11 things in 2011 that rocked my world

As I sit here just a couple hours before midnight, I find myself looking back at 2011 and all of the goodness it brought.

Coming into 2011, I was feeling frumpy and tired of being fat.  I had been training for over 2 years for half marathons having completed 4 races.  I was improving overall with pace & time but I didn't improve enough to keep my competitive side happy.  I've said this before, but around the same time PAI Yoga & Fitness  ran a deal through Living Social for some classes, a nutrition plan & a fitness assessment.  It was a no brainer for me as I knew I needed to step up my workouts if I wanted to lose weight.  PAI worked for me because it was a small gym, I didn't feel lost when I walked in the door or overwhelmed and over the last year, I feel like I've made friends.   The nutrition plans were just what I needed to get on track & eat right.  Success started following and I began to fall in love with working out.  I feel like I can honestly call myself an athlete and really feel like one now.

I am heading to PAI on Monday for my follow-up fitness assessment to checkpoint where I am but my Wii Fit which I have been using to weigh in over the last year said I am down 41 lbs and my BMI is in the "normal" range but just barely.  We'll see what Monday brings.

This year has been one of the best years of my life.  I've finally learned how to have a work/life balance and I no longer live to work - I work to live.  Difficult for me to do.  I thought I'd share 11 awesome things that happened to me in 2011.

1.  I became a coach for the walking group with Marathoners In Training and saw several walkers through their first races this year.  I was inspired by all of them and learned a lot from them.  I am coaching again for the next season and I look forward to more inspiration.

Maryanne, me & Mary before the Columbus Half

I am on the left side of the picture, 3rd from front.

2.  As I lost weight, I noticed I became more adventurous.  We joined PAI Yoga & Fitness at the first annual whitewater rafting & yoga retreat.  Not only did I go out on the water & not think twice about it - Steve did two days worth of yoga & loved it!  He's been going to PAI weekly since for a slow flow class.

Ready to raft!

3.  I traveled to see my sister and her family in Belgium for a week.  While there, we spent some time in Paris & I got to see many of the sites I never thought I'd see for the first time.  I am dying to go back and do the 10 mile run from Paris to Versailles that my sister got to do.

The Arc de Triomphe

4.  In July, I placed for the first time in a  5K in the walker's division!!  I had achieved a 12:12 minute pace per mile and came in first!  I was thrilled!!  I got a $20 gift card to Fleet Feet which I spent on something great, I am sure and I was inspired to keep it moving the rest of the summer.

Trying to look skinnier by putting the leg out.

Dirty but waiting for another trek

That was the starting point for my excellent racing this season.  Any race I did not pace ended up being a PR.  I had a great summer!  I also placed second for my age category at the New Albany Walking Club Half Marathon & first for the Columbus Marathon in my age group for the half.  I am so excited to see what 2012 will bring!  It was very hard for me to retire my Glycerin 9s this fall.

5.  I bought a road bike and started training!  We named her Trudy and I took her out for my longest distance - 25 miles - in August after an MIT workout.  Had a great time!  I enjoyed riding her and plan on trying to do a sprint triathalon.  I may drown during the swim portion but maybe not!

Meet Trudy

6.  We went to Aruba for Thanksgiving this year and I tried snorkeling for the first time & fell in love.  I also took an intro to scuba class.  I am nervous about scuba because there is so much to remember but I enjoyed it.

The trick was using Steve's snorkel & not the provided ones!

7.  I walked or rode 1,065 miles in 2011.  My goal simply was 1,000 but I have been so motivated, I couldn't stop there.  My 1,000th mile was with Sara helping her get through an 18 miler in her training for the Goofy Challenge.  Stop by her blog and wish her well next weekend!

8.  I became friends with an awesome group of MITers called the Lucky 13s.  I don't run but they accept me as a walker.  I enjoyed attending their Christmas party & look forward to growing my friendship with all of them in 2012 and beyond.

Awesome group of people!

9.  I lost 41 lbs.

November 2010

In Aruba November 2011

10.  I started to work from home giving me more time to exercise and connect with my pups!

Glad I am home more often!

11.  Made some awesome friends, connected with new people, enjoyed life more.  Even my relationship with Steve has changed - for the better.  

