I'm BAAAAAAAAACK

Hey 35 readers!

It's been a while since I've documented the thrill ride that is my life, so I figured you're pretty much just dying to know just what on earth I've been up to lately.

Summer is going really well. It's not nearly as hot as last summer and I'm not 8 months pregnant like last year either, so that right there makes it better. We've been staying pretty busy and the girls are being pretty fun.

This week we are staying (on and off) at the family cottage, and over the weekend, Marcus and I ran in a 5k that took place a couple miles from the cottage. I didn't train even a little for this thing, but figured since I've been doing TurboFire (a cardio-heavy dvd program) 6x a week, I would be juuuuuust fine. I mean, it's only 3.1 miles. I should be able to do that in 30 minutes easily, and I exercise for at least that long every day. Certainly since I ran cross country 13 years ago I should have no problem whatsoever with running a measly 3.1 miles. I ran a 5k in March after doing a teensy bit of training and I completed it in 31 minutes and it was like 20 degrees outside. Today was comfortably warm, not too hot, and I have lost 10 lbs since March. Obviously, I will win this 5k. or at least get some sort of award for my being so laid back about it.

Well, "comfortably warm" is like 80* at 8:00 am. I somehow convinced my husband to run with me and not stray, and he took the glory by pushing the double stroller with the kids. It's probably 35 lbs without kids, and another 50 with, so it's not exactly a breeze. However, he was having a hard time running slow enough for me.

We started off in the back (stroller rules) and had to zip around some of the slower people so we could get in a good groove. I almost started yelling swears at Marcus because he was a good 25 feet in front of me and I couldn't keep up. My heart rate monitor wouldn't stop beeping at me because I was above my target range. I figured it'd balance out once we found a good pace. Well that didn't happen. I was frickin huffing and puffing the whole time and I couldn't believe it. My body felt pretty good, other than a sore knee, but I was so out of breath, running a 9:40 mile. I was pretty disappointed in myself for not feeling stronger than I did. I had a little bit of juice left at the end so I pushed it to the finish and people were cheering "GO STROLLER GUY" and I died a little inside. Like really? Do they not see how fit he is? Do they not see the struggling mother who BORE those adorable little children? WHAT ABOUT ME, PEOPLE. I hit start on my watch as soon we crossed the line, and our "official" finish time was exactly one minute later than that. I'm going with my time since I really wanted to beat 30 minutes.

I'm glad I didn't have to walk (for more than about 5 seconds at the top of a hill), but am disappointed that I was as out of breath as I was. Sometimes denial is better than the truth.

We checked our times later in the day and this is what I found:

FIRST PLACE. FEMALE OPEN WINNERS.
I left without my MEDAL!!!!

Then I look closer....

Do you see that? "5K Walk"??? Marcus registered me for the WALK? WALK.
The other thing is, no one else was registered in the walk. It's like they created a special category just for me. Oh, that poor girl. Let's let her get first place by creating a division that no one else can sign up for. That will make that poor mom's day. That poor mom. She looks like she tries hard. She just needs to be recognized. Her husband is so strong for pushing that stroller. He probably gets so much attention because he's so cute. She just needs some extra love. We'll give her first place. IN A WALK.

The interesting news is that when I scrolled up to look at the age results for the run, I would have come in 5th place (which wasn't last place, jerks) and poor, pathetic fat and slow Marcus came in SECOND TO LAST in his age group. So I will always have that nugget to cherish, even if he was running 3 minutes slower per mile just to stay with me. He's a keeper, that one.

The first and last picture we're ever get like this because I'm so over it.

Do you like organized races or do you prefer gym training/classes over running, like me? 

I'd rather do 2 hours of Insanity than run in a stupid race, but I know that won't stop me in like 3 months when I do another 5k I didn't train for.

Ultimate Reset

In the last 3 weeks (plus 2 days), I've started and completed the Beachbody Ultimate Reset. Basically, it's a 21 day detox/cleanse with a supplement program and meal plan of whole foods.
It was one of the more challenging things I've done as far as discipline and self control goes. I did this with two of my neighbors and we were all successful with sticking with it and getting great results.
While weight loss is definitely a benefit of the program, it's mostly about getting your body to the healthiest state it can be by eliminating a lot of the garbage that we put into it.
When we started, it was definitely a shock to the system. There was so much food prep and planning ahead. It become somewhat second nature by the second week, but I think it was a good thing. I got used to planning and preparing a good lunch instead of sharing a box of macaroni and cheese with Charlotte.
And adding bacon to mine. Or whatever.
I don't need to get into all of the boring details, but it was actually a much more positive experience than I anticipated. I thought I'd be a lot crabbier, when really I felt the best I ever really have. I expected to be STARVING but I never was. The biggest challenge was not cheating when I really wanted chocolate or crackers. Turns out I really, really like crackers. mmm triscuits.

