Take a Break

It's been quite a while since I posted.  Life got busy or I forgot about this...I have no idea why I didn't post.  Whatever the reason, I took a break, but now I'm back!

Today I took a different type of break.  I took a break from grading periodically to get in a mini workout.  End of the year grading is brutal!  I'm tired, it's warm outside, summer is on the brain, and reading 100+ essays sounds miserable.  I promised myself today that I would finish grading the tests my kids took last week because they had their final essays due today.  However, after lots of grading I found myself bored out of my mind and dozing off.  Naturally, I took a break by checking Instagram.  I found a quickee workout from someone I follow.  My goal wasn't to find a workout, but that's what happened.

I decided to use the workout as a break from grading.  Everytime I found myself dozing off, I started another round.  Some of the exercises were interesting to do in a dress, but I was alone with the door closed to my classroom so no one saw my doing bicycle crunches in a dress.

Quick workout as a break from ENDLESS grading.

A mini workout was JUST what I needed to wake up and get some more energy.  I'm going to keep this one close to my desk for a between class workout or a break from grading.  My normal Instagram/Facebook/Twitter break gives my mind a rest, but it doesn't give me any boost.  This little workout was just the mind break and energizer that I needed.

You are not fat. You have fat.

I came across a saying the other day that really touched me.  It goes like this:

What a great way to look at things!  And how obviously true is this.  We put so much worth into the amount of fat on our bodies, but we don't pay nearly as much attention to the other parts.  How many eyelashes do you have?  I bet there are people out there who have far more or fewer than you.  Have you ever taken the time to look at someone and say, "I wish I had as few eyelashes as that person!"?   Of course you haven't!  That's silly.  

However, day after day, we compare our fat to other people's fat.  We look in the mirror and see fat.  We put on clothes and feel fat.  We leave the house and wish we weren't fat.  And that's the thing.  We aren't fat.  

In fact, if your worth is found in the amount of fat on your body, then your mindset could use some serious readjusting.  Adjusting is what many of us need to do.  We need to make a change to our perspective.  I'm not sure where along the line such a huge emphasis got put on our fluffly parts.  I remember being in 5th grade the first time I felt "fat", however I don't have any recollection of who made me feel fat.  When did I get that idea that I should feel fat?

How do we change our thinking from fat vs. skinny to healthy vs. unhealthy?

Maybe our generation will be good for something.  Maybe that is our purpose.  Our job might just be to prove to those younger than us that skinny isn't something you want to be. Heck, a size 2 is great, if you are healthy.  In fact, a size 14 is great, if you're healthy.  Take care of yourself!

You can't help the value you were taught. You can't help the foods your parents fed you.  You can make yourself the best you possible.  You can make yourself better.  That better could be smatter, funnier, stronger, happier, or more loving.  Being skinnier will not make you better.

Your worth is not found in your fat.  You aren't fat, you have fat.  You also have fingernails, does that make you fingernails?

Check Out My Workout!

Today I did a 45 minute HIIT Tabata Workout.  Lucy napped FOREVER today and I could have run a 1/2 marathon, if only she had told me she was going to sleep so long.  I recorded bits of my workout so you can see it in action.

The link to the video I followed is posted under the "Workouts" tab, but I will give you the gist of it.

• 6 minute warm up
• 20 second exercise, 10 second rest x8 (34 minutes)
• 4 minute cool down stretch

Measuring Progress

The scale is easy.  It's tempting.  It's a liar (somedays).

It is way too easy for me to jump on the scale every morning before I get in the shower.  But when I jump on the scale first thing in the morning, the tone for my day is set.  Even though I know weight can fluctuate greatly due to a variety of circumstances, the scale can still make or break my day.

The scale is tempting.  It doesn't take a whole lot of effort to jump on the scale.  I'm already taking off all my clothes to shower.  I might as well jump on the scale, right?  WRONG!  See previous paragraph for why it's a bad idea, when done daily.  It takes no effort though.

