Work It Wednesday: Week. 3

Welcome, welcome, welcome to Week 3 of Work It Wednesday!  I started this linky party to keep myself and y'all motivated throughout the summer months.  I can't wait to read your posts too!

Summer comes with lots of grilling out for us!  Luckily my family (parents and brothers and sisters) also like to eat pretty healthily so this was our Father's Day spread. I am smack in the middle of the 24 day challenge so I am being very careful with what I am eating!

1. Watermelon, heirloom tomatoes, basil, and feta

2. Fresh, local shrimp

3. Grilled Chicken

4. Grilled Peaches, honey, and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Ommmmmg.  Eating healthy can be so yummy!

Strawberries and blueberries are a great snack when you are out and about like I was on this day.  I know if I go grocery shopping on an empty tummy that things are going to get ugly real fast :)

This is another favorite snack: Quakers rice cakes, almond butter, and strawberry slices.  Heaven, I tell ya!

Now to the working out part....I love to sweat (which is a good thing because it just plain nasty in Charleston right now.).   My fitbit flex is providing some extra motivation to get moving.  Since I am nursing Smith, it's nice to get out and moving and not feel like I am stuck in the recliner ALL ding dong day!

I have left some hand weights in my garage so as soon as I finish my morning walk with Smith I can sneak in some reps.  I am 5 weeks postpartum so I am still keeping it pretty light and doing mostly body weight exercises like squats, lunges, etc.   Today Emmie joined me.  She loves to do burpees (I know, she's weird) and jog around the garage.

I pretty much wear workout clothes all day long because: 1. That's what fits right now 2. It's summer (yay!)  3.  I like to sneak in small walks/workout sessions whenever I get a chance. 

If you are interested in staying connected with me you can do so through:

instagram:

kking_fit_mommy

myFitnessPal:

queenieking11

An InLinkz Link-up

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Saturday Update

My city was rocked to its very core this week. I really don't have the words to express how hurt, heartbroken, angry we have all felt. I do know I have never seen such beauty come from such an ugly situation. 

Our community is trying so hard to rebuild, but I know it will overcome!

 This artwork was created by a 7 year old Charleston girl.  I have always been a strong believer in art.  Emmie has talked a lot about what happened.  Even if I had tried to protect her from it I couldn't have (radio, television, sporting events, tidbits of conversation).  I may encourage her to draw about her feelings just like this little girl!

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The above is a weekly notepad planner from Little Lovely Leader's Bridget!  I just love the prettiness and simplicity of Bridget's designs!  I actually am using the planner to get my family and all their activities organized for the week!

Speaking of my family and all their activities....

Emmie at cheer camp!

She has been performing everything she has learned for us all week!  What a hoot!

We have also dived in head first to Swim Team.  I grew up swimming, but I seem to have forgotten how long the meets are! Ha!  Nash and Emmie love it so until next month...my evening are being spent as a Swim Mom!

There is Nash ready to swim freestyle!

We can't forget about this 1 month old sweetie!

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Work it Wednesday: Week 2

WELCOME! I hope y'all enjoyed the Work It: Wednesday posts from last week, because I know I sure did!  I cannot even express how thankful I am that we as teachers get this time every year to focus on US! 

I am on Day 8 of the Advocare 24 day Challenge and LOVING the results so far.  I snuck a weigh-in on Day 7 and was down 4 lbs. I really wanted something to help me jumpstart my progress and this challenge is doing just that!  I have tons of energy and am still eating plenty to keep Smith and me happy :)  If you want to learn more about the Challenge you can follow me on Instagram  or email me at advokatieking@gmail.com.  

Smith is exactly a month old today (Holy cow that went quickly) so I felt comfortable adding in hand weights into my daily workouts.  I REALLY love slinging around heavy weights at the gym, but I will wait for my doctor's approval before I start that- ha!

Check out my SweatShop ha! We had just gotten back from our 2 1/2 mile walk and I felt like working out my shoulders.  I did not continue lifting weights throughout my pregnancy like I had intended to do so I am sticking to my 8s and 5s for now!

Remember when I said I am still eating a lot??? Ha! I really am!  I am paying intention to ingredients and tracking everything in My Fitness Pal. 

I also think I am getting a pretty good workout by baby wearing! Ha!  I still have two older children that need lots of attention too. 

And last but not least... I am taking progress pictures. I actually don't *love* this part right now, but I know I will be very thankful for the pictures soon!

And just because I don't want to leave you with a selfie of me (ha!)... here is a picture of Smith "meeting" the Atlantic Ocean for the first time!

I can't wait to read your entries!

An InLinkz Link-up

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*Just Breathe*

When I first started teaching there were...

*No Blogs

*No TPT

*No Pinterest

While I genuinely think that all of these things have made me a better teacher, I think they have their negatives too.  I think that many of us put pressure on ourselves to make everything PERFECT.  I think teachers by nature are perfectionists and when we see photos of other classrooms and teaching materials, we want ours to be just as *good.*  

*I think we owe it to all the people in our lives (families, friends, AND students) to take a break. A BIG Break. Like forget school even exists break.  

