Post Baby Weight Loss

Let's just talk about this for a second.  You know those people who have a baby and walk out of the hospital not looking like it, or those people who have a baby and a weeks later you can't tell.  Yeah, I'm not one of those people, I hate those people (not really, just ticks me off!)

I never lost all my weight from having my first baby, mostly because I was lazy.  After I had my second I was just "fat" sorry if you don't like that word, but its the truth and it was the one thing that got me moving!  I had a series of events that happened that made me disgusted with myself, they are much too humiliating for me to post on here, but they were totally enough to get me moving!  So, as you know form this blog I started running!  I also stopped eating sugar.  Like hard core, no sugar if it was listed in the first 3 ingredients on a label!  I lost 20lbs, I still had quite a bit to go though!  I sat at that weight for quite some time despite training for a half marathon that had me burning enough calories to lose 2lbs a week and still nothing!  SUPER frustrating.  I however wasn't really watching what I was eating.  So, I enlisted the help of my new friend! We had just started to get to be friends and she was perfect for me because I was still getting to know her and didn't want to have to tell her I ate crap!  She is super honest on her blog about her weight loss, so she was perfect for me!  I lost 22 more lbs!  This brought me back to almost where I was after having my first baby!  (almost) Unfortunately, I had gained weight before having him so I still needed at least 20 more lbs before I wanted to have another baby. 

God had other plans. You know that phrase, we plan, God laughs. Yeah that was us!  We all know I got pregnant with the twins far faster than we were hoping!  Surprise!  No more losing that last 20lbs. I was determined not to go crazy and gain 80lbs for these kids and did what I thought was great and only gained 50 (which put me lighter than I was when I had baby #2) I lost 30 right away after they were born, which was amazing, but that was the holiday season and I did not feel like dieting again, so I gained 10lbs back.  Dumb! 

So here were are again. I started running again at 6 weeks 2 days, but didn't start strictly with the food until 3mos. Its been SUPER  slow. I've only lost 7lbs but I know I'll get there!  Its gonna be a lot of work!!! To get there I have had to workout 6 days a week and really watch what I eat!  Which stinks! 

So, that's enough of the babble!  I hear babies crying!  And I need to go run with my friend! 

All you baby poppers who lose that weight right away with no effort.  Count yourselves blessed and eat a donut for us ;)

New Year's Resolution

To my recollection I have never made a new year's resolution.

Figured I'd break it so why even make it.

Good thinking right.

This year is the exception.

Just in case you forgot I recently had twins!  I gained about 50lbs.  Not to shabby in my book, considering I had two decent sized babies, two placentas (one of which I'm told was HUGE), blood flow for 2 babies, beginning milk supply, and two amniotic sacs. All told I weighed less with 2 babies than I did when I had Leah!  Yikes!

So here's my new year's resolution.  To fit back in to my wedding dress!  Yep!  That's it!  Big undertaking but according to SparkPeople, I should be able to do it by around June!  I'll take by December, but its nice to know if I work hard it could be possible by June!

Why my wedding dress? Many reasons. That weight was the last time I really remember feeling good about the way I look. I felt amazingly beautiful in it. I thought it was beautiful. My husband tells me it was the sexiest thing he's ever seen me wear. :) tmi? And I would love to do a "trash the dress" of sorts. Nothing crazy but just something simple and fun!  I've got a great photographer to hire!  She's great, if anyone is interested!

Ok, so lets help keep me accountable people!  I will be posting about bringing sexy back

My first smaller goal is to be back to pre-baby weight by the end of March. That's about 25lbs.  I've already lost 1 last week so its a start. If I lose it all I'll be exactly where I started  year ago!

Ok, here we go!

And we're back!

Running that is!

I posted 5 miles last week!!

Running/Walking, but mostly running!

I am one happy mommy!!

