PiYo: 5 Week Review | #DJV5K Training

I am almost done with 5 full weeks of PiYo.  A few days ago I took progress pictures.  I failed to take measurements before so I just have to go by pictures.  I'm not going by the scale (I weighed myself this morning and I'm the same - 156 lb.)

 

Overall, I feel leaner and tighter in my core.  I can see a difference in the progress pictures so far.  If I am feeling really gutsy, I might post my before and afters but I still have 11 weeks to go.

 

It REALLY works your whole body.  A lot of the moves I've done before but many I haven't.  Some are pretty funky!  My hips are extremely tight, even after 5 weeks.  During some of the poses/moves, I feel a pinching in my hip so usually I have to do a child's pose stretch.

 

The schedule has you working out 6 days/week.  I try to double up on one of the days and do two 30 minute videos in order to have 2 rest days.

 

After further research, I found out that I don't have the whole PiYo pack.  I knew $60 was too good to be true!  So I have to order the last 2 DVDs (they're advanced and don't start for another few weeks) and slides which is another $60.  So that's kind of a bummer.

 

Check out a PiYo video clip HERE.

 

As for 5K training (One on 9/6 and one on 9/13), it's going well.  I'm trying to run 2x a week on top of PiYo.  Here are my two most recent runs:

 

7/26/14

Distance: 2 mi

Pace: 11:02 min/mi

Time:  22:01 minutes

 

7/30/14

Distance: 2 mi

Pace: 11:18 min/mi

Time: 22:35 minutes

 

Lately I've been feeling overwhelmed between a bunch of personal things, squeezing in time to prep/cook, and exercise.  I'm out the door at 8:15am each morning and I don't really sit down on the couch until 8 or 9 pm.  I am thankful for weekends off!

 

 

Procter & Gamble Rite Aid Deal

Hi all.  I had a rough start this morning.  I really just wanted to stay in bed (been feeling this a lot lately!)  but dragged my butt out of bed anyway.

 

I didn't want to wait until Thrifty Thursday to share this pretty decent Rite Aid deal I got this week :)

 

I usually go to CVS but the Rite Aid in my hometown was recently renovated and it's SO much better than it once was, so now I like going there!

 

Here's what I got (sorry no photo):

 

Three swiffer wet refills (12 ct) - $3.99 ea (sale price) = $11.97

Three 50 oz Tide - $4.94 ea (sale price) = $14.82

One bounty 8 pack - $6.94 (sale price) = $6.94

 

Total: $33.73

Total Savings: $30.40

 

Then I had a $5 off three Tide manufacturer coupon, a $2 off three swiffer refill coupon and a $0.20 Bounty, bringing the total to $26.53.

 

Spending $30 on select P&G products (before coupons) generated a $10 gas card.  So, I still spent the $26.53 but a $10 gas card is being mailed to me. 

 

Have a good evening!

Friday! Five Beauty Favorites

Happy Friday, all!  I have a half day today and I'm looking forward to a manicure after work and mexican food for dinner with the husband!  We don't have any plans this weekend which is kind of nice.

 

Today I am linking up to share a few of my favorite *beauty* things.

 

 

Five Beauty Favorites:

 

1.) Rodan and Fields Redefine Line

 

 

 

Yes, this stuff IS pricey BUT hear me out.  I purchased this line in mid April and I use it almost daily (I'd say a full 5-6 days per week, TWICE per day) and I still have some product left, although the AM cream is pretty much empty.  You really only need a dab of all 4 products for each use.  I HIGHLY recommend.  I'm planning to cut the facial scrub open soon to use the rest ;)

 

 

2.) Bare Minerals Powder Foundation

 

I've been using this foundation every day for about 5 years and I love it.  You would think a powder would appear drying, but it definitely doesn't.  It's lightweight and provides great coverage.

 

3.)  Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment

 

 

I love this stuff.  I currently use the Honey color and it feels like chapstick but gives my lips some color without the lipstick feeling.  I also love the smell!  It's lemony.

 

4.)  Maybelline the Falsies Volum' Express Mascara

 

Love this!  I have pretty long lashes to begin with but this stuff enhances them and makes them easier to curl.  I'm usually able to buy these with a manufacturer's coupon plus a Bed Bath & Beyond coupon at Harmon's :)

 

5.)  Essie Limo-scene Nail Polish

 

Just a good, not too pink, every day color.  I love a bunch of Essie's shades!

 

Have a good weekend, everyone!  What are some of your favorite beauty must haves?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



#DJV5K Training

Oops this post is 2 days late! 

 

I am joining Desiree and Jenny for a virtual 5k on September 13th and I'm linking up today to share how I'm training for it.  I also just signed up for another 5k in my town (it literally starts almost right in front of my house) on September 6th.

