"The trick is to enjoy life. Don't wish your days away waiting for better ones ahead."

We had a fabulous end to a beautiful weekend! Steak Tips, Asparagus, Potatoes and Onions on the grill - a fire in the chiminea - Blueberry Beer - Family Walk - Ladder Golf and Ice Cream Sundays! 

5 AM came early Monday morning as I headed to the WCC for 5:30 boot camp! I am subbing another class at the WCC this week so I went for some inspiration! A great way to get you up and moving around with a total body workout and some energy for your Monday! 

I came home and took Bela for a long walk before heading to work! 

After a busy day at work my Aunt/Twin came over and we went to Grittys downtown for the Happiest Hour! :) 

Okay so not the healthiest evening under my belt but its all about balance. When our bodies feel deprived of certain foods we tend to over indulge. By allowing yourself to have everything in moderation your body never feels like it is "missing out" on specific food groups. That's why diet and exercise go hand in hand. Can't have one without the other and expect to get the results you are looking for! 

Tuesday morning I got up again for the 5:30 AM Train Your Inner Athlete class at the WCC! There was a great group of about 30 of us spread out through the gym doing circuit after circuit of strength, cardio and balance! Such a great workout and an incredible group of dedicated athletes there to improve their fitness level! 

When I left for work Bela was snuggled up on the couch... I mean seriously? She knows she's not allowed up there, but how do I tell her to get off? She's so cute! 

Wednesday I finally got in a great run! It was a beautiful day and I did 4 miles! Running is seriously like free therapy. I am able to free my mind and just relax and run! It's truly the best ME time I could ask for! 

After work Cyn & I decided it had been way too long since our last date night! We got dressed up and headed  downtown! Not even 5 minutes from our house we got rear ended.... But we didn't let it ruin our night! After an hour of waiting for the cops and getting everything figured out we continued in to Portland for some Sushi! We had yummy Edemame and Sushi for dinner and of course got some Go Berry for dessert! 

Thursday morning Cyn and I woke up early to snuggle up and watch the news together! I'm so lucky to be on love with my best friend! :) 

Thursday was finally my Hot Yoga day! It was pretty amazing, especially because there were only 3 of us in class so we got a lot of adjustments from our teacher! My body always welcomes yoga days because it gives my muscles a chance to lengthen & strengthen while my body is working on my physical and emotional balance! 

At 7PM I taught my second Boot Camp class at the Westbrook Community Center! It was a great class with an awesome group of women! I had a fun workout planned and I really think they liked it as we rocked out to 80s Hip Hop! 

After class I came home and my Aunt Donna, who is visiting from Florida, came over to visit and see our house! It was so fun to be together as its been a few years since we've seen each other! 

The 3 triplets were all sitting together on the couch! Haha! 

Friday morning I got up for an early 90 minute Hot Yoga class! What a wonderful way to begin my day and the start of a family filled weekend! After work I got a hair cut (which it's been close to a year since last I went) and after, my sister and I took our Aunt Donna to get a Pedicure! It was so much fun and extremely relaxing! 

 

After we grabbed a drink and appetizer at Sea Dog Brewing Company! It was really nice to spend some quality time with our Aunt! We hope she moves up here VERY soon! :) 

I came home to this beautiful bouquet of flowers and adorable note from my love! 

Friday night we celebrated my Mom turning 50 and my Best Friend Erin turning 30 with a Prom Themed Birthday Party! We had so much fun getting dressed up and being silly! 

THE BIRTHDAY GIRLS! 

Saturday morning was a rough one for some, but I got up and got in a beautiful 4 mile run! It feels so good to get up and go! It alway give me motivation for my day and a sense of strength! Remember YOU are worth it! 

Cyn and I enjoyed our coffee out back with Bela while our roommates (Mick & Brayton) slept! 

At 12 o'clock my parents hosted our 25th Family Reunion! We had over 80 people attending! It was so much fun to sit, chat and eat with my big Italian family! :) 

After a busy day a few of us went over to Great Lost Bear for some MORE food and lots of laughs! :) 

Sunday morning we got up and grabbed the Ferry out to Peaks Island for a few hours and went to Reggae Fest! 

I sure do love it over on the Island! We came home and went to Grandmas for an Italian Feast! It was so delicious! 

It was so much fun! I wish we were able to do it on a more regular occasion! It's so nice to be together as a Family! 

Grandma even entertained us by playing her Organ! 

What a perfect way to end a busy, family filled weekend! I feel so blessed to have these amazing people around me and that we were able to spend so much quality time together! Life is all about making memories and Family is the most important support system we have! Sometimes we got so caught up in where we are going we forget to enjoy where we are! It's so easy to forget to live in the moment, but it is the most gratifying feeling when you realize all of the beautiful things around you every day! 

“Don’t aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.” —David Frost

Woo Baby! Talk about being sore! After the 12 hour hike to the summit of Mt. Katahdin and 5 hour journey home spent crunched up in the car on Sunday my body was screaming at me come Monday morning! 

