Category Archives: Holidays

Dec31

Reflections on 2012

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The sun is shining and despite the chilly temperatures it’s a gorgeous day in New England.  Even though I’m incredibly sore from a weekend at yoga teacher training I was really looking forward to going for a run.  So I layered up and headed out.  Saturday night we had a good old-fashioned snow storm here in Boston and I think the skier in me was dying to get out in the snow and play.  As I navigated the snow and ice and treacherous side walks I couldn’t help but think how this run was much like 2012 itself…filled with obstacles, hard work and rarely a moment of clear sidewalks to just cruise but at the same time filled with happiness, contentment and smiles.

For me, 2012 was definitely a year of making dreams a reality.  I ran the Boston Marathon, became involved with Team in Training and The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which later proved to be a relationship that would help me make the career change I’d been working so hard for.  I became a certified personal trainer.  I found myself featured on Women’s Running Magazine’s and Fitness Magazine’s websites.  I embraced my new career and job.  And started my journey to become a certified yoga instructor, which in just a few short weeks wraps up.  Michael and I escaped to Maine for a relaxing week away and in June moved in together.  2012 was a big year when I stop to think about it.

For me though, 2012 isn’t about all the accomplishments I can write on paper…sure, I’m proud of them and all of my hard work but I think I’m MORE proud of the person I’ve become and the lessons I’ve learned.  I think I learned this lesson for the second time in my life and I’m sure I’ll have to learn it a third but making your dreams a reality is a lot of hard work.  It’s persistence, diligence, tears and sweat and more so it’s about having a support system who might believe in you more than yourself and will listen to you doubt yourself again and again while always reminding you that you can do this. I’ve learned that not everything needs to be done RIGHT NOW and that truthfully I don’t want to do everything RIGHT NOW. It just means that it make take you an extra year or maybe 5 to accomplish your goals and make your dreams come true but it also means that you’ll slow down and enjoy the journey along the way and really isn’t that what life is all about?  I think most significantly (and with many thanks to yoga teacher training) I’ve finally learned to find peace in life.  I’ve learned how to just be.  I’ve learned to love who I am and outgrow the parts of myself I don’t love.  I’ve learned that the best moments in life are the most simple, like laying in bed laughing with the one you love and curling up with a good book on a snowy day.

As we head in to 2013 I’m looking forward to what lies ahead.  In my efforts to simplify and become a recovering Type A there are no goals to talk about, or lists to tackle this year.  I know my yoga journey will continue on as I transition from teacher trainee to teacher and I know my running will always be there.  Maybe 2013 will have another marathon in store for me, but maybe it won’t.  Most of all I hope 2013 brings as much happiness and laughter to my life as 2012 did.

ellie-e1344555800796 2

As I finished my run this morning I couldn’t help but find hope and happiness in the words that Ellie Goulding so confidently belts out…

But now I’ve seen it through

And now I know the truth

That anything could happen

Anything could happen

So as we welcome in 2013 tonight I hope you’ll believe along with me, that anything could happen and dreams really do come true.

Happy New Year Friends! I wish you all a healthy and happy 2013!

Sep7

September is National Yoga Month!

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Let’s face it September is a big month.  Labor Day closes out the dog days of summer, school starts and your morning commute suddenly gets longer, the weather starts to cool off, the leaves begin to change, it’s one of the final months of preparations for your fall marathon and so much more.  Well let’s add one good thing to the month…it’s National Yoga Month!!!

If you ask me this couldn’t come at a better time.   I’m immersed in yoga teacher training,  loving my practice and the journey I’m on.  I feel like I’m celebrating the month in my own special way but there are some awesome ways you can celebrate yoga this month!

The first way is through free yoga classes.  Yep, you read that right,  free yoga classes.  By visiting this website and getting the free card you can take one week of free classes at participating studios in your area.  Awesome right?

You can also join in to a nationwide yoga practice to close out the month on September 30th at 7pm.  The idea is to be part of a worldwide yoga practice.  I love this idea!

You can practice on your own or with a group by finding an event using the event finder.  So hopefully you’ll take part!

If that wasn’t enough Yoga Journal has partnered up with Athleta(<–loving this store lately!!!) for a month of yoga!  There are free classes in stores, awesome blog posts, words of wisdom, and an Instagram photo contest with the chance to a $200 gift card to Athleta and yoga inspired jewelry!

