January's Fab Five!

So this post will be totally off normal topic (a little bit) and mostly about things that I just really loved this past month. This is also kind of inspired by all of those monthly favorite videos on youtube (seriously you should check them out they are addicting!). Hope you all enjoy I will try to make this part of the routine but we all know how good I am at sticking to a schedule ;)

1. Chocolate Cheerios
   These are totally a grown up version of Cocoa Puffs complete with chocolate milk when you finish the bowl. I have completely fallen in love with these and not only eat them for breakfast but also for a snack when I'm in desperate need for a chocolate fix.
   
2. Ocean Spray Blueberry JuiceI have just recently discovered just how yummy blueberries really are. For the longest time I avoided the little blue fruities just based on their intimidating color (seriously how many blue foods do you see on a daily basis!?) but now that I've discovered them I can't get enough! The Ocean Spray commercials are also a total guilty pleasure for me so when I saw the commercial for blueberry juice I knew that I had to try it and I love it! They also make a diet version which isn't too bad. If you've somehow never seen one of the Ocean Spray commercials I will post a video below in the link section and you should definetly check it out!
   
3. Fuzzy SocksI live in the midwest and it gets REALLY cold in the winter and my feet are always the first things to freeze, so needless to say I have acquired a collection of fuzzy socks to keep my tootsies warm and cozy all winter long. Bath & Body Works has really nice ones that are scent infused so you get a dose of relaxation as you go throughout your day and Target has really cute slipper socks for holidays (my faves are the love bug ones for Valentine's Day)
   
4. The Shopaholic series by Sophie KinsellaI am a self professed shopaholic so naturally this series appeals to me. There are a total of six books so far and they are AWESOME! They are quick and easy to read and are totally witty and funny too. Sophie Kinsella also has some non series books out too and they are just as good but my set of Shopaholic books have been well loved for a few years now and will be continued to be loved for more ot come.
   
5. Vampire DiariesOK so this one is kind of cheating considering that for much of January Vampire Diaries was off air or just showing reruns due to mid-season break, but just last week they came back and I am sooo excited! And I know I am addicted considering that I totally gave up American Idol for the Vampire Diaries (seriously what were they thinking airing on the same night!?) If you've never seen an episode you can get caught up pretty quickly online and the first season is out on DVD. You can also read the books by LJ Smith which inspired the TV series they are pretty good too but a little on the trippy side.

LINKS

Ocean Spray commercial

• Bath & Body Works socks
• Amazon.com
• Sophie Kinsella
• LJ Smith
• Vampire Diaries website at CW

Boo to the Flu!

So I have the flu and it sucks!

Anyway, I haven't worked out all week (or last week) because well I've been sick. Last week work just got so crazy and I got so stressed out that instead of using the healthy steps I know I need to do I just caved and hid out at home to escape it all.

On the plus side I have lost 4 pounds (YAY) which makes me really excited and optimisic about things to come.
I know that this is super short and not very infomative but it's been a little while since I posted so there ya go!

Take Care :)

Ow My Eye!

So I have a stye in my eye..I think.. All yesterday my eye hurt and then when I woke up today it was all puffy and swollen :( The swelling has gone down so I think I should be able to go to work today but I may call my boss just to see what she wants me to do.

ANYWAY

I completed my second workout of the week yesterday (shocking everyone including myself). I was all prepared to do the walk 10 minutes, elpitical 10 minutes, and then finish with another 10 minute walk. WELL..that didn't happen. When I arrived at the gym I saw signs up everywhere promoting a half marathon that was taking place at that time.

I DID NOT DO THE HALF MARATHON (just want to make that clear)

Instead I hopped on the elpitcal and completed a 15 minute workout. The marathon was just about done when I was finished and there were some non-marathoners walking the track so I decided to hop on the track. I only walked for about 10 minutes and then headed on home all happy and pretty proud that I completed my two workout goal for the week even if they weren't on Monday and Wednesday like I originally planned.

THE PLAYLIST

London Bridge by Fergie
God Save the Foolish Kings by House of Heroes
In My Head by Jason Derulo
Ridin' Solo by Jason Derulo
SexyBack by Justin Timberlake
Blah Blah Blah by Ke$ha

Hope everyone has a happy (and healthy) week :)

Snow Day!

So yesterday I did not make it to the gym like planned because well I got snowed in. BUT, I did spend about 20 minutes helping shovel the sidewalks and then today when there was ANOTHER snowday (one of the joys of being a preschool teacher) I did make it to the gym. I walked around the half an hour and walked a little over a mile and a half. Needless to say I was pretty proud of myself :)

I wanted to post some pictures of the snow but my camera decided to play hide and go seek so once I find it I will take some pics and then post them here for all to see.

Todays Playlist

***Be warned some of these songs contain explicit (GASP) lyrics so if you are easily offended I wouldn't look those marked with (*) up to listen too***

Past My Shades by B.O.B.
Magic by B.O.B
Seduction by Eminem*
Cinderella Man by Eminem*
So Bad by Eminem*
Not Afraid by Eminem
Rock & Roll by Eric Hutchinson

Get Up and Get Moving!

This post is all about resolution #2 (if you haven't read my resolutions and would like to you can find them here).

