​It's winter in Kansas. And, I love me some snow, but at resolution time I always am thinking of warmer weather. 

I consider myself pretty #blessed in life. However, the blessings truck must have passed me by when lean body types were being doled out. (And, yes, I know if I eat clean, I'll get lean... but I'm only willing to go so far...because tacos. oh, and brownies. and potatoes. the struggle is real, people!)

So, in 2016, I'm going to give it my best. (Mind you we're only 11 days in...) You see, if there's one part I covet on other ladies, it's toned arms. Think arms a la Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Aniston, Michelle Obama, my sisters-in-law ...

To be able to wear a sleeveless shirt, a tank, a strapless and totally rock it...gah. I mean, can I get an amen? That surely is fashion heaven. No, seriously, have you ever had to not buy a shirt because the arms felt tight...if so, we're basically soul sisters.

​Then it dawned on me, if I want to have better arms, I probably need to work for them.

Naturally, I did what every twenty-something girl would do. I consulted Pinterest on this matter. I have a pretty robust workout board of things I should do, wish I did, and sometimes do, but I still sought out some new pins. And, I think I hit the jackpot! This pin takes you to a mini-motherload of quick beginner's arm workouts. You can find them HERE. My plan is to start light and build up. I am pretty sure the latest health and fitness gurus say you have to lift some heft consistently to see real gains and good benefits, but we all have to start somewhere. And repetition, it's good for the spirit. Er,  that's a saying somewhere, right? 

I'm working my way through the videos the link provides and trying to add them on the regular, like in a real rotation! YES! I may or may not have been walking around with arms that are a bit like jello these past few days (yep, the tough reality hit me, I guess my upper body is really that much out of shape...), but I think that means there's hope for a bit of definition yet! I think I can, I think I can...

Keep me accountable, readers. Ask me about my curls, extensions, and presses. And better yet, join me for 2016: the year we got arms. (Or if you already have killer arms, pick another focus area and give it some love.) Let's make it happen!

Until next time,
xoxo

Free. Joyful. Full-speed ahead. That's Garth in a nutshell. This goldendoodle was in Hog Heaven at Nicholas' grandma's farm. He would run himself ragged and then he'd run some more. 

Garth is wise beyond his 9-months of age. Metaphorically and and in real life, he's got it right. Life's tough; keep going. Life's exciting; keep going. Life doesn't stop; keep going. You gotta just keep running.

As some may know, I'm trying to train for my second half marathon. (Thanks bestie A for inspiring the first!) But seriously, I guess I'm crazy enough to think I should go for round two. The constant in both training experiences thus far is that I am a not a natural runner. I had a terrible run right before this post. I mean U-G-L-Y. My legs felt like lead and my lungs felt like they were the size of grapes (i.e. no air capacity). This is on the heels of running my best mile ever two days prior. Inconsistency drives me bonkers. So, I've been rather defeated. 

Nick's been trying to run with me more, which in theory is a great idea. "The couple that runs together, stays together", right? Well, sure. But when one partner is athletic and the other is the self-declared FFK*, we know running  is likely not the perfect hobby to do jointly. Since our coupled running has started, I developed a nickname and/or hashtag for dearest hubby, #notrainingNick as he can breeze through each mile despite his lack of training. He's returned the favor declaring that my mantra for each run #thisbasicallysucks. (I guiltily admit, I'm a complainer when it comes to hitting the pavement.)

So this aforementioned awful run had me super discouraged. Nick, bless his heart, is a pretty good cheerleader and did his best to push me to finish. I did everything but bawl or throw a fit while trying to get back to our house. It wasn't pretty. Post-run and post-dinner, my head cleared some. And I realize I finally heard Nick. And Garth. I'm out there, trying. And for now, each day, trying is enough. Without trying there will be no progress. I can't get faster if I don't run. 

It's only fitting that I recently pinned this image on Pinterest. It's what I needed. I have a hard time feeling successful when it comes to any type of physical activity or athletic event. I am extremely hard on myself in all areas of my life but especially in areas that I am weak. In the remaining 16 weeks of my training, I am going to try to approve first, criticize second. And, above all, I am going to try to follow Garth's lead and  just keep running. I encourage you to do the same. Give yourself a break; know you are enough as you are despite the bad runs and ugly days.

And on days the runs don't go well (literally and figuratively), I'll likely be at the microwave making what's depicted below. I invite you to eat your emotions too ;)

It's almost sinful and totally not natural, organic, healthy, or from scratch. It's gooey goodness could probably bring world peace if we had enough cookies though. It's literally the easiest, quick faux-S'more you can make inside. Plus, it's Oreo, Reese's and Jet-Puffed, is there a better combination? I think not! Here's the how-to:

1. Cut Double Stuf Oreo in half. Lay out cookies with cream side facing up.
2. Cut mini-Reese's in half.
3. Place the Reese cup on each half of the cookie and then put the jumbo marshmallow in the middle. (I tend to smash the marshmallow a bit before adding to the halved cookies.) 
4. Microwave for 5-8 seconds and then indulge! 

Trust me. Make one of these ASAP. And then keep all the supplies on hand to make s'more. :) 

Until next time--
-xo


*remember, FFK is former fat kid