#Practiceingratitude Yoga Challenge

This was a fun short challenge. I gave me the opportunity to practice some more difficult poses like a chin stand and a forearm stand that I did in a previous challenge. I was able to see how with some more practice I am getting better at them. The only thing I didn't like about the challenge was that I didn't know what the poses were ahead of time and the host must live in West Coast time zone or possibly even further away like Hawaii or something because they would share the pose in the afternoon and often I am already changed out of my work clothes and wearing clothes for the day.

This one just ended this week and I I'm still doing a different challenge. I have added in another challenge this week as well so that I am back to two challenges at a time.

#StrongAndBendyBums Yoga Challenge

I so much do not have a bendy bum. So that is why I'm going to try this one out. I would like to increase my flexibility in my hamstrings and in my back. Some of these look like they are going to be quite challenging for me.

How the #HippyHalloween Yoga Challenge Turned Out

The first two collages are from the first 10 days of this yoga challenge. So far the first third of this challenge has been doable and have been put aside I do and up getting more of a workout doing the use because I take quite a few pictures before I get one that I am willing to post. Often while doing it I am noticing any type of Corrections I need to make in the pose to get into a better and make sure that I am doing it correctly.

Where Did We Go Wednesday? Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area

I have posted about the cuyuna country State Recreation Area a few times on this blog for wordless Wednesday posts but I haven't told you anything about it. Now is that chance. These were pictures taken at the end of the summer during the last weekend in August Kama which accounts for why we are dressed in more summer like clothes.

Other times I have posted pictures of us hiking in this area, which is near our cabin. This State Rec area is in the communities of Crosby, Cuyuna, and Ironton in Minnesota. One feature that we took advantage of this time around that we had not done before is the mountain biking trails. There is an extensive selection of mountain bike trails in this area. The range in difficulty can go from family-friendly and beginner courses 2 someone that needs to be quite adventurous and an expert data mountain biking. Obviously, we took the kids on a family-friendly Trail. We had never done mountain biking on these trails or any Trails like this before as a family so it was new to all of us and we were slightly nervous. It took awhile to get used to it and figure out just how our bikes and our bodies work on them. After getting rid of our initial anxieties about it we started to have a little fun but I have realized I definitely need a different bike rather than my hybrid to do anything more than this family-friendly beginner Trail.

There are also lots of paved trails that go around the mine Lakes as well and we have hike on those Trails as well as road bike on them during this time to. I am looking forward to trying out more of these trails with my family but hopefully next time I will have better bike for this type of terrain.

#RFCFallFit Fitness Instagram Challenge for Nov 1-5, WHO'S IN?

I decided to try this one out to change things up, in addition to doing a yoga challenge. Anyone want to join in?

TAGS FOR CHALLENGE: #RFCFallFit #sweatpink @runtastic @fitapproach @lifelikelunden

Video Links for each day:  

• Day 1: Upper Body & Booty
• Day 2: ABSolutely Amazing 4-Minute Abs
• Day 3: 7-Minute HIIT for Legs
• Day 4: Fall Workout with a Pumpkin*
• Day 5: 6-Minute No-Gym Total Body Workout

Days 24-30 of #NamasteStrong Yoga Challenge

I am going to start out with my post from Sunday. What you see there is what is left after I try to do a flying Warrior. I thought I was warmed up and now my hamstrings are very very tight and I tried a variety of ways looked up a bunch of modifications and was trying it with both black and a strap and ended up pulling a hamstring muscle in my left leg. Not what I wanted to happen ever and certainly not how I wanted to see ending this challenge.

So now I backtrack to Saturday and show you two variations of pyramid pose. The one on the right is what was on our challenge sheet. And the one on the left is what you typically see for a pyramid pose.

So this next one is from Monday. It is a standing backbend. I knew I wasn't going to be able to get very deep into the post and thought I would briefly try it out and see if it engaged my hamstrings are not. I think because of my lack of flexibility in being able to bend over it did not engage my hamstrings at all and was able to complete this one. My leg was wrapped all yesterday and will be today. I actually ordered a adjustable Velcro thigh and hamstring wrap that should be delivered soon to start wearing. I have been I seen often and taking Aleve and applying all of the RICE principles. I looked ahead at the next few poses and they might be possible but I am not sure. I am updating this post as I do them. So we'll see.