The scale is sort of like keeping your regular life style.  It's easy.  It takes no work.  That's why I'm taking measurements as well.  I don't really know why I didn't think about it before.  At my tiniest adult size, I took measurements regularly.  In fact, I was obsessed if a body part got 1/4" bigger.

The great things about measurements is they are reliable and don't lie.  So I started taking measurements  as shrinking person guideline.  I still weigh myself every now and again, but I mentally prepare myself. Before stepping on the scale I think of the last number that I saw, and I add about 5 to that number.  I tell myself that I could see up to that number and it will be okay.

That keeps me realistic and doesn't set me up for disappointment.  So far it has worked out well for me. Inch-wise I'm down 3 inches overall.  Weight-wise, I've been consistently in the 130s again.

Seeing progress is important.  What do you do to measure your weight loss/shrinking progress?

If You Want to be Happy, Be

How do you not fret about the number on the tag, but still strive to be smaller? I want so badly to be smaller. I find myself daily wishing I fit into my size 4 closet, but I'm struggling. Do I just buy more clothes that fit and celebrate the body that has endured miles of running and months of carrying a child regardless of the size pants? Or do I stick to my three pairs of pants that fit and keep working until my fun closet of pants fit again?

I know the simple answer is something to the tune of, be happy with the body you have, but keep working for the body you dream of. But you see, it's not that easy. What do I do with all my too small pants now? Pack another box? Donate them? And they're my daily motivation. Only having a few pairs of pants to pick from is boring. Every morning when I see the clothes I want to wear, I feel motivated to keep working toward my goal. Every time a pair of pants is a little tight, it is a constant reminder to stay on track.  It's also a constant reminder that my body is not what I want it to be.

Being happy with my body while continually striving to improve it is proving to be difficult.  I read a line today that said, "If you want to be happy, be." Thank you Tolstoy Leo. I do want to be happy. I don't know the answer to the pants question, but I know that obsessing over it is neither helping me lose weight, nor making me happier.

Tonight I pledge to be happy, but not complacent.  I'm making progress daily, and that's something to be happy about.

I wrote this post a few days ago, but couldn't convince myself to publish it, and I wasn't sure why.  Today I learned why it wasn't quite ready.  I went to mass this morning by myself.  It was kind of glorious to be able to pay attention without a baby gnawing on my shoulder.  The priest reading the gospel today is from India and my inability to understand him due to his strong accent is generally frustrating.  However, today I tuned him out and read the gospel at my own pace and oh boy was it written just for me!

Matthew 6:24-34

Jesus said to his disciples:
“No one can serve two masters.
He will either hate one and love the other,
or be devoted to one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life,
what you will eat or drink,
or about your body, what you will wear.
Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Look at the birds in the sky;
they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns,
yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are not you more important than they?
Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?
Why are you anxious about clothes?
Learn from the way the wild flowers grow.
They do not work or spin.
But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor
was clothed like one of them.
If God so clothes the grass of the field,
which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow,
will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?
So do not worry and say, ‘What are we to eat?’
or ‘What are we to drink?’or ‘What are we to wear?’
All these things the pagans seek.
Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given you besides.
Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.
Sufficient for a day is its own evil.”

I've bolded the lines that really spoke to me.  I am a chronic worrier.  I over-analyze, plan, pray, and think far too much about things that are completely out of my control.  The line "Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your life-span?" is exactly what I needed to hear.  No, it can't.

Worrying about how soon I will fit into my pre-baby clothes again doesn't help me lose weight.  Squeezing into too small pants doesn't help me lose weight.  Being unhappy with my current size doesn't help me lose weight.  I need to follow God's words and, "Not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself."  Take on today.  What will I do today to get closer to my goal?  What will I do to make myself ultimately happy, not just happy in the moment?

Family Style Workouts

This weekend I went to Michigan to see my sister & her family.  I rode up with my mom, dad, and nephew.  We had oh so much fun!  There was plenty of junk included in the weekend (gummy bears, beer, donuts, wine, cupcakes, Tanqueray, cake balls, whiskey, pizza).  As tasty as all the bad for me stuff was, it wasn't the best part of the weekend.

