Heels, Books, and Planners

I have worn heels! It was one of my goals for 2019 was to wear heels again and I did that.

Now, wearing heels after a knee surgery is an anxiety filled experience, but it can be done. I have been working very hard on rebuilding the muscles around my knee with a regimen of cardio intervals on the treadmill, leg press, and some lunges, and glute exercises. I have my lunch break to achieve all of these moves 3-4 times a week and so far, I have really committed myself to it.

So I am a Happy Planner girl and I enjoy decorating/filling my planner up with many things. I am a visual person and enjoy crafting and sprucing up my planner to make it unique.

I used a template made for an Erin Condren Planner from Victoriathatcher.com and made it my own!

I mainly use it to keep myself accountable for the goals I set out for the week as well as remember things when they need to be remembered. What is in my planner besides roses, dogs, or random themed stickers are:

• Cleaning list – My house is a whole maintenance job within itself. I did not realize that there is more to a home than equity and paying the mortgage. LOL There is dusting, washing windows, changing out things, and making sure that it looks good. It is a full time job!
• What’s for Dinner? – Guys I have a meal calendar for what I am cooking for the week. It really helps me in the store when I am grocery shopping and helps me save money through the week by packing my lunch.
• Birthdays, Holidays, Doctor Appointments – Life SAVER. I mean, between the meetings and various projects I manage at work, my short term memory needs all the help it can get. It helps me stay on track.
• Book List – I have a book list inside of my planner. I am an avid reader and I can read anywhere between 2-5 books in a month, depending on what is on my plate. I love using my imagination and books serve me well in that department. I decided I wanted to keep track of what I was reading just to get a tally of how many books I will read this year.

Planner template was brought to you by https://momenvy.co/bookroo-review/

Overall, I am a planner, but life will get in the way of your plans and you have to find a way to smile when things decide to rearranges the idea in your head. My goal is no matter how far off the path life decides to take me, by me writing down my goals and plans, it makes me intentional on achieving them REGARDLESS of any hurdles.

Do you have a planner? If you do please share? If not tell me how you do it all!

Vacation Re-Cap

Hey guys,

It’s been a while since I actually blogged, and it was all thanks to school, work, projects, and just plane ole life getting in the way. Let me tell you what I have been up to!

I have been semi-consistent with my workouts, thanks to school, I even rode my bike to the rail and took it into work. My bike ride to the rail from my house was about a 15 -20 minute ride, then about a 5 minute ride into work. I even found time to get a decent workout in during my lunch. I should have taken pictures but I was in the zone!

This weekend I took some vacation time. It is the end of the year and I have about 68 hours of vacation time I need to use or, I will lose it. So I took off this past Friday and Monday to make it a lovely 4-day hiatus! I went to Austin to visit some friends, and we had an excellent time together. I certainly will be back for a visit. Austin is wonderfully outdoorsy and my type of place. Friendly people, bike trails galore, excellent scenic views, great music, and food! Here are a few pics from instagram:

 

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Being silly as usual

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Coach Lowe, whom I met up with for drinks and the game at Domain

Anthony!

On my last day there, I got to get my Workout on around the neighborhood I did 1.5 miles of cardio, Lunges to the stop sign, 1 minute planks and 25 sit-ups. It was beautiful! I cannot wait to own my own home and continue to do things like that. Running outside versus the treadmill, makes for an excellent experience!

 

I headed back home, and stopped at Rudy’s BBQ for some brisket. Austin always makes me crave barbeque for some reason and then proceeded to come home relax and start working on my paper that was due. I worked on it for most of Monday and editing a 20 page paper, and mellow out. Hope everyone’s weekend was fantastic. This week I plan on working out, playing with my pooch completing my Grad school work, and attending a pot luck for work!

How was your Weekend?

What are your plans for Thanksgiving in the Office?

