Preparing for Awesome

 

This last week I took a mental break from workouts.  Translation....I took a physical break from workouts. I just could not fit one more thing in my schedule that I had to plan.  With all the medical, extra-curricular, church and social activities, I was spent.  I had nothing left.  In fact, Thursday I went home from work with a severe (as if there is any other) migraine coming on.  I slept for 3.5 hours.  Woke up.  Got a pedicure with my bestie for her birthday....which was perfect....had a back massaging chair and someone rubbing my feet for two hours. 

I am sparkly pink.

Then went back to bed.  A migraine means only one thing.  Time to slow down.

I took the week to focus on food.  My kids.   My job.  Me. 

Over the weekend, the kids and I planned our menu for the week. I planned crock-pot meals for the nights we had activities scheduled. We prepped some egg muffins.....

 So very simple!!!  Thanks Alan for posting this on his instagram page.  I ran with it.
Simple simple. 
Spray muffin tin.
I placed a little sprinkle of cheese in bottom-your choice, for these I used pepper jack
filled with spinach leaves, mushrooms
pour whipped egg over
sprinkle w cheese
bake 350 for 30 min

next time I want to use cilantro, green peppers, turkey bacon....and anything else we can think of...not all in the same muffin of course

 TADA!!!

 We made 18.  Enough to get us through most of the week.  Breakfast today was a breeze.  Two of these gems and a bunch of grapes and the kids were set. 

After all our house cleaning I was starting to get the need for a calorie burn.  Saturday evening I made an evening trip to the gym and scheduled a date with a sleek treadmill in a back corner.  He pushed me hard.  I worked my body.  Cleared my mind.  It was invigorating!!!  I made it to running 5 minute stretches at a time.  I run slow.  I don't care.

 Got home from the gym and grocery store...only bought off my menu for the week...and quickly busted out my two yoga poses that I was behind.

day 20

day 21

 Then to top off the night, I joined some friends at a singles LDS dance.  That is a blog post all its own.  But now tonight.  Luckily I was there with friends.  Had I just shown up, I would have turned and walked right back out....it was that scary.

My friend Tresia...always the matchmaker

 I figured since I had just got home from the gym, I was willing to go dance and get my sweat on some more.  I didn't even shower.  A little make-up, changed clothes, deodorant and some perfume and I was good to go....or good enough.

Sunday is always my favorite day.  Currently church doesn't start until 1 p.m.  Girls and I got to snuggle quite a bit in the morning.

Three shares of brown  :)

As Monday comes to an end, so far so good. I was up at 4:20 this morning to hit the gym early.  I am not in the least bit a typical morning person.  In fact, the only thing that motivated me to get out of bed was the idea that I would be really tired come 9 p.m. and ready to go to bed early....which it is now almost 10 and I am still typing on this post.  (TARA get to bed!!!)

Post 5 a.m. workout.
3 mile run
upper body weight machines

 I took two egg muffins to work for breakfast.  Only half on one made it to my office from the break room microwave.  Co-workers along the way had to try them.  In fact I am now making 30 of them for a birthday breakfast next week for the whole office.

 For lunch I went home to put this creation together.  Crock pot stew.  SO EASY.

 

Getting off work only meant running to start carpooling kids to Dr appts, dance practice and a stop at Costco for a return.  When we pulled into the driveway at 6:30 we were all ready to eat.  Grateful for planning ahead.  Totally paid off. And lots for leftovers.

 

Today was a win.  Prepared Tara 1  Crazy Life 0

 

Can't wait for tomorrow.  But for now........

 

GOOOOOODNIGHT!

 

 

The Good & The Bad

I am determined to pull things together this week. Everything in my life just goes better when I start my day with a 5 a.m. workout.

I eat better cause I don't want to waste my gym efforts.

I am gentle with myself.

No matter what happens in a day, I know I have given myself one full hour.

I NEED the endorphins.