I absolutely LOVED working out with my family.  My sister has a make-shift gym in her basement.  They have an elliptical, a handful of assorted weights, and a couple of ab wheels.  Saturday afternoon my sister, 2 nephews (2 & 7 years old) went downstairs to workout.  My 7-year-old nephew tried out the elliptical to start.  He loved it & was sweating in his pajamas....yes we were all still in pajamas into the afternoon :).

Testing out the elliptical

After my sister's workout she did abs using the ab wheel.  It was adorable to watch her 2-year-old son workout with her.  He was checking out how his mama did it and trying to copy her every move.

Monkey see...

Monkey do :)

Having a family with similar health and fitness goals is encouraging.  Surround yourself with people who have a like mindset and you will succeed.

TG(tomorrow)IF

Today's been a rough day.  My kiddos at school drove me to my wits end!  TG(tomorrow)IF!!!!

My weekend includes plans for visiting with family members, cuddling babies, reading stories, probably a glass or two of wine, and a few good workouts with my sister.  I think the combo of relaxation & a change in my workout partner will be just what the doctor ordered.  Happy Friday!  Have a great weekend.

I've Still Got It....Kind of

Today I ran sprints with the kids at practice.  I was still able to keep up with or beat the majority of them.  Maybe I'm in better shape than I thought :)  Even as some of the kids ran past me, I smiled.  I was outside, and I was running!!  Oh happy day.

Bonus Round

Another snow day for the teacher family!

Today I didn't think I'd have time to get a workout in. Lulu was supposed to have shots after school so I figured my evening would be spent cuddling a cranky baby. With that in mind, I did a double workout yesterday.  About half way through my boot camp class I got a text that school was delayed (woohoo!!). I thought, alright now I can squeeze in a quick before school workout. Then, right as I was getting up, the phone went off again saying school was cancelled.

Instead of squeezing in a workout I had plenty of time. I fed Lulu, read her I Love you, Stinky Face, ate a pear & drank some water, then started my workout.  Oh how I love mornings like this! It wasn't anything fancy, but it's done. And I'm going to aim to double up again today. No excuses with a whole day stuck inside!

My gym today, complete with tiny cheerleader on the play mat.

The Beer (cider) Stays

In my last post I talked about wanting to get fit without spending oodles of moolah.  In addition to that, I'm not willing to give up everything delicious.  However, I am more than willing to indulge in moderation.

I'm currently drinking a Strongbow Cider mmmmmm!

My major weakness are as follows:

• Beer
• Sweets
• Tortilla chips
• Pizza

Fitting into my closet full of clothes is important to me, but I know I can do it without sacrificing all the yummies that I love.  Instead of giving up something completely, I am setting some boundaries.  For example, the last two days I have gone without sweets.  I don't plan to do it forever.  I actually don't even have a stopping point or goal in mind.  Both days I've just woken up and said, "I'm not going to eat sweets today."   Then I do it.

Before my wedding I hired a personal trainer to get my booty in gear.  That is exactly what she did!  I gave up sweets 99.9% (I ate 1/2 a slice of pie at Thanksgiving).  After 8 weeks of giving up sweets (not all sugar, I ate fruit still) I was toned & tiny (size 2/4).

A little pre-wedding workout :)

My thinking is I need to be conscience of what I eat, but I don't need to be crazy about calorie counting or restricting.  So, today I don't eat sweets, but I drink a hard cider.  Maybe tomorrow I'll say no alcohol, but eat a cookie.  Heck!  Maybe I'll skip both.  The point is, I'm trying not to make myself feel restricted, while staying conscientious.  

What's happening here?

So, I have a strong desire to get myself into a physical state I can be proud of.  I've recently started following a number of motivational fitness people on social media.  I love, love, love hearing about their progress and seeing what they are doing to work out and live fit.  I hate that everything they advocate costs money.  Not just a little bit of money, but a pretty penny (on my budget).

My goal is to motivate others to workout without breaking the bank.  

