Motivational Thursday + My 20 Things!

Hey NeverEver's!

I have been busy today getting household chores done and taking care of a sick Hubby. I am happy to report that the laundry is done, and Hubby doesn't have a fever anymore! All in a days work right?

Anyways, here is another Thursday...which requires Motivation! However, before we get into that I wanted to share my #elf4health challenge today!

Today I was to 'Make a List of 20 things I was grateful for'. To tell the truth this one wasn't as hard as yesterdays 'Look in the Mirror' challenge. So I wanted to share with you all what my 20 things are!

There is plenty more, but these were the ones I came up with at first.

Okay on to the 'Motivational Thursday'!

Have a great Motivational Thursday NeverEver's! 

Baby, Its cold outside!

Hey NeverEver's!

Okay so the title really isn't all that surprising. It is cold this time of year as it is every year. But somehow it ALWAYS takes me by surprise. Plus tonight is really windy. 

I got home from helping a Friend pack for her trip to Ohio, and I decided to get my 5k training in today once  I changed clothes. 

So I get out there in the wind and walk for an hour. Get back home and I have never been so happy that the Hubby had the heater on! 

Got some soup in me and finished my Twitter Chats. Poor @ENERGYbits got stuck in Twitter jail, which is just so unfair! But it was a great chat, the part I was able to get to anyways. 

I can't believe that this was the last chat for this year. 

I am sad to report...I didn't do my circuit workout yesterday. Even though my Elf (Alexis) gave me 2 different ones to use, it wasn't meant to be. I had a head cold yesterday (really hate those things) and it just made working out a little hard. My balance was way off. 

BUT

I did better today. Today's challenge was to 'Treat Yourself to Something YOU Have Been Craving'. I had a small issue w/ this one. I mean I am not a parent so my time isn't given to my children. I don't have a job right now so my time isn't spent on traffic or bosses or anything. All my friends are currently away with their family or getting ready to leave. 

So I had all the time in the world to do what I wanted. I, for the last 4 days, have been doing things that I have wanted to do. So how was I to make this day special? 

Well I treated myself to getting 2 gifts for the Hubby & I spent time with one of my Best Friend, Poddie! Got to be together & helped her pack for her Christmas Trip!

And to tell you all the truth, it was the best day I have had in the longest time!

My #Holidayaday is Santa! But I can't find my Santa Hat so I had to improvise! 

Happily, inspiration has never tasted so yummy! Or made me feel so guilty eating Santa's! mmmhhh I think Santa might forgive me for eating him...if I leave him some cookies lol. 

Looking backwards to the beginning of December, I have to say that this has been my healthiest December I have ever had! I have been eating at home, working out & really giving myself some extra Body Love! 

Which was what this challenge was all about. Can't wait to see how the rest of the month goes!

You know, I am so happy that these Fitness Challenges came up, and I had the courage to pick them up! It has been amazing that I can now do more then 50 squats and still feel great! 

I astounded by what my body is learning to do! 

Even when I take a day off due to a head cold. Or even just a normal busy day. 

So yup I am getting my workout on and now I know my body can take it! 

Okay NeverEver's, I am getting ready to end the night! Have a wonderful, hopefully warm, night! 

Have you ever seen your body change and been amazed by it?

Commitment Day 5K

Hey NeverEver's!

Sorry I have been MIA recently. Yesterday my computer wouldn't even type! But now it is back to normal which I am so happy that it is. I am not afraid to say I was going through a panic mode thinking I broke my computer!!

Also, with the bad news, might as well get it out all at once, my assignment ended over at that Property Management company. I was expecting it so I am not surprised. Already looking for a new assignment, or maybe, a regular job that doesn't come through a temp agency. We will see how my it goes.

Okay on to the good news. I swear I have some ^_^

I have decided to do my first 5K on New Years Eve and not for the Color Run. The Twitter chat on Tuesday with FitFluential gave me that final push!

I am going to be doing the Los Angeles Commitment Day 2013! Although technically its really Long Beach not Los Angeles.

So I have been walking 3.2 miles everyday with my Challenge exercises.

I don't expect to run the race, I am not even expecting to jog it all but I want to see what I can do. I want to know how it feels to finish something like this.

Also, to see how much my time can improve between the Commitment Day 5K & the Color Run in February!

Here is the route that I will be taking. I know this area pretty well and I am thinking about going to try walk this before 1/1/13 to get the feel of the place. If not I might have to rely on m memory of the place. But it shouldn't be that hard. Either way I will let you guys know about it!

