Category Archives: Say It do It

Stepping Out Of My Comfort Zone: The San Francisco Marathon

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No one ever went to the moon without stepping outside of their comfort zone. While, I certainly don’t plan on going to the moon any time soon ;) I do have big, scary, life changing goals for myself. These goals are not something that I can just wake up tomorrow and accomplish. They are goals that take hard work, discipline, and sacrifice.

I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes I let fear get in my way. Even allowed fear (equal parts fear and knowing my body) come between me and running the Austin Marathon in February. I am absolutely done with that. I am ready to look fear straight in the eye, and laugh in its face.

I WILL be running the San Francisco Marathon on June 16th (my BIRTHDAY) with so many other baller runners like Pavement Runner, Josephine, Krissy, Lauren,  (hopefully) Jane and so many many many others that I hope do not feel offended by me leaving them out!!!!!

I even started training THIS week. The day I signed up I went out for my first training run… Which granted, was 28 weeks away from the race. However, if I have learned anything from this last half-marathon training cycle it is this:

I know my body. I know what it is capable of. Some people can go out and train for 12-13 weeks for a marathon and ROCK it… I, am not yet one of those people. Someday, I hope to be able to say that I am in that group of bad ass runners. But, I am not there yet, and that’s perfectly okay. It will take me the next 6 months to get 26.2 ready. I have NO shame in that.

WHY do I have no shame in that??? Because I am strong enough of a runner and human being to know my limits. I know that I need to step out of my comfort zone, but I also know where and when my body says OK ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I need 28 weeks because quite frankly, I need more cut back weeks than a lot of runners do.

My right hip will taunt me for the rest of my life. I have learned that in the past 2 years. I trained too hard, too intensely, too long as a gymnast… As an adult I am paying the price. Am I sorry for the intensity of my training as a teenager? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Do I wish that it was easier for me as a runner, now? Absolutely. But, I have come to terms with the fact that I have done damage to my body. I have come to terms with the fact that I am not as natural of a runner as some people out there.

I work hard to run a FIVE FRIGGIN K. I work ridiiiiiiiiiculously hard to run a half-marathon. I know several people who have the the ability to wake up on a Friday and decide they are running a half marathon that Sunday. I am not, and very well may NEVER be that person.

There was a time (in fact that time was NOT that long ago at all) in which I felt SAD that I wasn’t that person.. However, I have realized in the last few months that everybody is drastically different. Everyone’s body was built drastically different. More importantly, everybody’s life has determined whether or not they can be that runner as an adult.

I have come to terms with the fact that my body may not have been built to run. But, that does not mean that I can’t run. That doesn’t mean that I can’t train it (in a healthy way) to be a runner. We have the ability to be whoever and whatever want to be.

I WANT TO BE A MARATHONER. I will be a marathoner, in 27 weeks. On June 16th, my 25th birthday, I will be a marathoner. I will have earned the title.

While some of the runners I know won’t start training for SF for another 10ish weeks, I am proud to have started last week. I am proud of the fact that I pushed my fears aside and said I CAN DO WHATEVER I PUT MY HEART AND SOUL INTO.

There is no going back for this runner. I have registered for the race. I have booked the flights. I have even made hotel arrangements. All that is left is awaiting the ability to book a rental car… (which may take until race day since THAT is when I’ll be legal for most rental cars.. darn you guys and your 25+ year laws…pffft)

Name it and Claim it: 2013 – The Year I Become a Surfer

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Since becoming an Oakley Women’s Brand Ambassador, I have been following Oakley Dispatch on pretty much all social media platforms. Oakley Dispatch is a Surfing and lifestyle documentary based around the world class talent that makes up the Oakley Surf Team.

Following along this incredible journey has made me fall in love with the sport of Surfing. Meeting and spending time with professional Surfer Erica Hosseini during the Oakley Women’s Ambassador retreat in Napa didn’t help matters much… Not only was she one of the most rad and down to earth chicks I’ve ever met, she also had so much passion about the sport that I couldn’t help get the itch to dive into it myself!!

Since then, I have been studying surfing like it’s my job. I just can’t get enough of it!! The Surf Science, Theory and Culture just pulls me in and there is no more denying it.

