{The Secret to Treadmill Running}

 Do you suffer from treadmill boredom?

I have a secret to share with you. 

Download Downton Abbey and watch an episode for two while you run. Before you know it, 30 minutes has passed and you are still running! I used to rely on music to get me through my runs. Lately I have been avoiding the treadmill and the gym all together.

Tonight I came home, set-up my computer in front of my treadmill and turned on Downtown Abby. Before I knew it I had ran for 36 minutes strait and watched a whole episode of the best show ever {that I just discovered}! Last week I couldn't even run for 30 minutes straight. Success! I'm officially ditching the music. 

If you haven't heard of Downtown Abbey, go buy season 1, get it on Netflix, download it, whatever. The point is, you must watch it!  

{Spanx} a Girls Best Friend

This weekend I'm going to an outdoor wedding in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I didn't really give much thought about what I was going to wear until I learned that the wedding doesn't start until 5pm and the temperature will be in the 60's. Out of all things, I absolutely hate being cold! It's almost a phobia I would say. So naturally tonight {the day before we leave} I started to freak out. What am I going to wear that is wedding appropriate and going to keep me warm!!!??

After work I ran to Old Navy, Ross and TJ Maxx to try and find a "fall" outfit. I ended up coming home with 4 shirts/sweaters and one cheetah looking skirt. I was betting the farm on the cheetah skirt.

When I got home I tried on cheetah with every black shirt, sweater, jacket I could find in my closet. I ended up with a couple of decent options that would potentially work. I then remembered a cheetah winter dress that I had bought from Express last year. I put the baby on and yep a little tight. The black leggings were pushing out my inner tube. Not going to work. I tried to cover it up with a belt. A little better, but still not sure. I them remember that I had bought some Spanx a while back. I dug them out of the drawer and put it on over my leggings.

P.E.R.F.E.C.T

The cheetah skirt looks even better on now too! Spanx saved the day!!! Don't believe me? Here are some before Spanx and after Spanx pictures.

Cheetah Skirt 

{Before}

Cheetah Skirt

{After Spanx}  

Dress

{Before}

Dress

{After Spanx}

 

Spanx in the Buff

{watch out for the camel toe}

 {looks like skin}

 

 

Spanx are a girls best friend and worth every penny! Go buy them now!

{Closet Makeover}

Last Friday I spent the evening helping Ashley clean out her closet. She requested a closet makeover for her birthday. She got the idea from Kayne West. Apparently he made Kim Kardashian clean out her closet and update it. I always thought Kim dressed amazing, but then again what do I know.

Ashley was a trooper! She tried on every single item in her closet. With every article of clothing she would tell me where she bought it and what she wore it to. We even found some clothes from high school! Here is the before photo that I snapped about half way through the process. This picture doesn't even do it justice. I have never seen so many clothes and shoes in my life! Most hangers had 5 pieces of clothing hanging from it. 

{Before}

We got a kick out of this "dress". It was the largest most frumpiest thing I have ever seen!!! Don't worry, we put it in the Goodwill pile! Ashley has lost so much weight since her pregnancy that literally everything in her closet looked great on her! She was even able to fit into all of her skinny jeans!

{Why did I buy this?}

Just when I thought we had finished, Ashley says we are going to go through my shoes right? Sure, why not. Holly molly!!! Ashley had more shoes that I have ever seen! And most of them were nar and from high school!!! We laughed and laughed!! 

After the shoes we moved onto the bra/panty/sock drawer, upon Josh's request. Josh warned me that Ashley has some raggedy panties that she still wears. OMG, he was NOT kidding!! Her favorite pair looked like a mouse had gotten a hold of it and shredded it. Luckily, I talked her into throwing them away. 

Next we tried on bra's. Ashley complained the whole time that she now has itty bitty titties. lol By this time she was basically nakey for the rest of the night. The funny thing is, she didn't even notice until she walked me out to my car and said oh my ittty bitty titties aren't covered up! She is soo comfortable in her skin and loves me be naked and free!! I'm pretty much used to it and don't mind. {Bet you didn't know this, but Ashley cleans her house nakey!} 

{Ashley's Closet Makeover!}

By the time we finished, I am not kidding you Ashley only had about 5 fall/winter shirts. Her closet is so bare! Lucky for her she  wears scrubs everyday to work. We are going shopping Wednesday evening for some new sophisticated/trendy/non-mom cloths. 

{First Day Back at the Gym} Post Cleanse

While doing the Beachbody Ultimate Reset cleanse, Beachbody suggests that you do not workout to allow your body to rest and really focus on freeing itself of toxins. Not to mention the food plan is not based around protein intake (which is needed when working out to build muscle). 

Today was my first day back in the gym post cleanse! Oh how I missed that place! This time around my workout cloths fit perfectly! What a huge confidence builder! Here is my cuter workout bag and ratty old shoes. I really want to go to Boulder Running Company and buy some new Asics. Today I got a coupon from BRC- it must be a sign! 

