This week I have started trying something new with my workout schedule. I quickly learned how much I prefer running outdoors. Problem? I need someone to watch the kiddos for that to happen. Solution? Going in the afternoon. You may recall how much I hated afternoon workouts before because I felt I lost the entire evening. Luckily, I have found a way to make it work with running.

Now, I go to the gym in the morning for my weights workout, then go out for a quick 30 minute run in the afternoon. It works out quite nicely because I get to run outside and still have time for la familia in the afternoon. Win-win-win. I used this method on Tuesday to head to the gym for a quick full body weights workout in the morning:

Step Ups	Legs	3x12
Barbell Bench Press	Chest	3x10
Leg Extension	Legs	3x12
Assisted Pull-Ups	Back	3x10
Side Lateral Raises	Shoulders	3x10
Dumbbell Hammer Curls	Biceps	3x12

In-out-done in under 40 minutes, including a quick warm-up/cool-down on the elliptical. And I still felt great for my run that afternoon.

Today, I got my weights done in the morning again. This time, I resorted to an old favorite from the past year. Group Power! (<---my gym’s version of Bodypump) I normally like doing my own thing for weights, but it was nice to mix it up with the class.

After class, I came home craving a simple breakfast. Plain old cereal sounded perfect this morning. I nabbed some Cheerios and then spruced them up with chopped up Cinnamon Roasted Almonds and blueberries.

Who says you need to spend money on overpriced and oversugared fruit and nut cluster cereals? Fruit, nuts, and Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze are all you need to make plain cereal taste special.

The rest of the day went along as normal (thank goodness!) and before I knew it, it was time to head out for my run. I especially looked forward to my run today. Why? Well, two reasons. A – fine company to come out with me.

Even though they weren’t with me while I ran, I still loved having my family there because we could walk and just enjoy the outdoors together before and after my run. It ended up being a nice little afternoon.

And the second reason I looked forward to the run? I had some thinking to do. What better time to relieve some stress and sort through my thoughts than during a run?

The past couple of weeks have presented some motherhood challenges. Nothing major, but I have found myself questioning whether or not I’m a good mother on practically a daily basis. It all stems from Makenzie suddenly acting out a lot more and many times I feel like the one to blame. For not giving her enough attention. For not having enough patience. For not catering to her and doing whatever I can to make every day something exciting and fun for her.

Lately I get this feeling that Makenzie doesn’t feel the same devotion that she used to from me and I feel guilty. I feel like I constantly try to find ways to do more for my family and less for myself. Then I feel guilty when it reaches a point that I refuse to give up some parts of myself – like working out or writing this blog. I had to think all this through on my run today. Basically, I needed to sweat away the emotions to see the reality.

It’s okay to still have passions and care for myself because I DO balance them and keep my family first. I spend on average an hour a day working out, which is not going to make my family fall apart. And I include my family if at all possible. I save any and all blogging for naptime and, over the past couple of months, have really cut back on putting so much time and energy into the blog. 

I am a good mom. I work hard to balance my life, yet always put them first. It’s likely why some days I end up feeling so run down after living so fully for someone else. Actually, make that THREE someone elses. Makenzie is not acting out more because I don’t show I love her.She is acting out because now I have two children to love so fully and she is having to adjust. Sure, I have my rough days where I could have a bit more compassion, but she still knows I love her. This all will pass with time. Until then, I will get through it. With some outdoor runs to help along the way. 😉

Question of the Day – Where do you find the hardest time finding balance?

Morning! I love Saturdays. They definitely take the spot as my favorite day of the week. I enjoy the more leisurely morning, yet still having time to get in a good workout. I started the day with some quick fuel for my workout.

I didn’t have time to eat a full breakfast but wanted something to give me good energy for my workout. This did the trick perfectly. I powered through a full body workout and my last Couch to 5K session of this week.

Split Squat	Legs	3x10
Barbell Bench Press	Chest	3x10
Deadlift w/ Barbell Row	Legs & Back	3x10
Plie Squat w/ Upright Row	Legs & Shoulders	3x10
Cable Rope Pushdown	Triceps	2x15
Cable Bicep Curl	Biceps	2x15

This Couch to 5K workout called for running 20 minutes straight. The longest I have done before this was 10 minutes at a time so I felt a little wary. Then, I hit my groove and somehow 20 minutes passed by in a flash. I actually had to stop myself! I covered 2.53 miles in 25 minutes. That’s a 9:51 pace on average – which includes my 5 minute warmup at 15:00 pace. Boo-yah! It felt so good!!! I think I’m going to be ready to give an outdoor run a shot sometime in the next week or two!

After my workout I needed some more fuel. A green smoothie sounded good. I always prefer mine the basic way – frozen banana, spinach, and almond milk.

I ate up a container of Chobani yogurt as well. Perfect for post-workout.

Now, time for this week’s FFF Features!

Featured Move: Compound Movements

As you can probably tell from my workout today, I really enjoy compound movements. They help make a workout quicker and provide a bit more of a challenge. Check out a few of my favorite combos in the video.

Featured Moment: Back to Spin!

It feels so good to be back! And the added surprise of it not hurting was icing on the cake.

Featured Meal: Picnic Eats

Love light and fresh food while out in the sunshine. 

Featured Quote:

Happiness can only exist when what you believe is what you do.

Featured Cuteness:

My child is pure dork like her mom. I’m so proud of her random sense of humor! 🙂

Featured Reading: “One of Those Weeks” - Evan @ The Wannabe Chef

He seriously cracks. me. up!!! If you don’t read his blog you should. His sense of humor is exactly the kind I like and he makes exactly the kind of food I like too. Lemon icing? Yes!!

“Audit Your Own Blog” – Katy @ Katy Widrick

Plain and simply, Katy rocks. She includes so much useful information on her site. This 5 question run down is dead on in what you need for your blog.

Question of the Day – What’s a food that you always prefer the most basic way?