I workout in my house using mostly YouTube videos on my computer & 5 pound hand weights.

Workout "studio" aka the sunroom

My workouts are often interrupted by my #1 cheerleader, Lulu.

She often requires cuddles mid-workout....I don't usually mind.

I am certain I can get a strong body without paying hundreds on workout programs & gym memberships while setting a good example of a healthy, happy life for my daughter.

Let's Start at the Very Beginning

Let's start with a few things about me:

1. I'm Anni

2. 26 years young

3. Wife to the greatest guy around

4. Mom of a sweet, cuddly little girl

5. Lover of running, lifting, boot camp, and burpees 

6. Minimal self control in the presence of sweets, pizza, and beer

As I begin this blogging journey I am 20 weeks & 3 days post-partum.  I've been focusing on losing weight & inches for the last 4 weeks, and have lost 2.2 pounds.  I know I'm not doing as much as I could be doing and need a little accountability.  I'm not completely unhappy with my body, in fact I'm pretty proud of it.  However, I have a closet full of great clothes that would look a heck of a lot better if they didn't include a muffin top.  

So let's start at the very beginning.  Here's the journey I took to get to my current starting point.

I started running in 4th grade.  I was a self-proclaimed sprinter.  My first coach tried to put me in the mile.  I ran 1 lap (of 4), walked off the track, and told him I was a sprinter.

In high school I ran track all four years.  My events were the 100m, 200m, 4x100m, 400m, & 4x400m. I also tried my legs at cross country for a couple of years, but HATED it!  (The distance was what I hated, not the experience)

I'm third from the right.  Senior night 2005

When I started college in 2005 I was mortified of the elusive "freshman fifteen".  I couldn't imagine gaining five pounds, let alone fifteen or more!  So instead of indulging in fries and ice cream, I counted every single calorie and worked out twice a day.  The numbers kept me in control, or so I thought.  Calorie counting became an obsession and watching the numbers go down on the scale was exhilarating.  At my lowest I weighed around 115.

Halloween 2005

After a few people close to me commented on how my frame continued to shrink I decided that I wasn't being the healthiest I could be.  I ditched the calorie counting and decided to work on being strong & healthy as opposed to as skinny as possible.  My sophomore year I joined Team in Training and began training to run my 1st half marathon.  I knew I had to find something to work towards or I would be in a constant battle with food.

Disney World 1/2 Marathon 2007

I put on a few pounds and felt pretty strong, and I found a love of running!  I completed my first half marathon January 2007 at Disney World.  Then I was infected.  I got bit by the distance running bug and I never turned back!  Since then I've run 10+ more half marathons and even 1 full marathon in 2012.

Philadelphia Marathon 2012

2.5 months after I ran the Philadelphia Marathon, I found I was pregnant with our first little one.  I decided to keep as active of a lifestyle as I could.  I had already signed up to run a marathon in May (20ish weeks), but I didn't think that would be possible.  I changed it to a 1/2 marathon and decided to run one half marathon each trimester.  I was successful!  I ran my last half marathon 2 months before my daughter was born.

March 2013 (2.5 months pregnant)

May 2013 (4 months pregnant)

July 2013 (7 months pregnant)

September 26 we welcomed our little girl into the world.  That was the beginning of my first time having to lose weight to be healthy, not just because I wanted to.  I didn't know what I was getting myself into.  I figured it would just sort of happen.  Heck, I had pretty much been the same weight the last 10 years.  Unfortunately, it hasn't been quite that easy.  I'm learning that I need to put serious focus and effort into losing this weight and gaining my happy, healthy, strong body back.  So here I am.  20 weeks post-partum and working my way back into a body I'm proud of.

Starting Point: February 16, 2014

I want to be proud and I want to show others that they can achieve their physical goals without spending loads of moolah.  The point of this blog is NOT comparing bodies.  This is my journey.  One that I will have to struggle through & will hopefully get to celebrate.  Your journey will be different, but ,with any luck, equally as fulfilling.  We can do this!  Ready or not a change is coming.  Where do you hope to be next week? Month?  Year?