A little of this...and a little of that...

This morning we spent about 3.5 hours at the beach. Needless to say, I had a tired crew! I put the kids to bed, and had some motivation to do a little work out.

I turned on OnDemand to see what was available and saw some new things from Jillian Michaels. She has a new video out that is called 6 pack in 6 weeks........hmmmm, I surely need a 6 pack after having a kid 9 weeks ago.

It was a pretty good workout! But halfway into it, Callum awoke. I got 15 minutes of a good ab workout in. Then Kevin came home and I had some time to go for a short run.

Duration: 21:57
Distance: 1.95 miles
Pace: 11:14 min/mile
Month total: 10 miles

Since I was running a shorter distance, I would run a 9-10 min/mile pace at every other mailbox or driveway and then an 11-12 min/mile pace at the opposite. It worked pretty good. When I finished running last year, my pace was more like a 9-10 min/mile, so I'd love to get to that point again.

Overall, I had a pretty good work out today. I am still feeling the other day workout in my hamstrings so I am trying to take it easy! I can feel the obsession starting to form!

Hope everyone else is doing well! Keep it up - remember a little exercise is better than none :)

Add 3 more to the count!

Yesterdays workout absolutely KILLED me. I got out of bed this morning and I could hardly walk! It even hurt to move my arms. I joked with Kevin saying I needed a wheelchair with a joystick so I didn't have to move my arms or legs today!

Once I got moving I felt better, but my hamstrings were killing me. I had a scheduled babysitter today so I could get some things done around the house, particularly a run.

I set out this morning with a goal of 3 miles. It was getting hot so I knew I had to do it now or I'd never do it today.

Duration: 33:56
Distance: 2.93 miles
Pace: 11:35 min/mile

Todays run definitely hurt, I think my muscles were so tight from yesterday, but I knew I had to do it - I have to keep up with everyone and finish my 30 miles! My hamstrings were quite tight in the beginning, but they loosened up (a little) during the run.

I was able to keep my pace between 10-12 minutes, so that is a big plus. I have a long way to go to get back to where I was pre-baby, but I am starting to feel good about my workouts...and once I make them a priority in my day, I'll feel better and better.

I can start to feel the "obsession" with exercising start and that's good, because that means I WILL make time for it everyday. Even if it is 10 minutes. Even if it is a long walk or bike ride with my kids. It is still exercise!

Attempting to get "ripped" in 30 days

Two weeks ago I was at Target getting my weekly staples. I walked down the "exercise" aisle and noticed Jillian Michaels had out some new videos.

I picked up "Ripped in 30 days" - it looked interesting and I was interested in doing something different then the shred.

At $12 I thought it was worth the try.

After two weeks of it sitting in our living room unopened, I thought I'd give it a try.

It consists of four "weeks" or levels. It uses a similar approach of the 3,2,1 (3 minutes of strength training, 2 of cardio and 1 of abs). It is 24 minutes long.

It uses a lot of different exercises so it doesn't feel like repetition of the Shred, but some are similar. I think the cardio and strength exercises were very good, and pretty tough for the "first" week.

The ab work outs were okay, I think nothing compares to the ab work outs on her "No More Trouble Zones" - those are amazingly tough and awesome at the same time!

I was definitely feeling it after the workout. My muscles were shaking, shit, I could barely walk!

I highly recommend it if you're looking to change it up a bit! At 24 minutes in length, it's a great workout!!!

5 down......25 to go

I had intended to run during the weekend, but......guess what? It didn't happen.

To further complicate my life, we are moving back to the Washington DC region mid-summer. It will be a tough move primarily because Kevin and I are in love with our life here in Maine. Thankfully, it is temporary!

Anyways, I was able to motivate myself today and headed out for a run!

Duration: 33:39
Distance: 3.00 miles
Pace: 11:12min/mile - have improved that by almost a minute since I've started running a few weeks ago!

I was pretty proud of myself as I was able to run the entire time without stopping to walk - not even once....believe me, I was huffing and puffing and feeling as though I was going to die, and thought about running, but I just thought about all our little Callum went through after birth, and if he can fight for his life, I can fight to run a short distance, right?

So, how is everyone else doing with the challenge?

If you're feeling overwhelmed, do the best you can - getting out there is the most important part!!!

