Catching Up & Filling You In

Good morning fit fam & friends! 

I've been pondering some changes for this blog for some time now so it's time to put in the work! I want to post on a regular schedule, but not about just the usual day-to-day stuff. I'm compiling a list of what I'd like to talk about most days of the week then I'll fill in the other days as I see fit. 

Sunday: Shoutout Sunday! 
I follow so many amazing blogs so I'd like to start spreading the love and sharing a little about each one. I'll share two or three at a time and see how that works out.

Monday: Mom Mondays! Monday will be anything mom related.

Tuesday: Dish the Fit Link-Up with Jessica @ The Fit Switch & Jill @ Jill Conyers. The topics are all about health and fitness so feel free to join us and dish up some fit with your post using the topic provided or anything fitness related!

Wednesday: I got nothin so if you have any suggestions, feel free to let me know!

Thursday: Thankful Thursdays. Since it's November and Thanksgiving is right around the corner, I'd like to dedicate Thursday's to all things I'm thankful for. It could be a sappy post, or it could be something as simple as being thankful for hot showers. You'll just have to wait and see.

Friday: Fill 'er up Friday's. This is when I'll fill you in on how my half marathon training is going, how my quest to begin online classes to become a Health Coach is coming along, and anything else I'd like to share about my life. Since it's SO interesting.  ;-)

Saturday: I'm thinking I'll use Saturday's as my "off" days. No scheduled blog posts, but if I feel like posting, I will.

So here's a look at how my training has been going thus far. I just finished my fourth week of training and I'm still going strong. I will say it was a bit harder to finish than previous weeks, but as the half marathon gets closer, the training is bound to get tougher. (or is it, more tough?)

Week 3
Day 1: Cross trainer 25 minutes. (Serious case of the Mondays)

Day 2: 3 miles 28 minutes.

Day 3: 1.19 miles, strength train.

Day 4: 1 mile walk, 1 hour personal trainer session

Day 5: 3.5 miles (Runner's high to the max!)

Day 6: Rest/Stretch

Day 7: Off

Week 4
Day 1: 3 miles

Day 2: Cross train, row machine, arms & abs

Day 3: 2.5 miles speed work

Day 4: Strength train, core, arms, 1 mile shake out run

Day 5: 3.5 miles in 33 minutes. (This run was tough! I had to power through and give myself pep talks. I'm pretty sure I was just thinking it, but I very well could have been moving my mouth.)

Day 6: Yoga/Foam Roll

Day 7: Rest/Off

I'd say I had two more successful weeks. I'm at 3.5 miles now, I may keep my mileage the same this week since last week was a bit tough for me and I have a slight twinge of shin splint pain in my right shin. I plan on starting a training plan with a Personal Trainer on Monday, November 10th. I want to sign up for 6 1-hour sessions, and I also get 1 free hour every month with my gym membership. The fitness manager told me he has another woman who is training for a half marathon and he has some great exercises that will help strengthen my body to get it ready for the 2 hour pounding on the pavement. I'm really excited to sign up because they set you up on their nutrition program that allows you to record your food intake and provides input on how much protein and carbs you should be taking in and when. I tend to stop working out whenever I feel like it, so it's going to be a nice change to have someone pushing me past what I think my limit is. I'm excited to see some changes!

In other news, I voted this week. Did you? Every vote counts ya know. ;-)

My husband's 27th birthday is November 3rd, so today we're going to Sacramento for the Ken Davis show! He's a Christian comedian and we've listened to him on the radio multiple times. He's also a fitness enthusiast, husband and grandpa. He's hilarious! He also wrote a book called, Fully Alive. You should check him out if you don't know who I'm talking about. We're leaving in the morning sometime, kids will be with their grandma and we're planning on spending the entire day in Sac! We're hoping to find a great restaurant for dinner before the show. Any ideas?

Monday also marks the first day of the Thankful For My Followers Giveaway Hop! Be sure to come back and see what I'll be giving away! 

The Fit Dish Link-Up: What my past has taught me

Why hello there! These Tuesday's sure do sneak up on me! 

I missed last week's link up due to a nasty little funk that I kicked to the curb, so I'm jumping right in this week!

I'm linking up with Jessica @ TheFitSwitch and Jill @ JillConyers. Yes, THE Jill Conyers! (She's the new co-host of The Fit Dish.)

So let's dive right in and #dishthefit! 

Today's optional topic: What has your past taught you about living today?

Great topic Jessica! This one's gonna take some brain power..

Your past doesn't define who you are today.
Well that kind of just jumped out of my head and shot right down my fingers.

