Challenges

I should have posted this the beginning of September, when I started it.  You can probably use this for any month though, there are always health and Fitness challenges out there.
During the Month of September I started seriously working on my butt and thighs.  I cant count the number of lunges and squats that Ive done, and there have been days where it was hard to walk, and especially hot to sit, but I made it through.  I've even got something to help you get through those painful days a little bit easier.

I'm posting a picture of a challenge from a site that I visit a lot on Facebook.  I got this from Health and Fitness Chick.   This lady is a Killer Workout Lady.   She's got some awesome stuff going on.

Okay, I do NOT only do the workout's in this challenge. This is just like a mini workout. (I have done this on several occasions while the kids were eating breakfast and getting ready for school.  I also do an entirely different workout that includes Dead Leg Lifts, more squats and lunges, side lunges, side squats, bridges, donkey kicks, one leg squats, etc.  On top of all this, I am consistently running almost everyday. I normally run at least 3.1 miles, but some days I go 3 1/2.  Of course, there are a few days, where I only make it 2 miles.  -But hey, at least I'm doing it, right.   GOT Young kids?  No problem, put them in a stroller and start walking.. Heck, At the Talladega Half and 5k, I saw people RUNNING pushing their kids in an Umbrella stroller.. As long as its a flat road like surface, this isn't a problem, but if you want to be extra safe and don't want the child to asborb all the shock, check out craigslist and look into buying a used Jogging Stroller.  Or a new one if you have the funds for it!.

Okay, so Earlier I mentioned something that can help you get through those days where you are hurting so bad you can barely walk from your awesome workout the day before.  Well first off, SLEEP, but don't stop working out!  Keep it up. PUSH through the pain. -But this will help cut your sore time down..Nightime Recovery   If you want something to start immediate after your workout, you can try this: Post Workout Recovery.
Also, make sure you are eating foods that will HELP your workout, not hinder your workout. This is one of the hardest parts for me. I love food. I love junk food. I love pizza. I love chocolate. I love .........non healthy foods!  -  I have found that I can still eat all of these, just not on an every day basis like I was.  It really does help.  

Fall Beginnings

I know I haven't posted since July, and I can come up with a thousand excuses, but I'm not.  I just didn't get around to posting. That's my final and honest answer.

So what's been going on since the last time I posted..
Well... My husband and I just made a trip to Talladega, where he ran a Half Marathon.  Only two weeks after he ran his FIRST 5k.  Sound's crazy, right?  It is.  No lie there, but he did it! He ran the entire half, without stopping and made excellent time at 2 hours and 12 minutes.

I didn;t do so well on my 5k part but I did ok. I clocked in at 39 minutes.
Our nine year old completed his 2nd 5k since May and our almost 8 year old has taken up running as well.
Their Choice-  They love running now and make a point to go outside and run a mile or more every couple of days.  Our 2 year old like to try and chase them.

I really want to touch on something that has become a huge pet peeve of mine.....
People that constantly complain about wanting to change their life, needing to change their life, SAYING that they are changing their life, but its not working....BUT they are really just sitting there....Pretending to do all of the above..

If you really want to change your life, get healthy, then do it! If you are having a hard time, don't kill yourself over it. Everyone has those days. NO ONE SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE EASY!

Lets say your goal is to .."stop eating so much fast food".. Then do it.  Take a snack in your car with you when you are out, so when you are tempted to run through the drive thru, just because you see the sign and think "that' will taste good"-take out your healthy snack, KEEP YOUR MIND STRONG, and munch on that.

IF you want to exercise- DO IT.  You don't have to join a gym.  Start by walking in your neighborhood or even around your house.
Let me tell you this: 6 months ago, I couldn't even RUN for 2 minutes without being out of breath and stopping.. I even had a NINE week break from running/jogging to let my foot heal from an Achilles Tendon Injury, but NOW I can run an entire 5k WITHOUT stopping. (That's 3.1 miles for all of you that didn't already know that).. In fact, I can actually RUN 3 1/2 miles without stopping.-Maybe more.
I just PUSH myself because I know that If I don't ...NO ONE ELSE WILL.

