Mom working to be M.O.M.

[blugrl329]

A little bit about me:

I started working out in 2000 after joining a gym affiliated with my workplace. I was the girl who hung out on the cardio equipment and observed the things happening on the weight floor. I was encouraged by a co-worker to lift with them - and once I finally got over the nervousness, I was hooked! I loved working out and loved the rush I felt from doing so. I also loved how I was able to use working out as a means to relieve stress. I went through a time where I abused cardio and didn't eat - dumb, I know - but it's what I did. It didn't take me too long to realize how foolish that was and then I realized the importance of eating healthy and taking care of my body. In 2004 I competed in a figure competition and took third in my class (I'm almost embarrassed to admit that based on my stats now) - which was something I N E V E R thought that I'd ever do. In 2006, I trained for a second show, only to have it cancelled the week before I was supposed to get on stage. I got married in 2008 and, like most brides, was in close to the best shape of my life. I worked out consistently with a trainer and learned a lot about different workout techniques that I'd never experimented with before. I got pregnant a month after I got married and had a baby in January 2009 - and just had my second baby on May 28th. Between my two pregnancies, my husband and I just got lazy when it came to getting into the gym - and so I find myself 3 weeks post baby with 3 pounds to go to my pre-pregnancy weight but about 20 pounds from what I'd like to be weighing. (And significantly less muscle to go with that). So - I'm revved up by my motivation to get my body back! I took some measurements tonight - did them on myself but plan to have my husband do some that will maybe be a little more accurate. Here's what they are:
Waist: 38"
Hips: 38"
Right Thigh: 22"
Left Thigh: 22"
Calves: 13.5"
Left Arm: 11"
Right Arm: 12"
Neck 13.5"

I'm starting my journal as a means of accountability and a tool to use for tips, advice, encouragement...you get the picture. I'm not able to get back in the gym yet since I just had the baby, but we do have resistance bands, kettle bells, medicine balls and a yoga ball in our home that I plan to use until I'm able to get into the gym again. I'm feeling like I'm getting pre-pregnancy energy back and am feeling inspired to get things back on track (and get myself back into my skinny jeans!!)
Thanks everyone for reading - I will be posting more stats as soon as I have them!! I'm a Mom working to be M.O.M.(made of muscle)!!

I've attached some photos for tracking purposes (and for those who care to see).

Hope everyone is having a great day!

[vandalgirl59]

Welcome and good luck on all your goals! I know keeping a journal on here really helps me stay accountable, regardless of whether anyone reads it or not. Plus, reading other people's journals is a fabulous way to get tips/ideas/motivation.

You'll be M.O.M. in no time! I look forward to following your journal.

[blugrl329]

Thank you for the encouraging words! It's true - even if no one ever replies to any post - it's nice to have a place to keep track of stuff and have others to keep you accountable. Hope you are having a great weekend!! :)

[blugrl329]

Well I've spent the weekend reading The Eat Clean Diet Recharged by Tosca Reno - if you haven't read it or don't know about it, I encourage you to do so! (Oxygen is by far my MOST FAVORITE fitness magazine). I've been struggling with setting up a diet for myself and for my family ~ it's like I either know how to diet for a show or not diet at all. I need to find a happy medium and this book seems to be helping me with that. I haven't finished it yet but it's definitely been an easy read and it's full of lots of great information!! Hope everyone had a great Father's Day - we did. We hung out at home and enjoyed spending time with our 16 month old and our new little man. My parents are also visiting and so we've been spending time with them. Which reminds me:
My mother has been a yo-yo dieter since I can remember. She has done Weight Watchers most successfully - but only does it until she gets to her goal weight and then stops and puts it all back on again. I remember growing up and even in my adult years vowing that I would never be like her in that regard - which is why it's so important to me to get this baby weight back off and get down to where I am comfortable. At any rate - she went to the doctor the other day and said "I know that I'm overweight but what is a healthy weight for me?" to which her doctor replied "I think we need to take it in small steps." I about fell off the couch when she said that. The doctor didn't say "I think you need to lose about ____ pounds" - it's that bad! I don't ever want my children to be keeping a journal and writing about their mother doing this. Hello healthy lifestyle! We are on our way!! :)

[blugrl329]

Well -

I've got my Eat Clean book read and my menu plan for the week made. Off to the grocery store in a bit for sweet potatoes, chicken, veggies and other yummies to stock our home with instead of the crappy stuff we've had since I had the baby and got lazy! I've been asked to be a bridesmaid in a wedding on December 30th - a full 6 months to get the body that I'd like to have. What a deal! (Especially after having seen the dress - whoa - yes, I need to shape up a bit). The bride said "oh I had someone who's a size 2 try on the dress and the other bridesmaid is a 14-16 and it looked great on both of them." While I'm sure she's being truthful, I'd rather err on the side of the size 2 than the latter. On a side note, my husband and I have recently enjoyed (??) looking at restaurant nutritional information for some of our favorite cheat foods - YUCK!!! My goodness, what horrible stuff there is out there! I'm not naive enough to think that restaurants are all about healthy - but was FLOORED by the amounts of sodium & fat in some foods, not to mention the calorie count.
Another side: anyone do P90x? I'm curious as to what people think about it. I've still got some weeks until I can get into the gym since I just had a baby and had to have some stitches, so I was curious as to what people thought about it - feedback?!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!!

