About Me Monday's - Running - Cruise - Last day to enter the blog hop

So normally I do a Monday link up, but I have decided to discontinue this for a while and just link up on others blogs instead.

However, I think I have finally gotten the quirks worked out for the new Comment Luv commenting system. Which allows you to leave a comment and also leave a link to a post you want me to come and check out.

I apologize for the hassle and bleeps of the commenting system over the past few weeks while I got it all figured out.  Which I think I finally have.  Its hard because it's not exactly a program for blogger, so to trick it into working for blogger took a little more effort.  But I had been told by many that they hate leaving comments on blogger and prefer programs like comment luv.  So I listened to you and made the changes!

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Generally I don't blog about things until after I do them, guess you can call that the safety side of me:)

But I have mentioned that I am taking a cruise, which I actually leave for later this week.  

I've been on one cruise before, this is my second.  But I am going to entirely different places, so that keeps it exciting!

However, I do have a question for those who have cruised before.   Just curious, do you plan all your excursions through the cruise ship?  Or did you wing a few of them?  If you did wing them, did you find you liked doing that better?

I am torn, because I have this feeling winging it might be more fun, and probably cheaper.  But then, sometimes some area's it might not be allowed.... Anyhow, if you have any opinions on this, I'd love it if you'd let me know!

So what do you think of the nail color?  It's a bad picture, but I've been experimenting for fun colors for the trip, and I think this is what I might do, but I'm not sure...  It's actually a brighter pink, and a purple on the one nail.  With a teal and green glitter coating on them, for a little fun:)  What do you think, is it a winner?  Or should I pick something different in colors for the trip?

RUNNING

Okay, so this is something that I have been looking forward to talking about for a while now.  Me running again.  You may or may not remember about 2 weeks ago I mentioned I was going to be giving it a try again, and I felt my injury was ready to take the next steps.

I didn't blog about it last week for a reason, which I will explain in a minute.  But let me give you a quick re-cap!

Two weeks ago Monday, I walked a lap, then ran 50 meters, walked another lap and then ran 50 more meters.

Took Tuesday off because I needed to wait an see what would happen.

Wednesday Morning, I walked 1 mile then ran 100 meters, walked 1/2 a mile and then ran another 100 meters.  *Note, I had no pain at all while running at anytime!

Okay, now for the reason I didn't blog about this last week.

The week I picked to start running again, also happened to be a week that I didn't realize at the time was going to require me to spend 32 hours standing on my feet.  Doing exactly what got me injured in the first place.

By Wednesday night my foot and ankle were pretty swollen, and I could barely walk.  In fact it was swollen and even slightly purple... I know not good!

Was it from the running?  No, I honestly don't think so!

Was it from working? Yes! I am positive about this!!!

I had to put the boot back on for the better part of 3 full days, and I have been having to keep it on all night for the past 10 nights.  This all to correct what working on it did.

I had an easier week last week at work and after lots of boot, and ice and then PT I am almost back to where I was prior to spending too much time of working on my feet.

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So, when will I try running again?  The answer is, this week!  I am not going to be spending much time at work this week, and very little time on my feet.  Which means this is a much better week to discover if the running is something I can start up again, and if the injury has healed enough for it.

So, what will I be doing about work?  Well, I am going to quit my job in April.  I have and know, I am never going to finish healing this injury if I keep on doing what is hurting it.  So if that means finding a second job that is at a boring desk, so be it!  Because to be honest, I would much rather work a job I am a little bored at for a while, so I can get back to running.  Than, have to take months and months more off running because my job won't let an injury heal.

* On a side note, I own a wedding decoration company so I will still have income coming in.  But it is true, I need a second job because I like to travel and that costs money!  So hopefully I can find something that won't be too bad, and will pay decent enough!  

If only blogging paid more... right:) hahaha...

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I've been reading a lot more lately, so I'll have some great book reviews coming up in the future on Wednesday's!  

Also, tomorrow if you love wild animal shots, stop by my blog!  For Travel Tuesday I decided to show off a few of my favorite shots.

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Last, today is the last day to join your blog up with us on the Spring Fitness Hop!  It's a fun way to host a giveaway, find new blog followers and find new awesome blogs to follow.  

Plus, what we've found in previous hops, you'll get lots and lots of more entrants and blog visitors by participating in a giveaway hop, than if you just host a solo blog giveaway.

Why is that?  Well each blog has it's own followers, and when they go to enter one blogs giveaway, they are far more likely to click onto the next blog in the hop and enter their giveaway.

