Winter Wonderland Warriors Final Update!

This is the final update for WWW! I can't believe how fast this challenge went by...those 3 months flew! Today I will just review my 10 goals!

1. 150 miles on foot (A combo of walking, jogging, and running).  I finished this goal with 94 miles complete. At first I was really disappointed in that number, but then I thought...94 miles is AWESOME!!! I could have gotten in some more miles, but 94 miles is great and I know there were several days that I forgot to log my miles online.

2. 150 miles on Bike (This will be at the gym).  Goal Complete!!! In fact I went beyond the 150 miles, and fell in love with the bike and heart rate program on the gym bike.

3. 2 miles in 24 minutes. I am still not there...but I am close. I can't wait to tell you guys when I achieve this goal! I will not stop! :)

4. Participate in an official 5k. Nope, but I am signed up for one in April. Icy roads canceled the 5k I had planned to do in January, and I was not successful in finding another local 5k.

5. Do 100 minutes of Wii Fitness a week. When I first chose this goal, I thought that I would spread out my 100 minutes throughout the week, but this became my Sunday afternoon activity. And it was alot of fun!

6. Save $100 per month. YES! I saved about $350 dollars....

7. Strength Train 2 days per week. I am very proud of the progress I made with this goal. Strength training has become a consistent part of my weekly workouts...unfortunately...it is mostly upper body...not to focus on total body strength training!

8. Eat 7 fruit/Veggies per day. This was fun, and became second nature by mid February...I didn't even have to think about how to get in the fruits and veggies...they were just a natural part of my daily diet.

9. Drink at least 64oz of water per day. Yep! No problems!!!

10. Do something FUN once a week. What can I say....my life is pretty fun :) And now that Spring is here and Minor League baseball is starting up...there will be lots of fun adventures with the hubby :)

***I think this was a hugely successful winter!

Bike Goal Complete!

Tonight I finished my 150 miles bike goal  for the Winter Warriors Challenge with a nice 13 mile ride :) I am excited to have met this goal, and glad that I have found another form of exercise that I LOVE :)

I also finished Day 8 of the 30 Day 1Mile Challenge! I had a nice 1.25 mile run before hopping on the bike.   I know that I will not meet the 150 miles on foot challenge, but would like to have 100 RECORDED miles finished before the challenge ends on Sunday. We will see if that happens. I say recorded miles, because I know I have some mileage that I forgot to record during the challenge.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! You can find me at the track (or on the treadmill if we get the storms they are calling for this weekend!)

Winter Wonderland Warriors Update! Week 12 (a little late)

 This week's picture:UGH! I can't get my picture of beautiful spring flowers to load :(

1. What have you done this past week to help achieve your goals? I was sick most of the week, but I did get in three good runs at the end of the week. I also picked up a new Wii Game...the Jillian Micheal's Ultimate 2010. It is a great workout game!

2. With one week left, what is your plan? I WILL finish the biking goal...and will push to get 100/150 foot miles. I also plan to try the 2miles in 24 again this weekend.

3. What was the highlight of your week? I had a great weekend with Tommy. After feeling so bad during the week, we took it pretty easy over the weekend...we ran some errands, did chores around the house, and watched a movie at home.

4. Did you have a down point? If so, how did you push past it? My down point was being SICK on the couch most of the week. I took it easy, took my meds, and now feel better! (But now my throat is bothering me!)
5. Fun Question of the Week: What's your favourite television show from the past? Presently?
Past: Sex and the City! LOVED this show! and have the Series Collection on DVD. Presently...I love Big Love(though I watch it on DVD...we don't have HBO...so I still have one more season ).  I usually try to catch How I Met Your Mother, SVU, and Big Bang during the week. Ooh...and I like Ruby too, when I remember to watch in :) And during the summer I am a Big Brother Fanatic!!! :) I watch more television during the two and a half months of Big Brother than I do the entire rest of the year. :)

Winter Wonderland Warriors Update! Week 10 (a little late)

This week's positive picture...

We will have been married 4 years on March 31! He is wonderful!

Week Ten {March 7, 2011}

1. What have you done this past week to help you achieve your goals? This has been a great week for goals. Eating has been on track, workouts are on track, I am really pushing towards that 2 miles in 24 mins...not there yet, but I know I will get there. The 5k I was hoping to do at the end of March has been moved to April. Not sure if I will be able to find another local race to do before the end of this challenge, so I may just do a Virtual 5k :)
2. New month! How are you feeling with the end of the challenge coming up soon? I am proud of the work I have made towards my goals.
3. What would you change differently about this challenge for the Spring Fever Challenge beginning soon? Give me ideas here, goals (open number, specific number, less, more?), picture stays?, day of the week? another element? Questions stay or go? What type of questions would you like to be asked? Because I am late posting, I am going to skip this question...
   