Pregnant Running

Crazy prospect right!?!  I can't believe I've been doing it for 6 weeks already (yes I know, technically 10, but the first 4 don't count cuz I didn't know I was yet (and really only Pregnant for 2 of those...confused yet)

In my pregnant running time I have actually done really well.  I wasn't sure how far I should go how fast I should go, but most that I read said that I just needed to listen to my body.  And that's what I have done (note:  I did get the doc's permission before continuing)   I've been running for a year now and def. know what I should feel like when I run and am comfortable making those decisions.

I miraculously clocked my fastest time over 3.1mi an 8:44.  I wasn't trying for that, just one of those days where you feel amazing!  I have been averaging about a 9:30-9:45 depending on the day and am ok with whatever pace.  Just getting the miles in is what matters to me right now.  I am shooting for 3 days a week at least 3 miles each.  I am also as much as possible going to try to walk on the days I am not running.  This  will take planning and discipline. I thought I had escaped the pregnancy sickness because I had been feeling good up until yesterday. But I have a little cold and have been feeling terrible the last two days, but am planning on running tonight!

Before I found out it was twins I was planning on running til 30 weeks, if I could make it. But now, we'll just have to see.  The most important thing is to keep these babies cooking as long as possible!!

Here's to hoping for weeks of running!!!

5K

Well, not really really.

But my fastest 5k race! 

Seeing as I have only run 1 5k race before, that shouldn't have been too hard becauses I was 40lbs heavier than now (almost) and I was REALLY slow! 

But yay!  At least somewhat of an accomplishment! And a 9:05 pace to boot!

My first mile was 8:33...so really really fast, I'm surprised I came in at 9:05 in the end.  I really wasn't feeling very well!

Got to run it with some running buddies, my sister, bro-in-law (who just did a tough mudder this past Sunday by the way) and little baby Mae even made an appearance and beat her mommy by seconds! 

A fun night all around!!

I was doing so well

I had been posting like a maniac and then man life just takes over!!

Still running! I had a few runs last week that were awful!  I had hurt my calf somehow and it was cramping up like crazy!  But some rubbing, heat and a rolling pin and its all better.

Just in time for me to rock my best run ever.

3.1 miles in 27.06  an 8:44 mile!!!!

Yay!!! 

Just keep getting it done, I have a 5k this month one in May.  The one in May was my first 5k ever, so I'm pretty excited to cut lots an lots of time off my race!! 

So Great! 

Sorry I'm so boring.  I promise  post about my sweet kiddos soon!!!

19 miles

So, I have been running on average this winter about 10-15 miles a week...not a lot, but enough to keep things going.  But last week, I ran 8 miles on Monday followed by a 3mi on Tuesday, and I said to myself, self, maybe you should try to 20 for this week.  The next two days were crazy which = no running.  But I did get in a little one on Friday with a friend, Which brought me to 13.6, and I was supposed to run 7 mi with friends on Sunday.   I knew Sunday was gonna be rough, but it was worse then I thought.  Up at 6am to get myself ready, Sweet girl up at 6:30 for no good reason.  Try to wake the boy up at 7, 7:05, 7:10...you get the idea, finally dragged him out at 7:15.  Get them both ready, back their breakfast and head out the door at 7:30.  (We had to get to church early b/c we lead music)  I then had to work in the nursery...and got stuck by myself with 13 4 year olds...11 of them boys.  Left there EXHAUSTED!

Chris had to stay after church, so my mom was my ride home, and they were going out to lunch. So two very tired children were toted to lunch.  We didn't get home until almost 2...which meant not a long nap for me because my run was supposed to be at 4 and I had to tell my ride by 3:30 if I was going.  FAIL. 

Bailed on my run because a. I was tired b. the hubby wasn't home from church yet and c. didn't feel 7 miles in me.

