Thursday, August 15, 2013

Biking Adventure


Hello Darlings,

So far August goals are going great.  I’m 4 days in on my personal challenge for this week.  I already feel better!

I am eating a large variety of fruits and vegetables.  I have increased my water as well. 
I have traded my white wine spritzers for orange mint herbal tea.  Its really relaxes me in the evening.
I have traded my Coke Zero for Trader Joes sparkling water.
My drink display got photo bombed
 

I have tracked all of my meals on WW etools, and I have stayed within my points. 

The only thing I miss so far is my coffee.  I only drink decaf so it’s not the caffeine.  I just love the flavor, iced or hot-doesn’t matter.  Serve it up!  I plan to continue my “detox”, but I will be adding coffee to my diet. 

I was so excited about my biking adventure I had planned for Saturday that I woke up Wednesday morning and just couldn’t wait.  I loaded Betsy (yes my bike has a name, and it’s Betsy), dropped the kids off with Grandma, and hit the trails. 

It was a beautiful day, a bit muggy, but still beautiful.  I’m trying to do better about taking pictures.  I get so caught up in my ride I just don’t think about it sometimes. 

My Dad got me a new rack so that I can carry more items with me, and by items I do mean food and drinks!


 
The trail was beautiful and peaceful this day.  It was just a happy ride.  Here are a few bridges and golf courses I passed along the way.
 



 

 


And here is a goofy pic of me when I hit 13 miles. 

 
I was as far as I had time to go, and I was very happy because I felt like I had done it!  I knew I had no choice but to ride 13 miles back so in my mind I had accomplished my goal and I was happy.  I did finish all 26 miles and I was so proud.  My goal was 30 but I just didn’t have the time.  I had to get to work.  I will do a post soon about my job that I love so.

When I successfully complete my “detox” I am gifting myself to myself…hmmm that doesn’t sound right.  I am rewarding myself with a cycle computer.  I’m very excited about that.  Maybe that’s why I’m not struggling at all with my restrictions.

I want to share what I carry with me on all bike rides.

Money

Mace

Extra water bottles

Snacks

Hand sanitizer

Sun screen

Lock

I would love to hear from you.  What essentials do you like to carry?

I still have a goal of 30 miles.  I will do it! Plus some!

 
It’s been real, it’s been fun.

 

xoxo Nic

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

My Very First Blog Post


So…This is my blog! Heyyyyy…. 

 
 I had JJ (my giant (tall) 11 year old daughter) create this page for me months ago.

I didn’t like the design of the blog, but I didn’t have the gumption/nerve to write my first post anyway!

Bump all that!

Last Wednesday I had this fire come over me and I jotted all of the things I wanted to get out of my jumbled brain down a scrap piece of paper.

I came home, opened my laptop…closed it.

Today I am one “Big Brutus” in so let’s roll!  (Before my buzz wears off)

There are many things that have contributed to my “fire” I currently feel.  He we go…

UNO:   I am a big fan of the Half Size Me podcast (Check Heather out.  I love her).  After listening to an interview I found myself perusing the blog FindingRadiance.com. 

I am in love with my bike and so is Lori.  I love the photos along her route.  She has inspired me to ride 30 miles this Saturday, which will be my highest mileage to date.

Lori loves plants and so I.  You would never know that looking at my yard.  NEVER.

I love how she posts beginning of the month goals, and then reports at the end of the month how she did with meeting those goals.  Talk about accountability!

Oh, and she’s in the 5’2” club.  Holla!

DOS:  I happened on a YouTube video by Freeme351.  I don’t necessarily relate to her experience, but she did it, she’s maintaining it, and she looks good doing it.

TRES:  I watched another YouTube video by Alicia James (beautiful voice). 

She did a short simple video on how she likes to look cute when working out. 

That may sound vain, but I totally relate to that.  It makes a difference; it helps with the self esteem.  I took this a step further and applied this to my daily look.  Eye makeup and gloss change how I feel so I need to take the extra 10 min. (Yes 10 min-I’m slow and I don’t really know what I’m doing) and make my face in the morning.

This will make my 8 year old diva MiMi happy as well.  She is all about the look from head to toe, honey!

 
We were at Ikea and MiMi felt that this room was designed for her.
 

CUATRO:  I was playing tennis Wednesday (my new winter passion that carried over to summer) and one of my Tennis buddies kept apologizing after every bad hit.  I asked him why felt the need to do that, were all equal in ability and skill.  We’ll go hoarse apologizing for 90 minutes!  He said “I hate it when I don’t hit well.  You’re in much better shape than me.”

What?!?

First of all that’s not true, but it made me think about how hard I am on myself, when other people can be so nice to me.  Why can’t I?

CINCO:  I took my giant 11 year old to the doctor for a physical and she was told that she was slightly over weight. 

The doctor told her by no means to go on a diet, but she wants her to incorporate more fruits, and vegetables into her diet.

So begins the challenge which leads to my:


August Goals!

Ok here goes…

I’m sending this into cyber space so… let it be said, let it be done!  My Dad always said that growing up (I don’t know. HA!)

I have slacked off on my menu planning.  So I will make a menu/grocery list for every week this month. 

I have already done my menu for this week in anticipation of posting this and sticking to my cyberspace goals.

For one week August 12th-18th I will eat LESS processed and drink only water and tea.  I need to detox folks!  I hope not to have convulsions from the cold turkey alcohol withdrawal…I’m so serious.

In an effort to help my daughter JJ eat her fruits and veggies I have challenged her to eat 5 to 6 a day and 3 bottled waters a day. 

I don’t need help in this department cause I loves my fresh fruits and veggies, but anything for the kid. 

We go on a bike adventure every Sunday so her I offered her the reward of trickin’ out her bike with a bell, basket and water bottle holder if she succeeds.
Yes, I will accept any sympathy offered for what I had to do to detangle that...
 
She’s a self proclaimed nerd so she takes these things very serious.  I know she’ll do well.  My baby…

Well, for being afraid to post I certainly have a lot to say! Lord!  Maybe I should save a little for next time?

Thank you for visiting.

It’s been real, it’s been fun!

xo Nic