The Big White Farmhouse

intentional living, little by little

No.787: Better Me Diaries // Month 1 Recap

Welcome to a new series where I share all of my inadequacies and my attempts to fix them, ha!  Just kidding.  I’m a broken record at this point talking about my roller coaster year and the culmination of years of poor stress management.  (I’m annoyed at the constant reminders myself.)  Hopefully, this new challenge will set me on a better path.

I’ve spent the last five months reading and researching and dipping my toes into behaviors that may help me feel back at 100%.  And for whatever reason, Monday, November 13, 2023 was the day I decided to finally get to work.  My biggest goal is that I’m committing to six months of workouts.  It doesn’t matter if I lose a pound; I’m really hoping to make long-term positive changes.  The habit is the ultimate goal!

A little disclaimer: Before I started this new adventure, I watched a lot of Youtube videos and read a lot of blog posts, learning what worked for others.  I immediately rejected about 75% of the advice and jotted down the rest to try myself.  And that’s okay!  We’re all wonderfully, uniquely made and what works for one may not work for another.  The same goes for my notes below.

EXERCISE

Did you know that we start losing muscle mass after age 30?  As I prepare for my big 40th birthday next fall, I want to avoid frailty as I age and weight training is the best way to accomplish that.  So for Month One, I completed the four week Beginner Workout Plan from Nourish Move Love.  Heavy on the strength with just a little cardio, but completely doable and accessible for beginners.

Other wins:

  • Lost 0 lbs, but I’m choosing to see this as a win that I didn’t gain anything new!  I remembered to take my body fat percentage about halfway through, so will have to retest sometime next month.
  • Advanced from 5lb to 8lb dumbbells for all exercises
  • Sleep! Regardless of the time I went to bed, I would always wake up between 4-4:30.  I’m finally sleeping in to around 5!  This is huge.

A TED talk that I found interesting and has helped me to keep going, even when weight training feels hard: The Midlife Muscle Crisis: why we’ve gotten obesity all wrong by Gabrielle Lyon

NUTRITION

Since I started this challenge right at the beginning of the holiday season, I knew that I didn’t want to create unrealistic expectations by completely eliminating sugar.  So a few sweet treats have been consumed, but my main focus has been making protein a key component to my daily diet.  This seemed really stressful for me at the beginning, because how?  My husband follows a carnivore diet, I have three teenage boys (and three littler ones with big appetites too) and protein sources are expensive!  I’m making good hearty dinners and finding workarounds for the rest: peanut butter protein balls, plain unsweetened Greek yogurt, collagen in my coffee, etc.  Not perfect, but a decent start.

Bummers:

  • My dairy and egg intolerance/allergies have returned!  One step forward, two steps back.  Both came on suddenly after my later pregnancies in 2012-2016 and I had finally seemed to kick them early in 2023.  Not sure what’s going on (other than maybe hormonal changes?) but I keep pushing forward.
OTHER NEW THINGS

After a recommendation from a crunchy friend, I started trying a liver castor oil pack from Queen of Thrones.  I’m using it as a way to combat inflammation and support my hormones.  Is it snake oil and all in my head?  I guess time will tell.  This Youtube video provided a DIY option and I found her results interesting as well.

No.730: Lessons in Self Care // A Month of Winter Walking

I take terrible care of myself.  I’m less than two years from 40 and I still haven’t fully learned the lesson that you cannot pour from an empty cup.  I put myself dead last on the priority list and the cracks are beginning to show.  I burn out, I fall into funks, I lose my spunk.  I don’t want to be that person anymore.  So in this year of endurance, I’m embarking on true self-care: treating my body, mind and spirit in the way I would my best friend.  I want this balance desperately and this is the year I’m making it happen.

A MONTH OF WINTER WALKING

I knew two things were true: I need to be out in fresh air every day and I need to move my body, even if it’s just a walk around the property.  Even though it was January and winter and cold, I put on my big girl pants and committed to 31 days of getting outside.  I was like the mailman: come rain or shine, I was out of the house for at least 30 minutes!  And you know I have a tendency to be a little dramatic, but I’ll say it anyway: I think it changed my life.

The first five days were a huge blessing for getting a new routine established.  We had a winter “heat wave” with daily temperatures into the upper 60s!  Things got trickier as the temperatures fell to more normal levels, but I persevered.  And it got easier and easier!  I eventually adapted to the cold (having the right amount of layers is crucial!) and started looking forward to getting out there each morning.  The time that worked best for me was around 7:30-8am, as the sun was rising and before the real craziness of our days began.

