Cooking Up A Storm

Monday: weights

Remember those resolutions goals for 2013 we talked about a month ago?

I'm proud to say that we have been doing really well with some of them!

Most notably the following: 

• Waste less food
• Cook at home together more often
• Meal plan
• weight train consistently

We have been very successful with meal planning and cooking together at home which has helped us not to waste as much food!

Last week we did not eat dinner OR lunch out once! Go us!
 

Typically while eating breakfast on Sunday morning we figure out some meals to make for the week and write our grocery list. We like to go to the gym later in the day then swing by the grocery store on our way home (late enough that it's not quite so busy anymore!).

I really despise the grocery store on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Last night I had a few bananas that needed to be used up so I made these banana muffins. 

Via

I used plain greek yogurt in the muffins instead of banana.

I bet banana or strawberry yogurt would be delicious though! 

I've enjoyed trying new recipes in our effort to cook more too. We've found quite a few that are making their way into our regular rotation now!

Did you make any goals for this year? How are they going so far?

Happy Friday!

Friday a.m. workout: 4 miles on treadmill

So we didn't make it to the gym after dinner with our friends last night, but that's OK.

We had a great time and spending time with good friends is more important.

Replacing smoke detectors is also important. 

Especially when they have been waking you up 5-6 times a night for 3 nights.

Did you know you should replace smoke detectors every 7-10 years?

So, after dinner we replaced all 6 smoke detectors in the house.

Now we are nice and safe. And not so sleep deprived.

This morning I got to the gym for some cardio.

4 miles on the treadmill!

The time really flew by since I had my morning work out buddy to chat with.

 

I also had a nice little surprise when jumping on the scale today. I guess the weight training is working! 

We have a date night at the gym planned for tonight. Maybe we'll manage to squeeze a movie or something fun in too.

Enjoy your weekend!

In Search of Balance

Thursday workout: Weights
Weekend workout: Trying on wedding dresses (seriously, it's a workout), weights
Monday workout: Weights
Tuesday workout: 3 mile treadmill run

As evidenced by the workouts above, when I made one of my goals for 2013 "lift weights consistently", I really should have said "lift weights consistently while STILL running".

I guess balance isn't my thing. I'm more of an all or nothing type.

So this week's goal is to run 3 times and lift 3 times. Doable, right? Let's hope so.

It's a little cold out. So I ran on the treadmill this morning. There is nothing harder than getting out of a toasty warm bed at 4:45 a.m. when you know it is in the single digits outside. Except getting out of said warm bed to run outside. And yes, super tiny up by the moon, it says it feels like -7.

Awesome.

Via

So, yes, I wussed out and ran on the dreadmill.

Over the weekend we had family in town. Lots of fun, lots of shenanigans, lots of wedding talk.

We watched The Words and Pitch Perfect.

I enjoyed The Words, he did not. We both had it figured out, but I still enjoyed the story. 

Pitch Perfect - accaawful or accaawesome?
I'm going with awful. I did love Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson - British girl in Bridesmaids). She made the movie. It was entertaining. Just don't expect much.

We also accomplished some things around the house. Preparing for the official merging of households! There is so much to do!

Any suggestions on how to maintain balance with running and weights?

A Little Sneak Peek

Monday workout: weight training
Tuesday a.m. workout: 3 mile run on the treadmill

As hard as it is to get up before 5 to workout in the morning, I think I dislike working out at 8 p.m. more. By the time we get home from work we are usually pretty hungry and we need to take care of the pups, so hitting the gym (together) right after work is not usually an option. However, you gotta do what you gotta do, right?

So we hit the gym at 8 last night. At least thanks to ActivTrax our workouts were already planned for us!

Photos by Ashley Kempher

I couldn't resist posting these!

We really weren't sure about doing engagement photos, but I am so glad we did.

I was so happy to find a little sneak peak in my mail this morning! I can't wait to show you the incredible fog that was hanging over the Ohio River that day too. For a minute I thought we were in San Francisco!

This morning was a quick 3 mile run on the treadmill. Nothing too exciting, just trying to rack some miles for my 100 miles by Valentine's Day Challenge.

I might have another February challenge as well...stay tuned!

Friday, Finally!

Friday a.m. workout: 3.25 miles of intervals

Well, I convinced myself sleeping one extra hour wasn't worth it, and got my bootay to the gym this morning!  Three fairly easy interval miles on the treadmill. Boom.

Via

Our exciting Friday night date is at the Y for our orientation for ActivTrax.

ActivTrax customizes workouts for you. You do a baseline strength test, input your goals, preferences and experience and it creates workouts for you each time you go to the gym. It also keeps track of the progress you've made.

I know I won't use it each time I go to the gym, but it will come in handy on my weight lifting days. Sometimes I just don't want to have to think when I am at the gym, so I will let ActivTrax think for me!

After our initial orientation, we will just have to swipe our membership cards at the kiosk and voila! A workout will be created!

I am excited to see how this goes tonight!

There is a lot going on this weekend!

Birthdays, engagement photos, parties...I'm tired just thinking about it!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Oh, what a weekend!

Saturday's workout: 5.5 mile run outside

Sunday's workout: weight lifting at the Y 

Monday a.m. workout: Insanity Plyometrics

Wow, another weekend bites the dust!

Friday night was a great night with great friends! Sarah and her hubby had us over for some delicious apps and wine. We had such a great time and of course the food was ah-mazing! She is such a great cook/hostess!

Saturday morning I went to running club. I decided not to push myself too much on distance since I have only run a couple of times since being sick. It was great to catch up with my running friends I hadn't seen since the holidays (and getting engaged!).

Saturday afternoon we met up with friends to watch the Bengals in the playoffs. Unfortunately, they lost, but we had a great time and the game was so close! Being a Cincinnati sports fan sure can be frustrating!

After the Bengals game I met up with my sister and my Running Girls for an early birthday celebration for my sister! We had dinner and drinks at Stone Creek Dining. Delicious food and even better company!

Sunday was a typical Sunday - lots of errands and cleaning, watching sports (while cleaning, etc. of course), and working out. I was very proud of us for hitting the gym for a weight workout on Sunday afternoon. It would have been so easy to skip.

I think I need to add "take more photos" to my list of goals for 2013. Apparently I am majorly slacking in this area. I seriously took zero pics this weekend, pathetic!

Since I can't do a post without pictures...

Chocolate Aussiedor

Who doesn't love pictures of cute puppies? I am IN LOVE with this little guy.