5 on Friday: Bunnies, Pilates, and BIP

1. This past weekend, we went to my parents' house because Scott had a 4-day weekend. He was actually in Florida from Monday night to Thursday night for hurricane preparedness (a surprise trip), was given his weekend in Pennsylvania, and then thought he'd be going back this week. Luckily, he didn't have to but I suppose it's always on the table for next week. Sigh.

2. Jett killed a rabbit the other night. The bunnies in our yard constantly tease him/them. On Wednesday evening, as the dogs sometimes do, he was caught on the other side of our "fence" and I assumed he'd gotten stuck over there. He just peered out, around the bush, looking at me. I thought he was being obstinate and called for Scott, who luckily was home. Scott went out there to lift the fence up for him (he'd gone under it) and there was Jett, sitting proudly with his kill. He'd just refused to leave it. So Scott let him run around the yard with this dead bunny for a bit.

[No picture. But I'll never get the image of Jett trotting around proudly with a bunny in his mouth out of my head. ]

This is when I should tell the story of when, last fall in Colorado, Scott was loading up the truck at 3am to drive to Wyoming in the dark (I was in Wyoming) and the dogs were running around the yard. He called for them to get in the truck and Jett jumped up and dropped a dead bunny in his lap. Scott yelled and threw it out the door and Jett jumped back out and grabbed it again. Like, he was just going to take it along for the long 4 hour drive so he had something to play with.

3. Pilates Challenge.

The Balanced Life is starting a free 10-day Pilates challenge next week. My workout game has been...off for a while. "Multiple reasons" is my excuse, the way it's the excuse for everyone. For awhile there, I was doing really well with 30 minute Pilates videos almost every day. Then it turned into I-don't-have-time-and-or-energy for a long video (well, I do, but we all use our free time differently) so I just started skipping it. Then, this week, I told myself I had to start back up with 10 or 15 minutes a day. If I do it during morning naptime, it's finished and I can just move on with my day.

The point is: this challenge is designed to demonstrate that 10-15 minutes a day is enough if you're trying to build a habit. I promise it's enough. It's kind of marketed as an easy way to add in self-care to the hustle and bustle of fall ("self-care" is kind of a horrible word, but that's an opinion for another day).

But if you're looking to add something efficient and effective into your day and don't have time to go to the gym, this is a good start! I'm using it as a way to reset my routine.

Sign up here!


4. We watched Three Identical Strangers the other night. I had heard it recommended on The Popcast a year ago but, at that time, you had to pay to watch it on Amazon or something. This time it's on Hulu. I fell asleep but finished it the next night. It's fine. It's really sad. I didn't like the ending premise of "anyone could have a twin". No. Not anyone could have a twin. 98% of us would know if we had a twin.

Also, we started Four Weddings and a Funeral, the series, on Hulu last night. I thought it was really funny and smartly written. I never liked The Mindy Project but Mindy Kaling did this show too. I like her well enough, but I just didn't like her flagship show.

5. BIP.

If I hear the word "clarity" one more time...

It's the new "right reasons". You don't need "clarity". That is code for "I need to go on a date with someone else and really want to get my bang for my buck out of this experience and you never know because someone better might come along". How millenial of them all.

I never thought I'd feel bad for one of the twins, but I felt bad for Haley. It was pretty humorous the way she lamented all of her problems to Blake, of all the people on that beach.

Speaking of Blake, he's really the funny part of the season. Kristina is playing the role of "suspicious Russian" well.

And, per usual, on HTMF, they defended Derek to the hilt. Just because he's a regular guest on their show and gives them an iota of credibility because they can get an "alum" on the podcast. Never mind the fact that they spent full minutes complaining about Chase. Chase and Derek are pretty much identical in making this franchise their careers and riding out those 3rd and 5th place finishes (I think?) from 3+ years ago for as long as possible. Plus, Derek has ghosted girls in the franchise and/or screwed them over, which is something you'd think Emma and Claire would ask him about or have a problem with in a general sense.

But anyway.

