Yes, I tested these at my desk.  And yes, I checked to see if anyone was looking before I figured out what nostril I breathe out of (just watch the video and you'll understand).

BODY-BRAIN TEST :

XODanielle

Well what Us Magazine first pointed out in this GIF is that Taylor Swift watches The Biebs plant a one on Selena's cheek and she responds with sticking her tongue out in a "yuck!" expression. 

BUT, after watching this GIF WAY too many times... I noticed something.  Keep your eye on Bieber.  He clearly goes in for a full-on kiss on the mouth, then Selena pulls the 'ole turn-my-head-JUST-at-the-last-second-because-I'm-not-100%-sure-I-want-to-kiss-you-in-public-yet move.  Classic.  Bieber is left doing an awkward head bobbin' wave thing and gives Selener a super G-rated kiss on the cheek.  Hmmmmm.

What does this MEAN Jelena fans!? 

Either way, seeing that the Biebs was rejected publicly TWICE at the Billboard Awards last night makes me giggle a bit.

XODanielle

TONIGHT I'll be hosting at Trinity and broacasting LIVE with DJ Phase for a special Club KISS! Trinity welcomes JAYCEEOH from VH-1's Master of the Mix as a guest DJ TONIGHT only!

To make it even more fun, make sure to get there between 8PM-10PM for AWESOME HOUR(s) with NO COVER & $1 WELL DRINKS!

Text your first and last name to 41061 to get on the guest list for an epic Club KISS!

So ladies, put on your finest mini and highest heels (gentlemen, you'll want to look sharp, too) and I'll see you TONIGHT!!

XODanielle

37 days and counting.

I can’t believe it’s coming up SO quickly!   June 22^nd, I’ll be running in my first half marathon and I couldn’t be more excited… or nervous!  In 37 days I’ll be running 13.1 miles… the farthest I have ever ran. By far my hardest workout ever.  Running has been my number one weakness… between injuries, sports induced asthma, etc., running has been something I have never felt “good” at.  And running long distance has essentially been my worst nightmare.

So, when I got the chance to have Brooks Running send me to participate in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon, I jumped at the chance.  Why?  Because I want to crush my weaknesses this year (sounds cheezy, but I am serious!).  Once I signed up for the RNR half, I was fully committed.  I started with a diet turn-around with the Whole Life Challenge, and for the last few weeks, I’ve been busting my butt at the gym non-stop.

Training has been intense, exhausting, rewarding, and fun.  In order to get ready for the half marathon, I am following the CrossFit Endurance program, a series of workouts specifically designed for a major athletic event.  Coach Scott (owner of StoneWay CrossFit) is guiding me through the process.  I started with my “official” training April 15^th, 10-weeks before the big event, so I am half way through week 5 at this point (CRAZY!). The CrossFit Endurance program includes 4-5 CrossFit Workouts each week (I’ve been doing 4, upping it to 5 this week), and 3 endurance workouts each week.  The first endurance workout each week includes sprint repeats for time, the second is a series of longer sprints for time, and the third is a distance run (1 mile repeats with rest in between, 5K, 10K, two 5K with 10 minute rest…). On top of it all, I have to include 2 full rest days each week.  Needless to say, my weeks have been pretty busy recently

What is really cool is to see how my body is reacting to so much working out.  My WOD (workout of the day) times are improving, my endurance is getting much better, my lifts are cleaner and heavier, and I am starting challenge myself more in the gym.  It’s awesome!

But… About a week ago I experienced my first set back.  Shin splints. At least… I am praying its shin splints and not something worse.  During my workouts a little over a week ago, I started getting severe lower leg pain that flared up when I ran - in BOTH legs, in the same spot - especially when I was done with my workouts.  It came to a peak while I was out on a 5K run through my neighborhood… the pain was so bad that I couldn’t even walk.  I had to sit down on the curb for a few minutes, then use a tree to pull myself off the ground.  I hobbled home in immense pain, feeling pretty discouraged.  I started icing after every workout, and Scott has put me on a no-running regimen for the next few days.  Instead of running, I’ve been rowing.  I won't let these shine splints hinder my progress, though. This week I am heading to a local shoe store to get some serious running shoes – I’ve been told by a bunch of people that the fact that I am running on shoes I’ve had for 5+ years could definitely play a part in my injury.  So, we’ll see if that helps.  Between new shoes, icing post workouts, epsom salt baths, using a lacrosse ball to massage the painful spots, and lots of stretching... I hope my legs are healing.

