Challenge Accepted!

Today, I was challenged by a very dear friend to sell 7 Thirty One Totes in the next 7 days.  I graciously accepted.  I don't know if I'll actually be able to sell 7 totes in the next 7 days, but I shall certainly try!

Allison's challenge got me thinking… What other challenges do we put in front of ourselves each and every day?  Do we do it on purpose to help our selves grow or to change?  Does life do it for you, throwing hurdles at you that you aren't sure you can make it over?

This week I'm challenging myself to eat better and work harder.  This morning I jogged/walked 2.84 miles with my furry baby Tyson with me… Tyson loves the first mile, so do I, but by mile 2 he's always wondering what he did to deserve this.  I'm challenging him to run it all with me, which means I have to as well.  I'm also challenging myself to eat better and work harder at my squat/build a boot challenge, and plank challenge.  In other words I'm challenging my self to continue to get fit!  In addition to working out, I have to be aware of what I'm putting in my body.  The case of Vanilla Pepsi that I just bought, while delicious, was not the best of choices for me.  But the DELICIOUS strawberry-almond salad I had for lunch yesterday was.  I love it with balsamic vinegar!  I've also been doing pumpkin smoothies, sometimes with cranberries.  They really fill me up in the mornings and help fuel me through lunch.

I take a lot of inspiration from my a friend of mine, Heather Foltz.  She's a coach from Beach Body, and she is AMAZING!  If you ever think that you can't get healthy or fit, she is the girl to talk to!  She posts great meal ideas, work out ideas and motivational pictures!  Seriously my fitness hero!

I know I say this all the time, BUT here I go again, being fit is a lifestyle choice, but it's not just for me. I love the way I feel, look, and the health benefits… blah blah blah… Let's get real here… it's me. I do it for my horses.  Get fit ride better!  While I preach that, working out like I am trying to do is not the only way to get fit.  Last year, Denny Emerson (the Gold Medal Olympic Eventer who also finished Tevis) my horse idol, stays fit by constantly working.  Clearing brush, riding, walking courses, setting up courses, cleaning the barn etc.  Burning calories/building muscles is the key.

So, this week, my goals are:
Squat/build a booty challenge EVERY DAY
Plank/Ab challenge EVERYDAY
Jog/walk Wednesday & Saturday
Eat at least 1 salad a day
Drink 8 glasses of water
Sell 7 totes

I challenge you to join me getting healthier, one week at a time!

Random Thoughts

So there have been several things this week that I wanted to post about, so I'm just going to go for it.

First, I wanted to talk about California Chrome.  WOW!  What an amazing animal!  I was really hoping for a Triple Crown winner, but even though he only placed fourth, I'm still SUPER proud to be a Chromie.  And to share the same home state as him!  To get injured coming out of the gate and still running a race like that, he deserves nothing but all the best praise we can offer him!

Next I want to talk about family, both the family that is blood and the family that you choose.  Or maybe chose you.  Today I reconnected with Grandad.  Grandad is part of my chosen family.  His family took me in when I was going through a rough time in high school.  His daughter, Lisa, is still one of the most amazing people in my life, and one that I am very thankful for.  Sometimes I forget how great of an impact they had on me, but waking up to a message from Grandad on Facebook instantly put me in a GREAT mood.  I spent about 20 minutes writing him an email to catch up, remembering different occasions where I hung out with him, and different qualities that make him, well, Grandad!

My last topic of this post is more about physical aspects of life.  I've recently went back to eating healthier and working out.  I am by no means an expert, I don't really even know enough to be dangerous.  Or maybe I do.  Really the point I want to get across is how much fun and how delicious eating better and getting fit can be.  I don't want anyone to feel like I'm picking on the bigger people, because there are so many things that can put you there.  Genetics, bad habits, eating disorders, depression, medical conditions, and many others.  So what I'm saying is, don't eat a certain way or work out to loose weight, do it because you want to feel better.  Yes, in the last couple weeks I have lost a few pounds, and while I'm happy about that, the part that I really like is how my body feels.  I've cut out most cane sugar, I switched my coffee with tons of sugar and cream for hot green tea (or ice tea when its hot).  I limit my pizza and french fire intake (these are my 2 weakness, I LOVE ME SOME FRENCH FRIES, and don't get my started on my favorite pizza place here in NY).  I feel better after lunch when I eat my grilled chicken in a salad with crasins and almonds with a balsamic vinegar dressing with a side of chopped strawberries and watermelon.  I've tried to cut out most processed foods, and go with fresh things, my only weakness there is granola bars, I like the slightly crunch Special K bars.  And I've started walking/jogging with the dogs.  Astra loves going out with just the 2 of us and doing a 2 mile loop.  She loves feeling like she's the only dog (in her perfect world, she would be).  Tiny loves going out and looking at all the chipmunks (trying to chase them, but listens when mom says no).  And in the back of my mind, I know my horses will thank me for it when they get home too.  I've said for a while now, "Get Fit, Ride Better!"  And I know it's true, every athlete does certain exercises to make them perform better, for equestrians, staying fit, and having muscle control will help them in the saddle, just like every other athlete out there.  So my point really is, don't just sit there, no matter what size, do something that will make you feel better.  Maybe it's walking around the block once.  Maybe it's switching your bowl of ice cream for a bowl of fruit every few days.  Maybe it's adding a salad to your dinner.  Whatever it is, let's get healthier!

Stepping off my soapbox now, have a wonderful day!