1:09:13 which would be an 11:15 per mile pace. My other goal was to finish. 

I am proud to say I finished :) 

 

Here is my official time and results 

It was slower then I originally wanted but it was the first time I ran in the colder weather, it was the first time I've run more then 4.5miles and well I didn't properly train. Training has started for my races at Disney in February .. I hope to run my 10k with a time of 62min! 

I've had so many things that have attributed to my setbacks in the past 2 months.. Getting back on a work schedule has been one.. I sub at a preschool so my weeks are unpredictable, even if my plan is to take Madison to school and head to the gym it doesn't always go that way! Chris has been working a different schedule as well so my 5am gym workouts are out of the picture since he leaves at 530am! I have no motivation to work out at home at that time. Evening workouts are tough because that's time I get with the girls and Chris or to finish any household chores I need to finish.  

Lastly I have some medical issues that workout against me.. Litterally. My body attacks itself. I have Hashimotos Thyroiditis. Short story- my body produces thyroid antibodies that attack my thyroid. It is all easily controlled by taking medicine daily.. BUT I have not taken my medication since May... At my doctors recommendation.  My levels were in a good place then and we wanted to see if it was a fluke or if I am part of the small percentage of people that just get over it! 

Well I'm not one of those people. Your body actually stores thyroid hormone and that's what happened back in May and slowly my levels have been getting messed up again. I have been gaining weight (totally against what I'm doing), exhausted at all times, hair loss, mood swings, and intolerance to cold. 

As of this morning I am back on my medication and am hopeful my levels will be better in a few weeks when I go back for more testing! 

Hopefully in the coming weeks I will be back to my motivated self ;)

Here a few photos from my race .. If you need some motivation think about this - 1 year ago I was pregnant with my 2nd child, had never run more then the miles required by whatever team I was on and now I am finishing 10ks!  

Doesn't matter what your skill level, fitness level or weight.. You can do it!!!

Catch up post #1

Time to do what all bloggers love best - catch up.  

The lack of posts is due to the fact I have no extra time.. You would think how long does it take to write a few words about what we've been words and post a few pics BUT it really does take a good 45min- 1hr to finish this post. 

Anyways .. To the point. First catch up post is about MADISON'S 3rd BIRTHDAY!!!

 I can't believe our little munchkin is already 3. I remember feeling like my pregnancy would never end, then feeling like labor would never end and now I wish time would slow down. This little girl has an attitude which we could do without but she also has a sweet side that makes us weak in the knees. Madison is a great big sister, she brings Beth her bottles and toys and is currently trying to teach her to crawl. 

Figured we do a "Beth style update".

Weight: 27lbs (10percentile)

Length: 36 3/4inch (25 percentile)

Milestone: Spells her name!!! We are working on writing her name but she can recognize her name sometimes, she can spell it and she will point out any m she sees and says "M for Madison!"

Sleep: Madison goes to bed between 7 and 830 depending on how her day went. Yesterday she didn't want to nap, reason - "I'm 3, I don't need to nap"

Eating: This girl can eat! Finding sometime she likes is tough! Her diet consists of waffles, crackers, gummies, yogurt, broccoli, chicken nuggets, fries, ice cream, cake, grilled cheese and cheese burgers!

Diapers: Only pull-ups at bed time! She has been completely potty trained since April!

Clothing: 3t!

Mood: She is a full on "threenager" .. 3year olds body but a teenagers attitude. Her mood changes every hour.

Loves:

• Ballet
• School  
• Frozen
• Coloring with chalk! 
• Her sister

Hates:

• Being told what to do
• Pizza
• Bed time!

Well catch up post #1 is complete! Check back tmrw for a Fitness Friday post! Can't wait to share my experiences running my first 10k last weekend!

7 months.

Elizabeth 

 

I can't believe it's already time for the 7th month post!! Beth is closer to 1 then a new born!!! 

Weight: 13lbs 2oz

Length: 24 1/4in (updated 9/11/14)

Milestone: this girl is ready to go! She is getting to frustrated with not being able to crawl.. Only a matter of time! She currently rolls every where and gets everything. I can't even keep track of how long she sits for!  She said DADA and MAMA!!!  More so dada but that's ok.. For now ;) She has started reaching for people when she wants to be picked up or go to them!   She is also finally big enough to sit at Mima and pops table!!

Sleep: Beth loves her sleep! She is doing 10-11hrs straight at night! Napping is still a foreign concept to her. She will only nap when she's with Mima (which is great for her!!) 

Eating: Great!! As you can see in the above photo she is eating everything (spinach and peas). She loves apples, pumpkin, squash, sweet potato, pineapple, avocado and more!!!

Diapers: 2's, this won't be changing for a very long time!

Clothing: Finally 6 months!!!

Mood: She is a happy baby.. Even with 4 teeth coming in she always smiles!

Loves:

• Food
• Rolling around 
• Sitting infront of a mirror!
• Bath time with her sister 

Hates:

• Her car seat
• Waking up on her stomach. 
• Getting stuck when she rolls herself into something 

Madison

Check back next week for Madison's 3 year .. Yes 3 YEAR Update!!

Xo's 

26 things for 26 years

Over the years my feelings towards birthdays have changed ... As a child it was all about the party and presents and then it became about the party and now it's all about time with my family. I used to count down to my birthday starting September 1st .. Doesn't happen anymore. I used to think I should have a "birthday week" .. Not anymore. 

My 25th year was a fun, trying and wild ride. We found out we were expecting our second little one a few months before my birthday, we decided to sell our townhouse and move 25min north, we lived with my brother in law for 2 months during the move. We moved into a our new house when I was 32 weeks pregnant, we welcomed our second little lady into the world. So many amazing things happened... We are so lucky to have each other and our health.

