Running With My Funk. #ME

Rarely do I ever post too much about my personal life here on my blog but lately, I've just been in a mental funk. When I get that way, I usually turn to running. I love that about myself though. I turn.

I hate conflict. I hate drama. And I hate people that act dumb. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm a total goof by nature. That's not what I'm talking about here. 

I am struggling with a lot of personal issues. I'm struggling with just being "me". 

I like "me". I think I'm a pretty cool chick. 

I wear ALOT of hats in my house. We are a family of six plus two dogs and I do it all. Blah blah blah....every Mom does it all. That's not a news flash. And I'm not complaining. 

But "Me" is tired. Not the Mom "me". Not the wife "me". I'm talking about the Kristin "Me". Mentally worn out. 

I just realized that most people online don't even know me by my real name. Who IS that girl? 

I love to race, I love to seek out new adventures, I love to just dream. But what I love and what everyone else need from me are two different things. 

Over the last few weeks, I've been shut down and I really hate that. Mentally, I just can't go there. 

I love my job. I love my life and my fam. But I do not love being shut down. 

I do not wanna be in a mental funk so I'm releasing that. I'm not running from this. I'm running WITH my funk. I don't know all of the answers nor do I care to right now. 

I am going to stay on top of my game though. I won't give in to negativity. And I will keep dreaming big. 

I love most of the hats that I wear in life but I've got room on the hat rack for a couple more that mean something to me.  

I know that everyone goes through ups and downs in life and I'm totally prepared for the ride. Until I figure out how to get a grip on my hat rack situation, I'll keep pushing forward. 

So today I put on my favorite purple pants and took it to the gym. I needed to vent. I needed some "me" time. I got my "me" time and I got a clear headed workout. I've got a fire lit and I'm not backing down anytime soon.  I still like "me". Issues and all. I'm gonna keep that feisty "me" girl around for a while! 

That Kristin is a tough cookie and I like her. :) 

Happy Running and Happy "Me". :) 

January Abs and My Own Personal Challenges.

January 19. 2015. 

Over the last few weeks, I've really made an honest effort to work on my abs...I posted back in Novemeber that I was going to post pics and hold myself accountable. Yiiiiikes. So here ya go! These are the mid-January abs. Do you even know how much posting these pics takes me out of my comfort zone?!?! A friend inspired me to post my progress pics so I took that advice and am going with it. 

However, I can see a little definition going on so I'm super happy that I've decided to really stay committed to this. 

I love love love my Insanity and Crossfit classes and have been invited to go try out Iron Tribe and Pure Barre over the next couple of months so I'm going to be hitting it hard. I'm pumped! 

The side view is the scariest. And seriously. I really should clean up my bathroom. 

What's coming up next?!? 

I've got Glass Slipper Challenge, Tuscaloosa Half, CCC10k and a few others over the next few months but my main focus is Country Music Marathon in Nashville. That race kicked my butt mentally last year and I want redemption this year. 

I'm coming for ya Nashville, Giddy Up. The hills in my hood are about to be put to the test. 

So I'm continuing to lay off of as many carbs as possible, eating tons of green veggies, drinking lots of protein shakes and am really tuning in to my sleep habits (thanks to FoodForSleep) ....and I feel GREAT! 2015 has been really good to me so far and I'm ready for every moment that the rest of the year has to offer. I live for a good challenge and right now I'm happy with challenging myself. :) 

Happy Running and See you in the gym. :) 

Belk #FitFest Review!

     “I am a member of the Everywhere Society and Everywhere has provided me with compensation for this post. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.“

Welcome to my Belk #FitFest Review!

Men's UnderArmour on display. 

     Last weekend through Everywhere Society, I was invited to attend Belk's  Fitfest at the Riverchase Galleria in Birmingham, Alabama. This was a really cool Fitness event located in the middle of the Women's Dept in Belk. Vendors were on hand to answer questions about fitness and healthy lifestyles. And boy oh boy did I have questions!

