Friday Favorites: New Years Edition

The second Friday of 2016 is among us. And I hope that Andrea, Erika, and Narci are still doing Friday Favorites this year.

This is probably the only time i’m sad for a Friday to be here. And it’s because I know that come Tuesday, i’ll be sitting in classes for the majority of the day. Joy.

And i’ll probably be wearing something like this outfit. My aunt gave me this workout shirt and new running shoes for Christmas. She couldn’t have done better…I asked for new running shoes since mine were about 2 years old and very worn. These ASICS are a perfect fit. And the shirt is something I also wanted but didn’t have on my Christmas list. This is my daily uniform and it’s my FAVORITE. 🙂

I’ve said it plenty of times before, and i’ll say it again. ASICS are the BEST running shoes out there. That’s my personal opinion. And Nike Frees are the worst. That’s also my personal opinion and the Nike salesman that I talked to about them. If you’re trying to run/do any kind of workout in Nike Free shoes and you’re having problems, seriously get new shoes!

The day before NYE I went into work and she told me there wasn’t much going on, so I could leave. Well, I left and headed straight for Reeana. She got a new apartment over in the Fort Worth area, so I grabbed a Starbucks to sip on, turned my music up way too loud, and made the hour drive to see her new place and hang out for a bit!

I told her to pick a place to eat that was on her list to visit/try but she hadn’t been before because it was on me! The place she wanted to go to was closed (RUDE) so we went a couple blocks down to a bar/grill type place. She got a beer and we shared their fish tacos (YUM) and sat and talked about life for a couple hours.

I tried to get out of there to make it back to the gym before traffic hit the city, but I ended up getting stuck it in part of the way.

We had a mini-Christmas exchange with each other and along with some face masks, she gave me this blanket. It is my FAVORITE and I haven’t let go of it since I got it. This was the picture I sent her after I got a picture from her that she hung the two pieces of decoration I bought for her apartment.

NYE was me hitting the gym for an 8:30 dance class. HAHA to that. And then I went straight to work for the lunch shift. When I got home it was time for the OU game in which they lost to Clemson (WHATEVER LAUREN). My blog friend Lauren went to Clemson so I was texting her about it. And she made sure to let me know she was super excited about it 😉 The rest of the night consisted of me spending time at home cuddled up by the fire with my FAVORITE Molly milk and cookies. AKA Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough QuestBar and lactose free milk.

And then I went to bed after the ball dropped, because is that not what every 21 year old did on NYE?! #noshame #ilovesleep #anddoingnothing

It’s been rather warm for Texas around the Holidays. But on New Years Day when my dad wanted to go for a walk, it was NOT warm. Walking with my dad is one of my FAVORITE things to do, so I couldn’t say no when he asked…but a mile in and I was done because my nose was running and I had to work that night.

New Years Day night I went into my other job (which yes is waiting tables) and we were serving black eyed peas! Apparently it’s a southern thing, but you are suppose to eat black eyed peas on NYD for good luck. I love beans and traditions so this was one of my FAVORITES. Although…I didn’t have any. What, Molly?!

The rest of last weekend I spent working out and going to work. How typical for me. Man, I am so not ready to go back for another semester of classes. I’ve enjoyed this past week too much.

Here’s to hoping this weekend goes by EXTRA slow for us all! 😉

Why I love running, and you can too!

I realize I might be preaching to the choir here. A small choir. A small choir that will probably fall asleep on me. But hang with me, i’ve got some good stuff!

My hobby of running has come about recently and running and I have come a long way through the years. I used to strongly dislike it. Scratch that, I loathed running. I’m serious, in middle school Tuesdays were deemed “mile days” and if I was “sick” on any day of the week it was Tuesday. Then, I ran track in 7th grade because all my friends were (go figure) and I didn’t like the competitiveness of running (having people counting on me in relays and coaches/runners/spectators yelling at me to move faster during the sprints.) To the yelling people: my short little legs can only carry me so fast!!!! So track and I were done after that. I was okay in soccer with the running thing, because I loved soccer so I didn’t really care about running if I was playing. Same with volleyball, we had to run sprints inside the gym, and on occasion we ran on the track. But it was something I loved to do, so I did. After volleyball season senior year was over, I said a big fat SEE-YA to running and we parted ways.

