Weekly wrap up

Yep. Time again for weekly wrap up.  Seems like the past 4 days just flew by. 

FAILS: 

-slept through track- whoops.  I was really, really, really wiped out from my first (of many) stint of 3 days in a row.  And the baby hasn't been sleeping great this week.  I know, excuses, excuses.  The fact is I skipped track.  damn.

-missed Tuesday pump.  This isn't my fault.  I actually did go.  I ran 2.5 miles on the treadmill and then went in to pump but the instructor never showed up.  See, not my fault! They did get someone to fill in but at that point class was already 15 min late and I went to check on baby and he was wide awake so I opted to leave. 

-No run today.  I was actually awake at 4 (with baby) and opted to go back to bed with him rather than run.  I don't regret this decision, I haven't slept a ton this week and my legs are sore (you'll see why when you read my weekly wins!)

-No real weight loss this week.  BOOOOO!!!  And the first person to tell me its because I'm gaining muscle gets poked with a sharp stick!  Looks like it might be a while before I get to goal #2.  I don't really gain or lose very easily and I'm guessing what will happen is that I will all of a sudden drop down by like 4-5 lbs.  Hope it happens soon.

WINS:

-I missed pump on Tuesday.  yep, it was a fail but also a win because since I missed it I went to the gym later on that day and hit a bootcamp class that was really hard but VERY good.  Kinda reminded me a little of the Insanity workouts.  hope to make it back to that class again- I am really sore from it though. 

-I made it to my other classes (spin and pump) and feel like I'm getting a bit stronger.  Both physically and with my cardiovascular endurance.  Didn't have to get called out for baby at all this week. 

-Got my hair cut and colored last night.  My first reward. I like the cut a lot.  I'm still a little unsure on the color.  It took a long time.  I had a LOT of hair.  I left it long but he cut some long layers and took a lot of the bulk out.  I feel like I have no hair now.  It was really pretty unruly and when he was done with my color and cut he took an hour to blow it out.  EEK!  It looked fantastic, too bad I was only going home to feed a baby and watch the finale of The Voice.  Wish I could make it look like that on my own.  But I just don't have that kind of talent or time. 


As an extra special perk of the week, I got to workout for the first time in forever with my wonderful friend, Kristin.  Then we went and met the fabulous Angie for lunch at the local raw food restaurant.  It was super yummy.  I had lasagna and then for dessert we had smores and banana almond fudge ice cream.  All raw and vegan.  They served wine and that really would have made it a perfect meal but I didn't want to rub it in Angie's face that she had to go back to work! well, that and I'm not sure exactly what constitutes a 'raw' wine.  or maybe the wine isn't raw.  I don't know.  It was tasty food with 2 of my favorite peeps, so its the biggest win of the week!

 I guess I should start taking pictures of fun stuff that I do to put on here, huh??


Totals:

Body Pump 1x
Bootcamp   1x
Spin            2x
Run             2.5 miles

weight loss:
weekly- 0
total-    27lbs.

goals and rewards

Little known fact.  I was once an ACE certified personal trainer.  Am I qualified for this?  not really.  But I was helping a friend study for the test and decided to take it myself and since I have this super power of being able to take tests and do amazingly well with very little effort (math excluded) well, I passed and boom...a trainer.  This was, of course, Becca BK (before kids!).  Anyway, my point here is that one thing I remember them stressing on the test is that when setting goals you need to make them SMART

Small
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
T- (ummm I forget the T but you get the point!)

In order to be SMART about my goals I have broken down my weight loss into 10lb increments and for each 10 I get something for me.  This is definitely easier than thinking OMG I have 50 lbs to lose.  10 lbs at a time is easier to handle. 

Here are my rewards for each 10 lbs lost:
1st 10- haircut and color :These first 2 rewards were pretty easy.  I needed a haircut and figured it wouldn't take me that long to drop the first 10!

2nd 10- new makeup (visit to MAC) It's been a very long time since I had a splurge at MAC and its a great way to have a look change.

