My Thighs Are On Fire!

My thighs are on fire!

I'm not joking. Fire. I can barely sit down. When I try, I let out a little scream like Monica Sellas playing tennis. Want an example? Listen to this video:

What has caused my pain? My new favorite workout DVD Jillian Michaels Kickbox FastFix . I did the first workout for arms with some soreness, but not enough to incapacitate me.

Workout #2 for legs -- that did me in! I'm dying. It's been two days and it is worse today than yesterday. Maybe it's time to surf the web for tips to get rid of the soreness.

I remember in one of my favorite books of all time, The Deed of Paksenarrion , the fighting trainer recommends "more of what made you sore in the first place" to fix muscle pain from exercise. I'm thinking he's a liar, but I also can't get him out of my head.

Any tips out there?

Trying not to stress eat!

My husband is currently applying for a new job. It's stressing me out! Every night we apply, network and hunt for jobs. It's nerve wracking! The fact that we do it late at night and when I'm most tired and emotional does not make it easy to avoid snacking.

I'm doing my best not to run eat all the chocolate in the house!

I've been getting my steps in -- more than normal in fact -- but I'm working to make sure my eating stays in line with my goals. I've been trying to eat about 30% protein each day. It's OK most days, but when something stressful happens, I really want chocolate or salty, crunchy snacks.

I'm going to go walk so that I don't get into trouble! I'm at 24, 215 steps and I'd really like to get to 25,000 before going to bed. I just can't get that close without making it an even number.

An Extra Burn

Saturday was a cold, snowy day. During the mid-afternoon, my son and I went downstairs to burn off some energy.

We used my new Training Bag and gloves. They are great! I got them for Christmas, but the whole family loves getting in a few punches and kicks every day. It's an oddly bonding experience.

We take turns using the gloves because we only have the one pair, but it works even without them.

It's a fabulous way to burn off a few calories. Calorie calculators estimate that punching the bag burns between 100 to 150 calories in 15 minutes. I think that estimate may be high, especially for when we are messing around as a family, but it definitely burns something! My arms and shoulders feel it after!

P.S. This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive compensation.

Pushing through the fatigue

Today was exhausting.

In the morning I completed two of my favorite workouts -- kickboxing and yoga.

Then it was a mom-centered day. Run here, run there, plan a Girl Scout activity, get a birthday present and on and on. I left home at 2:30 and didn't get back until 8:30. That's my prime walking time, so I was far behind my desired schedule to get my 16,000 steps in daily.

Now, I find myself at 10:44 pm fighting for my last 2,000 steps. Fighting I tell you. I'm walking around my kitchen counter and typing at the same time on my iPad. I refuse to let my goal slip away today, but it's a challenge. But, venting has gotten me one thousand.

One thousand to go...

Jump Right In!

I can't believe what I have done.

In the last 24 hours, I have really stuck myself out there. I've left the comfort zone far behind and lept into the darkness. Hopefully I've not jumped right off a cliff!

Let's count my leaps:

First, I started this blog and actually told people about it. It's always fun to start blogs. But, actually committing to those around you that you have begun, want them to read it and then actually putting it out into the internet so that they can read it is a totally different thing. I know nothing about running a blog, writing a blog, or attempting to make money at a blog. But, here we are and I've started.

Second, I signed up for the Hartford Color Me Rad race on April 26th. I haven't participated in a road race for over nine years. And I have a bum foot to boot! My goal is to walk it in 45 minutes. It's going to take work! But my daughter and several friends have joined in, so it should be a fun and entertaining event!

Third --  and this is where I not only stepped out on a limb but jumped right out of the tree -- I applied to give a talk at Fitbloggin -- a fitness blogging conference. I honestly do not think they will take me. I mean, I have just started this blog and have no idea what I'm doing. I'm trying, but learning. However, I do feel like I know my topic. Here was my application:

Leverage Technology for Better Health

So, you've got this super fancy tell-all health monitor that you wear faithfully day and night. You check your stats, evaluate your numbers, and those of your 200 closest friends. But how do you use that data to actually make you a healthier person?

Let me show you.