Shoulders, Calves and Abs

 

Yesterday I hit the gym pretty hard and rocked out my workout. I did my shoulders, calves and abs. I thought the workout would be easy being that there were not that many exercises. No. My shoulders were on fire and I had the slow disoriented waddle, when I walked out the gym yesterday. My workout consisted of:

20 mins on the elliptical

150 reps, per side of Seated bar bell twists w/ 20lb bar

3 sets to failure in 15 reps of Side Lateral raises w/10lb 

3 sets to failure in 15 reps  of Front Dumbbell Raises w/ 10lbs 

Superset of 

3 sets to failure in 12 reps of Side lateral raises w/ 5lbs

3 sets to failure in 15 reps of Front Dumbbell Raises w/ 10lbs 

Machine Shoulder Military Press w/ 25lbs

1 warm up set of 8 reps

3 sets to failure in 15 reps

7 sets of Seated bent over Rear Delt Raises in 15 reps w/ 15 lbs 

Standing Calf Raises 1 warm up set of 10 reps and 5 sets of 20 reps

3 sets to failure 20 reps each of Sit ups

Elliptical for 20 mins

150 twists w/ 20lb bar

 

I was pooped I tell you!!!  I also noticed this amazing phenomenon. A lot of women do not lift. I got a lot of stares and questionable looks as to why I was in the free weights area. Usually a woman is accompanied by a man in this area to be trained briefly or they are just passing by. So, it is overall a male dominated area. Most women dominate the cardio equipment. I would like to encourage all of my female fitness enthusiasts to join me! Come to the weight area. It is not a scary place, it actually is a great place to look at men! lol See the various forms and different workouts that other people do. I am a beginner out there in the weighted world, but I would like to see women get their weights, and toning in too! I am all about showing these guys what I can do! The stares were welcomed by me, and I even got a few smiles out the guys when they saw me working hard!

 

Today is leg day and I have my handicap sticker ready lol. I may be crawling out the gym when I finish wish me luck.

 

 

Photo credit: Womenshealthmagazine.com

Rainy Weekend

Rain was all that happened this weekend. So I took this as an opportunity to relax, and get back to my leisure lifestyle of life. I started out my weekend by going to get my hair done, and running a few errands, and ended up unpacking some boxes. In between that, I watched a movie, played with my dog, attempted to take a nap, unpacked some more, and worked on homework. I got it all done! I also went to the gym and got a beasty back and biceps workout in. I still cannot do a pull up, so I had to skip that. I will get better. I can tell I am getting stronger, though. Any progress is great progress.  I also ate pretty horrible this week/weekend. Fried foods, Mexican foods, desserts you name it I ate it. In moderation though. So I am maintaining my weight,  but not my precious abdominal muscles *tear*, but that’s okay, every now and then you need to eat freely. Give the body a break from not being tempted to eat every cookie in sight and managing to resist can be tough and weary sometimes.

I spent all of Sunday arraigning my room, speaking with my Mom, submitting homework and playing fetch with the Gizster.

Today I will be working on Shoulders abs and legs and will post about it on tomorrow, and this week will be all about reviewing my Chapters for the up and coming midterms I have on this weekend. I am also apart of a skit for my Company’s annual BBQ Cook off and I have a friend coming into town to visit for her PV Homecoming. So my peaceful weekend was welcomed and appreciated. When I will get another? Who knows! Stay foxy people!

Thoughtful Thursdays

It’s Friday eve!

I am excited. I was not able to workout since last Thursday.I have a lot of school work to complete and I am on the organization committee for Customer service week I finally was able to workout and continue the Kris Geithen 12 Week program. I should be on week 4, but I am on week 3 and so far so good. You can find the workout on Bodybuilding.com.

Yesterdays workout consisted of:

Cardio
20 mins

Seated Barbell twist
150 reps per side

Dumbbell Bench Press
2 warm up sets of 10 reps w/ 15 lbs
2 sets to failure in 8 reps w/20 lbs

Straight – Arm Dumbbell Pullover
1 warm up set of 10 reps 15 lbs
2 sets to failure in 10 reps 20 lbs

Incline Dumbbell Flyes
2 sets to failure in 12 reps w/20 lbs
1 drop set to failure 20 lbs to 15 lbs

Cable Rope Overhead Triceps Extension
1 set to failure in 7 reps 20 lbs
2 drop sets to failure 15 lbs, to 10 lbs, to 5 lbs

Dips Triceps Version
3 sets to failure 12 reps

Superset:

Lying Dumbbell Tricep Extension
3 sets to failure in 10 reps

Bench Dips
3 sets to failure in 12 reps

Cardio
15 mins

Seated Barbell twist
150 reps per side

After all of that lifting, yes, I was tired. I need to mention I have officially lost 26 lbs so far. It has been a long journey, but I am here from a huge 198 to 172!!! For a tall person I am moving into the realm of skinny. 150 is rail thin for a person of my stature. So I am excited! I should post a pic for Transformation Tuesday! Happy Thursday to everyone!

