The Coach's Widow Workout

worRecently I hung out with a girlfriend who has transformed her body! She has lost a lot of weight and more importantly feels great! She let me in on what began her transformation. Her enthusiasm encouraged me to begin a new workout regimen. I'm calling it:

"The Coach's Widow Workout!"

I can't take credit for this workout though. It is a workout video by the meanest trainer in television. Jillian Michaels.

 

I've developed a new love/hate relationship with her! :)

But before I tell you about the workout, I have to show off my workout kicks!



Coach got me these shoes at the end of football season as a thank you! Coaches get all sorts of shoes and awesome sports outfits each season, and I was feeling deprived :)

These are Nike ID!!! You can look up the website to customize your own tennis shoes! I'm pretty sure no one will ever steal my shoes since they have my name on them, not that anyone could handle the stench of

my tennis shoes (I know... too much information hehee)



(I liked how this North Face hoodie matched my shoes!)
This was my end of basketball season gift. I know I'm a little spoiled,
but c'mon three kids later, I gotta get something fun :) Plus,
I would definitely not ever spend more than a few dollars on myself,
so Coach thinks it is fun to do it every once in a while.

Back to my new workout!!! I have started the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. I am now on day 3 and have not felt more sore in my life. It includes 3 different workouts that you work your way up to. I have decided to do 10 days on level 1, 10 on level 2, and 10 on level 3. She does not specify you have to do this, but if I set it, I know I have to do it. Each level increases in intensity and includes strengths, cardio, and abs. All three of which I need!

I am partially telling you about my workout to inform you of how exciting and great this video is, but also so that I am accountable!!!! I've decided to be 100% committed to completing the 30 days. So, definitely ask me how it's going, and ask me any questions about the workout if you are interested. It's pretty intense, but for some of us who are going on a cruise this summer (it's me it's me!!!), it is necessary for bathing suit purposes!!!! By the way, if you are interested in buying the video it is approximately $8 at Wal-Mart.

Wish me luck! P.S., I would also like to say I now feel amazingly sorry for the people on the biggest loser!!! (I already felt sorry for them, but now I empathize a little) If I scream at her on the screen, I can only imagine how they feel during their workouts. XoXo Biggest Losers!!!

St. Patty's, Birthdays, and L.A.T.A

Last night, Coach and I actually got to go out!!! I don't mean just dinner and home either, we actually got to socialize! If you have read my previous posts, I'm sure you know that is a difficult task for us to do :)



It was one of the other basketball coach's birthdays, so we went out to celebrate. He just happens to be dating a member of a new music group called L.A.T.A, and they were performing. So we got to celebrate, and see a concert. Who are we???  I love spring break :)

We made our way to downtown Austin, and met up with the coach and his friends. By the way, if you have never been to Austin before, it is an experience in itself. Not only was it St. Patricks day, it was also the South by Southwest concert series. (This is a big event in Austin where big musicians come and play). So not only were the normal WEIRD Austinites out, the REALLY WEIRD ones were out too :) It made for plenty to look at as we made our way to the concert.



I was taking the pic, walking in heels, and trying not to get run
over by pedicabs, so sorry it's blurry :)



We watched the concert, watched a few people who had had too many drinks dance around the floor, ate some birthday cake, socialized and headed home. A very fun night for people who usually go to Chili's and maybe take a walk near the river for date night (don't get me wrong, I love those dates too, but a change of pace was really fun).

P.S.,  The Group L.A.T.A was amazing. Check out their first single!!! Very fun music that gets stuck in your head easily!!!

Gradual Self Tanner

Today's Makeup Monday post:

Self Tanner!

Spring is on the way, and I am pale! This Summer I have a cruise planned and I plan on looking tan. Because of this, I need to get a head start on the best self tanners. I decided to put two gradual self tanners to the test. An off brand (Wal-Mart Equate) and Jergens gradual self tanner.

