I know you can relate!

So I ate a bigger than normal late lunch and was super full ALL afternoon.  I decided to try to run at 5pm for about 4 miles while Jeff took the kids to the Y.  I normally go early in the morning which is my optimal time to work out, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.  Although slower than normal, I didn't feel too bad!  Pretty much wet my pants because after 3 kids and running after a full day of drinking water, it's all down hill from there.

But anyway, I get home, throw a load of laundry in the wash, and hit the shower.  Get out of the shower only to realize the towel is in the wash.  For the love of Pete!  Dry off with a hand towel and just be happy I at least had that.

Also do a flash back to when I was at the Y, hop in the shower, and realize ... no towel.  Well then you're really stuck.  It's not like you can hop out naked and run up to the front desk.  Thank goodness I had a private "family" room.  Grabbed some paper towels and, well, you can imagine how that went.

What's up with me and towels!?

Providing you some comic relief for this Sunday afternoon.  Hope everyone has a GREAT week!

Me? Skinny?

So it's been a while since I've blogged and I can't come up with anything good.  Everyone is about the same.  Ty's little in-home evaluation is Tuesday and we are eager to get therapy started.  I've lost another pound and 3 inches.  Jeff is making progress on his quest to build muscle.  Our Isagenix Team Hemingson is expanding which is fun to watch others start to achieve their goals too!

So today I was looking at myself in the mirror and it hit me.  I still see fat Jeni.  You hear it all the time.  "I know I've lot weight, but I still see the heavier me when I look in the mirror."  In the past I would yell at the TV, "what's wrong with you, you look great, you worked hard, you should be proud of yourself, etc."  I totally get what they are saying.  While I am very proud of my accomplishments, I still can't get over the image looking back at me.  That's not MY body.  It's like someone photoshopped my face and put it on a smaller body.

Why does this happen?  Are we afraid of success?  Perhaps afraid of success so that we might need to maintain it?  Maybe that's why some people can't get started in the first place.  If I don't really try then I don't have to fail.....maybe?  What DOES happen when we succeed?  How do we know when we get there?

Well here's what I did this morning.  I kept looking at myself.  All angles.  Until I could confirm in my brain that it's me.  I even told Jeff "I'm a smokin' hot momma.  I look good, I like it."  Am I perfect?  Heck no.  But I like it.  Maybe the more I see it and the more I say it, the faster my brain will catch up with my body.

Am I afraid of success?  Maybe.  I've never been this healthy before...now what?  I'm 38 and in the best shape ever.   It's all new to me.  I've never been "athletic."  Now I run and lift weights.....and I like it.  What's up with me?  I'll tell you.  I feel good and I can't stop myself.

Maintain it?  I still have some fat to release and some muscles to tone.  So that's where I'm going.  I'm releasing more fat and toning more muscles.  It's a game plan.  It means working smarter.  I don't have more hours to exercise, so I need to continue to maximize the time I have.  Heavier weights, run faster, push myself harder.  It's a bitter sweet moment when I'm at BodyPump class and I realize I need to add weights.  Yay I'm stronger....shoot that means the bar will be heavier.  I was getting comfortable and now I need to get uncomfortable again.

How do I know when I've reached "success"?  I guess I will just know!

Any other "smokin' hot mommas" on the inside screaming to get out?  Contact me asap!  I love watching the transformations!

Pictures!

Feeling pretty good today!  I've had a productive weekend signing up for some 5Ks, shopping for new clothes and rocking my new body.

Wanted to post some pictures.

This is me on June 12, 2013

Here is me this morning!

And for fun, a side view.

20 pounds released!  55 inches smaller!

First I have to say how much more happy and energetic I am.  You know what they say about people who exercise and those endorphins.  Yep, it's true!  I feel happier for myself and for other people.  It's amazing!

Then there's the shopping because my clothes are looking a little baggy.  Of course they feel big, but when they start to look like they're going to fall off, it's time to bite the bullet and get some new ones.  I bought the blue work out outfit yesterday in a size smaller than in the past, it's more form fitting than I'm use to, but I'm not self-conscience like I use to be.

Still going to hit the Y to shed the last of the belly, thigh, and upper arm fat.  This week looks like BodyPump, Shred, Stair Climber, Rower, running, and taking a day off for a cleanse.  If I can stay on task the last few inches shouldn't take long.

