Couch Potato's Guide to Exercise

Some days I just dont feel like going to the gym. At all. Somedays I would rather lounge around in pajamas and eat bon bons while watching soap operas. Might as well live up to that stereotype while I have the chance. But then I realize how far I have come on this weight loss journey, ahem -60 pounds, and how I dont want to give up now.

I found this really great and easy way to incorporate working out while watching your favorite shows a the same time! Its like a drinking game but healthier.

8 Fun TV Show Workout Routines
via All Women Stalk

1. Pretty Little Liars

Theme song: Do high knees until it's over

When someone gets a text from A: 20 sit-ups

When someone says Ally's murder: 10 jumping jacks

When Garret is mentioned: 5 burpees

When anyone uses their cellphone: 5 squats

When Hanna shops: Do a plank until she's done shopping

When someone gets kissed: 10 lunges per leg

When someone cries: 10 squats

When someone tells a lie: 10 reverse crunches

Commercial break: Jog in place during first three commercials

2. New Girl 

Theme song: Do Russian twists until it's over (if short theme, do 10 jumping jacks after)

Every time Jess sings: 10 sit-ups

When something in the apartment breaks: 20 jumping jacks

Whenever Nick and Jess have a moment: 15 squats

Every time Nick fights with Jess: 50 punches

Every time Schmidt says something hilarious: 15 lunges per leg

Every time Schmidt mentions Cece: 10 push ups

Every time Cece visits the loft: 10 burpees

Every time you see the locker room bathroom: 30 second side plank per side

Commercial break: Jog in place during first three commercials

3. The Walking Dead

Theme song: Plank until it's over

Every time you see a walker: 5 squats

Every time someone kills a walker: 5 crunches

Every time someone dies: 30 jumping jacks

Every time someone screams: 10 lunges per leg

Every time someone cries:10 reverse crunches

Every time some draws a weapon: 5 push ups

Someone refers to the living: 5 burpees

Every time Rick talks on the walkie talkie: 20 bicycles

Commercial break: Jog in place during first three commercials

4. Friends 

Theme song: Do jumping jacks until it's over

Every time Chandler makes a joke: 20 crunches

Every time Joey does something stupid: 25 squats

Every time someone goes on a date: 10 push ups

Every time Phoebe sings: 1 minute wall sit

When everyone is at Central Perk: 10 burpees

If Monica cleans or cooks: 10 lunges per leg

Ross says anything geeky: 20 mountain climbers

Rachel talks about fashion or money: 1 minute plank

Commercial break: Jog in place during first three commercials

5. Doctor Who

Theme song: Jump rope until it's over

Every time some says Doctor: 10 jumping jacks

Every time the Doctor says run: 15 squats

Every time someone gets in or out of the Tardis: 20 crunches

Every time you hear the Tardis: 1 minute bicycle

Anyone says their catch phrase: 10 leg lifts

Every time the Doctor sonic's something: 15 Russian twists

Every time the Doctor gets angry: 45 second wall sit

Every time they gain a new companion: 10 burpees

Commercial break: Jog in place during first three commercials

6. Glee

Theme song: Run in place until it's over

Anytime anyone breaks out in song: 15 jumping jacks

Every time Rachel sings: 20 squats

Every time Sue gives someone advice: 5 tricep dips

Every time Rachel doesn't get her way: 10 push ups

Every time Kurt is bullied: 10 leg lifts per leg

Every time a same sex couple has a moment: 1 minute plank

Every time someone kisses: 10 burpees

Every time Finn dances: 20 crunches

Commercial break: Jog in place during first three commercials

7. How I Met Your Mother

Theme song: Plank until it's over

Every time Barney says legendary: 10 crunches

Anytime anyone high fives someone: 10 push ups

Every time you hear Ted's narrating: 5 burpees

Every time Barney hits on a girl: 15 jumping jacks

Every time Marshall and Lily kiss: 10 squats

Reference to Canada: 30 sit ups

Every time Robin talks about her job: 10 lunges per leg

When anyone drinks a beer: 10 bicycles

Commercial break: Jog in place during first three commercials

8. The Big Bang Theory

Theme song: Do jumping jacks until it's over

Penny says sweetie: 5 push ups

Every time Sheldon knocks on a door: 20 crunches

Every time Sheldon recites a fact: 30 jump ropes

Every time take out food is shown: 20 leg lifts per leg

Every time Raj whispers: 5 burpees

Anytime Amy makes someone uncomfortable: 5 Russian twists

Anytime someone walks upstairs: 25 knee highs

Bazinga: 1 minute wall sit

Commercial break: Jog in place during first three commercials 

I know I watch both Friends and Big Bang every time they are on. Thats a lot of exercise that can be snuck in to your day! These are meant to be fun and easy ways to get in some exercise without leaving the house. I know I am all for that :)

