What? Two Posts in a Week?!?!

I know, I must be on to something right?

I've decided that since I am keeping track of my progress on my Nook, that I might as well keep track here on my "fitness" blog too. So all of you that read it can hold me accountable.

( thanks for reading Casey, pretty sure you are the only one who does.)

Since today is Saturday I will do a recap of my week.

Monday: We'll call that day a wash. Haha. I didn't get a workout in and I overdid it on the pasta. It was girls night out ( yep, on a Monday. We are just CRAZY girls ;).

Not really, we are just a bunch of moms wishing that Book Club would work out, and enjoyed a nice dinner without any kids.

Tuesday: Valentines Day. I did great all day with my food intake. And even made it to the gym with the Hubs. I got in 15 mins on the elliptical, 15 mins on the treadmill at a 9.0 incline, and about 15 mins of working my back and shoulder muscles. Then we decided to treat ourselves to a Blizzard from Dairy Queen. I went over my calorie amount by 200. Not too bad though. And I was able to get an extra "workout" session in. ;)

It's Valentines, people!

Wednesday: Did pretty good with my food today. Had a "GREEN" smoothie for breakfast ( which I do about 5 out of 7 mornings). It really is so good and gives you veggies first thing in the morning.

I know what you are thinking,

"EWW, GROSS!"

But really, I add 1-2 cups of baby spinach, half a banana, 1/2 cup frozen berries, 1/2 plain greek yogurt, 1 scoop whey protien powder, and about 1/4 cup milk. So, it's mostly fruits, but the spinach is a good leafy green and you don't even know it's there!

Then Wednesday night, I went to the gym to try out a new class: BODY PUMP.

IT WAS AWESOME!

My muscles are still a little tender and it's been three days! It was an hour of a full body weight lifting experience. It was tough and fabulous, and I can't wait to go back!

Thursday: Added in a few more veggies today. Mainly spinach, celery, and carrotts.

I'm starting to really enjoy snacking on fruits and veggies. I love that I don't feel guilty after a snack, and dread having to enter it into my LOSE IT app.

Spent an hour doing ZUMBA. Fabulous workout. An hour goes by so fast. I still can't believe that I was a cheerleader for 3 years! You would never know, by the way I zumba! hahaha. Oh, well. I am TORCHING calories. And really, that's all I care about!

Friday: Talked my sister into babysitting for an hour so I could hit the gym for a mid-day workout. Did some intervals on the treadmill. 5 min warm up. Ran for .25 mile. Took it to an 11.0 incline for 5 mins. Back down to 3.5 incline and ran for .25 mile. Back up to a 13.0 incline. Down to a 1.5 incline and sprints for a min. Real quick workout, but I burned about 350 calories.

Saturday: Did a morning session of Zumba. The clock was broken so the instructor kept us going an extra 15 mins. Which was fine with me. We did a bunch of squats, some push ups and mountain climbers. I totally got my sweat on.

Well, that is 5 DAYS IN A ROW, of working out for me.

That is really good for me. I am loving it. I just really hope to start seeing some physical results, other than just my emotional high right now. I am glad to be getting more healthy, and I am trying to focus on that right now. I know that if I keep doing what I am doing, that my body will start to react and I'll get the results I am working for!

Fabulous February

I feel great.

Last month I found a great little app on my NookColor.

The app is LOSE IT.

I put in my current weight and my desired weight when I would like to be that weight.

( ideally tomorrow, but that didn't seem realistic).

As of right now, I am on track to be at my goal weight by the end of May.

A goal weight which happens to be 5 pounds less than I was at my wedding.

Basically the app gives me an allotted amount of calories per day

and also documents my exercises and calorie burn.

I love having it. It really is so informative and motivating to see exactly what I am fueling my body with and how exercise helps.

My cravings for chocolate and sugar are WAY down.

( not completely gone, I still have my/weaknesses)

But I have adopted an 80/20 way of thinking about my eating.

Eat healthy 80% of the time and 20% of the time I can give in to my dark side.

I haven't had any soda since the new year and basically only drink water.

Good thing I've always LOVED water.

I've really upped my protein intake and I am trying to make the most out of my calorie allowance by eating foods that are full of protein and fiber and keeping me full.

It's nice to be this in tune with my body and my health.

There for a while, I just didn't care and figured that I'd just become "that mom"

You know, the fat mom.

But not anymore, I've decided that I am too vain for that. ( hehehe)

Exercising has also gained a new place in my life.

It really used to be a chore

A chore that I dreaded.

Now I seriously look forward to it all day.

That might be because lately the little one has been a handful so I look forward to an hour of my own. Either way, I am going to the gym and getting my sweat on.

( those who have seen me there can back me on this, I am really gross and the end!)

Oh well, look gross now to look gorgeous later!

Oh and I am also down 5.6 pounds since Jan 28!

So, yeah. It has been a Fab Feb.

2012

Well hello there, it's me. Mrs. I turned into the biggest slacker once the holidays hit. It's very nice to meet you.

I hope I am not the only one who feels like this. With the holidays being crazy busy and treats everywhere, not to mention the fact that my baby stopped sleeping through the night and is up once or twice a night totally zapped me of any extra energy I had, I totally fell off the workout, feel good and healthy bandwagon. And I felt it. I really did feel horrible and groggy the past 2 months. The good news is, that this has ended.
I have a few motivating factors to get my butt back in gear. Here they are, in no particular order.
1. Conor won us a vacation at his company christmas party! We still haven't decided where we want to go, but we do know we want sun and sand. And I want to look good in pictures and be able to show off our trip, and look back on this fun time and not be resenting my body.
2. The new year. I am sure that this is on everyone's list. I don't just want to lose weight though. I really want to be healthier all around, and raise my baby to be healthy.
3. I want to get in better shape before I have another baby. I don't want to just keep packing on the pounds. I really want to be healthier this time around and be more active.
4. I want to be sexy for my husband. I know he's says I am, but I want to feel like I am too.
5. Running another 5k. We ran one in November and it was a lot of fun. I wanted to die at points but it really was great. I am starting to like it more and my endurance is getting better. I hope to run in the Dirty Dash with my NEW SISTER IN LAW this summer.
6. New sister in law's wedding. I am going to be a bridesmaid, and I really want to look good in that dress. Not trying to outshine the bride in any way.....I just want to look and feel good.