There's a toddler running around with my $5 sunglasses and if he breaks them, I'll need to go to the store today because I can't function without sunglasses.

The plan this weekend is to decorate for fall.

Approaching the beast. Scout does not like mobile Wells.

But at least Scout does not randomly kill woodland creatures in the backyard.

13 Full Months of Pilates + Tips for Getting Started

With the end of April came the end of 13 months of following a Pilates calendar.  Robin at The Balanced Life sends out a calendar at the beginning of each month and it has a workout for each day. I did the first two months of the program, February/March 2015, kind of half-heartedly, enjoying the workouts but not followed the prescribed order of things.

In April 2015, my upholder nature took over and I started keeping track. I highlighted workouts I did, drew arrows to move things around, and wrote in other workouts, like walking with a friend or running (once in awhile) or taking a class at the gym.

And then I couldn't bear to get rid of my Calendars of Accomplishment, so I hole-punched them and stuck them in a binder.

If that's not Upholder behavior, I don't know what is.

1. Start with 5-10 minutes a day. Just commit. Set a goal. Give yourself a reward at the end, like a new outfit or a pedicure. Write the goal down. Put it somewhere you can see it.

2. Start with the 28 Days of Pilates. Just bookmark Robin's Youtube channel and go for it. It's 28 days of 5-10 minute workouts. If you can see and feel a difference in your body after that, move onto the other free workouts.

3. Carve out a time. When I started, I did Pilates at night, on the bedroom floor, right before I climbed into bed, usually while watching T.V. That was in the winter of 2014.  Now I've made it such a habit that I do Pilates every day. At least three days a week, I do longer workouts (30-40 minutes) and the rest of the time I follow my handy Balanced Life Sisterhood calendar and do a 10-15 minute workout.

I recommend Pilates to everyone I know because workout-guilt is the worst kind of guilt. We should feel GOOD about what we're doing, we shouldn't dread it, and we should actually see results.

This post isn't so much about why you should do Pilates (but you SHOULD). It was supposed to be  about how crazily upholding and organized I am (when it comes to certain things). But really, you should try Pilates.

(Definitely not being paid to talk about this :)

#30DayPilatesBody

I stayed up way too late watching The Bachelor (spoiler) last night. I'm only slightly ashamed of this.  5am came a little too quickly. 

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However, I will be doing a quick and effective Pilates workout before I leave for work and I'll probably do another longer workout this evening, simply because I have time.

We're halfway through March and that means I and thousands of others are halfway through the 30 Day Pilates Body Challenge at The Balanced Life.

If you are feeling like you want to add in an EASY workout routine, form effective habits, or simply start something new, I highly recommend jumping on board with the second half of this challenge.  IT'S FREE! It's (more or less) painless! It encourage healthy habits, not quick fixes. Quick fixes (in my uncertified opinion) are always what people want (hello, Advocare), but there's no longevity and they promote feelings of inadequacy and guilt. Pilates is the opposite of that. You'll feel yourself making gains and progress without backsliding or losing it if you stop for a few days.

I would love to see you find the kind of success I have with Pilates. And, guys, I usually do Pilates in my pajamas with the t.v. on in the background. It's still just as effective without a high-maintenance trip to the gym.

The Balanced Life

Here's today's workout...inner thighs!...and it's a great place to begin. Just bookmark the website and go each morning to get your new workout. I'm loving the variety (I do SO many of her workouts more than once) and the fact it provides me daily motivation.

Let me know if you try it!

Hey, at least I try to finish things

I learned from Better Than Before that I'm a finisher.  I get a sense of glee from completing a task, whether it's finishing a book or ending a unit that I'm teaching. I run a highlighter through tasks in my lesson plan binder, in my planner, and on my to-do lists.  I like the act of shutting something down and saying DONE.  I do this with leftover food too.  If I can come up with a purpose for the leftovers in the fridge, I feel a real sense of achievement.  Housewives have been doing this for centuries out of necessity but, in this day and age, it seems to be a rarity.

So where am I on all that stuff I've tried to do this year?  Oh, right.  

