Hello October + Delta Labs Sample Giveaway :)

Hey y'all! Can you believe it's October already? I swear life seems to be FLYING by lately! Let's chat what's going on in life and some goals I need you to help hold me accountable for!

Life! Life is FABULOUS right now! Have I told you that lately? I am seriously the happiest I have been in a very LONG time.  I have made a lot of personal changes since end of May/early June and I am reminded more and more every day how I definitely took the right path for me. School is fabulous - even with all the changes.  It's more work and planning, but I am really loving it.  I have great munchkins, as I always do. I'm a little homesick right now.  It always comes and goes in phases.  This is the first September and October that I'm not making a trip home.  We are doing the Princess's birthday in November this year, so I will be home twice then!

CrossFit. Yo, CrossFit is kicking ass right now.  Pardon the language but seriously...if you don't follow me on twitter or instagram you may not know that I hit a HUGE personal PR...

100# Snatch...did it! Triple Digit baby!! I also hit a new OHS PR....95# for 3 reps.....

Then added 10# and hit 110# baby!!! I still can't believe it!

 

It's been awesome month of CrossFit stuff for me, but I want to do more and I need help. Here is what I know -- sometimes I get overwhelmed.  I don't know how to figure it all out.  I need mobility help and mobility WOD is one of my goal for October. I want to learn more about it and figure it out and how to better use it.  I also want to incorporate 2-3 Gymnasty WODs in a week. Plus I want to really clean up my nutrition - strict Paleo Sunday - Friday night.  Gives me Friday nights and Saturdays to relax some. So, there is the three main goals:

 1. Adding Mobility work into the week - 4-5xWeek for at least 45mins/1hour.

 2. Adding 2-3 Gymnasty WODs a week - Tuesday and Thursday nights with Nilda and maybe another day!

 3. Food - No going out or alcohol during the week --  strict Primal instead of Paleo as I want some cheese and greek yogurt sometimes.

 

Last but not least, I'm getting back to running!! I'm starting this week - a track night/speed session with my girl Kelly from the box, plus Aspire Run club on Sunday mornings and one decent run a week! What's your goals for October? I promised some people to talk more about my running/CrossFit schedule...it's coming :)

 

Last - as you all know I am an ambassador for Delta Labs and I have 5 samples from Delta Labs - the Hair, Skin & Nails -- who wants to try it? I've been taking it for about two weeks and I love it! Leave me a comment below and tell me what are your goals for October! I'll pick 5 random winners :)

 

Also - Delta Labs is donating 10% of ALL proceeds this month to #BreastCancer -- check out the information in this video from Bex!

 

 

~xo

M

 

Hello August!

Hey loves! I'm sorry. This summer seems to be getting away from me faster every day. The good news is I'm totally loving and enjoying life beyond measure right now. Make sure you follow me on twitter and Instagram if you want daily things! Let's see - obviously let's talk CrossFit and Dumbo Double Dare prep first --

Last Week's WODs & runs (or lack of)

Monday - Rest Day

 

Tuesday - CrossFit - PRed my Push Jerk for 2. I got up 120#. It was sloppy on the first one and better on the second. Also did some speed work - 4x200m repeats!

Wednesday - CrossFit - back squatted for 8 - got 145# and then attempted 150 and got 6. My back squat is slowly climbing back up to where it was pre break. Got to lift with some of my favorite girls so that was a MAJOR bonus!!

 Thursday- CrossFit - Deadlift -PRed for 3 at 205#!!!!! Finally joined the 200 club!! I was beyond stoked! PLUS OLY class - worked on my snatch technique and C&J. It was a fun night!

 Friday - CrossFit - I loved this workout - we did 5 rounds Cindy (5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups, 15 air squats) + 15 HEAVY clean & jerks + 5 rounds Cindy. It took my 27 minutes (almost 28) haha. I did my Clean & Jerks at 105# which murdered me, but I felt pretty bad ass!


Saturday - rest day

Sunday - Run Club - sled runs + 10 round of 200m wind sprints. Was brutal, but I felt AMAZING after!! Switched over to open gym and did some snatch work. Working on perfecting my form. Progression not perfection as Jennifer always says :)

I really need to get back to running. I've been so hesitant lately because I'm scared of my ankle. I'm clearly not going to be ready for Dumbo, but I'm ok with it. Ill walk it if I have too! I'm super pumped Mama Dukes will be going as she has never come to a racecation with me. AND her BFF, aka my God mom, will be coming too!! I can't wait! Should be a good weekend of Cali fun. And I might even see an old boyfriend who's turned into a good friend.