I can't blame my kids, or my husband, or my parents, or my friends for ME not choosing to be healthy. I am the ONLY one in charge of the food I eat, and the exercise I do. I am the only one that is going to reach MY goals. NO ONE ELSE is able to do that for me.

That being said=-I eat junk food.. ALL THE TIME... I can't just GIVE it up.  In fact, I'm just as guilty as the next person for eating fast food. I am HORRIBLE at eating pizza several times a week.---But I am cutting back. SLOWLY.  -I even planned out an entire menu for my family this week and guess whats NOT on the list- Pizza!   What is on the list.. Yummy delicious, HEALTHY versions of Taco's, Chicken n Dumplings, Crock Pot Chicken, Sandwiches, etc.. and YES I still drink Soda's... But I've cut back a lot from the days where that was ALL I would drink.

Do you have cans of food lying around?   You can use those in the place of hand held waits. It may not be a lot, but its something.  You can do squats while watching tv, or cooking in the kitchen.  You can do to lifts while washing dishes (for those of you that do not depend on a dishwasher to do it all).  You can exercise while mopping or vacuuming.  You may look funny dancing around while doing it, but who cares!  Have a little fun with it.

When I run, and I look over at my gps tracker to see that I've hit a mile, or a half mile, or two miles. I just start smiling and telling myself that I will NOT quit!  My MIND may be saying quit, but my body is more than willing to go that extra mile!

Don't listen to the negatives in your life that tell you that you can't do it!  Turn your CAN'T into CAN and change your life.

Every small change, over time added together turns into a HUGE change!  YOU CAN reach your goals.

No, whether your goal is to gain weight, build muscle, loose weight, maintain weight, eat healthier, or even just to make your skin look better......There are ways you can get help without destroying your insides.
Click here to see how we can create a plan just for you.  Or you can click Here to see even more.
Let's just start by helping you make healthier choices!  (I'm right there with you).... A little change over time, is a HUGE change over all...... Rome wasn't built in a day.. You are NOT going to see change immediately, but give it time, and you will....Your body will thank you.  

Clean eating Challenge

Since my small injury to my Achilles Tendon has left me unable to run for a few more weeks (Im hoping only a few more weeks) I have decided to take on a challenge of my eating habits.
If you know me, personally, you know that I honestly can not LIVE without a pizza. A big, fattening, greasy, carb filled pepperoni and cheese pizza with a side of Ranch dressing.  When I get weak, I want Pizza. Its like I crave it...(I do, actually.. Crave it).

So on of our Moms Run This town boards, someone posted about an Eat Clean Challenge.. I've been looking into this more and more and have become seriously disgusted with what I have found out about what is in our foods. Then I went on and started researching the different artificial colorings/dyes and such that are in our foods and what they can/do to our bodies and our childrens' bodies in general. It affects your health, mood, out look, etc.

So I am going to participate in this challenge. I've done a little experiment on my own and I have found that on the days that I eat "clean foods" I weigh less, I feel better.  I have been eating somewhat clean off and off for the past two weeks. I give in a good bit (to a pizza now and then) but I do feel better.  My skin is clearer and I feel that my thoughts are not as clouded.  The best part is.. I haven't been hungry.  How can I eat to healthy and so little and not be hungry..  We'll I guess that is the power of eating small meals every 2-3 hours..

So, Who's going to join me for a Clean Eating Challenge in August?
Here is the link to the site so you can sign up too!
http://www.runtothefinish.com/2012/07/Clean-Eating-Challenge.html

Day 3..of partially clean eating.

Day 3


I gave in yesterday and ate some pizza.  I looked it up and the calories really were not all that bad for what I ate. I think my body was craving some serious carbs.  Day one of clean eating went really well, for breakfast, I had 2 hard boiled eggs. For Lunch I had a caesar salad, and for dinner I had a chicken caesar salad.  I had water all day, no coffee, No coke.


