You can't get much done in life...

I don't like to ring my own bell but *ding ding ding* if I have a talent it is THIS:

I am ever so good at dropping the ball. 

I have perfected the gift of waving my little white flag of surrender!

Lets face it, parenthood and marriage takes energy. Energy that I just don't seem to wake up with on MOST DAYS! And it is so easy...ridiculously and pathetically...easy for me to forgo all plans of productivity and simply do the BARE minimum I need to get through the day (getting ready not included.) 

Those plans I had to work out...gone!

Will power to eat healthy? Pfff what's that?!

Laundry that needs folding? I'm so good at pretending it's not there! That's why we have two couches right?

Jeans? No way! I'm not going anywhere today, but if I have too lets make it Walmart so I don't have to change. 

Plans to take boys to the park? Why?! That's why we pay to have a backyard!

People it is that bad! It is so embarrassingly that bad!

Because lets face, ever since my hormones went wacko two years ago, three quarters of the month I am exhausted. It's getting better on the days I feel great but the days I'm not its not. I have always been really good at maintaining a positive attitude despite those crazy hormonal fluctuations but it's getting harder. I just keep telling my husband if we got pregnant this would all go away! He knows better though :)

But the other day I had a wake up call.  And by wake up call, I mean I read something that forced me to acknowledge what I had been purposefully ignoring all this time:

"You can't get much done in life if you only work on the days you feel good."

CRAP! Curse you Pinterest and all your wisdom:

Just kidding:

This really hit a chord with me. Am I really only going to put my best foot forward ten days out of the month? 

So the next day, despite dealing with  the cold my son was so kind to share and being exhausted because of stupid hormones I got up, worked out, got ready for the day, had a great preschool lesson with my son, folded laundry, cleaned house, played with my kids... basically what I could picture as the perfect normal day at home was achieved! It felt incredible! I felt incredible...tired but incredible.

The next day I may have regressed some but a lot of that had to do with how hard I pushed it in that work out. Incredible sure feels like soreness and tight muscles the next day  :) But I didn't completely relapse either! I still folded more laundry, got dressed in actual jeans and still had a pretty great day.

Here's hoping I can keep this up! I've written that quote on my fridge so it is glaring at me most of the day. No excuses! Also no delusions of grandeur. I'm not trying to be super mom. Not even close. But I am trying to be a little bit better! Here's to working on the days I don't feel good!

Summer Fitness Challenge: Week FOUR!!

I have actually learned something. I used to think I hated to run...but realize now that I love it! What I hate is people staring at me when I do it because:

Last Sunday I had someone tell me that their husband saw me running and tried to wave at me. I was basically mortified! And hoped he saw me at the start of my run and not at the end where I am a sweating panting mess. It's not even a hot mess guys!! It's just gross. I can't wait until invisibility cloaks become available to muggles... I would use it for this a lot! And laugh when people see a double stroller charging down the hill :)

Until that glorious moment occurs I am stuck with this:

Awkward glance at me all you want people! It may not be pretty (graceful or coordinated) but its healthy!

I am at a whopping 35.43 miles! And that means something!!

Like THEY say (Because they are so smart!..sometimes):

"If you still look cute at the end of your workout,
YOU DIDN'T TRAIN HARD ENOUGH!"

Kids in Stroller Tips:

This Summer Fitness Challenge has been awesome. I know I sound like a broken record but really it has been a blast! I am going to start compiling a list of ideas on here that I have used to keep kids busy while on the longer runs:

1. Pinwheels! They are great for keeping kids entertained and they motivate me to stay on pace :)

2. Snacks! Ok this one is obvious but it REALLY helps my kids.

3. Run with a friend and swap kids! I got this from a friend and thought it was genius. Switching a kid so that they each have a new travel buddy is a great way to keep them entertained. 

Summer Fitness Challenge: Second Week + a mini rant

It's week two! This has been such a great adventure so far and we are still at the beginning!

I was hoping to get in two more miles today but it's raining. Hopefully I will be able too but we will see.

I am currently at 18.2 miles! That's right on track with what I need to be but I want to try and keep ahead. Trying to make up miles would be stressful!

My weight is down two pounds and I've lost half an inch on my waist! The best part is I'm not sore which makes it a lot easier to get out there and get my miles in!

..................................................................RANT...............................................................

So I know that individually these people don't realize they are adding to a very annoying problem, but they are and it's frustrating.

Every time I go out for a run, complete strangers seem to think it's ok to provide a commentary on how they think I'm doing:

"You need to go faster to make their windmills move!"

"Not too fast now!"

"It's easier to run on the road!"

And a note to drivers turning left: If you have a "Left turn yields..." sign and I have the light up walking man telling me its ok to cross: YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY! I do, so don't give me the finger when you almost hit me, because you were completely at fault.

