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Fight the fatigue

March 28, 2012 //
0

Yesterday I had my Burn at the Barre class. This is always a favorite day of mine during the week. Two days post Shuffle. I could definitely still feel how fatigued my muscles were. I was never sore from the run, not Sunday night or at all on Monday. But when I had to use all of those leg and tushy muscles last night I could feel how they were not performing up to par.

I kept mentally telling myself two things:

  1. You destroyed your estimated time this weekend, you can do this.
  2. You gave birth with only 1/2 of your epidural working. You felt everything on the right side of your body. It hurt way worse than this does!

I only burned just over 400 calories. Usually I burn over 500. So you can see how I wasn’t working as hard as normal. I wanted to but my legs begged to differ. I did try though. I am hoping that partly it was because she changes the routines each week and we did some things slightly different. Right? A combination of the two I am sure!

Monday I did work out but I did a Long and Lean Bosu work out. It has a lot of stretching and I thought I could use that. It was a a very mild workout and not too long either.

This morning I have swim lessons with  my little sweet face. I am looking forward to getting into the water. I am debating a run later but I think I may workout during nap time inside instead. I have a hair appointment at 6. Sometimes Jack naps until 3 and then takes 30 minutes to eat lunch. That is just cutting it close and not really giving him any playtime. Tomorrow we are free and I think we will go for a run after he wakes up and eats. I want to do 6 miles. Last Thursday when I ran with him he started to get antsy after just over 3 miles. I mean you cannot blame the kid. He likes to move and play and sitting there for 30 minutes can be boring. I give him toys but he isn’t overly interested in them when I am running. So we will see how he is doing after the first lap around the lake.

Training with the stroller is really awesome. I am pushing well over 50 lbs between baby, stroller weight, all toys in the stroller, and any of my things (water, keys, wallet, phone, etc). I equate it to taking practice swings with weights on the bat just before you actually bat. You remove that and suddenly you are able to conquer anything!

I have a few photos from the race. From their official photographers. They are still matching photos to runners. The last I checked they were 63% done. I am going to purchase all of my images once they are entirely done. I will post them. The 4 that I have already are really actually great. They are all from the end of the race, two after I crossed the finish line and two from just before. Surprisingly I don’t look totally awful!

It is supposed to be beautiful out. So maybe we will walk to the park after nap time, the far park so I get over a mile walk there and over a mile walk back, plus any workout I do.

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Categories Exercise, fitness, Healthy Living, Jack, Momommahood, motherhood, parenthood, parenting, photography, pilates, Running, toddler, toddlerhood, weight loss, weightloss, working out

Encouragement

March 19, 2012 //
0

Next Sunday I am running Chicago’s Shamrock Shuffle. I am getting excited. Yesterday I ran 6.1 miles. Twice around the lake I live on. It felt so great. I had run over 4 miles before, so I knew adding a mile or two wouldn’t break me. I wanted to run more than an 8k to know that next Sunday would be easier than I expected. I think I am there.

I was about halfway done. Rounding the corner that would bring to the last stretch to where I began my run. A man whom I had passed earlier in my run, we were heading opposite ways, rounded the corner as I did. I always smile and say hi to the other runners, so obviously I was going to say hi again to this guy. My comrade in arms. You sort of feel that way when you see other runners out there. I do at least. Maybe I am weird. Anyway, he smiled at me and gave me a little round of applause! So I returned the applause for him. What an encouragement! I had just been debating if I was going to go for the 2nd lap. Did I feel up to it? Once I committed I didn’t want to turn around. I was probably doubting myself when I shouldn’t have been. That round of applause sent me in the right direction. I KNEW I could do it. What was stopping me? Just my silly brain that is all. I am fit. I work out daily. I gave birth and lost all the baby weight in less than a year. I started working out 3 weeks postpartum! If I want to do it I can do it! So I did it and I am glad.