To document this month, I decided to try a mini-movie in 1 Second Everyday style.  It started as a mix of beautiful sunrises and beautiful things I saw along the way, but soon became a visual journal of farm chores and my animals:

OTHER HEALTH WINS

  • I took added/refined sugars almost completely out of my diet.  As much as I try to minimize it, sugar is just terrible for you in so many ways.  And that’s not even counting how addicting it is!  This is the year to reset my taste buds.
  • I was very consistent with my vitamin/supplement routine.  Every morning, I took a multivitamin, D3, a probiotic, and even tried apple cider vinegar gummies!  (A little added sugar “cheat”.)  Three or four evenings a week, I would drink a magnesium supplement with my tea.  This regiment seems to be working as I feel really, really good.
  • I went back to intermittent fasting.  I varied my start times in the morning – eating anywhere from 8:30 to 10am – but I always closed my window at 6pm.  I do IF for multiple reasons and the weight loss is just an added benefit.  I lost about five pounds in January, but the mental clarity, increased energy and stable blood pressure are even better wins.

Looking forward to seeing what I can accomplish in Month #2!

 

No.584: Three Months of Intermittent Fasting // My Results and What I’ve Learned So Far

In the past few years, intermittent fasting seems to have become a health fad, but I really think it reflects more of our great-grandparents’ eating patterns.  I’ve affectionately started calling it “The Farmer’s Way of Eating” because it really compliments the lifestyle.  Imagine your great-great-grandfather:  He wakes up at dawn, enjoys a cup of black coffee, then heads out for morning chores.  He breaks his fast around 10am with a hearty brunch and then gets back to work.  Maybe he eats a sandwich for lunch (if he’s hungry) and will later sit down to a good dinner with the family.  And then he’s done eating for the day!  No midnight snacks needed because he’s in bed early to get a jump start on tomorrow.  When I thought of my ancestors, intermittent fasting didn’t seem much of a “fad” to me anymore.

I’ve mentioned a few of my lingering health issues off and on here on the blog: blood pressure stuff, my inability to curb my sugar impulses for long periods of time, sleeping issues, bloating, stress, some weight gain, etc.  My overarching goal in trying this lifestyle was to see if I could reverse some of those issues.  Weight gain was last on the list – if I lost weight, I’d be thrilled (obviously), but I’d be equally happy if I could get good sleep and have my blood pressure back in a healthy range.

I officially started on August 9, 2021 and just hit the three month mark last week.  A few things I’ve learned so far:

DELAYED GRATIFICATION IS AN IMPORTANT LIFE SKILL.

There are different versions of IF, but I chose the 16:8 method because it seemed the most logical.  (I begin eating at 10am and end at 6pm.)  The first few days took some effort as I adjusted to this new routine.  Like most people, if I was feeling a little hungry, whatever the time of day, I’d help myself to a little something.  Even at night, I had gotten into the habit of cozying up in bed with a book and a “midnight” snack.

Those first few days, I had to give myself some tough self-talk as my head whined about being “hungry”: You have never truly been hungry a day in your life.  You trained for and ran a half marathon.  You birthed six children, one naturally!  You can do hard things.  Certainly, you can hold out just a little bit longer before breaking your fast.  And surprise, surprise: I lived to tell the tale!

That delayed gratification lesson is so important for physical, mental and spiritual reasons.

MY RELATIONSHIP WITH FOOD IS CHANGING FOR THE BETTER.

During the past 18+ months, I had adopted really bad eating habits.  Intermittent fasting helped me focus on eating nutrient dense, full meals vs. grazing on whatever is easy all day.  I actually sit down to eat now!  Get ready for my duh moment: when you eat nutrient dense meals, you feel full longer and don’t feel the need to snack.

I’m eating well and nothing is off limits except the things I have sensitivities with, like dairy products.  I’ve dramatically changed my sugar cravings and while I still have homemade cookies and treats here and there, I don’t feel like an addict anymore.  I’m more in tune with my body and I’m learning the difference between real hunger and when I’m just bored/stressed/emotional.  All steps in the right direction!

MY SLEEP HAS GREATLY IMPROVED.