High School Reunion

This weekend was action packed!

My boyfriend came into town for my 10 year high-school reunion. When I say we had fun honey! We had fun.

Friday night was the kickoff event and we went to a place in Pearland called the Fox Den. They have a nice bar, good music and a bull. It was good to see everyone and let me say we all were dancing and as we like to call it. Turning up!

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Whew that was some fun. The next day I went to see the new movie Baggage Claim with my guy (It was very funny!)  and we got ready for the actual reunion look at us.

They had an open bar and I took advantage and got…. A little happy lol.

We had so much fun. The next day I struggled a little, but I was encouraged to get up and workout. I did my shoulders exercise and that consisted of :

20 minute cardio on the eliptical

Smith Machine Overhead Shoulder Press

Machine Shoulder (Military Press)

Side Lateral Raises

Side Lateral Raise starting behind back.

Dumbbell Shrug

Reverse Machine Flys

10 Minute Cardio

Good little workout. I need to work on my Side Lateral Raises. A 10 lb weight gave me absolute hell! Overall it was a good weekend and I am ready for this week. It will be a busy one. Seriously, I do not know when I will not ever be busy. My schedule/plate is so full. This week I am in the process of moving. So this Monday, I woke up at 7ish to load my car with two large boxes of clothes and one medium box of stuff.  I need to do that everyday this week in order to have the majority of my boxes out of my house. I will have some movers come and take my furniture down my stairs and help me get it to my storage. I also need to clean as much as I can, so that I won’t get charged an arm and a leg! I can do it in between working out, caking , writing a paper, and doing homework and reading assignments for school right?

Monday’s  Calves and Abs workout consisted of:

10 min cardio

Standing Calf Raises

2 warm up sets of 10 reps

4 sets of 12 reps

Donkey calf raises

4 sets to failure 18 reps

Hanging Leg Raises

3 sets to failure in 20 reps

10 min cardio

I did this on my lunch break. I found time! I did it. Calve workouts are tough! Donkey calf raises hurrrrt! I did surprisingly well on my hanging leg raises. Here is my video!

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Tomorrow is  Back and Biceps day and I don’t know where or how I will fit in the cardio. I am guessing I can take my box moving and trade that in as 20 minutes of cardio? LOL I will find time somewhere. I just wish there were more hours in the day!

Weekends and such

Good afternoon!

How was everyone’s Weekend?! Mine was fantabulous! (Yes that’s a made up word) I first would like to point out that She’s Losing It nominated me for a WordPress Family Award! Yay! Thanks Girl! I am honored.

This award was created for bloggers who are part of the WordPress “family” and take the time to be supportive of other bloggers by giving positive feedback, answer questions and do so in a non-competitive way.

Rules:

1. Display the award logo on your blog.(done)
2. Link back to the person who nominated you.(done)
3. Nominate 10 others you see as having an impact on your WordPress experience and family.(doing)
4. Let your 10 Family members know you have awarded them.(done)

My nominations for the award are(drumroll!):

1. The Dancing Runner

2. The Better Man Project

3. Fit Foodie Le

4. Our Personal Journey

5. Life Is a Damn Circus

6. Life N Thymes of food

7. Project Life to Light

8. Everyday Power Blog

9. Cherie Runs This

10. Fit is the New Black

Now, to my weekend. I went to visit my new boo, (I have a boyfriend now!) at his Military Base in Louisiana. I made the three hour trek with my pooch, and it went without a hitch.  I got there and we hung out, watched football, went to eat with his friends, and watch a movie. The next day, we went to the gym and GOT. IT. IN. Did I mention he and his friend are training for a fitness competition? I had an amazing workout with his guidance and his friend and wife. It was almost like a double gym date of sorts lol. We did barbell exercises, leg lift machine exercises, dumbbell exercises, and resistance bands. Then we went and did 30 minutes of cardio. I was HUNGRY! I tore into one of my pre prepped meals when I got back into the house. After that, he gave me a mini tour of the post, and took a test for class. we spent the rest of the time watching some football (I love Football!). I had such a great time I didn’t want to leave. 😦

Here are some vids and pics:

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Also, I have lost about 4lbs already being on my 6 small meals, low carb, meal plan as of lately! I am so excited! I hope I can see an ab soon! Anywho, that was my weekend! Stay tuned for Transformation Tuesdays!