We went to the gym not long after we ate, and I even remembered to take my catalyst this time. Oh, I did drink some spark right before we went. This is what my strength workouts include:


Arm Curl
Arm Extension
Back Extension
Chest Presss
Wide Grip Pulldown
Leg Extension
Leg Press
Shoulder Press
Seated Row
Leg Curl
Hip Abduction
Hip Adduction
Roc-it Abdominal
Abdominal Crunch.
The weights I lift vary with each machine, but I always lift the same each time. I change them when I do not feel that they are helping any more.  I lift 2 sets of 12 reps (24 total).  Usually the first 12 on all machines are fairly easy.  Once I get past the 6th rep on the 2nd set, is when I start to feel it starting to burn (not in a bad way though). If I don't feel this after I finish my 2nd rep, I know I need to increase my weight a tiny bit.
The hardest for me is one of the AB machines. Its incredibly hard for me.  My upper body needs a lot more of a workout than my lower body, but I feel better.


I am supposed to do my strength training 4-5 days a week, while i am supposed to do Cardio 6 days a week.
My cardio is supposed to be 50 minutes. I normally do this by running indoor, or outdoor. (check out www.MomsRUNthistown.com) for other great info for Women Runners.  Lately, since I've had some issues with my Achilles Tendon, I have not been able to do Cardio like I wanted.  I thought that walking on the beach last week was Really going to hurt, but it didn't.  The sand didn't bother me at all.  What bothered me the most, was swimming. Each time I go to kick my feet to swim, It feels as though my left foot is being ripped of. (Pain!!)


So I thought I would take a few weeks off.  I can't take off to much time, because the warrior dash is coming up in September and I've made a committment to run in it.I can't back out of it, unless of course the pain gets so unbearable that I can barely walk. I've been looking forward to the Warrior Dash for more than six months. (www.WarriorDash.com) 
So instead of running, I decided to try another form of Cardio, by doing the elliptical and the arc trainer.  The Arc Trainer is more of a "Stride"  Its actually not so hard on my ankle for the most part. By the time 15 minutes was up, I felt like I had run 3 miles.


After my workouts I almost ALWAYS go into the Dry Sauna to relax.  Most people do not like the 200+ degree heat.  I love it.  I take a book or my kindle, and some good tunes and read to my hearts contest.  I usually try to stay in there about 20 minutes, but I have made it longer before.  The Sauna, although very hot, feels great on tired muscles and to me, it seems to help muscle recovery.  It also helps make my ankle feel a lot better after the torture I've just put it through. :-)

restart.....

Day one of clean eating...
SO far..so good.
Breakfast:
2 Hard Boiled Eggs and a Spark
No Snack-I was working out at gym, but had plenty of water.

Lunch:
Caesar Salad...and it was delicious..

Will eat some peanuts for snack,

Not sure about dinner yet.......

Its been a long time....

Its been a little while since I've posted on this blog...You can say I got a little out of habit of posting.
I ran my first real 5k on Memorial day.  I am not proud of my time which was around 44 minutes or so, but there were so many people and I spend half of my time looking for my nine year old son who kept running off and leaving me, which ended up with him falling and getting hurt a couple of times) and yet he still finished behind me.  My next big feat. is the Warrior Dash in Nashville in September.  Im hoping I'll do better on that run, but since its a lot of mud and a lot of obstacles, I doubt I'll finish any earlier than the last time.
I've ran into a little bit of an injury which has left my running at a stand still.  I've managed to hurt my Achilles Tendon on my left foot, which makes it impossible to run without pain.  I haven't ran in almost 2 weeks and it's driving me crazy.
I have been doing a small amount of strength training at the gym though.
I hope everyone had an amazing July 4.  Our family went to the beach, and my husband and I celebrated our 10th Anniversary a couple of weeks early by renewing our vows, with our children involved.
We had the awesome Luft Creative as our photographers, and of course, I designed/sewed mine and the girls dresses.  A really good friend of mine helped out with designing and making all the flowers (bouquet, the girls wrist corsages, the guys boutonnieres and the hair accessories.  –Fancy Feet Flip Flops    The photographer even wrote up a blog with a few sneak peeks, which I have to share, so please take a small look....

http://luftcreative.com/blog/kalli-alba

We had a really great time.  My parents even were able to come down to the beach for a few days before they went out to visits my brothers and their wives.

