Tag: summer walks

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Fabulous living

2022 Year in Review

Here we are at the end of another year. At the beginning of this year, my motto or phrase of the year was “Building the Best Version of Me”. I really wanted to lean into my routines and rhythms that I established at the beginning of the year and stick to them and I was happy I did that.

It’s been said before that the older you get, the faster the years go by and that is certainly the truth.

This year has been busy with growing in my job, time with family both at home and away, building friends, enjoying hobbies.  

I’m using today’s entry as a both a recap of the past year and a favorite things of 2022 post.

So, let’s begin with a recap:

The beginning winter months of 2022 brought me out in snow and soaking up with outdoors with ice skating, winter walks and trying cross country skiing, something I haven’t tried in years.

Starting the year off with time outside, like skiing.
Time spent ice skating.
And cross country skiing…
Seeing the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit.
I also took in some local theater.

It also brought day trips to Pittsburgh for a trip to museums and time with family. As the weather got warmer, it meant more time outdoors with walks, picnics and trips to the local zoo and different parks. 

Time in Pittsburgh in the spring
I love taking in all the architecture.
First zoo trip of the year.
Celebrating Easter traditions.

Both of my brothers graduated in the Spring, one from college and one from high school, so it was fun to celebrate their milestones as a family. I also celebrated my 24th year around the sun. 

First signs of spring.
Cheers to 24!

I tried to spend as much time outdoors as possible in the summer months, from walks, to reading outdoors, picnics, and countless meals outside, our winters are long, so I tred to take advantage of the summer as much as I can.

I went to the National Comedy Center this year.
Summer picnics outdoors.
Drive-in dates.

I met up with friends through the summer months for dinners, or coffee or walks. I also did some traveling with day trips with family and my boyfriend and then some meet ups with friends too. My family and I got away for a few days with and went to the ocean which was such a fun escape.

Beach days in the summer
One of the many places I went for hikes for in the summer.
It felt so good to relax for a few days at the beach!
More zoo trips!
Fair fun!
I spent so much time reading outdoors.
I enjoyed sunrises and sunsets.

The summer was also filled with baseball games, strawberry picking, zoos, bonfires, beach days, and grilling. I tried to head outside as much as I could when the seasons changed from summer to fall.

Day trips to Pittsburgh
Lots of burgers on the grill.
Beautiful night for baseball
Strawberry picking summer fun!
Bonfire nights.
In my happy place!
I went to my first MLB game this summer.
And ice cream nights!
I fell in love with avocado toast this summer too.
I enjoyed farmer’s markets this summer too.

But as the winds changed, I had to layer up for fall walks, leaf peeping and apple picking. I tried to do as much baking as possible when I was cooped up indoors.

Fall drives.
Lots of fall baking
Enjoying Beautiful Fall Walks
Apple picking fun!
First time seeing this majestic waterfall.
Making Halloween treats too.

The last chunk of the year was filled with all things holidays. From Halloween movies to family at Thanksgiving and all the Christmas and holiday cheer. The last few months are always my favorite time of the year.

Family movie night for Halloween.
More fall baking.
Hello holiday cheer!
All the Christmas spirit, from movies to decor, to hot cocoa.
Holiday fun!

That was a bit of a recap, now here’s some of my favorite things from the past 12 months:

Favorite Show: This is Us: the Final Season

Favorite Binge Watch: Downton Abbey (both the series and the movies)

Favorite New Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid (new to me!!)

Favorite New Movie: Elvis

Favorite Artist or Song: Taylor Swift’s Midnights

Favorite Adventure: First MLB Game in Cleveland to see the Guardians

This is a snapshot of this past year, it can be easy to forgot or not recall all the little moments that make up the past 365 days. This year has been so fulfilling and fun. I don’t know what the new year will bring, but I’m ready to embrace the change, take opportunities (even the scary ones), and make every moment count.

Thank you 2022…let’s ring in the new year!

Categories
Fitness

Just Get Moving

Hi everyone!

Happy Wednesday! I hope you are having a great week so far!

I always try to keep things fun and relevant here and mix topics up so there’s something for everyone. 

Today, I’m talking about fitness and working out. Everyone’s fitness journey is different and I’m by no means an expert on fitness or working out or health and nutrition. This is just my views on working out and my fitness journey, so if these tips work for you, great, if they don’t, then maybe you have tips you can share with me.

A bit of background, I started working out consistently in college, I would go five days a week and it would be a mix of weekends and weekdays before classes. I typically did cardio and then free weights or some weight machines.

A look at my workouts in college.

After graduating college, I got into a new gym routine by going five days a week (weekdays) and then trying to move and do something active on the weekends. 

During the weekdays, I typically do strength training and a full body workout at the gym for 45 minutes to an hour.  I do a mix of free weights, core workout and some cardio too.

An example of my workouts now.

My apple watch is a huge help by holding me accountable for moving every day. I’ve talked about my Apple watch in this post here. There’s no better feeling than closing your rings, especially when you are on a streak. Every day, I aim to stand for 12 hours (I typically exceed that), workout for 30 minutes a day (again, I typically hit between 45-60 minutes) and then burn 590 calories a day (I typically hit 600 daily). 

