Shoes for Tomorrow... {TOMS}

 

Ash Canvas Classics

TOMS are by far the most comfortable shoes ever! It did take me a couple of days to get used to the feel. When I bought them I was told they stretch out due to being made out of canvas. I was talked into buying 1/2 size smaller than I usually wear. I was very nervous when I bought them. I was afraid I just purchased a pair of shoes I would never wear {you know what I'm talking about; we all have those "unwearable" shoes in our closets}. Thank you Zumiez sales chica, you obviously know what you are talking about. They fit great! 

If you haven't heard about TOMS they are a company that for every pair of TOM shoes you buy they donate a pair to a child in need. "One For One." Brilliant! And it's even more amazing that the company has taken off and become as popular as it has. As of September of 2010, TOMS has given over 1 million pairs of shoes to children in need around the world.      

Just as the Zumiez sales chica predicted, I will be back for a second pair. The $40-$60 price tag is worth the comfort and even more importantly the mission of the company. 

For more information on TOMS check out their website: http://www.toms.com/.

I Need Cesar Millan

We kennel our dogs when we leave. We used to let me roam the house until Harley tour up our couches. After coming home to couch pillow stuffing everywhere and pillows outside we decided to start kenneling the dogs when we left.

It was the best decision ever. It seemed like they enjoyed the kennel and ran right into it.

Last week I got a new dinning room set from Craig's List {more on this later}. As a result, we moved the dog kennels downstairs. Today Preston came home from a trip to Pueblo {he works from home} and found Augusta waiting for him on the stars. Odd he thought as he knew he put both dogs in their kennels. He went downstairs to let Harley out and found that Augusta chewed her way out of her hard plastic kennel.

August's Kennel- lots of blood

Blood everywhere

How the hell does a dog chew themselves free from a kennel? What made her do this? Now what do we do? There was a lot of blood from her mouth. We can't let her chew her way out of another kennel. Any ideas/suggestions? Maybe Cesar Millan will read this and come to the rescue. Our thought process right now is to let Augusta roam the house {she has only chewed out of a dog kennel and fence} and keep Harley in the kennel. Will Harley become jealous? Please help!! We need ideas. Do you think she chewed out because we took the kennels downstairs?   

Photo Booth Fun!

We went to a wedding this past weekend. The Bride and Groom had a photo booth at the reception. What a great idea! If I had to do my wedding all over again, I would most defiantly have a photo booth. Most.Fun.Ever! Check out these crazy pictures! Some are so chaotic because you only have 5 quick seconds between each shot. Most fun I have had in a long time!!  

Have YOU ever thought about an IRONMAN?

Today was my 3rd personal training session with Ass Kicker. Once again, he killed me. This time we did all of the work around the dreaded rowing machine. I used to love this machine, the relationship has since turned sour. It kicks my ass every time, especially when Ass Kicker is in charge.

I can't even tell you all of the workout moves we did today, but he pretty much worked everything on me with some high intensity cardio mixed in. Overall a great workout. Maybe one of my favorites thus far.

We also took my body fat percentage. UM YIKES! I am pretty sure it is up a point from when Preston and I had it done when we first joined the gym. Basically I need to lose 11 pounds, while still adding on muscle. This equates to a painfully slow process. How am I going to do this?  I also confirmed that if I do nothing my body burns 1300 calories.

On a positive note I won the last Work Weight Loss Challenge {along with 2 other people}. I ended up losing almost 6 "lake and beer" pounds. We are currently in round 2 that will last 5 weeks. This time I set a goal of 2.4lbs. Slow and steady wins the race.

So here's a question for you. Have you ever thought about doing an Ironman? If you haven't read this book "You Are An Ironman" by Jacques Steinberg. I haven't been able to put it down. And it has me contemplating an Ironman even before I have attempted a marathon let alone anything longer than a 5K if you don't count the sprint triathlon. Yes you are hearing me right, this book makes me want to do an IRON-freaking-MAN. Please feel free to tell me I am insane crazy {and that I should attempt a 10k or 10 miler first then a 1/2 or full marathon before even speaking of the word again}.     

I am sure this will pass. Just as these have:

• Vegan/Glutton Free Eating: who knew how hard this actually is! I am trying to keep from eating meat. I had my first veggie burger today at a restaurant. Pretty darn good.
• Puzzle: Preston and I started a puzzle at least a month ago and it's still not finished.
• Bracelet Making: I did make about 5 of them. So not a complete failure. 

{Home Makeover} Gallery Wall

My current obsession has been decorating my house. I discovered spray paint, thrift stores and Pinterest. My three new loves. With these three new obsessions I have been able to transform my house into a home.