All in all it was a really great trip.   We love the beach and try to go as often as possible.  Few things in life are better than watching the waves

roll in while my kids run and play in the sand and surf.

Even the youngest one enjoyed it this time and waded out into the water. Although Little A did spend a lot of time covering her legs in the sand and throwing sand at the rest of us.  Sitting on the balcony over looking the ocean, while reading a good book on my kindle and enjoying a cup of coffee is one of my favorite things to do while at the beach, but digging my feet into the sand is my most favorite. 
Its hard not to be in awe of God’s amazing creations when surrounded by so much beauty of the sunrises and sunsets over the gorgeous emerald coast.

Until I write again, remember to hug your kids and your spouse (if you have them) if not give yourself a hug.
Smile as much as you can.....and Thank God for everything you have....

"If you woke up today with ONLY the things you thanked God for yesterday, what would you have?"

God Bless you all and I hope the Heat hasn't been to hard on you all this summer.........

24 Days Down!

So. The 24 day challenge is officially over and I think I did fairly awesome at it.
I dropped only 7.3 lbs over all, but I LOST 19.75 inches!!!!! I'd say thats good!!
I think its definitely helped my muscle ton and my running.
What do you think?

Day 22 of 24 Day Challenge

Wow.. I am just truly amazed at this program!
I have lost a total of 18 inches so far and 7 1/2 lbs. I still have two days left.
I am running better/longer and I am up to a 5k in just under 35 minutes...
Things have been going great here!!!  :-)

Almost there..EEK!

Wowzers!!! We joined the local YMCA, because they had so many things offered for our three kiddos. Its pretty amazing!!! I started running on the treadmill when we go, to keep my running up, which actually helped me to achieve a new running goal. I was actually able to complete week 6 of C25K and I was able to run for twenty minutes straight.. Yesterday I was suppose to run for 25 minutes straight but I ended up stopping and walking for a few minutes. It felt SO good to get that running out. With the crazy week (non running related) I've had it was so nice to let it all out!

Okay, so updating you on my challenge. Today is Day 10. Final day of the Cleanse phase. Clean eating has been a new challenge for me, but I am really enjoying it. I feel so much better. Even though I DID slip up twice and eat some pizza,  I still feel great!  So far, when I measured yesterday morning. In the nine days since I started the challenge, I had lost 7 1/2 inches and 6 lbs! Yes! I am 100% telling you the truth!  

Also, crazy week. Yes please! What is my life w/o a few crazy turns thrown in there.. On the business side of things we had a Fantastic Photo shoot for Fashion Week AL for my Bridal Line.  The photographer was TRULY amazing and so sweet.  The MUA, The Stylist, The Accessories Lady and everyone involved did such great work. The model was gorgeous!
I honestly can not wait to make another wedding gown similar to this one but a tiny bit different.  It will be MINE for my husband and My vow renewal for our 10th anniversary this summer!  I'm so psyched.  Ten years/a Decade/ is a long time.... Especially when you hardly even knew each other when you got married. (NO LIE THERE).  Our story is unique to us. We just move fast, thats all.  We met, fell in love, (seriously it was like a love at first site type of thing). Got engaged a couple weeks later, four months after that we were married.. Then just barely three months after our wedding day, we found out we had a bun in the oven!
So our first year of marriage was filled with getting to know each other, Me being pregnant with our first child, moving into a new home,giving birth to our first child (ONE MONTH before our 1st wedding anniversary!)..Wowzers.. and We've barely slowed down since. We now have three gorgeous kiddos.
We are blessed in so many ways.. So yes, A decade of us getting to know each other, our kids, and learning to get along., Its not been easy, its been Hard but its been FUN!  Most importantly, We've kept GOD #1 in our lives and are teaching our kids to do the same. That is how we've been able to get through some of the crazy trials we've gone through. Without God, we wouldnt be where we are today.