2 miles out of 30.....28 more to go!

Today, I started my 30miles in 30 days challenge.

I didn't think I was going to be able to run today, but my husband graciously took our oldest girls to lunch with him and left me home with our two littles (20 months and 8 weeks).

I dug out our jogging stroller and ran. It sucked. Both kids did great and our newest, Callum slept the entire way. On the way back, the wind was blowing in his face and he didn't like that too much, so he was a little fussy, but overall, it went well!

Duration: 24:55
Distance: 1.99 miles
Pace: 12:30 mins/mile

I did walk some, the wind was whipping hard and with that jogger, it was tough work, but I did it. Two down...28 to go!

How is everyone else doing?

I'm still running! And a challenge

On Saturday I headed out for a run. I had intended to do some interval training to help get my pace improved, but when I went to start running, I ran into my neighbor. I used to run with her a lot last summer, but since I was pregnant, I couldn't run. She's an avid runner, so I was intimidated to run with her, but I knew she'd help get my pace improved.

My MapMyRun app (which I highly suggest!) farted out, so I am not sure how accurate it is with the mileage, time and pace, but here it is:

Distance: 1.75 miles
There was not a time, so, I am not sure on that one, and I am pretty sure I ran longer than that......so......
My initial pace was 10:30 min/mile and then 11:35 min/mile, so much improved from my last run.

How is everyone else doing?

Anyone interested in doing a "run 30 miles in 30 days challenge" with me? Tomorrow is June 1st....so what are you waiting for? If you don't like to run, maybe you could do an "exercise for 30 hours in 30 days?"

I challenge you to do one or both together! what are you waiting for? Get out there and start!

My goal for the week.......exercise three days this week.

I did it!

The sun is finally out here in Maine after an eight day hiatus. My motivation was nowhere to be found. I even dressed "the part" on Monday planning to work out, but, guess what? It never happened.
Hey, getting dressed to exercise is one step closer to actually doing, it right?

On Wednesday, it was a beautiful afternoon. Kevin came home and I promised myself I would run. And run, I did....

Distance: 2.34 miles (getting closer to that 3 mile mark)
Time: 29.20 - definitely not proud of a 12 minute pace, but, I will take it....

A good friend of mine suggested running "telephone poles" - so for the first part of my run, I alternated running and walking with each telephone pole. By half of my run, I was starting to feel good, so I decided to run as far as I could. I was able to run the last part without walking. It felt pretty good, but a bit disappointing considering I was running 9-10 minute miles before I had a baby.

Then today, I promised myself I would run again. And I did.

I had told myself to run a little further than I did on Wednesday. When I got out there, it felt good, so I kept going until I reached the 1.5 mile mark and then I turned around.

Today, I ran:

3.0 miles in 36:20 ----- my first 5K since last summer! While I am not proud of my time, I am proud of being able to run 3 miles just shy of 7 weeks of giving birth.

I think I am finally starting to feel that motivation to keep going.....summer is just about here and this mamma needs to get herself back in shape again!

How is everyone else doing?

Staying Motivated

It's been a rainy mess here in Maine and it looks like it will be a while before the sun comes out. I don't know about you, but for me, cloudy days gives me absolutely NO motivation to do much of anything, especially exercise.

Check out my "blog frog" community to the right.....(click on the link "how do you stay motivated" to join a discussion)

Let's talk about staying motivated and how you do it.....I'd love some ideas and I am sure others would, too!

"A" for Effort

I am still alive. Just barely.

Last week I had these grandiose ideas of running or exercising at least three days.

It didn't happen.

On Thursday, I scheduled a babysitter in hopes of hitting the roads for a "run" - but, best laid plans....Kevin's parents were coming into town and I had to hit the store. I had asked Kevin to vacuum and mop the kitchen and living room the night before, and well, you know what happens after that (let's just say the wine won)....yeah, didn't happen and my work out consisted of washing and vacuuming floors. I wasn't a happy camper!

Wednesday, I cleaned the entire house. Have you ever put on a heart rate monitor while cleaning? I didn't do it this time, but, I have done it in the past, and you'll be amazed at how many calories you burn during a good house cleaning. It isn't exactly my favorite way to exercise, but at least you know it is doing something. 


