Very Encouraging!

I have meaning to do this post for months now; I'm finally getting around to it! I am not quite to my goal weight, but I'm getting close. I have been kind of stagnant in my progress over the last couple months, but at least I haven't gained much either. Here is a photo timeline of my progress. I made a big drop when I joined the gym (late December) and then another bigger drop when I got serious about my calorie intake (mid May).

If you click on the photo you can see it larger.

Looking at how much better I look now is really motivating. I really recommend looking back at your old photos too.

I am determined to jump back into being really disciplined again so I can continue to reach my goals!

Finding Balance

Okay, so I kind of took a hiatus from this blog for a while. It wasn't intentional; I just have been busy with other things. I thought I'd catch you up on few decisions I've made.

For a while I was training very seriously for the Olympic distance triathlon. I was going to the gym five or six days a week for two hours a day. I was going on 20 miles bike rides and swimming ten million laps...okay, maybe like 75 lengths. The trouble was that I felt like it wasn't as fun anymore. I was starting to feel overwhelmed that even with all of the training, I still wouldn't be able to do all of the events back-to-back. I have three young children- very young, as in my oldest just turned five. I feel like my first priority needs to be a good wife and mother. Going to the gym and being fit helps me be better, but wearing myself out training hard for hours every day is just not my priority right now.

So, I decided to go back to a sprint triathlon. I feel really good about it. I'm sure I can do it and I don't have to stress out about training for it. I feel like I can enjoy everything more without so much pressure to stick to a training schedule. So, because I am only doing a sprint instead, I figured I'd save fifty plus dollars and sign up for a different race. I'll be doing one in Cache Valley. It's less than half the price and some of the money actually goes to charity, which is sadly rare with triathlons. Also, I don't have to rent a wet suit since it's in a pool. I can always do another one later, but this will be a good introduction to tris. Also, I have some cousins doing it with me, so that will be super-fun!

Some people might say that I'm a quitter. I honestly don't think so. I am still doing a triathlon, but for my priorities in life right now, this is a better fit.

P.S. On a side note, I fell off the eating right wagon a while ago. A week ago, however, I recommitted myself. I lost three pounds since. Sweet!

Imbued With Confidence!

I have been getting up early to go workout at the gym five or six days a week. Depending on the class I'm headed to, I have to set my alarm for between 4:45-5:50. Yeah, it's early. You'd think I'd adapt and it wouldn't seem so early, but I haven't- yet anyway. It's nearly always a battle to get up, but luckily my self-discipline has proved conquerer and I pretty much always get up.

The other day, i had stayed up too late again and the kids had kept me up a bit again. When my alarm went I was so tempted to just fall back asleep, but I ripped myself out of bed and headed to the gym. I have been nervous about the swimming portion of the sprint triathlon. It's not that far, but I get tired swimming freestyle lap after lap. In talking with some friends, I learned that it's not necessary to front crawl the whole time. With that in mind, I decided to just see how many laps I could go without touching the bottom or pushing off the sides. I tried to go freestyle for the most part, but nearly half of the laps ended up being breast or back stroke. With switching off, however, I was able to go the sixty laps to make 1500 meters. I didn't do it fast, and my technique was sloppy, but I swam the distance of an Olympic triathlon!

Well, that sealed the deal. If I can swim far enough, then I'm determined to bike and run far enough. It's going to be tough, but I am going to do an Olympic distance triathlon! I'm so glad I got out of bed so I can be filled with confidence. . . not regret.

I'm a little crazy to be doing the Olympic distance tri. Swimming across a cold reservoir for nearly a mile, then biking a full marathon on mountain roads that have big elevation changes and then running a 10K when I'm already tired from the swimming and biking. . . Yes, I am crazy!

I hope I'll survive! Finishing and not being last are my goals. I have been exercising daily, but I really need to to step up the training. I haven't been running more than two miles at a time and I've just been doing the spin classes, not any on the road biking. I've decided though and I'm a DETERMINED SOUL when I put my mind to something.

That swim filled me with confidence and I'm going to work hard to keep it! Wish me luck!

Helping Others and Yourself

In case you haven't heard about the Pound for Pound Challenge (or have forgotten to sign up), it's not too late. Every pound you pledge to lose will be one pound of food given to your local food bank. It's an easy way to help others while helping yoursef. Even if you are only maintaining your weight, you can pledge to do that and Feeding America will donate five pounds of food.

Check it out!

I'm Determined to be the Master of my Fate

I've decided that I am definitely going to be competing in my first sprint triathlon this summer. I am no where near fit enough right now, but I'm determined. I may or may not have the opportunity to train in future years, but the stars have aligned for me now and I'm seizing the opportunity.

The swim is definitely my hardest leg. I know how to swim, but my technique is really sloppy. For the last few Saturdays I've been swimming laps after my regular workout. I did 14 and 16 laps respectively, and probably could have kept going, but it wasn't a pretty sight. I started out okay, but after a few laps I had to switch it up with breaststroke. A sprint tri requires a half mile, or about 33 laps. Most likely, however, the triathlon will have me swimming in the middle of some lake, so that's an added challenge. Lucky for me, I have access to some swimming instruction. My mother-in-law was a swim coach and my husband is a great swimmer. With their tips and my hard work practicing I'm sure I can pull it off.

