Reflections of 1 Year

Today is our little man's first birthday...

I can say with certainty that I had NO IDEA what this year was going to bring us.  In all truthfulness to look at it on the surface it was one of the most difficult years physically and mentally for me.  I have battled weight gain, PF, sleeplessness, postpartum depression, and just lack of time.  However if I just look at the surface I would miss the overwhelming amount of blessings that this year and this little man has brought my life!  And because I choose to see the blessings this boy has brought me, I know the other things will one day be a blessing as well!

Our village...Almost immediately after he was born life took off at rapid speeds...I'm pretty sure that happens when you are adding a baby to a family with two other children.  There were swimming lessons to attend and plans for the summer....and off he went with us!  A friend of ours joked that they loved seeing the "Elijah Summer Tour" on Facebook.  However what didn't get noticed was the village of people that came around us and supported us!  I have friends at the beach who would rock him...or hold him while I got the other two situated.  We gained a consistent babysitter which let my husband and I have much needed date nights!  We had people praying for us...bringing us formula...making us meals...loving on us!  It has been such a blessing!

We DON'T all get 24 hours...There is a post in the fitness world that we all get the same 24 hours.  I remember thinking it when we just had the two girls (who were fabulous sleepers at jump) that people would throw around the "I don't have time" excuse...and it was just that.  An excuse.  After this year I now feel like I should apologize to all of them.  We are NOT given the same 24 hours.  Some moms work from home and have to juggle kids from jump until they collapse into bed. Some moms have children with health issues.  Some moms work outside the home and have 1000 other commitments.  Some moms are fighting depression because they can't figure out why they can't just make it work.  There will come a day moms where the priority will shift and you will make exercise work...until then keep plugging away! 

Family...This year has highlighted for me the blessing of this family that my husband and I are growing (done getting any bigger in numbers though thank you very much!).  We have spent a lot more time together doing things and enjoying (and sometimes not enjoying) each other.  It has brought us to a place where our priorities should be and I am so thankful for it!  I have also had the blessing of watching our middle child blossom into the most amazing big sister!  She was made for this!!

Humble...Before this year I was always what I called "half marathon ready".  For me this meant that I was in good enough shape that I could run a half marathon no problem.  It was something that I had worked very hard on and was something I was very proud of.  I picked and prodded at my body but it served me very well and I was healthy.  This year I have struggled to get back into any shape let alone half marathon shape.  Little by little I am getting there....but my appearance on the outside in no way matches how I feel on the inside.  I thought the weight would come off at least by a year like the other two times but as I sit here typing I know that that couldn't be farther from the truth.  It has been humbling...and embarrassing at times...but I am learning about myself and my own strengths.  One day I will look back at the blessing of these lessons (just not quite yet :-) )

This year has taught me so much but more than anything it is that we all needed this blessing in our lives!  This little man is just that...a blessing!  He has completed our family and I look forward to watching him grow into the man he is meant to be!!  Our hands are full but boy you should see our hearts!

Around Here...

If you are wondering where in the heck I have been, let's start with trying to keep up with these 3...

Our little man has taken a deviation from the family in that he is not like his champion sleeping sisters.  He is still waking up at least once in the night!!!  You mamas that deal with this for all your children my heart goes out to you!!!  Sleep deprivation is a torture all in itself!!  I was missing my morning workouts something fierce!!!  He would wake up just as I was about to start or would be up at 2....and then sleep won out!  This past week or so though I have been just pushing through and rededicating to getting those morning workouts in.  I just feel so much better throughout the day instead of having my workout hanging over my head until everyone has gone to bed. 

Speaking of working out, I have started the 80 Day Obsession program by Beachbody.  I was seeing so many people have amazing results, coupled with the fact that I was STRUGGLING to get to the gym because of said sleeping issues.  I toyed with the idea for a while and then BOOM my gym closed...pretty much made the decision for me!! 

I just started week 4 and I am really loving it!  I have done other Beachbody programs in the past but didn't find the workouts super challenging.  These are different!  Plus each workout is different....80 different workouts!  The added bonus is that I got a year subscription to Beachbody OnDemand so I can try out other workouts too.  I am starting to feel good and am thinking I even need to invest in some heavier dumbbells.  I was feeling discouraged by the scale because I really need to lose A LOT but after taking measurements I am down 11 inches overall!!!  BOOM!!!! 

I also registered for Newport 10 Miler coming up in June.  I have to be real with you all....I am SUPER nervous!!!  Running is SUPER hard for me right now.  Between not sleeping and trying to climb my way back, I am nervous what this race will be like. 

