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A Renaissance Woman

12/31/11

5 Fingers of Thanks

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1.) Thankful to be starting a New Year!
2.) Thankful that our New Year's Eve dinner was AWESOME. Expensive but totally worth the trip to Fogo De Chao.
3.) Thankful to get back to our regularly scheduled program.
4.) Thankful I'm killing my running schedule at least for now.
5.) Looking forward to posts about the upcoming Paleo Challenge.


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12/30/11

Freebie Friday - Link Up #contests and prizes every Friday

Are you hosting a #contest? Great! Post it here on Freebie Friday. What better time to search and enter contests than on the weekend? Sign in so that others can find your giveaway. I will be hosting Freebie Friday each week from now on so be sure to drop back by. Now go grab your tasty beverage, sit back and relax and contest hop with me! Don't forget to check out these hosted contest links too.
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12/26/11

#Mamavation - Wrapping Up The Year

.Mamavation
It's the end of the year. I lost a total of 9 pounds this year. That's right 9 pounds. Not sure what to think about that but it is a loss. I know that this last week has been horrible because of the stress and poor eating. The holidays didn't help either. I'm up for a new challenge though. Our gym is starting the 30 day Paleo challenge. I'm hopeful since most of my battle involves food! Who knows what kind of success is ahead of me. I finally got a 2 mile run in today. It's my first in 23 days! Whoa. I'm getting back on wagon again. I can't wait because all this poor eating is making me feel really BAD. So here is to 2012 and losing a heck of a lot more!


Still working on: Operation: Humpty Dumpty

Eating out:
Chick-Fil-A 12/1
Texas Roadhouse 12/2
Pizza 12/3
Chilis 12/26


My Work Outs this past week-
12/19 Monday - Out with kids
12/20 Tuesday - Out with kids
12/21 Wednesday - Out with kids
12/22 Thursday - Modified Crossfit WOD, Modified Taebo
12/23 Friday - Modified Crossfit WOD
12/24 Saturday - Modified Crossfit WOD
12/25 Sunday - Christmas

Scale Reading -1 pound loss.

Stress Level - Calming down a ton now that my husband is on vacation.

The UP side- I'm refocused.

A bit of inspiration for you ladies!
Remember - YOU are a role model.






Need for fitness support? Join the "Sistahood". More great resources: The Y, Crossfit Training, Vitamins for your age group, RealAge.com

  • The long term goal 45 pounds by the end of the year.
  • The short term goal lose 3 lbs. per month. 
    • January 179 - 180 = 1 pound gain
    • February 180 - 177 = 3 pound loss
    • March 177 - 176 = 1 pound loss
    • April 176 - 174 = 2 pound loss
    • May 173 -173 = 0 pounds lost
    • June176 - 170 = 6 pound loss
    • July 170 -172 = 2 pound gain
    • August 173 - 172 = 1 pound loss
    • September 173 -171 = 2 pound loss
    • October 171 - 169 = 2 pound loss
    • November 172 - 169 = 3 pound loss
    • December 170 -170 = 0 pounds lost
Secure Your Success
Charting your progress gets you there faster. Try these tools:

Track my weight loss.


 Watch my waist get smaller.
Watch my waist get smaller.

Track my walking.
Track my walking.
 
 

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12/25/11

5 Fingers of Thanks

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1.) Thank that it's finally Christmas!

2.) Thankful for my new toy.

3.) Thankful for my new fun socks!
4.) Thankful I got to spend the holiday with all of my favorite people.
5.) Thankful the Paleo Challenge is starting soon. My poor body needs an overhaul from all this holiday food.


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12/24/11

12 Day of Christmas, #Crossfit Style

Tonight we will attend church services and we might open a present or two by the fire but this morning...oh this morning....

There were two classes this morning and my plan was to hit the 8am and go for a group run by 9am. HAH! - I didn't make it for the run. Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas Crossfit Style. I'm still in recovery so I will post what the work out was and how it was modified for me.

