Its a Giveaway, 3 yes 3 giveaways!!

Lets end this year with some free stuff!!

I am working with Sassy Creations and Punkeelove Headbands to giveaway prizes just for fun!

 We have the  Highheels and Pink shoelaces t-shirt.


A beautiful floral headband from Punkeelove Headbands, to hold your hair in place when running or just out and about.

Bath Bombs from Sassy creations, to soothe those aching muscles, or just relaxing in the tub.With many fragrances to choose from, and they will be giving away 3 in the fragrance you choose.

For your chance to win click on these 3 links, like their page and let them know Higheels sent you, and how you heard about them.

High heels and Pink shoelaces

Punkeelove Headbands

Sassy Creations

 

The winners will be choosen on New years Day at 5:00 P.M

 

Good Luck!!

 

"2012" Coming to an end!!

Soon "2013 will be knocking on the door.

How do I feel about leaving "2012 behind??
I've had some goods, and some not so goods.

I will start with the positive, my husband and I had a wonderful trip in Costa Rica in March.

I am for sure going there again!!

After coming home to unpack, we repacked and took the family to San Francisco for a 5 day trip. Sight seeing, eating shopping, running on the wharf.
And of course we can't forget those insanely steep hills, great workout by the way.
Also good was al the Cross Country meets, tennis meets, and track meets, watching the boys.

The not so good and I will not miss you 2012 are, my oldest son with Type 1 Diabetes was admitted to the emergency room twice.
The second time we almost lost him, he had bleeding on the brain and his body went through Ketoacidosis,
I pray we go through this next year without any serious hospital stays.
On a lighter not good note, I only participated in 2 races.
1 5k here in town, and a 10k for the Women's Rock in the twin cities

This next year I vow to improve upon my running, get more weekly miles in.
Register and run more races, just to make me stay in shape and focused.
I also want to incorporate more organic food into my diet, I do pretty good now, but there's always room to improve.
This is also the year I ant to learn how to downhill ski, for some reason I have a hard time with it. And darn it anyway, I am going to get it.
I will have my First College graduate this Spring, I will be in Chicago ( Jan. ) for my 1st time, Arizona for golf in March, and I'm sure many more good things to come.

I wish you all a very Blessed "2013"

What is it you want to improve upon in the New year??

My favorite exercise items.

We all have our favorite things when working out, and I wanted to share with you what mine our.
I run / workout at least 6 days a week, and I have a few things I have to have.

I love to run with my Ipod nano, not only to listen to music while I run, but it also has the Nike app installed right in it to track your mileage, and time. And the size is just perfect, I had the mini but that one was a bit too small, the 7th generation is perfect for me.

Then we have the shoe, my favorite running shoe is the +Saucony 
I do run in Asics also, but the Saucony is at the top of my list.
I have never had any problems with shin pain or in the arches.

I also love Hind gear for running, soft and comfortable, and light.

And of course floor mats to do my floor workouts, sit ups, push ups, planks and stretching. Gotta have floor mats!

And I can't forget the weights, have to keep these bones nice and strong. Besides the bicep and triceps curls, I add them to my squats and crunches.
These items are a part of my everyday workout, I have others but these are the must haves.

Do you have items that you couldn't do without??

The 21 day Squat Challenge!!

Lets get squatting.

 

If we want to see great results, we need to squat every single day. The more you do the better you will get, we are all at different fitness levels so the number of squats you do will be done at your own level. But make sure you do step out of that comfort zone, push past what feels comfortable.
That is the way to a better booty!!

1. Pick front squats, back squats or both.

2. Add weights to your squats at least every other day.

3. Increase your number of squats everyday.

I would like to hear from you and how you are doing, and let me know if you have any questions.
We should all be able to see and feel a big difference at the end of 21 days
The good thing about squatting is you can do it anywhere, while on the phone, waiting for the kids in school, or while watching television.

The day after Christmas......

And all through the house.

Its the day after Christmas, back to work for some, relaxing time for others.
But for one family member, one of my boys......he had all 4 wisdom teeth pulled this A.M.
Not the best way to be enjoying his last few days of college break.
We had a wonderful Christmas holiday, Mass on Christmas Eve, back at the house for family time and dinner. Along with gift opening, and lots of laughs, and enjoying my new kitty cat Zuzu.

