How do you know where you are going, if you don't know where you've been?

I often think about this quote when I think about my weight loss efforts, completion of college courses, advancement in my career, basically life in general.  How do we get to where we want to be in life if we do not have goals?  Goals are so important in everything we do.  It helps us form structure, add discipline to our lives and feel accomplishment.

I've had a great week.  Even though it was a holiday week with extra time off, I made it my priority to remain active and to not go into a food coma.  I made it to the YMCA more often than I normally do.  I made it  Zumba on Monday, went for a run on Tuesday, worked out with Tanya for weight lifting on Wednesday, Thursday went to a 5-6:30 a.m. water aerobics class with Tanya, Friday went to the YMCA as a family and played basketball and did exercise ball routine, Saturday went for a run and Sunday lifted weights at the YMCA with Ethan.  Everyday I squeezed in some kind of workout and I feel great!  I just wish I could keep that routine everyweek!

Evening run just before the sun sets for the day, rosy cheeks

So now basketball starts up for Dominik and we add getting to practices and games into the mix.  We will be working on that as we go, but should be able to keep a healthy routine as well.  Tanya and I have penciled in workouts together for Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  I will try to add in some runs on the off days.  The weekend will depend on what time Dominik's games are at.

Snow tires are officially on!
 

I hope anyone reading this post has a great week.  Think about your overall goals in life and if you are living your life in a way that helps you achieve those goals.  If you be honest with yourself, you will probably think of ways taht you can improve upon yourself to reach the happiness you've been craving so bad, I know that's the case with me!

~Jessica

I am back!

I had a busy week in the McAllen and Laredo Texas areas during the week.  I visited with coworkers that I do not normally get to see and verified inventory at a couple of the warehouses for my work.  Going out of town for work causes mixed feelings for me.  The first feeling I have is sadness from missing my family.  My children are growing so fast, especially my youngest.  When I miss five days, I can miss something new that he has learned.  He did learn something while I was away and now he can sing the E-I-E-I-O part of Old McDonald had a farm.  It's so cute how he is just absorbing everything in right now.  My husband told me that Cody was always looking for me and often said "mom" sadly.  Those are the things that make me sad.  On the other hand it is somewhat of a break from domestic life for me.  For a few days, I have no laundry to do, I have no dishes to do, I have no homework with the kiddos to do, I get to sleep all night and eat out for dinner.  All those fun ideas are fun for the first couple of days, then enough is enough!  I decided to make the best of this last trip.  I watched what I ate, especially when eating out.  I chose to eat salads, black bean burgers instead of beef, checked calories before ordering.  I also made sure that I used the gym at my hotel after we were finished for the day.  The equipment at the hotel is so much nicer than I have at home or at the YMCA.  The treadmill, elliptical and bike all have their own TV screens, yeah! 

I returned home on Friday afternoon.  I picked up my kids from school and daycare and quickly took to my domestic ways.  On the way home from school with Dominik, I asked him if they did any laundry, he said "No, but wow, you should see the pile, it's taller than I am!"  Sadly, this was an accurate description!  Oh well, at least my services are needed and I am missed!  Today is Saturday and I finally got my mom to come with me and Tanya to Zumba!  She did great and said that she liked it.  Incorporating some different exercises into your routine is critical.  Our bodies can easily get comfortable with what we are doing, so we need to shake it up!  I signed up for a 5 a.m. aqua blast class at the YMCA on Thanksgiving morning and talked Tanya into going with me.  This will help with my calorie burn for the day and hopefully prevent me from eating too much at the Thanksgiving feast! 

I read an article today describing different exercise slang and thought it was pretty funny, so I copied part of it below for your reading entertainment.  Have a great week! 

~Jessica

Gym Rat: A guy who spends every spare moment in the gym. See also: Gym head, meat head, gymbot or my personal favorite, Gym Me Buff It
Gym Kryptonite: Easy-on-the-eyes female that distracts men from getting anything done in the gym. See also; gym rat, gym monkey,
Gym Widow: Someone who’s significant other has gone on a health kick and spends all of their time at the gym.
Yogatude: Holier-than-thou attitude seen in serious yoga students who are more flexible and vaguely spiritual than everyone else. Includes a disdain for meat, leather, and inexpensive sweat pants or yoga mats.
Cardio Bunny: Females who perform at least an hour on the treadmill, elliptical, bike, stairclimber or rower (or any combination thereof) and then call it a day.
Pies: 45lbs. plates. See also: “big wheels”or “papa bears”
Jacked: Well-defined or muscular. See also: Yoked, Swole, Ripped, Chiseled, shredded, cut, gunny.
Toned: A word that should never be used unless you are talking about blood vessels. Still, it is often used by lay public and misinformed trainers worldwide to denote muscular definition. (okay, there’s some personal opinion on that one!)
Vitamin S: Anabolic steroids. See also: Juice, gym candy.

Lazy blogger, but not lazy person:)

Wow, it's been awhile since I've done a post!  I've been busy, work has been busy, life has been busy, I have been busy!  After Cheyenne and I completed our race a couple of week's ago, I've backed off the running a bit.  Instead I've been focusing on Zumba classes, weight lifting and core work.  I am working on losing inches and pounds that go with those inches are just a bonus!  I reached what is considered "normal" weight, but I would like to see more muscle definition and go down at least two more pant sizes.

I just signed up for classes for school this fall with the University of Wisconsin.  I am excited to get more of the classes geared specifically towards wellness coaching now!  It gets me pumped to get this career going!

This week I am in Texas, specifically near the Mexico border.  Yesterday I spent all day in Mexico at the facility for my current employer.  The weather is much warmer than Minnesota and I LOVE seeing the palm trees.  They just naturally have a calming effect!  I was productive this morning and got up and used the athletic center.  I ran two miles and biked six miles, lifted weights and did ab work.  I felt refreshed, recharged and ready to go! 

Have a great day everyone!  Go out there, do something active and make the choice to work towards a healthier and happier you!

Jessica