Traveling and Working Out

My Spring Break is wrapping up, but it certainly seems like everyone is traveling right about now.  Earlier this week, I went on a nice little getaway with my mom to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. 

Althought vacations are for relaxation, I am the kind of person who feels a little off without a workout.  So, I thought this weekend would be a good time to post about getting a workout in while traveling, without sacrificing all those lovely vacation-y things like time with family and relaxation.

1. Get up and go!
I don't know about you, but I have a horrible time sleeping in most hotels.  I will toss and turn incessantly, until I finally feel like it's a reasonable time to get up.  My advice to myself next time is to just give in, get up, and go work out (at least at a semi-decent hour, of course).  This time is a good one, because your travel buddies may still be asleep.

2. Incorporate activity into your travel plans.
Most travel involves a lot of walking.  I let myself count it as a workout.

Especially in the big city...yeesh!

3. Use shower-time to your advantage.
I didn't want to have to leave my mom alone in the hotel to go to the gym, so I headed over there while she was taking a shower.  Instead of watching TV in the room, I got some time in on the stairclimber, which really helped boost my energy for the rest of the day.  Then, it was my turn in the shower.  Perfect plan!

4. Make sight-seeing a workout.
I've traveled to Lake Geneva several times, and I love to just be by the lake taking in how pretty everything is.  This time around, instead of squeezing in my 4 mile run when I got home, I did it around the river.  I got to experience all the pretty things I wanted in a different way then before, and my run ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip!

I won't lie and say I'm a big traveler, so that's my best advice.  You guys are probably more expert than me, so...

How do you incorporate a workout into your travel plans?

Ashley's Photo Challenge...One Day Late

Photo Challenge:  Something that REALLY annoys me ~  Storms... I don't find them "relaxing" like some people say... they are way too unpredictable for my liking.  I am not afraid of them; just would rather they not exist.  Rain by itself however...that I do find relaxing.  Unless of course I want to be outside!

Alrighty then, for next week's photo challenge, I want the more colorful thing you can find!

What I Ate Wednesday: Spring Break Edition

Yay for Spring Break!  My mom and I just got back from a great little getaway to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.  It's a small town, obviously by a lake, full of cute little shops and restaurants.  We found some amazing spots, that I just had to point out to people in the general area!

Our favorite by far was Simple Cafe.

Simple is an adorable little cafe just outside of downtown that serves breakfast and lunch.  They buy as much of their food locally as they can, which I thought was pretty cool.  We loved this place so much, we went twice.  In two days.  I had breakfast both times.  Yum.

We also loved Boatyard Bagel Co.  This place is what you would probably guess-- a bagel shop.  They have awesome bagel sandwiches!  I had "The Anchor" with apple, chicken, and brie, and it was ridiculous.  I had to text Ashley that we are coming back.  It was that good.

Not having to work brings the amazing freedom to eat what I want...and I realized this morning that, it's Wednesday!  So, I started taking pictures.



Here's what I ate...Spring Break style!

Pre-run snack

6:30 am

Banana (unpictured...it was early)

Post-run snack

8 am

Oatmeal-Raisin (well, in my case, cranberry) Breakfast Cookie from Chocolate Covered Katie (also unpictured...still early)

Breakfast

9:30 am

Breakfast Sandwich with potatoes at Simple

  Realized it was Wednesday halfway in.  Coffee was certainly consumed as well!

Lunch

1:30 pm

Yep, forgot the picture of this one too.  I had a black bean burger with yogurt and an apple.  Wanted something crunchy, so I finished it off with buttered popcorn rice cakes.

Snack

3 pm

I remembered the picture on this one--promise!  Google+, however, disagrees and won't upload it.  I was still surprisingly hungry after lunch (lesson learned- I really can't break my eating routine!), so I had a fairly odd combo of a pumpkin Vitatop with cottage cheese.  It tasted like pumpkin cheesecake.  Winner!

Dinner

6pm

Spinach Artichoke Muffin Pizzas with zucchini and cookies

The pizzas were inspired by this recipe from Get Healthy with Heather.  I definitely want to try the real version of this pizza when I have the motivation!  I had some zucchini (yay green!) and some more oatmeal-raisin breakfast cookies along with it.

Dessert

8:30 pm

Apple, Multi-Grain Cheerios, and almond milk

I have a small addiction to cereal.

There is something so liberating about just being able to eat when I want to!

Thanks to Jenn for hosting WIAW!  The second time was just as fun as the first!

What was the best thing you ate today?

Am I the only one who gets excited about not having to eat "around" my work schedule?



On my way to a 5K

Hi Everyone,
   Ashley here to update all of you on my progress with the couch to 5k program I found here.  I have also downloaded an application on my phone called "Rundouble"  it is set up like a 5K program and also has a pretty cool speaking feature that tells me when to warm up, run, briskly walk, run and then cool down.  I like having the timed feature so I can't be too easy on myself and not really run when I'm supposed to.   I've got a long way to go before I can be comfortable out there running but I'll get there, one thing I do have is quite a bit of confidence about this.   Anyway, Spring has sprung here in Illinois so I've been getting outside often and have bumped up my walking to 3miles.  I'm not comfortable doing this yet and find myself a little out of breath going uphill still, again something that will come with time. 

