Shopping Spree = Love

Cody and I just got home from a delightful and impromptu trip to Kalispell!  Pretty much all of my friends make frequent trips to the states for a nice weekend getaway/bargain shop so we decided to jump on that train... and we are so excited that we did! 

Source

We stocked up on food from Costco and Super 1 Foods; I was so impressed with the selection of health food and the absolutely reasonable prices that some of my pantry staples rang in at, and even better is that I could buy them in bulk!  I think one of our most exciting scores was ground bison, yaaaay!  Although I am reeling from the amount we spent today, I think over the next few weeks, or maybe even months (?) I should notice is considerable decrease in my grocery budget because of how well we're stocked.  I will be keeping an eye on how economical this way of shopping is for us!

Our drive down gave us lots of time for chatting which is always nice, and something that came up is the fact that both of us are realllly hoping to make working out more of a part of our lives again.  Before the wedding we were really diligent but since then, as I've mentioned before, we have both let things slide.  I am noticing a huge difference in the way my clothes fit, how I move, and the fact that I want to hide since gaining a few extra pounds back.  Cody went hunting with our friend Marshall the other day and was really bummed out to find how hard hiking a couple of hills was.  We decided to make the commitment to be accountable to each other and try to be encouraging of putting time aside each day to work out, and when Cody's home that means working out together!  We are going to take turns deciding on and leading the workout on designated days, and I'm so pumped for it!  Between Cody's encouragement and checking in with friends etc I am really hoping to see and feel a difference in my bod in the next few weeks!

Since today was a holiday and we were away I haven't updated my goal board yet for this week, but I'll get on it tomorrow and share what I'm focussing on with you.

Cody and I are going to enjoy a double feature courtesy of Shaw On Demand, so enjoy what's left of your long weekend!!

XO - Michelle

Let's Get Physical

Have you ever checked out Fire Daughter Clothing on etsy.com?  Samya has these amazing tanks and shirts with awesome phrases, the Let's Get Physical tank is on my wishlist big time, I'm just waiting for a new colour to come out since my "sweat me free" tank is the same blue.  This clothing is amazingly comfortable and fits really well, great for a workout OR for just wearing every single day!  Must.  Have.  More.

Source

Source

I started the James Wilson Body Earned program on Monday alongside my best pal Danielle.  I am opting to follow more of a "Michelle recommended plan" by doing the program probably 3 days a week as opposed to the 4 and then 5 days per week that most people in the group do.  I won't complete his 12 week program in the outlined 12 weeks, but I feel that this plan will be more conducive to my overall goal of completing the whole program without burning out halfway through.

My heart has not been in weight lifting or circuit training since the spring, but I really want it to be.  In an effort to get back to enjoying this aspect of fitness, my plan is to do James Wilson's program Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while doing outdoor activities such as biking, walking, hiking, running, or kayaking on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Saturdays and Sundays will be my choice, I can add in an extra James Wilson, get outside, or take a rest day. 


After about a month and a half of little to no workouts, the term "Let's Get Physical" finally goes with my week so far and it feels just great to be back in the game.  As I said above, Monday I did Week 1 Day 1 of James Wilson's Body Earned program.  Tuesday Cody and I debated between kayaking and biking, and ultimately chose to go biking.

Rails to Trails - Source

We left from our house and took the rail trail to Kimberley.  It was a gradual uphill the whole way which we both complained about quite a bit; we haven't been on our bikes much lately and had instant sore butts to prove it.  My friend Sarah gave us a gift certificate to Pedal and Tap as a wedding present so we decided to head there for a late dinner.  We sat out on the patio so we could keep an eye on our beloved bikes and had a delicious dinner!  The Rails to Trails burger seemed fitting so that's what I chose, with no goat cheese; and the Camburger for Cody.  We both really enjoyed our choices, plus the awesome atmosphere that Pedal and Tap is known for.  With the increasingly fall-like weather it was definitely a chilly night to sit out on the patio and I wish I had thought to bring a sweater!  Our ride back was really quick with only one uphill section to get home.  A lovely evening!

I hope to stick with the plan I outlined above and see how my week unfolds and how easy/hard/enjoyable it is to make time for this new activity regime.  I would prefer to keep my activity happenings going on in the evenings as it's been increasingly harder and now pretty much impossible for me to wake up at 5 am to swing weights around.  It is close to hibernation season after all....

XO - Michelle

Calming Down & Back in the Kitchen!

Wedding countdown is at 18 freaking days today.  In some ways that feels really short, and in other ways really long.

To say I am feeling pretty amped up would be an understatement.  I stayed up past midnight on Sunday night searching the internet for the *perfect* colour of baker's twine for the s'more kits...  I'm not good with being wired and busy all the time, so I decided I really need to practice a few daily routines to make sure I don't get rundown and wind up sick or sad.

I am going to make damn sure I get to bed and actually get to sleep before 10.  Chamomile tea or a warm almond milk, comfortable temperature room, bedtime routine, deep breathing.  This is SO important!

Next is to make sure I get in some sort of activity every day.  A walk, some stretching, an actual workout, a bike ride.  Something!  A time just for me, to clear my mind.  No thinking of anything except how pretty it is outside or how good the movement is for me.

Another thing I need to do for my sanity is to work on something wedding every day.  That sounds weird and obsessive but if I don't do some small task I think I'll feel like I'm falling behind.  The s'more wedding favors are a huge undertaking so they are something I'm going to chip away at daily, among other things.

Lastly is the obvious, stay hydrated and fed. 

I haven't been taking the time to prep cook but last night I finally cooked up a whole tray of chicken breasts, some sweet potatoes, and some gluten free macaroni.  This takes care of at least a portion of my breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.  I also baked a really delicious snack option, click here for recipe!!  Once I got cooking I felt so happy!!  Love being in the kitchen :) cooking and baking are two things I should not neglect. 

XO - Michelle

Pre-Wedding Workout Plan

As mentioned last week, I need to make a plan and stick to it for the wedding. 

I've done just that!  My days are easily interchangeable, and you bet I will switch them around if I get an offer of some other activity one day!  If I'm feeling tired, I decided that I can sub in either yoga or a big walk for that day.  I'll check in with you weekly to see how it's going!!!

 XO - Michelle