Well the day just flew by today, didn’t it? I guess that happens when you have a lot on your plate for the day. I started out at the gym. I restarted the same workout schedule I picked up last week, since I got sick right after starting. That meant a 50 minute spin class and the following circuit completed 3 times through.

• push-ups (10 on toes, 5 on knees)
• mountain climbers (20 reps per leg)
• dumbbell bench press (10 reps)
• squat jumps (15 reps)
• overhead tricep extension (10 reps)

That circuit is quick and to the point. It takes just under 15 minutes to get through, but leaves you spent. I had to kill a little more time before leaving the gym, so I did a round of 30 second planks to finish out my gym time. Then, I immediately devoured this yogurt bowl in the parking lot.

I packed up some Chobani mango yogurt, raspberries, cheerios, and crushed butter toffee almonds with a banana to have on the go after the gym.

I can only eat something light before my workouts, so I knew I would need extra fuel to hold me over afterwards. You see, we had to go straight to an Easter egg hunt with the mom’s club this morning.

We don’t do the Easter Bunny thing, but egg hunts sure are fun this time of year. Makenzie lived it up. She found her 10 eggs and then forgot about them when she realized she got to have a special decorated cookie.

Thank goodness for play time at the park to burn off some of that sugar rush.

Perhaps I should have taken a cookie myself. I could have used a sugar rush to get through the rest of my day. I still managed to power through most of my to-dos this afternoon. Then, I rewarded myself with a homemade Tropical Flax bar, apple, and peanut butter.

And now. I think I need a shower. Catch you all tomorrow with Month 3 progress catch-up!

• What breakfasts do you like to take with you on the go? My yogurt bowl was a perfect, filling option for me. I still love extra ideas in a pinch, though. Share away!

I didn’t go to bed until 2 am Monday night. Tuesday morning? Whatever it was, it was a time way too late for me. I had to pick up Peter from the airport and due to some inclement weather…

…his flight got in 3 hours late.Then, just as I was climbing into bed at 1 am, Braedon woke up to eat. Ain’t that just dandy? I should have been a very, very sleepy girl all day Tuesday. Yet, somehow, the day turned out better than expected. I got through quite the workout and a fun play date.

Yesterday morning I hit up the gym for some upper body weights and a run. I did the following upper body workout:

[how I create my strength training plans]

I felt okay but dragged butt the entire time. Soooo slooooow. I figured I wouldn’t have enough energy to do much with my run. Couch to 5K called for alternating 5 minutes of running with 3 minutes of walking. I started off slowly but then kept managing to increase my speed over the course of the workout. I still banged out 2.8 miles in 30 minutes, which makes this beginner runner very happy. I love when a workout turns out better than expected. Such a fabulous feeling!

After my workout and a short stopover at home, we visited a park with some friends for a walk and lunch. We walked for about 40 minutes, then settled in for a picnic. I love picnics. Fresh air. Fresh food. Totally works with my beliefs on making life better.

I had to make due with what we had for transportable food, so I went with a Morningstar Farms Garden Veggie Burger on a sandwich thing with some roasted pine nut hummus, spinach, and tomato.

It turned out better than expected! I coupled it with some snackage in the form of baby carrots, grape tomatoes, and sliced strawberries.

My friend & I had some cutesy dates.

Aren’t they adorable?! Perhaps even cuter…

Every time we come to this park and feed the ducks, I always get a flashback to doing the same with my mom at our local park when I was growing up. I love my mom! For those of you wondering, she is doing very well. The diagnosis seems better than expected as the doctors believe they diagnosed her very early. She feels great, remains positive, and continues to learn as much as she can to face her MS head-on. If I can be even half the woman and mother she is, I will have grown into someone better than I ever expected.

Question of the Day – What has turned out better than expected for you lately?