{Cute Workout Bag from Las Vegas}

{Very Old Shoes}

Tonight I lifted upper body. I found the workout plan from SimplyShredded.com. Wow, I've lost some strength. My arms were shaking by the time I finished the workout. I always try and write down my workouts to include the number of reps and weight. It's nice to be able to look back and see what you were lifting a month ago to make sure you are lifting heavier. This workout has me doing 3 sets of each exercise, 12 reps each.

{My Workout Log}

{Today's Workout}

{Workout Schedule}

Beachbody came out with a P90X app. The best part is Ab Ripper X is Free!!! Actually is looks like this is the last day you can get it for free. With this app I can listen to Tony Horton explain the moves and watch him in the video. Ab Ripper X is by far the best ab workout out there is.  

This time around, I am going to make sure I stretch after each session. I am the most inflexible person in the world, besides my dad. I fill like it starts in the arches of my feet, moves up my calves and ends at my butt. Everything is really tight. I am really going to work on this!

By the time I finished my workout I was weak and knew I needed some protein immediately to fuel my muscles. I bought an all natural chocolate milk drink from the cafe. Tomorrow I am going to make sure I bring protein powder.

It fills good to be back in the gym!!! 

{He's Pretty Much a Big Deal}

I've always known Preston was a big deal in the pool crowd. I mean he did scored Erin and I these awesome hats at a pool bar grand opening just for being Preston Hollis.

But now Preston is known in the pool crowd as a U.S. Amateur Championship finalist! He competed against 64 other pool players at the qualifying event in Fort Collins. The top 4 finalist {they don't play out to a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place} advance to the U.S. Championship tournament in Tampa, Florida! Preston is one of those finalist!!!

{Official Trophy}

 Preston spent a total of 33 hours in the bar either playing pool or waiting for his next match. He won his match on Friday. Lost his first match Saturday morning {double elimination}. Waited around for 10 hours and then won his next 2. On Sunday he was in the zone and won all four matches to be named a finalist! 

{Preston's Final Bracket}

The Championship tournament is in Tampa, Florida in November. It just so happens we will be arriving in Florida from my 30th birthday cruise on the same day the pool tournament starts. Perfect timing!

Preston has put in a lot of practice over the last couple of years to advance his pool game to an elite level. He plays in league two nights a week and goes to as many tournaments as his wife will allow him possible. All of his hard work has paid off! I know this win will boost his confidence even more {if that's even possible right!} and take him to another level. I can't believe I am saying this, but I can't wait until Preston's next tournament to see how he does! 

{When The Husband's Away}

Preston left on Friday for Fort Collins to play in the U.S. Amateur pool tournament. If he finishes in the top 4 he qualifies for the Championship tournament in Tampa, Florida.

What's a wife to do when the husband's away?

• I slept in.

• I watched movie after movie after movie.

{I loved this movie!!}

{This Movie was OK}

{I Cried for the Second Time}

• I watched the Usher Tell All on Oprah's Next Chapter. {Oprah's Next Chapter is one of my favorite shows on the O Network}

 

 

• I played with the dogs. 

 

 

• I went Braid's Maid dress shopping with the Sister and found my dress!!! The picture below does not do the dress justice. It is super cute. It will be in grey. And we are shortening it!!!  

{The Perfect Dress}

• I watched a lot of Football. 

• I took multiple naps. 

 

• I worked on the puzzle. 

• I checked my Fantasy Football Team {Hit It Betty} multiple times. 

What's a wife to do when the husbands away? Absolutely nothing!

{Beachbody Ultimate Reset} Phase 3

I have finally made it to week 3, phase 3 of the Beachbody Ultimate Reset cleanse. I only have 5 more days to go!!! Thank god. This cleanse is hard! My weight loss results is the only motivating factor keeping me going.

• Phase 1: Lost 4.6lbs

• Phase 2: Lost 1.5lbs

• Day 1, Phase 3: Lost 1.5lbs

Thus far I have lost a total of 7.6lbs!!! Because of this I keep going.

I am stilling suffering though the "Jolly Green Giant" drink.  Some days I can drink it no problem. Other days I gag. I have been drinking this every day for 16 days now. Yuck! 

{Alkalinize Powder}

{Alkalinize Mixed}

I am drinking over a gallon of water a day. The catch is, I can only drink distilled water with Himalayan Salt added to it. My pee is officially clear.

{My Nalgene Never Leaves My Side}

I have eaten fruit everyday for breakfast for 9 days straight. Only fruit. I know that this sounds yummy, but fruit gets old and does not fill you up. I am soo sick of fruit.

{Please, No More Fruit}

For the remainder of Phase 3, I will be eating a salad for lunch every.single.day. I am so over salad.

Luckily I have my BFF suffering through this crazy ass cleanse with me. 

{Best Friend's}