Finally clapping!

Well B turns 13 months old today and she finally decided to clap. HAHA! She runs, has pretty much all of her teeth, laughs hysterically, shakes her head yes and no, says "whats that?" a million times a day, and will go get anything (lovey, milk, ball) if you ask her to. But, up until yesterday the girl refused to clap. We would end up looking like idiots trying to get her to clap and it was just amusing. Haha. Finally, though she gets it, and thinks its pretty darn funny :)

She also is experiencing quite a bit of stranger anxiety lately. Poor kiddo. I thought we had escaped it but not so much. If I'm around, no way jose, are you going to be able to hold her. And -- if I take her out in public she clings to me for dear life. Grandpa Steve is the only one she really wants to be around just as much as me, and we've decided that could be because he is like a big toy to her, haha! She DOES love her Mimi (my mom), her daddy and her Grandma Becca-- but she is definitely a Mommy's girl these days. I can't say I mind it-- most of the time-- but sometimes I just want to be able to pee in peace!

An example is yesterday. I went to the chiropractor because I messed up my neck somehow. I took Bella with me and she SCREAMED her head off every time I put her down. So she pretty much sat on my lap the whole time-- and let me just say for the record that getting adjusted with a 13 month old on your lap is not easy. Unfortunately for me-- part of the reason I've hurt my neck so much is from carrying my 22 pound child around all day.

She is a doll though. And I couldn't love her more.

In other news.... I'm stretched pretty thin these days with all of my various jobs/hobbies/committments and so I'm trying to prioritize again. Its not an easy decision really, but I have got to figure something out so that I'm not pulled in 25 different directions.

Where have I been?

Where have I been?? I have been neglecting my blog, and I apologize! The past week has been very busy in our household. My photography business has really been taking off, between that and chasing a running 13 month old, I haven't had as much time to post as usual. I shot my first wedding this past weekend and had an absolute wonderful time. You can view some of the pictures HERE. I am thrilled with how they came out. As nervous as I was, I was incredibly comfortable once I got there and let my creative juices flow. I had an amazing time and really think I may have found another niche for me and I am so excited!!

From a fitness standpoint-- I also got sick this past week. Had a headcold, so I didn't workout for a few days. I HATE being sick and not being able to workout :( I get asked a lot what to do when you are sick. I am a big advocate of listening to your body. If you feel like you need rest, then rest. Missing 1 orr 2 workouts will not hurt your progress. Generally, a good rule of thumb I have found is that if you miss 2 weeks, its like missing 4 weeks. If you miss a month of exercise, it gets harder and harder to get back in the game. BUT... if you are sick, don't be afraid to rest. If you are on vacation, don't be afraid to take a week off. It can do a body good :) And I'm back in my A-game this week! I got a full body workout in yesterday and cardio in today.

Missing Blogger! ...and biggest calories in fast food.

Its been a very busy weekend around here, so I apologize for not blogging as much as I usually do! However I shall make up for it with some very eye opening information for all of you. Here's a list of some common fast food items with 1000 calories or more. Crazy, crazy stuff.