Before IF, I would lay in bed forever with to-do lists and what-ifs and all the things running through my head.  At one point, it was so bad that I remember pleading to God to please just turn off my brain for a little while so I could get some sleep.  Post IF, I’ve done a complete 180.  When my head hits that pillow, I am OUT.  I am finally getting deep, restorative sleep – maybe for the first time in my adult life?! – and it’s lifechanging.

MY HEALTH ISSUES ARE IMPROVING.

My blood pressure is decreasing in the right direction, my bloating is reducing and surprise of all surprises, I’ve lost almost 15 pounds!

The best part of intermittent fasting is that it’s not really a diet at all.  It’s a lifestyle and one that I can maintain indefinitely without feeling like I’m missing out or restricting myself unnecessarily.  I’m so grateful to have found something that works!

No.279: My Stress Reduction Diet

I don’t really know how to start this post other than saying it’s been a hard summer for me.  My stress and anxiety levels are abnormally high.  My crosses feel heavy, my dairy intolerance is back with a vengeance, and I’ve felt tired and off.  The final “come to Jesus moment” was having some chest tightness and seeing high blood pressure numbers at the dentist. (Does your dentist take your blood pressure?  I’ve never had it done at the dentist before.)  My symptoms all point to burn out and high cortisol levels.  I’m ready to make a change.

So, after reading everything I could find on cortisol reduction, I made myself a “diet plan” to follow.  I’ve been faithful to it for about two weeks now and am just starting to see a tiny improvement.  It’s like I can see a teeny light ahead of me, beckoning me to keep going even though it’s hard!  This is self-care in the most important sense – I can’t pour from an empty cup anymore.  I want to be a better me.

Jotting down my plan here for accountability:

1 // EAT AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET.
It always starts with food, doesn’t it?
+ Limit caffeine, sugar and highly processed foods.
+ No dairy because my intolerance is back and it makes me feel awful.
+ Lots of fruits, vegetables, proteins, good fats and probiotics.


2 // GET ADEQUATE SLEEP.
I have been sleeping poorly because I just could not shut my brain off!
+ Leave a pad of paper on the nightstand to jot down things I’m afraid I will forget.
+ No phone scrolling at all – leaving the phone in another room, even better!
+ No afternoon coffee.
+ Try to be asleep by 10PM (especially since my internal clock always wake me up around 5-5:30AM).


3 // WALK EVERYDAY.
+ No running, Crossfit or HIIT-style workouts.  Walking or stretching encouraged.
This is maybe the hardest one for me!  I love the challenge of pushing yourself as far as you can and walking just seems so lame in comparison.  Unfortunately, running raises cortisol levels and since I can’t seem to lower them on my own, it’s out for now.

4 // FIND RELAXATION TECHNIQUES THAT WORK FOR ME.
I’m still figuring this one out, but I think this will mean deep breathing exercises and walking away from stressful situations (aka my kids bickering) until I can feel in more control.  From a religious standpoint, I feel at peace when I get to go to Eucharistic adoration or listen to prayers chanted in Latin (this version of the Angelus is my current favorite), so will be adding those into my weeks as well.

5 // TRY TAKING CORTISOL REDUCERS.
Still doing my research on this one too, but omega-3 is supposed to help along with drinking tea with theanine.  I’m also looking into a probiotic from Garden of Life that has ashwagandha in it.

6 // DRINK LOTS OF WATER.
I’m notoriously bad at this, but going to do my best!

No.138: Workout Wednesday – A New Summertime Routine

The last time I shared a “Workout Wednesday” was last December, so I thought it was time for a summer update!  I’ve been back to regular running since mid-April and have been easing in with two to four miles at a time.  I’ve also been playing around with speeds and generally trying to just get back into a routine.  Next week, with the extra time available in my schedule (thank you, summer break!), I’m beginning to work on my 10K time and will be adding more focused workouts to the mix.

Below is the plan for this week and next.  I always aim for five days a week, but life happens and I’ll settle for four good ones too.

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THIS WEEK

Monday // OFF DAY

Tuesday // Cross Training – We have a stationary bike that I never use, so I’m trying to get in the habit of cycling for 30 minutes.
Wednesday // 3 easy miles
Thursday // Full Body Workout – My abdominal separation is pretty small, but I’d like to see if I can close what’s left of the gap.  This workout doesn’t require exercises that may exacerbate the problem and still claims to get you sweating!

