Making the Treadmill a Little Less Ho-Hum

My race bibs & such face me for added inspiration

I've always had music videos or movies playing on our computer while I run on the treadmill but that was with them on mute while I had my iPhone playing on my earbuds since I run after my daughter goes to bed and blasting anything is not an option. That all changed with the purchase of our iPad. Now I scan MTV.com and watch random music videos to keep me occupied during an otherwise boring run. I wish I knew of a site that allowed you to make music video playlists (without purchasing them), and it's honestly not something I've looked into but this works for me, for now.

Tonight's entertainment included:

B.o.B. feat. Lil Wayne "Strange Clouds" - I feel I have to clarify that I have never used narcotics in my life and I don't find their use amusing. I do however, like the beat of this song. I actually didn't watch the video since I was just beginning to warm up and I was focusing on my posture but I'm pretty sure it runs along the same lines of any other rap video.

Katy Perry "The One That Got Away" - *girl crush alert* my goodness do I find her gorgeous in this music video?! Also, I thought the video was stunning and I love the Johnny Cash playing at the end. Perfect.

Beyonce "Countdown" - this song wouldn't normally set my running vibe in motion but the video is super cute and unique, it's very fast-paced and kitschy. 

Katy Perry feat. Kanye West "E.T." - an oldie and I don't care for the video as much as I do the song [for running].

Paramore "Misery Business" - another girl crush: Hayley Williams. The girl is so pretty to look at and her energy is magnetic. My husband teases me about how I went to their concert back in '08 and still claim it as one of the best I've been to. Oh yeah, and I definitely thrash my head around at the hook, even while I run.

I got hung up on Paramore and watched a few of their unplugged videos as a cool down. Hayley has one of my favorite voices, right up there with Adele.

I'm so anxious for winter solstice to come and pass so there is more opportunity for me to run outdoors but I am very thankful to have the option of my treadmill in the meantime. 

Running Playlist Link Up

Hi there! I know it's been a while since I've posted and I want those who follow this blog to know I appreciate you hanging around. I have some changes that are in the works and once I figure out the logistics of it all I will be revealing a whole new look, name, and I'll be featuring more of my personal life.

Enough on that for now...

I've been meaning to link up with Brandy of mannlymama on a couple of passions we both share: running & music, but thoughts of changing my blog kept me lagging and I also took a running hiatus due to an injury. I finally set an appointment with myself to get back on the pavement while I was dragging ass through work today and I "let" myself download some songs I had been tagging through Shazam (app for iPhone, if you don't have it, GET IT - it will change your life). Running is the best medicine for me and my playlist really kicked my run into high gear. I usually run closer, if not over 11min/mi when I'm getting back into my groove after time off but tonight my average pace was 10:09, with my first mile being sub 10's. So without further ado, the jams that kept me pumping:

Linkin Park - "Waiting for the End," "When They Come for Me," & "Wretches and Kings"

The first song reminds me of things that make me angry and I'm pretty sure I look like I'm running to beat someone up while I listen to it but it gets my adrenaline pumping so hard. The latter two songs have crazy beats that are fun and make me feel badass, and again, I probably look a little nuts.

AWOLNATION - "Sail" {New Download}

This is a song my husband and I both reached to crank up in the car last night, it's just recently got play on the radio and I've only heard it a couple times but it's addicting and unique.

Dev - "In the Dark" & "Bass Down Low (feat. The Cataracts)" {New Downloads}

I typically want a running song to evoke either anger, badass, or sexy feelings. Dev's songs are blatantly sexy and for that, I thank her. Oh, I'm also thankful that she doesn't just say "it's The Cataracts" for the hell of it in her song "In the Dark," I was very confused by that for the longest time.

Drake, Kanye West, Lil Wayne & Eminem - "Forever" {New Download}

I'm pretty sure I'm late on discovering this song because I've heard bits and pieces for a while now but I finally heard the whole thing on my way to work last week and HAD TO HAVE IT!

