Eating Right

...and exercising.  Two things that I do not frequently feature on this blog.  I'm more likely to be sharing cookie recipes.  But, truth be told, as much as I would like to, I do not subsist on cookies alone.  Instead, I eat a lot of healthy foods.  The exception seems to be this past week.  As I mentioned, I just got back from a trip to New Orleans, and I'm pretty sure I ate my weight in beignets.  However, it is back to reality.  Which means, it is also back to eating salads and working out.

A while ago, a reader suggested that I share my workout schedule and what better time than when my resolve to get in shape is back in full force.  So, here you have it: some of my favorite healthy dishes and my general workout plan.  :)

I love potatoes!  Eating them with lots of greens is a great way to enjoy something a little less than healthy 

I love this twist on a classic tuna and avocado salad- lots of radishes add a delicious crunch

I try to make sure all of my salads have protein!

My take on a nicoise salad- no sardines because of the sodium, and lots of tomatoes!

I like to workout most days of the week.  I'm not always perfect, but I try to stick with a routine as much as possible.

Mondays: Run.

Tuesdays: Run, weights, hangboard

Wednesdays: Run

Thursdays: Run, weights, hangboard

Fridays: Rock climbing

Saturdays: Yoga (if I can make myself)

Sundays: Rock climbing

On Mondays and Wednesdays, I go for a longer run.  This is usually about 50 minutes, but sometimes I aim for a set distance instead.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I go for a shorter run- 20 minutes or so.  Then I do about 30 minutes of weights.  I do both arms and legs and I mix it up between hand weights and a medicine ball.  I love looking on Pinterest for workout moves, and I usually put together some of my favorites from a few different sites.  One of my current favorite moves is using the medicine ball to do offset push ups.  After weights, John and I do a hangboard workout.  Hangboards are a training tool for rock climbing- it's like a pull up bar but with little pockets and slopes to hang onto instead.  It's super hard, but also awesome :)

Fridays and Sundays are my favorites: we rock climb.  We go to a gym called Vertical Endeavors.  It's amazing and tons of fun.  Some days feel terrible, but even the worst days are good days if you love what you're doing!

Saturdays are my nemesis.  It's not that I don't like yoga- I do!  I always feel better after I do it, but it's SO HARD for me to make myself start.

So, what are your favorite (and least favorite!) ways to stay healthy?

Life Lately

1) Donuts!  And lots of sweets, as usual
2) and 4) We've been working out a bunch lately!  I got a new medicine ball that has really changed up my workouts, and we also got a hangboard, which is great training for rock climbing.
4) Of course, I've been hanging out with this sweetheart too!

1) Valentine's Day started with a delicious living room picnic
2-4) and it continued with a terrific fire, marshmallow toasting, and delicious s'mores (we made them with fudge graham crackers!)
5) and 6) The beautiful bouquet John gave me.  I love flowers!

February has been a great month!  And I'm looking forward to next month even more- it's my birthday month!  I've got lots of DIYs, recipes, and fun birthday ideas lined up to share with you all :)  What have you been up to this month?

Follow goeslightly on Instagram for more!

Life Lately

A trip to the Como Conservatory
Iris at my parents' house
Iris in our backyard

I can't believe that June is almost over.  Where did it go???  It's been a wonderful month in which I wrapped up my student teaching, had my first outdoor climbing experience, and started the process of house hunting!  John and I are very excited to be looking for a new home!  Do any of you have any house hunting tips?

My first outdoor climb and my brand new climbing shoes

Basement Makeover

Before John and I moved into this house, we had a lot of painting to do.  Every room was a different color, and we wanted a neutral palette.  Well, with all the work we did, we decided just to skip the basement.... Until now!

First, a look at the paint that needed doing:

The walls were this periwinkle color and a royal blue, with painter's tape that had been left on for who knows how long.  Pulling off the tape took some of the drywall with it!

Then, I spackled the portions of the wall that the tape destroyed...

And finally primed the whole room.

 Here are the shocking before and after pictures :)

Before: Clearly, this room was one we didn't enjoy spending time in.  It was ugly and an absolute mess!

After: Clean, crisp walls and a treadmill!  Talk about new motivation to use the room!

And I added a bulletin board for workouts and motivation :)

Before: This was also the room where arts and crafts went to die.  Don't judge ;)

After: A place to store our rock climbing gear!

It was a lot of work, but well worth it!  I love using the room now for my morning workouts. :)  Have a great weekend!!

Workout Motivation

 

With the holidays approaching (and all the delicious, but not so healthy food), I've been trolling Pinterest for fitness ideas.  I stumbled across an idea to put a dollar in a mason jar every time you workout.  When you hit a goal number (100, for example), you get to take the money and treat yourself!

I decided to take the motivation 1 step farther and made little jar toppers with inspirational quotes and reminders of why I'm working hard.  When I hit 100, I'm going to reward myself with some fun new workout clothes!

You will need:

• 1 mason jar and lid
• paper
• pencil
• scissors
• coloring materials

Simply trace the jar lid onto the paper and cut it out. 

Decorate with inspiration of your choice and affix the paper to the lid with a piece of double sided tape.  Or, do like I did and make several inspiring lid toppers to change out as you progress!

Happy Friday!!

Obsessed: Rock Climbing

Recently, John and I joined a rock climbing gym, Vertical Endeavors.  It is so much fun and seriously addictive.  We've already gotten some gear, and John even MADE our chalk bags!  Talk about a handy man! 

My harness and shoes.  The shoes are so tiny!  But, they're supposed to fit like a ballet slipper- close and form fitting.

John's hand made chalk bag.  You can make one too with the tutorial from The Handy Hippie

As you can see from the tag on my harness, I'm belay qualified (which means I can hold the rope while people climb up and let them down when they've reached the top).

If you haven't given rock climbing a try, I highly highly recommend it!

Zip Lining!

One of the best parts of our trip was our zip lining excursion.  It was terrifying, thrilling, and SO much fun!

I was a little scared at first; I hugged that tree pretty tight :)

My first blog video!  Watch me zip down the longest line on the course- it was so cool!  The length of the line let me look around and enjoy the scenery.  The redwood trees are so amazing!

The only way to end the trip was to belay down from the last platform. 

Seriously, if you EVER have a chance to zip line anywhere, DO IT!  It was by far and away the most amazing adventure on our honeymoon. :)

Russian River Valley Bike Ride

John and I got back from our honeymoon yesterday, and it was fabulous!  This week, I want to share some of our highlights, starting with a bike tour along Russian River Valley.

It was beautiful!  If you find yourself in the area,  I would highly recommend this experience!