Loving Life

Hello, March

2012-03-04T18:13:00.002-06:00

It's hard to believe that its already March. It seemed like Christmas was only a few weeks ago. I've been busy with work and must be having fun, since you know what they say...time flies when you're having fun. :)
When March arrives, I realize that my birthday is just around the corner. I used to worry about growing older, especially after I hit the 40 mark. But now, its not so gloomy. I'm happy, healthy and enjoy my life so bring it on! My family is planning a little party for me on Friday night to include eats, drinks and playing our favorite game: rock band. I'm looking forward to this celebration especially since I am out of town for work this week. Maybe I'll make it a long weekend by taking an extra day off.

Have a great week!

-Gina

Look how far I've come

2012-02-26T15:31:00.002-06:00

I've been planning some running events for this year and I found one that takes place at my high school in April. This one has some meaning to me. When I was in junior high/high school when we would have to run the mile, I would be devastated! I always came in last and most of the time I would end up hyperventilating. I was reduced to the embarrassment of "breathing in a paper bag" in front of my classmates. I have come a long way. I think this is my chance to shine and prove to myself how far I've come. I think doing a 5k on the same grounds where I struggled as a teenager would be awesome. I don't expect to come in first, but finishing strong is my goal. Definitely no breathing in the bag thing...

Run Cougar Run 5K and Fun Run

I'm back on track with working out and feel great! So far I have 3 5k races on my schedule. I'll also do several charity walks throughout the year beginning with the March for Babies walk and Cystic Fibrosis walk in May. No excuses! 2012 is going to be a great year.

Maintaining a Healthy Diet While Traveling

2012-02-22T10:05:00.001-06:00

I have just returned from a long business trip and found this article to be helpful. Eating Well On the Road

I find it very difficult to maintain a healthy diet when I'm out of town. The projects I've been working on have required me to work long hours which makes it very hard to make healthy choices. Even though I try to keep healthy snacks and plenty of water in my bag, when people bring in donuts and sweets it is hard to resist especially if I haven't eaten a meal in hours.I definitely put on a few pounds on this trip. I recall one day all we had was donuts and chocolate pie! I'm very ashamed of that!

My goal is to eat clean and get back to the gym this week. I've got to get in shape for the 5k I'm doing on St Patricks Day!

I consumed too much sugar this week and need to cleanse the toxins from my system. I'm also looking into a therapeutic massage.I'm glad I am receiving some much needed time off. It's time to rejuvenate!

My tribute to Whitney Houston

2012-02-14T07:23:00.001-06:00

I am still in shock about the untimely death of one of my favorite music artists of all time, Whitney Houston. I still remember the first time I heard her sing, You Give Good Love on tv, probably on Friday Night Videos. From that point on, I followed her career until it ended. I was such a huge fan of her that I named my youngest daughter, Whitney after her. I cannot imagine the pain and sadness her family is going through. Any time we lose a person we love, it is difficult. But I'm sure that celebrity families have even more trouble dealing with the loss due to the media. I have two daughters, close in age to Bobbi Christina and pray that she is able to deal with the loss of her mother. May God bless all of Whitney's family during this time.

Whitney Houston "You Give Good Love"

google images

Spinning recap

2012-02-02T09:11:00.000-06:00

What an intense workout! Spinning was fun with my friend Jennifer at our gym on Monday. I was happy that I was able to finish the workout without giving up. I did have some issues though.

after spinning for 45 minutes (and trying my best to keep up with the class) when I got off the bike, my legs were very weak. that is understandable since I'm not accustomed to spinning for that length of time or at that intensity. I felt like I would lose my balance when I tried to walk. My legs felt like jello. When I tried to take a few steps, I felt like I would fall on my face. This continued until I got home and several hours later.
the next day the soreness began to set in my muscles. First it was my my glutes (from sitting on the bike I'm sure) then my thighs. For the last two days, I have had trouble walking especially after sitting for longer than 30 minutes. It's embarrassing to groan when I get out of my office chair.
i have tried massage, warm baths in epsom salt, and light stretching yet the soreness remains.

