Happies

1. Well, I'm in my home state, and that's a pretty big happy in my book! I've been spending a lot of time with friends and family, and it's been so great. It's been a busy, busy week, but I've been having such a good time!
2. I've managed to stick to my workout and eating plan the whole time I've been here! I'm pretty proud of myself, since I tend to find any excuse to fall off the wagon. I'm waiting to weigh in until I get home, but I'm still noticing some changes in how toned I am. I don't think things could have gone any better, as far as that's concerned.
3. Yesterday my best friend Kayla, of K&M Photography, took my pictures for me! I've been wanting some new photos for the blog for a while, but I waited for her to take them. We had a lot of fun, but I discovered that I'm a terribly awkward model! I didn't know what to do with myself, and even though it was my best friend taking them, I was still uncomfortable. They turned out really good though, and you will be seeing them around here soon (update: I already changed my main picture)! In the meantime though, here's a little preview for you.

She's super talented and, if you would like, you can check out her Facebook page here.

Crappies

1. The only crappy thing about this week would be the fact that it's not long enough! A week just isn't enough time sometimes to see everyone I want to see and do everything I want to do. But, then again, I suppose I have to put things in perspective. I get to see my family several times a year, both when I come here, and they travel to Oregon. There are probably a lot of people who aren't so lucky! So I will just count myself blessed that I was able to come for a whole week, instead of just a weekend!

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Happies

1. It's Friday! That always makes me happy.
2. I get to see my family this weekend! This pretty much cancels out any negatives for the week. Well, except one, which I will show you in moment.
3. I've gotten a lot of new followers this week, and I'm so happy you're all here! Thanks so much for all the nice comments, and I hope you'll continue to stop by and say hi!

And then there's this....

Crappies

1. Yes, that would be an empty suitcase. Whoops! Dane refers to this as a "Classic Amy." It sucks when your classic moment is always being behind on something. Oh well, off to packing I go!

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

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Something that has been on my mind a lot lately (and I mean a lot!) is wanting to be more present. To be more into what is happening in my life today. Not tomorrow. Not next week, or month or ten years from now. To be more focused on the little things, and to enjoy them more. Not to let my happiness hinge on those things in the future, that I'm waiting to happen.

I'm sure a lot of people struggle with this. And it's so hard not too! When you have goals and dreams, which are great things to have, you can put so much focus on those things. But then, what happens to your now? When all of your energy is spent looking to the future? I feel sometimes that time is just flashing by me, and I'm wishing it away, trying to get to somewhere different.

I've been this way as long as I can remember. I know I enjoyed my childhood, don't get me wrong, but the biggest theme that stands out to me is how badly I wanted to grow up. I would constantly day dream about the days when I could make my own decisions, be my own person. I remember when I was ten, I literally started counting down the years until I was grown! And I continued to count down. Until I was a teenager, until I had a boyfriend, until I graduated, until I was married. I was always looking, and wishing myself forward.

Today it's the same story. I'm always thinking, "I'll be happier when I lose that last ten pounds, when I get to go on vacation, when I get to throw this party, when my husband is more successful, when we have more money, when I have a baby, when, when, when..."

The thing is, maybe I won't be happier! Maybe I'll just keep looking to the next thing. Because I'm happy now. I just don't take the time to truly realize it. To be content and thankful for the things I have now. For my everyday experiences. And sometimes, when I'm so caught up in planning and wishing, I raise my expectations too high. There have been several times when I was so intensely focused on how amazing some event or time would be, that I was let down. It wasn't as magical as I had imagined. Then, how much more of a waste was the time that I spent wishing would go faster?

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I know I'm not very old, but sometimes it still seems like just yesterday that I was a kid. And that makes me kind of sad. How will I feel in ten or twenty years, if I don't make a change? Like I just wished all my time away, when I should have been enjoying it? That's not what I want, at all.