I applied the Jergens self tanner to my right arm, and applied the off brand to my left arm. I put on two applications to make sure that there was at least a slight difference in the tint of my skin.



I was impressed with the outcome of both. No streaks! Although it is important to wash your hands after the application. If you don't the spaces between your fingers will appear orange.



I used the lotion for the medium skin tone even though I am light skinned. I did this in hopes that it would work faster :)



To be honest, the outcome of this scientific experiment, (maybe I should teach science instead of speech..... okay I won't quit my day job) was that the outcome was exactly the same.

Off brand top arm

Jergens below

Both arms had a slight tan look. I surveyed those around me to see if anyone thought that one arm looked better than the other (yes, they thought I was weird, but obliged). I had 2 choose the right Jergens arm, and 3 say the left off brand. I think it may be slightly swayed by the extra freckles on my left arm.



What this shows is that if you pay less, you will still get a good outcome. Good price, good gradual tan. Remember, if you want a quick tan, this is not the lotion for you.



Pros:

• Makes you look good


• Affordable


• Tan without damaging your skin


• moisturizes as well


• The Equate is supposed to firm and reduce appearance of cellulite (don't know, haven't noticed a difference, but haven't tried it in
  those areas yet)

Cons:

• Self tanner smell


• Very gradual


• Doesn't last very long

Would I buy again? Yes, (probably the off brand, since I'm a cheapie)



Have to go watch the Bachelor Finale now!!!!

Birthday Mystery Solved!!!

My final envelope from my sister included this message:

Autumn,

So I'm assuming you still have not figured it out. Call it What You Want, but I know I made it a little hard. But I Want It That Way. Don't worry though, Baby I Believe in You. So, Let's Try It Again because You Got It.. The Right Stuff to figure this out. So you should probably take it Step By Step. I know these are just more clues you're getting Tonight, but they are All I Have to Give you, and believe me, the are not something that Everybody can have. They are a little Larger Than Life but so are we so Please Don't Go Girl, keep thinking about it and Hangin Tough and you'll get it. As Long as You Love Me, I'll Quit Playing Games and wait for The Call from you letting me know that you put it all together. Now, Didn't I Blow Your Mind????

Love,
Ashtin

 I did get the mystery after this message!!!! She is taking me to a concert!!! Did you figure it out? If not, Kyna on my previous post was amazing and figured it out before I even opened my final envelpe!!! Great job!!! Thanks for all of the help y'all! You are amazing!

P.S., I have had a great birthday today! Good food, family, and lots of cake (the cake almost caught on fire from all of the candles). I got a new camera, so I no longer have to mourn the death of my previous one :)

The Birthday Mystery!!!!

Basketball season is over!!! What , What! That is my reaction when I get excited about things, please excuse it, and forget I ever said it. You are all just lucky you don't have to witness my dancing when I get really happy. It is like a tribal indian dance gone bad. I'll stop there.

Anyway, I need your help in figuring out a mystery. You better believe I'm going all Nancy Drew on you. (by the way, I always dreamed of being Nancy Drew.... solving mysteries with Ned and driving my convertible around town- I guess I came close.... driving my first car a Datsun which broke down every 30 miles around town with my 6ft 6 future Coach squished in it, and trying to solve the mystery of how to get it home... a girl can dream).

Back to my mystery!!!!  Over the last month I have been receiving letters from an unmarked sender at my house. Each piece of mail has an individual letter(alphabet letter) in the envelope. Luckily I recognized the handwriting, or I would have been really freaked out. (Of course it is my sister! She is a student teacher right now. Who else would decorate the envelopes with colored markers and hearts?) She has been sending me these random letters now each week, and I have no idea what they are supposed to spell.

