My 38th Birthday Week (April 2nd)

I want to share 38 things that happened, occurred, or affected me during the week of my 38th birthday...

1.  My oldest daughter, Cierra, send me a text March 30th at 11:00pm...."Mama I was just thinking about you tonight and I want you to know how much you mean to me and how great of a role model you are for me and Hannah!  I'm so lucky to be able to call you mom.  I know that me being in college has been really hard on you and Hannah and I cant wait to come home for Summer!  I miss you both so much and can't wait to see y'all soon.  I love you mama have a great day tomorrow I miss you a ton!"

2.  Cashed my payroll check on Monday and tried to deposit it only to find out I had been given a counterfeit $100 bill...

3.  Went grocery shopping Monday night, and was pushing my buggy down an aisle, noticed a lady with her husband and a baby keeping pace with me.  Kinda strange, until she looks over at me and said "I wish my body was 1/2 as nice as yours."  Wow!  :)))

 4.  My buggy.





 

 5.  Applies to so much...

 

6.  Sometimes "old" friends coming back into your life after some time away isn't always a good thing.

 

7.  www.examine.com  (OMG if you haven't seen this site, it is a must have for all fitness related questions and supplement breakdown)

 

8.    Started helping 2nd person with their nutrition.  (I have decided to get off the couch about doing what I love, and put my knowledge to the test)

 

9.  Friendships;  Surround yourself with people that ignite you to do more, that add that spark to your life.

 

10.  Went on my Birthday trail run Tuesday evening.  Only ran 2 miles before the bottoms of my feet were burning so bad and my calves felt like they were going to rip.  Walked back out of the trail.  Honestly even though the run didn't go well at all, I didn't mind so much because Brian and I got to talk more than we ever have. 

 

 Me and my running buddy, Brian.

 

11.  Brian texted me after the run...."I told you I'd take care of you".  He always does when we run together and no matter how badly I screw up a run he still encourages me.  Thank you!

 

12.  Wednesday morning when I went to get Hannah up for school, she started singing Happy Birthday to me as soon as I woke he up....awwwww!

 

13.  For my Birthday Brian wanted to take me to get sushi.  We had a nice lunch and I got this in my fortune cookie....."Be alert for new opportunities"......this seems to already be happening. :)

 

14.  Flo, my office manager makes a Birthday cake for everyone in the office every year.  She knows me so well.  She made it angel food with strawberries to be as healthy as it could be.

 

 

15.  Then the mother of all disappointments happened.....my blender broke Thursday morning.  Thankfully I have a spare Magic Bullet that came to the rescue. 

 

16.  Started helping my 3rd person on their nutrition.  (Word is spreading)

17.  MY BIRTHDAY WORKOUT!!!   Before the workout...

  

OMG prep yourselves for the Mother of all hurts.  There were parts of this I was so pissed off and/or wanted to stop and cry.

 

500 m row

Giant set of for 3 rounds:

Tire flips X 25

Lateral Sq with band X 35/side

Weighted walking lunge X 23/side

Sledge hammer swings X 20

 

then 10 X 10 of

BB Hip Thrusters ss w/

Glider thrusters

 

Then

DB reverse lunge on glider attached to resistance band 1 X 20ea 1 X 20ea 1 X 10ea

Giant se of for 3 rounds:

Low cable rows X 8

Straight arm pressdown X 10

DB row X 8

 

Then core:

Ab wheel 1 X 50

Dec. situps 1 X 50

L leg raises on bench 1 X 100

Russian twist w 10 10lb weights 5 X 20

 

Jason designed it for me he delivered exactly what I asked for, to wipe the gym floor with me.  :)  Thank you!!

 

18.  As I was about to leave the gym I noticed a little girl holding this, a Sugar Glider.  It was the cutest little thing.  The girl holding it was probably 10ish, so you can see how tiny this baby was....

 

 

 

19.  After my B-Day workout, Jason had made plans for dinner.  Knowing I don't like to go out to eat much, he had all the food made by The Kitchen Warehouse.  Salmon, mixed veggies, fruit.  AH-MaZinG!  To top it off he got me a Red Velvet Cupcake from Atwoods Bakery.......Ohhh Myyy!

