Results

The results are in!  We officially finished 21 Day Fix on Monday night.  Here are some facts about our 21 Day Fix journey.

1.  We stuck to the portions about 85% of the time.  It did not help that my birthday was the day prior to finishing and that we celebrated on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

2.  We finished the workouts in 23 days rather than 21 - two days we had to skip because of toddlers being up sick at night and us not being able to peel ourselves out of bed at 5 am those two mornings.

3.  We did double up on some videos during the last week including the 10 minute ab workout (which I actually happen to LOVE)!

4.  We are hooked on Shakeology and are continuing to drink it.  We both feel so great!  Placing another order today!

My results are that I lost 4 lbs and 3.5 inches. My clothes fit better, I feel healthier and I feel like it completely reset my food intake patterns.

Starting T25 next week.

For anyone that is looking for a jump start whether it's your eating or workout routine, I would be happy to help you find a program that is a fit for your lifestyle.  I can also have you join an accountability group that I am a part of which helps to keep one another motivated and help persevere through the different Beachbody workout series.  I find that it is so important for me to spend some time focusing on "me" so that I can be a better "me" for my family.  Take that next step for yourself!  Let me know how I can help.  :)

~Erin Leigh 

 

Check out the Beachbody videos and Shakeology flavors here.

21 Day Fit Review

 

 

So far, so good! I have completed 5 days of the 21 Day Fix, which is a 21 day workout/portion control challenge.  What's great is that I am already seeing a difference in my body in just these first 5 days.  I am loving this workout series!

Here are some of reasons why:

 

1.  I love that the workouts are 30 minutes - perfect for those with busy schedules!  Some of the videos are specific to different muscle groups which I also like such as Upper Fix, Lower Fix and Pilates (which targets core).  The other two I have done so far are Total Body Cardio Fix and Cardio Fix.  It is a great series of workouts and I feel like they are great for toning (which is my focus).  There are less jumping and explosive moves like in Insanity (which is great too, just different).

2. I love the portion control part of it.  Yes, it is somewhat difficult (and my poor husband feels like he is always starving), but I think it is great for discipline, focusing on HOW MUCH we are eating, and focus (a little more than usual) on WHAT is going into our bodies. It is especially great after my summer of eating/drinking too many calories and wanting to reset myself. 

3.  We have actually saved money this week on food (who doesn't love saving a little money??), even including our Shakeology investment.  I think this is because I planned ahead for our meals and bought specific foods at the grocery store, we are eating less portions so there are more leftovers and we didn't go out to eat at all (which is a weekly occurance for us) for fear of losing control! Haha

The other part of the series is drinking Shakeology which is highly recommended for maximum results.  So far I am liking it.  We got the chocolate, vanilla and strawberry combo pack so we could try out a few different kinds.  My favorite so far was Wednesday - 8 oz of black coffee and the chocolate Shakeology - my hubby made it on my way out the door for work and it was delish! (He is the best). :)   I cannot give much feedback on the Shakeology in general since I have only been drinking it for 5 days but I can say that it tastes good, it is filling and I do feel like I have more energy which is a plus!

Goals on fridge + Shakeology = Following the plan to a T :)

I also am happy to be getting up at 5 am again and starting my day earlier. I know that may sound crazy but there is something so satisfying about working out, showering and having some time alone before the day begins! :)  Starts the day off right!

So there you have it. My summary of the beginning of the 21 Day Fix. Oh, I also love that I am almost 1/3 of the way through it!  I have this thing with working towards a goal that makes me feel like a better person in the process. :)

My Plans:

I am planning on doing another round of 21 Day Fix starting on Sunday October 19 and then move onto T25! Who's with me?? I would love a few people (or many people) to join me in one or both challenges! Let's motivate each other and help hold each other accountable! :)  What I love about these programs is that they are great for busy people (like me) because the time commitment isn't long each day.  Whether you are looking to lose weight, tone up, become more disciplined or just get into a workout routine, these workouts are a great answer.  Here are links to videos of both workouts and Shakeology with a little summary if you are interested in more details. :)

21 Day Fix - 30 minute videos daily for 21 days paired with portion control. 

T25 - 25 minute videos - a 60 day program.

Shakeology - A 1 day meal replacement shake, is $4 per day and helps to: lose weight, reduce cravings, feel energized, improve digestion and regularity. 


