High Five for Friday - Link up, Vol. 13

Friday =

with Lauren @From My Grey Desk

Getting right to the point with my 5 favorite things from this week:

ONE. Got to meet one of my FAVORITE fellow bloggers, Nina from peace.love. & good food. We found each other by linking up with House of Rose's Stop & Smell the Roses vlog months ago. We thought it was funny because I'm from IL but now live in Charlotte...and she's from Charlotte and did live in IL...UNTIL a few weeks ago!! :) So she's back in Charlotte, and we knew we just had to meet up. We had a blast...talking about all of our favorite blogs, shopping sites, and exchanging our life stories basically. I am so sad to be leaving Charlotte soon, because I now know that I will miss out on all of Nina's fabulousness!! ;) Oh, but so we met up at a popular local restaurant, which leads me to my next pic...

TWO. One of the best restaurants in Charlotte, at least as far as I'm concerned, is Cowfish. It's a restaurant that combines sushi & burgers. Sound strange? Well, believe me, they make it work...in AMAZING ways. I love getting the bento box (as seen in the pic above), because I get to sample everything...some sushi (shrimp tempura roll above), a mini-burger (chef's choice that week), edamame (my fav!), & sweet potato fries (yum!). I'm telling you, if you make it to Charlotte, this place has to be on your list of places to eat at!!

THREE. Some of you who have been reading my blog for awhile know that I started doing Crossfit a few months ago. Those readers might also say "Um, Kristin...you're obsessed with it!" ;) I'm beginning to feel like I post about it a lot...but it really has become a daily part of my routine...and I LOVE IT! So, I'm super excited to announce that I finally completed Fran! Fran is a workout that includes 21-15-9 of thrusters (65 lbs) & pull-ups. Now, let me say it now...I had to do a modified version of Fran. I did 45 lbs. on my thrusters (just the bar) and did pull-ups with a resistance band (and believe me, they're not pretty or precise pull-ups...I still had to jump a little). BUT, I DID IT! In 6:08, AND it started raining right as I started. Ha, that's my luck, but I'm glad to get that benchmark WOD out of the way for now. The idea of the benchmark WODs are to do them from time to time to see if/how you're improving...so although I'm glad it's over (because holy cow, it was so tough - it amazes me how 6 minutes of a workout can make you feel like you've worked out for an hour), I can't wait to do it again in a few months to see how I do.

FOUR. And as if one Crossfit-inspired favorite thing wasn't enough, here's one more! :) I can't help it...I'm so excited and proud of myself for some of the things I have accomplished with Crossfit/working out. Now, the pic is definitely NOT my favorite thing...who wants to ice their shins...EVER?! But, the reason I'm icing them is because (1) I was attempting a PR at box jumps and 'biffed', hitting both shins on weights/bumpers, but (2) Right after that (that = shouted a few curse words and maybe shed some tears), I jumped 35 inches. Ahh...icing the shins was worth it! :D

FIVE. Finally...yep, I am the proud owner of this 2-Movie Collection DVD, bought at Target the other day. I couldn't resist...my sister & I LOVED watching the Sister Act movies growing up...every time they're on TV I have to stop whatever I'm doing and watch them! Anyone else like 'em?? If you didn't know already, I am a huge movie fanatic (along with my husband), and I am all about adding to my 'childhood movies' collection!! Laugh at me all you want, they make me smile!

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend!!!

High Five for Friday - Link up, Vol. 12

It has been a few weeks, but I'm back linking up again for this week's...

with Lauren @From My Grey Desk

So here are my 5 favorite things from this week:

ONE. Cupcakes...yummy, delicious, OMG I have to have another one, cupcakes...

Need I say more?! :D

TWO. I have a new-found love for Zico's chocolate coconut H2O...

It's amazing...anyone else addicted too?

THREE. This is a BIG one...since starting up Crossfit & running, I have successfully lost 13-14 lbs, lost a total of 9-10 inches off of my body (from neck, chest, arms, waist, etc), gone down 2 pants sizes and decreased my body-fat percentage. 

I plan on posting some before & after photos in a separate post.

FOUR. My July Birchbox arrived

Birchbox teamed up with Glamour magazine this month to create a box based on Glamour's "Five Senses of Summer" issue. I'll have a separate post featuring its contents - but let me just say, I got some cool stuff this month!! :)

FIVE. The Crossfit Games are happening right now!! 

source

If someone asked me a year ago, if I'd be interested in watching/paying attention to these games, I would have told them that they were insane. But I am so wrapped up in it, it's ridiculous!! :) The men & women competing are just ridiculously fit...I'm amazed!

Can't wait to see others' favorite things that are linking up this week!
Thanks for hosting Lauren :P

High Five for Friday - Link up Vol. 11

Linking up for another weekly edition of...