After the Oktoberfest.

Inside Fontein Cave in Aruba

I don't honestly make resolutions each year.  As my friend Sarah said on her blog - " if you must make New Year’s resolutions, make them small, concrete goals."  Small, concrete goals.  I can do that!  Goals for 2012 include maintaining my weight loss, completing Relay Around Columbus, walking my first full marathon, and attending a racewalking clinic.

I am excited to see what 2012 brings.  It can only keep going up from here!

What are your 2012 goals?  Have you figured out what was the best event that happened to you in 2011?

Spinning & a Virtual 5K

Yesterday I decided to load Trudy and her trainer in the car to head to the Trek Columbus Store on Lane Avenue to join in a group spin.  I wasn't quite sure what I was in for because I had not used the trainer yet having received it for Christmas.  I also didn't have quite all the equipment I needed!  The directions from the store said be there at 6:30 and we spin promptly at 7.  I was there at 6:30 but I was the only one! I was quite worried that I was either a dork or going to be the only person.  Gradually more people got there and I was happy to get Trudy set up with a front row view of the screen. Apparently the early bird gets the front row from what one of the other riders said.  The requirements from Trek were easy - a trainer, a mat, water, & a towel.  They lent me the block I didn't have which was very helpful.

Apparently a block is a necessity.

I was sweating before we got through the warm up! We were watching what appeared to be the DVD that comes with the Cycleops I received for Christmas.  None of the riders on the video looked remotely tasked and here I was already dripping sweat.  It was probably the lack of ventilation in the room or something - not quite sure!  We had 3 fans on the floor in front of us and the trainer has a fan but it didn't help.  Sweat dripped off of me throughout the whole workout like I've never experienced before even during a spin class on a spin bike!  It was a tough workout!  I think I found it tough because I don't necessarily know how to use the trainer yet and I may have had the tension too high.  I am still trying to learn all of her gears too and when they said "shift down" I struggled.  I'll get there!  I am pretty sure the video we did was the same one I have at home & driving home I decided I could host my own group spins at our house!  I have a 55" TV, hardwood floors and the space!  All we'd have to do is move the furntiure around and out of the way & we could do it!  The dogs may want to participate but I could see it happening.  Yup, I've lost it.  The store isn't going to be hosting a group spin next week but they'll be back the second week of January through March.  I am hoping I get better and better as I try.  The video said "if you can do this workout again tomorrow, you did not workout hard enough.  Try again in 2-3 days."  I was sore last night and tired so I am assuming I did what I was supposed to do.  I wouldn't try it again today though!  At the end of class, I only had gone 20 miles and I am sure if I had pedaled faster, it would have been further.  Any locals interested in bringing their trainers over to my house & doing a group spin here?  Could be fun!

The last two days of 2011 are upon us!  It is hard to believe.  I am not big for resolutions but I am mentally promising myself I'll maintain my 2011 weight loss, train for & complete my first full marathon and a few other goals.  I will be posting about them soon!  One tradition I keep every year is going to the First on the First 5K put on by M3S Sports.  I am pacing a 14:29 minutes/mile finish this year and really looking forward to it.  Challenge yourself to completing a 5K this weekend too!  You could head over to Daily Vitamin F's blog and participate in her 5K.  All you need to do is follow her blog (easy!), print out a copy of the bib, snap a picture with it then blog about it!  Easy peasey!  She has some great prizes lined up!  Check it out today!

Do your New Year's plans include any races?  Do you write resolutions down?  Are you good at keeping them?

Post Christmas wind down

I love the week between Christmas and New Year's.  Being in sales, it can go one of two ways - you can either be busy as heck closing deals or you can have a few days of rest & relaxation while working of course.  For me, I closed one deal before Christmas and lost the other, so this week is a catch up week and I can actually get my over 400 email inbox cleaned up as well.  Go me!  I took advantage of the quietness and walked 4 miles before work started then headed to a TRX class at 10AM and a hot yoga class at 6.  I was a happy girl but asleep by 10.  Oops.

The Christmas holiday went by so quickly.  You'd think with the extra days off it would be long enough but it wasn't.  I think they never are.  I got some time to snuggle with our pups.