Christmas day we had a wonderful dinner, more family over from Minnesota and plenty of conversation.

Today is quiet, house cleaned and my son resting from the dentist ordeal. The holidays go so fast, we have one week left of vacation and I will do all I can to slow it down.
I hope you all had a beautiful Christmas, and had all your wishes come true!

High Heels and Pink Shoelaces: My son will be a guest writer on my Blog!!

High Heels and Pink Shoelaces: My son will be a guest writer on my Blog!!: I am so excited!! I was not going to write today because its Christmas Eve, you know.... family time. I have my boys home from college fo...

My son will be a guest writer on my Blog!!

I am so excited!!

I was not going to write today because its Christmas Eve, you know.... family time.
I have my boys home from college for the holidays, which is wonderful in itself.
While having breakfast with my middle son we were chatting away about this and that, and we got to talking about my fitness page and Blog, and he was very interested
Being he is a professional runner, ( I can say that because I'm mom) I thought he could add so much more expertise to my blog.
He has been running since the 7th grade and he is now a Sr. in college.

Brian will add more tips on running techniques, running in cold weather and how to improve on running time and distance.

Along with eating, what to eat before and after a run.
I am looking forward to welcoming him here to this community.

Please let me know what you think, I could really use some feedback on this as it is a new idea for me.

High Heels and Pink Shoelaces: Boxing.....a great workout.

High Heels and Pink Shoelaces: Boxing.....a great workout.: I love to box. I am not talking in the ring against another boxer, which I am sure is also very accelerating... I really don't want to get...

Boxing.....a great workout.

I love to box.

I am not talking in the ring against another boxer, which I am sure is also very accelerating... I really don't want to get my nose broken again.
I am talking shadow boxing, sparing and the heavy bag.

It may not seem like it but shadow boxing can be a great sweaty workout, and I am adding a video to give you an idea on what to do. Thank you @Everlast
All of these workouts can be done in your own home without much equipment, a pair of gloves and a heavy bag.

You will need a secure and strong area (ceiling) to hang your heavy bag, and space around it for movement.
No...it doesn't have to be pink, its just that pink is my favorite color.
Like my gym to look pretty when working out, Why not??
Just punching at the heavy bag for a total of 5 minutes is an intense sweat session. Nothing like being able to work out your aggression, and release stress all while getting a great calorie/fat burning workout.
So....if you haven't tried it, I recommend it.
Who says a girl can't punch!
I hope you enjoy it as much as me :)

High Heels and Pink Shoelaces: Fast food eaters and my Big mouth

High Heels and Pink Shoelaces: Fast food eaters and my Big mouth: Some people don't want to hear it! Yes!! People still eat Fast food, and not only do they eat it....they Love it. Its not my duty to inform...

Fast food eaters and my Big mouth

Some people don't want to hear it!
Yes!! People still eat Fast food, and not only do they eat it....they Love it. Its not my duty to inform everyone on the lack of nutrition and ( meat ) in the food, but for some godforsaken reason I have taken it upon myself to educate anyone who I talk to about it.
Today was my husbands 25th Anniversary at his office, the staff had a luncheon for him, and the conversation got to be talking about food, eating Twinkies(may they RIP ) Little Debbie's and......Fast food. As I start in with my 2 cents, I feel my husbands eyes on me ( because he knows I am a lunatic ) everyone seems shocked to think they are not eating 100 % real food, Really!!

There are still people (adults) that think having these burgers is like having one made at home.

And they are still buying their children the Happy meals, are we just trying not to listen to all the information we now have on these restaurants.
We are a nation growing by the minute, and I don't mean population, obesity is an epidemic here and it is a disease we can handle with a little knowledge, self control and healthy lifestyle.

My page and Blog are geared towards health/fitness, it is something I am very passionate about. I know for a fact it is something people don't want to hear because when I had ( just )my personal F.B page and wrote about health, exercise and nutrition I lost friends. Now having a fitness page, it is wonderful to know my followers are with me because of that.
But not the public, I believe I need to learn to know my place. I don't want to offend others, but I truly feel I am helping.
I want us all to have a healthier life, raise healthy happy children, have the energy we need to play and have fun with the family.
And number 1....ward off disease not feed it.
I will try to get better, maybe it will be my New years resolution.
To educate those about nutrition only if asked.

