Explaining My Absence

I'm sorry for my lack of posts lately. I've been super busy with a number of things: 
1. Transitioning from summer job to school-year occupation.
2. Preparing for sophomore year.
3. Vacationing with the boyfriend.
4. And being sick since last Monday.

At first, I thought it was a cold but after  it neither went away nor infected my boyfriend despite his close proximity to me on our 14 hour road trip I realized I must be having serious allergy problems. 

So I've been suffering through fevers, coughing fits, sore throats, and severe stomach aches. Anyone know what it could be/have had something similar? 

Anyways I'm attempting to meet with a top allergist but they don't seem to have any openings earlier than September 25th. I don't think I can really wait that long...

Well, besides all that complaining, I really had a great time visiting my boyfriend's family again near Cincinnati, Oh. 
Some of the highlights of our trip include:
-Walking the purple people bridge  from Kentucky into Cinci (what nice views! Picture below!)
-Playing catch with Derek and his little brother (9 years old) and then watching him win his little-league football game!
-Making a late-night run to Kroger's for funfetti cake mix to make funfetti cookies (ever had them before? They're Derek's favorite and we just had to share them with the sibs!)
-Shopping with Derek's sis (she's almost 15 now! I remember when she was 13 and burning pizza rolls in the kitchen! Such a long time ago!) in Charming Charlies. What a cute store! Now I know where to go for her birthday present!
-Having the little bro ask when Derek would 'finally' propose to me (haha) and then once we're married how I'll be related to him (he seemed pretty excited that I'd be his sister-in-law. What a cutie pie!)

What a great trip! I couldn't have asked for a better vacation with the man I love 

Have a happy, healthy day!
XOX

The BF and I enjoying Cincinatti

State Fair

Today my family, my boyfriend, and I all went to the Wisconsin State Fair.
Otherwise known as 'Fried-Food Fest'. Otherwise known as 'my favorite day of the year'.

Today I ate:

• Two pieces of raisin toast

• fried cheese curds

• a buttered baked potato

• a grilled cheese sandwich

• half a bag of Maple Cotton Candy

• and half of one of our famous Cream Puffs!

So I'm sure the calories I consumed were quite extravagant as compared to my normal diet, but because we only go once a year I would never dream of restricting my food choices. Also, we spend the whole day walking around the grounds so I have always rationalized that that makes  the exorbitant amount of food consumed normal.

The BF and I taking a break from the 'buffet' that is the State Fair

Now that I think about it, considering what other foods we could have picked [fried butter, deep fried brownies, chocolate covered cookie dough, deep fried candy bars, etc.], we really didn't do that badly.

What are some foods or events that are definite 'splurges' for you?

Happy Eating!

XOX 

Some other posts you might like:

Workout #2
Harry Potter
Workout Foods
OUCH
Workout #1
The Beginning of this Blog

Workout #2

Hello all!

So yesterday, when I realized the episode of So You Think You Can Dance they were playing was a rerun I decided it was time to work out.

How I wish I looked running

I ended up running for 30 minutes (and it was so hot out last night I wouldn't recommend it) and then I worked on my abs and arms.



My favorite strength exercises for my abs are:
-30 second planks (sometimes to make sure I keep my body straight and balanced I place a 5 lb. weight on my shoulder blades and it really helps!)
-30 second side planks
-AND my most favorite (my friend introduced these to me) is what I call
The ABC Tracer
Here's how you do it:

My Abs at the peak of my training

1. Lie on your back with you legs together and your feet pointed in front of you

2. Raise your legs about one foot off the floor (if this is too hard raise then a little higher. If it's too easy keep them lower to the ground but make sure you don't touch the ground).

3. Keeping your legs together off the ground and feet pointed, begin to trace the letters of the alphabet with your pointed feet in the air, from A to Z.

If after that you still don't feel like you're dying start tracing numbers until you can't go any longer.
This one's really exhausting and I can always feel the burn in my abs afterward!

Me enjoying a post-workout snack :)

Working out your Arms- A Tip:

If you're doing Bicep Curls to tone your arms don't focus on lifting the weight up, try to really focus on lowering the weight and go slow so you can really feel it in your muscle.

Trust me, this works!!

What are some of your favorite exercises or strength training moves?

Happy Exercising!

XOX

Some other posts you might enjoy:
OUCH
Harry Potter
Workout Foods
Workout #1
Triathlon Training
The Beginning of this Blog