acroyoga.

I had never heard of acroyoga before last Saturday. I didn't have a clue what I was getting myself into when I decided to attend the workshop. I'm so glad I did though! Hours of fun. I seriously felt like such a child! Little did I know that all those years as a child doing "airplane" was actually acroyoga. 

Balance, flexibility, strength, and breathing are all very important in this yoga practice (as is in any other yoga practice).

Here are some pictures of Lauren and I's eventful Saturday afternoon.

Bow pose upside down in the air.

Canoe pose in the air.

Plank is hard. Plank in the air with someone on top of you is real hard.

Tree pose in the air.

Cody and Jenn (the guy pictured above and the girl in tree pose) were the two leading the workshop. They teach acroyoga at a yoga studio in the DFW area. Check out part of their routine below!

I know it's pretty insane. It blew our minds when we first saw it too!

P.S. Can I just talk about the weather for a sec? Yesterday it was 80. Tonight I'm looking out my window at snow covered houses. No kidding. 

Happy Sunday y'all. Stay warm.

october highlights.

Y'all. The tenth month of the year has already come and gone. I cannot believe it! How fast the time flies. Here's a few highlights from the cool, sunny month of October.

• My cousin, Amber was in the DFW area for business and we got to have dinner!! It was fantastic to get to catch up with her about life. She is such a good mom, sister, daughter, friend, and cousin. Love you, Amber!
• I signed up for my first half marathon (that I've been wanting to run for four years now). Pumped about it.
• My precious friend, Ilianna asked me to be her bridesmaid! So excited to celebrate her and Andy's wedding festivities. 
• And another picture from my weekend at Baylor...just because it was much needed and I can't describe how much fun I had with my girl, Hannah. BFFs. For reals.

Not pictured:

• My parents visited me the beginning of this month! We just spent time together and watched football -- it was great.
• I'm really starting to love my kids AND they are starting to love me too! Jesus answers prayers. O, how unworthy I am of His Grace. 

july highlights.

July was full of fun! Here are a few highlights.

• My sister came in town for the Fourth of July & brought her new puppy, Skyler.
• Mrs. Susie & I dressed exactly alike on accident for a workout. Everyone thought she was my mom!
• I bought a china hutch at an antique store for $325!!!
• The engagements that I took for Nick & Kate were a hit I think because Kate used one for their "Save the Dates!"
• Hannah and I went to dinner and a movie. We got tickets to see Turbo, but about 15 minutes into it we were bored to death so we left and snuck into The Heat. Worth it. 

Here's to goodbye July and goodbye Louisiana! Hello Texas! :)

summer workouts with my girl, hannah.

Ah. Yes, it is summer. Summer means so many things, but one of my favorite parts is I don't have to get up early to go to work. That doesn't mean I'm not getting up early! Instead of heading to work, I am heading to workout. 

One of my best friends is Hannah. She is from my hometown and recently graduated from Baylor too (Sic Em' Bears)! Not only do we have those two things in common, but we also have an unwavering love of being active. We've worked out together for the past two years off and on. Luckily, we are both in the same town for the entire summer which means we can workout together!

We decided early on that we wanted to mix up our workouts as much as possible in order to keep things fun, challenging, and adventurous. We actually wrote and signed our own contract to help us stay accountable.

"Cross-training" is the term we use to describe our various workouts. Our cross-training includes running, weight lifting, circuit training, biking, stairs, yoga, swimming, trail running, and occasionally walking. We have had SO much fun! One element of all our workouts is prayer and giving glory to our Father (that He so deserves!). Hannah and I both agree that this is the most important part of our workouts. First of all because the only reason we even have the ability to breathe and move is because of the Grace of God and secondly, we do not want to have any other idols before Him. Praying and giving thanks to Jesus keeps our minds in the right state. It's all for His Glory anyway!

Right now we are one month into it - below are pictures of our mini-adventures so far. I will probably have another post at the end of the summer being that we still have road trips to Baton Rouge and such on the calendar!

Biking the backroads.

This was our view on a trial run - Coopers Lake.

Perks to knowing the owner of Coopers Lake: layout & swim.

Circuit training essentials: music, mat, dumbbells, jump ropes, water, & Nike Training app.

Perks to working at a school: access to the track and stadium. 

Warrior Two.

Kids at heart.

We want to stay young for as long as possible.

Thankful and humbled by my workout encourager, motivator, and prayer warrior, Hannah.

energy yumminess.

I found a recipe for these "energy bites" from a blog I follow, blondeponytail. I could have just linked the page to here because it is the same recipe, but I wanted to share it too!

Minus the dark chocolate chips these are pretty safe for you paleo people out there! (Don't know what paleo is? check out ThePaleoDiet)

"ENERGY BITES"

>>1 bag of dates
>>1 cup of almonds
>>1/2 cup of dried cranberries
>>1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
>>1 scoop of Muscle Milk protein--Natural Chocolate (or your preference)

I meant to buy the 50% reduced sugar dried cranberries and will for sure next time!

Instructions:

1. Blend all ingredients (minus the protein) separately in a food processor. I did the almonds first because they were dry.
2. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl (again, minus the protein).
3. Take about a tablespoon size or tablespoon size and a half of mixture and roll into a ball. Continue until all the mixture is rolled into balls.
4. Dust each "energy bite" with the protein. This will help them stick and adds flavor.
5. Refrigerate and enjoy!

dates, cranberries, almonds & choc chips

roll bites in MM protein.

excuse the antique pan.

I made 19 of these on Sunday. It is now Wednesday and I have approximately 2 left (I only gave 1 to a friend). That is how GOOD they are. You will not be disappointed! Let me know what you think!

P.S. When I make these again this weekend I'll probably nix the choc chips because these are plenty sweet.

feel the burn.

Yoga has been apart of my life for the past five years.

I can honestly say that I have seen an increase in strength and flexibility since I started. This past year I haven't been able to practice it as frequently as I would like because there are no classes in my town, but if I get to practice at least once a week I am pleased!

If you have never practiced yoga in your life--BE CAREFUL. You can easily pull muscles, twisting and turning, if you do not do each pose correctly.

The workout I did today I can thank my friend, Ilianna. She taught yoga while we were at Baylor and this workout has been one of my favorites ever since! (you can follow her here) This workout took me a little over one hour. I would say that this is a more advanced yoga workout. You can find beginner, intermediate, and other advanced workouts online. For most, if not every yoga pose, there are modifications.

My advice to anyone who is considering practicing yoga would be this: be patient and do not give up. I hated yoga when I first started. I promise it grows on you and you will love the way it makes your body feel & look!

Yoga Practice 1:

• 5 A series-- hold down dog for at least 30 seconds (pictures and explanations of poses here) 
• 5 B series (pictures and explanations of poses here)   
• Warrior sequence (here and here) I do not do the "humble warrior" pose. 
• Standing sequence (here) I also include "revolving chair, pyramid, and triangle" pose (on both sides).
• Inversions sequence (here) DO NOT try headstand if this is your first time practicing. 
• Spend your last five minutes completely relaxed. Lie on your back with your palms facing up and legs stretched out in front of you. If you relax your ankles and your tongue (I know that sounds weird) your entire body should be relaxed. 

Each sequence should take you about 10 minutes.

Here is a picture of all these sequences and poses! This girl is the real yogi.

Also, here is a post-run 10 minute yoga sequence (if you're a runner like me)!

Most gyms offer yoga classes. Call the gym nearest you to find out!

You do not have to spend a lot of $$ on a mat. Mine is from Wal Mart about $7.

I would suggest practicing in a quiet, still environment
if you live somewhere that does not provide yoga classes.
I use my back porch!

Everything is better outdoors.

I listen to Pandora. Choose your station!

P.S. I do not practice yoga for any other reason than to stretch and build strength. I always end each workout with a prayer to Jesus for giving me the mental and physical ability to practice!

stair-master & I aren't friends [or maybe we are?].

Today I wanted to share my first fitness post!

The weather here has been cloudy and rainy--the perfect combination to stay curled up on the couch with a book, but I insisted on getting to the gym and sweating. I wanted my workout today to be more cardio based than weights. Therefore, I decided to go for 20 minutes on the dreaded stair-master and 20 minutes on the elliptical. For those of you that have access to a stair-master, MAKE FRIENDS WITH IT. This machine works your body like no other [see picture below]. It most likely is the oldest cardio machine in your gym--but that don't mean nutin'. I did most of my 20 minutes, on the stair-master, at level 6 because I haven't been on it in a while. Usually, I'd prefer to stay at level 7 or 8. I did a combo of turning side to side, for 45 seconds at at time, and skipping a step, for a minute at a time. I bump it up 2 levels when I skip steps. I listened to Pandora radio--I had it on my favorite Christian Rap station--JSON! The elliptical that I chose went up to level 100 with an incline of up to 10. I stayed at level 40 with an incline of 7. I definitely got a good 40 minute cardio session in. The 20 minutes on the stair-master itself was a good cardio session! 

I also wanted to squeeze in a few abs and no I didn't do a single crunch! In my gym, in the squat rack, there are two arm hanging things (I don't have a clue what they are called--see picture below), and I put my arms through them (like underneath my arm-pits) and brought my knees to my chest alternating sides for 10 reps. Rest. Then I just hung, bringing my knees into my chest, and held for as long as I could--about 35-40 seconds. And that was it for abs! The old saying, "The less, the better," rings very true for our abdominals!

I know that most of us, including myself, do not feel like going to the gym or working out on our Saturday off from work, but afterwards you feel so good! Here are a few verses that encourage and motivate me to take care of the one earthly body my Savior has given me. 

"So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.  But I discipline my body and keep it under control,  lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 ESV

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV

Stay in His Word. It's the only Truth. Encouraging. Motivating. Liberating! 

You will sweat on this bad boy.

Hang from these and bring knees to chest.