I did it!!! Cypress 5k Challenge

I ran my first 5K. It was exhilarating!

It was a crisp 28 degrees when we woke up that Saturday morning. I think I didn't feel that cold because of the nerves. I quietly had a few butterflies. Of course, I wouldn't let anyone know this. This was no big deal, just a little race. Inside I was dying. I don't know why. I guess because I wasn't running with anyone. Would I get there in time? Would I know where to go? Would I get lost? Then there were the kiddos to worry about. The whole fam came out to cheer me on. Would the boys be warm enough? Would their dad get sick of entertaining them while I was running?
We got there with about 15 minutes to spare. Parking was a breeze. Lots of people walking, so we just followed the crowd. I immediately saw someone I knew, which helped with the nerves. We talked about just finishing. That was my goal, just to make it through it.... I didn't have any mile/minute expectations, although I knew I had been around a 12 minute mile while training. Back in my prime, haha, I completed a 5K in 33 minutes... I knew that wouldn't happen today. There's been many years and many pounds between me and those days:)


Granted I have not ran any races lately, but this was one of the most organized and most pleasurable events I have attended. People cheering along the route, (the whole time, not just the first 10 minutes), jumpers for the kids, music, finisher's medals (YAY). The route was a nice one downtown, kind of an up and back. The course started at the steps of the State Capitol and kinda went around the back of it. This was an opportunity for the kids to see momma run:) It was nice, they cheered me on. That gave me some "Umph". I wasn't to mile 2 and saw the first finisher's looping back. I cheered them on. That was awesome for them, kinda sucked for me.... but I pushed on. I stayed around the same people the whole time. I used that as a gauge sort of. If I stayed with the same people, at least I wasn't getting left in the dust. Ya know? lol. However, there were people that did the walk/run method the whole time and finished with me. I plugged along, running the whole time, which I was proud of. I finished in 37:00, official clock time.

I was so excited that my whole family came out supporting me in my crazy whim.  Surprisingly, it became a great teaching moment for my 5 year old.  You know, I haven't always been the healthiest eater, wasn't raised with parents that "worked out".  I want to pass along healthy habits to my kids and this was a great opportunity to have this talk.  We have made little changes around our house and now my little one wants to run.  I'm gonna check into Rocketkidz races for him.

This whole experience was great.  I am so excited for my next race.  I haphazardly just registered for a 10K.  Too much, too soon?  Maybe, walk/ run method?  probably!  But hey, I'm moving right?



This week, I bailed on my trainer :( and have been feeling a little whimpy.  You know how when you feel like you are doing everything right and the scale still isn't moving?  You feel like what's the point?  Yeah, having one of those weeks.  This post has helped me to remember that the important thing is a healthy mama!  That's why I started this.  To feel alive, and not so tired all the time.  So, thank you BLOG.  On a positive, last week I ran 7 miles....that's a high for me for a week:)

Monday starts my second bootcamp type class.  6- 1 hour intensive workouts over 2 weeks, or 3 classes each week.  Should be a fun time :)

A skinny day perhaps?

So, I'm feeling STRONGER!!

And here is a pic I took last week before I went to the gym, before gravity set in.  I have not seen the scale go down significantly.  My weight flucuates, 2 down-1 up, but I do know I have lost inches.  We haven't remeasured me yet.  The trainer measured me before my first session in several areas.  I feel my jeans fitting different.  So progress!!  It feels great.  My one wish is that I could eat even better.  I can definitely tell you that belly fat comes from the junk we eat!  lol.  When I eat well, the next day I'm not bloated and feel great.  If I slip up, even once, I can tell.  It's good and bad.  I feel like I beat myself up too much and obsess over what I eat a tad too much.  That's a recipe for disaster. 

This blog is keeping me accountable.  When I can no longer afford the trainer, which will probably be sooner than later, I am hoping this thing keeps me honest.  So, thanks!

Erica :)

I did it. I registered.

I registered for my first 5K in about 10 years.  I used to run a few 5Ks here and there before I had kids, seems like in another life.  That was many pounds ago. 

I registered for the Louisiana Marathon 5K/ Fun Run.  We'll see how fun it is.  I have a few things I need to do to maximize my training.  First up, I need to map out a dedicated route to run.  I just take off and end up trying to think too much while I am running.  Do I turn here? here?  How long will it take me to get back?  Will I get back?  All questions I am battling in my head which equals too much thinking.  I plan on doing that today, possibly.  I logged into daily mile.  Something I haven't done since March.  Ouch.  I thought for sure that website was gonna keep me motivated.  Strangely enough, I have not been "logging" my new found fitness.  I thought that surely would be my motivator for continuing.  I'm actually kinda glad I have jumped into it "unplugged".  The trainer is great, she's great at motivating me.  I also find myself not wanting her to think I'm weak.  I think that's a plus:)  I think I found a great fit for me and that definitely makes a difference.  I haven't told her yet.  It was a kinda spontaneous thing I did.  My endurance has definitely increased and I think I can manage 3+ miles of running come January.  Or at least, I hope I can:)

Ahhh dreaded pictures, that's what I need to do.  I know, I know.  No pain, no gain.  Pictures would definitely be painful.  They are great motivators though.. this I know.  I really need to get some taken.  I want to be able to do some before/ after shots.  My trainer believes in muscles.  Not just looking like an athlete but being stronger, as well.  I love this.  She has made me realize I have muscles in places I had long forgotten about. 