I knew I was still gonna run, just not sure how far.  Started out for 5  (which meant 5.2) around my neighborhood.  At 4 I was gonna stop.  Felt very tired.  Until I saw my running neighbor, standing outside his house, in my mind waiting to encourage me!  Now, I have never run with him because he runs an 8min mile on average, but we have "raced" eachother around the neighborhood.  But I was excited to see him because I just had to tell him how fast I had gotten....so I yelled I've cut 2 min off my time from this time last year!  Yay!  And that gave me the motivation to finish the last lap and get in almost 5.4 .

Now, why do I tell this boring story....because go back and do the math.  8+3+2.6+5.4= 19miles....seriously, I was only 1 mile away from my 20 goal because I forgot about the 10th's.  GRRRR I could have totally kicked one more mile!  Instead I am kicking myself

So this week I am telling everyone my goal.  I am going to run 20 miles this week!!!  I am going to do it!!!

Wonderful Exhausting Weekend...Wonderful Run!

What a great weekend at my brothers wedding!  Wonderful, but exhausting!  It was tough driving an 8 hour trip in 9+ hours thanks to wonderfully inclement weather!  Then get in the car and drive the rest of the 11 hour trip!  Thankfully that trip went as scheduled!

Exhausting thing #2 & #3  - my beautiful young children.  Note to self, never be in a wedding with your husband and children and not bring a designated babysitter!!!  Toting a toddler around on your hip while in heels is not recommended!  By the time the wedding began on Saturday I was mentally and physically done!  But SO excited for my brother and amazing new sister in law!!!

Exhausting thing #4 - Dancing for hours!  This was fun but again exhausting!  What a blast we had making fools of ourselves!  Believe me when I say I can't dance, and there is video evidence out there to prove it!f

Exhausting thing #5 - Sleeping on a full hotel bed with your husband. Needless to say. I got no sleep! 

Exhausting thing #.....who's annoyed with the numbers yet?!?  Me! Me! 

Drive an 11 hour trip home in 12.5 hours (at least)  We were moving along swimmingly and were scheduled to get home at 6:30pm when I had to pee.  So we stopped and a few of us got out for a quick potty stop.  We get back on the road and a few moments later by husband was slamming on the brakes because moments before around a corner a semi truck had just taken a curve too fast and tipped over!  Right in the middle of the road!  Next thing we know, my brother in law is jumping out of the car and running up to the accident.

Yep, that's him on TOP of the overturned truck!  (He was the only one in shape enough to climb up there to talk to the driver)  Thankfully he was conscious and talking, but none to coherently.  Poor kid had just gotten his license a few days earlier and this was his first haul!  We are praying he was really as ok as he seemed!

The embankment he went up on...wrecked it up nicely!

Dirt all over the road. Our van is right behind the semi on the right!

Kids with daddy waiting for the accident to be cleaned up!

About 1 1/2 -2 hours later they finally let us through after pulling the load to the side and cleaning up the road! (I have a video of this but blogger is being stupid and won't let me upload it for some reason, its all right, it wasn't that exciting!)

So we finally got home about 9:30ish and the kids ran around screaming and yelling!!  So happy to be out of the car!!!

All in all, I LOVED this weekend even though it exhausted me!

And even though I was exhausted from the weekends events (which included eating plenty of crappy food) I managed an 8mi run on Monday.  Yeah that's right 8mi!!!  Oh, and did I mention I did it at a 9:17 pace!!!  Last time I did 8 mi was training for my half and I did it at a 10:58 pace!  Now that's what I call improvement!!!

Nothing like being trapped in a car for 12 hours to get your legs moving.  And besides I have to re-lose the 2lbs I lost last week!! 

Running With Friends!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE running with friends!  (now)

I have to let you in on a little secret....I have always been scared to run with people. It has always intimidated me.  I feel like I would be holding them back or breathing to loud or talking too much or I run funny or what if I can't keep up and have to walk, or etc etc etc.  A few years ago when I was running a lot too I had a friend who always said we should run together...I was SUPER intimidated.  So I never did.  Until this past summer I had only run with 3 people.  Two of them were my sisters and one was a friend from college who pressured me into it.  I hated every minute of it!


