Tag: challenge

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Daily Dose HealthyFit

Cupcake-Bashing

The past two months have been incredibly difficult. Graduate school, teaching high school, relationship issues, and not working out.
What? No wonder your life feels like it’s falling apart, girl!

So here I am, eating a cupcake – writing to you about fitness. Why?
Because every now and then, I need a damn cupcake. With a glass of wine. That’s just the honest truth.
It’s not an every day practice, though. I promise. I might want to drown my bad days in chocolate covered loveliness, but my hips get really pissed when I think about that for too long. I need to get fit, and as far as way from “obese” on the BMI scale. [Alright, BMI isn’t the best scientific method to gauge fitness, but 30% body fat is most definitely not a good thing.] Unfortunately, I can’t give up cupcakes. Thank the fitness gods that Jillian Michaels doesn’t live close enough to kick my ass and throw out every baking good in my pantry.

Since the beau fractured his foot while rock climbing, we hadn’t been doing much of anything active. My nose was stuck in grad school books and assignments; with no one to really push me – I fell out of the workout habit.

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This week, I read the words in the picture above. Isn’t Frederique Murphy wonderful?
Why wait for tomorrow? Why wait on much, really? There are so few moments in life and not enough hours in the day to get everything done. Why waste a second doing something that isn’t good for you, making you unhappy, or barring you from being your best self?

These words rung so true to me, that I started the Marine Monday challenge, set up a mostly-clean (again, need cupcakes) eating menu for the next couple of weeks and started running. Frederique’s words have inspired a revitalized outlook on all aspects of my life. There’s no real reason, other than laziness, to explain why I decided to stop working out. But I am getting back into it, because diet fads and “quick-fit” schemes just don’t work for the long-haul.

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This week, I’m working on finals and trying not to die [ok, I probably won’t die – but finals really do suck]. I’ve cooked half a week’s worth of meals, so the beau won’t starve and I will have no excuse to order in take-out [because I totally do this during finals week and should stop]. It can be unhealthy – especially when I order goodies from Thai Thai three times a week. Delicious, but not a great caloric choice.

This week will be the second in my Marine Fitness challenge. While the broski is away at bootcamp, I’m trying to get into rockin’ great shape. I’ve got 12 weeks to go. It’s going to be great! I’m adding this to my workout routine this week:

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Let’s see if this really does “work like a charm.”

I’ll be sure to let you all know how well this Pinterest idea works. I’m sure the lactic acid build up will be a terrible idea during finals week, but I figure if my brain is suffering, then my muscles should join the pain movement too.
Stop by tomorrow for the Marine Monday challenge. It’s going rock those hips of yours!

ImageBust your butt and get moving!

Much love,
CerebellumChef

 

Categories
Daily Dose HealthyFit

Oorah, Boys! – A Marine Sister’s Challenge

Two of my broskis have decided to dedicate themselves to the Armed Forces. One of them is already a Marine, while the other left for bootcamp today.
It’s surreal.

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[40 degrees seems to be decent napping weather]
When you’re younger, watching them fall through ceilings (family story that nearly ruined a Christmas due to contractor bills), break bones, flirt (and fail) with girls, or even learn to make Ramen and consider it “cooking” – all these moments make it impossible for me to believe my brothers are strong, capable beings.

David & Paul @ The MJ Golf Classic
David & Paul @ The MJ Golf Classic

I look at them and see dorky little boys, trying to chase my friends and ask them to get married. They are the boys who would sneak into the slumber party tent and listen in on secrets, the ones who tagged along on my first date and made me turn eight shades of red when explaining just how long it took me to get ready…they were terrible, but I love them.
And they love you. Everything about keeping us safe, fighting for our country and defending good people – they stand for all the right reasons. I’m incredibly proud to be their sister.

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Unfortunately, I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting any Marine Sisters, but I have met plenty of moms. Many of them, including my own, seem to be right there with their sons and daughters at bootcamp. They don’t eat sweets, exercise every day, pray every moment they can and their hearts ache. For a sister (or sibling), it’s a different feeling.