I was hoping I would run (haha) into him on during my 2nd lap but I didn’t. He must have ended his run. Oh well. I wish I could thank him for that silent encouragement. Sure he knew he was encouraging me, but he didn’t know how his encouragement helped me to really push myself yesterday. I always try to live by the rule that you will never regret a workout. That had slipped my brain for a few tired moments, but  his applause quickly snapped me back to reality. I would have regretted not giving 6 miles a shot. What is the worst that could happen? I get too tired and have to walk a mile or two home??? That is no big deal. At least I would still be moving. I didn’t have to do that. But if I would have it wouldn’t have been so bad. It was a lovely morning after all. There were tons of walkers out.

So thank you to the man who gave me the encouragement I needed to reach a personal goal! I hope that someone pays it forward to him. I know that I will see how I can encourage a stranger in my life this week. Sometimes all we need is a little unconditional encouragement, love, or a small act of kindness from someone who knows you can never personally repay them.

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Categories Baby Weight, Exercise, fitness, Healthy Living, Momommahood, motherhood, parenthood, Running, weight loss, weightloss, working out

DailyBurn Tracker App

December 7, 2011 //
0

I have been using the Daily Burn app for about a week now. I am really enjoying it. I have used the mapmyrun app previously. What I like about this app is that it’s focus is not mainly on running. This is the off season for running for me because it is too cold to drag the kid outside. Plus I just find running in weather that is TOO cold and it is miserable. I actually do better in extreme heat. I digress.

The daily burn tracks

  • Nutrition, if you want. They have a nice list of foods for you to choose from. You can also add foods if you would like. They even have brand name foods and you can search by that name. I was able to find my Lucerne Fat Free Cottage Cheese. (When I tried for about 10 hours to track my food. I don’t like tracking food. I find I tend to eat far too little when I do that and when you are nursing and don’t have a weight problem I don’t think that is really good!)
  • Track Exercises. Their list is rather long of different exercises you can track with calorie totals. Right up my alley. I may not focus on recording every calorie I take in but I do like to track the calories I burn! You can also add exercises online. You may submit them for personal use only, for public use, or both!
  • You can track your weight gain/loss. Depending on your goals.
  • You are able to set goals for yourself.
  • You can view your progress.

This is all with the FREE version. There are even a few free “programs” you can follow. Training plans. There are 3

  • Weight-loss training plan
  • Cardio Training Plan
  • Strength Training Plan

Then there are MANY plans you can follow if you upgrade to Pro. It is only a matter of time before I upgrade.

I have recently begun playing around with their website under my account. There is so much on there as well. I have been able to add some moves that I like to use that I didn’t find on the app. I appreciate that since I am always looking for fun new exercises in magazines and online. I like to keep my workouts fresh so that I avoid a plateau at all costs.

Basically I feel this app has a lot of offer, and I have only used the free version. I recommend it if you are looking for a way to track your fitness goals. Or even your nutrition goals.

You can have friends or as they call them motivators. Check out what they are up to and they can do the same for you. Currently just my hubby is one of my motivators. You can create a profile and there are forums. It is a social network for the fitness freak.

You can create or find challenges to set for yourself. This was an important factor for my hubby. He likes goals set for himself. It keeps him motivated for all things. He wanted something where he could set goals or challenges and then meet them. I don’t need that kind of incentive to stay motivated, it is just part of my life and routine at this point, but if you do feel you need that, it is here for you.

I haven’t found anything I dislike so far. Other than wanting to explore a few things that ended up being part of the pro account. I understand that. I am not bothered. They are a company and want to make a profit so they can feed their families. I get it. So I can wait until I decide to upgrade.

I highly recommend this app and site. I am obsessed and loving it.

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Categories Baby Weight, Exercise, fitness, Healthy Living, pilates, Reviews, Running, weight loss, weightloss, working out

Spiderman

November 30, 2011 //
4

I am always looking for fun new moves or techniques to incorporate into my routine. Sometimes the same old moves can get boring. And while I never get bored enough with working out to skip it, something new is always refreshing.

