The Vacation Chronicles - Chapter 3; Been There Done That

In means of a quick recap...

 I've spent the last week in Duck Beach, North Carolina. It is probably one of the coolest places I've ever been.

 We spent a lot of time on the beach.

 We karaoked.

 We relaxed at our awesome beach house.

 We rode bikes all over Corolla.

 So. Much. Fun.

 We made lots of new friends.

 

We had some good eats. 

 It was such an incredible vacation. I already can't believe it's come and gone. Please cross your fingers that Utah decided summer was going to happen this year while I was gone.

That being said. I haven't worked out since Monday. Monday. MONDAY??
It's kind of freaking me out I'll be honest. 
I'm not counting walks, bike rides, morning yoga...those were more leisure than anything. We were definitely active, but I mean like a real, break a sweat workout. I can't even tell you the last time that I didn't put in a real workout 5 days in a row.
I said I'm freaked out, but more than anything I'm freaked out because I'm OK with the break. I think it has been really good for me. I tend to be obsessive about my workouts and my food. As I mentioned before I was still very careful with my food, it's kind of just second nature at this point. HOWEVER, I tried really hard to just be mentally OK with taking a break for once. I know that the body needs rest periods, and I think my foot probably appreciates the break as well.

I'm excited to get back to my routine. I am excited to put some good workout time in. I'm trying to ignore the little voice in my head that is telling me I probably gained 10 lbs while I was gone because I KNOW I didn't. I really am grateful for the break, and I am excited to get back to it as well.

Because of my job and my passions and hobbies exercise and eating healthy are what I think about all the time. I never escape it, and I'm OK with that. The reason I enjoy my job so much is because those are my passions. Sometimes it does get hard for me to remember that I need to separate myself from my job...that I'm still an awesome person even if I miss a workout...or FIVE. Let's be honest what is more fun... bike rides/beaching/gaming/laughing with friends/sitting by the pool or stressing over when you're going to get your workout in? For the record...I think you can, and sometimes should fit both in, but for this week I pick the first option. And I feel good about it.


Don't you want to visit Duck Beach now? You should. Do you feel guilty when you don't work out, or are you ok with taking some time off every now and again? I am working on this one. :) So long Duck Beach...been there. Done that...and I'd do it again in a heart beat!

The Motivation Factor

So, today something glorious happened. I purchased plane tickets.

 Oh hello Duck Beach. I can't wait to meet you.

Yep. I'm going to be heading here over Memorial Day and I couldn't be more excited. We seem to be living in eternal winter here in Utah, so having some warm sunshine to look forward to is the best news ever! (I'm currently sipping on my second cup of sugar free hot chocolate for the day. That really just isn't right. It's almost May people!) Have you ever been to Duck Beach?? Tell me about it if you have. :)

I'm currently looking forward to running beach side, sipping diet dr pepper as I lounge on the beach listening to my favorite jams, riding bikes around town, and pretending I live by the ocean for just a bit. Sounds ok, right? 

I have been doing great with my goals these past couple weeks, but knowing I have a swimsuit filled weekend to look forward to in a month gives me even more reason to kick in to high gear. Don't you love when that internal motivation factor kicks in? I sure do.

Motivation is an interesting thing...Webster tells us;

motivation |ˌmōtəˈvā sh ən|
noun
{the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way : escape can be a strong motivation for travel.
• the general desire or willingness of someone to do something : keep staff up to date and maintain interest and motivation.}

I am definitely a goal oriented person. I have to have a reason behind what I am doing. If I don't have a purpose in my actions I don't feel the same drive. I've noticed my clients are the same way. It is really easy to see when they actually want what they are working for. Progress doesn't happen when they don't.

Goals don't always have to be monumental, like losing twenty pounds or running a marathon. They can be small and purposeful for the moment.
Some days my goals are to run my mileage at a certain pace or to eat a certain amount of this or that. Other days it's more like...just get through sixty minutes of cardio, even if I'm crawling on the treadmill. There are even times when my goals are more related to what I want to avoid...not to make negative body image comments to myself or to stop dipping my finger in the PB jar.

Some would argue with me that weight loss, looking a certain way, or wearing a certain dress size are not good and positive goals. I would disagree. While I think some of these goals can lead to the imperfect syndrome if you aren't careful, there is nothing wrong with wanting to feel good about the way you look.


What motivates you? Do you need goals to stick to, or can you just keep on keepin' on just because?Are you going anywhere for Memorial Day? Cause I am...

Get us back on the beach where we belong.

Quack Quack.

Why was I not informed that Duck Beach is quite possibly the coolest place in the whole world? We're staying here.  

 These houses line the beach. It makes for a picturesque view. I am in love with it. I'm going to try and capture it on camera, but I don't know if it will do it justice.

The beach is so beautiful. I am seriously in love with this place.

 We of course had to do a quick photo shoot on the beach.

 My hair gets reaaaal crazy sometimes...

 Good news. I went running this morning :)

We've been staying up reaaallly late, and I am still on west coast time, so by the time I got out it was after 10:00 AM and by 11:00 when I came back I was sweating up a STORM. My foot did OK. I may take tomorrow off, just to be sure I don't overdo it, but it was SO fun to run around a brand new place and explore. It was 96 today. I hear P-town was not so summery...yikes. I could get used to this...

