Mom on the Run--Woman of Steele

I signed up for a PIYO challenge pack back in July 2014. I had so many doubts about starting this program! I HATE YOGA and I've never been a fan of Pilates. I hemmed and hawed for quite a while and then just jumped into it. I FELL IN LOVE!! I absolutely love PiYo! Since starting the program in July, I have looked forward to whatever workout was on the calendar each day! It has been my stress reliever and a way to build my strength and flexibility! It has even improved my running!  I feel like I have been able to recover faster from long runs because my leg muscles have more strength and flexibility.  I love to use it after for the awesome stretch you get! I never thought I would love this program so much or look forward to it each day!  I have never found a program that makes me feel so good about myself and has started to tighten up my awful mom belly! I love this program so much that when my best friend Jill suggested we get PiYo certified, there was no hesita...

My PiYo shirt came in the mail a few days ago and I was so excited because I got to wear it to instructor training on Saturday!!!!  I have been practicing my PiYo by following the DVD program for the past few weeks. However, PiYo Live is totally different from the workout program set! It was completely awesome though!! I learned so much about how to teach it and how to follow the choreography!! Thankfully my parents are musicians and I was a dancer when I was little so I have some experience with following music and the 32 count! Luckily for you, when you come to my class, you don't have to worry about any of that!!! All you have to do is follow me and have a great time!!!  I was so glad my bestie Jill was there with me!! It was so much fun hanging out with her and learning this together! Anything is better with your bestie along!!  I have to tell you that PiYo Live is awesome!! It is full of moves that will give you energy, build your muscles, and increase your flexibili...

It was so hard to go  back to work today after having 2 weeks off!!  I can never sleep the night before I have to go back to work!!  It's ridiculous!  But somehow I managed to get up to my alarm this morning and get my workout done this morning.  It's amazing how just a morning butt-kicking workout can change your attitude and outlook for the day!  I knocked out a 1 mile speed run, Insanity Max:30 Cardio Challenge and Ab Attack, and PiYo Buns.  Love all these workouts!!  They totally make my day that much better.  My theme for the day was CONQUER!  And I CONQUERED Monday!  Because of my new found healthy lifestyle and obsession with working out and running, I never miss a workout and I always feel better afterwards, even if I didn't want to to begin with.   The one thing that I really did enjoy about going back to work was the return to my routine.  I am totally a routine person and when my schedule is messed up, it can ...

Wow!! It's been awhile!  I want to grow this blog this year.  That is one of my 2015 goals.  I dream of having lots of followers who are inspired and motivated by what I write.  As I reflect back on 2014, I am aware that I used this blog for mainly race recaps!  I would like it to be so much more than that, so I am going to take the time now to write about some of my other ventures of 2014. In July of 2014, I became a Beachbody Fitness Coach.  What does that mean?  It means I am here to help you with your fitness goals.  It does not mean that I am here to sell you Beachbody products.  Sure I would love for you to buy the awesome programs that we offer and are proven to work, but I am here more so to motivate you and keep you accountable to your fitness goals, whatever those may be.  I have found a new calling in life with Beachbody.  As many of you know, I have struggled with my weight for most of my life.  It wasn't until a ...

I had such an awesome time running the Santa Hustle 5K in Milwaukee on December 6, 2014.  I love that we have made this family event the past 2 years!  Last year the kids were not able to see me run as Maddie got sick in the middle of the night.  This year was different.   We drove up Friday night to our hotel and bought some snacks in their nicely stocked pantry.  We relaxed and watched TV in the room.  We stayed up late and snuggled in the very comfy queen-sized beds. I actually was very creative this year, which is so unlike me, and brought goodies for St. Nick and our Elf on the Shelf with us.  I was up before everyone else the next morning, so I was able to plant the elves and place the goodies in the kids' shoes.  They were so excited to see what St. Nick brought for them and the looks on their faces when they saw Ellie and her buds was absolutely priceless!  So worth the trouble of packing them.  Finding Ellie a...

This week I wanted to run 32 miles for my 32nd birthday which just happened to fall on Thanksgiving this year!! Being that I only had 2 days of school this week, it wasn't too hard to get in the extra miles! I started Sunday (11-23-14) with a solid 6 mile run outside followed by 2 more miles on the treadmill that night.  It was raining pretty good on Sunday, but my thought was, "If I want to run a full marathon next year, I am going to have to train in all types of weather situations. Suck it up and get out there!" I'm sure the drivers I passed thought I was crazy but it was so cleansing to run in the rain. I really felt like I needed this to cleanse my spirit of negativity and make it a more positive and productive week!  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday I ran inside on the treadmill. I got in double runs all of these days! I love being off and able to push myself farther!!! I got in a total of 8 miles these days. Thursday was my birthday and Thanksgiving so I wanted to...

On Saturday November 15, 2014 I ran in the 2nd annual Frosty Rock Challenge 12K in Fort Atkinson where my husband and I lived when we were first married.  It's about 25 minutes from where we live now in Milton.  I really like this race.  It's a combination of road and trail route.  I usually do not run trails because I am so afraid of tripping or falling or seriously hurting myself.  I stepped outside the box and ran it last year and really enjoyed it, so I wanted to do it again this year.   The day started off kinda rocky as I went to pick up my packet and they didn't have my number!!!  Very frustrating but I kept my cool.  I was just grateful that I had got the family out the door early so I could pick up my packet.  We actually arrived with about 40 minutes until race time.  After some checking around, I was told that I would have to fill out another registration form and that I would just have to check my number after the finish t...