My pic BEFORE spinning....the after pic would not have been pretty!

Will I spin again? Yes, probably. I consulted one of the trainers at my gym for advice and they suggested that I may not have been hydrated enough. It is also possible that I don't usually exercise at this intensity on a regular basis. I was shocked since I do exercise regularly and my legs are fairly strong since I run and bike several times a week. Next time, I will take it a little slower and easier. And make sure I'm hydrated and properly stretched/warmed up.

Trying something new...Spinning

2012-01-30T15:51:00.001-06:00

I'm spending my last day off in a while running errands, catching up on laundry and grocery shopping. I've planned my workouts, my meals and updated my to-do list. I'm glad I have a workout to look forward to later today. A friend and I are going to give spinning a try tonight at Murfreesboro Athletic Club .

Murfreesboro Athletic Club

I'm a little nervous but at the same time excited about trying something new. I used to be the one that was too shy to do anything new. But now its refreshing to do things that make me a little nervous. Life is too boring if you don't try new things.

spinning via google images

I also came across an event that I'd like to share. Virtual Run for Sherry Arnold Feb 11, 2012 Please click the link for details. You may remember Sherry Arnold was a school teacher and runner from Montana that went missing early in January and a man eventually confessed to killing her. Her story touched me and I plan on participating in this event in memory of her. Please share this link with your followers.

Running for Sherry - 2-11-12

For those of you that sit most of the day...

2012-01-27T07:24:00.001-06:00

For a person that has an office job and sits for most of the day, I found this article interesting. I'm motivated to find ways to get up out of my chair and MOVE throughout the day.

How Sitting All Day is Damaging Your Body and How You Can Counteract It

I like the fact that the article doesn't suggest we need to become marathoners or triathletes - only that we should get up and move at least once an hour and get 30 minutes of activity each day. I work out more than most of my friends do, but I tend to forget when I'm at work how long I have been sitting. I worked at a company once that had desks that you could stand by or sit in bar-type chairs. It was a nice change once in a while to be able to stand while working. And what ever became of treadmill type workstations? I remember hearing about those a few years ago. That sounds like a cool idea especially for those with office jobs. Personally, I would worry about falling or hurting myself. I have trouble walking and chewing gum at the same time....

Let's move!

Let's go jogging!

2012-01-27T06:11:00.000-06:00

On my days off this week, I was able to spend time with my 3 month old granddaughter. This is priceless! I had to change her into this adorable jogging suit I bought for her. Photo opportunity.....

Phoenix - 3 months

Now my vacation is about to end and its back to reality in the morning. I can only imagine how many emails will be waiting on me.


I hope my desk doesn't look like this.....

It was a nice break and I feel very relaxed now. Going back on Friday has its advantages. I can work one day and then its the weekend! It feels good to be refreshed after a few days off.

My newest fitness purchases

2012-01-25T19:16:00.002-06:00

I decided to order a few things for myself with some Christmas cash. I ordered all of these from Amazon. Today, I received my cell phone arm band I ordered. I hope this will work well when I'm running. It is supposed to keep my phone free from sweat and allow me to use my fitness apps while running. I'll try it out tomorrow morning.

HTC Evo shift arm band - photo from Amazon.com

TaeBo is one of my favorite ways to exercise. I treated myself to 2 new dvds with some Christmas cash. I was thrilled they arrived today. I can't wait to see what Billy Blanks has in store for me! I had the honor of meeting Billy in Franklin, TN a few years ago after the flood hit Nashville. He came to do a session to benefit flood victims. It was great punching and kicking while Billy walked around the room pushing us!

Working out with Billy Blanks

Picture of me the day I worked out with Billy Blanks


TaeBo - new DVD's

Day 2 of taking care of ME!

2012-01-25T11:23:00.000-06:00

It's my second day of vacation and I started off at my gym. I was going to workout, then get a massage....but was late getting there. As I'm checking in for my massage appointment, the therapist informed me that I should not work out after the massage, unless I take it very slow and easy. I might get on the stationary bike later or take a walk. The massage was wonderful! It had been so long since I've had one. It's also very nice that they are located inside my gym. I also picked up a group exercise schedule so I can try some new classes. I'm interested in spinning, but must admit I'm a little intimidated....my favorites are zumba, tae bo and body pump. My day at the hair salon yesterday was nice. I decided to go back to my natural hair color and get rid of the blonde highlights. I was pleased with the result.