OF COURSE I have things on my list (that one that just keeps getting longer and longer), we will never get this summer again. Nash, Emmie, and Smith will never be this age again.

So I think we all deserve a deep breath, lazy days, and time with those we love, because Lord knows the stress will be there in August/September.

As for me?  This is what you will find me doing for the next two months!

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Work it Wednesday: Week 1

Who doesn't love a good Summer Linky Party when we have a few extra minutes.  Who am I kidding?!?! I currently have no extra minutes.... I have a newborn! BUT since I am all about dropping the extra baby lbs. right now, this kind of post is where my head it!

If you follow me on instagram @queenofthefirstgradejungle, first of all you know I post there a whole lot more, because---well it's quicker!  BUT you also know that last January I took on my health and fitness and really transformed my body and my eating habits.  Just about that time we were blessed to find out we were expecting baby number 3! HA! Well anywho here I sit 3 weeks after having Smith, and I am SO ready to get back there!

Since I had a c-section I am having to be careful about how I exert myself so walking is my best friend!  We have this amazing 2 1/2 mile path in our neighborhood that Smith and I dominate once or twice a day.  

******Before anyone gets worried about me.... I feel amazing after this csection.  Seriously y'all I don't even feel like I had surgery.  I am listening to my body (and my doctor), nursing my baby, and taking care of us both!*****

We have taken our walks to the beach a couple of times so far.  We are limited a little by the heat, but Smith LOVES the stroller. 

We also have a great county park here where we are shaded and close to the water.  The whole family loves this path!

I have also learned from last year that I can't survive on coffee, coke, and the occasional adult beverages.  I carry this water bottle with me everywhere and try to drink about a gallon of water a day!

I also LOVE, love, love Spark!  It helps me clear the cobwebs out of my head from middle of the night feedings and general mothering of 3 children!  If you are interested in buying or reading more about Spark, click on the above picture!

I FINALLY bit the bullet and got a Fitbit.  So far- I love it!  So motivating to get my steps in (especially since I spend so much time sitting and feeding the baby).  In fact I will be heading out for another walk this evening!

I also started the 24 day challenge through Advocare today.  I am doing a slightly modified version to make sure everything is safe for baby and me.  After day one, I feel awesome. I have eaten a TON and had lots of energy.  The 24 day challenge is an awesome way to jumpstart healthy eating habits and get yourself on track! If you would like to follow my journey on instagram, click on the picture below. It will link you to my fitness account!

I would LOVE to see what you are doing to stay active and healthy this summer!  Please link up below:

An InLinkz Link-up

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Summer Practice and My NEW Addition!

Hi I am here!!! If you can hold on two seconds I will have loads of baby pictures for you!

Last year I sent home these activity books for my kids to practice over the summer! Their parents raved about them and I love knowing my kids were prepared for 3rd grade without the summer slide!

You can find these products and their descriptions by clicking on the covers below!

If you follow me on either of my instagram accounts (queenof1stjungle or kking_fit_mommy) then you are very well aware of my new arrival!

Charles "Smith" King

8 lbs 9 oz 22 inches long

May 20th

I cannot even believe he has only been here 12 days. I don't remember what life was like before him.  Partly because 99% of the day revolves around feeding, changing, cuddling, dressing, or generally taking care of this little guy.  But the biggest reason is that we truly feel he has completed our family. 

This was my 3rd c-section and the recovery has been by far the best.  

Big sister Emmie takes every opportunity to be with him.  She likes to "keep a sharp eye on him" as she calls it! She sings to him, aides in changing diapers, and runs all kinds of errands all over the house for us. 

Nash loves to read to Smith, give him kisses, and already promises to teach him the ways of the world!

This man here.  I could not ask for a better father and husband.  He has literally done EVERYTHING I have needed him to do the last two weeks.  He has chauffeured kids, monitored baths, taken on all puppy responsibilities, and been my right hand since Smith arrived. 

In true beach family fashion, we have already introduced Smith to the beach! He absolutely loves being outside.  We do have to go super early because of the heat.  Later in the summer we will attempt an actual family outing with boogie boards, towels, and food, but for now- I am only brave enough for a walk!

Smith and I LOVE walking through our neighborhood too.  We have a 2 1/2 mile loop and we take advantage of that path at least once a day, sometimes twice a day if I feel that i have the energy for it!

As a mommy of three, I quickly learned the other two still have busy schedules to keep. So so lucky for us, Smith is super easy going and already completed a 4 hour stint at the ballpark for t-ball and machine pitch!

And last, but not least I will leave you will one of my favorite pictures from the last two weeks.  Saturday morning I had a good friend come take newborn/sibling pictures.  This is just a sneak peek of what is to come! I can't wait to see the rest!

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