Phoebe: Me, I'm more free. You know, I run like I did when I was a kid because that's the only way it's fun. You know? I mean, didn't you ever run so fast you thought your legs were gonna fall off, you know, like when you were running towards the swings or running away from Satan?

The neighbors dog.

I am a firm believer that having a running partner or workout partner is a must at times. It's one of the best ways to see progress.


You want to see a push in your effort?  Grab a friend and take them with you! 
Running Erwin park in McKinney is HARD.  I would probably give up after 2 miles every time if Philip was not running ahead of me.  He is my pacesetter and he is what has caused my progress out there on that dang bike trail.  Having a pacesetter makes you push harder - if they get too far ahead of you, you will pick up speed and you might not even be aware you are doing it.  When they disappear around a bend you will push to keep them in your line of sight.  No one wants to fall behind or be out done by another person.  We are competitive to our core - it is in our nature, some more than others.  By having a running partner and a pacesetter I have improved my speed, distance and my stride.  Philip keeps asking me if I want to be out front setting the pace, and for now I do not.  I want to get better at what I am doing first and watching him in front of me makes me strive for a better run.  Being the pacesetter has it's benefits for performance, I am sure.  Having soemone behind you trying to  keep up with you has got to be motivating.  But for now I am content being the caboose.
The same thing goes for the gym.  Having someone like Philip there with me makes me lift heavier.  I will push and grunt and make horrible faces!  We try harder when someone is watching us.  We push harder when we see what they can do.  We will try to mimic that strength.  We may cut corners, give in to bad form or cheat on sets when by ourselves.  But when someone is watching, especially someone you look up to or respect, you do not dare!  Because if you do, they will surely have something to say about it.  When I do my ZCUT and someone is there watching me, you can bet your ars I am doing every rep full out the best I can.  No one likes to look weak or inept!


Moral of the story:  grab a buddy and go workout!
Happy Sunday and a Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there!

Chandler: "She's insane; the woman is insane. It's before work, it's after work, it's during work. She's got me doing butt clenches at my desk. And now, they won't bring me my mail anymore."

 

While running 5 miles, one has plenty of time to think.  These are the truths about running, working out, Erwin Park, etc. that I have discovered on my road (long road) to fitness:

 

1.  My mind gives up way before my body does.  My mind has been my biggest hurdle on this quest to complete that dang trail called Erwin Park.  I can feel it as soon as we turn onto that back road.  I start getting nervous about not running well, not meeting the goal I have set in my mind, having to stop early due to some ailment or needing to go to the bathroom (this has happened several times), falling behind Philip, struggling to the point where I give up.  Erwin Park is an extremely hard course that is meant for mountain biking.  So many hills, winding trail, horribly long inclines and rough terrain.  I have come to realize that I will have good and bad days out there - some days I will finish strong and some I will stop because, well, I jsut have to!  But, if I focus my mind on just powering through for as long as I can then generally I come out on top.  Worked out well today so I think I will try to hang on to this frame of mind.

 



 

2.  It will get easier, but it needs to always feel difficult.  Otherwise, what is the point.  I have to remember that there should ALWAYS be sections of my workout where I huff and puff and want to stop.  I should always reach a point where I think my legs might fall off - in fact, this should happen several times during a workout.  Whether it be Erwin or ZCUT or just a run around Town Lake, I need to be pushing it to that point.  I need that intensity to keep moving forward towards my goals, and so do you.  I think ZCUT has been the regimen that has helped teach me this.  HIIT is literally high intensity interval training - this means periods of pure torture.  The more you do it, the more you begin to enjoy the torture and appreciate it for what it gives you: progress.

 

 

3.  Music is not always necessary or good for working out.  It may sound silly, but I think music was one of the things holding me back in my running.  Philip was the first to suggest that I stop listening to music whilst running.  Unless you can plan out the tempos in your music to go with the differnt intensities of your run, the music you listen to could very well hinder your efforts.  When I would listen to music it would effect my breathing.  Fast music I would breath faster, slower music I would breath slower.  My breathing would sync up with the music I was hearing, which did not always match the breathing I needed for that leg of my run or workout.  Once I got rid of the music, my breathing improved as did my running.  When I purchased my ZCUT DVDs I read the reviews.  Many people had complained that there was not music in the workouts.  I find this funny becuase I actually enjoy these intense workouts without the music.  I am able to focus on what I am doing and pushing myself for max reps and intensity.

 

4.  I will probably always have lulls in my drive to workout.  Life happens.  It gets in the way of the things we want to do or need to do.  But, I think I have learned that each time I fall of course I always come back.  The more progress I make, the less time it takes for me to get back on course.

 

 

 

 

I wasn't trying to open your closet. I wasn't trying to open your closet. I swear.

Joey: Wow, Monica runs a pretty tight ship around here, doesn't she? What are you doing?
Chandler: Monica has a secret closet and she won't let me see what's in it.

I have a secret closet.... and it is filled with mugs and plaques with cutesy teacher sayings!

