Fun Challenges for 2013

A dear friend, Amy who I met through seeMOMMYrun, recently reminded me that I typically sent out personal challenges each new year. My friends and I sometimes nail each challenge and other times we get a few weeks into it and drop it. There is never any pressure because these are supposed to stretch our creativity, strength or hearts - NOT stress us out. Some years it might be a physical challenge such as increasing run mileage or including yoga three times weekly. Other years it is a creative challenge such 30 Days of Art using new techniques we've never tried. Or even an online sewing course. So this year I decided to give us a couple of options. 

First, is a style/fashion challenge put together by an awesome blogger mom in Australia, Fox in Flats! She has style challenges throughout the year to help moms get their sexy back. We are taking her DAREcember list of 31 Challenges and doing them in order BUT one weekly for the entire week (which is how her original challenges were done - weekly). You can make up your own meaning for each weekly word - or dig through her blog for details on how she set up the dare last year. 

Second, we are going to take a WEEKLY PHOTO by using this PHOTO-A-DAY CHALLENGE from Fatmumslim in Australia. She gives you a word or a few words and you simply take a photo of it! Easy, right?!? 

 

Everything starts JANUARY 1ST. Please let us know if you take one of the challenges and post comments, progress or photos here. We will try to make blog posts each week or day with our progress. 

And just let me say that my latest self-challenge was a 21-Day Gratitude Journal. I'm on Day 8 and its been 2 months since I began!!! Oopsie! I'm not giving up though!!

Healthy Cheats Cookbook - FREE today

In the spirit of the season Skinny Chef is giving away for FREE her new cookbook on Amazon today. >> http://amzn.com/B00AKWI47Y It's called "HEALTHY CHEATS - A Natural Weight Loss Guide With 100 Deliciously Healthy Recipes", and the 260-page book has gotten awesome responses from readers and reviewers alike. The jam-packed book showcases practical tips, ideas, secrets and healthy recipes that will help you maintain, or lose weight - without deprivation or guilt. As a certified health counselor, she created this step-by-step guide that spells out exactly what you need to be doing for healthy eating and cooking on a regular basis. Even if you follow only a few of the healthy weight loss tips, you'll be off to a great start into 2013! HEALTHY CHEATS also includes 100 mouthwatering, delicious and very nutritious recipes, complete with nutritional stats and Weight Watchers Points, since many of my fans have requested them. And of course as anything with Skinny Chef, it's beyond dialing down calories and fat - rather, it's about amping up taste and satisfaction on top of including superfoods for an extra boost in nutrition! So, grab the free book TODAY ONLY at http://amzn.com/B00AKWI47Y

6 Seconds

"Research supports that people who hug more are happier. When a couple hugs for six seconds or more, mood-boosting/bonding chemicals called oxytocin and serotonin are released at an optimum level.” “Babies who are hugged more even evidence better physical development and more brain power. “Children who get sustained form of touching, such as a long hug everyday are smarter.” Quote from Jay Gordon, M.D., co-author of “Brighter Baby”.” Source: Hug More For Your Health and Happiness So hug your family, hug someone helpful, hug your pet...even hug a tree!

Part of our recent PROJECT "RUN"WAY email featured a new activewear and running shoe line. Let me tell you...if you've ever wanted to run in your pajamas you MUST try these clothes! Soft as silk (except supportive for your workout). Heavenly! Check them out HERE!

Another Second Trimester Workout

At 24 weeks pregnant I am starting to feel the effects. Is it because this is #3? Is it because I am over 40? Who knows! But I am one tired pregnant mama.

At any rate, I am doing my best to keep up with workouts. I had my official "last run" of this pregnancy this past weekend. Yep. Too many potty breaks. As I'm "running" along and getting stressed about whether or not I could squat in a neighbors bushes, I realize I should just chill out and retire the running shoes for a bit. Is it really worth the poison ivy I got on the booty?

However, I am still maintaining a decent routine in the home gym. Here is a fun workout I've been doing once or twice weekly.

10 min. warmup on the elliptical or treadmill.