When you take into account that we have 23+ blogs already signed up to participate.  Even though, there are no guarantees, this gives you the possibility of up to 23x's more visitors to your blog and giveaway than if you weren't linked up.  Which also means, the more blogs we have participate, the possibility of even better and better results.  Hope that makes sense!

So if you want to link up today visit HERE first and make sure you agree to all the rules.  Then if you'd like join up with us, we'd love to have you!!!
(NOTE: This is the last day to officially join up on your own.  If you'd like to join up later this week, you will need to email me directly.  I will only allow last minute sign-ups until March 13th.)

As for everyone who is already signed up - You'll be getting the email from me sometime today, with all the details, so if you want to design your giveaway post in advance, you'll have all the info today, to begin working on it!

My new Fitbit - New Blog Hop Sign Up - Updates

This past week was a fun and busy week. Tuesday was my birthday and my parents gave me a new Fitbit, I have been trying it out and so far I absolutely love it!  It's ton's of fun to try to outdo the previous day's calorie burn, mileage and steps taken:)  Plus I love being able to track everything I eat, all workouts in one easy place.  After I've tried it out a bit longer, I'll do a review write up on it!

As for my weight loss, I am holding steady at the same weight loss I announced last week at 9.5 pounds.  I'm not disappointed that I didn't lose more weight this past week.  Because let's be honest, I cheated quite a bit on my Birthday:)  But it's all good, because it was exactly what I needed to maintain to win my Dietbet competition I have been participating in.  Aside from getting my money back, I won an extra $10 and winning money even a little is always good news!  I've already signed up for a 2nd Dietbet to keep myself motivated!

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I want to thank everyone who participated in the January Giveaway hop!  It was a lot of fun, and seemed to be quite successful!  I am not running one in February, however I am going to be hosting one in March, sign up has begun now and will run until March 10th.

The Spring into Fitness Giveaway Blog Hop will run March 14th through 30th.  Catladyruns will be co-hosting this fun giveaway with me!

I have taken a lot of feedback from the last two hops into consideration, and we are going to run this particular Giveaway Blog Hop slightly different than before.

The main changes are: 

* The posts instead of going live at Midnight, will this time go live 8 AM EST.  

* There is also no set $ amount for this giveaway, you can choose that and giveaway anything you'd like.  However, since this is a fitness related giveaway, your blogs giveaway item(s) should be health or fitness related.

The rest of the rules are all listed HERE.  Before signing up, make sure to first mark it on your calendar and second make sure you read and can agree to all of the rules!
If you're interested its a lot of fun and we'd love to have you!  Its a great way to both find awesome new blogs and at the same time acquire new blog followers!

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As for my weekly workouts.  I have bumped things up a bit and I am excited to announce.  That I have even managed to get in some Jillian Michael's DVD circut cardio training (I just didn't do any of the jumping portion of it.)

For those of you who follow my blog, you know that with this work injury I am going through I haven't been able to bring cardio into my life since last summer.  How sad is that huh!

3 Day's this week I did 10 Minute Ab workouts.

2 Day's this week I did 20 Minute Upper body workouts.

1 Day this week I did 50 Minutes of Upper and Lower body Cardio Circuit Training!

And last, my most awesome news I have yet.  On Friday, I was home alone and I.., Well I guess you could call it trotted up and down the stairs at my house before I realized what I was doing.  By the time I did realize it, it was already done and I literally stood still and it took like 10 seconds before it finally hit me, I just did something that a few weeks ago caused pain, and I was in no pain!

So being the idiot person I am, I went across to one side of my house, and I looked across the living room and down the hall.  I couldn't help myself, I had this dumb idea that I was going to run across the living room and down the hall.  Which is basically a total of 30 feet.

I was scared and hesitant at first, but I went for it.  When I got to the end of the hall, I did a quick exam to see if I felt any pain and nope nothing.  So I turned around and ran back, again with no pain!

Okay, you may not think this is much, 60 feet is hardly impressive by any means.  But for those who don't know, I went from about a year ago being in the best shape of my life, with the ability to run marathons pretty much on any given day I chose, to a work injury that little by little took me entirely away from running. I haven't been able to jump or run a single step since earlier last summer.

The next day, I was fine until about 2 hours into work and then I had a little pain start up.  I had a hard time telling if it was from the little 60 foot run I wasn't ready for, or if it was just from the job itself???

Regardless, I have been continuing with my daily icing, elevating routines that have pretty much been a daily thing for the past year.  I've also been wearing the boot again at night when I sleep (as the Dr. said that is the time it is actually the most beneficial!)

Today, despite a terrible flu bug I have apparently caught, I have noticed the pain is subsiding, YAY!

