race to wrigley

It was cold and rainy on April 16 this year. I mean, like 48 degrees...and raining, and I was set to run my first 5K in its entirety. It was also Grace Ann's birthday so my thoughts were constantly of her and how she would laugh at and ridicule my choice to do this since the weather was such junk. Nonetheless, I was really eager to run this race since it would signify a great leap in my physical fitness and general health, but I was anxious that I wouldn't be able to do it because of the same reasons. Well, even with the general crappiness in weather, I am happy to report that I finished...with a pretty decent time. 30:40 WIN for me! While there was no doubt about him, Andrew finished with a time of 25:54...handsome and athletic? Double WIN for me!

rain + hair = ugh

I can't say I've fallen in love with running, but I did learn a couple of things. Running outside is a little easier than running on a treadmill and running in a crowd just plain stinks, but we had fun and burned some calories while we were at it. I am even more excited for the next race in DC!

Andrew, King of the El.

I can't believe no one, but my mother, called me out on not posting yesterday!
::wags finger at the internet::

Pounds lost this week - 1
Total pounds lost - 6
How I'm feeling - old but undeterred

I wouldn't mind if the pounds just started dropping like panties on prom night (sorry, mom), but they aren't, and I'm ok with that.  I AM making progress, though slow.  To me, the real measure of my success is the difference I feel in how my clothes fit and just how I feel in my own skin.  Both are improving.  There is still plenty of flab, but I've more muscle tone, for sure.

What's making me feel old is that my knees and ankles feel sore.  My elbow felt weird for a few days and then my back got really tight in one spot.  The elbow and back things are gone now, but geez, how old am I again?  That's right...it doesn't matter how old I am...the fact is that I'm.out.of.shape and I'm going to be sore until that changes.  Thankfully, I exercise in the mornings and that seems to loosen me up for the rest of the day.

Speaking of exercise, things continue to get easier in level 2 of the 30 Day Shred.  I'm, by no means, ready to bump it up to level 3, but things are moving along. I also have a great workout partner in M.  He is so funny to watch do these exercises.  If I allowed myself to be filmed, and I WILL NOT, you all would have a real treat.

Oh, and I did comfortably shrink my belt by one hole.  WIN!

 

Well...

Pounds lost this week - 0, actually gained 1.5
Total pounds lost - 5
How I'm feeling - deflated, but sadly, not in a good way

I lost my mojo this week & my only excuse is that I was out of town and then we had guests. Don't get me wrong, I had lots of fun and wouldn't trade this last week for anything. Quite simply, my diet suffered because I made decisions that weren't conducive to loosing weight. I'm certainly not giving up and am 100% back on track in week 4.

I moved on to level 2 in the 30 Day Shred and I must say, that was a bit discouraging too. I was feeling really good about level 1 and I could finally do it and do it well. As I expected, level 2 is more difficult and it took the wind out of my sails to be struggling again. I know it will get better, as level 1 did...just gotta keep with it...and I will.

Week 2 - I'm just as surprised as you are!

Pounds lost this week - 5!
Total pounds loss - 6.5
Feeling - like I want to keep this up...

I was again diligent with my exercise and I'm feeling even stronger, more energetic, and maayyybe a little less jiggly. My body is changing and my pants already feel like they fit better. Keep in mind that I'm still at least 2 sizes too big...but progress is progress. I'm moving on to level 2 in "The Shred" tomorrow.

I made better choices and ate just a little less this week and didn't feel deprived at all. I'll continue along this pattern since it seems to work. This week, I'm instituting the "no food after 8:00pm" rule. I was considering giving up soda, but I just love the bubbles so much. I'm totally decaffinated now so I'll just keep the pop for now.

-Until next week!

Week 1 - You can't argue with results!

Pounds lost this week - 1.5

Total pounds lost - 1.5
Feeling - stronger and more energized...already!

I was diligent with my exercise last week, but my food choices could have been better. I made some adjustments, but caved to a few really delicious brownies. Gotta start somewhere, right? Anyway, during my first workout last week it became even more clear how out of shape I am. I pushed myself, but not to the point of making my muscles feel like noodles. I mean, I did still have to carry around an infant the rest of the day... Six days later, and I can already feel a real difference. I feel stronger and I am energized after my workout even when one or both of the boys decide I need to get up at 5:00am.

This week, we'll continue with the workouts because they really do make me feel good. Diet-wise, I'll continue to make better choices and just have a little less. I'm also going up my water intake. On to week 2!

You know you're a mom when...

You're exercising in the living room and your 3 year old thinks your wide stance is actually a tunnel for him to crawl through.

But it is nice when he hugs you afterwards and tells you, "I'm so proud of you, mommy!" If that's not motivation, I don't know what is.

I'm doing this because I need to be held accountable... ...that's where you come in, dear internet.

43 pounds - That's right, I just posted my weight loss goal and I can.not.believe I let the number get that high.

Two babies, nursing, and a general lack of discipline has left me feeling unhealthy, tired, weak, and well...kind of grumpy. I don't feel good in my own skin and it's starting to seep its way into the rest of my life. That is unacceptable so things are going, no have to, change.

I'm doing this with diet and exercise so I'm making manageable changes in both, starting today. Because let's face it, right now I cave to any craving I might have, and I don't exercise at.all. I eat when I'm bored and have a sweet tooth that just won't quit. So, here's the plan...

Exercise - Jillian Michaels will be kicking my butt 6 days a week. 30 Day Shred everyday and 3 days on a circuit from Wii Fitness Ultimatum 2010 with Jillian Michaels. Do I dare post a before picture as the most serious form of motivation?? I think I'd have to make this a private blog if I was to do that.


Diet - PORTION CONTROL and quite simply, making better choices when it comes to cravings. I'm exclusively breastfeeding so I want to be sure I'm still taking in enough calories.

This is very doable, no? I need to be healthy for myself, for my husband, and most of all, for my kids. While I am putting a number on this endeavor, it's really only to put something concrete in my mind. I've said it before, and I mean it...In the end I don't care about what the number on the scale says, I just want to feel better and losing this much weight in this manner can do nothing but.

Oh yeah, and as an ultimate goal, I'm going to run, yes run, in a 5K for the Race for Hope in May...giant nursing boobs and all. Did I just say that??? That's where you, the people of the internet, come in. I'll be posting updates on my progress, the successes and the shortcomings, on at least a weekly basis. I'll expect and enjoy comments, suggestions or encouragements!