[sillyvent]

My sister does the P90x...she's loving it so far. I guess a lot of people are really into it in the beginning and just give up on it after a short time....although I guess that's what most people do in general with working out. She's just like me so she won't give up on it though...I'll keep you posted Jaci! :)

BTW you will always be logue to me. haha

[alyssa.super]

Good Luck you will do great :) Just stay focused !

[blugrl329]

Thank you my dear. Ahhh it's just like old times. Hope you enjoy your vacation SV - and you better watch out posting on here - people are going to expect you to inspire them like you did before!!! :)

And thanks a.s. - focused is where I am!!

[sillyvent]

It rained the WHOLE time in Florida! While in Ohio it was 86-91 and beautiful the whole time...go figure! haha

I'm kind of hoping no one notices I'm on here. ;) I'm here to support you and maybe I need the inspiring. :) Are you able to work out yet?

[blugrl329]

Heading to the doctor on Tuesday to get the go-ahead - hoping I get that. Stupid Stitches - I'm over it!! I did get my p90x yesterday - so I'll be sneaking those workouts in until I can get into the gym (can't take baby J until he's 3 months old, so I have a few weeks to go - unless I find a sitter for him). Sorry your trip was such crappy weather!! But - I'm glad you are on here motivating me with pictures such as your profile one. Looked at my show pictures the other day - I need to scan them to the computer so I can load them on here too. :)

[sillyvent]

Did you like the p90x?

Heck that picture motivates the hell out of me too! That was the best shape I've ever been to date. I've been doing 2 a days for the last few days.

You should definitely scan those pictures!

[blugrl329]

Did you like the p90x?

Heck that picture motivates the hell out of me too! That was the best shape I've ever been to date. I've been doing 2 a days for the last few days.

You should definitely scan those pictures!

The p90x that I've done is KILLING me, but a good kill :) I'm enjoying it! it's hard though, I do have to say!!! Feels good to hurt and sweat though - it's been a while for sure. And by a while, that means TOO LONG. ha

Back to doing 2 a days?! Dang, awesome girl! That's great!! What are you doing - high reps, heavy...??

I'll work on those pictures this afternoon or tomorrow.

[sillyvent]

The p90x that I've done is KILLING me, but a good kill :) I'm enjoying it! it's hard though, I do have to say!!! Feels good to hurt and sweat though - it's been a while for sure. And by a while, that means TOO LONG. ha

Back to doing 2 a days?! Dang, awesome girl! That's great!! What are you doing - high reps, heavy...??

I'll work on those pictures this afternoon or tomorrow.

Yeah- I started running for 30 mins with my dog and then another 10-15 min walk with my smaller dog in the am...then lower weights, high reps in the gym. I used to be so strong, it's a little sad! I remember when I could do 50lb skull crushers...those days are long gone! ha

Keep up the good work!

[sillyvent]

Jaci....hello?? echo echo Where are you!?

[blugrl329]

Here I am!! I didn't have much to post recently - but I'm back. LOL

I got to start back at the gym on Monday. Whew - did it feel good to be back!!! I wasn't supposed to be taking my son until he's 3 months old - but I decided to try it anyway and see what happened. Also, my 18 month old has been having some separation anxiety issues, so I wasn't sure how our trip was going to turn out. I must've looked a sight when I walked in - 18 month old on my left hip, diaper bag across the body, gym bag on right shoulder, carseat with 9 week old on right forearm, swipe card in right hand and the key to lock the car of course. Whew! Somehow I made it AND opened the door on my own without banging anyone's head or shattering the class with the baby carrier. Hahaha. I walked into the kids club and my daughter went RIGHT to the worker, smiled and was ready to be off playing. My son was content to hang out in his seat, so I was off! I opted to take a spinning class - mainly because I have missed it so much and because I was ready to get a good sweat on - and boy did I ever!! I do have to say, though, that I felt like the girl who crashed the sorority party in the class - because I wasn't one of the "regulars..." I feel pretty confident that I've never made someone feel that way when I've noticed them as a newcomer in any class - but I'm sure going to be even more aware of my actions now that I've had that recent experience. At any rate, it was a great ride, great instructor, great sweat session. I should've eaten more before I went - but other than that, awesome. Home to have 3 oz lean ground beef, 1/2 sweet potato, 1c veggies. Hung out with the kiddos and wasn't too sore - with the exception of what seemed to be the imprint of the bike seat on me - :)
Yesterday my husband was able to go the gym at the same time as us - but he was having a cardio day so I took body pump. The instructor was a sub - thankfully - because she was HORRIBLE. I did NOT enjoy her class at all - and I could tell by the lack of enthusiasm or any kind of noise from the "regulars" - they didn't care for her either. But - it was a great workout for someone who has had some time off from the gym, I'll say that. I did some shopping in the afternoon yesterday and had an iced caramel latte from dunkin donuts. In the diet? No. However, a nice treat on a hot day!!!
Today is a rest day for me and necessary - I'm sore!
Hope everyone is having a great week!


Jaci....hello?? echo echo Where are you!?

[sillyvent]

Well they aren't going to ask for his birth cert so why not!? That sounds like quite the adventure jut walking in the door! Super mom! :)

Spinning is fun minus the butt pain. :) haha You'll soon become a regular so no worries. Keep up the good work!