I don’t feel like I’m missing something when they are gone. When Patrick was away, I wrote to him often and usually poked fun at him, you know – sister things. Now that Dave is headed out, I feel like I should do the same for him. He’s always given me more headaches, so it makes sense to pull his leg more. But I do want to do one thing different. I want to challenge myself to be better, while he’s doing the same.

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Eevee & I have been couch potatoes lately – it’s time for change!

 

I’ve decided on a Marine Sister Challenge

I’m going to run 12 miles every week, for the next 13 weeks and will rock climb three times per week. I will post a weekly challenge, every Monday, and will spend my summer getting super fit. I’ve been lax lately, and really need to get back into the swing of things. Why not now?

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Seriously, I wish I could be this happy after a workout!

There’s no reason to be a heavy-body. We all need a little bit of a push every now and then. Here’s me, pushing you.

Let’s do this together. Tell me about your newest challenge, weight loss goal, or fit-foodie mission. Get out there and be better!

 

Much love,
CerebellumChef

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Daily Dose Freebies Recipes

My O-Face

C’mon ya’ll – let’s talk about the “O-Face.”

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Tsk. Tsk. I’m not going to show it to you! I’m a lady!

I’m talking about the little mouth “o” I get when finishing the last few feet on a five-mile run; the crumbles of a decadent three-layer chocolate cake on my lips; biting into cold watermelon slices [dusted with salt] on a hot summer day.
My “O” balances on the “ooh” and “yum.”

Shouldn’t everyone’s?

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Yes, JLaw. Yes!

When I make food, be it sweet or savory – I live for the moment when I get to witness someone’s “O!” If they don’t get there, then I failed.
Being the foodie I am, it’s not just about slapping a few ingredients together, but making a meal and evoking a deep-down, holy balls this is delicious! reaction from the foodie-fan I happen to serve. This is a talent that I’m seeking to harness and have made a personal goal to capture 100 “O” faces this year.
That’s 100 faces, divided by 8 months. Roughly 12.5 faces per month.

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Don’t think I can do it? Watch me.

S**t just got real, folks.
Who’s in?

Send your email address to cerebellumchef[at]gmail.com
 I’ll send you a recipe.
Once you’ve devoured the scrumptious dish you’ve rocked out – Send me your “O” face!
GIForgasm

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Copyright, When Harry met Sally

We are on our way to being healthier, sexier and fabulously fit.
This in no way means we have to give up butter, chocolate or fancy pink drinks with the teeny umbrella – but we do have to appreciate moderation.

Now let me see that “O!”

Much love,
CerebellumChef

Categories
Daily Dose

The Great Big Move

We are MOVING!

Why?
Because graduate school is not cheap, ya’ll!

Help me, I'm poor.

Being fiscally responsible means suffering a bit while you save for something greater.
Thus, we shall move into a smaller apartment and try to get the most bang for our buck. In Dallas, that dollar doesn’t stretch nearly as much we hoped.
Thanks, reality slap!

Pros for the new digs:

Closer to Starbucks…yes – this matters.
Intramural-like Events (because, who doesn’t love to watch sweaty guys throw an ultimate frisbee around, right?)
Less space to clean, but not much less

Cons for this place:
The kitchen, the kitchen, the kitchen!
For the love of all that is gooey and delicious….why do we have to skimp on the kitchen?
Seeing it was pretty awful. My first thought was:

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I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

This kitchen is, in all urban definition, ratchet. [My students would be so proud of this verbage]
It’s galley-style, teeny weeny and might be the very reason I lose tons of weight this year. [Maybe not a total con then…]

Or….I may bake extra for everyone just to prove I can make this work!

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I’ll make this kitchen worthy, damn it!

Who else has a small kitchen?
Let’s make wonderful kitchen love together and churn out kick-ass dishes! Mmk?
Send me plenty of food-porny pics and I’ll be sure to post bundles here too!

Much love,
CerebellumChef