I discovered this one through the new app I am using, Daily Burn. I plan to do a review on it when I have used it for over a week. But I also found the move on Women’s Health when I decided to write this post.

The Spiderman Pushup.

Oh my it is fun! Change up the same old pushup with a little spice. As usual I included a photo and the instructions below. You can always click on the link above to check it out directly at the site though.

“Assume the standard pushup position. As you lower your body toward the floor, lift your right foot off the floor, swing your right leg out sideways, and try to touch your knee to your elbow. Reverse the movement, then push your body back to the starting position. Repeat, but on your next repetition, touch your left knee to your left elbow. Continue to alternate back and forth.”

I admit at first I was a little hesitant to try it. Not because I thought it was stupid, but I can be uncoordinated. I pictured a disaster of me falling because my balance didn’t hold up. I found it to be surprisingly easy to manage. Tough on the muscles but I was able to do it without face planting! That is always a plus. It is a move I will be using often in my routines. Fun and challenging. Two great things!

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Categories Exercise, fitness, Healthy Living, Reviews, weight loss, weightloss, working out

Core work

November 27, 2011 //
0

I have been wanting to share some of my favorite moves. I have just been so busy with the holiday season already. We are hosting every holiday this year. We did Thanksgiving, we are doing both Christmas Eve and day! While I am being strict with my workouts I have been lax in blogging about them. I guess you only have so much time for things in life and if I have to choose, workouts will always win haha

I am currently obsessed with this core work move! It actually tones the shoulders, triceps, and core. I even squeeze my buttocks a bit in an effort to get some toning in for that.

I found this on Women’s Health.

The instructions can be found at that link. I also pasted them below!

Lie facedown on a fitness ball, with both hands on the floor. Walk your hands out, allowing the ball to roll beneath your body until it is under your shins. Your hands should be directly below your shoulders, so it looks like you’re ready to do a pushup. Keeping your torso straight and your abs contracted, bend your elbows and lower your chest toward the floor. Stop when your upper arms are parallel to the floor. (A) Return to start, and immediately contract your glutes as you lift your right leg off the ball. (B) Lower your right leg to the ball, then lift the left leg. That’s one rep. 8 to 12 reps

Make the move harder by placing the ball under the tops of your feet. Make it easier by keeping the ball under your knees.

 

I have gotten to the point where the knees feel way too easy. The shins are still difficult enough though. I am looking forward to when I can move the ball to the tops of my feet.

There are a few other moves in that article that are also great. I just found this one particularly challenging and I have really been pushing myself lately. I have been focusing on toning a lot more than I was immediately after I had him. I try to do toning and cardio at least 6 days a week. It has been closer to every day though, I must admit. I have lost a bit more weight. Not even pregnancy weight at this point. I weighed in today at 122.8lbs.

I have also noticed a huge change in my muscle tone. Um, it is back! Finally. Even my quads. I am loving how my legs look like their old selves. My arms are looking nice and toned again. Hello biceps, I missed you lovely lady guns. I am also beginning to feel happy with my abs.

This is from today. Jack will be 10 months in a week. So post baby 9 months 3 weeks! I was reflecting today about how hard losing the baby weight was. I even browsed the last few photos taken of me preggo! YIKES! Nothing like a little refresher to remind you of how far you have come. I am enjoying feeling like my old strong self again. That is the most important part. That I feel toned and strong. I missed lifting weights. I was told I couldn’t. Advice I don’t believe I will adhere to as strictly if I were to ever get pregnant again. Now having gone through this one time, if we ever for some reason decide to have another I will already know what I am capable of. Although, I have no plans to have another. A big reason is because it took so much work to get back to where I was. I don’t feel like doing it all over again. It is exhausting. I enjoy being here, focusing on toning and maintaining.