4. What have you learned about yourself during this challenge (or past few months)?  I love a good challenge, and fitness challenges are very motivating to me. I LOVE spinning class.
5. Fun Question of the Week: Do you enter contests? Have you ever won one? Yes! I won a raffle in October and won $200. Last week I won a free breakfast from a super nice place in town :)

Winter Wonderland Warriors Update! Week 9

This Week's Picture.
(This should be a picture of my cleaned out closet :) WOOHOO! But I can't get it to load! Boo)



1. What have you done this past week to help you achieve your goals?This had been a great week. Lots of great eating, lots of exercise, and lots of water. Getting in the 100 minutes of Wii was harder this week, after being out of town, but I got them in late Sunday night :)

2. Today's the last day of the month - how do you feel you've done in February? February was a rough month for me, as I explained in my last post. But I think March will be great!

3. What is your go-to favourite meal to cook? Share the recipe if possible! Turkey Taco Salad YUM YUM! One of my favorites! Just ground turkey with taco seasoning, brown rice, and lots of veggies and salsa :)

4. Share a quote or saying that is inspiring you today.
The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning.” ~Ivy Baker Pries

5. Fun Question of the Week: What's your make-up routine? Wear any? Lots? Do you have a must-have? I don't really wear make-up unless it is a special occasion. My make-up routine is a little lip gloss at the last traffic light before pulling in the parking lot of the library :)

Winter Wonderland Warriors Update! Week 8

This week's picture....

This is a picture Tommy took last spring! I am ready for days like this :)

1. What have you done this past week to help you achieve your goals?Lots of moving, lots of water, and a little money saving :)
2. Pretty much everywhere this past week experienced some mild weather – did this change have any effect on you? YES!  My mood lifted! And I used my lunch breaks for walks :)
3. Walk us through your ideal workout.My ideal workout would start about 10am ( I love when I can workout midmorning, though it seldom happens. And would include a Spring outdoor run followed by an outdoor activity with my hubby :)
4. What happened in the last week that you have to brag about? I did a Spinning Class!! It was HARD, but I loved it! And hope to incorporate it into my weekend workout routines :)
5. Fun Question of the Week: Spring Fever has hit the stores… what’s your favourite thing to shop for in the Spring? I LOVE flip flops...(I am already wearing them!) and bright spring color tops :)

Winter Wonderland Warriors Update! Week 7

This week's picture:

My motivational picture this week is of my Mom and Aunt Cathy. Aunt Cathy went in for a regular check up and ended up having bypass surgery on Thursday. She is now out of the hospital and doing well. She has a long road of recovery ahead of her. Last Tuesday she stopped by the library with a birthday gift for me...a pink running jacket. Yesterday on the phone she said we would be out walking together soon! Please pray for a speedy recovery for her!

1. What have you done this past week to help you achieve your goals? This was a rough week, because quite a bit of time was spent at the hospital,  but I tried to stay mindful of my goal by keeping my water filled, hitting the gym whenever possible, and focusing on what I needed to get done in order to achieve my weekly goals.
2. What goal are you doing best on? The bike at the gym is my new love. Getting those miles in is so much fun to me! :)
3. What goal do you have to push yourself a little more to complete? I am really struggling with the foot mileage goal. With the extra cross training I have been doing finding time for the treadmill has been a challenge (because it bores me lately), but I know as the weather gets warmer and I can get outside this will become easier for me...I just hope I am not too far behind.
4. We’ve talked about who pushes us to do better with our goals – is there anyone/thing that hinders you? I think I can be my own worst enemy.
5. Fun Question of the Week: Happy Valentine’s Day! Do you have any special plans for the day? *We enjoyed spaghetti (I seldom make this at home because it is a trigger food for me.) and just enjoyed an evening together.

Winter Wonderland Warriors Update! Week 5

My picture of the week is a veggie filled dinner :)

Yummy! Turkey burger, streamed carrots, crock pot white beans, raw bell pepper and salsa :)

Week Five {January 31, 2011}:

1. What have you done this past week to help you achieve your goals? Even though it was a crazy week in terms of medical issues, I feel like I did a good job with all of my goals. I am about 30 miles behind where I want to be in terms of my foot mileage, but I have formed a plan to conquer that and get back on track hopefully but the end of February. I am going to deviate from my original workout schedule I started the year with, but feel that will help me reach my goals.
2. January is coming to an end! How do you think you did in the month of January? Review time! I think January was a good month overall. I think I had some great workouts, and have hopefully figured out my weight loss barrier (thyroid). I am most proud of being consistent with my weight training in January which is something I have struggled with in the past.
3. Do you feel like your motivation is tapering off now that a month has passed, or are you just as motivated as the beginning of the challenge? Actually I feel even more motivated right now. I hope February will be awesome!
4. Who/what inspires you to keep going?  I inspire myself. I am doing this for myself. I have to choose to work out, to eat healthy, and to thrive. No one can make me do it. But you guys do a great job keeping me motivated with your stories of success.
5. Fun Question of the Week:  What is the first thing you think of/do in the morning? Take new meds and potty :)

Winter Wonderland Warriors Update! Week 4

My positive picture of the week :)

Getting ready for a jog at the end of winter last year. 

