Labor Day Weekend Recap and Monday Workouts

This 3-day holiday weekend could not have been better 🙂

 

Yes, I am all smiles. On Friday, I got to participate in Critical Mass and it was so much fun. We rode 20 miles! TWENTY! Here are some pictures:

This guy had ALLLLLL the jams!

 

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How we roll!

That was some of the awesomeness that happened. People had their speaker systems, and had amazing music playing. There was even a point where about 100 bikers broke out into song singing Bohemian Rhapsody. Awesomeness.

I ended my night by crashing and falling asleep. The next day, I picked up my brother and my niece and we were going to head out to the country for my step-mom’s annual Labor Day Family Reunion. I stopped to have a date 1st *smiles* (I left my bro and niece back at my Dads house close by before I went on my date LOL), then we were on the road. I had a great time. I got to see some of my Step-Mom’s fam spent time with my Step-Bro and Step-Sis (which are practically like my blood brother and sister) and then I left to come back to Houston. I dropped my brother and niece off and went out dancing. It was a great time :-). After that I went home and was invited to go to Church, but I ended up oversleeping O_O. So I missed service, and ended up catching a movie and seeing the Butler. It was great. I bought some new workout shoes!

 

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They were like 49 bucks thanks to a special someone having a military discount :-), and then went back and kicked it in Humble with a special somebody :-). After that, I went back home to rest, and play with Gizmo, and submitted some homework that was due. I was supposed to go a pool party but ended up chillin at my pool, which was cool. I ended the night watching Red Tails.

Monday, I ended up relaxing and went back to Humble to chill for a bit, and then headed back to my side of town, and relaxed. I was so relaxed, I fell asleep! Like an old person! My sister came by with her LS, and her LS’s BF and his nephew stopped by which was cool.

Tuesday I worked out with my trainer, he wants to put me on a meal plan. Thats cool because I have new goals, and I need to reach them by eating correctly. The workout consisted of:

Warm up: 15 min run

3 rounds of 6 inches for 45seconds

2 rounds of  6 inches then knees to your chest (25 times, never putting your feet on the ground)

50 jumping jacks with ropes

Lunges to the street stop sign and all the way back to the house

75 jumping jacks with ropes

Lunges to the street stop sign and all the way back to the house

3 sets of 20 squats with 45lb barbell

 

Slight work! here’s a video:

 

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You have to work for what you want! Well hope everyone is having a fantastic Tuesday I am!

Random Weekend

What a weekend!

I started out my weekend by going to a cousins birthday at a local zydeco bar/restaurant called Jax. Zydeco is a music genre that comes from Louisiana that has a fast tempo and an accordion is heavily involved in the music. They had a live band and the dance floor was packed! It was fun and I am not that talented in the dancing portion of Zydeco, but it is fun to watch and attempt. I have a video on my instagram feel free to check it out here

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After that I went home and woke up the next day ready for bootcamp. No one showed up but me. The workout consisted of:

• 45 second rope thrusts
• 45 second jumping jacks w/ rope
• 45 second box jumps
• 45 seconds high knees
• 45 second 5 part sprint/runs 150 yards

 

 

A new Water Bottle for my Workouts I can freeze!

Post Workout!

3 rounds of this in the hot, and humid sun and I was beat! Also, a funny side note. We were at a field and I had hydrated prior to me working out. The problem is, my bladder is on the weaker side, and I had to GO! I had to stop on my second round to take care of this. My trainer was concerned I didn’t have any toilet paper and I was like I would just have to make due. I take showers after I workout. LOL.

After that I got a call from a friend in Austin inviting me to a boat party. I thought why not. So I packed Gizmo up and made the 3 hour trek to A town! The boat party was fun. Gizmo likes a house environment and it was good to see my friend.

 

Passenger seat side!

I packed up on Sunday made the trek back. I studied for about 2 hours and read the 1st chapter for school (I am trying to be studious), and ended the night watching the VMA’s. Miley Cyrus was a disaster if you want my honest opinion. To end the blog on a good note here is a quote or a motivational paragraph! It gave me life, I hope it gives you some too!

 

 

I’m an Aunt…again!

The 3rd times a charm!

That is for sure! This weekend, I got the prestigious honor of being there when my oldest brothers 1st child was born. I was so excited. I mean, life is truly amazing. Kayla Michelle Davis was born around 5pm on 08/11/13, weighing 8lbs 13oz and being 22 inches long! She is a pretty little girl, and the new parents couldn’t be any happier. I have a niece (4) and a nephew(1) by my younger brother.

I pretty much spent the weekend doing that and being a complete bum inside the house. I occasionally made up my mind to go somewhere, but ended up finishing my Amazon Prime Borrowed book on my kindle and relaxing. Sometimes after waking up at 5am non-stop and going to be late, can take a toll.