DIASTASIS RECTI-FRIENDLY FULL BODY WORKOUT
3 rounds of 12 repetitions each, as good form allows
wall sits, focusing on breathing and 3-5 second exhales
backward lunge bicep curls
squats
surrenders
side plank hip lifts (12 reps each side)
weighted dead bugs
weighted glute bridge
  
Friday // 5K – Time to “race” and see where I’m at! 
Saturday // OFF DAY
Sunday // 4 easy miles – If the weather cooperates, I plan to run this in my hilly neighborhood.  I’m nervous!
NEXT WEEK
Monday // OFF DAY
Tuesday // 4×400 Intervals – 0.5 mile warm up, then 400 meters at race pace followed with 400 meters recovery (repeated four times)    
Wednesday // 3 easy miles, with an add-on arm workout afterwards – This always leaves my arms feeling like jelly!

POST-RUN ARM WORKOUT
10 times each for three rounds
overhead press
lateral raise
bicep curl
hammer curl
overhead tricep press
tricep extensions
Thursday // 30 Minute Tempo Run – 5 minutes easy warm-up, 20 minutes at a “comfortably hard” pace, then 5 minutes easy cool-down 
Friday // OFF DAY
Saturday // 4 mile long run
Sunday // Cross Training – 30 minutes on the stationary bike

No.133: Seven (Totally Unnecessary) Things I Love for Running

This post contains affiliate links.  Linking up with Kelly’s Quick Takes!

The best part of running is that it doesn’t require a lot of stuff.  The only equipment you really need are sneakers and even that’s negotiable: I’ve run races with guys who go totally barefoot!  But like any hobby, there are always extra things that are helpful or just plain fun.  So while none of these items are anything you have to have, I love reading about gear that works for different people and maybe you do too!

1 // A CHALLENGE
Last summer, I signed up for the Amerithon Challenge, a virtual fitness challenge which has you spanning the United States – 3,521 miles!  You can choose your mode of travel (run, walk, swim, bike, a mix of all, etc.) and there is also the option to do the challenge as a team.  I decided to go it alone, only tracking my running mileage.  I’ve been chipping away little by little and it’s fun to color in the map as I go.

2 // RECORDING DATA
I’m very number-driven and I like to see my progress.  I’ve tried a few different apps, but my favorite is still Runkeeper. I really like that I can sync my running watch to it so I have both indoor and outdoor runs all in one place.  (Mark bought me a Garmin Forerunner 220 years ago and I don’t think they make them anymore, but this watch looks to be similar.)

3 // JOURNALING
I received this Believe training journal for Christmas and I love it for its simplicity.  I write out my mileage and stats, but I also like to break down difficult workouts, note nagging pains and reflect on how I was feeling.

4 // FUNCTIONAL GEAR
The choices in this arena are vast – there are so many great companies with products perfect for runners!  I’m pretty low maintenance and will run in just about anything, but my favorites to date are still my Athleta capris {similar} and my barefoot shoes.  I’m also a big fan of compression calf sleeves when I start increasing my mileage for a race.

5 // FUN TANKS
Mark and the kids bought me three new tanks for Mother’s Day and I think they describe me to a T: “I’d Give Up Carbs, But I’m Not a Quitter”, “Will Run For Donuts”, and “Strong As a Mother”.  They’re cotton and not the best choice for sweaty summer runs, but I wear them anyway because they’re awesome.

6 // ENTERTAINING PODCASTS
A 30-minute run is the perfect amount of time to listen to a podcast episode.  I’ve been trying a bunch of new ones; there really is something for everyone!

7 // DELICIOUS POST-WORKOUT DRINKS & MEALS
My favorite post-run recovery drink is mixing a Nuun tablet with a scoop of collagen peptides.  So refreshing!  I also love the Run Fast, Eat Slow cookbook for healthy meal choices.  Everything I’ve made so far has been delicious!

If you’re a runner, what’s your favorite gear?  What piece of exercise equipment could you not live without?

This is post #8 of #write30days, a challenge to write everyday in June.  Over a quarter of the way there!

No.109: What Makes You Feel Alive? A Health Manifesto

I lost myself a bit this winter, but I’m determined to bring her back.