…my bookshelf has gotten a little full of used surfing books. Who knew there were so many great ones on Amazon?

I have decided 2013 is going to be the year I become a surfer. I know that it’s hard because I live in Central Texas, where I am utterly land-locked. However, in the Spring and/or Summer I am heading to Surf Camp in Hawaii! I’m also heading to South Padre Island in the spring for lessons. I’m not kidding when I say I am going to become a surfer next year.

I have surfed twice in the past. Both times I spent a majority of my time smacking the water and just paddling around on the board. The first time was in the Bahamas in 2009 and the second time was while I was living in Florida during a trip to Miami with my boyfriend at the time. In the Bahama’s we didn’t exactly have a formal lesson. We just kind of had fun with our leashed boards that we rented and played around. In Miami we did take a 2 hour class with a bunch of other tourists and mostly practiced on land and in “white water” next to shore. I don’t think I stood up for more than 15 seconds max. It was still a complete blast, and was incredibly freeing. It’s amazing what the open water can do for your mind. It was a wild feeling…. Even if I wasn’t very far out into the water at all.

I already have a few basic things down that are helpful when starting out as a surfer. I have some endurance in me from the last two years I’ve spent running, I also have pretty decent balance, thanks to the 13 years of gymnastics under my belt… But, those aren’t the only important pre-requisites for surfing.

Over the next five months I will be diligently working on my swimming, yoga, and core work. As well as still running, of course. Getting into surfing, I have no intentions of replacing my running with it. I will always be running.

I can do a mean doggie paddle, I can do the breast stroke.. I can definitely swim, just not very gracefully or fast. Any swimmer with a day of training under his or her belt would be ashamed that I even call my ability to stay above water and move forward, SWIMMING! ;) I will be focusing on the front crawl/freestyle especially. Gotta be able to paddle out and survive the waves if and when you fall off the board! Honestly, THIS is my biggest fear with surfing. I don’t mind the open water, I don’t mind the huge waves. I don’t mind falling off the board and smacking the water hard.. I am worried about being able to make it back to my board and/or shore after being pulled under. It’s a wee bit frightening to think about. Yes, beginners usually surf with a leash.. But, it’s only a convenience factor. It is not a guarantee and one day, the leash will be taken off or broken. So swimming is my #1 priority.

I’m off to my first “Charlotte’s Prep for The Year of Surfing” yoga class this morning at Dharma Yoga. This will also be my first class in Austin!!! I’m really looking forward to it. I miss yoga classes. I do videos frequently at home, but there just isn’t the same buzzing meditative energy at home as there is in a packed class.

Maybe one day I’ll even get to shred some waves with the athletes who live love and train at the Oakley house in the North Shore in Hawaii ;)

Photo Credit: Oakley Dispatch Instagram @Oakley__Dispatch

Have you ever surfed? Have you ever wanted to surf?
Have you ever chased a fitness dream that most people thought made you crazy?

Making The Conscious Decision To Be Fit And Healthy

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I have been completely off my game the past two weeks. As far as living a healthy lifestyle.

I could blame it on the traveling, the juggling of two jobs, the stresses of life. But the truth is, I’m just TIRED

I’m so tired, all the time. I wake up so stiff that lately, I at least have been going to the early Hot Vinyasa class at Charm City Yoga. I start the day with a nice sweat, but that’s about it. I barely eat during the day while working on my feet allllll day. By the time I get out of work I’m starving & exhausted. My feet hurt, my back is all kinds of locked up, my stomach is screaming for food. Cooking is the last thing I want to do, after doing it at work all day. So, I grab something quick & head straight for the couch.

I’m so tired that I can’t even find motivation. I set my alarm to get in an early run and quickly decide an extra hour of sleep is necessary to get through 10+ hours of working in a fast pace job.

I used to fit it all in. When I was growing up I juggled going to school every day, and gymnastics training. Usually training 6 days a week. I lived in that gym more than I did my own house. My coach, Winnie was dubbed “mom #2″. But it wasn’t until I had a conversation with a friend on twitter, during the Women’s Gymnastics All Around Qualification a few nights ago that I finally truly understood it.