Then, good ol’ college came along. And yeah, freshman 15. Whatever. We don’t talk about it. I knew I had to start doing some sort of exercise. We had a rec center, but the group exercise classes cost extra so I said no…i’m not a money tree. Trying to get broke college students to pay extra for an exercise class?? Did they get anyone to go?? So I had to start running on the treadmill, ’cause it was free. I like free. BUT I DISLIKED TREADMILL RUNNING SO MUCH! I hated that I stayed in the same place and didn’t feel like I got anywhere and people were next to me and they smelled and I could hear them breathing and it just stunk. Literally and metaphorically. Plus I didn’t lose weight like I was thinking I should have, so I said sayonara treadmill. I tried the elliptical and the stair stepper but it hurt my knees (I have osgood-schlatter for all you docs out there).

I then tried doing some work-outs that I found on Pinterest and I got way too bored with them so I stopped. As for a gym membership, like I said…broke college student…it’s not gonna happen. My dad ran marathons, triathlons, etc. but had to stop a couple years ago. I always saw him running so I began to run, but I only ran one mile at a time. That’s all they taught us in school with our “mile tuesdays” so I thought that’s what I had to do. And I disliked that too. I was exhausted and it was unpleasant and I didn’t look forward to it, so I decided it was on to something else. Thus, my interval running was born.

I love running because….

1. It’s a different kind of “in-shape”. I’ve heard it before and now i’ll repeat it but there is a complete difference in being in shape and being in running shape.
2. It’s refreshing after a lousy day. They say exercise release endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands. (Legally Blonde reference…I really hope you caught on)
3. I feel great when i’m exhausted and sweaty. This is totally weird, I know. But it gets your pores to open up, and releases those toxins out of your body. Plus at night you fall asleep so fast cause you’re tired.
4. It’s helped my intestinal health. We’ve already talked about my issue with constipation on my health post. But i’ve noticed that running, well working out for that matter, has increased my gastrointestinal function.
5. It’s free. I don’t have to buy the sidewalk I run on or the air I can breathe? I like that.
6. I love fresh air, it’s good for the lungs. It’s good for the heart. It’s good.
7. You get effects even when you’re not doing it. Running revs your metabolism, so even when you’re at rest your metabolism has still increased from your normal.
8. It tones your entire body. After you do it for a while, you start seeing results. The more often you run, the faster the results.
9. If nothing else, it gets me to drink tonnnnnns of water, and that’s awesome. We need water.
10. It’s AMAZING for you mentally. Running is such a mental thing. If you can push through that last 30 seconds of your interval, you can push yourself to just about most things. And it just gets your mind off whatever is bothering you. See below.

I don’t know, this just gets me pumped up for some reason!!!
ps. this applies to you males too.

My running tips for you:

1. Listen to your body, most importantly. Some days you’ll feel strong like you could run twelve marathons (I haven’t hit that yet), and some days it will feel tough to even get your feet going. On those days don’t push yourself too hard.
2. Change things up. Some days I run intervals of “walk5-run5-walk5-run5-walk5, etc”. Some days walk5-run6-5-6-5-6,etc. “. Sometimes “walk2-run5-walk2-run4-2-3-2-2-1, etc.”. It’s good for the body to change it up so your muscles don’t get in too much of a routine. Plus, I like getting a little “rest” time in between my running time.
3. Get some sort of a watch that will keep time. I keep my iPhone or iPod in that running band (THIS is mine for $6!!) so I don’t want to be looking over at it while i’m trying to run. I use my dad’s super old watch because he can’t use it anymore. I know plenty of people that use the Garmin and love it.
4. Get good shoes. Y’all, I wore Nike Frees allll of high school and the beginning of college for running because they were cool. Ow, did my feet ever hurt. Even at the Nike store the salesperson said those shoes aren’t for working out, they’re for looks. Now, I’m an Asics girl, so you’ll always see me in my favorite shoes. The pair I have is the ASICS Women’s GEL-Noosa Tri 9 Running Shoe and I promise, promise, promise they are worth the money and you will not regret buying them. (Sorry for the sweaty pics, just trying to keep it real haha)
5. Find a playlist. If nothing else it will help distract your mind from the “oh my gosh, I hate this” thoughts. I usually pick either really upbeat songs or songs that take me back to a memory and then i’ll start thinking about that, and what I was wearing, and who I was with, and oh yeah….I just went .5 of a mile.
6. Find a running buddy if you want. I usually go alone because I don’t like people listening to be breathe really heavily haha, but I have before. It gives you some social time, and you’re exercising. Win, win!
7. And lastly…stretch, stretch, stretch!