It all started in January when I injured a muscle in my hip.  Unable to run, I wallowed, comforting myself in winter hibernation.  Cozy afternoons reading, curled up under blankets in front of the fire, became my new normal.  At the same time, my fertility struggled to return and my hormones were in chaos.  The scale, for lots of reasons, crept up and up and up.

And then…spring arrived.  There’s nothing like temperatures in the 70’s, when the bulky sweaters are shed and you have to stare that unfamiliar body in the face.  I looked in the full-length mirror at myself – looking tired and sorta flabby – and wondered, Where did I go?  What happened to me?

It’s more than just the number on the scale.  It’s the slow burn of aging, the way my body doesn’t work in the way I think it should.  It’s the wear and tear of six consecutive pregnancies without a significant break between them.  It’s the nagging feeling that while I’m happy with so many things in my life, there’s one little piece that doesn’t feel quite right.

In the quiet, the thought came to me like a whisper: What makes you feel alive?  And without any hesitation, I knew the answer.

Running.  
Running makes me feel alive.

So last week, I tied on my sneakers and got on the treadmill for the first time in three months.  I started at barely a jog, feeling every step.  I was clunky and slow.  My running shorts were just a wee too snug.  More than one part of me jiggled and my lower back ached.  But it felt SO good.  Afterward, big, ugly tears mingled with my shower water.  I felt proud of myself.  I felt strong.  In a rare moment of self-love, I made a manifesto of sorts and am recording it here because I’m sure I’ll need the reminder.

Here’s to loving ourselves as we are, while having the courage to make positive changes too.

MY HEALTH MANIFESTO

I am more than just the number on the scale.
I will fill myself with lots of good, nutrient-filled food.  And a little of the “not-so-nutritious” is okay too.  It doesn’t have to be either/or.
I will focus on movement, in whatever way it materializes.  Preferably a run, but sometimes laps around the yard or dancing in the kitchen.
I will prioritize my mental health.  Sleep comes first and can cure much.  A little time away can do wonders too.  I am not a bad wife or mother for needing both.
I will stay in my lane.  No comparing myself to others who may be further in their goals than I am.  We don’t all have to take the same path to get to success.
Perfectionism has no place in my wellness – I will do what I can, when I can.  And that’s enough.
taken last October after a long run 
freshly showered, no makeup, wrinkles, happy

No.57: Workout Wednesday – Off-Season Exercise

two weeks of workout plans to do before racing season

My main fitness goal right now is to be a faster runner.  I ran a horribly disappointing performance at the 10K last month (don’t even get me started…) but after a bit of pouting, I’m ready to lace my sneakers again and get to work.  The tentative plan for 2018 is to run a half marathon in May and quite possibly go for the full marathon in November.  Maybe a 10K or two sprinkled in there too.  I won’t start officially training until the end of February, so I have a bunch of wiggle room to try new things this winter.  My focus is on good form, speed and getting as strong as I can…I’m looking at you, weak core! 

Below are my workouts from last week and what I plan to achieve in the next few days.  I always aim for five days a week, but life happens and I’ll settle for four good ones too.

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LAST WEEK

Monday // OFF DAY – I was still catching up from a week away
Tuesday // 3 miles, easy pace – I didn’t run at all while we were gone, so it felt good to get going again.  
Wednesday // “Swing Dance” kettlebell workout – The workout calls for three rounds, but I could only complete two.  I added a 400m walk in between sets, just to catch my breath.  My legs felt like jelly!

