Today when we told the boys we would be leaving the mountain in 6 weeks they sighed in disappointment.

I’m surprised after last week’s exhausting “6 day snowboard challenge”.

The boys and I decided to snowboard for 6 days in a row. Some of the days were only a few hours long but we managed to get all our gear on (no small feat) and head to the mountain Monday through Saturday. In our homeschool, we used it as a lesson in “short term goal setting”.

This is why I strength train so I can hold two boys on my snowboard.

Their  commitment paid off and I can no longer keep up with them. A few weeks ago I was riding slowly behing them offering words of encouragement and now I’m speeding along trying to keep them in sight.

This even happened.

I tried to jump too but didn’t land it.  Now I’m determined to land a jump by the end of the season.

However, sometimes my determination doesn’t work out as planned.

There was powder yesterday. I call powder “enchanted fairy dust” because it makes me feel like I can “fly”.

Powder is soft, unfortunately, trees are not.

Yep, I hit a tree.

The scary part is that bump and scraped skin happened even while wearing my helmet and balaclava (a sock-like cap).

It was totally my fault. I’ll own it. I was going too fast through the trees and had about 8 feet to go before I was in the clear when “SMACK”.  I was on the ground. Other than a tender bump I felt fine but it’s a reminder to always wear a helmet.

Workouts went pretty much as planned but because of our little challenge I hit the mountain more than usual.

Monday – Strength Training (Upper) & Snowboard
Tuesday – Snowboard
Wednesday – Strength Training (Lower) & Snowboard
Thursday – Snowboard
Friday – Snowboard
Saturday – Strength Training (Upper) & Snowboard
Sunday – REST!!!!!!

I continued with my walking as well. Last week my highest step day was on Saturday with 18, 763 steps. Going dancing may be the most fun way to get steps. Not surprisingly the following day I walked a grand total of 701 steps.

My daily average for the month of February was 10,444. I’m still loving my Fitbit Zip for counting steps. I finally did have to replace the battery. It lasted about 3.5 months. A little shorter than expected so I’m interested to see how long the new battery will last.

Well that’s it for my week. How was yours? Have you ever fallen and been thankful you were wearing a helmet?

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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Journey with our family on the road at Newschool Nomads as we travel fulltime in RV through the United States!

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I’m afraid I’m going to have to bore you for a few more weeks with more snow pictures as we have decided to stay in Colorado until mid April. The original was plan to leave March 1 but Colorado is much too beautiful and snowboarding is much too fun to leave quite yet.

Here are some highlights of last week.

Getting some vitamin D.

It was warmer than it looks.

My skin has been covered for months and it felt so good to get some sun exposure and “breathe” on our hike. I almost blend in with the snow. I’ll be this white come July too.

Nico loves to hike as well and holds her own. Nigel, our other pug, is getting too old to walk for much more than 20 minutes so he usually stays home unless we are just going around the block.

I surprised Brent with Nico as a Valentine’s Day gift 9 years ago. They had a rough start, i.e. she chewed up the sprinkler system he installed, but they’ve become buddies over the years.

Speaking of Valentine’s Day we don’t really celebrate it. Never have. I don’t have negative feelings towards it but I don’t care about it either. This year we went to bed early and watched Amelia.

Today, however, is a very special day because it was 14 years ago today our crazy love story began.

The snow got pretty deep in some places.

Other highlights were hitting the slopes with these guys for “P.E.”. (I can’t believe how tall Thing One is getting. It’s sort of freaking me out.)

We had a powder day last Friday. It was cold but sooooo worth it. A real magic carpet ride.

I also had my first scary fall the other day. It was snowing so hard that I couldn’t see very well. I was going faster than I should have been going and didn’t see I was approaching a hill on the rolling terrain. By the time I realized I was going up the hill it launched me in the air and I landed where my neck meets my shoulders. The fall scared me more than it hurt. I may or may not have started sobbing.

My workouts went pretty much as planned for the second week in a row.

Monday – Strength Training
Tuesday – Snowboarding
Wednesday -Strength Training
Thursday – Snowboarding
Friday – Snowboarding
Saturday – Strength Training
Sunday – Chill

I also walked every day as well. My step count ranged from 6,975 to 15,518 per day.

On days we go to the mountain I don’t typically snowboard all day. The nice thing about living a few minutes away from the lifts with a season pass is that I can head over for an hour or two and not feel bad about not using my pass.

I haven’t made it back to yoga. I would love to but to be honest I don’t like “stuffing” my days with activity. I get overwhelmed too easily. I do hope to make it back to a few classes but as of now I haven’t.

How were your workouts this week? How do you get Vitamin D in the winter?

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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Journey with our family on the road at Newschool Nomads as we travel fulltime in RV through the United States!

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Since we have stopped moving, i.e., decided to spend the winter in Colorado, my weeks have become a little routine.

Last week there were a few twists to keep things interesting.

One

I tried my first black run on a snowboard. Despite my I-conquered-this-beast posture in the above picture, the run didn’t go so well. It was an ungroomed run through the trees. Have you ever seen a walrus in a zoo or aquarium? Well you know how they move on land? That’s how I look when I fall in powder on my snowboard. 

I should have learned my lesson. The week before I tried an ungroomed run under the lift and got stuck in a few feet of powder. I ended up wallowing around like a walrus in the snow shouting, “I. AM. NOT. HAPPY.” to Brent who was further down the hill. I’m certain the people on the lift appreciated the entertainment.  

Two

I tried hot yoga for the first time. It was a hot vinyasa class that was…well…really hot. I surprisingly enjoyed it as long as I wasn’t thinking about other people’s body moisture filling the air at an alarming rate. It also confirmed some imbalances and tightness I knew I have going on with my body. I’m considering taking more classes either at the hot yoga studio or at the recreation center. I’m torn because it seems the quality of the teachers would be better at the studio but the recreation center is more affordable. Hmmm….