 

Thank you Jason!

 

20.  My cousin, Priscilla, who I have recently started helping with her diet, sent me this for my B-Day....It is a little barbell....how perfect!  I LOVE it!  Thank you!!

21.  Brian called me Thursday to tell me he was running in a 12 man relay race from New Orleans to Pensacola, 263 miles, and he was going to have the last leg....I can not tell you how impressive this guy is.  He is a BEAST at his sport and I am so thankful he has taken me under his wing to teach me.  Thank you Brian!

22.  Friday night Jason and I went to sprint the hills on one of my trails.  Been wanting to do this for a while, finally fit it into my schedule.  Sprinted up all the hills for 4.5 miles then ran the last .5 mile out.  Loved it.  Was exactly what I had hoped it would be.  This place is so beautiful.

23.  Saturday I had my friend, Ben, come in town for workouts.  I have to say Ben has always said yes to whatever craziness I dream up even though much of it is not his workout style.  We started the day off with an hour and twenty minute yoga session, then at the track:

Jog 1 mile
Run 400m
Run 300m
Run 200m
Sprint (4) 100m
2 Stadiums

Then we went to the pool for:
1- 25m lap
2- 25m laps
3- 25m laps
4- 25m laps
4- 25m laps
3- 25m laps
2- 25m laps
1- 25m lap
Dear sweet baby Jesus!  He is trying to improve my swimming efficiency.  He must have the patience of a saint because I think it may be a lost cause.  Even though I look like a fish out of water, I enjoy every second.  Pushes me WAY out of my comfort zone.  Thank you sir!  :)

24.  "Healthier" biscuits Sunday.....been wanting to do this for a while.  Used gluten free baking flour, coconut oil, and unsweetened almond milk.  (Baking soda and salt)  Was a pleasant surprise, actually good. 

25.  I had my B-Day lunch planned with my mom, sister, and bro in law Sunday.  They were going to come over and make me lunch.  Well they took it a HUGE STEP BEYOND....

My cake......

 

 

May or may not have been my piece.....

Hannah wanted the pig butt...how stinking cute!!

They really could have stopped here and I would have felt like a queen....I had told 2 people that week that neither my mom nor my sister had not asked me what kind of cake I wanted.....well, they know me better than I know me clearly.  I love you guys soooo much!

 

 

26.  As they walked in my Bro in Law, Jeff, kept trying to hand me my BDay card.  I finally took it and once everyone was settled I opened it.  It was a card with $5 inside.  I didn't think anything about the $5 other than, Thank you.  I really only wanted them to make me Jeff's famous Mexican dinner and I was perfectly happy with that.  Well after I opened the card, Jeff went outside and came back in with a flat screen tv.  I teared up.  I have the best sister and bro in law hands down! 

 

27.  My mom made me this:

 

  

OMG!  I LoVe it!  It is so perfect for me. 

My momma might know me a bit, I think. 

 

28.  But you know with all the BIG gifts I got, I was so tickled and maybe more so with this:

 

 

A little black bag to put in my purse.  I started asking for this at Christmas! 

(Santa is a little slow....heehe)

 

29.  With my neck acting back up, Jason brought over his Electrical Stim unit and hooked me up......WHAT!?!?!  An hour and 20 minutes later I was somewhat feeling better.  Now I can hook up anytime.  :)  WHAT WHAT!

 

30.  Don't know about you ladies, but I have little baby hairs that want to poke all over my head when I work out, so I treated myself to 2 new headbands Sunday evening.  ($16/ headband......crazy, but they work)

 

31.  FINALLY getting to catch up on my favorite Bad Boy series Hannibal.  I am in love with that show, so a little Stim and Madds and I was a happy woman! 

 

32.  At 8:45pm Sunday, I realized/remembered I had decided to start a 39 hour fast Monday.  (IF'ing diet with a lot of cleanse and mental toughness mixed in)  Seriously, I had a bit of panic shoot through my body.  I almost had to take a moment of silence...

