Nanci – Page 6 – This Crazy Life of Mine

Author: Nanci

02
Feb
2017

This Is 45

categories: #fitfor45, birthday, blog, family, Florida, friends, health, hubby, life, love life, this is 45, thisis45

Today is my 45th birthday and while it is so odd to think of myself that age, literally just five years away from turning 50 (!!!), I am embracing it.

Turning 45 feels much different than 44. This time last year, I hated the thought of turning another year older because I simply was not doing anything about the fact that I was unhappy in my skin. I had been gaining weight and would continue to do so until the end of 2016. I am SO thankful that I am turning 45 with a plan in place and on a mission to lose weight and get fit with my favorite guy beside me every step of the way.

Turning 45 makes me want to be the best person that I can be. To face my anxieties head on and deal with them, rather than tuck them away and pretend they don’t exist. It makes me want to do things I’ve not done before, to continue to step outside of my comfort zone whenever given the chance.

[Tweet “Turning 45 makes me want to be the best person that I can be.”]

My 45th year is going to about CHANGE. I have goals in place and I am doing my best every day to make them happen. Not just fitness and health related, but LIFE goals. It’s time to not be afraid of change and dare to dream about other things. Like Birdie from my most favorite movie “You’ve Got Mail” says to Kathleen Kelly… “You are daring to imagine that you could have a different life.” Although as it pertains to me, I just want parts of it to be different.

I have much to be thankful for as I turn 45…. A wonderful husband who loves me, cheers me on, and supports me in my goals. A mom who I am very proud of and who I am thankful lives with us. My brother Joey and his two boys. My brother Nick, his wonderful wife Jenna, and my fabulous niece Autumn in Seattle, who although I miss terribly, we keep in touch often and I know they are just a phone call, FaceTime, or text away. My blog that turns 6 this month and my little Etsy store that continues to grow. I have the craziest dogs ever and they drive me batty, but I love them endlessly. I live in a place that I love that has the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and oh that water… I am lucky to be in excellent health as I work hard to be fit. And I have some of the best friends and tribe a girl could ever ask for.

So, this is 45. I think I’m perfectly fine with that.

31
Jan
2017

The One Where I Saw Changes {Week 3}

categories: #contest, #fitfor45, #ggchallenge2017, bootcamp, fitness, Golds Gym, gym, health, healthy eating, hubby, plank

Somehow, we have finished three weeks of bootcamp already. Week three was a busy one in general, Monday and Wednesday’s bootcamps were awesome and then I missed Saturday because of a market I was at.

My eating was on point and I’ve been logging my food every single day. The calorie adjustment when I workout is so confusing to me. I don’t want to eat all the extra calories I earn, but I know I do need to eat a little more.

The biggest victory in week three was when I glanced at myself in the mirror Sunday morning and I noticed that I am absolutely losing weight. Yes, my clothes fit a little different now and I feel a little stronger each day. But there is just something about that day that you finally notice it, and it made my day.

[Tweet “The biggest victory in week three was when I noticed that I am absolutely losing weight. #ggchallenge2017 #contest”]

Even thought this is a wrap-up of Week 3 of bootcamp, I have to jump ahead a day to share a transformation picture. At the gym last night (first night of week 4), I snapped a picture after weighing myself as I normally do. (Spoiler alert, as of this picture I’m down 9 pounds but more on that next week!) I like to have progress pictures for myself but I realized when I was looking at this, what a difference there is in three weeks time. Especially in my tummy and face. I cannot wait to see what nine more weeks of hard work does.

Yes, it’s hard to run up and down stairs, to do crunches, to run on the treadmill at an incline of 10 with it off, to do mountain climbers, and the always-evil push-ups. But seeing the proof that it is working in the mirror is one heck of a motivator to keep going and pushing myself a little farther each day.