 

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Categories Baby Weight, Exercise, fitness, Healthy Living, Momommahood, motherhood, parenthood, parenting, pilates, Reviews, Running, weight loss, weightloss, working out

Getting back to normal

October 19, 2011 //
1

I have been up to my elbows in all things “sickness.” It started with Jack and then Jason got it. A day or two after that I got sick. This was all last week. I recovered quickly. The boys are both still not feeling well. Jack just has a cold. Jason has bronchitis and an ear infection. Thankfully the baby is just trying to get rid of the leftovers of sickness. I am hoping tomorrow we are going to be back to normal activities. This is the second week of activities we are missing. We are not going to swim today. The Dr. said on Monday that I need to keep him from activities for at least 2 more days.

I registered for my first 10K. It was a last minute decision. It is this Sunday! I am excited and nervous. I know I can do it but well you know, your first race is always nerve wrecking. I don’t think I slept before my first 5k I was so excited and nervous. I am guessing that I will sleep Saturday night because the little man wears me out during the day. I wanted to go for at least a 5 mile run this morning but it is raining. I have my weather guard for the jogger, but with him being a bit sick still, I just think it would be more responsible of me to skip it. If he were not trying to get rid of the last of this sickness I think we would head out.

He is crawling everywhere! He is quick too. He has started taking interest in standing with the help of furniture and playing. He is all over the place and I am trying to keep up. It is so fun and very exhausting! Which is good. I have been saying if we could have a baby that is born around 6 months of age I would have 10 kids! The newborn days are hard. I am loving everything right now though. He is 8 1/2 months now. Time really goes by quickly.

We were being silly the other day and I did some fall photos with him. I thought it would be good to sit outside for 10 minutes. Get some fresh air.

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Categories Exercise, fitness, Healthy Living, Jack, Momommahood, parenthood, parenting, photography, Running, weather, weight loss, weightloss, working out

Goal reached!

October 11, 2011 //
0

I am really trying to multi-task here! I am working on one of my lessons for class and I want to write a post. All before the most awesome baby in the world wakes up. If I finish this lesson I am caught up. Other than going over their supplementary materials. I will be caught up with all required reading and quizzes.

So why am I writing? Why am I not just finishing the last two short chapters? Because I had no time to write yesterday and I have some huge news!

I have officially lost all of the baby weight! It took me 10 months and 4 days to gain it. It took me 8 months and 6 days to lose it! 123.8 was the weigh in yesterday. I even weighed myself 3 times to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. I wasn’t. It was the truth.

It was hard work. I didn’t cheat. I didn’t adhere to anything too strict either. No crazy diets. No militant food choices. No calorie counting. The only thing close to militant I can say helped is my dedication to physical fitness and activities. I move A LOT. A LOT. One day I should wear a pedometer and track every move I take during a normal active day. I eat relatively healthy. But Jason and I do know how to enjoy food when we want to. But I move and not just when I decide to eat like crap. I am always on the go. When the little man wakes up we will go for a run. We will probably walk to the park later, which is 1.5 miles away. That means we walk home too! I carry him around a lot, he is over 17lbs.

I know everyone is different. We all have different genes and body makeups. For me being active is what works best. Just move and try to be mindful of eating well as a lifestyle, not as a diet or crash weight loss plan. I think the most important part of a healthy lifestyle is being active. I am a firm believer in that. It is my motto anyway. It has to become part of your life for it to work. Just like brushing your teeth, showering, or eating is part of your life. Once it is, it seems odd to skip it. You feel off if you do.

I am glad I have reached this point. It was hard work. Stressful for me. I hated weighing what I weighed. There is still room for improvement. There are some areas I would like to tone up more. That will come with time. I also have noticed that my hips are just shaped differently. I have lost the weight but some pants do not fit the same because my shape has been altered and is ready for carrying babies. My mom said it is time for number 2. I have been going back and forth on that lately. Some days I want another baby. Some days I remember how hard those newborn days are and I want to run screaming from the thought of another one! I know some people love the newborn days and I don’t think I am one of them. I love these days! Give me a 5 or 6 month old and I would have 20 more! ha!

