Counting sheep in the digital age...

The sheep were all sleeping tonight so I was forced to count something else while I lay awake. And because I have my handy dandy smart phone, I can record my findings. Things that are awesome...

•A good night's sleep
•The realization that one of God's promises He spoke only to you has been fulfilled.
•The feeling of giddy.
•The sore you feel the day after a hard workout.
•Crossing the finish line of a half marathon.
•Runners high.
•Cinnamon toast and chocolate milk.
•First warm sunny of spring.
•First cool crisp day of fall.
•Snow on Christmas.
•Babies.
•A rainy day off work.
•The burst of flavor in a fresh piece of gum.
•New sunglasses.
•God things.
•When your team wins.
•Your wedding.
•When your dad gets to officiate your wedding.
•Answered prayers.
•The one where Chandler pees on Monica.
•The first day of school.
•The last day of school.
•A wound that is healed.
•Hot buttered rolls.
•The first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season.
•Apps that sync on all your devices.
•A laughing baby.
•Lucy Ricardo.
•Belly laughs.
•Red wine and chocolate.
•Isaiah 41:10.
•Pedicures.
•Good sing-alongs.
•Puppies.
•A new desk calendar.
•Filling in all your days off on your new desk calendar.
•An empty dishwasher.
•Snow days.
•New pens.
•Being part of an answered prayer for someone.

And I'm positive there's more.
But I'm out.
Goodnight y'all!

Fit Friday: Get your arms ready for summer...

I couldn't get outside fast enough today because the weather here in Big D is g.o.r.g.e.o.u.s!!  However, there were some errands that topped my list before I could do anything else.  So I ran to the doctor and the outdoor mall and the grocery store to get these items crossed off;  hurried home, changed, and hit the patio.

And as I sat in the sun, I got a glimpse of my arms and realized I have a little bit of work to do before they are ready for summer tank tops. So I did a little searching and found this article on some moves for your arms.

Take a looksie.

Then get outside and enjoy a beautiful St. Patty's Day weekend!

Goodbyes are too hard...

It's been a long time since I cried like a baby. Really. And it was the ugly cry where I snorted a little bit and had mascara in places it wasn't meant to be. But it was just really so sad to say goodbye to JR Ewing on last night's episode of Dallas. They even changed the intro music to a sad rendition.  Now...I really don't think I would have cried that hard if it was just his character we were saying goodbye to. The fact that he is really gone was too much. And my favorite line was Sue Ellen's when she said "He was the most infuriating charming scoundrel I ever knew." That just about sums up his character perfectly. And I will miss his conniving ways because he was the best villain ever!

And today's tragedy is that I'm out of hummus! Which means that I cannot dip these little gems in them.

Y'all! I'm telling you what...those things are delicious and I cannot get enough of them. And that's not a bad thing because they are excellent snacks for clean eating. At 40 calories per serving, no fat, high in fiber and vitamin C...they are a tasty little dish.

And that's all my sad news for today. I must get out in this gorgeous spring break weather and put on a happy face.

Because life goes on.

Even without JR Ewing and roasted red pepper hummus!

Fit Friday: Stretching

It's been a while since I posted a Fit Friday tip.  What can I say?  My full time job gets the best of me sometimes.  Which is exactly why today's tip is SO important and beneficial not only to our physical health, but our mental health as well.  

Stretching.

I've not only been researching the benefits of stretching, but I've also been implementing more of it on a weekly basis.  And the one thing I can tell you is that it is changing the level of my cardio and strength workouts.  When I can fit in a 15-minute stretch or yoga sequence before a long run, it provides me with a robust (well…more robust than normal) mental energy…and we all know that mental energy is a significant prerequisite to physical energy.  A sweet friend of mine sent me a quote the other day that says "Your mind will quit 100 times before your body ever does."  And I know that to be true.

Some benefits of stretching include:

1.  Increased flexibility

2.  Improved circulation

3.  Improved balance and coordination

4.  Improved cardio health/athletic performance

5.  Increased range of motion

6.  Reduced muscle tension

7.  Alleviates lower back pain/injury

8.  Reduces stress

So…just do it.  Make sure you are doing some pre and post workout stretching.  And when you can, fit in a yoga class or sequence.  Your body will thank you.

Here are some links to some great stretching exercises.

Bodybuilding.com - Stretching Exercises

Livestrong

Fitness Magazine Online

Have a super weekend!