I want to preface this by saying that I am grateful for every little thing my students choose to give me.  Every tiny piece of paper with a message written on it, every weed they pick from the school yard and present to me with pride (although that one did get out of hand so I had to explain my "allergies" to them), every drawing with me wearing some article of red clothing (red is my favorite color) standing under a rainbow next to a tree and a flower, holding a bird or some woodland creature, because I am in fact, the real life Snow White.  I cherish the fact that my kiddos love me and think of me quite often, even after they have left my classroom. 

With that said, I would like to put a piece of advice out there for all parents who around Christmas, Valentine's day, end of the year, suddenly think, "Crap!  I need to get a gift for my child's teacher!"  Try to remember that you do not by any means HAVE to buy your child's teacher anything - we are going to love your child anyway.  We became teachers because we love children and want to teach them to be better in everything they do, not just academics. 

Now, do we like gifts?  Of course!  We are human.  But, be smart about your gift giving.   Don't waste your money on items you know will end up in a thrift store.  Seriously, the next time you want to buy your child's teacher a mug, go by your neighborhood thrift store and walk around.  We keep their shelves stocked with our donations!  Every time I have to get rid of a child's gift I feel bad about it - I remember their sweet face and how excited they were when I opened their gift.  But, if I keep every mug and trinket I will soon have a secret closet or I will end up on an episode of hoarders (and no child should have to see their teacher on that show).

So, a couple of don'ts when shopping for your child's teacher:

• No mugs!  Even for a first year teacher.  They are probably already sporting a nice collection from when they did their student teaching.
• No 1980's, cutesy teacher trinket plaque thingies.  Ask yourself, "Would I want this in my house?"
• No stuffed animals.  I'm a grown-up.  Do you want me adding to your child's stuffed animal collection (I hear lots of parents complain each year about the amount of stuffed animals at their house).  You give me stuffed animals and I might just put a whole supply in my treasure chest to get you back!  ;)
• Bath and Body Works always sounds like a good idea, but really it isn't.  More than likely, that flowery scent is not one I enjoy.  And then I end up with a Bath and Body Works hoarding closet that I try to get my friends to go through in hopes they like that flavor.  The thought is appreciated, but I should probably pick out my own toiletries.
• FOOD!  I will say there are some teachers who do love getting food.  But, I feel that this percentage of us is small.  I do not want to be appreciated with food.  It is hard enough to resist snacking when the kids do, resist the chocolate fountain during teacher appreciation week, get to the gym after working a 12 hour day, cook and prepare a healthy lunch so I don't eat the cafeteria food......no food. 

Now, see!  The don't list really isn't that long.  We teachers are not super picky, I promise.  I know it is hard to pick out a thoughtful gift for a person you really don't know all that well personally, but I want the guidelines above help a little.  I hope the ideas below will help even more:

Things we love and enjoy:

• A thoughtful note from your child.  I know it sounds lame, but one of my favorite gifts one year was receiving notes from my current and past students.  The entire school was given a piece of paper titled Touched by an Angel.  The students were instructed to write a note to a teacher who greatly influenced or helped them.  I kept every one and look at them each year as I get my classroom ready.  This is a wonderful gift for teachers - to be reminded why we here and what we hope to accomplish. 
• Gift cards of course!  I'm not talking a $50 gift card to Macy's or anything fancy.  I would say $5 is a great amount!  Starbucks, Target, Amazon, Barnes and Nobles (yeah, we like to read), a teacher store - we love gift cards.  Even a gift card to Bath and Body Works is nice.  It takes the worry off of you having to decide what we might like and gives us options.  Just like our students we like to have the option to choose for ourselves.  I would stay away from restaurant gift cards - again, you may not know your child's teacher well enough to know what they like.  Chances are that gift card might be re-gifted which makes us teachers feel bad, but we wouldn't want it to go to waste!
• Teacher school  supplies!  We love us some school supplies!  Halfway through the year most teachers start running low on items like post its, sharpies, packing tape, dry erase markers, magic erasers, etc.  I can't speak for all teachers, but I put a class donation list on my weekly newsletter.  Teachers spend a lot of their own money on their classroom.  A LOT.  Most people don't know that teachers are only allowed to claim $250 on their federal taxes, when on average a teacher spends around $1,000 each year. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/23/survey-many-teachers-repo_n_1822777.html

With that all said, please know that most teachers out there are not expecting gifts from you.  Trust me, the kids make us gifts every day.  And we treasure every little note and drawing.  We can't keep them all because, as I said before, no one like a hoarder teacher, but we appreciate that your child loves us that much. 

On another note, if you do not particularly care for your child's teacher, please, PLEASE, do not say things about why you might not be giving that teacher a present.  This probably only applies to the younger grade level children, but they will repeat what you say!  I had a colleague a couple of years ago who had a child walk up to her on Valentine's Day and tell her, "My Mom said we are not getting you a gift because you are not a good teacher."  Oh lawdy, she got a good laugh but it was a little disheartening to hear.

Always remember, we are here for your child.  We love your child and care about their future.  That's why we became a teacher.  No present, or lack their of, will change that.  The gift of having your child in class and watching them grow over the year is one that we treasure.

I swear when she runs she runs like a mix between Kermit the Frog & the Six Million Dollar Man

I think Phoebe would agree, there's nothing as motivating when getting ready for a run as a tutu!

