The Archies: 2016

With a new year comes the wrapping up of the old one.  It's that time again: time to reflect upon a year gone by and what we did during that year.  It's time again for The Archies!  This idea came from Donna and it's something I've really enjoyed doing.  It's basically a list of my 50 favorite things from the year.  Every year you compile a list, you add an additional item, so I'm now up to 57!  See also 2015, 2014, 2013,  2012, and 2011.  Okay, here we go....

1.    A new surrogate nephew, James.

2.    Valentin Imperial Maya, Mexico.

3.    TCU’s Alamo Bowl.

4.    Roasted Carrot Soup.

5.    Netflix’s “Daredevil.”

6.    Cruises with friends.

7.    Christmas at home.

8.    Stephanie’s Molasses Cookies.

9.    Peppermint Mocha Sugar Free Creamer.

10.  Applesauce Mini Muffins.

11.  A week on St. John, USVI.

12.  A Homemade Life, by Molly Wizenberg.

13.  Jost Van Dyke, BVI.

14.  Netflix’s “Jessica Jones.”

15.  Ultimate Pumpkin Bread.

16.  Drawing in the Dust, by Zoe Klein.

17.  Single Serve Cobblers.

18.  Paris Letters, by Janice MacLeod.

19.  Piehole Pecan Pie Whiskey.

20.  The Soggy Dollar, Jost Van Dyke.

21.  A Paris Apartment, by Michelle Gable.

22.  Gazpacho.

23.  San Francisco, in person, finally.

24.  Pillsbury Key Lime cake mix.

25.  Miss Babs’ Sojourn.

26.  One Summer: America, 1927, by Bill Bryson.

27.  Tortola, BVI.

28.  Black-Eyed Susans, by Julia Heaberlin.

29.  Skinny Lemon Bars.

30.  ROGUE ONE.

31.  Giacchino’s ROGUE ONE score.

32.  HBO’s “Westworld.”

33.  DOCTOR STRANGE.

34.  PB2.

35.  Giacchino’s DOCTORE STRANGE score.

36.  Netflix’s “Stranger Things.”

37.  Dairy Queen’s Red Velvet Blizzard.

38.  NCL’s Escape.

39.  “Downton Abbey.”

40.  Red Velvet Oreos.

41.  PB2 + oatmeal = deliciousness.

42.  Fiber Circle in Farmersville, TX.

43.  Beach bar hopping at White Bay, Jost Van Dyke.

44.  Ram Head trail, St. John.

45.  Peanut Butter Bushwacker.

46.  Cruzan’s Blueberry Lemonade Rum.

47.  LAST DAYS IN THE DESERT.

48.  The Shed, Hudson Oaks, TX.

49.  The Helen Brown Group.

50.  World Peace Cookies.

51.  NOW YOU SEE ME.

52.  Big cookie cakes!

53.  Doritos Spicy Sweet Chili.

54.  Pandemic (board game).

55.  Trader Joe’s.

56.  A new LYS!

57.  Tamales.

Combat Challenge #4: Week Three

I'm having a lot of fun with this Combat Challenge.  And with Yoga Revolution!  Put the two together and my legs were super sore by the beginning of this week.  Dang!

But I'll keep plugging along...

Monday: Les Mills' Grit #14 + Ilyse's Your Best, Sweaty Self + Groovy Dance Party

Yay, MLK Day!  I love this day, usually spent at home, knitting and reading.  Today was no different so I used it to get in an extra long workout.  Grit seemed more doable today than a workday so I did that.  And this was a new Grit - no less difficult, for sure.  Yikes!  Then, I tuned into Ilyse's Sweaty workout - difficult with all the jumping.  Then, for a nice substitution for my lunch-time walks, I did Dance Party - super fun.  So, 60 minutes of cardio!

Tuesday: Dozois' Total Body Cardio and Strength + walk

Since the days of Glo are limited, I'm trying to squeeze in some of my favorite workouts.  This strength workout is definitely one that I'll miss.  And today was the perfect day to do it.  I kept the cardio low-impact to give my feet a break!  But Michelle works you hard, for sure.  At lunch, I walked at the rec center.