Back when I was training at the ‘elite’ level, I knew nothing else. At the age of 3 I was introduced to sports, recreationally doing soccer. By 6 I was in gymnastics, and soon after was a member of a USA gymnastics qualified competitive team.

By the time I qualified to compete at the national level, and really step up my game.. I knew nothing else. That was life to me. 5-6 days of training while balancing school, homework, and friends.

When my knee blew out, and I couldn’t compete for the first time in my … Life, really. I got a taste very quickly of what it was like to be a 16 year old girl. I returned to gymnastics for a bit after I healed but was never the same gymnast.

I didn’t have to try to balance when it was all I knew. Once I had a taste of freedom my ability to balance it became harder.

As adults we have to consciously decide to live a fit and healthy lifestyle.

Sometimes I fail at consciously making the effort. On days when it’s impossible to get a workout in I let that be an excuse rather than make it possible.

Im reminded of that every time I look in the mirror. I weigh more than I ever have in my life. While yes, muscle weighs more than fat… I’m recently very unhappy with what I see when I look in the mirror.

This is my body and I only get one. I’m DECIDING to stop letting myself get in the way of having the happiest and healthiest body I can have.

Im consciously making the decision to life a fit and healthy lifestyle

SAY IT – DO IT – May style

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(inspired by Fit Chick In The City‘s weekly ‘say it do it’ – SAY IT DO IT, is my monthly blog feature where I track my goals for the month coming & recap on how much I accomplished the month before. Accountability really is SO much of the process!)

April was an exciting month!! I ran my first 10 mile race as well as my first half-marathon! I am astonished that it’s May 2nd. Oops! I usually pound these out the last weekend of the month, but time just disappeared on me, folks! ;)  

Lets review my goals for the month of April –

1) Complete Bess Be Fit’s 500 Ab Challenge once a week - BOOM! I did this more than once a week. I was an abs and arms machine in April!! Every night when Zack would fall asleep I’d go do some sets in the living room. It paid off, I can see a drastic difference already. Those of you who follow me on Insta.gram may have seen my picture I posted today — that was NOT that strong on April 1st!
2) Cross that 13.1 Finish Line on the 29th! - BOOOOOOYAAAA BABY!!! I did it!!!! was slow as hell, but I don’t care. That 2:59 will forever be amazing to me. I have huge huge huge goals for my next Half, and I’m excited to get to work on some speed this summer!!! I was surprisingly less sore after this race than I was after CUCB — Today will be my first post- half marathon run! Back to the basics, only speedier ;)
 3) Enjoy CUCB. Boy did I!!! Out of all the distances I have run, the 10 mile is my favorite SO FAR. It is the perfect distance.

4) Kick Ass April – Yeah, oops. I did about a week and a half of this – then I got a new job and was so focused on my half that I completely lost track of it… Oh well. I was doing a lot of other workouts!
5) Lose 5 lbs. I definitely lost fat like I wanted to. I don’t own a scale. I am not obsessed with numbers like that… I don’t need to see a particular number on the scale to feel good about myself, but I can definitely say that looking in the mirror, at pictures, the way my clothes fit – I have lost body fat and toned up!!
6) Go hiking at least twice. Also oops! I walked NCR trail quite a few times, actuallly. Bechkam loves it down there!!! But I don’t consider that hiking. It’s a completely flat trail. Like, completely flat.

Seriously, April is really over?? This isn’t some trick or anything? I’m just baffled where my time keeps going. I guess this is what happens when you’re enjoying every minute of it! :)

May is here, and after two BIG races for me I’m excited to a) take my running back to the basics to build my speed (doing a 10k program) b) have as much fun as I can!

So, time for my monthly welcome to a new month! welcome MAY – SAY IT DO IT!!