On Wednesday we were supposed to eat at least 3 servings of vegetables before 2pm. I didn't make it for Breakfast (what sleep was amazing) but my lunch was SkinnyTastes - Beef Quinoa Soup but I added more veggies in it. Like carrots, green beans, onions & tomatoes. Made for a very filling delicious and vegetable full soup. And it was all before 2pm!

Although I am sure I didn't make the 3 full servings I had more for lunch then ever before. So I am pretty happy!

Joining both of these together. Because well...It was easier to copy / paste it all together instead of separating them. 

These exercises I am still feeling them and my clothes are getting loser! Which is of course the best part of all this working out. I haven't weighed myself in a while, but if I am judging things by my clothes I am doing a great job! 

Okay NeverEver's, really wish me luck on getting ready for this 5k that is coming!! 

Back from Vegas Exercises?!

Hey NeverEver's!!

I had an awesome weekend, which I hope all of you did as well! I did forget that Vegas is in the desert so its HOT HOT HOT in the Summer and COLD COLD COLD in the winter. So it was cold this time.

Its time to share!

The Tree over at the Venetian. It was so pretty before it was lighted up. I loved the little bubbles, made it look so unique!

There was an ice skating rink over at the Venetian as well. I totally had to try it, been dying for years and I could not pass the opportunity up! 

Hubby was a total natural on the rink. It made me look like a person with 2 left feet but him...nope he was just gliding around.

And then there was me. I only fell once so I am pretty happy with that. Personally I thought that I would be falling a LOT more then that. I was saying 1, 2, 1, 2 many times just to keep the balance!

A really nice person took a picture of both of us! The lights made everything blue but it was well worth it! I had so much fun ice skating for an hour. Have to say that it was quite the workout!

By the time we got out the tree was all lighted up! So of course I had to share! 

Hugo & Tia Melia

After ice skating it was time for the reason why we came to Vegas. My cousin Val's 18th's Birthday! It was time to dance with the family!

Plus posing for photos in the cold out doors! Good thing that the music was hot! 

My sister in law Marlem, hubby and Zoraya! They were really getting their grove on! It was so awesome I had to take a picture!

And well a night doesn't end until there is a final picture between the Hubby and I! It was a fun and active day! 

So I didn't do my challenges, I didn't do any gym workouts but I had fun and I worked out. I tried ice skating for the first time and found out that I could do it! 

I found out that I can have a weekend away...and not just ruin everything. There are chances to workout without even knowing it! 

Now tonight I am catching up on my challenges + my neighborhood walk. Ice skating & dancing is fun but so is being on a scheduled workouts. 

I got my new elf today! Her name is Alexis and it feels like she has so much energy! I can not wait to talk with her more and just steal some of that energy ^_~

So today's challenge was drinking your body weight in water. As of right now I am up to 140 oz's of water. There is still more time to go before heading to bed so I am trying to make it up to 180 oz's! 

So with me not having a smart phone...I can't do some instagram things without it. So I am playing catch up! Check out my Day 7 through 9 on Twitter! Promise they are awesome pictures ^_^

Okay...now on to my walk! Talk to you guys tomorrow NeverEver's! 

Pictures, Pictures & More Pictures

Hey NeverEver's,

I am drawing a blank on what to write today. So I wanted to share some pictures of last night's dinner, snack time and other things.

Ya I know this is different...hope you like it!

I got a new workout shirt just for the Holidays! What I love is that the XL is actually big on me! 

Last nights dinner was some steak in BBQ sauce and white rice. Just the right amount of kick and southern style. Loved it!

Cottage cheese and grapes was the great ending for the night. I happen to like cottage cheese more then yogurt.

Then there was dinner.

Dinner tonight was interesting. It was turkey stuffing with carrots & apples and Chicken. Never used stuffing like this before but it was delicious. 

Okay so that is the end of the photo barrage. I do hope you all have enjoyed the trip ^_^. Now it is time to get all my physical challenges done!

Oh Challenge Updates!

Today was all about packing a healthy snack and sharing it at work. Well my co-workers aren't much of the sharing but I did offer. Today's snack was navel oranges & natural almonds. Very delicious if I do say so myself!

Today was all about #cozy and I had the perfect thing to share! My mother in law is getting into knitting and she knitted me a infinity scarf! It is so warm and cozy! Thank you second Mother!

Okay gotta get on with those challenges! See you all tomorrow!!

Twitter Chats & Challenges

Hey NeverEver's!

It looks like I am getting in the habit of late night posts. I am gonna say it is because of my traffic on the way home and well...not sure. But, I do hope that it isn't to bad for you East Coasters!

Okay so on to other subjects! Like my challenges!