Well, in January, I did my Yoga Challenge and was pretty successful at it.  I did yoga *almost* every day for the entire month.  Yay for checkmarks.  

In February, I said I was going to read the Bible every day and finish it in a year.  I wrote a whole separate piece about this in a non-blogging word document that I have going, so I'll just give you the highlights.  I want to be the type who reads her Bible every day.  I really do.  I want to have finished it (see, finish) and I want to see if there's something in there I've missed.  Maybe in all my Bible studies and all my years in church, there's a whole book I've somehow skimmed over and it holds the most pertinent information for me.  Maybe I'm not dedicated enough, because I didn't make it very far.  I think to 2 Samuel.  However, this just goes to show that wanting to be the person who Instagrams some Bible reading at 5am isn't enough to be that person.  The best strategy for me is to read for 20 minutes before bed, but I'm much more likely to do that when Scott's around.  Left to my own devices, I'm reading blogs or something while watching reruns on Netflix before bed. 

In March, I set out on the mission of formulating a cleaning schedule.  I followed it for exactly one month.  And then I stopped.  But I tried.  That's what mattered to me.  Effort is better than nothing.  

In April, I readied the garden.  Or, if you're from Pennsylvania, I read up the garden.  And then it was snowing.  And then it was raining.  And then it was hailing.  And then there were constant frost advisories and, as I write this the first week in June, we just had another hail storm.  I'm glad I never got around to planting things.  Nothing bothers a finisher more than wasted effort.

Edited to add...my brother helped me planted some of the necessities: tomatoes, herbs, and a watermelon.  We'll see.  

In May, I attempted #OutfitaDayinMay again.  Last year, though I considered it to be an utter failure at the time, looked successful in comparison to what happened this year.  The first problem I encountered was that it was so cold and rainy all month.  I couldn't wear the fun warm weather clothes I'd planned on adding into the rotation.  Disappointing.  

Secondly, I was doing well and then, on May 19th, I couldn't go to work because my road was flooded and washed out.  So I turned around, went inside, put my pajamas back on, and I wore the exact same outfit the next day because no one saw it on May 19th.  This screwed everything up and, after that, I didn't see the point any longer.  I threw in the towel because my chances at finishing this challenge successfully had been foiled.  Yes, I gave up.

For June, I'm attempting the #bloggersgetsocial #JunePhotoADay on Instagram.  So far, so good.

In the realm of fitness and what I'm doing these days, I'm still sticking to my Pilates calendar. Very solidly, I may add.  And I'm seeing results too so this is proof that you don't need intense cardio or expensive yoga classes to be toned and limber.  I am prouder of sticking to this calendar (though some days have been shifted here and there!) than I am of completing any other self-appointed challenge this year.

So, what do you do?  Are you a finisher?  Are you a starter?  Do you feel guilty if you take something on and give up?

Workout Stuff and Things 5/7

It's been awhile since I've talked about working out.

I would like to take this Stuff and Things to talk about what I've done for the month of April.

I don't really go to the gym anymore.  It's kind of a fruitless effort.  It used to work for me in other locations but at some point it became more trouble than it's worth.  The gym on base here doesn't have a schedule that fits my schedule and there are no private gyms on my side of town.  In the summer and on extended breaks, I'm able to go to morning kettlebell classes on base or the occasional yoga class.  Which is great.  But it's not a part of my routine.

I've been a fan of Pilates for years and then I started doing more yoga earlier this year, via Youtube. So in an effort to set up consistency for myself (I thrive under consistency), I joined The Balanced Life Sisterhood back in February.  It's provided me with a workout calendar that includes Pilates 5-6 days a week.  Some of the workouts are 5 minutes long, and some are 50 minutes.  It depends on the day.  However rigorous or involved the workout is, this has instilled the idea of consistency back into my day.  In February and March, I used the calendar as a guide and supplemented here and there because I generally know what I feel like working on each day.  However, for April, I followed the calendar exactly and I'm really glad I did.  It gave me a "okay, today I do this.." mentality and put some form and function into a wide-open schedule.  With Scott deployed, I could come home from work and just sit on the couch and waste away the evening. But knowing I have a workout that I'm committed to is enough to make me complete other tasks so I can fit it in.  It's given me a sense of accountability and I really appreciate that.  If you're interested in joining the program, here's the link.  It's $9/month, totally worth it, and this is not a sponsorship of sorts....just my opinion!

