One More Time...maybe

Welcome to all of my new readers/followers! 

I'm so glad you're here.  I thought I would share a little about myself since I,

quite possibly, was nominated for my last Liebster Award by Alyssa.

Thank you, Alyssa!

Funny story.

Alyssa and I went to college and played soccer together!

Recently, we reconnected through blog land on my Fitness Friday link-up.

Alyssa is a registered dietician and has tons of great tips on healthy recipes, breaking up your workout routine, and she is planning a wedding!

Here are the questions Alyssa asked me:

1)   Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging because I fell in love with several blogs that I found and had started reading consistently.  They were so inspirational that I decided I wanted to do the same thing.  I also have always loved writing and it gives me something productive to do in my summers off.

2)   What is your favorite food?

I would say my favorite food is Mexican.  Or sushi!

3)   What is your greatest achievement in life thus far?

My greatest achievement in life is probably touching the lives of my students.  Particularly the ones who struggle with the English language.

4)   Describe your perfect date.

My husband and I would sit outdoors over the ocean for dinner and then get a couple's massage.

5)   If you could go anyplace in the world on vacation where would it be and why?

I really want to visit Ireland because its where my heritage is.

6)   What is the last book you read?

The book I'm currently reading is Style by Lauren Conrad.  Love it!

7)   Favorite TV shows that you watch every week?

Rules of Engagement, Biggest Loser, RHOeverwhere

8)   Name a blog or two that has inspired you.

Still Being Molly & Frills for Thrills are two of my absolute favorites.

9)   If you had a $1000 shopping spree, what store would you go to?

Probably all the little boutiques that I love - or I would get several Stitchfixes

10) What is your hidden talent?

I don't know that I hidden talents...I can sew!

11) Favorite quote or life motto?

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11 Facts About Me

1. I am currently enrolled in grad school and getting my National Boards for teaching.
2. I am addicted to Nutella.
3. I am allergic to the cold.
4. I don't eat bbq sauce.
5. I have never died my hair and I'm afraid to.
6. I wear skirts/dresses 90% of the time.
7. My outfit of choice is a pair of workout capris, an Under Armour tee and a pull over with cross trainers.
8. I have a strong desire to become a personal trainer...maybe someday!
9. I want my children to have red hair.
10. A perfect day would be waking up early (which I always do - I'm a morning person), taking the dogs for a walk, coming home to a cup of coffee, going for a run, and spending the rest of the day around the house in my workout clothes (shower optional).
11. I met my husband on a total whim....blessed.

Hope you stick around for a while!

Rough Days

Tales from the Teacher's Lounge

I had a really rough day with one of my classes last week.

I mean, quite possibly the roughest day I've ever had with students.

So, I went back and read my post on sweet reminders.

And decided that this week, I needed to start the week with some inspiration.

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I'm choosing to make today better.  I'm choosing to start fresh with my students this week.  I'm choosing to forgive each of them and be patient with them.  This particular group needs my patience, love, and understanding. 

After all, we all have weeks when we wish someone would do the same for us.

Just do it!

I've always been a runner.  I feel like the first time you lace up your shoes, put on your music, and head out the door, you are a runner.  It doesn't matter how far you go, how fast you go, or how often you go.  If you choose to run, you are a runner.

If running isn't a punishment to you, you're a runner.
If running is therapy to you, you're a runner.
If running brings you peace, you're a runner.
If running is scheduled into your day/week, you're a runner.

I haven't always been big on strength training.  I'm particularly talking about my core.  Luckily through highschool and college I played a lot of sports so I naturally stayed thin and muscular.  As I've gotten older, running is still great for me and I'm sure I'll never stop running, but I need to also incorporate strength training.  Strength training including core, compound muscles, and simple muscles.

Via

Ladies, we often have a very convoluted view of weight training.  I've heard so many women say things to me about the fact that I'm weight training:
Aren't you afraid you'll bulk up?
Aren't you afraid you'll lose your figure?
My boobs are already small enough.
I don't want to look like a man.
I just don't know where to begin.

There are so many positive things about strength training for women that I felt I just had to share this with all of you.  And a lot of the myths from above are simply not true or are extremely avoidable.

Strength training strengthens our bones, not just our muscles.  Women are most susceptible to osteoperosis as we age.  It is essential we defend ourselves against it.

Weight training actually burns calories for longer than cardio.  Cardio is the best way to burn calories fast, however, once you stop doing the cardio, you stop burning the calories.  Strength training continues burning calories up to hours after you put the weights down.

Intervals are the best bang for your buck.  On days that I can't got for 3-5 mile run, I do circuits.  I integrate my cardio into my strength training causing me to burn max amount of calories in the least amount of time.  I shared some of my favorite circuits last week.

To do strength training, you don't have to use all those fancy machines at the gym.  In fact, if you do you are wasting your time by working only one small muscle at a time.  Instead, do lunges while you do bicep curls.  This works your biceps as well as your legs - compound muscles.  I will share in a future post my list of compound strengthening exercises that I do each work out.

Use small weights and you won't add bulk.  However, do increase the weight gradually over time so that you still benefit from the workout.  Just do low weight with lots of reps.

Make sure no matter what that you are doing core strengthening exercises.  This does not only include sit-ups.  I will share more core strengthening exercises later as well.  Some of my favorites include planks, reverse crunches, plank jacks, lunges (stability), and butt exercises.

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