So, my new goal is to be happier in my now. That's not to say that I won't still make plans, or have dreams, because I will. But I will let them come in their own time, because it will come fast enough. I want to be able to look back at a life filled with small happy moments, and know that I didn't just wish it all away. To be thankful for each day, and to find beauty and happiness in being present. I want to enjoy each season, and not try to rush on to the next, no matter how tired of winter I am, or how much I want fall to come.

We only get so much time, and I want mine to be well spent.

What about you? Do you think about this, and is it something you want to work on as well? Let me know!

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So, like you may already know, last week I jumped back on the workout wagon! I've been feeling like garbage all winter long, and I'm determined to get fit for summer! I've had some questions about what I'm doing to work out, so I thought I would share it with you!

I really want to focus on strength training, and so that's been a big part of it. I'm not doing any super heavy lifting or anything, and I will probably have to up my weights/intensity at some point, but for now, this is what I'm doing.

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Some of these probably look familiar, huh? Yes, I had them as a part of my Oh, How Pinteresting a couple weeks ago. I've been doing them on Wednesdays and Saturdays. I also do more for my ab set, usually a lot of boats and planks (normal and side), until I really feel it! I also throw in some more for my lower body, like some extra sets of squats and lunges, and some more arm work with weights. I've been adding a little bit each week, because I don't want things start getting too much easier.

I have some at home dvds too, that I can do if I want to switch things up. I'm a really big fan of the Biggest Loser workouts. I have a Bob Harper yoga, and Jillian Michaels last chance. They are both good ones for strength training! I also have the Supreme 90 Day System set of dvds. I've never done P90X, but I think these are similar, at least in idea. They are very intense intervals of weights and fast cardio movements. I tried to follow the system last summer and then quit after two weeks, but they are great to split up and use as my upper or lower body workouts!

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Even though my main goal is to get really toned, I still have to do cardio to lose some of this fat! As some of you know, I'm training for my third 5k run. I sign up for the same one every year, and it seems to be the only thing that really motivates me to get running! Or working out at all. At least this year, that seems to be the case. So the program I've been following is from Fitness magazine, and you can find it here.

I end up training three days a week, doing a combination of walking and walking/jogging intervals. (Let me just say that it is a whole lot easier than the training program I followed for my ten mile run last year!) Then, I have my two days of cross training (my strength training days) and two rest days. I do my ab workout everyday except rest days. It's a pretty easy program to follow, and I'm really liking it so far.

Food wise, I've been doing a low carb diet/lifestyle change. I'm not following anything specific, I'm just trying to follow the "no white" rule. It usually seems to work pretty well for me, and I would love to be able to stick to it for good! Or at least only have those white foods on occasion. The biggest benefit I get from eating this way, is the fact that I have to replace the starches in my meals with fruits and vegetables, and that makes such a difference in how I feel! I'm really liking it, and I hope it's something I can continue to do long term.

I'm also currently in the middle of a No Dessert March challenge!

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It really hasn't been too hard, and I think it's been totally worth it. Sugar is just not my friend, both in weight-loss terms, and in how I feel physically.

Right at first, I felt like I was doing everything right, but it I wasn't seeing a lot of results! The scale just wasn't budging, and I didn't notice any of my clothes fitting better either. I was starting to get a little discouraged. There's nothing worse than busting your backside, and having nothing to show for it!

The last few days though, I've started to notice some changes! Like my arms being more toned, some ab definition, and the scale finally starting to move! I'm pretty happy about it, and even though it doesn't seem like much, I'll go for the small victories. I hope to start seeing more of a change in how my clothes fit soon. I bought those pink skinnies I've been wanting, but they are a little too tight for me to be comfortable wearing them in public. I don't care as much about the scale, as I do getting into those pants! Ha!

So there you have it, my workouts and how I'm eating. I hope it was informative, and inspiring to some of you to get your own workout on! If you're anything like me, and the diet always "starts on Monday" then hopefully this will get you active today!

Have a great week everybody, and a special thank you to all of my new followers! I'm glad to have you all reading along!

