September Goals....My New Years

Well the last day of August is upon us.  As much as I have denied that it was coming, it still came.  September's arrival for me is always bittersweet.  I welcome the cool, crisp temps of the fall and honestly everything that is fall (colors, smells, food, etc) but I mourn the loss of my beach time and freedom that summer brings....that anything can happen feeling of summer.  Fall also mark back-to-school time for me and less time to spend with Em which is always hard for me. 

This September/Fall brings so many changes in our little family that are both exciting and scary all at once.  Em is starting preschool next week and yesterday I went to the parent orientation.  I found myself overcome with tears at random points (yes partly thanks to pregnancy hormones) half sadness that this time is going so quickly with her but also excited for all she is going to learn this year!  I am heading back to school too but only long enough to get things started and organized for this coming month.  I will then be off for 12 weeks after Baby #2 makes her arrival!  So while I am digging my heals in the sand and wanting to hold on with dear life to August, I am making goals for September and what lies ahead.....and here they are!

Breathe....Life tends to travel at breakneck speeds, especially when I am working so this September I want to make sure I am taking time to breathe...enjoy the blessings around me...reflect on the past year...take in all that life has in front of me.  I'm reading the book "Discerning the Voice of God" with the amazing Harmony this month.  If you want to join in please let me know!!  I want to enter October a much calmer momma!

Organize....Call it nesting, I'll call it my Type A personality!  I need things to be in order!!  Now that there is only 5/6 weeks until Baby Girl makes her mark on our family, that is becoming a huge need!!  By the end of September I want all the boxes unpacked and things set the way they should be!  I also want to get meals organized so we can be eating healthy after baby too!  Good luck to my family!!

Strengthen...While September is my last month of pregnancy, I want to go into October and the birth with a running start instead of a binging start!  I joined Tamara's Fresh Start Challenge and I couldn't be more excited to have this challenge guide my eating and exercise this last month!  No need to shy away from a challenge even though I'm 9 months pregnant! 

So there you have it!  I'm keeping it simple for September...which for teachers feels like our New Years! 

Now what about you?

What are your goals for September??

Almost Wordless Wednesday

As summer begins to slip away...I find myself clinging to summer traditions and getting as much of them in as possible.  This means extra time at the beach collecting shells and making sand castles....Or a perfectly placed pinwheel!

Cardio vs Muscles....Which Reigns Supreme?

The age old debate in the Fancy Nancy house is which is more important...cardio or weight training.  To be fair, the past few years I have certainly jumped on the running like crazy train and have not been as good about getting in my weight training.  In the same vein, the hubs competed in his first body building competition this past April so we are really two ends of the spectrum.  Which leads me to the question of the day.....

Cardio or Weight Training....which is best?

The answer for me....both.  A life of just cardio gives you lots of heart health but fails to keep you toned.  Weight training, on the other hand, promotes bone and muscle health but fails to give you that cardio strength as well.  When given 30 minutes in the gym, my first inclination is to jump on the treadmill or other cardio machine.  However, as we have seen in the past year with the rise of HIIT training, a mixture of both for those 30 minutes can burn far more calories AND gives your body an overall workout. 

Lately, now that I feel less like a cute pregnant lady and more like "WOW you're going to pop any second!", I have been able to run less and less.  I've been using the bike more and walking but really am not getting that high like I do from running.  I've been doing more weight training though, feeling strong and building up those muscles to help me bounce back!  I'm looking forward to The Fresh Start Challenge in September with Fitnitchick to bring me right up to delivery day fit and healthy!

 So now it's your turn to weigh in....

Cardio or Weight Training....Which reigns supreme with you?

When Monday Isn't Monday...

One day....many, many years from now I will be able to retire from my job as a teacher (I mean a LONG way off...like at least 22 years).  Following that last June day, I will be faced with the age long question and one that Fitness Cheerleader has given us to discuss...

What now?  What will you do after you retire?

While I honestly do love my job as a teacher, there is something to be said for that lack of the stress that Sunday afternoon brings me knowing another week is on the horizon.  No more Mondays?  Ok sure thing!!  But what would I do with all that time on my hands....I'm sure I would fill it...
Travelling....I love to travel and experience new places.  Teachers yes do get vacations but often times that is when the prices are highest for flights and etc.  I wold love to be able to RV across the country...and I have 22 years to convince my hubby that he would love to too!
Volunteer...I can't imagine spending 35 years doing something and just stop all together.  Besides the fact that I went into teaching because I love helping kids!  I can see myself volunteering at schools with struggling students.
Beach....Yeah I can hear you already..."But you already do go to the beach!"  yes but I imagine myself one day in that group of ladies you see at the beach who meet each other there each day and sit in a circle and chat! 
RUN....Yes I do plan to be that 80 year-old lady still toeing the line at races!  Just think of the training I could get in when I don't have to work....ooodles!!!

