pounds

So in the past few weeks, I have gained about 12 pounds! Not good at all! I'm not really sure what is going on. I am not working out any less and my eating hasn't changed, but I am definitely gaining, my pants are telling me so! I went running today in an effort to combat the spring pounds. I feel like I am back in college worried about the progression to the freshman 15. I'm more than 2/3 of the way there! Ridiculous. I think my hubby is a little concerned too. He brought home the Cross Fit manuals and suggest I read them lol. So I did and there is a lot of good stuff in there. We have talked about creating a Cross Fit gym in the garage, but who knows when or if it will happen. I plan on adding an extra bit of cardio in each day to try and combat the fat, and a definite meal plan and schedule. I really should keep a food journal and count calories, carbs, and proteins, but that is a lot of work so it probably won't happen. The plan is to run 5 days a week and to bike tuesday, thursday, and saturday. Wish me luck. D Day is May 27 (Memorial Day Weekend, my brothers high school graduation, and all the family coming in for a visit.) I cannot and will not be the fat girl at the party! Being overweight really frightens me. The majority of women in my family on both sides are morbidly obese. Being overweight is something I have been afraid of ever since I was old enough to understand what fat was. I can't let it happen to me. So I am headed to the doc in the next week to make sure there isn't something terribly wrong with me to trigger the weight gain, and I am kicking it up a notch in the exercise department. 46 days to get fit and skinny. Let the games begin!

running in the rain

So today it is raining and although the cool down is nice, I do wish I was a little more weather-savvy. I decided today was a good day to get back into the running schedule and 3 miles would do. Big mistake. Should have listened to the hubby- he called this morning and informed me the sky would explode in about 20 minutes. I was sad as I had just strapped the girls into the stroller and found the motivation I needed to make it on the run...He assured me I should have time to make it a short one, just around the block, a mere 1.4 miles. In all of my stubborness, I was determined to make it 3 miles before the rain set in. The volunteer mulching of the trails at Dunbar Cave this weekend took more of a toll on my back than I realized, and running was shear torture, so I had to run in short spurts and walk in between, which added to the time it took to complete the morning trek. About 3/4 mile from the house the sky suddenly turned green and buckets poured down. If the Wizard of Oz had been in color when the storm began that's what it would have looked like. I could even imagine the guy  (running home in a panic) walking his dog near me thinking It's a twista It's a twista! Luckily, I keep the rain cover on the jogging stroller for weather phenomena such as this, and I managed to get the girls covered up just in time. The rain just got harder and harder. I ran as fast as I could the first 1/4 mile or so back to the house, and then it was too hard. My shoes were full of water, my clothes were soaked and sticking to me, my hair had half-way worked itself out of the ponytail and was matted to my face, my leftover makeup from yesterday was streaming down my face, and I am positive that everyone that drove by wondered if I were a disgruntled sideshow performer who had just escaped from the circus

Slacker

Yep that's me- the slacker...I have been in such a funk lately that I just can't get it in gear to get in shape. SO I continue to suffer from Jell-o booty syndrome that will not be cured without motivation and serious action. You know it's funny. I read the book Amazing Adventures of Diet Girl which was fantastic by the way, and Shauna (the author) was great. She put it all out there and went from like 300 lbs down to 160ish. Anyways I could see myself in some of the stories that she was telling. It makes me think that maybe I am just a fat girl stuck in a skinny girls body. Skinny-fat is what I call it, a slender body that looks great with clothes on! But take them off and I swear you are witnessing the Jell-o mold melting at the neighborhood barbecue. It's sad really 27 and melting...I have been better this week though. I went for a run and too the kids on a bike ride. I even swept out the garage one day so I could roll out the yoga mat to do crunches, etc. I have been doing leg lifts while the girls take their morning bath, but it's not enough. I am apparently taking in too many calories via rabbit food (I am allergic to dairy, potatoes, caffeine, most beans, and gluten) and alcohol (with all those allergies, this is the only vice I have left!) and the small amount of physical activity is not making a difference in the jiggle, yet. I still have some time to meet my goal though. Even though I am not seeing any progress, I am not seeing any decline either. I haven't gained any weight or inches. My jeans are still in need of therapy from all the squats I have to do to stretch out the butt every time I put them on, but they haven't ripped and they are still a size 4 so that's something right?! Oh how I long to update the progress chart....