Why are you laying on us?

And I took my boy dog for a run Christmas day.  He doesn't really like it when I try to racewalk him so we ran the entire 3 miles.  I didn't know I could run 3 miles.  So proud!  It definitely wiped him out for the rest of the day! Maybe I need to take him out more often.

There are no kids in our house so Christmas is relatively quiet with my mother-in-law and her brother.  But we enjoy it.  My husband asked for a 5 lb. Gummy Bear for Christmas after we saw one in the Real Simple magazine on our way to Aruba.  Being a spoiled only child, he got his wish.

We're calling him "Hunka Hunka Cherry Love"

The poor bear has already lost an ear and both feet.  How is he supposed to get away??

My mother-in-law gave us a very special gift.  Her niece is a painter and can recreate pictures into beautiful art.  She gave us a painting of our two pups together that made me tear up.

USPS messed it up but it is still awesome.

She was excited she pulled off a surprise!!  We're very difficult people to buy presents for.

I didn't get much in the way of walking gear this year because we spent money replacing my stolen jewelry at Thanksgiving, but he did surprise me with my own snorkel mask!  I can't wait to use it on my girls cruise in 2 weeks!

I can now play peeping tom on reefs!

I also got a Cycleops which allows you to ride your bike inside.  Pretty excited because that means Trudy will be inside for the winter!

Good place for her, right?

 The only thing that remains from our awesome Christmas is JUNK!  For some reason, we had a chocolate thing this year and made mostly chocolate cookies and a chocolate pie.  Which no one would touch.  Maybe I need to watch The Help.

How was your Christmas?  Any suggestions on how I should spend some money I received for Christmas?  I'm looking for new running/walking gear for outside workouts this winter.

HBBC recap to date

I've been remiss about posting the activities I've done in the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge 2001 put together by Run to the Finish.  With all of the holiday and end of sales year craziness, I've been able to work out but not record what I've done over the last couple of weeks.  My workouts have been great and I've been adding in a few things I've been wanting to do for a while! 3 yoga classes in a week is awesome for me as I usually can only make it to one or two.  I have been loving it so much I make it to as many as I can now!

Over the last few weeks, I have done the following:

Week of November 26 through December 2nd:

• Walked 16 miles
• Attended 2 yoga classes 
• Attended 2 TRX Intermediate classes 
• 4 times hitting the 7 servings of fruit/veggies

Week of December 3 through December 9:

• Walked 26 miles (including an 18 mile training walk & a virtual 5K)
• Attended 1 TRX class
• 2 yoga classes 
• 3 times hitting the 7 servings of fruit/veggies

Week of December 10 through December 16:

• 10 Miles (including pacing a Holiday Run Race)
• Spinning - 60 minutes
• TRX Intermediate 
• 2 yoga classes 
• 4 times hitting the 7 servings of fruit/veggies

Week of December 17 through December 23:

• Walked 21 miles
• 2 TRX classes (60 minutes each)
• 2 yoga classes
• Introduction to scuba diving!  Entailed half hour of swimming
• 3 times hitting the 7 servings of fruit/veggies

Total points through December 23:  159.5

I am already off to a good start for this week with 2 runs over Christmas weekend when I never usually run and a yoga class!  Spending some time today relaxing though & letting my body recover from my running workouts since it is not used to anything but racewalking!

This coming week I am planning two TRX classes, 2 more yoga classes, one spinning & of course mileage.  I am back on a training plan but I seem to do whatever I feel comfortable with which is more than my needed mileage.  I also got a Cycleops for my bike for Christmas & it is already set up so I can get some spinning in that way too!

New Year's weekend will entail some exercise as well!  Saturday I will walk 5 miles and on Sunday I am pacing a local race called First on the First.  It has become a tradition for me as this is my third year.  First time I am pacing.  I am scheduled for a 14:29 minute mile which should be easy for me!

Are you finding that you are staying active this holiday season?  What things are working for you?