Running Indoors

Running on the treadmill/

Alright, I know some of you runners hate the dreaded mill, it would be your last resort to getting in your run.

I have so much trouble during this time of year taking my run outdoors, I live in Wisconsin so from Oct. till April it will either be cold, brrr,  or Icy sidewalks and roads. I know there are some dedicated runners out there ( my son being one of them ) that will brave what ever is out there to get it done outdoors. Don't get me wrong, I Love to run outside, the fresh air, the beauty of Mother nature, letting thoughts just flow through my head. But I worry about falling, and all the folks out there who do not shovel their walks. it can get quite treacherous.
With my beloved treadmill, its warm, I don't have to dress in layers, I can watch a great movie, I can put it at an incline so I can get my hills in.

I know I run faster outside, but it does take awhile for my bones/body to warm up. 
To have this option in my own home is a godsend.
I have no excuses, if its raining, sleeting, snowing..... I will still run.
The treadmill will always be there for me, like a trusted friend.

FIVE REASONS TO LOVE RUNNING INDOORS

1 Its a great way to get in a tempo run on a cold icy morning.
2 Get your legs used to running hills.
3 Don't have to worry about getting your run in before you lose daylight.
4 Less layers of close to wear. ( Less laundry )
5 You feel less guilty watching shows no one else wants to watch. The Real Housewives, I know.....but I still watch it.

Day of Prayer

High Heels and Pink Shoelaces: Fitting In Fitness

High Heels and Pink Shoelaces: Fitting In Fitness: We are so busy this time of year, with the holidays coming along comes craziness!! Fitting in fitness can at times seem unimportant, when t...

Fitting In Fitness

We are so busy this time of year, with the holidays coming along comes craziness!!
Fitting in fitness can at times seem unimportant, when this is actually the most important time to stay on track.
I am having a hard time keeping my everyday exercise routine going, so much that I am doing during the day, that when the end of the day comes along the last thing I want to do is hit the gym.
I know it is needed, to stay relaxed, feel better, have more energy, and if needed....work out frustration.

So my tips for keeping the fitness routine on track is.
1/  Schedule it into your day, mornings are best.
2/  Keep a journal, write it down

3/  Find a workout buddy, you are more apt to stick with it if you have someone depending on you to show up.

With all the calories that will be tempting us, we need to try to keep burning calories.

Are you making sure your day includes a workout??

Honey....are you stressed?

Am I stressed.......I don't think so.
Can we be stressed and not know it ourselves??
I haven't been sleeping well, lately waking up each night around
3:00 a.m. I have no idea why.
My husband asks me, are you stressed??
No, why would I be, everything is going great. I feel I am on schedule for this Christmas Season, no complaints.

But......I am hosting my family Christmas party this year, and as much as I try to stay relaxed and realize its all going to be fine my body reacts otherwise.

I try to make everything go just right, the house set and decorated, the outside looking festive, the menu right for all tastes, and outdoor activities planned for everyone to have fun.
I do have a very big family, and help from all my sister's, I know its going to be fine.
And if its not perfect....who cares. We are all together, eating good food, sledding, skating, reminiscing, that's what is important.
So honey....I don't think I'm stressed, I am excited!!

If I can offer any advice about getting through the holidays without stress,it would be:
1  Keep it simple
2  Remember what's most important
3  Have everyone help/ pitch in
4  Have fun, laugh, be merry!!
Peace~~~~ Love~~~~Happiness!

Snow day and 15 inches of snow!!

Its a snow day!!

That's what we get when we have almost 15 inches of snow in one day, its absolutely Beautiful outside.

It is going to be a White Christmas, not worried about that anymore.
I still love snow days, just like it was when I was back in school and couldn't wait for the radio to say St.Paul, public and Parochial schools closed. It was so exciting to know you have that free day to go out and play in the snow, or when you were a teenager....go back to bed.
Today my boys and I will finish up some shoveling, my husband got all the plowing done but we got sidewalks and decks to do.

Finish some Christmas décor, wrap some gifts, listen to Christmas tunes, maybe even get in a Christmas movie.
Streets are not yet plowed, so I don't have to worry about going anywhere....I can't.
Today will be pretty laid back, and relaxing.