I have been putting in my long runs and have about 2 more left before I taper (fun fact...I have only tapered once in the 17 years I have been running races).  I am running with my BRF Jill (she has been with me for all my first post-baby races) so if anything we will have fun!!

So that about sums up what's going on in this corner of my world.  We are reaching the end of the school year and I think we all are really looking forward to Summer!!!  I know I am looking forward to warmer temps and being about to relax around a fire with the hubs...and of course the beach! 

Tell me....what have you been up to???

Monday Motivation

It has been almost a year since little man was born...and it feels like it has been that long since I really posted on here.  Life has been like a runaway train these days and I will completely and fully admit that I let "me" get sucked in and taken away with that too.  I have been honest on here about my struggles with postpartum depression, and to say I am out of the woods would not be completely true.  However, each day I feel like I am getting closer and closer to feeling like me again...being about to laugh more freely...being able to be present and enjoy life.  Needless to say my "sparkle" had been all but lost but lately I have been seeing it glint from time to time.  I need to remember that my family needs my sparkle...and so do I!  Taking that time to fill my tank...to sweat...to laugh...to be me is helping more and more each day.  Don't lose sight of your SPARKLE!  Let it shine!!!

Monday Motivation

With little man back to not sleeping and challenges to every day, I think it's safe to say that times around these parts have been tough....but that fire can't be turned off.  I CAN and I WILL push through each day...I CAN and I WILL stoke that flame each day until it is back to a roaring fire!!  We are tough...and we will get there!!!  I'm not where I want to be but I'll be damned if I choose to stay here!!

Monday Motivation

I will admit that I have been a little stuck in the in-between....between knowing I need to start training for the Newport 10 Miler and feeling exhausted.  Well yesterday I had had enough and I put my money down.  I registered and thus today am on my way training for this race for the 5th time!  It really is a race that is dear to my heart...it runs through my hometown...the views are amazing...and it brings out my grit every time!  I think that is what has me scared...I know that this race is no walk in the park.  I’m ready to get started...to commit to me...to commit to finish what I start!!
Don’t sit in the in between...commit and find out how great you are!!!

TTT

Holy moly it's Thursday!  There is something about a short week...it feels like it is dragging along until BAM it's almost over!!  Here's some randoms for your reading enjoyment!

Across the miles...My BRF Jill and I have been running together for 9 years.  We started running together after I had our oldest lady.  We ran my first post-baby race together in a local 5k.  I didn't know Jill as well then but it was meant to be...even when she told me to push harder because I didn't feel like I was going to puke yet!!  We have run countless miles and races together since then (fun fact is that she has been by my side for all my "first post-baby" races and will be there in June for Newport)!  It was much easier to meet up and run when we lived close to each other, but now I'm on the Cape and she's jamming out north of Boston.  This past weekend we came up with a plan to encourage each other to get moving without actually being together.

We told each other our goals and have been texting each other to make sure we follow through!  I know that if I get that text and am sitting on the couch or pushing snooze, then she'll know (she knows everything!)  I love it!!!

Oh my Chip Gaines...Like I needed another reason to love the Gaines, now Chip is running a marathon! 

If you follow him on Instagram you will get a few laughs as he embarks on the journey of 26.2!  He has a good sense of humor about the pain of it all!  He's getting his inspiration and advice from accomplished runner and cancer warrior Gabe Grunewald.

I'm excited to follow this journey especially since they are adding to their already big crew along the way!!

Operation Hydration...One healthy habit that I started many years ago that has stuck more than anything with me is making sure I am drinking enough water.  My husband carries a gallon of water around with him all day, so when we started dating I took a page from his book and decided that hydration was something I could do!  If you see me at work...at the beach...pretty much anywhere I have water with me! 

The lineup plus my morning shake!

My students notice even when I don't have my water with me...and often times ask me if I forgot it somewhere (which is always a possibility).  Doctors recommend that you drink at least half your body weight in good ole H2O so get chugging!  You will feel so much better I promise!!!...once you are done with your 18th trip to the potty!!