Happies

1. The sun decided to stick around most of this week! It's been amazing. I thought it was supposed to rain today, but if it is, it's not happening this morning. I see a mix of sun and clouds, but I'll take it!
2. I decided it was time to bust out my sunless tanner yesterday. I'm sick of my winter pasty skin, and this nicer weather makes me want to have tan skin! I'm not a big fan of tanning beds (skin cancer!) but I've been thinking about using, them maybe just a few times before summer. This from the girl who has spent the last couple of years being mostly pasty white and slathered in sunscreen. Well last summer, I ended up doing some laying out outside, and now I've got the tanning booth bug. Maybe if I keep using my sunless tanner, I can avoid it. I do feel better already, after just one use!
3. Finally saw the scale budge this week. I'm down two pounds! Woot, woot! After two weeks of working out, and eating really healthy, something had to give. I was getting pretty annoyed, but I guess sometimes it takes a little bit for the working out to kick in. Now, only thirteen (ish) more to go.
4. I've started planning a baby shower! It's a bit early (ok, it's a lot early) because it won't be until August, but I wanted to get a jump on it. There are just so many cute ideas, and I absolutely love planning parties! It's one of my favorite things to do. I'm already using Pinterest, and writing up lists! I tend to get a little over excited, I know. But this gives me a lot of time, and I will be able to slowly purchase the all of the things I want for it. It's going to be so much fun, and I can't wait!

Crappies

1. I used a spray on sunless tanner, and I apparently need to start using some towels or something, because it got all over my floor! Now, there's nothing wrong with my floor, but the bottoms of my feet are completely orange! They look ridiculous. I need to go buy a good pumice stone and some lemons, because otherwise I won't be able to wear flip flops anytime soon.
2. I ran out of half and half for my coffee yesterday, and forgot to go buy more. So no coffee for me this morning until I run to the store! Or, maybe I'll just go buy myself a latte instead...hmm, actually that sounds like a happy to me!
3. Poor Dane finally caught my cold. You would think that he would have gotten it by now, since I had three times over this last winter, but colds are funny like that I guess. Luckily, I don't think he had it quite as bad as I did last time, and he hasn't had to miss work. This weekend will probably be spent in though, with lots of couch and Netflix time!

P.S. In regards to the whole Google Reader fiasco, if you would like to follow me at Bloglovin', you can click the icon below my picture on the sidebar, or click here. I had already been planning on switching all of my subscriptions there anyways, so this seems like a good time to do that, even though I see them all through Blogger, and not the G.R. Anyways, if for some reason it looks like I'm not following you anymore through GFC, that's why!

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Reading  Still haven't been reading much at all, besides some blogs. I started reading Wildwood by Colin Meloy a couple of weeks ago, but I haven't touched it since! I did go check out it's sequel, Under Wildwood, and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, from the library this week though. I guess that mean's I had better get on it!
Writing  This post, mostly. I've had a couple of ideas for new posts bouncing around, but I haven't put those thoughts into text yet. I'm hoping to soon though! I also plan on re-writing my About page soon. I just think I could do it better, you know? So that is definitely on my list.
Listening  The same old stuff, it seems like. I have just about burned out my playlists on Spotify though, so I'll be on the hunt for some new tunes! Or maybe some old ones that I haven't heard in a while. Also, I guess I should also mention that I learned to rap word for word along to "Thriftshop!" I know, it's ridiculous, and it drives Dane crazy because it is so overplayed! Then you throw me in, rapping it to myself constantly throughout the day, and he's had just about enough, ha!
Thinking  About my upcoming trip to Idaho! I'm so happy to be going home for a little while. Five months is just so long to go without being there! I've seen my parents a couple times in those five months, and a couple of my sisters got to stay about a month with me, but there's lots of other people I haven't seen. Especially my bestie! I'm coming Kayla, you'd better be ready!
Smelling  Fresh air. It has been so nice out lately, I've been opening my house up. I love it when I finally get to air out the stale old winter air! It's so, so refreshing! I feel like this is one of the nicest end-of-winter seasons we've had since I've lived here!
Wishing  I was in a little better shape. The worst part about not working out, is how hard it is to get back into it! You would think that I would use that motivation to always stay active but, for some reason, that's not the case. A year ago, I ran a ten mile race. This week, my lungs are burning after running for ten minutes. It's not good, people! It's not good.
Hoping  I don't pig out too badly today. We're having our first barbecue of the year with my in-laws, and it's going to be delicious! Luckily, I can have lots of veggies, and I'm sure there won't be a shortage of those.
Loving  My first pedicure of the new year! I've been terrible about doing my nails (fingers and toes) for a while now, and I've been craving some pink! So, as you can see, I busted out my Spring colors, and jazzed them up a bit! I forgot how much more I love my feet when they are all cute and colorful.


