Workin' It Wednesday- Facebook Fan Freebie

Hi Sweet Friends!

My Workin' It Wednesday is all about Facebook.

Seriously!!!

I'm linking up with my friend Corinna for:

I am definitely not very tech savvy.  It takes me many, many attempts to figure out all of this.  So after pulling an all morning redoing my Facebook Fan page.  I was FINALLY able to add an Instragram link and a Facebook Fan Freebie link.  I am in need of some chocolate after all of this Facebook stress.

I had a LOT of help. The blog Her New Leaf was a big help.  Click HERE to see her tutorial on giving your Facebook fan page an uplift. 

AND I have this little darlin' unit as my first Facebook Fan Freebie:

I would love for you to go check it out and "like" my page.

PRETTY PLEASE

Click HERE to access my Facebook page.

Once you "like" the page, just click on the Fan Freebie link and download this unit.

I'm hoping to be more active on my Facebook Fan Page and add a couple of freebies each month.

All you have to do is "like" my page to receive the updates of when freebies are posted.

AND as if this wasn't enough of a "Work Out" mentally, I just had to share a gorgeous hike that my hubs and I took most recently in St. John.  It was a 3 mile hike that took us past an old sugar plantation and a sea turtle nesting beach.  Now that I'm back home.. its back to the gym.  Ugh!!

Have a great week!

Don't forget to check out the other Workin' It Wednesdays, by clicking on the linky button at the top of this post.

Workin' It Wednesday... AND packing for a tropical vacation

Hi Dear Friends!

I couldn't wait to link up with Corinna at Surfin' Through Second for another edition of

I've shared  a little on my weight loss thus far this year and some of my work-outs.

So this time I thought I'd share a little about some healthy eating choices.

First I HAVE to say that I love me some carbs.  When many people around me went on the low carb diets and etc, I said there is NO WAY I can do that.  None!  Well after nothing else has worked for me, my healthy eating is a mix of "clean eating" and watching my carbs.  I really try to stay between 30- 40 net carbs a day.  I do get a "cheat" day once a week.  But I have to say that I don't miss those carbs.  Seriously!  I would have never believed it myself.  The benefits of clean eating and low carbs completely outweigh all those deliciously sweet treats I am trying to stay away from.  I have so much more energy, feel much less bloated, and have a more positive outlook.  After one "cheat" day, I feel so awful and it isn't necessarily that I pigged out on this day, but the effect that all of the carbs have on  my body.

Here's a few of my favorite foods:

1. egg omelet

Okay, so I had taken a picture but now I can't find it anywhere.

In the omelet, I include one whole egg and 3 egg whites. I also add in 2 ounces of low fat turkey.  I use deli slices.  I also add in 1/4 cup of green peppers and 1/4 cup of onions.

2. lavash sandwich with unsweetened pickles

I love Lavash bread.  It's a low carb type of bread that is great for sandwiches.  I cut the piece in half and add 2-3 ounces of lean turkey and some unsweetened pickles.  This is usually an afternoon snack.

3. Atkins protein bar

I love the chocolate chip granola bars.  These are great after my morning work-outs.

I'm also Workin' the "Packing for a Tropical Vacation Getaway" with the hubs.  The last time we took a tropical vacation getaway together, we both packed way TOO much.  AND our luggage was lost at the tropical paradise's airport en route to the states. Actually our luggage was never put on the plane home with us.  All of our beloved souvenirs that our children couldn't wait to get ( I don't think they cared to see us ,but it was the souvenirs they wanted.) were sitting in the open air terminal at the airport.  A security guard called my husband a few days after and asked us to come get our luggage.  That is when my husband told her that we were back in the states. So finally our luggage came back to us.  Our kids were relieved to get those souvenirs.

SO this time, I'm only taking a carry on for this trip. 

Here's my new piece of carry-on luggage:

It's from Vera Bradley.  The hubs laughed when I said I was fitting everything into this brightly colored bag.

I was up for his challenge.  Take a look at all that fit into this bag.

In these ziploc bags I have:

3 swim suits

2 cover ups

2 pairs of shorts ( a denim pair and a white pair)

3 sundresses

workout wear( 1 pair of shorts and two tops)

4 tank tops

2 evening tops

a white skirt

a pair of white capri pants

and 2 pairs of sandals and tennis shoes

sleepwear and etc.

( I didn't pack a denim jacket as I would be wearing this to the airport along with another sundress and wedges.)

I had heard somewhere about using ziploc bags to pack your items in.  They worked fabulous because I was able to get out most of the air and really pack down the items.   

** I used this idea with our family vacation last summer, and for my younger children I packed a complete matching outfit in each bag.  All they had to do was get out the baggie and everything was in there for them.

So... here's what my bag looks like once everything is in it:

It all fits with room to spare for souvenirs.  I have room for my toiletries on the outer zip pocket, our vacation information, and for my IPAD.  I won't be taking my laptop on this vacation.  We need some down time.

Thanks for stopping by friends! 

Don't forget to check out everyone's Workin' It Wednesday by clicking on Corinna's link above.

Workin' It Wednesday - All About the Sunglasses

Hi Dear Friends!

I couldn't wait to link up with my friend Corinna from Surfin' Through Second for

Last week I shared my personal fitness goal that I have been working on.  This week, I thought I'd share some of my workout routines.  Now that it's summer, I am able to get a work out in 5-6 times a week.  I usually go  first thing in the morning.  This way I get it done, and I have the rest of the day to plan activities with my kiddos.  

 

 This is my routine.  I usually get a new one every 4-6 weeks.  I've written notes all over them to help me remember what exactly I am supposed to be doing.  LOL!

Running is still my favorite work out.  

These are a few of my favorite current songs that can be found in my Ipod.

AND now that my summer has started.... I am loving the sunglasses.

My favorites are from Crush.

I also have been working on a new pack.   It's one of my "Morning to the Core Warm-Ups".  It would be perfect for summer school! Click HERE to find out more about it.

Have a great week Friends!  Thanks for stopping by!

Workin' It Wednesday

Hi Friends!

Well, we are halfway through the work week!  Woot! Woot!

Actually, today begins my first day of "summer".

I couldn't wait to link up with my friend Corinna at Surfin' Through Second for her new linky party 

So I thought I'd start my first "Workin' It Wednesday" by sharing a personal goal I have been working on since the start of the New Year.   

My New Year's goal almost EVERY SINGLE YEAR is to lose weight and become more fit.  I have to say that I tried every year.  I even began running a couple of months after my youngest was born.  NOTHING seemed to work to help me lose the weight.  I tried several different weight loss plans over the years. It was so discouraging.

This year I was determined to try something different.   I got a personal trainer.  Another teacher friend and I met with him one hour every Saturday.  He also shared with us a healthy eating plan and helped me with a strength training work out.  We were measured once a month and our body fat percentages were calculated.  

It was HARD WORK!  BUT getting a personal trainer was the BEST thing I have ever done for myself in the area of health and fitness.  I understand the importance of "clean eating" and sticking to a low carb diet.  That first month was the hardest for me just getting used to the weight equipment.  I was always a cardio girl and never thought once about using weights.

I also had to juggle my schedule at home to accommodate this new lifestyle.  I prepared meals ahead of time on Sunday for myself and my family to make things easier during the week.  My husband was and still is so supportive.  I would work out each day after school.  I didn't go home first because if I did, I knew I wouldn't make it into the gym to work out. 

So after 4 months of working out and healthy eating, I have lost 21 pounds, 17 1/2 inches, and 11% body fat.  BUT the best thing for me is that I have so much more energy to keep up with the demands of my busy family and those of my students.  I also notice such a difference in my ability to handle stress and react to it.  

Here's my "before" photo:

AND here's my "after" photo

AND one more for Workin' It Wednesday

I'm loving that it's sundress season.

Here's my new favorite sundress that I wore to celebrate the last day of school.

It's from Old Navy.

Have a fabulous rest of the week friends!!!  Thanks for stopping by!