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                                 WOD                                                       My WOD
                                  12 Air Squats                                          12 Air Squats
                                  11 Ab Mats                                             11 Leg Lifts
                                  10 Wall Balls                                           10 Floor Press (18lbs. 5 each arm)
                                    9 Med Ball Cleans                                  9 Goblet Squats (18lbs.)
                                    8 KB Swings (35lbs.)                             8 KB Cleans (18lbs. 4 each arm)
                                    7 Burpees                                               7 Push Ups (knees)
                                    6 Box Jumps                                           6 Step Ups
                                    5 Dead Lifts (65lbs.)                               5 Dead Lifts (65lbs.)
                                    4 Front Squats (65 lbs.)                          4 Leg Presses
                                    3 Racked Lunges (65 lbs.)                      3 Lunges
                                    2 Thrusters (65 lbs.)                               2 KB Thrusters (18lbs. each arm)
                                    1 Handstand Push Up                             1 Push Up (knees)

What you do is follow the order of the tree. You would do 12 air squats, then 12 air squats and 11 ab mats, then 12 air squats, 11 ab mats, 10 Wall Balls and so on and so on adding to each round. Sounds like pure torture doesn't it? You bet it was! Even the modified version gave me a run for my money. I did mostly ok. My squats were not great and the dead lifts were not a lot of fun but I finished. I'm on my way back. It was frustrating knowing that I was doing a modified version but that's just where I am right now. As for Crossfit, it feels like I'm starting all over. Nearly 4 weeks have past and I'm still nursing this injury. I'm in the gym and I'm making the effort, that should be enough. At least that's what I keep telling myself! Did you get your work out on this Christmas Eve?


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12/23/11

Freebie Friday - Link Up #contests and prizes every Friday

Are you hosting a #contest? Great! Post it here on Freebie Friday. What better time to search and enter contests than on the weekend? Sign in so that others can find your giveaway. I will be hosting Freebie Friday each week from now on so be sure to drop back by. Now go grab your tasty beverage, sit back and relax and contest hop with me! Don't forget to check out these hosted contest links too.
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12/22/11

#Aloha Friday 276 - Traditions


Very close to Christmas Day we pick a day to have my Mother and Grandmother over for dinner and then we all pile up in the van and go look at Christmas lights with the Christmas carols playing on the radio! My kids love it! We love it to and this got me to thinking....
What's your favorite Holiday tradition?





Kailani at An Island Life has created this really fun idea. If you are interested in joining in, please visit her site for more details. Click on those "Like" and "Retweet" buttons to share with the online community. For current events see the side bars and click on the "Add Me" tab above to connect with me using other social media services.

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How To Keep Those Little People Occupied

Are you at home with the kids while they are out of school for the Christmas holiday? Need some tips to keep those brains and little hands occupied? Here are a few to choose from that we have been trying here in our home.
Give them some rakes! They can do a little yard work if it's nice outside.
Dress them up and take your chances on getting one good shot for a Christmas card!
Have them help wrap presents! One can cut, one can tape while the other tags and bows!

Break out the game boards and puzzles.
A laundry basket and a flash light allows them to pretend they are camping in a tent!
They can capture each other in the dog crate. Make sure it's a big one.

Have a guest over and make sure they don't let them leave without a fight!
Play peek a boo with the dog.
Let them dress up the dog up like a reindeer.
Try the bucket style laundry baskets so they can pretend to be turtles.

Creative little bunch! And to think there are only 13 days left of Christmas vacation. Who knows what they will come up with next. Stay tuned...

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Paleo Challenge 2012 - Marking My Calendar



"Looking for a New Year's resolution? Look no further...go Paleo for 30 days! See how you change. The challenge starts on Monday, January 2nd and goes till February 2nd.

Many people have been asking Carcará about the way he has been eating mostly over the past year; known as Paleo. So, this January we have decided on holding our own Paleo Challenge at the academy. This is a way to raise awareness of how our bodies feel and perform with and without certain foods. It also is a way of introducing people to information on Paleo and offering a support group throughout the challenge. Anyone is free to join, whether you are part of the academy or not. We'd like to see as many of you as possible giving this a go. The more people we have, the more support everyone will get!

So...are you in?

Here’s the basic rundown on the challenge, again, first and foremost it’s for awareness – awareness of how our bodies feel and perform with and without certain foods. That’s the most important aspect of this month.

30 days of the cleanest eating you’ve ever undertaken. Please give the challenge it’s fair due. There is definitely going to be an adaptation period where your body has to adjust to the change in its fuel input. This is not a one shot deal either – for example, after a drop of salad dressing you are not out and should not go right back to old eating habits. We do understand that for all of us, real life is still out there waiting and food consumption is a huge component to our work and social lives. For that reason we are going to work on a point system. If you are eating in a fashion that is 100% in line with the strictest Paleo guidelines and you feel terrible for weeks on end with your performance levels dropping, then please don’t continue for the sake of completing the month.

Guidelines
1. Eat real food – meat, eggs, vegetables, nuts, seeds, fruit, oils (No vegetable or canola oil). Eat foods with very few ingredients, all pronounceable ingredients, or better yet, no ingredients listed at all because they’re fresh and natural.