That said, even today I struggled to get out of bed for my morning date w a sleek new treadmill. Then I thought of my daughters parent night at the school this evening and knew there is no way I want to work out after that. So I got up. I GET ONE HOUR TODAY!!

Now the bad:

I am up 7 lbs. Scale flashes 255lbs today. Not surprised. I ate my way through all my emotions the last three or four days. Period started yesterday....that explains a lot....so hopefully that accounts for a few lbs.

No matter. Moving forward. Taking care of me and my littles. Getting my workouts in this week and planning my food intake for the week.

What are you doing to make sure you are meeting your goals? Starting your week out right??

Yoga A Day Challenge

During the month of October, I am participating in a Yoga challenge through the people at GrowSoulBeautiful.  Their web page and FB page are fabulous. 

 

Prior to visiting their page, as I looked at the first week of photographs, I felt this sense of pride and strength rising up inside me.  I could see lines and arches and symmetry.  I could see something  (don't laugh) rising up from deep down inside as I gazed upon that scared, vulnerable woman standing in tree pose.  She looked so strong and confident.  Then I realized, that was me.  That strong woman was actually me.

 

I have wanted to write about this ever since that day.  Time.  Energy.  TIME.  has kept me from my computer.  Maybe it is a good thing.  As I have continued with the poses, the feeling only gets stronger.  The beauty I see, the worth I feel, the gratitude I hope to convey has only multiplied each day. 

 

When I went to the GrowSoulBeautiful web page, this is what I found.

 

 

Read those words again.  No really.  Read it. I'll wait.
 

 

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL FROM THE INSIDE OUT. 

YOUR BODY IS A WORK OF ART.

YOU ARE ENOUGH JUST AS YOU ARE.

again.

YOU ARE ENOUGH JUST AS YOU ARE.

again.

YOU ARE ENOUGH JUST AS YOU ARE.

You are deserving.

Confidence comes from inner strength.

Believe in yourself.

 

The words on their page were exactly what I was feeling.  I first saw/felt it when I looked at this photo.  

 



 





I had just finished a 3 mile walk/run along the Portneuf River.  I remember feeling unsteady on my leg as I got into my pose.  My leg was wobbly from the run.  As I stood there, breathing in the crisp morning air, feeling the sun kiss my shoulders, my mind cleared, my leg steadied and my friend took the picture.

 

Looking at this photo now, I see strength.  I acknowledge the leg and abdominal strength it takes to stay in this pose.  I see purpose.  Only with my mind clear and focused could I hold the pose as I did.  And forgive me for sounding vain.....I see beauty.  GASP!!  As I look at my body, in this pose, I  SEE BEAUTY.  I am right where I am supposed to be, living it, feeling it.  My leg while full, it firm, strong.  My abdominal area has a nice curve taking shape (wasn't there a few months ago). 

 

I admit my body has extra layers that I am uncomfortable with.  However, look at my standing leg.  I don't if I can explain what I see.  And if you don't see it, that is OK.  I do.  I see it. 

 

So this is the challenge.  Each day you do the pose for the day and post it to Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #Yogaaday and @GrowSoulBeautiful.  Join in.  Start today with corpse pose even.  Everyone can do corpse pose.

  

 

These are my poses so far:

 

Day 3 -Boise Greenbelt for work trip

Day 5- Nephews birthday pool party

Day 6 -Cleaning toy room

Day 7 & 8 Sacajawea Park

 

Day 9

 

 

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12 - My girls and friend joined in

Day 13- don't gasp, yes I have a tattoo

 

Day 14- with Miss Olaya joining

Day 14- without Olaya

PHEW!!  I made it through a blog post.  Has only taken me a week to get this written in 5 to 10 minutes starts and stops. Join in the yoga fun. We still have half of the month left to go. And seriously, if I can do it, you can as well. 

Hoping to write more often.  There was a time I was actually considered a pretty good writer.



Week In Review

If I thought the week leading up to Baltimore was crazy, this last week took the GOLD.

Sunday, I left Baltimore and all my FitBloggin family long before most of them were even awake.  I had an early flight to Denver. 

Sunday and Monday I spent splashing in pools, drove to the sights, ate at some local favorites and hiked and hiked and hiked.  Actually, it was walked and walked and walked.  The trails were all paved. 

Garden of the Gods is a beautiful place to spend the day.  The weather was perfect.  A little overcast.  Slight breeze.

Garden of the Gods

Check out the two guys-
in my mind they are playing cards

Siamese Twins







 After, Garden of the Gods we ventured over to some wind caves.  Lots of stairs and lots of fun.  Wish my littles could have been there.  That is the bad thing of traveling without my kids.  Everything I see makes me want them there.


 



And then it was time to get home.  HOME HOME HOME never sounded so good.

Tuesday night was choir practice at the university.  I was exhausted from yet another long day of traveling.  This choir is tough.  Somehow I got through it.

Now for the fun stuff.......WORKOUTS!!!

Check out Wednesday workout with Kort.

Nothing says welcome home quite like Kort telling me I get to drag, pull, toss an 80 lb punching bag across the gym floor. 

Taron was at home freaking out, practicing, preparing for his debate team try out, so Keaton and I hit the gym on our own.  Can you see Keaton there in the top left corner ready to do squats on the RIP60. 

Wednesday Workout

 Don't let the smile on my face fool you.  Dragging that bag was HARD.  I tried it pulling and dragging.  Both made my legs burn in different places, equally as much!!!

Later that night I ran on the HS track while we waited for Taron to audition.  Figured I was there, might as well make the best of my time.  Since seriously starting this 5K training, I have been mostly working on the treadmill.  Very different to be on the track.  Felt good to be out there but I was definitely a little slower....and I am not fast slow to begin with.

Friday....ahhhh...love a good Friday night sweat.  Best way to start the weekend.  This time Taron was on a scout over nighter so Keaton was with me again.  Love that boy!!! He is the best workout partner.

Wednesday was lower body.  Friday was full body workout.

If anyone has a chance to join us on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, come on out.  We love Spencer King Athletics.  Kort is the best trainer.  He can push us but not make me feel bad.  He has a way about him that just makes me want to push for the best that is in me.  (Part of it could be that he is so dang cute, but really, come out and see for yourself.  SHHHHH don't tell him I said that.)

 

 

 And again, since I didn't make it to the gym for my 5 a.m. run, after I got the kids dinner and settled in for a movie, I zipped over to Gold's to punch out my 3 miles.

Where is everyone???  Oh, yes, Friday night.  When you are a single mom, you forget what Friday means to other people.  :)  No worries, even better for me to focus on my task with no distractions.

FINALLY!!! I have actually been doing the 5K trainer segment twice to hit 3 miles.  It is taking me about 45 minutes.....told you, I am slow.  This week I FINALLY completed week 3.  It only took me 3 months.  Once I set my goal, I did it in one week....and that was with traveling Monday and Tuesday.

Saturday I was way to sore from the weeks strength workouts to go for my regular City Creek hike.  I did however, make it to box aerobics.

Great week all things considered.

Looking ahead:

I will be traveling again most of the week.  Training takes me to Boise.  With the Color Run on October 27, I have set a goal to abstain from wheat and sugar until then.  I want to be 27 days clean the day of the run.  With traveling for work right off the start, this may be difficult.  All of our meals are through the training. 

Never fear.  Preparation is here. 

I am planning to take a bunch of tuna pouches to have over salad and hard boiled eggs and lots of fruit.  There is usually some sort of vegetable to eat there.

The hotel is nestled right along the green belt so I am going to be running after training each night.

I can do this.  In the past these events have caused me panic.  I give in and just say I have to eat what foods they offer. 

Yet, if I want to be good to myself during the training, I must prepare today. 

So with that, I better get cutting up some pineapple (sweet treat for at night), cantaloupe and plan out my menu.