 ONE. My new Gussy Sews medium zip pouch

I just love seeing that note - "YEOW! - you own a Gussy!" :P

TWO. Wild Harvest goodies came in the mail

Part of registering for The Healthy Living Summit consisted of receiving some freebies!!! Um, yes please! Hello Wild Harvest cherry vanilla granola, animal cookies, applesauce, black beans, peanut butter, mild peach salsa, ground ginger & ground cayenne pepper - and THANK YOU!!

THREE. Jumped 30 in. on my box jumps this week!

 Pinned HERE

 via

I promise, I'm not really one to brag on myself, but I was pretty excited about this one! Box jumping is probably my favorite part of a WOD (I know, I might be a little crazy!) :P
p.s. I think I definitely need the tank above, don't you?!

FOUR. Right around the same time as Lauren got her journal & blogged about it, I too found this 5-year journal and couldn't resist snatching it up...been slowly filling it up ever since

You answer 1 question a day for a year, then start all over again, answering the same questions again - for a total of 5 years. Then you get to go back and read it all once you're done..seeing how you've changed OR haven't changed and reminiscing about your life over the past 5 years. LOVE IT! <3 

FIVE. My best friend gave birth to her 2nd little girl this week...introducing Miss Zoey Blythe

 Is she not the cutest little thing...and in those hand mitts?! She is precious and I can't wait to meet her!

Thanks for checking out my 5 favorite things from this week & thanks for hosting Lauren!!

ALSO...did you check my video out that I posted yesterday?? Strong, amazing kids from Seattle Children's Hospital (hemoncology floor) rocking out to Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger"!

High Five for Friday - Link up, Vol. 9

High Five for Friday time, with Lauren over at From My Grey Desk...

Here are my 5 favorite things from this week...


ONE. My new Vibrams & celebrating National Running Day

Pretty excited to own my 1st pair of Vibrams...still trying to get used to them, and running short distances as I continue to do that. But this week I got in a 5 mile run on Tuesday, and then on Wednesday, for National Running Day, ran 2.5 with some gal pals. I can't tell you enough how much I am beginning to enjoy running (believe me, it hasn't always been that way). It is a stress reliever, and a time for me to clear my head. I don't listen to music, I just run! Anyone else feel me?? ;)

Just to share, the National Running Day website listed 10 ways to celebrate NRD and some of them are things you could be doing all the time (see 3 examples below)

TWO. Ordered some rainbow-colored kettlebell note cards via Cafe Press
You all can tell that I'm really into Crossfit now, if I'm buying kettlebell-related stuff, right?! ;)

 

THREE. Through work, I had the pleasure of hearing Lee Ellis speak - a POW survivor who has toured around, speaking about his book on leadership lessons and how he and other men survived Hanoi Hilton. He has a great story and spoke about some tough subjects...but "leading with honor" as he continued to remind us, is something we should all be doing if we are in leadership positions.

 *Got a free copy of his book too - can't wait to read it

FOUR. Got my new "The Shine Project" t-shirts in

 Have you heard about The Shine Project yet?? Um, if not, you HAVE to!! I discovered it a few weeks ago, and am a full supporter now. Daily, I'm trying to find ways to get more involved with it. Ashley (who leads it) is doing AMAZING things!!!!

FIVE. The Machine Gun Preacher movie finally came out

I have been waiting to see this movie for a really long time...it just struck me as something I wanted to learn about, since the movie is based off of real-life Sam Childers who has made it his mission to save/protect the children & people of Southern Sudan. The movie is intense, sad at times, but something I'd encourage anyone to watch. I also bought the book about Sam's memoir and can't wait to read it as well:

via

Alright, well Happy Friday everybody! Have a fabulous weekend :D

After re-reading my post, it seems as though I have a lot of reading to do, hehe!!

Crossfit, Warrior Dash & First 10k Race

*Warning: Kind of a long post...but keep reading!!* :)

CROSSFIT

KB. 21-15-9. KTE's.AMRAP.WOD.Tabata

If you've heard these terms/acronyms...maybe wondered what the heck they are...this is Crossfit. Most people have heard about it, and lots have already joined in on the "fun". I'm kind of a latecomer to it, seeing as it's been around since 2000. Nowadays, there are Crossfit gyms everywhere, there's even a National Crossfit Competition...and it's gaining more and more popularity all the time!

A typical whiteboard WOD

Basically, it's a short workout (as short as 20 min.) that can be described as "constantly varied, high intensity, functional movement" and involves anything from jump ropes and kettlebells, to gymnastics rings and tires. Tires, yes HUGE tires! :/

Tire sledges

But let me tell you...it is FUN & ADDICTING & MOTIVATING! Here's my story (the short version, I promise)...

