All Worked Out!

With the Summer right around the corner and our vacation to Cozumel within the next few months, I knew it was time to get in shape. I have loved viewing friend's blogs reading their fitness and weight loss journeys. They were all so very motivational... so I too jumped on the wagon.

This past Monday both Ray and I joined the Plano rec center and the rest is history. Last week I worked out Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Next week I will also add in 30-45 minutes of walking with a friend from work then the additional work outs. Today was one of the harder training days probably from all the amazing food I have had lately but definitely much needed. I will keep you all updated on my work outs as a way to keep myself accountable. So here's to enjoying a fabulous and healthy summer!

...Does a Body Good!

They typically say... "Milk does a body good" and that is definitely a proven fact... but there are so many things we can do to take care of our bodies.

I have honestly become so lazy over the past few weeks... months even. My goal was to be beach body ready for our Family Vacation to Panama City Beach, FL.... but then what? Each day I return home from work, put on comfy clothes, sit on the couch, and watch hours of television. I was good if I was getting in a walk with the hubs and pups. But I have to do something. Sunday night after Ray's meeting at the church, we began to discuss how we really wanted to focus our efforts and live a very happy and healthy lifestyle. But I will tell you drinking several cokes and snacking all day was not going to cut it for me. So we will once again have to get back on the work out wagon and truly make a lifestyle change if we want to have any results. So again, yesterday was officially day one. I know. We're back to this. I feel like I've been coming back to this same place... knowing that I don't feel healthy and realizing that I have to do something about it. But I'll work out for a few weeks and then get lazy again. So we're going to motivate each other. I think training for Team World Vision will be the additional push we need! So as of Monday I have decided to give it up... well as much as physically possible. I'm going to stay away from sodas and extra sugary drinks and trade them in for more of this...

On Monday I had a total of 5 water bottles to drink for the day. I was amazed. From a person who hated the taste of water to one that feels she can't get enough... Also if you are like me and are typically not a fan... try adding mixes. You can purchase mixes from any grocery store and really do transform the taste of your water.... and in regards to working out... boy am I out of shape. But I felt good afterwards. We worked out for about 45 minutes. I have never sweat so much... well I'm sure at one point or another I have... but it's sure been a while since I had. Then after dinner we took the pups for a walk as well.

So anyway with this in mind I'm saying good-bye sweets! I will do my best to put you out of my mind and focus on what food really should be... fuel! But we're all human. We of course want that fuel to taste good! For more information on tasty food that will not dip the scale view Eat This Not That options here. I'll keep you posted on our efforts!

Love,
Alicia

Weekday Wrap Up! End of April 2010!

Well its about to be that time again... with the end of this week will bring another month to 2010. We will be saying good-bye to our April Showers and welcoming those May Flowers... even though we've actually had minimal rain these previous weeks.

So as the saying goes... out with the old and in with the new... In with all the new Spring Activities and upcoming events.

I will have to say Ray and I have been absolutely blessed with all that we have been provided in our lives. We have had some amazing opportunities to share in truly special moments these past few months including fun moments with friends, birthdays, and even some weddings. We've been able to travel home as I'm sure you've read about last week and see both families and those we love. This week will also be an exciting week filled with many exciting activities including...

1. Shoe shopping with Kaylan for her wedding.
2. Modern Fam night with the Parks and Goodings- sweet friends from our ABF!
3. Hang out time with Daniela... her wedding will be coming up in mid September!
4. Lunch date with Jennifer!!!
5. Warrior Dash- Ray and many of our good friends will be participating in the Warrior Dash in Forney, TX. To learn more about this exciting race... view here!
6. Engage Sunday- a community wide service project through the Heights Baptist Church.

I am so excited for these opportunities. I am excited for those moments to share, to serve, and honestly grow with all those I love.

In other news, Ray and I were able to get a copy of P90X from a good friend and have begun our crazy work out journey. Please understand I am completely naive about what I'm getting myself into and am aware that this will be a little too hard core for me; however, I would love to attempt the work outs. I have a very motivational husband that I know will drag me out of bed at 6AM, so I figure I'll get some type of work out in as a start to my day:) But again I'll have to keep you updated on our progress. Plus we still have to order the bands/weights/system... etc. It should also be noted that we will NOT be following the nutritional guide for now as we've heard some negative things... but again this is all trial and error. Wish us luck:) In about 30 days... we will be on the beach of Panama City Beach Florida... and I would love for some of our success to be evident by then... :)

Love,
Alicia

Katy Trail Day 1: Couch to 5K

Yesterday a few ladies from work and I began our Couch to 5K Program! It is absolutely amazing. Visit my work out blog "One Hour at a Time" and view here to read all about it.