Part of the reason that right now is a good time to train is that I have this gym membership. It expires in 6 months and I will probably no longer get the killer deal I've got now. The gym provides access to a pool, which is vital for training. They also offer incredible cycling classes that can get me in great shape for the bike leg. The running is the easiest part to do. With the runner's bootcamp and other cross-training classes offered at the gym, I should be able to improve my times significantly.

Even though it hasn't been very long since baby #3 for me, I could probably finish a triathlon if I had to, but it would take criminals chasing me or the offer of a million dollars to push me through and it wouldn't be fast. My desire is to get to where I don't "just finish" a sprint triathlon, but do it in a reasonable time.

It's a battle to get up at 5:45 every morning to go to the gym. It's a bigger battle to try to eat right, especially measuring to get small portions.

Despite the challenges, I'm determined to be the master of my fate.

That fate will be that I will be a triathlete in five or six months.

Which Direction Are You Heading?

Now that my baby is six weeks old and I'm cleared for exercise again, I have been looking forward to getting back into an exercise routine. I had been planning to start week one of the Couch Potato to Runner training program. The weather last week was in the upper sixties, and now the high is in the forties, but that wouldn't have stopped me. Unfortunately I also have a cold with a killer sore throat. I have postponed my first cardio workout, but that doesn't mean I have to hold off on everything.

I have still started back up with hand weights. I love feeling my arm muscles work and know that I'm getting stronger. It will take some time before I am strong enough to do this upper body workout with 10 pound weights again, but I'm sure I'll get there.

Today at my postpartum doctor appointment, I weighted in at 180.2 pounds. It's a far cry from where I'd like to be, but it's closer than I was after my previous pregnancies. Even thought the weather and a virus are not in my favor, I'm determined to get started in the right direction. Here is great quote by Jon Gruden:

"You never stay the same. You either get better or you get worse."

Which direction are you heading?

I'll Be Back Soon!

I had my beautiful baby girl 3 1/2 weeks ago, which means that pretty soon I'll be back exercising and working hard to get back in shape. I've got about 30 pounds to lose (way better than the 50 I had to lose after having my last child). Pregnancy does a number on the physique, but aren't these adorable babies worth it? I definitely think so.

I can begin exercising again on October 25, so starting then I should starting posting more regularly as well. In the meantime, let me leave you with a great quote I found. It has proven to be true in all aspects of my life, including getting in shape.

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
The slogan 'press on' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."
- Calvin Coolidge

Help More than Yourself

In my pregnant condition it won't work out this year for me, but after my last pregnancy I did the Pound for Pound Challenge. For every pound of weight you lose, they will deliver a pound of food to a local food bank. I pledged 20 pounds, but ended up losing 26. It's nice to know that 26 pounds of food were delivered to local people in my community. Last year 3.5 million pounds of groceries were delivered to food banks.

Even if you can only pledge a few pounds, do it and help support two good causes: families in need of food and you getting to a healthier you!

Slowing My Decline

Typically, eating right and exercising gets you more and more fit and into shape. Pregnancy gets you less and less fit and less into shape- well into a rounder shape. I've been doing both. I've been very conciencious to take it easy and I've had to adapt my exercising because of my growing belly. I have, however, still been exercising.

I've changed my outlook. I'm certainly not trying to lose weight anymore (I've gained almost 15 pounds already). Now I exercise to slow my decline. It's certainly working. Despite my weight gain, I look and feel so much better than I did with previous pregnancies. (Hopefully I can avoid gaining quite so much as well.) I still get a little winded when I run up the stairs or am carrying a child up the stairs, but I remember getting out of breath even easier with those past pregnancies.

I've been doing The Couch Potato to Runner Program, but I'm even taking that slowly. I did week two for two weeks. I may not ever be able to keep up a very fast pace while pregnant. Even if I never get beyond sprint/walk/jog intervals for any duration of time, I am still WAY BETTER OFF than I would be if I didn't try.

I imagine that most of you are not pregnant, but the idea still applies. Do what you can. Even if it's not as much as you wish you could do. Even if you only have 20 minutes, that's better than nothing. Doing something will be so much better for your health and almost even more so for your confidence. Prove to yourself that you don't give up even when things are hard.

++Have twenty minutes to work on your arms, try this.

It's Amazing What a Few Months Can Do

A few months after having my second child I decided to get serious about getting in shape. In the first three months I lost 20 pounds. That took consistent effort in exercising and eating right, but I loved the results. It's amazing what a few months can do.

Some of you may know that we are expecting again! We are really very excited about it. I'm just beginning my second trimester and am due in September. Now, I had hoped and basically planned on continuing my same exercise regiment throughout pregnancy. I knew I'd need to make a few alterations in my ab workouts, but I had not counted on feeling so queasy for a few months. Really as far as pregnancies go, I've been really lucky. I did not, however, feel like I could go out jogging for a while (or occasionally even out of bed).

