On Running

To commemorate hitting my own little PR this week, I decided to do a little write up about fitness. I know, I'm not that kind of blog. But aren't you a little curious about my exercise routine? Haha!

For the record, my PR was getting 29 miles of running in only five days last week. I'm pretty proud of myself. I feel strong, I feel more fit, I deserved the calories I ate that week, and the endorphins are keeping me pretty happy. The adrenalin rush I get from my heart pumping so fast and the cool air on my lungs is my only little piece of euphoria. 

Three times a week I wake up at 4:45AM so I can fully wake up before hitting the road at 5:05 to make the 20 minute drive to my old town to run with my friend and running buddy at 5:30. We usually run for an hour and fifteen minutes - getting about 7.5 miles in on our good days. Then two days a week I either meet another friend here in my new town at 5:15AM or on weekends or evenings to get a couple of recovery runs in. Every once in a while I'll get a good 4 mile run in by myself while I listen to a lecture for one of my classes on my earbuds. Throughout the day I try to get fifty squats and plies in - plus 25 sit ups and 15 pushups. 

Here are a few things I find motivate me to keep running:

• Find a friend to run with. Getting to chat about your day with someone else who is beating it out on the pavement right with you will help the time go by fast and make you wish you could run longer. 
• Whenever you feel like quitting, just slow down. It will give you the chance to catch your breath and is usually the right amount of a break to get you back in the game after a few minutes.  
• Don't exercise for weight loss alone. You usually eat extra when you're burning so many calories with exercise, so you might not actually achieve any weight loss unless you watch what you eat. That can get discouraging. Focus on running for health and endorphins!
• Sign up for a race. It gives you something to look forward to and is kind of like a reward for all your effort (the cheering you get at big races is seriously the best affirmation)!
• Remind yourself that running will help you with your stress so that you don't skip it on stressful days.
• Get the right gear so the elements don't inhibit you! (Click on the pics below to see where to buy the products):

I just bought this headband that works as a beanie or a headband. It wicks away sweat, holds your hair back, and keeps you cool in the sun and warm in the cold. You can buy it here http://www.lolewomen.com/shop/features/boxing-week/law0338.html (it's on sale!).

For summertime, I just use smaller headbands to keep flyaways out of my face while I run.

I run outside even when it's in the low double digits, and once or twice in the single digits. When the weather is that frigid, a face mask is the only way to go. The one below is breathable, sweat wicking, and converts to just a neck warmer for when your face warms up. My running buddy bought these for us for this Winter and it has been a lifesaver!

Sweat wicking shirts with the thumbholes double as extra warmth for your hands so in milder weather you can avoid gloves. I love the zipper at the neck so that I can keep my neck warm during the beginning of the run, but unzip later in the run when I need to cool off.

My favorite running tights are Gapfit when they go on clearance. They don't create muffin top, but yet they don't hang too low or ride up. The fabric doesn't look too worn or nubby between the thighs after several wears and washes and they always have the right size invisible pocket for keys and a phone on the side or back.

I usually get fitted for running shoes (I'm an overpronater). I've worn Asics, Brooks, and now I'm wearing these Nikes. I love how these look and I love that they still have great support but feel really lightweight and breathable. Something my Asics and Brooks didn't really combine.

Lastly, I LOVE my Apple Watch! I have the sports edition, which is great for handling my sweat. I bought a leather band to switch out to for when I'm not wearing it for exercise. This thing tells me the temperature, the time, my speed, my distance, a map of where I am, my steps, and shows all my iPhone notifications right from my wrist. I can also take calls, text, and listen to music from my watch as long as my phone is nearby. So convenient and makes me feel confident to just get out and run without having to figure out a route first.

I'm signed up for a half marathon this Spring with some friends and I can't wait for it! One of my favorite things about running is the fact that it's just for me - a time to get out and either be by myself or with my friends. A chance to have a break from all my chores and just listen to my heartbeat and the sound of my steps. 

Sometimes a run is the answer to most of my problems. :-) 

Casual Date Night and Whole 30

Chris and I got to go out on a fun date night Friday. We did the whole shebang, too--we walked down to the river, chatted, had dinner, walked through all the shops, relaxed at Starbucks and then caught a late movie. We tend to stay up late most nights, but it's for practical purposes. Friday we were actually out till 1 and it wasn't because of work. That felt good. I was just a girl and he was just a boy.

The river was peaceful and the sunset beautiful. We dreamed and talked, and dreamed some more. I guess we're already grown up, but we still talk about what we'll do when we grow up.

We planned to have a real casual dinner, so I kept the look low key. If you notice, I purposely wore something that you can't easily nurse in to celebrate the fact I was baby-less for the night.