A look at some of my Apple Watch stats. This is from a day I filled in on a morning shift (hence being up for 22 hours)

Another example of my Apple Watch stats. I got a lot of walks in this day.

Besides going to the gym five days a week, I try to get in a long walk or two during the week, these often happen on my weekend (Thursday and Friday) or during the weekend. It’s easy to get in a long walk in the summer and fall, but tricker in the winter. Even when it’s cold, I remind myself, I will feel better after getting some movement in.

Taking walks is always a great stress reliever.
No matter the season, walks are always a good idea

On weekends, I don’t always have time for a long workout or walk, so any movement is good movement for me. I will sometimes do stretching or yoga, or a quick walk, just to get my body moving. On busier days, my goals shift from getting a long or intense workout to just moving and being active or even just closing my rings on my apple watch, haha!

Your fitness journey doesn’t have to be spending two hours in a gym every day or running five miles. I am not a runner; I wish I was but I’m not. But if you want to go on a three-mile walk, I’m game! 

Nothing better than getting in some movement.

Working out doesn’t have to be a competition or a race, what matters is doing what works best for you and feeling good about moving. When I’m feeling overwhelmed or stressed, taking walk to clear my mind or lifting at the gym to start the day, always makes me feel better and it helps me reset. 

Another great day with a long walk and good workout.

It can be hard to get motivated to workout especially when the weather is changing, but even if you carve out a few minutes to do something to move and for you, you may be surprised how good you feel.

Like I said at the beginning, I’m not a health or fitness expert, so I’m just sharing what works for me. I hope this post encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and move a bit today too!

Have a great week!

Categories
Currently

Currently #21

Hey hey guys! Happy final week of September! Anyone else feel like we just celebrated Labor Day??

This month feels like a whirlwind, from wrapping up summer fun to starting the fall season. This month was packed full with lots of fun and memories. Here’s a look back on September with Currently.

What I’m up to:  Lots of fall walks! I am trying to soak up as much time outside as possible. From walks at the Peninsula, to walks in the woods or just in my backyard.

Finishing summer with summer walks.

I finished summer with a traditional baseball game.

Ending summer at a baseball game.

I’ve also made headway in my fall bucket list! l already went to a pumpkin patch and I’m making headway in some scary stories and fall walks too. Besides work and family time, my hobbies have been keeping me busy.

I already went to a pumpkin patch this year.

What I’m wearing: The weather has made it hard to find outfits this season. Sometimes I can get away with short sleeves, other times, its long sleeves and pants. I have a fall roundup of work clothes coming soon! I am starting to break out my leggings when I’m at home on days off or when I come home from work. I found a great pair from Gap, they are super long lasting and are thick too. I also like that they are high-waisted too!

What I’m reading: I finished reading “The People You Meet on Vacation” and I absolutely loved it! From the characters, the plot and the way it was told. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend it!

My little buddy reading with me.

I’m also currently reading “The Silent Patient”. My friend Maddie recommended it to me and I have loved it! I’ve never been a fan of thrillers or dark mysteries but I’m hooked on it. What are some books you are loving?!

What I’m Watching: I finished watching season 2 of Modern Love. I really loved the first season and I thought the second one was good, but I really loved the first one. Based on popularity I started to watch Community. I really love the characters and how its only 30 minute episodes. I also can’t wait for my shows to return on tv!! Shows returning in the fall is a big favorite for me!

What I’m Loving: As we are making our way through fall, I’m all about staying in more, less time traveling and more quality time unwinding after work or spending time with family. I’m loving cozy nights in and building time in my schedule for the things I love including reading or shows or even going for walks or coffee with friends. 

I’ve been spending a lot of time baking.
And cooking too!

What Inspires Me: For the longest time I was putting off the start of fall. I wanted to hold onto summer for as long as I could. I enjoyed a boat ride with co-workers and I enjoyed a flower festival with my mom too!

But now that fall is here, I’m embracing it!! From seeing the leaves fall to lighting warm scents and candles to seeing pumpkins and hay and apples in displays in stores and at different farmer’s markets. 

Boat rides with co-workers!
And summer flower festivals too!

What I accomplished: As far as accomplishments go, I’ve been keeping busy at work between some projects and just the daily work. I’ve been making time for meaningful time with family too. I got busy in the summer visiting friends, but now that things have quieted down a but I’m liking a quieter lifestyle. I even started finding old hobbies fun again, like word searches. I loved them as a child and I’m found my love for them again!

I feel like a kid again with a word search!

Goals Accomplished from Last Month I really soaked up the end of summer and the warm weather by going on walks and enjoying some tasty ice cream, say it with me, ice cream makes everything better. Now, that summer is officially behind us, it’s full on fall mode. 

Big pumpkins are getting me ready for fall!

Goals for the New Month: Besides working, my goal for the next month is to accomplish as many things as possible on my fall bucket list! I love my lists and I look forward to crossing more things off and making memories.

My Fall Bucket List

That’s a look into my life this past month, all about the changing of seasons and getting ready for a new season. What are you looking forward this next month? What was a highlight from your past month?