Day 27 is flying pigeon pose. I had done this one before and had an idea of how it was supposed to work and feel but there was no way I was going to be able to straighten my leg today.

The last three poses of the week. This last week especially seem to give me a lot more challenges especially considering I injured myself trying to do one of the poses. I think that injury made me more aware of my body and questioning my own strength. I know I have more work to do and we'll keep practicing these yoga moves. Tomorrow I will share a challenge I am going to do the first 10 days of October.

Days 17-23 of #NamasteStrong Yoga Challenge

This week has been full of surprises and some not so much surprises. This top post is of the first 5 days of the challenge.

Day 17 was baby crow. This I had a feeling I could do and was successful. But for this one I had fun trying out the app Prisma and made a more artistic picture on Instagram. Day 18 I took the kids up to the park and while they were playing I was trying to do flying Crow pose. I worked up quite a sweat and had to try this many times before I got to holding it up for three seconds. Need to work more on this one. Day 19 was a very humbling experience. I knew I probably would not be able to do that pose which is baby Firefly because in a previous post we had to do regular Firefly and I fell on my butt every time and was not very successful. This one I couldn't do it all. I found that my forearms would barely skim the ground and wasn't able to lift my body up into the pose mostly in part due to tight hamstrings and not strong enough for.

But on day 20 I was able to bounce back and do a tripod headstand. I have done them before and knew this one I could get in easily and hold the pose for a long time. It helps to do it outside because it doesn't hurt my head because the ground is soft.

Day 21 was the Flying splits. I had never done this post before but I followed the instructions that one of the hosts gave. She said that she gets into the pose differently than most people do. I am not sure how other people get into the post but I found these instructions relatively easy to follow and was successful. My only limitation is my tight hamstrings which prevent my legs from getting fully straight.

Days 10-16 of #NamasteStrong Yoga Challenge

Wow what a week this has been. Such a combination of poses that are relatively easy for me to do and one that I completely failed on. And one post that I had no idea that I could even do which is the flying lizard pose and is the top right picture and the top collage.

 Here we have the elevated Lotus pose which I have done before but isn't very easy for me and I can't get my legs up too high. And then the other post was something I have never tried before and will have to continue to work on but at least this is a start.

And finally here is suppose I just couldn't do it is called Firefly pose. I think there is a lot more work that I am going to have to do to get into this one. They can't all be easy and it wouldn't be called a yoga practice if you didn't have to practice some things.

Days 3-9 of #NamasteStrong Yoga Challenge

Another week of yoga poses as part of the #NamasteStrong yoga challenge.

Day 3 of #namastestrong  yoga challenge, outside our house is chaturanga. This one I feel I have got pretty good, but they are only getting harder from here.

Day 4 of the #namastestrong yoga challenge is a crescent lunge . I have a hard time getting the backbend in this as I lose my balance and backbends are not easy for me either.

Day 5 of #namastestrong yoga challenge is boat pose I can't get my legs very straight, it's as good as it gets rt now. On my back deck of our house.

Yoga inside on this rainy day. Feeling very humbled seeing this photo of me. Not as flexible as I thought. Day 6 of #namastestrong yoga challenge is salabhasana Gotta keep working at it.

Day 7 of #namastestrong yoga challenge was a yoga pose I have never done before and a little difficult. I did the prep stretches that @happybettyann posted in her video. Those were helpful. Then I tried the pose. Then I grabbed my yoga block and tried it a few times under my extended leg. That was helpful. Then I did it a couple of times without the block this is the result.

Day 8 of #namastestrong yoga challenge is camel pose or ustrasana. I had a chance to go to a yoga class today too! Kids are back in school, so time to get back in to an exercise routine again.

Day 9 of the #namaste yoga challenge. I like to support my back doing this pose, but you can also put your hands on the ground. I can do that, but it has been quite a while since I have done this and wanted to be careful as I am a little sore from doing a boot camp class on Wednesday night.

Yoga Challenge I am doing this September #namastestrong

I decided I needed to do something to get me working out more and doing yoga more, and since I had seen this yoga challenge on Betty Ann's Instagram, I thought I would follow along and participate.