Ugly Sweater Fun Run/Walk Recap

Today was the first annual ugly sweater run/walk scavenger hunt put on by the local Fleet Feet Sports which also runs my training group, MIT.  It was so much fun!  Finding an ugly sweater was a challenge for many and I struggled part of the week.  I knew my mother-in-law would have access to some being a retired school teacher but I didn't want to ask her right away for fear of insulting her.  It is never nice to hear someone say your clothes are ugly, right??  Well, I finally asked and she brought me a doozy!

Rocking the ugly sweater!

I adorned it with the awesome hat we bought last year at the Columbus Zoo Lights and I wore for the Holiday Run as well as the Christmas tree earrings.  The weather was an awesome 35ish degrees so I barely needed any other layers!  In fact, as we got moving, I was dripping in sweat!  That was a warm sweater!

We were given a list of tasks to complete like going to the Meijer and finding a box of their fruit snacks & writing down the nutrition value.  None of us had pens so we all had to take pictures.  We also had to go to some other places for photo opps.  We had to pick up things at water stops and take pictures at various places.  We had to name our team so we called ourselves "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out!"  We had to give Jeff our pace per mile so we said 13 but ended up much faster because we decided we couldn't make it back by 9:45 if we "just" walked so we ran!  A bit difficult on concrete (so unforgiving) but we had fun doing it.

First team picture in front of the OH Health Sign

We must have looked crazy running into stores and grabbing for certain items.  I don't know what I would have thought if I was a shopper at that time! I was worried because my phone kept taking craps throughout the workout and I was worried that we would be quizzed to show our pictures.  We weren't, thankfully!  Just had to report how many we finished!

Inside White Castle

At least it is lower than yesterday

When we went into White Castle to have our picture taken, there was no one in the restaurant and I am fairly certain the worker was not amused that we were bothering her.  But she took our picture just the same.

Next we ran down to the UDF to check the gas prices as we had to report back what it was that day.  No pen, as I mentioned before so I had to take another picture.

There was a water stop where we all could pick up a gift card to Fleet Feet but there were none left when we got there.  That was to be our present for doing this scavenger hunt.  I am bummed that we missed it but I think they are going to make up for it.

Yup, she makes me look short.

Then there was the picture we had to take at the breakfast counter at Bob Evans.  I am sure you can imagine they were very busy and not too happy to have us all in there around the same time snapping photos.

They were closed for Christmas Eve & Christmas

Then we had to take a picture at the Rusty Bucket and count the number of parking spaces in front of the restaurant.  They never did tell us what they wanted that answer to be. Thankfully someone came up and helped us with our picture there too.  We could have been in trouble!!  I don't have an iPhone so I don't have the nifty feature of seeing yourself from the front before you take a picture.  There were two more pictures we had to take before we headed back to get one with Jeff, the leader of MIT and organizer of the event.  Pretty boring ones, so I'll spare you.

This was the good one

And this is the funny one!

We had so much fun walking around and trying out the challenges!  It was a great diversion from the holiday weekend and I am glad we went.  Best part was it was free!

We didn't win but we had a great time!  Some of the sweaters & costumes were awesome! Someone had on a Santa suit, someone else wore one of those snuggies that zipped from head to toe and there were many others.  I still am laughing over someone walking straight up to me and saying her sweater was uglier than mine.  Really?  Who cares?


Last time I checked, there weren't prizes for that today!  It was all in good fun and an enjoyable day!


Did you do a holiday run today?

Have you ever done an ugly sweater run/walk?  I'd do this again and I am glad I get to keep the sweater!

Who knew how popular ugly sweaters have become??

Christmas: A retrospective

I always loved Christmas as a kid.  It meant presents, lots of food and family time.  Okay, I'll admit it - I loved the presents!  My mom did it well - she would wrap our Santa gifts in different paper and have someone at work fill out our tags for us.  I never knew!  I think I didn't want to know.   It made it magical.  I don't remember when I decided Santa wasn't real anymore but we still did it anyway.  My mom would put out so much food when it came time for dinner we would all just gasp!

I was born right before Christmas so the pictures from my first year were pretty much a one month old staring at a tree.

Yup, Mom is smoking right above me.

Christmas 1975 and I could actually sit and behave!!

Christmas 1975 - Me & Lisa

It's likely that Mom made my dress and Lisa's top.  She was good at that and there are pictures of Christmases somewhere that we had the same dresses on.