 

Friday we had a BBQ at the box to watch the games coverage - and since I couldn't go work, of course I wanted to watch! I took the girls with me and they were actually fabulous!! Saturday I went and helped out at the Nicholas Parisi 10th Annual Softball Tournament with my Wifey and her family. Got to hold that sweet baby for almost the WHOLE day! I loved it!

 

That's pretty much it - Work, CrossFit & some random life stuff.  Can't believe it's August 1st?

 

How's your summer going?

 

~xo

M

Dreaming of The Games

Hello Loves! How goes it? Here I am blogging from Jersey when I should be in California working the games. However, it was not in the cards for this year. I'm living vicariously through friends tweets and Instagrams plus updates from CrossFit and Lisbeth. The good news is I'm at camp and I love this summer job. 

Always a bonus to love what you do. I consider myself über lucky too since I love my regular full time job and this bonus summer job is fabulous too!! Our staff is pretty sweet - Katie and I made out with our counselors! They are great!

I went to dinner last night with BNic from school - other middle math teacher. It was good. I adore her and had a blast catching up. We both can't believe how fast this summer is going. Only two more weeks left of camp, then a few days before the JT/JayZ concert with some loves & CrossFit Aspire ladies then TENNESSEE bound for a week!!!

CrossFit is going great this week. 

Tuesday - Push Jerk 1x2 @ 120#. First was sloppy but second felt good. Metcon was brutal - 3 rounds: 10 shoulder-to-overhead, 15KB swings and 30 DU (well attempts for me). I actually did decently well on the DU attempts. Connected 5 in a row with 5 singles, DU, 5 singles, DU, etc. I also did cash out with Tricia and Nilda - 4 400m repeats with ~30s rest, 3x20 Russian twists with 14# medball and finally 3x1:00 min plank holds - I couldn't do the full mins. Need core work! Can't wait to do Kat's August Core Challenge - join me?

Wednesday - back squat 1x8 @ 145#. I tried for 150 and failed on the 7th. I'm ok with it. My number is slowly climbing back up and I love. It really pushed my legs and I needed to feel that. Metcon was 4 rounds: 400m run + 20 wallballs 14#. No cash out because I went straight to PT haha. That's definetly extra work!

Haven't WODed today yet....going after camp tonight. We got Deadlifts and Diane on the books. Plus some bonus cash out - but I will have to tell you later because I can't remember what it is!

I haven't run this week. I need to get out and do it. Well I've run, but only at CrossFit. I need to get some more time out - even if it is just short/speed stuff. Lord knows can't hurt me to try and get faster haha. Dumbo Double Dare is coming SUPER quick!!

How's your week? Good workouts? Are you going to do Kat's core challenge too?

~xo

M

Fitness Recap + SweatyBands winner :)

Hey Loves! Happy Sunday! Can't believe it's already Sunday. Also, can't believe the school year is almost over.  I know I've said it a million times, but I am truly beyond blessed to love what I do so much! Gonna miss my kiddos this summer. Hopefully I'll see some of them - at least my basketball girls and get them doing some stuff through the summer. Some of my munchkins from OMS years and my first year in Camden I know I'll see this summer. Good teachers don't really get summers off - between summer school, planning for next year or getting yourself better - no break.  Tomorrow is our last day to report and I start at the summer camp Tuesday. I'm looking forward to the camp.  I also will be working with my Math Coach, Ms. Mollet, and Brit to get ready for next year.  We want to hit the ground running!

Last week WOD wise was great! Finally getting back to the way I want to. At least for the most part.

Fitness Recap -
Monday: CrossFit - Death by Power Clean - had some issues with ankle

Tuesday: CrossFit - Hang Snatch PR at 75#x2 - got 85#x1 but couldn't get under the bar -- the video is 65,75,85 failed twice. We also did a metcon with DB snatches and pull-ups - felt good!
Wednesday: CrossFit - Thruster x3 @100 - felt good -- metcon was 5 rounds - 6 Thrusters + 12 bar hop burpees (I just step over since now hoping with ankle yet)
Thursday: No run with my running buddy - ankle was struggling - came home ice/heat for 20 then went to CrossFit - Deadlift x3 185 - I got 195x2 - SUPER pumped almost to 200! Metcon was Christine.
Friday: OFF
Saturday: CrossFit - Back Squat - getting it back slowly 125#x5.  Felt decent.  I did Friday's metcon - 21-15-9 Push press at 75# and pull-ups.  KICKED MY BUTT!
Sunday: I'm heading to open gym for skill work!

All in all, I am super happy with this week. Still having a lot of issues with my ankle and pain...trying to be smart about it. It's really just the tendons and not the actual bone so that is def a plus! Gets frustrating though.  Hip is still having a lot of issues too - can't really even lay on that side, so I think I will be going to a hip doctor this week or next.

Last night had a date! Can you tell in the pic how excited I was?!? haha It seemed to go well.  We may go to a movie or bowling today.  Not sure, but he was nice, so we shall see what happens.  I had two last weekend - not nuts on either.  Thought one was going to be cool, but turned out not so much haha. Trying to date other people is hard.  DA is still a huge chunk of me, but at this point we aren't what's best for each other. BLAH. I just want to have a fun summer and enjoy getting better at CrossFit haha :)



HUGE congrats to Layne for winning the SweatyBands.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/55b9840/"

~xoxo
M

Last Week Via Pictures (Sorry I've been MIA)

Hello Loves! Hope you're doing well -- I've been major MIA I know. The end of the year can do that to a person. Add that to waiting to see if I got my job back + figuring out if I'm moving (either home to Tennessee or just to a new apartment)+ getting stuff done for the summer job = an insane schedule. Some pictures to update you on last week..

Peanut & I - celebrating her Preschool graduation!

Me, one of the 8th graders and Brit at the 8th grade prom last week!

Me & my Boo, Jenn!

Alycia (coach), me and Jenn - box BBQ last Friday, I only caught the tail end

Some of the Jersey originals - PJs for Dan's birthday!

Jenn came with me to PJs too & Rob came up.

I went to my first Power Yoga class with Sandy at Anjali Power Yoga. It was awesome! My ankle and hip did great and I needed it!

I trained my first person - this is going to be fun. Helping my GF get ready for the wedding! :)

Yesterday was our Students vs. Staff basketball game. Both staff teams won!

Now for the awesome news -- yesterday, I was hand delivered a letter and I GOT MY JOB BACK!!!! Now to find a nicer place to live and get ready for a fabulous summer and upcoming year!! I am so lucky to have such an awesome little community of folks I'm building up here. I'm blessed to love my job, my friends and my family!!

How has your week been?

PS I'll do my SweatyBand giveaway winner TOMORROW :)

~xoxo M

Playlist Thursdays + Update

Hello loves! ALMOST the weekend! I can't wait! This time year is always the hardest at school.  The kids have completely checked out and for the most part, so have a lot of teachers.  I do games and activities during this time.  We are doing a M&M activity tomorrow testing the Mars Co. theory about the percent of each color come in each bag. Should be fun - at least in my opinion.  Will be hard as with the food challenge, no M&Ms for me whomp whomp.  Yesterday marked 80 days till my favorite time of the year - OHIO STATE FOOTBALL SEASON!! I can't WAIT for this year, and to be able to go back for a game or two! I miss Ohio.  I really think in the end I want to end up in Columbus or Cinci.  I just love Ohio and feel the most at home there. But before we jump ahead to football season, we have summer summer summer timeeeee! Who doesn't love summer? The beach, pool, and fun with my friends.
DA called last night -- first time we really really talked since everything went down....I'm not sure what will ever become of us, but I will always care about him even if we aren't a "WE" ya know? Ah whatever.  It's summer, going to go out a little more and have fun.  Maybe go on some dates and see what happens! Life is meant to be lived right?!? I feel like right now, I have a lot of people who still doubt me.  Sorry for the language, but I am kind of crazy with that picture to the right.  I have a LOT of people I have to prove wrong - including when I doubt myself! This summer is BIG for me.  I'm not 100% sure I have a job yet (Bell and Mollet swear I do), I am getting my L1 this summer, I'm going to do 2xday 3xweek this summer and try and get some of my strength back AND I'm working with my friend Katie at a pool. Maybe this summer I'll also meet John Cena's type friend, or The Rock. This picture of Cena snatching makes me love him.  I have The Rock on my lock screen and Cena on my home screen right now.  Creeper status almost haha.
CrossFit is going fabulous this week - the Tripod was back together - Me, Allie and Chris. On Tuesday, we were the only three there.  I love those two!
Had my 8 week check up on the ankle yesterday - no MRI which is the best news.  Cleared to start running up to 3xweek depending on how it feels and after I get refit for shoes. Going to try and do that soon. 6 more weeks of PT and as long as by the end of that I can go up on my toes, I am set. Excited to start getting slowly more and more back each day.  Lots of icing in my summer that's for sure.

Now my Playlist Thursdays -- I need to do this more regularly. I love music and doing this. Theme is songs you want at the end of the marathon (or for me just a mile run as I recover haha). Pick me up songs is what I call them.
Same format.
Something Old: Songs that are at least 5 years old. (I know that isn’t too long to be considered old, but music turnover happens quickly.)
Something Current: Songs that have been released within the past year.
Something to Consider: This is the wild card category. Feel free to list any song: old, current, guilty pleasure, underground, whatever

Something Old
Artist: Missy Elliott
Title: Work It
Side Note: This song still makes me want to dance.  My students and I have music on Fridays - they don't know this song except "yea, it's old Ms. Love , my mom listens to it" hahaha
Quotable: “Love the way my ass go bum-bump-bum-bump-bump/Keep your eyes on my bum-bump-bum-bump-bump/And think you can handle this badonk-a-donk-donk"

Something Current
Artist: Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Wayne
Title: High School
Side Note: I LOVE this song. 
Quotable: “Anyway, I felt him, helped him,  Put him on lock, seat-belt him, Took him out to Belgium, welcome"

Something to Consider
Artist: Robin Thicke ft. TI & Pharrell
Title: Blurred Lines
Side Note: I LOVE this song. This makes me want to move all the time. 
Quotable: “OK now he was close, tried to domesticate you But you're an animal, baby it's in your nature Just let me liberate you"

I love music! So fun! That's all for today :)
~xoxo
M

PS Don't forget about my SweatyBands Giveaway!!

Awesome Weekend & Fitness Recap

Hello Loves! Happy Sunday Evening (or Monday if you're reading it then). Game of Thrones is about to start -- the LAST one for the season....after last week I'm not sure what else could happen. I never read the books so I honestly don't know what happens, but I do know I want to read the books now. My friend Rach is going to lend me her copies so I can read.

 

 

 How was your week? Mine was decent. I have SO much going on between losing my job (and hopefully getting it back - fingers crossed), ankle issues, DA and I deciding we are done and trying to figure out my life (moving if I lose my job or moving to a new apartment if I stay).



I made some amazing food this week. Garlic & herb drumsticks, shredded sweet potatos, homemade salsa, grilled chicken salad, grassfed beef w/peppers and onions. Shredded sweet potatos - my new obsessions! Cooked in butter and make them crunchy. I love them. I'm doing very well on the food challenge and I love it. Seeing results already! I forget how awesome it feels to eat so clean all the time. Going to try and keep it up after the challenge is over this time. We shall see how it goes.

I've started back at CrossFit this week. Not till Wednesday. Ended up taking more then the said week off. I think I really needed it. At PT this week I had a new doc (as mine had twins and was out). She was asking me how long it had been since I broke my ankle. I told her it had been about 12-13 weeks. My PTa corrected me - it has only been 7 weeks! This Wednesday it will be 8 weeks. Isn't that crazy?!? Not even two full months yet!! CRAZY! Makes me happy at the progress I have made and that I am doing well at my recovery.

So back to starting back at CrossFit...

Fitness Recap

Monday - Off

Tuesday - Off

Wednesday - Ran 1 mile & CrossFit - Strength: PushPress - Metcon: 3 Rounds 400m row, 21 KB swings, 12 PushPresses

Thursday - CrossFit - worked on Power Snatch and Squats and rowed

Friday - CrossFit - Strength: Hexbar Deadlifts x3 - got 195# - Metcon: 21-15-9 Deadlifts 100#, Pull-ups

 

 

Saturday - CrossFit - Strength: Split Jerk EMOTM for 7 - 2 SJ - 105# - Metcon: 3 Rds - 7 SJ, 14 step ups, 400m row

 

 

 

Sunday - CrossFit - 200,400,600,400,200 run & row ladder - then back squat for sets of 8 - 45,65,75,85,95, 100 - felt good to squat!!!!

 Saturday after the WOD I went dress shopping with the GF for her wedding dress - Dan, Amanda (GF's sister) and I.  Then we went to Zinburger for lunch.  As the girls and I were finishing up, Nick came.  I sat with him and chatted while he ate, then we ran some errands.. Love that guy! I also made him go to Open Gym and Run Club with me today :)

I got some SweatyBands this week! AND they hooked me up with one to give away -- keep your eyes open! It's coming this week.

~xoxo
M

Happy National Running Day :)

Hello Loves! Happy National Running Day and Hump Day!! Remember that today only you can save $20 off a Rock'n'Roll race --> check out the discounts here. I want to sign up for the Vegas, Nashville, VA Beach and Philly race, but not sure where I'm going to be yet come fall so....have to make up my mind if I will register for any of them at all. Are you running any of them?

Also, make sure if you need a new watch - check out Timex. I love timex! Own 4 haha! Timex is celebrating National Running Day by asking runners to tweet or post to Instagram with #IMARUNNER. They will be giving away 60 Timex Ironman watches to runners who use the hashtag. In return for each eligible submission, Timex will also donate $5, up to $15,000, toward One Fund Boston.

For a chance to win a Timex Ironman watch simply submit your unique running story on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #IMARUNNER on June 5^th by 11:59pm EST. Users can also enter by submitting a photo or story directly on the Timex Sports Facebook page “#IMARUNNER Tab” (http://bit.ly/12qH3Xb). Winners will be selected at random and official rules are located here: http://bit.ly/147ilKy.
Also - last one I know of -- Women’s Running Series is offering $20 off registration for the half marathon distance! The deal is active 12:00am PST and last till 11:59pm PST on June 5th. For more information visit this link.

Ok - so that's all I really have for your today.  Trying to figure things out.  Had a good talk with Mama Dukes last night. I'm going to just keep my head up and see what happens.  I'm really hoping that Camden brings me back next year, but I don't know what will happen yet. I'm a planner.  I like set plans.  Right now, I have NONE! I'm trying to not let that freak me out or stress me.

Yesterday we took the whole 7th grade to Baltimore.  It was a really good time.  G & I kept my homeroom. We had fun and so did the kids.
Tonight I am cleared to start running and CrossFitting again.  I'm heading to PT after school, then meeting my old running buddy Jen for a small (like a mile or less haha) run! I'm happy that I can share today with our running community.  We are also running in our metcon tonight - not sure I'll do that, might row instead. Depends on how the ankle is feeling. I'll let you know :)
Are you celebrating National Running Day?

 

~xoxo
M

I'm Back - LONG Week Off

Hello loves...I've been MIA since I went to California. I am trying to process life as well as I can.  Right now I'm stressed beyond belief.  Trying to find what makes me happy as well as trying to find a job and figure out what to do with the whole DA thing.  Funny how life works....when it rains it pours. I'm trying to focus on what I want for my life and I know it might make some people mad, but I have to do what I have to do.  Mama Dukes did a good job with me - I'm a smart girl with a good head on my shoulders.  I have faith it will all work out - in HIS plan! :) So I won't blog a TON but I'll share pictures with you....

Pinkberry at the Philly Airport en route to DA - I made a 90 year old friend - she forgot her money so I treated her to some Pinkberry -- she was super cute and I hope if my Oma is ever in an airport and needs something that there is someone to hook her up too :)



DA & I at Sunset Terrace - one of his favorite places in Thousand Oak

Wine, comfy clothes, couch, basketball playoffs & DA - perfect Saturday night

Sunday play date at Santa Monica Pier

Then we just sat and talked and got to stare at this :)

Tabata handstand holds during after school program with a student

Justin & Alycia talking to over 100 people from my box....

25 day challenge - Paleo eating, lots of sleep, WODs + rest days, mobility work - just getting healthier

Last Friday morning of PT - hopefully two more weeks -- still need a lot of ankle mobility

Track meet with my students in BLISTERING heat last Friday

Happy Hour with the work crew Friday afternoon

Xfinity Live with the original Jersey crew

Trying to bike or row 30 mins a day this month - so got on the trainer Saturday night and watched "Trouble with the Curve"



Sunday morning was started outside with sunshine & 2500m fun -- 500m sprints with a min recovery

Sunday afternoon I took the girls to the beach to play with Bobby -- then had a BBQ at the box to kick off our challenge!!

Now I am waiting to talk to DA today -- hopefully figure some stuff out.  Put out a bunch of applications so far, so fingers crossed for that! I'll be back to normal blogging this week AND I am officially changing the name to Lifting Love -- working on finding someone to help design it -- if you know anyone, let me know :)



~xoxo

M