Now I can enjoy being me again. It doesn’t mean I will get lazy. Now comes maintenance, which for me is very easy compared to losing the weight. Reaching this goal won’t make me lazy, I can just be stressed about one less thing. That is a huge weight lifted in itself. Just not thinking about it constantly. Knowing I am home and where I am happ(y/ier). Time to focus on improving running times, my muscle mass, and get back to the flexibility I once had. Ah the changes we go through to birth a human being!

Well, at least it was all worth it! My love!

I believe I will be running a 5k in November. The Hot Chocolate one downtown. I need to get some milk pumped though because I won’t be dragging the boys to it.

 

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Categories Baby Weight, Exercise, fitness, Healthy Living, Momommahood, motherhood, parenthood, parenting, pilates, Running, weight loss, weightloss, working out

My natural running playlist

September 23, 2011 //
2

This is my favorite time of year to run. Well, as long as the weather is fall weather and not an Indian Summer. We have fall weather right now. I went for a run yesterday. A little over 2 miles only. We had Gymboree at 11:15 and I wanted to make sure Jack had some nap time before then. I still cannot run the entire route along our lake because of construction.

Yesterday during my run I started thinking. I saw another mom running with her jogger. She had headphones on. I used to always run listening to music. There was no way I could run without listening to tunes. I spent a good deal of time with playlists or skipping past songs I felt interfered with my focus.

Then I had Jackson. I started trying to listen to music while on my elliptical. Usually not on my headphones. Just playing it from my phone so I could still hear other things in the house. But then he would be napping and I would be listening for him or trying to not cause a wake up. This was early on where he would not sleep very well. Now he is an excellent sleeper. Our cats fighting outside his room won’t even cause him to stir.

Slowly that music phased out. I would just work out hoping he wouldn’t wake up from his nap before I had time to finish and shower.

I started running again when he was around 4 months old. I was going by myself, headphones in ear, iPhone in hand. Tunes narrating my run. I did not really think about it. It was just what I do, that is how I run, that helps keep me motivated.

We got the jogger when he was over 5 months old. I never even considered using my headphones when I started running with him. I never even had an internal debate, to listen or not to listen. I didn’t even think to use them. I wanted to hear my surroundings, I wanted to be able to hear him if he needed something or dropped something. He will be 8 months in a week and a half. I did not even notice that I don’t run with music until I saw the other mom yesterday.

I got to thinking after that. I do not miss it. I really enjoy just being in the nature. The only sounds narrating my runs are ones I encounter naturally. It is kind of freeing not trying to find the perfect jam to keep you motivated. My thoughts motivate me, my time with Jack motivates me, the little baby weight I have left (I lost more weight, I am 125lbs now!) motivates me, staying fit motivates me. I don’t need the music.

I am not knocking music. We listen to it all day long. It is a huge part of our day. I sing and dance for and with him. I am a huge music person. But on my runs with my favorite running buddy, it is just him, me, and the world around us. It feels good. It is refreshing. I will have to thank him one day for opening my ears to all that is around me for that 30-40 minutes of the day.

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Categories Baby Weight, Exercise, fitness, Healthy Living, Jack, Momommahood, motherhood, parenthood, parenting, Running, weather, weight loss, weightloss, working out

Yo ho Mateys! Arrrrrgggg

September 20, 2011 //
4

Have you ever had one of those days where you just had no desire to work out? I had one of those yesterday. I mean I wanted to workout because I always want to get one in. But when it came down to actually doing it I struggled. I tried a dvd and I found it boring and repetitive. I turned it off halfway through. It was annoying me and it just wasn’t fun! So then I tried to do some pilates and I got through about 3/4 of that workout. I probably did about 20 minutes total of workout. It wasn’t my best effort though. I finally just stopped and decided to shower.

I didn’t go for a run because it was dreary out and rainy. I could have but then Jackson woke up late and only because I went and got him up. We had to be at a hotel at 12 to look at the room there for his birthday party.

