It actually happened...

I no longer have an excuse about not exercising.

Our sweet little prince, Callum John was born on Friday, April 8th at 4:05pm. After a fast (like 15minute fast) labor, he was born weighing in at 6lbs4oz. He was born perfectly healthy, but soon after birth he developed respiratory distress that only continued to get worse. He ended up being transferred to a NICU where he was intubated and diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. If you're interested in his story, you can read it here. Thankfully after 12 days in the NICU, he was discharged home and has been doing very well. 

Of course his NICU stay delayed my intentions of getting back into shape, but, there were more important things! Now that Callum has been growing and doing everything he should, I finally got the energy to start working out....wait, have I mentioned that I foolishly signed myself (and Kevin) up for the Mother's Day 5K? Yeah. Crazy...and thinking that I would actually have time to try and prepare for it was even more foolish, especially after having a critically ill newborn in an intensive care unit! 

Today, I finally broke down and worked out. I know I had every intention of starting to exercise during the last month or two of my pregnancy, but it just didn't work out. I ended up having a fairly rough last few weeks of pregnancy. I had strep throat, shingles and a stomach bug - not to mention a few family stresses thrown in there, too! Oh yeah, and just being pregnant with three small girls at home made it tough, too....so, while I am not trying to make excuses, I had every intention of exercising lightly.....but, I didn't! 

I did level 1 of the Shred. I did a light to moderate work out, and definitely didn't break that much of a sweat. My heart rate never went above 155 the entire work out and I still burned about 170 calories. Because I am nursing a newborn and just 3.5 weeks post partum, I have to make sure I am consuming plenty of calories, drinking a ton and not pushing myself...I just want to start.....slowly. It isn't about losing weight right now.... it's about taking time for me and feeling good about myself. 

The workout felt amazingly good and definitely gave me that urge to keep doing it and want to get moving...so I will! 

I have to say I am amazed at how fast my body has jumped back after having a baby. When I started my 90 day challenge I believe I weighed about 130lbs......and when I got pregnant with Callum, I weighed 112lbs. Today, I weighed in at 122lbs at just 3.5 weeks post partum. My max weight during pregnancy was close to 140lbs. 

Here I am the day before Callum's birth:

Here I am this morning at 122lbs:

So, here I go.......I will start to relearn how to run and hopefully I will enjoy it as much as I did last year at this time! I can't wait to feel amazing again! 

If anyone else is interested in joining my exercise challenge, comment below.........it's great to have support of others! 

DAY 71 - Changes...

Day 71 - Cardio Max (Biggest Loser)

Workout time: 38 minutes
Calories burned: 258
Average HR: 147
Max HR: 176

Nothing like getting right back into the swing of things! Today, I thought I'd mix it up a bit and try something new. My girlfriend had told me about Cardio Max from the Biggest Loser, so I bought it at Target. I'd have to say it's a pretty good work out. Unfortunately, I didn't get to finish it because I was interrupted by the girls - I guess that's to be expected! Overall, it was a pretty good workout, all cardio using some hand weights. I'll definitely use it when I feel like doing something different.

If you're wondering what the new info up there is all about, it is from my new Polar FT7 heartrate/calorie monitor Kevin bought me for Mother's Day. I've always wondered what I am doing exactly for my workouts as far as intensity is concerned, and this is exactly what I need. Of course, it isn't exact, but it will give me enough info just for an idea.

Yesterday and today, I stepped on the scale - 121! I started off at about 129lbs 71 days ago! For Christmas, Kevin bought me a pair of size 4 PETITE pants from Ann Taylor Loft. I just about laughed at him when I opened the gift - size 4!!!!! HA!!!! I hadn't fit into a size four in a long, long, long time. That day, I tried on the pants which I could BARELY pull up over my thighs, let alone button them. Today, I put them on....easily. Buttoned them......easily. And wore them. Comfortably!

Here are some progression photos from the last 71 days:

The first day of my challenge:

Several weeks in:

Two weeks ago

Those are the "infamous Christmas pants" :)

Day 28: Running high my fat arss!

Day 28: Week 5 of the Couch to 5K - but, I just ran today because I forgot to look at what I was supposed to do.... :)

Weather: Cloudy, 40 and WINDY.......like a hurricane! Not really, but it felt like it!

I ran the same trail as I ran yesterday, so no need to post the map - isn't that a cool tool! I love imapmyrun! I also downloaded the PLUS version, which has some cool other features. For $5, it's worth it! 

Duration: 27:59
Distance: 2.49 miles
Pace: 11:22 mins/mile
Calories burned: 263

I hear runners talk about a "running high" they get when they run.....Are they for real? Seriously! I do not get any kind of high when I run. I just want to finish. Somedays, around minute 20, I do start to feel strong, and want to keep running. Though, I think this is because I know I am almost home, and if I keep running, I'll get there faster!

Today was tough. The wind was whipping hard, and when it was a head wind, I wanted to just stop. It was hard. I pray that it isn't windy like this when I have to run the 5K. That will not be fun. I also have decided that running in the cold is not fun either. I am really needing some warm(er) weather. It was also tough because I ran yesterday, too. The next few days are going to be a rainy mess, and if I didn't run today, I would have had to run Thursday, Friday AND Saturday. No thanks! So, today it was!

I will admit, when I get home after a run, I feel awesome. Like right now, I could do another workout. I think I am going to do the shred next...I need to burn some extra calories so I can really enjoy some girl scout cookies! I think about looking good in a bikini and having little to  no muffin top this summer.....Yes, I will work out.

Showing it all...

Happy March 1st everyone!

Today is the start of my 90 day challenge! I am so excited to see what the next 90 days brings to my life! I will be planning on doing my couch to 5K this week for week 1, and I am unsure if I will be starting today or tomorrow - it depends on the weather! I will admit, I am a little tender from our ski adventures on Saturday! If I don't run, I will be doing a Yoga segment on my Biggest Loser Wii.


I wanted to share a few "stats" with you so I can document my progress or digression into this 90 day challenge :)

Today, I am starting at 128lbs with a goal weight of 120 pounds (115 after I stop nursing). My 90 day challenge is more about losing weight though...it is more about getting my body in shape so I can feel better about myself. I try not to get discouraged about my body because it is the way it is because I have carried three beautiful babies inside of me. My body has grown three healthy babies inside of me.

Here is what my "muffin top" looks like today: