Thankful Thursday: Unseasonably Warm Weather!

This week, we are having temps that are about ten degrees above the norm here and I love it!  I get to go on comfortable walks with Little Man and enjoy the sunshine.  It was 75 degrees here today!  I am very thankful for the extra time we get to spend outside!

I didn't take any pics of today's walk...but these are from when Little Man was almost 6 months old!

I'm so glad that his hair grew back in nice, thick, and blonde!

I am also thankful for wonderful friends, including you!  I really appreciate you taking the time to visit my blog, and I love reading your comments. They make my day!

Hope you have a wonderful "Thankful Thursday!" What are you thankful for today?

fitness friday: don't set your goals too high!

This tip is for new mamas, but it also goes for anyone that is trying to start a new exercise or health plan.  Don't set goals that are unattainable! 

When beginning a workout routine, I like to think that I will be able to commit to working out 5-7 times a week.  That would be ideal, but probably not possible for me with an 8 month old son at home.  Some days, I will simply not be able to get anything checked off on my "to do" list.  But, if I set a goal to work out 2 to 3 times a week, that is a goal that I am more likely to achieve.  And if I happen to exceed that goal, then that will make me feel all the better.

make a goal list

In fact, working out 2 to 3 times a week is my new goal.  I will let you know how I progress each Friday.  I have also lost 2.2 of the 9 pounds that I plan to lose by September.  Slowly but surely...

excuses, excuses

So when setting a new goal for health or other areas of life, stick to goals you can meet.  If you constantly meet a goal, then you can think about raising the bar a little bit.  Good luck achieving your goals! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

reach your goal

TGIF!

fitness friday: celebrity edition

As a non-celebrity, soon to be even more extreme penny-pinching mama, I wanted to see what celebrities looked like during and soon after pregnancy.  Most of them, of course, look fantastic.  I believe that I could look fantastic as well...if I had someone doing my hair and make-up everyday, and a personal trainer and chef making sure my body stayed in great shape 24/7!  Here are a few beautiful celeb moms:

Jessica Alba

Angelina Jolie

Heidi Klume

Halle Berry

Julia Roberts

This is me on my due date:

And three weeks later:

Luckily, the nursing helped me get most of the baby weight off! Now it's time to tone up and get in shape! So ready for the summer time and to be out of school so that I can work more exercising into my daily routine.  Hope you have a great weekend :)

Monday Message: Singleness of Purpose

Thank you all for the birthday messages!  I really appreciate it! I had a great birthday on Friday.  It started with my first class surprising me with a delicious chocolate brownie cake and cute little home-made presents!

Then I took a half day off from school and drove with Baby W to my hometown where I celebrated with all but one of my sisters and parents!  I got lots of great gifts and gift cards! I'll post some of my new clothes later this week :) 

My nieces were there as well.  This is a picture of Baby W and Niece E on the couch.  We had to separate them after W kept trying to eat E's head!

The next morning, we woke up for the GBS 5K.  My goal was to walk the whole thing and finish in less than 45 minutes.  My time was 43:30!  So I achieved my goal :)  It was one of the most humid days ever, which made it a little harder; but, it was lots of fun and for a good cause. 

Before the race:

After the race:

Our friend that we were running for:

Big W and Baby W:

Meeting Sir Purr:

My dad winning second place (out of two people) in his age group :)

I'm not sure when my next event will be, but I plan to do at least one other 5K this summer!

Back to the Monday message:

Yesterday, I went to church at the church where I grew up.  The message was about having singleness of purpose or singleness of mind.  The pastor used Paul as an example.  His mission or goal was to spread Christ to everyone that he could.  So he had singleness of mind in spreading the knowledge of Christ.  That was his main goal in life and everything he did revolved around that goal. 

We should also set goals and then have singleness of mind in achieving those goals.  Our goals should ultimately be related to serving Christ as well.

I was really inspired by this message and have decided to set my own personal spiritual goals.  I need to have singleness of mind in serving Christ at work, at home, and wherever else I go.  I do have more specific goals in mind to achieve the ultimate goal as well!  I encourage you to set your own goals and have singleness of purpose in achieving those goals!  The other part of the message was that if your ultimate goal is to serve Christ, then you will also be happy and content in life.

