Life Well Lived Vol. 2

This week has been off for me. Not much on exercising or healthy eating and I'm just overly tired lately. I hate that! Hopefully E will give me a break with A tomorrow and I can hit the gym for a solid hour. I'm craving it along with a wonderful 3 mile run/walk in this awesome Fall weather Texas is finally getting. *knock on wood*

So, with my last "LWL" list I kept it pretty basic and now sitting here I am trying to sort out what awesome 3 things in my life to post about and curiously wondering if I have photographic evidence of any experiences. Let's see what I can come up with. What's YOUR "Life Well Lived" list this week?

Thanks again to the awesome http://www.kelseytoney.com/ for this fantastic idea.

LIFE WELL LIVED. Vol-2

I'm a Fur Mommy-
Yes, I am one of THOSE people who consider their pets to be not animals but small furry children. My whole life I've always had tons of pets (lots of strays found me or my brother). These two here have had my heart since 2005/2006

This handsome guy is Gustave Mufasa Hartfield Aka- "Gus"

I swear he acts more like a dog the majority of the time. He's a total mama's boy and loves to cuddle with me and snuggle and trip me almost daily. E brought him home for my birthday a few months after we were married and living an hour from "Home". I was miserable and homesick and not adjusting to the new city at all and Paris had gained 15lbs in our tiny 2 window apartment! He has helped me through many a cry-fest and bad day just by nudging me or climbing in my lap to paw at my face for attention.

Then of course we have Paris Nikole Hartfield Aka- Paris, or "Mae" or "Mouse".

I rescued Paris on a ridiculously cold night in the boonies of Paris, Texas where a friend of mines mom lived on a Ranch. Evan was driving the whole 4 hours from Denton to Paris in the middle of then night to spend the weekend with us so I was outside with 8 dogs on the phone when I kept hearing little cries (I thought it was a bobcat) down by the pond. Turned out to be a very tiny, very dirty and very scared ball of fur with giant eyes. She was all fur. I remember trying to feed her with an eye dropper and washing her in a huge mixing bowl because she had dirt and mud caked everywhere. She is all about Evan. She is reclusive during the day and tends to hide from A but when daddy gets home she's at the door and rubbing her wet nose all over him. E acts like he hates her and finds her annoying but he loves the attention from her.

They are my babies. We almost lost them when we were homeless for a few months but if you read my family blog, you already know the whole story and the amazing happy ending we got at the end of June. :)

I'm a Donor-

I'm a registered Organ donor as well as registered on the National Marrow Donor Program @ Be The Match. I've been contacted once in the 3 years I've been registered but wasn't a complete match. I also donate Blood at least twice a year. You never know what kind of an impact you can be until you're the one in need. It's easy to join, think about it.

Get informed and join these organizations!

http://www.marrow.org/

http://www.carterbloodcare.org/

http://donatelife.net/

I Paint on the side-

I'm a mom, a wife, a friend and family person...I'm busy and do not get much "Alone Time". With this new Healthy Living transition I have found that time in excercising and educating myself on eating healthy, etc. However, one of my hidden loves is painting. Started as a venting experiment E did for me with a horrible work situation. His family is very artsy and it has rubbed off on me in a big way I guess. I've commisioned a few pieces (still baffled that people would pay me for something I do for fun). E makes the canvas for me and I just spend time outside in the sun and get to creating whatever I want. Here's a pic of an older piece, I really need to update my photos of my artwork.

So there you have it, volume 2 of my "Life Well Lived." What's your 3 this week?

Monday's Musings

What is it about vacation that makes you totally lose focus on your routine? I swear I did more than I normally do in a day but I also ate more than I do and I never counted a single calorie all weekend. It'll be interesting when I weigh in later today to say the least.


I must stop and give myself a pat on the back and for a few of you who know me well may get a giggle out of this for me...others....well, you may not understand why this is a HUGE thing for me. I actually packed workout clothes for this vacation and I did indeed workout twice at the resorts gym. Yep. There I was in my workout glory on vacation sweating it up and oohing and ahhhing and begging E to buy me a super fancy treadmill and elliptical machine so I can feel snarky and get fit quicker without worrying about making other resort guests shudder as they passed the wall of glass and witnessed me running in my new spandex running Capri's and baggy Texas Longhorn tee.