1) Run in Central Park while I’m there for #FitBlogNYC Next week!!! (Oh, did I not tell you guys yet??!! No worries, big announcements are all over the place & will be announced soon!) I don’t want to bring my watch, or music. I just want to run and run through the park. I plan on getting up super early before the Fitness Magazine event and getting in a run! Though YES I will be racing there in June, I want to just go run it for fun, free of any bib or timer, or goal. Just me, my legs, and the park.
2) Run with my step mom and my aunt Jordan while in Texas over Memorial Day Weekend!  :D Enough said there!!! Family bonding with some running shoes?! Yes, please ;)
3) Be one of the muddiest people around me at Warrior Dash (and give Zack the biggest muddy hug known to man before I shower off! ;) ) Seriously – my goal is to have as much fun as possible and get as muddy as I can manage.
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4) Find a new apartment in our budget and will do an 8 month lease! (hopefully near Towson! fingers crossed) Our lease is ending soon. (woah, that means I’ve been here almost a YEAR!!!  Again, with the time flying by. wth) Let me tell you, we are NOT pleased with this place. The heat doesn’t go above 70, even in the dead of winter it didn’t. Reviews on various websites confirm this is how it is in all the units…. BUGS BUGS BUGS. We have so many bugs, and we clean obsessively. The only time it gets bad in here is when we have visitors who come stay with us for a weekend. There is NO excuse for this. Also, according to the reviews this happens in all units, and I’ve learned that we’re QUITE lucky not to have bats. It all really sucks because our apartment is CUTE and so conveniently close to Z’s school (It’s pretty much an unwritten rule at this point that I move at least once a year. ooof)
5) Read 3 books I haven’t been reading as much lately. My new job, training, doing numbers for budgets and saving plans. I need to take time to relax more often. Lately, when I do find myself taking the time to lounge on the couch and relax – Zack and I end up watching The Office. Now, I LOVE The Office, If John Krasinski left his smoking hot wife and asked me to marry him, I’d have to really think about it. (Sorry Z!) But – I am so not a sit and watch tons of TV girl…. So I hate to start that habit now just because it’s the only time Z and I get to relax together…There are other ways, like READING! Reading is one of my favorite things to do, it’s so soothing and relaxing. The hardest part is always choosing the next book to read. haha
6) Continue to do Bess Be Fit’s 500 Ab Challenge at Least Once a Week – I’m seeing a huge difference! Not only in my abs but also in my running. Since doing arms and core work nearly every day – running has felt better all around!

THAT’S IT! No huge gigantic goals this month!! It’s all about having fun and enjoying being active. Enjoying running and all that comes with it!

What was your favorite moment of April? & What are your May goals?!

That’s a WRAP, March – Say It Do It APRIL

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(inspired by Fit Chick In The City‘s weekly ‘say it do it’ – SAY IT DO IT, is my monthly blog feature where I track my goals for the month coming & recap on how much I accomplished the month before. Accountability really is SO much of the process!)

March kicked my butt! I’ve noticed I’m not alone in this… March seemed to come and injure a LOT of people I know… They weren’t kidding, beware the ides of March! ;)

Even though I got injured, I still had a good month. I enjoyed myself, quite a bit. Unplugged more than usual (and secretly enjoyed every second of it) smiled and laughed a ton more than I did in February.

Recap:

1) PR at the KELLY’S St. Patricks Day Shamrock 5k - yeah… I was well on track to PRing until I got slammed into the ground and effed up my knee. I’m not going to say I would have PRed because you have no idea what can happen at any given step of a race, but it was going to be a great race either way. I still had fun though! Most important thing about racing with me, is not placing or PRing – it’s having fun. I did the serious competitive cry over a tenth of a point competing ALL MY LIFE growing up. Ovz it. I had a blast, it was a gorgeous day, I had free beer after in the inner harbor of Baltimore, which is as beautiful as it gets. I met Dianne and Renee, who were both adorable and sweet just as I pictured! :)
2) Take Engagement Photos – I don’t really understand why this keeps getting missed. haha. I swear we both care a ton about our wedding, in fact we have made a ton of progress on actually planning the wedding…. But no worries, we actually have a date set with our friend who will be in town the first week of April, and a location! So they will be done soon! :P
3) Smile More - Mission absolutely successful. While, I certainly was miserable when I was told not to run for awhile, & have been frustrated with my knee since… I still smiled a ton. I have grown more appreciative of the things I have since Matthew left us. I have been able to enjoy myself in the moment again, something I was starting to lose for awhile… :)
4) Pilates at least 2 times per week - more or less a win. This week I haven’t done any pilates, but I’m trying not to be sore at any point, what with CUCB on Sunday! Other than that, even when hurt, I at least modified what I was able to do.
5) Run at least 4 times per week - This was obviously modified. But other than the 1.5 weeks not running AT AL, I did accomplish this! :)
6) Pick up a non-fitness related hobby other than reading – I reignited my passion for travel. Which, is actually a really awful thing because the BURNING ITCH and NEED to travel is now driving me crayzay being in one place. The nice weather fast approaching is making it easier, there are a lot of awesome outdoor activities to do in Maryland, so long as the weather permits. But, that still won’t be enough to extinguish my need to travel. (basically I need to win the mega millions)

