Monday Motivation

Last post of 2012....wow!  Well 2012 has been full of blessings in the Fancy Nancy house but one major blessing has left me with major weight to lose.  Now I can choose to let this weight define me and hold me back like it has these past few months or I can choose to move on from where I am today and never see that number on the scale again!  I moving on folks...I'm leaving it behind!! 

What are you going to leave in 2012?

2012 in Pictures

My resolution this year was to enjoy every blessing....little did I know just how many blessings there would be this year!!!  Looking back over these pictures was motivating for me...proof that I was skinny once and will get this baby weight will be gone!! 

I started the year with a bang running with my BRF Jill in tutus!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas!

Love, Team Fancy Nancy

We wish you a very happy holiday and a healthy 2013 full of goals achieved and prs set surrounded by the ones you love!!

Monday Motivation

source

First thank you all so much for your encouragement and support!!!  It feels great to have so many cheerleaders in my corner!!  I think it is a result of being so busy this week, but laziness is taunting me lately when I wake up!  Not this week!  This week I'm punching that laziness in the face!!! 

How about you?  When laziness sneaks up what do you do?

Fitness Friday...The Long Road Back

So the long road back to 13.1 began this week and wow is it humbling!!  I have my eyes on a half in March and this week made me question if I'll ever get it back let alone run double that distance!!!  Yes my friends....I'm doubting....I'm frustrated...I'm discouraged.  There is nothing like running to both lift your spirits higher than you thought and take them lower than you thought...sometimes all in the same run!  I know I will one day get it back just like I did the last time....but for today I'm putting my pouty pants on! 
Here are some thoughts on my road back thus far...no I won't make them all whiny!

• Running with a double jogger is no joke...those kids are heavy!!  Then again I have forgotten to fill the tires all the way so that could help me out a bit!!
• My neighborhood must think I'm nuts!  I have been listening to the Another Mother Runner podcasts and my goodness they crack me up!!!  It feels like I'm just talking to my BRF and they are hilarious!!
• My whole body hurts....even my hair!  I have been running for weeks now but for some reason this week my body is fighting back.  I look like an old lady getting off the couch and going!
• Momma needs some shoes!  I think with the pounding in my shoes with the extra weight of the pregnancy, my shoes are left needing some help!  
• I will get there...and it will be great!  I know I will get there and I will look back on this time and laugh...yeah I probably won't laugh...I will remember the climb!  
• At the end of the day I am thankful...thankful to be in a place where I can challenge my body...to push it to new levels...to mold it...to strengthen it...and then come home and hug my family!  

Birthday Girl

Today my daughter...my mini me...my big girl is turning 4!

It is hard to think that when you looked like this...

you would become the big girl you are today!

You are a confident, independent, creative, smart young lady (even though you tell me you aren't a lady)!  It is hard to put into words just what being your mom means to me...the baby who made me a mom.  Each year I am in awe watching you develop into the person God has intended you to be.  I love you and LOVE being your mom and I'm going to hug and cuddle you each and every day even if you tell me to stop!

What About BOB? #Joggermom

As soon as I found out I was pregnant with #2, I began looking for a double jogger.  I actually told my sister we were pregnant that way!  Something along the lines of, "I need your help finding a good deal on a double jogger." "Oh yeah sure thing......wait do you NEED a double jogger?" Insert me smiling ear to ear!!  While we had a BOB already (it was handed down to us)

We LOVE our BOB!

I was uncertain what kind of jogger to get that would be best for the miles I run and the things I wanted to use it for.  That was when I read the Facebook post from Joggermom looking for running moms!  I have known about Joggermom for several years since I have run Kelly's Joggermom Marathon the past two Mays but I had never ordered anything from the site.

I contacted Kelly and told her what I was looking for.  After a few clarifying questions, she sent me several recommendations.  The website was so easy to navigate and I was able to find what I was looking for very quickly.

I was also happily surprised to get a great price AND free shipping on the jogger...amazing savings considering how much the UPS man had to struggle to drag the box up our driveway.  Kelly, the mastermind behind Joggermom.com, even emailed me to let me know about a delay in shipping.  It's those attention to details and customer service that I really appreciated!  She even put a note in one of my boxes to apologize again!!  Em and I tracked the package all day and were waiting at the door!

I immediately ripped the box open and took out our Bob Ironman Duallie!!  it was wicked easy to put together and it was ready to go in minutes!!  We waited until the next day to test out the new ride...bundled up and snacked up we headed out for a run around the neighborhood.

