Getting started with the whole30

Now that I'm back from vacation and my fridge is bare it's time to get started. I will begin my whole30 Monday, September 21st. There is no perfect time to block out 30 days free of alcohol, grains and sugar. During the whole30 I will be going to a concert and a wedding, both of which are typically filled with alcohol, grains and sugar!  I hope to be an inspiration to those joining me on this journey and show each one of them that with will and determination, anythings possible.

Over then next seven days I will build my support team and prepare my kitchen. Since moving into the apartment in December, I haven't really organized the cabinets and many things have yet to find their permanent home. I'm not going to deprive the boyfriend of his cookies so they will need to be kept somewhere out of my site. I will also need to purchase some Tupperware and a knife that will actually cut through a spaghetti squash. Once the kitchen is organized I will begin my meal planning.

There's still time to decide to join me on this journey. Do your research and get ready for your life to be changed!

xoxo

Know your WHY

Many of you have expressed interest in participating in my next challenge. Eagerly asking, when do we start?, when do we start! Before we take away some of our favorite things, it's a good idea to pinpoint why we want to do so. Whether you're thinking of doing the Whole 30 or just want to eliminate processed food from your diet, it's going to require dedication.

I first would like you to think about why are you planning to do this challenge? Are you hoping to reset your body? Do you really want ABs? Are you simply trying to eat better?

You may want to do this challenge to "get healthy". Well why do you want to be healthy? What does health mean to you?

This WHY will determine whether you make it 30 days or not. Once you've found your why, share it with me and display it somewhere you can see often.

As we prepare for our challenge, do a little research on your own about the Whole 30. There are plenty of resources out there so don't get over whelmed. Keep it simple by reading the background and reviewing what foods are and are not accepted. If you don't wish to do the Whole 30 but are still planning on eating clean, still look over the Whole 30. You might just change your mind ;)

Looking forward to hearing your WHY.

xoxo,

New Beginnings

Check out the logo! A wonderful friend of mine did an awesome job bringing my vision to reality. Thank you Jess! I love it. Be sure to check out her website to see more of her great work.

As I sit here, I realize three years have passed since I started this blog. The thought of having a blog never crossed my mind until one random day at my internship. Since then I’ve graduated college, lived in the nation’s capital, moved back home with my parents and now rent an apartment in my hometown while working in two different cities. 

For just about two years now I’ve been commuting over an hour to work. 70 miles to be exact. 140 miles a day. 700 miles a WEEK. Just typing that made me cringe. This week that commute comes to an end. While I will miss the friends I’ve made, I will not miss the 3:30AM alarm. Friday marks my last day in corporate fitness. 

I will now be personal training full-time here on the eastern shore and teaching Spinning . I’m really looking forward to this next chapter and can’t wait to experience a 5 minute commute! Since I won’t be spending every spare moment catching up on rest, I’ll be able to blog again. YASSSS QUEEN!

To kick things off, I’ll be doing a challenge when I come back from vacation next month. I’m thinking a cleanse and/or doing another Whole 30. If you’re interested in joining me on a challenge let me know! It’s always more fun when other people suffer with you. ;) 

xoxo,

A Weekend Full of Miles

With a beautiful Friday off from work, I decided to explore Easton's Rails to Trails. The trail has been open since 1998 but for some reason it never crossed my mine to incorporate it into my workout routine. I also discovered another trail which had different "exercise pit stops". It makes me so happy to see the town providing trails for our community. I just wish more people took advantage of them. I may have seen 7 people from start to finish.  Be sure to check back in the next couple weeks for a special workout!

2.54 Miles

On Saturday I thought my legs were going to fall off as I finished 4.22 miles! After chugging a glass of water and a good stretch I felt much better. I'm now at 21.26 miles with 78.74 to go! I'm so happy that every day more and more people join me on this journey.

Molly crushing 2 miles on the shore!

Kelley getting miles under her belt BEFORE even going to the gym!

Kelley's first run in weeks. WAY TO GO GIRL!

Cait gets extra points for pushing a stroller while racking up the miles in Charm City!

40 days left till Halloween! Keep up the pace.

xoxo,

My worst nightmare.

I don't know about you but every year I dread trying on my jeans. Each year I cringe at the thought of having to move my sundresses to the back of the closet and stuff my fit bottom into skinny jeans. It's always a challenge to find a pair that fit just right. My biggest issue is finding a pair that fits around the waist and booty. I usually have to settle for one and not the other. If I can get them up past the booty the waist is too big. UGH!

I use to say, "When I get a real job, I'll splurge on a nice pair of jeans". Well, I've had a "real job" for two years and had yet to keep my word. With the lower temperatures I'm reminded it's about time to get the jeans out. So I finally did it! And to my surprise the very first pair I tried on FIT LIKE A GLOVE.

If you're like me, shopping for jeans is your worst nightmare. Well it doesn't have to be!

Join the 100 by Halloween challenge and slip right into last years denim. You don't have to run. You can walk, swim, bike, step or dance your way to 100. Just make sure you keep track and be sure to send me a picture of your progress.

Check out the pictures from this week:

Caroline crushing miles in Charm City!

Kristen enjoying her new stomping grounds, Charleston, SC

Cait missed her photo opp but is right on track with her Whole 30 Challenge and 10 lbs lighter!

Keep it up everyone! Be sure to take advantage of the beautiful fall weather we have.

xoxo,

Ravens Game

Thursday was the Ravens/Steelers game and for those of you who live under a rock, the Ravens won. My amazing boyfriend got tickets for us. Unfortunately, he is a Steelers fan. After work we headed up to Baltimore and checked into our hotel both in opposite gear. We decided to stop by a friends in Fed Hill before grabbing some drinks. Our plan was to walk a few blocks and grab a cab but ended up walking the entire way. After a few beers and several laughs, we walked to the stadium.

The rain held off and we had a wonderful time cheering our teams on. When the game ended we walked back to our hotel instead of sitting in traffic. We shall add 2.5 miles towards my 100 by Halloween challenge.

Check out the pictures from those joining me on the 100 by Halloween Challenge.

My friend Andi and her co-workers participated in Ragnar where they ran 100 miles as a relay!

Heres' Andi preparing for her overnight run!

7 miles in downtown Baltimore on a beautiful Friday morning!

Keep the miles and pictures coming!

xoxo,

12 down 88 to go!

Hey guys!

This is going to be short and sweet because I am exhausted and need to get a good nights sleep since I'm going to the Ravens game tomorrow :).

Today I got up early and headed into the gym. Of course I hit traffic (one of the set backs you can't control) which cut into some of my time. However, I managed almost 12 miles on the bike!

I've had a bunch of people express how excited they are that I'm blogging again and are joining me on my 100 miles by Halloween challenge. Remember you can do any form of cardio to count towards your miles.

Those of you who are joining me in this journey be sure to take a picture one day this week of your workout. Whether it's a screen shot of your time, the beautiful sunset you witnessed on your run or even a sweaty selfie, be sure to send it my way so we can inspire others to get fit this fall!

nighty night!