 

I don't really plan on following a training schedule mainly because right now I am in week 4 of PiYo and I don't want to take away from that.  This past Sunday, I ran 2 miles in 21:18.  I have a really hard time getting under a 10 minute mile.  So while PiYo is not that much cardio, it still gets my heart racing and I work up a good sweat. 

 

So, I plan on running every Sunday and hopefully by next week, adding an additional day per week (after a PiYo "class").

 

My goal is to run one of said 5Ks in 30 minutes or less.  While I don't think it will happen, it's something to strive for.  I did run 2 miles in 19:47 on April 10th BUT that was after a good 8 weeks of T25 which is basically all HIIT workouts.  I did run a 5K on 3/24/2013 in 30:22, 9:48 min/mi.

 

22 seconds doesn't seem like a lot but when you're running, it is!

 

Have a good day!

 

 

Easy Breezy Summer Meal

Yesterday, I grabbed some naan flatbreads from Fairway.  They were on sale 2 packs of 2 pieces for $5.  Last night after a longer than normal workout, I wanted to make something and QUICK.  It was after 6:00 and by then I'm usually hangry.

 

Ingredients:

 

3 Naan flatbread (these are so perfect for pizza as the bottom gets super crispy)

1/4 cup pesto (I had leftover spinach/basil pesto that I made a few weeks ago)

1 cup sliced zucchini

1 beefsteak tomato, drained on paper towels of excess liquid (this step is important) & sliced

1/2 cup shrimp, cooked and chopped

1/2 lb chicken breast, cooked and shredded

4 handfuls baby spinach, sauteed in EVOO

Crumbled goat cheese

Salt & pepper

 

Instructions:

 

Layer in this order - bread, pesto, zucchini slices, spinach, shrimp, chicken, goat cheese, sliced tomato.  Spray grill with EVOO (I use my Misto) and grill (closed lid) on low for 20 minutes and until bottom is slightly dark and cheese is melty!

 

 

 

 

It came out great!  Let me know if you try it or what kind of pizza you like to make.

 

Have a good day!

Thrifty Thursday

Since I started couponing and using Ebates to save money about 2 years ago, I rarely pay full price for anything, or at least TRY not to.  In fact now when I do pay full price, I cringe.

To date, I've received $517.11 cash back simply by logging on to Ebates before making an online purchase (even for big purchases like shades for our home and booking our honeymoon!)

Here's the proof:

Every 3 months or so, the money goes directly to your PayPal; or a check is mailed if you're old school ; )

Recently, I needed more of my Bare Minerals foundation and salt/sulfate free shampoo/conditioner because I color my hair.  Normally, the 0.2 oz foundation is $28 but I found the 0.6 oz size on QVC for $39 ($45 with shipping).  It should literally last me a whole year.  So, triple the size for only $10 more.

I first purchased AG's salt/sulfate free shampoo at a local beauty store.  $15 for a regular sized bottle.  *Cringe*

I just saw the triple size bottle on Ulta's website for $21.99, plus they have a $3.50 off coupon code and 8% cash back through Ebates.  So, for almost the same price, triple the amount of shampoo and that should last probably 6 months (prevent me from coloring my hair too often!)

Lastly, I love Lululemon workout gear but it's very pricey.  I own 3 pieces and got them all on sale at the nearby outlet store.  The cropped pants I've worn 230582 times are finally starting to get stretched out/loose.  Last night after putting some items on eBay to try to sell, I figured why not check for some Lulu gear?  Score!  A pair of workout shorts for $22 (normally $52) and I'll have them by this Saturday.  The consignment shop claims they were maybe worn once.  Their products are great because they're moisture wicking and SUPER comfortable.

So my advice to you?  SHOP AROUND!  Sure, it might take some time but to me, it's fun and sort of a hobby.  I am not sure if that sounds lame but oh well!  Happy thrifty shopping!

 

 



Wedding Wednesday: Bridal Party Gifts

Hi everyone!  I've been having major writer's block lately.  Not much is going on now that the wedding is over - ha, kidding - sort of! 

 

Today I'm sharing the gifts we gave to our bridesmaids and groomsmen!  We gave the gifts to them during our rehearsal luncheon.

 

 

 

 

Bridesmaid Gifts

 

 

Two toned tote bags from Vista Print

 

 

Flip flops from Old Navy

 

 

 

Personalized flower bouquet charms

 

 

 

 

Pearl/Rose earrings and necklaces

 

 

Groomsmen Gifts

 

Personalized Knife/Opener

 

Razor, shaving sponge, and extra blades

 

Coral socks to match the girls dresses

Personalized tie clips

The proud and happy groom after the guys opened their gifts at the rehearsal.  He did a great job and got creative with the wooden boxes!

 

I think they all enjoyed the gifts we picked out.  I think the jewelry can be worn again which is why I bought it, it's simple.  The guys may not want to wear coral socks again, but you never know! :)

 

Have a great week!