Here is what I have been up to these last two weeks.

I attempted my very first gallery wall! I found my inspiration from Pinterst: 

I love the layout and black and white

Love the texture and round frames

I love the color of the wall and the big "&"

Love the focal point mirror

From Pottery Barn. Love Everything about it!

I then Googled how to layout a gallery wall. I found some helpful tips: use a common underlying theme whether it's in the frame, matting, image or picture color. Then add texture.

I gathered all of my black frames and found as much texture as I could from around the house: mirror, white clock, main frame and skeleton key.

The next step is to trace your frames and objects in paper. I used construction paper. Then place your frames out to get a visual idea. Tape your cut outs on your wall. Rearrange until you are pleased. Hang frames according to layout.

I didn't use a level or tape measure. For some of the trickier frames I used the cut out to help me know where to hammer the nail.

The gallery wall turned out mazing!! The next step is to find black and white photos with an underlying theme of love to match my focal frame. However, I'm not big on putting up all pictures of P and I and our dogs on the wall. I think that it's too expected and not to mention a little odd since we don't have children. I'm going to think outside the box.

Take a look...

From top of stairs looking down

 

From bottom of stairs looking up

First half

Second half

Skeleton Key from Ross

Not even sure if the clocks works!

Focal point

The pictures don't do it justice so you will have to take my word.

This is actually a pretty easy project that adds some design to a space that you might not otherwise decorate. Try it!!

{30 Before Thirty} 10 Year Reunion

I have on my 30 Before Thirty list do something fun for 10 year high school reunion. Check. The Calhan High School class of 2001 met up at Fox and Hound and enjoyed a few drinks. It was great to see everyone and catch up!  

Crazy class of 2001, 10 years later...

Kalen & Casey

Neon, Jackie, Robben

Me & Preston

Shad & Todd

Sam

Jessica, Kalen and Me

Sam, Jessica, Kalen, Me, Todd, Shad

Kalen & Casey

{Personal Training Diaries}

This evening I had my first personal training session. I knew it was going to be tough, but I had lifted before, with some strong serious lifting dudes, so I thought I would do fairly well.

Enter Mr. Trainer Dude.

He kicked my ass. I have never felt so weak and sissy la-la in my entire life. This also tells me that I am not good at pushing myself to my limits when lifting on my own. Mr. Trainer Dude had me questioning my ability right off the bat with a 3 minute blank. Seriously who can do a 3 minute plank?! Then he asked me to do some ab exercises and I literally couldn't. This was a huge eye opener. My core is WEAK. There is nothing there.

I then worked my chest, shoulders and some lower back. Each exercise he pushed me to my max without compromising form. The goal of all this is to not only get stronger, but also know proper technique.
 

Workout Session 1:
Row 4 minute warm-up

Plank 3 minutes
Ab workout (similar to a P90X V-Up Roll Up)
Regular crunches
Crunch pulses with bar
Side Oblique crunces

Bench Press
Seated Row
Assisted Pull Ups
Butterfly Chest Machine Thingy
Ab workout holding feet up and bringing knees in
Elevated Row
Elevated Pull Down Bar Thingy
Push Ups on knees using ball
Side Planks

Ending with the Foam Roller 


I hope my P90X Recovery drink does its magical trick and makes me feel good as new tomorrow.

I noticed that in my workout I was parched the entire time. I need to make sure to drink more water throughout the day. Also, when I got home I wasn't hungry like at all. I need to switch up my meals and eat the salad with beans for lunch to make sure I get my vegetables and save the bean soup for dinner. It's also probably important to eat dinner.

One of the main reasons I am working with a personal trainer is to build my strength. I know lifting plays a vital part in my overall fitness level. I just don't have the knowledge or will power to do it.

I also have this goal on my 30 Before Thirty list to be in the best shape of my life. I knew that without help I wouldn't be able to reach this goal to the tone of best shape of my life. I feel like now is the right time to commit my time to a trainer. Preston's pool leagues have started, it's getting colder out, Ashley is Prego and I have this huge desire to be lean and toned all before I turn 30- in little over a year. For all of these reasons I decided to ask for help.

Work Weight Loss Challenge Update

We only have 2 weeks left in the Work Weight Loss Challenge! I am doing great. Especially since I started the "Live-It" way of eating. I am below my stated goal weight which tells me that I took the easy way out and didn't set a goal that would push me. At the end of the challenge I have to be at or below 135.2lbs. Currently I am at 134.6lbs. Assuming I stick to my eating plan, this will be a cake in the park and part of the pot will be mine!!