I am not familiar with the other two yogis, but I am sure after a month of following them through these daily challenges, I will be. Check out their websites to learn more about them and their practice: Matr3Moni and Gina Heminover.

Below are my pictures for the 1st 2 days!

Be sure to FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM so you can see how I am doing this month and other stuff I am up to. Some of these poses look tough, so we'll see how well I can do.

125 Miles Challenge from the Minnesota DNR

I just love the idea of this and am participating!!! In honor of the 125th Anniversary of Minnesota State Parks and Trails, they are hosting a 125 Miles By Bike, Boot or Boat Challenge.

It's a challenge, not a race. The goal is to finish 125 miles during 2016. The catch is that you are supposed to log these miles at a state park, state recreation area, state forest, state trail or state water trail. This is totally do-able!!!!

When you finish and turn in your log sheets you will get your free finishers sticker. Each person does this. Wouldn't this be an awesome goal to finish with your family this summer and each of you can get a sticker!

I have already done some hiking this year with my family on the trails at the Cuyuna Country State Recreation area and we plan to bike it this summer and fall, so we should rack up some good miles there. Also, I sometimes will bike and run on the Sakatah State trails with friends and family. I probably won't rack up a ton of miles by boat, but I usually get my kayak out a couple times at a state park and the kids like to go paddle boarding every summer to at a state park (state parks have the best rental price for paddle boards!)

Print Off Your Logs Today!

125 Miles By Bike, Boot or Boat Challenge

Fitness Friday

For the longest time now I have wanted to come up with a Friday theme that I could share on a consistent basis, and finally in a half slumber the idea came to me -- Fitness Friday. A day where I post about exercise I have done that week, or an upcoming race or fitness activity.

I am so excited to be sharing this with you now! Unless you are a reader that knows me personally, as in I real-life, you may think I spend all my time crafting and cooking and reviewing products, well, when I am not taking my family on field trips. And yes, while all that is true about me, you also don't know that I exercise daily (well, there is usually a day of rest, but is it really rest if I am swimming or hiking with my family?)

I love to exercise! It is a big part of who I am and that is why I am so excited to start sharing it with you. Maybe inspire some of you to try something new or even start exercising.

I am not a race-a-holic, so this isn't going to be weekly posts about races. I am a runner, but I love to cross train and I think exercise is fun! I LOVE to have friends workout with me. It is both a physical and social outlet for me and I am quite the social creature. Yeah!

5 Ideas for Hairstyles When Exercising with Long Hair

Braided Bun

This one is three parts:

• Make a ponytail
• Braid the ponytail
• Make a bun with braid and secure end under the elastic band and add any booby pins if needed

Braided Pony Tail

2 simple parts for this one:

• Make a ponytail
• Braid the ponytail

Side Pony with a Fishtail Braid

Another easy 2 part hair style

• Make a low ponytail on one side of your head
• Make a fishtail braid, if you don't know how to make a fishtail braid, watch this YouTube from To Die For.

Messy Looped Ponytail


Here you can see the both sides of it. This is my go to hairstyle for working out because it is very quick.

• Put hair in a ponytail but when you pull your hair through the last time, only pull it through far enough so that all the ends are secured under the hair band but are free.
• One side will look neat and looped, the other side you will see the messy ends.

Side Braid with a Low Pony

If I have the time, I like this one the best because it secures my hair down to my hair and I won't have all fly aways and it doesn't fall out with strenuous exercise and it can be worn easily under my bike helmet.

• Divide your hair where your natural part is.
• Create a french braid down the side of your head on each side. 
• Combine the ends of the two sides in a low pony and secure with a hair band.

Wordless Wednesday: My First Half Marathon

My first half marathon (yes, I do hope to do another!) was the Rock the Parkway Half Marathon in Kansas City, MO. I did it with two great runner friends and it was a positive and fun experience all rolled in to a girls weekend.

Thrifty Thursday: Ice Skating on a River or Lake

 Ice skating can be fun and affordable, maybe even FREE! As long as you have the proper cold weather gear to be outside, the only other things you need for ice skating are a pair of skates and a place.

Check out area rivers and lakes that are frozen over, they will need at least 6" of ice to skate on. Some communities may maintain ice rinks (man-made or on a river/lake). Your best bet is to call the Park and Recreation Department of the city to ask where ice skating is in the community. Specifically ask if there is a place to skate for free.