My birthday is this Sunday, and apparently these letters are supposed to give me a clue about what she is getting me for my birthday. I thinks she thinks it is fun to torment me :)  There is a final letter that arrived yesterday, that I am not allowed to open until tomorrow, and she said I cannot have my gift unless I figure out the clues :( 

Well, I cannot figure out what the letters could spell, so I am asking for your help!!!! I've been given a hint that it could be an acronym..... Still doesn't help.  (And no this is not cheating! You are just helping in the process! Just don't tell my sister. ) 

The Coach's Widow's Tips to Staying Sane for Moms

How to stay sane as a mom:

1. First and foremost, Take time for you!!!

I have a hard time with this sometimes because I feel like mommy knows best. Yes, Daddy may let them eat 3 starches for dinner but they will survive while I take a half an hour to write, or enjoy a night out with my girlfriends. This pertains to taking time out for you to spend time with your husband as well. Coach and I make it a point to go on at least one date a month. Many times we have the babysitter come over after 2/3 kids are asleep, but at least we have the chance to reconnect and remember the special things we love about each other that are harder to see with spit up on your shirt, or Barney songs playing in the background.  

2. Ask for help. I have such a hard time with this. In my head, if I can't do something on my own then I'm weak. I have learned that even the most successful people have to get help. All the Hollywood celebrities have assistants, maybe that's what I need ;)

Grammie loves giving babies baths in
the sink!!! I love taking pics of
it!

3. Say No. As a mom there are people asking you for things left and right. On top of your families needs there are always others asking for your help. Don't overload your plate. Learn to say no if you really don't have time or the energy to fully fulfill those obligations and continue to be a great mom. There will always be someone who is disappointed if you say no, but the most important thing is your health, and the needs of your family.

Sometimes you have to be stern!

4. Realize that no one is perfect. Doing your best and putting forth effort for your family is all that matters. Parenting and perfection do not go together. It is more like a hill you are trying to climb. Sometimes you need to sit down and take a break, sometimes you may go downhill a little, but you are always working toward being at the top (you can't leap to the top of a mountain, it takes a lot of effort and trials to reach the peak, but the view from the top is worth the work).

5. Give up the guilt. Everyone has different expectations and beliefs about what form of parenting is best. As long as love and energy is put into raising your children, you should feel like you are doing a good job. I constantly feel guilty for everything (sitting down to rest even makes me feel guilty sometimes when I feel like my time could be more productively spent another way). Guilt is never productive.

Happy Healthy Moms = Happy Healthy Kids

 If your children see and feel that you are enjoying life, they in turn will see what they need to do to enjoy their own lives.

We're Fishtailing It!

Hair and Makeup Monday:


Today I decided to write a post featuring a fun new hairstyle (it may not be new, but it's new to me).
 Many times I get stuck in a rut with my hair, so I was set on finding a fresh new style. Allure.com has some really great ideas! I went through a list of new hair ideas for 2011, and found one that really caught my eye.


I have been seeing this hairstyle on t.v., and in magazines, but never really thought I could pull it off on my own hair. Well, I tried it for y'all, and you can be the judge of the outcome.

The Fishtail Braid



This is my inspiration. Let's just get this out there: I will
be doing the cute version of this pic. The sexy version is
not happening :)


 

According to Allure, a fishtail is a more interesting version of a side braid. (oohh....ahhhh)

Steps to creating the fishtail braid:

1. Seperate hair into two sections instead of three.

2.  Pull a few strands from the outside of one section and weave it over to the underside of the second section

 

3. Repeat the same motion from the opposite side

4. Keep alternating until you reach the end, then secure with an elastic. (Wish I had a clear elastic band, but had to go with what I had).

5. To dress up the style, wrap a scarf around your head like a headband and tie it in a messy knot or bow.

It took me approximately 3 trys before getting the braid to the tightness that I wanted. It helped to wrap a section and pull it upwards to tighten the braid. I also had to remind myself that it looks just as cute with a few strands poking out. It is a side braid, so messy is okay.

Overall I really like the look of this braid. I definitely don't have time to do this every morning, but may try it if I wake up with a little bit of extra time. This style also works for a relaxed night out.