I do like that I've been able to supplement my daily Pilates with weekend workouts.  Whether it be a circuit workout, a hike or walk, or a class at the gym.
I do feel the need to add that there are only two weekend classes at the gym here and the one I've opted to go to is usually "Body Sculpt".  Now, it's not as good as it sounds.  It's essentially taught by one of those over-exercisers who just needs to take a break because her injuries affect her ability to teach.  It's really just hundreds of squats, hundreds of lunges, and running laps.  That's not "sculpt"; It's poorly executed circuit training.  With a terrible playlist.

So I really need to stop bothering with that.  It just has made me feel productive on Saturday mornings but the last time I went the instructor didn't show up and the gym didn't even give a reason.  I asked for a refund and they gave my $3 back but offered no explanation.  It was odd.

And while I went to spin class on Saturday mornings once in awhile over the winter, I'm not doing that anymore.  I hate it too much.  It was the only physical activity I could fit in at that point, and now I'm focused on walking with the dogs and outdoor exercise instead.

I'm not a runner and I don't claim to be, but even I can't deny that endorphin-high you get after a cardio workout.  It makes your entire day better.

Case in point: A few weeks ago at school we had a Fund Run.  The entire school was told to run/walk laps.  Six laps equaled a mile and there were teachers keeping track as each of the kids completed every lap.  The P.E. teacher had a giant sound system and music (though Blurred Lines might not have been the best choice and now I have Shake It Off permanently stuck in my head).
I ran with my class and, while I don't usually run much, I enjoy any opportunity I get to wear workout gear because it's much more comfortable than the jeans that are usually stand-issue on Fridays.

While I probably only ran 2-3 miles, including walking breaks, I found it so exhilarating to encourage and motivate the kids.  I typically am pretty confident of my teaching abilities in the classroom, but I found it easier to motivate them as we ran.  I would pick a kid and run with them for half a lap and then find some walkers (ha ha "walkers") and tell them "If I can do it, you can do it!" and they'd start running again.  It was probably the best time I've had at this school thus far.  We ran for 35 minutes and some kids managed to do over 3 miles.

The point is that I felt SO much better for the rest of the day because I got that physical activity.  The kids, whilst feigning exhaustion, also did better for the rest of the day.  They were more focused than they normally are on Fridays. It was a great experience and I realize that cardio IS important, but organized or regimented cardio isn't something I'm currently participating in and that's okay.

Back to Pilates.  I've learned a couple of tricks to make consistency my friend.

+Set aside a time.  Evening is best for me.  I'm more flexible after a day of moving around.

+Set aside a space. Having a space for just working out breeds consistency. I use the guest room, with a mirror to check my form.

+Have a plan.  You can plan out your week of workouts or you can join a program in which the dirty work is done for you.  Robin at The Balanced Life not only sends out a calendar (which I appreciate because I can track progress), but she also sends out a list of links to the videos.  I don't even have to search for them.  Half the work, for me, is choosing a workout.  This eliminates any excuse-making.  And we're all good at making excuses.

+Focus on making gains, not being perfect.  When I first started Pilates classes back in 2012, I was really not flexible.  I couldn't even touch my toes.  After 6 months of once a week classes, I could touch my toes.  Since I've been doing online Pilates/yoga for the last 15 months, flexibility exercises have gotten easier.  Currently, I'm working on the roll-over.

+Sometimes I have to break up a workout.  45 minutes on a Tuesday night is not always ideal, but often I'll do 20 minutes, take dogs for a walk (so they stop glaring at me), come back in and do the rest. Sometimes I'll start dinner in the middle of a workout.  I try not to get so sidetracked with "I need an hour to complete this workout" and nothing else gets done.  I really only have 4-5 usable hours each day after work (an hour of which usually includes prepping for the next day!) and I have to fit a lot into that time.