So on my way to a 5k I've:

• Purchased my first official pair of running pants (no more unofficial sweats for this girl!)
• Researched some shoes that I'll only wear for running ; so far my top two choices are these which are from Reebok.  I tried them on this weekend and I liked them because of the flexibility and lightweight feel and these which are from New Balance.  I haven't tried these on yet but when searching for a shoe with the comfort features I want, I got these as a result and do plan to do more research on them. 
• Gone from just simple short walks, to 1 mile, 1.5 miles, 2 miles, 2.5 miles and now I'm at 3miles.
• Found myself really studying different routes and apps.
• Also found myself ridiculously excited about running quotes.
• Now I listen to the beat of songs on the radio to determine if its a "good" running song.

This is my "On my way to 5k"  to-do list:

• Purchase more official running clothes
• Purchase running shoes
• Jog/Walk a mile for a week then move up until I hit 3miles
• Jog/walk with a buddy to keep pace
• Sign up for my first 5K!

At this point, I'm content taking my time, I really don't like how it makes me feel when people pressure me to do more than I feel I can.  This has already been an experience for me but I like it so far.  Now that I am totally like Amy and want to enjoy this running thing I'll quote her by saying

"If you push yourself too hard you're going to hate it"   So here's to taking my time, keeping my pace and feeling love instead of hate!!

Also Congrats to Sisters, Spaces and Stuff as this is post will make 101 for us!  Woo hoo!

These are a few of our favorite things!

Weekends are for sister dates (both on our blog and in real life, haha).  After a fun "sister date" yesterday (Amy and I went to see The Hunger Games movie and then enjoyed some delicious dinner at Cheesecake Factory).  We've decided to do a blog about some of our favorite things!!


Favorite book:
Ashley:  I'm a fan of all books written by Nicholas Sparks, but my favorite of his is The Rescue.
Amy: No surprise that I became a middle school English teacher when you hear my favs:  Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott, and The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton.


Favorite food:
Ashley:  Pasta!
Amy: It's probably the world's most boring answer, but I LOVE bread.  I could seriously make a meal of it, if I didn't know anything about nutrition and was OK with being hungry within an hour, lol.

Favortie article of clothing:
Ashley:  I love my NIU hoodies, warm and cozy!
Amy: I LOVE long tank tops...not sure why.


Favorite time of day:
Ashley:  I like evenings, about 7pm, because the work day is over, most times dinner is made, eaten and cleaned up, and I can relax and reflect on the day. If it was a good day I like telling Matt the funny stories; if it wasn't that great of a day I usually just enjoy some quiet time.
Amy: I started off saying a "ditto" to Ashley's, but when I think about it, I am becoming more and more of a morning person.  Nothing better than my quiet time on weekends eating breakfast and drinking coffee.


Favorite thing to do:
Ashley:  Lately I've really enjoyed having time to read books and of course blogs!
Amy: I really like going on long walks and talking with people I care about...cheesy, I know.

Favorite vacation spot:
Ashley: I haven't been on many vacations too far from home.  One place that I know I look forward to is Wisconsin.   Matt and I go to Vegas this week, my first time on an airplane and my first time in Vegas! 
Amy: The more I think about it, the more amazing I think New York is.  I would love to go back...but I have lots of other places to check off my list first!

Favorite spot to be in your house:
Ashley:  I am most comfortable in the living room or my bedroom if I want quiet.
Amy: I love my little corner spot on the couch.  My bed is also pretty awesome.  And...I love sitting on my back porch on a nice day.  Hm...I pretty much like all the places in my house!  :)

Favorite item in your posession:
Ashley:  My photo albums are by far my favorites becuase I put a lot of work into all of them, and I enjoy looking through pictures over and over.
Amy: Hmm...well I pretty much love my Kindle.  I do, however, have little items that make me think of different people that I find really special.  My birthstone ring, my maid of honor book from Ashley's wedding, etc.

Favorite childhood memory:
Ashley:  I have many favorite memories, but I think that my favorite would be being able to go back outside to play after dinner in the summer because it stayed light outside until almost 9pm.
Amy: The first ones to pop into my head were having indoor picnics with my mom and Ashley and playing games with my Dad.  :)

Favorite TV show:
Ashley:  Total fan of The Bachelor and Dancing with the Stars.
Amy: Right now, I am sooo into The Biggest Loser.  I'm also quite the Gleek!  :)

Favorite movie:
Ashley:  I could watch and rewatch the movie UP.  Its so cute and such a good story.
Amy: I'm not a huge movie person, but I really like Batman Begins, Shakespeare in Love, and the Transformers movies.  Quite an interesting mix...huh?

Favorite work out:
Ashley:  I like going for walks... I'm almost to the point where I might start doing my Couch to 5k program.  I'm following the plan I found here.
Amy: Running.  Hands down.  Although I do miss spin class!