Rounding Out a Decade

Monday was my birthday...my 39th birthday.  I went out for a run yesterday morning and started thinking about the last decade of my life and about how I wanted that decade to end.  I began my 30s feeling the same way I do today...I'm discouraged with how I look/feel...I'm in the worst shape I have been in since I was 30 (I had my oldest child just weeks before I turned 30)...I'm embarrassed.  I began this decade as a new mom.  I have spent this decade of life growing our family...literally in my body.  I have carried 4 babies, one of which we will meet one day in heaven.  I have gained 50+lbs three times.  I have stretched my stomach, and unfortunately the rest of my body, to sizes I didn't know it could reach!  I have had surgery three times to meet our beautiful babies.  I have also lost 60+lbs twice....battled postpartum depression twice and am currently doing so again.  To say I have challenged my body during this decade would be an understatement!!

As I was running along, it got me thinking about what I wanted this year to be....do I want it to be an extension of the blah that I have been feeling lately (overweight and exhausted) or do I want this last year of 30 to be an exclamation point on a decade of physical challenges?  I choose the later!!  I choose that I am going to end this decade with an exclamation point!  I will NOT let depression win!  I will NOT quit trying to get back into shape!  I will NOT just quit...I can do this!!!  Here is a picture from one of my first big races after having my oldest...

I was petrified because it was a big race full of a million and one hills.  I chose this picture to reflect on because I am about 9 months postpartum in this picture...2 months more than I am right now.  I chose this picture to motivate me.  No I wasn't in the shape I wanted to be in but DAMN I was a lot closer than I am today!!  Taking short steps, my first goal is to be in this place in 2 months...in March my goal is to be here! 

Don't you worry....I have another picture for the next 3 months!!!

Fitness Friday...What You Tell Yourself

I will fully admit that I am my own worst enemy.  If others around me talked to me like I talk to myself....well let's just say we would no longer be friends. 

I am hard on myself in all aspects of my life (especially lately when all the wheels are falling off the Fancy bus almost daily) but especially hard on myself when it comes to fitness and weight loss.  It is almost as if I choose to accept myself the way that I am now, I almost fear the weight won't come off! 

My goal for my girls, and my son too, is for them to love themselves.  I am always aware how I am talking to them about being healthy...about trying their best...about being proud of themselves. 

However I do not extend the same grace to myself.  When it comes to fitness and weight loss journeys, it is so crucial that you believe in yourself.  That you know that at the end of each day you tried your best and that was enough! 

I really noticed this yesterday out on my runch with a coworker/friend of mine.  The miles flew by and I felt awesome about it when we got back to school.  Yes I was a hot sweaty mess but I felt really positive about the run.

Just a few days before...same route...but solo.  I let so many negative thoughts in about me as a runner and frankly the run stunk!  I stopped a bunch of times to walk and felt discouraged about my progress.  Positive talk and positive people around you can make such a difference!  This weekend I think I am going to start compiling sayings and images for a vision board for next to my treadmill.  A board of positive things to look at when the negative creeps in! 

Be your biggest cheerleader!!!  You can do this!!

TTT

Ahhhh!  It's Thursday!  It's been so long since I have been able to dish randomness your way!!  I am working off very little sleep so really random is the name of the game today! 

Foot funk...Our oldest daughter...our beautiful girl...has the stinkiest feet I have ever smelled!  Seriously she kills her shoes! 

I have tried washing her sneakers and Uggs...using Lysol...shoe spray...nothing takes the smell away!  Part of the problem is that she is not a fan of socks...I feel her pain...but usually the socks can trap the smell!  Yesterday she had on a pair of Sketchers and they just about killed everyone in the house!  I thought we were waving the white flag on the shoes until I caught a faint smell this morning...yup she had the shoes on for school today!!  These are so bad that I honestly contemplated dropping the girls off and going back home to get her different shoes (we live about 30 minutes one way from school)!!  No can do but I have been praying all day that no one smells them!!!  Any suggestions for getting rid of really tough foot smell???

Winter in New England...The weather here lately has been...well very typical of weather in New England!  The last few weeks have been dangerously below zero...like don't leave the house with any exposed skin or it will certainly chip off your body!  Today and tomorrow however it is above 40!!!  I was so excited getting out the door for school not wearing a jacket and all the other accessories that I needed last week!  It's a heat wave!!

 

Hang tight thought because I'm sure it will change soon.  After all it is only January!

Sleep precious sleep...Our two girls were sleep champions.  They slept through the night after just 4 months and really haven't given us an issue to speak of since as long as they are healthy.  Next comes the little man.  Right on cue at about 3 months he was sleeping some big chunks.  I thought he was following in his sisters' footsteps and would be a great sleeper too!  I thought I had dodged the bullet that so many moms talk about....until I didn't!  I love the little man but he is up at least once if not twice in the middle of the night.  He eats and is back to sleep but sometimes I have a hard time falling asleep!  A few nights ago I figured I would stay up and do 4 loads of laundry!  The downfall is that I am ALWAYS tired...and so is my husband who helps but making the bottle.  It's tricky because we should let him cry it out but he is in the room with his sister who has to go to school the next day. 

