Happy Friday ladies and gents!

Happy Friday!!! It's the 1st day of October and my eyes are burning, but I have a (decaf) mocha on my desk, so things are good, right? Right! So what are the plans this weekend? I plan on doing some shopping with my mama and look for a lamp for little T's room so when we paint, we know exactly what sorta green shade we'll have in there. I'm also dropping off one of our cable receiver boxes at Comcast and exchanging for a converter (much cheaper!). I've been looking for ways to say money once Troy is born. So after Nick has lowered his plan on AT&T as much as possible, and looking at all our other bills, our Comcast bill was still the highest bill we paid each month. I'm a total tight wade and I hate giving people money, so I did what all my friends told me to do. I called Comcast and told them unless they could give me a cheaper rate, I was going to cancel (not really -- I couldn't live without the drama that is Jersey Shore and Real Housewives waiting for me on the DVR). The girl I talked to was actually really nice. I just straight out said "The truth is, we have a baby on the way, and we can't afford the services, so unless I can lower my bill, I'm going to cancel all services". BAM! 10 minutes later, I got off the phone saving $20 a month :) I know it's not $50 a month, but $20 off is still a major help to this lady. So Karli's tip of the day (not a workout tip for once), is call the people who write checks to every month, and see what you can do about lowering them.

A little workout gossip? Workouts have been going uh-mazing! I still sweat like a Guidette in a fist pumping match, but it's one of the best things I can do for myself (and baby). I figure if I do at least 30 minutes of cardio (maybe combined with weights), I'm golden. I was so determined and convinced that I was going to continue to run my entire pregnancy. So not what happened. BUT, I will say, I recommend already working out mama's to keep working out (OF COURSE TALK TO YOUR OB BEFORE DOING ANYTHING). I have found that I can still get a really good workout in and it's actually forcing me to use cardio machines I never used since I always just ran. I am on the elliptical mostly for 30 minutes and then if I have time, I switch to the treadmill on a medium-high incline for about 20 minutes. You will sweat like crazy, but it won't make you feel bad for eating that craving. With strength training, I have to lower my weight, but I still love it. I think lifting weights is one of the most empowering thing a woman can do. Before pregnancy, I would lift as heavy as I could and guess what? I never bulked. Women seem to be terrified about lifting more weight because they think they will resemble this pretty lady

Not the case. Women do not have enough testosterone in their bodies to naturally take this form. So please ladies, add some more Lb's to that barbell or pick up those 15 lb dumbbells. I promise, it'll be ok :) Lifting weights not only will tone which in turn will help you lose those inches (maybe not pounds, but don't let that scare you because those Hudson or Seven jeans will be fitting so much better), but it'll also help your metabolism stay high, even when you are sleeping.

25 weeks today girls!! I'm halfway to 30, daaaaaaayum! So without further ado, my mandatory weekly questionnaire

How far along? 25 weeks

Baby's size? He is about 13.5 inches and weighing in around 1.5lbs! My stomach has been feeling a lot harder and fuller lately so this makes tons of sense. I feel him moving all the time in my belly, especially while mama is trying to sleep


Weight Gain? 15 lb's the entire pregnancy. I'm hoping to gain about 4 more by next appointment on the 19th. Keep it nice and steady, like Lindsay Lohan's rehab stints

Maternity clothes? Non and maternity tops but all maternity bottoms, except my yoga pants of course

Stretch marks? nada. However, you can see my veins like crazy on my stomach and on my ladies up top.

Belly button in or out? Like a shallow kiddie pool

Sleep? I have been sleeping like a baby (well one that sleeps through the night at least). Every night this week, I can't even remember getting up to go to the bathroom, but one time. Nick says I make more snore like noises though, color me embarrassed

Foods I am loving? Cheese, like the Kraft squares, and my mochas, and anything else sweet.

Foods I am hating? Same as last week

Best moment this week? Finally picking a paint color for little man's room and ordering a decal for his wall

Movement? All day long. I love him

Hump day= forgot phone & need starbucks!

Sooooooooooooooooooooooooo yeah, I am tired. These past couple of days hubbster Nick-a-roo's mom and her boyfriend have been in town and it has made for a couple late nights. It's always great to see family especially since we haven't seen his mom in little over a year due to her living in Colorado, so it's always worth it. Pregnancy is no joke my friends. The sleepiness that you encounter (or at least I do) combined with a late night = MUCHO CAFFEINE NEEDED, but then it's like "oh wait, I can't have mucho caffeine". Oh and on top of that, I forgot my phone aka my life line! How am I supposed to give it my all on that elliptical on my lunch break?