Favorite accessory:
Ashley:  The necklace that Amy made me for Christmas!  She blogged about them on this post.
Amy: My go-to is always my knock-off (oops...secret's out!) Tiffany's necklace that looks like a ribbon.  I get lots of compliments on it, and it has an important meaning for me.


Favorite cosmetic must-have:
Ashley:  Eye liner!  I never used to wear it, but now I feel like my eyes look tired if I don't use it to open them up.
Amy: Mascara.  If I'm not wearing it, I feel like I look sick.

Favorite part of your job:  
Ashley:  Making memories.
Amy: Those unexpected moments when you realize you're making a difference.

Favorite thing to do on a summer day:
Ashley: It doesn't happen often, but a few times a summer Matt and I will go to the zoo... it's super fun! 
Amy: Sit outside with people I love and chat.  So relaxing!

These are just some of our favorite things (shout out to Julie Andrews!), now we want to know what are some of your favorite things??

Making Sacrifices for a Race

I love sports, particularly seeing them live.  So, when a friend from work texted me to ask if I would be interested in going to a Milwaukee Brewers game in May, I was pumped! 

I want to say Go Cubs under this picture...but I say that every year, and you know how that goes.  So, I'm keeping my mouth shut!  :)

Until...I checked my calendar.

The game, which is quite a drive from where I live, is the night before my upcoming half marathon.  Uh oh.

Being the nervous racer that I am, I told her I'd have to think it over.  In talking to another friend from work the next day, she said to me "Amy...you can't let your races run your life."

Which got me thinking...when is it OK to make sacrifices for a race, and when is it not worth it?  So, here's my two cent's worth.

Worth it: Getting up a little earlier to squeeze your run in.  And sometimes necessary to juggle a training plan and time with family and friends!

Not: Going home from something early because you have to run in the morning.  Especially when friends are involved.

Could I really have skipped out on a fun night like this just to run in the morning?!?  No sir-ee!

Worth it: Rearranging your training schedule from impromptu plans.  Luckily I'm still good at this one.  I think it would make me angry at running, and that's no fun!

Not: Skipping out on plans because it might affect or make you miss your run.  Guilty.  But I will not give specifics, as I am kind of ashamed.  It's probably a sin.  Fill in the blanks.

Worth it: Leaving work a little earlier than usual to fit your run in before sunset.  This only applies, of course, if you're a teacher like me or have some other job in which you generally work 10 hours but only get paid for 8.

Not: Getting super paranoid in the week or two before a race. It probably just annoys your family and friends.  Sorry, fam!

Needless to say, I'm going to the game.  I won't lie and say that I'm not going to worry about what I eat or what time I get to bed, and I certainly won't be going out afterwards.  However, there are just some things that aren't worth giving up.  I just need to shift my mind set that going a baseball game the night before a race does not mean I won't meet my goal.

What sacrifices are worth it for you when it comes to races?  What sacrifices are not worth it?

It's Thursday, so we can't forget about Ashley's Photo Challenge!
Challenge:  A photo of one of my favorite traits about myself.

One of my favorite traits is one that I am trying to work harder on... that is my personality and learning to enjoy life instead of stressing about it!!  The best memories are made by doing out of the ordinary things!

For next week, I'd like to see a picture that relates to something that REALLY annoys you.

Thoughts?

Have you ever found yourself wishing there were more hours in a day?  The feeling that your life is going much faster than you can, and the end of the "to-do" list seems impossible to get to?  I find myself feeling that way often lately.  Then I tell myself stop... if there were more hours in a day, I'd find more ways to fill those hours, which would add to my never ending "to-do" list.  I'm  pretty fortunate that I have help accomplishing tasks but I still like things done my way so I choose to do most things myself.   Now that our house is done being painted I have found the project list growing by leaps and bounds and figured I'd bring my list to our blog for thoughts from all of you. 

I posted some pictures of our finished bedroom and the staircase here , the rest of the house was done in Sherwin-Williams: Bungalow Beige so the color doesn't show well in photographs.  Our biggest project now is our accent wall painted in Sun dried Tomato , also by Sherwin-Williams. 

I know this wall needs something.... I have a big mirror that I am thinking about hanging in the open space but Matt votes a large vintage looking clock (of course another thing to remind me there really are only 24 hours in a day)  So we need help!  A Mirror?  A clock?  or something totally different.  We are looking to hang something in the area where the big annoying glare from the light is... this glare isn't always there just in pictures I guess.

So now that we may get a little boost helping us with that project, I'll go back to the comment I made earlier about wishing there was more time in a day.   The sun rises and sets on all of us the same and there are people less fortunate than I am, so I'll take life as it comes to me even if I feel like I can't keep up.

Since my goal of painting the house has been met I just want to add a quick update on my workout routine.  The weather has turned over a new leaf and getting outside is awesome.  I've bumped myself up to a 2 mile comfortable/brisk paced walk and my goal for this week is to add that 3rd mile.  Once I'm comfortable with a 3 mile walk I want to go back down to a 1 mile walk/jog and move up from there.  I'm actually kind of excited to accomplish this goal!!