Really, YOU CAN!

This could not be any truer since I have become a runner, I feel so much better.  I have to be honest that most of the time I do not enjoy the run, during the run, it's the after the run that I love. I feel a sense of accomplishment, de-stressed, and just, well..., just better. My brother made a comment to me not long ago that my skin and hair looked so much better and wondered if it was the running. Great possibility, I am getting more fresh air but I was an avid walker and graduated to a jogger/runner to help boost my weight loss. Running was the gateway to more physical activity. I read blogs on running and do a lot of research on it. It is way more complicated than one would initially think - which also appeals to my "learning" nature. I found the below on this blog and it really is true - except realize is misspelled :) I learned that to become a better runner - I needed to do more than just run -  strength training is highly encouraged in the running worl...

Really,  can you can look cute and sweat at the same time AND believe it or not, feeling cute is motivational. When I first embarked on my lose weight/feel healthy quest - I would go out in some comfy shorts and loose cotton t-shirts (a no-no for running). Mr. Man made the prediction that I would soon be investing in running clothes. I started researching what runners should wear with such articles as this ... And then the below began to resemble me... Phase 1: I started noticing how the other runners dressed - I really liked the cute, colorful leggings but felt I was too heavy to sport them out in public. I found with shorts that I do not like them postage stamp size and I hate when they bunch up between my thighs. First - the shoes - Brooks Glycerin is my go to Second - running socks - my favorite are Thorlos experia Then... I found  running shorts  at Old Navy, I think they are more like bicycle shorts,  but I love the compress...

Really, you can finish one goal and mess up another at the same time... So, my daughter and I went to find me a dress - one of my goals towards my upcoming wedding. I went to David's Bridal and was taken care of like I was a queen. When you find the one, their tradition is to ring the bell and I rang the bell and actually cried. Now, I went with the intention of getting a $99 wedding dress. I went way over my budget but it was soooo pretty AND IT HAS BUTTERFLIES... how could I resist? Isn't that back the coolest EVER? So it was a little over budget - well, a LOT over budget but I justified it by being able to put it on layaway. I was joking with one my bridesmaid that now we aren't eating - we are just going to have cake since I ate quite a bit into my budget.  I was reassured that my back looked okay in it... This pale pink with hints of purple and mint butterflies and some pearls - so whimsical, and so me. My daughter is the maid of honor and this dress went p...

Wow, it seems you really can lose a month! I cannot believe it has been a whole month since I posted and where did the month go? Soooo, I guess.... I have been so busy at work and then come home and work some more. I did manage to get my house changed over to spring. I decided to not hang any curtains back up because the cats are destroying them...but that is another blog.  I guess it would be fitting to start the new month like I needed January  - with the February report card My fitness goals are below and I am proud to say that I am keeping up: Barre at least once a week: Cycle classes at least once a week - only missed one class  because of a conference call scheduled at the same time as the class Weight training   - once a week (Sunday is the class and lately the weather has been Greenway worthy so haven't been getting this in - I did find a Tuesday night class but haven't been able to make it due to staying too late at work and my c...

Okay, so I have been really focused on my goals for 2018 - because, Really, you can achieve whatever you set your mind, right? My fitness goals are below and I am proud to say that I am keeping up: Barre  at least once a week: Cycle classes  at least once a week -  Weight training   - once week Running/Walking  - at least 3 times a week The scale says I've lost four pounds - the first pic was the beginning of Jan and the second yesterday  - I can't see a huge difference but I can tell you I feel a difference in how I feel - and that is probably the best benefit     As a matter of fact, I have been so focused that my stay-cation has not been hobbit-like as usual. I have been leaving the house and going to the YMCA taking classes - mainly because on Monday, Mr. Man wanted me to go to the store and pick up some lunch meat so since I had to be out - I took a weight training class and jogged on the treadmill. Tuesday, I m...

Really, you can enjoy treadmill running when you cannot get outside. I have read many blogs and Pinterest articles on running on a treadmill. I must admit that I did not think I was physically fit to do any of them, even "beginner". I am a slow runner outside, I usually average 13-minute miles and usually walk up steep hills, after I hurt myself charging up a hill thinking my body would do whatever I wanted.  You know, mind over matter...well sometimes, the body rebels resulting in an injury. I learned that hills were the culprit when traveling on business and found a treadmill with those cool maps to run anywhere. I chose Italy and right away my shin starting hurting and I was struggling, looked down and I was on an incline and oh, it hurt so badly. This pain has made me shy away from running hills and I have never run an incline on the treadmill, I was happy to run at 5.2 flat (feeling accomplished even). The injury caused me to have to stop running for a bit a...

Really, you can just stay at home and be productive... At least, that is what I usually do for my birthday week off from work. I normally pick a project that ranges from painting and decorating with last year, I decluttered the laundry room, office, and closets. I have done pretty good about keeping everything in order. I have been looking around and there are few rooms that I see need fresh paint. I normally like to peruse the "Oops Paints" at Lowes The current rooms of interest - foyer/hallway, living room, office, my bedroom. The problem is Mr. Man only likes, yellow, grays, tans, and oranges, my current colors. My living room is currently a  Valspar color called Allspice picture below - I like it but it's been this way for about 8 years, at least. I think I want to do something lighter - I am really in love with Wasabi - it screams fresh and clean to me - but that is definitely a no-go for Mr. Man I kicked off the weekend with a quick 3-mile run when I g...