Many of you know I struggled with my weight since I was about 15. Due to a very early pregnancy. But setting weight loss and physical health aside, being a teen mom did something to me mentally that has taken years to shake.

When I became pregnant with my son at the age of 15, my body was forced to change. And fast. Which I wasn't ready for, let alone the baby that would soon consume my life. My mind also took a beating. I had to deal with the rumors, the lies, the talking behind my back, and everything else that comes with being pregnant at 15. I hated what was happening to my body, but most of all, I hated myself for allowing it to happen.

As I look back, I have empathy on girls who become pregnant at such a young age because I know what most of them are searching for. And it has nothing to do with a baby. But everything to do with self worth and feeling needed. I wanted to be needed and wanted so badly, that I was willing to give up my teen years (and the rest of my life) in order to be with the guy who I thought wanted the same thing, just to feel wanted. Just to feel like I was important. Pretty sad huh?

Pinterest

As I look back now I realize I held on to that title of "teen mom" for so long that it hindered my success in life. I personally felt that I had failed as an individual and I couldn't ever be successful in life because that's just what happens to teen moms who have babies young and the dad leaves them.

But I was wrong...

Here I am, 27 years old, NO LONGER A TEEN, raising my two beautiful children, loving life and living for God, certified Dental Assistant, aspiring Health Coach and wife to an amazing man for almost nine years. Now you tell me, does that sound like unsuccessful-teen-mom-Fawn?

Woo! Talk about being free! 

So no, my past does not define who I am today. Yes, I was a teen mom. But that isn't a permanent label or stereotype. I'm not convinced.

Our past does not define us when it comes to anything in life. You are a clean slate every day. You can choose to be better than you were yesterday. Or even 11 years ago. Just because you were overweight years ago, doesn't mean you are now or ever will be again. Just because you were a drug addict, doesn't mean you hold that title now or ever will again.

Our past does not define who we are today. 

Join in on the conversation! Link up your own post or find your way around the other awesome blogs and get your fill on what everyone has learned from their past! 

Have an amazing Tuesday fitfam! 

Cruising Right Along + Pumpkin Pancakes

Hey there fitfam and friends! How's everything going? Life is pretty grand over here again! (It's ok if you're thinking, gee, this lady's a bit cuckoo..one day she's down, the next she's grand..I'm a female, what can I say?!)

Anywho...
I'm cruising right along (slowly) with my half marathon training! I'm up to 3.5 miles non stop and if you follow me on Instagram you probably saw this gem:

Talk about runners high! If 3.5 miles can make me this happy, I can't wait to see what 13.1 feels like! 

So this past week had some changes in my training schedule but it all ended up working out fine. I also agreed to use my free hour of personal training at the gym on Thursday. It was so fun trying new things and making a new friend at the gym! Unfortunately I couldn't sign up for weekly training sessions right now, but my husband said once he gets a job we can most likely do 6 weeks! I feel I could definitely benefit from having someone holding me accountable for my workouts and encouraging me to reach my goal. 

Getting my miles up gives me mixed feelings..mainly because of how many injuries I've had this year. I'm afraid to get so far, then get injured and be set back yet again. But, as long as I'm doing everything I'm supposed to do ie: eat healthy, strength train, foam roll and stretch, I think I'll make it to that half marathon starting line stronger than ever. 

Since I haven't done this in a while I'm going to go back to the good ole days and fill you in on some random happenings. 

Daniel had his 11th Birthday last Wednesday! How did that happen?? I sure do love this kid! 

Our newest additions to the fam. Daniel used some of his birthday money to buy two Zebra Finches. Very quiet at night..pretty much all that matters. 

I've been having issues with my stomach for the past couple months, so when I came across Kevita Probiotic Sparkling water I decided to give it a try. I bought two and drank them over the course of about four days. It seemed to really help my stomach pain. It also seemed to clean out my system...which is always a good thing. ;-) 

These will definitely be my go-to drink when my stomach starts acting up again. 

Here's a little recipe for Pumpkin Pancakes that I tweaked a little to make it a bit healthier. These were so delicious our kids even enjoyed them! 

1 1/4 c. Wheat Flour
1/4 c. Sugar (less would work too)
2 Tsp. Baking Powder
1 Tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice
Dash of Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp. salt
1 c. Milk
1/2 c. Pumpkin Puree
1 Egg, beaten
1 Tbsp. Oil

Directions:
Mix dry ingredients. In a separate bowl whisk together milk, pumpkin puree, egg and oil. Pour over dry mixture and stir until moistened. Batter might be slightly lumpy. Heat griddle to medium heat, coat with butter, oil or spray. Cook each side of pancake for about 4 minutes. Flip once, let cook to desired doneness. (THAT'S NOT A WORD?!)
Enjoy them plain or top with whatever your heart desires!

