B@%&h, I'm Natasha!!!

Nice title right?  It was either that or "It's Natasha bitch!"  That one may only work for Britney.  Anyway, I'm trying to get back on track with this whole blogging situation.  I can't believe that it's been several months since I've posted anything.  Frankly, I don't feel like I've been doing anything.  After the half marathon, winter refused to go away.  Being stuck inside because of the snow (and now the heat) gave way to recreational eating and couch potatoing.  I don't know what it is, but I've lost that loving feeling where exercise is concerned. 

I will always run, just for the love of it.  I just feel that there should be some signs of progress and there haven't been any.  My weight has been holding steady for almost one and a half years and those abs are ever-elusive.  Maybe it's time to try something new.  What do you do for tangible (visible) results?  I did my first track workout of the year this morning and also tried my first Pi-Yo class (ouch).   I'm sure that those things will be beneficial, but I just don't know how to get that excited feeling back. 

Where do we go from here?

Natasha

Ten Tunes Tuesday (Overtime can suck it)

"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." -- Michael Jordan

I feel like all I do is work and workout lately. I know, I know... it could be worse! Still, this new routine has me torn between enjoying my new, fitter lifestyle and mourning the lifestyle that I used to have. I honestly didn't love my old routine, but sometimes it's nice to just come home, make dinner, and go to bed. I'm hoping that my workload lessens once our new team member arrives... maybe then I'll regain some semblance of work/life balance, and can enjoy my evenings again. This 13-hour workday business gets old really fast, especially when you're forcing yourself to work out another hour to hour and a half afterwards.

Speaking of my workouts... Running is getting easier day by day, and I think my new strength training routine is helping that a lot. Since rejoining the gym last December, I had largely relied on the same strength training routine that I had known and used since college. And why not? It had proven results (once upon a time), and I was comfortable doing it. But... it's always dangerous to get too comfortable, especially when you have big dreams. To quote the great Jon Bon Jovi, "Don't get too comfortable with who you are at any given time - you may miss the opportunity to become who you want to be." Incredibly wise words, especially when you're trying to fight for a dream. 

Because I love this quote so much, I thought it would be fun for this week's Ten Tunes to be centered around the music genre that made Bon Jovi a household name. So here it is - a hair band / 80s rock band tribute playlist to help you rock out while you work out!

1. Bon Jovi - "Livin' On a Prayer"
2. Joan Jett - "Bad Reputation" 
3. Guns N' Roses - "Welcome to the Jungle"
4. Sammy Hagar - "I Can't Drive 55"
5. Motley Crue - "Dr Feelgood"
6. Twisted Sister - "I Wanna Rock"
7. Metallica - "Enter Sandman"
8. Pat Benatar - "Heartbreaker"
9. Poison - "Nothin' But a Good Time"
10. Aerosmith/Run DMC - "Walk This Way" <-- You didn't think I could have a whole list without a little hip-hop, did you? Haha.

My niece is visiting for the next couple of weeks, so it'll be interesting to see how well I hold up my fitness commitments while she's here. We're off to a good start - she woke up Monday morning at 6am to run a morning mile with me! It's so good having her here... 

Well, keep on rockin' this week, friends! Don't let the upcoming holiday derail your fitness goals. Incorporate your fitness commitments into your plans, and stick to it! I believe in you!

Cheers!

Becky

Ten Tunes Tuesday (I think I can, I think I can...)

"The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination." -- Tommy Lasorda

See that face? That is the face of a girl who worked too late and, as a result, is late posting her Ten Tunes Tuesday blog... again! Ugh! I'm so sorry for that, friends. I had a busy and fit weekend, which I'll blog about later. For now, here's the ten tunes that kept me pumped during my workouts yesterday and today! 

1. Dami Im - "Super Love"
2. New Politics - "Girl Crush"
3. Bonnie Anderson - "Blackout"
4. Major Lazer and DJ Snake - "Lean On"
5. Passion Pit - "Lifted Up"
6. Imagine Dragons - "I Bet My Life"
7. Fergie - "Glamorous"
8. Outkast - "Hey Ya!"
9. Red Hot Chilli Peppers - "Can't Stop"
10. Iggy Azalea - "Fancy"

In other news, my recent half-marathon registration has definitely motivated me to go at the gym harder and longer lately.  I'm exceeding every goal I set for myself in June. I need to work on the diet part, but the workouts are going great. Let's keep this momentum up! What are you doing to challenge yourself this week?

I have a couple of ideas for upcoming blogs, so hopefully I'll find time this week to get to them. In the meantime, have a happy, healthy, safe, and fit week friends!

Cheers!

Becky