~Erin Leigh

 

 

 

A New Adventure

I'm baacckkk! ;) New season, new adventures right??   In my house, we are always talking about adventures.  We take adventures down the street to check out new construction, adventures down to the basement to explore, traveling adventures and seeing new places. You name it, it's an adventure!  Well, this fall I am off on my new adventure. 

As anyone who has followed my blog knows, I began it to document my post pregnancy steps to a better and healthier and more fit me.  I like to create healthy recipes for my family and share them, try new fitness adventures and help motivate others to do the same, and document some of my favorite family memories (and some over the top parenting moments).  Last winter I stopped blogging and I have learned over the past nine months that motivating others is self motivating for me.  It helps keep me in check and helps me work extra hard on being the best I can, in many areas.  I mean, you can't try to motivate and encourage others to do something you aren't doing right?!  I have not had as much self discipline these past 9 months and I can directly link it to the timing of holidays/trip to Mexico/taking a break from blogging. 

So, here I am...nine months later ending a summer that definitely consisted of a few too many ice cream cones, s'mores and cheese burgers, more drink calories than I can count and putting workouts on the back burner and instead choosing beach trips, park trips, zoo trips, play dates, froyo dates for dinner and all the other fun things that happen with toddlers in the summer.  (I will say, it was a VERY enjoyable summer if you can't tell)! ;) Yes, I ran a few times per week, but just to maintain my fitness level and not to push myself further. But, now I am ready to push ahead.  And what better time than now, with a trip to Aruba in less than 4 months to get ready for!

So, what is my new adventure you might ask?  I am starting with the 21 Day Fix which is a workout by Beachbody and ordered Shakeology for the first time to go along with it!  It just came yesterday so the plan is to start Sunday (I like starting things at the beginning of the week). I am getting my hubby on board too! :) The 21 Day Fix is 30 minute videos once per day paired with portion control to lose weight/reset/tone up.  Shakeology is a meal replacement shake you drink once per day that is supposed to curb cravings, increase energy levels and has several other health benefits! I am excited to see if it increases our energy level because we are always exhausted! I am looking at this as an end of summer jump start for myself! :) I plan to follow it up with another workout once I complete it.

Now is the time for me to get back on track! Is anyone else feeling the same way?  That being said, I would LOVE a few people to join me in doing it to be in a little group and keep each other accountable!  If you are interested in checking it out first you can check out the 21 Day Fix .  It is highly encouraged to purchase Shakeology with it. There are thousands of success stories with this one shake a day meal replacement, but I can't say from experience because I haven't tried it yet. I will let you know after my 30 days of it, but they do recommend better results pairing the workout with the shakes!

So there you have it! I am back! :)

~Erin Leigh

Simple and Delish!

As I started to prepare dinner last night with the defrosted ground turkey and looking at what else I had, my thought was...what do I make with ground turkey and cauliflower? What kind of combination is that? I didn't meal plan for the night so I was seriously clueless what to make with this combo! Well, when in doubt lately, I typically make some sort of soup...and believe it or not, I actually came up with one of my favorite recipes to date! I was doubtful the whole time I was making it...but it was definitely delish!  It is a broccoli cheddar soup variation packed with protein and veggies.  It's made with ground turkey and additional vegetables, no cream and light on the cheese to make it lower in calories than the standard broccoli cheddar soup! 

Turkey Broccoli Cheddar Soup 

Ingredients:

1 package ground turkey (1.3 lbs)

1 10.5 oz package frozen broccoli 

1 cup chopped cauliflower 

1 cup chopped carrots 

1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 

1 teaspoon basil

4 cups chicken broth

1 1/2 cups milk 

5 oz grated cheddar cheese 

Directions: 

Cook ground turkey with onion powder and garlic powder.

Drain fat. 

Add chicken broth, basil and vegetables, bring to a boil for about 20 minutes until veggies are soft (by this time most of the liquid has absorbed). 

Add milk and cheese, mix together, remove pot from heat and let cheese melt, stirring a few times. 

That's it!  It was so good! Wish I made a double batch to get through the weekend! :)

 

Simple and delish...my favorite cooking combination!

~Erin Leigh

 

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Life Happens

I know first hand that when you are in a workout routine you vow you will never break it.  It feels so good to work out the same amount of days per week consistently...it is good for you both physically and mentally...but then life happens, you get sick, kids get sick, you don't sleep, things come up and before you know it you are out of the routine and you need to get back into it! That is the hardest part!  It can be a vicious cycle.  That is why January 1 my Facebook feed blows up with status updates about the amount of people at the gym.  All the New Years resolutions for all the people that "life happened to" during the year and want to get back on track! 