Now, I'll spend some time on my computer (but not working), drinking coffee and looking forward to my granddaughter coming over later.


Epiphany Health - great place for massages!


Picked up a group exercise schedule today....what should I try next?


My and my granddaughter! I went back to my natural hair color...no more blondie!

Time to relax, refresh and renew

2012-01-24T08:55:00.001-06:00

I've been working around the clock for about 2 weeks now, so I'm taking 3 much needed days off. I was instructed by my boss that I was not allowed to take my work laptop home. I'm glad she said that because she knows I would end up working at home, even if only to check emails. She is right.

Me and my girls!

My plans today are to get my hair done, go out to lunch with my husband and spend time with my daughters and granddaughter tonight. Sounds like a perfect day to me.

Phoenix is 3 months old now!

Tomorrow morning, I have an appointment for a massage at my gym and plan on working out before that. It's been several months since I've had a massage, so I decided to treat myself to one using some of my leftover Christmas cash. I think its very convenient to have a massage company on site with my gym.
Epiphany Health - I'm looking forward to visiting you!

So here's to getting the family/work life balance back! I'm concentrating on ME for the next few days.

My favorite soup - Southwest Chicken Soup

2012-01-22T19:52:00.000-06:00

Have you checked out the Choose My Plate.gov website? I'm on a mission to make healthier meals for my family. This is a great resource!

It's not easy at first, but eating clean makes me feel great. I've had to work longer hours this week, but making sure I plan ahead for my meals helps. I took bags of healthy food to work and kept in our break room. Fresh fruits and veggies are now my go to choices. My new favorite soup is Southwestern Chicken Soup, that a sweet lady at my church gave me. It's the easiest recipe I have found! As you can see, it does well in the slow cooker. I took some to work to share and it was a hit!

Ingredients:
1 can of black beans
1 jar of mild or hot salsa (depending on your preference)
1 can of shoepeg white corn
1 can of chicken broth (reduced sodium)
1 package of Tyson southwestern chicken strips - diced into bite size pieces.

Open ingredients and drop into pot and cook for an hour. Delish!


Southwest Chicken Soup!

Reasons to Run

2012-01-12T09:48:00.000-06:00

Sometimes I get discouraged in my training to run. My biggest complaint is the lack of time for training consistently. Maybe I should look for a new job....(just kidding). The one thing I have found to keep me on track, is signing up for races. If something is on my schedule, I'm more apt to do it. I found this article that reminds me of the benefits of running. Click on this link to read...Reasons to Run

I found this picture on facebook and love it!!!

I feel good....

2012-01-10T20:34:00.000-06:00

Last night, after working I decided to try out my hotel's fitness center. I'm glad I did. I was a little nervous about the glass windows, but I guess everyone else was watching the College football championship game. It was cool having the whole place to myself.

I've also been eating healthy for the most part....I stocked up on healthy foods for my mini fridge in my hotel. I'm glad I did.

The room didn't have any fans, so it was incredibly hot in there. I started off with a stationary bike workout and did 5.8 miles in 20 minutes. Then I did a treadmill workout for a mile. I wanted to run longer, but the heat was killing me!

The best thing about working out at night, is that I sleep so much better AND I felt great this morning! I felt so refreshed and had more energy than usual. I'm going to try and remember this is why I do this!

My business trip will be over soon and I'll get to go back home to my family. I miss them and I need to get back to MY gym. I have 2 5k's in March and want to be prepared.

St Pat's Day Kegs & Eggs 5k

Special Kids 5k

Eating healthy on the road

2012-01-08T18:05:00.001-06:00

I'm working out of town again for a few days. I arrived in Knoxville a few hours ago and since I didn't pack enough healthy food, I decided to take a trip to Kroger. I loaded up on fruit, yougurt, water and other items so I don't have to eat out very much.I hope I got enough to last me a few days.