Really, you can change your mindset to enjoy the little things.. such as sunshine, ability to be able to work out (health), gyms such as the YMCA, trackers that offer different views into your work out,  and I am very grateful to other bloggers. Yesterday was the BEST running weather - I got to run outside YAHHHH- it was so nice to be in the sunshine and running/walking on the Greenway - got my 6 miles in and it seemed everyone else had the same thing in mind. I was grateful though that the people seemed to be spaced out so there were times when I felt like I had it to myself. I am a selfish runner and do not like to share....but what a wonderful and blissful place. I am also grateful that my body is healthy enough to be able to work out - This past week was mostly on the elliptical, got a treadmill run in on last Sunday with the weight class, and did get a Barre class in on Thursday.  I worked out last week : Sunday - 30-minute treadmill 1-hour weight training clas...

Really you can be a runner in the winter, or at least you can get fit to be strong for the best Stacey warmer runner weather... Winter running blues - I admit I am a new runner/jogger but I really cannot fathom running in temps below 50 and especially in snow. The past week here in TN, we actually got some snow - the pics below are round two - the old wives tale was right - it was laying around a few days waiting on some friends - it's actually up to my ankles.. Not only do I not want to run in the cold but I am clumsy and I would fall and injure myself, guaranteed. So as I sat looking out the window at the snow, wearing my fuzzy housecoat, and sipping my hot tea,  I spy a runner - my eyebrows involuntarily went up and my lips formed the infamous southern saying, "Bless his heart." Then I went into admiration mode but quickly decided I did not aspire to be like them. Not for me:  I have been reading other blogs and some bloggers suggest to take the cold...

Really, you can slow down and find the reset button The past four days have been quite peaceful and a much needed reset for my soul. My middle brother, Jeff, came for a short visit. So I took off Thursday and Friday and Monday was a scheduled holiday. He was supposed to be here Thursday and Friday but the threat of bad weather forced him to come Wednesday night and he left Thursday afternoon. It was a good visit even though it was short. Below are my favorite pictures of us when we were little and one on his wedding day... Snow is something that we do not get a lot of it always starts with ice unfortunately and shuts us down - the big joke in TN when there is a forecast of snow -  everyone runs out and buys up milk and bread and there is usually none left... Friday I had the house to myself watching the snow fall, reading,  playing on the computer while I listened to meditation music on my TV. I found a Yoga TV app for my firestick and listening to Morning in the...

Really, you can meet your fitness  goals, especially when your employer gives you incentives for lower health premiums. My company is having us use Power of Vitality and I must admit at first I wasn't happy about it. You know- something different that I don't know anything about it but thought no biggie, I work out anyways not going to really explore it...But.... I found I have really enjoyed using the system. I like the content, been introduced to meditation, challenges me to achieve 10,000 points (it's also replacing a lot of Facebook time) The system gives your points for reading articles which are very interesting about weight loss, mind health, and etc. The first think was to do a vitality check, which said my Vitality Age as 55 (I'm going to 47 at the end of the month) that mad  me sad. The reasons were my weight and food choices. One way to get points is to mediate and one of the compatible apps is Calm . I found Calm at the beginning of last year but q...

Really, you can stay focused on your financial goals - even when the "I wants and I shoulds" creep in your mind... I was sitting in a meeting admiring the other women's manicured nails and thought to myself, "I am going to start getting my nails done." Then it occurred to me that would be about $60 a month and I have a lot of other goals that are more worthy to my cause than getting my nails done. It's only the first week and my financial goals are already pushed in the back corner :) It occurred to me that that was a want - not a need. Wants needs to be factored in AFTER reaching the goals I have already outlined: The three goals I am focused on for the first quarter are paying on my dryer (hopefully the current will hold up until then), saving a $1000 or to put in smaller chunks at least 84 a month, planning a June wedding. I will most likely get my nails done for THAT :) I find myself looking at what other have and wanting for myself, just re...

Really, You Can achieve  your goals. One way to help I found on blogger,   Crazy Running Girl ,  that I follow wrote an interesting post on her 2018 goals by aligning one word as the goal. She choose balance and when reading through my goals, I summarize my word is Focus. This must be the trend for 2018, even saw on Facebook you can order a bracelet call  My Intent  -intent is a word that I am loving..perhaps my word should have been intention instead of focus :) (word envy) I decided to see what my Facebook family choose: quiet, peace (a couple of people), accomplishment, happy and happiness, intention (one of my favorites), calm, faith (like this one too and a couple of people chose), serenity (ahhh), healthy,  positivity (good one even though spell check doesn't like), and exercise.  I found it interesting to read all of them noting they were all positive. No one put anything that would be adverse to their well being whether physical or sp...

Welcome back from all the holidays and time off from work. I am already focused on two of my goals for 2018, to cook more and get closer to God. While I  made this in 2017 I still wanted to share for 2018. We went out to dinner with our friends and then were invited to go to their house to play cards and asked if I could make a finger food.  I found this slider recipe and it was really good - as a matter of fact, I had some left over for breakfast yesterday morning. :) The only thing was I could not locate any poppy seeds so I had to omit.   I also struggle with how to cook cheaply - a lot of the recipes I find seem costly so I am learning to find recipes that I have the majority of ingredients. The above recipe I had most of the ingredients so I was able to feel pretty good about it. I go into panic mode when I need to bring a dish because my friends are all really good cooks. Shocking that I would surround myself with foodies, no? ...