This week's Questions...

1. What have you done this past week to help you achieve your goals?  This week I really tried to stay focus during the weekend. I do well during the week, but struggle with the water and veggie goals on the weekend. I passed with flying colors this week. 
2. How are you feeling about the goals you set for yourself? Overwhelmed? Too easy? Just right? Honestly, I am a little worried about the 150 miles foot goal. When I set the goal, I wasn't really thinking about the time it would take to get in my Strength training, Wii, and Bike goals each week. I am struggling with the mileage on foot. Hopefully, when it gets a bit warmer, I can use part of my lunch break to take a walk and earn an extra mile each day.
3. Do you prefer to exercise inside or outside? Inside... I like to run outside when the weather is cooperating :)
4. Are you a self-starter or do you need a little push? I need a push :)
5. Fun Question of the Week: Why did you decide to start a blog?  I actually read blogs for a year before I started blogging myself. Unfortunately, most of the blogs I first started reading are no longer in existence. I liked the sense of support, and knew I needed that in my own journey.

Winter Wonderland Warriors

** I am typing this up on Sunday and setting it to post Monday morning, in case we are without power with the snow storm. (They are now saying we could have 11 inches!! Ooh I am so excited! It is supposed to start Sunday night :) Woohoo! Amy- I will link up as soon as I have Internet again!

I have all of my Winter Wonderland goals and my updates on the goals on my sidebar, so you check out my progress there :)

This week's positive picture!

Getting ready to workout...

This week's questions:

1. {This will be a weekly question} What have you done this past week to help you achieve your goals? My workout schedule that I posted last week really helped, I also got up in the mornings to do my Wii. My new water bottle (you can see it in the pic above) made drinking my water seem easier because it has a straw, and I journaled food to make sure that I got in my fruits & veggies.
2. Are any of your goals repeat offenders (i.e., have you made them before and not succeeded)? I have been working on the 2miles in 24 mins for awhile now... I am a slow runner...some day I think I could walk faster, but I keep putting forth the effort and know that one day I will achieve my goals. Because of my tachycardia, I keep a check on the Heart Rate constantly, and don't let myself get too fast if my HR is getting high.
3. Do you have a support system in place to help you achieve your goals? You guys are my biggest support! But my hubby is great to cheer me along!
4. Are you a planner when it comes to meeting your goals, or do you tend to “wing it” and hope for the best? I am definitely a planner.
5. Fun Question of the Week: Who knows about your blog? Are you on blogger lockdown or do the “real” people in your life know about your blog/read your blog? My husband knows about my blog, and a few friends...I don't think I really keep it a secret, but I don't tell everyone I meet either :) If I know someone that I think blogging could help, or that could gain support from the blog world I always tell them!

Three Things Thursday

1. This has been a great week so far in terms of food & fitness. One thing that I have really enjoyed is playing Wii Fit in the morning. In trying to figure out a time to do the Wii in order to complete my weekly minutes for my WWW goal, I decided that a couple of morning a week I needed to get up and log some minutes, because I didn't want them all to be earned on the weekend (in case other things came up), and after I do the gym after work it is nice to just veg with T. I LOVE doing this in the morning. I have never liked going to the gym in the morning because of having to pack up everything and showering and dressing for work there (coming back home is not an option). This is a great way to get in some morning exercise. My favorite is Hoola Hoop and the 10 min session wears me out! But I love it :)

2.  They say we are in for more snow this week in BAMA :) I love this...did I tell you guys that we had a white Christmas? It was beautiful, but melted the next day. Maybe this snow will stick around a bit longer :)

3. I have noticed some new followers lately, and have tried to return the blog love, but if you are a new follower and you haven't seen me around your blog let me know so I can show you some support :)

Winter Wonderland Warriors-- Week 1

I am so excited about the WWW Challenge and ready to kick it off!

First off...Positive picture of the week!

My positive picture of the week is my new workout schedule. I am keeping this schedule in my car so that I can see what my workout is first thing in the morning...I also have a copy of the schedule at home. This schedule makes me excited...it is the Hal Higdon 10k training schedule...I am not sure that I will actually participate in a 10k, but loved the schedule because it incorporated several of my WWW goals...Running/walking, cross training, and strength training!