I am ready to go crazy!  I am missing my morning workouts because I am barely falling back to sleep when my alarm is ready to go off at 4.  I am dragging through my night workouts (or missing them completely because I fall asleep) because I am so tired!!!!!  I am thinking that I just need to stay up after his last feeding and workout then...even if it's 3am!  I know it sounds crazy but I feel like I am at that point.  I'm not losing weight...I'm not getting in super workouts...I'm not sleeping...yeah recipe for a crazy mother runner!  Do any of you have any suggestions???  Anyone else struggle with this???

Mantra Time!

Usually every year along with my goals I pick a word or phrase to focus on during the year...something to repeat to myself when things get hard to keep me pushing.  I remember back several years ago when I was at the Runner's World Half listening to Deena Kastor talk about mantras. 

She talked about making sure they don't have any negative things in them because when you are dog tired and just trying to finish, your mantra may turn against you.  For example, Don't Quit when fatigue sets in could be reduced to just Quit.  I certainly don't need motivation to stop pushing my legs these days!!

This past week I have been thinking about my goals and what I really want to focus on when I am doing my workouts and trying to motivate myself to get going.  I think to look at this next year as a big picture it is very overwhelming...lose a significant amount of weight, get back to distance running, purge and organize our house/life...wowzer!  However if I just take it piece by piece...what I can do today...and repeat that over and over...this time next year I will be where I want to be! 

This year I am going back to a phrase that I have used before...and it really is something that I can apply not only to running and weight loss but also to things around my house...to relationships...to life. 

Finish What You Started

A push to keep going until I get to the finish no matter what that finish line is!  This year I WILL finish what I start!!!

Have you ever chosen a word or phrase for the year?  What is yours?

Goals for 2018

I love new years...new school years and new calendar years!  I love new planners with special markers...anything that I can color code and make me at least look like I have my shit together!  Here we are in a new year and I'm ready to make this a year of the badass Fancy Nancy!  I mean not only is this 2018 but it is also my last year in a certain age group....so why not make it fabulous!

Looking back on last year's goals it was very simple...Relax...have a healthy pregnancy...invest in healthy relationships.  I would say best 2 out of 3.  Baby boy was born and was super healthy...I have been able to really invest in some healthy relationships around me and I am really feeling the love...however relaxing is still a struggle.  I mean 3 kids is a friggin CIRCUS!!!

I split my goals into 3 different categories...running/fitness, nutrition/weight loss, and life.  Here you have it!!

Running/fitness:

• Run 1000 miles.  I know this will be a challenge this year since I am currently fighting the running kiss of death known as plantar faciitis, but I also know that I can do this!
• Run Newport 10 Miler.  I love this race and I was sad to not be able to run it last year ( I was a little busy healing after my c-section).  I'm excited to have a race to train for!
• Heal my foot and gain strength...both mental and physical.  This mama needs to get her grit back!
• Lift weights 3x a week...I know that injury free running is in weight training and make my structure strong!

Nutrition/Weight loss:

• Lose 50lbs...I know that is a big number but believe me I need it!!!  
• Eat clean, whole foods...foods that make my body not only smaller but HEALTHY
• Get our children to make good food choices...I know it comes from the top and if I can be a good example, they will follow.

Life:

• Collect memories not things...Last year it was all about decluttering.  Yes we still need to do that (my goal for January is to fill 1 trash bag a day) but I am looking forward to having fun experiences with our family
• Lower the pressure...enjoy the roller coaster!  This is our last baby and he is already 7 months old!!!  I just need to remind myself to breathe....and enjoy!

• Be intentional about spending time with the people I love...Time speeds by and I need to be more intentional about taking time to spend with those around me...plan dates for my husband and I to have fun together...have girls nights..etc

Cheers to a new year!!!  What are some of your goals in 2018???

Is This Thing Still On?

After a long time of trying to carve out time to post, I stopped....gave myself the grace that I needed...and took one thing off my plate.  In that time though...I really feel like I lost a part of me.  I've missed posting...and the accountability that goes along with it.  It has been amazing time with my family and adding a new bundle to the crew but I have certainly put my health on the back burner. Soo Happy New Year I'm back!!  And how nice of 2018 to fall on a Monday!!  Nothing like a new year to give you a kick in the pants! I have many goals this year that I will post about tomorrow, but for now I am trying to land on a word...a mantra for the new year.

