Thursday 28 April 2016

Bookish (and Not So Bookish) Thoughts #5


Both Jasprit and I are trying to get a little healthier, and more active so we're tracking our progress through #FitReaders down below. It's a check in that helps keep us motivated to keep active. But also we wanted to share what we're reading and a little of what's going on in our lives by participating in Bookish (and Not So Bookish) Thoughts hosted by Bookishly Boisterious.  So here we go!

 Rachel:
What I've been reading:
(click on title for Goodreads link)

Happiness for Beginners A Virgin River Christmas (Virgin River, #4)

Worth It All (The McKinney Brothers, #3)

I finished Happiness For Beginners, and while I loved the audio narration, the story, although funny,  was a little frustrating to me.  The romance was lacking as the couple was at odds for most of the book, and there was a third wheel/red herring in the mix. I personally like more couple time in a romance, and any hint at a love triangle gives me hives. So, yeah, not what I was hoping for. I loved A Virgin River Christmas, and I want to see more of Marcie and Ian in the future. I'll be starting Worth It All next week and I'm completely looking forward to it as I LOVED the first two books in the series.

Jasprit:


Once again I've either not had much time to read or not been feeling any books, so the reason I've only read the above two books in the last two weeks! Dream of Gods and Monsters was a mammoth of a book, but it was such a brilliant read, the world that Taylor created was exquisite, I can't wait to read what Taylor comes up with next!


What we've been up to:

Rachel:
I had an eventful weekend and my diet was less than perfect. I kind of ate just about anything I wanted.  On the plus side, I did walk a lot.  Look at the beautiful fish from this weekend! The California Science Center had an amazing aquarium complete with colorful, and then downright bizarre looking fish! Had a great time! 


Jasprit:

In trying to keep up with healthy snacking I discovered Pumpkin Tree Toasted Oat crush, its a mix of oats and fruit snacks, perfect for on the go and healthy with no added sugar, the lovely team at Pumpkin Tree were generous enough to send me some samples below, and let me just say they were delicious! I'm trying to make the most of these healthy weeks, as I'll be going to a chocolate making workshop in a few weeks with Allie and I can't wait!





#FitReaders is hosted by Jen @That's What I'm Talking About and Felicia @TheGeekyBlogger.

Here's our progress for the last week:

Rachel:
Kris invited Jasprit and I into a Workweek Challenge along with several other Fitbit users and I've been busting my butt to keep up! It's great because I really splurged and ate whatever I wanted this last weekend so the challenge has made me work off all those extra calories!

Thursday: 14,570  steps
Friday:   11,443 steps
Saturday:  13,206 steps
Sunday:  10,051 steps
Monday:  18,624 steps 
Tuesday:  21,745 steps 
Wednesday: 17,539 steps 
Total steps:   107,178 steps

Jasprit:

I took part in my first workweek hustle this week and let me just say it was a killer! It was great in pushing myself to hit my step goal (every day so far), but with going to the gym too, I've been dead on my feet by the evening, plus these ladies in the challenge are killing it with the steps! I also decided to buy some more gym related things, so that I could do more at home, I bought some weights, resistance bands, a slam ball and a foam roller, the foam roller has been great to use so far. Who would have thought that I would get so excited gym goodies!


Thursday: 7,866 steps
Friday: 9,807 steps
Saturday: 7,432 steps 
Sunday: 6,702 steps
Monday: 11,813 steps (when the weekday hustle kicked off!)
Tuesday: 12,609 steps
Wednesday: 18,289  steps
Total steps: 74,518 steps

13 comments:

Ksenia said...

#Rachel I didn’t recognize Happiness For Beginners at first. I’ve only seen the other cover with backpacking girl before. This cover is so different. Sorry to hear about this book, I was considering picking it up. It’s the first time I hear that there is some sort of love triangle. Also I like more couple time in a romance too. I’ve heard so much positive things about The McKinney Brothers series from you and Keertana; I definitely need to read it. I hope the third book would live up to your expectations.

Lovely photos, The California Science Center looks like something my sons would enjoy a lot. And diet is so much easier when you are at home. Events and travels always challenge us.

#Jasprit I don’t feel like reading lately too. In my case it’s tiredness. I’ve only listen audiobooks during my commute. I’ve always had this idea that healthy snacks are not appealing and tasty, but these look so colorful and bright. I hope you’ll update us about you latest shenanigans with Allie.

Good luck with you fitness goals, ladies!

Brandie said...