SWING DANCE
3 rounds as fast as good form allows
20 kettlebell swings
20 air squats
20 kettlebell swings
15 air squats
20 kettlebell swings
10 air squats
Thursday // OFF DAY – I was so sore from the day before.  Sign of a good workout!
Friday // 20 minute hill intervals on the treadmill – Stupidly, I thought this one would be a breeze.  Only 20 minutes with changes after every minute?  Easy peasy.  Uh, no.  I was dying and almost felt like I was going to throw up.  8% incline is no joke!
20 MINUTE TREADMILL HILL INTERVALS
0-1:00     5.0 at 0% incline
1-2:00     5.5 at 0% incline
2-3:00     5.0 at 2% incline
3-4:00     5.5 at 2% incline
4-5:00     5.0 at 4% incline
5-6:00     5.5 at 4% incline
6-7:00     5.0 at 6% incline
7-8:00     5.5 at 6% incline
8-9:00     4.5 at 8% incline
9-10:00    5.0 at 8% incline
10-11:00   4.0 at 0% incline
11-12:00   5.0 at 6% incline
12-13:00   5.7 at 6% incline
13-14:00   5.0 at 4% incline
14-15:00   6.0 at 4% incline
15-16:00   5.0 at 2% incline
16-17:00   6.5 at 2% incline
17-18:00   5.0 at 0% incline
18-19:00   7.0 at 0% incline
19-20:00   4.0 at 0% incline
Saturday // Kelli’s Abs and Upper Body Strength Training Workout (Fitness Blender) – 6 rounds of supersets, one arm movement paired with ab work.  I loved the arm portion and struggled through the abs.  After six pregnancies, my core is so weak!  Definitely need work in that department.    
Sunday // 4 miles “long” run – I like to get home from church, change into my sweatpants and stay that way ALL day, but I forced myself into my sneakers instead.  I watched an episode of Amazing Race on the treadmill.
THIS WEEK
Monday // OFF DAY  
Tuesday // 3.1 miles – This was supposed to be 3 miles at easy pace, which turned into a 3 mile progression run which turned into a “Hmm, I wonder if I can beat my 5K time?”    
Wednesday // Beginner Kettlebell workout – Mark has been using kettlebells and getting great results, so I’m jumping on the bandwagon too.

BEGINNER KETTLEBELLS
10 goblet squats
8 (each side) one-arm row
5 (each side) one-arm press
15 kettlebell swings
8 (each direction) shoulder halos
8 (each direction) hip halos
5 (each direction) around the leg pass
15 kettlebell swings
8 (each side) squat to press
15 kettlebell swings
Thursday // 3 miles, easy pace
Friday // 45 minutes of kickboxing (Chris Freytag) – I used to do this years ago and can’t wait to try it again.
Saturday // 5 mile long run – Hoping to get in the habit of doing my long run on Saturdays, so I can stay in my sweatpants on Sunday.
Sunday // OFF DAY

{five favorites} Vol.15: Five New Workout Videos


 Welcome to the Five Favorites linkup!
A reminder about a new twist I’m adding to the linkup this year: At the end of each month, I’ll be giving away a prize pack to one #5Faves participant!  Here’s how it works: every time you link up a blog post, it counts as one entry.  So if you link up a post every week, you’d get four entries.  I’ll keep track throughout the month and then randomly pick a winner on April 1.  



First, let’s congratulate Jen for winning February’s #5Faves Prize Pack!  


The winning post: Books on Marriage (5Faves)





On to this week’s favorites:


I’ve been in a bit of a fitness slump the past few months.  But like I mentioned before, I realized that in order to regain that excitement for working out, I just needed to change things up a bit!  DUH.  So I went on a big search for new workouts and the Internet didn’t disappoint!  Here are five of my latest finds:

 1 // Cardio Kickboxing with Chris Freytag
This one is my favorite, hands down.  It’s 40 minutes, which can be a tricky amount of time for TJ (his patience threshold seems to top out at around 30), so I usually keep this workout for times when Mark is home.  It’s fun, empowering and the time goes by quickly.  Love it.

 2 // 10 Minute Tabata for Moms
Have you ever tried a Tabata workout?  At just ten minutes, I stupidly thought this would be an easy day – NOT the case!  This video is 20 exercises, done for 20 seconds each with a 10 second “break” in between.  That “break” is more like catch your breath for 5 seconds before moving on!  It’s challenging, but doable and boom!  Done in 10 minutes.  

 3 // Burn to the Beat with Keaira LaShae
So if you know me in real life, you’re already laughing.  Let’s just say, Mama doesn’t have a lot of rhythm!  But for the sake of really (literally?) shaking things up, I tried out a couple of the Burn to the Beat workouts: Hip Hop and Reggaeton Dance.  I closed the blinds to spare the neighbors, but they were actually really fun, even if I could barely keep up!

 4 // Fitness Blender
Fitness Blender is an awesome site and they have videos for everything.  I tried the Fat Burning Tank Top Arms workout, which combined cardio intervals with upper body weight training.  Straight forward and well done, I really enjoyed it.  