The Plan

Today was a good start to finding my mojo and getting back on schedule. I did everything but workout by 8:30 this morning! (cleaned the house, vacuumed, mopped, dusted, laundry, dishes, etc and showered!, bathed the kids and made waffles for the munchkins for breakfast) lol. So I should have left the house at 8:30, but I didn't :( Actually, I have a good reason this time, I was watching a friends baby so she could get thing squared away for college, and then as soon as she left I put the kids down for their nap, and the day is done, figuratively speaking. The afternoon and evening are filled with guitar lessons and cub scouts. Maybe if it doesn't rain we will play kickball at scouts and that can count for my physical activity for the day, and then tomorrow I can jump on the get fit fast bandwagon.

Ya know I think it's funny that I see a lot of my friends update their facebook status with fitness accomplishments for the day, how long they spent at the gym, what they did, how fast their 5k time is, and I see them shrinking, toning, and all looking good, and I am so jealous, but at the same time too lazy to get off my fattening ass and do something about it.

Today felt good though. It has been months since I accomplished all those things on schedule, so there is hope! Hope is a good thing. I think even my pants are a little relieved today since I didn't hear the seams screaming for help when I squeezed into them today!

So here is the plan...
I will be following the fitness schedule I first posted on the right side of the page. I will get fit, and I will be happy and motivated about doing it. These are all things I enjoy doing, once I start. That's the kicker, starting. I am determined that by the time I am forced to put on shorts or a swimsuit this year, I will be comfortable doing it. For this, I need a timeline...
Originally, I wanted to run the Music City Half Marathon in April. That seems way too soon to be a reality, but with determination, it is a possibility. So let's keep that time frame.
By April 26 (8 weeks away), race day, I will be established into a workout routine, and well on my way to looking the bombshell part.
By Memorial Day (12 weeks away), which is also the day the pool opens up, I will be comfortable in that swimsuit!
By June 25 (16 weeks away), and the day we leave for Destin, the bombshell will be visible.
By August 30 (26 weeks away), my twins 2nd birthday, there will be no question, I will be the trophy wife!
Okay that's my goal, and the plan, with baby steps! I can do this.!

Enough is Enough

So I started this blog a month or so ago with hopes of finding some sort of motivation and direction for getting fit and looking like the woman I have also dreamed of becoming. No such such luck! I have found every excuse not to exercise from it being too cold or too hot, too windy, too rainy, too busy, too early, too late, or my favorites- the kids aren't feeling well, the house is too dirty (I'm OCD the house is never really dirty, but in my demented mind it is filthy.), and the list goes on...So something's gotta give. I threw out the goal of running the half marathon in April. With less than 8 weeks to go til race day, that is an impossible challenge.

I continue to chastise myself for being unfit and unattractive when I look in the mirror, and it is really taking a toll. Others can't see it, but I know I am not imagining the ever increasing amount of cellulite on my ass and thighs and the threat of a looming muffin top that longs to be peaking over my jeans. This can't be happening! Enough is enough! Something has to change and fast!

I have described myself before as being a bombshell on the inside, and I truly believe that I am and that I can change the outward appearance to reflect that, but I am having a hard time doing it.

I refuse to join a gym- why pay for something that I can do outside. Spending hours walking or running to nowhere on a treadmill with no sights or smells of nature around me is just depressing, been there, done that. I despise the weight machines because I feel that they taunt me, and when I sit down after some uber fit gym goddess, I feel that I have to do better than her in weight or repetition, which usually results in disappointment, embarrassment, or injury- No thanks. I know people that visit the gym on a regular basis, and never seem to reach their goals. It becomes more more of a social event, and they spend their time gossipping or comparing new gym shoes instead of improving their bodes like they are there for. I don't want any part of that.

I will not join Weight Watchers, Curves, LA WeightLoss, or any other "life changing" mega diet firm. I am not overweight, just floppy, and I don't think I would benefit by hearing the other women justify their last week's weight gain and eating struggles. Hell, because of the food allergies, I can hardly eat anything that is "bad" for me anyway. It is definitely not the food that I am eating, it is absolutely the lack of cardio movement and exercise.

I did buy some exercise videos, and yes, I used them a time or two, but watching the skinny girls on the screen shake their whole body and have nothing really move is very disconcerting when if I even think about a shimmy my ass goes into a never ending jiggle that I fear may knock something off the closest shelf!