We own skates for the kids & I. I bought mine when they were on sale at Fleet Farm, but I picked up ones for the kids at rummage sales during the summer before or at a Thrift Store.

Otherwise, just ask your friends (post on Facebook even) if anyone has skates in the sizes you need. You could borrow from someone or maybe buy. They may sell them to you for a good price or may even just be looking to get rid of them for free.

If a pair of skates are too big by a size, just have your kids put on an extra pair of socks to help fill in the space. With how fast kids grow, chances are they might even fit in the pair perfectly before the season is over.

HAVE FUN!

GIVEAWAY: S2H Pedometer

What are your Fitness Goals for 2013?

How would you like to earn rewards when you work on your Fitness Goals?

As a Sweat Pink Ambassador, I want to help encourage you to obtain your fitness goals for 2013 by giving one lucky read the S2H pedometer, the pedometer that allows you to earn rewards for every 10,000 steps you take.

This is NOT a sponsored post. I purchased this pedometer on my own so that I could give it to a reader to encourage them to make their goals a reality. The S2H pedometer is sold by Switch2Health for $24.95 + s/h.

I know that some of us respond better to external motivation (or maybe do initially) and the idea that we can track our progress as well as earn points to save up for rewards could be just the encouragement some need.

You will earn 60 points for every 10,000 steps you accomplish. Most of the rewards are gift cards to a variety of companies that sell fitness apparel and supplies, but other rewards include ring tones, tickets to games, spa gift cards and more.

Each pedometer has it's own serial number that you register on their website and after registration when you start walking it will reveal a special code when you reach 10,000 steps. Just enter in your code online or on the app to redeem. More FAQs can be found here.

As far as my Fitness Goals for 2013, I have signed up for another Warrior Dash (different location this time) and will complete a few other 5Ks, but my big goal is I plan on taking the leap and running my first half marathon.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Honey Boo & Mama June at Scare in the Bear 5K Race

 My fun friend Caitlin & I decided we wanted to run a Halloween race together that was on a Friday night and encouraged dressing up. We're a bit of a sucker for dressing up and theme races (we already are planning on a couple next year that we haven't done before that are a theme-of-sorts.)

Can you tell who we are? We are Honey Boo Boo and Mama June.

I have the tutu, bows on my socks (not pictured), a People's Choice sequined sash from Sparkle & Shine, some Gogo Juice, big pagaent hair (wig) & makeup, some arm ruffles, a tiara. Mama June is wearing forklift foot with the painted toenails on a sock (I seriously can't believe someone did that!), a homemade lightweight fat suit, some jeans, a pageant sweatshirt, a wig with gray roots, toilet paper, coupons, and a tooth gap, oh! and neck crust.

I am Honey Boo Boo. I admit that prior to deciding to dress like this duo, I had never watched the show, but I had seen enough previews to know it would be easy enough to make our costumes and could be quite fun and was certainly current and relevant. I did need to do a little research so I could get in to character and ended up watching 2 hours of an episode, interviews and spoof skits and then another half hour reading about their "quotes".

Fortunately for me (not for my costume), I didn't have enough to grab like she does. I am happy to say that I am grabbing more muscle than fat.

Here we are running to the finish line and passing the person in between us. It was a cold run, but they had Caribou hot cocoa and apple cider at the finish line for us, as well as a bunch of snacks.

The other perk of this race was we had the chance to meet chiropractor James Barr, who owns Barr Chiropractic and Sports Clinic in White Bear Lake. He is certified in Active Release Technique and was performing care on runners who were interested. Caitlin & I were interested and were very happy with how he helped us. But since we live over an hour away from his practice we are unable to continue to get care from him, so I thought I would give him a shout out on my blog in case there are some Twin Cities readers looking for a chiropractor.

He also works with the Minnesota Swarm, which is why I have included the above photo.

The race was put on my Tri Fitness - Well Beyond Limits. (probably not a coincidence that it is in White Bear Lake - get it - WBL - Well Beyond Limits.) Most of their races are in White Bear Lake. If I can, I would like to try out another one of their races, it's the Beat the Freeze Biathalon. Go read about it and just try and tell me that doesn't sound like fun! And possibly also their My First Tri.