New Boyz - "Better With the Lights Off (feat. Chris Brown)"

This is a guilty pleasure song for me, I really wanted to hate it but the cheesy 80's beat has me hooked for life (maybe not, LIFE, life). The song is about telling a girl she "looks better with the lights off" which is just rude, but I do believe they spend the rest of the song explaining why that's a good thing and she's "actually more poppin.'"

I hope ya'll  enjoy and please link your favorite running playlist as well!

Relics of Workout's Past

I was obsessed with Minna Lessig (blonde on the left) back in the day. She was my Jillian Michaels of 2000-2004, I did her tapes religiously and actually saw results. I can't believe it's been so long since I've visited her. 

As I was finishing up day 3 of the 30 Day Shred (again), I found myself reminiscing about the VHS tapes of yore that I used to get in shape during high school... I'm not one to save things so I was pleasantly surprised to find these two in our stash of movies we don't watch! 

I think my best friend Jill actually gave me these tapes and I knew I had bought another tape of Minna's but quickly remembered that I wore that sucker out, so... Amazon to the rescue! For $2.99 flat I will have my missing VHS by Tuesday, I can hardly wait! In the meantime I plan on doing Minna's workout through Quick Fix: Arms & Legs tomorrow morning ; )

My missing tape. $2.99 on Amazon,
free shipping with Amazon Prime trial.

Friday Fancies

In order to get myself more disciplined about posting I wanted to have a weekly post where I can at least check-in and let anyone out there who cares know what I'm into as of lately. If you follow me on Twitter it may not be hard to figure out so if you think I'm being redundant just, click-away...


1. Workouts
To make a long story short, I may come off as a workout fanatic and to an extent I am because I was a fat kid. I started working out in the summer between seventh and eighth grade because I decided I didn't want to be fat anymore. My main motivator was my best friend, we motivated each other because we were around the same size and wanted to be healthy. Before I started working out, the last time I had weighed myself was in sixth grade and I was over 180 pounds. The delightful thing about working out and watching what you eat is that it works... The hard part is that you can never stop (at least I can't, not with this metabolism). So I give you what has been keeping me motivated this week:


Tuesday: 40 Minute, 5 Mile Bike Ride while pulling my 2 year-old in her trailer (pulling over 55 lbs), exhausts me to the core and we make a pit-stop at the park, little does my daughter know: we take the looong way to get there!


Wednesday: My new obsession, the Tone It Up Girls! Their new workout is a killer and I'm pretty sure why it hurts to laugh! You can find more of their info and workouts on YouTube.


Thursday: No matter who else comes along, there will always be Jillian in my routine! I'm on level two of her Yoga Meltdown and will stay there until I master all the moves!

Pretty sure you can get this anywhere:
Amazon, Target, Wal-Mart

2. Beverage

Starbucks has coconut now and after trying it in a frappuccino and most recently in a cappuccino, both of which were topped with whipped cream and toasted coconut I've decided that I cannot choose between them. It just depends if I want something hot or cold.

NOTE: This is not on the "eating well" tip and clearly a splurge!

Coconut cream frappuccino

3. Etsy

Researching supplies, inspiration, and more formal graphics for MY SHOP along with more formal shipping accouterments - I can't get enough and I feel so inspired. I have a list going of what I want to implement and hope it all comes to fruition!

4. Music

I like all music, some of what I'm loving lately... 
Country - "Dirt Road Anthem" Jason Aldean (it's different, not what you hear every day). 
Rap - "6' 7'" Lil Wayne feat. Corey Gunz (explicit) & "Moment for Life" Nicki Minaj & Drake (gets my workouts pumped, inspirational). 
Alternative - "Tighten Up" The Black Keys (just plain funky).

5. Style
I've decided I need more turquoise in my wardrobe, so I've been seeking it out and bought a special little beauty to make a one of a kind piece of jewelry. I can't wait for all the elements to arrive and will be soon to share the finished product!

Beautiful ring from Jewelmint.com

Hope everyone had a great week and hope you have an even better weekend!


XO,


Stacey