When will I try running again?  Probably not for a little while, I think I will continue to work on building up from being able to walk 1 continuous mile to more first.  It's going to be an exceptionally slow process of getting back into running, even the Dr. told me that! Plus the original injury itself hasn't healed 100% just yet, so I'm not really going to push things too much until the body is ready.  The other day was just one of those moments that something came over me and I couldn't help myself!

Anyhow, today is ME MONDAY'S & LINK-UP, so share the news of your week with me.  Your highlights, low lights... All thoughts are welcome!  Additionally, if you have a post about your life you'd like to link up, you can link up below.  

I look forward to stopping by any bloggers who decide to link up with me this week!!!

Me Monday's & Blog Link-Up - Recaps, Trivia & Pay It Forward Initiative

So as it is each Monday, this is a blog link-up, you can link your blog at the bottom of this post. 


So I decided to do something a little different today: *  A pay-it-forward initiative.
*  A short re-cap on my past week, and goal progress.
*  Then I have a fun blog trivia game, that I came up with, but I will mention I did get the idea from some of my other great blogger friends who have done something similar:)

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First, to start this year off in a loving way, I'm participating in this Pay-it-forward initiative:  The first 3 people who comment on my blog post today with the status "I'm IN" at the beginning of their post.  Will receive a surprise from me at some point in this calendar year - anything from a book, gift card, post card, absolutely any surprise!  There will be no warning and it will happen when the mood comes over me and I find something that I believe would suit you and make you happy.

These 3 people MUST make the same offer on their on blog status!
COPY THIS TEXT into one of your posts.  Let's do more nice and loving things for each other in 2014, without any reason other than to make each other smile and to show that we think of each other.  Here's to a more enjoyable, more friendly and love-filled year!!!!!!!
(Additionally, if your IN please leave me a link to your blog or email, so I can contact you to get your address, to surprise you sometime this year.  Do not leave your address in the blog post!)

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As for an update on one of my goals.  As some of you know I am working really hard on a weight loss goal right now.  You can see my progress to date, to the right.
I've changed my diet drastically, and I am happy to say, I have pretty much eliminated drinking Pepsi on a daily basis.  I allow myself one cheat day in case I want one, but other than that I am no longer drinking it!
A few new things I have added to my daily routine:

I picked up some ab workout DVD's from the library. Everything from Jillian Michaels to some older stuff:)  My goal is to do a hard core 10 minute a day ab workout (I started a few days ago).  I plan to do this everyday for the next 7 weeks.  I'm hoping this will help me drop a few inches on my waist before I step on the cruise and dawn daily swimsuit attire:)

I also have some arm light weight workout DVD's I've gotten as well.  I plan to do 20 minutes of power arm workouts every other day, for the next 7 weeks as well.

As for the work injury, I don't have any drastic progress to report.  But I am working on walking a mile each day, and hope to increase that a little over the next week.  I'd like to work up to 3 miles, and then go from there.  I am also doing a little leg strengthening, but no cardio because I don't want to risk all the progress I've been making on the injury recovery front!

Ironically, tomorrow January 28th is the last day I was able to run last year pain free.  The work injury began to take it's toll the days following it.  Can't believe it's been a year not to mention a year of not being able to run a single race!

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Okay, now for a little fun:   I've seen these Fun Self Surveys done on other blogs, so I thought it would be fun to come up with my own.  Feel free to answer any of these yourself too:)

Do you wish you were someplace else right now?
Hawaii would probably be my top pick right now!

If you could go back in time, where would you go?
This is tough because I love history!  But I think if I could only pick one.  I would love to go back to the Indian day's probably around the 1850's and see the millions of buffalo roaming the plains!  Maybe even chase them by taming a wild mustang and riding bareback and participate in a real buffalo hunt.

Where was the last place you went shopping?
Grocery store - I was watching my niece and nephew and as the duty of the favorite aunt I wanted to make sure I brought a yummy treat, mini cupcakes:)

What are you listening to right now?
I'm actually watching a cute romantic comedy on the Hallmark channel while I write this.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?
I like to watch General Hospital, love that soap (most of the time!)

How many pairs of shoes do you own?
I honestly have no idea, and I'm not even a shoe person.  So to change this to running shoes, how many pairs currently sit in my closet both used and unused?  12 pairs.

Do you believe in Karma?
Yes - Which is why I always think its important to try to do the right thing and be kind to others!