I know I have a long way to go to feeling (and looking) like myself again but I know that I am worth it...I am going to make myself so proud!!!

What are you going to do this year to make yourself proud?

Monday Motivation

I've learned about myself over the years that I function much better when I have goals that have timelines attached to them...training for a race on a certain date keeps me focused on getting my workouts in each day.  I don't know why I haven't thought of the same when looking at losing this baby weight.  I need a goal with a date attached!  Well I set my first goal...and put my money where my mouth is!  I joined a Diet Bet that starts today...and I have 4 weeks to lose 4%.  I know training/running will be much easier with less weight to carry around so I am excited to hit my goal.  Here we go!!

Do you work better with set goals or can you stay focused on the long term?

GRIT...Innate or Learned?

The definition of grit is as follows...

Alone each of these words speak volumes...together they paint a picture for me of a person who shows mental grit...those people who no matter what will finish a task even if injury comes.  My husband and I were watching a series last year about a group of people that they put through training to be part of special forces.  The things they had to endure both mentally and physically challenged each person until there were only 5 men remaining.  The last challenge was a trek that they had to complete through a mountain range.  Along the way there were tasks that they had to complete and check points.  It was hot...they were exhausted...and they had no idea how long they had to complete the challenge, where the end was, or that if they reached the end they had won.  What we saw in those men was true mental grit....they wanted to quit so badly but there was nothing that was going to keep them from continuing on.  It was so engaging that when they reached the end and you saw the elation on their face, I cried! 

This got me thinking...is that just something that is in them or did they learn it from somewhere?  I look at my two girls (the baby hasn't had to show his grit yet!) and they are two opposite ends of the spectrum.  One really pulls away from a challenge especially a physical one and tends to stop before she can really show herself that she is capable.  The other speeds through a challenge no matter what is in front of her.  Will they always be this way?  Can my daughter learn how to challenge herself and feel the elation at the finish?

I then looked at myself as a runner...and throughout my life.  My husband joked with me the other day when we were debating whether or not our oldest should go to soccer practice with a cold.  I thought running around in the cold air would be good for her, and he pointed out that I'm the same person who will run those last three miles of a race with open blisters because a finish line is a finish line!  Mental grit was what made me a successful softball player (I mean being a catcher is all about the grit).  Mental grit was what made me a strong soccer player (I used to do group runs and just about hold my breathe because I didn't want my teammates to know I was winded).  Mental grit has carried me over thousands of finish lines through the years including a Boston Marathon finish in 30 degree weather after enduring a Nor'Easter.   When I look at myself through my years, I would say I was always more like my middle child....always ready to take down a challenge.

My hope is that I can show my oldest that she too has that grit...she can challenge her body to do amazing things...she can push her limits and show herself what she can really do.  And as I climb back to my first race back after this third baby, my hope it that my mental grit will just come oozing out and she'll want in!  We can all have that grit....it's just digging deep enough for it to come out!

Monday Motivation

I'm going to drop a few truth bombs....this post baby recovery has SUCKED (I'm sorry Mom I know you hate that word)...my weight hasn't changed since I got home from the hospital 4 months ago...I've wanted to quit a thousand times over...I have been embarrassed to even post here thinking I am such a poser!  All of this is true and then some.  At 2 years shy of 40 I have had my third child and my body is fighting me every step of this postpartum journey.  I am making a promise to myself and a post to all of you that I will NOT quit...I will not settle...as my daughter says I'm still deflating (she follows it up with "no offense Mom"...yeah we are in that phase) and I WILL reach my goal!  There will come a time where I will be able to run again effortlessly!  There will come a time where my clothes fit again!  There will come a time where I catch my reflection in a mirror and not cringe!!!  I will get there!!!

What goal are you shooting for these days?  Any postpartum mamas out there?

Monday Motivation

I have been sitting pretty in this postpartum nest...nice and cozy with very low expectations.  I have been doing kettlebells and walking/running a bit but with no goal other than to lose this dang baby weight.  This weekend...with a visit from my BRF Jill...I am putting my money where my mouth is and I'm registering for my first race post baby #3!  My favorite...Newport 10 Miler! It is my goal race and while it is not until June I know that I need to start pushing more.  Time to kick this bird out of the nest!  I am so nervous that I am just going to be awful...like I'll never be able to run double digits again...but then again what if I am better than before!  So that is my goal....better my best!!!  Taking risks is scary...but what if we fly?!!!

