30 Day Challenge

30 DAY CHALLENGE!

I started a 30 day challenge yesterday, organized by one of my fellow NFL Cheerleader alums.  While I can't be as strict as some of the other girls who are doing it ( breastfeeding! ), I'm really glad that I accepted and started this challenge.  After one day of eating clean, working out hard, and not eating after 7:00 pm, I am already down 3 pounds!  Just 4 more pounds to go to my pre-pregnancy weight.  The 30 day challenge consists of no fatty foods, limited calorie intake, no fast food, no sodas, not eating anything past 7:00 pm and working out 3-4 days a week for 1 hour.  It's actually a Facebook group, which is great, because I have the support of a few other women to hold me accountable.  We share diet tips and tricks, journal entries about our days and struggles, and motivation.  If you are interested in joining, it's not too late - it's only Day 2.  Let me know ASAP!

Yesterday I had a KILLER headache all evening, and I am sure it was from sugar withdrawal.   Since the holidays I have been eating something sweet every day and most evenings, but not last night!  I feel a lot better today, and have been trying to drink as much water as possible.  I worked out the past three days in a row ( running, Pilates, running ) and so today I am giving my body a break before Pilates in the morning.

I read a statistic that most people quit their New Year's resolutions by January 10th, which is 2 days away.  I feel good that I started a challenge almost halfway through the month so that statistic will not apply to me.  I'm definitely not quitting this challenge.

More updates later. . . .

Hello, 2013!

I cannot believe that 2013 is here!  2012 had lots of ups and downs, and while I'm a little sad it's over since it was the year I gave birth to Cora, I'm anxious to welcome 2013.  My last workout of the year was Pilates, followed by my first actual run outdoors with Sonoma.  She is such an active kid that I decided to take her on not quite a mile run, and she did great!  My first workout of the new year was a walk outside in 20 degree weather with my dog, Dixie, followed by another Pilates class. 

 I'm SO happy to be back at Pilates classes, since I found one that works with Cora's nursing schedule.  I'm really good at pushing myself to do cardio and strength, but when it comes to intense ab sessions, and full body toning, I can get lazy on myself, so a class is really my best bet.  I'm definitely feeling the soreness this week, but I welcome it with open arms.  I'm ready to get toned!  

I must admit....with the past month + being full of holidays, I wasn't really watching what I ate or working out like I should have been.  However, I'm really okay with that.  The holidays are my absolute favorite time of the year to bake and cook and eat treats and goodies, so I was happy splurging and not being so hard on myself.  Plus, the majority of all my pre-pregnancy clothes fit, except some of my favorite cocktail dresses 

(I HATE that your hip bones get wider after pregnancy UGH!)!  I've still got 5 pounds to go ( don't we ALWAYS seem to have 5 pounds to go?!?) and I'm a lot more focused and only have a few sweets lingering around the house that I am having a hard time saying goodbye to. . .

Half marathon training is coming up and I need to get my butt in gear!  

Snow Runs!

I've been so busy preparing to host our first Christmases in our new house, that I haven't had much time for anything else.  Every spare moment has been spent shopping for the girls, wrapping, cooking, cleaning and baking.  I realized this weekend, when our first set of family arrived, that I actually had some free time to go workout!  If it's the holidays and you are a Mom, chances are that everyone else is holding your baby and playing with your kids.  If that's the case, then I highly recommend sneaking away for a 30 minute run or quick workout outside.  You will feel so much better and I bet with everything going on, no one will even notice that you've disappeared!

Yesterday I went on a cold weather snow run with my sister outside around my neighborhood paths. Snow runs always sound so miserable in my head, but after I put on my cute cold weather running gear, and get moving, I usually end up feeling really warm and good after my run is complete.  Yesterday we went 3.47 miles and then today I ran 2.5 miles by myself.  It was slick and icy in some spots, so it was a little stop and go, but a great workout nonetheless.  Plus, I got to wear my awesome new Lululemon running gloves that also allow me to control my iPhone and iPod while running (Thanks, Krista!)

 I'm definitely going to take advantage of family being around to entertain the girls and try to sneak in a few more snow runs outside.  Then, I won't feel so guilty for all the treats I've been indulging in!

 

Running Out of Time!

Every day I feel like I am running out of time. There's not nearly enough hours in the day to get it all done. Lately, I've looked at the clock and it's 5:00 and I've yet to shower or even start on my "to-do list." And it certainly doesn't help that it's dark outside by 4:00. I suppose I need to embrace my life and its craziness for the time being. I am starting to realize that I can't do it all, especially with a toddler and a newborn who still feeds on demand.

Unfortunately my workouts have suffered the past two weeks. With Thanksgiving, traveling, being sick, and taking care of my babies, I've had to lay low. My health has to take priority in order for our crazy lives to keep on going. I hate taking time off from workouts, but it's been the best thing for everyone.