Do you have any secrets for establishing a consistent routine?

My {current} favorite workout websites

I went to bed at 8pm on Friday night.  Was I tired? Yes.  But after a week of go, go, go, I've found the thing I need to do is go to sleep early.  For the last few months, I've made a special effort to go to the gym on Saturdays before I go to the grocery store.  This week, however, I knew that wasn't going to happen.  It's that time of year where life is catching up to me and sometimes I just need a Saturday morning at home to relax.  Or to grade papers, menu plan, and do some baking.

This is where technology comes in.  There's a lot of ways that a person can incorporate technology into fitness. The Garmin to track runs and the Fitbit to count steps are the two that come to my mind.  I own neither.  I tried Scott's Garmin once and I couldn't really figure out how to work it and it served no purpose and I would've been better off going to a class at the gym.  This is why I go to classes at the gym in the first place, I suppose.  I just show up.  I don't have to think or do any of the mental work or planning of what I'm going to do.

I mentioned that I've spent the last month using the Sarah Beth Yoga Youtube channel to do at least 10 minutes of yoga each day.  Here are two more resources if you're at home and can't get to the gym, but still want to do something beneficial.

+doyogawithme.com  Angi told me about this site and it is 100% free and customizable for a yoga or Pilates workout.  I've used it several times now.  I recommend this one.  I never knew my abs could move in that way.

+The Balanced Life Sisterhood.  I'm particularly excited about this one.  I've followed Robin at The Balanced Life for the last year and, for 2015, she's started a new program that encourages acceptance and balance.  It's $9 a month and I'm not exactly paying for a gym membership these days so…well worth it.  The program kicks off TODAY, so you still have some time to join.

source

In summary, I have no Garmin.  I have no Fitbit.  I don't track anything on MyFitnessPal.  I do use online resources for workouts almost everyday though, and I think life is much easier for it.  Some companies are working harder to help connect a healthy lifestyle with technology as well.  Although I don't personally use this service,  Oscar Insurance provides Misfit bands to members so they can set daily physical activity goals and track them online or through the company's app. I think that could be a useful tool for anyone looking to track their activity. My husband, for example, never leaves for a run without some device to track his distance and pace.

Do you have any online resources for workouts?

Stuff and things. 5/15

+I always tell myself it's time to start going to bed earlier.  The routine looks like this: shower, Pilates, read, sleep.  Usually, I get distracted though.  Whether it's with cleaning up things, Pinterest, or puppies, my focus often shifts.  Last night, we stayed up until midnight watching Prisoners.  Have you seen it?  So good.  However, to someone who could've spent those 2 hours and 35 minutes grading papers, it was quite an impractical use of time.

+It's time to get serious about vegetables again.  I had this salad for dinner, with a green smoothie, on Tuesday.  I think it's safe to say that I will only be making salad dressing with avocado from here on out.  Have you tried it yet?

+It's also time to get serious about working out again.  Of course, I can't with school.  I just can't.  But I can change into gym shorts as soon as I get home and eventually get around to it.

+Speaking of a very spoiled dog, Scout has been sick on and off a lot lately.  We've been feeding him chicken, rice, and sweet potatoes.  He runs this place.  Don't feel too bad for him.  He kind of lives like a sultan with all his pillows.

+We've been really into documentaries lately.  These 8 episodes on Netflix held our attention all of Friday night.  Maybe that's why Scout falls asleep so much…

+And speaking of working out, I am into this challenge.  I'm also pinning some new workouts I can do on my own; mostly resistance and body weight.   

+Also, in case anyone I'm related to is reading this, your Mother's Day gifts will be mailed by Saturday.  I swear.  

#PilatesSummerSeries

Tomorrow, the #PilatesSummerSeries kicks off at The Balanced Life.  I'm all about Pilates and I'm all about *free* and that's exactly what this is!  A free series of Pilates for the month of May…a way to kick the summer off right!

source

I have to say that I am extra excited about this program because I've been in a major workout rut since…August?  If we're being honest, that's when it started, but it was just a few months ago that I took on the idea of, "Eh, oh well…someday I'll get into it again."  Right now just isn't the season of intense exercise for me.  