Challenge Week 3

Start of week Weigh-In – 184.5 (6.5 pounds lost)

Activity:

Monday – 20 minute walk on treadmill, bootcamp (full body), plank

Tuesday – plank

Wednesday – 16 minute walk on treadmill, bootcamp (upper body), 10 minute cool down on treadmill, plank

Thursday – OFF

Friday – 14 minute run on treadmill, upper body circuit (chest press, triceps extension, biceps curl, 10 minute walk on treadmill, sauna, plank

Saturday – OFF (market)

Sunday – 14 minute run on tradmill, leg circuit (leg press, quads, hamstrings), ran up and down gym stairs 10 times each, wall site, plank

Food:

Tracked my food every day this week and stayed within my calories all except two. Still eating several small meals a day and snacking healthy. Dinner remains the best as far as protein and veggies. Treated myself to a Smoothie King meal replacement twice this week for lunch. I love the fiber enhancer to help keep me full.

12 Week Challenge Goal – 171

End of 2017 Goal – 145

Do you like being pushed outside of your comfort zone while working out?

24
Jan
2017

Top Ten Tuesday – 10 Ways To Live Healthier

categories: #fitfor45, #TopTenTuesday, 10 tips for healthy living, fitness, healthy, healthy eating, hubby, nutrition, weight

Happy Tuesday! If you’re been keeping up with me, you know that hubby and I have been doing our best to live healthier this year. It’s been a long time coming and while it’s not always easy to make lifestyle changes, they can go a long way to making you feel better overall. Taking care of yourself is so important and your body will thank you.

Hubby likes to work his way into a new routine while I just dive right in. Being an all-or-nothing girl, I can’t have that gray area. Either I’m doing something or not. My way is not any better than his way, it’s just how we approach things. These ten tips are what is working for us right now.

[Tweet “10 Ways to Live Healthier with @AuntNanci as she shares her journey to #fitfor45 #toptentuesday”]

10. Snack, snacks, and more snacks. One thing that always works for me when I am trying to eat healthy and lose weight, is to have several small meals a day instead of three large meals, or even worse – skipping a meal. You body needs energy and having those smaller, more frequent meals, it means your body is working. And, you won’t go around hungry. Don’t ever deprive yourself if you’re hungry.

9. Choose foods that will fill you up. Eat foods that won’t leave you hungry. Pick snacks that are high in fiber to feel full longer. This will also help you to eat less.

8. Drink water like it’s going out of style. Water is the best thing you can drink, all day long. It helps to cleanse your system, keeps you full, does wonders for your skin, and is all around wonderful for you.

7. Track your foods. Remember the days of having to look up calories and nutritional information in a book and writing it down by hand? Thankfully, we have all that info at our fingertips in an endless number of apps on our Smart Phones. My current preference is My Fitness Pal. It’s easy to use, the food database is huge, and it is encouraging and informative.

6. Watch those serving sizes. As important as tracking your food is weighing and measuring it to make sure you are not eating double portions or more. It is easy to get carried away and when you first starting measuring out your food, it is a real eye-opener. Take the time to check and make sure you are actually eating a single serving size and not more.

5. Cut out the soda. I haven’t had soda in 542 days and yes, I am counting. I miss it every once in awhile but never enough to give up this incredible streak I have going. Soda is sugar you don’t need, it causes bloating, and it’s addictive. Diet soda is even worse, don’t let the word “diet” fool you. Stick to water or green tea.

4. Bye bye to alcohol. Did I also mention that I haven’t had alcohol in 66 days? As much as I love wine (we all know how much I love it), I really don’t need it. It’s empty calories and sugar, and the added weight I’ve been carrying around the last year came straight from a wine bottle or two (or three). If you see me raising a glass now, it’ll have ice water in it.

3. Take your vitamins. I can be really bad about taking vitamins. Many vitamins will give me an upset stomach. Maybe it’s the kid in me, but I find that gummy-type vitamins stay down the best. And I actually look forward to taking it in the morning. Whatever kind you take, make sure you are getting your daily allowance of all the important nutrients you need, especially when you are working out.

2. Get plenty of rest. Going back to the gym has helped me sleep so much better. I never have trouble falling asleep, but staying asleep can be a problem for me. After a day where I’ve worked out hard and eaten well, I sleep like a baby.

1. Work out together. Our time together, quality time, can be few and far between because we are so busy. But going to the gym together is currently one of my favorite things to do. We support each other and cheer each other on. There is nothing like getting a high five from hubby after a hard workout, knowing that he is proud of me. And vice versa.

Do you have a tip you’d like to share?

Visit Run.Chew.Sparkle for her latest Top Ten Tuesday post!