Thursday WOD

This Thursday my workout consisted of:

• 15 min run for a warm up
• 30 second plank
• 2 min jump rope
• 10 hills
• 4 min jump rope
• 20 hills
• 3 rounds of 30 second planks
• 5 rounds of 6 reverse pull ups with a body band

Whew! what a workout! I should have snapped some pictures, but sometimes when you’re in the zone you are only concerned about surviving the workout and water lol!

Yesterday was my little brothers 27th birthday and my mom went all out and cooked a ultra southern meal. Fried cabbage, fried pork chops, homemade macaroni and cheese, red beans and rice, fried chicken, green beans, baked chicken, and chocolate cake. Oh and Kool-Aid. My mom did her thang! I of course could not say no to such a delight, and ate like it was going out of style. LOL. Let the bloat come on! It was worth it! Thanks Mom!

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This Labor day holiday, I think I am going to go to a pool party a friend is hosting, and go to my Family Reunion in the country. I have some choices to make a big part of me wants to lay low and relax and chill out, but family comes 1st so you might catch me on the road to the country! Hope everyone is having a fabulous Friday!

Mini Vacay

Where do I begin!!!

I went to Dallas for a few days to get away before school begins. It was my last little hurrah before I really tie myself down and dedicate my time to my studies. I started out around 9am packed my bags, and Gizmo’s stuff, filled up my tank and I was off! I arrived in Dallas around 1. Got Gizmo settled and caught up with my homegirl I was staying with. She was taking a little girls hair down and I helped. Why not. It was cool. Then we went out to a lounge called Winston’s. It was a nice little spot. It was difficult to find!!

After that we went to fuel city tacos and that was… Interesting. Lol. Well the way people dressed/acted.

The next day I woke up early for a ten minute run, and a 20 minute walk with gizmo and my friends dog Peanut.

I guess I had one taco too many? Lol. After that I met up with a friend who used to live in Houston at Max’s Wine dive. Delicious as usual. I highly recommend the wings and the cinnamon rolls are amazing. I didn’t even know they had those!

After that I took a huge nap and went to Al Biernats with my good friend, Brandi,  that also lived in Dallas for Dallas Restaurant Week. I had an arugula salad, steak and potatoes with green beans and key lime pie for dessert! Yum! 

After that we went to this Chocolate bar and the chocolate was amazing. They had a live band and tables set up to play cards, dominoes, chess ect. It would be perfect for a first date. After that we went to Sunset lounge where I met my friends Alumni friends and went home after that.

Sunday, I walked the dogs watched TD Jake’s with my friends parents and went to brunch with friends(Nakia and Brandi) . The food was delish. We ate at The Greenroom Cafe. It was wonderful. After that I relaxed went to Petsmart for Gizmo and went to Maggianos for dinner. The food was superb!

Overall, I had an awesome trip and I look forward to going back. The weather was far less humid and I got an opportunity to roll my windows down! Hope everyone had an eventful weekend!

July Foodie Pen Pal

 

It is that time again!

 

My foodie Pen Pal reveal. My foodie pen pal, Kristina ( cucinakristina.com) gave me some amazing items check it out:

 

 

 

GOODIES!

A Heartfelt Letter!

Nature Valley Cashew Bars?! YUM

I asked for a recipe! I will try this and blog about it!

I am so going to make chicken tacos or enchiladas with this!

Tried this out on my baked chicken. SOOOOO GOOD!

Kashi Go Lean Crisp bars – Great afternoon snack

She warned me that these chocolate covered power berries were addictive. SHE WAS SO RIGHT!

Cheese + Carbs = Bliss

 

Overall, these are some amazing items! I am so happy I had an opportunity to receive such awesome food. I feel loved! I haven’t worked my way through all of it, but in due time I will. Especially that amazing recipe. Kristina, thank you again, also everyone, check out her blog. There are some amazing dishes on there. Make sure to leave her a comment on dishes you want to try.

I had the opportunity to send my foodie pen pal from Miami some goodies I send her Some seasoning us Texas/Louisiana folks like Tony Chachere’s, some chocolate, carbs, pistachios, sweets, some asian hot sauce and of course some coffee, Gevalia. I love that coffee.  I hope she likes what I sent! Have you ever thought of becoming a Foodie Pen Pal? If you want to know how simply visit the website Theleangreenbean.com and read the instructions on how to!