July 4th! Happy Birthday America!

I woke up this morning so sore!  I'm not sure which exercise worked my abs yesterday but I'm feeling it today! 

I haven't done much today, went to Wal-Mart, painted my nails (did you know they like make scented nail polish now?!), and watched a Criminal Minds marathon.

I think I'm going to go to the pool in a bit.  I probably won't be going to watch the fireworks anywhere.  I may just sit outside and hope I can see Corporate Woods firework show. 

It's just too dang hot to do anything.

Christa, the heat is just getting to you!  You haven't had a "beverage" but I'll drink one for you later :)

Thought of the day:
Drink lots of water!

Confidence

While working out with my trainer today, I was able to do my exercises with little to no problems.  In fact next time we are increasing the weights.  I was surprised that I was able to do 10 pull-ups in a row without too much problems. 

My trainer said that doing the 5k on Saturday increased my confidence.  I agree!  I now know that I am stronger than I thought I was in many different ways.

Working today with the trainer is what I needed to kick my butt into gear.

I made a simple Home Exercise Tracker today

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/64685033/home%20exercise%20tracker.pdf

Feel free to download, print and share it.  I have to actually see it and write it down.  Tracking it on MyFitnessPal is awesome but seeing it daily on paper is what I need as well.  I will be tracking it in 2 different ways.

I hope you find this tracker useful.

Thought of the day:
How can we help each other get the confidence back to move on with our weight loss journeys?

Homemade laundry detergent

3 Cups Borax
3 Cups Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1 Bar Whole Foods Brand Lavender Bar Soap
1 21 Cup Cereal  Saver

Measure out the Borax and Super Washing Soda into the Cereal saver, replace lid and shake well.  I like using the bigger ones for the mixing process. Take a potato peeler and shave the bar soap into a large bowl. After all the soap has been shaved, break up the soap.  You can use a cheese grater but I just didn't want to fight it.  Pour the soap into the cereal saver, replace lid and shake well. 

For a large load of clothes you only need 2 tablespoons of detergent.  If it is a heavily soiled load, add 2 more tablespoons.  It does not create suds so don't panic!  My whites are whiter and my clothes have a light scent. 

You could probably substitute any smell bar soap or no smell if that's what you want.  You could also use Zote or any of the laundry bar soap in the laundry aisle.  A lot of the recipes I saw suggested using Ivory but with my sensitivity and the bumps on my arms, I wanted to know exactly what was going into it.  The bar soap at Whole Foods is all natural so that is why I picked it.  I've only washed 2 loads of clothes but I'm already loving the soap! 

Comment below if you a) already make your own, b) try it, or c) have any other suggestions!

6 months!

Happy 6 months to me!  It's crazy that 6 months ago today I started the blog and this journey.

Although this journey isn't going quite as I anticipated, it's going well.

Looking back to my initial goals...


#1 Arrive at the Y by 4:30pm, 3 days a week, and work out for at least 30 minutes.
#2 Not buying cookies and ice cream, if it's in the house, I will eat it
#3 No fast food! If I eat it, choose wisely!

I think I needed that reminder.  Things haven't been going as planned in regards to my goals so I think I need to change things up.

#1 Arrive at the Y by 4:30pm, 4 days a week and work out for a least 45 minutes.
#2 No buying cookies, ice cream or candy, if it's in the house, I will eat it
#3 No fast food!  Just say no!


*Changes are in bold

I am by no means discouraged by my outcomes, for crying out loud I walked 3.1 miles in under 1 hour. I could not have said that on January 2, 2012.

These new goals should help me get my buns into gear again.  I've got the Glow Run in 12 days and plan on running part of it this time.  Starting tomorrow I am going to be training for it.  Now that I know why I can't breathe, I can make it work!

It's time to look at your goals and make the appropriate changes.

Thought of the day:

The Color Run 2012

I had a blast yesterday at the Color Run!

I power walked 2.6 miles of the 3.1.  I made a promise to myself that I would run across the finish line.  So I did!!!!  The Bad Teachers had way more fun than should be allowed.

Before

After!

As you can see we all had a lot of fun getting dirty!

Here are some more pictures:

My dad and I, he's not in white :)

My step-mom!  I love all the supporters in my life

I didn't have my feather tutu on but you can see how dirty I was!

All in all a fabulous time was had by all!  Now to get my butt moving so I can run more of the Glow Run than I did the Color Run!

Six months ago this was not possible and now look at me now!!!!!!!!

Thought of the day:

Keep it going, you can do it, don't give up!

Less than 12 hours!

In less than 12 hours I will be doing my first 5k!!!!!  I'm so excited!

Something interesting happened in my brain today.  I'm not sure what happened but I am now at peace.  

Last night and today I volunteered at check-in for the Color Run. I was manning the iPad and getting bibs for people.  I had a lot of fun!!!

Anyway, as I was checking in someone, I couldn't even tell you what the person or people looked like but I heard my trainers voice in my head. I just kept hearing him say "Don't get discouraged!  Look how far you've come!"

I had that OMG moment!  He's right!  So what if I walk the whole 5k?!  Could I have done this in January?  HELL TO THE F^(& NO!

