friday favorites

I'm back!  I'm back!

I am sad about the hiatus...and I know it's cliche to say that 'life got in the way', but it did!  I started committing myself and my time into multiple areas of my life and typing on the blog just fell off the wagon.  I committed my time to teaching and my fourth grade team.  I committed to my 6 week challenge! (more on that in a later post!) and I committed to getting our new house underway.  Spring Fever hit me hard and I felt like I wanted to organize, clean, and get ready to be successful!

I wanted to start out with my Friday Favorites because I've been up to a lot!

- Favorite Food:  Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Dill Weed and Garlic Salt. Seriously.  Ask everyone at my school (because they can smell me a mile away!)

- Favorite Exercise Move: BURPEES!  PW has us do a LOT of burpees and it's crazy how much easier they have become.  The way I was taught to do burpees is jump, push up position, chest to floor (basically drop, this isn't a controlled pushup), push back up, feet to hands, jump! The burpee is more about cardio than strength, so going fast and not concentrating on the pushup is key!

- Favorite Stretch: using a foam roller on my hip flexors and IT band.  Magic in my Muscles right there. 

- Favorite Workout Accessory: the Contigo water bottle.  I swear I should get sponsor money on how many people I convert to this amazing bottle.  Usually, I show people a demonstration about it's awesomeness but I will let you figure it out. 

- Favorite Random Thing!: I love cats/kittens.  A lot.  I love all animals and my heart strings pull for any of them.  I lucked out that two rescue cats fell into my lap when they were 8 week old kittens.  I've been a crazy cat person ever since!  They are just TOO funny and cuddly not to love!  Google Funny Cat Videos and there goes your entire day. 

friday favorites

I'm recovering from a brutal cardio class at Pure Workout. (I posted it on my jumpintofit instagram here!) and an equally difficult basketball practice in Park City.  I knew going into that practice that being in 'basketball shape' was a whole different beast, but it was a killer!  I love playing sports because you are working your tail off but it's so fun.  You don't even recognize how sore or tired you are because your mind is so focused on playing.

My great friend from high school, Crystal, and I visited our alma mater so we could help out our other friend Sam, who is coaching his girls' basketball team to a state playoff game!  He wanted us to give them some pep talking, memories, and the importance of high school sports and teammates.  I loved every second of it and am so grateful for that opportunity to share my experiences on the court.

Now on to my Friday Favorites!!

- Favorite Food:  steel cut outs with Cellucor Cookies n' Cream protein powder mixed in.

- Favorite Exercise Move: barbell deadlift for sure!  #becauseglutes

-Favorite Workout Song:  This song is an oldie but a goodie! Rage Against the Machine: Guerrilla Radio. 

-Favorite Stretch: pigeon pose.  This really helps if you are tight in the hips.  This move stretches your hip flexors AND the hip rotators.  This stretch really hurts me, but in a good way! 

-Favorite Workout Accessory: my new Nike Bionic shoes!  I was looking for some new training shoes that would be good on turf and sport court material.  This lady was at the Nike outlet store purchasing five more pairs of these shoes! (mine are bright purple with bright green laces...oh yeah)

-Favorite Random Thing!: Pretty Little Liars.  I know.  I am not a sixteen year old girl.  But I am addicted to this show...damn Netflix and it's awesome marathon watching abilities! WHO IS A???!!! :)