So yea, March wasn’t perfect. I could be really hard on myself that I didn’t reach barely any of my goals, but instead I’m choosing to be realistic. The reason (other than engagement pictures, that’s just purely prioritizing on both our parts) was completely out of my control. There is nothing I could do, unless I wanted to hurt myself and end up needing ACL surgery (for the second time in my life)

In March I DID complete Mad Abs March – every single day of the month was competed! bikini season is RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. It’s working too. Between my strength training and Mad Abs workouts, my stomach is starting to look WAY more bikini ready, and my arms are starting to see a little bit of shape!

(I plan to post an update picture when I can convince Z to snap some… the angles of self portraits aren’t honest)

ON TO THE NEXT! April’s SAY IT DO IT

1) Complete Bess Be Fit’s 500 Ab Challenge once a week - Like I said, Bikini season is dangerously close!
2) Cross that 13.1 Finish Line on the 29th! - on top of that I have another goal, ONLY if my knee allows – I am 100% going to listen to it every step of the way.. But my secret goal is to finish sub 2:45. IF my knee allows.
3) Enjoy CUCB on Sunday. Try not to race it, and go slow and steady so I don’t completely blow out my knee.
4) Kick Ass April – The picture really speaks for it self! ;)
5) Lose 5 lbs. - Now, this is a tricky one. I’m trying to gain muscle – so losing pounds is kind contradiction. I want to lose 5 pounds worth of fat. If the number on the scale goes up, because I have gained muscle mass – that’s fine. I will not cry over a number on a scale, it’s all what that number MEANS.
6) Go hiking at least twice. I lurvvvv hiking. The weather is going to be getting amazzzzzinnnggg

So, there we have it, folks! April’s SAY IT DO IT!
Now, what are YOU going to do to kick April’s ass?!

Making a Decision and Sticking To It: FIRST MARATHON

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Jennie said it best on twitter “I think running a marathon might be like having a baby – if you wait until you’re “ready” it’ll never happen”

I think its so true (to a point. I mean if you haven’t put in the training don’t go run a marathon.) But I think if you wait until you’re ALREADY ready to run a marathon to tackle the task of training for your first one – it may never happen.

I’ve known for awhile that 2013 is going to be my year. 2012 is about building some distance and conquering the half marathon, but next year – the marathon is MINE. I was debating waiting until I run my first half next month before committing to a marathon, but I realized – no matter what I have a year+ (depending on which marathon I chose) to prepare for the mental and physical battle that is running a marathon… My main problem is that since I know my first marathon will be in 2013, registrations aren’t open yet, which gives me too much time to stew. WHICH marathon will I call my FIRST MARATHON?…

If you know me at all you know I’m terrible at making decisions. I’m much better under pressure, when I have to make the decision like – that moment… When I have time to think about things too much I change my mind like its my darn job!

But – I made a decision. Registration isn’t open, since the 2012 race isn’t for another 50 something days.. But, I solemnly swear – my first marathon is going to be the…

Yep, the Flying Pig Marathon!!! I was hesitant about deciding on the Flying Pig – being an early May race means I will be training through the peaks of Winter… Ufff – this Winter we’ve been insanely lucky, but something tells me I don’t luck out like this twice… But I decided I’m going for it.

There are a few reasons I decided on the Flying Pig.