So today was Day 8 - Have a Salad and make your own Salad Dressing. I had an idea, I knew what I was going to do...and it never happened. To tell the truth I really wasn't sure what happened. One moment I was going to make sure yogurt ranch and the next thing I woke up without having a salad made and work was calling.

Today wasn't a good #elf4health day. Plus my elf Casey got sick. Which is horrible because her semester is almost done and I think she had a test one day soon. Hopefully she is feeling better!

My #hlgDec2Rem wasn't much better then my #elf4health. Because well there was no salad...and left overs were at home. So it was an eat out day. Not the best decision I made this week. BUT I did workout so that makes it worth it!

Tomorrow is another day! A better day with home cooked / re-heated foods!

#Holidayaday was a success! My neighborhood is really getting into the Holiday season! So here is my Red of the day! Mickey was just so big and red! I couldn't pass him up without a picture!

After getting back from my walk (and Mickey!) it was time to get the #closeoutworkout done and done!

13 Burpee's (I think these things might be getting easier)
13 Lunges (my legs are seriously feeling it)
13 Squats
13 Push Up's (still doing the girl push ups)
13 Crunches (my ab's still hurt)

So apparently I don't have ABC Family and the 25 day's of Christmas. Which really hit me hard. I have always watched the 25 day's of Christmas and now I don't have it. BUT I did find one of my favorite Christmas Movie!

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer on CBS. My favorite song is the 'Silver and Gold'. Such an awesome Christmas Music! Plus it was on the bucket list which made it all the sweeter for the hubby and I.

I got another 50 squats done. I am thinking sometime this week doing another 50 burpee's again. I did it once and I can do it again! Maybe do it on Friday before leaving to Vegas ^_~

Also before I forget I wanted to share with you all #fitblog chats that happen every Tuesday at 9pm EST & 6pm PST (my time). It is just a great time all around where you can talk about fitness, healthy living, and motivation. You can join in from twitter and I would highly recommend it!

One other thing, FitFluential also does have a chat on Tuesdays usually. But you do have to check their website for information. Like today it was #activeandwell hosted by GaiamTV & FitFluential. Great twitter chat.

Okay NeverEver's, that is it for tonight. My ab's are feeling it and I am ready for some sleep! Hope you all have had a great Tuesday!

Exercises Are Becoming...FUN?!?!

Hey NeverEver's!

So I am not sure what happened yesterday. One moment I was getting ready to write my post for yesterday then I got distracted by the Hubby and American Horror Story.

I watched the Walking Dead, no issue, I can watch Ghost Movies and love them...but I really don't like psycho movies. And American Horror Story is a Ghost story AND a Psycho story all in one. There is just no looking away or stopping it. So I got a little distracted. Okay A LOT distracted.

Sorry about that!

But I was able to get my workouts in. Which is AWESOME! I am totally getting in the habit of this new idea called 'workout'!

So for FIT Happens Holiday I got in my 50 squats & 13 Burpee's & for 2012 Closeout Workout I got my 5 workouts done! I was even surprised that I already have 130 reps done in 2 days. I feel so awesome!

I can't believe that I am getting these all done and even including my walk time! It feels that it is getting easier and easier. Don't even have to push myself that much to get my challenges done. 

Just have to remind myself that it has to be done...and I get them done. This is a surprising attitude for me. Never really felt it before but I do like it. I want it to stay. 

So dare I say...the challenges...no the exercise is actually becoming fun!?!?

Okay so to play catch up. Because I HAVE to show you my breakfast for Sunday. It was delicious and simple..and well delicious!

These are called Pancake Popovers! Got the idea from Peanut Butter & Peppers! Now I didn't follow her recipe I just used the idea of putting the the pancake mix into cupcake pans and put it in the cupcake pans in the oven. Only took about 15 minutes! 

They were delicious and well delicious! It was like such a treat but it was just a normal pancake. 

Then it was lunch time. I got some normal spaghetti, butternut squash pasta sauce and chicken sausage. With some wine!

Hubby liked the wine not to much for me. So I gave him the rest of mine and I got a nice diet coke.

On to the challenges!

Today's challenge was to eat as much fiber as possible today. Usually I don't get that much but I actually got a little over 20 grams! Was pretty happy with this little number.

Today's challenge is all about Work It! Here is what I got ^_^

I really will be good next year ^_~

For #HlgDec2Rem I followed the 'eat stuff from home'. So for lunch I got Butternut Squash Soup (why did it take me so long to find this). For Dinner I did Philly CheeseSteak with extra onions & low fat Swiss cheese. Which of course was delicious!

Okay NeverEver's, it is time to finish my challenge workouts + a walk.