 5 // Dollar Workout Club
I follow Natalie Hodson on Facebook and love her honest approach to your post-baby body.  She is also a part of the Dollar Workout Club, have you heard of it?  After watching one of their videos on their Facebook page, I loved it so much that I joined on Sunday!  The price is only $1 a week and you receive five workouts, five recipes and five small motivational videos.  Such a great deal!  I love that they show beginner, intermediate and advanced levels and that the workouts are quick but effective.  I worked my chest and back yesterday with their 17 minute video and I am more sore today than I have been in ages!  Can’t wait to regularly add their videos to the mix.


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I’d love to hear above five of your favorite things too!  Need some ideas?  Here are a few to get you started:


+ Share your latest library haul.  What five books (kids or adult!) have been your favorite?


+ Do you use essential oils?  Share five of your favorite ways you use them in your home.


+ Are you a small business owner?  Tell us about five of your products and the story behind them.



{health} On Dusting Off and Starting Again



I stink at regular fitness.  


I love a plan (I’m a rule-follower through and through), but the slightest change in my schedule can get me all out of whack and I just quit.


Case in point:
+ I ran four days a week for almost four months in preparation for my first half marathon.  After crossing the finish line in May, Mark’s work picked up and I ran exactly twice afterwards.  
+ In June, I started Jamie Eason’s Livefit program and lifted four days a week for five weeks.  I went on vacation and never started back up again.
+ In August, I started T25, working out six days a week for six weeks.  School and soccer season started and – you guessed it – I quit.


It’s been two months of zero (and I mean ZERO) exercise. Today, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about my relationship with fitness.  The vain part of me obviously wants to lose weight (14 months in and I still haven’t lost all the baby weight), but I’m starting to see that there might be so much more.  


Working out provides a way to lose the belly fat and pump up the muscles, sure, but for me, I think it’s bigger than that.  When I work out, I feel strong.  I feel like I can take on the world!  I surprise myself with small improvements: faster mile times, longer planks and heavier weights.  When I work out, I can be in my own head for a little bit, which is huge for this introverted mama.  I carry myself with more confidence.  I’m a better me.  


Having a daughter is helping to change how I see myself too.  I’ve started to talk to myself like I would talk to Sophie.  Would I tell my beautiful, precious daughter that she is too flabby and uncoordinated to be an athlete?  Would I tell her that she’d look so much better if only she were three sizes thinner?  Never.  My sweet girl is perfect just the way she is…I’m trying to believe that too. 


So one more time, I’m dusting off and starting again.  Here we go.          

{health} What Self Care Looks Like for Me Right Now



This post was inspired by a recent one from Modern Mrs. Darcy.


I feel like I could sum up this summer in one word: introspection.  I’ve been in my head a lot, turning things over and over, trying to learn more about myself and how I work.  My “one little word” for 2015 is thrive and it’s been a difficult one for me.  In previous years, with words like intention and brave, I was able to baby-step into that realm with relative success.  But thrive?  Most days, I feel like it’s a standard that’s impossible to achieve.  Does it have to be, though?  I’m not sure.


Like everything, it’s a process.  And step one was the realization that I need to take better care of myself…my whole self.  I need to see what helps and what hinders me in my best efforts to be a wife, mother, teacher, and business owner.  I know I won’t be thriving at much of anything without this necessary step.  So here is what self care looks like for me right now:    


Self care looks like planning my day the night before.  I bring my planner with me to bed and jot down the items that are rattling around in my head: vacuum the stairs, send that e-mail, bake something with those peaches before they go bad, etc.  My sleep has greatly improved and I wake feeling less frazzled.  I’m ready to face the day with a plan of attack.


Self care looks like making the effort to add more prayer to my day.  For whatever reason, with the general chaos of my days, praying seems like the first thing to go and I’d like that to change.  Instead of frantic pleas for help (which still happen often!), I’d like to have more mindful prayers too.  Starting small with the morning offering first thing when I wake up.


Self care looks like daily quiet time in the afternoons: I send the kids down to play in the basement or everyone finds a comfy place to read or draw.  Some days, I’ll even put on a long movie!  Regardless of what they do, I need and appreciate the 15-30 minutes I get all to myself.


Self care looks like fitting in time everyday for something that fills me up: exercise, cross-stitch, reading a good book.  The choice and duration are less important than the act itself.


Self care looks like watching what I eat, but not stressing over every calorie and carb.  It’s so hard, but I’m giving myself the grace to enjoy every sip of that special Chick-Fil-A milkshake without worrying about how long it will take to burn it off.  Also hard, but I’m trying not to stress about how much pregnancy weight I’d still like to lose and just appreciate myself right here today.


