On top of my kettlebell workouts we also hiked a lot.  I averaged 15,000 steps a day.  It felt amazing.  The more I walk the more I am CONVINCED it is actually exercise.  I never thought I would say that but my body has never felt better.  Truly.  Combine walking with a quality kettlebell program and you have a killer combination of strength and cardiovascular with practically 0 stress/impact on your joints.

One of my favorite hikes was up a river filled with boulders.  We went there twice.  Once with the kiddos and once alone.

I don’t normally hike in a bikini.  That would be weird (for me) but since we were in a mountain stream and no one was around I felt comfortable.

For some reason this picture cracks me up with the flower in the foreground.

Brent loves to get in mountain streams.  He calls it “refreshing”.  I call it CRAZY.

But after some coaxing….

….he convinced me that I should get in.

I don’t think cold was the right word.  How about PAINFUL.  I will admit after I got out I did feel refreshed.  Maybe hydrotherapy will grow on me.

Can’t go under it.  Can’t go around it.  Gotta go across it.  This tree was enormous.  Bigger than it looks in the picture.

Nowadays this is about as thrill seeker as I get.  Hope I don’t fall off.  That would be bad.

Whew we made it.

Not only did I get some quality time with Brent.  Thing 2 and I got some cuddle time.  He likes to call me “Cuddle Butt”.  I love it.

When Weewa, aka my mom, is around I don’t get much cuddles from Thing 1.

Brent works from home so one day hiked up to the top of a hill to set up “an office”.

That about sums up our trip unless you want to see the pictures of Snow White Gone Bad.

Don’t worry I put him right back and it’s a myth that mother ducks abandone their ducklings after being touched by a human.  You should have seen Mama Duck.  I’m just lucky I kept my fingers.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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Late Sunday afternoon, Brent and I decided we needed to get away for a few days so we headed out for the Sequoia National Forest.  Never mind it takes about 5 or more hours to get there and it was already 5 pm or that our mechanic told us we shouldn’t drive our van outside of town because it is a piece of crap has a lot of miles.  Nooooo we threw some stuff in a bag, hooked up our pop up trailer (yes, it’s still camping), and took off for the mountains.  (I love trapping Brent long road trips with Brent so we can discuss “life”.)   Around 11 pm we pulled into the campground and set up camp.  Fun. Times.  Let’s just say I forgot toilet paper and dish soap but not my kettlebells or my workout journal.  How about we call that “commitment” and leave it at that.

We planned to come home Wednesday but we both decided the forest was too magical to leave.   So Wednesday we hiked up to the top of a hill, wandered around searching for an internet connection, and finally set up an “office” in the middle of the woods so Brent could email with clients and I could yammer on and on about chipmunks.  Alas my delusions of being Snow White are over and we are home. I have much I would like to share (including a recap from my first regional taekwondo tournament  last Saturday where a girl who has taekwondo confused with MMA kicked my butt) but seeing how “Rest” was my lowest grade on my last report card it is going to have to wait.  Until then here are a few pictures from this week.  If you are in the mood for something deeper check out my ramblings from my last visit to the Sequoias.

Have great weekend.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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Hope you had a happy 4th of July weekend.  I have some fun news!  Our short film played in a local festival here in town.  Here is the trailer.

We shot this about 3 years ago (before I lost over 20 pounds and with sort hair) in my hometown in Indiana and finally finished the final edit about 8 months ago.  What can I say, I take my time.

Everyone once in a while I like to watch it again even though I’ve seen it at least 30 times (not counting the hours spent editing).  I watch it over and over not because I think it’s some great work of art.  It’s far from that.  I watch it to remind myself of something that I so often forget.  Sunny Life reminds me I can follow through.  That I can commit to something.  That I can persevere.  That I can choose to manage my time well.  We all CAN. Writing and shooting a film, even a short film, is a big job.  Any creative endeavor is a BIG job.  It’s sort of like getting fit.  You have a goal, a vision in your head, and every day you are faced with decisions to make choices that lead up to that goal.  You can write or paint or sew or _____ even when you don’t “feel” like it or you can put it off for tomorrow and stay right where you are.  You can workout today and nourish your body today or you can put it off for tomorrow.  Or the next day.  Or the next.