 

I feel like that is me right now.  I am working out here and there but not as consistent for a million reasons which sound like they are just good excuses, but really are reasons.  I know that I need to make time for myself, but for me the past 6 weeks, life has happened.  I was honestly doing so good UNTIL the first of the year.  Then went on vacation, came back, kids were VERY mad at us for going on vacation and made us miserable for a (very long) few days (I just realized I still haven't documented that experience...that will be a good one),  kids then got sick and started waking up at night = no sleep, work is busy so I'm doing more work from home in my down time...you name it, it has come up over the past 6 weeks, BUT, I am now vowing to get back into it.  Thankfully it wasn't a long break, but I can feel the mental difference.  I am happier and have more patience when I am working out consistently.  Everything they say about the endorphins and how it affects you is true!

 

So, that is my confession and this is my vow to get back on track!  Putting it in writing helps me hold myself accountable!  Hold yourself accountable too! Make a goal and stick to it. Summer (THANK GOD) is right around the corner and you will be glad you got into a routine now!  And who doesn't need a little endorphin boost in the middle of February and March?? They are the longest two months of the year in my book!  So...here is to fitness commitment, accountability and sticking to it! :)

 

Has "life" happened to you this winter?  We can help hold each other accountable!

 

~Erin Leigh

 

 

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Parmesan Crusted Tilapia and Almond Baked Green Beans

Last night I made my own tilapia and almond baked green beans recipes.  Both the hubby and I thought it came out great! I actually had a second serving of fish and I usually never go back for seconds! The kids, to be honest, were on the fence.  The picky toddler stage is a tough one...what makes it harder is having more than one in that phase at the same time.  When one complains I can deal, when both complain it is so frustrating!  I now see why MY mom would be frustrated if my brothers and I complained about dinner when we were growing up.  It's funny how you see things in the way of your parents once you are a parent.  They always said I would...and of course I always said I wouldn't.  Anyways, I shouldn't take it personal or use their complaining through dinner as a negative sign of my cooking, since they complained through grilled cheese at lunch...what kid complains about grilled cheese?!

So, here it is! Two super simple recipes for you to try!

Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
Ingredients:
4 pieces Tilapia
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (use less or eliminate if you don't like spicy flavor)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 and spray large baking dish with non-stick spray.
Put egg in one bowl.
In another bowl combine remaining ingredients.
Dip each piece of fish in the egg and then into the parmesan mixture and place into baking dish.
Bake for 15 -20 minutes until fish flakes with a fork.
Ta-da!

Almond Baked Green Beans
Ingredients:
Green Beans (Whatever the amount you need for your family. A few handfuls was good for my family of 2 adults and 2 picky toddlers).
Coconut oil (Or the oil that you use for cooking).
Raw almonds
Garlic powder
Sea salt

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400.
Sorry this one is a little vague but it is so easy I never measure, and you probably don't have to either. 
Place about a tablespoon of oil on baking pan and put green beans on top, mix around until green beans have a light coating.
Sprinkle garlic powder and sea salt and mix around.  This is really up to how strong you like flavor.
*My favorite part that makes the whole meal - take about 1/2-3/4 cup of raw almonds and crush (I put in a plastic bag and use the meat tenderizer to crush - doesn't have to be little fine pieces, just small chunks). 
Mix the almonds in. 
Bake for 15 minutes, flipping the green beans once during the time.

 

That is it!  It was quick and I was able to cook them simultaneously!  I have made the green beans before which have turned into one of my favorite side dishes. It compliments just about anything you make!  Looking for a quick and healthy weeknight dish? Try it out and let me know how you like it! :)

~Erin Leigh

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Sheperd's Pie with Mashed Cauliflower

So, I am in this phase where I seem to be on a "creating my own recipes" kick.  Sometimes the process of finding a recipe that I have all the ingredients for takes time and then the constant need to reference the recipe seems daunting day after day, so I have been creating recipes with ingredients in the house and so far, they have all passed the test.  My most recent was Shepherd's Pie with mashed cauliflower.  My plan initially was to make cauliflower crust pizza but then decided I wanted something leaner.  So, here it is! 