Self care looks like wearing my Fitbit again, but challenging myself to add more movement to my day with the kids.  We play Follow the Leader (walk like a mummy…act like a ninja…hop like a bunny) around the house and it feels good to get us all moving and our hearts pumping…and it’s fun!

Self care looks like learning more about myself and how I am wired.  I have been made this way for a reason.  I thrive on structure, to-do lists and finishing everything from big projects to the last piece of bread in the bag.  I am most inspired in the morning, prefer to window shop and love simplicity.  I used to feel the need to adapt “to be like everybody else”…now as I grow older, I’m trying to be content with who God created me to be.

Self care looks like allowing myself the ability to dream about Big White Farmhouse and where I’d like to take it down the road.  Dreams will continue to be dreams without action, so I’m following up with as many itty bitty baby steps as I can.  At this time in my life, I am unable to devote full-time hours, but every little bit helps.

Self care looks like practicing active gratitude: including thanks in my prayers, writing them down, and recalling that everything is a gift.  I’m also “looking out” and thanking those around me for their influence and support in my life.

Self care looks like watching the birds outside in complete childlike awe and delight.  Despite so much ugliness in the world, beauty still remains if we take the time to search for it.


Other great posts about Self Care:
5 Self Care Tips for Moms
Self Care for Highly Sensitive Moms
5 Reasons Mamas Don’t Take Care of Themselves
5 Ways to Make your Mornings Meaningful

What does self care look like for you right now?

{health} Running My First Half Marathon: the Marine Corps Historic Half

Last Sunday, I finally checked off a big goal on my life list: I completed my first half marathon!  The day was surreal and there are so many things I don’t want to forget:

I want to remember…how nervous I was the entire week prior to the race.  I was so excited, but the unknown absolutely terrified me.  Was I ready for this?  Had I trained properly?  Would I embarrass myself?

I want to remember…my two big goals for the race: Cross that finish line.  Run smart so you don’t need to be in a medic’s tent with a thermometer up your bum.  I had a preferred finish time as well, but that wasn’t nearly as important.     

I want to remember…being wide awake at 4:30 after a restless night’s sleep.  I got myself ready and ate my peanut butter toast with banana, then got the kids up with Mark and my dad.  We were out the door by 5:30.  

I want to remember…the weather!  By 7am, temps were already in the 70s, with a real feel of 90 and 98% humidity.  I was not prepared for the heat, but thankful that I chose to wear a Camelbak.  It allowed me to bypass some of the water stations and helped me mentally, knowing I could hydrate at any time.

I want to remember…how my music suddenly stopped working right after passing the starting line.  I keep my phone in my Camelbak, which is really inconvenient to take on and off (especially with so many people around!), so I was unable to figure out what went wrong.  I remember praying, “Okay, Lord, you’ve got my attention.  I guess we’ll be talking a lot the next two hours.”  

I want to remember…my dad’s advice (he’s the runner I hope to be someday!): “Just focus on one mile at a time.”  Because I didn’t have my music to distract me, I made Dr. Seuss-like rhymes for myself for every mile: “You’ve done three, now you can four!  You’re doing great, what’s one more?”  Ridiculous, but it worked.    

I want to remember…feeling pretty strong throughout most of the race.  My pace was much slower than I hoped, but it was also expected due to the heat.  The course was beautiful, weaving through neighborhoods and downtown Fredericksburg.  Fatigue did set in around miles 10 and 11, which unfortunately coincided with “Hospital Hill”, the hardest part of the race.  I walked more than I wanted, but tried not to beat myself up over it.  

I want to remember…mile 12, which was lined with photos of fallen soldiers and Marines.  There were also at least 50 people from Wear Blue: Run to Remember holding American flags with the names of the fallen service members embroidered onto ribbons attached to each flag.  It was moving and humbling.

I want to remember…coming around the last big bend to see my sweet little family waiting to cheer me on.  I was so happy to see them, and then my dad a little further along the course!  I definitely needed that little boost at the end!  

I want to remember…when I hugged Sophia after finishing, she said, “You a good runner, Mama”.  And when I thanked J for being so patient and waiting for me to finish the race, he said, “I wouldn’t miss your race ever ever.”

So thankful for a body that has proven to do so much more than I ever thought possible.  I can’t wait to run another soon!

Less Materialism, More Intentional Living

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