This is only a small part of my journey.  I'm not feeling so angry about not being able to run part of it.  I'm not feeling discouraged either.

I'm at peace now knowing that regardless of how I cross that finish line tomorrow, I am FINISHING!  Isn't that the most important thing anyway?

Team Bad Teachers Rock no matter how we cross that finish line!

I love you all!

Long day....

I volunteered for the Color Run Check-In today.  It is real now!

I had so much fun!  I ended up putting on many hats tonight but that is nothing new. As a teacher I wear many hats so tonight I started out at the shirt table, made it over to the inital check in table, then was telling people "Start time has been changed to 7:30 instead of 8:30 due to excessive heat", then ended my night giving out packets of color.

Who knows what hats I will wear tomorrow but I have learned to wear different shoes!  My feet hurt so bad!

It's just weird knowing that in 36 hours I will be doing my first 5k. Unfortunately I will end up walking the majority of it but that's okay, I'm doing it.  That's all that matters!

I'm off to bed, it's been a long day and tomorrow is going to be long as well.  Actually the next 3 days are going to be long.

If I don't post, I'm just too tired but will post pictures as soon as I can.

Night all!

Thought of the day:

Green Tea

Before I begin with the health benefits of green tea, I thought I would let my readers know that I have asthma.  I found out tonight.  I was supposed to go to the doctor on Friday morning but after yoga today, I realized that I needed to go.  I went to the walk-in clinic that my doc. office has.  Long story short... x-ray, breathing treatment, 2nd treatment, discussion about exercise, prescription of an inhaler and finally a lecture about taking it easy during my 5k's this summer.

So with that...

I have started drinking 2 cups of green tea every day.  It is widely known that green tea is good for your metabolism.  Did you know that it has many other benefits as well?

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/11-benefits-of-green-tea-that-you-didnt-know-about.html

Weight Loss. Green tea increases the metabolism. The polyphenol found in green tea works to intensify levels of fat oxidation and the rate at which your body turns food into calories.

Diabetes. Green tea apparently helps regulate glucose levels slowing the rise of blood sugar after eating. This can prevent high insulin spikes and resulting fat storage.

Heart Disease. Scientists think, green tea works on the lining of blood vessels, helping keep them stay relaxed and better able to withstand changes in blood pressure. It may also protect against the formation of clots, which are the primary cause of heart attacks.

Esophageal Cancer. It can reduce the risk of esophageal cancer, but it is also widely thought to kill cancer cells in general without damaging the healthy tissue around them.

Cholesterol. Green tea reduces bad cholesterol in the blood and improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol.

Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. It is said to delay the deterioration caused by Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Studies carried out on mice showed that green tea protected brain cells from dying and restored damaged brain cells.

Tooth Decay. Studies suggests that the chemical antioxidant “catechin” in tea can destroy bacteria and viruses that cause throat infections, dental caries and other dental conditions

Blood Pressure. Regular consumption of green tea is thought to reduce the risk of high blood pressure.

Depression. Theanine is an amino acid naturally found in tea leaves. It is this substance that is thought to provide a relaxing and tranquilizing effect and be a great benefit to tea drinkers.

Anti-viral and Anti-bacterial. Tea catechins are strong antibacterial and antiviral agents which make them effective for treating everything from influenza to cancer. In some studies green tea has been shown to inhibit the spread of many diseases.

Skincare. Green tea can apparently also help with wrinkles and the signs of aging, This is because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Both animal and human studies have demonstrated that green tea applied topically can reduce sun damage. 

Tea Tree Oil

I have discovered the joy of tea tree oil.

I started using it a few months ago to wash my hair.  Unfortunately being an elementary school teacher comes with some hurdles.  One of them... lice!  Even thinking about them makes my head itch. I had heard that using tea tree oil in shampoo helps prevent lice.  I didn't get any but then again, I haven't had them since I was a child.

While I was doing my research, this is what I have found.
http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-tea-tree-essential-oil.html

I have some 100% Tea Tree Oil from Trader Joe's and I also have some Tea Tree Soap from Jason's Naturals.  I LOVE the smell of the soap. It is an all over body wash so some of the benefits from the link above will help.

I can say since I've started using the body wash, the bumps on my arms are lessening.  Also, TMI moment, the acne on my @$$ is going away.  My skin is softening and I don't feel like I have to apply lotion as much.  Bonus, I smell good :)

Look at some of the benefits and see if you can benefit as well.

Tomorrow: The benefits of green tea

Thought of the day:
Are you really hungry or bored?

5 days and counting!

The Color Run is in 5 days.  I'm totally nervous!

My team (Bad Teachers) and I are making shirts on Thursday and picking up our packets. Once I get my packet it will be real for me.

I'm also making my team bracelets.  I was feeling a bit crafty. Check them out here
http://pic.twitter.com/mklb1C0I

I'm going to be decorated like no one has ever seen!  I'll post pictures of course!  Let's just say my step mom's chickens aren't the only family members with feathers ;-P

Off to work on the bracelets some more....

Thought of the Day: