My Fitness Program

Today marks one month of working out with Mountainside Fitness. WOOHOO! I'm still alive! Actually, I feel more alive than ever before. I have more energy, I have a desire to be active and I am already seeing results (less jello jiggle all around). When I had my initial assessment (read about it here), I could only hold a plank for 30 seconds, my legs would shake after one set of lunges and I would get winded after five minutes of running. Now, I can hold a plank for a whole minute and quickly go into a side plank for another minute. My core is stronger than ever, and my endurance is much improved. I can run intervals for 30 minutes and keep going.

So, what is my current workout? Well, the trainers at Mountainside Fitness have me going to the gym 4-5 days a week to burn fat and build muscle. To do that, I do the following.

DAY #1

• Stretching
• 10-15 minutes of cardio to warm up
• 3 sets of planks (normal positions and both side positions)
• 3 sets of 15 pelvic thrusts from floor holding for 3 seconds at a time
• 3 sets of 15 lunges
• 3 sets of 10 squats with 20 lbs
• 3 sets of  10 step-ups bring my knee to my chest
• 3 set of 15 calf raises
• Stretching

DAY #2

• Stretching
• 45-1 hour of cardio (usually do 45)
• Stretching

DAY #3

• Stretching
• 10-15 minutes of cardio to warm up
• 3 sets of planks (all positions)
• 3 sets of 10 bicep curls using 10 lbs. while balancing on a ball
• 3 sets of 12 lateral lifts with 5lbs
• 3 sets of 12 arm presses with 10 lbs while lying on a ball
• 3 sets of 10 arm pull-backs with 8 lbs while balancing on a ball
• Stretching

DAY #4

• Stretching
• 45-1 hour of cardio
• Stretching

Day #5

• Free day to choose how I want to be active.

Image via Pinterest

Lovey Lake

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There's nothing more sweet than a toddler in a cute skirt showing off her baby thighs. Elle is almost two, and I have to get as much of her chubby-leg cuteness while I can.

Lovey Lake is a cute little Esty shop that makes adorable jumpers, dresses and skirts for girls. I got to meet Leah Davidson, creator of Lovey Lake, when I spoke at Craft Culture a couple months ago. Out of the sweetness of her heart she sent me two skirts for Elle to try. They are perfect for this summer. She uses machine washable, breathable cotton fabric. I really love the metallic pocket that she added on to the striped skirt. Though I know Elle will outgrow her clothes quickly, I love that these patterns transcend seasons too.

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Check out Lovey Lake if there's a cute little girl in your life that needs something special.

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Photos by Alyssa Hodson

Kokoon

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There's nothing more simple than a cotton dress. In the summer all I want to wear are dresses, especially breathable, soft ones like this Kokoon Regatta Stripe dress. Throw it over your bathing suit or add a light weight cardigan and wear it to brunch - this is the easiest, stylish way to dress for the heat.

Kokoon is a boutique without borders because you can shop all of their amazing knits online. They specialize in contemporary basics for women and care all about the quality of their fabrics. I would seriously sleep in my cotton dress if I could because it's that soft. So, they aren't kidding when it comes to quality. Something that I also love about this online boutique is that they offer "underpinnings" because they know that sometimes camisoles and leggings are needed for modesty and comfort. All in all, Kokoon understands women. Go check them out!

Photos by Alyssa Hodson

Speaking at Altitude Summit

Three years ago I went to Altitude Summit - a conference connecting bloggers and creatives together to learn and grow from one another. I was so intimidated. I didn't even know where to start with my blog, but I loved meeting so many different people and learning all about social media and content creation. In fact, that conference was where I met Janet Sahm, Fashion Editor of Verily Magazine. Back then the magazine hadn't even started yet. I also roomed with two strangers - Alyssa Yuhas and Liz Field of We Like We Love Magazine - who now are great friends. So many good things came from that experience! What is even crazier was when I went to Alt I had just started using this tool called Pinterest. I had noticed it was growing substantially, but no one at the conference was really using it as a means to collaborate and market. I remember thinking how I wished I could be one of the speakers one day, and well, the day has arrived. I will be a speaker at Altitude Summit this summer, and I will be talking all about Pinterest tactics. CRAZY! What a dream?!

I would LOVE to see you there and hang out with you for a couple days in Salt Lake City. If you're a Martha Stewart fan you are going to want to get your tickets ASAP! Click here to find out more information about Alt Summit Summer.

The Hammer of Thanksgiving

Seasons of warmth and of cold. Seasons of beauty and of ugliness. Seasons of contentment and discontentment. Life is made up of many seasons, and I'm thankful for each one. We would never know what joy or happiness is without experiencing loss or sadness. I have been reading a great book called, One Thousand Gifts by Ann VosKamp. It has been life changing to read it. One of my big takeaways from this book is the idea of taking time to share what I am thankful for every day. By practicing this discipline, slowly discontentment begins to chip away and disappear. Hammer! Hammer! Hammer! Be thankful, thankful, thankful!

It doesn't always have to be the big things like family, health, a child...It can be small things like the wind on your face, the way clean sheets feel when you nestle into them, red lipstick...

Today I am thankful for...

1. The smell of coffee when you first open the bag. 2. Elle's smiles when I first wake her up 3. The joy of bubbles 4. The excitement of seeing photos or a video from a shoot I did 5. Handwritten letters 6. Singing really loud to the car radio 7. Drive-by lickings from Wendy 8. Light flickering through trees 9. The stillness when everyone is asleep 10. Worn pages of a journal