Category: Operation Bride
Thoughts on Perspective
| September 11th, 2013 | Diary, Living, Operation Bride |
Good morning! Tonight I have a dentist appointment, and I have a lot planned for the day, but I wanted to share with you the workout from yesterday:
I kept it light because I wanted to get something done, but my muscles were pretty sore from Monday. It’s supposed to be over 90 degrees today, so I hope to get some time in the sun, because it’s been a LONG time since that has happened.
I’ve been thinking a lot about perspective. This may have stemmed from watching Undercover Boss yesterday. There are so many people out there who on the outside may seem like they have it really rough. They have not the best home situations, they have a not so glamorous job or they don’t make enough money to support their families. However – they are extremely grateful and happy with their lives. That’s what happened on Undercover Boss. One employee’s home and life was basically washed away by Hurricane Katrina, but that guy was so happy and grateful for his current situation, that you’d never know that his life was drastically altered.
It’s all about perspective and how you view yourself, your life and your surroundings.
I leave you with a few amazing quotes I found via Pinterest this week. I hope you all have an amazing Wednesday and get outside and get some fresh air!
Talk to Me
- What are your thoughts about perspective?
- Have you found any great quotes lately? Share in the comments!
- How often do you go outside to work out?
Operation Bride- Day 14
| September 9th, 2013 | Operation Bride |
Since nothing too exciting happened this weekend, I figured I’d do a different kind of post today. Honestly, the entire weekend could be summed up in a few words:
- Breakfast at Otto’s in Willow Grove
- Relaxing at Bryan’s parents’ house while Bryan did yard work
- Napping
- Watching old episodes of ‘Pretty Wild’ on Netflix
- Watching ‘Across the Universe’
- Grocery shopping
That’s about it.
Operation Bride
So I wanted to give you an update on Operation Bride and how my workouts have been going. I’ve been doing light stretching mostly every night as well as yoga at least 1-2 times a week. I haven’t been doing a good job tracking those workouts, which is why you haven’t seen them. I decided that moving forward, I’ll be writing my workout into my iCal on my cell phone so that I have them to reference when I need to do these posts.
This is my workout that I have planned for today (day 14).
You may be wondering what I mean by ‘cans’. Cans are exactly what you’re probably imagining – veggie cans, soup cans, etc. Whatever cans you have in your kitchen. I figure that until I man up and just buy a set of 10 and 15 pound weights, I can always just use things I have laying around the house. Cans are great because they are light weight, but add a bit of resistance to your workouts. And you don’t even have to leave your home to workout! No excuses, people!
Tonight when Bryan gets home from work, I’ll make my way over to the gym and get 30 minutes done on the elliptical. I haven’t done cardio at the gym in about a week, so I figured I should walk my butt over there and get it done already.
Wishlist
On an unrelated note, I have already started my holiday/birthday wishlist! Please tell me that I’m not the only one who does it this early. I like keeping a wishlist up to date, because when I have money saved, I can go back and remember specific items I wanted to buy – for example, the J. Crew Minnie pants. I tried them on in-store a month ago and LOVED them. But, finances didn’t allow at the time, so when things are back in order I plan to go and buy them in black and blue. I actually just went to their site today and they are 25% off! So if you like J.Crew stuff, go check out their sale online today.
Other items on my wishlist are larger items:
Ugg Grandle (black). These are SO cute. I’ve been on the hunt for an Ugg replacement boot for the winter and these seem to be the perfect fit. These definitely aren’t the typical Ugg boot, but inside they are! Even better - at $200 they are pretty affordable.
J.Crew Darby Suede Loafer (black). These are also a fall staple item for me. I tried these on last time I was in J. Crew and they are surprisingly very comfy. Perfect for chilly fall evenings or just when you want to run errands and still look cute. These are $150.
There is also a Tory Burch purse and handful of sweaters that I’m loving right now from GAP. I don’t know about you, but I love the GAP. Everything I own from there has held up very well, even after many washes. You can view my entire wishlist by clicking here.
Talk to Me
- What items are on your current wishlist?
- Do you make a wishlist year round to remember the items you want to buy?
- What shoes are you loving for fall/winter this year?
August Goal Recap & September Goals
| September 5th, 2013 | Goals, Operation Bride |
Wow – I am super late on this post, because it’s already September 5th. Oh well, better late than never. This month was definitely not the best, but you know what? There were a full amazing moments that make me forget about the bad ones.
Favorite posts from August
Algae is a Superfood – an article I wrote for FitDay.com
Going to Musikfest and visiting the spot we got engaged
What do the stickers on my produce mean?
1. Develop a “Bride to Be” workout plan and buy new sneakers. COMPLETED! You can see my Operation Bride workouts by clicking here. Eventually I’ll be adding these to my Wedding tab at the top menu bar.
2. Write at least 5 freelance posts this month. Did not complete. I did however write 2 articles this month which should be published on FitDay sometime this month. I’m pretty excited about them, so when I see them go live, I’ll be sure to share them with you.
3. Practice at yoga at least 1x per week using videos from Reflexion Yoga. COMPLETED! I got my yoga on this month! I’m working on mastering crow and side crow.
1. Master crow and side crow poses. I also want to be able to go to a local park and photograph these poses for you this month.
2. Take some of my workouts outside. My favorite season is fall, and although we officially still have a couple more weeks of summer, I’m already loving my pumpkin spice lattes and wishing for the leaves to fall. I want to enjoy the season as much as possible and take some of my workouts outside – such as yoga, running, walking, whatever!
3. Find bridesmaids dresses. We have an appointment for the girls to get their dresses on the 15th, so my goal is to finalize my picks and check that tasks off of my wedding to-do list.
Operation Bride
Operation Bride is going well. I’m starting to feel stronger in my arms. Might be from practicing so many yoga poses this month, which were before I started Operation Bride, but whatever. I’m putting together an arm balancing sequence that you can do for arm strengthening, so when I get those poses photographed, I’ll share with you. Here is my workout from Tuesday.
In case you’re wondering, here are videos that show you how to do the following exercises listed above:
Talk to Me
- What did you accomplish in August?
- What are your goals for September?
- What’s your favorite thing to do at the end of summer?
Friday Favorites
| August 30th, 2013 | Friday Favorites, Operation Bride |
Hello friends! It’s finally Friday. Although I didn’t go into work on Monday, this week still felt incredibly long. But I’m happy it’s the weekend. As you all know from my post on Wednesday, I launched my fitness plan for my upcoming wedding – Operation Bride. I’ll be adding these workouts to the Wedding page this weekend. So you’ll be able to find them any time you need them. They are also on my Pinterest account under the board titled Operation Bride. Aside from those workouts this week there weren’t really that many other favorites so, this week it is all about my new workout schedule!
On Day 2, Tuesday, my legs were still really hurting from my intense butt and leg day on Monday so I switched it up with some chest and back exercises and light cardio on the elliptical.
I took a rest day on Wednesday and decided on a quick 30 minute Reflexion Yoga class on Thursday. The Work Stress Relief video was an intermediate flow that focused on chair pose, donkey kicks and various balance poses. So if this is for you, go check out that video. If you click on the link in the side bar for Reflexion Yoga, you can sign up for a free trial!
I don’t have too much planned this weekend. On Saturday, I think Bryan and I are visiting with Leslee and her boyfriend for a BBQ and on Sunday we are going to New Jersey for a concert. Other than that, lots of relaxing and resting. I’m also going to plan out my workouts for next week so I have a game plan.
Talk to Me
- What are your favorite things you’ve accomplished this week?
- What are your plans for the weekend?
- When you do you determine the exercises you do at the gym?
Operation Bride
| August 28th, 2013 | Operation Bride |
I’ve decided to name my fitness routine Operation Bride. I’m not following any formal plan. I decide the exercises I want to do before heading over to the gym and then do it! Eventually I’ll probably settle into a routine, but for now this is what I’m doing. I’m thinking about taking some of the workouts from the Live Fit Trainer and incorporating those.
There are a few areas of my body that I really want to tone before my wedding next May - my arms and back side. However, I know that I’ll be also working other parts of my body such as my abs and back.
Here’s what I did during Day 1 – Monday. I can proudly say that my legs are still killing me today and it’s now Wednesday.
I’ll share with you the workout from yesterday tomorrow. I’d love to know what workouts you do at the gym, so make sure you follow me on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram and let me know!
Talk to Me
- What do you do at the gym?
- What is the body part you least like working out?
- How often do you do weight training vs. cardio?