Rant over :)

Summer Fitness Challenge Kick-Off: Day one

So if you read my post yesterday, you learned I was crazy enough to sign up for this challenge. I'm excited, don't get me wrong but it's pretty daunting! 120 miles in three months?? 13 full weeks and some odd days to do be almost exact! Roughly speaking I need to do a little more than 9 miles a week. AGAIN...daunting! But doable. We have a park that is almost exactly two miles from my house. I figure if I do that twice a week and then throw in a walk to a park that is a mile away then I will be set! I am doing this to be healthy and I will be measuring and weighing in each week. I want to lose 10 pounds. I know that doesn't seem like much but these last ten pounds just won't let go! Here is how I plan to reach my goal:

1. Count my calories (Using myfitness pal)
2. Drink 64+ ounces of water daily
3. Eat six small meals a day consisting of less sugar and more protien
4. Wear a heart monitor during cardio to keep me in my fat burning zone
5. Lift weights on the days in between cardio
6. Get 8 hours of sleep a night (If my children love me!)

(Day one!)


One of the things I am afraid of is all the stroller time these boys will be getting. They get bored on the long jog/walk to the park. But these pinwheels helped a BUNCH today!

                                       

2013 4th Annual Summer Fitness Challenge:

I wasn't going to sign up for this.
 Summer is busy!
And it just keeps getting busier because of Army stuff (Number one tip for military families: Schedule everything in pencil!). I thought I would wait till next year. I like to have a set work out routine which is impossible to maintain for me right now! Today I saw the post again and I realized, I will always be busy! Clayton will always be going to this school, that night shift...yada yada! I have no routine and that doesn't look like it will be changing anytime soon. So I might as well do it! Today is the last day to sign up! Take a look and have no excuses!
 (That's why they made double strollers!)

Health and Fitness: My motivation

I love being healthy! I am still trying to figure out how I was skinnier back when I ate whatever I wanted and didn't exercise than I am now when I watch what I eat and exercise regularly! Must be the hips I got after having two kids gave me :) 

But like most (I hope) I fall off the bandwagon and need to go to my inspiration sources to get me revved up to start again. Here are my top three blogs I go to for just that!

Love Your Healthy Body.com:

This blog belongs to my friend Claire! She has totally inspired me over and over to keep going! Her before and now pictures really show all the work and determination she has put into it. She has taken control of her life and I admire her so much for it!

Lance and Mckenzie.blogspot.com:

This is my friend Mckenzie's family blog! I love that she posted her progress with the infamous INSANITY work out! I love Insanity and it was so inspiring to see her post her progress week after week. Unfortunately I can't do Insanity now that we live above someone... :( But still she keeps me motivated!

5 Nuts in a Nutshell:

I love this blog! She is an army wife who has truly made a huge difference in her life. Right now she is hosting a summer fitness challenge (Link above goes straight too it!). I am debating whether or not to go for it! I know I could definitely hit the Bronze but if I sign up (its free btw) I would want to go for the GOLD! Although I am not as confident I could hit it! I love her blog because sometimes as a military wife/mom, it's hard to take the time to get out and work out. Your husband's schedule is NEVER set. You can say all day long that you guys will plan on him watching kids after dinner so you can run but lets face it, my husband has gone weeks not getting home in time for dinner. Or he'll get put on night shift but still have to leave early in the day. So I have named my double stroller "No Excuses." Although I like working out on my own and not having to answer "The Call of the Mommy", unfortunately that isn't a luxury I can afford right now. I may not get to shower until the afternoon but is it worth it? Oh yeah!

Summer is just around the corner! Time to get re motivated! The sun is out, go have some fun! What sources of inspiration do you use?

Goals for March:

This month is crazy! But as it's name suggests, I am March-ing through!

We have a baby who is turning the big 0-2 on Friday and I am busy planning

for that. (More on that next week!) There is also some springin' forward that I am nervous to navigate. I have stuck to my workout/diet and I am feeling great about myself!

For the first time (I'm not kidding, the first time EVER) I caught a glimpse of my reflection in a 

window and I actually liked what I saw. My body isn't as toned as it was before two pregnancies but I love it more now than I did. As I have been actively working (sometimes struggling) to take care of my body I am learning to appreciate what God has given me and it feels wonderful. It's not perfect but it's mine and I want to keep it going strong for MANY years to come.

This year I have also decided I am going to start a tradition! My goal is to read Jesus the Christ by Elder James E. Talmage before Easter! I've only got a short time to do it this year. I plan to actually start reading it again every Christmas and have it finished by Easter each year.  I can't think of a better way to really grasp the Spirit of Christmas and keep it going to Easter!

It is one of my absolute favorite books! You can actually download the audio version of this book right on lds.org!!! If any of my friends want to do this with me, let me know and we can do it book club style! I would love to have someone who I can bounce thoughts off of!

Have a great day!