Today in my continued pursuit of 'time management skills'

I read this article on Fast Company a few days ago - 'How to Schedule your Day for Peak Creative Performance'. At first, I didn't really feel it applied to me as I have a very structured day- I wake up early, work 8:00 - 4:30, work out 30 minutes to an hour, and am in bed by 9:30. Well, not quite Mr. Rogers scheduled, I guess.

Clearly, under the kitchen sink is not a great place. 

Either way! I took her format, and put my own schedule into it. In the process, I kind of forgot the 'Top 3 priorities' part, but I really like looking at my days and week this way. Every part needs a little push, some fun, fitness, and to get shit done!

I think this kind of format will help me to stop getting so overwhelmed all the time, and thinking that every day is 'work'. I enjoy my work! I enjoy working out, which has felt a bit like a chore lately! I enjoy reaching out to people, even though that's all 'push' stuff for me right now. I need to finish filling in some of these spaces....

What do you use to stay on top of things? I have been going through new time organization things a lot lately, and love reading others methods and incorporating them into my own. If anyones interested, I can go into my work organization. :)

Instagram lately

I thought it would be neat to throw htis up here... The past few months have been pretty regular. I've settled into a routine I'm not sure if I'm happy with? These photos go from present (at the top) to I think the beginning of March... Lately we've had more outings, and things to do at work (Service day, outing to Bobby of Boston), and before it was just routine and mundane things that I recorded. Hopefully I can move towards adding in more fun activities! 

On Sunday, Jack and I went to North Conway for dinner because we felt the need for a small journey haha. I had the most dissapointing zumba class that morning, and to cheer me up we drove three hours for a steak. and lobster mac and cheese! My mac and cheese was AMAZING. I had ~*~*Maine lobster*~*~* mac and cheese while I was out in California, but this time it was super fresh! I did not know I was a such a lobster fan. 

❤stephanie

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Random etsy favorites

2Hi all,

I've been really low on funds lately (apparently I can apply my numbers addiction to saving rather than spending?) so I've been stalking etsy for things that I wish to add to my life.... You can follow me on etsy here. I love following other users and stealing wishlist items from them! Here are some of my recent favorite shoes, accessories and clothing items:

1;2;3;4;5;6;

Leather, suede, etc... and then shiny and leggings? Not sure where that came from! I have really been loving moccasins and ballet flats the past few weeks - not sure if I'm just yearning for spring while wanting to stay cozy or what. With the leather bracelet, I have been wanting a good wrap bracelet for a while, but never picked one up. I usually don't wear jewelry outside of a ring I got from Jack last year for my birthday. Dress is adorbs and would make me feel like a ballerina, and the leggings have a cat with antlers. So neat! (I love everything with cats, apparently)

❤stephanie

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My workout schedule/routine

Hi everyone!

Today I wanted to talk about my fitness routine. Right now I'm working on becoming certified as a Les Mills Bodycombat Instructor! Ever since I took the class, I wanted to be in the front encouraging others. Today I got to team-teach a little bit, and it was exhilarating. (I talked a bit about the module training here.) Having the mic on, and just launching myself into the routine was a ton of fun. I am preparing to team-teach on Tuesday, and I will be instructing tracks 1 - 5!

1. Warmup - Back In Time / Call Me Maybe
2. Capoiera - Bad Girls
3. Boxing - It's Time To Go
4. MMA - Firestarter
5. Boxing - We No Speak Americano

Woo! I have 1, 2, and 5 pretty much down but 3 and 4 are a bit intimidating. For 3, I still have post it notes up for my reps in on the wall behind the TV! (I know what I'm listening to in the car for the next few days...)

Since starting this mini-project I have noticed a total change in my body. I do work out a ton, so it's to be expected, but still surprising. I generally practice BC 5x a week for an hour, and do zumba or bodypump on the other day so I don't get burnt out. I spend my rest day scripting out and practicing my verbal cues in tracks. I've found it best if I do everything after work. I get home, put on my workout gear and gloves, and turn the living room of our one bedroom into my own little cardio center!

I hope that by June, I'm able to settle into a workout routine that looks like this:
S - Teach BC
M - Rest
T - BC? Weights?
W - Bodypump
T - Zumba
F - Bodypump
S - Teach BC

I want to get my Bodypump certification at some point as well. I think after BC, I can learn anything! Except maybe step. Step is killer.

❤stephanie

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hello blog!

I haven't been here in a while!

Thankfully, it looks like snow is over in NH. We may get a flurry tomorrow or Friday, but as long as it does not affect my commute or wearing ballets, I am happy. I have begun to take a personal stand against the weather by wearing flats as much as possible, and rolling my pants up. My ankles may be cold, but my heart is not!!

Last weekend, I passed my Bodycombat training module. :)

I appear to have a crazy sparkle in my eye! Also, the room was FREEZING anytime we were not working out. And sometimes, even then!

It was an extremely gratifying weekend - I was kind of skeptical about the mentally and physically challenging descriptions I would find, but it really was. Every lecture was immediately relevant, and the workouts were always intense. The Warriors challenge, a tabata workout, had me crying by the end. I would fall onto my mat, and get right back up.

Our instructor, Angel Santiago, was amazing. I have had classes with a few different instructors, but he will always be near the ultimate of what I think a Les Mills instructor should be.

I walked away with a pass, which means I can submit my video after co-teaching 4 times. My current plan is to learn the rest of BC 55, practice practice practice practice, begin co-teaching after the release at my club, and submit in the third week of May for assessment. :)

I am excited for where this will take me in my own personal journey - I want this to be more than something I signed up for that one time. I want to feel that magic which comes from having my back to the mirror more and more. Maybe I will try Bodypump training someday?? Or Zumba!

General body/workout things though... I gained about 2" all over since I moved. I realized this one day, when I put on a shirt I thought should fit, but didn't. It was somewhat of a hard thing for me to look at, because I viewed my weight-loss from last year as more of a 'lifestyle' change, and lately I have been sinking into old habits. I am trying to combat this by getting back into a gym routine. Signing up for Bodycombat instructor training has helped with this a ton! My current schedule is kind of.... Sleep -> House items -> Work -> Gym -> Zonk out. (Today is a rest day, because it is Jack's birthday!!) I am taking Bodycombat, Bodypump, and doing Jamie Eason's LiveFit trainer. I will modify the Jamie Eason program at times depending on time and how I am feeling.

This is a bit of a rambling post, but we'll see what my next one is like. Hopefully more direction!