Good Eats and Good Reads

Here is some link love to start out your weekend! I’ve (mostly) finished school and moved home. I can’t wait to start cooking and hanging out with my family and running outside and not studying anatomy! Hallelujah!

~ Are you a morning person? I sure am!
~ Remember when I challenged you to go to a spin class? Well check out the benefits here!
~Check it out! My quinoa granola bars made the list!
~Anyone racing this weekend? Here are some tips!
~Better than ice cream? Why not?! (I made some of this for my family, strawberry banana flavored!)
~Ready to start training for a race? Check out Smart Coach with Runners World. Simply become a member and fill out when the race is, how hard you want to train, what your level is, etc., and they make a plan! Super cool.
~Somehow I've been designated as the "pineapple cutter" of the family. But here is how to for the real thing!

Here's a little weekend inspiration...have a good one!

~Have a link you want to share? Leave it in the comments for all of us to enjoy!!

The Perfect Example

Howdy, folks! You know how we were talking on Monday about changing things up, trying something new, going out of our comfort zones? Well…I have a perfect example for you. My MOM. And guess what…today is her BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BRITHDAY MOM!

She picked up running about 4 years ago and enjoyed running 5ks and 10ks and just doing it for exercise. Then 2 years ago she decided to do a half marathon! She rocked it! She did something that was challenging and new, and it was a great experience!

don’t be fooled…I only ran the last 2 miles with her. she didn’t even need me

I’ve never met someone that takes such good pictures while running the last mile of a race. Seriously.

Hey, mom. Thanks for being my biggest support and best friend. Some day, I hope I’m half the person you are! Happy, happy birthday!

Why Fix What’s Not Broken?

Last week I witnessed a funny thing. 

I go to spin class pretty much every Wednesday afternoon after my classes. There are a lot of the same people every week, same instructor, we all have our spots and bikes we use. You get it…we pretty much are creatures of habit. Well this last week I was there a little early so I decided to lift some weights. It was about time for class so I started heading toward the studio and a few of the “regulars” from the class were just waiting outside. I was confused and looked in, and it looked like we had a sub. He was setting up the room different than “normal” and I guess people were debating whether to go. 



SERIOUSLY? It’s a spin class!

I walked in and then some people followed. It turned out to be a killer class! And I really liked the instructor.
It made me think about how we often get stuck in exercise ruts. We like doing what we are comfortable with. Whether that be going to the same classes, doing the same workout DVD, running the same route, etc. Not that doing the same thing is wrong…because really, if something is working for you, why change it?

Because it really is good for us. Both our bodies and our minds. Different workout DVD’s can challenge us in new ways, new instructors can teach us new techniques, and change in any routine can spice up what could get boring.

So this week, your challenge is

to try something new

This could be a new class, a new workout schedule, a new food, anything. Often we think that just because we are healthy and doing lots of good things that those shouldn’t change. Yet they can…and sometimes we find something even better!

~Highlights of the weekend?
**My family had a “big kid” Easter egg hunt. Don’t worry…I won. 

~What habit do you have that you’d like to push yourself to change? Same food, same exercise, same seat in class? What keeps you from changing?
**I’d like to try some new exercise classes. I usually just go cycling. Maybe some yoga or weights classes!