I admit that I have run for many years with a single jogger but this double is no joke!!  I will have to get used to the extra weight.  Em said she loved it and it was super comfy...two toddler thumbs up!

Aubrey on the other hand was completely unimpressed...or just so comfy she couldn't resist sleeping!

I honestly am in love and can't wait to use it more!!!   If you are on the market for a new stroller or baby gear, the website also has car seats, carriers, diaper bags, and other baby gear, check out Joggermom.com.  Kelly is amazingly helpful and the site is so easy to use!!  You can even start a registry! 
*I was given a discount on a stroller but the opinions are all me!*

Monday Motivation/ Day of Remembrance

Life has been stressful around these parts, however all of that was put into perspective the moment I heard the news about the unspeakable tragedy in Newtown on Friday.  As a teacher and even more as a mom, I could not keep from weeping hearing the news and seeing the pictures.  The very next day was Em's 4th birthday party...a very real reminder that I have thousands of reasons to smile.  Two healthy, beautiful girls, a loving husband, and family and friends that love me and my family dearly!  I have the ability to run...to break my body down knowing it will bounce back for more.  I have not stopped praying for the families of Newtown since I heard the news, and am holding my lovies tighter each day!

What do you have to smile about today?

...I have wrestled back and forth with this and have decided to log off today and observe the day of remembrance.  Take the time you would to comment and hug a loved one today...and be sure to thank a teacher!

Three Things Thursday

It's random Three Things Thursday!!!  While I could think of way more than three things to talk about today with a pending birthday party this weekend and what seems like a million life bumps...I'll stick to three!

1.  12/12/12...Yesterday was as you all know a very special day!

Oh wait....not a New England fan....well then I guess it wasn't anything special for you then!  To celebrate the day I hunkered down in the basement and ran a 12k.  I had speed work on tap so I used Blonde Ponytail's "Boredom Buster" Treadmill workout and wow!  You're not bored because you are trying so hard to either breathe or not fall off the treadmill!!  12k done and thanks for the pic Pavement Runner!

2.  Twin babies...So many people have told me that they have so many less pictures of their second than they did their first.  Well I think that I have found a solution to that over here!  You see I believe I have twin babies....3 years apart!  Just take a look!

I'm excited to see as they both grow up if they'll still look so much alike!!!
3.  Winter running musts...Doing some research and would love your feedback on this for all you cold weather runners. 

What is your winter running necessity?  What do you absolutely need to have or do to survive running outside in the winter?

Almost Wordless Wednesday

Santa came early to the Fancy Nancy house last night!  He was wearing a brown suit and his sleigh was brown too but what he dragged up the driveway made Em and I jump up and down with excitement.....

Stay tuned later this week for details about what is inside!

Monday Motivation

I have seen this quote a lot out there but it is never more true than during this busy time of year!!  Our time is divided amongst shopping, visiting, decorating, working, cooking, etc. and it is easy to push your workout to the bottom of the list.  Resist the urge to push it down!!!  Those other things WILL get done....and you'll be so much happier and sane if you get your sweat on!!! 

No excuses...get it done!!

Fitness Friday...To Gym or Not to Gym

That is the million dollar question it seems....well the $20 question since that is what my gym membership is costing me these days!  When I first joined my gym it was minutes from my house which made it super convenient to go before work.  I ignored the fact that they didn't have any classes really that I could take and the equipment was well...not super because I have always belonged to a gym and loved going.  Now that it is no longer convenient to get there...and the whole baby thing...I've been basically donating $20 for the last two months!  I'm thinking I need to cancel and save that money each month to go towards a gym that is closer but more expensive...or these bad boys...

or a race entry or two!

That leaves me with one bump in the road....weights.  The cardio I can handle but baby left me with well...some loose areas!  I have hand weights but need to get one higher weight like a 20lbs or so.  I also need to find ways to mix things up minus the gym atmosphere or an instructor leading the way.  My first solution...

 I have heard so many amazing things about Tina and Best Body Bootcamp and I can't wait to start my year off right with 8 weeks of butt kickings!!!

Had any good butt kickings lately??  Share away!!

Three Things Thursday

Today's randomness is brought to you by toddlers, challenges, and injuries!!  Enjoy!