Are you a doer or a dreamer?
Both, I have many dreams, realistic and some unrealistic, but I don't care.  I also act on things I want too, rather than just dream about them.  But if I am having a rotten day, I can easily escape in the great dream world of a good book, or just in my mind:)

Is there anyone you wish would just fall off the planet?
Yes, but because I try to keep politics out of my blog, I'll keep my opinion to myself:)

What superstitions do you believe, or participate in?
I still like to wish on the first star I see at night, and I always blink 3 times after.  Not sure why, but somewhere in my childhood I remember wishes come true if you blink 3 times after making one:)

What's the stupidest thing you've ever done with your cell phone?
I drop it all the time, but the other day I was at my sisters hanging out in the hot tub with my 3 year old niece, and she picked up my phone I had sitting at the side, and said "Here Kristy" and tossed it right into the water to me.  Thank goodness for Ziploc bags, otherwise it would have been ruined!

Favorite place you have ever traveled to?
I've been to a lot of places I have loved.  But the one that seems to always top my charts is Alaska, I'd spend every June there if I could!  Though one day I'd like to go see the Northern Lights in the winter there!

What famous person do you or others think you resemble?
I personally don't see it, but I get told all the time I resemble Sandra Bullock

If a song could perfectly describe your life right now, what is it?
Only because I'm going through an Injury: Rodney Atkins If Your Going Through Hell.  One because going through an injury that keeps a runner from running is a bit like hell.  But the other because it has a surprisingly hopeful vibe behind it, that their are others who can help you get past it, and if you can get through it there are brighter times ahead.

Would you rather die in a blaze of glory or die in your sleep.
That's tough, because I think if it was my time to go and I knew it was coming I'd pick blaze of glory, but if I am not aware its coming maybe in my sleep is the better route.

What is your best physical feature?
My fingernails.  I have natural nails that look better than most peoples fake or gel nails.

What is your most annoying habit?
When I get bored I bite on the inside of my bottom lip, I have unsuccessfully been trying to quit for years.

What are your superpowers?
I shouldn't admit this, but it's manipulating others.  I am a wedding planner, it's my job to take what a bride think she wants and then talk her into what she will really want, that will look much better than what she is asking, I've been told I have quite a talent in this, but shhhhh don't tell the brides. LOL.
I use it other times, but I am saving my Mad Skills (haha) in it for when I finally make it on the T.V. show Survivor!  I get on that show, and I am so winning!!!

Do you talk to yourself?
Yes, If I am working on plans for a brides wedding and getting packed, I frequently catch myself talking out loud.  You can also catch me talking to myself when driving, especially if there are lots of idiots on the road:) And anytime I am ticked off, you can hear me mumbling.

Do you have a great accomplishment?
I have many, but each marathon I run and finish I always consider a great accomplishment.  However, the fall of 2012 I ran 3 full marathons in 15 days, and followed up with a 4th less than 2 weeks later.  I still can't believe I pulled that stunt off, but it still makes me smile every time I think about it.  I dwell on my past running successes quite a bit right now while I am going through injury recovery!

What are your plans for tomorrow?
I saved this one for last for a reason.  Tomorrow is actually my Birthday.  I have never worked a birthday yet, and I have zero plans to start now.  So I plan on sleeping in, relaxing, eating good food and cake, and partying with the family in the evening!  (Yeah, healthy diet set aside for tomorrow only!  Happy Birthday to me!!!)

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That's it, if you have a minute to comment, feel free to answer some or all of these yourself:)  

Don't forget, if you have a blog and have a post about your life's going on's... to link up!  If you can, visit other blogs in the link up.  But as always, anyone who links up, I promise I will come and visit your blog too!

All About Me Monday's & Link Up

So I came up with the idea of All About Me Monday's a few months back, but with the holidays and crazy busy wedding booking season that started a little earlier than normal, needless to say I got a little behind on rolling it out.

So what are All About Me Monday's?  Well exactly like it sounds, it's just a day that I will talk about anything and everything about the going on's of my current life.
Additionally, I am doing a link up, where any of my lovely blog followers who have their own blogs and want to link up posts and updates about themselves can also link up.

I have really no requirements on the link up, you can even link up older posts if you'd like.  All I ask is you keep them family friendly, appropriate for any audience. (Otherwise I may just remove you from the link up.)
If you link up, it's not required but you are free to visit any of the other blogs.  However, if you link-up you'll have my guarantee that I will come and visit yours and share some comment love within 48 hours.