There are many other reasons but those are just a few of the main ones. Onto what I have been doing...... I decided to kind of take the approach to eating the way I had to when I had to eat carefully due to gestational diabetes. I have been making sure to eat a healthy breakfast every morning. A healthy lunch ( no ramen noodles for this girl!) and to make more healthy dinners, and try to incorporate more veggies into our dish. So far things are going pretty good. And I love going to the store and going nuts in the produce isle. I have cut out sugary snacks, and stopped drinking any kind of soda.

On Monday Conor had the day off of work, so the two of us went to the gym together. It was fun to get to be there with each other. Hasn't happened much since the little one was born. I ran 2 miles on the treadmill, did the eliptical at an 11 incline and 15 resistance for one mile. Then did some kettle bell squats and arm raises. I felt good after.

Last night I did an hour of yoga. Oh yoga, how I love you! I feel SO amazing after yoga. Maybe because it's dark and quiet and no one is screaming or crying and it doesn't smell like diapers. haha. I just love the way it makes me feel.

So here is to a new year 2012. It's going to to great, I can feel it.

Doing Good.

Yesterday was a good day for me. In the morning the baby and I headed out for a mid morning jog. The I hit up the gym with my mom and sister and did 2 1/2 miles on the stair climber. My legs are a little sore today. I am happy to be getting back on track, and I really do feel so much better when I am being healthy.
Today I also remembered to eat lunch at a decent hour, which is good cause I usually wait until I am super hungry so I have to grab something fast and usually end up with something unhealthy like Ramen or something. Today I had a chicken salad sandwich on a Pita, with apple slices, and water. Wahoo. Go me!

Thanksgiving 5k!

Well, I did it. I ran in my first 5K. And for doing very very little training, I am so proud of myself. Although I did have to slow down and walk a few times, I did run the whole first half consistently which is more than I have EVER ran at one time. ( haha that probably sounds SO LAME to people who run, but for me, who despises running and SERIOUSLY slacked off before this race....I am so proud!).

Here is Conor and I pictured after the race when we got home. Don't worry that I look like death. I was so tired!

Here's our race numbers. It really was such a fun activity and I am actually looking forward to our next race. I am in no way trying to turn into this crazy avid runner, but doing 5k's sounds like a good idea to me and a good way to keep a goal in mind. The environment and being around all the people was so exciting. I crossing the finish line was a really big rush. It's a lot more fun to run when people are clapping and cheering you on. ( Even when you're running at that point at about a speed of like a 4! hahahah). Again, I am just so proud of myself for even doing this at all!

I am also so grateful for this guy for staying with me the whole time. I'm so much slower than he is. ( We finished our 5k only like 15 mins faster than he did his 10k this summer!) Oh well, maybe next race I will be faster.
I'm also very glad we ran this race, because it sparked the kick in the pants that I really needed to get motivated again. This morning I got up, got Liam fed and down for his morning nap and then we headed out and did a 1 1/2 mile run today!

Trouble.....

Oh dear, where do I even start? Well Thursday I was able to make it to Zumba which was good. Friday I went out of town for my Anniversary and fell off the workout train for a few days. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. Ah. I know. Terrible. Tuesday I did get my butt to the gym and ran about 2.5 miles. It felt pretty good. Wednesday was crazy and the little one has been sleeping terrible at night, so it's made it really hard to be motivated first thing in the morning to get up and get my workout going.
My eating has also taken a bit of a tumble the past week. Today I am getting back on track. I actually ate my breakfast and took all my vitamins today. I did give into temptation last week and had a few Dr Peppers. I know I can go without it, but it was seriously screaming my name the other day. I am going to get back on track and it's nice to have a husband who is so supportive.
Getting your body "back" after pregnancy is hard. Mainly because I know that no matter how hard I work, it won't ever be the same. Curse you, stretch marks! They have faded a lot, but they are still there in all their glory. I hate them. I hate them so bad. I have tried to embrace them, be proud of them and where they came from. Have the whole "I am woman, hear me roar" attitude. I've tried re-naming them "baby marks" to make them sound sweeter. Nothing works. I hate them. I'm trying to get past it, but it's hard. Don't get me wrong. I love my baby more than anything in this world and I would go through anything to have him. It's just tricky getting adjusted to a new body all over again.
Wow. Sorry about the weird tangent I just went off on. I guess I just needed to vent. Well I am off to go and get a workout done today!

Day 17

Spent the better half of the morning today at the Pumpkin Patch with the little one. He enjoyed being outside, the change of scenery, and the other kids. It was nice to get out and do something different.
After some quick errands we came home and I tried ( unsuccessfully) to put baby down for a nap so I could get my workout in. He didn't sleep but played happily in his crib so I could get at least 20 minutes in. Today's workout consisted of Warm Up, 3 Min Ab workout, Fat Blaster, and another Baby and Me Ab workout. He really enjoyed being able to be apart of it! Tonight we will be adding in a jog/run while daddy needs peace and quiet for homework and study time. I think we'll head over to a park that has a mile trail. Hoping to get at least 3 laps done!