 3rd10-spa day   This was the hardest one. Not ready for clothes because I will still be in a bigger size but since this will be a big goal and I will likely be hitting a plateau at this point it needs to be big to be a good incentive. 

4th 10-new workout clothes Now I know I can do clothes. Because between the 4th and 5th 10 I will be pretty much in the same size range.  Especially for the running/workout clothes.  I think I want to do a really cute running skirt or 2 and some tops.  I will have earned it at that point.

5th 10-expensive jeans  This will bring me to my pre-pregnancy weight.  That is where I was exactly 1 year ago this month.  I tried to think of something that would be a good reward for getting there and I guess it might sound silly but I want jeans.  I'm really a Ross/TJ Maxx girl and never been one to spend a ton on clothes but I've always wondered what the draw is to expensive jeans.  So when I hit my pre-pregnancy weight I am going to go jean shopping and buy a really nice pair of jeans.  Silly, I guess but it will be fun. 

6th10-satisfaction I  added the extra 10lb but really couldn't think of any reward for it other than the satisfaction of getting there.  Thats enough.  I have never really gotten to this weight, even though it is always my goal weight.  I'm not sure how attainable it is.  I think I might have to cut out wine and cake completely to get there and thats just not an option right now.  I will revisit it when I get closer. 

As of last week I was officially down 10.  Tonight I am going to get my hair cut and colored!!

  Its been just over a month since I started actually 'trying' to lose weight so 10 lbs in one month.  Not too bad.  I can't really lose faster than that while still breastfeeding. But I am thinking that 1-2 months to lose 10 is a good time frame.  I would love to at least get to the running outfit if not the jeans by OUC 1/2 (1st weekend in December).  Its definitely a challenge but I don't think its unrealistic. 

Another way I like to keep track of progress is to keep a pair of jeans that don't fit well and try them on every few days.  It helps me to see the inches, especially since I will go down in size faster than in lbs.  It's a way I can measure progress when I get frustrated that the scale isn't changing. 

Does anyone else do goals and rewards?  How do you measure? What are your rewards? I know that some people are reading and following so some comments pleeeeeeease.

back to the grind

I'm officially back to working full time!  Working all weekend kicked my ass. 

here's my schedule for the past 3 days:

4:45am- get up, feed baby, pump, shower, get ready for work, pack lunch, pack pump
6:00am- leave for work
645a-7ishpm- run my butt off (not literally-unfortunately) at work
730-8ish- drive home
8ish-9:30-eat dinner while feeding baby, talk to hubby and girls
930-10- bed
wake up (partially) multiple times through night to feed baby.
4:45am- cock a doodle doo- there goes the alarm.  (seriously- my alarm is a rooster, its REALLY annoying but I do jump right up when I hear it)

last night I stayed up later because it was true blood and so we had to watch that!!

My legs have been really sore after working but yesterday they weren't as bad.  I bought new shoes (skechers shape-ups) for work, not for the shape up part but just because I have heard good things about them from other nurses.  I think they are getting better its just that 12 hours on your feet is hard no matter what shoes you wear.

I made it to spin class today.  But other than that its been a lazy day.  woke up at 5 but went back to bed, slept late, spin class, lunch, nap with baby.  I think its time for a glass of wine. 

should be doing laundry and cleaning the house. But I'm not. baby is in constant feeding mode so we have been hanging out and napping on and off. 

plan for the week:  same as last week but run 2x instead of 1.  gotta, gotta get up early Thursday and do 3 miles.  so that is spin 2x, pump 2x, run 2x.  I can totally do it.

weekly wrap-up

weekly wrap-up???  But its only Thursday you say.  Yes, but its my Sunday.  This is my first week of being a full time worker.  From this week on, for at least 6 months, I will be working every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  With just a few exceptions.  (holidays, race days I've requested off and at least one day they asked me to trade due to staffing issues) This is a sucky schedule but this way we only have to use a sitter one day a week.  So that leads me to doing a recap of my week on Thursday nights. 

Shall we begin:

The good:

 ~still trying to figure out how to fit everything in.  Last week I did the gym 4 times but wasn't able to get a run in.  This week I made it, mostly, to all the classes.  I made it through 2 spin classes and 1 pump class and then 30 minutes of pump today before getting called out for a crying baby.  I also added in track workout on Tuesday.  So thats a step up from last week.

~Officially down 10 lbs since I started actually 'trying' to lose baby weight.  It's been just over a month.  Thats a grand total of 26lbs since delivery with 35 still to go but I'm getting close to the halfway mark. And this week I have met one of my 'goals'.  I'll do a post next week about my goals and rewards.   

The bad:

okay not exactly bad but here's what I could do better.  Or what I will shoot for for next week. 
   -spin 2x
   -pump 2x
   -run 2x (track once and a longer run once)
   -get in the pool at least once (as in get in and swim, not get in on a floaty with a margarita)

~I also need to have an alternate workout ready for home for days that I can't do pump.  I meant to come home and do some weights but after about 20 bicep curls I got bored and ended up eating lunch and taking a nap with the baby.  It was a great nap and totally worth it!

~ I really wish I had a way to get on the bike.  I can swim and spin at the gym while baby is in daycare but actual riding (clipping in and out, specifically!) is what I need.  If I can't figure out how to get time on the bike, there is no way I will be ready to race in August.  And if I can't then so be it....but I haven't given up yet. Anyone have a trainer they aren't using! LOL!

The Ugly:

~Bought a swimsuit today.  Got it at Ross super cheap.  Didn't want to spend a ton since I hopefully won't be in it very long.    Its a speedo and should be fine for swimming laps. Now I guess I have no more excuses.  Time to get back to the pool.

In other news....

Tomorrow is baby bear's 1st day with the sitter since its my 1st Friday back.  I know he will do fine.  Hopefully I will.  3 days in a row. UGH! Have I mentioned how I hate 12 hr. shifts.   Hope its not too crazy. 

and

Sunday is the True Blood season premiere!!  woooo-hooo  been waiting FOREVER!!  We're making really yummy tasting but horrible for you food (corn fritters, brie and crackers, doughnuts)  Might not be good for meeting the next weight loss goal but its yummy and fun!

Balance

I probably hear it at least once a day.  Maybe more.  "you're too hard on yourself" I hear it at work.  I hear it all the time from my hubby, my best friends.  I don't ever think I'm thin enough, fast enough, not a good enough mother, nurse, friend, athlete. ever.  I don't know why, I guess its just my personality. 

 It's easy to stay the same.  But it isn't easy to challenge yourself to do something new, to change or to grow.  I always think that I can do better- in everything.  It doesn't mean that I'm not happy with where I am, it just means that I don't want to stay the same.

 Sometimes you know at the end of the race you could have pushed just a little harder.  For example, at my 2nd 1/2 marathon my time was 2:01  I was really happy about it.  But, yeah, part of me was kicking myself.  1 minute and I would have been sub-2 and that would have been AWESOME!  If I had been faster would I have wanted more? Who knows. 

Even though I don't really see this trait as a bad thing, I do understand what people are saying.  I think what they mean is don't be so mean to yourself.  I can be a bit negative.  I don't mean to be its just the way I kick myself in to gear.  But I suppose I could do it in a more positive way.  The other day as I was saying something about being fat my hubby said something along the lines of 'must be hard to hear that about yourself all the time'.  Basically that calling myself names and being negative can't be good for me.   I certainly wouldn't talk to my daughters the way I talk to myself sometimes.  I can work on that.  

Today I went back to track for the first time in a year.  It was hard.  Track sucks  (because its hard work) but it makes you faster. My coach is tough but knows how to push me while still being encouraging and kind.  I wasn't sure about going back so soon but I'm glad I did.  It reminded me that I really love this.  I do want to lose weight and I know I will but mostly I just love training.  I like to run.  I like my team and I'm so happy to be back.  