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So what's been going on in my life...  I'll start with the work injury update.
I had an MRI a couple of weeks ago, that not only myself but even my Dr.'s were sure it was going to point towards surgery.  See I waited until Jan. 2nd, to hear the results, because I was having so much bad luck in 2013, I figured I would have better luck in 2014.  It rang true (I think).
The MRI showed no damage anywhere near where I have been having all the pain, and they could only assume at this point it was residual pain from the Achilles tendon.  Even though it didn't make much sense, I decided to take it as a good omen.
The Dr.'s suggested I put the big ol' boot back on for a week or two, just until the pain has left and then I was given the okay resume Physical Therapy.
On the bad news, I now have Achilles tendinitis in my other foot as well, it's crept in and been bothering me for the last 8 weeks.  I just haven't wanted to mention it on the blog til now.
(Yes, I have the worst luck lately)

Craziest part is, the other day I had a wedding and I sort of over did it, carrying lots of heavy stuff over and over.  My foot was so swollen that night, it took 3 hours of icing off and on and elevation to just get the swelling down a bit.  I was sure I would be in severe pain the next day and pay for it for weeks.  Well the next morning, I woke up and practically no pain.  It is the craziest thing, my only guess is maybe pushing it way too much was actually a good thing!  The next day when I was dealing with all the washing and folding of all the wedding linens, I knelt down on the floor and really stretched my foot, in a way I really wasn't supposed to.  But nothing happened, in fact all that happened is I am now in even less pain.  Of course I am not going to do this every day, and for now I am not going to mention it to the Dr's.  But I don't see what a little experimenting could hurt, as long as I don't go too far.  I think I will try a few new things every other day, as long as I am in no pain!

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So I mentioned one of my goals I am working on right now is to loose weight.  Yes, I have packed on way too many pounds since I haven't been able to do really anything most of last year.  It was all my fault for not eating the best at times.  I am not prepared yet to tell you my weight (yet).
But I will say, I have officially hit my heaviest ever.  (No I am not proud in the least to say that!)
I almost cringed the other day when I stepped on the scale to weigh in.  No wonder all of my clothes are literally borderline saying loose weight, or buy a larger size!
I have gained 35 pounds this year, and I will admit I had a few more to loose before those even came on.  I can't believe I even admitted that much.

Well, I have been preparing mentally to get my head in gear.  I know I am drinking to much soda, my beloved Pepsi...  I also have eaten out once or twice a week too many times.
You add that in, with an occasional snack and complete lack of cardio over the past 6 months, and well I get what I got!
But I am making some changes, I have a few idea's to help me keep up the motivation.
I joined a DietBet again, I did pretty well with that last year when it helped me drop 28 pounds.

Additionally, what will help me stick to it better than ever???  Me having to be forced to wear a swimsuit in public.  So when my friend contacted me and asked me if I wanted to take a cruise in March, I said heck yes, for more than just the luxury of taking a vacation.  A Caribbean cruise, means I will be in a swimsuit, because knowing myself I will be signing up for diving, exploring and other activities that clearly will need a swimsuit.  Hence a great reason to loose some weight fast!

So my goal, as unrealistic as it may sound.  Is to drop 30 pounds by Mid March.
It's not completely impossible, I have the weight to loose, and if I can start adding cardio in the coming weeks, it should help significantly!
Additionally, eating better will likely be the biggest key to it all!
My theory and knowing myself, the first ten will probably drop pretty quick, but I am going to have to really be diligent to drop the rest.  If I don't hit the goal in time, that is fine.  But I'd rather aim high, and deal with not hitting it.  Than aim lower and actually achieve it and slack off:)  (I know myself well.)

Also, would like to announce that I have officially been accepted to be a Girls Gone Sporty Ambassador.  I am excited to join their team and help represent them by being a positive influence to others who are working to achieve their goals and ambitions in the world of sports and healthy lifestyles!

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So one thing I probably have never mentioned on this blog, I love painting my nails and coming up with new idea's each week.  I thought I'd share of picture of what my nails look like this week:)  Can I just say this particular color(s) is so fabulous, I set up, decorated and took down an entire wedding with hardly any wear or chips:) Hmmm now what colors should I paint them next week:)
FYI- Since I haven't shown Wedding Wednesday pic's in a while, I will post some this week:)



I had a little fun the other day, sledding with my nieces and nephews.  I was pretty protective of my foot (of course).  It was a lot of fun, except since I didn't dare use my feet to stop me, and one time we veered to far off into the wrong direction on the hill, I had to turn my body so the sled would spin so that I would hit a tree instead of my cute 2 year old nephew:)
I must love him, because I have quite the huge bruise all across part of my shoulder and arm, from the slam.

My sister and her two adorable kids

Hopefully that wasn't too much to bore you!  I'd love to hear whats going on in your life, feel free to link up!  Or comment below about something great or not so great that is going on in your life!

Have a blog post about you that you'd like to share? Link-Up here: