Instagram Life, August 25-31

Five for Friday, vol 63

1. You got an Ace of Base cd stuck in your car stereo.

2. You drive the boat backwards when nature doesn't let you just float.

3. You always say sorry if you need to.

4. We both get so excited about the gifts we get for anniversaries and other events that we always give them early. (And I love my new watch, you're the best.)

5. "Do you want to hold hands?"

I love you.

WOD up.

It's been a couple of weeks now since trying Crossfit for the very first time. I've been following several bloggers for some time now who all tout the benefits of the workout, but it took me a long time to push myself to try it.  I was so intimidated, and yet so intrigued by the whole idea, and I am so glad I took the leap!  I don't want to pay for the $150-250 a month for local box fees, but I still want challenging and interesting workouts. I have done bootcamps and internal training dvds like the Firm, 30 Day Shred, and P90X in the past, so Crossfit is a natural extension of other workouts I've tried and loved. I am sure I would get a lot out of attending a box, but for now I am happy to be a home-fitter.

With the help of the MyWOD app, several bloggers, and access to a little bit of equipment, it's completely feasible to do many Crossfit workouts at home. Just a few WODs later (workouts of the day, if you've just tuned in) I am already convinced that Crossfit can be adapted for anyone, at just about any fitness level.



WOD 1. Angie
Time: 15:36
Burn: 233 calories

Thoughts: OMG I am dead. DEAD. And I won't be able to use my arms again any time soon.  But in a good way.







WOD 2: Bradley
Time: 22:38
Burn: 383 calories

Thoughts: I only got through 6 of 10 rounds.  The sprints were fine, the pull-ups (which I modify) a-ok.  But the burpees?  Even modified, they killed me.  It's something to work on.  Next time will be better.


WOD 3: Barbara
Time: 39:39
Burn: 502 cals

Thoughts: I'm hitting my stride with this whole thing.  Fun workout, time flew by.  And I am just as terrible at push-ups as ever before.  I am really feeling those squats today, my friends.









These workouts have come directly from the MyWOD Crossfit app.  It also has links to the official Crossfit website, as well as the ability to add custom workouts.  Considering I follow a lot of bloggers and pinboards who share their own WODs, I know I will use that feature in the future.  The app is great - it has a built-in timer (standard, lap, or tabata options) and saves your entire workout history so you can compare your times and weights.  My goal has been 2-3 WODs a week.  I do a 5-10 minute cardio warm up before and 5-10 minute cooldown after, followed by 10-15 minutes of stretching.  WODs take 20-45 minutes, from my observation so far.


I'll be hanging out with Chelsea tonight.  She looks fun, no?















I don't pretend to be an expert by any means, but it's been really exciting and motivating to try something new.  We've discussed investing in some new equipment for our gym space at home, but long term I think we'll be joining our community center instead.  Kind of like a YMCA, it has a nice space for weights, as well as an indoor track and pool, plus options for classes and other activities.  Multiple benefits and uses!

Have you tried any new exercise or workouts lately?  I promise not to spam you all to death with CF news and updates (unless you want them), but you can check out my Crossfit-inspired pinboard on pinterest here!

Instagram Life, August 11-24

AKA things I have been doing instead of blogging...

wild and crazy evening plans.

happy baby shower, kate!

passed out face down

dad and izzie

hiiiii.

how many days in a row can i make polka dots happen?  too many.

i don't care to admit how long it took me to hang the hammock.

he's a natural.

two of my favorite girls.

penguin house

riding in style

lu at the zoo!

omg cake

want to squeeze her

ready for football

greeted by penny's twin in every elevator

grocery haul for a lake weekend

On the Weigh: First Five

WI: -1.4
Total: -5.4
Avg: 1.8/week
 Take that, first five pounds.
For years I watched other people appear to have very simple weight loss stories.  They ate better.  They worked out.  They lost weight.  It seemed so effortless, such a silly and simple solution.  I thought I was doing everything right, and I got so frustrated that I never seemed to be one of those lucky people. It actually blows my mind, in the best way, to see that since my TDEE reset and cut, the things I am doing are actually working like that.  Just like for everyone else.

Five for Friday, vol 62

1. Taco Panda.

2. You never want a Crustal Lite when I offer one, but you always happily finish mine.

3. "I vote dinosaur."

4. You find things on Pinterest to show me, after I've already pinned them. But we're on the same page and that's pretty cool.

5.When you get excited about getting ready to go on a trip, you can't help but ask a million questions in a row without giving me a chance to answer.

I love you.

It's that time of year.

I like to be creepy and stalk the blog that my old sorority chapter keeps up.  This time of year always makes me feel nostalgic for Recruitment and Bid Day, always one of my favorite times to be Greek.  This year's Bid Day recap made me pretty much green with envy.

This is what Bid Day looked like ten years ago.  We wore tshirts with silly logos and took sillier photos on the front lawn and then went to a ridiculous (dry) comedy show with our 60-something new "bid day buddies."  We weren't allowed to say "pledges" any more.

Flash forward to Bid Day of today.

 1600+ rushees.  88 new members.  I can't even imagine.

Followed by a little party at an adviser's house.

Your eyes are not fooling you.

They had hot air balloon rides.

On the heart of each sister lies one key that binds us, a badge that reminds us of collegehood days.  And in the years after with tears and with laughter, we'll always remember our dear Kappa days.

And that's one hell of a way to start.

He's not a doctor.

But he plays one in Congress.

{via}

My other favorite suggested caption?

"So that's how a vajayjay works?"

Election Day cannot come soon enough.

FYI: Pants

Source: someecards.com via Kandyce on Pinterest

On the Weigh: Three Down.

WI: -.4
Total: -3.2
Avg: -1.06/week

It all adds up! And look at that average!  No complaints there!  Still eating 1762 calories a day, plus anything I burn.   It's kind of amazing that I can lose weight eating that much ... without exercise.  Same loss last week with no workouts as this week with three.  I think those EM2WL girls really know what they're talking about!
I feel great.  I started Crossfit at home this week and I love it.  Three WODs later I am super sore, which might also account for the smaller loss.  Sore equals water retention, at least for me.  It has felt really good to workout again, at least more than once this week.  Between the MyWOD iphone app and several blogs I now follow (thanks to Bebe's suggestions), it's been really easy and doable in my home gym so far.  I'll need to pick up some more equipment or join a gym for some of the exercises eventually, but I'm still debating how exactly I want to make that investment.
So far, so good!

Fall is coming ...

Fall is my favorite time of year.  I love everything about it.  My anniversary, my birthday, my favorite foods, my favorite sports.  Fall in the Midwest is typically gorgeous, in both color and feel.  Temperatures are cooling off, football is just around the corner, Halloween candy and Christmas decorations are starting to pop up in stores.  You know what this means.

Time to shop for fall clothes.

Maybe if we all go out right now and each buy a sweater, our collective intention will force it to just be September already.  I think it's at least worth a try.  Come on, do your part.

colorblock cardi

electric blue

stripey trench

polka dot pencil skirt

bright red pencil skirt

 

casual but classic blazer

dressed-up chambray shirt

black skinnies

or maybe teal ones too!

mod-ish sheath

pop of print

retro LBD

with tights and boots? yes please!

embellished cardi

the perfect flat black boot

 Has anyone told Kenny that the second anniversary gift is cotton?  I'm just saying ...

What's in your shopping cart for fall this year?