 

33.  On Monday, my friend/running coach, Brian, brought me my birthday present....meet the latest bad girls of trail running....Saucony Peregrine 4

 

Aren't they smoking hot!!  :)

I broke them in last Friday, a 6 mile trail run. 

They are beast!  Brian kept telling me I needed new shoes,

I really had no clue a shoe would make that

much of a difference.

Thank you Brian!!

 

 

34.  By the end of the week I had 8 people I started working with on their nutrition to help them meet their goals.  Wow!  I am so excited!!

 

35.  This week I was touched many times by the heart of people.  I am humbled and appreciative of all everyone did for me to make this week one of the BEST birthday weeks in a very long time.  Thank you each and every one of you who took time to make me feel special. 

 

36.  A few things I am thankful for:

my job, education, having enough food, being able to run, feeling loved, and the peace of spirit I have developed through my yoga practice.

 

37.  Mastered marinating salmon! (I can check that one off my list)

 

38.  Turning 38 has been a pretty big deal for me.  Mostly because I realized I have either half my life been a child in no control of my life or raising my babies, I had Cierra when I was 19 years old.  With Hannah being a sophomore, I see my role as a parent changing and the possibilities for the next chapter in my life.  I love where I am on my journey.  The 1st 38 years were less than nice for the most part.  I truly feel like I can finally be me now and I am excited to see what the next 38 years will bring.

 

 

Thank all of you who made this one of my best Birthdays ever and for being in my life as you are such a huge blessing to me!  <3 you all!

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 





 





 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Whatever, Whenever, Wherever...



I have so much I want to share with you guys, and since these "speak" to me, I hope they will help convey all I want to express...

 



 

My love of yoga grows each week.  I am up to 3 yoga sessions per week and hope to fit in more.  Yoga to me is spiritual, but also, mentally and physically challenging, stretching me to my limits making me a better person.  It has Improved my day to day life in all areas such as; my lifts, runs, work, home life, etc...  I have my very 1st private session planned this Saturday and can not wait!   

 

Do you find yourself affected by those around you?  When affected how long does it take for you to "get over it and move on"?  I realize work situations may have to be excluded from this, but outside of work who do you allow in your inner circle?  Those people have the ability to affect you in a positive or negative way.  Choose those people wisely.

 

"Have no friends not equal to yourself."  ~Confucius

 

 

During a run this hit home for me.  When I go to the trails to run, I have a mileage set in my mind as the goal for the run.  Twice now, I have failed to do what I set out to do.  Both times, I beat myself up.  In the grand scheme of how many miles I will run though out my life, it doesn't matter if a few of those steps aren't perfect.  As long as one foot falls in front of the other, it is my mile.

 

Update:  Yesterday I ran 5 1/2 miles on a hilly trail.  We ran nonstop.  1st mile was a 9 minute mile, the first 3 miles averaged 9:15 pace, the whole run we averaged right at 10:00 mile pace.  Great run!

 

 

 

Lo Que Sea, Cuando Sea, Donde ~ Whatever, Whenever, Wherever.

What a moto!  This is the moto of the 7th SFG (Airborne).  Stop and think about that...  I have always said I want to big and bad enough to whatever I want.  Those guys make it a way of life and follow through.  With the up most respect & praise, True Badass Beasts!  Thank you sir for everything...

 

 

Scenery from my latest ruck...

 

Same ruck...

I can't imagine not having this in my life.

 

 

 

On a personal note, at 37, I feel fortunate to still be learning who I am and changing to become who I hope to be.  Isn't it when you quit learning/growing your life will cease?  I am learning to produce my own happiness.  I cannot allow someone else to be in charge of this for me.  Allow others to "add" to your life, but don't depend on them.  Find what makes you happy & go out and do it.

 

 

 

 

I am reading/learning as much as I can on how to improve the body through proper diet.  Getting quite obsessed with my body being "clean" of all impurities.  This is extremely interesting to me.  Nothing to do, but to do it!

