Monday, Monday….Today marks the first full week back in school, and getting out of bed this morning was a wee bit difficult. Starting the second semester is always a little more disheartening because it seems like such a long road until Spring Break in March. I know-a whole week off in early spring to go play? The life of a teacher is so hard.
Today I want to jump right into it because I have a few things I want to cover. First up-the best part of of Mondays!
Kenlee decided to keep it simple this week with some fun and easy questions so let’s get to it, shall we?
Simple Questions
1. Outside my window I see…Max playing in the yard. Enough to put a smile on anyone’s face 
.
2. My kitchen counters are…a horrible, horrible white 1960′s laminate. Seriously, are white counters ever a good idea? I can’t wait to remodel!
3. Yesterday I drank…lots of water and my fair share of tea. Oh, I also had a Sobe water as a treat!
4. My cell phone is…super uncool. I may be the last person on the planet that doesn’t have a smart phone. I keep meaning to upgrade!
5. My computer is…is a Toshiba I got when I first started teaching 6 years ago. I much prefer to work on my Mac at school.
6. My favorite reality show is…Sister Wives. I don’t watch a lot of reality TV, but I tune into that one every week!
7. My workouts are…going to be seriously different for the next 8 weeks. Boot camp here I come!
8. The last book I read is…Notorious Nineteen! I’m finally done with the whole Stephanie Plum series. I feel like I am emerging back into sunlight. I can’t wait to read something different.
9. My week will be….typical. I love how slow and calm Januarys are after crazy Decembers!
10. So far 2013 has been…an interesting year. I’m starting new things, and I’m excited to see what this year is going to hold!
Expectations
I mentioned briefly last week that I’ve signed up for Tina’s Best Body Boot Camp Round 4. I’ve discussed before how strength training is not one of my strengths (<—like that word play?), and since I’ve been working out exclusively at home, I’ve slipped even further in this area. For awhile now, the blogosphere has been abuzz with this program, and a few weeks ago I started to look at it more in depth. At first I told myself I’d do it “next time”. Do I really need to spend the money on something just for me? I’m not sure I can be successful at home. I had plenty of these types of thoughts until it struck me like a lightning bolt.
If you want to be different, you have to do something different! I am creature of habit who lives safely and quietly within my comfort zone. Don’t get me wrong-at times that tendency has kept me out of a lot of trouble. It has also held me back though, and I am painfully aware of it. I realized it was time to get uncomfortable so I signed up!
I am excited for this new challenge, and I’m starting the first workout as soon as I hit publish. First, I thought I would take some time to discuss some of my expectations of this program. I’m very much lacking in core strength, and that weakens me in a number of areas including backpacking. This summer we’re planning a backpacking trip that is longer than I’ve ever done, and I will be carrying a bigger backpack than I’m use to. I’m hoping this program will make a noticeable difference in core strength. I’m going to need it!
I also want to tone up. We’re all told countless times that if you want definition, you have to lift. Well, as a self-proclaimed cardio junkie, I could use some help in the definition area. By sticking to the plan, I hope to have some rockin’ guns by the end!
Last but not least, let’s talk about the scale. I know that through a program like this it is more likely for the scale to not budge or to go up as I put on muscle. I’ve taken my measurements, and I want those to be the guides as I make my way through this. However, I would be lying if I said I don’t care what the scale does. Of course, I’m hoping it goes down a bit. This is the area in which I will be truly tested. Can I be comfortable with the number just being a number? We’ll see!
Alright, friends, time to start doing!
Are you doing Boot Camp? Answer one of the “simple” questions!
Good luck with Boot Camp! Outside my window I see… darkness! I can’t wait for summer and lighter days!
True story! I always forget just how much darkness there is this time of year!
I love these surveys, always learn something new. My sister doesn’t have a smart phone either, but I do think you two might be the last ones.
I really think we must be. My mother has one, for goodness sakes!
I’m a cardio junkie, too, but I’ve been experiencing the benefits of more strength training . . . and I love it! This will be great!! You can do it!
Every time I get back into strength training, I wonder why I quit. I think cardio is just more natural so I gravitate to it! But I’m definitely going to commit to strength training this time around!
what a cool survey, I am happy you are trying BBB too. I want to improve my core strength as well so I can’t wait to feel a difference
I know! I was so excited yesterday because I kept thinking this program is really going to change things.
Can’t wait to hear how the first workout went! I love strength training, although my core strength is severely lacking. Hollie came up with a #corewhore Twitter challenge–you should join!
I’ll have to check that out! I need all the help I can get!
My favorite reality show is The Amazing Race of course! I love to see all the places that they visit. I feel like I get a “real” look at the places instead of the tourist version. Good luck with boot camp! I started back on my cardio today after a VERY long break. Here’s to us, starting 2013 strong!
I’m also a creature of habit, and I love your honesty about how while it’s a good thing sometimes, it also holds you back other times. Same here! It’s so great to watch you jump outside your comfort zone, can’t wait to see how the program goes! And don’t worry about the scale, seriously. It’s just a number! If you drink a large glass of water, you “gain” a pound on the scale. Does that mean you actually gained a pound of fat? Absolutely not!
Isn’t it funny how when you put it like that, living our lives based on that number seems so ridiculous? Must remember that!!
The bootcamp will be awesome! I like that you’re going to try and focus on measurements versus the scale.
My husband just bought an iPhone…the first smart phone he’s had in years. The girl at the store was laughing pretty hard at his old cell!
I hate to think what people think of mine! I really need to upgrade!
I have never done bootcamp before. I’m very intimidated lol. My favorite reality show is Biggest Loser!
The first workout was really great! I use to love Biggest Loser but I gave it up when Jillian left. I guess it’s time to take it back up!
I watch way too much reality tv, so I don’t even know how I would answer that — Top Chef maybe? And I completely agree with teh reading list quote, it keeps growing and growing!
I know-sometimes I’m overwhelmed by all the stuff I want to read!
I read the first 7 or 8 Plum novels but then I got bored. Have thought about picking them up again though. Here for FMM.
Thanks for stopping by! I know what you mean. The books have definitely become repetitive. I just got sucked in and couldn’t seem to stop until I finished all of them!
Loved Notorious Nineteen! I mean, it’s pretty much exactly like the last 15 or so of them have been, but I love each and every one of them!!
Also, I hope that BBBC can bring out even more of the strength of body and mind and the mindfulness that I know you have within you. xo
I’m loving BBC, Chels! It’s really going to do wonders for me I think. I agree-Nortious Nineteen is just like the others, but they’re so funny I don’t even mind!