Rachel, I'm now thinking Happiness for Beginners may not be for me. I do not like love triangles being sprung on me! I still need to read that Connor series! They all sound so good. Great job on steps this week!! The aquarium pictures are beautiful. I have weeks when I eat more of what I shouldn't, but it all balances out in the end - you're doing great!

Jasprit, I understand the book slump. I just finished a book that took me over a week to read, and that's unlike me. I loved the book, too, I just didn't have the time this week. You're doing awesome with your steps and gym goals. I need to get a foam roller, I hear they are excellent to have!

Jenny said...

Sometimes I decide to eat whatever I want for a weekend too Rachel, and it is GLORIOUS:)

And Jasprit, like you, I either haven't had much time to read or haven't been feeling the books I've picked up, so I've only read 2 in the last 2 weeks too. *sigh* What can you do:)

Keertana said...

Rachel, I'm so excited for you to read Worth It All because it's adorable! I still think the first book in the trilogy was the best (for me, at least) but these characters are all so unique and I think you'll really enjoy it. It's low on the angst too, so that's a relief.

Jasprit, Taylor's work is just amazing so I'm glad you finally got a chance to finish up the trilogy! I'm really looking forward to reading whatever she writes next. Also, way to keep up with the healthy snacks! Once again, I need to do better on this front...

Both of you continue to impress me with your dedication to staying healthy and getting exercise! I wish I had your motivation but maybe once my finals are over I can finally focus on my health and join you two in your healthy endeavors. Great post, ladies! :)

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

You girls are rocking your challenge. I was on a roll for awhile, but lately I have had a tough time with some personal stuff so everything is a mess. I am glad you enjoyed Laini Taylor, Jasprit. I loved her series.

Carina Olsen said...

I love reading about what you girls have been doing. <3 And gosh, been many weeks already, and I have yet to start working out at all, lol :D ONE DAY. <3 Probably. Yay for fishes :D I hope you both are doing great. <3 Hugs.

Joy said...

Ladies. My Fitbit project has been suspended for the time being. I tore my Achilles tendon. I'm in a cast and crutches for the next little while. FML. Sigh.

You guys are doing great!

Alyssa said...

You have me curious about Worth It All, Rachel! Jasprit, aren't Laini Taylor's books so intense and LARGE?! They are beautiful but take up a great deal of shelf space. :D I am excited for her next book, Strange the Dreamer!

I hope you both have a lovely weekend. =)

Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!

Shooting Stars Mag said...

You both are doing great with working out! And Rachel, sometimes you just have days or weekends where you splurge, it's all good! That's awesome you were still able to walk a lot.

Jasprit: I loved Laini Taylor's trilogy, so I'm glad you enjoyed the last one. I can't wait for her next book. And a chocolate making workshop? That sounds awesome!

-Lauren

Emma said...

Wow ladies that's so great. I've been meaning to do get a Fitbit but I'm sure about it to be honest! I'm into reading but just not really having the time to at the mo which is frustrating. Good luck with your workweek ladies! Good to be back around her to. Hope your keeping well! :)

Piecraft Bucharest said...

Rachel - you're looking good, girl! Don't worry about splurging a little now and again, it actually provides good motivation to push yourself that much harder! Though it doesn't sound as if motivation is something you lack! :) Well done. The aquarium pics look pretty amazing... As does your next read, Worth It All - I hope you enjoy it!
Jasprit - keep up the good work, my friend. I hope you enjoyed Dreams of Gods and Monsters - I thought it was such a wonderful book. I love Laini Taylor's style :) Your snack selection looks so appetizing! I'm taking notes over here ( my snacking is awful, both in quantity and quality, so to speak...) Wishing you further successes!

Kristin said...

I'm so glad you both joined the Challenge last week!!! That group is hardcore...and everyone really stepped up :)

Rachel...those aquarium pictures are beautiful! I think what I love about these challenges is that they really do push you to be as active as you can! And it does help to counteract when you have a bad eating weekend ;)

Jasprit...Go you getting all that stuff! While I do belong to a gym, I sometimes prefer doing my own thing at home - so I've been thinking about cancelling my membership and setting up a home gym. There are so many great workouts to get online or even videos to do, plus I love walking outdoors whenever I can. Oh, and I can't wait to hear about that chocolate-making workshop...YUM!!!

Have a great week, ladies!!!
~Kristin @ Always With a Book

The Readdicts said...

You two are doing so well- your results say everything! Keep it up, girls! <3

Sarika @ The Readdicts

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