1.  Toddler Tantrums....Surely I can't be alone in this battle but why is it that my soon to be 4 year-old can leave me feeling like the worst mom in the world?  Em is such a sweetheart but with the excitement of Christmas and her upcoming birthday she has become a loose cannon!  Each day is a battle....what to wear, eat, do, say, you name it!  One moment she will be sweet as pie and the next she is spitting wooden nickels!  Any tried and true suggestions for those of you either in the trenches with a toddler or on the other side...you know beside a bottle of wine!?

2.  Chilly Challenge 2013...Amy at Running Escapades and Janine at The Purple Giraffe have teamed up for an awesome January challenge to start the year off right!  It's simple...pick a team (I'm on Team Escapades which is the #1 team!!!), get moving either running, walking, or the elliptical, and log your miles on the Chilly Challenge spreadsheet.  Easy peasy!  Not only are you starting 2013 off strong but there of course is some great swag to win!!  Head on over and join the best team...I mean whichever team you want!! 

3.  Bum Back...After 2 c-sections and an additional abdominal surgery, my core is pretty weak.  My biggest fear is that I would hurt my lower back again like I did after having Em.  Here is where I am turning to all of you!  Any suggestions on lower back/core exercises that I should do to ward off lower back injury? 

Downtown Jingle 5k Recap in Pictures

 

Ahhh race report....it feels great to be writing about racing again!!!  Sunday my sister, nieces, Emma and I ran in the Downtown Jingle 5k in Providence, RI.  Our nieces were running their second 5k and I was pushing Em for my first race back!!  I partnered up with Maya, who did fabulous by the way, while my sister took Olivia, who also did awesome!  The race was really well organized and a ton of fun!!  We made matching tutus, which might I add took a lot of courage to wear just 7 weeks post baby!  I also got to meet up with Samantha from Running and Cupcakes! It was a great time and felt awesome to be back on the scene again!!

ZOOMA and Every Mother Counts

During each of my pregnancies, I would daydream about the list of firsts that were going to follow...

the first kiss

the first time I would see their face

the first time I would hold them

the first time they would squeeze my finger

the first time I would hear them cry

the first time I would feed them

the first time our eyes would lock

I treasure my daughters and can't imagine my life without them...nor their lives without me in them.  However, not all mothers are guaranteed the blessings of these firsts or being part of their children's lives.  Every two minutes, a woman around the world dies from complications from pregnancy or childbirth....every two minutes!  A fact that I was so ignorant to until I learned about the advocacy and mobilization campaign founded by Christy Turlington Burns called Every Mother Counts.  The staggering stat from all of this is that 90% of these deaths can be prevented....with our help.



Every Mother Counts strives to increase education and support for maternal mortality reduction worldwide.  There are many easy ways you can help to spread this support to women all over the world!

Charity Miles

Download the Charity Miles app on your iPhone or Android device. (You have to sign in with your Facebook login.) Every mile you walk or run earns 25¢ for Every Mother Counts from corporate sponsors.  Easy peasy!  You can help out by doing something you already do!!

Run ZOOMA and Fundraise for EMC

Sign up as a fundraiser when you register online for any 2013 ZOOMA race. (If you're already registered, click here for info on how to join the EMC team.)  Double blessing...you get to run an awesome race for women and help raise funds to save women's lives!

2013ZOOMA Races:

ZOOMA Florida (The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island) - January 19
ZOOMA Texas (Hyatt Lost Pines Resort & Spa) - March 23
ZOOMA Annapolis (Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium) - June 1
ZOOMA Cape Cod (Sea Crest Beach Hotel, Falmouth) - September 28
ZOOMA Great Lakes (date + location to be announced soon)

After you register, you'll receive information in your confirmation email about how to create your own fundraising page. With your fundraising page, you can begin notifying family and friends that you're running on behalf of women and mothers everywhere.

Sign up as a Fundraiser --> Get a VIP invitation to EMC's screening of "No Woman, No Cry" on the Friday night before your race at the host resort

Fundraise $100 --> Get a limited edition EMC-ZOOMA charity runner shirt from EMC

Fundraise $500 --> Get a running hoodie from EMC's official apparel collection by Oiselle (retail value $78)

100% of the funds you raise will go directly towards programs that help mothers around the world, such as funding vouchers that transport pregnant Ugandan women to the nearest health care clinic, or funding midwife training in Haiti. 

Join in today and help make this moment possible for another mother...

 

 Want to know more?  Head over to everymothercounts.org and follow EMC on Facebook and Twitter

 

Monday Motivation

All I have to say to this is "Thank Goodness"!!  Can I get an Amen? 