Anyway, sorry for the long rampant. I get off topic a lot and end up rambling..
Does anyone wanna see a pic from our awesome Bridal Gown shoot. Its my first NON tulle wedding gown!
Well You've waited through all my rambling.. So here ya go!

Photography Credits:

Exclusively Yours Photography

Dress Desginer:

Stephanie of Kalli Alba Bridal Couture

Hair Piece: Be Spotted

Will be showcased at

Fashion Week Alabama

Getting there:

So, I completed all of my week 5 C25K which is where I had to run for 20 minutes straight.  I made it 17 total and walked for 3.   I thought that was pretty good.
Yesterday I started week 6, and I was supposed to walk 5, run 5, walk 3, run 8 walk, 3, run 5 walk cooldown.
At my cool down I saw I was very close to 2.5 miles, I really wanted to hit 2.5 miles so instead of doing my cool down I ran for a few more minutes and then did my cool down.  Just so I could get in my 2.5.  After my cool down, according to my MotoActv when I finished my cool down I was at 2.66 miles, which was really neat.
I missed the deadline for the 5k run here at a local church, that I really wanted to do so I could wear my Moms RUN This Town shirt, but Now I will just have to wait until May to wear it in another 5k that My son and I are doing together. Yes, my 8 1/2 (will actually turn 9 one month after the 5k) and I are doing a 5K together.  He can run a 5k with no problem at all. Kids and All their energy.

Im still hoping to get some more ladies to join me in the Warrior Dash in TN in September to be running partners with.  My running partner may not get to go. :-(

Anyway, so with this whole 24 day challenge that I started on Tuesday.  I am already down almost 6 pounds. I checked my waist measurement (I didnt want to check the rest) and so far, I've lost one inch in my waist..Now come on Hips..CATCH UP..lol... (I didnt measure my hips so its possible an inch or half an inch is gone already)  I feel so much better. I have more energy. My skin already looks much better and I can see my belly being more flat! I'm so excited.  Click here to get the 24 day Challenge.  Its Truly amazing!

So anyway, I had a really great experience yesterday.  A week ago, Fashion Week AL contacted me while I was on vacation to design a wedding gown for an upcoming promo shoot.  I was able to do this as soon as I got back home... It took about two days, and I know if I had more time I could have done a TON better and it would have been even more amazing
The shoot  (from the sneak peek) pictures that I was shown, was totally Amazing!! An amazing photographer, stylist, hair and make up artists, and even accessory designer! AMAZING.....
I want to show you a sneak peek but I have to wait till I get the final edits back in.... SO EXCITING!!!!!!!!

Okay, thats enough for now.....Have a great day!!!! Remember-* No matter how slow you are going, you are lapping EVERYONE on the couch!

Its been a week!

I didnt get much of a chance to update this week, as I was busy "RUNNING" on the beach!!!

my husband surprised the kids and I wish a beach trip for their spring break! It was so nice.
Running on the beach is a lot harder than pavement running, but it was great.  This was a picture that I took on my phone during my sunset run! It was Gorgeous!!!!!

Also, today starts the beginning of my new fresh HEALTHY eating habits! On Tuesday, I am starting the much talked about Advocare 24 day challenge(https://www.advocare.com/12037202/Store/CatalogView.aspx?id=search).  In order to do that and get the maximum benefits, I have to eat healthy.  Anyone can eat healthy for 24 days, right?   You should do it with me.  There is a huge group starting on April 3, but we don't mind if you join us a bit later!!! Uh. well, we are about to find out. Its going to be seriously hard for me to give up sugar, AND my coffee, but the hardest part is Bread, and Cheese! Yikes, HELP ME. In fact, grocery shopping today was near torture as I was shopping for things and reading the labels.. I never thought I would EVER read the labels, but I'm doing it.   In fact, I bought fresh lettuce, Fresh Basil leaves, Fresh Spinach leaves, etc.... Yuck! I am NOT a salad eater, but I just made a salad with the basil and spinach leaves and put a little olive oil on it, and cut up a hard boiled egg and ate it. The whole thing.. and ya know what.. IT was DELICIOUS!  I'm so NOT kidding you, this is not an april fools day joke..It was So good.. There is just something about those basil leaves that really added lots of flavor to it.

