So here we are just two days before Christmas. Oh my goodness, so many things have happened since my last post, but I promise not to bore you with all the details. Right now, things are good. My shopping is done and Christmas cards just got out yesterday morning (so they may in fact be New Year’s cards for some) and I only have a few items left to get from the store. The three things we still need are batteries, ice cream and beer. I’m handing that one over to the hubby. Ha ha.
Okay, so quick run/injury/workout update first.
I attempted a few runs the other week. Everything was fine. I went super slow and super short on the treadmill. I felt like my old self for exactly 6 days.
IN my head I was getting geared up to start slowly getting back and training for a race in 2017. I was so excited.
Then…….. I did something to my back and my sciatic got REALLY angry. I couldn’t walk for close to a week and I can’t even explain the pain that radiated down my right butt cheek. Lovely, right?
As of yesterday I can walk normal and have not run since that sporadic week of a couple runs. I may test the waters out this weekend a bit as a little Christmas present to myself, but I’m mentally changing gears and starting to take the whole getting back into long distances thing off the table. My torn labrum is annoying, but not painful so we won’t do surgery unless it really starts to cause problems. I’m just kind of in maintenance mode, but I’m going to have to think long and hard about what kind of personal goals I have going into 2017.
I’m thinking of finally taking up some yoga and really focusing on strength and coming up with some really cool new moves and workouts for my fitness classes I teach (currently 8 a week).
Let’s see, what else?
We went to Vegas to celebrate my dad’s 70th birthday. That was a blast.
This was on the High Roller thing. Expensive, but totally worth it.
We celebrated a gain at home by watching the boys at their first grade winter celebration performance.
We followed that with a little Chinese take out and martinis with our new drinking buddies that I got for Dad. How awesome was my guy Mitch? Ha ha.
We got a special VIP invite to see the movie Sing before it was released. It was super cute!
The old lizard secretary is my favorite. If you see it, look out for her and her glass eye that continuously pops out.
We went to see Santa.
Unfortunately there have been some request changes after our visit, but I told the boys Santa doesn’t really have time to deal with request changes this close to Christmas. I mean, really.
Our annual gingerbread making night was a success for about 10 minutes before there were tears and fights over who got to make the wreath over the front door. We called it quits pretty fast and ordered pizza for delivery.
Its’ finally getting a bit chilly here and we’ve had frost on the roof, deck and on the minivan. It’s pretty exciting.
The boys’ birthday is the 28th so we decided to have the party early so their school friends could come. We went this route.
I’ve been sleeping in instead of trying to workout before everyone else wakes up. This is how the workouts have been looking because of that.
It’s not really the mommy alone time I usually enjoy, but it gets the job done.
Okay, seriously, no more pictures of the boys. I’ll give you just one of the cats though.
You’re welcome.
Here are some random things I’ve been eating just because.
Egg whites, NuttZo and chicken sausage.
Roasted purple sweet potatoes with NuttZo or crunchy almond butter.
We’re all about the EPIC snacks these days too. The chicken bites and sriracha bars are our current favorite.
I like to use the chicken bars to dip in guacamole.
It’s good stuff.
These fruit and veggie Pressed by KIND bars were a huge hit when I sent them to school for the boys’ birthday instead of cupcakes. Their teacher only allows fruits and vegetables as snacks so I tried to win her over with these. He he.
My most recent concoction is this.
Yes. delicious. I added SunButter, Vital Proteins collagen and Nutpods creamer to my coffee and blended it together. Um….. YUM!
Yes. These. Try it.
Oh my goodness and one last thing. I have been in a slump for awhile and at my hair appointment the other day I told my friend Casey that I really just needed a change to feel better. Luckily she had saved my extensions from over a year ago so we decided to tape those suckers back in. I’m so glad we did. Now I’ll actually have to put some energy into doing my hair though. Ha ha.
Here’s the before and after of her magic.
GIVEAWAY TIME…. finally!
As a reward for surviving a bazillion pictures of the boys and in the spirit of gearing up for workouts in the new year, I have a giveaway for you!
Woot!
The prize is a $25 gift certificate to Dick’s Sporting goods for new workout gear!
Thanks to XShadyside 24 hour gyms Pittsburgh for providing the prize.
I mean, who doesn’t want to win a gift card for workout gear?
Enter the giveaway below!

Do a 5K and work on regular running without injury!
Your hair is gorgeous. ❤
Lift more weights!!
get better about strength training
My 2017 workout goal is to get a new half marathon PR… 2:40, maybe?
Try new workout classes when I travel with my job!
Best wishes to you for 2017 – I hope things start to settle into a “normal” for you. My goals for 2016 are to be healthier and to start taking care of myself again 🙂
My goal for 2017 is to spend more time with you!
To simply get back into shape!! The kind of shape where my body doesn’t ache all the time, where I can run upstairs without being out of breath (ha, sad but true!) and the shape where my pants will no longer be tight!
Not looking for miracles just better shape ~ both physically and mentally please!
My 2017 fitness goal is to compete in a weight lifting competition
My goal for 2017 is to try to get through the year injury free
i want to run my 3rd half marathon
I want to try yoga this year.
I just started Crossfit, so I’m looking to get a lot better in that over the year.
I want to run a half marathon in 2017. I’m just getting back to running after too many years off because of injury. I am taking it slow but would LOVE to run a fast half marathon next year.
I hope to get through the year without injury!
Oh my goodness, those boys and those cats! I love! What type of cat are they.. like any certain breed? I would love to start to lift weights consistently this year. At least 4 days a week!
Next year I want to run a few more races. This year ended up with zero on the calendar. I was tired and injured for part of the year so didn’t race at all.
My goal is to do more yoga 🙂
I am not much of a runner so I want to complete my first 5k (running the whole time : ))
To do more cross training!
Add more strength to my routine!
To run one half marathon.
More rest! That’s a workout goal, right?!
The boys are getting so big! Hope you’re healing up well. Goal: finish my third marathon and train in a new group x program
I would love to be able do a running race.
I want to PR my next marathon in Chicago!
My goal is to follow an actual training plan LOL, I have a Half Marathon next May that I’ve run for many years but would like to PR (which would be sub 1:50). Glad to see you back, Kristin – the boys are getting so big. Hope you figure out the hip issue so you can get back to running 🙂
I’m starting a fitness ministry/class after school for girls 4th-8th grade to learn about fitness, friendship, food and focus! A Daniel Plan for tweens! I also need to get my workouts in regularly! Like you, I’m back teaching full time and it’s been a challenging transition! I’m still one of your biggest fans!
More upper body work….I hate it but I also hate the idea of osteoporosis!
I haven’t hiked as much in 2016 so I am looking forward to that changing. I am finally stepping away from school for a very long time (maybe forever) and so I am looking forward to more quilting and dog time as well. 🙂 Have a great holiday. I loved the photo about the frost excitement. LOL. Sam
i am planning to run my first marathon!
I am going to try Crossfit in the new year.
My main form of exercise is Crossfit. My goals for 2017 are to do pull ups and double unders. Merry Christmas.
My goal is to train for a half-marathon or marathon.
I have a goal of running 2 more marathons this year! I hit number 10 this year and am going strong. Hope you’re feeling better! <3
Praying for a healthy and strong 2017!
Stretch more and do more yoga! I hope your hip feels better soon !
PR in my second marathon!
My main workout goal is just to stay healthy. Getting stronger and leaner would be a bonus!
Get handle on health. Stay injury free
My workout goal for 2017 is to stay balanced and NOT over-exercise.
working out consistently is a goal of mine
More consistent strength training is absolutely in the works!
I LIKE TO KEEP ACTIVE BY WALKING TO WORK AND PLAYING IN THE PARK WITH THE KIDS 🙂
Wishing you a healthy 2017.
My goal is to do more strength, core and stretching!
I’d like to PR in the marathon next year!
PR at my 50k next month.
I want to run my second marathon!
I want to run a fast half marathon. I have never really trained like I should because I don’t want to be disappointed but it’s finally time!
My goal is to get back to running on a regular basis after healing this foot!
I almost forgot I share a birthday with your boys. I also received an early birthday present last week and won the latest and greatest Instant Pot! I don’t care if I win another giveaway, ever. I’m in heaven since I’ve never had a pressure cooker before. Anywho, I’ve made great strides with diet and strength this year, so time to focus on the consistent running as I see many are set to tackle next year as well. Hope you have a lovely Christmas and New Year! And yes, do more yoga. Been practicing yoga consistently since the seventies and it’s the best, especially for keeping injuries at bay.
I’m signed up for 3 10ks and my first half marathon this year! I can’t wait!
Currently dealing with a knee injury 🙁
My goal is to keep up my gym routine with my new job
I want to run a marathon in 2017.
My goal is to work. Haven’t seen I was pregnant and my kid is almost two! Insert red-faced emoji.
My workout goal this year is to run a 5k. I hve never done his before but I have been training for a few weeks and I have a lot more training to do.
Make it a whole year injury free!
My goal is to up my weight and build strength.
I would like to train and run a 10k and gain more muscle! I already work out consistently, but would like to try some new classes too!
My workout goal for 2017 is to help a family member lose weight and get healthy.
My workout goal for 2017 is to go to the gym or use my elliptical at least 3 times per week.
I have a goal to deadlift my bodyweight and to run a halfmarathon.
Stay injury free.
My workout goal for 2017 is to rebuild my lungs after recovering from Histoplasmosis that I endured for the entire year of 2016, lose 50+ lbs, train for and run a 5K.
My 2017 goal is to finish up radiation and move on to training for Boston. I will run it as slow as possible and enjoy every minute!
I want to work more on toning instead of just basic cardio.
I want to drink more infused water!
I just signed up to do an Olympic triathlon in June so the goal is to be prepared for that!
My yearly goal of 2 marathons, at least 1 ultra and a bunch of smaller races thrown in for fun!
Mine is to be more active a few times a week.
My workout goal for 2017 is to qualify for the Boston Marathon!
I plan to bike more in 2017.
My workout of choice for 2017 is yoga, but I am also going to run a couple of 5ks.
i want to workout on a more consistent basis
Merry Christmas!!!!! I’m thrilled to hear you are back to normal walking! I imagine the frustration level is still high but 8 fitness classes a week should help curb that…..
2017 goal: Maintain balance physically, nutritionally and mindfully!!!!
Increase the days I go for runs!
I’m looking to go outside my comfort zone a bit and try an Xterra triathlon in early Aug. Also going to try to BQ in April.
I want to incorporate more yoga.
My goal in 2017 is to walk 10 miles a week.
to speed walk more
My goal is to maintain a workout schedule
I plan on walking at least three times a week.
My goal is to do a half marathon.
My goal is to do yoga once a week, at least.
My goal is to go walking several times a week.
My goal is to run a marathon in 3:45.
Hi! I just started reading your blog. I hope your recovery goes quickly for your fracture and hip!! I feel your pain – I have had a hamstring injury since MAY – Arghhh! Also, What devotionals book is that? thanks 🙂
Present not Perfection? I think that’s the title. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can send you a picture of it! I’m just not in my bedroom at the moment. Hope your hamstring heals up!