If you ask me, that’s a ton of ways to get your yoga on this month and celebrate!!  I’m always a fan of a Sunday morning class with your best friends followed by brunch and catching up! And you can always stop by here to get your fix of yoga talk.  I’ll be in yoga teacher training for two more weekends this month and will be sharing my experiences and lessons, so there will be lots of yoga chat.  Happy National Yoga Month!

Side Crow Pose

How will you be celebrating National Yoga Month?  Do you love yoga as much as I do? Will you try yoga for the first time this month?

Jul4

Red, White and Blue!

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Happy 4th of July! I truly love this day.  I love it because it is filled with family, friends and fireworks.  All of my favorite things!  Growing up I’ve always spent this holiday with my family at our summer home.  It’s the one week of the summer where everyone seems to make it home…all of my aunts, uncles and cousins are there.  We usually spend the day in the water and entertain ourselves with swimming, boating, waterskiing, food and fireworks! There is usually the berry flag cake,  lots of summer salads, barbecue chicken, hot dogs and hamburgers.  The 4th of July doesn’t tend to be a day filled with healthy foods.  But that doesn’t mean it needs to be a total bust of a healthy day.  Here are a few quick tips to make sure you don’t feel guilty over the celebration of America’s birthday!

Source: bhg.com via Whitney on Pinterest

  • Get out and be active before your barbecue or party!  Most cook outs don’t start until mid to late afternoon so before the festivities begin take some time to get your heart pumping and your body moving.  I often don’t feel like running or yoga on holidays so I try to mix it up with activities that are a bit different.  Kayaking, swimming, hiking or biking are some of my favorites and can often be done with friends and family of all different fitness levels!
  • Sign up for a 5K! Many towns have parades and celebrations throughout the day.  Over the last few years I’ve noticed that more and more towns are adding 5k run/walks to the festivities.   Bust out that red, white and blue running outfit and give it your all!
  • When you hit the buffet at the party your plate can fill up quick with all the delicious sides your family and friends have brought.  I like a little taste of everything so to keep myself from overeating I only take a small scoop of each side.  A bite or two is usually enough to enjoy the taste, after a plate of bites you’ll be full! If you are still hungry go back for seconds on fresh fruit or salad and maybe an extra scoop of the oh so good side or entrée…it is a holiday after all!
  • This holiday tends to be filled with a lot of drinking.  It’s summertime and a beer or cocktail can taste so good.  Unfortunately alcoholic drinks are filled with empty calories.  To limit my intake of this I hold back on drinking until just before dinner.  I’ll enjoy a beer or cocktail with my meal and usually have one afterwards while watching the fireworks or enjoying the camp fire! Up the ante on this and reach for a “skinny drink” with 100 calories or less!
  • Lastly, relax and enjoy the day! It’s a holiday and indulgences are completely acceptable!

Unfortunately I’m not spending the holiday with my family but Michael and I are thoroughly enjoying our vacation in Maine!  I love fireworks, as does Michael.  We have a couple different options for the holiday and will likely be in Bar Harbor, or will take a drive up to Lubec and Eastport to sight-see and check out the fireworks!  If Michael has his druther’s we’ll be purchasing some of our own and launching them over the ocean for our own private show.  We did that last summer at my summer-house and had a blast! Fireworks aren’t cheap but we put on a great show and my whole family loved it!

Source: google.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Stay safe out there today and enjoy!

How are you spending the 4th of July?  Do you love the berry flag cake like me? Are you a fan of fireworks?

Jun6

National Running Day!

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Did you think I’d let National Running Day go by without a post?! There was a lot to chat about today, so much so it called for two posts! In case you missed it I shared this week’s eats earlier in What I Ate Wednesday.  Now on to running! To celebrate National Running Day I went out for a 5 mile run after work.  I’ve been getting very comfortable running 3 and 4 miles at a time so I want to try to get in one longer run a week.  I’m thinking 6 miles would be perfect but for today I started with 5 miles.  I started the run with a 7:29 min/mile and felt awesome the whole run! The sun came out and the air was nice and cool…perfect running weather!

National Running Day!

In honor of running day let’s talk about a few of my running favorites!

Favorite Shoe. 

Mizuno Wave Inspire! It got me through both Chicago and Boston Marathons and months and months of training.  I’m still running in this model shoe and absolutely love it.  I’m on my 5th pair now!

Mizuno Inspire 8

Favorite Race. 

I’d say the NYC marathon.  It was my first marathon and I still to this day remember every single detail.  The standout for me was crossing the Queensboro Bridge at Mile 15 and coming into Manhattan for the first time with the crowds going CRAZY! I have never heard anything like that and I think it will be a moment that will never be duplicated.  Being my first it was one of my proudest running moments.