This beautiful creation is for the Dash Down Greenville 5k on Saturday before the St. Patty's Day parade!!  I tried to get Philip to let me make him one but he may be a bit too "manly" to rock the tutu. 
Running is something, I have discovered, I love.  My ambition told me that I could train for a half marathon. As many of you know I have spent a lot of time running over the past year.  I really enjoyed it and felt good about it until.... I got up to 6 miles and hit a big old mental block and that is where the story ended.  Why you ask?  My best guess is this:

 

 

My mind literally gave up.  Over-ambition was the evil culprit that caused me to mentally give up and move on to the next thing I deemed worthy for my fitness.  The problem was that each time we ran we immediately upped the ante.  We ran 4 miles one day, the next run was 4.5, the one after that would be 5 miles, and so on and so forth. All the way up to 6 miles - the crappiest run ever, so I gave up.  That was a month ago I believe.  So now I am viewing this 5k as my "frienaissance" with running



My goal Saturday is to do my best, whatever that may be!  And from this run I will build up my running the RIGHT way - gradually.  Everything else in my workout routine is gradual, but it is also programs that are being spelled out for me.  I Will mirror this in my running and I foresee a half marathon in my future :)  So my plan is to build up my endurance very gradually - when I hit 5 miles I will practice and get good at that 5 miles before moving on to the next milestone.  Seems like a good plan to me!

I want to quit the gym!

Everything you have in here is very heavy! -Chandler

Have you ever been so sore you went to use the restroom, squatted halfway down and your legs gave out from under you and you just fell. Yeah. The pain. The awesome, horrible pain. Without it I would feel as if I had wasted my hour at the gym, never to get that hour back.
So I am off and running with my new "plan." Feeling very motivated and very successful due to the fact that I have discovered new muscles I didn't know I had. They hurt. They hurt badly. As always Jamie Eason's LiveFit trainer is a huge part of my routine, but I think what is really pushing my muscles over the edge is that flingin' flangin' ZCUT! I love it. I hate it. I curse a lot at Zuzka whilst doing it. I am on day 3 and I am both looking forward to and dreading the workout.
So the question remains: Can I keep up this momentum? I seem to be having déjà vu! I do believe last year I began a similar journey with LiveFit and super clean eating! Hmmmmmmm. What sent me astray? I do know I lost my momentum as summer started. I lost my routine with school ending and wandered, lost and confused.....all the way to the pool! Pool time is my super weakness. I heart it so much I abandoned my routine and much loved LiveFit, for blue waters and hot rays of sun. Boo on me!
How do I keep my momentum then?? I do believe this time I am going to HAVE to view this new journey as a true lifestyle change. I am 31. I need to do it now and make the decision that this is not a quick fix. This is not a fad diet. This is a lifestyle that I truly need to commit too. So I will do my LiveFit at the gym. I will do my ZCUT at home. And I will eat the healthiest I can- life happens. I will let life happen, in moderation of course. I have also set a deadline on my workout jar!! $1 for every workout day and I am not allowed to touch the money until the end of the 12 week ZCUT program (6/2). Oh, what will I buy....
Day 3 ZCUT and day 33 of LiveFit! Let me know if you have any questions about either of these programs - I am we'll versed on LiveFit and am becoming more familiar with ZCUT as I go along. They are both awesome routines!

Rachel Green would have loved this app....

I do not pretend to be some kind of fashionista. In the wee hours of the morn, when my body is up and moving with my mind still a snorin' away in bed, I'm sure I pick out some interesting ensembles. Some days I look like I belong on people of Walmart. Sometimes, I even channel my inner Punky. But, I love me some fashion! I love People Style Watch! I love Project Runway! I love Sex and the City and Carrie Bradshaw! Award shows. Runway shows. I love the beautiful people in their beautiful clothing with their beautiful trinkets and purses.... and SHOES! And now I love my new Polyvore app. I see much wasted time (ah Pinterest, I have forsaken you! For now) on this app creating outfits and ensembles galore! From head to toe you can play with pieces you,of course,can never afford. But in this fantasy land of fashion you can pretend! Pretend play is back, better than ever and not just for children. So come. Join me!

ZCUT DVDs on their way....

Ah the vicious cycle of picking a new routine, trying it out, feeling successful at it, life happens, you fall off course, picking a new routine, trying it out....
I am again, picking a new routine to try. And I'm not ashamed!!!! When at first you don't succeed, try, try again! Over spring break I will be trying out a ZCUT by Zuzana formerly of bodyrock.tv. I jumped on the band wagon too late and discovered Zuzana had left bodyrock due to a divorce with the co-founder. I tried out bodyrock, but soon grew very tired of the new girl, whatever her name is, and their confusing calendars and challenges! Philip always said Zuzana had great workouts in which she used body weight or common items around the house for resistance training. I will let you all know how it goes! I will still be using my other favorite Jamie Eason and her LiveFit trainer in the gym - ZCUT is a power cardio program that I will add on. If you haven't checked out Jamie Eason you should! She's awesome too.
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie-easons-livefit-introduction.html
http://zuzkalight.com/