  1. A few years ago, if you would have asked me if I would ever run a marathon.. My response most likely would have been “Yeah, okay… When pigs fly!” I had ALWAYS wanted to run a 5k, but a marathon – pffft impossible. ;)
  2. I don’t want to leave my first marathon up to a lottery. I really wanted NYC or St. George to be my first marathon, but I probably wouldn’t get in. (NYers are notorious for having a hard time in NY lotteries. I’m still a NYer as far as identification goes..)
  3. Cincinnati is not expensive to travel to. Lets face it – we are getting married 2 months later, we will not exactly have tons of extra cash lying around. Price is everything. As much as I would LOVE a destination race like Walt Disney World, Utah, or NYC - Summer 2013 is just not the time for that. My second marathon can be some place kick ass! (Dublin Marathon anyone? ;) !) However I think Cincinnati is pretty… That whole area down by the bridge that crosses over into Newport, KY… Gorgeous.
  4. The bling is friggin CUTE
  5. May weather is the best of all worlds.. Am I right or am I right?! Fall marathons have too much potential to be FREEZING. I can train in the cold but when it comes to race day I want glorious weather, please.
  6. I have heard nothing but positive things about the race. How its perfect for a marathon newbie. How incredibly organized and well run it is….

The only real down side is that almost all of the recaps and reviews I have read say that it is a bit hillier than they claim it is – but I have been and will be training in Owings Mills that’s elevation looks a whole lot similar to a heart rate monitor…

So there you have it folks. I have committed to myself, my step mother, and y’all!!! Next summer I will be a marathoner. (I bet most people don’t spend an entire year preparing for a marathon. baha.)

#MarathonTraining

Beware the Ides of March – SAY IT DO IT

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(inspired by Fit Chick In The City‘s weekly ‘say it do it’ – SAY IT DO IT, is my monthly blog feature where I track my goals for the month coming & recap on how much I accomplished the month before. Accountability really is SO much of the process!)

February came and went like a ghost. Leaving me scared, cold, & confused. Because of specific events that took place, an emergency trip home, and working extra shifts to make up for the ones lost on said trip, February by no means went as planned.

Recap:
1) I will not skip one single workout
2) Pilates at least twice a week
3) cook one meal per week I’ve never made before
4) take engagement photos
5) try a new workout once a week
6) perform 100 jumping hacks a day
7) post every single workout on daily mile

Needless to say, because of Matthews death (I am not blaming his death. I after all am the one who let it distract me) the only ones I can say I 100% honestly completed are 100 jumping jacks a day and recording every workout…

February was hard. It truly tested me. It also showed me the compassion of mankind and reinforced my faith in humanity. The month was by no means a complete loss fitness wise. I ran my fastest ever mile and my fasted ever 10k. I started adding strength training and already see a difference in my arms. I proved to myself I’m stronger than I ever could have imagined.

This last week I learned some incredible news as well as some earth shattering news. Both of which I will reveal this week. The good news I already hinted toward but am ready to make a grand announcement soon! (no I’m not pregnant nor is it in the plans anytime soon)

I can truly say I am not sorry to see February go. I am not happy to have an extra day of the month this year. I will forever be grateful February is the shortest month of the year. ONTO THE NEXT!

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March – say it do it

1) PR at the KELLY’S st Patrick’s day parade shamrock 5k! (also super stoked to meet Dianne & grab some post race cocktails!)
2) take engagement photos – lets try this again! We have some incredibly talented friends and are going to let a few of them take the shots so we have a variety and they’ll be more sentimental that way!
3) Smile more – there was far too much crying and frowning in February and there will be way more smiling in march!
4) Pilates at least 2 times per week
5) Do one random act of kindness every day – you have no idea what other people are going through.
6) run at least 4 days a week – for the most part I do this and have for a few months – but I keep adding it because it will remain a top priority.
7) pick up a non fitness relate hobby other than reading – I need some fun in my life. Not that running and zack aren’t fun. You know I totally think they are – but variety is the spice of life and I need something new and fun to do on my spare time.

Boom. Bring on march, st Patrick’s day, the ides of march, and the beginning of spring!

In other news:
While writing this my fantastic amazing fiancé just ordered me a MacBook! Mine died last week and I have been basically living on my iPhone. It’s been a pain (typing this on said iPhone.. Blows) I have the best fiancé! He spoils me way too much!