Kevin's parents have been in town from Florida since Thursday, so I didn't exercise at all. I really need to get myself into a good groove and starting it is the hardest thing! So, that is my goal for the week, too bad it is going to rain all week so I will be relying on Jillian to get me started!

Then today, Kevin and I planned on "shredding" this evening.

What did I say before? Best laid plans.....

Of course Callum was awake. Clara was getting into trouble and then Lilah dropped a weight (3lbs) on Maireads toe. Then the phone rang. Twice. Then Clara wanted to "help" swing Callum. Callum wanted to be held. When it was time to do abs, I had to share my mat with two girls and a third who wanted to lay on top of me while doing them. Then it was dinner time. I got Callum back to sleep and attempted to work out again. BUST. Callum woke up and wanted to be held. I guess it wasn't in the cards to get a work out in tonight.

So, I poured a glass of wine and called it a night. Sometimes it just doesn't "work out"

My first run

Well, I did it. I ran for the first time since last summer.

Believe me, I use the term "ran" very loosely.

When I woke up this morning it was a beautiful spring morning and I felt pretty good, so I thought I'd try running a bit. My body was still a little sore from the Shred on Wednesday, but I felt good enough to run.

I dug out all my little do-dads for running - my iPhone (for my IPod and MapMyRun App), my ear buds, running sneaks, heart rate monitor, hair tie and was on my merry way.

I ran a bit and walked a lot in the beginning. I'd say probably 50/50 in the beginning, but once I hit the 13 minute mark, I started to get that energy surge I used to get last year. I ran the last half and it felt surprisingly good. I got no side stitches at all.

So, since I did the same run I did for my very first run EVER here is the comparison:
I ran/walked for 24:08 minutes
Distance: 1.74 miles
Pace: 13.47 min/mile


Today: 
Duration: 23:00
Distance: 1.8 miles
Pace: 12:48 mins/mile


PART of me wants to scream FUCKKKKKKKK...........I did the same as I did when I was heavier, and completely out of shape, but part of me is proud of myself - this run actually felt good where as my first few runs sucked and was just horrible. I didn't feel as though I was dying when I ran this morning. OK, I won't be so hard on myself.....it's a start, and not a bad one.


Can't wait to get back out there again and again....and start feeling this good everyday! 


How did you all do today? Did you get out there? 

Inspiring Others

Last year I used this blog as an outlet to create accountability for myself.

I knew that it would be too easy to make excuses for myself as to why I couldn't exercise "that" day - you know things like - too tired, too busy, too many things to do around the house, the kids were driving me crazy, etc etc etc. I could go on and on with all the excuses I could create.

I didn't start a blog for any other reason. If I knew people, even strangers, were reading my blog, then I knew I would have to follow through with what I said I would do. And do you know what? It worked.

My 90 day challenge last year did more for me than I ever thought possible. I inspired myself. I inspired others. I realized just how great it was to feel good about myself and what a crappy self image I had before that I never realized I had.

So....as I begin to exercise after being pregnant and on activity restrictions for 9 months, I want to do something to help others.

I want this blog to be an outlet for others who are just like me and wanting to change their life.

I want this blog to inspire others, complete strangers, to work out, to continue working out and to achieve the goal they set for themselves.

This is my challenge.

In the meantime, I want everyone who visits/reads my blog to comment below and give me ideas on what they'd like to see on this blog.

(If you look on the top of the right hand bar, you will see a "community" - click on that and chat/discuss there)

We can learn so much from each other from diet ideas to exercise ideas to questions to helping each other continue with our goals.

Should we have a weekly post about our goals?

What about some sort of chat application on here?

What else? Let's help motivate!

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! 

Preparation - Are you ready?

I am moving right along in this pregnancy, and each day, I become closer and closer to putting in a Jillian Michaels DVD to get started. At 29 weeks and my history of preterm labor and oligohydramnios (low fluid) I have to be cautious with my levels of exercise, and pay particularly close to how my body reacts.

I need to do something though. It's hard to believe we are just 9 days away from March 1st - my original start day of my 90 day challenge. To say I am pumped up to start up again is an understatement. I am determined to look good and feel comfortable in a two piece bathing suit this summer. My due date is May 9th (though all three of my babies have been 3-4 weeks early), and for me, getting ready for summer and getting my body back on track is a huge undertaking, especially with four children - all of whom will be exactly 5 years and under (My oldest will be five in May). It will definitely be a challenge, but I am ready for a challenge. A bigger one. 