But this year something changed.  I found a running partner who I was good friends with.  I have known her since college and was SO comfortable running with her.  I knew she wouldn't judge me and would just run. And low and behold I LOVED it! 

So to me that is key, running with people I am comfortable running with.  Period.

I did take a HUGE step running "with" someone who runs WAY faster than me and guess what, it was one of my best runs ever.  It was in my training for my half and it was my 12 mile run.  I got done and wasn't even tired.  I didn't get to run along side her, but knowing she was there pushed me to keep going and going and going. 

Now I have a few running buddies who I LOVE running with! 

Thanks girls!!

Getting Ready

Its race week again!  I'm excited! Its a 5 miler and with my paces being so much better, I'm excited to see how well I can do.  I know I am far from getting any prizes, but I love (after the race) the feeling of accomplishment.  For some reason, during the race, I HATE running.  I think its the pressure.  Hopefully this time I will enjoy it a lot more because I'm running with friends.  We're making shirts and everything.  I always get jealous of the teams running with shirts encouraging each other along the way!  So I am SUPER excited this time to get to be part of a team!

Good run yesterday!  9:43 pace!  I love it.  Really, I don't set out hardly ever to get an amazing pace.  They seem to be just happening lately!  I should (after the race) try to run a 5k and see how fast I can do it.  Actually makes my stomach turn just thinking about it :)  I love to run with no pressure.  Just out there. Me and the road.  (and occasionally a running friend)  Being a mom of 2, it is a great escape!  After a long day, its nice to get out there and just put one foot in front of the other.  Yesterday was one of those days!  I could have run for a long long time.  The weather was amazing, the company was amazing and I just really enjoyed it! 

Today's workout consisted of The Biggest Loser's Cardio Max dvd.  I did level 1&2.  Bob and Jillian.  I have done this workout many times before, but I killed this one!  Did EVERYTHING!  Even a couple man pushups :)  It feels so good to get stronger and more in shape!  Esp after a disappointed 1lb loss last week. But last week was rough eating and workout wise.  I need to lose 5lbs in the next two weeks to hit a weight loss goal, and I am SUPER committed!  I REALLY want to do this!  Right now though I am the lowest I have seen the scale since before Wyatt was born.  Honestly, I never got on the scale.  I went by how my clothes fit, which is fine with me once I get to an acceptable weight again.  Anyway, feels good to be at this point and can't wait to hit my goal. 

Ok, I bored you enough!  Happy Week!!

Well Hello There

We are finally all healthy!  Except for maybe a cough here and there, but feeling MUCH better!

I knew I had jinxed myself a few weeks ago when I said we had had a pretty healthy winter.  We were due.  Ha ha, wouldn't you know it, practically the next day Wyatt came down with a fever.  After a complete week we were at least healthy enough to go in public.  Yuck.  Stuck in a house (read: basement) for a whole week is not fun!

At least last week brought us some gorgeous weather and I could open the windows and let out any lingering germs and we could get outside and play play play, which we did with great joy!

Beautiful weather also allowed for amazing runs!  I got in 10 miles again last week!  Love that!  Once of which was 4.4 mi at a 9:05 pace! Holy cow yay for me!  The next day though (yes, stupid me went running less than 24 hours later) I went running with a friend I have been wanting to run with FOREVER!  I was so excited, I didn't even think about the toll my 9mi mile 4 mile run had on my body.  I proceeded to complain through the whole run. 

I felt like....well, you know.

So mad, I didn't even finish 3 miles.  I did force myself to do the hill in the park 2times.  30 sec between.  Should have been 5times, but I felt awful!

So that behind me I am looking forward to some great runs this week!  Hopefully the weather cooperates!

P.S. I also lost almost 4lbs last week!!!

Sick = MIA

This has been a sick sick week for our family.  My poor kids have been through the ringer.  Fever, stuffy, cough, runny noses, aches.  Full out flu!  I feel so bad for them.  I have also gotten a touch of it but not nearly as bad as them!  So that is the reason for being MIA.