So how's your weekend going? 
If you raced this weekend, how did it go?
Did it rain where you live? We finally got some rain and it was marvelous! The air feels so clean now.

Have a wonderful week everyone!!

In Order to Experience the Good

Well hello there! Long time eh? Let's just say I took a little break from the blogging world. Burnout happens with everything in life, but if you love it, you'll come back to it sometime. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

So how's everything going? Good? Not so great? 

The other day, after forcing myself to go to the gym, I treated myself to a smoothie at Jamba Juice then went to Barnes & Noble to look around. I came across a book that caused my thinking wheels to turn.
I knew I smelled something burning!

I briefly skimmed the back of the book before having an "aha" moment. --->In order to feel or experience the "good" in life, we MUST experience the "bad". Some of you may be nodding your head right about now.

In order to feel good, we must feel bad at some point. In order to have a good day, we must have a bad day every now and then. Is this sinking in? 

Lately I've been feeling, how do I say, down in the dumps. There have been certain smells in the air that have been triggering memories of my grandpa. A very close relative who is struggling with cancer is undergoing surgeries and treatments. Life just seems weird right now for me.

I have a lot to be thankful for but I can't help but allow the question "Why do bad things happen" loom around in my head. Then it hits me, like a ton of bricks!

We wouldn't even know what good feels like if that was the only thing we experienced! 

In order to have a good run, we must experience a bad run.
In order to have a good meal, we must taste a bad one.
In order to feel good, we must feel bad at some time or another.

Ya catch my drift?

So the next time life seems to be handing me lemons by the bucket full, I'll remember to let myself feel whatever it is that needs to be felt and think, This is part of life. I'll embrace the good times even more after this time has passed.

So tell me one of your aha moments you've had recently. 

Half Marathon Training Update

Hey there friends! How's life? 

I have officially started half marathon training! Woohoo! Finally. After a long (to me) break from running after dealing with heel and Achilles pain in BOTH feet, I'm back to racking up the miles! I'm taking a much slower approach at increasing my miles so that I can reduce the risk of injury as much as possible. (Because we all know I am pretty injury prone) 

Here's a look see at how the past 10 days have gone:

Day 1 (Oct. 6): 2 Miles

Day 2: Cross trainer at the gym-30 minutes, ab machine & arms

Day 3: 2.5 Miles

Day 4: Strength training (legs) & Core

Day 5: 3 Miles-Outside WITH headphones & music-It was awesome.

Day 6 & 7: Rest (Saturdays are difficult to get in workouts right now because my son has soccer games on those days. After the game we headed over to my moms for a Birthday BBQ. Sunday is always a rest day.)

Day 8 (My official b-day Oct. 13): My husband and I dropped off the kids at school and drove about 2 hours to pick up our quarter of a cow we ordered a couple weeks ago. We stopped in our old town and ate breakfast at our favorite breakfast restaurant. We made a day date out of it and had a great time!

We stopped at a little place off the road that had all kinds of yard art and statues. I thought I could get a little something for our yard but after seeing the price tags, we ended up just window shopping.

My wonderful husband got me a Chrome Book to do my blogging on! I also received
quite a few cards from my family with some money & gift cards. I really wanted that peacock,
but not for $250.

Day 9: Cross trainer at the gym-22 minutes

Day 10: 2.5 miles planned, felt depleted of energy so I stopped at 2.25. (Gotta be smart and stop before I end up with an exertion migraine.)

Overall I'm pretty happy with how the past week and a half has gone. I'm using my own training plan so hopefully it'll work. I made my own plan when I ran my first 5k and I placed 4th in my age group so I must've done something right! ;-)

My main goal for the half marathon is to finish, of course. But I'd really like to finish in around 2:10-2:20. My "comfortable" pace is around 9 minutes, so I think I'll be able to reach my goal no problem...hopefully.. I should wear a shirt that says, "If found on ground, please drag across the finish line." 

I'm super excited to finally be training for a half marathon! It has been a goal race at the back of my mind for about a year, but I had a few set backs so I'm sort of starting at the bottom again. But that's ok, because this time I'm enjoying the mile I'm in. I'm o.k with running 3 miles non-stop, knowing I used to run 5 miles almost daily. I don't want to dwell on what I could do months ago, I'm living for today; and that means:

Enjoying every step of every mile.

So tell me, how's your week going so far? Are you training for a race or working towards a goal? Fill me in! I'd love to hear about it! 

Have an amazing Thursday everyone!!