Truth be told, I miss my old gym in Alaska more than I care to think about, so I won't bore you with details again.  In Missouri, I haven't found my niche. There's very little continuity in classes, instructors, people…it's a completely different crowd than the one I grew accustomed to last summer, when working out was fun.  In Alaska, I fell in love with working out.  Here, I've broken up with it.  

So I just don't go to the gym.  But, I do Pilates almost everyday.  I have a few different workouts I go through, switching it up each day, and I still am a fan of the plank.  

I'm so glad that I'll have a new workout everyday for the rest of the month with this Pilates Summer Series.  I'm hoping this will jumpstart some kind of motivation (hidden deep inside me, obviously) that will kick me into gear for the summer.  Hopefully I find a fun, motivating place to pursue fitness in Colorado.  New state, new state of mind?  Let's hope so!  

It's not too late to get involved with the #PilatesSummerSeries.  The workouts will be posted daily at The Balanced Life.  I hope you give it a try!

*All opinions are my own…I really enjoy these workouts and the Pilates philosophy.*

Healthiness in 2014: #28daysofpilates

Going along with the Healthiness theme I have for the beginning of 2014, we have exercise.  Exercise is generally a slippery slope for me…an all or nothing mentality.  I'm working on changing that.

Pilates.  Have you tried it?

While I've never gotten into yoga, I've always had a soft spot for Pilates.  When I was 19, I wandered into the fitness dvd section of Wal-mart and picked up this.

I used it a few times a week for a couple of years.  I don't really know if it did much for me, but I liked it well enough.  In Alaska, I was able to take a Power Pilates class and, when my schedule allowed it, regular Pilates.  I always felt so good after those classes!  Kind of sore, very limber, and like I'd just done something truly beneficial for myself.

I'm a believer in it.

Part of my fitness resolution for the year is to take part in this kind of fitness.  Fitness that's good for the muscles, good for the soul, and good for the mind.

It's the best of both worlds:  you get the breathing and relaxation element of yoga and the toning you'd get from a fitness class.  Plus, you don't sweat a whole lot, if at all.  So there's not a "I need to get a shower after this" time commitment.  After taking Pilates classes, I can say that it works.  The small, focused movements tone muscles and, after a one hour class, I almost always feel it the next day.  Plus, it's dramatically increased my flexibility.  I spent my entire life being unable to reach down and touch my toes, even when I was a kid.  After 6 months of Pilates, I could put my hands almost flat on the floor!

I started February by taking part in #28daysofpilates.

Each day, Robin at The Balanced Life posts a new, quick Pilates workout. They're fun and effective to do.  Not to mention easy.  I set my phone alarm each day so I don't forget.

Also, so I remember to do a plank.  

Are you taking on any fitness challenges this year?  I have a friend who is running a half marathon and I had this nagging feeling that maybe I should do it too.  But then I remember how much I truly hate to run.  I don't think I should taking on a training plan is for me.

Have you missed any Healthiness posts?
I already talked about my favorites for Breakfast and Dinner.

(This post is purely my opinion.)

January Spending Freeze +Pilates Challenge

Sweater and tank: Target // Scarf: Gift (Kohl's) // Pants: Old Navy Rockstar Skinnies ($8!)

Boots: Report

It's still winter and it's still cold and gross with more snow on the way…

Let's be honest here: this wasn't a true spending freeze.  I didn't create a budget.  I didn't plan ahead.  I simply said, "No. Stop. You don't need this stuff." and I stopped spending money.  Now I stopped spending money.  Scott didn't.  He and I have different philosophies.  I'm an all or nothing type person. He's more of a moderation kinda guy.  So, take this for what it's worth…

What led to a spending freeze?
I was feeling a bit like mid-November to mid-December was one giant online shopping fest.  And 2 1/2 weeks in Pennsylvania?  All I did was accumulate stuff.  Whether it was Christmas gifts, after Christmas sales, going to stores I don't get a chance to shop at often…it was one giant buy-all-the-stuff extravaganza.  Then comes my birthday and I'm making excuses for stuff I want/need/etc.

