Mamavation Monday - I'm back!!!!

I'm back blogger world!!!! We just came home from a 2 week vacation exploring the east coast, and as you can see while I was gone, I took a vacation from my blog, too. I did get in just a couple of runs, but did plenty of walking throughout the 2 weeks. I'm happy to report that while I didn't lose any weight, I didn't gain any either, and with all the eating I did, that was amazing to me.

So, now that I've had my break, I am planning on being back in full force with my training, exercise and eating regimen. I, also, have decided to become a Beachbody Coach. I think that I will enjoy providing encouragement to others while they fulfill their health goals.

Keep your eyes open, as I will have my vacation recap up in the next few days. So glad to be home!!!


“This post is sponsored by Unreal Candy and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway."

Fabulous Friday

I have so much to feel fabulous about today!!! First, I was chosen as a Sweat Pink Ambassador earlier this week. How exciting to be part of such a fabulous group of ladies. And on top of it we get great swag to keep and give out. As soon as I started corresponding with the Sweat Pink ladies I immediately felt welcome. I definitely recommend requesting to join, if you are interested in being part of an active community - Sweat Pink

Second, I left today for a 2 week vacation with the family. We stopped in South Carolina, where I get to have dinner with some great friends that I haven't seen in quite a few years. Next we're off to DC, where while getting to see some awesome sights that my boys and I have never seen, I will run into my cousin. From there we're headed to visit with my parents, how I miss immensely. We are going to spend two days in New York City, so my boys can experience it, and then we will be going to the wedding of my hubby's cousin. On the way home, we are going to make a bunch of stops to different areas. I'm so excited!! So far the trip has been awesome (I know we're only 5 hours in), and I hope it continues :) I will keep you all posted on my adventure :)

What do you feel fabulous about this week????

Inspiration Wednesday

Most of you know, I struggle with my training because I can't keep my mind in the right mindset to overcome the challenges. From what I hear, a lot of you struggle with that. I've made a deal with myself, that starting August 1st, I am going to overcome my negative mindset. I'd do it earlier but I leave for a 2 week vacation on Friday, and I know the lack of time I will have to exercise will derail my goal, and leave me frustrated. So here's your inspiration for today - get rid of the negativity in your mind, and you will have a positive life :)

Bench Busters Review

When I was contacted by Bench Busters with an opportunity to have a free 30 day membership to their website, I was pretty excited. This website offers exercises that will help you prevent injuries so that you aren't sidelined from your favorite sport. It's main focus is preventing ACL and knee injuries, which for us runners can be quite common.

They offer two different memberships, but both are for life. The standard plan offers only online access, but with the premium plan you get the balance and neuromuscular program and they will send you a foam roller and theraband. I got to review the standard membership. 

When you log into the website, there are tons of pages with so much information, you could spend hours just perusing the articles. But I wanted to delve into the workout they offer.   For members, they offer a 43 page printable handbook, and a 35 minute workout. This workout concentrates on strengthening your core, which we know is the foundation for preventing injury. It's a bit challenging, but also easy enough for beginners to participate, and the trainer gives step by step instructions on how to do the exercises correctly. Along with this 35 minute workout, they offer supplemental exercises for more advanced athletes. 



So here's my list of pro's and con's - 


Pro's - 

• The trainer takes the time to show you how to do the exercises properly so that there is no margin for error to cause injury
• Great core workout 
• It's a portable workout, you can do it anywhere
• Good addition to a training plan
• Great for beginners
• Explained well enough that coaches could do it with their teams, even in children's sports
• Great supplemental handbook

Con's - 

• None really. The 35 minute workout is pretty basic, but they offer a bunch of exercises that supplement it for more advanced athletes. 

That said, it is always good to go back to the basics. Especially, if you have just recovered from an injury and you need to gain your strength back. From there, you can move on to the more difficult exercises. 

So all in all, I give this website an A. It's definitely beneficial, especially for those that are just starting out. 

Mamavation Monday - Week 12 of marathon training

This should have been week 12 of my training, but I'm not sure I should be saying I'm in that week when I haven't done a long run in over 3 weeks :( And it seems like I always have an excuse for not doing them - basically life has gotten busy, and I am not making time for them. And I'm eating crappy foods, so I have no energy. All life choices that I am making and that need to be changed. Provide results not excuses - that should be my motto!!! So here's my wrap up of the week -

Monday - Pop Pilates, ab challenge day 2, mamavation challenge day 1, bowling
Tuesday - 3 miles speedwork, ab challenge day 3, mamavation challenge day 2
Wednesday - ab challenge day 4 (rest day), mamavation challenge day 3

I know it looks great so far, but here's when it went down the tubes.

Thursday - bowling
Friday - NADA
Saturday - walking, probably all in all over 5 miles, at the races
Sunday - bowling

I missed the three days of the mamavation challenge and 4 days of the ab challenge. I know you'll all say you'll do better this week, but honestly I'm not sure. We are getting ready to leave for a 2 week vacation on Saturday so I know I'm going to be busy this week, but again that's making an excuse. I need to get my butt up before work, so I can make time for my workout. Fingers crossed  I can I must get myself some exercise in this week!!

This post is sponsored by Omronand hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention &weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway

Fabulous Friday

So what do I feel fabulous about today? Just about everything.

I took Wednesday to spend time with my family, but I wanted to acknowledge my thanks to all those who serve or who have served in the military to make sure that this country maintains its independence. To those who have to leave their family so I don't have to.

On the personal side, I'm thankful that I have healthy children. A local mom sat in the hospital yesterday while they removed the whole left hemisphere of her daughter's brain. And if you think that that is too much to bear, just last year she lost her 14 year old son in a tragic accident. As I sit and pray for the little girl's recovery, I almost want to weep at what this poor woman must be going through. So tonight, I'm going to go home and hug my kids a little tighter and tell them I love them, because you never know when you might not be able to. 

Mamavation Monday - Week 11 of my marathon training

This week started out much better than last week, even though I'm still dealing with my shoulder. I ended up working out in some form every day. They only thing that stunk was my long run on Sunday. I have a dozen reasons why it wasn't good - I didn't sleep well the night before, I forgot to take my allergy pill and the pollen was strong, I just didn't breathe well throughout the entire run, and ultimately, I just felt sluggish. Oh well, we all have bad runs. I decided to shorten it from 17 mile to 3 miles and suck it up. Hopefully this week's long run will be better. Summer activities are really cutting into my training plans - LOL; good thing I have a bit before my marathon. Here is what I did this week -

Monday - Pop Pilates - Body Makeover
Tuesday - 3.1 miles speedwork
Wednesday - POP Pilates - crazy core workout, bowling
Thursday - 4 miles easy run
Friday - POP Pilates - crazy core workout, bowling
Saturday - Mamavation 5k, and 2.5 mile bike ride
Sunday - 3.36 mile run

This is me dying during my run :)

Other than my run, it was an awesome weekend. We went camping with my BFF and her boys again in St. Augustine. It was very hot, and not nearly as windy as the last time, so the boys spent most of their time in the ocean. 

But it was very relaxing - the beach does that for me :) I come back a little tired, but emotionally refreshed !!

“This post is sponsored by Birds Eye and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway”