It's raining, windy, chilly, and just plain ick here in my neck of the woods.

So fortunately, today is a day that we don't have any plans. Normally on Fridays, there is a Mom's Group Activity that I would go to, but we are opting out today. It's lunch at this mecca of health...

You can imagine with that option and the weather, the combo would keep me at home today. And mostly we stayed in because I don't want to bring Makenzie out in this weather when she has been coughing a good bit recently.

That doesn't mean the day can't be fun 🙂 We can do all sorts of things. Like get rabies...

foaming at the mouth

...or are we really enjoying our greek yogurt for breakfast? You decide 😉

And we can play princess....

she may be the princess...but I'M the queen!

And we can't forget creating masterpieces like Van Gogh......or perhaps like Jackson Pollock would be more correct? 😉

And that's all before 10 am! Just imagine what the rest of the day will be like. You're jealous aren't you?  😀 While it may not be the most exciting and eventful day, it is a blessed and fulfilling one. We can leave the busy parts to the weekend. Our weekend plans are going to dinner and to a local hockey game with a big group of our friends from church on Saturday...

Gwinnett Gladiators

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And then Sunday, after church and tutoring, we are going to my friend's new apartment for the Superbowl and an engagement celebration. Her guy proposed last weekend, so we will be giving congratulations and checking out their new place 🙂 Should be fun.

What are your weekend plans? What is your favorite part of a low-key day? Today, mine will be getting caught up on some cleaning....but mostly reading a good book with a cup of joe during her naps 🙂

After posting yesterday afternoon, the hubs and I headed out to the gym for a workout. I did my usual 10 minute elliptical warm-up, followed by a quick full body workout, and then ending with a 20 minute treadmill incline walk. This workout has been working great for me recently because it is a perfect balance of getting a quality workout in without overdoing it. And for the most part I am perfectly satisfied with it and excited that this is how I am working in the gym right now because it accommodates what I am working towards these days. But there are times (very RARE times these days) that I sill find myself wanting MORE. Not necessarily more as in longer cardio or more exercises or more days of training. But more as in feeling like I really kicked my butt when I leave.

As a lot of you were able to figure from yesterday's post, my current goals and hopes do not really coincide with pushing my body hard. I completely embrace that. Some days, however, something will happen that will make it very hard for me. A big part of who I am is related to my passion for fitness and accomplishing things in that realm of my life. No, it doesn't wholly define me by any means, but it is something I take pride in and something I like having a goal in, even just personal improvement goals like increasing the weight on exercises, speed of a run, number of pushups/pullups, etc. I get pleasure and fulfillment out of challenging myself in the gym.

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So, yesterday while doing my workout, I saw another really fit and strong girl working out. I was very happy to see a woman representing strength in the gym and the determination to push herself . Then, I started wishing I could be doing those things. I miss feeling like someone that inspired others with my training. I miss feeling extremely accomplished for achieving another personal goal in my workout, leaving the gym feeling strong and like a true athlete. I miss the adrenaline of a GREAT workout, testing my limits and making it through something really difficult. It was a great feeling.

These days, I try to stay comfortable in my workouts and not push it too much. And normally I am very happy with that. I know there is a greater purpose and that it is best for my health. Besides, going balls to the wall every workout isn't healthy anyways...our bodies need different loads of training and adequate rest. It still doesn't negate the fact that I have my down moments where I long to go hard or go home. Last night just happened to be one of those times. It is an adjustment, but I do know that (hopefully) soon it will be well worth it. Plus, today it has already passed and I had a very very fun time keeping things moderate at the Group Kick class this morning. 🙂 So, please don't think I'm mental and seriously struggling all the time or anything of that nature. I just wanted to express that sometimes things are difficult to adjust to and it takes time to completely accept changes that you know are for the best. 😉

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• Have you ever had to take a step back from one of your passions? How did it make you feel?
• Do you always push yourself super hard in your workouts or do you vary your intensities? Or do you do like I currently am doing and just take a more leisurely approach to your workouts (not ineffective but more laid-back)?

I will announce the Giveaway Winner tonight!!! 🙂 And while you're in the Giveaway mood - check out two more - Kristin from Iowa Girl Eats and Heather from Health Happiness & Hope!