In general, don’t consider myself a very disciplined person.  Seeing our little film this weekend reminded that I can be if I want to be.  I also remind myself that for over two years, I’ve been consistent, not perfect, with my health and fitness goals.  Now it’s time to channel some of that discipline I’ve learned into other areas of my life. I think my soul needs it.

I’m want to know about you.  What creative outlets do you have?  (I STRONGLY believe EVERYONE is creative whether they believe it or not.) Any good time management tips you could share?  Do you believe in consistency over perfection? How do you feel about “discipline”?  Does it energize or exasperate you?

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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(Source)

Intentional.

I want my life to be intentional.  I’m a pretty simple person but I don’t want to wake up in 35 years only to realize that I never hoisted my sails.  I may not be able to control the wind (A realization that I’m still throwing a tantrum over.) but I can control the rudder of my boat.  Or so I try.

In an attempt to live a life of intention, every once in while I take a personal inventory, give myself a “report card” if  you will.  I look the different aspects of my life marriage, parenting, friendships, spiritual, creativity, mental, ect.  As part of my report card, I look at my health.  I think of it as taking my hero-mobile into the shop for some routine maintenance.   The point of my report card is not to punish myself with guilt.  The point is to simply take an account of my choices, evaluate, tweek, and move on never expecting perfection because perfection is an enemy to progress.

Report Card
First Semester 2010

1. Food :  A-

The last few months food has been my easiest subject.  The year didn’t start off this way.  Coming out the holidays I had some adjusting to do if I wanted to maintain my weighloss.  I tested my sugar addiction and realized that I needed to keep some “rules” in place.  Lately, I’ve been counting calories and that has taken given me a real sense of freedom.  (That’s a post in and of itself.)  Earlier in June, I wasn’t getting as many vegetables as I would like but the last few weeks I’ve deliberately been trying to eat more.  Recently, I went camping and really enjoyed myself and my food while still sticking to my goals.  I also enjoyed our Father’s Day celebration without over indulging.  Overall, I feel like I’m in a fantastic place losing the weight I put on over the winter (that I need to lose to pass my certification) without feeling down or restricted.  It’s awesome.  I give myself an A-.

2. Fitness:  B

I’ve been working out regularly but I’ve been neglecting my flexibility.  Since I study taekwondo flexibility is very important to my performance.  My strength has slowly but steadily improved.  I can now comfortable press the 12kg (26 lb) kettlebell for multiple repetitions.  A few months ago I had to push press it for just one rep.  Admittedly, some of this is from improved technique and not pure strength. Pull ups are not happening.  A year and a half ago I surprised myself by doing multiple straight pull ups.  Now with my weight gain and neglect I’ve seem to lost them.  It’s frustrating but I’m sticking with it. Since finding out I have the metabolism of a slug I’ve just been making an effort to move more in general.  Walking while my kids are in taekwondo, walking to the store,  mopping my floors once a week more often.  Overall, I feel like I’m doing well but there is surely room for improvement and with the RKC coming up I can’t afford to get cocky.  I MUST continue to train intentionally.  I give myself a B.

3. Rest: D-

NEEDS MAJOR IMPROVEMENT.  I’m going to be honest.  Last night was the first night I have gotten a full 8 hours in months.  I’m definitely noticing my lack of sleep.  My workouts feel weak, my emotions are more up and down, my skin and eyes look “dull”.  Here is my “excuse” for lack of sleep. My  blog is over 2  years old but for most of those two years I had NO CLUE that there was a community of health bloggers.  I spent time on message boards and read a few blogs of people I had met on the message boards but other than that I blogged under a rock.  A few months ago I started “meeting” other bloggers and spending waaaaay more time online.  While I love developing friendships and reading about other people’s lives my well being has started to suffer.  The only time I can find time to read is at night.  I sit down to read and comment an for an hour but that hour turns into 2 or 3 or more.  Before I know it it’s nearly midnight.  I wake up between 5:30-6:30 no matter what time I go to bed so I really really REALLY need to get to bed earlier.  My mental well being depends on it.  Not only that but I have many other interests other than blogging and health.  My lack of sleep is lowering other personal grades as well. Overall, this is definitely the  flattest tire of the hero-mobile.  I give myself a D- and I must find the self-disciple to raise this grade.