I started running consistently a little over a year ago when I lived in Omaha for a short period of time. Didn't really enjoy it, but liked the results I was seeing. Over the years, I have gained some weight and my husband has heard me complain about it, way too many times. Since moving to Charlotte, I ran a few times, here and there, went to the gym a few times, here and there...nothing really worthwhile. I noticed though, that my pet sitter was looking awfully fit, each time I'd see her...so I asked her "Um, what are you doing?!" She told me her husband managed a local gym and that he had been training her & a friend with Crossfit-style workouts. I said, "Can I get in on that?" I honestly didn't know much about Crossfit, other than I knew some people who did it, it looked tough, and it was usually conducted in groups doing circuit-type rotations. Right at that time, her husband had decided to start a weekly group workout and I went Day 1. It left me limping for a few days (not joking), sore as heck, BUT I told myself that I was going to go back. Well, I did...and I've been going ever since!!

 In action with training ropes & squats

I can tell you that I personally saw results pretty quickly. I don't really base a lot on weight, but I've lost a few lbs., my clothes are fitting better, I have more energy, and I'm feeling some muscles starting to develop! :) I LOVE it! Now, that said, I still have a long way to go, I realize that, but I'm making progress!! Now, I also need to say that along with Crossfit, I'm still keeping up with my running & yoga, and have adopted a somewhat Paleo-style eating plan (which deserves its own post...so more on that another time). But it's great, I'm always looking forward to my next WOD: Workout of the Day!

WARRIOR DASH

Two weekends ago, I participated in the Warrior Dash that came to Charlotte. It is THE world's largest running series, consisting of a 5-6k course with 11-12 obstacles (e.g. jumping over fire, crawling through mud pits, and sliding down fire poles). It was just for fun, and all I wanted to do was finish...I knew some of what to expect, but also knew it was going to be tough. But I DID IT! Finished in about 55 minutes...seriously, I definitely struggled a little, but it was super fun once it was over! :P

Jumping over the fire & finishing the race out of the last mud pit

Celebrating - somewhat cleaned up...couldn't pass up the beer stein! :)

1ST 10K RACE

I took a mini-vacation last week to drive back to southern IL, (1) to visit family/friends, (2) to head up to our hometown Italian Festival that happens every year, and (3) to run the festival's 10k on Memorial Day. I've ran a few 5k's before, and have been running consistently (up to 8 miles on some weekends) for about 2-3 months now. I wanted to sign-up for a race and push myself a little, so a 10k it was. 

Me before the race...I even wore green, white & red, since it WAS an Italian Festival :P

And here are some actions shots:

At around mile 2 - this is where I had to mentally tell myself, okay, it's really hot, but you're almost halfway there, you can do this! I've ran a few long runs, but in a race, it surprised me how much you mentally have to keep yourself going. I took it mile by mile.

Getting ready to cross the finish line at 1:08:17 (placed 4th in my age group!!)

Worn out & rehydrating...even at 8am, it was SO hot out!

And here I am with my younger brother, an AMAZING runner/track star...he ran the 1-mile dash in around 5 min flat! :0

My goal was really to finish, this time around...and to avoid walking as much as possible. I ended up walking for about 10-20 seconds, just at the 4-5 water stations...so not bad. I kind of wanted to finish in an hour or less, but that's okay...close enough! ;) All in all, a great 1st 10k...now the question is, what race to do next?!?! Luckily, in Charlotte, I have many to choose from, seeing as there are races scheduled practically every weekend all year long.

Thanks for reading about my fitness fun going on right now, what are you doing to stay fit and get healthy? Have you tried Crossfit? Have you ever ran a Warrior Dash? I would love to hear about some of your experiences!! 

Comment below or email me at changeisnecessaryforgrowth@gmail.com

***Also, have you entered my Beauty Box Giveaway?? 
If not, check it out!!*** 

Instagram Love #2

Thought I'd share some of my recent Instagram fun, on this lovely Saturday - sharing some things that I haven't posted yet on the blog. It's funny to realize that I'm constantly taking pics of the same things...food, what I'm wearing, my doggies, and my toes! :P

EATS/DRINKS

Cherry Berry Chiller from McD's...my favorite right now; delicious cake pop (couldn't resist) :)

This has become my daily afternoon snack - gotta get some more protein!

WHAT I WORE

Color-blocking shirt & white statement necklace - both from The Blue Door Boutique

Lovin' the coral/teal combo lately; New red satchel purse from Francesca's

White jean crops, just in time for summer, from The Limited

TRAVELS

 Had to deal with this crazy airport security earlier this week; Rider just chilling on our 9 1/2 hour car ride to IL

 Local hometown winery I got to visit, while catching up with a girlfriend

MISCELLANEOUS

Harley being Harley - wanting to play constantly; bright neon-coral toes...ah, pedicures are a must!

Got to visit a local crossfit gym while I was home, Crossfit Marion - my results from a 6am WOD

**You can find me on Instagram under @kmcginnis3**