For now, I am rowing along, actually enjoying being in the gym so much.  I just hope these nasty shin splints go away ASAP!  For the first time in my life, I can say that I am sad I can’t get out there and run right now (WHAT!?).

4 and a half weeks to go.  Thirty-seven days.  I CAN DO THIS!

Are you running the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half?!  Got any tips for shin splints?  Any running shoes you love?  Let me know on twitter @BonjourDanielle!

XODanielle

WOW.  Time has flown by!  During the last week of the Whole Life Challenge I was in Las Vegas for our family vacation (check out my video HERE) which I thought would totally derail my progress.  Still, I managed to come out on top with the WLC at the CrossFit gym I go to!

The WLC was 55 days of tough dedication for me, and it totally paid off.  (If you need a refresher about what the heck the WLC is… it is a 55-day commitment to following their nutrition guidelines, taking a supplement every day, doing at least 10 minutes of stretching each day, at least 10 minutes of active recovery every day, and completing the lifestyle category – drinking half your body weight in ounces of water every day, intentional acts of kindness, mindfulness, etc. – daily.  You’re awarded points for completing every category each day and logging your progress online).  The accountability of recording my points daily was HUGE for me – I am sure that it is what helped ensure my success. (photo below from the finale workout!)

When I first started the challenge, I would look at a cookie or a bowl of ice cream and
think, “MAN that looks good.  But if I eat it, I lose a point.  Is it worth it?”  It was a matter of winning the points to me in the first few weeks.  But by the end of the 55 days, I’d see a dessert and think, “well, I have a tough workout tonight, and I want to do well.  Plus that ice cream will make my stomach hurt… not worth it!”  My body has totally adjusted to a lower sugar and dairy intake, so eating it makes me not feel so good.  Now I stray away from things that are bad for me… because I know they’re bad for me!  It’s not worth it in the end (Ok… sometimes I have those days when I just NEED a cookie, but you know what I mean  ).

On the first day of the challenge (Feb. 16) we did a benchmark workout.  800m run, 50 sit ups, 75 squats, 100 pushups, and as many burpees as you can complete in 11 minutes.  Your score was how many reps combined you  completed in the 11 minutes.  In February, my score was 135.  I only got through 10 of the pushups and was absolutely beat – like borderline embarrassed type of beat.  My goal for the end of the challenge was to just do better than I did the first time.  I wanted to learn about myself, what I eat, how it makes me feel, and how I can treat myself better.  And I just wanted a better score on day 55!  Well, on the last day of the challenge (April 13), we re-did the benchmark workout, and I scored 189. I did 54 more pushups than I was able to do the first time.  That is a huge improvement!!

On top of that, I did well in the other categories, too.  I lost 5 inches (2 off my waist and 3 off my hips!), and lost about 12 pounds (!!).  HOLY WOW!  I really didn’t think I would see so much overall improvement in my tiny 5’ 1” frame in 55 days.  I am SO glad I took part in this challenge.

The Whole Life Challenge has really set me up for my ½ Marathon Training, which really has geared up this week.  I’m keeping up with (about 90% of) the nutrition aspect of the WLC, and working out 5 days, 8 times a week doing the CrossFit Endurance program with the guidance of Scott, owner of StoneWay CrossFit.  64 days from now, I’ll be running my first half marathon, the longest distance I’ve ever ran, and I cannot wait!  I know that I’ll be prepared for this one.  Running has always been difficult for me – having sports induced asthma means that if I’m not conditioned enough, I can have an asthma attack pretty easily.  But, I kicked my inhaler to the curb a few years ago after starting CrossFit, and am confident that I’ll be able to get through this huge accomplishment without it.  Can’t wait to do the Seattle Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon!!

So… you running in the Rock ‘n’ Roll this year?  Let me know!  I’d love to cheer you on as you train!!  Let me know if you’re running a race this summer on twitter @BonjourDanielle.  AND, make sure to check out the Whole Life Challenge website, I know they'll be doing another challenge eventually, and I'd love to do one with you!

Of course, my blogging about the Marathon isn't stopping here!  I'll let you know about products I try, workouts that are killer, and tons of other things.  Check out my previous blog posts about the WLC below!

WLC Week 1: WLC Explained... Etc!

WLC Week 2: Radiothon and Banana "Ice Cream" ONE ingredient recipe!

WLC Week 3: I discovered Juicing. Omg.

WLC Week 4: BBQ Pulled Pork Recipe!

WLC Week 6: Perfect At-Home Workout!

RECIPE: Slow Cooker Korean Short Ribs AND Yam Fries!

"Why The HECK would you volunteer for this?" and a movie recommendation!

XODanielle