I decided the best remedy for it would be a 1 hour hot yoga class at Greener Postures! The class was exactly what I needed! Refreshing, revitalizing & rejuvenating! The message at the end of class was to use all your "shoes." Your old running shoes so you never forget where you've come and to give back, high heels to remember to have fun and go out and enjoy life, your slippers to remind yourself to be grateful for the little things and sometimes to go barefoot to remember what it was like to be a young child without any worries in the world! Quite a beautiful metaphor for your Monday! 

After, I went home and took Bela for a walk! We just got her a new Halti to try to make her more obedient when we walk! She's a good walker once you get past the first 10 minutes of her excitement for being outside! This Halti has been such a game changer. She is so good with it that I put the leash around my waist and she stays by my side without me having to even hold on! I can't wait to start running with her! I figured I would wait until the fall so it doesn't get too hot for her! 

We only went 2 miles but it was something! The best part about having a furry friend is being able to enjoy your exercise together! 

After our walk we got home to a very delicious and healthy dinner cooked by my personal Chef: Cynthia! :) Fresh Salmon, corn and asparagus! Yum! Your diet is such an important part of your workout regimen! 

Tuesday my body still felt a bit sore, but it was such a gorgeous day I couldn't resist going for a run! I snapped a few photos along the way! I did a total of 5.45 miles and it don't think it could have been anymore beautiful! 

Tuesday night I relaxed with a delicious cup of Spearment Tea that I got while we were in Bar Harbor! It was so delicious and I love my new little sea shell tea holder! :)

It's HUMP DAY! It was a little bit of a struggle getting out of bed this morning but I pushed myself to get in a 90 minute hot yoga class! 

For lunch I finally tried Tropical Smoothie! It was so delicious. They had so many different flavors and I went with the "Health Nut" flavor! It was so yummy I cannot wait to go back!

After work I went over to my grandparents! They were both busy doing yard work! I helped my grandmother cut fresh rhubarb, Swisschard and basil! I cannot wait to cook it up! (Seriously though, could they be any cuter?!) 

From there my mom and I walked the boulevard! It was a gorgeous night for it! We went over to Whole Foods after to grab a few things and were completely overwhelmed! There were so many things we wanted to try and with all the fresh foods we were in heaven. However, 6 o'clock was not the best time to go because everyone had the same idea! 

Thursday morning Cyn and I got up early to enjoy some coffee together and watch the news! I found this on twitter and thought it was so fitting! 

I took Thursday as my off from exercise and after work we went to have dinner with my mom, dad and aunt! My aunt is house sitting a gorgeous home in Yarmouth and I felt so grateful to have seen it! Cyn felt in her element cooking on top of the huge gas stove flipping mushrooms!

It had a beautiful open concept to it! 

We even tried the new craze called "slackers" it's supposed to be a great core workout! 

Friday I spent all day in Manchester for work and came home to a sick puppy... I fit in a quick rain run and we spent a good chunk of our evening cleaning the house! 

Pete and Murph had us over for something to eat and it was nice to spend time with the boys! 

I found out I was teaching a fitness class Saturday Morning around 9:00 PM Friday night so I tried to put together a workout and Murph and Peter helped me try it out! We even did some push ups! 

And Yoga!

Saturday morning we got up early to go to the Westbrook Community Center so I could teach my first boot camp class! It was quite a success with 6 awesome women to teach! They all kicked butt! 

We had plans to go up to Camp for the Skowhegan Fair with the Cyn's parents, brother, sister and their families! I tried to capture a little bit of the day! 

The boys started with tattoos! Cameron got a monkey, Peter a football with Tom Brady's number and Grampy got a heart with GRAMMY in the middle of it! How cute! 

We did lots of walking around and watching of Tractor and Truck pulls! 

I even got my caramel & peanut covered apple! I was a little excited! Haha

Cameron an Peter even took a ride on the pony!

A good time was had by all! It's all about making memories! :) 

Sunday morning we got up bright and early to head home and spend the day working around the house! A couple upgrades we completed! 

New kitchen sink! 

New closet door knobs in the bedroom! 

And new door knobs for all the doors on the first floor. From the yucky gold to the brushed nickel! We love it! Little by little were making it our own! :) 

I hope it was a good week for everyone else as (I know I hate to say it) summer is winding down. Each day feels more and more like fall, but I can't complain. Fall means: apple picking, pumpkin carving, soccer season, pumpkin spice coffee and the best season for running! 

Get up, get out and stay active this week! What goals do you have for yourself, short and long term? Are you moving closer toward reaching them? Everyday do something that brings you closer to your goal! If you need some help getting going don't hesitate to reach out! I will be teaching Thursday night this week at the Westbrook Community Center a boot camp from 7-8 at night if anyone is intetested in some good, clean fitness fun! :) I'm available for one on one or group sessions. If anyone is interested please reach out to me! I'm happy to be getting back into the fitness world and willing to travel to the comfort of your home to work with you! 

Don't be afraid to start something new!