Fitness -- the beginning of the end

Sometimes fitness and health is such a boring topic.
I'm almost hesitant to add these lame "health updates" to my blog because this isn't that kind of blog.
But since I started it I'll continue until I decide I don't want to anymore. Maybe next time I'll create an actual fitness/ health blog and do it completely separately.
This may actually be the last update for awhile.

I'm quite happy to say that I've worked hard enough to say that I am happy with where I'm at, for the most part. I've lost about 20 inches on my accumulative body measurements since July. I've lost about 10 pounds (give or take a little) since July, 30 lbs since having AddiLyn.
My before and after pictures are different, in a good way.
I can't say I'm 100% satisfied with where I'm at, there is always room for improvement... like getting a six pack. Which is currently what I'm working on.
Stop judging me, I can dream can't I?
 Ryan and I have been working out together and we're currently doing a "30 day to a 6 pack" workout regimen.
Our diet has been pretty good, except for the weekends (you gotta live a little, seriously) but I'm pretty sure to get a 6 pack I'd have to really lean out more, and be way more committed to a strict daily diet. SOOOOO let's just say I'm not holding my breath waiting for those abs to show.

My failure attempt at a "swelfie"... or, by definition, swole selfie.

 Fail. Fail. Fail. 

Anyways, I don't think I'd be motivated to go to the gym on a daily basis if my girls didn't love it so much. They both love going to the child care. Emma always colors pretty pictures and is so excited to show me each time. AddiLyn seems to be happy when being dropped off and every time I peek in on her she's zoned in on some new toy.

It really adds variety to our day.

 And then of course they love the play time they get after we're done working out. Emma runs around the basketball or the racquetball courts and AddiLyn loves pummeling the volleyballs. 

I remember when I first had Emma and I started working out, I remember how horribly guilty I'd feel. I felt guilty that I was focusing time and energy on myself when I felt I should be focusing all my time and energy on my baby.

And it would be a lie to say that even now I don't feel guilty sometimes about leaving my girls for a while to focus on myself.

However, I'm beginning to realize that a little me-time isn't something to slit my wrists over. 

Personally, I'm a better mom when I get some alone time. As little as 20 minutes even and I'm good. I'm a better mom when I feel healthy and keep active.

To be a good mom I need this in my life. 

And I'm not saying that if you don't workout your a bad mom, I'm just saying that in my life, it's good.

Ryan and I have never really worked out together, and I have to say, it is one of the best things ever. We lift weights together and then separate and do our own thing for cardio. It's been good for us as a team. We've been able to support each other with our separate goals, and Ryan keeps me from looking like a fool in the weight room!

So I guess in a way, this whole health/fitness venture has incorporated our whole family in a positive way rather than just me. But I still get my me-time. We all win!

THE END.

Health update

The holidays have been good for my soul but bad for my body.

I lost 2 lbs over the break... 

But not in a good way.

It's weird how I can be so close to my weight goal but feel so far from my fitness goal. I may be light but I feel flabby, I've lost so much muscle tone. I don't look like I weigh what I do.

I've had setbacks the last little while. 

At least one person in our family has had one or all of the following sicknesses the past 3 weeks.

Respiratory flu

Strep throat

Double ear infection

Constipation

Conjectivitis 

Sinus infection

Head/chest cold 

Coughs

And currently, the Stomach flu

I'm not trying to make excuses. But really, working out has been the last thing on my mind lately. 

My top priorities are the health and happiness of my family so I've been investing all of my time and energy into that lately.

One of these days I'll get back on track with eating healthy and going to the gym.

 But for now, I'll be snuggling my babies and nibbling on soda crackers and drinking apple juice while having a movie marathon.

One goal I have this year is to focus on the moment at hand. So here's to rolling with the punches life throws at you. Just hang on and enjoy the ride. 

Even if it makes you barf.

Health journey update

 It's time for one of those boring health updates for the week... 

Good news first:

I lost 2 lbs this week! 

*happy dance*

Woohoo!

But I didn't do much working out. And I didn't eat the best either...

*sad dance*

:(

I haven't been going to the gym lately because of the whole Ebola outbreak in Dallas. I realize it's a small case and its "under control" but hey, you never know.

My girls are always getting some sickness from the day care at the gym anyways, so we're going to try to steer clear of all sicknesses for awhile!