2. Do not eat dairy. This includes cheeses (hard and soft), yogurt (even Greek) and milk (including cream in your coffee).

3. Do not eat grains. This includes bread, rice, pasta, corn (yes, corn is a grain), oatmeal, etc.

4. Do not eat legumes. This includes beans of all kinds, lentils, and peanuts. (No peanut butter, kids.)

5. Do not eat sugars of any kind, real or artificial. No maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, Splenda, Truvia, Stevia, etc.

6. No to processed foods. Pretty much anything in the middle of the grocery store. Can't recognize it growing or running around in the wild? Don't eat it.

7. Do not drink alcohol, in any form. (I know, I know)

Point System
Everyone will starts with 0 points. If you break one of the above guidelines then give yourself a point. So if you have a piece of cheese, that’s a +1. However, if you have a glass of some sort of peanut vodka, that’s a +2, +1 for the peanuts and +1 for the alcohol. In the interest of keeping things simple, if you’re going to eat one piece of cheese or 20 of them, it’s still a +1, so go to town.

At the end of each day, log into a nutrition log and give yourself a score for that day or tally them up and give yourself a score for the week. Feel free to write in how you are feeling performance-wise and otherwise as well. Please feel free to post on our blog; reading about each others experiences will only serve to help.

Assessment
Everyone participating within the challenge will be given a small assessment on Monday, January 2nd and Thursday, February 2nd to measure results. This will include photos (before/after) and some physical capabilities. Feel free to inquire for more information.


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12/21/11

#WordlessWednesday - I Didn't Do It!

I swear I did not put my children in a dog crate! ROFL... They put themselves in there first and then called Sydnee in to join them. Who needs doll houses and Transformers? All they really want is a dog crate. Geez!


For more WW participants head to:


Mom Blogs


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12/20/11

2011 Goals - A Year in Review

I found my 2011 New Year's Goals post and I want to see how I did this year!

”thursday-13″

It's not Thursday I know, but in the spirit of Thursday Thirteen I've decided to carry on the list of thirteen goals. To me it was kind of fun to come back a year later and see if I accomplished what I set out to do. The funny thing is most of my accomplishments came toward the end of the year.

Ready? let's go!

1.) My 10yo son needs his own room!- CHECK

2.) I want my "Silly" potty trained. - CHECK

3.) Our television needs a cabinet. I think our family dynamic worked better when it was put away in a room.- Still on the hunt for this one.

4.) Silly needs to get out of the crib and into her own bed. It's time! - CHECK

5.) It would be great to be debt free other than our mortgage. - CHECK!

6.) See how many of the Dave Ramsey steps we can get through.- Today we are on Baby Step 3

7.) Run a 5K every month. (Thanks to Katina J. for coming up with that one!) - CHECK

8.)  This year I will continue to exercise and make better food choices and I will weigh less than I do right now by the end of the year!- Another 10 pounds down!

9.) Remodel the guest bathroom. - CHECK

10.) New mattresses for every bed in the house. Any suggestions? - CHECK

11.) Read a book a month. If you're not learning, you're not earning! Where did I get that one from? Keith S.?- NOT AT ALL

12.) Learn Spanish (my dream would be to become fluent but I might need more than a year of distractions to accomplish that goal!) NOT AT ALL

13.) Get back to Family Game Nights! Those are the most fun. NOT AT ALL



Running:
It was tough on my body at first but I'm better now than in January. My speed did increase but there were plenty of ups and downs. Weather conditions had a lot to do with my performance. My fastest time was in May. The plan is to continue to train and race but it won't be nearly as often. Having friends to run with  is so much more fun and it is so good to have a support network. Oddly enough the bridge runs were my favorite, the flat roads get boring after a while. No concrete training for me! The trails are much better for my body. The music I found this year for running was awesome. Although there were a couple of races where my music player didn't work. I didn't like it at all because my tunes keep me in the right frame of mind. Some how through all of these race I fell into running 10Ks. Who knew I would pick up 3 of them this year, amazing. I think it's safe to consider myself a true runner. Lord knows I have been through several pairs of shoes this year. Hot yoga was great for my training because it helped me deal with the heat. Running helps me clear my head. I have a lot to think about when I run and it's great to have some time to sort it all out. Some races my feet and my stomach would take a beating. Every race was different and there was always some way to adapt. It's been an interesting ride.