Some other things I want to address are on the emotional side. I am typically the type to be shy to reveal my real feelings about things, due to them largely being misinterpreted. I am a very passionate being, and I tend to not speak up at opportune times and sometimes that has a negative effect in my personal life. It’s a defense mechanism I will be working on for my entire life. It took me a while to not be a quiet being (I’m loud and funny now) Being an adult and mature. If I am interested in you, then I somewhere somehow deeply believe in you. It will show and I will even tell you so in so many ways. However, that is not to be regarded as being weak. If I feel, or see that something is wrong, or I do not feel is right, then, I will ask questions. Now it will not be an FBI interrogation, however, I will be direct. Direct is what I do very well. It cut’s out the possibility of deflection.

I just want people to understand that if I am passionate about you, I will have many questions for you regarding your life, because I am interested. My dating life is a bit of a comedy at the moment, and I am not getting what I require from people. In order for me to truly get what I want, I have to REQUIRE it from someone. I use to think that my requirements did not have to be stated. Unfortunately the way these guys are set up, you do. So at the moment.

I like someone, I am unsure of his intentions and I am afraid to ask. (Cue that shy introverted girl) Chances are I know it is going to be one of those, “I’m not where I want to be” speeches, because I have the most impeccable way of meeting and liking the right guy at the WRONG time in his life. When are you dimwits going to realize that you will forever be working on yourselves, that that is a life-long process! I am a person wants you for your intellectual worth not what state you are in materialistically, I evidently made that assessment when I first got to know you. I see things like this: even when my physical, and your physical attributes wear away we still have a mental connection and have that person you can talk to about anything, about everything. I’m looking at you for your worth, not what you are currently worth!  You say you want success, well, so do I. You aren’t where you want to be career – wise, financially. Hello! Me too! We are all getting there or working on making our lives more enriched. Why can’t we cake this vertical climb together? I truly don’t get it. That will forever baffle me. I Hope that works out for you and if it does, great. But I’m over here believing in you being your biggest cheerleader and you don’t seem to see me. I am invisible. Thanks for all of your consideration of my awesomeness. I just hope one day it seriously is worth something to someone other than myself, and I truly have the treatment (basics) that I desire. Nothing irrational, just simple and for me kind of thing. Can you tell I am frustrated? I am. I am sure dating will get better, but for now it is not.

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!

Transformation Tuesdays and some!

Yesterday was Transformation Tuesdays,

It is something I have never participated in until yesterday. I publicly posted to my social networks my weight loss, and my goal of maintaining a healthier lifestyle. I did not expect to have so much support. I am truly thankful for the positive feedback I received. The social networks are not the most positive of places but, yesterday, it was for me! If you didn’t have a moment to read my previous blog, I am 15 lbs down from 198 and currently 7 lbs down from my goal weight. It took me over half the year with set backs, injuries, and snack attacks to just not wanting to workout. I kept going even if I snuck and had whataburger, even if I indulged in cake and apple pies. I pushed through and I hope I motivate someone to keep going. It is tough, nothing worth having is not easy to obtain. You can do it. I am proof!

Here is the picture I posted to Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

 

 

 

Yesterday I went to my beloved #GarageFit and it was a cardio day. I did 4 sets of 1 min jump rope and 30 seconds of jumping jacks with 2lb weights in each hand. Exhausting! I then did 3 sets of 20 rotating lunges and 15 hills. MY GOODNESS I burned almost a 1000 calories and my heart rate max was 183. I feel the burn a little bit today. Today I am thinking about pumping some air in my bike tires and riding around my neighborhood. I want to participate in Critical Mass this month, but I have other obligations that will preoccupy my time. I can always do the Monday ride, or the Ghost Mass ride to suffice. Anywho happy hump day everybody!

 

How are your fitness goals coming along? Any set backs? What motivates you to keep going?

Foodie Pen Pal Reveal

 

My name is Sharde, and I am a food-aholic!

 

Yes I am! I joined Foodie Pen Pals via the Lean Green bean blog! It’s a food exchange program that connects you with people and other foodie fanatics across the US! Canadians and overseas Foodies are also welcomed here as well! The deadline to join is to go to the website and submit an interest form and the blod admin will be in contact with you via e-mail!

I am so excited to reveal to you all what I got from my Foodie Pen Pal. I had my own foodie pen pal and I sent her some of my favorite things:

• Popped! Cheddar rice cake snacks
• Godiva Chocolate
• Preserves from my favorite company
• Odwalla lemon bars
• Twinnings Chai Tea
• A heartfelt card
• Stuffed Shells Recipe
• Almond butter

It was the most interesting pen pal thing I have done yet! I signed up again for the next month because I had so much fun shopping for another person. My Pen Pal was Melissa from Pennsylvania and she got me some lovely local Amish things!

