Friday File: podcasting, running, essential oils and more

Happy Friday!  I’m starting something “new” on the blog called the Friday File.  I’ll be honest, it’s just the Friday Five but without the five.  The pressure to produce a list of the five things sometimes made me not want to do a weekly roundup.

I feel like I’ve been hitting my stride this week in life, which means next week everything is going to fall apart.  I’m ok with that though.  I did some great things this week.

If you haven’t listened to the podcast, you definitely should.  Having this podcast will add more content to the site and provide more information that people want for weight loss and such. I am very excited about the future of the podcast.

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Last week I couldn’t run due to extreme calf pain.  I was worried I was down for the count but I managed to get better and I was about to run this week. I owe my being able to run this week after last week to use of my Pro Compression socks and the Panaway essential oil.  I don’t want you to think I’m trying to sell you anything or push products on you because I’m not.  My pain was unreal last week which even made me think I needed to take some otc drugs.  I did but it didn’t work.  I wore my compression socks every day but on Thursday I decided to mix the Panaway oil with a carrier oil and Friday was a different day for me.  It wasn’t tight and I felt like it was on the mend.

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This week I was back to running with no pain.  The only pain I felt this week was the 78 degrees on Wednesday and then the 37 degrees running weather today.  It’s crazy how different the weather has been just this week. Please excuse the muffin top in the photos. I guess sometimes you just have to keep it real in the photos.

I did invest in a running coach because I feel like I needed a running friend since I do end up running a lot by myself.  I’ve been trying to make it a goal to go to make it to the running group during the week.  The only problem with that is I have to run when I can and waiting until 6:30 pm might mean not making a run.  I try to show up to be social with everyone, but life with a child puts me on a different schedule.

My workouts this week were great considering last week I had to keep it easy.  I didn’t want to blow it out of the water but I did go back to a normal workout schedule.  The one thing I did learn this week is I need to work on my core to improve my running form.

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Did you listen to the podcast?  If you did, you heard about how I haven’t really been prepping all of my meals which has led me to eat out a lot.  This week I did prep an easy lunch and I’m proud to say I ate it all week.  And it’s been a lot easier on me.  I’ve just felt a little better on the inside this week and this is the biggest reason you should meal prep.  Not having to worry about finding food or what I’m going to eat has been a huge load off of my shoulders.  Plus, you may have noticed that I’ve had more time and energy to work on my side hustle here.

I’ve also been working on doing some different things with veggies instead of eating everything steamed.  Maybe steaming veggies all the time is why people don’t like them?

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My Tiny Tot has been keeping me busy this week.  She’s super active and it’s hard to keep up with her.  Some days I think it’s going to be fine but by night time I’m just exhausted.  Where does she find all of the energy?  Wish she could pass it on to me! It’s been great watching her grow and learn new things every day.

That’s a wrap on my week.

How did your week go?  What workouts did you do?  What food did you eat? What did is something new you learned this week?

Preparing for Christmas

Preparing for Christmas

I missed blogging yesterday because I was just too tired. From Tiny Tot’s birthday and now planning for Christmas, I kind of screwed the pooch on the blogging thing. I did have a very productive day yesterday which has eased up on my Sunday a bit. Normally I would tell you about the meal prep I would be doing this week, but that’s isn’t going to happen today. I can’t fit any more food in my fridge. My fridge is packed to the brim with things for Christmas dinner and some essentials we need to last until then. It’s been…

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Walk (or run) a mile a day

Walk (or run) a mile a day

Walk (or run) a mile a day with me.  I’ve been pushing my Together We Move Group really hard but I think the internet has been hiding my messages.  Streaking was not really my thing but this year I decided to give it a try.  I really needed to get back into running and a streak was exactly something I needed to give me a push. I’ve started a group and we’ve been on a streak since October 1.  But now is the perfect time for you join in the group and walk or run a mile a day.  I…

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Monday Motivation: Take the challenge

Monday Motivation: Take the challenge

Happy Monday everyone!  I’ve been trying to catch up on blog business so I can get back to do what I love.  It’s been a life-changing year for me and just when I thought I have my crap together, something else pops up. It’s all been a challenge but that’s what life is about, right? I encourage everyone to take on the challenge.  Don’t let the challenge knock you down.  Face it head on, tackle the challenge, and overcome the challenge. There are plenty of people out there in the world who tell say, “you shouldn’t, you can’t, you don’t have…

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Group fitness etiquette

Group fitness etiquette

I don’t really talk about a bunch on the blog, but I am a group fitness instructor.  I am a HUGE advocate for group fitness for many reasons. There has been a surge in group fitness over the years with Crossfit, barre, spin, yoga and many other choices. If you’ve never been to a group fitness class, here are some tips before you go. Show up to class on time. I know it’s hard sometimes and there are times when you’re just running late.  Just because you’re running late doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to get your workout on.  Access…

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Focus is real

Focus is real

To put this into words is hard because I have been extremely focused lately.  I’m the person you come to for motivation and inspiration to tackle your dreams and lately I’ve just been focused on chasing my own stuff.  It’s been hard for me to put it into words to post here on the blog. I’m still here.  If you follow me on Instagram, you know I’ve still been around. The goals I’ve set for myself aren’t visual goals.  That’s why I haven’t had much to post on Instagram (besides in my stories).  The goals I set are kind of…

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Postpartum depression confession

Postpartum depression confession

Yesterday I was empowered by Sublimely Fit to talk about my struggle with post-partum depression on my Instagram. I met Beth last year at Fitbloggin while we were both pregnant so I feel we’ll always have a bit of a bond. I was beyond impressed that she spoke so openly about her post-partum depression because I haven’t been able to. Believe it or not, I’m a private person. I know that sounds weird because I put my “life” on social media for all of you to enjoy. I’m not good with opening up about struggles. I am the one who…

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Tips for new runners

Tips for new runners

It’s about time for me to get back on my blogging game and provide some useful information. Right now I’m about to start my marathon training for Chicago so running is on my mind. Plus, I feel like I’m starting all over again so this is the time for me to share tips for new runners since I feel like a new runner…again. 1. Build your base. It’s easy to get super jazzed about running. It’s easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to others. You have to put all of those things aside and just build your base…

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I never know where to start

I never know where to start

I never know where to start so I’ve been avoiding my blog altogether. I have plans for the blog but I just don’t have the time to execute them. Well, I don’t think I’ve been managing my time correctly when I do have the time. I guess I’m trying to add things back gradually. First I was trying to get back to working out, then dropping some weight and then getting back to teaching my cycle classes. Now might be time for me to get back to working on the blog. I’m really ready to get back to it and…

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Three things to overcome during weight loss journey

Three things to overcome during weight loss journey

Anyone who has tried to lose weight knows the process isn’t easy. It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to lose 30 pounds or 130 pounds. There are just some things that will get your frustrated along the way. I’m currently trying to lose my pregnancy weight so this is something that is fresh on my mind and I thought it would be a great topic to talk about on the blog. Problem #1: Avoiding the social eating. Everyone wants to celebrate with food. Birthdays, holidays, because it’s Monday…or it’s Taco Tuesday, means there’s always some social event to celebrate WITH…

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Progress will come

Progress will come

Progress is moving forward, moving toward achieving a goal.  Progress is always welcome but doesn’t always come easy. There are a few things I am currently working on: Trying to lose my pregnancy weight. Find the balance and time to get my workouts in on a consistent basis. Getting back into running…at the pace I’m more familiar running. There have been times when I’ve felt completely helpless during this time and there have been the moments when I thought I was taking steps backward.  When progress doesn’t show its face, its hard to find the motivation to keep moving forward.…

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