#4WeeksFit - The Results

Is it just me or did these past 4 weeks just FLY by? I swear my head wasn't screwed on right this entire month. As a result, I get a big fat FAIL on my goals this month. I am so embarassed to say I didn't succeed in completing a single one of them. I want to blame the fact that I was in Arizona for 8 days, but really, there are no excuses simply just a lack of effort.

1. Drink 70oz of water every day. I started this one with a bang, then just kinda stopped tracking despite still drinking a lot of water. Then, per usual, I started choosing coffee & pop over water. Yikes! I went 2 months without a pop but now that I've given up Starbucks for lent it's making me crave pop - I guess when you give up one vice you activate another, am I right?

NOT water. 

2. Run every training run. I was suppose to run 12 times in the month of March and ran 8 + climbed a mountain. While it wasn't EVERY training run it was pretty close and I'm proud of it! Especially since 2 of the runs were on vacation - who runs on vacation???

3. Average 12k steps per day. Again, started out with a bang! I was doing awesome but it turns out laying by a pool for 8 straight days really does a number on your average steps. I ended up averaging 9,976 steps a day this month, which is pretty good but I know I for sure could have done better.

Laying out = ZERO steps. Bummer.

4. Blast past the plateau. Not only did I not pass the plateau but I gained weight on my vacation. GO ME! Seriously, what a disappointment. But, silver lining, I had an awesome vacation!

All day snacking for 8 days = no plateau blasting

I'm excited to see how all of you did as I'm assuming it was much better than me!

Thanks for linking up! 

Motivated Monday

Welp, it's Monday. It's the day of the week I am without a doubt the least motivated and should probably be the most motivated. I had high hopes for a productive weekend as we had limited plans set but sometimes, you just need to lay around and do nothing, especially when the whole family isn't feeling 100%.  So now it's Monday and I am feeling like I need to catch up on all the things that didn't get done over the weekend AND stay up on all my usual stuff. 

I am, however, feeling pretty good about my #4WeeksFit goals so far. One week in to me and Erin's challenge, and I'm feeling good! If I can just replicate this first week of March, I think I'll be able to accomplish all the goals I set. 

goal 1. Drink 70oz of water each day.  My water intake was all in the green last week, but I'm not going to lie - I struggled. I don't know why it's so dang hard for me to drink water! 

goal 2. Run every training run. Done! I'm aiming for 3 runs a week - on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Due to a hectic schedule on Friday and not feeling the best on Saturday I "ran" yesterday. However, I was just not feeling it. Could I have pushed myself? Yes. Should I have pushed myself? Yes. But sometimes you just need to walk instead of run and enjoy the beautiful spring weather. I'm giving myself a pat on the back for lacing up my shoes and going out - even if I only ran a mile of the 5.25. 

goal 3. Average 12k steps a day. Thanks to those three runs and a super busy week, I was able to hit this goal pretty easily!

goal 4. Blast past the plateau. I am about 1.5 pounds away from that dreaded plateau number. I think if I just stick to healthy foods and keep up my run I will be able to FINALLY break past it by the end of the month. 

How are your monthly goals coming?

I'm linking up with Kelsey from Random Randts for Motivated Monday!

Financially Fit Date Night

This past Friday night, Jason and I had our very first money management date night. Sounds pretty wild and crazy, doesn't it? Well let me tell you, there was nothing wild or crazy about it. HOWEVER, it was necessary. Did you know that a Kansas State University study found that the leading contributor in divorce among the couples surveyed was FINANCES?! Additionally, they found the income the couple made wasn't even a factor. So basically, a major reason couples separate is poor communication and compromise in regards to their finances. Jason and I are nowhere near that point and have always had pretty clear communication in regards to our finances but nonetheless it's scary to think about the impact it can have on your relationship.

Friday night we sat down with an excel spreadsheet, all of our bills and a couple of cocktails.

We essentially went through the nooks and crannies of our financial situation and I'm going to be honest, it sucked. I really thought going in that I would end the night invigorated and hopeful and ready to conquer the world. Not to say our date night was bad, quite the opposite. But, I'd be lying if I said we didn't argue and tears weren't shed. When we took a cold hard look, line by line, at what we are making and spending each month along with a list of our debt...well, it stunk and stunk bad. There were definitely moments of feeling really deflated and defeated. However, everyone has to start somewhere, right? As Dave Ramsey says, and we have already realized, it is going to take us a couple of months to really get our budget system nailed down but we set some goals and a budget for March and are confident that if we stick with it, we'll see some extra money to start using towards our Baby Steps at the end of the month.

While it was hard facing the facts, our date night was also great in accomplishing some big initial steps such as:

• Setting a budget & plan for March
• Putting our credit cards in an envelope to be used only for an emergency, then once we have our emergency fund set up those suckers are getting cut up!

