When life gets ahead of you....

When life starts getting busy and I think that I would rather go home and clean my house from working all week instead of going and exercising...does this sound familiar?

It definitely is in my neck of the woods and the only way I can hold it together is to try to clean or at least do one chore a day...I try to remind myself that exercising is what really keeps me going but it doesn't always help!!

When Ryan starts going down the same swirling tunnel we try to go find something fun to do outside together that is good exercise! Like hoping on our bikes or going for a hike!! 

Fall is here and I am going to need to find a way to exercise because its going to start getting dark and cold! Any ideas??? My goal is to keep hiking and finding my inspiration but my dvds at home should help and my treadmill!! No extra weight this winter!!!

I know that life gets going and with working full time and starting my own photography business there doesn't seem to be much time left...but its all about finding those moments instead of watching friend reruns- hoping up and taking my jumping lab for a run so he will sleep for the night!! 

WE CAN DO THIS!!!

Schedule workouts

This morning I went for a run with Bodi down by the river and this was the view that I saw :) I thought to myself...WOW I could't live in a more beautiful place!!! The river is the perfect place to take Bodi because he can just run and run and swim and swim I can do my own thing. It makes for such a HAPPY DOG!!

On another note each week I write in my planner what time I am going to do my workouts. It makes me accountable and reminds me that I only get four days to work out and that I need to make it count. I even write little encouragement quotes in my planner to help me get inspired to work out. Now I am one of those girls who live around there planner and I realize that not everyone is like me in this way...so if it is even writing it on a calendar then it will work!!

I work out Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday and then work long days Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday...but everyones schedule will be different!! Do what works for you!

Tomorrow I am going for a hike up a mountain!! Post to come! :)

New Exercise...

I have decided to go bike riding for a new exercise to mix it up from my jogging!! I don't have the newest or coolest of bikes (actually it is the same bike I have had since I was 12) but boy it works perfect!! :)

I went for a 6 mile ride and tried to ride and evenly as possible. I guess that is the key to making biking a good work out!! After about 4 miles my bootie was very sore but I felt good. I really think that feeling good is what it is all about...losing weight comes second!!

My goal is to do a 22 mile one on the trail near my house!!

I do have a dream bike for when I eventually make this my new hobby/ passion...they are super expensive though so my old one works for now!! Pictures to come :)

I hope everyone has a wonderful week

12 pounds down 10 more to go...

So I think that we all have goals for ourselves... either the way we want to feel, look or weigh! I kind of have a goal for each one. Weighing myself is tough because I can feel good, look good and weigh the same. So I started measuring myself once a week and I was shocked by my results!

I was a total of 7.5 inches off from the previous week but weighed the same. I was feeling good and fitting into my clothes well so I knew that something good was happening but I wasn't able to see it on the schedule.

The way that I have been getting inches off is not eating processed foods (including gluten, which I am allergic to), cutting back on my sugar and staying away from milk products, excepte greek yogurt (which I am also Lactose intolerant). I mainly stick to fresh fruits and vegtables, Adams peanut butter, and healthy meats. I have also been walking/ jogging 2-5 miles, 3-4 days a week depending on my work schedule. I have been feeling great and with just simple changes I really believe that anyone can do it!

Below is a good example of a healthy menu for a day...I got it off pinterest! :)

Time to Shape up

So since my last post I have been watching my portion control and calorie intake and have made a food journal which has really helped me with seeing what I really eat. I have learned that I take in way to much food in a day which is why I keep gaining weight. Since then I have dropped a few pounds and feel like going outside and exercising again. You know that sometimes when you are eating bad and gaining weight you just dont feel like going outside...or exercising at all for that matter.

I have edited my blog a ton since I started it back in 2010 and am going to focus on LIFE, EXERCISING and HEALTHY RECIPES!! Don't worry they will still taste good!!! I know that I am not the only one with this problem and I hope that I can help others through my journey!!!

Currently I am doing a cleanse- ADVOCARE 24 day challenge. I am on day 1 and feeling great. My great friend is selling it and bought me this challenge knowing the tough time I am going through and I thought why not give this a try and do it with her!! :) I really like this particular challenge because you still get to eat tons of great food but no sugar and processed carbs (I am about 99% sure that is what catches me)!! I am also walking about 4 miles a day with Bodi.

Here are a few photos of what I am doing and a ladies story of her 24 day challenge! Its inspiring!!! :)

Time to face reality!

I'm so sorry how long it has been since I last posted. Life has gotten overwhelming and my blog slid to the backside of life for a while. Quick update: We have moved into our beautiful house which I love and we are preparing for our house warming party which will be so fun to have all of our close family and friends around. We have our home just about where we want it (don't get me wrong, I'm sure more things will come up that we will want to do)! We both are staying busy working and trying to juggle life :) On a personal note I have been struggling with my weight...I would like to start blogging more about my journey with the tough challenges we cross! I am thinking healthy recipes, exercises and what ever God has to come!!! Let me know what you think??? I hope everyone is doing well!!

Esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer has been growing every year and unless you know someone who has/had it then you aren't aware. I have kept lots of my feelings about this to myself for many years but with friends being diagnosed with this cancer it is bring up the past which is very tough.

This is not something as a little girl that I dreamed of...I didn't think that I would lose my dad to cancer but God had different plans and I did. Now with three close family friends being diagnosed with it and one just recently passed away the question now becomes what is this and what can we do?

Here is an article that I like and thought it explained where Esophagus cancer is at:
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/cancer/articles/2011/07/26/researchers-find-3-genes-linked-to-esophagus-disorders

As far as what we can do to help- I am still researching. When I called the American cancer society they don't do donations to this cancer which makes me wonder if the money would go to it. This also forms the question where does the money go to when you donate to cancer causes.

After talking to my grandfather about all of this he has helped me realize that helping my close friends through this tough time is the best donation I could ever make...

I have lots to work through and being there for Alice since Ted has passed away is number one.

I would never wish this on anyone and I pray that one day they can figure out an easy way to cure this cancer that isn't so hard on the patients and is really effective.

In Memory

Storm part 2

Here are some photos from our storm. I find these photographs amazingly beautiful!! I guess there is something about getting back into a hobby that makes you so happy...it truly is awesome :) I hope you enjoy!

http://sarahmortellphotography.wordpress.com

Surprise

Today has been such a wonderful surprise! We have gotten about 8 inches of snow over night! The best part is that my work gave us a snow day because of the roads so craft and baking day here I come!! :)

I tried to download photos but for some reason they came in upside down so photos to come in the future.

I hope everyone is having a nice weekend and I will be updating with more pics and info soon!

:)

Focused and Organized

After my post after last night I did some praying and thinking and decided that this morning I was going to wake up and get organized. So I went to my budget excel sheet that I had saved and printed that out and headed to Lowes to see how close me budget is to prices and to ask some questions that I had about toilets and all the fun stuff!

I felt overwhelmed at the end and went home and collected my thoughts...drove up to our beautiful house and realized that I needed four outdoor light fixtures and they had almost the same ones that are on the house...(the people took all the light fixtures except for one on the top of the shop) So I had $300 for the budget and got four for $70 :) I was thrilled and then I got a shower curtain, the rod and clips for $15 when originally $50!! I felt so much better and the best part is that all of them were all on my list!

Next step is buying the taping and texturing supplies and paint- but we have to wait to get the keys before we do that!! I feel so less overwhelmed and feeling exciting!

Thank you for letting me vent and I cant wait to post before and after pictures to show everyone!

Chaos...

As most of you probably already know, buying a house is so chaotic. Don't get me wrong it is such an exciting time but there are so many unknowns and me being the organized person that I am, sure makes it tough! I realize that I am going to need to take this one step at a time so I don't get to overwhelmed.

• Pay the engineer who looked at the foundation of the house
• Save money while we wait to sign the papers
• Tape and texture spots on the ceiling
• Wash walls- then start painting
• PAINT EVERYTHING
• Remove the toilets
• Start tiling the floors 

Once those things are done then all the rest will take time but if I could have the cash to get these things completed then we will be able to move and start the fun process to organizing.

If anyone has any advice on working through all of this or a way to not stress please let me know! :)

At the end of the day this is what I have to remember...