And when you do ;), take some weird sweaty selfies like mine, and tag me so I can cheer you on!!
Can’t wait to share more fitness posts with you.

Saturday Savings

Well, because I didn’t post Thursday, I thought I would get you with a Saturday Savings.

Now, remember the other week when I was talking about my faaaaavorite ASICS running shoes? Yes, these ones:

 

Well, I just found on Amazon that they are the 3rd best seller. You heard it! I wasn’t lying…these ASICS Women’s GEL-Noosa Tri 9 Running Shoe are some wonderful running/everyday shoes! They go for about $100 with free shipping! Woot woot!

These shoes got 4.5/5 stars. Like I said, i’m not very good about getting new shoes, but i’ve enjoyed not having to worry about my feet get blistered and sore when I wear these.

Reviews:

By Judy Lawrence on January 16, 2014

Color Name: Flash Yellow/Turquoise/BerrySize Name: 9.5 B(M) US Verified Purchase

I have worn Asics for several years and the Tri 9 met and exceded my expectations. Great support and nice wide toe box. Love, love, love the color!

By judith eagar on January 12, 2014

Color Name: Flash Yellow/Turquoise/BerrySize Name: 10.5 B(M) US Verified Purchase

Love the Gel-Noosa, light weight, good support and stunning at that. Can’t ask for more. A five star running shoe.

By Careyon on January 13, 2014

Color Name: Black/Neon Coral/GreenSize Name: 9.5 B(M) US Verified Purchase

I did size up a bit (a half size) as I do with all Asics but these shoes are a lot of fun, supportive, and they get a lot of attention. I’m enjoying them!

Most of these reviews are saying to go up a whole size when ordering.

2.) AND, Amazon’s deal of the day is 45% off select ASICS Women’s GEL-Storm 2 Running Shoe. WOW?! Running shoes for Under $50?! Say it ain’t so. Go now and check out the sizes and colors! I’m telling you, you might have to get yourself a pair of ASICS, this offer is only valid for TODAY ONLY!

These shoes have 4/5 stars. Most reviews said they run a little small, so get a half size larger or more.

Here’s what one review said:

By Kristen on July 25, 2014

Color Name: Storm/Flash Yellow/PinkSize Name: 8.5 B(M) US Verified Purchase

I have very narrow feet and very flat arches. What I need in a shoe is arch support and for it to be tight enough.

These are one of the only pairs of running shoes that I’ve found that are narrow enough for my feet. I usually have an issue where the front of my foot flops around back and forth because of the width. There is extra room to breathe on the sides, but my feet stay in place fine. Also, they can lace VERY tight if you want them to be tight or if your foot is flatter on top than mine is. I don’t have to lace them very tight to be snug in place. Also there is a good solid arch support inside, not super high but definitely there and enough to keep my foot properly balanced and ankle upright.

I am an 8 1/2 generally in most shoes, although tennis shoes sometimes I am a little smaller (on the end of size 8). These fit exactly right in an 8 1/2 which probably means they’re a tad fit smaller than some expect.

I definitely wouldn’t recommend these for wide feet.

These are super comfortable! Because of my flat feet, being on my feet all day leads to pain in my ankles and knees. I wore these for about an hour the day I got them and my feet were totally happy… the next day I was setting up for an event and walking and standing constantly most of the day and my feet felt great the whole time! It is completely unheard of for me being on my feet that long for my feet to still be happy by the end of the day. Also didn’t feel like I had to break them in really as I didn’t get any blisters or sores or stiffness. Flexible comfortable shoe.

I think I’m in love!

3.) ONE LAST THING! Starting at 10:00am this morning these Tony Lama Ponteggio Smooth Cowhide Western Boot
are 38% off! Cowboy boots for $200, oh my gosh. These are my pair:

These boots are so much fun for game-day, the rodeo, country concerts. Whatever. You. Want. They have a 5/5 star review. And really, you can’t go wrong.

Okay, now click these links and get to purchasing your new shoes!!