5K's
Jan 42:10
Feb 37:00
Feb 38:23
Mar 32:28
Apr 32:13
May 31:31
June 38:32 10K avg
July 32:45
Aug 33:46
Sept 32:35
Oct 31:47
Nov 31:35 10K avg
Dec 35:07
5K's with Obstacles
Sept 45:50
10K's
March No Chip Report
June 1:18:17
October 1:05:34
November 1:06:48

Other goals/challenges completed:
Grunt Style Challenge through Mamavation
Run Hades through Fitness Collaborative
Flipping The Switch becoming a Morning Person
Spring Slim Down Challenge Winner by Crossfit - Can't find the post but I have the plaque! Whoot.

To sum things up I would say that as a stay at home mom it's good to have other challenges besides raising kids. It's hard to keep yourself at the top of the "To Do" list but this year I have done a much better job. Can't wait for 2012!

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12/19/11

#Mamavation Monday - Baby Steps

.Mamavation

I'm on my way back. I have been working really hard on my recovery with my trainer. He's got an awesome bag of tricks. My mind is just boggled by some of the stuff he comes up with but then again it's his field so he has to stay up to date. I'm glad that he makes that effort. I have been on ice for a week. Seriously! I have a square ice pack and I have those round ones that you fill with ice and they have the twist tops. I'm icing everything! I'm taking my vitamins again daily! I'm taking the fish oil and the ibuprofen. I want to be pain free. I'm going to do what it takes to get me back on track. This past week has felt like the Twilight Zone crossed with Murphy's Law. This is a new week. My head is clearer.


Still working on: Operation: Humpty Dumpty

Eating out:
Chick-Fil-A 12/1
Texas Roadhouse 12/2
Pizza 12/3


My Work Outs this past week-
12/12 Monday -  Modified Crossfit Mobility WODS
12/13 Tuesday - Injured Rest Day
12/14 Wednesday - Modified Crossfit Mobility WODS
12/15 Thursday -Injured Rest Day
12/16 Friday -Injured Rest Day
12/17 Saturday - Injured Rest Day
12/18 Sunday - Injured Rest Day

Scale Reading -No movement. I'm glad I haven't been able to get that calorie burn.

Stress Level - So high I would have volunteered to be in a padded room just to get relief.

The UP side- I'm refocused.

A bit of inspiration for you ladies!
Remember - YOU are a role model.




Need for fitness support? Join the "Sistahood". More great resources: The Y, Crossfit Training, Vitamins for your age group, RealAge.com

  • The long term goal 45 pounds by the end of the year.
  • The short term goal lose 3 lbs. per month. 
    • January 179 - 180 = 1 pound gain
    • February 180 - 177 = 3 pound loss
    • March 177 - 176 = 1 pound loss
    • April 176 - 174 = 2 pound loss
    • May 173 -173 = 0 pounds lost
    • June176 - 170 = 6 pound loss
    • July 170 -172 = 2 pound gain
    • August 173 - 172 = 1 pound loss
    • September 173 -171 = 2 pound loss
    • October 171 - 169 = 2 pound loss
    • November 172 - 169 = 3 pound loss
    • December 170 -
Secure Your Success
Charting your progress gets you there faster. Try these tools:

Track my weight loss.



 Watch my waist get smaller.
Watch my waist get smaller.

Track my walking.
Track my walking.
 
 

Click on those "Like" and "Retweet" buttons to share with the online community. For current events see the side bars and click on the "Add Me" tab above to connect with me using other social media services.

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12/18/11

5 Fingers of Thanks

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1.) Thankful that the week is over. I need a new one, a fresh start.
  
2.) Thankful that my kids are happy with a pile of leaves and a couple of rakes.


3.) Thankful that I'm pretty much fully recovered from my lumbar sprain. I think I can begin training at the end of the week but I need to get the ok first. It could just be all in my head. lol

4.) Thankful my Mother enjoyed her 65th birthday!
5.) Thankful for such a wonderful group of friends that have really been helping me out over the past week just lending me an ear. It's been very helpful and I feel very blessed.

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12/17/11

Letters To Santa

It's that time again! My kids have prepared their letters to Santa. My 11 year old transcribed while the 3 year old rattled off her list! Hopefully you can read it. Just in case you can't......
Dear Santa, I want you to love me and not cry and don't make me cry and give me presents and a Happy New Year and don't make Darrien cry. I want a toy box and a airplane and a music box and a Dora in the bath and a step stool and a brush tank and a chair and a fairy kitchen. I want all of these presents and a cupcake! ROFL...
Apparently my son has forgotten how old he is but he would like a Transformer and an Ultimate Optimus Prime Transformer. Simple enough! Now from the 11 year old......


