Moss Rock Preserve -Hoover, AL

When my dad and step-mom were here, I had to come up with something to entertain them on Friday morning while  B had to work.  I had driven past this place a few times, but never really wanted to stop in.  I had asked around work to see if anyone had been there and knew what to do, but the only information I could gather was that there was some rock climbing there that was pretty scary.

 

Awesome.

 

I don't rock climb.  Whole heights thing and falling; not my thing.  I did very little research on the place, except to find the address so it was quite an adventure just to find somewhere to park and to find the beginning of a path.

 

We went into the parking lot, and hooray!  Three paths to choose from!  We picked door number three, and hiked for about an hour to see a waterfall.  A waterfall that was blocked by a bunch of trees that you would need to be willing to fall off a giant rock to see.

 

Oh well.

 

Good exercise, right?

 

Some pictures from the journey...

 

 

The following Sunday I took B there to do the same hike, but we wanted to hike a little bit more.  We hiked a total of four miles in the heat with no water.  Yeah, we're total bad asses. 

 

Not.

 

It was miserable.

 

Do not hike without water, because if you don't have a map of the trails, you kinda don't know how long you're going to be out there.



My Therapy

I love to run.


There is nothing like it. It is my therapy. It gives me a chance to reflect on the day; it gives me a chance to forgive myself for whatever decisions I made during that day and to process everything I've done. It gives me a chance to calm down if I've had a bad day. It gives me a chance to daydream or to just pump myself up with whatever playlist pops up on the iPod.

I don't know. It's relieves all of my tension, anger, frustration, etc. It's just amazing. I have a goal of running in the Mercedes half-marathon in February. I've been training pretty hard to be able to not just finish, but finish in a respectable time. Guys, that's 13 miles. 13 miles! I mean, who would have that the chunky girl from high school would be running in half-marathons?!

I'm so glad that I discovered the power of exercise. It doesn't just do good for your body; it helps out mentally...seriously.

(via through pinterest)

Things I Love: Jillian Michaels

Unlike most people, my love affair with Jillian didn't start with The Biggest Loser. I was actually looking for a nice way to get toned before my wedding. I didn't want my arms to jiggle during the champagne toast. So, like any bride does, I was perusing through some message boards, and came across some "How to Get Toned for Your BIG day!" articles and how someone mentioned how the 30 Day Shred was incredible for someone who wasn't looking to lose a ton of weight. So boom. That same day I order it from Amazon. I do the work-out and couldn't walk the next day.

I became addicted to her kick ass workouts and no nonsense attitude. I finished the 30 days, and then kept going! I would pick a workout that I wanted to do for that day, and it was always as hard as it was the day before! My arms had never been that toned as they were at the wedding. I had guns!!

I was hooked. I was in love. With Jillian Michaels.

When her book, Making the Cut, came out, I immediately ran to get it. I was so excited that I could have a bod like Jillian, but I read it, and didn't exactly have all the gym equipment necessary or share her affinity for fish. I like seafood, people, but I don't like it every day.

So then, Ripped in 30 came out. Another 30 day program! Hooray!! And this is one is Rough. (yeah, with a capital R....on purpose!). I had to take a brief hiatus this week, because working out when you're sick is not a good idea. But week 2? And crow push-ups? OUCH!!

Yes, Jillian. I want to look like you. Her book Unlimited was released last Tuesday. I ordered it today on Amazon. I CANNOT wait to read it. She really is a role model, and she is so motivating. I absolutely love it when she is in my face (or TV) telling me to Dig, Dig, Dig! Seriously. I am not joking. I looooooove her.

P.S. Jillian - Thank you for my amazing wedding arms. You rock.