Welcome to my new series: Fall Fitness!  If you’ve missed any of the previous posts, check them out!

If you pay close attention to my , you know I enjoy running as my main form of exercise. Unfortunately I hurt my back a few weeks ago and have been unable to do very much physical activity-which has driven both my body and mind NUTS! Also, it’s made me a bit lazy on menu planning since it’s been difficult to move from my heating pad! Sadly, this has led to way too many take out meals. I am pretty much 95% healed so it is time to get back into shape-both physically and financially! I will be writing this series “Fall Fitness” to hold myself accountable and to hopefully gain some team mates in the process (that would be you)! I will share my goals, menu, and tip each week that will hopefully keep us fit thru the fall!

Update from Last Week:

I met all my fitness goals!  I ran a total of four 5ks and then my longer run day was 5.25 miles for a total of 5 runs.  I also did complete three times.  I actually lost 1 pound but my measurements stayed the same.

Fitness Goals for Week 6:

1. I will continue to run 4-5 times since I am registered for the Wicked 10k race in October.  I did well last year but want to crush that time…we’ll see.
2.  I want to complete 3 or 4 .  I really love how I feel when I get a complete hour of workout time in the morning so combining running with this workout is perfect.

Menu Plan for Week 6:

• Monday:  Mexican Monday-This never changes for us-stop by my house on a Monday evening and there will be soft tacos.  This Monday is my husband’s birthday but he insists he still wants tacos.
• Tuesday:  Ground turkey spaghetti
• Wednesday: Leftover night
• Thursday-Saturday  I will be at Savvy Blogging Summit and my husband will have my mom helping with dinner-I don’t have to plan!
• Sunday:  Grilled chicken with balsamic potatoes and peas

Tip of the Week:

Do It Yourself:  Save money by doing things yourself such as making your own , your , and so much more!

Welcome to my new series: Fall Fitness!  If you’ve missed any of the previous posts, check them out!

If you pay close attention to my , you know I enjoy running as my main form of exercise. Unfortunately I hurt my back a few weeks ago and have been unable to do very much physical activity-which has driven both my body and mind NUTS! Also, it’s made me a bit lazy on menu planning since it’s been difficult to move from my heating pad! Sadly, this has led to way too many take out meals. I am pretty much 95% healed so it is time to get back into shape-both physically and financially! I will be writing this series “Fall Fitness” to hold myself accountable and to hopefully gain some team mates in the process (that would be you)! I will share my goals, menu, and tip each week that will hopefully keep us fit thru the fall!

Update from Last week:

Actually last week’s Fall Fitness was a terrific guest post, so this is actually an updated from 2 weeks ago!

I kept up with my fitness goals and actually just finished the last of the 4 workouts in I have lost a total of 5.5 inches and only 1 pound.  Not a huge amount, but my goal was pretty small and muscle does weigh more than fat!  Plus, because my back is still “iffy” during workouts, I modified a lot and used low weights.

Fitness Goals Week 5:

1.  I plan on redoing the program for then next 4 weeks and upping the poundage in weights.  However, instead of 5 times a week, I plan on doing it 3 times.
2.  I plan on running 5-6 days a week for a minimum of 3 miles each time.

Menu Plan Week 5:

• Monday:  Mexican Monday-This never changes for us-stop by my house on a Monday evening and there will be soft tacos.  We’ll be using shredded chicken for this week’s tacos!
• Tuesday:  Baked pork chops with brown rice and broccoli
• Wednesday:  Ground Turkey spaghetti
• Thursday:  Leftover night (soccer practice so needs to be easy)
• Friday: Whole wheat pizza using a store bought crust and adding lots of veggies.
• Saturday:  Husband’s choice
• Sunday:  Chicken & Dumplings

Tip of the Week:

Get an accountability partner in your finances and workout routine.  One of the reasons I decided to blog about my goals is to hold myself accountable for them.  My husband and I are also each other’s partners for our goals.  You can enlist a friend, family member, or coworker to help you.  Tell your partner your goals and ask them to check in with you to ensure you are reaching them.  This doesn’t even have to be someone who lives near to you.  One of my friends that lives 2 hours away has started  an exercise routine and I am her accountability partner.  Every other day I text her and ask “How’s it going?” and she responds with how long she walked for, or used the elliptical for, etc.  You can do this with your finances too.  No on needs to know “all of your business” but tell them you are trying to cut back on eating out, or buying shoes, or whatever your splurges are-and have them call you out if they see you with a Wendy’s bag (or hot new pair of shoes). You get the point-having someone know about your goals can help motivate you to reach them!