Bring On Lemons

  So - it's been a rough week here. The Y was closed for a few days, and I had sick kiddos at home, so I haven't followed my schedule as well as I should have. But... guess what? I'm headed to the YMCA shortly and I'm meeting a friend who also happens to be my daughter (who is turning 18 soon). Instead of simply going shopping and out for lunch because we both have a free afternoon, we are meeting at the Y. Our plan is to meet in the lobby, walk a bit on the treadmills, then hit the weight room. I'm sharing this because involving your friends and family in your fitness journey can be fun and functional too! I'm not going to miss an opportunity to chat with my lovely daughter so even if I feel more like laying on the couch than working out, I'm going to go! Find yourself a friend or family member and meet up at the gym! Come back and tell us how it's going! xoxox Today's post was penned by Crystal J. Casavant Crystal Casavant writes. Everything. I...

  OK OK OK It wasn't an awful week. For the most part I ate right - except that one time when I had a most frustrating conversation and ended the night with 2 bites of chocolate brownie cheesecake and 1 bite of tiramisu but heck - I'm only human... It's been beautiful here this week (I mean - it's winter in Wisconsin so not like actually beautiful, but not freezing) so I made a point of walking every day. Some days that meant a walk around the block, other days it was a walk around the office - but I'm getting back to tracking my steps and moving and shaking! How did you do this week? What are your tips and tricks for getting healthy and getting fit? What works for you? What doesn't? Do tell!!! Today's post was penned by Crystal J. Casavant Crystal Casavant writes. Everything. If you follow her blog you have likely laid eyes on every thought she has ever had. Her debut novel, It Was Never About Me, Was It?  is still a work in progress and shall be fully ...

  Well - 10pm Northern Wisconsin. Friday night. Snow falling. Interesting life choices were made. Who drives 3.5 hours on a Friday night with 9 youth to go to a retreat? I'm seriously ALWAYS cold. There are 2 days in the middle of the Wisconsin summer that I'm warm, but other than that, there's an electric blanket on my favorite chair, one on the bed, and I've been wearing a winter coat since late August. Yet, here I am standing atop a steep hill with snow on my hood and 9 loving children urging me to go tubing. One of us misunderstood the mission. I thought as a chaperone I was supposed to sip coffee fireside and they thought I was supposed to play like I did 30+ years ago when I was at camp as a child. What does this have to do with fitness? Well - if I could get my snowpants buttoned I could potentially go down the hill without fear of losing my pants. Or - if I were in better shape, I could consider walking up the hill carrying my tube without being short of breath....

  Have you ever worn the wrong shoes? There's a few items in my wardrobe that seem directly connected to the epicenter of my mood and shoes are absolutely one of those items. Wear the wrong shoes, the entire day is ruined. Now, the real key to happiness is finding cute shoes that are also comfortable. You 20-somethings who are thinking fashion, that is not what this old lady is talking about. I'm not talking about a pair of heels that take off ten pounds - I'm talking about something I can wear to an office, chasing a child, carrying 8 bags of groceries, and something that will hold up under the pressures of motherhood.  My aunt Dorothe could wear heels and push a baby stroller wearing a freshly ironed dress and look amazing! I however, am from a different generation. We have things like dry shampoo, tide pens, and running shoes. I get cranky if my shoes are too narrow or my hair tie is too tight and the women of previous generations wore corsets - we are not the same.  I...