Early Morning Workouts (and other things)

I seriously cannot just devote a blog to one subject. My life is obviously way too exciting for that.

let's just get this statement out of the way...

So how about this seeming nonsense that actually turned out not to be nonsense: I woke up at 4:30 am today- to go to the gym before work. Let me tell ya something- it was one of the best things I have ever ever ever done. 

My wonderful friend Jennifer has been doing this for a couple of weeks now and looks to be surviving pretty well.

So this morning, I pushed aside all excuses, braved the cold, chugged some water, and hit up Planet Fitness. I got there about 5:45 am and felt almost aimless as I shoved my bag into a locker and hopped onto the treadmill. Once I got moving though it was the strangest feeling- I had so much energy hit me all at once! I got tired of warming up on the treadmill and jogged steady for 11 minutes until I spotted Jennifer on the elliptical. I joined her for about 10-15 more minutes (I really don't remember) then did some work on a few of the machines. This is where I fail miserably when it comes to going to the gym. I don't count reps, I don't keep track of how much weight I put up or push away or pull back or whatever. I need a plan. I was like a Planet Fitness nomad today. It was bad. I'm going to work on that. Jennifer does well and is great motivation. JENNIFER I WANT TO BE MORE LIKE YOU! :p

I don't know what the different machines are called exactly, or if they all even have specific names, but the ab machines got the best of us this morning I think. I used one that made me feel like my stomach was literally ripping in half. Then, being all rebellious and whatnot, Jennifer and I grabbed a machine in the 12 minute ab circuit while not actually doing the circuit. Whether it was a good idea or not, still unsure. I have never felt like such an airhead as I did trying to figure the machine out (there were even pictures showing what to do)... and then I got to watch Jennifer literally crawl on the floor away from this particular machine after attempting it. We are apparently quite the team. I wish I had videos of that one.

I get that a lot of people feel this way about daily workout talks, but seriously its a decent possibility something similar will happen to me at some point in time. So stay tuned, you never know.

Anywho,

I have so many TV shows to watch. Really. I finally caught up on the last 3 episodes of The Walking Dead, and the 2 new episodes in season 3 of Vikings, but I also really need to start on Banshee- which my boss has literally been nagging me about watching so he has someone to talk to about it. Not to mention Breaking Bad. I am like the most uncool person ever because I STILL HAVE NOT SEEN THAT SHOW. It's tragic I know. I'm getting there. I'm just being really unproductive when it come to TV shows today as I have been re-watching season one of the best crime drama/comedy show ever to be created. Psych. Really, if you've got a few minutes- just watch this video. I'll never get tired of Shawn and Gus. Or pineapples. I want to move to Santa Barbara.

I'm saving the most random thing for last today,

I bought....

a UKULELE!

Don't ask why, we'll just have to see how this goes. I should be getting it in the mail Tuesday.

follow me on twitter guys! @ambermb319

also check out my friend Jennifer on Wordpress!

Laters!

-Amby

A Bit of Everything Random... or not.

I'm just going to start this post by saying I have way too much to talk about. I should have been blogging about things everyday but NOPE I have been slack and doing other things and now I am about to vomit my brain into one post.

Not quite sure where to start so I'll try and follow up from my last post. I don't know if I fully explained what is going on with my shoulder but basically I lost a lot of strength as well as ROM (range of motion) in my right arm due to pain radiating down through my shoulder from a protruding disc in my neck (sounds lovely, I know) and of course me being my stubborn self, I didn't see a doc about this pain until about a month ago... this slight pain has been going on for about a year now. Well guess what? My wonderful physical therapist, and she really is wonderful, has advised against PiYo til I get my arm right. So my PiYo workout is officially on hold but that doesn't mean I'm not doing anything, I'll just be getting in more gym time at Planet Fitness.

On to the next topic: Music News (in my world)

I discovered this band over the weekend... Twin Forks. 

They were actually formed not too long ago- so I'm actually not way behind in finding them. Here's the thing it took me a couple days to figure out: The lead vocalist/guitarist in the band is Chris Carrabba from Further Seems Forever and the more well known Dashboard Confessional. I knew his voice from somewhere and it took some time before I could put my finger on it, but there ya go. I must say, he has really covered a wide range of music over his career. Twin Forks is by far my favorite project of his, if not one of my new favorite bands in general. Although they currently only have one album out, there is not one song by them I dislike. 

Seriously, take a listen guys. Here they are performing a couple of songs I absolutely ADORE:

Pretty amazing right? Right. I'm a fan. 

Anyway,

Did you guys hear about the crazy winter storm we experienced here in good ol' Fort Mill, SC?

Here is a run down:

All of the meteorologists and weather websites and apps and news stations were talking about how our area would get 5 to 8 inches of snow. If you live in the south you know an event like that would shut down your town or city for close to a week. Everyone was preparing. BREAD, MILK, AND EGGS OH MY. I actually heard that all of the hardware stores around sold out of shovels. No joke. You guys wanna hear what I bought the evening of the night this was suppose to go down? Cheap champagne, orange juice, and a pre-made Greek salad from Publix. Which I happen to think are far more superior provisions than bread and milk. Am I right?

I don't think there is a valid argument against me here.

VS

I'm a survivor guys what can I say?

Anyway, all the schools closed and Governor Nikki Haley declared a state of emergency for SC. It was a big deal. 

Here is a picture from my very own front door of our Snowmaggedonpocalypse of 2015:

We will rebuild.

Welcome to South Carolina.

I actually had lots of other things to discuss tonight but I think I may have over done this post already so I'll spare y'all the chatter. I need some sleep anyway. 

Later peeps.

Follow me on twitter @ambermb319

-Amby

Making Changes + Coconutty Bliss

Hey hello hi there.

I have officially started the PiYo program and am a part of Team Beachbody! I'm also giving the Shakeology thing a go. Today was day 3 and so far so good although I feel awkward as hell trying to do the actual PiYo poses.

Apparently I have the joints of an old lady. Boooo, sad face.

But I'm working on it. I'm sore so that means it's working. I think.

If you aren't familiar with PiYo, it is basically a combination of Pilates and Yoga (core strengthening, muscle sculpting, and increasing flexibility) but moves a little quicker so you aren't holding poses for ridiculous amounts of time.

The Beachbody brand also does Insanity, T25, and P90x.... sound more familiar to you? It really does seem like a great program so far and although I feel like recommending it after only 3 days is jumping the gun a little- I'm very confident!

When you sign up you are assigned a coach (for basically any and all questions you may have) and are able to live chat with all of the Beachbody trainers, you are given a recommended meal plan, recipes, a place to record your progress, and chat with other Beachbody members for motivational and accountability purposes (no it is not free, but it seems worth it so far).

I was really hesitant about posting a before picture because I am not happy with how I look- which I guess is a given considering I joined this program. If I don't have a before picture though there will be no reference as to what I'm starting as and no way for you guys to tell the progress gained. Soooooooo after (not really a lot of) deliberation. Here is my before picture. I realize I'm not fat... but I have absolutely no visible definition and really want to change that.

Moving on to even less interesting topics...

I JUST HAVE TO SAY: I bought new body wash, shampoo, and conditioner today and I swear to Jesus I thought I was going to scrub my skin off in the shower because the body wash smelled so good I just wanted to keep using it. Dove came out with a new one called "Pistachio cream and magnolia" DO YOURSELF A FAVOR LADIES.

Now, I have been using the OGX Moroccan Argan Oil shampoo and conditioner for a couple of years. It's a brand I have discovered that I don't really need to change up because my hair doesn't seem to get used to it like many others I've tried. Works lovely every single time. Today I decided to try a different type, same OGX brand... but this one is Coconut Water shampoo and conditioner. I seriously cannot even describe how amazing it smells and how light and soft it made my hair!! Just a little FYI hehe.

I really wish I could go to sleep right now but I have coffee running through my veins because I have zero common sense and no self control when it comes to this heavenly beverage. Here is what I look like when I'm blogging strung out on caffeine, dork alert:

And with that, I bid you adieu. I'm sure this entry could have been more interesting but my mind is going a thousand miles a second and nothing makes sense. But at least you got a picture of me in my favorite sports bra and my expression of love for certain hygiene products.

Lata Gatas.

-Amby

Funny story... I'm a slacker. Also, Leggings are a funny thing.

My last post was in April of last year. Apparently I'm better at the idea of blogging rather than the act of blogging. Good grief.

Well here's to the second time around. :)

My current situation: I am sitting on my front porch with my Macbook because today was such a nice day I thought this would be a good idea. Well guess what? It's February and its getting dark and its kind of cold. Also the guy who works at the gas station across the street from my house keeps coming out to smoke and is staring at me. It's a little awk.

Can I catch up on what's happened in my life since last April?

Here we go, in a nutshell:

-I got a pomeranian pup
-Bryan went to prison (he will be back in July)
-I got a new job (at a physical therapy office, say whaaat?!)
-I went back to school for the first time since dropping out of USC (and finished my first semester with the highest GPA attainable, not that I'm bragging...)
-I saw a lot of really rad shows like: Needtobreathe, Dave Matthews Band, Weenie Roast (Weezer, Fitz and the Tantrums, Fuel, lots of other bands...), Coheed and Cambria with We Are Scientists, A Day to Remember with Bring Me the Horizon, Motionless in White, and Chiodos, Brand New with Foxing, Anberlin, Saves the Day and Say Anything with Reggie and the Full Effect, and last but not least Motion City Soundtrack and Copeland with Better Off.
-I also made it to a Panther's game this season as well as a Checker's game. Carolina lost both.


In other news and completely unrelated subjects...

I think a rule book should come with every pair of leggings that are available for purchase.
I'll be honest, I used to be one of those people who were like "LEGGINGS AREN'T PANTS... PUT ON SOME PANTS."
I felt very strongly about it.
But then, after buying a new pair of leggings that I had every intention of wearing under a short dress, I changed my mind. I can admit when I am wrong.
Apparently you can buy a correct pair of leggings to wear alone. They end up looking similar to skinny yoga pants. They make your ass look great, even if you barely have one, as in my very sad case.

So I stand corrected and I am no longer opposed to leggings rocked solo.... UNLESS:

1) You are like the girl I saw at QT last week who had on tye dyed leggings (failure #1) that were basically stretched so tight you could see straight through the fabric (failure #2) exposing her white thong for all the world, errr, all of QT to see. (failure #3- who the hell buys white thongs??)

2) You are a woman I saw earlier today. She was rather large and while her leggings were not transparent, I saw way too much cellulite and way too many crevices. I shudder.

3) Leggings that are the same color as your flesh. You look half naked and ridiculous and there is no logic to skin colored leggings.

That being said, apparently there are people out there who just don't understand, hence the rule book.



Oh and hey, the Grammys were tonight.

ICYMI- my favorite performance of the night was Ed Sheeran and John Mayer Performing Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud", once CBS puts a video online I'll add it here.



That's all folks.