She got me:

 

• Wegmans Tandori Seasoned Almonds(YUM!)
• Fasuq’s Whole Bean Specialty Coffee Cake Roast coffee
• Kauffman’s Apple Butter
• Bethlehem inn Granola
• Lara Bar Bananas Foster and Apple turn Over flavors (Gluten Free!)

Very Yummy things indeed. you can check out her blog at: http://baconrunner.com

 

 

 

 

 

Workout Challenge of the Week

Challenge of the week is here! Right before we get into our weekend, Tribesports wanted to bring you a workout that would focus on your legs and abs. It is summer and we are halfway through the year and our fitness goals, well they do not stop! Go on over to Tribesports.com and take the challenge. You can find the shortcut on the site here. I will be taking the challenge as well and I have done one that is similar to it on here. Also feel free to follow Tribesports on Instagram as well. They always have something Fitfluential on there.

Atlanta!

Hello everyone from ATL!

I’m having a blast here I have been here since Thursday visiting family. They have laid out the red carpet! We have had a get together, dancing, eating, drinking, laughs and there is still more to go!

My cousin is turning 60 and she is having a 3 day party get together. Last light was the kickoff at her house, tonight is the big get together and tomorrow is the Sunday backyard BBQ. When my family parties they party! Today I am visiting my dads stepson from his 1st marriage. It’s nice to see what people From my dads former life prior to his marriage to my mom and having us kids. My sister will be joining us today. Yay! She decided to fly a few days later. Well here are some pics

Weekend recap

I lost 1.5 pounds this weekend! Yay! I am finally seeing some pound loss! I am so happy!

This made my weekend great. I went to see the movie The purge and it was a good one. Scary, creepy, and funny, also short and sweet. I was a busy bee this weekend. I started my Saturday off at the salon, and took Gizzy(my dog) to Day camp (Daycare for dogs). I went to visit my mom and she had my niece and nephew over for the day and showed off my new car (Did I mention I bought a new car?)

We chatted and I ate some of her wonderful chicken and then got on the road to study. After a few hours hunger overtook my concentration and I went to my favorite healthy pita place called Island Bar and Grill @Fit2aT showed me. I had a jumbo shrimp pita and sweet potato fries! YUM! If you come to Houston, I highly recommend it!  I was randomly invited to a Crawfish boil (too much sodium for my liking) so I picked up my best gal friend and we went to this daiquiri shop, then proceeded to the boil. That was so much fun!

I also realized I am not much of a drinker anymore, and that I really do not like the thirsty feeling I get the next day. However, it was fun I laughed super hard and learned what “Flip Cup” is about.

I also discovered this social media site Vine. So much fun can be had with it. Check out a few of my posts on there (shoedooo). Really funny stuff.

Sunday I ran all over town, I went to drop Gizmo off at the Groomers, I went to drop off some papers for my car at the dealership, but they were closed (MEH) and took a good nap. I also went shopping and made my famous Stuffed Shells. Yummy. No working out was done this weekend 😦 But today, ladies and gentlemen, It will be done.

Stronger Swimmer Workout

Want to be a stronger swimmer?

Well Tribesports has a challenge to get you ready to go. The only H2O you will need is the kind you drink!

 

 

This superset will not only make you look fab, but the conditioning will help you increase your endurance and speed in the pool. Not a swimmer? Well, this workout is still made for you. It can help boost your confidence to take the plunge and learn how to swim or, just be plain old good looking and sexy! I am all for looking sexy now. So let’s all take it together here at Tribesports.com

Yesterday I ran my 800 meters! Yipee! Now I want to challenge myself to run farther. I think I will FINALLY use my knee brace. I have been absolutely opposed to it, because I think I am SuperWoman and the sun will heal me. Not likely. My bike decided to catch a flat while I was riding it yesterday and I had to cut my bike ride short. 😦 I will buy a pump and also see if I can patch my tire up, this is only my 3rd time riding it. I burned a good 300 calories. Yay!

I have made a few blogger friends out there and I was invited to join Under Armour’s What’s Beautiful Campaign and let me tell you. It is absolutely the best. It has a whole community of women who have their own personal challenge when it comes to a fitness goal and has excellent ways to challenge/motivate/achieve those goals you set.  I recommend any of my lady bloggers/readers to sign up for it!  You can go to http://whatsbeautiful.ua.com and follow me on there at shoedooo (my universal username for anything). I signed up for I can do 6 miles on my bike and I will!

Find out what motivates you

Get out there and try

Have positive thoughts even if you do not achieve your goal in the timeframe you set. You can still achieve it

Look at your effort and progress!

 

Just a few things to stay motivated. Hopefully it helps 🙂 Happy Thursday everyone.