Are you looking ahead to what your week will look like?  What challenges are you preparing for?

What are your goals for the week.

Two of mine....complete couch to 5K trainer week 4 and stay wheat and sugar free.

Loves to you all!!!  I am cheering you all the way!

FitBloggin Friday- My Thoughts

 

Day two was all about the workouts.  As I went to sleep Thursday night I had every intention of getting up at 5:30 for 6 a.m. yoga.  However, after no sleep for two days I was REALLY wanting to stay in bed another hour when the alarm went off. 

 

NOPE!!! 

 

Thanks to my awesome roommate, Heather, I jumped, sprung, dashed, rolled out of bed and stumbled into my workout clothes.

 

 



Heather and I heading to class
seriously-how was I smiling

 Truthfully, I love yoga.  Always have.  I did want to be there.  And I kept telling myself sleep is for when I get home (that hasn't happened yet).  I paid the money to be here.....get as much in as possible.

Pre-yoga...not quite awake but happy to be here

Participants

 Yoga class was a true foreshadowing of the greatness to come in the day.  It was a tough but do able workout.  I was energized and ready for more.

After yoga I stopped for an amazing Weight Watchers sponsored breakfast. Had some turkey sausage and fruit.  Opted out on the oatmeal.  :)

Next up....Crossfit.

If you don't know much about crossfit this workout may have been disappointing to some.  Crossfit is not done for an hour.  It is short bursts of high energy moves only done for 6-20 minutes.

Crossfit prep

 The actual session was one minute of squats.  Rest one minute while partner does them.
One minute of sit ups.  Rest one minute.
One minute of burpees. Rest one minute.

Actual workout time was 6 minutes.  Crazy. Don't tell me we didn't work hard. 
I have been doing similar workouts at my gym.  We do circuit training so this class was challenging yet something I was prepared for.

My workout partner-
sadly I don't know who she is
(if someone can tell me, that would be great)

Mandy

 This moment was a little crazy for me.  Having followed their blogs for the last 5 months meant I was a little awe struck to work out with them.  Beautiful, strong women.  Makes me happy.



Kate and Tiffany
standing next to me!!!
AWWWWW!



 

After this was a presentation about Chocolate Milk.  I am still a little skeptical about offering up sugar to my children with the idea that it is "healthy".  However, I do understand given the CHOICE between a gatoraid type drink and chocolate mile....yes, milk is a better alternative.  It has the electrolytes needed to refuel plus vitamins and minerals.  Yet, white milk and a banana or strawberries is even better.

I will continue to work this one out in my head.

We did another aerobic class with bands and discs.  It was great.  Felt pushed.  I was certainly tired after the third work out. 

The highlight of the day came from the session : Discussion: Self Acceptance and Weight Loss with Shauna Reid, Karen Anderson and Mara Glatzel.

So much of this journey is finding where I fit in with me.  Not allowing a family member, a man, my faith, my job, food.....define me.  This entire process is about being authentically me.  Felling good in my skin.  Yet, giving myself the freedom and environment to change the things I want to change.

For so long I have struggled with liking the body I have.  I broke it into pieces, criticizing every last part.  Comparing it to some fictitious standard. 

When in all reality, I have a pretty amazing home for my soul.  It does what I ask it to do.  Through years of neglect and abuse, my body still responds when I say to move.  It houses my heart.  It is able to pull my littles close when they need comfort. 

Gratitude is where my acceptance has started.  Grateful for today and what I have been given.  Sure I can strive for better.  You bet!!  I can push hard.  I can be strong.  When all is said and done, my body is a gift. For the first time in YEARS....YEARS....I can run my hands up my arms, give myself a squeeze and soak in the moment I am one with my body.  I can feel my mind, body and spirit working together in a perfect combination of drive, comfort and surprise.


Friday night was a break from the conference and a night out with a forever friend. 

More on that on my next installment.  Time to ready the littles for church.