The pictures I have available are limited so the next one is from the 80s.  Does anyone (who is in their 30s) see the Vic 20 in the background?  As an adult, I learned Mom wasn't happy we got a computer that year.  We didn't have a lot of money but we were always happy.

Rocking the fro! Or am I?

When all the presents were unwrapped, we had a good time shoving the paper in a garbage bag to set at the curb.  Some years, we had more fun then others!

I was making it easy for them to get rid of me!

Christmas usually meant that Mom's family came to town.  I am not sure when that stopped and I still miss seeing Uncle Dave at Christmas.  He was fun!

Lisa, Mom, Uncle Dave & I. pre-1984 but not sure when.

Christmases are different now as we are all adults but some things are still the same.  Lisa still puts a Marshmallow Man she made in kindergarten on her family tree.  We still give her kids ornaments every year for the tree.  But instead of all being together - we Skype.  Thanks to technology, we can at least SEE each other on Christmas day.

Merry Christmas to all of you and enjoy your families!!  

What is your favorite Christmas memory?

Any new Christmas traditions planned this year?

40 things about me

Its official:  I've lost 40 pounds in 2011!!  What a journey this has been!  I've gained and lost the same 40 pounds twice in my adult life, but who's counting?  For fun, I thought I'd write a 40 things you don't know about me post. Happy reading!

1.  I can't stand to have my food on my plate touch.  I am not as neurotic about it as my sister, but I do make an effort to make sure things don't mix.

2.  I played soccer in high school and was fairly good at it.  I was a fullback and my job was to clear the ball out of the goal area. I had a strong kick.  So much so they called me "Strong Foot C....."  (insert maiden name for those of you who know it.)

This is how I remember him - with his Troll doll routine.

3.  I went to college with Jimmy Fallon.  And actually hung out with him.  He hasn't really changed much since then but I think he may actually be funnier.  Or is it more funny?

4.  I wanted to be a journalist until I found out what they make.

5.  We had close to 30 Cabbage Patch kids between my mother, sister & I.  We would pose them with the Christmas tree at Christmas.  Mom has all of mine to this day.  She says I am a bad "parent."

6.  I used to hate to sweat.  So much so that every time I head to hot yoga class, hubby looks at me strange.  I now love it when I come back from a workout with wet hair!

7.  I can't stand my first name.  I've gotten used to it over the years but for some reason, I've just never liked it.  I tried to get people to call me by my middle (Michele) in school but it never stuck.

8.  I grew up in a small town in upstate NY (Plattsburgh).  I couldn't go anywhere without people knowing my dad but yet I somehow got away with a lot of very naughty things.

9.  I am not a fan of the snow or cold and continuing to train for races in the winter was a tough concept for me but now I wouldn't give up my Saturdays.  MIT is on my schedule through infinity & beyond.

I blame hubby.

10.  I wasn't a dog person as a kid and now I randomly stop & pet people's dogs.  I always ignore the owner.  I also check out other dogs on the trail for potential future pets!

11.  I worked at Burger King throughout high school and college.  Sadly, I was good at it.  Then I worked at CVS last 2 years of college & they tried to recruit me for managerial.  I resisted.

12.  My first car was a 1996 Hyundai Elantra.

13.  I love to read but I have been reading trash.  Joining a book club and they read smart books.  I hope I can keep up!

14.  I was in "special" gym.

15.  I had glasses from the time I was 2 until I was 34.  Thank God for technology & LASIK eye surgery.  I still am amazed I can open my eyes & see every day.

16.  I took piano lessons from Billy Graziadei of Biohazard but I don't know much about his music.

17.  I've never really wanted kids but love spoiling my sister's.

18.  I hung out with a band in college and had a great time being a groupie.

19.  I still declare Jerry Maguire as my favorite all time movie & still cry when he says "You complete me."  Why aren't men in real life that sappy?