Luckily, I have been feeling much better and started back into jogging. The trouble is that I'm practically starting over. After a two month hiatus, I can't keep up even a slow jog for three miles. Again, it's amazing what a few months can do. I am determined to make the next months get me back to consistent exercise.

I will trade off between two training styles. One is run 60 seconds, walk 90 seconds for a twenty minute time period. The other is jog a few miles (or more if I can) at a slow-moderate jog. Hopefully over the next few weeks I can get back into the groove.

The weather is delightful, so I imagine I won't need much coaxing to get out there, just determination to push myself to go a little faster a little longer.

Wish me luck! If you need to get "back into the groove" as well, there is never a better time than today!

Action Builds Confidence

"Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence.
Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear.
Perhaps the action you take will be successful;
Perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow.
But any action is better than no action at all."
-Norman Vincent Peale

My friend posted this on her blog today and I really like it. I think it applies well to exercising and eating right. If we don't make the change, all we feel is guilt. We may not do everything perfectly, but every time we resist that unhealthy treat or go out and exercise, we are proving our strength. Demonstrating self-discipline is a wonderful builder of confidence. If you want to do something great that only takes 20 minutes, here you go.

Be strong! Be confident! Let's reach our goals!

Sorry for the Delay

Sorry that I have been so lame about posting lately. Luckily I haven't been lame about exercising. I didn't make any headway because I also sampled all of the holiday treats. At least I didn't gain weight either-well maybe a pound. One of the things that has helped me keep up the running even in the frigid temperatures is my awesome new birthday/Christmas present of a double jogging stroller. It is fantastic! The one I got is a great one too if anyone is in the market. The only thing I wish it had was a hand brake, but since most of my neighborhood is flat it works out.
I want to share such an inspirational story with you. Emily is a friend of mine. We taught 1st grade together for a few years. She still teaches and has also lost over 100 pounds. Anyone losing that much is pretty awesome, but it's especially challenging for her because, you see, my friend Emily is in a wheelchair. (If you read this in Google Reader you'll have to go to my site to watch it.)

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

Emily did that without diet pills, surgery or other fad things. She just ate right and exercised. Next time you don't feel like exercising, remember that your body works and be grateful that you can exercise. Get moving and do what you can. Every little bit helps! Here are some great exercise tips and some ideas on how to add more physical activity into your daily life. Here's another on how to keep yourself motivated to keep losing or keep the weight off.

"Now You're Stong!"

So this morning when my three-year-old Parker came out of his room at 6:45 a.m. his daddy was just getting dressed for work. This was our conversation:



Me: "Did you know that Daddy got up early and is already back from jogging?"

Parker: "Why did he get up in the night to go jogging?"

Me: "So that he could be strong."

Parker: "Daddy, now you're strong!"



I was thinking about how that is really true. One days jog doesn't make you instantly strong, but even one day shows mental strength. It prooves that you've got a strong will, because let's face it, it isn't usually easy to go out and exercise and when you do it, you deserve to be happy that you're self-discipined enough to make good choices, even when they're hard.
Are your strong today?

It's So Easy to Get Discouraged

In these days of instant technology, sometimes it's hard to be patient. It's hard to convince myself to run just one more mile or to stay away from the sweets, because the results aren't instantaneous. It may take several days to even lose one pound. I have to sacrifice the delicious taste of chocolate now to be in better shape later.

Comparing yourself to others is never a good idea. It's almost always discouraging to at least one of you. It's tricky when you know people who seem to have things so easy. It may not be true, in fact I'm sure it's not, but it seems that way sometimes. It can be rather disheartening. It's much better to compare yourself to an earlier you and see your progress. For weight loss, think of your fattest you and the progress you've made. Think of how ridiculously out of shape you were at your worst point and how far you've come. NOW THAT IS ENCOURAGING!

For those of you you know me well, know that I am really into self-discipline. I like to be proactive and use my time and resources well. For the most part, I look at my weight-loss/fitness goals as another way to demonstrate my self-discipline. I don't have a personal trainer, but I don't need one. I have the basic knowledge and can push myself. I can think back to mid-January when I was six weeks postpartum after baby number two. I weighed 192 pounds and it was all I could do to jog 2/3 mile pushing my double stroller. I've lost over 25 pounds and today I jogged with my enormous stroller for five miles. I still have plenty of room for improvement in speed, but look how far I've come.

If you get discouraged, which all of us will, just look back on what you have accomplished. Don't worry if your progress isn't the same as someone else, just do what you can. If you let your motivation slide for a few days, try to get it back. You'll be so glad.

There are actually benefits to having been overweight and "earned" yourself into shape. #1 You deserve to be proud of your accomplishment. It isn't easy and you are doing it. What self-discipline!
#2 You can have more self-confidence. If you can do something as hard as getting into shape, you can do anything. Plus, you'll look way better than before, so you won't be self-conscious.
#3 Hopefully you're lucky like me and know for a fact that people still loved you when you were overweight. Likely your friends love you for who you are and not just because your so good-looking. I am so grateful, by the way, that my sweet husband made me feel beautiful, even when I was a 210 pound pregnant woman. What a great guy!

Don't get discouraged and try to stay motivated. Keep up the great work!