Wednesday: Les Mills' Sh'Bam #20 + Ilyse's Dance Intervals 101

Fun day today!  This was a new-to-me Sh'Bam and it was a blast.  A "Grease" number?!  Yes, please!  I tried to keep my heart rate up but still had a lot of fun.  After that ended, I did the beginning of Ilyse's Dance Intervals, which is all jumping for the first five minutes.  I'll miss this workout as well!  So much fun!

Thursday: Les Mill's Combat #65 + Dozois' HIIT - Breathless and Energized + weights

A good day today!  I wanted to work hard after two lighter days so I did a fun, energizing Combat, led by Dan and Rachel.  Loved it!  Then, my last fifteen minutes were spent with Michelle and her HIIT.  Whew!  I love that one but it's not the easiest!  At lunch, I did weights at the rec center.  My legs were already a bit raw from yoga so this really made them work!

Friday:  Yoga Revolution + walk

I was sore today so this yoga was good.  It wasn't super light so I had to work but it still felt good.  At lunch, it was a gorgeous day outside so I walked the perimeter of campus with a co-worker.  It was a nice break!  And a nice 20 minute walk!

Saturday: Les Mills' Combat 60 - Extreme Cardio Fighter + Ilyse's Full-On Cardio Blast

Time for serious work today and Combat 60 makes you work hard, for sure.  But it's fun!  I always enjoy this workout and it has no dread factor, which is so, so nice.  After that 45 minutes of cardio, I did 20 minutes of Ilyse's high-impact Blast.  This one is not my favorite but it really makes you work with constant jumping and jogging.  Wow.  A short stretch today as I was in a rush.

Sunday:  Cathe's Intensity + Amy's Metabolic Meltdown + Strengthen Your Body from Head to Toe

I had time today to work hard and long and I did.  First up, all of Cathe's cardio on her Intensity DVD.  Wow.  Step, high-impact step, hi-impact HIIT, low-impact HIIT (which I made high)...  Whew.  Then, Amy's Metabolic workout, which I also made more high-impact.  That was 65 minutes of cardio. I then did fifteen minutes of Amy's weight workout, which was a lot better than I remember.  Then, yoga.  Ahh....

Calorie Counts:

Monday: 1349
Tuesday: 1174
Wednesday: 1195
Thursday: 1560
Friday: 1176
Saturday: BAD
Sunday: 1255

More social events meant more bad eating this week.  Sigh.  Then it culminated in celebrating my mom's birthday early on Saturday, which was really bad.  Sigh, again.

Yosemite Snow

Did you hear that Yosemite had to close last week due to flooding?  

After the flood, this happened....

I can't imagine seeing this!  How gorgeous a sight!  

Combat Challenge #4: Week Two

I had a lot of fun last week, with this new Combat Challenge.  And that's why it's good to change things up every now and then!  

Also, Adriene's Yoga Revolution has been super fun.  My shoulders hurt for the first five days of the challenge.  Holy cow!  As much as it hurt (ouch!), I like knowing when something that I'm doing is making a difference in my body.  So I'll take a bit of pain now and then.

Monday: Les Mills' Sh'Bam #21 + walk

This morning it was so nice tuning into a 45-minute Sh'Bam workout.  And I love the ones that Rachel leads (she's in all the Combat DVDs).  So this morning was fun!  Sh'Bam isn't the most difficult workout, cardiovascularly, but some days just need to be fun.  At lunch, I walked - quickly - at the rec center and then did some ab work.  

Tuesday:  Amy's Kickin' Cardio and Conditioning + Ilyse's Easy to Follow Dance Moves

Yet another reason why I'll miss Glo....  All those strength workouts I love from Amy and Michelle.  Sigh.  This one is a good one - my arms could barely make it through some of the reps.  Dang!  So many triceps and push-ups!  I got home early, due to a doctor's appointment, so I did 20 minutes of Ilyse's dance workout...followed by my daily yoga.  It was a good day!

Wednesday: Les Mills' Grit #12 + Scott's HIIT - Sports Inspired Intervals

Ugh.  I was dreading today's Grit like nothing else.  But I got up and did it.  I couldn't get through all the up and downs - to the floor for burpees and back up - but I did pretty well.  These workouts are just so intense.  Afterward, I tuned into Scott's HIIT - which is slow by comparison. But that was fine by me!   At lunch, I walked outside for 20 minutes.  One of my heels is really bothering me.  Sigh.

Thursday:  Les Mills' Combat #66 + Dozois' Calorie Burning Cardio Blast + weights

Yay, Combat!  These workouts are usually a lot of fun and #66 was, as well!  There were some lunges that really made my thighs burn but other than that, it was a blast!  And I love Dan and Rachel.  After that ended, I did Dozois' Blast, which is always great.  At lunch, I did weights at the rec center - for the first time since December 1.  Dang.  I didn't have to go down in any weights (yay!) but I couldn't do all the reps that I could do in December.  But I was happy with myself for getting back into it!

Friday:  Yoga Revolution + Dozois' Tight and Toned Core

I needed a super light day and that's what I got.  Adriene had a great session of Yoga Revolution today and it helped ease me into the day.  As I down dogged, I felt the results of yesterday's weights.  But it wasn't too painful.  After yoga, I did 10 minutes of Dozois' ab workout which is super effective.  And difficult.  A good morning!

Saturday: Peak 10 Cardio Interval Burn - Fat Blaster + Scott's Cardio Drill Awesomeness + weights

Time to work super hard.  I started the morning with Michelle's fantastic CIB Fat Blaster.  I love that one so much!  Fun and effective!  After that finished, I did Scott's workout which alternates weights and cardio drills.  Then, I finished that off with five minutes with the 12-pound weights.  Ouch!  That was an hour and twenty-five minutes of work!  My morning ended with Yoga Revolution, which stretched my hips and legs in new ways.  Yay...and ouch!  But it was good.

Sunday:  Les Mills' Combat 60 Live - Ultimate Warriors Workout + Amy's Cardio Intervals

I didn't have too much time today and since I also had to do Yoga Revolution afterward, I only had 60 minutes to do cardio.  So, I did Combat 60 Live, which is really good.   So much fun!  Then, I tuned into Amy's interval workout, which isn't too intense except for the duration of the intervals.  All in all, a good morning for cardio.  I was then able to stretch and do YWA. 

Calorie Counts:

Monday - 1168
Tuesday - 1168
Wednesday - 1351
Thursday - 1147
Friday - 1146
Saturday - 1196
Sunday - 1194

I had to be super strict this week so I was happy with myself for accomplishing my goal.  The next two weeks will have more social stuff going on which means more calories.  Sigh. 

YWA

Have you heard of Yoga with Adriene?

About six months ago, someone mentioned it in a Facebook post.  I looked at the page but didn't know how to incorporate yoga into my daily routine.  So, I mostly forgot about YWA.  

Then, in December, in the same Facebook group, I heard of a 31 day Yoga Revolution, led by YWA.  What an interesting idea?!  And for some reason, I automatically, almost without thinking, signed up for it.  

There's really no signing up.  If you want to do it, go to her page every day and watch the video.  But if you want to sign up, you get a daily email to go along with the video....or to remind you to do the video.  LOL!  Either way, YWA is free!  

So far, I'm really enjoying the Revolution.  It's starting with basics and progressing.  Adriene doesn't throw a lot of fancy flow at you.  In fact, the first really "heated" session of flow happened just yesterday, on day nine.  But even though it starts slow and builds, my shoulders ached for the first five days.  Ached.  Turns out all those down dog and four-legged poses really work your shoulders! 

Anyway, I'm enjoying doing the videos every day after work.  It's very calming after the chaotic drive home.  I can already tell I'm getting stronger...and I love progress!  

Combat Challenge #4: Week One

Okay, on to something different for the New Year.  I started 2016 off with a Combat Challenge so I thought I'd do the same for 2017.  

Last year, I got great results from 8 weeks of Combat so let's see what this year will bring.  

