and the winner is......

 I'm super excited to have completed my first giveaway!

Roll out the red carpet, we have a winner!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway


Congratulations, Tanya!
Keep an eye out on your email.

 I will be sending you a message to get important information needed to send you your very own Nathan Sports Hydration Belt. (Did you all read that in the game show host voice?)

 Thanks for participating everyone!

Make sure to follow me on Twitter and Facebook for inspiration and fun.

100 Follower Giveaway

Woo Hoo!
Thank you all for helping me get to 100 FaceBook Followers!

I have an awesome first giveaway, thanks to Nathan Sports.
They were kind enough to send me some products to review and giveaway.

Check out the Trail Mix!

"The only bounce-free, easy-access, fully-adjustable, two-bottle belt out there."

I love this belt.  It's great for my waddles (you know, those jog/walk/semi-try-to-runs)  and I love to wear it hiking!  It has a good sized pocket to fit most everything you need on your journey!

Thanks to Nathan Sports, I'm sending one of you lucky ducks a Trail Mix too.
a Rafflecopter giveaway


(This is my first giveaway so if there are any snags, please let me know. I'm doing the best I can)
 

Zzzzzzz. o.O

Oh, sorry.
I was trying to catch up on sleep.

October is seriously kicking me in the rear.  I have a full time job and two part time jobs.  I'm not complaining.  Nope. It's just hard to fight the anvils attached to my eyelids.

I have no time to workout.  I guess you can consider than an excuse, but I seriously sleep any chance I get.  Working close to 80+ hours a week, there is nothing else I'd rather do but sleep.  Wouldn't you?

Here is where my problem lies.

I signed up for 4 virtual races a few months back.  All.In.October.

I have the medals for 2 of 3 already.  The fourth is a group "fun motivational virtual thing".

3 of the 4 are 5k races.

1...which I just realized, is a 10k.

I've never gone farther than an 8k before.  What was I thinking?

Sleep or race?
Sleep or race?  (In my case, race = run/walk...mostly walk/jog...penguin shuffle type thing)

 I don't have much time to get these in, so I guess I better start soon.

Does dreaming about racing count? ;)

Feeling good about yourself is half the battle...

That new haircut.

Those new shoes.

A new outfit.

They make you feel like a million bucks.  They make you stand a little taller (well obviously, if those new shoes are heels).  Your attitude has changed a bit.

Why do we not feel like this all the time?  We all fall into ruts sometimes. 

I hadn't gotten my hair cut in over a year.  I started wearing jeans to work and I lived in sneakers and sweatshirts.  "I'm comfortable this way" I'd say, but on the inside I didn't feel pretty.  Frumpy is the word I used to describe how I felt.  I felt frumpy.  

I decided yesterday I didn't want to live in sneakers anymore.  I can't quite wear heels due to back problems (and let's face it, I'm a klutz) but there are hundreds of cute flat options.  I own a few pair of flats myself so I vowed to not wear sneakers to work anymore.  Well, at my full time job anyway.

I totally revamped my hair last night, thanks to my sister.  She is an awesome hair stylist and had a grand ole time chopping 6 inches off my hair last night! 6!! (Not the greatest photos, but they get the job done)  What a difference. 

BEFORE

 

AFTER

 

This morning when I woke up, I searched my closet for a pair of flats and worked my outfit around my shoes.  I feel 100% better this morning than I have in the past few weeks.   It still isn't perfect because I'm wearing jeans but it's an improvement.

What's even better is I'm ready to take on the day.  I'm ready to make better food decisions, I feel better about myself and I am looking forward to getting a workout in.  (Excuse the bathroom shot! haha)

Starting and staying on a healthy journey is very much a mental game, one which I don't think I will ever understand.  If something small like a haircut or new shoes keeps me ahead of the game, consider it done.

What are some of your small pick-me-ups that help you?

A great support group is essential...

If you have an awesome support group you know what I'm talking about.  Friends, family, loved ones can all be a strong support on your journey.

Sometimes support comes from left field, like from an awesome friend you randomly met on a message board.  This friend happened to start a weight loss blog and introduced you to some more amazingly awesome women.

This friend is Nicole, from Legally Fit.  We met while planning our weddings.  Nicole then introduced me to Crystal of Train Dirty Fitness.  Crystal recruited me to be a Train Dirty Fitness Ambassador.  How cool!  It all just fell into place. 

Do you have goals?  Do you have drive? A positive attitude and the force to keep moving forward?

TDF is the place to be.  "Being overweight is hard. Being fit is hard. Choose your hard."

There are many ups and downs in weight loss land.  Everyone has a different journey but with a great support group like TDF - reaching goals are even more attainable than ever. 

I'm already being challenged by these ladies to better myself but it's a good challenge.  I have a better mindset these days.  I don't look at losing weight to be a chore anymore.  It's become a fun challenge. 

It doesn't matter where you are in your journey.  Beginning, middle, end - TDFers welcome you with open arms.  So what are you waiting for?  Find Train Dirty Fitness on Facebook and Twitter and start your journey with us today!

My journey?  It's only just begun!

 

Who do you run for?

I wanted to post about this great group I belong to.

I Run 4. 

I stumbled upon it while browsing a Facebook group about Virtual Runs.  As soon as I read about it, I knew I had to join.

Run for those who can't.  Swim for those who can't.  Bike for those who can't.  No matter what you do, just MOVE...for those who can't.

I Run 4 was set up by an outstanding gentleman who matches runners up with those with special needs.  You maintain a relationship online, sharing stories, posting photos of your journey.  The rewards are immense. 

I was matched with my buddy after waiting about a month.  The wait list has extended greatly, however, in this case, it's a good thing.   Well worth the wait.

My wonderful buddy, Junior has to face many challenges but he never lets that hold him back.  Junior is enjoying life to the fullest, and loving that I get out there and move for him.  *Waves* Hi, Junior!

Check out the I Run 4 website here to get more information and to get involved.  You won't regret it.


Who do you run for?

Penguin Introduction

Well, hello there.

Thanks for stopping by.

You may know me as the author of The Sassy Penguin blog. Did the Penguin part give it away?  It seems weird, I know.  What the heck do Penguins have to do with crafts and DIY?  Even moreso, what do they have to do with losing weight and getting fit and healthy?

Nothing, but I'm sure you'll remember it.  "Oh Penguins? That reminds me of the blog I read once".

Anyway, I've decided to start a fit blog- mainly to help keep myself accountable.  I've started and stopped weight loss and working out more times than I count.  I'm hoping I can stick with it while documenting my journey, gain some friends and become a positive and motivational role model to others as some have been to me.

So what say you?  Hop on board, I'd love you have you along.

(This whole page is under construction and I am not a Grammar Nazi.  I do make mistakes so please don't criticize too much ;)