 

 

One of my personal goals is to affect those I come in contact with in a positive manner.  To leave a mark on someone's life in such a way to have changed them forever.  I want to share all I know with others and be the one who inspired them to be a better person.  To leave this place better than how I found it.    

 

 

 

"Man is a goal seeking animal.  His life only has meaning if he is reaching out and striving for his goals."  ~Aristotle

 

 

"Life is a great big canvas, and you should throw all the paint you can on it."  ~Danny Kaye

 

 

"It is not true that nice guys finish last.  Nice guys are winners before the game even starts."  ~Addison Walker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Past Week....9 mile run

For the longest, I didn't feel like blogging, but there are so many things I want to share with you guys.  As most of my posts are, this is going to be a little random...

My trail running:
Last Saturday morning my running partner and I decided I should do a 9 mile run.  We went out to the place, he knows the trail so well he decided we would run it in reverse as most of the tough hills are on that end.  Intending the hardest part to be first, then a smooth finish.  I did well, until about mile 7.  The interior of my left knee started hurting with each step.  (Not good)  I tried to walk it out, no help, then I decided it needed to be stretched, so I sprinted a few rounds.  During the sprints the pain went away, but as soon as I started stepping normal the pain came back.  Finally, I decided I was not walking in, so we ran the rest of the way.  When we got back to his truck, I leaned up against it and put my head down.  I had such high expectations/hopes for that run and it was far from how I had pictured it.  He told me rarely does a run go exactly as you hope, which gave me some comfort, but I was still aggravated with myself.  Even though it left me feeling bummed out, it was also my most memorable run of all so far.  Along the way I finally got to see the pair of bald eagles in flight....what a spectacular sight!  They perched in a tree not far from us and I could hear them "talking".  It is unlike any other sound ever, the only thing I can compare it to would be the whale song. 
I also wiped out for my first time.... About a mile and a half from the finish, I took a dive through some small tree saplings; jumped up and started running again.  (No injury)  I am still hooked, very much so.  I plan to go out 2 more times this weekend.  :)

GU:
This gets a category all of it's own.  My running partner texted me the day before our run asking me if I had gotten any gel....me being the non runner I am thought he was talking about inserts for my tennis shoes.  YEA....NO!  It is something you eat while running to give you energy.  OMG!!  It is my new "crack".  It is by far the best thing (food source) I have ever tasted and will be buying it by the case very soon.  :))

Personal motivation:
The last post I wrote was about the new and old people in my life that have motivated me in different ways.  I love to learn about other people's methods and such to see if they have something I can use to better me or play with. 
Here is one that will be my new excuse for everything, not exactly motivation, but a must have.

How many times does someone ask you to do "something" and instantly you think if it will conflict with your training schedule?  Yep, me, ALL THE TIME.  Don't mess with my gym time!

The best compliment I have received in a while was just last weekend, I was working out with a friend and another guy was watching me do dips.  When I got done with the set the guy watching was giving me a thumbs up.  I smiled, and he told me "that looked like something out of Flex magazine right there".  Hahaha freaking awesome.  I said "Thank you".   If you are a head's down, earbuds in kind of gal like I am in the gym, you know any attention like that is a little embarrassing, but feels awesome. 

Lovin' it!
 

Lovin' It!

So much and many have touched my life lately that I want to share.  Sometimes I think we get caught up in seeing the bad of the world, and of the people we come in contact with.  Many become jaded or unreachable because they have "turned off their humanity switch".  I do not ever want to become like that; I want to be open to new people/thoughts/experiences, etc..  Over the last couple of months I have stretched myself to allow in those things.  Has it had it's moments where I questioned myself?  Oh heck yea.  I still do on certain issues, but I am trusting it will all work out positively. 

Here are some update shots of me and where I am on my path....

I am pretty happy with how my body is changing despite some limitations.

Here are a few of the people/thoughts/experiences that have made the last couple of months just perfect.