Anyway, SO i bought lots of fruit and veggies, and NO BREAD, and NO SNACKS (like I normally buy)
Thanksfully my Advo Spark has some caffeine in it and is delicious because I'll be drinking it everyday in place of my coffee, which has actually been a good thing because my mental focus is so much CLEARER than it was!

Anyway, I'm right smack dab in the middle of week 5 for C25K and I need to do a run today if I can. I was suppose to do one the other day but it started storming at the beach, then last night when we got home, we had storms rolling through here too. :-( Major unhappy face about that. I was SO looking foward to my run.
and since I packed on a nice extra 3-5 pounds from all the CRAP I ate at the beach, I have to work extra hard to get that off... We ate a lot of Pizza... But I did get a chance to eat something called a Hippy Chick Sandwhich whic was made with some neat cheese, spicy chicken strips and spinach and it was SO GOOD!!! (I ate those a couple of nights and that is probably why I gained weight!!!!).

Anyway, so there is an update. I have a HUGE week coming up..I have a couple of test s for school. I have had ten new dress orders go in this week that I have to create and I was contacted to provide a wedding dress for an upcoming HUGE shoot this coming friday so Now I have to hurry up and finish that dress for the shoot! SO EXCITED!!!!!!  I'm going to seriously enjoy my runs this week!!!!!!

A day of sunshine..and a day of rain..

Today started off really nice.Its actually spring break for us (The kids are out this next week).. and My patience is already wearing thin. My middle child, (oldest daughter) had to go to a Princess Lunch that our church puts on, and it was really neat.While she was there I took the other two to play at Chick Fil-A.
I am SO glad I had my Spark to drink this morning, or else Im not even sure I would have made it this far today.
IT started raining shortly after we got home, no I will probably not be able to get in a walk/run today. Technically, I'm only supposed to be running three days a week but I am enjoying it so much that I would love to do it more.I am trying to walk on the days in between or at least go up and down my stairs several times.

The running is getting much easier. When I first saw that I was going to have to run for three minutes, I thought it was a LOT.. Then I saw I had to run for five minutes, and I was excited when I had a three minute break in between the five minute runs.  Now I'm suppose to start for 8 minutes, and I know when the 3 minute break comes in, I'll be glad.  I am really enjoying it.Again,I am not a runner..The time to myself is HUGE..To listen to my choice of music for 30 minutes or 33 minutes, however long  I am out for.. I love it.

I am not really loosing any weight, persay But I do feel like I am toning up quite a bit. My sides feel tigher, and I am LOVING seeing my calf muscles again.. Its neat!!!

I think by the time this summer rolls around and My husband and I, and our three kids are standing on the beach, and saying our vows to each other (10 year anniversary/vow renewal), I could very likely be in the BEST shape of my life!!!!:-)

Wow.. Really! :-)

Okay, So last week, I found out that I was going to get a chance to test and review a new Motorola MOTOACTV.  .>Say what? You gotta be kidding me.. REALLY?

If you haven't heard of this amazing device, then WHERE have you been????
Actually, I'm just kidding, up until the day I received that email, I had no idea what it was, let alone heard about it.  Turns out, they needed some people to review these awesome little devices and I was lucky enough to be one of them.
The MOTOACTV is the "World’s First fitness tracker, smart mp3 player, all in one",   you really have to check this little thing out.  http://www.motoactv.com  

Anyway, I wasn’t for sure 100% if I would even GET this, because with all the scams out there, I couldn't believe it at first that they would be sending these out to people. But amazingly when the FedEx driver pulled up, THIS was delivered!!!