Enjoy your week!

fitness friday

My advice for you today is: Sign Up for a Race!

Do you have to win? No! 

Do you have to run the whole way? No! 

Do you have to run at all? No!

Do you have to finish? YES!

By looking up a race in your area and signing up to walk or run, you will hold yourself accountable for getting in shape!  Especially right after having a baby, there is not much motivation because all of your focus is off you! But if you have a set date for a 5k or even a 10k or longer... you may get motivated to work out before that date arrives.  I used to be able to run about 5 miles a day and actually ran a half marathon 3 years ago!  Since getting pregnant,  I have not been able to hold a good pace running, but I recently started walking more often.

Photos from the half marathon in Dallas, Texas:

Before the race (I was nervous!)

During the race (around mile 4):

Mu husband cheering me on:

After the race (so glad to be done!):

Seeing these pictures again definitely sparks some motivation in me!

I completed the Cooper River Bridge Run (10k) at the end of March, and I will be running/walking in a 5k for GBS/CIPD tomorrow!  I plan on walking the whole thing (and pushing Baby W in my new jogging stroller).  My goal is to finish under 45 minutes!

Have a great Friday and wonderful weekend!

tuesday's tip for new mamas: make time for yourself!

When Baby W was born, I did not want to do anything but spend every second with him!  I took 12 weeks off of work, and never left his side.  (Maybe for an hour or less twice a month!)  Now I know that might sound crazy, but I didn't want to miss anything, and I felt like I was the only one who could soothe him if something was wrong (he was a colicky baby!)

I did have to leave his side when I went back to work in January.  But, whenever I wasn't at work... I was with my sweet son.  Then, on March 13, Baby W was invited to a birthday party! I was not going to be able to go because I had to take a test for my recertification.  My husband, however, was able to take him (the party was an hour away!)  I was so sad. When they had only been gone for 20 minutes, I called my husband!  What was I going to do for the hours after my test?!

Well... it turns out I got to relax at home and went on an hour long walk!  When I finished that... I thought, "It has been too long since I have taken time for myself!"  Yes of course I missed being with my son, but I think everyone in the family would benefit from me getting some time to myself every once in awhile. 

Since then, I have taken an hour once or twice a week to go on a walk alone!  I think it is crucial to take time to gather your thoughts and have this alone time when you are a new mama!  It will help maintain your sanity and give you more patience with those around you!  In fact, if you are able to get out by yourself more than once or twice a week...I would encourage you to do that!

I don't think it really matters what stage of "mommyhood" you are in, or even if you aren't a mama at all: take time for yourself each day!

March for Babies!

March of Dimes Information

So, I posted about walking yesterday, and this morning I did just that! (I would have said something about this yesterday, but I wasn't positive that I was going to make it to the walk) The Beta Club at my school got together and joined the walk for healthy babies! I decided that I would join the walk if Baby W was up for it in the morning.  We both woke around 8 and were at the walk at 8:40.  I thought that it was a 5K, but it turned out to be 4 miles!  I pushed Baby W in the stroller and walked at a brisk pace with about 6 girls from the Beta club.  There was a great turnout and beautiful weather! I am so thankful that I am able to walk and that I have a healthy baby! So many people lose their babies prematurely and all of the money (over $100,000 in Greenwood) is going to fund research to help keep babies healthy and full term!

Fitness Friday

Each Friday, I will try to post a fitness tip for new mamas that are trying to get back their old body.  These tips will pretty much apply to everyone that wants to shape up!  The first tip I have is WALK! It is the easiest exercise I can think of, and something that almost everyone can do!

Proper Walking Techniques

I often tell myself that I am going to try and walk 3-4 miles whenever I get out to exercise, but the truth is sometimes I am too lazy or just do not have the time.  But, if you even get out there and get one mile in-that's better than nothing! And it shouldn't take too long:  15 minutes at a fast pace, or 20 if you like to take the leisurely route.  My new goal is to get one mile in a day.  I can make the time for that and if I get a chance to do more, then good for me!