Love,
Alicia

Food On The Table

Many of us are looking for fast and easy ways to save a few dollars when it comes to making purchases. Some of us already have such a great way to save. It could include couponing, price matching, searching for deals on various websites... These are all amazing! I just have received information that might be another fun way to help us thrifty shoppers out.

This past week, a co-worker/friend sent me a link to a really amazing meal planning website called Foodonthetable.com. Click here for a free 30 day trial! It allows you to build a week's worth of recipes, menus, and even a shopping list based on the sale items located at your local grocery store.

Enjoy another fun resource tool for planning fun and easy meals for the fam!

Love,
Alicia

New Fitness Blog!

Hello! I've created a new blog that I devoted specifically to fitness. It will include goals, tips, and real life commentary. I ask you to join with me and let's help keep each motivated and accountable as we try to accomplish our fitness goals... One Hour at a Time! Just click on the link on the right hand side listed under "My Blogs" or click here

One Hour at a Time!

To view our New Work Out Goal... read here!

I'll be honest. There are some days I am so not motivated. I don't really like to get out of my warm bed in the mornings and sometimes I truly feel like this picture. Ha! But honestly it is so nice having something to work toward. Yesterday, Ray and I worked out for about an hour. I've been doing 2 miles on the elliptical to start and then another 2-3 miles on the treadmill while lifting weights. Tonight we'll go for another hour; take the pups on a good walk on Wednesday; Thursday morning workout; Sunday afternoon work out. Our goal currently is about 4 times a week and include walks with the pups. Sadly toward the end of last week we had dropped off our goal, but I'm excited to pick it back up this week. I think the whole concept of working out isn't about focusing on past failures but realizing that each day is a new day. It's about making realistic goals and sticking to them. For me I will set really high and sometimes far fetched goals... so now I'm just going to focus on sticking to my word and not making excuses. I'll always be tired, the days will continue to be long... but again it's one hour of your life at a time! Imagine improving your life one hour a day! Sometimes I think my biggest obstacle really is myself. So don't let you or anything else stand in your way! Good luck with your goals and know that you really can do anything you put your mind to. So again I'll keep you updated!

Love,
Alicia

Beach Bod Ready

It's about that time again! Time to get Beach Bod Ready! As of late, I just have really been in a funk. I've had my random moments of motivation and then at other times... I could sit on a couch and eat a whole pizza or tub of Blue Bell ice cream while watching the Biggest Loser! Ugh! This weekend I definitely had a wake up call. I really miss running... or maybe it really isn't the act of running but how I feel. I loved that I could run miles upon miles without stopping! It was amazing! I had never previously been a runner and swore that I would NEVER lose this wonderful thing that I had trained a whole year for... well never say never... b/c I realized this weekend that I had. So... in order to change this... it was time to get motivated...

My husband and I are back in training mode... we now have something to be motivated for... it is looking that we may be going to Florida this Summer with Family and I couldn't be more excited! Also we've just decided to really turn over a new leaf (yes I know it's March)... but you gotta get back on track sometime...

Our Goal... for each day we work out we get a "star!" I know pretty childish... but it is what that star represents that is super exciting. We've decided to give up fast food and really give up going out to eat a lot in general. It's more home made meals at home. But after we accumulate a specific number of stars then we can pick a fun dinner or outing together. This way we'll be eating better and saving money!

Monday started our first session. Up at 6AM and ready to take on the world. Our goal is to work out 4 nights a week and include nightly walks with the pups (or as many as we can based on rain and what not) and the Wii Fit! I'll definitely let you know how its going as time passes.... but Monday I felt amazing! I can't wait for the summer!

Love,
Alicia

Running Shoes

It's all about the first step....
No seriously. For me there are times that I have to give myself a pep talk and force myself to work out. This New Year I decided to revamp my lifestyle and really hold myself accountable for working out and just increasing my overall activity and wellness.

So on January 2, 2010... That's exactly what we did. Both Ray and I put on our running shoes and headed for the gym. Now I'll be honest with you. After a year of training and three half marathons later, I thought it would be so easy to just get back to running as usual. I do think I was a bit scared wondering how that first day would be... but seriously after everything I did how hard could it be. Well to be honest it was a lot harder than I thought. I hadn't worked out regularly since what... September of last year B4 THE WEDDING! How sad was this. I barely ran a mile and could feel every ping and ache in my legs and knees.

But regardless how out of shape I really have become I do know that there really is a light at the end of the tunnel. I just got to keep myself motivated and keep putting on those shoes. Our goal is to pretty much work out every other day and hopefully that will put me back where I was at the beginning of the year.

I'll let you know how it goes...

Love,
Alicia