Turning a corner

During my run this morning I felt something change in my body.  I'm sure it wasn't an instantaneous change, it's been changing over time but this morning was when I sensed it.  I have totally turned a corner with running.  My endurance is so much more, my breathing is controlled, I don't feel out of breath and I'm not as tired afterwards.  I can tell my muscles are getting used to to running because I can stretch them further, they are not as tight as they once were. I feel excited about this like, "Whoa, I can actually do this running thing!"  I have not lost a single pound yet in the last 3 weeks but I am sticking with it despite the fact.  My body seems slow to make changes so I'm thinking over time I will eventually loose the rest of the baby weight. It just might take longer then I wanted.

Bill has started running again too.  I am really excited for him.  He used to be a runner and has always enjoyed it but he hasn't done it in years. Don't tell him this, but I think I was influential in him starting back at running. :) I think he saw how much I was enjoying it and it made him remember that it was something he once loved. 

I took Ryan with me this morning on my run.  He got all dressed in his shorts and running shoes and declared that he was going to run with me.  I thought about turning him down because I really enjoy running alone.  I don't like to talk while running. I love listening to music or to the sound of my feet hitting the pavement.  I decided though to give it a try, I told him he could join me. He turned out to be a really good companion. He isn't much of a talker, so that wasn't an issue for us. He did really well too, I was surprised actually.  He stayed with until about 16 minutes into it. We were close enough to the house at that point that he just ran home.

I think this is so good for our family. I think it is building healthy habits and hopefully being a good example to our kids about taking care of our bodies. It's fun that Ryan sees both of us exercising and wants to do the same now. It serves as a good reminder to me that our kids are always watching so we must be wise in what we are living out before them.

A new playlist

I recently started doing the Couch to 5k. A friend of mine had told me about this several months ago, but I put off starting it, partly because of the heat and partly because I wasn't sure I could do it.  Finally after feeling antsy (running seems to help when I am feeling this way) I determined that I would give it a go.  The first time I went out, I knew it was very doable for me.  I loved the training plan. I love how it gradually builds.  I have tried running in the past and have never stuck with it.  Having a plan makes it so much easier to stick with it. I feel like I am accomplishing something.

Okay, so to the point of why I am writing this...

When I run I like to take my MP3 player with me.  It helps to pass the time to have something to listen to.  The problem is right now I feel like I keep listening to the same songs over and over.  So I want to put a question out there to all you who exercise...what is on your playlist?  I am looking for some more upbeat running type music.  I listen mostly Christian music, so if you know of any upbeat Christian music that would be great...but I am open to all types of suggestions.

Loosing it

My body has seen better days.

After having 5 babies things just aren't the way they used to be. I'm not sure what it is but after having each of my girls I have had a hard time loosing weight. With my boys I lost all my baby weight (and then some) right away. Right now, after having Katie I am the heaviest I have been (non pregnant). I still have about 15-20 pounds to loose. I have wanted desperately to get into a good exercise routine but have struggled to find the time (and energy) to fit it in. I know it sounds like excuses, and maybe it partly is but it is what it is. Exercise has been anything but consistent in my life the past 10 months. I feel bad about it yet I continue to not do much about it.

Until recently.

I decided that I just needed to take one day at a time. There are a few baby steps that I have taken over the last two weeks.  Nothing earth shattering or new just small things to get myself going.

~I sat down and made a daily schedule. This was very helpful to see how I should order my day and best be able to fit in the things that need to be there.

~I made time in my day for the most important thing...quiet time with the Lord.

~I am getting up earlier. I am not much of a morning person but this seems to be helping me get off to a good start.

~I eat a healthy breakfast like oatmeal when I feed the kids. Often I used to skip breakfast and just drink tea, but then I end up snacking on unhealthy foods all morning.  Eating a filling healthy breakfast has helped me to feel energized so I don't have the urge to sack.

~I drink LOTS of water. This is something that I have always done but I consider this to be so important.

~I have come up with more creative ways to get some exercise in.  This sounds really lame compared to some of my friends who go to the gym several times a week or spend hours a day working out, but in this stage of my life this is what works for me.  I have been doing things like playing baseball with my kids. Instead of having the kids be the ones to fetch the stray balls I am continually running after the balls.  This gets my heart going. We also play basketball or kick a soccer ball around.  Sometimes I walk laps around the church we live next to while the kids play in the yard. I also try and go for walks by myself, but this still doesn't happen nearly as often as I would like.

~I have cut out snacking in the evening.  I think this is possibly the biggest thing for me. Bill and I will often sit and watch a favorite show in the evening (after the kids are sleeping) and eat a bowl of popcorn. Now if I feel hungry at night I drink a glass of water and the desire to eat goes away.