Can I just say this little wrist watch is the most amazing thing! It has a GPS, Fitness Tracker, Mp3 player, FM radio, you can actually sync it to your phone and receive calls, alerts from Facebook, track ALL your workouts, set your goals, (and it helps you HIT your goals), set weigh in days, (It will remind you to weigh in on certain days) Set up competitions against others, (or yourself) track your mileage (whether cycling, running, etc.) It tells you how fast you are going (or slow), your HEART RATE, If you are a biker, it tells you your cadence.
IT tells you the elevation you are at.

It goes by your songs that you have on it and it figures out what songs motivate you to do your best. It uses these songs to create your performance playlist.
It will also let you get weather notifications. (Great if you are on the trail, cycling, etc.)

Oh and what makes this even better, as if the things I just listed weren't good enough.....
You can TRACK your workouts ONLINE.... Yep, you read that right. Track everything online. Every time you complete a workout, it automatically sends it to your own portal online.

This is super neat! I cannot wait to use it on future runs... Why have I not already used it you want to know?

The Truth is I started out on my run this morning, SUPER EXCITED to try this little awesome thing out. But 1/2 mile into my run, the bottom dropped out of the SKY and I got soaked.

Now, this little thing is Water proof, sweat proof, but not submerged in water ...proof, so I had to hurry home to make sure it was okay!!It was! :-)

I'll keep reviewing this later when I hope to get in my 'rest" of my run!!Until then... HAPPYRUNNING!

Oh yea, I'm down at least ONE pants size. Possibly Two!

Amazing Run yesterday

Yesterday was an amazing day.
I woke up, got my oldest two kiddo's off to school and then sat down, check a few business emails and checked facebook, drank a Slam (ask me if you don't know what this incredible thing is) and took off on my c25k walk/run. Today was Week 3 day 2. It was AMAZING.  I wasn't sure how well or bad I would be, since even the 90 seconds runs at first were a little tiring, but I never gave, never quit.  When the app says, RUN, I ran..and I didnt stop till it says "Walk",
Yesterday I had the 3 minute run, and it was truly amazing. I guess it helps that I had Pandora radio playing in the background but the run just didnt seem like it was taking near as much out of me as it usually does. It was AWESOME!!!!!!Can I say that again..AWESOME!!!
I credit it to the Slam and the building up to longer running distances..Either way, I was so pumped up that I came home, scrubbed my kitchen floor and even had time to study an exam for one of my online classes, then do some more work on a dress that I'm working on, and at the end of the day, when the older two came home from school, my wonderful husband and I took the three kiddo's for a fun evening at Chuck E Cheese. I still had SO Much Energy, it was amazing!!!!!!!

its been a few days..

I haven't written in a few days.I've been a little behind with some school work and also with getting orders shipped out to my brides, from my bridal line.
Im still running. I'm on week 3 now..I was suppose to start it yesterday but I ended up taking my middle child *daughter* for a mommy/daughter date, and we went to see the movie, The Lorax.  It was a good movie..Funny too.

Ive became chapter leader for Moms RUN this town-North Alabama. It's pretty neat. Im really enjoying it. The ladies on the leader/chapter board are awesome!They are in the middle of several give aways for runners inlcuding some awesome shoes, but my fave to date has been the very cute Sparkle Skirts. http://www.sparkleskirts.com/sparklelight/  You HAVE to check it out.
I've been doing good overall. Im still eating horrible but im not gaining weight and actually have lost a few pounds.  I'm doing a little bit of stuff differently, and I feel really good over all....
As the days get closer and closer I keep getting more and more excited for the 5K warrior Dash. Ive been able to talk with other moms and read their stories and experiences from the Warrior Dash, and I am so pumped!

Update 3...

Stephanie Nichols's Page

Click above to Donate to St.Judes hospital. I am participating in the Warrior Dash in September and I am trying to raise money for St. Judes!