I decided to set 26 goals for my 26th year! 

1. Drink at least 5 glasses of water per day (I am horrible about drinking water)
2. Paint our kitchen. 
3. Run 2 half marathons.
4. Drink only one cup of coffee per day.
5. Do the 9+1 to qualify for the 2016 NYC marathon!
6. Finish my personal training certification.
7. Plan and go on a kid-free vacation for Chris and I to celebrate our 5th anniversary. 
8. Keep kitchen counter clutter-free! 
9. Cook dinner at least 4 times a week. 
10. Buy a new fridge & Redo kitchen floor.
11. Become active in church. 
12. Prioritize monthly date night with Chris. 
13. Pay off our SUV loan and buy a new car! 
14. Teach Beth to crawl and walk!
15. Teach Madison how to skate!
16. Read 1 book a month .. I am open to suggestions.
17. Lift heavy at twice once a week.
18. Stick to a budget. 
19. Make sure all my mascara is off before going to bed .. Black marks on pillows aren't pretty. 
20. Eat clean 80% of the time. 
21. Travel to a new place.
22. Continue working out and getting into the best shape of my life.
23. Spend more time working on letters and numbers with Madison. 
24. Have a weekly movie night with Madison with our phones on do not disturb... Even if Chris is working.
25. Put in a play structure in for the girls. 
26. Make our bed every day, and teach Madison how to make hers. 

These goals are all over the over place, sorry for that! 

Check back in 6 months to see the progress!

Back to enjoying my tea before the girls wake up and we start our day. 

Xo's 

6 months

Elizabeth

Weight: 12lbs 5oz (updated 9/11/14)

Length: 24 1/4in (updated 9/11/14)

Milestone: lots a new milestones reached! Beth's rolling all over the place and using her feet to push herself around on her back. She is so close to sitting for longer periods of time by herself!! She has 2 teeth and 2 more are starting to come in!  

Sleep: At night it's great 10hrs straight! We are working on a nap schedule. Luckily Beth is a "go with the flow" kinda kid and will nap no matter where we are. We just need to work on the times!

Eating: Amazing! I don't think I've been able to say that about her eating but wow! She can eat! We introduced cereal almost 2 weeks ago and she loves it! She even tries to feed herself! She loves squash, sweet potatoes are the latest veggie so we will see how she does. Last night was the first time she had them and she didn't seem to mind them!!

Diapers: 2's, this won't be changing for a very long time!

Clothing: Still 3 months.. Finally 3-6 months from gymboree and gap are starting to fit! This girl is a petite little peanut. At this rate Madison's first Christmas dress she wore at 3 months till fit Beth!! 

Mood: She is a happy baby!!! She's not overly fussy and she's not clingy!

Loves:

• Food
• Bouncing
• Rolling around 
• Sitting in her seat infront of the fan in only a diaper!
• Bath time with her sister 

Hates:

• Not seeing whats happening around her.
• TEETHING!
• Getting stuck when she rolls herself into something 

Madison

Our little munchkin starts ballet & tap next weekend!!! She is also starting school on Thursday! She's moving on up from the 2s room to the 3's! She is so excited to get back to school.. She has already picked out her outfit for the first day and has her back pack packed and hanging by her door!

We are in the midst of planning her 3rd birthday.. I am still in a little shock that she's going to be 3! Where did this baby go?

Hello there

Sorry I've been MIA for the past few weeks, I have been busy enjoying the last few days of summer before the craziness of work and school starts! As I sit at our table drinking my morning coffee and watching the buses go by I figured I should probably take the 10min of peace and update you all! 

This coming week will be our transition week.. Starting to get out of the slower more relaxed mornings of summer and into the extremely well planned time efficient mornings of fall! Since we now live 20 min from Madison's school (also my work and her camp) being able to get out of the house on time is crucial! Even being 2 min off could put us behind one of the many school buses on our road!

Madison starts school next Thursday so we have some time to work on the routine. The tough part is going to be adding the new stuff... Beth's breakfast! Last week we introduced solids into Beth's diet and so far she is loving it. She had only had oatmeal and squash so far but she's doing great! 

 

Along with that big change we are also getting ready to chase her around the house! She will be 6 months this coming weekend and she is rolling everywhere, and when on her back uses her feet to push herself around. Madison is already trying to teach her how to crawl!

We've had many adventures in the past week.. We went to the zoo for the first time as a family of 4. It wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be! The girls were great!

We went to the pool to celebrate Ryan's 2nd birthday!

And then we got to celebrate his birthday again at what Madison described as "the best birthday ever"... The truck that Ryan's aunt and uncle got him may have something to do with that!

Beth took last years birthday present for a spin.

I finally laced up my sneakers and ran another race. It was the "Labor on Labor Day 5k" in our old town! I was a little nervous as the course was hillier then anything I've done. I had a goal to set a new PB.. My previous was 38:07 so I was hoping for 36!  I was beyond shocked when I crossed the line at 32:07 (unofficial time- will update official when it's posted). 

My mother in law was nice enough to bring the girls and stand and cheer at the finish line in the gross humid weather!

As many of you know I am running a 10k and 1/2 marathon at Disney world in February... This is also known as the Glass Slipper Challenge.  You might also know I am running for an amazing charity called "Noah's Light Foundation". 

Since September is pediatric cancer awareness month and I am running for a pediatric cancer chartiy I hoping to raise the bulk of my funds this month!!

Please head to this link and make a donation! Any amount is great!! 

https://www.noahslightfoundation.org/donate/index.php/component/civicrm/?task=civicrm%2Fpcp%2Finfo&reset=1&id=426

Have a great week :)

Xo