22
Jan
2017

The One Where I Didn’t Die At Bootcamp {Week 2}

categories: #contest, #fitfor45, #ggchallenge2017, bootcamp, fitness, Golds Gym, gym, health, healthy eating, hubby, plank, running, Smoothie King

Week 1 of our challenge went fast! We kept up the pace with our second week which started with a walk over Belleair Causeway Monday morning, we had 3 bootcamps, I did at least a plank every day (multiple on bootcamp days), and we walked 4 miles over to the beach for sunset Friday evening. Kudos to hubby for that idea, I can’t think of a better way to end a work week.

Bootcamp during the week is with Greg. He pushes us hard while he cheers us on. It’s really a fun group to be in. On Saturday, bootcamp is with Ila who has a military style background. After two cardio-intense bootcamps during the week, Saturday’s bootcamp with Ila had a foundation and back focus with a lot of stretching. It was not as intense as Greg’s bootcamps, but I still felt every minute of it in my body when we finished. It hurts so good!

I am loving our time in the gym, whether it’s bootcamp or working out solo. I try to do cardio and weights on the nights we don’t have bootcamp. I also try and get at least two evenings a week in the sauna. It feels great on my tired muscles.

Overall, I am already feeling stronger. I look forward to each workout and I’m remembering why it is so good to track my foods. The My Fitness Pal app on my phone makes it very easy to track and stay on target. Smoothie King is also helping me stay healthy when I am on the road.

Two weeks down, ten to go!

Challenge Week 2

Weigh-In – 186.8 (4.2 pounds lost)

Activity:

Monday – 3 mile walk in morning, bootcamp at night (full body)

Tuesday – 20 minute treadmill run, leg press / leg curls / leg extensions (3 sets of each / 12 reps), 9 minute walk on treadmill, crunches, plank

Wednesday – 11 minutes on elliptical, bootcamp (full body), 10 minutes on bike plank

Thursday – plank

Friday – 4.20 mile walk to beach, plank

Saturday – bootcamp (foundation and back focus), plank

Sunday – 2 mile run on the treadmill, upper body weights (bicep curls, tricep kickbacks, shoulder shrugs, chest press), sauna (15 minutes), crunches, plank

Food:

Tracked my food every day this week and stayed within my calories all except one. I have been eating several small meals a day rather than 3 regular meals. Dinner has been the best as far as protein and veggies. Twice this week, I had a Smoothie King meal replacement for lunch which I find very filling.

12 Week Challenge Goal – 171

End of 2017 Goal – 145

What is your favorite part of bootcamp?

20
Jan
2017

In-Flight Travel Essentials

categories: Elan Rose, flight travel, skincare, travel, vacation

In-Flight Travel Essentials

It’s always a good time for a vacation, but if we’re being honest, traveling can be tough on the body. The long days and lack of sleep on flights can really do a number on the skin. Among the headphones, books, and jet lag aids, your carry-on bag should include protection for the skin. When it comes to in-flight travel essentials, there’s one day cream SPF with Vitamin E that will keep the skin feeling and looking refreshed.
Don’t Forget Your Skin

Hello Sunshine! Day Cream is a dermatologically tested, hydrating day cream with Broad Spectrum SPF 30. It is free of parabens, silicones and fragrances. The active ingredients provide a layer of protection and healing for the skin and include:

Vitamin B3 for DNA repair and energy production
Gorgonian Extract for soothing and healing
Vitamin E to protect the structure of the epidermis
7-dehydrocholesterol to activate the endogenous anti-stress system

This wrinkle reducing serum is one of the best skin products for travelers. A day cream SPF with Vitamin E is essential for protecting the skin from harmful UV rays that can cause redness, irritation, and dullness. Although you may not think your skin is in danger while on the plane, UV rays are all around us. The cream creates a protective layer and fights against skin cancer thanks to the FDA approved UVB and UVA sunscreen.

Protection against aging is another way this day cream is one of the best skin products. The Vitamin B3 aids in DNA repair and energy production to allow the skin to heal itself. A luminous face with reduced wrinkles can be achieved all while you enjoy a glass of wine over your favorite book. What better way to spend a flight?

Learn more about the ingredients in the Hello Sunshine! Day Cream by visiting https://elanrose.com/.

**this is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own.