4. Gratitude: B-

This one is hard to grade myself so I asked my husband and he gave me a B-.  Hmmmmm????  I asked him why a “B” f-ing “MINUS”????  He said, “body image”.  My response to that, “You try living as a woman in a world that worships the airbrushed images on magazines.  I happen to think I have very good body image, thank you.”  Seriously tho’, I have my up and down days regarding my body image.  Most of the time, I feel pretty dang good about my body but I do have my days (more than I like) where I struggle with self-esteem and forget all the blessings in my life. Along with my body image not being where I want it and considering my response towards requested criticism, I think a B- is fair.

Notes

My report card may look a little “dismal” to some or like I’m being too hard on myself.  While I give myself LOTS of grace, I also feel like honesty is the best policy when it comes to personal growth.  I think it’s important to see my strengths but also recognize my weaknesses.   I don’t think giving myself straight As would do me much good.  I’m not beating myself up over my “lower grades”.  I’m looking to see what in my life needs improvement.  Like life, my choices are a series of hills and valleys.  I’ll enjoy the peaks when I can and trudge through the valleys when I must.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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My love,

I’ll never understand how I got so lucky.

You know there are no photos or words that could ever adequately express my love and appreciation but I’ll do my best.

THANK YOU…..

…for going through life with me

…for the thousands of kisses you’ve given us.

…for the willingness to play

…for taking care of yourself

…for allowing me to dress you up (more times than we can count)

…for allowing me to dress our kids in matching clothes.

…for always being a good listener.
(and having a good sense of humor)

…for sharing in our excitement over God’s creation.

…for being the mellow one.  ;-)

…for being there when we fall jump.

…for keeping a roof over our heads.

…for being willing to just “be” in the moment.

…for making us yummy carbs.

…for being an a leader. (Even if it means wearing a kerchief)

…for loving me for over 11 years.

What an example you are to our children.

A loving husband.

A hard worker.

A creative artist.

A prayerful father.

A quiet servant.

Thank you for being YOU.
(My favorite picture of just you.)
You are MY HERO.

Happy Father’s Day.

Hugs, High Fives, and a Million Kisses,
Your loving wife

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That’s a lot of alliteration.

I had almost forgotten my little birthday present to myself that I have yet to “enjoy”.

My  upcoming RKC certification.  I got an email from Dragon Door yesterday reminding me of the requirements.  Oh yes….those.

Can I confess something?

I’m nervous.  I was nervous for the one day HKC certification.

I don’t want ripped hands.  I don’t want to wake up day two and not be able to move.  But most of all I don’t want to fail.  (I’ve foolishly been reading blogs of people who didn’t pass.)

Fear of failure is not a good reason to not try.   Fear of failure is not a good reason to not give it your all.  Fear of failure, however, is a good reason to pray.

If the certification was tomorrow I would kill myself trying to pass fail the snatch test.  I’m not quite ready but I’m holding onto the hope I will be.

I have been training hard on my own and with Doug.  I’m feeling my endurance and strength grow. I’ve been teaching others and seeing them get stronger.  Why am I not ready?  Because I still don’t meet the weight requirements to be able to test with the 12k (26lbs) kettlebell and I can’t snatch the 16K (35lbs) 100 times.  However, I did snatch it one time.  ONE. TIME.  I was so happy you would have thought Thom Yorke  had offered Brent and I a private concert.  I’m still missing the requirements by 99 reps but I figure if I can do it once I can do it 100…right?  Maybe not  by August 27, which is why I’m still slowly carrying out Operation Six Pack even if I have been slacking on my food journal.  (Seriously, I don’t know how you food bloggers do it.)

It’s been interesting to be losing weight for reasons beyond vanity. I feel like a wrestler trying to make a weight class but thankfully I don’t have to touch anyone else’s sweat or wear a singlet. Instead of looking at a pair of jeans that are too tight, I look at a kettlebell that is too heavy.  The same goal but an entirely different mindset.  I like it.

I like being intentional.
I like having a goal.
I like looking for strength outside of myself.

Have an awesome weekend.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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Confession. I like Urban Outfitters. Not as much as its big sister Anthropologie but I still can’t help to peek my head in for a glimpse of individuality for the masses. It’s the hipster mecca of the world (although no true hipster would ever admit to shopping there) and what mini van driving suburban mom doesn’t try to convince herself that she’s hip every once in a while?