So what am I going to do? I know what I have to do, but how can I get and stay motivated to actually do it? I think maybe talking about it would be a good start. When I try to tell my hubby, I just feel stupid. He thinks I look fine, and if I am not happy I should do something about it...I'm trying! And if I talk to friends or family, they don't understand either. It is hard to try to explain to someone that at 136 pounds and a size 4 I feel fat and unattractive (especially when they are struggling with their own weight loss and I am at least 4 sizes smaller than them). So I feel that I have to be there to support and encourage others, but who is going to support and encourage me? That's where this blog comes in...I have to take advantage of it's listening ear, and confide in it all my hopes,  dreams, fears, and struggles. I hope it works!

Spring Inspiration

This weather is awesome! It definitely is helping me in the motivation department. I want to be outside and doing something all the time!

 Victoria's Secret also sent their swimsuit catalog this week :) I love getting these because it is a constant reminder of why I am doing all these physical activities. Of course it is for my health!

And to Find My Inner Bombshell!

I am seeing hoards of women in my neighborhood all throughout the day that seem to have the same goal in mind. Kudos to all those women who are getting out there, getting fit, and finding their bombshell too. Seeing those motivated women out there also helps me to stay motivated. Thanks ladies and keep it up!

For when the weather changes and the rainclouds come out (which they will be doing soon) I purchased a couple new DVDs to help me on my quest. I bought Carmen Elektra's Aerobic Striptease, and Latin Grooves Cardio Dance. I heard great things about both of them, and hopefully they will be a lot of fun.

Valentine's Day Run

So I started my 1/2 marathon training on Monday! What a perfect V-day gift to me! The twins and I completed 3 miles (I know we were scheduled for 2 so I ran 2 and walked 1 hoping this will get my body ready for next week when 3 miles is the requirement!). It was gorgeous outside! The weather was nice at about 55 and sunny with a nice breeze (to help push me up the hills!), and the sites were beautiful. It is always fun to see signs of spring- the bulbs poking through the mulch, the trees beginning to sprout, and the grass starting to get greener. It was so peaceful and definitely a stress-reliever. I think that's my favorite part about running. It's not about how far or how fast you run; it's more psychological than that. It's the leaving everything else behind, clearing my mind and just letting go that makes me love running, finding that inner peace and getting me "right" before I start the tough parts of my day. It's just a bonus that it helps the physique too! What makes you love to run?

1/2 Marathon Training

The Country Music Marathon is now only 10 weeks away! I downloaded the Runner's World Smart Coach Training App for my Ipod and it mapped out a training schedule for me...Here it is:

Week 1
M- 2 miles, easy run
T- Cross Train
W- 2 miles, easy run
T- Cross Train
F- Cross Train
S- 2 miles, easy run
S- Rest
Week 2
M-2 miles, easy run
T- Cross Train
W- 2 miles, easy run
T- Cross Train
F- Cross Train
S- 3 miles, easy run
S- Rest
Week 3
M- 2 miles, easy run
T- Cross Train
W- 3 miles, easy run
T- Cross Train
F- Cross Train
S- 4 miles, easy run
S- Rest
Week 4
M- 2 miles, easy run
T- Cross Train
W- 3 miles, easy run
T- Cross Train
F- Cross Train
S- 5 miles, easy run
S- Rest
Week 5
M- 2 miles, easy run
T- Cross Train
W- 5 miles, speedwork
T- Cross Train
F- Cross Train
S- 6 miles, long run
S- Rest
Week 6
M- 2 miles, easy run
T- Cross Train
W- 5 miles, speedwork
T- Cross Train
F- Cross Train
S- 6 miles, long run
S- Rest
Week 7
M- 2 miles, easy run
T- Cross Train
W- 5 miles, tempo run
T- Cross Train
F- Cross Train
S- 7 miles, long run
S- Rest
Week 8
M- 2 miles, easy run
T- Cross Train
W- 6 miles, tempo run
T- Cross Train
F- Cross Train
S- 7 miles, long run
S- Rest
Week 9
M- 2 miles, easy run
T- Cross Train
W- 7 miles, speedwork
T- Cross Train
F- Cross Train
S- 8 miles, long run
S- Rest
Week 10
M- 2 miles, easy run
T- Cross Train
W- 5 miles, tempo run
T- Cross Train
F- Cross Train
S- 13.1 miles Race day!
S- Rest

Hopefully the groundhog was right and warm weather is upon us. That's the only way this will work for me. Running in the snow and ice just isn't going to happen.

What Should I Be Eating?