White Castle Chocolate Shake Large- Calories: 1680
Nathan's Fish N Chips Calories: 1537
Carl's Jr. Double Six Dollar Burger Calories: 1520
Hardee's Monster Thickburger Calories: 1420
Dairy Queen Large Choc. Chip Cookie Dough Blizzard Calories: 1320
Hardee's Double Bacon Cheese Thickburger Calories: 1300
Dairy Queen Large Chocolate Malt Calories: 1300
Nathan's Chicken Tender Platter Calories: 1300
Jack In The Box OREO Cookie Ice Cream Shake (24oz) Calories: 1290
Dairy Queen Chicken Strip Basket (6 piece) Calories: 1270
Hardee's Double Thickburger Calories: 1250
Burger King TRIPLE WHOPPER Sandwich With Cheese Calories: 1230
Jack In The Box Chocolate Ice Cream Shake (24oz) Calories: 1230
White Castle Chocolate Shake - Large (New Jersey region) Calories: 1230
Hardee's Big Country Breakfast Platter - Breaded Pork Chop Calories: 1220
Jack In The Box Strawberry Ice Cream Shake (24oz) Calories: 1220
Jack In The Box Egg Nog Shake (24oz) Calories: 1210
Nathan's FRENCH FRIES (SUPER SIZE) Calories: 1188
White Castle Vanilla Shake - Large (New Jersey region) Calories: 1180
Del Taco Macho Beef Burrito Calories: 1170
McDonald's Chocolate Triple Thick Shake (32oz) Calories: 1160
Hardee's Big Country Breakfast Platter - Country Steak Calories: 1150
McDonald's Deluxe Breakfast (Large Size Biscuit) w/o Syrup & Margarine Calories: 1140
Carl's Jr. Guacamole Bacon Six Dollar Burger Calories: 1140
Hardee's Big Country Breakfast Platter - Chicken Calories: 1140
White Castle Vanilla Shake - Large (Cincinnati region) Calories: 1140
Burger King TRIPLE WHOPPER Sandwich Calories: 1130
White Castle Chicken Rings (20) Calories: 1130
White Castle Chocolate Shake - Large (Cincinnati region) Calories: 1130
Carl's Jr. Western Bacon Six Dollar Burger Calories: 1130
Dairy Queen Large Chocolate Shake Calories: 1130
Jack In The Box Bacon 'n' Cheese Ciabatta Burger Calories: 1120
Jack In The Box Sirloin Bacon 'n' Cheese Burger Calories: 1120
McDonald's Vanilla Triple Thick Shake (32oz) Calories: 1110
McDonald's Strawberry Triple Thick Shake (32oz) Calories: 1110
Del Taco Macho Nachos Calories: 1100
Jack In The Box Bacon Ultimate Cheeseburger Calories: 1090
White Castle Fish Nibblers - Sack Calories: 1090
White Castle Strawberry Shake - Large (Minneapolis region) Calories: 1090
White Castle Vanilla Shake - Large (Nashville region) Calories: 1090
White Castle Chocolate Shake - Large (Nashville region) Calories: 1090
McDonald's Deluxe Breakfast (Reg. Size Biscuit) w/o Syrup & Margarine Calories: 1070
Jack In The Box Sirloin Cheese Burger Calories: 1070
Carl's Jr. Bacon Cheese Six Dollar Burger Calories: 1070
Hardee's Six Dollar Burger Calories: 1060
Hardee's Big Country Breakfast Platter - Sausage Calories: 1060
Del Taco Macho Combo Burrito Calories: 1050
Jack In The Box Vanilla Ice Cream Shake (24oz) Calories: 1050
Dairy Queen Large Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard Calories: 1050
Del Taco Macho Bacon & Egg Burrito Calories: 1030
Dairy Queen FlameThrower GrillBurger (1/2lb) Calories: 1030
Dairy Queen Chicken Strip Basket (4 piece) Calories: 1030
Dairy Queen Medium Choc. Chip Cookie Dough Blizzard Calories: 1030
Hardee's Grilled Sourdough Thickburger Calories: 1030
White Castle Chocolate Shake - Large (New York region) Calories: 1020
White Castle Strawberry Shake - Large (Columbus & Detroit regions) Calories: 1010
Jack In The Box Ultimate Cheeseburger Calories: 1010
Sonic Peanut Butter Shake - Large (20oz) Calories: 1010
Carl's Jr. Original Six Dollar Burger Calories: 1010
Burger King BK Quad Stacker Calories: 1000
Arby's Meatball Toasted Sub Calories: 1000
Dairy Queen Large Oreo Cookies Blizzard Calories: 1000
Boston Market Boston Sirloin Dip Carver Calories: 1000

Wordless Thursday...(a day late)

Wednesday already

Wednesday already. Where does the time go? Yesterday was another very busy day around here. I had the morning off, which was much needed after working nearly 13 hours on Monday at the gym. But Bella is going through a phase. Its the "I must be touching my mom at ALL times I am awake or I will do my yell voice" So needless to say I didn't get anything done while she was awake. When she napped yesterday I did 40 minutes of cardio on the elliptical and did some abs (3 sets of 15 of bosu crunches and bicycles crunches) and prepped my turkey for the week (that I like to eat for lunch..thanks Tina!;)) and then she was awake again. I again had to work yesterday at the gym ... was there until nearly 9pm, came home and ate dinner (taco meatballs... Y U M) and edited for 2 hours before bed. I missed TBL... Jerry tried to catch me up but you all must fill me in!!!

No editing tonight. I decided. I'm going to hang out with the hubby :-) I'm shooting Anastasia's 6 month pictures this morning, laundry today and playing with Bella. Also will get full body training done during B's afternoon nap.

