July- The month of new adventures


Looking Back: July was another month of change and moving forward. I feel good about the decisions I have made and new things I have done. Both mentally and physically I am feeling much better. I think the stress of being a job I wasn't happy with resulted in extra stress at home and me not being the best parent.   
  • Running: 185 miles Including a Half Marathon (5 Mile), Relay and 5K
  • Biking: 6.5 hours + 41 miles outside
  • Strength: 2x week with new trainer and 2x week boot camp
  • Pilates or yoga 1-2x week including my 1st reformer session
  • Made a huge career decision (yes again!)
  • Spending time as a SAHM and I am happy to say I am getting better at it
  • I am still Gluten/Dairy Free besides the minor setback while travelling and have made it cereal free for 6 weeks and have survived but still need to find more options. No more belly bloat or pain and I am down 4 lbs without trying.
  • I have yet to take my NASM CPT test and DNS the 50K...boo!


    • Looking Ahead: I just have a good feeling about things to come in August, it is my birthday month after all!
    • PR at half marathon (at least beat previous time this year 1:42)
    • Pass NASM CPT
    • Plan workouts and stick with the plans. This will help as I transition back to work.
    • Plan meals and snacks and try to stick with it. Work more on further cutting out processed foods, especially for snacks.
    • Do weekly Boot Camp Challenges (this week water intake)
    • Swim at least 1x weekly
    • Continue with Boot Camp and strength training
    • Make each run count, no more junk miles!
    • I will also participate in the August Healthy Living/Fitness Challenge to write daily.
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    Day 1: Your 5 favourite workout songs and why? The reason for all is they are upbeat and push me and often have a fun memory associated... 
    • Black Eyed Peas- I Gotta Feeling
    • Pitbull- Back in Time
    • Green Day- American Idiot
    • Beck- Loser
    • Pearl Jam- Even Flow (A renewed favorite after meeting Mike McCready last Summer)

    Comments

    1. cherelliAugust 1, 2012 at 8:12 AM

      I find breakfast the hardest too, unless you can find gluten free oats to make porridge (soak in cocnut milk overnight, yum)...I find I end up having dinner leftovers, hardboiled eggs, some savoury rice mix...I did miss my cereal for a while and enjoy it occasionally but now find it very sweet. Have a wonderfully successful birthday month!

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Coach JenAugust 1, 2012 at 7:55 PM

        I have been doing a banana oat protein cake thing lately or GF toast with fruit, but do miss the ease of cereal some days.

        Delete
    2. fancy nancyAugust 1, 2012 at 8:13 AM

      LOVE Pitbull!!!

      ReplyDelete
    3. SandraAugust 1, 2012 at 8:48 AM

      Your july is very inspiring! Good luck with your August goals :)
      I am doing the August Healthy Living/Fitness Challenge too!

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Coach JenAugust 1, 2012 at 7:56 PM

        Thanks! I feel great about July and excited about what's ahead.

        Delete
    4. Sarah KAugust 1, 2012 at 9:37 AM

      I love American Idiot. That whole album is amazing.

      ReplyDelete
    5. Running LibrarianAugust 1, 2012 at 2:11 PM

      looks like you had a great July! Wow!

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Coach JenAugust 1, 2012 at 7:58 PM

        Thanks, I am happy with how things are going :-)

        Delete
    6. RunningWithSass.comAugust 1, 2012 at 2:19 PM

      love black eyed peas, great list! congrats on doing well in July!

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Coach JenAugust 1, 2012 at 7:58 PM

        I have so many Black Eyed Peas songs on my playlist.

        Delete
    7. AnonymousAugust 1, 2012 at 2:35 PM

      Wow- awesome July! Good luck with your new career decision. Things have a way of working out.
      What did you think of the reformer?
      Oh, and Happy Birthday! Mine is the 6th :-) Summer babies are the coolest :-)

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Coach JenAugust 1, 2012 at 7:59 PM

        So true, things always work themselves out in the end :-)
        The reformer was more worko then I thought! It will be a good way to stretch and get core work in.
        I am the 22nd, happy birthday :-)

        Delete
    8. SamanthaAugust 1, 2012 at 4:02 PM

      You had a busy July and August looks so much fun!! Awesome job!!
      PS check out my blog.. I think youll like what you see :)

      ReplyDelete
    9. DebbieAugust 1, 2012 at 4:50 PM

      What a great July! Keep it up in August :-)

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Coach JenAugust 1, 2012 at 8:00 PM

        Thanks, hoping the motivation and good mood continues :-)

        Delete
    10. UnknownAugust 1, 2012 at 6:17 PM

      What a heap of goals, and goals you've already achieved! You're clearly a motivated woman! Well don :-)

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Coach JenAugust 1, 2012 at 8:01 PM

        Thanks! I strive on competing with myself and reaching what I work towards, goals always motivate me.

        Delete
    11. mmmonykaAugust 2, 2012 at 5:49 AM

      I ate a whole 300g Milka Toffee Nuts chocolate for breakfast yesterday (and a youghurt). But you would probably not consider this as a breakfast option, would you?

      Can you eat some youghurts or not at all? Youghurt with fruit pieces is great. Although I need to eat a lot of it to keep me full until lunch. I also eat bread with butter/cheese and vegetables (tomatoe, radish, pepper etc) for breakfast. Or bread with mustard and salmon and veggies.
      We did not have any sweet cereals when I was growing up as a kid so I am not used to them for breakfast. One of the perks of growing up in a socialist country:)

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Coach JenAugust 2, 2012 at 7:58 AM

        Considering I can't eat chocolate, not a great option for me but sounds good :-) I can eat some yogurt and often have it mixed with fruit and/or granola for a snack. I think I need to get out of the thoughts of typical breakfast foods and expand my thinking. The bread with veggies and cheese sounds good :-)

        Delete

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