Homemade Granola

I have just recently rediscovered my love for yogurt. I used to eat it daily but I got tired of it and took a little break. But now I have added it back to my breakfast menu and added a little oomph to it. My favorite way to eat it is greek yogurt, berries, granola and a drizzle of honey.

I was buying prepackaged granola in the store for a while until I got the idea to just make it at home. In the store its pretty over priced for the amount you get. When you make it at home, you can make much more for a fraction of the cost. 

A bowl full of happiness first thing in the morning :)

Homemade Granola

3 cups rolled oats (not instant)

3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup coarsely chopped raw or toasted nuts or seeds

Preheat the oven to 300 and make sure a rack is in the middle. Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl and combine well. Mix the wet ingredients in another bowl and once mixed well combine with the dry ingredients. Make sure all the dry ingredients are coated then spread in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Take out and stir then place back in for another 5-10 min until the oats look nice and golden. Itll seem soft when you take it out but no worries, it hardens as it cools. Make sure to stir it every once and a while during the cool down.

Toasted almonds

Place almonds on a baking sheet at 350 and bake for about 10 minutes. You will be able to smell them. Take them out and let cool. Combine with granola and keep in an airtight container.

You can add anything your heart desires to this granola once it is cooled. Dried fruit, coconut, nuts, chocolate chips. Anything! I like to keep it simple and add what I want when I eat it.

Not So Humpty Dumpty

My life has done a 180 since 2013 started. The biggest change was moving out to Arizona. My relationship with Lindsey's dad ended. To spare you the nitty gritty details it boils down to one person being ready to be a parent and the other one not. Since then I have had to really rebuild my life. It took a while to realize how unhealthy the relationship was and how much my life needed to be out back in place. It was kind of like Humpty Dumpty, yet through the grace of God I was able to be put back together again.

When I first came out to Arizona I was lost. I started seeking mentorship through a program in my church called Stephen Ministries. It is a really amazing program designed to walk with people who are experiencing difficult challenges in life. I was paired up with an amazing woman named Lisa. She, like I now found myself, was a single mom. We met for an hour once a week and during that time I discovered many new things about myself and really began to heal. 

Lisa pointed out to me that during our first meetings I never once talked about anything that made me happy. As I thought about it she as right. My life for two years had revolved around making another person happy and for another year making two people happy. I never put myself first and I was okay with that but in the midst of it all I sort of lost myself. I defined myself as a mother, partner and student but who was I as a person? That is something I have been working to find the past couple months. Our roles as wives, girlfriends and mothers are without a doubt very important. But sometimes we get caught up in finding happiness for everyone else we forget to find it for ourselves. 

I have now started a new and exciting relationship, one that I look forward to pursuing every day. That relationship is with myself. I am rediscovering things that I love doing and starting doing new things that make me happy. I get together with my friends at least once a week, without the baby. GASP! I know I know but I think it is so important to get out and just be 22. It keeps me sane to have time with my girlfriends and not talk about dirty diapers or teething pains. I still fulfill all my roles as a mother for I know that is my most important duty. I am also going to the gym a few times a week and that workout is my time to clear my head and refocus my day. 

I am really enjoying getting to know myself again. I know it will be a long process to heal but I am making strides daily. I am a better mother and better person because of it. I really believe that God puts people in your life for all kinds of reasons. To challenge you, to strengthen you, and to change you. My relationship with Lindsey's dad has definitely changed me and for the better. I am stronger and really know what I want and deserve in a relationship. Lisa also came into my life at a time when I really needed strong christian guidance. She helped me realize that it wasn't selfish to put myself first once in a while and that my happiness was important as well as Lindsey's.

I have placed my life fully in God's hands and I know he will guide it with every breathe I take.