Think about the coming season, try not to take on too much so we can enjoy the Holidays with family.
Its getting closer, and there is still so much to do, baking, shopping, wrapping and a family Christmas party to plan.
Enjoy your loved ones, hug, kiss and laugh often.
Life is so Wonderful, never forget to Live it.....truly Live it!!

True Love....Forever!!

Love through the years......

I had to write on this topic today because I saw the most touching moment, and it just made me stop to think.
About Love, marriage and togetherness.

I am at home in my kitchen doing dishes, looking out my window I see the most touching scene.
Down the block (yes I can see that far) I see an older couple come out their front door, coats and gloves on, ( it is WI ) and I'm thinking they are going into their car or maybe a walk.
They walk hand in hand down to the mailbox, check the mail, walk hand in hand back to the front door......and in they go.
Awe, it was so very touching to me, to put on coats, shoes, gloves to go to the mailbox as a couple.

It makes me think.....it is the little things that matter most. I have been married 26 years, and I still feel it is so fresh and new.
I love being in love, I want to grow old together with my honey, I want to be like the couple I saw today.

When we first got married, so young ( 21 ) being married for 26 years would have seemed amazing, now I see it as a wonderful life.
We have 3 beautiful boys, we enjoy being together, we always say I love you when saying goodbye, we miss each other very much when apart.
We are a team, we won't give up, if its broke we fix it.....which also applies to marriage.
I want us to be great role models for our children, marry when they are truly in love, a woman they cannot live without.
Love makes the world so much better, worth living, you can get through anything together. It takes a lot of understanding, patience, giving, and I'm sorry's.....but it is so worth it.
I hope you don't find this too sappy, it is the holiday season and it always makes me feel so Blessed. Being in this kind of love makes me feel like I have it all, and I think I do.

I want to grow old together, I want to hold hands when we check the mail, I want God to grant us many years to be together.
Always kiss goodnight, and say I love you!!

Addicted to exercise

Who doesn't love a great sweaty workout!

Today I got to thinking, wow am I really addicted to exercise?
I'm not happy if I miss a day, it became part of my life, it is my Lifestyle. And I absolutely love it.
And its not just me, to see the changes that happen to your body through strength training, running, boxing and some Yoga when I can fit it in....which I know I need to do more, my body needs the flexability. Its almost a feeling of euphoria, the high you get from endorphins feel so good in the healthiest way.
Working out makes you want to make better food choices, look at life in a whole new way. You want to get out and live, live life to the fullest.
Your body becomes so much stronger, you run farther, longer, more pushups, more sit ups, you use heavier weights.
I want to enter more races this year, I am ready to push myself further.

You are in control of shaping a new you, you have to start somewhere.....just start.
Everyone has their own finish line, your journey is not a competition. Make your journey a new and healthy lifestyle, a way you choose to live your life, and stick with it.

I am loving life to the fullest, and I only want to get better!!

ITS A ONE OF A KIND T-SHIRT!

Its a High heels and Pink shoelaces t-shirt giveaway!

Who wants to be the first person ( besides myself) to own a awesome one of a kind High heels and Pink Shoelaces
t-shirt along with pink shoelaces.

 

 

All you have to do to enter and win these super prizes is:

 

1. Like Highheelsandpinkshoelaces by clicking here

Tell me your plans on staying healthy and fit throughout the next year.

 

2. Follow me on Twitter by clicking here

 

On Friday I will do a random pick and post on my Facebook fitness page and let you know who the fabulous winner is.

 

 

More Giveaways

Today was day 2 out of the 5 day giveaways, make sure to stay tuned for the rest of the week for more healthy awesome prizes.
All these terrific gifts are offered by Sweat Pink Ambassadors and Fitfluential.

Tomorrow morning will be my giveaway, and I'm not telling what it is. So keep coming back and checking on what we have to bring a little Holly Jolly to your day!!

Christmas Decorating

Christmas Decorating,

Christmas decorating around my house takes about 2 weeks to finish everything, house and front/back yard.

My husband does all the outdoor decorating, while I and which ever son may be around will do the inside.
Yesterday I had my oldest son and my youngest around to help decorate the tree, and around the house work.

While putting on the ornaments, which I keep all their handmade from years ago in a special box, just made me realize how grown up they are. I get a bit emotional when
I think about not having them here with me ( forever )
Christmas is always a wonderful time, having them all here.