The restaurant we chose was a mediterranean place that boasted gluten free plus organic options. This was important to us because recently I chose to start the popular Whole 30 diet for the sole purpose of losing the last five to seven pounds of baby weight I had left. I had some friends and family members who lost a lot of weight on it, and I thought it would be the safest (because I'm nursing), fastest and healthiest way to lose it. My goal was to only be on it a week or two until I got the pounds off, and then add back in a few natural sugars like honey and a few gluten free grains. 

After only one week and two pounds lost, I was ready to quit, but Chris was ready to start. I've reluctantly agreed to continue the diet with him and now we're striving for the whole 30 days. The idea of taking everything enjoyable that you eat out of your diet is pretty depressing for me, but my husband is already reaping many health benefits and since I've dropped one more pound, I'll stick it out. 

Thankfully the diet didn't hinder either of us from wanting to go out to eat and we found that with a few small tweaks, mediterranean food had some great options for us!

Dress - Target (thrifted) - $5

Booties - Gap - $7

Bag - Antonio Melani - $62

Jacket - Old Navy (thrifted) - $5

My Simple SAHM Workout Plan

I love running, but working in the time to run or exercise can get tricky with a nursing infant and two other needy children. My husband likes to stay up past midnight to visit with me since he's a night owl, so I'm becoming less and less of a morning person, making the time to squeeze in exercising even trickier. I've learned to take advantage of my SAHM status to get my workouts in during the day with my children. While my babies are small, I incorporate them into my workout routine as well.

1. Plies. I try to do at least 30 deep plies while holding Capri and then pulse for at least 20 times in this position at least once a day. Sometimes the only time I have to do this is while I'm waiting for something in the microwave or when I'm talking on the phone. 

2. Plank. I get a 2 minute plank in while cooing at Capri. This usually happens in the evening after the two older kids have gone to bed.

3. Push-ups. I do 20-25 push-ups, but I only go down as far as it takes for me to get a good kiss on Capri. This is Capri's favorite exercise!

4. Lunges. I do 20 lunges (or are these knee bends or dips?) on each leg while holding Capri. 

5. Curtsy Jumps. This is an exercise I usually only get in if Capri is fussing. The swinging movement helps to calm her down. I get antsy when all I'm doing is holding a baby, and this move helps me to feel like I'm at least accomplishing something (not that holding my baby isn't accomplishment enough, it can just get a little boring when I'm doing it for hours).

6. Baby Raises. Every mom does this exercise numerous times a day. Not sure I should even count this as an exercise.

7. Seated Dips. Capri thinks I'm playing peek-a-boo when I do these. I do about 15-20 of these a few times a week and hope to work up to doing them every day with more reps.

8. Calf Raises. I also do calf raises while holding Capri - no particular number of how many I do. I just try to get these in whenever I'm standing around waiting for something or even while I'm teaching CJ.

9. Squats. I'll try to get one squat in a night where I just put myself in a seated position without any back or seat support while I hold Capri out in front of me. I hold this position for 30 seconds and am working up to 60 seconds. 

10. Stretching. I took a yoga class while I was pregnant with Capri and have tried to continue with keeping up the basic moves I learned, like downward dog. Capri stays right beside me while I stretch and for all she knows, I'm just playing with her. The stretching feels great and it keeps Capri entertained.

11. Running With The Kids. The weather is finally mild enough to take the girls with me on my runs, which means I don't have to wait till Chris is around to babysit while I either run outside or run at the gym. When I run with the kids we just do a 5K and I don't shoot for a fast pace.

12. Stairs. We live in an old historic home with a pretty high staircase. When I'm stuck inside (which happened a lot this winter) and need some cardio, I run up and down the stairs about 10 times while holding Capri.

Other ways I've found to fit in a workout is by using the exercise channel on our On Demand cable. The kids love to do this workout with me. When I'm really motivated I just go to the gym in the mornings. When Capri is on a predictable morning schedule I hope to switch to working out in the mornings again, but until then, the plan above keeps me strong and energetic.

Running A Race

This picture is from two years ago on the day of my very first race. It was a 5K. I ran it in 31 minutes with my good friend, Stephanie (in the pink shirt). Since then I've entered a few more races, just to keep me out there running. I keep my pace slow and always run with a friend so I can chat and have fun when I'm out there. I never race to win, just to give myself a goal. After this first race two years ago, I've run one other 5K and two other 10Ks. Tomorrow morning will be my first ever half marathon and I'm totally excited! I usually work up to running 9 miles each year, but this is my first year that I will have worked up to 13.1 miles! I'm hoping to keep up a 10 minute mile pace. I have a friend who is running it with me and we'll probably chat for most of it so we keep the race fun.  

Wish me luck!