Now for the Questions!
1 &2. What are your ten goals for the WWW challenge and why did you choose them?


1. 150 miles on foot (A combo of walking, jogging, and running). I usually try to do 10 miles per week...in order to complete this goal I will be upping my weekly goal to 13 miles.

2. 150 miles on Bike (This will be at the gym). When I get in running mode, I tend to neglect other areas of cardio...this will encourage me to change things up.

3. 2 miles in 24 minutes. I have been working on this for awhile, and really want to mark this goal off my list!

4. Participate in an official 5k. I haven't done one in a while and they are fun!

5. Do 100 minutes of Wii Fitness a week. I read about others using there Wii all the time, but usually only use it when I can't get to the gym...I want this to be an extra component. I plan to use Wii fit, and have borrowed Dance Dance Revolution...I may also reward myself after the first month with a new game to keep my motivation high!

6. Save $100 per month. This will be tough, but I think I can do it...things are often tight financially but I want to try to make saving money a priority.

7. Strength Train 2 days per week. Strength training is very difficult for me, but I know how important it is...maybe if I add this as a challenge goal I will be more consistent.

8. Eat 7 fruit/Veggies per day. In general I think I do this...but it will be more planned now, and I hope to incorporate more fruits and veggies as snacks!

9. Drink at least 64oz of water per day. By making this a challenge component I will be more consistent, I am bad about "forgetting to drink" anything. I would really like to do 64 oz before lunch! but Baby steps :)

10. Do something FUN once a week. (This could be a movie at home with Tommy, a Girl's Night, or taking Humphrey for a hike...just something fun) Sometimes I get in a funk during the blah winter months so this will cause me to plan fun things!

3.Are you making a New Year’s Resolution beyond the WWW challenge? I just want to live life the best I can!

4. What does this challenge mean to you? This challenge is a way to keep myself motivated during the winter. I honestly feel challenges are key to keeping my motivation high in regards to diet and fitness.

5. Fun Question of the Week: What did you do when the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve?
I kissed my sweet hubby! It was a quiet night at home that included movies and watching the ball drop.  We actually watched the ball drop eastern time together and kissed...then he went to bed and I waited for midnight Central time, gave him a quick kiss while he was sleeping, and then crawled into bed myself.

Merry-thon Complete!

I finished my Merry-thon miles last night! Thanks to everyone who joined me on this fun little challenge. Be sure to let me know if you finished! :)

Happy New Year everyone!

I can't wait for the WWW!

Three Things Thursday

1.  I am at 10.6 miles completed so far for the Merry-thon and plan to hit the gym again tonight. Tomorrow will be a night off from the gym and then I plan to run outside one day this weekend, if the weather isn't too bad. Yesterday our high was only 34!!! In Alabama that is COLD! And they are predicting snow for the weekend.

2. I think I have my Winter Wonderland Warriors Goals figured out...but still may tweak a few...Here they are...

1. 150 miles on foot (A combo of walking, jogging, and running)
2. 150 miles on Bike  (This will be at the gym)
3. 2 miles in 24 minutes ( I was hoping to get this done by the end of the year, but think I will still be working on it when the challenge starts)
4. Participate in an official 5k ( I haven't done one in a while.)
5. Do 100 minutes of Wii Fitness a week. ( I read about others using there Wii all the time, but usually only use it when I can't get to the gym...I want this to be an extra component.)
6. Save $100 per month.  (This will be tough, but I think I can do it.)
7.  Strength Train 2 days per week. (Maybe if I add this as a challenge goal I will be more consistent.)
8. Eat 7 fruit/Veggies per day. (In general I think I do this...but it will be more planned now.)
9. Drink at least 64oz of water per day. (This is usually no problem during the week, but I need to work on my weekend water consumption.)
10. Do something FUN once a week. (This could be a movie at home with Tommy, a Girl's Night, or taking Humphrey for a hike...just something fun...sometimes I get in a funk during the blah winter months.)

What do y'all think of those goals??

3.  For the last couple of weeks, my calories have been up...not really with fat heavy foods, but I have just wanted MORE of what I usually eat. Have any of you been experiencing this?

Winter Wonderland Warriors

The Drop Dead Gorgeous Challenge that Jess hosted will be coming to an end soon, so I am so excited that Amy has announced a new challenge that will run through the winter months, The Winder Wonderland Warriors. This challenge consists of setting 10 goals to complete during the Challenge and posting once a week, as well as some survey questions to answer...Sounds like fun to me!  Head over to Amy's blog and read all about it!