So my goal is now to workout at home with the girls. I've been going on bike rides with them but I'll probably have to start working out during nap times because their getting less and less tolerant of the long bike rides.

Lol I crack myself up.

Anyways. 

This week I'm going to focus on one body part per day along with cardio.

And a new goal I've picked up- I'm going to drink 100 oz of water a day. That is. A LOT of water, it's not easy to do. But even when I do it, I still get thirsty at night so my body is obviously utilizing it. 

So yeah! 

Good things and some not so good things. I'm still learning and I've definitely got a long way to go! Just gotta keep trying!

I hope your all doing well with your goals!

Healthy Living

Why do I care about my weight?

I don't. Not really. I used to be very conscious about my figure but these days that's not on my mind. I actually love my amazing body, I mean, it can grow a beautiful human in 9 months and it can solely sustain that humans life for months after their born. Wow. How can you not respect something with that great ability? 

No, it's more of a need to be healthy for my family. A need to be a good example to my girls. It's a need to be happy with myself. It's a need to get rid of the negative energy, anxiety and stress that I grudgingly carry with me way more than I'd like.

That's the reason I care so much about my health. It's not because I want to look better than everyone else, it's because I want to feel better than I ever have. 

Having goals helps me keep on the path of healthy living.

Sooo I think it's time to once again start holding myself accountable for the things I eat and how I workout. 

I've been okay at working out and eating healthy, but there are days that I just can't find motivation to do either. 

And let's face it. I LOVE to EAT. 

So I just need to hold myself more accountable. 

Blogging it is much better than writing it down on paper. I can feel accountable to anyone reading and... I can't rip it up and throw it in the trash the days I want to stuff my face with ice cream.

So here it is. My physical health goals:

-Get down to 18% body fat.

Current: 21%

Goal weight: 125

That's a little on the small side for a 5'8" big boned person like me but I got down to 124 after having EmmaLee, and I felt AMAZING. I want to get there before I'm expecting again. (So that gives me a couple years. Phew! ) 

Current: 134

Measurements: 

Arms: 10

Waist: 30

Butt: 38

Legs: 18.5

Goal: tone and tighten. I may not lose many inches but I can firm up the flab.

Before picture: 

What? You think I'm going to post that on here? Not in your wildest dreams. It's safely tucked away in a folder on an undisclosed camera in an undisclosed location. 

Plan of execution:

Workout everyday. Cardio, strength training, yoga, Pilates, lifting weights, running. It doesn't matter what. As long as I do something fitness wise for an hour a day. 

Eat healthy.  I eat pretty healthy, it's just the sweets when I'm having a hard day. I just need to keep it all out of the house and I'll be okay. 

No processed foods, canned soups, sugar, nothing like that. Keeping it clean.

The weekends I can have a treat, holidays too. If I completely deprive myself I snap and eat all the food in the world. It's flat out counterproductive. Moderation is key.

Other health related goals:

Get out of the house with the little ones. Every day. We're all so much happier the days when we all get out and get our energy out together, preferably in the warm sunshine. It helps ease the anxiety and stress.

Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night. Now that AddiLyn mostly sleeps through the night, I can maybe do this. Early to bed, early to rise. I need my sleep to be happy and function properly. 

Alrighty. Here I go! 

Goal Update

I have four pounds to go until I reach my goal weight.

That's only a couple weeks away for me.

This last weekend we went to Utah. And road trips are never good for me. All I could think about is how "hungry" or bored I was. Needless to say, I came home thinking I had gained 20 lbs. :(

This morning after I got home from the gym I got on the scale, thinking it was going to be bad. Very bad. 

But to my surprise I lost a pound over the weekend and I weighed in at 129.
WOO! :)

A dream is a wish your heart makes...

My Goals

Spiritual

• Read scriptures and say prayers in the morning before anything else.
• Read and study general conference talk once a week (for now).
• Family prayer and personal prayer.

Fitness

•  Go to the gym for an hour every day. Do strength training and cardio. 
•  No snacks, breads, cereal,or  junk food.
• Overall goal weight: Between 120-125. Current weight: 8 pounds to go.
• Get back to my size 4 jeans! Current: size 6.

Personal:

• Get ready every day. I feel better about myself when I'm lookin good!
• Organize bathroom shelves. 
• Keep house clean! 
• Family is priority.