Wanting  To be seeing some results already!. I've started eating better and working out, and week one yielded no losses. I'm bumming hard! Well, maybe not that hard, but it's a little discouraging to feel like you did everything right, and see nothing for your hard work. Oh well, I feel better physically, so that's a huge plus, and hopefully this week will be better. I've already planned some tweaks to my diet, so wish me luck!
Needing  To be drinking more water! I make sure I have some everyday, but I know I'm coming nowhere near what I should be. I need to start carrying my trusty water bottle with me everywhere again, and see if that helps.
Feeling  Pretty tired! Losing that precious hour of sleep in the Spring always does me in! Coupled with the fact that I already had a late night, means that I didn't get up early enough to run this morning before getting ready for church. I'm going to have to try to fit it in later today, which will be challenging. And as for being tired, well, I'm sure it will even out soon. I just plan on hitting the hay early tonight!
Clicking  On this. If you are not familiar with Buzzfeed, you should be! I found this on Pinterest, and I just died! I literally had tears! My stomach hurt so, so bad, but it was so worth it. In fact, after writing this, I think I will go look at it again! The Google one is the best, hands down! Or, you know, all the way down....


Also, I just had to share. This is what my camera kept doing to me while taking these photos! Stupid camera! (The grass looks neat though)

1. I've started eating a lot healthier this week, and training for my 5k run has officially started! So, needless to say, I'm feeling really good! It's amazing what cleaner eating and regular exercise can do for my body. Whenever I'm doing it, I can't imagine why I would ever stop!
2. I won another giveaway! I know, what's up with that? Two in two weeks, man I'm feeling lucky! Maybe it's time to head to the casino, eh? Anyway, this one was for two pairs of earrings from Thrifty Girls Get Deals, and it was hosted by the amazing Heather, of Bumblebee! She is just too cute, and I love her blog, so if you don't already follow her, please do! You won't regret it!
3. This week has been okay in the weather department, but the forecast for the weekend is sun! We're going to be having our first barbecue of the weekend at my in-law's house on Sunday. I can't wait!
4. I finally figured out how to make my first blog button, complete with grab box! I'm slowly getting the hang of some of this techy stuff, and I'm liking it a lot! I'm also working on a sponsor page, and soon I'll be ready to start swapping buttons. I'll be sure to let you know when it's up and running!
5. All day at school on Thursday, kids were asking me how old I was. Not in a "wow, you're old" kind of way, but in a "are you old enough to be a teacher" kind of way. You see, this elementary has high school students come in and help out as aides, and the kids constantly think I'm one of them. I had kids ask if I was a college student (which, I guess, I could be), how old I was, and how long I've been a teacher! It made for a fun day, but hey! I'm still old enough that hearing how young I look comes across as a compliment!

1. I've been super sore all week! I guess that's what I get for not seriously working out in the last six months. Hopefully it won't be too long before it clears up!
2. I just cannot seem to keep up on laundry these days! I'm constantly behind, and even though I'll almost catch up every week, I never quite make it. Then, next thing I know, another week's gone by and I'm out of everything! Then it's back at it, fighting with that overflowing hamper. It never ends! Oh, and don't even get me started on the pile on the floor of my laundry room. You know, those things that aren't essentials, like random socks, towels, guest room bedding. They don't seem to be going anywhere, but I know that I will feel so, so much better when I finally get around to getting them all done!