Monday: Les Mills' Grit #3 + Ilyse's Full-On Cardio Blast

I needed all the cardio I could get today, after not working out on New Years Day.  So, I decided to start my Combat Challenge with the big beast: Grit.  This is Les Mills' HIIT training and I dread it every time.  I got through this one with my heart rate through the roof.  Yay!  Next up, Ilyse's high impact cardio.  This one is tough and my feet were aching after all this - 60 minutes of work!  I then did a nice stretch!

Tuesday: Les Mills' Sh'Bam #22 + walk

This morning my feet needed a break.  And since I was traumatized by having to go back work, I did my fun dance workout for the week.  Sh'Bam is a great program and I almost always enjoy the relatively simple step combos.  At lunch, I walked at the rec center, working up a good sweat.  I need all the cardio I can get!

Wednesday:  Les Mills' Combat #67 + Dozois' Calorie Burning Cardio Blast

I was a bit grouchy this morning since I woke up - and stayed up - at 3am with a sore arm.  What the heck?  So Combat - punching - did not sound good but I did it anyway.  Because I can't think of alternatives at 5:30am after not-enough sleep.  After that 30 minutes, I tuned into Dozois' short, but sweet, Cardio Blast.  Love that one!  Lots of walking around campus today but no lunchtime workout.

Thursday:  Les Mills' BodyAttack #92 + Ilyse's Dance Intervals 101 + walk

BodyAttack is a new program since the last time I did a Combat Challenge.  And it fills a hole in the program - the need for straight cardio, not HIIT and not kickboxing.  It's more aerobic with some internal training and strength mixed in.  So it was perfect this morning - when I wanted to work hard without doing Grit.  After it ended, I did Ilyse's Dance to finish off my morning.  At lunch, I walked at the rec center.  

Friday: Yoga Revolution

I've committed to doing Adriene's (of Yoga with Adriene) 31 day challenge, Yoga Revolution, during the month of January.  I'm doing most sessions after work but this morning, I did today's work in the morning.  It was nice and calming.  

Saturday:  Combat 60 - Extreme Cardio Fighter + Amy Dixons' HIIT on TrainerPass 

Today I was looking forward to Combat 60.  It's a lot of fun without any dread factor (in my opinion).  So I had fun this morning - for 55 minutes.  Then I tuned into one of Dixon's DVDs through TrainerPass, which I'm trying out.  Wow, that worked me hard.  And talk about no fun.  I like Amy's stuff on Glo but this was just plain brutal.  Sigh.  But, 70 minutes of cardio today!

Sunday:  Les Mills' BodyAttack #91 + Amy's Head to Toe Body Sculpt

I wanted a bit of cardio and then strength today....  So I started with another BodyAttack and it was a great workout!  I'm really sad that there are only those two workouts online right now.  After that, I did Amy's strength workout, putting a few more of my own cardio intervals throughout.  Another 70 minutes of work today and it felt great!

Calorie Counts:

Monday - bad
Tuesday - 1191
Wednesday - 1303
Thursday - 1191
Friday - 1191
Saturday - 1151
Sunday - 1269

FitnessGlo Update

I don't know if you've noticed....but I love FitnessGlo!  I've become heavily reliant upon the site in the last two years, getting away, more and more, from my workout DVDs.  Glo has upped my fitness level and my DVDs can't keep up.  Amazing!

And so I was heartbroken - literally - when I logged into Glo a week ago and saw a very nondescript message on the front page, saying the site will no longer be online, as of February 1, 2017.  What?!  WHAT?!!

I can find no explanation on any social site to explain why Glo is going down.  It is no exaggeration - I'm distraught.  I've looked at other streaming sites and non compare.  Glo has a such a wide variety of workouts...it fits every need you could have!  

Please, please let me know if you have suggestions for streaming sites.  I love Les Mills' Combat but that's not the same.  I tolerate Cathe but again, there's just not the diversity.  I'm looking at Daily Burn but I see very little that looks attractive.  Amy Dixon is on Trainer Pass and that looks promising....  But to have access to all of it would be expensive.  