~I have decided that I can do this!  I just realized that I have it in me (with Christ's help) to do this.  It is such a wonderful feeling. I decided that I need to be more positive (not just about weight loss) and choose to have joy in everything. This is something that the Lord has been working on me for years. It is so freeing to choose to have a positive outlook on life. Honestly, I believe that having joy  is one of the biggest steps you can take to becoming a healthy person. Scripture even says so, "a joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." Provers 17:22

And guess what? This week I lost 3 pounds!! This is HUGE for me.  My scale has not budged in months.  I am so excited. I really do feel like a new person and it's not just about the weight loss.  I believe all these changes will add up to a healthier, happier me. :)

Crumbs on my back

I think when it really hit me was a few weeks ago.  We had to do a photo shoot with our graduating class...Like I actually had to be IN a picture. I had to go out and buy an outfit because almost 6 months postpartum I still can not fit into any of my clothes {sigh}. I found an outfit that I felt was somewhat flattering. I did my hair (which I don't always have time to do) and put make up on (never do). I thought I looked relatively okay.  However when we got the group picture back a few days later I was horrified. I guess because I am never in pictures and maybe I don't pay much attention when looking in the mirror.  Seeing that picture made me realize that I really need to get myself into gear. It was the motivation I needed. Also buying a scale (I hadn't been weighed since Kaitlyn was 6 weeks old) and seeing that I have only lost 2 pounds since her birth was another motivating factor. :)

I have never been good at sticking with any kind of work out plan or diet. I always start out with good intentions and then it quickly fizzles out. I want to work out but I let other things get in the way and I don't make the time.  In all honestly I really despise working out. It is HARD.  Especially right now when I am So out of shape.  I do LOVE how I feel after I work out though.  There is such a sense of accomplishment.  I have started a work out routine. I do have high hopes of sticking to it this time around. There are two reasons for that. First, I have never been this heavy this long after having a baby. I have always just lost the weight easily (with the exception of my first baby...took me a long time to loose weight), but not this time.  Maybe it's because I am getting older? Second, I realize I am getting older and the need for me to get/stay in shape increases. I have a long family history of health issues (Diabetes being one of them).

I have thought about this a lot. Maybe years ago it would have just been about me loosing weight and looking/feeling good. While I can't lie and say that isn't something that I still desire, the need for me to live a healthy life is what is driving me. Bill and I have made a decision to walk a difficult but, oh so rewarding path, so for the sake of what God has called us to I want to be healthy and strong. Exercise is just one more tool for me to use towards that goal.  The goal is not self preservation, it's about being a good steward of what God has given me. I know that my body is a temple for the Holy Spirit so I need to do what I can to take care of this body that I have right now.

I have had to start slow. It has been a long time since I have done anything. I tried to start a routine a few months ago but because of school and the amount of homework I had (and the fact that I had a newborn who still got up at night) I wasn't able to do it for more then a week.  I was just too exhausted and lacked the motivation to try and force it.  Life has started to slow down a bit these days so this was a good time to start back up. The first time I worked out I was so so sore.  I had to wait 3 days before I could work out again. I thought I could just push past the pain but Bill told me (from his past experience of weight lifting) that I should wait and let my muscles heal. The next time I worked out I only had to wait two days, and now I am up to the point where I can work out every day. :)

I know it's going to be tempting to quit, especially when I don't see the results that I want. It is going to be tempting to skip when I feel tired and just don't.want.to.do.it! But, I know I can do it this time and I need to.  I don't want to let this become something I obsess about or worry about, it just needs to be apart of my daily life. If that makes any sense.

So while I have crumbs on my back tonight (from working out on my dirty floor of course) at least they're not on my face! {grin!} 

Miner glitch

Ok, so I am so pumped about running and getting fit, and starting some more healthy habits. I also found a running partner (thank you Shauna), and I am very excited about it. I am motivated, but to have a friend to help keep accountable with is so great. We are supposed to have our first run together tomorrow evening. Well...last night I tripped over Claire's little chair (she was not in it at the time) in the living room and stubbed my toe. Now, this isn't any little toe stubbing, I am talking the mother of all toe stubbingness (I'm not sure that's a real word! :) ) It was kind of funny when it happened, and Bill and I were laughing, but oh my word did it hurt!! I took 2 Advil last night before bed. The pain woke me a few times throughout the night. This morning my toe looked swollen and purple, and still painful. And it's kind of touching my other toe in a way that it never did before. I am hoping that is just from the swelling. :) Sorry if that's too much information. :)

I am praying (yes might sound silly) that I can get my running shoes on tomorrow night. But, I am starting to have my doubts. I wonder if it might be broken? I guess I'll find out tomorrow, if it's feeling better.

It's just a miner glitch in my system.

A new race

Tonight I went for my first run since I was pregnant with Claire. Yeah I know, it's been a long time. I only went out for 15 minutes, then came home and did 100 butt lifts, 25 crunches, stretches, and 16 push ups. I know that really isn't a whole lot, but I have not felt that wonderful in a long time. I have been feeling this need to get out and exercise now that it's nice out. Claire is 4 months old and sleeping through the night, so my mind and body feel ready for this.

My goal for the next couple of weeks is to get out and run 2 nights a week. I'm starting slow, and will build on that. I am starting a routine of hand weights and other exercises every evening after the kids go to bed. I am really motivated right now to get healthy...not just skinny. :)

I have prayed about how I can help my family get healthier, so there are more changes to come in the area of food. I want to be a good steward of everything God has given us, including taking care of our bodies. Bill has been saying lately that he is starting to put on some weight, so I think now is the perfect time to start implement changes.