Made it to the Gym

Decided this was the week to take baby to the gym.   I have a great gym with great childcare.  The little babies are separate from the bigger babies/toddlers and the older kids are not even in the same room/area.  There is a class every day at 12:15 so the plan is to catch that class each day.  Day 1 was spin.  Dropped a pretty awake baby off for the first time.  They said they usually give about 15 minutes and if they are crying/upset after 15 min. they come and get you.  He made it 30 minutes (over 1/2 of spin class)

The next day was body pump.  I dropped a very sleepy baby off and they held him for a few minutes and then put him in the swing where he happily snoozed for all of body pump.  Wed. was spin and he slept the whole class again!  wooo-hooo!!  Thursday he was tired early and I couldn't keep him awake until gym time.  I dropped him off a little early and ran on treadmill 20 min. checked on him and he was doing okay so I went to pump and expected to be called during class but he ended up making it the whole time.  

I managed to do pump twice and spin almost twice.  I'm a little sore from pump but its not too bad.

I want and need to run.  I just don't know where to fit it and I don't want to get hurt by doing too much.  I am going to run this evening for sure. I actually know HOW to fit it in-  I have to wake up at 5 at least 2 days during the week.  feed the baby and then get out to run by 6.  This is my work day routine and it makes sense to do it to run, as well.  I just got lazy while on maternity leave and have started sleeping in.  Plus, baby still wakes up during the night so its easy just to stay in bed.  But next Tuesday I will get out for a morning run

Now I have a schedule set and am going to try my best to stick to it.  Hopefully baby continues to do well in the gym daycare and I am able to do class next week Mon-Fri again as well as add a t/th run.  Once I get that down for a week or 2 I will start thinking about where to add the bike and swim!

I survived

I survived my first weekend at work.  I was worried about leaving baby but shouldn't have been.  Daddy is a pro and does a fantastic job.  Work on the other hand was hard.  12 hours is a long time to be on your feet.  We had one slow-ish day and one really busy day.  Its definitely going to take some time before I feel like I am back up to speed.  And definitely going to take some time before I get used to not having a weekend.  In fact, I might never get used to that. 

I ran Friday night.  3.2 miles 37:40 taking time off but still slow.  The good news is that I stopped to walk exactly 1/10 of a mile and thats it.  Hopefully next time I can not stop at all.  Trying to decide if I should take baby to the gym this week or next.  I'd like to start doing a class at lunchtime mon-thurs but not sure we are ready for gym daycare yet. 

I also put in requests for time off to do the 2 races I want to do and they were approved.  sprint tri at end of august and 1/2 marathon in December.  I don't know if I will be able to do the tri because I won't have time to actually get on a real bike until probably August.  But my time off requests were approved. Not sure exactly how to fit in training for it.  This time last year, I would have said.  'Eh- its only a sprint, I don't need to train' But now I feel like I need the training.  I at least need to get on the bike so I can remember how to clip in and out.  And I really will need to do a couple of bricks.  and get in a few swims.  

Really, I have no idea how to fit in training AND working AND kids.  Guess thats part of why I'm doing this blog.  Trying to sort it all out.  So my goal this week: 

-run at least 2x
-gym (pump and/or spin) at least 2x
-pushups (I'm doing the 100 pushups program) 2-3x/week

And speaking of goals.  I broke my weight loss goals up into 10 lb increments.  I am less than 3 lbs away from my 1st 10 lbs goal as of this morning.  Hopefully will hit it this week or next and then I will get a reward!!

How it happens

How exactly does one gain 61 lbs in 9 months.