20 reps of each:

mini jump squats
forward lunge (fingertips on a nearby bench for balance)
elevated push-ups (hands on a bench or chair, etc.)
Side Lunges
Upright Rows using dumbbells or bands
Wide Leg Squats
Tri Dips
Rows with dumbbells or cables or bands

Repeat 2 or 3 times

Skin-So-Soft Bug Repellent AND sunblock HALF OFF

Avon now packages their SKIN-SO-SOFT in a bug repellent/sunblock form! It is awesome, deet-free, smells great AND blocks rays.

Through THIS FRIDAY, May 11th their bug guards are all HALF PRICE!!! STOCK UP FOR SUMMER.

I've already found ticks on me and my kids, and smashed my first mosquito of 2012 just this week.

They also have anti-aging products by AGE.

The HALF OFF IS LISTED ON THE WEB SITE.... AVON ORDER SITE!

Second Trimester Workouts

After more than 2 years of trying to conceive and laying off any intense workouts (trying to provide the perfect, calm environment for conception) it finally happened. Purely by accident. We had given up hope. And then miraculously....I was sick as a dog (and pregnant).

Now, typically I work out like a fiend all 9 months, puking daily along the way, and feeling like poop. But I keep it up! Even running!

This time, however, I was at a disadvantage after just minimal cardio for 2 years.

What to do? I was horribly sick the first few weeks. Then Zofran entered my life! It doesn't help the nausea disappear entirely. But it does keep you from actually throwing up. So...I slowly picked back up my workouts. And, boy, did it feel good!!!

All of this leads up to my main point in blogging today. I thought I would share a few workouts that are working for me during my 2nd trimester.

Workout #1:
Walk/Run - 1 hour - run all flats and downhills, walk uphills.

Workout #2 (Concentration on Lower Body):
Elliptical 10 minutes - warmup
Then 40 seconds, with 20 seconds rest of the following...
-Goblet Squats with Kettlebell - 20 pounds
-Single Leg Leg Extensions - 35 pounds
-Other Leg
-Sumo Squats Holding Kettlebell in Center - 20 pounds
-Cable Kickbacks - Left
-Cable Kickbacks - Right
-Jump Squats (tiny ones, nothing too high intensity)
-Front Kicks - Left
-Front Kicks - Right
-Cable Front Leg Lifts - Left
-Cable Front Leg Lifts - Right
-Side Walking with Bands
-Front Lunges - switching sides each time

Repeat all 1 more time if you can.
Cooldown with Elliptical 5 minutes

I WILL POST FOLLOW-UP WORKOUTS TWICE A WEEK!

MomsWhoSave's Favorite Dollar Store Finds

Almost everyone has a dollar store in their neighborhood, and if you've shopped in one, you've probably noticed that the quality of the products they stock can vary. If you know what to look for though, you can get good quality items (and often the same brands you normally buy) at a tremendous savings!

Here are some my favorite things to buy at the dollar store:




Cleaning supplies, like window cleaner, sponges, scrub brushes, mops, brooms, "Swiffer" cloths,etc.





Drugstore items - I often find name brand deodorant, kids' shampoos, toothpaste, and more. It's very hit and miss as to what you'll find, but always worth a look.






Party supplies like gift bags, wrapping paper, tissue paper, paper plates and utensils, and related supplies.





Greeting cards, note cards, thank-you notes, etc.






Kids' party supplies, favors, and decorations






Umbrellas -- I don't know if the umbrellas sold at the dollar stores are very high-quality, but I seem to break or lose them no matter how much they cost. 




Office and school supplies, like paper clips, sticky notes, legal pads, tape, rulers, and more.

Seasonal items like Christmas wrapping paper, ribbons and bows, stockings, Easter baskets, Halloween decorations, etc.


Is your list different? Leave a comment below, and let me know what you like to buy at the dollar store.

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The road to good intentions

Marine Corps Marathon finished; two half marathons; an evening 10 mile road race, my first 10K-- 2011 was not bad, but then why do I feel like I have so much more to do? I trained with the Schwein who later imploded, but is repairing itself now. I hated the running shoes (Asics 13) after training in awesome Newtons but getting IT band issues and now I have none!! My wide size 10 feet are hard to fit. Big sigh.

I need a plan.....