Never an excuse not to workout

During the winter season, when the temperature ranges from 0-32 degrees here in Northwest Ohio, I don't try to brave the cold winds by running or walking outside. I also don't like to waste money on a gym membership when I'm perfectly capable of motivating myself to workout in my own living room.

Recently, my husband and I started paying for cable again, and I've been taking advantage of FitTV, as well as Exercise TV on the On Demand station. I have two 5-pound weights that I use, and I do a new 20-50 minute TV workout right in my living room on every week day. My son usually tries to join me, or he plays with his toys nearby. It's not quite the 3-8 miles of running I was doing in my first trimester, but it gets my heart rate up, and makes me feel like I've accomplished something to prepare me for this labor and delivery. Plus, it's almost free (outside of the cable bill).

My newest discovery, though, are all the free workouts out there on the internet. This one is my current favorite. Anymore, I do so many different workouts, I could pretty much create a 30 minute routine on my very own incorporating all the moves I've learned from yoga, pilates, kickboxing, interval cardio, strength training, and aerobics.

The bottom line is...no matter what the weather, your situation, or your budget, there really is no excuse not to workout. You don't need a Wii, you don't need a gym membership, you don't need a babysitter for your kids, you don't need good weather, you don't need a treadmill or an eliptical...all you need is some drive and determination.

So get out of your chair, click on the workout link above, and work up a sweat for 20 minutes in preparation for all those Christmas goodies you'll be eating throughout the holidays!

YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE!

(Just a friendly reminder from the gals at Domestic Sophisticate) :-)

Practicing Zumba at home and just hanging out

There is this super cute girl in my zumba class who moves like a seasoned dancer (or ballerina). I'm always jealous of her cute little dresses that she wears with short leggings. Since I'm home all day today with nothing to do but entertain myself I tried to pair a dress I have with my leggings and practice my zumba at home. I threw on the scarf just because. hee, hee
Black Dress ~ Marshalls $10
Leggings ~ Marshalls $6
Stripped undershirt ~ Target $5
Flats ~ Target $15
Scarf ~ Local shop ~ 12
Earrings ~ Papaya $2

Oh, and here is what I'm "wearing" today, though I did wear the other outfit for most of the morning:)

Answering another question left in a comment...

"...[C]an u tell us u r slimming secrets as an inspiration to u r readers, how do u keep fit?"

I have to laugh at this...most all of our friends know that both Missi and I have been complaining about the weight we've gained since having babies. Neither of us feel like we have found the "secret" yet.

Nevertheless, we do try to stay in shape, and whether we've reached our goals or not, I'll state what I do...my sister Missi has a blog dedicated to her fitness goals that I will let her talk about in her own post.

1) I never drink pop, or basically I never drink anything outside of water. Why waste the calories? I try to drink at least 60 ounces of water a day to keep my skin clear.

2) Since I have low blood sugar, I have to eat little bits throughout the day. I keep low calorie snacks on hand at all times. Reduced fat cheesesticks are one of my favorite snacks. Veggies, fruit, nuts, and granola bars work too. I usually make sure I eat a snack before I go out to eat so I am not too hungry when I get to the restaurant and then overeat.

3) I always read the label to check what a serving size is and try to only eat a serving (this requires measuring food sometimes...which can be embarrassing if company is over).

4) I try to count calories throughout the day. My goal is 1200 a day, but usually I eat about 1500. Since I'm only 5 feet tall and weigh 110 pounds, technically I should be eating less than 1200 calories a day...but it is really hard to stick to that amount!!!!

5) I try to eat mostly meat and veggies for dinner and avoid pastas and rice (although I don't stick to this as much as I should).

6) When I eat out I try to not eat the whole portion, or I order a low carb meal.

7) If I'm craving chocolate or ice cream, or something that I really shouldn't eat, I go ahead and give in to my craving...I just keep the portion small. If I don't give into the craving when I have it, I end up binging later on.

8) I usually stop eating at least 3 hours before I go to bed for the night. Sometimes this means I have to eat my dinner before my husband gets home when he gets home late - but it is worth it. On the nights I do eat late, I start packing on the pounds right away!

9) I chew gum in between snacks and meals when I need to force myself to stop eating. A freshened mouth makes me avoid food for as long as I can.

10) I usually walk two or three miles (up hills and with my son in a stroller) at least twice a week and I do an interval cardio workout off a DVD for 30 minutes at least 3 times a week. I try to do 100 crunches every day, as well. Although, I must admit, that when I go on vacation, or it's a crazy week, the workouts get neglected.

I'm still learning what works for me, and still need to drop at least 5 pounds. I've been stuck in a rut, though, and can't seem to drop those last 5 pounds to get to the weight I was before my baby was born! Any tips you all have would be greatly appreciated!! What are your slimming secrets? Please leave a comment and let us know!