It was so rewarding. E and I used every machine they offered while his parents watched A for us. I doubt I have ever pushed myself that hard in over an hour of time but I was determined to not let those rich desserts and huge platters of food I had enjoyed during the day get the better of me when I was weighing in and back to the reality that vacations never last long enough. I was tempted to take pictures but I only kept that for family time and not the ridiculous blogger in me going "Nobody will believe smore's look like this or are this huge!" or even "E, can you take a picture of me in my sweaty messiness to show proof that I actually worked out? Make sure to get a butt shot in these new running Capri's too...I look awesome in them!"


Yeah...those convos did actually take place in my mind.....

Moving right along....


I also MUST share some fun news. I joined an amazing blog community and am now listed with TONS of amazing people blogging for the sole purpose of sharing Living Healthy and taking care of ourselves by being active, eating healthy and living life to the best we possibly can. Be sure to check them all out at http://healthylivingblogs.com/


I think once I get enough followers on here I may start doing some fun things like give-aways and challenges. I seriously have some big plans for this blog and this is officially my "2nd baby" as E likes to jokingly refer to it. I'm also looking into having this it's own website and breaking free of the blogger style of it all. We'll see where this leads me. I started this as an outlet of my weight loss journey and helpful tool into our transition into living healthy and taking care of ourselves better as a family. As long as I keep enjoying this then I'll keep it up.


How was your weekend? Do anything fun?
I'll share a pic of A & I on vacation this weekend. Enjoy.

10 Things Thursday!

Thursdays Top Ten List.

1. I've lost 2 more pounds! Yes, drinking lots of water and portion control officially work for me....Doing at least an hour of exercises helps too....

2. I'm all about sharing things I find. So for all you iPhone owners, check out these apps to help motivate, educate and documate (yeah, I tried) your progress.

• 
  
  RunKeeper- Tracks your runs, time, duration, peaks and lows and even maps out your route using a easy GPS as well as playing any play list you create through your iTunes.


• 
  
  MyFitnessPal- Watching calories, tracking weight loss? Use this app to keep you up to date on what your eating how how many calories are in so many meals you don't make at home.


• 
  
  BodyFitness- Not sure how to do a certain workout? Don't have the luxury of a gym membership? This app shows you each body area you can work on, the workout routine and step by step instructions to show you how to do it correctly.

3. I'm doing the Tone It Up Challenge. Check out their youtube or twitter, these gals are awesome and it's so easy to do and stay true to.

4. I'm ready for a 5k! I'm currently looking for one in my area around November. Not looking to make any goals or set a certain time, I just want to do one to say "I Did It!".

5. Jogging stroller will be purchased next week, I'm so excited about this, it's a little on the obsessive side.

6. New Band obsession. Two Door Cinema Club. Check them out and fall for these guys like I did. I am so loving them getting me groovy on my runs.

7. I'm new to running as much as I am and Fall is officially starting. What do you wear to run when it's cooler outside? What are some of your fave brands and where do you shop for your workout gear? I'm curious.

8.Check out this months Real Simple magazine and snag the 30 yummy and easy recipes they have along with tear out grocery lists for everything you need to make them. I'm so excited about some of these meals....getting A to actually try one...well, that would be a Christmas Miracle.

9. This has been my verse of scripture for my week so I wanna share it.: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6, 7).

10. I'll be away from the blog-world until Tuesday as I go on a mini-vacay with my family. Enjoy this wonderful fall weather, go outside, be active and then repeat the next day. Be good to yourself.

-HLC

Something New.... Life Well Lived Vol.1

I came across a fellow blogger today and am LOVING her method of sharing life's joy. So...I'm going to go with it. I'm going to post a weekly "Life Well Lived" post, sharing a few things I have done in my life that make my life....well lived.
Check out her blog, spread the word and the love....

http://www.kelseytoney.com/

I'll start with the basics....

I married my high school sweetheart:

Truth be told, E and I didn't start dating until after we were both out of high school. However, we met on the first day of my Sophomore year and his Junior year. We had Chemistry together *ba dum dum*. I had the HUGEST crush on him for years but he acted like a boy and played dumb until 4 years later when he found me on campus at UNT and learned I was there to meet a guy I had just started dating the week before. (funny how that worked out) We were very good friends for those 4 years and people wondered if we were dating so to me I think of him as my High School sweetheart. We've been married almost 6 years, together for 8 and friends for 11!

I'm a MOMMY:

A @ 5months old.

A @ 2.5 years old.

This is A. She is by far my GREATEST accomplishment in life (so far). She came into the world 5 weeks early 12-19-08, tiny as could be and with no instructions whatsoever! She'll be 3 this December. They say parenthood changes you in a thousand little ways and it is the absolute truth. She has made me a better person and has made me think of how I do things in ways I never saw coming. I could not ask for more. It's the best job ever! E and I are pretty cool parents...if I may say so....

I'm a Runner:

If you had met me or known me almost 2 years ago and told me I would be running in fun runs and training for 5ks and loving it, I would have laughed in your face! But thanks to my sweet friend, Therese http://thereseandross.blogspot.com/ got me into running and then moved off to Mission, Ks shortly after. Leaving me with no running buddy or mentor to show me the ropes. :P (haha, just teasing Therese, I love you). Since we recently moved back to our hometown I live in walking distance to North lakes park which has a great running trail and my neighborhood is perfect for my early morning runs! Love it. If you read my blog, you already know my running goals and ambition to do more 5ks.

You got a LWL list you wanna share? Send it my way or to Kelseys blog. I'm also going to pass this over to my family blog. Have you checked that one out yet? It's more personal and me being me in all my mommy/wifey glory. :)

Enjoy your Sunday,

HLC

Music Saturday

September Running Mix.
(Check out Augusts Running Mix on my "Current Running Mix" Page)


1. "What the water gave me"- Florence+The Machine
2. "Ours"-The Bravery
3. "This Little Light"- Addison Road
4. "What Part of Forever"- Cee Lo Green
5. "Party Rock Anthem"- LMFAO
6. "Digital Love"-Daft Punk
7. "Run"-Snow Patrol
8. "Waste"- Foster The People
9. "Everybody's changing"- Keane
10. "Life on Earth"- Band of Horses
11. "Bliss"- Delirious?
12. "Nonfiction Love Song"- Jillian Edwards (A's new fave, so catchy)
13. "Try"- Jillian Edwards (one of my faves of hers)
14. "Marchin' On"- One Republic
15. "Texas Rain"- Sleeperstar
16. "Who Says"- Selena Gomez and the Scene
17. "Change in the Making"-Addison Road
18. "The Final Countdown"-Europe (seriously, last 5 minutes of a run, this song is where it's at! haha)

Que Rocky Music.....

First run in over a week due to being under the weather but MAN ALIVE! I feel so good right now. I doubt there is a better feeling then right after a workout, you just feel at such a peak and like the pain and soreness will be worth it the next day :).

My goal is to do a 5k in under 40min, right now I average about 55min so it's a work in progress especially since I am only running at 1-2min intervals between 3 minutes of walking. Just taking it day by day. I'm doing so much better than I thought I would be a year ago (With a 6 month hiatus).

What workout do you do to pump yourself? What are some exercises goals you have conquered?

Also, any Mommy's out there with a jogging stroller? I am in serious talks of getting one within the next 3 weeks to take A out and about with me (so I can go out more and not wait on E to be home). Any recommendations?

I know I have a few new recipes to share with you guys and I meant to post them for Nom Nom Wednesday but I didn't get time. I'll share them later tonight. If you know of any good healthy and easy to make recipes, please share some. I'm looking for some new ones.

I'll also post Septembers running mix up tonight as well.

Stay Healthy!

-HLC

Just Sayin'

AMEN.

Free For All Friday!

TGIF.

I'm looking forward to the weekend, I get to be outdoors with my family more and it also means early morning runs and the farmers market tomorrow. I'm currently jonesing for some sweet blueberry's so I can make some muffins tomorrow. True, I could walk to the Kroger up the street and buy some but so help me, the ones I pick from the farmers market are 10X's better and about 1/2 the price I'd pay for store bought.

I must say, since my family started this living healthy transition I fell into the mindset of counting calories as being a must, working out was a must and eating only this and that was a must. Forgive me, that was stupid. If you wanna go and live that way and it works for you, AWESOME. For me and my family though, it's just miserable. I've learned over the past 2 weeks it's simply about a few key things.

* Drinking plenty of water
* Getting enough sleep!
* Working out when it fits into YOUR schedule.
* Simply knowing the right version of what you want to eat and having healthy options.
* Not skipping meals.

There's much to learn when it comes to being healthy and you will get so much advice handed to you from family and friends. Simply do what you feel is right for you and try things until you know what works for you. I'm not counting calories or dwelling on the weight loss part of this transition for me. If I'm taking care of my body by exercising and eating healthy, the weight will take care of itself. I do love hearing what works for others but I also just have to say, to each his own. Don't judge me for what I choose to do for my family, I won't judge you for doing what you do for yours.

Just live healthy! Just live. :)

I plan on doing just that......

Body Image Tuesday

I'll admit, I wimped out of taking self portraits today to show myself as I am now, week one in my weight loss journey. I guess the mirror just got to me a bit too much this afternoon and before I started crying I simply put the camera down and promised myself I'd do it next week.

I will, too!

It's not so much that I look horribly overweight, I hide it well. In fact, most people wouldn't believe I weight close to 180, maybe it's the boobs? Needless to say though that since having A, I am not keeping the extra weight in the same areas and it's noticeable enough to get my attention as well as E's. I will also be the first to admit I am not a diet person or am I an avid exerciser or health nut.

Which will change over time. I mean, it's been a week and I have made several changes to my diet and I am now exercising daily.

Start weight: 179lbs-8/29/11
Goal Weight: 155lbs-1/1/12
Today's Weight: 177lbs-9/6/11

2 whole pounds in a week!!! Yes, it may seem small but it's still a victory for me. I'm aware I'll have bad weeks and setbacks but the fact that I am actually pursuing this lifestyle now and it's already showing just helps keep me motivated to stick with it.

I also like going to the gym with my family. Working out with E today was a first and yet, it wasn't uncomfortable or frustrating. We did our own thing, helped each other with some machines and made a mini-race on the treadmill in which I didn't win but the trainer said I had better form and stamina.

Here was my workout today (I doubt I'll be able to walk tomorrow):
3 miles on treadmill
5.69 miles on recumbent cycle (my fave machine)
2 sets of 20 on weight bench for shoulders and arms at 40lbs.
1 set of 20 on hamstrings at 50lbs.
2 sets of 20 squats


It's not so much about how much I lose and how fast I lose it, or is it about how much I can do at the gym...for me it's about liking what I see about myself physically which as of last week is not a lot. I do not have much self-confidence in my appearance and it's what makes up 1/3 of who I am so it's important to me to be accepting of this. Like my motto...."If you can't love yourself, who can you love?"

I love a lot of things about myself, but when it comes to how I look in the mirror....I'm lacking the love. Which is why I started Healthy Living Chick.

I'll end this Body image Tuesday with 5 things I love about myself(physically), be sure to share with me your 5 self loves as well.

1. I love my blue eyes, they are my best physical feature (in my opinion).
2. I love my scar on my forehead, yes it looks like a huge dot between my eyes but it adds personailty!
3. I love my calves, I'm only 5'5 which doesn't give me much in the leg department but my calf muscles have always looked good and helped my legs look tone.
4. I love my boobs. After years of hating them for being bigger than I personally wanted and being picked on because of them, I always tried to cover them up. I even had a breast reduction to help but it wasn't until I was pregnant with A that I accepted my womans body and fell in love with my bra size for once. :)
5. I love my spotty freckles. Yes, I still have some childhood freckles over the high part of my cheeks where the corners of my eyes meet, I have always loved them.

Mondays Musing.

Simple Sunday at it's best.

Yes, Sundays are amazing. It is the day of rest after all. What's even better about today's Sunday though? It's just the hump-day for a 3 day weekend! Yes, tomorrow is a holiday and E doesn't have to work and either do I. Add that Texas is finally below 100* after a ridiculous summer and the high for tomorrow is only 86*...YEAH.

I can officially start running outside again and not look like I'm about to collapse on the side of the street!

It also means Fall is on it's way and it just so happens to be my favorite season of all. :) Interesting to see how I pull this fall off without indulging into all the amazing treats and eats it brings around, let alone the holiday season when we'll be traveling a lot for once.

Tomorrow will be a BIG first for me too. I get to go to the Gym for the first time ever and workout. YIKES. I also will be with E who in the 11 years of knowing me and 6 years of marriage has only worked out with me....twice. Interesting to see how this works out.

Do you go to a gym? What workout do you do? Machines of your choice? Help a Gym Newb out.

In closing I just want to share 3 things I have fallen in love with this week. I'm a promoter of things I find and love so get used to this...

First up, this amazing Soda. I've seen it somewhere before from a friend but I can't remember who. I've never tried it but it was on sale at Sprouts and so I bought it in Ginger Ale and in Creamy Root beer. Yummy yummy yummy but the sugar count is INSANE!

Next up is something I used to pitch a fit about when I worked at Panera bread back in the day... Sprouts. YUCK. I seriously found them annoying but until recently I had only tried them once or twice and to me they just tasted like crunchy dirt? haha. I bought this at the local grocery store and had them on an amazing sandwich for lunch and a wrap last night. Super good and with a hint of spice that E and I both liked.

And finally, our dinner from last night that was homemade and not store bought or delivered for once. I loved it and so did A which says a lot because she is one picky toddler. Easy to make and quick!

Margherita pizza with fresh tomatoes and basil. Delicious and as I said, even A loved it.

Have a great Monday, friends.

That Awkward First Post.

Here....We.....Go!

It's official. Healthy Living Chick Blog is now up and running. Now what am I supposed to do?

I know I was supposed to start yesterday after my announcement but truth is, I wound up getting into a huge mind-freak over how I would kick off this new chapter in my life. Don't you hate that!? I mean, the reality of my family's healthy living transition is real. We cleaned out the pantry, re-stocked with non junk, educated ourselves with some books and ventured into new stores to find the said non junk items, we joined a gym, etc. But for this blog and it's original purpose I feel like once I get started I may let people down and that's not what this is about.

So, here's some standard things.

• I am NOT a professional dietician, nutrionist, excercise expert. I am simply a 26 year old woman who stopped putting herself first and is finally ready to make a change in her life and in her family's life so we may be better and healthier. If your looking to lose weight, start running, bettering yourself, etc. Talk to a professional first and do your research. I'm just here to help inspire and give a few laughs as I share my personal journey.

• This is a Blog. Therefore, I may or may not post everyday. It's for me to choose. What I post, what I learn, what I share is all up to me. I'm doing this for me. If you don't like it, if you don't agree with something, I'm all ears. I love feedback and I love learning new things so please don't hesitate to share your thoughts or feelings on anything I may post. You choose to read it just like I choose to post it.

• My Blog is open to the public masses right now. I will be sharing personal pictures and info on occasion so I only ask that you be respectful of that and ASK before using or taking or sharing anything of a personal matter to me. (i.e- pictures of my family, pictures of me). I sadly have had a past issue with this and ended up going private for awhile and I want this blog to be available for others who are where I am in life and need encouragement and motivation. So Please, be respectful.

• If you like what you find here, pass me along to other friends. Sharing is caring.

So those are the basics I guess. My goal for this blog is for it to be fun, informative and inspiring for others. I'm no expert on ANYTHING in here (check back in a year then we'll see.). I'm new to this, new to it all and feel like it's a foreign country to be honest and I have no map or translator.

I've also, in a weird attempt to make this fun for eveyone, have come up with themes for certain posts on certain days.

Monday's Musings

Body Image Tuesday

Nom Nom Wednesday

Ten Things Thursday

Free For All Friday

Music Saturday

Simple Sunday

For each day, I'll have something to share on the topic as well as a regular post, it may not be a DAILY thing but the days I do post I will stick with the theme. That way I can share workouts, music I jam to, recepies I've tried, my weight loss journey, my soap box episode (haha) and more. I'm excited about this, this weekend was a first on a number of levels as far as choosing what to buy, preparing a healthy meal, sticking with a workout, and eating a set amount of calories rather than what we used to do. Also, my family has for the most part enjoyed some of the changes that have been made. I'm aware it can't happen over night but seeing as we're 3 days in and we're not crying or dying...I'd say this is looking to be a very good start.

What are some things you'd like to see on my blog?

Just a Friendly Reminder...

Work-In-Progress.

Check back Saturday for the "Grand Opening".

-HLC