What I will do now, is show you a few of the pictures that started my body image self loathing.  A few months ago, in the summer, we had family pictures taken.  The pictures are absolutely beautiful of the hubby and kids.  Of me, not so much.  When I was trying to find something to wear, I remember thinking, I just want to be comfortable.  Well, that's what I was, and that's definitely the way I looked. 

  (Thanks Mustard.Seed photography. Lindsey is awesome.  The pictures are gorgeous.)

See.....

Fat.  I mean, not hideously so, but definitely larger than I picture myself.  Face, a little too full.  Arms, without definition.  Belly, looking pregnant with #3. 

So, I am a month, give or take, into my transformation:).  I haven't taken recent pictures, but I hope to soon.  I am feeling better- much better.  My stomach is a tad less bloated:) and more importantly I am more conscious of my health.  I have drastically reduced soft drinks in my life and unnecessary sugars.  Sugar is the devil, I do believe this.  It also brings out the devil in my children.... so this I have limited as well. 

I would love to hear other stories or links to other blog mommies trying to battle life, fitness, kids, etc.....So, come on peeps.  Let's share some inspiration.....

Working on my Fitness

So, I hired a personal trainer.  She is brutal.  I knew it would be hard, but it is so much harder than even what I thought!!  I decided that for once in my life I want to give it all I have and really try this getting in shape thing.  I've always been average size and as life creeps by and I get older, it seems the weight doesn't come and go like it used to.  It comes but it doesn't go.  I'm packing on the pounds and for the first time in life, it is bothering me.  My thought has always been, it's life- why be miserable.  Dieting and exercising to me is misery.  I wish it were not like that and I try to have that drive but it's just not there.  So for the next 6 weeks, I am manufacturing the drive.  It may be fake, but for the next 6 weeks, I'm pushing through it.  My thought is at the end of this 6 weeks, I will love the results so much- hopefully, I will stick with it.  I started this lifestyle change, read-torture- last week. 

Before last week, I easily drank 4-5 cokes a day.  I LOVED white Bunny bread and cake mix, yes cake mix.  I was getting out of control.  I felt like crap all the time.  Now I know it had to be from all the sugar, the yo-yoing it does with your body.  I have never really cared about dieting or "good" foods.  I grew up eating big Sunday dinners and maw maw getting her feelings hurt if you didn't clean your plate.  We have no problem eating in our family.  All the food is GOOD and fattening as hell.  I've been doing a little research and reading a bit about food choices.  I've made so minor changes and hoping to make a few more.  The hardest thing for me is how do you change the way you cook?  I mean the way you cook is learned.  I learned it from my mom, who learned it from her mom.  I don't know a "less fattening" way and learning one seems hard.  I mean, I don't have half the stuff in my pantry that these new recipes call for.  So a few of the small changes I have made- more water, of course.  I never really drank water.  I know, I know, terrible.  Now, I'm drinking lots.  Between 4-5 bottles a day.  No soft drinks, however, yesterday I did break down.  I hadn't had one in a week almost!  I changed to honey wheat bread, natural peanut butter.  I cook egg whites now, instead of yolks.  I have been getting turkey ground meat instead of hamburger meat.  That's been difficult.  I don't like the way it looks when its cooking.  I know that what goes into your mouth is 75% of the way you look.  I can work out all I want but if I don't change my eating habits, it won't work.  So, I guess we'll see.

I've been trying to go to the gym at least 5 times a week.  2 of those days are personal trainer days- but they are only 30 min sessions.  I hope to eventually be able to do some cardio after these sessions, but right now, it's not happening.  The other 3 days- I go and do cardio.  ellipitcal, stair master, treadmill, zumba- I think next week I'm gonna go try and swim also.  I haven't checked out the pool times yet. 

So tell me readers, Do you work out?  Do you love it?  hate it?  What do you do to stay in shape?  Do you care? not care? Do you eat well?  Tips to share.... anything....

I would post a picture and do a whole before after thing, but I'm not the best at follow through.  I have the best intentions in the world, but we'll see...........

Took the lil munchkins to the zoo last week. Here is a cute photo from the day. I'm having major issues with my photography skills. I took lots of photos that day and the last 1/3 of the pictures are all blurry. Too close, too far, not enough light, enough light. nothing I did helped it. I'm at a loss. I keep trying though, day in and day out. I photograph and photograph, hoping to get better. lol. I read books, forums, etc. This photography thing is NOT easy and I just want to take decent pictures of my kids and craftings. I could not imagine this as a living, although if you are good, with God given talent, I'm sure it is very rewarding.