Troy is moving like a maniac lately and I couldn't love it more. Every time I feel him move, I immediately put my hand on my stomach to feel. Not only that, but he seems to be taking full advantage of the room he has in my belly, as my stomach seems more firm and less squishy these past 2 days. Troy seems most active when I do cardio at the gym. Almost like he wants to workout with his mommy -- oh how I'm so proud *tear*. Speaking of workouts, I have been on a steady 5 day a week workout. I work out every day on my lunch break (on average 25 minutes on the elliptical) and then on Tuesdays, Wednesdays after work it's back to the gym (20 minutes cardio w/strength training) and of course Saturdays. From what other fitness mom's have told me, working out while pregnant pays off in the delivery room. Not only that, but it'll be so much easier to get back into the swing of things (and back into my express jeans) after he comes out. I'm an avid reader of Oxygen magazine (which my subscription is about to come to an end, sniff..sniff...sniff :( ), so I usually always get my workout plans from there. These past 2 months, their magazine has gotten me so amped up to get back into my heart pounding, exhausting, drop to the floor workouts. The women in these magazines exude strength, beauty, confidence, and health. Exactly where any woman would want to be, right? There is one picture in particular that I am going to be cutting out and will be hanging on my fridge after the little man is here. Karli's tip of the day: Well we haven't had much of that lately, have we? Visual motivation is a great way to reach your goals. Start by cutting out pictures of women you aspire to be like or pull out old photos of yourself when you were feeling your best. Place these visual motivations around your house, on your fridge, or even in your office at work. That way when you've had a long stressful day at work, you have something in your face reminding you "Hey, don't even think about skipping the gym today! You deserve 'you' time!" Same with pictures on the fridge. That little visual can tell you "HEY, maybe grab a string cheese or a low fat pudding cup instead of that gallon of ice cream".
Make it a great day beautiful readers!

Monday Madness

Well my workout this morning consisted of......arm reaches to the alarm clock to hit snooze...A LOT! I'm exhausted! Now before you get allll judgemental on me, I have to tell you, I was in a food/skinny girl margarita induced coma. I ate waaaaay too much yesterday. I can't even tell you how much I ate, because after the 2nd margarita, I sorta just spaced out and ate the stuff just so I could munch. I only had 3 (skinny girl) margaritas, so I can't be too hard on myself, but lets just say that it's a good thing I worked out so hard on Saturday. So I'm not feeling up to par this morning, BUT I am hoping that by the time I leave work today, I'll feel mucho better so I can go to X Bike- I feel guilty after eating all that food to use today as a 'rest' day, when really, I don't need to rest today since Sunday's are my rest day. So we will see- my stomach still isn't feeling too happy.



Moving on to more positive things- this week is going to be AWESOME! I know this week is going to be super busy at work for me. I have a ton of filing to do today. Friday was a lot of pulling different documents and scanning and copying them for people, so now I have to put the originals back in their folders. Can we say, it's a wear flats sorta day? I have never really been a fan of flats either since I used to think my legs looked stumpy without some sort of lift. I have to confess too that going to work at a place that let's you wear jeans, cute/dressy top, and flats is WAY better than the business casual black dress pants, heels and a dressy top. My feet feel a lot better now that I'm not wearing heels all day (Hello Captain Obvious Karli).

For once, I am really excited it's a Monday. There is something about starting a new week, that gives people hope to doing better or restarting their goals. Today, it's about giving all I can in the gym. This next Sunday is my anniversary AND it's a long weekend, so I want to look super dooper fit! And since I did enough carb munching last night, my plan (that has worked for me before), is: #1- stick to my workouts and lift as heavy as I can go for 3 sets of 10 reps (that last set really helps when it comes to results-just a little tip-a-roo), eat CLEAN CLEAN this whole week including dinner! I will also be cutting out carbs in the evening when I get home unless they are in veggie/fruit form. So there you have it folks- the plizan!

Have a GREAT and PRODUCTIVE Monday you guys!

Motivation

Running. I am always asked why and where I get my motivation for it. There is nothing else like it. I stumbled upon a girl's blog today and I hope she doesn't mind that I give her some publicity....www.chicrunner.com . I read some of her blogs and she really has some amazing posts about running. I was on mile 2 today with my boyfriend, Tread Mill, and I just felt such a high. Running relieves my stress, clears my mind, makes me feel stronger, detoxes my body (I drip buckets! Kinda gross, but I am keepin it real here), makes me happier. When I haven't ran, I can tell. I am crabbier (poor N!), and I just feel so blah and unproductive. I used to HATE running in High School. My bestie since I was 4 years old and I used to make up every excuse we could come up with to get out of running the MILE 1X a week! ONE MILE PEOPLE!! Today, I run 3 miles everyday!! AND I SMILE WHILE DOING IT!! Well...maybe not smile WHILE I'm doing it, but after I've showered and eaten something delish and downed a huge glass of water, I am smiling. If you would have told me in high school that would run 5K's in an actual race and run 5K's on my own at home, I would laughed and walked away (Literally- WALKED away, that's how much I despised running).