Everyone knows that in order to lose weight, you have to use up more calories than you take in. How do you figure out how many calories you need to consume (and from which foods) in order to get to the bombshell body you are striving for? Check out Healthy Body Calculator for  your results.

Here is my info: 

Your Data

Measure: US Age: 27 Gender: Female Height: 5 feet, 5 inches Weight: 136 pounds Activity level: Sleeping 10 hours Sedentary 8 hours Low activity 3 hours Active 2 hours Very active 1 hours Weight goal: Lose 2 pounds per week Body fat: Goal 18 percent Calorie distribution: Fat 30 percent Protein 20 percent Carbohydrate 50 percent Waist to hip ratio: Waist 27 inches Hip 40 inches

Healthy Weight Range

Your weight: 136 pounds Healthy body weight range is: 111 to 149 pounds

This is a healthy weight range for you based on your height and gender. The weight range does not consider your level of fitness. If you are a lean athlete, your weight goal based on your percent body fat would be a better indicator of what you should weigh.

Body Mass Index

Your BMI: 22.7 Healthy BMI range: 18.5 - 25 You are at a healthy weight for your height.

Body Mass Index indicates your risk of chronic diseases. If you are pregnant, you will not get a BMI report. Underweight BMI means you have a low risk of chronic disease. If your BMI and body weight are low, you should consider gaining weight by eating more food and lifting weights to increase your muscle size. If you are an athlete, your weight based on your measured percent body fat would be a better indicator of what you should weigh and you will not get a BMI report. Healthy BMI means you have a average risk of chronic disease. Overweight means you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke and cancer. You should consider losing weight by making healthier food choices, controlling portion sizes and exercising to decrease your body fat. If you are an older person (> 65 years), your BMI may underestimate your body fat due to loss of muscle mass. Weight lifting would be beneficial.

Waist to Hip Ratio

Ratio: 0.68 Pear shape: lower health risk

This tells you where most of your body fat is located. Apple shape (a ratio of .95 or greater) means your body fat is located above your waist which indicates a higher health risk for heart disease, elevated triglycerides, high blood pressure, stroke, longer time to get pregnant, and diabetes. Pear shape (a ratio of less than .95) means your body fat is located below your waist which indicates a lower health risk.

Your Nutrition Facts

The calories, protein, fat and carbohydrate are customized to your calorie distribution and are adjusted according to your weight goal (maintain, gain or lose). The lowest Calorie Daily Value that will be calculated is 1,200 calories per day.

Your Nutrition Facts Calorie Daily Value 1,200 Calories from fat 360 Total Fat 40 g    Saturated Fat 4 g Cholestrol 300 mg Sodium 2,400 mg Potassium 3,500 mg Total Carbohydrate 150 g    Dietary Fiber 25 g    Sugars 64 g Protein 60 g Vitamin A 5,000 IU Vitamin C 60 mg Calcium 1,000 mg Iron 18 mg Vitamin D 400 IU Vitamin E 30 IU Thiamin 1.5 mg Riboflavin 1.7 mg Niacin 20 mg Vitamin B-6 2.0 mg Folate 400 mcg Vitamin B-12 6 mcg Biotin 300 mcg Pantothenic Acid 10 mg Phosphorus 1,000 mg Iodine 150 mcg Magnesium 400 mg Zinc 15 mg Copper 2 mg

The calories, protein, fat and carbohydrate are customized to your calorie distribution and are adjusted according to your weight goal (maintain, gain or lose). The lowest Calorie Daily Value that will be calculated is 1,200 calories per day. Your weight goal was calculated to less than 1,200 calories. Your expected weight loss per week has been re-calculated. At 1,200 calories per day you can expept to lose 1.1 pounds per week. After each 10 pound weight loss, re-try the Healthy Body Calculator® because your Calorie Daily Value will change as you lose weight. This should help prevent a weight loss plateau or as you reach a 1,200 calorie minimum it will show why your weight loss has slowed. Increase your exercise minutes to improve weight loss. Food labels contain the amount of calories and nutrients per serving of food. To work towards your weight goal, subtract the calories and grams of nutrients that concern you on food labels (for the number of servings of food you eat) from the calories and nutrients in Your Nutrition Facts. For foods not labeled, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, the calories are low as long as you eat moderate portions, don't add fat or deep fry these nutritious foods. The remaining nutrients are your Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for vitamins and minerals. These include your Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA). Pregnant women need 30 mg of iron per day. This level can best be reached with an iron supplement. Talk to your doctor about taking a prenatal vitamin with follate.