DEAR,mr.claus
For this annual holiday I request an xbox 360  .IF  you certainly cannot deliver this piece of merchandise I would also like a drumset.  if you still  cannot deliver anything that I have asked for (I despise you if you cannot)then I would like an Venator class Republic  starship. if  none of this  works out for you then I am making an appointment with the easter bunny. CAUTION: if you or any of your helpers do not understand this letter then this should make it clear:     
I WANT PRESENTS OR ELSE!   
Thank you for your participation,
The almighty,
D-Kramer buwahaha! oops sorry.

WHOA!!!! No pressure, right? Ugh!


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12/15/11

Freebie Friday - Link Up #contests and prizes every Friday

Are you hosting a #contest? Great! Post it here on Freebie Friday. What better time to search and enter contests than on the weekend? Sign in so that others can find your giveaway. I will be hosting Freebie Friday each week from now on so be sure to drop back by. Now go grab your tasty beverage, sit back and relax and contest hop with me! Don't forget to check out these hosted contest links too.
post signature



Click on those "Like" and "Retweet" buttons to share with the online community. For current events see the side bars and click on the "Add Me" tab above to connect with me using other social media services.

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12/14/11

#WordlessWednesday - Don't Break The Baby Jesus!

That's what I keep telling her as she plays with our Manger set. She already broke the angel that watches over the scene. She was really sad when that happened. Now she's a little more careful.






For more WW participants head to:





Mom Blogs


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12/12/11

#Mamavation Monday - Stop Your Belly Aching!

.Mamavation

"Stop your belly aching!" That's what I keep telling myself. It could be worse! It can always be worse. As long as your able to move and breath regardless of how slowly, you can make a come back. Recovery takes time but I'm not a good patient at all. However this time I have been listing to my Dr. and my trainer. After all I have a 1/2 marathon to prepare for so I need to be cautious. Today I was finally able to get a massage. It hurt like crazy. My flexibility is nada! Doesn't matter, I'm going to keep at it. I just feel happy to be back in the gym. My sanity has been restored.


Still working on: Operation: Humpty Dumpty

Eating out:
Chick-Fil-A 12/1
Texas Roadhouse 12/2
Pizza 12/3


My Work Outs this past week-
12/5 Monday -  Injured Rest Day
12/6 Tuesday - Injured Rest Day
12/7 Wednesday - Injured Rest Day
12/8 Thursday -Injured Rest Day
12/9 Friday -Injured Rest Day
12/10 Saturday - Injured Rest Day
12/11 Sunday -Flexibility Testing, Stretching exercises

Scale Reading - 1 pound gain. I haven't broke a sweat in over a week. I'm not surprised.

Stress Level - I'm injured but I'm back in the gym. I'm not even crazy that my husband is once again leaving and I'm flying solo with all three kids again for 2 weeks. Yea, Happy Holidays!

The UP side- I'm in the gym which equals, stress relief, more flexibility, better sleep, there are adults there! I could keep going but you get the up side! :)

A bit of inspiration for you ladies!
Remember - YOU are a role model.






Need for fitness support? Join the "Sistahood". More great resources: The Y, Crossfit Training, Vitamins for your age group, RealAge.com

  • The long term goal 45 pounds by the end of the year.
  • The short term goal lose 3 lbs. per month. 
    • January 179 - 180 = 1 pound gain
    • February 180 - 177 = 3 pound loss
    • March 177 - 176 = 1 pound loss
    • April 176 - 174 = 2 pound loss
    • May 173 -173 = 0 pounds lost
    • June176 - 170 = 6 pound loss
    • July 170 -172 = 2 pound gain
    • August 173 - 172 = 1 pound loss
    • September 173 -171 = 2 pound loss
    • October 171 - 169 = 2 pound loss
    • November 172 - 169 = 3 pound loss
    • December 170 -
Secure Your Success
Charting your progress gets you there faster. Try these tools:

Track my weight loss.









 Watch my waist get smaller.
Watch my waist get smaller.

Track my walking.
Track my walking.
 
 

Click on those "Like" and "Retweet" buttons to share with the online community. For current events see the side bars and click on the "Add Me" tab above to connect with me using other social media services.

Labels: ,

12/8/11

Freebie Friday - Link Up #contests and prizes every Friday

Are you hosting a #contest? Great! Post it here on Freebie Friday. What better time to search and enter contests than on the weekend? Sign in so that others can find your giveaway. I will be hosting Freebie Friday each week from now on so be sure to drop back by. Now go grab your tasty beverage, sit back and relax and contest hop with me! Don't forget to check out these hosted contest links too.
post signature



Click on those "Like" and "Retweet" buttons to share with the online community. For current events see the side bars and click on the "Add Me" tab above to connect with me using other social media services.

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