Sherpherd's Pie with Mashed Cauliflower 

Ingredients: Part 1

1-1.25 lbs lean hamburg (you can also substitute ground turkey) 

1 medium onion, chopped 

3 carrots, chopped 

1 1/2 cups of peas 

Handful of chopped mushrooms 

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce  

Adobo and garlic powder (of course...my staples)

Sea salt and pepper to taste

 

Directions:

In large skillet add the hamburg, onion, mushrooms and sprinkle with adobo and garlic powder. Cook until meat is cooked through.

Meanwhile steam carrots for 5-10 minutes until soft.

Cook peas following directions. (Mine were frozen so I boiled for 5 minutes). 

Add carrots and peas to hamburg mixture in skillet and add your Worcestershire sauce. 

Mix together and keep on low heat for 5-10 minutes. 

Add salt and pepper to taste. 

 

Ingredients: Part 2

Mashed Cauliflower: 

1 head cauliflower 

2 Tablespoons milk

1 Tablespoon butter 

1/2 Tablespoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon parsley 

Sea salt and pepper to taste 

Directions: 

Break apart cauliflower and place into boiling water.

Boil for about 5-10 minutes until tender.

Place into food processor and blend until smooth.

Add the other ingredients and blend again. 

Once you complete Part 1 and 2 - In a baking dish put hamburg mixture on the bottom and spread mashed cauliflower on top.  Bake on 350 for 25-30 minutes.  

 

*You can top with cheese or paprika if you would like. 

 

**Since there are basically no carbs in this recipe, shockingly (that was sarcasm), the kids wanted to eat again about 30 minutes later...so you may want to serve with some homemade bread on the side. ;) 

 

 

                      Steps 1 and 2 cooking

 

                 Part 1 - Completed

 

                                         Mmmmmm

 

 

 

Seems like a lot of steps but it is actually pretty quick since you prepare everything at once.  It's just kind of wordy!  Hope you enjoy!

 

~Erin Leigh

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The Beginning of T25!

I just took a little full time working out hiatus for vacation and am back at it as of this past Monday and it feels SO good to have exercise back in my life!  I started T25 and for those who don't know what that workout is, it is a new workout program from Beachbody which is the same company that created Insanity and P90x.  One of the main reasons I wanted to do T25 is because all of the workouts are 25 minutes so I can guarantee that I can fit the workout into my day. If there is not enough time in the morning, I can do it during the kid's naptime.  Anyone who has a hard time making time for exercise - this is the workout series for you!  The workouts are high intensity for a full 25 minutes 5 days a week with a lot of variations of moves.  It is actually fun! I love it!  It's easy to commit to 25 minutes per day vs. an hour + to go to the gym or an hour + for some of the insanity videos!  It is also nice knowing exactly how long the workout is for planning purposes!

 

Are you one of the people that jumped on the January 1, 2014 bandwagon and started back at the gym?  I see lots of posts on Facebook about how busy the gyms are, and I remember from back in the days when I attended a gym, how it would be packed after January 1!  That is one of the reasons I love working out in the comfort of my own home or doing outdoor cardio.  No spending time driving to the gym, looking for available equipment or having to wait if something is being used. For me it is all about convenience since a lot of my time is consumed with other things (aka other little humans). :) 

 

I didn't want to write about T25 until I was at least a few days in to make sure I liked it, but it has exceeded my expectations!  I encourage anyone who isn't working out right now because it's FREEZING (it does make it hard to get motivated sometimes), or you are in a funk, or you just need motivation, to look into T25 and/or get into a workout routine!  Don't forget, summer is in 6 months!  Don't wait to get fit! :)

  

~Erin Leigh

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If you are interested T25 you can check it out or order it here.

My First Creation

I got creative today during naptime and put together a soup recipe of my own.  I always modify other recipes to make it either healthier or more appealing to my family's taste.  I was slightly hesitant to try my own today but I had two pounds of ground turkey that had to be made and some other miscellaneous items to use up so why not throw it all together into a soup?  I have been wanting a new soup recipe anyways...so...here is my creation! :)

Hearty Turkey Vegetable Soup
Ingredients:
2 lbs ground turkey
3 carrots thinly sliced
4 celery stalks chopped
1 medium onion chopped
2 handfuls kale
1 can diced tomatoes
1 15 oz can crushed tomatoes
6 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon basil
1 tablespoon thyme
1 tablespoon parsley
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:
Cook ground turkey in pot until fully cooked.
I sprinkled with adobo and garlic powder while it cooked (I always seem to find a way to incorporate the two...this step isn't necessary).
Add the rest of the ingredients and mix together.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and let simmer for 30 minutes.