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& he informed me to get dolled up while he’s at work because he’s taking me to a fancy dinner for our anniversary tomorrow! :) (it isn’t until next week but with mid terms and crazy work schedules tomorrow is the best night )

What are you looking forward to in march? What are your goals for the upcoming month?

One Month of 2012 already done???! & SAY IT DO IT February!

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(inspired by Fit Chick In The City‘s weekly ‘say it do it’ – SAY IT DO IT, is my monthly blog feature where I track my goals for the month coming & recap on how much I accomplished the month before. Accountability really is SO much of the process!)

Can you BELIEVE that January is gone? We are already 1/12th of the way through the year. Holy smokes, y’all! I more or less reached every goal I set in January. Though, it wasn’t perfect. In some cases it even slightly stretches the term ‘met my goal’

  • Run at least 3 times every week. DONE & DONE! Even when we went to Maine & I wanted to kill everybody from frustration/sleep deprivation. I did it. Mind you some runs were sloppy, painful, tear inducing & straight up wogs — I still got them in, though.
  • My cross training could have been better. Two days a week for 30 minutes max some weeks — but I still did something healthy/active other than run, every week. Because of this self-challenge I discovered my new love affair. HOT YOGA. So, thank you self, for setting this particular goal.
  • Drink more water – I didn’t count OZ every single day. But I certainly drank a ton more. I started drinking water upon waking up & through out the day. Also I’ve cut back on mountain dew and basically all sugary drinks, which leaves — water. ;)
  • As you can see above, I did cut back on my M-T- Dizzle. I’m still hooked, but less than 12 oz a day! (More importantly I went an entire week without! Only one week though.. But still HUGE improvement #Hooked)
  • We did select our date & venue & I COULD NOT BE MORE EXCITED ABOUT IT IF I TRIED!!! AHHHH 7/20/2013 so. excited. to be Mrs. Charlotte Fowler ( Iguess I’ve also decided not to combine names. I’m sad about losing Neitzel, however I am very excited & honored to become a Fowler
  • Negative people removed. No longer reading texts, emails, tweets, answering phone calls, or anything. Just DONE with that person all together. To be honest, I can’t believe I went on for so long actually caring…
  • #PlankADay Not all of them were pretty or very long at all.. But The job got done! & boy do I feel a difference in my core already. CRAZY how something as little as 30-60 seconds a day can make you feel & see a difference so quickly! I will say I missed 3 days. It’s true. But only 3 in an entire month? I’ll take it!

ON TO FEBRUARY! – Say it – Do it -

  1. I will not skip a single scheduled workout. I’ve reached the point where it’s do or die. I’m obsessed with the entire month of April! It is going to come much quicker than I think. NO EXCUSES. It’s crunch time, baby!
  2. Either go to a Pilates class or practice a pilates DVD/Video at least 2 times a week. I have been revisiting my memories of feeling refreshed, empowered, & fabulous after my pilates classes. Ready to rock it this month! Baby’s about to get some ABS!
  3. Cook one meal per week I have never made before. I’m excited for this one. I cook a lot, but I tend to make the same things. I have signature dishes of my own creation that I love. Plus, between the two of us, Zack & I make up one of the pickiest households in America… heh.
  4. Take engagement photos I find that at times, planning the wedding can erase some of the things going on in life. It gives us a moment to sit down together, smile about the day that’s coming next year & laugh about our future. The stresses of the world fade when I envision our life, together
  5. Try a new workout once a week! It won’t be something super de duper fancy every week. But, it will be something I’ve never tried. Some weeks, something I can do at home. Other weeks a class. Other weeks something I need the fitness center for. #FitIn12
  6. 100 Jumping Jacks a day! #100JacksADay??  LETS GET THAT HASH TAG MOVING! ;)
  7. POST EVERY SINGLE WORK OUT ON DAILY MILE! Seriously, I have been SO bad at updating DailyMile lately. No idea why. I’m such a social media junkie! I will update twitter, facebook & my blog about my workouts but not DailyMile? LAME Sauce!

What are YOUR February goals? How are you going to make sure February brings you to an EVEN HEALTHIER March?