I don’t think I will be working out this morning. I definitely won’t be going for a run. We have something being delivered between 8-11 so I need to get in the shower soon and at least be showered before 8. If not, I possibly cannot take on until after 11! yikes!

We may go for a run later in the day. If I am feeling more motivated. It seems that there was an ultimate reason. The lovely monthly gift has returned. This is the first time since I got pregnant! April 2010 was the last time. I was a little shocked this  morning when I woke up. I guess my laziness yesterday is well explained. Well I was only lazy with exercise. I did an incredible amount of stuff.

It was international talk like a pirate day. So Jack and I dressed up like pirates. We watched one of his favorite shows Jake and the Neverland pirates. It was a lot of fun!

Cap'n Jack

A couple of silly pirates

Then we went to the hotel to look at the room. I like it a lot. I think we are going to use it.

After that we went right to the grocery store. Did you know there is a shortage of canned pumpkin? It has been this way since 2 weeks before Christmas last year! I learned this while looking for some for a new pasta recipe. I spoke to the manager and he filled me in. Just a little piece of info in case you’re a big pumpkin recipe family this fall!

I reorganized and cleaned out our pantry. That was much needed and well over due! It looks so nice now.

I spent 2 hours cooking/preparing food for Jackson. It took that long because I had to keep stopping to do things with him. He wanted me to hold him or this or that. I kept telling him “I promise momma isn’t just sitting around doing nothing, I am making you lots of yummy food!” I  made some chicken for him for the first time. He was not a happy camper when he ate it. It was no cheese experience!

Then I started our dinner. My healthy take on Chicken Cordon Bleu, with sweet corn, and baked sweet potatoes.

In between starting our dinner and finishing his food we sat on the couch and cuddled. It felt great. He watched the end of a show of his while I rested my body and eyes. Then when that was over we just goofed around together. Playing with his monitor, my camera, the remote, a paper plate, and one of his little play balls. The things kids love to play with!

So while my exercise was ehhh at best the rest of my day was very productive.

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Categories Baby food, Exercise, fitness, Healthy Living, Jack, Momommahood, motherhood, parenthood, parenting, pilates, Recipes, Running, weather, weight loss, weightloss, working out

Intervals

September 9, 2011 //
0

I tried out intervals when running yesterday. There is a link on my page I posted about interval workouts. I followed through and tried it. It is hard especially while pushing about 50lbs of stroller and baby up hills! It felt really great though. AND I actually did it, which felt like an accomplishment. Hard or not I tried and I did it.

My running app is all messed up. It doesn’t actually have a setting for where I put it, in my stroller tray. I think it is time for a new app anyway. I am pretty sure this one was free and it is pretty basic.

Also, my normal route was partially closed due to construction. I had to head the other way and double back. Between both hiccups I am not totally sure all my totals for the day. Unfortunate, but I do know I got an excellent workout regardless.

On that note does anyone have a running/jogging iPhone app they love and recommend? I want to try a new one. Has anyone encountered one that is for using with a baby jogger? Do you have an armband that you like? I had one but I lost it. I have been wanting to replace it for some time but I am having trouble making a commitment! HA!

I also ordered a new dvd to try to switch things up. I will write about which one and if I liked it after I try it. I am feeling in a weight loss rut. I have sort of just stopped since August. I still vary from needing to lose 2-4 lbs depending on the day. If you were to ask my husband or mom I am insane and both refuse to talk to me about this. My mom refuses to read this blog as well. However, it is very important to me that I get to my pre pregnancy weight, and yes a pound or two is a big deal for me. I feel that if I accept a pound here and a pound there that I am setting myself up for slow weight gain over time. I feel I can always be a little better. Jason and my mom went on to tell me that it is time to settle that I look great etc. I just can’t settle. The settle comment came from a joke on the show Louie that the hubby and I watch. Ahh that husband of mine, always the funny man! I have a goal and I plan to achieve it.

 

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Categories Baby Weight, Exercise, fitness, Healthy Living, Momommahood, motherhood, Running, weight loss, weightloss, working out
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