Greatness

Happy Arizona Statehood Day!

The great state of Arizona is 102 today!

Hope you have a wonderful Arizona Statehood Day!

Fitness Log: 2/8/2014 -- Workout Buddies

If you read any fitness magazines or blogs, you probably come across the age-old piece of advice "Work out with a Buddy" all the time.  You probably see it all the time because it's true.

This morning, I worked out with a new friend/neighbor.  We actually don't know each other very well but we dove into a workout together anyways and it turned out beautifully.  She is just as casually competitive as I am and gives her workouts maximum effort - just what I needed to see.  No excuses - just go.

The benefits for myself were incredible.  I worked out longer and harder than I usually do by myself and the session flew by!

Cardio: 
Elliptical - Level 5, 30 minutes

Strength:
Biceps Curl - 10 reps x 3 sets @ 30lbs
Triceps Extension - 10 reps x 3 sets @ 30lbs
Seated Row - 10 reps x 3 sets @ 45lbs
Shoulder Press - 7 reps x 3 sets @ 30lbs
Chest Press - 7 reps x 3 sets @ 30lbs

We also did some ab work on the floor.  Simple crunches, leg lifts, side plank lifts.  What a great workout!

Do you have a workout buddy?  How do you keep each other motivated?

Keep Moving!

Same Old Pieces - New Outfit!

What I'm Wearing

White Button Down - Victoria's Secret / Magenta Sweater - Wet Seal / Necklace - Nordstroms

A girl's closet is her best store - especially if she's on a budget.  I was looking through my hangers and hangers of clothing this morning, trying to see everything through a new lens.  And ta da!  A new outfit was born!  I usually wear this sweater with a tank top underneath, but I think it looks cut with a button down.  There's good proportions between the sleeves and the material of the sweater.  Also something fun and young with my professional top.  In love!

Have you rediscovered your closet lately?

Fitness Log: 2/4/2014 - Bob Harper Simple Workout

While difficult to get out of bed in the morning, it's even more difficult to convince myself to really kill it in a workout.  However, I find that starting my day with jumping jacks wakes me right up!  So I bounded out of bed this morning, did a set of 20 jumping jacks and thought, "Hmmm, I remember some short form workout on Pinterest that started with jumping jacks."

Now, I don't know if Bob Harper has actually ever said these things, but I'm going to give him credit anyway.  Go Bob!  I did the circuit 3 times through with a modification to the push-ups.  I did 10 each time around - which is a HUGE accomplishment for me.  While a simple combination of moves, my heart rate elevated and I could really feel my body working, especially when I focused more on my form.  Big fan of this combo!  Give it a try!

Fitness Log: 2/2/2014 Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown

A few days (ahem, a week) has passed since my last fitness log.  I have been doing light workouts but not anything worth noting.  By "light workouts", I mean a few reps of push-ups and skinny-dippers here and there.  I could use the excuse that I haven't had time to work out, but the reality is I haven't been making time to work out.  I let stress get to me this week and wallowed in it.  I decided to change that today.

This morning, I revisited Jillian Michaels: Yoga Meltdown.  I found the combination of breathing techniques and dynamic movements the perfect mix to realign my body and my mind.

Stress is difficult for most people to manage - I get that.  I see to struggle more than others and it greatly affects my health and my life.  I become sluggish and unmotivated.  However, once I get my butt off the couch and work out, all seems better with the world.  I need to remember this feeling the next time I'm stressed and don't want to work out.  I need to change the word "want" to "need".

Hope you are all going into the next week right.  Tell me: What do you do to manage your stress?

Keep Moving!

Gilbert Farmers Market :: My Waffle Crush

Doesn't that just look amazing?!?!?!  This tasty treat was brought to you by My Waffle Crush, a food truck in Gilbert, AZ.  We met today at the Gilbert Farmers Market.  Looking for the perfect 8:00 AM treat, my husband and I decided to give them a try.

Their selection was almost intimidating.  One could either select from 4 waffle concoctions or can build their own.  So much pressure!  Not feeling too hungry, my husband and I ordered the Berry, made of a waffle topped with Biscoff, strawberries and cream.

I was a little nervous about the cream.  It looked like a scoop of ice cream but instead was incredibly light and fluffy.  The waffle was perfectly crisp and I'm not sure what Biscoff is or is made of but man, that really made the dish.  From the outside, the Berry waffle looks incredibly sweet, but in fact, it was just sweet enough.  I was almost sad we only bought one until I realized how filling it was!

I'm definitely a new My Waffle Crush food truck stalker and can't wait to taste the other options on the menu.  Have you had My Waffle Crush?  What did you think?

 Bonus Pic... I just love downtown Gilbert.