Yogurt, water and Silk

fruit, juice, carrots, and tuna

Bananas, peanut butter individual packs and a Healthy Choice meal

Now, I guess I should go check out the hotel gym before it gets too late. Monday morning will be here before I know it.

Are you keeping your resolutions for 2012?

2012-01-07T09:27:00.002-06:00

The first week of January is almost over and I feel good about my resolutions. The first week of the year is usually easy since most people are motivated about their goals and resolutions. It's the weeks that follow that are tough.

I did well this week for the most part. I didn't eat any junk food, even though there is candy at work and snacks in my pantry. I brought healthy lunches to work everyday and didn't drink any soda. I kept up my exercise appointments. I signed up for two 5k races in March. This one is on St Patrick's Day and looks like so much fun! Kegs & Eggs 5k . The next one is a few weeks later. Special Kids Race . I made dinner for my daughter more this week than I usually do. So, I can say this week was a success.

Yes, it took more effort on my part. But it can be done. Even my cat, Tiger wanted to workout with me this week.

Keeping my resolutions/goals will get a little tougher over the weekend. I have to travel to Knoxville for work on Sunday. I find it difficult to eat healthy and exercise when I'm living out of a hotel. But I will definitely try!

How do you overcome challenges for keeping your fitness goals?

More goals for 2012....Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T09:44:00.001-06:00

It's December 31, and I'm taking one more look at my goals for 2012. In my previous post, 2011 is Coming to a Close , I planned out my goals for the coming year. They are good ones....keep running, eat healthy, spend more time with family. After thinking more about this, I need to add a few to the list.

I want to start cooking healthy meals for my family. It is hard sometimes to do this, since I work full time and have other things going on as well. My teenage daughter informed me that she is tired of eating out of a can...which breaks my heart. She has eaten Chef Boyardee until she is sick of it. There has got to be a way that I can make sure she gets healthy meals at home. I have a crock pot that hasn't been used in a while. I'm going to take the time to plan meals and make this a priority! She is definitely worth it!

Whitney - she is such a doll!

My husband also deserves a good, home-cooked meal once in a while. Since we work different shifts, we don't get to have very many meals together. And on the weekends, we tend to eat out for than we cook at home. This is a goal that will not be easy, but I'm determined to be a better wife and mother by cooking meals for my family.

me and my hubby

I will continue going to church and spend more time in prayer. One of my goals last year was to start going back to church, even if my family doesn't go with me. Sometimes that is difficult. It is hard getting up early on Sunday morning when everyone else is sleeping. It is also hard walking in church alone. But I will continue, because I feel more at peace and happier when I do. Yes, I wish the family would go with me, but I have to respect them for their feelings and cannot make them. I also spend time watching Joyce Meyer Ministries and have purchased many of her inspirational products. If I'm having a rough day, listening to her sermons gives me hope. I believe prayer changes things....so I want to add this to my list of goals.

2011 was a fabulous year for me. I participated in several 5k races, many charity walks, and made a healthy lifestyle part of my routine. I received 2 job promotions. I have enjoyed many wonderful moments with my family and loved ones. I became a grandmother! I look forward to 2012 and hope to improve my life in many ways. I strive to always be the best I can be, whether it be in my job, family, or my fitness. I'm going to keep this attitude in the next year and keep on keeping on....

"One of the simplest things about all facts of life is that to get where you want to go, you must keep on keeping on"- Norman Vincent Peale

I'm wishing you love, peace and happiness in 2012!

It's Christmas!

2011-12-25T12:14:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas everyone! I enjoyed my gifts, but am even more thankful for my supportive husband, wonderful kids and precious granddaughter! I am very blessed by a wonderful family, my health, my career and many friends. Thanks everyone for being there for me.

I started the morning off by making cinnamon rolls for the family and going to church. Sorry family, the presents will have to wait! They were patiently waiting for me when I returned. We all got gifts we wanted and everyone seems happy. I hope you enjoy my pictures...