20.  I have seen Phish in concert twice and it was awesome.  I probably still have a contact high.

21.  I smile more now then I ever have before.

22.  My dad was in the military when I was born but I never got to be a military brat.

23.  I grew up on a lake but don't really know how to swim.

24.  I miss fall in NY. There's nothing like it anywhere else.

25.  I regret not heading to NYC after college & living there a year.

26.  If you're still reading this, I've got names picked out for my non-existent kids.  See #17.

27.  I love anything chocolate. I am pretty sure my adult acne is a reaction to the abundance of chocolate I eat but I can't give it up.

28.  I jump feet first into things without knowing much about them.

29.  I mentally over schedule my days and wonder why I can't get it all done.

30.  We like to eat out.  A lot.  I think that has a lot to do with not being able to afford it as a kid.

31.  Somehow weight loss has made me more adventurous.  I went whitewater rafting & snorkeling this year.  Both would have scared the heavier me.

32.  I totally don't have a filter.  I say what I think.

33.  I hoard water bottles.

If you are local, you will remember Fred.

34.  I am a sales rep by trade and that usually surprises my friends because I am not like the stereotypical sales rep.

35.  I can't live without iced tea. I used to drink a ton of Mountain Dew but I gave up soda about 14 years ago.

36.  I look terrible with long hair.  Last time it reached my shoulders was right before I met my hubby. And he likes girls with long hair better.  Go figure.

37.  I can't give up newspaper delivery yet I barely have time to read it.

38.  I wish I could afford to stop working and do what I really want to do.

39.  I've been to 8 tropical islands and plan to get to all of them one day.

The final one should be a doozy right?? Hmmm, this was harder then I thought.

40.  I finally work to live not live to work.

I'm definitely a dink

I think I may have a problem.  I hoard water bottles and I didn't even realize it until the other day when I was in the basement and found 2 more aluminum ones.  Never used.  Not even sure where they came from.  Apparently I am a camel and I am concerned about dehydration.

Uh, I think I may have a problem

I took them all out, lined them up and was surprised at how many there were.  I then promptly put them all away.  Right back into the basement.  Yup, I have an issue.  The hubby asked why I got them out without getting rid of any and I said "for my blog."  Don't you all do things just for the sake of your blog?? To be fair, I did throw one away that had been turned pink from too many times in the dishwasher.

I've been spending a lot of time working lately and getting cranky that I am missing workouts.  When I actually get a chance to work out, I go to hot yoga and walk 4 miles right in a row.  I think I missed out on the real benefit of hot yoga by doing that.  90 degrees to 40 degrees and rain, probably not such a great idea.  I enjoyed both workouts though and the time getting to know a new friend was worth it!

I have not had my hair colored in 8 weeks and I am gray.  I have a gray patch on the left side of my head.  When did that happen?  I hate it.  I can't wait until tonight to get that fixed!  I was even thinking I might let her put like electric blue or red in my hair? Hmmm, I wonder if I can pull off a non-haircolor color.  Thoughts?

I am sad that there are 4 gifts under our Christmas tree so far.  That will be remedied on Friday when Steve's mom arrives but it is a true sign we are dinks or is it DINKS?

dink/diNGk/

Noun:	A partner in a well-off working couple with no children. A drop shot.
Verb:	Hit (the ball) with a drop shot.

Netflix sent out Bridesmaids to me yesterday.  I have not seen it yet.  I've heard I'll be disappointed but I am being optimistic.  

Today is supposed to be my Friday but I get a feeling tomorrow will entail some work too.  Being a sales rep at year end is a fun time!! 

Now that I've ranted on about my first world problems like Kara did, what are yours?

Weekends & dieting don't mix

I am terrible at eating right on the weekends.

Last week one of the raspberries had a dead fly in it. Yuck!

Monday thru Friday?  I am fine.  I eat my fruit & veggies and in fact get up to the 7 servings per day required by the HBBC challenge without thinking much about it.  On Saturdays, I head to Costco and pick up the big containers of blackberries & raspberries then finish them by Wednesday.  No help at all.    And we're not talking about the tiny pints either.  They are out of season but the prices still seem to be fairly reasonable at Costco.  Taste is definitely not the same as summer but I enjoy them just the same.   Something about the 5 o'clock bell ringing on a Friday afternoon makes me want to throw caution to the wind and eat what I want.  I worry because this is how I derailed myself before and gained back the weight I lost in 2004 when I turned 30.  I definitely earn the weekend foods I enjoy but I somehow still feel guilty when I am not giving my body the proper nutrition it deserves.  I am not a big fan of New Year's Resolutions but I think better eating on the weekends is going to be one for me.