I also have a whole new perspective on yogis. I always thought it was a bunch of “woo woo” people sitting around sniffing sandalwood seeing who could zone out the most or twist themselves into the smallest pretzel.

I was wrong.

There were some seriously strong girls in there. It was impressive, beautiful, and peaceful so I apologize to my yogi friends for my misconceptions. I definitely see more yoga in my future.

Three

For the first time in a long time, I stuck to my workout schedule. You know your life is exciting when you consider sticking with a workout schedule “a twist”.

Monday  – Strength Training and Walking
Tuesday – Snowboarding and Walking
Wednesday – Strength Training and Walking
Thursday – Snowboarding and Walking
Friday – Strength Training and Walking
Saturday – Walking (This was the day I also tried hot yoga)
Sunday – Walking

I’ve also decided to do at least part of my 10,000 steps a day with my boys. I had been doing a large part of them on the treadmill but then it hit me: why not spend time with them and help them to keep active rather than spend an hour and twenty minutes on the treadmill. Duh.

Anyway this was my week in a nutshell. I fully intended to edit another workout video but it got lost among homeschooling (It’s like a job but without pay…not complaining…I feel very fortunate to be able to guide my boys education.), snowboarding, errands, cooking, laundry, cleaning the rv toilet, and all the other stuff that makes life glamourous. I am hoping to get to it this week and I also have another Girl Hero to share so until then….

How was your week? What sort of workouts did you do? Have you ever tried yoga? Hot yoga? Any advice on deciding between the yoga studio and the town rec center for classes?

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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Journey with our family on the road at Newschool Nomads as we travel fulltime in RV through the United States!

The post My Week and the Wallowing Walrus appeared first on Girl Heroes.

It’s hard to believe we’ve been in Colorado for almost two months.

It’s been cold. It’s been challenging. It’s been fun at least when there aren’t icicles coming out of our faucet. True story.

Over the last few months, our heater broke twice (like I feared), our water has frozen multiple times, and I’m certain our RV has shrunk. Certain.

But we’ve also been hitting the slopes 3-5 times a week.  I love it and not because I’m a good snowboarder. I’m not.

Snowboarding makes me feel like Aladdin on a magic carpet, albeit, an off balance Aladdin but magical nonetheless. The only other sport I’ve tried and love as much as snowboarding is taekwondo. Now if we would just get some powder and fairy dust. Especially fairy dust so I don’t break anything next time I try the moguls.

This weekend had an unexpected treat. I met up with a group of women who I met on an online fitness forum almost 5 years ago. These women were some of the first people to inspire and encouragement on my own health journey back in the day when I did a figure competition. One of them, Tara, was even one of my first Girl Hero interviews. It was so much fun to finally meet them in person.

We went on a hike,

made a buff snowwoman,

and went to see the sculptures at the International Snow Sculpture Championships.

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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Journey with our family on the road at Newschool Nomads as we travel fulltime in RV through the United States!

The post What’s Up in Winter Wonderland. appeared first on Girl Heroes.

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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Yesterday morning we got up early and went to a breakfast for The National Day of Prayer.  It was at a hotel on the beach and simply lovely.

When I got dressed it didn’t occur to me that I might match the decorations.

We prayed for our city, our country, and our world.  I hope you don’t mind but I also said a prayer for you and I.  This prayer is for all the women who, like me, are stumbling along in their quest for health.

Dear God,

Thank you for creating us as us.  Help us to see ourselves and others as You see us.  Help us to forgive ourselves and others as You forgive us.  Help us to see beyond the the mirror on the wall or the number on the scale.  Help us to see beyond the labels and hurtful words.  Help us to see beyond our fears and see the potential You so generously give to us.  Help us to realize our dreams even the secret ones that only You know about.  Strengthen our bodies, our minds, our spirits.  Help us to see our place and purpose in this crazy puzzle of life.  Thank You for your steady and unwavering love.

Amen.

Ummm….I hope that wasn’t too awkward.  Love you guys!  Have a great weekend!

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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Last week, I was sad.  It happens.

On my way home from errands I decided to stop here because I was depressed hot and wanted a cool drink.  And a distraction from the aching feeling that my life wasn’t enough.  (Ultimately, I know I am enough but sometimes it just doesn’t feel like it.)

“Candy, Soda Pop, Fun.“

Fun? That’s what I needed so I thought about getting these.

(Is it just me or does that M&M guy have an evil look on his face?)

But then I realized I would need these…

and these…

and I would have to “try” these…

and these…

In fact, I could eat every last ounce of sweet sugary distraction and I would still be me.  Only disappointed and with a tummy ache.

So instead I got this.

Ingredients: Pure Juice made from apple, white grape, and peace juice concentrates, sparkling water, citrus acid, and natural flavors, gum arabic, beta carotene, red radish concentrate.

I was pretty good.

Two years ago I would have eaten everything in the store and then cried myself to sleep.

That’s not fun.

Do I miss things like M&Ms and Swedish Fish?  Sure, for about 5 minutes but then I remember that every choice has it’s consequence.

That’s key.

For me.

Moderation is a beautiful thing when possible.

Ironically, I’m walking out the door to go here.  Going for the mini-roadtrip and time with friends not for the cupcakes.  Although if they have one made with honey I’ll be sure to enjoy it.  I’m loving life today and I love you!!!

If you haven’t entered my first giveaway please do!!!!!

Check out Deb’s post about our first kettlebell workout!  Now Deb IS fun!!!

Hugs and High Fives,
Jenn

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