A lot of people will argue that running is bad for your joints and walking is better. While I agree with this statement made by mostly family physician's, I also think there is something to be said about chasing the pavement, concentrating on controlling your breath, and for that 20, 30, 60 minute run, you are the only thing that matters. For me running is so therapeutic (although I do believe in REAL therapy. Like with a Dr and a couch), and I get such a high/relaxation cocktail that is better than anything I could ever get in a box (or pringles can :D). Now, this brings me to this: Karli's tip of the day: If you like to walk, you should walk. You should try to get in at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity 5 times a week. Since running IS hard on your joints, and if you have had problems with joints in the past, I am going to recommend something a little less impact. Such as an elliptical, stair step, recumbent bike or a rowing machine. All give great workouts and are low impact on the joints. N is more attracted to the elliptical due to the fact that while he was in the Marines (OORAH!), he was always training and jumping out of huge tall trucks and helicopters, which screwed up his knees, so elliptical is a great choice for him. PS. On a side note, I LOVE working out with him. It makes it way more enjoyable and I do consider it quality time together. Giving you a couple of options of aerobic equipment, I am also going to add that you should switch up your workouts often to keep you body guessing. Especially if your goals are to lose weight.

So what motivates you? Is it that picture of Marissa Miller's abs plastered all over your treadmill? Or is it that thing your pig of an ex boyfriend said on that last text? Whatever it is, find it and keep it!

Good Friday and Karli's tip of the day :D

Yaaaawn. I am writing right before I'm going to bed rather than when I wake up. Yeah I know, I like to live on the edge...switch things up a bit. So today I went to this awesome Afghan restaurant called Bamiyan for lunch with my mom and some of her girlfriends who she goes to Mexico with every year for a nurses retreat thing. It was awesome. I had a dish called Morg Chalow that I would highly recommend trying. Afghan food is very nutritious and healthy (if made the traditional way) and a great way to taste food that utilize spices. Uh Oh, I feel it. Karli's healthy tip of the day. Okay, sooooo, if you want to keep flavor in your foods, but don't want the calories, I amongst other health guru's will recommend that you take full advantage of spices. They are a great way to cut out marinades, sauces and all that other junk that is full of hidden fats and calories and all the BAD fats you don't want (Hello Trans fats!). Play around with different spices. Cumin has a smoky flavor, garlic powder and garlic salt are great if you just need some hint of garlic in your meal(as well as garlic powder one of my fav's!) and one of my other favorites for some spice is red pepper flakes. A little bit goes a long way so be careful. It was a gorgeous day in El Dorado Hills and I am so taking advantage of this gorgeous California summer that I've missed for 2 year! We sat outside under a tent and get this, the shade...was actually nice and cool and breezy. Just how shade should be. Well back in good ol' North Cackalacky, the shade is still hot and muggy. How do you like them apples? This girl did not like it one bit! No thank YOU! The sun was shining and there was that breeze every so often and everything is just so "Californianized" if you will. Palm trees, blue skies and green trees, Tuscan style houses/buildings, the stuff I LOVE!!

I feel really bad for my NC Bestie Christine. My old boss/her current boss has his priorities so outta wack it's ridiculous. I never thought that going to the "South" would be that stereotypical thing, but in some ways it was. Like so many of the men who came in and out of that office looked at me like I was a piece of meat as stupid as it sounds. They shall remain nameless of course, but some of you know who they are. Christine used to be in Real Estate (she still has her license, but it’s on a hold sorta thing so she can work as part of the office staff), and I totally think she should get back into it and be with her boys(sons) and hubby. The stress and stuff you have to put up with in that office is unreal from a certain person and it just isn't worth it when your opinion isn't looked at with any thought or care. As most of you know, WHERE and WHO you work with make a huge difference to me. You are going to be around those people more than your family for the most part and you have to enjoy the atmosphere or zooooooooooooom, there goes your life. So live it right!

Well all you beautiful ladies (and gents) out there, I'm off to bed with my Marine. I am beat and tomorrow mom, dad, Nick, Me, Bunny Boo, and sister are going to breakfast and to see were Bunny Boo's classroom is gonna be. She starts 5th grade on Monday at my old elementary school!! Crazy huh?! I went there the other day and I happened to run into my old kindergarten teacher and get this, she remembered me!! Right down to my signature outfit (Hot pink cowboy boots and my purple fringed jacket...hey it was the 90's and I was 4!!)

Sweet Dreams!!!