Can I even explain to you how tired I am this morning? Not tired as in "not-enough-rest" tired, but tired from, "I just worked out so hard I could throw up" tired. You see, a couple of weeks ago, Jordan developed a circuit workout for me. If any of you have seen Jordan lately, you know that he is super in shape right now. He picked back up doing his "circuits" about 8 months ago, in addition to all the frisbee he's been playing and coaching, and basketball that he does every other week or so, the man is fit!! Well, about 3 weeks ago, the Lord really started convicting me on how I was not caring well for my body. I got out of the habit of consistent work-outs about 3 years ago, and have been sporadic, to say the least, since then. Well, at 27, my body doesn't respond exactly the same as it did 10 years ago at 17, and I know it will only get harder and harder 10 years from now at 37. And especially since I am going to be having kids a little later in life than I had planned, I want to make sure I am doing ALL that I can to keep my body and energy where it needs to be. So all that to say, I am now on a workout plan that my dear husband designed and it KICKS MY BUTT!! It takes me only about 35 minutes to do, and that includes "warm-up" time (of course, I am sweating profusely after just that) and the full workout, but I am more tired from this than I would be if I just ran 4 miles. And the muscles it is working is amazing. It works abs, back, arms, legs, heart, etc. etc.!!

So I decided to start this week off right, woke up early, got in some good reading, then had time for a workout before work....almost threw up, but I made it through and I know I am the better for it. So, thanks honey- for pushing me and helping me get on track!

I got up and worked out this morning. See, I used to, in college, have a great habit of running and working out and was very much in shape. Most mornings of the week, I'd be up and run 4-6 miles before the sun was fully up...then, for some reason, after getting married and both of us adjusting to one another's schedule, that stopped happening. Mornings weren't as easy as they used to be. So, I've stayed "in shape" but definitely not where I'd like to be. I'm smaller than I used to be, but size truly isn't everything, and I know my body needs more exercise and I need more energy. A friend was over here for dinner on Tuesday night, and was talking about how she and two other ladies from church go to the Rec Center at 5:30am every morning. Ewww...But, last night, after Life Group, I came home, ate b/c I hadn't all evening, and decided I should just go on to bed about 9:50, so I did. I woke up this morning (w/o alarm) at 5:40am and decided, "What the heck- I'm going." So, I went and had a great work out and I must say I'm feelin' great. Not sure if this is a new pattern or not, but I am certainly going to try and make it more of a habit. (I also made it to the gym yesterday BEFORE life group- so I'll fit it in when I can)

On another note, I need to do my Grocery Game, Week 2 update. I have to say, I'm not quite as thrilled with this week. I am finding some holes (for me) in the Grocery Game. Part of the problem is that a lot of things on the list- I just don't buy normally, so I've bought a few things the past 2 weeks that I normally wouldn't, which means, even though I am saving money on THOSE, I'm not really for us, b/c we don't typically eat it anyway. BUT, I think with that realization I can use it to work for me and still save a good amount of money. Here's the breakdown:

At Publix, I spent about $23. I don't have my receipt, so I can't remember exactly, but I think that was actually about a 56% savings....didn't use a lot of coupons there, but bought several buy 1 get 1 items and stocked up on some good stuff. I didn't get the penny item though...it was hot dogs, and I just can't do that :)

At Kroger, I spent $31.73. I saved $33.74, so 51% savings for my items. Here's the bad part about Kroger- I HAD to buy butter- spreadable and in sticks, and that was NOT on sale. Luckily I had a coupone for $1 Smart Balance, but those two items still added up to $6.18 which was almost 20% of my total spending, so you see buying stuff when you need it as opposed to when you don't and it's on sale certainly does cost more.

I do however, after 2 weeks, have a freezer stocked with Bacon, italian turkey sausage, chicken breasts, a whole chicken, shrimp, lots of frozen beef, 16 oz. shredded cheese, lots of frozen veggies, etc. for much less than I would have spent normally. So- I'm stickin' with it. We've certainly been eating well (with the help of my organic produce I get from Delvin farms bi-weekly) Here's a run down of this week's meals (if you REALLY care to know)

Sunday Lunch: pot Roast with Organic potatoes & carrots (we had a church picnic, so it was actually more than that- but that's what we brought)

Sunday dinner: homemade pizza with italian turkey sausage, red onion, tomatoes, bell pepper

Monday dinner: shrimp & beef kabobs with squash, zucchini and onion, FRESH tomato basil soup (made from the tomatoes from the farmer's market and my neighbors home-grown basil) cranberry walnut salad and bread

Tuesday dinner: grilled honey soy chicken, fresh corn on the cob, mashed potatoes, salad and watermelon (it was a yellow one- very strange!

Tonight: I don't know yet- I'll open up the freezer and be creative!

My Pilates Experience....

While I'm on hold for United Insurance (it always takes forever to get through to them) I'll give a quick update about my newest form of exercise that I'm loving: Pilates!

There are many reasons I am really enjoying it. First, since I sit all day- at my desk or whatever, I have been feeling like I'm just stiff, and I have very little flexibility and just all in all, need some lengthening. Second, I used to do a lot of running and elliptical stuff and really enjoyed that, but it is more "bulking" than "lengthening." Now, don't get me wrong, I still need to aerobic stuff, so I am trying to incorporate walking or jogging a few times a week as well, but I am loving the "core" strenghtening that pilates provides. It's also very time efficient for me. I usually wake up somewhere between 6-6:30, depending on when we got to bed, and the Pilates workout takes 30 minutes completely, which still allows me an hour to be in the Word and be working by 8:00. It's great!

I have been doing the Stott Pilates method so far. I ordered the beginner set, which came with 4 DvDs that vary in difficulty and focus. So far, I've been doing the beginners, Pilates Express, which can seem very simple but in actuality, it is helping me to get the form and breathing down right. Pilates movements are not difficult for the most part, but if you actually take the time to do them right and with control, they become much more purposeful. I always feel so good when I'm finished: awake, stretched out, worked out and stronger. I love it!

Okay, United picked up, so I'm gonna scoot! Have a great Weekend!