Damage Control

After having my baby I was more motivated than ever to get fit, eat healthy, and lose the baby weight. I was proud when I conquered those goals and was happy to feel that I was the healthiest I'd ever been in my life... But then it all just started slipping. I was weighing in at the lowest weight I'd been since high school so I took more liberties than usual (liberties being in the form of portion size, cheesy foods, and anything having to do with chocolate). Slowly I was back to what I consider my "go-to size."

AND then vacation came. And, like I'm sure you're guessing, even more liberties were taken. It could have been the buffet breakfasts EVERY morning, or the burger joint we hit while getting lunch in Yellowstone, but lets be honest, it was all of it. I came back from vacation a couple pounds heavier and feeling more like a sloth than a fitness and health buff. So, now what?

Here is what I am not going to do: I am not going to get down on myself, call myself negative names, or even regret what I consumed while on vacation. What I am going to do is use this little setback as motivation. I am going to get back on my work out train, including working out MOST days of the week (good philosophy, right?). And I am going to get back to cooking more meals at home and snacking on fruits and veggies rather than those carb-loaded snacks I've taken to.

The moral of the story: setbacks happen. Big whoop! For me, I will look at this setback as a good thing because it may just be the spark I need to get me back on track :)

An Inside Job

I'm so lucky to have married someone who, like me, wants to live a healthy lifestyle. Recently, Nate and I ran the Surf City 5k on 4th of July. I asked Nate to help me keep a challenging pace and he was game. With Nate's help I got a PR of 23:43.

I had to share this photo. This is the two of us running in together. As we were getting closer to the finish line I told Nate I was going to sprint it in... I think he had slightly underestimated my speed ;)

I love that one of my biggest supporters of a healthier me is my husband. It makes everything easier when support is an "inside job."

AFC Half Marathon

Well, I did it. I conquered my first half marathon after having Landon. My official time was 1:57:06. Although, it wasn't my very best time (even though I did beat my last time I ran the course), the day after I am feeling good and proud of what I've done. The course is a pretty tough one with a nice 1 1/2 mile hill starting at mile 11 (like a cruel, cruel joke), BUT I'm happy and have that feeling of accomplishment that comes with setting a goal, training for it, and then finishing it. It just goes to show that if you put your mind to it, you really can do anything. And for me that means that with all the craziness of motherhood, I still can make time to live a healthy lifestyle :)

Now for some pics. This is me nearing the finish when I catch my first glimpse of my cheering squad - Nate and Lando. (Is there such a thing as an attractive running picture? I think not.)

My prize :)

A very special thanks to my boys, my loves, my cheering squad. I can't tell you how many times I thought of these two while I was running. I knew the quicker I ran, the sooner I'd see them. Great motivation :)

The Power of Compliments

You know that day when you are feeling a little run-down? You're not sad, you're not mad, but you're not happy either. You're just sort of there; going through the motions. But then something happens. You run into an old friend and they mention that you're looking great or that your child's smile is the cutest they've seen. Soon you find yourself smiling and enjoying your day. You're no longer going through the motions, but loving life once again.

I don't know if anyone has experienced this, but I definitely have. There are days when I am low on sleep, feeling disheveled, or just being hard on myself about something (a common tendency of mine). It's amazing what happens when someone then compliments you. And it's especially funny when they compliment the very thing you've been kicking yourself over. I've noticed that even a compliment in passing brings a smile to my face.

This is why I've come to the conclusion that I want to try and give out more compliments. It's not hard. It's not expensive. But it has the power to completely turn someone's day around. I've been very appreciative of any compliments I've received lately and I guess I just want to pay it forward in a way. So beware if you see me... I may just tell you how great you are ;)

Still Stridin'!

Can you believe that this is where I get to work out? Pretty gorgeous.

And can you believe this is who I get to work out with? Pretty cute (if i do say so myself).


I'm still loving my work-out group, Stroller Strides. I was so drawn to it, I'm now a certified trainer and get to sub all over the city. This company doesn't use motherhood as an excuse to let your health go, instead it uses motherhood as motivation to be as healthy as you can be. The choice of living a healthy lifestyle doesn't just end with you; those babies in the strollers are witness to the healthy eating and exercise we choose for ourselves. And it's likely to influence their sparkling futures.

You may not have a local Stroller Strides or you may not even have children yet. Just know that your choices affect more than you. They affect you, those around you, and those in your future you may not even be imagining yet. The choice to be healthy is exactly that; a choice. It's up to you to choose it.

Shocking the System

I was searching for yoga images when I came across this gem. It's simply titled "Yoga Grandma." At first I laughed... come on, it's a little shocking to see. But then I was really impressed. If I can do this at her age, I'll be doing pretty good, I think.

Last night I took a yoga class taught by our very talented friend, Anga. I was feeling as though my body was needing a break from my every day work outs and needing something different; a little TLC, if you will. Yoga has always been something I've enjoyed, there is absolutely nothing like it. Mentally it transports you to another place, and physically it does so much good for your body, I can't even list it all. Sadly, it had been about a year and a half since the last time I "practiced" in a studio (check out me using the yogi lingo!!).

Now, I'm not saying yoga is for everyone, but I truly believe you have to shock your system, once in awhile. Our bodies are very adaptive. If we do the same things over and over, it's going to get used to it. When our bodies become used to something, our muscles and progress hit somewhat of a plateau.

That's why I try very hard to keep my workout routine, far from that - a routine. We need to spice things up and continue to challenge ourselves by trying new things. I'm not saying runners should stop running, or swimmers stop swimming. I'm just saying that running is great, but maybe try a kickboxing class once in awhile to hit that core and upper body you may be lacking.

Also, change is fun! The last thing we want is for exercise to feel boring, mundane, or "same ol'." After last night I realize that a year and a half was far too long of a break from yoga. I'm looking forward to adding in a class or two every couple of weeks.. I mean, why not, really?

One more for the road. The same "Grandma" doing crow pose. Pretty inspiring.


Images are product of Barcoft Media

Leftovers Advocate!

Truth be told, I used to HATE leftovers. Boy was I ignorant! Luckily, I am now older and wiser (well, at least about leftovers, anyway). Here is the glory of leftovers:

- They are ready to eat. I love heating up a full, balanced meal in 2 mins or less.
- It cuts down on your having to prepare one more healthy meal. You make one deliciously healthy dinner and you don't have to think about your next two lunches.
- When I have something healthy ready to eat, my hunger doesn't drive me to make poor eating decisions.
- It's a money-saver! Less money spent on food, means more money to spend on other things (Can you say iPad 2?!!)
- It's a time-saver! This kind of goes with the first bullet, but I can't tell you how nice it is being a mommy and being able to just pop something in the microwave. Leaves time for chasing around a rolling baby who likes to play with anything that he shouldn't :)

So, what can I say? I am a full-blown leftovers advocate. I don't see a downside to leftovers, at all. In general, they just make being healthy easy. And when healthy options are available and easy, we are more like to choose them :) Happy eating!