Without the expense of a gym, a year ago I used my personal health monitor to help me loose 40 pounds and keep it off. With a few simple ideas, you too can leverage your powerful technology for better health.

I'm sure they have a ton of applicants, and that those people actually have a grown-up blog, so I'm skeptical that I'll get a shot. But, I tried. I TRIED! And that was my jumping point. In order to get anything to change, you just have to keep trying. So, I am. I'm trying.

Let's see where it leads!

Thursday Conquered!

I absolutely conquered today! I have the highest step count in the history of my Fitbit tracking.

I'm not going to lie -- my feet are feeling tired! But, I'm moving, trying and did better today than I have in eleven months!

Yeah me!

As I walked today, I took time to really think about my goals and what I want.

I really want it all -- family, home, health and wealth. I may not be able to guarantee wealth, but if I have the others, I'll be happy. So, that's what I'm going to focus on -- family, home and health. This blog will work on the 'health' portion of my goals. Tomorrow I'll detail my plan of action.

I'll try to give all the gory details of my plans here, but please forgive me as I learn and grow in the blogging process -- it's all new to me!



P.S. This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive compensation.

What are my goals and dreams?

I've been thinking about this all morning.

My husband and I had a heart-to-heart last night. I was trying to explain to him that since I quit working about 11 years ago to be a mom, I feel like I have lost control. Do you feel this way?

Working is power. It generates money. It generates social contacts. It gives you a place to go and things to do. It gives you goals, a purpose, a plan.

For me, being a mom at home doesn't provide that same amount of daily control. I drift. One day I'm working on cleaning a closet. The next I'm playing games with my kids that are home all day because it's a snow day and they need to be entertained. Every day is an adventure, a journey and a joy, but it doesn't have a plan.

I like plans. I like spreadsheets. I like knowing what to do and when to do it. Ha! I haven't been able to stick to living by a spreadsheet since 2002 no matter how hard I try!

So, knowing that it's impossible to have exactly the same schedule day after day and I have no idea how each day will play out, how do I figure out what I want and how to get there? How do I make a plan?

I started with this list of things that I really want out of life:

• To be healthy and strong
• Have a happy, unified family
• Have a clean and organized home
• Eat nourishing food
• Find mental, social and spiritual fulfillment
• Travel
• Write a book
• Sell quilts/quilt designs
• Financial Stability

Now, how do I get these things? Today I have no clue. I just know what I want. That's a good starting point. I'm going to keep thinking. I'm going to figure out how to create a plan that will work for me!

Weekends just sap my strength!

No matter how much I tell myself during the week, "I'm going to be better this weekend. I'm not going to eat poorly, I'm going to get my exercise in, and I'm not going to let the laziness win!"

I really don't conquer. In fact, I relapse into old ways.

Now, I do try to relax a little more on Sundays. It's a special day for my family to go to church, rejuvenate and prepare for the coming week. I don't have a set step goal for Sundays, I do what feels good.

But, I shouldn't be eating the indulgent food such as the Terra Veggie Chips I ate for my afternoon snack. If it had been one ounce, no biggie. But, without thinking I ate at least half of the bag -- probably 450 calories or so.

That combined with little exercise isn't going to do my body good. I'm going to need to think through the Sunday plan and maybe come up with some new options.

I will say however, that despite today's deficiencies, I conquered my step goal this week.

125,000 steps this week!!!

That's my best week in a long time. I plan to keep it up as I work toward my goal this year -- details will be coming soon!

Pushing through the lazy feeling

Today was one of those 'struggle' days. I've had such a busy week, I really just wanted to curl up on the couch with a good book and lots of chocolate.

But, I recognize that it's exactly those days that caused me to get out of shape in the first place, so I have struggled through and fought the lazy beast inside! I used my favorite walk for 20 minutes, rest for 10 minute pattern to get in about 8,000 steps. Once I get to about 12,000 it seems really easy to make it to 16,000 after that. Who know why, maybe it's just a mental thing.

It's about 9:30 at night, and I have 16,300 steps. I've been shooting for 18,000 all this week as part of the #fitbit2014 goal series, and today is my last day to finish strong. So, I'm off to go get my last 1,700 steps.

The question is, will I do the dishes too? That may just take more determination than I have right now :)