My Keurig coffee brewer! I have been wanting one for a long time! And I've got plenty of K-cups stocked up! My favorite is pumpkin spice!

Me and my beautiful girls!

Whitney and my granddaughter, Phoenix!

We don't have a fireplace, but this made a nice substitute.

Our Christmas brunch spread....lots of goodies!

Whitney

more pictures of the baby!

Cousins....

Me and my sis!

cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning

Now that the presents are opened, we will play with our toys a while then go out to eat Chinese food.

I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and are surrounded by those you love on this special day.

Christmas Eve- Eve 2011

2011-12-23T15:00:00.001-06:00

It's the day before Christmas Eve, so I guess I'll call it Christmas Eve Eve. My shopping is done and all I have left to do is cook for our family party tomorrow. I'm making pumpkin muffins, fudge, sausage balls, pigs in a blanket, mango salsa with pita chips and turkey roll up sandwiches. I'm currently home alone, listening to Christmas music and baking. I'm not sure why but I got a little excited about having the house to myself for a few hours. But I did!

I made it back to the gym this week and its a good thing. All the office treats and the sweets I'll be surrounded with for the next few days, will be tempting. It amazes me how GREAT I feel after working out. That alone should be enough motivation for me to stay on track. I'm looking for a way to remind myself about that! I did install an app for my phone that reminds me about my scheduled workouts. So far, its working.

The first workout was a little tough, since I've taken several weeks off. It was tough but I did it. I'm glad I'm back in the swing of things. I'm looking to make 2012 a great year!

2011 is coming to a close

2011-12-18T20:35:00.000-06:00

It's hard to believe that the year is almost over. This time of year always has me thinking about goals for the next year. I'm proud of myself that for most of 2011, I stayed on track for my fitness and health goals. I've had a few setbacks, but overall I have continued to push myself to healthy living.

My goals for 2012 are similar to those for this year. I want to continue running and complete longer races than a 5k. I am thinking about a 10k or 15k. I've been searching my area for races and hope to sign up for one soon.

I also want to stick to my healthy eating plan for next year. I am working on eating as much unprocessed foods as possible and continue trying organic foods. I am trying to keep my cholesterol and blood pressure in the normal levels and will be mindful of these things.

Finally, I want to work on the family/work balance. Sometimes work consumes me and even though I enjoy my job, I hope to spend more time with my family.

Have a Merry Christmas!

When life gets in the way....

2011-12-16T01:31:00.000-06:00

When life gets in the way, I find it hard to stay on track regarding my fitness and training. If I didn't work full time...if I wasn't a full time mom....if I had more energy...IF.

How do you manage when life gets so busy that you begin slacking on healthy eating and you allow yourself to skip workouts? I find it frustrating sometimes, especially when work becomes more demanding. The last few weeks I have been traveling with work and working weekends. Every time I go out of town, I pack my exercise clothes, running shoes and other gear. But after working 12-14 hours, I find it very difficult to get those workouts in. Being in a different time zone doesn't make it easier.

I tried to eat healthy while on the road, but that's hard too. I work for a nursing home for Veterans and the food they serve there is enriched, to help the residents gain weight. So, packing healthy snacks and a case of water is usually what I do. But when things get busy and I'm going into starvation mode, its easy to settle for vending machine snacks.

I'm glad to be home and spend time with my family. I also need to get busy tackling these Christmas lists. I believe its only 10 days away.

I'm also determined to get back on schedule with my workouts. My gym bag is packed and ready to go. I have a date tomorrow with the gym and since I only have to work for a short time....there is no excuse!

What is your secret to staying on track with your fitness goals?

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-24T20:08:00.001-06:00

I woke up thinking I was going to my race today. Instead, I woke up coughing and congested and really didn't feel like I could make it. I was devastated. This was my last race of 2011 and I was feeling like a failure. The worst part of missing the race was my daughter calling me to let me know she was heading to the finish line to meet me. Too bad I wasn't there. This was not the time for me to get sick.

After sulking for a few hours, I got up and got ready for our family dinner. It was a nice afternoon with my parents and my sister's family. We even got a surprise visit from my granddaughter. That's enough to brighten anyone's day!