With all that being said, I felt the need to cut back and simplify.

Here's the rundown of pretty much everything I bought in January.

1.  Groceries.  Each week, I went to the commissary and bought what we needed.  I don't usually buy a whole lot of processed/pre-prepared food anyway.  I didn't set a budget and I DO deviate from my lists, but I'd make it a point to use what I bought.  And I did.  The best part of this was that I was motivated to cook this month and the Papa John's guy didn't have to visit at all.

2.  Gas.  Necessity.  I put a grand total of 10 miles on my car everyday though, so gas isn't a budget-breaker for me.  It used to be when I commuted in PA and Alaska.

3.  I made a trip the PX for the basics like body wash, conditioner, a new brush head/cleanser for the Mia, etc.  Also, some air freshener, colored paper for school, etc. That trip wasn't cheap ($93), but it wasn't fun stuff either.  I didn't buy candy or shiny things, and I didn't stop to look at the clearance shoes.  Some of the basics might've been cheaper at Wal-mart, but they don't have the Clarisonic brand there, and that was a big part of the reason for the trip.  The other things got tacked on because we were out of them (and you can never have too much air freshener in your classroom).

4.  Gym stuff.
I paid $4 total for classes at the gym on base this month.  I also paid $20 for a promotional 2-hour workout there a few weeks ago.  The Muscle Meltdown also included 2 free shirts and a water bottle.  Plus I got to see a friend I don't see nearly enough these days, so I think it was worth it.
I also found a new gym(!) and was given the first class for free.  There is no membership fee, but I paid $30 for a 10-class package.  That's a pretty good deal considering that it's Les Mills-oriented, it's a nice gym (like my last one in Alaska) and the instructors are great.  Considering that I was paying about $30 a month over the summer for gym classes here on base and, before that, $70 a month in Alaska, this seems to be a happy medium.  So, gym expenses = $4+$20+$30=$54.  New sneakers and workout capris are pending in February.

5.  Dining out.  I'm pretty disciplined when it comes to dining out.  I'm generally not a fan of it, unless there's a good reason.  We did sushi for my birthday, a farewell dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings, Chili's when we were out of town for the day for the movies, and a lunch at Panera.
Chili's was kinda gross, but Panera is really growing on me.  I love their BBQ Chicken Salad and Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich.  Anyway, Starbucks trips equal 3 for the month (all bought with gift cards) and I'm proud to say I have not been suckered into a Panera latte on my way to school since December (they're better than Starbucks', by the way).

6.  I ended up with some kind of bug 2 weeks ago and made a stop at Wal-Mart for medicine.  Robitussin, cough drops, Afrin, Kleenexes, etc ain't cheap.  We weren't stocked up on anything.  I left $40 lighter.

7.  The Target trap.  I spent $45 in gift cards.  Not a cent more.  Unless you count the pile of stuff Scott walked out with.  I don't.

8.  I made another Wal-Mart trip for a few groceries and ended up spending some time in the Valentine aisle.  I have a class party in 2 weeks.  So, I either buy the stuff now or I buy it next week.  I mean, it needs to be bought.  What's the difference?  I also bought some Sweetheart Swap goodies at a couple of different places last week.  Whatever, right?  Right.
And on that Wal-Mart trip, I also bought Cold-Medicine-Round-#2.  For Scott, this time.

Whew.

God bless you if you're still reading.

I'm more than ready to spend money in February.  Maybe.  I'm a fan of restraint, though you probably can't tell by reading this blog post.  I wasn't as entirely thrifty as I should've been.  I admit that I already have some OldNavy.com and BareMinerals enroute to my address. Maybe I'll try again in March?

So January's challenge was about not spending money. February's challenge is Pilates.  You can read up on it here.  I'm excited, and enjoying it already.