Happy Sunday everyone!  Take care of you!


FitBloggin 2012 My Thoughts

Today makes almost a week since I was surrounded by a family of strangers. 

I do mean family.  Even as my fingers stroke the keys to type the word FitBloggin, my eyes get warm and the tears starts to flow.

It was April and I had stumbled upon a weightloss blog of sorts.  Maybe she struck a cord with me because we share the same name.  Maybe it was because she was 275 lbs when she decided to make a change and I was 279 lbs.  I don't know what it was but her words flowed through me and pulled me into her story.  I cried. I laughed.  I rejoiced.  I sorrowed as I read her posts.  Post after post. 

Then I saw a link on the side of her blog.  It said .  That was the first time I heard of what what I have now found, changed my life. 

At that point I believe I had lost 20 or so pounds.  I viewed the website.  I read each page.  Devoured the list of people that had already purchased tickets.  For days I stayed up late linking to blog after blog of people sharing their story, their journey.

I wanted to be there with them at FitBloggin. 

I purchased a ticket.

I purchased my ticket to meet Tara and Meegan.  I stayed for me.

To share what the weekend meant to me, I would have to do some sort of Star Trek mind meld.  And I don't even know how to do that.  When people talk about points in their life that changed everything......this is one of those times.

I could give you a list of the events I attended.  I could detail all the workouts.  Share pictures of all the amazing food, swag bag treats and hugs (oh so many hugs).  But it is mine.  It is so deep within my soul, I am afraid putting it out in the world would somehow lesson the value it has to me.  Inside, it only belongs to me.  Once I write it, post it, the world can criticize.  They can try to take away or change what warms my heart.

Yet, I also have such a strong desire to document what is real to me.  This weekend can not be taken away no matter what is said or done after I hit publish. 

I am very aware that one day, the emotional supportive high I am feeling will start to waver.  My conviction and dream will be clouded with guilt, despair and negativity.  I write so that when that happens, I can return here and maybe, just maybe, feel strong again.


Thursday, Sept 20, 2012

I didn't sleep Wednesday night.  I was to excited.  To scared.  To frazzled.  In order to make my early flight out of Salt Lake City, I had to leave town at 3 in the morning.  No point going to sleep when I was still shopping at Walmart at 11 pm buying new workout clothes.

A great friend offered to drive me the 2.5 hours to the airport so that I could maybe rest on the drive.  No such luck.

No airport food for me.

The beauty of FitBloggin started the moment I got off my flight.  Right away I ran into Mandy as we were both trying to navigate the train that would take us to our hotel.

Upon arriving at the hotel two of my three roommates were already there. It was great to enter the opening social with Stephanie and Karen.

My Roomies

I have to admit, I felt a little out of sorts at this social.  At this point I had been awake for over 24 hours and over the course of Thursday I had drank a protein shake for breakfast and eaten 6 packages of Delta Airlines peanuts. I can not be held accountable for the awkwardness I may have exhibited.  Sorry Elley!!!!

This event was a hug fest.  I sat back to some degree and watched reunions happening from every direction. (Hope it is that way for me next year.)  I saw people walking up to each other and intoducing themselves.  For the most part I was an observer.  Normally I am pretty outgoing.  Maybe the lack of sleep.  The lack of calories had me in a haze.

However, I promised myself I would make every effort to thank Tara and Meegan for sharing their journey.

And that I did!!!

This is Tara and Meegan.
Beyond thrilled to stand next to these women!!

I left the event pretty quick.  Needed food, BAD.  Glad I did.  This is what awaited us just outside our hotel.

View Outside

FitBloggin Swag
my shoes are my favorite!!! Thanks @Reebok
can you even see the yoga mat....wow

I was going to do this all in one post. Just not going to happen.  Between taking care of my littles, writing, linking and now needing to get ready to look at homes (cross your fingers I find something), I am not pouring it out as fast as I would like.  Stay tuned for day 2.