     Over the last few months, I 've been taking a ton of classes at my gym so I had tons of questions about Fitness. I was also able to sample some healthy snacks and smoothies, get a free hand massage, and even learned about Piyo, Bootcamp and Crossfit Classes!

Thank you for all of the healthy and yummy snacks!

Keihl's on hand with free hand massages.

Cuisinart Smoothie Demos. 

     When I first arrived, the guys from Irontribe Fitness were there to greet me. I've seen these guys in action before so needless to say, I was a little worried when they challenged me to a one-minute workout. But I thought....one minute?? Sure. Why not??

     Well let me just tell you that their idea of a one minute workout and my idea of a one-minute workout are two different things. I got on the rowing machine and did as many rowing exercises as I could in 30 seconds and then did as many squats as I could in 30 secs. I won't give my final score but I think I did pretty good. Well...let's just say, I broke a complete sweat in one minute in the middle of the mall. Not bad for a 42 year old Mama!

I really need to work on my speed rowing skills. 

A little bit about Irontribe:
Located in more than 60 locations, Irontribe Fitness is headquartered in Birmingham, Al. and this business has exploded onto the Fitness Scene!!  Here are 3 fun facts about Irontribe Fitness.

Fun — It’s more than a workout. You get fit in a group, with new exercises to challenge you, and new friends to cheer you on. You can call it a community. We call it the Tribe. Our member athletes don’t have to be here — they want to be here!

Fast — Our program is designed for busy people. That’s why you’ll find some of the most successful people in town here. Get in, get fit, and get done in about 45 minutes.

Fitness — Iron Tribe combines body movements, personal coaching, and healthy nutrition, in a safe, supportive program. For male and female athletes, ages 6-73 (so far). Our members lose weight, gain strength, sleep better, enjoy more energy, and experience a total life change.

So....I loved the one-minute challenge so much that I decided to go for a 2-minute Challenge! This is where the rubber met the road. I did rapid kettlebell swings, more rowing exercises and even more squats! Talk about a sore booty the next day. Yikes!!

KettleBell Swings with the Irontribe Crew!

     I met the ever so sweet Christa Richardson AKA the most awesome Piyo Instructor EVER!! She teaches in at Convivial Health in Northport Alabama so if you are looking for a Piyo Instructor there, she is the BEST!

Getting a lesson in Piyo from Christa Richardson!

     Next up the guys from Xtreme Fitness Birmingham were on hand to give me a few lessons in hardcore working out! I tried out a series of exercises....Burpees, Ball Slams and Shaking the heavy ropes. I would NEVER in a million years thought that would be a hard workout but WOW was I wrong!! Those ropes kicked my butt!

Burpees and Ball Slapms!

A little bit about Xtreme Fitness Birmingham:


Xtreme Fitness, LLC  is committed to providing safe and effective exercise programs that will enable yo to  see real results in the shortest amount of time possible. Our goal is to motivate, educate, and inspire people to reach optimal levels of performance and balance in life. Our expert and passionate team of trainers are driven to transform lives by empowering people to reach their full potential. Our comprehensive approach includes personal training, athletic conditioning, life success coaching, on-going support, motivation and accountability.

We provide clients complete body transformation specializing in

Weight loss
Gaining Strength
Toning
Improving their zest for living
Improving Energy
 Overall health
Increase metabolism
 Accountability
Motivation
Program Design
Flexibility
Sports Performance
Xtreme Results!!!

Oh my gosh! The ropes are tough!! What a great workout!

     What a great way to spend the day! I really enjoyed attending Belk Fitfest and will definitely check in to some of the gyms and try to take home some of the ideas and things that I learned. I like attending events like these that I can learn things on hand meet new people. 

Having a great time and learning so much at Belk's #FitFest.

     Thank you again Belk and Everywhere Society for the invitation! I can't wait to return next year!

Happy Running and see you at Belk FitFest!