slim down saturday (on sunday...again)

Welp.  This week began well.  I played soccer on Sunday night and did Insanity on Tuesday.  Then I woke up on Wednesday morning with a cold that has lasted through today.  Needless to say, I have not worked out since Tuesday.  

But two days is better than no days right?!  

I still have a lingering cough but will be going to my soccer game tonight anyway because I refuse to miss!  Nick plays on the team with me and it's the highlight of our weekend.  Plus it means I'll be starting the new week off with one workout under my belt.  

So, I am linking up with Teaching with a Touch of Pixie Dust for another edition of Slim Down Saturday.  Here is this week's update:

Last week, I mentioned that I am not weighing myself.  The main reason for this is because my goals are not to lose weight but to gain muscle.  However, I do want to lose some body fat in order for my muscle tone to show.  Gina suggested I keep track of one measurement, and so I have included my waist measurement.  I would say I have about 1/2" to 1" to go!

Wishing everyone luck in their goals this week!

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slim down saturday (on sunday)

Yesterday morning, Nick woke me up saying, "Beth come out here!  I'm watching a Body Beast infomercial."  Now, I am not a morning person, but I jumped right out of bed.  For some reason I have a strange affinity for weight loss infomercials.  Something about them just seems so exciting and full of hope.

Normally, I don't make New Year's Resolutions, but this year I decided to make some fitness goals.  Two weeks ago, I began working out 4-5  days per week.  My workouts consist of running with my little sister, playing indoor soccer with Nick, and doing Insanity.  (Man, those videos are intense!)  I don't own a scale, so instead I took before pictures and measurements so that I can track my progress.

As someone that goes in and out of working out regularly (who doesn't?), I am constantly trying to find new ways to motivate myself.  I have found that instagram is an awesome resource for this.  Kayla_itsines and emilyskyefit post motivating pictures, quotes, and sell their own workout programs, while fitgirlsguide hosts 28-day jumpstarts (super cheap for the ebook), and a bunch of the girls in the challenge will post their before/after photos.

As another motivator, I have linked up with Teaching with a Touch of Pixie Dust for this week's Slim Down Saturday.  Here is my progress so far:

No matter what your resolution, keep it up.  If you fail one week (as we all will) don't give up!  Remember, success requires hard work and consistency.  Good luck and let me know how you are staying motivated with your resolutions.

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currently may

Despite the fact that my week did not start well, my kids were angels for the rest of the week. My co-teacher and I decided to give them the behavior incentive of letting them go outside for the last 15 minutes of the day. The kids have really responded to this and it's so cute to see them get excited when I bring sneakers to play kickball!

 Today I am linking up with Oh Boy 4th Grade for May's Currently.  I am so happy that we have the math MCAS on Monday which means I have no more math prepping/cramming to do.  My kiddos are READY! The stress has literally melted off my shoulders, so much so that my May Currently has nothing to do with school.  (sigh)

Listening

My favorite Saturday morning routine is to drink my coffee while watching Fashion Police.  Joan Rivers is so hysterical and I love to start my day off by laughing.

Loving

This week I have noticed a huge influx of greenery.  All of the sudden, the trees are covered with leaves and the cherry blossoms are blooming.  Everyday when I walk my dog, I discover a new flower.  I love this time of year.  Massachusetts is so beautiful and it means winter is pretty much as far away as it can get!

This year, I acquired an oh-so-lovely allergy to pollen which I am NOT loving.  This is my first experience with allergies, and I honestly do not know how you all cope.  Do you get used to it?  Take lots of meds?  If so, what do you take?  Please help!

Thinking

I need to call my mom for her birthday today.  She is a wonderful, confident, and beautiful woman and I am so thankful for her.  But I have been so busy lately that I haven't called her in a little while so I need to wait until I have a good amount of free time to chat!

Wanting

Last year, I got blonde ombre highlights for the summer and I loved them.  Not too much, just a couple at the ends.  I have been debating whether to get them again this year because...well...I have a  hard time justifying spending money on my hair.  I only cut it about twice a year, and highlights are just so expensive!  But I have FINALLY found a hairdresser that I trust.  And after these last few stressful weeks, I deserve a splurge.  Right?  Right.

Needing

My twin sister is having a baby this summer, and her baby shower is in a couple weeks!  I am very excited to see her.  I haven't seen her since Easter, and I can't wait to check out her big baby bump!  For her baby shower, I want to make these Berry Meringue Cakes for the guests.  I have never made a meringue, so I plan to do some experimenting this weekend.

Summer Bucket List

I only have one item on my summer bucket list and that is to buy a house!  My hubby and I have been living in a tiny one bedroom apartment for the last three years.  The rent is so cheap and our landlords are the nicest people, but we are ready for our own place.  If any of you live in the Boston suburban area, you will understand when I say that you get NOTHING for your money.  Nothing.  Hubby and I were actually laughing in bed this morning when we saw a new house come on the market...2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 900 sqft, needs a full rehab, $275k.  What????

Okay everyone, I am off to run with a fellow Tough Mudder teammate.  We are running 4.5 miles of hiking trails today.  Wish me luck!  I hope everyone has a great weekend!!

may goals

Today I had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.  It is the last week before our math state tests, and I feel like I am just cramming information into my kiddos' brains.  And the kids are so excited about the nice weather that they are having a hard time keeping control.  While I can't blame them, we still have almost 40 school days left!  I find myself feeling frustrated at the end of the day instead of feeling like I accomplished something.

Needless to say this Linky from I {heart} Recess couldn't come at a more perfect time.  Tonight I regrouped and came up with some goals that I can accomplish for the month of May.  I'm feeling better already.

Personal: Stick to my budget

This month I have a lot A LOT of upcoming events that my hubby and I will have to pay for.  I run the fundraising for a 5-day field trip at school, and its biggest fundraiser is this weekend AND I have my sister-in-law's 30th birthday to celebrate.  I also have my mother's birthday, Mother's Day, my twin sister's baby shower, and a Red Sox game Memorial Day weekend.  This doesn't even take into consideration the fact that I MAY OR MAY NOT want to grab a margarita after work with the girls.  The hubs and I are very good about sticking to our allowance of $100 each per paycheck.  But this month it's going to be difficult. 

Health: Finish my training for the Tough Mudder

This year, 3 teachers and I are participating in the Tough Mudder in June.  It is a 10-12 mile course with 30 obstacles and the goal is just to finish!  In fact, their motto is to put camaraderie over your finish time.  The 4 of us have been training together through the winter, and we are in the home stretch now!

Blogging: Double my amount of followers

In the last two weeks, I have started gaining more followers.  I am really enjoying meeting all these new bloggers and gaining new ideas for my own teaching.  So I would like to continue the momentum in May because, you know, you can never have too many friends. ;)

School: Motivate my students to behave

I am finding that this past month has been very hard on me and my students.  They are just CHECKED OUT. I am trying to keep them motivated.  So my co-teacher and I decided to give the kids the chance to earn free time during dismissal every day.  Those that earn it get to go outside, and those that don't will stay in.  We began this today and I had to keep in a small group.  I honestly think they didn't expect me to follow through with my threat.  Well now you know!

Fun: Finish Downton Abbey

Ahh.  My favorite show of late.  I really cannot get enough of Downton Abbey.  I watched the first two seasons on OnDemand a couple weeks ago, and I am so upset that the third season isn't available!  I am tempted to pay $2 per episode just to get my fix.  But I can't.  It's not in my budget.  Anyone out there wanna lend me their netflix login??? :)