Living a Healthy Lifestyle

I decided i would write about something i am passionate about. Health and Fitness! Some of the things that are important to me are staying in shape and eating well. Although it isn't always easy and i often lack motivation, it is so worth it once you get into a routine.

So......why workout?

1). Stay in shape- who doesn't want to be fit?
2). Improve your energy
3). Be able to control your weight
4). Sleep better
5). For fun!

Don't forget, working out CAN be fun! There are many tips to staying motivated...a few that i find helpful are:

*Set goals- I am a naturally competitive person, so the best way to push me is to make a goal. If you have something to strive towards, it is always easier to reach it. Set a goal and reward yourself when you reach it!

*Keep a routine- schedule in your workout time just like any other activity. Once it becomes a habit, it will be harder to miss a workout and you will feel guilty if you don't! ...That's right- The guilt trip.

*Find an accountability partner- Don't do it yourself! It is much more fun to invite friends or neighbors to do it with you.

*Reward yourself- maybe you've been looking at a new pair of running shoes or just need some new kickin' tunes to run to. Set a goal and when you reach it, don't forget to reward yourself. You will be surprised how quickly you get there!


Eating is just as important as working it off, but it is all in moderation. Don't think of foods as "bad" or "off limits" as long as you keep moderation in mind.

Have you ever heard the quote "You are what you eat!"...? It may sound strange but it is true!
Your eating habits show through in your performance. If you eat well, you will perform well, if you eat junk...well, you will most likely be slow and lethargic.

A couple things to remember about eating before a workout:

-Eat often (yes, i said eat often!) ...but small portions. Smaller portioned meals or snacks keep you energized throughout the day and helps keep your weight balanced.
-Eat enough protein and carbs- instead of buying protein shakes at the store, drink a glass of chocolate milk. It has the same amount of protein and it's cheaper too! Remember to eat healthy carbs. (Whole grains, fruits and veggies) Try to avoid "bad" carbs such as white flour, refined sugar, ect.

As always, it is hard to get in a routine of living healthy, but once it becomes a habit, you will be surprised how natural it feels. :)

Little Joys in Life

          I am the youngest of 7 kids, and recently the only kid living at home now! My 4 oldest siblings are married and have kids of their own! I am so blessed to have little nieces and nephews. I have always liked babysitting and loved kids, but there is just something different when they're actually related to you! Because i am the youngest and never had little siblings, it was a new thing for me when my brother and his wife had their first boy. I'm not sure how to describe it, but it is even more special when they are part of your family. Of course, the first nephew/grandson was pretty spoiled, but that is to be expected when you are the first! Now, i have 4 nephews and 2 nieces from 1 month old to 3 years old! It is a full time job trying to keep up with them! Fortunately, 3 of them live in town, so we get to see them quite often. Whenever Clark (the oldest) comes over, we are busy "booming possums", playing trains, riding the toy horse, hunting, drinking "toffee" (coffee),  playing "store", and whatever else comes to a 3-year-olds mind. He is a busy boy! We try to get to Chicago whenever we can to visit the other two littles. My oldest brother Eric and his wife Liz have a 2 year old girl and a 1 month old boy. Whenever we go, Miss Amalia has a new trick to show us. Lately it is how she can sing her ABC's and Jesus Loves Me! Holding new born babies is of course so special as well. Even though sometimes it is not my favorite being the youngest, a benefit is having older siblings that have kids! I absolutely adore each and every one of my nieces and nephews!

A Fun Adventure

Recently, i got the opportunity to visit Hannibal, Missouri. Naturally, i'd think "what's so special about a tiny town?" but after reading "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" the town has a lot more meaning. Hannibal, Missouri is the small town in which Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Mark Twain) was raised. It later became the setting for his famous books "Tom Sawyer" and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". I got to visit on my way back from Chicago a few months ago. It was a cold and rainy day so we didn't get to do much. The first place we went to was a little coffee shop attached to a kitchen shop. I was a cute little place! It was easy to tell it was a small town, because everyone in the coffee shop knew eachother and it seemed like they were regulars! After getting coffee, we walked across the street to a museum about Mark Twain, but we were running short on time so we just looked through the gift shop. We also drove down to the river...That was one of the neatest things! They had a boat that takes people on rides, but obviously, since it was January, it was not open. Even though we didn't get to do much, it was still a great experience and fun to see the little town i have read about! Of course, before we left, i made sure to get a picture with the stature of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer! :)