In the end I pray I have my health and family around me when work is all finished.  At the end of the day that is all that matters!  I can bring my grandchildren running with me!!!

And you???  What will fill your moments when Monday isn't Monday?

Weekend Wrap-Up!

With all the birthday celebrating going on in the Fancy Nancy house this weekend I failed to post yesterday!!  We celebrated hubby's birthday Friday with a family dinner, yesterday with a day at the beach (oh wait that was probably more for me!), and last night with a date night dinner!

See...I'm not always in workout clothes!

It's honestly weekends like these that remind me of why I named this blog "Living the Dream".  Granted I am minus the running part as much as I would like but there are moments where I stop to look around and realize I am living what I had always wanted.  I am a wife and a mom who gets to run, workout, and be a beach bum!!  What more could I want?  Life certainly isn't always perfect and best believe there are days when I ask "why me?" but I know I am blessed...I am living my dream.

Yes I'm not running as much as I would like...and honestly not sweating it up as much as I want either, but this time will pass and being safe right now reigns most important.  When I am running like I want, my Saturday mornings follow an almost Groundhog Day-like pattern....wake, eat, read blogs, run.  I miss it!  I miss sitting down to my whole wheat bagel with peanut butter and sugar free red bull knowing the next two hours of running will be fueled by carbs and caffeine!  I can't have sugar free red bull right now (even though I can smell it from a mile away and it gets me all giddy) and eating a bagel now just isn't the same when you know you are going to burn it all off in a run.

Do you have a pre workout tradition for food?  Does it ever change?

Enjoy the rest of your weekend...get outside...summer is slipping away!

What's in my gym bag?

Well folks are you in for a treat!!  Today I decided to step out of my comfort zone and bring you my very first vlog!!!  Not only do I feel size ginormous but I was also sweating since it is Africa hot here today...so bear with me and I hope you enjoy!

Want to know what's in there and where to find it?  Check out these links!!

"Running for two" Tank-they have these for all sorts of activities!!

Garmin watch

Train like a Mother book

Under Armour bag

ChicaBand

Bondi Band

Gu (rumor has it they came out with a peanut butter flavor....yum!)

Saucony Kinvara 3

Fuel belt from iFitness

ZOOMA hat...enter to win one!!

Your turn...you don't need to vlog!!

What's in YOUR gym bag??

I'm linking up with Fitness Cheerleader and also Jill with Fitness Friday!!

Three Things Thursday....Best Things

Good morning!!!  Today's Thursday randomness is brought to you my the Healthy Blogger Challenge with Fitness Cheerleader!! 

Question of the day....

What is the best thing that has happened to you this week?

Well the past few days I have been giving little Em lots of extra hugs and cuddles since she has sadly come down with hand foot mouth....which by the way is agony to watch and I'm sure to have!  Through the sickness we have had a good week so far!
1.  Closer than I think....The other day I decided to add up my mileage for the year just for the heck of it.  I was shocked to see that I am less than 200 miles from 1000!!  Considering I have been pregnant all of 2012 this is amazing to me!  I can remember 2 years ago when Mel started the 1000 mile challenge I never thought I could hit 1000 miles!  It's amazing what your body can do that your mind never thought would happen!!
2.  New discoveries....One thing that we loved about our old house was the beach and park just down the street.  I was really bummed to be moving partly because of this.  This week Em and I have been exploring around us and have found two new discoveries....a new beach that we love and a running/bike riding path less than a half mile from our house!  I know over time we will find our niche in our new neighborhood but these new discoveries were great!
3.  Healthy baby and mom...I went for a check-up yesterday for Little Miss #2.  I had had a tough stretch last week where I was feeling really weak and almost passed out one day.  The doctor said it was due to my consistently low blood pressure and most likely everything is just fine...just need to make sure I'm hydrating well during these hot, humid days.  Phew!  Also Little Miss #2 is doing well with a strong heart beat as she is camped out on my right side.  Routine check-ups are a huge blessing...Boring is a blessing with babies!!!

You're turn!!!  Let me celebrate with you!

What is the best thing that has happened to you this week?