I don't know what to do.  FitnessGlo, why?!  Why are you leaving us?!

Holiday Week Workouts 2016

For the first time in our courtship and marriage, we're home for Christmas after always going to Nashville.  It's good and it's bad but two good things is that I have more control over my eating and I can work out.

Despite eating too much, I was determined to keep up my workouts this week...  Being off work made it easier.

Monday: Dozois' Rockin Body Cardio

I did my traditional post-vacation workout, Dozois' old dance video, the day after Christmas. Thankfully, I only missed one workout - Christmas Day - so I didn't feel too sluggish.  But I was tired and this one was a bit more difficult to get through.  It's a fun one, though, and that made it worth it.  So, 45 minutes of cardio and then a stretch and crunches.

Tuesday: Peak 10 Cardio Interval Burn Remix

Today, I had to jump out of bed and workout, much like a work day.  Thankfully, I got up at 6:45 instead of my usual 5:30.  This workout is a lot of fun but my feet were really hurting, I think from being on my feet in the kitchen so much the previous two days.  Stupid plantar fasciitis.  Ugh!  I dug out my new sneakers and they helped a bit.  So I was able to get through this workout and then added on 5 more minutes of my cardio to get a full hour in.  I then stretched and planked.  

Wednesday:  Peak 10 Cardio Strength Remix + Ilyse's Groovy Dance Party

It had been so long since I'd last done this CS Remix that I had no idea what I was getting in to.  And it was tough!  Every circuit, except the last, went to the floor.  Dang!  I definitely got a good workout!  After that 50 minutes, I tuned into Ilyse's dance workout.  I love this one!  And it goes by so fast - 20 minutes!  After that, I stretched and did some ab work.

Thursday:  Amy's Metabolic Meltdown + Total Package

I need something a bit lighter today so I did Amy's level 2 Meltdown - which is still a great workout.  I did almost everything high impact - but didn't jump too high.  Ha!  After that, I tuned into her Total Package workout - a great body strength and cardio workout.  Love it!  And all the floor work really works you hard.  So, 70 minutes for all that, then a nice stretch and ab work.

Friday:  Cathe's Intensity + weights

Cardio time!  Cathy's Intensity is such a great workout, even without the step.  It's fun cardio and then Hi and Lo HIIT.  Dang, what  a workout.  My legs were aching from Amy's endless squats yesterday so this was a bit painful....but good!  After that hour of cardio, I did 10 minutes of weights.  Then, finally, a stretch and abs.

Saturday:  Dozois' Cardio Interval Burn on Glo

I had to get up early today in order to work out so it was a bit rough getting going.  But I did and this workout was definitely not the easiest.  I worked hard and it felt good....  Just thinking about all the food I'd eat over the weekend made me work hard.  Ha!  After I got done, I did a quick stretch and was done!

Sunday: REST

Cats and Paper

Christmas morning was a delight for the cats in our home.  It was our first Christmas together, in our home, with our cats.  I think they were appreciative.

Sidious loves paper....and curly ribbon, so we had a ribbon ban this year.

And, as with every year prior, Dooku got a new toy from his grandparents.  Of course, it was given to both him and Sidious, but Sidious doesn't get as much love from the family because she focuses all her love on Mr. Higgins alone.  Ha!

 It was a good Christmas for all involved!

FitnessGlo Challenge #2: Week Eight

Okay, so things are getting pretty busy as we get closer to the holidays.  Work is also a nightmare so I'm just barely holding things together.  Sigh.

Let's hope I can get in all my workouts...

Monday: Petra's High Intensity Drills + Ilyse's Easy to Follow Dance Moves

As I started moving this morning, I realized I was really sore from Sunday's workout.  My bum and thighs were not happy!  Ha!  But those muscles got a good workout today...  Petra's Drills are not easy but I made it through in one piece.  Next up, Ilyse - so much fun.  I really enjoy her dance videos, this one included.  It was a nice finish to the morning!