Have a wonderful day!

Back to full body training

I started my new full body routine today. Today was Full Body Training, no cardio. Here's what the workout looked like:

4 sets of 15, then a 10 second hold on everything

Superset 1:
Wide Stance Squat 40# db
Adductor machine 115#
Burpees w/ pushup (15 reps)

Superset 2:
Seated Row 45#
Chest Press Machine 50#
Bench Hops (12 reps)

Superset 3:
Lat Pull Down 55#
DB Chest Press 25# db's in each hand
Jump rope for 30 seconds

Superset 4 (only did 3 sets of 15, no holds)
DB bicep curls (12# db in each hand)
Rope pressdowns (45#)

Another Monday....

Its Monday again... how did that happen?

This weekend was very busy for us. I had to work half of the day on Saturday like usual, and then Saturday evening we went down to Boggstown Cabaret for the celebration of Grandma and Grandpa Stiles' 50th wedding anniversary. 50 years! How amazing! Jerry and I will celebrate 4 years of marriage this month, and to think that someday we will celebrate 50-- wow!

I also had an amazing photo shoot on Sunday. The family was amazing! Check out my new blogsite and be sure to follow along HERE!!

Be True to You

This is the recent article I wrote for the newsletter at work. Enjoy!

I had the privilege of going to a conference this past week that focused body image, self esteem and other women’s issues with a focus on exercise and nutrition. It was fascinating stuff, and scary at the same time. As a mother, I often worry that my daughter will grow up being consumed with the way she looks and feel like she needs to look a certain way to fit into society. The media doesn’t help at all and many of these expectations that we see on tv and in magazines of how women look are not realistic or even possible in a healthy way.

As a personal trainer and nutrition specialist, I also worry about my clients. While I as a professional trainer, want you to be healthy—workout and eat a nutritious diet—I know that none of us want you to become unrealistic with your expectations for yourself or your body. Remember that all of are different in our biology, our lifestyles and interests. Remember that you should enjoy what you are doing and what you are eating. If you don’t enjoy it, then you won’t stick with it. Fitness and overall wellness should be balanced, and you should something that you enjoy! This is where I encourage you to try new things. Try a new class. Try personal training or give nutrition counseling a try to learn about how healthy eating CAN become a lifestyle change and not a diet.

The biggest thing I got out of this conference that I want to pass on to all of you is to not be afraid to be proud of yourself, be kind to yourself and say something positive about yourself today, and every day. YOU are worth it!

Check out Dove's campaign for real beauty HERE... truely inspiring stuff!

New Routine for Bella, New Routine for Mommy

Well we now that we have reached the one year mark for Bella, we are implementing some new routines into our day. Bella is still taking 2 good naps a day, and I am in no rush to drop down to 1, so for now, we'll keep to 2 naps until she starts fighting them again. But one thing that is changing is her food/milk.

We made the switch to organic whole milk. We've also made the switch to only using sippy cups. No more bottles for my girl. She doesn't seem to care very much about this change. The one thing that is new though is that I will be giving her milk in her sippy with meals now, and no more night time bottle. I am a little nervous about it-- and if she won't go to bed, we'll probably let her have it, but I think she'll be okay. Since we haven't really done the eat to sleep thing, she doesn't seem to need it in order to go to bed. So now I think our routine will look something like this:

7:30/8am: Wakeup, sippy of milk, breakfast (oatmeal & fruit, yogurt or waffles)

10ish: nap

1130/12ish: lunch. sippy of milk and whatever i feel like making her for lunch

2ish: nap

4ish: snack: sippy of water, finger foods for snack

6ish: sippy of milk, table foods for dinner

7ish: bath/storytime

730/8ish: bedtime

I also will be beginning a new workout routine for the month of October. I am going to go back to 3 weight workouts a week this month, full body in nature. I'm going to finish out my upper/lower split this week so my new routine will begin on Monday. Its going to look like this:

Monday: Full Body Weight Workout @ gym or REST day (depending on my work schedule)

Tuesday: 40 minutes elliptical (cardio only) + abs (at home)

Wednesday: Full Body Weight Workout @ home

Thursday: cardio only (Turbokick @ home) + abs

Friday: Full body weight workout @ gym + 30 minute interval treadmill workout

Saturday: Turbokick

Sunday: REST or makeup day from Monday