I just finished day 3, week one in the C25K challenge. It felt really good. I havent run all week and was actually starting to miss it. The past few days have been very touch for me.
Actually, this entire week has been tough, but yesterday we had a swarm of storms hit our area again, and there were many homes lost in horrible Tornado's. It wasnt as bad as it was last year on April 27, but it was tough. I have several friends who lost their homes yesterday and its just heart breaking.

I did manage to run today and it felt SO good.. Again, I am NOT a runner...at least I don't think I am. I have never enjoyed it before in my life but now there is just something to it.
It could be the peace and quiet of just me running listening to good tunes..Or maybe the small talks I have with God on my runs. The time to think to myself.........I just am starting to really enjoy it!

Day 2

Today was technically day three since I started the c25K. It was day 2 running. It felt so good to run today. It was a little colder out, and a little darker since I waited for my wonderful husband to get home before I ran. Plus, I waited till after dinner to run (not always a good idea..as I did have some slight cramps).  I ran a tiny bit further this time but it was a good run. I really enjoyed it. I thought it was going to be a bit harder since it was a little bit cold outside, but it actually seemed easier.  I am hoping it continues to get easier, but im sure there will be some really tough days................

A little background.....

Growing up, I was pretty athletic.  I was an avid gymnast since I can remember. I love gymnastics. It is my all time favorite sport. I competed in gymnastics until my last year in Middle School, because our high school didnt have a team. Then I took up Tennis while in high school and also participated some with track and Golf.

I love going on hikes, rock climbing, swimming, etc......

After I got married, I wasnt near as athletic anymore (no, im lying. I wasn't athletic at ALL).
Slowly the weight piled on. Ive been lying to myslef. I know that to most, I don't look all that overweight or even over weight at all, but when I do a BMI Calculator, it says im overweight..Not by much. I've always been pretty petite. With petite people, even adding only 5 lbs can be a huge body changer. --but lets try 30+ or more... Lately, I've seem to be stuck. After the birth of my third child, my weight was at its heaviest. Its slowly came off but now im just sort of stuck..kind of at a yoyo.. Loose a pound, gain it back (or two). I eat horribly. I know this. I LOVE Pizza...Did you see that..Not just a pizza once a week, but several a week.. Its pretty much my fave food, and yet its still SO unhealthy-but I could seriously eat it pretty much every single day...

A couple months ago, one of my best friends in the world, told me that she signed up to run a 5k. I thought she was absolutely crazy. I'm NOT a runner.. So what if  I did all those sports in high school. That was more than a decade ago, and there is NO way I can do that now...>Right?  WRONG!

She told me about this awesome blog called "Runs for Cookies"..  I have visited this blog several times and boy does that lady inspire me!  Of course, so does my friend Danielle.
She's been training several times a week for this 5k in our area.
Now if everything works out well and I can get my rear in gear...We'll be doing an AWESOME 5k together in September.  It's called the Warrior Dash. This is like a super mega 5k, complete with obstacle courses, and all sorts of things... I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!

Today was my first run in forever.  I downloaded the c25k app on my phone and decided to attempt it. I think I did really well.  Whenever it told me to run, I ran. I didnt stop until it said walk.  I think I had to run for a minute, then walk for a couple minutes, then run for a minute..off and on for about twenty minutes.

When it came time for me to stop, I didnt want to. Running felt good. Getting out in the fresh air....felt GOOD.   

It was everything my friends who run have been telling me it would be.HARD, but the feeling you get afterwards is awesome.  Keep in mind.. I am NOT a runner.
I’m a mom of three. A small in home business owner .  I enjoy laying around being lazy, reading a good book. Playing with my kids and eating junk food. I am NOT a runner…but I AM going to be. I’ve seen all the research and if all of those people can get out there and start running and get healthy, then SO can I.
Ive got to get healthy…for my kids,…my husband..and for myself… so.Im going to start.

One .step..at…a..time (with the help of GOD)--cause there is no way, I can do this alone.