 It was the first thing I was worried about when I got pregnant this past time.   "Oh No, I'm going to get fat again!" I gained over 70lbs with my first pregnancy and then got pregnant again pretty quickly and never lost all the weight from the first one.  Gained all of that back and spent the next 4 years trying to get back in shape.  Everyone said it wouldn't happen.  "you're so healthy" "you're so active" blah blah blah  what people don't understand is that I am a fat person.  Even when I am thin, at my heart I'm a fat girl.  I love to eat.  I could just eat and eat and eat.  For me to stay at a reasonable weight (not skinny- I think I've only been truly skinny once in my life and that was in my 20's and not a healthy point in my life) I have to be VERY active.  On the go, all day long.  After I had the girls I lost some weight but to get back to almost my pre-baby body it took training for and completing about 6-7 sprint triathlons, an olympic triathlon, 2 1/2 marathons, a relay run across the state of Florida and several 5k's and 10k's.  Oh yeah, and working full time, and taking care of 2 small children, a house, etc. 

Yeah, it was a lot of work.  But I enjoyed it.  Then I got pregnant again.  I tried to stay active.  I actually did 2 sprint tri's (one as a relay) and a 10k in my first trimester.  But I started a new job that was really busy, I was SO tired and I just couldn't keep up.  I ran until about 18 weeks and went to spin class a few times after that but then Christmas was almost there and new years and before I knew it I hadn't been to the gym in months.  I walked a bit here and there and I have a very active job but it wasn't enough.  The weight just kept coming and coming.  And yes, I ate.  A lot!  But I always eat a lot.  I just wasn't nearly as active as I need to be to burn it off.  And pregnancy makes that inner fat girl really take over.  She wants CAKE! She wants to watch TV and take NAPS!!  I indulged her. 


Baby Luke

8lbs 13oz

 So thats how it happened...61 lbs. in 38wks 6 days.  It was all worth it for my sweet boy.  Maybe I didn't need every cookie or piece of cake.  Maybe I should have forced myself to go out and walk more instead of napping.  But I ate the cake, I took the naps. I enjoyed every second of it!   Now the inner fat girl isn't so inner anymore but the thinner me is wanting to make a come back.  Enough naps, enough cake! its time to get active! Who am I kidding, there will still be naps and cake, but there will also be running, lots and lots of running!

A long way to go to get back to where I was...

Haven't really done much with this blogging thing because I'm not exactly sure what to do.  The blogs I read are so witty and entertaining and I'm so not...but I want to keep up with it.  So I'm going to try. 

Got back on sparkpeople and started tracking calories. Its so much work but I lost 4 lbs that week.  I was also starving the entire week and I think I may have been restricting too much.  I ate more the next week and didn't really lose much.  That's frustrating.  I feel like if I am starving then I am risking my milk supply so I decided to try to make good food decisions but I just can't do the daily tracking.  It makes me obsessive.  I may have slower weight loss but at least I will be able to feed my baby.  Total weight gain with pregnancy was 61 lbs and I've lost 23 as of this morning.  Still a long way to go to get back to where I was.   Still not fitting in my clothes.  I've bought a few things but don't want to buy a lot because I am not planning on staying here. 

Started running again.  I've been doing 2-3 miles about 3-4x/week.  I have a loop around the neighborhood that is a 5k distance.  My first time running it (more of a jog/walk) was 42:30.  O.M.G. sllllloooooowwww.  I have my time down to under 39 min. now.  (before pregnancy I was doing about 27min 5k's) But in just 2 weeks I've cut time off, I'm walking less and recovering faster.  Still a long way to go to get back to where I was but seeing a little progress. 

Where I was!
Me at St. Anthony's Olympic Tri last year. time 3:10:48

Want to get into the gym- my goal is to do a class m-th at the gym.  they have a spin class mon/wed and body pump tue/thurs.  I'd like to do a swim 2 of those days and I will have to run early in the morning.  WOW- sounds like a lot.  Unfortunately, because of my work schedule I have to pack a weeks worth of workouts into 4 days.  I know it will take me a while to build up to this but it's a goal!  Of course, I need to decide when I want to start taking the baby to the gym.  He will be 10 wks old this week and they start taking babies at 6 wks. but that seems so little!  Maybe I'll try just 2 days next week. 

Guess if I had any followers I could ask what age you would start taking a baby to the gym? I suppose I should let some people know how to find my blog so that maybe people could follow me!