I am betting that I will have to share the pot with 2, maybe 3, other people. I am only expecting to get back around $30 thus winning $15. If this is what it takes for me to lose weight, winning $15, then so be it. Sign me up!

Today I was a little challenged by my "diet." I believe my problem was I let myself go to long before I ate lunch. By then, I was starving and wanted to pig out. Luckily I had enough self control to eat my delicious lunch {Amy's Bean Soup} and nothing else. The day I can have fruit, might be the happiest day of my life!!! What a treat that will be!!

Did you know that Olive Oil is not that good for you!? I honestly had no idea. I thought it was the best oil option out there. Turns out when it is heated {like when you use it to stir fry} the heat completely changes the composition of the oil and makes it bad for you. I just read this in the Forks Over Knives book and on some blogs. But after Googling it, it seems that there are two distinct sides. Just to be safe I am going to try cooking with hydrogenated unrefined coconut oil.  

The Result of an Unplanned Workout

Yesterday my workout involved the treadmill, a stationary row machine and an elliptical. I didn't feel like being at the gym so I thought I would mix it up to help get me through it.

My run on the treadmill didn't go so well. The big huge treadmill machine started wobbling around like crazy around mile 1. I have a tendency to run with pounding feet so that might have caused the treadmill to come unbalanced. I reluctantly pealed myself away from the Toddlers and Tiaras show (crazy show by the way) and jumped on another machine. By this time my running mojo was gone. I didn't last very long. I really wanted to go home. But since I had only been at the gym for like 10 minutes I started looking for another machine.    

 

 Enter the row machine. I was hoping to burn around 100 calories on the beast, but only lasted for probably around 8 minutes. I have such a hard time with stamina on this machine. Did you see those guy on The Biggest Loser going crazy on the row machine?? I about die every time I get on this machine. 

To end the dreadful workout I jumped on the "easy" elliptical. The last time I did the elliptical was in college. At that time in my life I was over weight and out of shape. I didn't believe that over weight people could run on a treadmill so I chose the elliptical. I remember hating it then and still hate it now. This is not a cake workout. My legs  and calves were on fire and I was winded the entire time.

As soon as I got to my 350 calorie burn I busted out of the gym. I am not sure why I had such a hard time. Maybe is was because I lacked a plan. Next time I go, I must have a plan. Period.

I am hoping that I will get some pointers from my personal trainer tomorrow!!! I stole Preston's paid for sessions, because it was driving me bat-shiznit crazy that he wasn't using them nor had any solid plans to do so. He is in major pool mode now. Plus what better way to get ready for the cruise and get in the best shape of my life! I am the type of person who needs someone to push me and teach me. I think I will strive in this setting. I am soo excited and freaking nervous. I cannot wait for the trashing I am going to get tomorrow!!! 

{My New Love}

I started the "Live-It' way of eating yesterday. Day 1 proved to be a success. P-Dawg and I took a trip to the big city of Denver and experienced Ikea for the first time ever. Wow! Soo much to take in. A little overwhelming at times. At one point I thought I was going to break down in tears because I couldn't find Preston and my cell phone didn't work. 

I wanted to go to Ikea to look for an end table for our living room. We came home with a new rug, floor lamp and pictures instead. I am putting together the final touches on our living room. I decided to steel my sister's idea and decorate in navy blue, white and silver. It goes really well with our mocha couches. We ended up finding an end table at American Furniture Warehouse. I have been searching this town like crazy looking for navy blue throw pillows. No luck. It looks like I might order some from Esty. I can't wait for everything to come together. I'll post pictures soon! 

Anyways, I ate lunch at the mall Saturday. I found a little bakery/cafe that happened to be serving dairy free black bean chipotle soup. It was actually very tasty! I also had a small below average salad. For dinner I had a salad with black beans. I am going to have to start branching out and trying new vegetables (like spaghetti squash) or I am going to get tired of salad and black bean soup very soon.

What I really wanted to share with you is this...

  

This is the best kept secret! If I had known about this 40 calorie Vanilla Almond Breeze wonderfulness, I would have given up cows milk a long time ago. It's really, really amazing.

Especially if you mix it with this...

Since I am temporally not eating bananas, I decided to mix my chocolate Shakeology with vanilla almond milk, ice and a little water. 

This is what I got...

This is by far the best tasting Shakeology shake I have ever had! 

Starting Weight: 136.2

Current Weight: 135.0

Goal Weight: 127.0

Thoughts: full from Shakeology