• Creating our debt snowball and tabulating our total debt {not fun, but good to just have a number to start chipping away at}
• Scheduling our money date nights for the rest of the year {if it's on the calender, we'll stick to it!}
• Finalizing our super awesome comprehensive finances excel file {more to come on that!}
• Doing our taxes {again, not all that fun, but awesome to have done}

And then, in celebration of surviving our first financial date night and taking one step forward...we took a shot. That's just how we roll. 

I plan on posting about our progress and what we learn and accomplish along the way. Erin and her hubby Jared along with their alter egos Sallie & Perkins have been such a huge inspiration to me, so if I can help or inspire even one person with our plan, I think it's worth posting!

Yaaaaay money!

all about oils {WILD ORANGE}

In general, I am not a big citrus person and am not a fan of oranges but somehow doTerra's Wild Orange essential oil is one I simply could not live without. I love how fresh and clean it smells, I love how it tastes in my water {or in my cocktail - vodka + soda water + wild orange = YUM) and I especialy love how mixing it with peppermint is an instant pick-me-up!

Here's a little low-down on Wild Orange for you!

Description: 

Cold pressed from the peel, Wild Orange is one of dōTERRA’s top selling essential oils due to its energizing aroma and multiple health benefits. High in monoterpenes, Wild Orange possesses stimulating and purifying qualities, making it ideal to enhance immunity when seasonal threats are high. As with many citrus peel oils, Wild Orange contains powerful antioxidants that help maintain overall health. It can be taken daily to cleanse the body or used on surfaces as a natural cleaner. Diffusing Wild Orange will energize and uplift the mind and body while purifying the air. Wild Orange enhances any essential oil blend with a fresh, sweet, refreshing aroma. 

Primary Benefits:
- Powerful cleanser and purifying agent
- Protects against seasonal and environmental threats
- High in antioxidants, which are essential to overall health
- Uplifting to the mind and body




How I use Wild Orange:
-To clean
-In the diffuser to freshen and cleanse the air
-Mixed with peppermint to wake me up
-In my water & cocktails

To buy your own Wild Orange Oil, simply go to http://mydoterra.com/mamaandmou

 And, of course, if you have any questions don't hesitate to email me!
mamaandmou@gmail.com

Being a Mom

At some point yesterday, when looking at the calender, it hit me that March 2nd was the day I found out I was pregnant with Kenley. I will never forget how terrified I was, how shocked I was and how unprepared I felt. And, yet, at the same time it was that exact moment that I became a mom. My life completely and totally changed in that one instant. 

There truly are no words that adequately describe what it is like to be a mom. It's something that is only felt in the deepest part of your heart. I will never be able to put on paper what I feel when I look at my little girl. 

Being Kenley's mom is the reason I was put on this planet. I look at her and cannot believe how beautiful she is, how smart she has become and that I created her. I look at her little feet and can hardly believe they are the same ones that pushed up in to my ribs and literally took my breath on several occasions. 

The other day, out of nowhere, Kenley gave me a hug and said "You a real dood mommy." I nearly passed out as my heart exploded into a thousand pieces. Being a good mom is something that can't be defined and yet is all we strive for as mothers. I worry every day if I am saying the right things in the right ways, teaching Kenley how I ought to be teaching her, if I am doing the right things at the right time. All I can really do is follow my gut and try my best. Seeing my little girl happy and healthy is the only way to measure my success as a mom and for now, it seems I am doing a good job.

#4WeeksFit - My Goals

We're baaaaack! I am once again teaming up with my buddy Erin to challenge all of you to set some goals for the next 4 weeks! Goals to help you get healthier - whatever that means to you! Post your goals today {or tomorrow works too} and link up with us! We'll all reconvene on March 31st to link up and share the progress and results of our 4 weeks of kicking ass!

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Here is what I am hoping to accomplish over the next 4 weeks. 

1. I am terrible at drinking water. I don't know why it is so hard for me, so I plan on tracking my water on my FitBit and reach 70oz every day this month. 

2. I've been finding all kinds of excuses to skip training runs. Yes, life happens and sometimes runs just are not part of the plan. However, readjusting the schedule and making these runs a priority is necessary this month. My half marathon is just under 3 months away and while that seems like a long time now, I know time is going to fly by. 

3. I've been averaging around 9k steps in a day which for me really is average. I need to step my game up *pun intended* and get moving more throughout the day. If I stick with my training runs like I intend to do, hitting a 12k average shouldn't be too tough. 

4. There is the stupid number on the scale that I just cannot pass. I think if I focus on eating the right foods and sticking to all those runs I should be able to FINALLY blast pass this dang number! 

I can't wait to read about all of your goals! 

AND, Don't forget to share your progress throughout the month by using the hashtag #4weeksfit!

An InLinkz Link-up