NYC Marathon!

Best Running Partner. 

Michael is definitely the best.  Training and running Chicago Marathon with him was one of the best experiences ever.  I always hoped I would date someone who loved to run and would be running along with me.  I love that he understands my NEED to run and always supports me.  Running  challenges our relationship and brings us closer in so many ways!

Michael and I at the Chicago Marathon!

Favorite Place To Run. 

The Esplanade! I am so lucky to be able to run every single day on the paths along the river and in the parks of Boston.  I’m surrounded by trees, waters, sailboats, runners, people walking their dogs and so much more.  I love love love it.

The Esplanade!

Hardest Race. 

The Boston Marathon this past April.  A marathon in 90 degree temperatures in April in New England with rolling hills, need I say more?  I think not.   But you can read my whole recap here!

Running the Boston Marathon!

Favorite Piece of Running Gear. 

By far the Lululemon Run Speed Skirt! I wore it for both Chicago Marathon and Boston Marathon and countless training runs.  It is always comfortable and always stylish!  My full review is here!

Lululemon Running Skirt!

What are your running favorites?

I truly love running and am thankful that my body has allowed me to run 3 marathons.  Running NYC, Chicago, and Boston marathons was amazing and are experiences I will hold close to my heart forever.  I love looking forward to a run, the way it makes my body feel and the strength it gives me both mentally and physically!

Happy National Running Day! Why do you run? How did you celebrate the day?

May29

Memorial Day Weekend and Weight Loss Updates!

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Happy Tuesday! I love starting my week off on a Tuesday!  Three day weekends are really the best.  We had a fun but very productive weekend.  Saturday we visited our friends and helped them to build a chicken coop.  We all headed out to dinner by the ocean and then ended up dancing at this bar playing awesome 90′s music! So impromptu and fun!  Sunday we spent the day at home ripping up carpet and rearranging furniture before closing out the day with Mexican food and margaritas with Michael’s parents on the patio.  Yesterday was more puttering around the house, moving furniture and the like.  I did manage to get to Lowe’s and get lots of fresh herbs for us to grow.  I planted us some basil, flat-leaf parsley, cilantro, rosemary, dill and lemon balm.  We decided to get out and have a little fun late afternoon on Monday.  We drove to Marblehead, Ma and walked around for a while looking in all the little boutiques and sitting by the harbor.  We had an early dinner before driving the neck of Marblehead.  I’d never been out there so it was awesome to see all of the amazing homes along the water and check out a few of the secluded rocky beaches.  We had so much we wanted to accomplish over the weekend I didn’t even get to workout!  I did learn two things this weekend:

  • Building, ripping up carpet, moving furniture, planting flowers and most home improvement projects are a workout!  Your lifting weight, on your feet and breaking a sweat for hours.  I was exhausted by days end.
  • It’s so easy to plant herbs to have on hand for cooking at home!  For just a few dollars you can buy a whole basil plant and have fresh basil all summer long!  In my apartment in Boston I had a window box and was able to plant basil and other herbs for cooking.  This year I’m trying tomato plants!

Herbs!

Last week’s workouts were good but it wasn’t the most productive week.  I had a few commitments at night which didn’t leave me with time at night or feeling motivated to get up at 5am.  At first I was a little upset with my lack of workouts but then I reminded myself that this is the time to do the other things I need to do, enjoy time with my friends and the like.  Workouts will be there.

Workouts Week of 5/21

It’s been about 2 weeks since I started cutting back on carbohydrates and focusing on portion control.   I also cut back on sweets and started making smarter choices.  So far I’ve lost 2 pounds and am almost back at my marathon weight.  I feel much better and at this point making these choices is pretty easy.  I’m realizing I am just as satisfied with a smaller portion versus a larger portion particularly with sweets and less healthy foods.  I’m going to continue with this plan and hope to lose a few more pounds!

Weight Loss!

Long weekend’s tend to throw off my routine and usually involve more drinking and eating than normal.  This week I want to get back on track with the following goals:

  • Run! I haven’t run in a week so I plan to get out tonight for a few miles and hope to do this again on Thursday and Saturday.
  • Drink lots of water!  We worked outside all weekend and I feel like I didn’t drink enough water.  This week I need to focus on drinking more water and replenishing.
  • Skip the sweets this week!  I had a few extra treats this weekend so I want to skip them this week.  It’s all about moderation!

Running!

How was your Memorial Day weekend?  What are your updates on life? How do you plan to get back to normal after a long weekend?