One of my absolute favorite meals from the diet plan I used this year to help me lose weight is the Mediterranean Salad.  It has cucumber, tomato, onion, chick peas, sunflower seeds, feta & salad dressing.  I don't use a particular kind of dressing - just the serving side of whatever I have that is light/low-calorie.  I am always amazed when I make it for consumption at home and it fills the entire plate.  When I make it to take with me, it seems like it is much smaller.  I am amazed at how much the size of the food does for you.  The bigger the portion looks, the more full my belly has felt.  I think that has been one of the tricks this year.  I always forget to have the side of pita that I am allowed with this salad but I still enjoy it just the same.  I do definitely need my afternoon snack to get me by.

The TRX I was using came off too!

In my giveaway review post yesterday, I mentioned an "incident" with the TRX at PAI Yoga & Fitness.  I realized I probably didn't tell blogland what happened!  If you are familiar at all with TRX, you will know that you use suspension straps tethered to a rod and then you use your body weight to build your core strength and muscles up.  The way PAI is set up, there is one bar with 3 of the TRX straps on it.  I was on the furthest one and a man was on the end.  No one in the middle.  As we took our stance for the move, the rod separated from the bracket flinging me off of the TRX and on top of the 6 lb exercise balls.  Thankfully I wasn't hurt at all - more embarrassed then anything.  It totally had nothing to do with PAI and their equipment - sometimes these things just happen.  They were concerned enough that they called me that afternoon at home to make sure I was okay and then when I came in on Monday they told me to select one of their Jade yoga mats.  This is one of the reasons why I love this gym - they really care!

How do you do on the weekends with your food intake?  

Ever have an incident at the gym that left you embarrassed or hurt?

Allie Bags & Jo-Sha Wipe Reviews

Heavy duty straps for putting in your yoga mat.

Thanks to Elle, I heard about a pretty cool giveaway from the DailyZeel for a yoga bag from Allie Bags!  I was lucky enough to be randomly selected to win one of these handcrafted yoga bags.  I got the Guadaloupe sports bag.  It retails for $59 and is a great bag!

Front of bag with pocket.  Has outside & inside pocket

With my mat attached.

 The back has awesome quality straps you can put your yoga mat into.  I really liked it even though I thought at first it'd compromise how much I can get into the front pocket.  I love the design of the fabric too - pretty neat!  The front of the bag has a front pocket that is small enough to zip in yoga mat wipes, keys, kleenex or anything else you need to carry.  There is also a larger pocket that I was able to put clothes to go for a walk outside in - including winter pants, two shirts, sports bra, hat & gloves without having space issues.  Now my running shoes wouldn't have fit but that's okay - it got a lot of stuff in there!!  She handmakes them all - right down to the labels.    I am really happy with my prize and glad I learned about them!  You should totally check out their website and maybe add one to your Christmas list!!

I had also won yoga mat wipes from Holly that came from Jo-Sha.  I was pretty excited I won them as I had been trying to figure out the best way to clean my mat after a good sweaty yoga session.  Jo-Sha has done a great job!  Holly was kind enough to send me a few extra samples and a 50-count pack of the lavender scented wipes.  I love them.  I've used them to not only clean my yoga mat but the keyboards on my MacBook & my work laptop!  They really clean well!  A little of the red from my mat comes off but I just assume that it is due to the dyes it has in it.  Not sure.  My mat has never been cleaner!  The lavender leaves a nice scent after it for a bit.  I do think they are a bit streaky on the mat but it could be just the way I am cleaning it.  I am a bit particular about how things look after I clean them.  I love my yoga mat, by the way.  PAI was kind enough to give it to me after I had an incident on one of the TRX straps back in February.  It is a high quality mat that I have really enjoyed this year.  I definitely have had some good yoga chi this year! 

Have you won any blogger giveaways that you particularly liked? Or hated?  I was thrilled to win these two things - especially since they go hand in hand!