Tuesday: Ilyse's Your Best, Sweaty Self + Dance Intervals 101

I wanted to work just a bit harder this morning, so I tuned into one of Ilyse's toughest workouts.  Dang!  You definitely get sweaty in this one, since you never once stop moving!  It was a relief to get to Intervals.....but you never stop moving in that one, either!  Wow!  I jumped, jogged, and jacked all morning long!

Wednesday: Denise's Endurance Challenge + Amy's Combo Strength Conditioning + walk

Today, I wanted to take it down just a notch.  I've had three days of very high intensity workouts so my feet needed a bit of a break.  I kept Denise's workout mostly low-impact and only jogged lightly in place when that came around.  This one is a lot like her Interval Sweat - very, very similar.  After that, I did about 10 minutes of Amy's weighted workout.  At lunch, I walked outside for about 20 minutes - and got a lot of steps!

Thursday: Michelle's Calorie Burning Cardio Blast + HIIT - Breathless and Energized + Scott's HIIT - Sports Inspired Intervals + walk

It was time to work hard today.  So, HIIT!  Yay!  Sigh.  I started with the lesser of Michelle's two evils.  Cardio Blast is fun and it definitely got my heart rate going.  Next up, her HIIT always gets me struggling for breath.  But talk about effective!  And last, Scott's Intervals are fun and not quite as intense, mainly because you get a longer rest period.  At lunch, I walked outside for 20 minutes.  

Friday: Jari Love's Get Extremely Ripped! 1000 Hardcore

I'm off for the holidays, as of today.  Yay! I celebrated by working out for longer.  Ha!  I did all of Jari Love's video - which alternates weights and cardio.  It's definitely not an easy workout.  My arms and legs were dying with all the weighted compound exercises.  Dang.  And the cardio is not at all easy.  That lasted for an hour.  I then did the ab work and finally stretched.  Nice!

Saturday: Peak 10 Cardio Interval Burn - Fat Blaster + Ilyse's Just Dance

Since I won't work out on Christmas Day, I wanted a good workout today.  So, a CIB it was!  This one is so much fun.  It's also very tough.  But I love it!   I did all the peaks and felt good afterward.  So, then I tuned into Ilyse's dance workout...  I love her fun dances.  This one was good to do after a CIB as it's a bit lighter.  That made for 70 minutes of cardio.  I then did some sit-ups and stretched.

Sunday: REST

After You

Last year, at this time, I finished Jojo Moyes' Me Before You.  It was purely coincidental that I took the sequel on the same CO trip this year as last.  After You was not as good as the original, but I still enjoyed it.

My Goodreads review:

While reading Me Before You, I really grew to like Louisa Clarke and her family.  This is her story of growth and transformation after Will Traynor's death.

Louisa is, understandably, not the happiest of souls in this novel: she's struggling with Will's death.  Her parents are struggling with feminism after her mother catches up with modernity and decides to abandon some of her wifely obligations.  This is the comic relief of the story.  


But the real story of After You occurs when Louisa meets Will's daughter, Lily.  Together, they help each other grow emotionally by dealing with their "issues."  I can't say that I enjoyed this book as much as the first, but Louisa's journey is one that I find intriguing and heartwarming.  

FitnessGlo Challenge #2: Week Seven

After going out of town and eating horribly, I need to get back on track this week.  There will be goodies in the office but I need to be good whenever possible.  

That means working out hard!

Monday: vacation

Tuesday: Amy's Metabolic Meltdown + Scott's Multi-Level Cardio Drills + walk

I wanted a slow progression of intensity this morning so this was a good combination.  I did all of Amy's workout which is a level 2.  Whenever possible, I upped the intensity without overdoing it.  Then, I switched over to Scott's Drills and managed some lunge jumps before it was done.  Yay!  At lunch, I walked at the rec center with a co-worker.  After that bout of cardio, I did some sit-ups.  

Wednesday: Amy's Intervals + Dozois' HIIT - Breathless and Energized

Today, I needed to step it up a notch.  So, I started with Amy's workout - which is not at all easy.  Eight 20-second intervals with 10 seconds of rest in between.  Whew!  Then, Michelle's HIIT which is extremely hard after another HIIT routine.  Dang!  I definitely felt like I got a great workout this morning.  And a good thing since it was my only workout today.

Thursday: Cathe's Intensity + walk

Cardio, cardio, cardio.  That's my mantra this week.  Cathe's workout is so good if you want to move and keep on moving!  I did the step routine and then the Lo-HIIT, which I made as high-impact as possible.  My head was pounding this morning so this was tough to get through - but I did it!  At lunch, I walked at the rec center again - and again with a co-worker, which makes the time pass so quickly!  Awesome!

Friday:  Peak 10 Cardio Interval Burn Remix

I knew this CIB would not get done tomorrow so I did most of it today.  And it is tough at 5:30am.  Whew!  I was able to get through most of it - peaks and all - before I had to quit, 15 minutes before it was over.  But it's such a good workout!  I love this one!

Saturday: REST

Cookie baking day with my mom.

Sunday: Peak 10 More Cardio Strength

I got home at 9:30 from my parents' house and worked out shortly thereafter.  This CS is so hard...it's a struggle to get through.  And I had to modify bits of the last circuit...  My energy was lagging and I felt gross.  But I got through it.  I then did the last 15 minutes of CIB Remix from Friday....and then 10 more additional minutes of cardio, for a total of 75 minutes.  I was exhausted.  I managed 5 minutes with the 12-pound weights and then ab work.....and then a stretch.  Sigh.  

Calorie Counts:

Bad.  I had a few good days but all the holiday treats are just too tempting.

Estes Park in Winter

We're back from a long weekend in Estes Park, Colorado.  It's one of our favorite places along with the neighboring Rocky Mountain National Park.  

We got one good day of snow over the weekend so we decided to drive into the park and see what was going on at a higher elevation.  

This is what we encountered at Bear Lake.  The snow was blowing like crazy and the lake was iced over.  How incredible is that!  We somehow managed the hike around the lake, though the snow came up to our knees in spots.  

But the cold hike was worth it, for perfect pictures like this.  It was truly gorgeous, all around the lake.  And we didn't encounter any souls as crazy as we were, which was really nice.

It was our very own winter wonderland!

FitnessGlo Challenge #2: Week Six

It's that time of year.  There's food everywhere!  I'm not going crazy, by any means, but I'm eating worse than usual.  

So, as always, that makes me super motivated to work out.

Monday: Ilyse's Dance Intervals 101 + Groovy Dance Party + walk

Cardio time!  I love Ilyse's Dance Intervals - it gets you going hard and fast.  You jump, jog, and jack for quite a while before you get a break.  And then you keep coming back to it with intervals.  Whew!  After that fun, I did another favorite, Groovy Dance, which I always make as high-impact as possible.  At lunch, I walked the track at the rec center, wanting to burn as many calories as possible.  For some reason, at the end of the day, my bum was aching.  What did Ilyse do to me?!

Tuesday: Amy's Cardio Intervals + Sports Sculpt

Amy got me going this morning with Intervals.  This workout is tough because the intervals are 30, 60, and 90 seconds long.  90 seconds is always longer than you think.  Dang!  After that, Sports Sculpt was a bit lighter but I kept going hard.  There was no lunch-time workout but I went to hear our nutritionist talk, which meant a long across-campus walk.  Then, I had to walk to the other end of campus (literally) for a meeting. So, lots of steps!

Wednesday: Shape's Bikini Body Camp Transforming + Scott's HIIT - Sports Inspired Intervals

I was ready to work hard this morning after a semi-bad dinner last night.  First up, Michelle's cardio from Shape's Transforming workout.  I love this one - it works you hard without killing you - burpees and lunge jumps included.  Dang!  After that, I finished up my morning with Scott's HIIT - always a good choice.  No lunchtime workout but more walking around campus, so that was something.

Thursday:  Ilyse's Your Best, Sweaty Self + Denise's Interval Sweat + walk

This morning started out okay but I soon started feeling very bad. I got through these workouts but it was not easy.  I like Ilyse's workout but it's definitely one of her most intense videos.  Dang.  I skipped the tuck jumps because I felt so bad, I couldn't physically do that.  Instead, I did high knees.  After that fun, I did Denise's workout, which at least alternates all the high impact with some squats.  At lunch, I walked outside in the blistery cold wind.  Fun.

Friday - Sunday: weekend getaway

Quick Getaway

Soon, we're off to one of our favorite places for a quick getaway with friends.  I can't wait.  Yes, there will be bad eating but it's worth it.  January comes, every year, for a reason.  Ha! 

FitnessGlo Challenge #2: Week Five

It was nice having two days off from workouts at Thanksgiving.  I didn't really want to do that but, oh well.  My body got a break.  

Now I'm motivated to work hard whenever I can.  There's always so much going on during the holiday season but we must take time for ourselves to stay healthy and happy.  And, amazingly, I'm always happier when I'm eating right and working out consistently.

Monday:  Amy's Intervals + Kickboxing Skills and Drills

After a horrible night of little sleep, I was very uncertain about these Intervals.  I made a few of them a little....less intense....but managed to get through all of Amy's workout.  The treat, afterward, was tuning into her kickboxing workout.  At its start, there's a lot of cardio and jumping so at least I felt like my hard work continued.  So, a very good morning, despite a sleepless night.

Tuesday: Scott's Boot Camp Burn

This morning, I felt so much better after a good 8 hours of sleep.  It's amazing how much better one can feel!  So I was ready to do weights this morning!   My feet have been protesting all the high intensity, though, so I decided to keep this one low-impact today.  I walked for a while at lunch, but just outside and only for about 10-15 minutes.

Wednesday: Ilyse's Work Hard, Have a Great Time + Dozois' Calorie Burning Cardio Blast + walk

I wasn't looking forward to Ilyse's workout....but thankfully it wasn't as bad as I remembered.   My least favorite move: jumping knee touches.  I don't know why, I just hate those.  After that workout, I tuned into Michelle's quick Blast - always fun and super effective!  I felt well worked after all this.  Ha!  At lunch, I took a 20 minute walk outside, enjoying the crisp (finally!) air.  

Thursday: Cathe's Intensity + weights

Today, I wanted cardio.  Cathe seemed like a good idea and she definitely got me going this morning!  Whew!  After the step section, I did the Low HIIT but made it as high-impact as possible.  And it was a good workout, for sure!  At lunch, I went to the rec to do weights, despite a better invitation involving food.  Ha!  Talk about resolve!  And I felt better - if not full - afterward.

Friday: Crunch's Fat Burning Pilates

My only light day for the next three weeks.  I better enjoy this one - and I did!  Ellen Barrett is so much fun and I love this workout.  You will plie yourself to death - but that's a good thing!  I skipped a bit of the standing section to be sure to do all the ab work.  It was a nice, productive morning!

Saturday: Cardio Strength 2 on Glo + Ilyse's Fun and Easy Cardio Dance + weights

I was not looking forward to this CS - but I really wanted to work hard.  So I suffered through it.  Why is it so hard?  There's a lot of tough floor work.  Sigh.  Despite feeling fat and eating too much, I think my fitness level is still up there.  So, yay!  After that 50 minute workout, I tuned into a new-to-me workout by Ilyse - Cardio Dance.  And it was fun and easy!  So, 20 minutes of that followed by five minutes with the 12-pound weights.  Then, finally, a stretch!

Sunday: Cardio Interval Burn on Glo + Amy's Total Package

Lots of cardio today!  CIB was first up.  This Glo CIB gets progressively tougher so there's no point at which you feel better.  Ha!  But it's good - and effective.  After that 55 minutes (ouch!), I tuned into Amy's unique workout just to take it down a notch (my feet were hurting).  Amy works you hard without killing you - nice!  After twenty minutes of that, I did a nice stretch and ab work.

Calorie Counts:

Awful.

Cat + Tree = Love

Dooku is ready for Christmas.   

Every year, the darned cat eats the tree bristles on the first day the tree is up.  And every year the darned cat throws up bristles two to three times.  And then he seems to learn.  And remembers that he enjoys his spot under the tree.

Cats are hilarious.