The good news.  I've gotten in 10 miles this week thanks to my 5.3 mi freezing cold run today.  My lungs were NOT happy with me. But it feels good to have it done!

Ok, back to tending to my sickies!

New Shoes!!!

Mamma gotta new pair of shoes!!!  A beautiful pair!  A pair I am SO happy about!  You'd think with all this joy I would be talking about a beautiful pair of pumps.  But no...these are my new beautiful babies!

Brooks Adrenaline GTS11 Support Shoes!  Ran in them today and LOVE them.  I need to adjust the laces a bit because my baby toes kept falling asleep but other than that I LOVED them!  Nice and supportive, very cushy!  I couldn't feel the road and that was so nice!  

Good run today!  4.5mi in 41 minutes.  My brother in law keeps making fun of me that I am so shocked by my times, but literally, every time I get a great time, like today, I am just dumbfounded!  I never thought I would be running so fast.  SO great!  I could have gone farther (and I really wanted to...it was 48 degrees out!) but my toes were bothering me a little too much...so I cut it short.  My goal is to do a 7 mile run this week!  Just to bring up my distance again!  I haven't run that long since the half, so I'm excited to try it!

****side note, my poor little boy is pretty sick.  Can't tell what's wrong, other than a little cold or the flu.  He's been running a high fever, his throat is hurting him and he is starting to get a nasty cough.  He's miserable!  Poor kid!****

Weigh in

Bad news people.  I gained .8oz.  Not a negative.  A +.

Ugh!!  I HATE weeks like this!  Especially when it comes after working harder than I have been...didn't go over my calories (except Sunday) and worked HARDER!!  That is super irritating and super frustrating!!!

So, please tell me, what am I doing wrong?  And don't tell me I am gaining more muscle....because I should still be losing SOMETHING!  Ugh!

So, not cheat day for me this week.  Also, to make my mother happy, I have stopped drinking Diet Soda.  Haven't seen a change really, but hey, maybe something will help.  I have also stopped eating sugar.  If it is listed in the first 3 ingredients I am only allowed to have 15g and no desserts (maybe a small cheat here and there, but for now nothing)  A small detox if you will.

I did this to jump start my weight loss after losing nothing for MONTHS.  Hopefully it will work again!

I feel like I have better control these days.  Portion control, actual calorie count, etc. I'm not eating mindlessly anymore which is nice.  Its nice to be in control.

I had a nice run today with my friend Leah, just a quick 2.6 and I made her run fast.  Pretty sure she hates me :)  Another run is planned for tomorrow, I'm thinking 4-5 which should get me to my goal of 10mi this week and a little over! (as long as the weather plays nice).  So that will make 6 workouts this week.  3 days of running and 3 of some other cardio/strength training.  Using the other muscles!

If "you" have any words of advice I'd love to hear them....or words of encouragement would be nice too!  I just need some help!  I've gotta get rid of this weight!

Love/Hate

I have a Love/Hate relationship with Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels.

Hate - the during

Love- the after effect!

Today was the Biggest Loser Cardio Max, levels 1-2

Oy Vey

Bob says a phrase about season three's Pam. "Sweating like a man, Breathing like a man"

That was me! 

But its another one down!

Tough Week

After a super tough workout week, yesterday was a welcome relief.  The only problem.  I took the day off from dieting.....meaning.  I gained the pound back I lost. 

Grrr.

Maybe it will set up a 3lb week, if I work hard this week. 

Started today with the dreaded 30 Day Shred, level 2.  I hate that workout, only because my body, meaning shoulders, hate it.  But love it all at the same time!  They are getting stronger!

By the way, the gaining of the pound was OH so worth it for the fun that was had going along with it.  Some of which included, homemade pizza, oreo madmess, "burnt" cookies, muffins, peanut butter m&m's, and much much more.  However I think I burned off most of those calories with laughing!!