While decorating yesterday, we reminisced about days gone by, like when my youngest tried to put an ornament on too high for him to reach, and down came the tree right on top of him. I remember coming into the room where the 3 boys were and saying....where's Peter, and they say under the tree. Not too funny at the time, but a funny memory now. :)
I cherish each and every memory I have, and hope for many many more to come.

The tree was decorated a little different then I would have done yesterday, many ornaments too close together, crowding of others, but I didn't change a thing. It means more that they helped and had a great time, than it does about looking perfect.
Oh' how I love this time of year!!

I am Blessed.

High Heels and Pink Shoelaces: FITTING IN FITNESS

High Heels and Pink Shoelaces: FITTING IN FITNESS: FITTING IN FITNESS Now that the holiday season is starting to get busy, it is gettng harder and harder to find time for fitness. I am one...

FITTING IN FITNESS

FITTING IN FITNESS

Now that the holiday season is starting to get busy, it is gettng harder and harder to find time for fitness. I am one to stress the importance to make time to exercise, but at times like this it is hard.

I did my 100 mile challenge and just eeked out the 100, with a day to go. Woo-hoo!!

But now the hard times begin, Christmas decorating, which I love!!
Baking...not my favorite, but hey someone has to do it.
Shopping, another LOVE, and I look forward to al lthe lights,music
and the store decorating.
I may get so wrapped up in it all, that What....I didn't get my run in.
Doesn't help that it gets dark out at 4:30, if I go with my husband fine, but I wil not run in the dark alone....I just won't!

I have a gym at home, so I really have no excuse.
I set up challenges for myself, and invite others on my facebook  fitness page to join in. Helps hold me accountable, and make sure I get it done.

Also, knowing there will be more goodies around, cocktails and such, I need to keep buriing those calories.
Mission: No weight gain during the holidays!!

Not only will the exercise make me feel less stressed, but it will keep me in a good mood and happy.
As the saying goes, If Mama's not happy, no ones happy. :)

I will be in the gym, it is after all my feel good place.

                    #THE END OF THE YEAR 2012

I know we still have a month or more to go before reflecting on the year 2012, but it just got me to think on how much we did in this one year.
My husband and I took a trip to Costa Rica, where I was able to mark off a couple of my buckle list to do's

Such as Deep sea fishing....well more my husbands than mine, but hey I did it I can mark it down.

Also we ziplined through the tree tops of Costa Rica, yes I was terrified until I did it, it was amazing!!

Along with hiking, dining,seeing monkeys and Iguana's off our balcony, it was an exciting trip.
Oh" I wish we were back there, especially since now the weather is cold, snow on the ground and ice on the lake.
But as much as I may complain about WI weather, I wouldn't leave it for the world.

I do miss you Costa Rica, and I will be back!!

 

#OVERCOMING STRESS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

My blog today touches on what we/or most of us go through during the holiday season.
We stress about Everything, are the decorations just perfect, do all the lights work...which ,if your we know for some reason they never do. What happens to lights when we put them away, they work just fine when we put them away all nice and tidy. And not only do a few of them(usually a few per strand) don't work, but somehow now they mated and are in a matted ball.
Oh' how I love to untangle lights. (not)
Stress free method, toss and buy. You know you will end up doing it anyway, so save the time and energy for something else.
Then we have the party plans, dinner menu's and gifts to buy.
We sometimes have to say no, if I really don't have the time to attend the party I need to say no, saying no later will stress me out becasue..now I have to think of an excuse.

Dinner menu, unless you are a gourmet chef no one expects perfection, do your best and do what you know. If you are planning on serving something new, try it out ahead of time.

Gifts, sometimes this is the most stressful, who do you buy for, what if someone buys for you and you don't have a gift in return. Well I always keep a few gifts on hand for this very situation, beauty and bath gifts/ and liquor gifts, you know for the men.
Kids are different, Christmas is for them so keep it special and include them in the giving.

Include the family on the house decorating, make it fun, holiday music, snacks and hot cocoa.
Now keep it simple, laugh, Love and be merry.

With the cold weather arriving, I had to share with you these nifty
headphones. Not only are they super cozy and warm, but the sound that comes out of it is awesome.