These past few weeks I have been feeling awesome about my workouts!  I have been gradually building my mileage and last week started adding in speed work and abs (oh ouch!) and I have been feeling strong!!  This morning I stepped on the scale expecting to be fist pumping like the best of them but....no luck!  The number is going down but no where near the speed I thought.  Then I remembered this...it is just a number.  I need to focus on how great I feel...how strong I feel...and the fact that I am taking the steps I need to to get where I want to go!  The number will move...but more than that I am getting back to feeling like me again...those skinny jeans will be mine soon!

Wish List Wednesday

It's that time of year again!!!!  The big man is making his list and checking it twice...have you been

Naughty or Nice??

Do you have a runner in your life?  Someone who loves to workout?  Someone who has been wanting to get into running/fitness??  Stumped on what to get them??  Well here's my list of ideas!!

Race entries....As a running mom, I always feel a little guilty each time I hit the submit button for races knowing they are on the expensive side.  Last year I received race entries and was able to register for 8 races without dipping into my own checking account!!!  SCORE!!

Shoes....I feel like the Carrie Bradshaw of running shoes!!  I LOVE them...a new pair gets me all giddy!  There is nothing like a new pair of Saucony to get me all excited!!!  Make them pink and pretty and I'm sold!!

Clothes...The temperature is dipping below freezing and the tights are coming out....I mean really runners are like the mailman...nothing stops them!  Why not pick up a pair of great tights like these from Under Armour

or my go to cold weather hat from Bondi Band

Music....I am guilty of always needed tunes to kick me through a run.  Do you know someone like that?  How about a new pair of these awesome Yurbuds

or an iTunes gift card!

Heart Rate Monitor...I love my Polar Heart Rate Monitor for keeping me honest throughout my workout.  It lets me know if I'm "phoning it in" as Jillian would say and let's me know how many calories I am torching! 

Plan of Attack...I'm always on the hunt for a great training plan.  An added bonus is when that training plan comes in an awesome book that feels like it was written for me!!  Every running mom has to have their own copy of Train Like a Mother....oh and throw in one of their awesome shirts!

Now I'm certain I left some things out....

What are you hoping has your name on it this year???

Monday Motivation

source

"A League of their Own" is one of my favorite movies....and this is one of my favorite quotes from it!  This quote was going through my head the other day as I ran my first outdoor run since Aubrey was born.  While I was in heaven pounding the pavement and breathing in the crisp air, I couldn't ignore the fact that it was hard.  Climbing back is going to be hard...that first half is going to be hard...losing the weight is going to be hard...intervals and speed work is going to be hard....but that is what makes it GREAT!  And when I am standing on the this side of the finish line it will be all worth it!  Running is hard....but it is the hard that makes it great!!

Embrace the hard whatever it may be....it's making you GREAT!!!

Who's Streaking With Me? #RWRunStreak

Nope...it never gets old!!

It's that time of year again....time to brave the falling temps and rising calories of the holiday season to go.....

STREAKING!!!

From Thanksgiving to New Years you need to run at least one mile each day....just one mile...surely you have time for that!  If not...make time!  It is a busy season but choose health first and join Runner's World for the Holiday Running Streak!!! So.....

Who's coming with me?

Signing Off For Family

Today we are headed to my family's house to spend some extra time for Thanksgiving so I am signing off until Friday!  I wanted to first wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving!  I'm certainly thankful for you all and the blogging community for all your support!! 

#HBBC2012 Kickoff

Yesterday was the first day of the HBBC 2012!  This challenge couldn't come at a better time for me now that I am beginning to be able to work out more!  It is a fine line for me though since I do not want to do too much too soon and set myself back with an injury.  I headed out to the grocery store with a plan in mind...load up on veggies and fruits!  I planned meals this week with veggies in mind first and worked everything else around them....salads, smoothies, stir fries, and veggies galore! 

During this challenge I also want to not only get my own workouts in but also plan extra fitness that involves my family!  As the fall starts to fade into winter, our chances to get outside become less and less (unless we have another winter like last which I would love!).  Yesterday we bundled up, I stuck Aubrey in the Bjorn inside my jacket, and off we went on a walk/bike ride.  The fresh air was just what we needed (Aubrey slept almost the whole night!) and I was happy to get Em outside and moving!

Are you in the HBBC 2012?  How did your first day go?