Workout of the Day

Here is the Bodyrock Workout of the Day I will be completing when I get home from class (hopefully). I have been following the 30 day challenge pretty closely, but there are days I have to do more than one to make up for missing a workout due to class or a hectic schedule. For example, I won't be home until 8:00 tonight, and depending on how I feel, I may or may not workout. I love that even if I have to do more than one at a time, I am still done in around 30-35 min and have burned off 300+ calories depending on the workout. 



Along with working out almost every day, I am also trying to eat a bit healthier.  I have been doing this for 3-4 months now, but it is a struggle sometimes.  This week I am stealing Jennifer's Mason Jar Salad idea over at Simply Living. I don't have mason jars, so I just put everything in containers and mix it when I get to work. I really need to get me some mason jars - I'm sure it would make this whole process so much easier!

Don't they look delicious?

Crocheted Scarf and Cowl

Before I started classes I crocheted a couple of scarves for this winter. I'm wearing one today so I took a picture and thought I'd share. I love the color, but I can't remember what it was called! It might have been Crisp White, but  I do know it was a  Lionbrand Vanna's Choice yarn though.
I wanted to crochet a scarf that looked like it was knitted and my inspiration was a cashmere scarf that I saw on Target.com. I just did a search for "ribbed crochet stitch" and found a great tutorial. It's a single crochet stitch, but crocheted in the loop underneath the back loop and worked lengthwise.

The only problem is I didn't make it long enough. :o( I thought about making  another one and then sewing them together that way I can loop it and wear it a couple of different ways, but I haven't decided yet.

I also crocheted this cowl in a cream color.  This is a very simple pattern, just a single crochet worked in the back loops, 46 st across and as long as you want it.  I shortened mine up a little, but it still hangs down quite a bit.




















I really enjoyed making them both, they were very simple and quick, plus they keep me nice and warm on those chilly days!

:o) 

DIY Brush Roll

For all your girls out there - how simple/awesome/fabulous! is this?!?!  I was reading over at The Small Things blog and fell in love with Kate's idea.  I have been looking for a brush bag/travel kit for quite awhile now, so when I saw this I wanted to jump up and down.  Ok, I'm exaggerating a little bit, but this is perfect!  Plus, I bought me a little sewing machine so I can do this!! Which is why I think I got "sew" excited.  (sew, get it?  - lmao, wow, I'm such a dork - I can see Brad rolling his eyes right now.) 

I love her idea about using it as a gift as well, such a simple and inexpensive gift!

 

If anyone tries this, let me know how it goes, or heck send me some pictures!  

:o) 

I'm a Nerd

The nerd in me thought this post by Dr. Grumpy was really cool, so I am going to re-post it here. :o)

"This pair of 17-year old guys, who live in Toronto, successfully launched a Lego figure into near-space (14 miles up) using a weather balloon, a lot of weekends, and costing about $400.

Just for fun.

They even sent 4 cameras and a GPS tracker with him, so they could film and recover him.

This is the movie they posted."

Flowers From My Honey

 While shopping at the store a couple of weeks ago, Brad surprised me by buying these gorgeous roses.  The pictures don't do the color justice.  They were almost like a crimson color and they smelled so good!  Ah, I love roses.

Fitness Challenge

I have been always been a little bit of a fitness buff, but I am pretty sporadic when it comes to working out.  I stuck to the P90X workout for 12 weeks, which I have to admit was really awesome and I could definitely tell I was getting stronger.  Then I came across BODYROCK.tv. I have been doing these routines for about 3-4 months now, but I haven't been very consistent due to holidays and getting ready for school - excuses I know.  :o)  When the new year started, they began a 30 day workout challenge that I am determined to get through! So far I have been pretty faithful to the workouts.  I did the first four last week, I skipped the fifth one with intentions of going to the gym - which didn't happen (are you surprised?).  I also missed Monday's and Tuesday's workouts, but did them plus Wednesday's workout last night - so I am caught up again. I have to say I was so wiped out afterwards!  I did all three in about an hour, which included a little break in between each exercise.  I have class until 9 tonight so I won't be able to get a workout in unless I get out early, but I AM GOING TO THE GYM this weekend! 

I may have already talked about them, but I really love these workouts because they are short, intense and they are always different (no same old boring routines here!). They definitely get your heart rate up and are killer, but if you don't think you worked hard enough you can either do it over, or do another one.  They use equipment in some of the exercises, but you really don't need anything but your body, and they offer modifications for beginners.  Half the time I can only do a few reps with the equipment before I have to put it down and use lighter free weights or just body weight.  I was sick the first part of January and didn't do anything for two weeks and I can definitely tell how weak I am. I also love the new host - Lisa Marie.  Zuzana was the original host and co-founder, along with Freddy the camera guy, but they are getting a divorce so Lisa is now hosting.  I love Z, but Lisa's energy gets me more pumped up for the workout, plus she is a little crazy.  :o) 

I took before pictures and will take some after pictures as well.  My goal is to stick with it and be able to see some difference in the 30 days.  I have already noticed my mid section is smaller than it used to be 3-4 months ago, so I hope I can really trim down these last 30 days.  I know diet is a big factor in this as well, and I have been trying to be really conscious of what I eat and drink and that has helped as well.  Speaking of which, I need to start my grocery list for this weekend!

Soooo - anyone else interested in taking the challenge?  :o) 

Schools Out for Sum... D'oh!

Tuesday marked the first day of classes for the semester.  My schedule is: MWF mid-day A&P, with a Tuesday morning lab, and TR night micro, with lab after class on Thursdays. It's not too bad, but I say that with not even a week of classes under my belt.  :o)  I think (hope) I'll like my teacher for these classes - it's the same one for both.  He seems really genuine in wanting his students to succeed in his classes, and tries to do what he can to help.  I like the way his classes are structured; he uses PowerPoint slides and writes on them as he is lecturing, and I really like this.  The book is not required (even though I bought it), and said he will only test on information presented in class.  It is up to us to determine how much we want to know about that information and which resource we would like to use.  We will see how this really works out after the first test.

I have to admit, it is a little hard to get back in the groove of studying.  I am really glad this first week has been pretty slow and easy, because I have a feeling I am going to struggle a little at first with making myself actually sit down and read, and resist the urge to watch something on Netflix.  :/  Ah, the joys of being out of school.  hehehe  I'm actually glad that I am taking classes again because it will keep me in the "study mode" so if I do get accepted into a program this year, I won't be so rusty.  Plus these classes will help me on the MCAT, so that's definitely another plus.

I have also been working out regularly again, well, at least for this week.  :D I'm doing a 30 day challenge and I'm determined to stick with it.  Brad and I are also going to hit the gym on weekends and if we don't, I am getting rid of the membership.  I am getting tired of paying for something we never use considering I can do all my workouts at home, and really, Brad could too but he likes to use free weights. So, this is another thing we will see about.  I am going to give it a month before making a decision, and if we don't use it - we lose it. 

Have a great weekend!