Today it is 60 degrees....can you believe it?! I found the time to squeeze in a run with Cora, followed by meeting Marcus and Sonoma at the park. It was just too gorgeous to not take advantage of this rare December weather.

I'm off to finish Christmas decor for our house. We have been working on it for an entire week and we still aren't finished! Again, not enough time in the day! However, I'm so happy it's the holiday season and I'm trying to stay positive and keep on moving through my sleep deprived state. I'm very thankful for my health and just happy when I can squeeze in a workout here and there.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Stroller Fitness Workout

Here in Chicago it's looking like we are going to have another beautiful weekend.  The highs for both Saturday and Sunday are in the mid-50s, so I'm hoping to get outside with the babies for some workouts!

Need an idea for a good outdoor stroller workout?  Since I used to teach Stroller Fitness classes, I would make up my own workout every day.  I always wrote out each of my workouts, so I have a entire stack of index cards from every class I taught.  I will share one of my workouts with y'all.

*Warm up for 5 minutes

*Warm up walk for 4 minutes

*Increased Cardio/strength:  8 minutes (2 REPS)
-1:15 of step-ups on a bench or bleachers ( run up and down  alternating legs, with arms above your head ) -30 seconds of step-ups on a bench or bleacher with a slow arobesque lift
- 15 push-ups on a bench or on the ground

*Walk, maintain heart rate for 4 minutes

*Strength/Cardio:  5 minutes (2 REPS)
-10 regular squats
-10 squats alternating a front kick after each one
-10 squats alternating a side kick after each one
-10 regular squats

-10 burpees

*Walk, maintain heart rate for 3 minutes

*Strength/Cardio:  6 minutes (2 REPS)
-Grapevine down and back, 5 tuck jumps
-30 seconds of punching bag
-20 jumping jacks

*Walk, maintain heart rate for 4 minutes

*Strength:  5 minutes (2 REPS)
-10 skull crushers on 1 leg ( I use a resistance band )
-10 tricep dips on a bench or bleacher
-30 seconds of high knees in place

*Walking lunges with stroller (5 minutes)  Add an arobesque after each lunge if possible

*Strength:  5 minutes  (2 REPS)
-10 bicep curls with band
-leg circles while balancing on stroller - 10 each way

*Cooldown - Stretch:  5 minutes

Ready, Set, Race!

With the holidays rolling around, I don't want to lose sight of my weight loss goals. I still have 7 pounds to go and for me, those 7 pounds are crucial. I made the decision it's time to start running again and sign up for some races!  First up is the Turkey Trot back home in Bloomington, IN.  What better way to start off the holiday than with running a 5K? Next up, the nation's largest half marathon!  I just submitted my application for the Indianapolis Mini Marathon, a race I've been looking forward to running in for quite some time.  I used to live in the city of Indy, so it's a special place for me.  I also needed a new goal, something to train for and to look forward to. I am a little concerned about training in the winter/spring since I have a feeling a lot of my runs will be late at night on a treadmill, unless we have some warm weather and I can take the girls. It will be interesting doing a lot of my training runs with a double stroller, but I'm up for the challenge.  I appreciate my good health and I love pushing my body to its limits.  I also plan on doing a couple of local races here  to prepare for the half marathon.

Back at it....Then Back Down...

Since my last post, a lot has happened!  My in-laws were in town for four days, helping us prepare for our weekend away at my best friend's wedding.  They stayed with our girls, so Marcus and I could attend the wedding and I could fulfill my Matron of Honor duties.  We had a fabulous weekend away at a beautiful wedding.

Coming back home and getting into the swing of things was quite challenging with the in-laws leaving, us returning, daylight savings time and the start of two new activities for Sonoma.  I finally was feeling good and organized come Wednesday, went to Zumba on Wednesday night, and BAM, I came down with mastitis again yesterday and today I am starting antibiotics and sick at home.  I'm really bummed, because after taking a week off from eating super healthy and working out, I was happy to be back at it.  Unfortunately, I probably won't be able to work out until next week, and now I will have to spend the weekend resting and taking care of myself.  Moms should NOT be allowed to get sick.  And I was finally getting back in shape and feeling good!  What a bummer.  

In other news, I will try to ocassionally share some yummy, healthy recipes that I cook for my family since so many of you are always asking what I eat!  We love mexican nights, so I am always on the hunt for new mexican dishes.  I found a great casserole, which always works well for my toddler, and we all ended up really loving this dish:

http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/cheesy-chicken-and-rice-bake/

( I did not use chilis, and I did use some low-sodium taco seasoning, which I recommend.  Or you could make your own seasoning.  I used some fresh salsa on top as well. )