I must say that I was a little disappointed that my healthier options were not accepted by my family. I made a berry crumble that I found on the Dr Oz website. Here is the recipe.... Mixed Berry Crumble

I thought it was fine, but just mentioning that it was a healthier version of a fruit cobbler made them refuse to try it. I'm used to eating meals with lower sugar and fat but my family is not there yet. I wanted to make some things that my parents could eat without worrying about their blood sugar, since they have been recently diagnosed as pre-diabetic. My dad is more on board with watching his sugar intake than my mom. She still eats whatever she wants. My sister's family feels that they should be able to eat whatever they want and do not agree with me in trying to make healthier dishes. The seven layer salad I made was a hit, as it usually is. I'm glad about that. I also made a pumpkin spice cake but it didn't stand a chance against my sister's multiple desserts consisting of a coconut cake, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, cookies and boiled custard. If you are not familiar with the boiled custard, it is probably more of a southern tradition. It's basically a mixture of milk, eggs and sugar boiled until it is thick. It's good but way too sweet for me. Since, its Thanksgiving I don't feel right complaining so much. I just feel disappointed that some people not only don't want to try new things, but tease me for trying. Gripe session is now over. ;)

I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving and enjoyed your time with your family.

Question of the day....How do you incorporate healthy dishes on holidays? If your family isn't ready to try healthier dishes, how do you deal with that?

Thanksgiving week is upon us

2011-11-22T07:33:00.001-06:00

Its my last workday until the Thanksgiving holiday. I'm glad I took a few extra days off. I needed that. I'm gearing up for my 4 mile run on Thanksgiving morning in my town. It's called Borodash! I did this one last year and it was lots of fun. I'm hoping to finish under the 1:11 it took me last year. Since I've been running 5k's this year and have been able to cut several minutes off my pace, I definitely believe I can do this! There's no feeling like running across that finish line!

Borodash 2011

Thanksgiving is usually a time to sit back and think about what we are thankful for. I know I am very thankful for my supportive family and my health. I am also thankful for a good job and having a great boss to work for. I am thankful for my sweet granddaughter who just turned a month old. I am also thankful for so many good friends, especially those who motivate me to keep running even when I'm feeling inadequate or frustrated. Thank you Lord for all the blessings you have given me. I am truly thankful.

What are you thankful for? I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and spend lots of quality time with your family!

Mayor's 5k Challenge in Nashville

2011-11-19T17:39:00.001-06:00

On Sunday, November 13, I participated in the Mayor's 5k challenge in Nashville. It was a great experience. Mayor Karl Dean urged Nashvilians to get out and get healthy by running with him. I also took this as an opportunity to get one more 5k in before my next event on Thanksgiving, which is a 4-miler. It's less than a week away and I walked/ran the course today. This is my second year doing Borodash so I was familiar with the course. It's mostly flat - which I like and this morning was fine weather-wise.

Finish line at the top of the hill!

I hope you enjoy my pictures. Nashville is a great place to run! But there are lots of hills. I'm hoping to end 2012 strong on my last race next week.

Reflection on 2011

2011-11-14T13:43:00.001-06:00

I've been blogging for about a year now. I hope I've been able to inspire others to get healthy. Here is a link to my first post last year. Loving Life - first blog post 2010.

A year ago I could not run a mile. I could not walk a 5k without pain. Now its November 2011 and I see how far I've come. I have done 4 walks for charities and 4 5k's this year so far. My longest event was 9 miles and the shortest was 1 mile. I'm also proud to say that my 5k pace is 6 minutes faster than my first one. I've also been involved in other fitness activities such as Zumba for Cystic Fibrosis and Tae Bo. This is my motivation to keep going. In 2012, I am hoping to do a longer race than a 5k. Thanks to my family and friends for support and encouragement when I'm feeling frustration. I'm proud of myself for not giving up even when I have felt like it.

Running changes everything. I enjoy looking back at my running pictures over the year. This keeps me motivated and encouraged for 2012. I look forward to setting new goals for myself and living life to the fullest.