SO simple! SO healthy! SO good!  

You could honestly add any other veggies you have.  I had mushrooms I realized after that I wish I added but oh well!  You can eat as is or top with parmesan cheese and a side of fresh bread!  If you do not want to make as much you can just split the recipe in half!  If you try it out let me know!  Hope you like my first original recipe! :)

~Erin Leigh

Crockpot Chicken Chili

Yesterday before work I was scrambling to figure out what to make for dinner.  Usually on Mondays I try to do a crockpot meal since both my hubby and I are at work all day.  Since I never got around to meal planning this weekend (due to whiny and demanding children who are still punishing for going on vacation without them...which I could go on about but I think I will save that for another day), I had to throw something together using chicken, because it is what I had defrosted.  So, I made a crockpot chicken chili.  It is actually similar to my go-to Santa Fe Chicken recipe but I switched out some ingredients since we have had that recently and it completely changed the flavor.  I mean, you would think changing some ingredients that the flavor would change but for some reason when I saw it all together in the crockpot and put the lid on, I had this feeling it was going to come out the same.  But anyways, even my hubby liked it and confirmed that it does, in fact, taste like a different meal.  It took about 5 minutes to throw together! Perfect for a busy day!  Here it is!

Crockpot Chicken Chili
Ingredients:
3 boneless chicken breasts
1 1/2 cups salsa
1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
1 cup water
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
(You can really use whatever beans you like here)
1 can corn, drained
2 tablespoons chili powder
1/2 tablespoon cumin
1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
1/2 tablespoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:
Throw (not literally) all ingredients into the crockpot, mix together, cover chicken. Done.

Cook on low for 8-10 hours.  Shred chicken and put back into crockpot and mix together. Serve.

You can serve over rice, with tortilla chips, with cheese or sour cream.  We ate it exactly as it was and it was filling...no additional carbs or sides necessary!

Hope you enjoy! :)

~Erin Leigh

New Year, New Recipes!

Sooo now that I have been getting back into my healthy groove (trying to), I am looking at new healthy recipes to try.  During the busy holiday season I have been sticking to my already memorized go-to recipes (like paleo beef stew and santa fe chicken).  I want to try a few new things each week and build up my recipe bank! A few on my list are pizza with cauliflower crust, spaghetti squash and I would also like to come up with another good soup concoction. Soup is definitely a winter favorite of mine! But, in the mean time, one of my most recent experiments was chicken and spinach stuffed sweet potatoes (quite frankly, because it was all I had in the house since I hadn't grocery shopped since vacation).  I have never been a huge sweet potato fan until the past two months after I gave up potatoes and rice, which we would usually have one of the two with dinner, but since then, sweet potatoes have grown on me. Also spinach has become part of just about all of my meals...with eggs for breakfast, in my salads for lunch and incorporated into dinners. So, this recipe worked out because I had the ingredients in the house and it turned out great! It's definitely a keeper! :)  (Don't let the lengthy directions scare you away...they are specific but not too time consuming)!

Chicken and Spinach Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients: 

3 sweet potatoes 

3 boneless chicken breasts 

1/4 cup olive oil (next time I am going to try with coconut oil)

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 

1 tablespoon cilantro 

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon dried oregano 

1 teaspoon cumin

2 teaspoons chili powder 

2 cups spinach 

Optional: shredded cheese on top 

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350. 

Wash sweet potatoes, prick with fork all over and bake for 1 hour.

Place chicken in a baking dish, rub with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with sea salt and pepper. Place in oven with potatoes for 30-35 minutes.  Let cool. When cool, chop into small pieces.

 

Meanwhile, while the potatoes and chicken are cooking, combine olive oil, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, oregano, cumin, chili powder and set aside. (It sounds spicy but really isn't).

 

When sweet potatoes are done, cut in half and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes. Then scoop the insides of the sweet potatoes out leaving a good size layer of sweet potato still on the skin. (I put the insides aside and put some cinnamon on it and gave it to the kids).

 

Turn oven up to 400. 