Back to School...Training...and Me

This week marks the first full week back to school for the chickies and I.  On this part of the Cape with all the tourism and such, we start school after Labor Day.  I like it because it's a good way to transition from summer to fall...and back to reality!

I love me my Summer hard, but the Fall and back-to-school time provides a good transition for me to start focusing in on some goals for myself.  It's like New Years for teachers!!  This summer for me in regards to training and all that fun was all about healing and getting my body in a place where I can start to push it again.  I've said it before, my mind is ready WAY before my body is so I didn't want to push too much too soon.  However, mentally I was going NUTS!!!  Mama needs to sweat and feel like herself again!  My mind was saying "Let's Go!!!" but this post 3rd C-section body was saying, "Slow your roll girl!" 

Now that I am 3 months down, I have started to make some semblance of a schedule and a plan for working out and running....in all honesty the running has been the hardest to fit in.  I think that this is happening because I am so much slower than before pregnancy so it takes me a lot longer to cover distances!  Also we are starting school an hour earlier so I have a lot less time in the morning than last year.  I'm determined though to fit it in and increase my speed so that I can get to where I was...and even better!! 

Right now here is what my schedule is looking like:

Monday: morning kettlebells and afternoon run

Tuesday: Family fitness....we have been going on walks and runs(since mini chickie rides her bike and we basically need to chase her!)

Wednesday: morning kettlebells and afternoon run

Thursday: morning run (Starting to make friends again with my basement treadmill)

Friday: morning kettlebells and afternoon run

Weekends....TBD

We haven't figured out how we are going to divide and conquer Saturdays with the girls soccer and both of us going to the gym yet.

Last week was sort of a "soft opening" to the school year and it went well.  I definitely need to get myself into the shower earlier because I was flying out the door.  More than anything though was the feeling I had at the gym....I felt like myself again!!!  I was so nervous to go back to the gym.  I wasn't nervous about the exercising....I was nervous about how I looked.  I know, I know but seriously!  Bellies are cute when you're pregnant...not 3 months later!  I know it isn't going to come off instantly but I will say that I am very self conscious....and avoid the giant mirrors at the gym!  I was glad I pushed myself to go though...it felt great to sweat!!!

Not quite the schedule I had before...but I didn't have 3 kids before!!!  I know it will take some moving and tweaking in order for both my husband and I to get our workouts in...but like I said...I'm willing to keep trying until it works!! 

Monday Motivation...Coming Out of the Dark

Hello?  Anyone out there?  I feel like it has been a lifetime since the last time I posted.  I'm not sure if it is the whole back-to-school time or the fact that the little man is about 3 1/2 months old now, but I am starting to feel like I'm coming out of that new mom tunnel!  This past week I started back at the gym and I'm still trying to find time to get in some miles, but I am honestly feeling more and more like myself again!  Now to just get my outsides to match my insides!!  It doesn't matter if you are a mom or just plain busy, getting out and exercising whatever it may be is so necessary!!!  It is so easy to just continually push yourself to the side in order to meet everyone's needs...but you need to fill your own tank first!  I feel like the more I am moving and fueling right, the better mom/wife I can be!  Make that choice this week...do it for you!

Monday Motivation

I have been doing a lot of comparing lately....to other new moms...to the me from last year...to other runners...and it has stolen joy each time.  I've never been one to "bounce right back" and this pregnancy is no different.  However I know I WILL get there!  I need to make the choice every day to try my best and one day I WILL be there!  Everyone's journey looks different...and so does mine!  It will be a challenge this week but I am putting my foot down on the caparison game...will you?

Monday Motivation

Last week I was cleared to start exercising.  If I've learned anything from my last two pregnancies it's that I can't start back at the intensity that I was at before pregnancy.  Some people can but my body has made it clear that after 3 C-Sections I need to take my time and be patient...something I have a hard time with.  So I have a plan.  Before I start pile on all the miles, my plan is to keep my mileage low and work more on building muscle first....like building a house.  You need to have a strong foundation first...this is evidenced by the fact that I hurt my back yesterday in church literally just coughing!!  I am so ready....ready to feel like myself again...ready to have my clothes fit again...ready to not feel like me walking around in a fat suit!  I'm ready and I have my plan!!  What goals are you working toward this week?  Make a plan and go get them!!!