It’s almost Friday!!!! For me that’s exceptionally awesome because I don’t work Fridays, so my weekend starts tomorrow! Which is necessary because I have done zero Christmas shopping/ gift making, and I need to get on that! Goal: 50% of Christmas shopping and gift making done at least, this weekend. Decorating goal: 100% done by tomorrow!
Breakfast this morning was quick and easy. Stove top oats (1/3 cup) with rice milk and water, topped with pumpkin butter and hemp seeds.
I need to break out the pumpkin again. Nothing beats my pumpkin oats!
Confession: I have been majorly struggling to workout lately. I’ve been really tired and achy this week, and I have to fight myself every day to do something. But good news – I’ve done something everyday besides Tuesday! I think the most important thing to remember is that despite my exhaustion before exercise, I always get more energy after! Today’s workout was on the shorter side, but that’s because it’s a clinic day at work (so I’ll be on my feet at least 7 hours tonight, setting up the clinic including admin and provider stations, lots of stairs, etc.).
- 15 minutes of intervals on the stair master (I was going to do 30 but it kinda…uh…broke. It wasn’t my fault, I swear!!)
- arm curl/ biceps – 40 lbs, 3×10
- shoulder press – 40 lbs, 3×10
- tricep press – 80 lbs, 3×10
- chest press – 70 lbs, 3×10
- butterfly – 30 lbs, 3×10
- low seated row – 50 lbs, 2×10
- lateral pull down – 60 lbs, 3×10
- stability ball crunches – 100
- reverse crunches – 50
- standing oblique flexions – 20 lbs, 4×25 per side
- planks – 2×60 seconds
It works! Now I’m off to get ready for work! Even though Mondays and Thursdays I work later because they’re clinic days, they’re also awesome because I can just wear jeans, sneakers and a work t-shirt if I want. Plus I love them because clinic days mean a lot of activity and a lot of interaction with others. 
Frugal Holiday Tip #2
If you’re on a budget and can only afford something small, give one gift that can be enjoyed by the whole family. One example is a family game (we love Cranium!) – everyone, all ages can get in on it! Ross and I have already had requests to make sure we bring our Cranium game with us on our Christmas travels! Another example is something Ross did for his family when he was in college. As a college student, his budget was stretched thin, so every year he bought the Christmas tree for his family and brought it home/ set it up/ put on the lights as the gift to his family. It was something everyone enjoyed, and plus the whole family could share an experience as they hung ornaments on the tree together.
Previous Tips:
ooh planks HURT! I wish I could do them for 60 seconds! You’ve inspired me to do some weight training.
I think it is great that you have worked out even though you’ve been feeling crummy. That is a great accomplishment!
Aw man, I haven’t started christmas shopping either. I need to get on that! Have a great day at work
I am loving these frugal tips, keep ‘em coming!
Great tip! This is tough for Chanukah since it is so many nights but my family is at the point where we just give a few really special gifts. It definitely saves money!
That Christmas tree idea is great!
Yeah, I definitely need to get with the Christmas shopping myself!
I’m been slacking with workouts this week too!! But it’s so true … I never regret working out and I always have more energy when I do!
Congrats on the workouts – it is hard to puch through those ‘tired’ times but it sounds like you have done well!
oooh and good luck with the Christmas shopping! I am about halfway done – and will try and finish the rest off this weekend!
What a great idea, Ross! That’s really sweet. Yeah, we have a higher budget but still not enough for each and everyone to get an awesome gift. We’re pretty much giving(if they are married) couple gifts and for the few that aren’t married, they get their own.