Heat skillet on medium heat and wilt spinach, then add in the chopped chicken. Brush the liquid mixture onto the inside of the potatoes and bake for 10 minutes until crisp.  Add the remaining mixture from the small bowl to the chicken and spinach in the skillet and allow 5 minutes to blend together in the skillet. Then remove the skins from the oven, stuff with your chicken spinach combination and bake for another 10 (if you choose to top with cheese you sprinkle cheese at this point before placing in the oven). I opted for the cheese. ;)

 

 

There you have it!  A perfectly balanced meal with no side dishes necessary!  I will definitely be making this again!  You could substitute the spinach for broccoli or any other vegetable that you like...maybe even both spinach and broccoli! Mmmm...maybe next time! :)

 

What are your favorite go-to recipes?  I'm looking for some new ideas!

 

~Erin Leigh

 

 

 

 



 

New Obsession

Ok...can we talk for a minute about my new obsession?? I am sure it is nothing you would ever imagine. I would never in a million years guess it myself!  Ready for it?!  Burnt broccoli.  Seriously...it's amazing.  I am pretty sure I have made broccoli less than 5 times in my life.  I have never been a broccoli fan.  Recently, I started to feel like I would see pin after pin on Pinterest and picture after picture on Instagram of burnt broccoli (usually from the paleo blogs I follow).  So, the other day I actually decided to look at a recipe to see what it was all about and realized it takes NO time to prepare.  That, as you know, is right up my alley!  So, I tested it out the other night, and not only was it the easiest thing I have ever made but it was SO good.  So...ready for my newest and easiest recipe to date?!

 

Burnt Broccoli:

Ingredients:

Broccoli

Extra virgin olive oil

Garlic Powder

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Toss broccoli in extra virgin olive oil to lightly coat

Place on baking sheet

Sprinkle garlic powder on broccoli, spread broccoli around and sprinkle some more garlic powder.

Toss in oven for 20 minutes, flipping broccoli over after about 10 minutes.

TA-DA!  Pure amazingness, especially for a non-broccoli lover! 

 

 

 

Let me know if you try it and love it! Have a variation of the recipe? Do share! :)

~Erin Leigh 

New Year, New Goals!

With 2013 coming to a close in a few weeks, I have been doing some reflection on the past year and thinking about what I would like to achieve in 2014 in relation to fitness.  I never make new years resolutions because I feel like if I need or want to make a change during the year I do. (On Mondays! Haha!)  But, I like to evaluate the year and come up with new goals to work towards. Yes, I am very goal oriented (and competitive), but it works for me.

So, following my strategy of making a few short term goals and working up to a long term goal I have come up with my fitness goals for 2014. 

Short Term: 
I plan to run another organized 5K and my first organized 10K (possibly the St. Patty's Day race in Holyoke).   Those are within reach and something I can accomplish. 
I also would like to do 1 more workout series from January - March while it is still too cold for me to run outside with the kids.  I am thinking the Focus T25 by Beachbody which is all 25 minute workouts.
In addition, I would also like to run more 5K's to support good causes.  This is not a goal but something that I want to do and need to look into further.   

So, ready for my long term goal? 
In 2014 my main fitness goal is to run a half marathon!  I NEVER (I can't emphasize that enough) thought I would say that prior to 2013 (actually, prior to last week).  But, I think that it seems far enough out of reach to make it a long term goal and it is something I will really need to work towards.  I started out last spring running about 1 to 1 1/2 miles and worked up to 6 miles by the fall so why not improve on that next year?!  The half marathon is in the fall so it gives me the Spring and Summer to prepare myself.  I still need to find some training information and come up with a plan but the goal is made (I still am slightly in shock at my decision).  I will keep you posted!

Have you thought about 2014 and what you want to accomplish with relation to health and fitness? Now is a great time to start thinking about it!

. 
A few tips:
Make a long term goal.  Something out of reach that you want to accomplish.
Make a short term goal that you can reach in the near future to give you some satisfaction.
Once you achieve your short term goal, make another one that will get you closer to that long term goal.
Be Specific:  Do not just say "I want to exercise more."  Make a specific goal and plan. 
Don't make excuses. 

The long term goal can seem so far and out of reach but if you are consistently achieving your short term goals, it gives you the accomplished feeling you need to keep pushing forward!

So, what are your fitness goals for 2014? I would love to hear!  If you follow my short term/long term strategy and have any questions I am happy to answer them!

~Erin Leigh