The way I felt last year after completing my challenge was unreal, and I cannot wait to start feeling that amazing again! Getting that taste of health, fitness and feeling good about myself is just making me want to exercise! It is the best addiction I have ever had.


So, on March 1st, I will start my challenge, while it will not be as intense or may not be as regular as it was when I began all of this one year ago, it will be a start, it will help lay the foundation for the real stuff to start post baby #4. I haven't come up with a "plan" yet, but my goals will be:

To excercise (walk - as weather permits, yoga, shred - very easy, and probably only level 1, cardio max, etc) at least 30 minutes, three times per week.

I am going to do some research on exercising while pregnant and see what I can find. I am not looking to lose weight or anything serious, I am just looking to lay a foundation for restarting a real exercise regime once the baby is born.

So, who's with me? Who wants to join my challenge with me again this year? You have two weeks to prepare!

Anyone have any resources on exercising while pregnant?

I will be looking into information regarding alternatives to any type of squats, abdominal exercises, and any particular yoga exercises that require you to lay on your belly.

If you're new here, click here to learn about how I got started!
A blog about what I use and don't use. (during my challenge, surely not now! ha!)

Maybe not the best choice? But...it works!

Sorry everyone for the lack of blogging here on my 'melting the muffin top', but this pregnancy thing really has put a damper on my exercising! I am not complaining though, I feel very lucky to be able to get pregnant, carry a child......and avoid bed rest thus far in my pregnancy!

I am 27 weeks tomorrow...less than 10 weeks until I get my cerclage out, and let the flood gates open. It's hard to believe, but, it's going to come quicker than I think! I have to say, I'm not so sure how ready I am for baby #4, but, I can tell you how ready I am to really start getting down and dirty with exercising again, particularly running. I am surely getting that itch, especially after getting a registration for the annual Mothers Day 5K - which was my very first 5K EVER last year...it's May 9th this year, one day after my due date. With our three girls, they were born 3-4 weeks early, so I am banking on this little prince doing the same.......so, that gives me some time to train a little - even if I have to walk, I figure it will be a great kick start to losing the baby weight! Who's game with me?

So, like I said above, I am really starting to get the itch. While I haven't been running, lifting weights or hanging with Jillian Michaels, I have been.....ummmmm..skiing. Yes, downhill skiing. Yes, pregnant. Yes, I may be crazy. Hey. We've had a lot of snow, and being home with three small children makes me go a little insane, so skiing has really, really made this winter go by fast. Don't worry though, I haven't been skiing any bumps, or crazy hills, just good times with our young girls, who are 4.5 and 3 (our 17mos old is with a sitter usually). I call it granny skiing - it's just nice, easy skiing....teaching our girls, spending quality family time while getting some vitamin D and exercise. Having gone skiing 6 times in the last 5 weeks or so has really gotten me back on the bandwagon so to speak...

I need a little more motivation to turn my quiet time into yoga or exercise time, but at this stage of my pregnancy, I just need time to sit. I think once I hit the golden time of 30 weeks, I will start to shred with Jillian a few times a week, and then once I get a bit further along, 34+ weeks or so, I will start to do some walking - hoping the snow is gone, or close to gone by then! Better be.

So, that's where I've been. Hanging out. Skiing. Avoiding insanity.

How is everyone else spending this crazy, snowy winter?

Before & After (well kinda...)

Two years ago, before I got pregnant with Clara, I weighed about 128lbs (the same weight I was when I started my 90 day challenge).

Last week, we went to a "Martini Madness" and silent auction fundraiser at a local camp. Being pregnant, I didn't want to buy a new dress, so I ransacked my closet for something that would fit.

I came across this dress that I wore two years ago at a Coast Guard Christmas party. I chose to wear that dress........about 15lbs lighter.

Here I am two years ago:









































Here I am last week and about 16 weeks pregnant with baby #4 and 15lbs lighter:

Unfortunately, I haven't exercised since I found out I was pregnant, and now that I have spoken with my OB, I have been cleared to do very light activity, like yoga. No weights and walking if I don't have any cramping or contractions.

I hope everyone is doing great exercising and keeping healthy!