I have made a friend for life who has introduced me to trail running.  Has taken me under their wing and told me on several occasions they will take care of me.  For all you independent ladies, you know what this means.  Many times we are so focused on getting it all done, we forget about ourselves.  It is so nice to have someone experienced who wishes to take care of us on something such as a sport.  Thank you.

For the one who completely gets it.  Who follows the same lifestyle and never once has been anything, but a friend.  Thank you.

For the one encouraging me to be all I can be, to experience all I should, and to have no regrets.  Thank you.

My baby, who had a gun show with me in the bathroom mirror on "snow day".  I love her more and more still.  (the pic would not upload)  :( 

To you who after being out of the gym for a while has started back and flat out amazed me with the changes made to your body in a matter of a few weeks.  Who just takes it in and runs with it.  So crazy proud of you and all you have accomplished.

To you who had flipped off that humanity switch and has turned it back on.  You give me faith that people can open up accept experiences and still be cautious without pushing. 

"Triumphs without difficulties are empty.  Indeed, it is difficulties that make the triumph.  It is no feat to travel the smooth road."  ~Unknown

"You can't hit a home run unless you step up to the plate.  You can't catch a fish unless you put you line in the water.  You can't reach your goals if you don't try."  ~Kathy Seligman  (For my baby, Cierra, so proud of you!)



  

It's A New Day, It's A New Dawn...

Hello!  I could catch you up on all that has happened since September, but who needs all of that?!?  I have done lots of thinking, soul searching, planning, dreaming, reading, etc...  As of now, I have had 4 procedures to my neck this year.  The last 2 should be it for at least 6 months.  I am finally "on go" to lift upper body again.  It feels WoNDErFuL to have a bar or DB in my hands again.  (It's really the little, I mean BIG, things in life isn't it!)  AS far as blogging, I have mixed feelings.  With so much social media, my life is already laid out for most to see.  Yes, I control what goes out and do not concern myself too much with how it is perceived.  My only hope is that I help in some way to motivate others to lead a less sedentary lifestyle no matter what their age or physical limitations.  It is so encouraging to get texts, or be inboxed on FB about how much my "putting it out there" inspired others to do more, get started, or push harder.  Any one who has ever contacted me knows I will do anything to help them, even training them one on one.  My goal is not to make money, (I leave the money making to the pros) but to help others be the best they can be. 

This is my online journal, and for that reason, I use this to document where I am and where I have come from.  Not too much change from last year at this time.  Considering this was my year to get something done with my neck, most of this year I have not been able to lift upper body, or when I was able to it was modified greatly.  So, what's my wish for 2014?  Absolutely, hands down, no question at all, to have the body I dream of having.  I plan to give it everything I've got.  :)

 

 

Day 4 BAbY!

Shoulders/Arms:

Rev peck deck 5 X 10

Pullthoughs 4 X 10

Front raises 3 X 10, 1 X 5

BB curl 4 X 10 ss w

Skull crushers (pushed out) 4 X 10

Inc DB curl 3 X 8 ss w

DB tri ext 3 X 8

WOD:

5 rounds

spin bike 2 minutes

100 jump ropes

Worked out in the gym, did the WOD in my garage at about 5:00 in the lovely-NOT Louisiana heat.  Sweat was poring off me.  Better than a sauna!  :)

I noticed this pool of sweat under me from the spin bike, ugh gross, but beautiful at the same time.  :)

 

Hair was sticking to my face I was so drenched.  Loving it!!

Day 3! Whoot Whoot!!

Chest:
Dec. DB press 4 X 10 (love these for some reason)
Inc BB press 1 X warmup 5 X 5 (heavy)- sucks I can't go any heavier and grunt it out bc Docs do not want me to press my neck into the bench when lifting. 
Mach. inc. press 4 X 8-10
Dec pushup 2 X failure
WOD:
3 rounds for time-
25 kettlebells
10 burpees (was supposed to be 25, but I am not in burpee shape yet)
25 mountain climbers
Went home and did 15 min on inc tread.

Still loving the change up of doing the crossfit in addition to my workouts.  :)
More later...