Here's to a 3lb week!!  Can I do it?!?

12 More

This week I worked out every day.  Every. Single. Day. And for at least 40 minutes a day.

Today I am feeling it. A lot.  My knees hurt, my shoulders hurt, my abs hurt, my biceps hurt.

But it is an OH SO GOOD HURT!!

I did a little bit of everything.  30 day shred, Ab Assault, Yoga, Running, Arms.  I feel great!  I am getting stronger and loving every minute of it!  Part of the workouts was running 12 miles this week!  (18 if you add from Sunday to Saturday) 

I love having an accountability partner in all this!  She has really pushed me to be consistant and just get it done.  I told her today as we were running our 6 miles that I wish that I had been accountable to her earlier because maybe I would have made my goal weight already!

But its coming! 

Weigh in

Losing weight is depressing sometimes. Only 1lb again this week!  Super depressing.  Especially considering I have worked out harder this week then I can ever remember.  Super discouraging that since I started this whole thing, I have yet to meet a goal I set.  I have worked hard hard hard at it, yet I haven't met a goal in the time I have set! 

But I'm trying to look on the bright side.

I lost 5lbs this month.  That's better than I thought, but 3 less than my goal.

I did run a 5k, a 10k, and a half marathon though! (in the last year)

I've also lost 2 1/2in off my body this week, so that is kind of positive!

I can do a man's push up....and maybe even 3-4.  This is HUGE for me people.  I can do a few of these kind of push ups

not this kind

When I started, I could barely do a few of knee push ups.  Now I can do a few men's and LOTS of women's!

Now that's a positive!  Maybe I'll even try the 100 push up challenge 


I guess any downward progress is a positive thing!

Bringing Sexy Back

So, I am advancing (or trying to advance) in this whole blogging thing.  Being more faithful at it...being more interesting  trying to be more interesting!  This is what, my 3rd or 4th blog post in a week!  I know, try to keep up!

So to advance more,  I have decided to add labels.  WOAH, big step right :)!!!

You will notice them on the sidebar.  There you will also notice one of the topics is Bringing Sexy Back. 

No, no sex advice here.

This is the label I have decided to put on my weight loss endevers! You see, when I started this whole thing, I told my husband the first song on my playlist for my runs was "Bringing Sexy Back" by Justin Timberlake.  That's what I wanted to do for him. 

This weight loss journey is WAY more about me and how I feel, than him wanting me to do it.  Now, don't get me wrong, he is loving it and is very excited for me, but he has never made me feel "fat" and has always loved me and made me feel sexy even if I didn't think it.  Trust me, I was NEVER thinking it! 

But I'm starting too!

Yay!

Here's to Bringing Sexy Back!!  GREAT motiviation!!

Fast Paced

So, I decided to go for an easy run today. 

Had a great 6 miles on Sunday, so easy right.

So I started my run, and vowed not to look at my watch until 1 mile. That's hard for me to do, I want to make sure I am steadily running, but its not fun if I'm constantly thinking about time.

Then I check my watch at 1 mile.....8:42  WHAT!!!

I think, HOLY COW!!  That's fast!!  I think I should slow down a little....2 miles 17:32....WHAT!!! I didn't slow down that much...Ok, now lets see how fast we can do this! 26:49:09

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! 

Now, I know that this may not be fast to some people. But for me....HOLY COW! 

Considering when I started running last March I was running at least 11:30+ this is HUGE.  I never thought I would even be running a 10 minute mile, much less under a 9 minute mile.

I didn't really even feel it...I kept trying to slow down, I guess this was just one of those days your legs are running you.

Even more amazing to me is that at this park where I run there is a hill...not a crazy hill, but still a hill.  I ran springs up and down it 5 times.  Adding about .7 of a mile extra.  I didn't even feel like I was gonna throw up! 

I've come a long way people...even if the scale doesn't say it...that much :)