No longer a baby...

Jacob started Kindergarten today! Man how time flies by so quick when you are having fun. He has grown into be such a handsome young boy. He makes me so proud. I love him so much!

Germany

This time last year, I was scrambling to get ready for my first ever Germany vacation. Today, I am recalling on all those good experiences. I think I may start planning this summers upcoming trips :-)

Self Respect

I believe this is my most favorite acrostic ever! I am trying to incorporate all these things every day! :-)

The Switch!

I am really starting to love this blogging thing I have going. Since, I've been doing it so much I decided to change my layout and title. I have to thank this wonderful blog design website for this pretty layout design. I found it via the internet!

 

I did add my past posts to this website from earlier this month. All posts will be routed through this page from this point forward! Hope you like the new layout <3

 

 

Squats

 Today, I took a rest day and only ran 1.5 miles did 25 crunches and 50 squats. A friend posted this squat Challenge or 30 days.

Not sure of the original website for this Squat Challenge, but I got it from Kay Henley's Facebook. :)

I'm excited to start the challenge. I think it will be a great addition to my run workouts!

50 crunches complete for Day 1!

Keep Calm and Run On

Tonight, I began searching for my next run. I wanted to make sure I was registered to run one each month. I was hoping this will help me continue to have motivation and also reach for new goals. I am hoping to reach for a half-marathon in 6 months and a marathon in a year.

I am not feeling defeated about my goals, but more by current race times. Although I know I cannot possibly compare myself to these other runners, my personal best time is probably not even on their list of times for a run - not even a slow and easy run!! I was looking at the ConocoPhillips run and people finished a 5K in 15 min and another in 17 min! Isn't that crazy? I am finishing in 29 minutes roughly! I have some major work to be doing. I need to cut my time by at least 8 minutes. I don't expect to win, but at least this way I could have some hope. 

Although I feel defeated, I'm going to continue to run. 

Choices

So in previous posts I have talked about my uncontrollable need to eat. It's not just the eating that is bad. It is what I eat that makes it worse. However, this past week I have felt I have made some better choices. I finally have ate breakfast consistently and although I have still eaten out a couple of times I think I'm making up for it else where.

I have been running 3 miles in the morning and working out in the afternoons. I'm pretty proud of myself. I haven't had a carbonated drink in weeks. I am doing fairly good with the sugars. When we have gone to restaurants , I am choosing better foods and maintaining portion control.

I was really proud of myself today/tonight. I cooked a pulled pork in the crockpot. When Sean got him from wok we went to the gym. When we got home he ate the pork, leftover potatoes, and beans. I fixed myself a salad cut open an avocado, and a piece of cheese.  So good!!! I could have used some more protein, but tomorrow morning I think I will have a protein shake :-)

I promise I will not make it a habit of posting pictures of my plate or food!

No, I didn't eat all of it. I also forgot I fixed a cup of green tea! Which explains why I am typing this so late! :-p 

Summer Mornings at the Lease

Growing up I was spoiled to the Texas Hill Country - Edward's County to be exact. The Fry Ranch, Barksdale, Texas with its rolling hills, running streams, and beautiful cypress trees sparked many of my outdoor adventures. It wasn't and still isn't uncommon to watch the sun rise along the horizon and catch a glimpse of a herd of axis or a handful of whitetail deer feeding and playing.

It saddens me that in my adult life due to work and just life in general, we can't venture out that way as often as I would like. However, my husband has done a good job this time at finding me a lease that was a good substitution. Now, this current lease is close to home. It doesn't have the rolling hills, creeks, or cypress trees. It's more along the lines of mud, oak flats, spiders, poison ivy, mosquitoes, raccoons, stagnant ponds, high brush, thorny vines, and wild hogs. To most, that would sound like a disaster but I have to say it sparks a new curiosity and adventure. 

I cannot complain too much. Every time we come out to the lease we see some form of whitetail from the baby fawns, does, spikes, to the big daddy deer (bucks). I also cannot complain about the  natural canopy the oaks, pine trees, and tala provide from the hot South Texas sun.

I'm excited about my new stand.

Box Stand on the Pipeline

It sits on a pipeline - again another first for me. West Texas doesn't have many pipelines cutting through its limestone, we can thank this clear cut to one of the following ExxonMobile, Enterprise, Shell/Motiva, or ConocoPhillips. Last weekend, we poured out a bag a corn an put a trail camera out to see what would be drawn in to feed. Much to my surprise I had 50 pictures - not too good, but not bad either. The pictures feature a doe with her two fawns and a couple of other does. I would be much obliged to sling an arrow at any of these doe. Nevertheless, the wild hogs found the corn and devoured the rest of my supply. 

I am not mad at them though because they too are a candidate for our freezer. I love pulled pork, bacon, pan sausage, and pork chops. 

We still have a lot of work to do before we are ready for the season. Today is yet another workday in the high humidity, sweltering heat, and bright Texas sunshine. 

Hunting boots...gift from my hubby! He looks out for me.

Did I mention that pants and boots in July are not at the top of my most liked apparel? But, I will wear them anyway to keep all those pesky critters off and away!  

 

Wrote at 8/11/13 at 7:20 am

Color Mania

Ashley Poland and I before all the festivities!

Color Mania - A 5K run, which involves being painted as a runner goes along the course.

So, a 5K run on a course is what I expected this morning. However, when I arrived at the run this morning I quickly realize it was going to be more of an obstacle.



Motor Cross Track



That ladies and gentlemen is a motor cross course. Definitely was not intended for running.

I am super impressed with myself. I ran this course in 31 minutes and 45 seconds for a new record time! I am starting to believe all the sweat in the gym is paying off.

After completing this today, I realized I can make changes in my body and push myself to achieve other accomplishments. With that said, I am tasking myself to complete a 10K in the next 6 months and a full marathon is a year. I am not going to quit 5K runs because they help build my confidence. 

I know I am not in fantastic shape by any stretch of the imagination. I also know I have a lot of work ahead of me. But, I am still proud of my self. To top it all off I burnt 400 calories this morning. Hooray!!!

Now to keep pressing on with these goals. 

Until next time....

Finished - 31 minutes! Very sweaty and colorful

After, I finished at the finish line!

Ashley and I after the run together!

We both finished!!! Yay ;-p

Taking two kids to a dentist appointment is rather intense. Especially, when the appointment is for their father and he is acting the same way as the five and three year old. It is definitely a test of patience. I am going to had to continue to pray for God to give me more patience and understanding because these day are testing both.

Wrote on 8/2/13 at 9:09 am.

Progress

So at last, I feel like I'm making progress with my body. I finally tossed out all diet pills, drinks, packets of vitamins, energy drinks, etc. I decided it was time to do this myself - with no excuses. Although I know that the progress I am seeing is not from this weeks work alone, I do feel more confident that this week has been a turning point.

I am finally losing weight. I turned up the cardio. Boy am I feeling good! I found a new treadmill work out that's burning 400 calories or more each workout. I had done it twice this week :-) I have lost 4 lbs this week. Definitely making better food choices as well. 

(Treadmill I was on tonight! Progress!)

 

It didn't hurt that we also started the Dave Ramsey money saving thing again. Now, I can't just pull out the debit card at the  fast food place. I also started coupon-ing, which is making cooking more purposeful and planned. 

I am hoping to be able to fit back into some clothes I'm holding on to pretty soon. Hopefully we can keep up this great work!