I didn't miss dairy really at all, and I was totally fine without meat. But the cracker part of my  food pyramid was definitely left wanting more.
Both of my neighbors and I reported sleeping better and having a lot more energy. I didn't have a lick of caffeine and didn't miss it. Of course I've had a little coffee both yesterday and today because it's just a nice part of my morning and I enjoy the taste. I didn't go into it thinking it was a "lifestyle change" because frankly, it's not. I think it's a good kick start to some really healthy habits which I will likely maintain, but to say I'm a grain-free vegan now is the stupidest claim I could make. We don't live in a community where that's an easy lifestyle. Community = my house. I would get kicked out.

I don't have any before and afters to share and if I did, I probably wouldn't share them. I'm selfish like that.

But I will tell you that I did lose some weight, and since I last stated my commitment to getting fit (late March), I have lost 13 pounds. That? is something I'm pleased with. I just did the math and I was really surprised to learn it was that much. My quest still continues because I'm having a 1/3 life crisis and when the youngest anyone mistakes you for is 29 when you're 30, I MUST FIGHT IT. Aging gracefully is for the weak.

I'm not exactly sure what my goal is. It's not like I have a race coming up (I don't enjoy running that much) or have anything approaching where I need to fit into an evening gown for judges to rate me.

But yeah. The Ultimate Reset was really worth it. If you don't think you can do it, you can't. It's pretty much that simple. But having the accountability of my friends was the biggest help, and if you're interested if giving it a try, just click here and you can get started.
Or click here and just enjoy life.

Oh, and I got paid to talk about this.*

*no I didn't.

This Is Mah Jam

Like I mentioned in a previous post, I started a new workout. It's been going moderately well, meaning I haven't lost any limbs or peed in front of everyone yet.
Here are my complaints:
I jumped right into a class without having worked out like this in a couple of years. We basically do the all the same thing, except at this point I cannot always keep up or lift the same weight as some of the others. This results in me trying to figure out 1) if I can lift the prescribed weight and 2) if I can figure out how to change it. answers: probably not.
Forcing me to listen to Nickelback and Kid Rock. I know lots of people who like Kid Rock. But I just can't. I can't. And Nickelback? I think I actually heard someone excitedly say "yes! it sounds like you have the whole album!" I almost shouted right out loud. On top of that, the work out was 50s, 40s, 30s, 20s, & 10s of 10 different moves. It was like I was in actual hell. If I need to do 150 of anything, I'd rather listen to Chopin or Beethoven.

I simply cannot be inspired while listening to songs that make me lose hope for humanity.
I wonder if it would be rude to pop in some headphones and just listen to my own jamz. Or maybe we could theme days for music. That would actually be really exciting for me.
Last night I found myself searching for once popular songs and their music videos. I was mostly stuck in 1998-99 and was feeling nostalgic and also cracking up at how ridiculous it all was.
If each work out could be a musical surprise, I think it could be a lot of fun. Like if Bubba Sparxxx Miss New Booty was played, I think I could crack out a few extra mountain climbers.

"keep up the good work" ~Bubba Sparxxx

I'm not claiming I have great taste in music. But I will say that I do turn into a girl at a bar when I hear my favorite song come on. I don't squeal and run off mid-conversation so I can dance, but I sorta nod to myself in acknowledgement of my jam. 

What kind of music pumps you up for a good work out? I'm a rap and r&b type of girl with some bubblegum pop and indie randomness thrown in there too.

Attempts at Getting Fit

After seeing pictures from our family vacation, I realized it was high time I lose those last few(ish) pounds of baby weight. Going to the gym and running 2 slow miles a few times a week just wasn't cutting it.
So I talked with a few friends that I used to work out with back before I had kids and now am back in the game.

and omg.
I'm sore.

I don't know if this group class has a name for what we're doing, but it's basically intervals of evil.
And while I'm quite out of shape, I remembered how to do a few of the moves and I didn't die.

I did almost do this a couple times though.

Today, however, was my second time and I almost cried. Not because of pain or being a big wuss, but because I kept telling myself that if I can have a baby, I can do these reverse curls. But the problem is, I can't because I had a baby. I had NO idea that my abs were completely gone. And the cycle continues.

Today the trainer asked me If I've used an ab roller before and as I picked it up so I could be all "uh yeah. fer sher" the whole thing fell apart and rolled across the floor. And then when I actually went to use the stupid thing, I thought I must have been doing it wrong because it had never been that hard for me in my entire life.
And she actually said "it's okay. you just had a baby." 1) I would never expect a hard ass type trainer to ever have sympathy for someone who had a baby. I mean, people have babies all the time and need to get back into shape. 2) when does the just run out?

I think the first 3 months everyone says "oh don't worry, you just had a baby!" but anytime after that, no one cares anymore. You're just fat after that. and tired.
I think my just ran out, but if that trainer wants to give me a teensy break on reverse curls, I'll let her.

I'd probably learn to work out if someone put peanut butter or cheese by the weight machines too.

I'm signed up for the rest of the month and my plan is to continue. It's tough because the times are less than ideal and need to arrange for childcare each time, but it's worth it to me. I need the accountability because otherwise I work out for 5 minutes and say "well, that had to do something." 

what's the most sore you've been from a workout?

Once I pulled my groin bear crawling while pushing a weight across the floor and people thought I was in a serious car accident the next few days.