I actually started working on this one last week although I didn't  really reach my goal of working out 2x a week because I got asked to babysit (although I think chasing around a 4yr old and a 3mo old should totally count as cardio).

ANYWAY...

THE PLAN

So most research says it takes at least 21 days to form a new habit so the grand plan is that for the next 21 days (that would be until January 30) I am going to make myself a new habit ---YAY!!   My plan originally was to incorporate two at home low impact workouts into my weekly routine but then I found out that my family did NOT cancel our gym membership like I had thought and with my new fabulous job and work schedule I can actually go to the gym before it gets dark (double YAY)!

SO...

My goal is to obviously workout twice a week -- Mondays and Wednesdays in case your wondering. On Mondays I'm still kind of lazy from the weekend so I think that I'll go and walk the track and try to work my way back up to two miles in a half an hour. On Wednesdays I'm  a little more motivated so I'll do both walking and the eliptical, my goal is to eventually phase out most of the walking on Wednesdays (except for warm up and cool down) and do the majority of the workout on the eliptical but right now I know that's not going to happen. At the end of the 21 days I'll see how I feel and either continue with that routine or add an extra day to the routine.

On a side note I used to add my workout playlist to my daily workout posts (when I remembered to post) do you all think that's still a good idea or is it annoying and nobody really cares....I need some help making that decision! Leave a comment and let me know :-)

Book Rave!

So, I promised that I would review/rave about a recent self-help weight loss book and I'm actually keeping my promise!

This is a book that I've mentioned before (you can read it here) but I've finally finished reading so I figured now is a better time than ever to rave about it.

Secrets of a Former Fat Girl by Lisa Delaney

This book is obviously marketed towards women, but men could totally read it and get some useful information (granted you may want to ignore the bits about shopping for the perfect bra and eating healthy during pregnancy) too. One of the things I LOOOVED about this book is that it isn't the typical "diet" book that tells you to eat all of these organic unprocessed foods and just pretend that Twinkies don't exist. Instead it is more of book with helpful tips and really insightful realizations about the struggles to lose weight. It also gets bonus points by being written by a "former fat girl" and not some teeny tiny nutritionist who doesn't know what it feels like when an adorable dress doesn't look quite so adorable on.

Throught the chapters or secrets there are gray boxes with extra helpful tips that reinforce what the chapter is about. These are also totally awesome for molding together and getting you jumpstarted on your way to being a former fat girl (or guy). And there are tips on EVERYTHING! Not just tips for healthy eating and exercise benefits but also buying clothes, dealing with friends and family who may be a little less than supportive, and to just plain stepping out of your comfort zone. This really is a good book and it will make you laugh and see that losing weight really is possible.

Link Time!

• I got my copy at Barnes & Noble but you can also find it here (they also have a Kindle edition)
• Lisa Delaney's website

If you've read this book or any other really good motivating books please let me know!

New Year, New Me!

photo credit: Burcu Avsar

 
 

So In know I haven't posted since November but honestly it's just that life really got in the way. A lot has happened (lost my job--REALLY long story, found a new job--YAY!, holidays, and just trying to figure out what the heck I'm going to do with my life) so needless to say all of my goals have kind of been pushed to the side. But one thing I've decided is that I really want to dedicate 2011 to me ~ in a totally healthy and good way NOT a shallow "the world revolves around me" way just so you know :).

 

I've come up with a list of a few "resolutions" and really tried to make them resonable attainable goals for the next few months. One the problems I have always had is that I try to set myself really BIG goals that end up stressing me out and then I give up and never reach them. SO with out further ado (drum roll please) I present to you LeAnn's 2011 New Year Resolutions (cue applause)!!!

 

1. Update my blog at least once a week. I really want to dedicate myself to this I started it out in July around my birthday and was all set to make it amazing and then all of a sudden I just kind of avoided it like the plague, but now I'm ready to refocus and get started again.
2. Work out 2x a week and slowly start to add more days. I'm trying to figure out a program I can stick to -- I recently canceled the gym membership because I just hadn't been going but I would like to start up again in the spring. So right now I'm just trying to figure out stuff I can do at home.
3. Try new healthy foods and recipes. One of the best things about getting a new job (besides getting out of a pretty drama filled existence) is that I get home much earlier and can actually pitch in and try out new recipes.
4. Lose 15 pounds. Clearly this is not my ultimate goal but this is just a nice fairly small achievable number that I know I can reach because I've done it before. Too often I try to set the goal in the 20s but it just seems so daunting and stressful so I finally got smart about and gave myself a less stressful goal.
5. Find a support group. I've realized that I am one of those people who just can't do it on my own. BUT, at the same time I don't really like relying on family and friends because it just feels like too much pressure and that if I don't succeed I'm letting them down (yes I realize that I'm really just disappointing myself but still). I don't know what support group I'm going to join I've been thinking about OA or Weight Watchers (I've tried Weight Watchers in the past and found it a little stressful) but I just know that I have to find something.

I feel really good about the goals and have really put a lot of thought into them and am excited to get going. I obviously will keep you all posted (it is one of the goals) and am also planning a review on an AMAZING book that I finally finished. I hope you all have a very happy and blessed new year and feel free to leave comments telling your new years resolutions and goals :)