I hope you had a fabulous Memorial Day!

How was your holiday weekend? I hope you did something fun and fabulous.

Memorial Day Eats

Duck Beach is Beautiful...in case you were wondering. I'll definitely get some pics up. Until then, here are some healthy recipes you can include in your Memorial day celebrating. Check out THIS POST on making your Memorial Day a Healthy One.


Or, you could try some...
Healthy Mac N' Cheese
Please a crowd of different taste buds with Individual Pizzas 
use your crock pot for some Elegant Chicken or some BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
or use your chicken for a Southwestern BBQ Chicken Wrap
Make a big batch of Sweet Potato Fries 
If BBQing is what you're into check out THESE TIPS on making your BBQ a healthy one and Fire up the grill with these Grilled Chicken Tenders with Cilantro Pesto and some Grilled Asparagus Rafts

If you're assignment is dessert
Layer Up some Low Fat Chocolately Parfaits or a delicious English Trifle 
try some light and fluffy Angel Food Cake Delight
or some Healthier Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies  
These Frosted Banana Bars serve a crowd easily. 

Most Importantly...
Enjoy yourself and be safe!
Try to get out and do something active!
And say a prayer of thanks for those who have died in our service. :)

What are your Memorial Day Plans? I plan on lying on the beach all day. :) Are you cooking for family? Friends? BBQing? Any healthy recipes you are planning on whipping up? I always have a Memorial Day BBQ, but this year we'll be out enjoying the sun!

26 Things I learned in Year 26

Twenty-Six was a good year from me. I guess I learned some stuff...
1. Being injured is not fun...(torn tendons, hip issues, stress fractures...)
2. Eggs are delicious and so are egg whites
3. You actually won't die from eating tuna
4. Water + Electronics don't mix (Macbook/Ipod incident)
5. Duck Beach is the coolest place EVER
6. My family and friends are pretty amazing. I already knew that, but it's a good thing to relearn year after year.
7. Pinterest is the best creation in the world.
8. Having the people you love move away isn't so great, but it always makes you realize how great they are...(The Fitchies, Benita, Roxies)
9. The Kardashians are fabulously entertaining. I don't know why it took me so long to jump on this bandwagon, but they have single handedly helped with my cardiovascular endurance.
10. I love lifting the most and cardio the least, and yet it is the cardio that mentally makes me feel better. Go figure.
11. Having new people enter your life is always a great blessing and there is always a lot to be learned from others experiences...(SB, Whitters, & insert ALL awesome blogger friends here)
12. I can still be easily pleased with diet dr pepper, frozen yogurt, and a pizza factory salad bar. Some things never change.
13. I need to work on my patience...I'm trying...but can't I just figure that out faster?
14. I wish it was summer all year round
15. I HATE winter. I have always known this, but it was reconfirmed when I got snowed in this past year. 
16. It is possible to drive to AZ and back 8 bajillion times in a year. My dad and I are phenomenal road trip partners.
17. I am reminded every day how great my job is, how amazing some of the people I work with are, and how blessed I am to do something I LOVE to do.
18. I do not like mice, and i do not like them in my house.
19. I love my new camera so much I can hardly stand it.
20. There are some things that I will never be able to do without. I think oatmeal, peanut butter, and La Tortilla Factory wraps will forever be on that list.
21. Naps are great.
22. Exercise will always make me feel better. Always.
23. I still love to bake.
24. I am still an all or nothing girl.
25. I will go to Yogurtland or Maverick anytime. Seriously...let's go.
26. Some days are hard, some days are AWESOME, and some days are just normal...but I am a blessed girl with soooooOOOO many things to be grateful for.

Here's to year #27. I feel like good things are in store.

 This is it. Don't get scared now.

Do you have any advice for me on how to be a 27 year old? Let's be honest...I still feel like I'm 21.

Dear Thursday...

Dear Thursday...
I like you. I like you because you are real close to Friday, which I LOVE. Sorry if that offends you, but it is no secret that Fridays hold a special place in my heart. Always have always will.

Tomorrow I will do my LAST long run, 12 miles, before the big race on June 9th. How crazy is that? I feel as if I have been training for 800 years, and I'm ready to get this elephant out of the room if you know what I mean.

This weekend is Memorial Day weekend. Awesome. Although I wish I was going to be lying on Duck Beach in the Outer Banks all week long like last year, I will have to find something else that is fun and fabulous to do.

Thanks Thursday, for helping me find some extra time to clean my house today...much needed. Isn't having a clean house just about the best feeling in the world? Aside from finishing a tough and awesome workout, I think so. Speaking of working out and cleaning...did you know that you can burn an extra 200-300 calories cleaning, per hour? I'll take that. 

Today's workout was killer. Box jumps, squats, pull ups, push ups, bicep curls, and lunges. I loved it. 

Tuesday history was made...My dad came into The Lab and worked out with me! This is the first time EVER that this has happened! I loved it...and I hope he did too. He's coming back in today for round two, and I can't wait. He's going to be coming in twice a week now. I loooove this. He was an athlete all growing up, and he has always been pretty active, BUT we're getting him hooked up with some sweet strength training. 

The sun is shining, and I LOVE that too. :)

Anyways...Thursday, you've been good to me. 

Yours Truly...

Megan

How has YOUR Thursday been? Do your parents/family members work out?