2015? - Where'd THAT Come From?!

Hello Friends,

I can't believe that it's been over 6 months since I sat down to write to you all. I just can't believe it. Living my Whole Life is still as important to me as ever - I just have seriously neglected my writing. No more!

So, let's catch up....

Over the summer I enjoyed a wonderful trip to Chicago with my girls - and even though we were there for pleasure, we made time for our scheduled runs (here's a pic of me and the gals out for a run on the streets of CHI!)  and our 30 Burpee per day challenge! Who says you can't mix "business" with pleasure?!

I was also lucky enough to spend 2 weeks in Hawaii to celebrate the newest addition to our family - our first son-in-law and new grand daughter - and 15 years of marriage with the hubster! (How he's put up with me this long, I may never understand!) We played with the kiddos, explored, hiked, kayaked, paddle boarded, walked, and indulged. One of my 2014 goals was to be "Beach Confident" and not have to hide under tents and towels and enjoy the body that my fitness journey has given me. I'm proud to say that while I still know there is work to be done, I feel good, proud and confident in my body! No hiding under a mu-mu for me!

I also made time for the push up challenge - 30 Push Ups per day for 30 days. I made it my personal challenge to find the most AWESOME places to do my push ups, and boy did I!

I didn't enroll in classes for the fall knowing that I'd be out of town for at least 3 weeks of the semester - and I'm debating on this spring semester. I haven't given up on finishing, but timing (and financing) is always a challenge.

As far as my fitness life goes...

I continue to workout 5 or 6 days each week with my pals at Compete. I do a mix of classes (including Yoga when I can work it in!), personal training sessions and circuits. I teach Spin - and am a certified RPM (Les Mills Indoor Cycle) Instructor. I have also recently become a Level 2 TRX instructor, along with Ben and Josh at Compete.  I really love TRX because it challenges you every time you use it. It's easy customization and there are seemingly endless exercises to try!


In addition to RPM and TRX, I am also a Licensed Zumba instructor. I haven't taught a class of my own, but it's always good to expand your knowledge and thoughts about what fitness looks like. It's different for everyone - and anything that gets people moving and their hearts pumping is fitness to me!


Completed my 7th & 8th
Half Marathons this year - both were disappointing as far as finish times go, but when it comes down to it, I finished, right?! I  mean, 13.1 miles is 13.1 miles!  The first was in the pouring rain - sorry no pics! The second I was lucky enough to train with and run with some super great peeps! And though my knees gave me hell on race day in Des Moines, I finished, in a respectable time, and was still able to walk at the end.

Just two weeks later I was able to run my first ever Trail Run - 7k of crazy hills, mud and creek crossings, and a TON of fun!  I will absolutely do that again. Plus, running trails seems to be kinder to my knees (but the hills kicked my ass!!!). Check out this character we bumped into on the run... OH MY!

Let's see... what have I missed?

Well, lots. And for that I apologize. I'm recommitted to making this blog a resource to my family and friends. A place for encouragement, information, and insight. A reminder of how living our Whole Life doesn't have to be full of stress and negativity.

I'm excited to share my own experiences, with the help of my local experts, with all of you. And I look forward to having all of you along for the ride!

Happy New Year to each of you - I can't wait to see what 2015 has in store for us all!

Until next time,

<3 Jen