Urban Outfitters, no stranger to controversy, decided last week to pull a shirt from their website that says “Eat Less” on the front due to an outcry that it promoted body image and eating disorders.

With America facing a serious health crisis I don’t have a problem with the philosophy of “eat less”. Go to any buffet in America and it’s hard to argue that a good many people should, in fact, “eat less”. However, I DON’T think it’s the “responsibility” of a store that caters to young impressionable people who may or may not be struggling with body image/eating disorders to shove this message in their face via a t-shirt clinging the the body of a very thin model. (Anyone else find that picture disturbing?)

If someone is obese, eating less is their personal responsibility. Period. The message doesn’t belong on a t-shirt catered to young women and I find it mockery to those who are struggling on a daily basis.

I highly doubt that Urban Outfitters was surprised by the outcry. In fact, I would wager that it was an intentional decision knowing that it would drive traffic to the site and the stores.

While I may try to think of myself as “hipster at heart” (despite the mini van and sweatpants) I’m going to think twice before I step into Urban Outfitter… unless of course they are having a sale.

What do you think? Offensive? Comical? Weird?

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

Title is from a headline on CNN.

New body ideal?

Really?

Since when is slender (so they’re not stick thin) with big breasts & full butts “new“?
Since the last Maxim cover?

(Don’t even get me started on the above headlines.)

Admittedly, I’ve never watched the show.
I haven’t had tv for over 10 years and I’ve chosen not too because I would be tempted to watch bs like this.

If our culture isn’t telling us we are too fat
then they are telling us we are too skinny, too flat, too boxy, too short, too straight, too….

Enough.

If this is the “new ideal” I still only know a handful of women who fit it and it’s not me.

What about the naturally very thin woman?
Gorge on Big Macs?

What about athletic women who put on muscle easily?
Quit working out?

What about the curvy on the bottom, flat on the top women?
Breast implants?

What about the curvy on the top, flat on the bottom women?
Butt implants?

What about the broad shouldered with narrow hips women?
Fat transfer to hips?

What about the straight waisted women?
Remove a  few ribs?

I could go on.  My point is #$%!@* ideals.

This obsession with “ideals” is NUTS.

You are beautiful with curves or not.  You are beautiful because you are YOU.

Take care of your body because it’s YOURS.

We will make body image progress when we celebrate ALL body types not just the “fashion models” or the “hour glasses” or God knows what’s next.

I’m not buying it.
I’m beautiful because I said so and so are YOU.

Moving on…
I wrote a guest post over on  Making Food and other Stuff.
Please go check it out.

Have an awesome weekend!

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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Source

Today I woke up feeling down.

Most of the time I feel like a girl enjoying the beach.  (The girl in my mind has smaller smoother thighs).  I run, skip, play, and work building sandcastles. Most of the time my life is pleasant and I enjoy the simplicity of my life.  I’m grateful. Occasionally, often without warning, the tide starts to come in wrecking my lovely sandcastles.  I panic, complain, question, and get angry.  I try to build a dam to stop the tide.  It doesn’t work.  I try to outrun the tide but I’m running in lead filled Uggs across sand.  Today rather than panic, fight, or run, I’m choosing to wait and trust.  Trusting my sandcastle is built on a rock and it won’t be washed away.

The tide will recede.  There will still be remnants and I will build again.

Source

I will laugh again.  I will play again.  I will see beauty again.

I will be stronger for it.

Source

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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Honestly I’m tired of thinking about fitness today.

I didn’t even workout.
(Shhhh….don’t tell anyone.)

Instead I’m going to tell you about my date.

Tonight Brent and I went to a little Argentinian restaurant.

There was live music.

Brent loves watching live music.

I…

…love watching him.

We shared an empanada.

I had Pastel de Choclo
Chilean style country dish layered with beef, chicken, onions, raisins, and spices.
Topped with a corn soufflé and served in a clay bowl

I was so hungry I forgot to take a picture of his.
Ooops!

Everything was so delicious.
I’m inspired to work on perfecting a chimichurri recipe I’ve been working on for months.
(Since Trader Joe’s quit carrying it. Grrrr.)

Brent skipped dessert so I wouldn’t have to watch him.
I wouldn’t have care but it’s sweet anyway.

After dinner we burned a few calories took a walk around the block.

Then stopped by a little wine bar.

This is why, today, I don’t care much about eating more than I burned.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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