Thank you Isagenix and my friend Lori for helping me find my groove again.  I feel better than I did when I was 20!

Hit the Y one too many times

Joined the YMCA a while back to give my work out routine some variety.  AND to get a moment away from the monkeys without messing up the "family time" schedule. 

The kids LOVE the child care area, so that was a huge plus.  Ty has a little separation anxiety, and over time it seems to be getting better.  The staff is really good with helping him while I'm gone.  He puts on a good show for me as I turn around and walk out the door.  Usually the mom checking in behind us will find me and let me know he stopped crying as soon as I was up the stairs.  I love how the moms at the facility support each other!

I'm excited to have found a huge variety of equipment and classes that challenge me.  My favorite classes so far are group cycling and Bosu boot camp.  On my own, I like (what I call) speed hill walking and a few of the programs on the elliptical.  The elliptical that I like the most is Octane's run stride.  I can do sprinting and intervals without killing my back and knee.  I've been doing the 30:30, which is 30 second sprints, 30 second rest and every few minutes you get a 3 minute recovery.  That style of exercise is HUGE for weight loss.  Get your heart rate up and down throughout the work out. 

Anyway, I'd been working out 4 days straight!  This morning when I woke up and couldn't sit down on the toilet, I decided today is my rest day.  Ouch!  Tomorrow I'm going to try the 10K on the elliptical.  Maybe lift some weights too. 

I feel SO good these days!  I'm super excited I'm back at a gym and taking time for myself.  Even if I have to drag everyone out the door and leave one screaming at the child care area.  It's totally worth it to have a happy momma again!

It's been quiet

It's been pretty quiet around here.  Haven't had much going on this week.  I've not been running as much because of my knee and back.  I've found a chiropractor so I'm feeling more like getting back into it.  I ran yesterday, which was a mistake.  Only because of the heat.  Tonight I'm going to bike.

I am feeling so much better now that I'm back on regular chiro care.  My screwed up back affects more than I think.  When I let it go, I'm affected all over my body.  Probably TMI, but when I don't have regular care I have constant PMS bloating, which isn't pleasant at all.  Makes me CRABBY!  It's amazing how one area of your body affects so many others.

Tomorrow is a cleaning day.  We're having a House Warming party (sponsored by my realtor) on Friday night.  I have to make sure everything is clean, vacuumed, and I have to touch up on some walls.  I didn't realize how non-forgiving flat paint is.  Seriously water marks don't go away.  Eventually we're going to have to completely repaint with a more durable paint because this is getting ridiculous. One little splash on the wall and it's there forever.  If you try to clean it, you have a bigger spot.  Granted flat paint is cheap, had I known I would have spent more for better paint. 

Today is a trip to Walmart for some craft supplies for a project for the kids (will post pics later), groceries, and a paint roller. 

Stay cool everyone!

Bike helmet, check! Costco run, check!

Got a bike helmet and off I went!  It was so nice to switch it up and take a bike ride instead of running.  I went about 5 miles....I think.  I'll need to check it out.  I loved working different muscles.  It felt SO GOOD!

We ran to Costco this morning and picked up a new toaster (a 4-slicer!), new Rubbermaid set, and various food items.  You know, it feels really good to get new stuff and throw out the old.  Obviously with a new house it seems like you need new stuff.  I had blogged earlier that we got new kitchen and bath towels because it didn't seem right to come into a new house with old towels.  Besides, our towels were getting gross anyway. Our intention was to use what we had because it's more cost effective.  Obviously.  But something feels weird about walking into a new house with old towels.  We spent a lot to build the house and landscape it.  The last thing we needed to do was re-furnish it.  The toaster today replaced the 2-slicer so that feels more like a necessity as the family is getting older.  The Rubbermaid replaces our disposable containers.  Not so much a necessity, but it sure is nice.  I almost feels like we're newlyweds again!  Seriously, try it sometime.  Buy a box of some new kitchen stuff, wash it up and put it away.  See what happens.

When we go to wedding and baby showers, we always say, "it would be nice if I could have another shower to get new stuff.  My stuff is so old after (pick a number) years."  Well, yes.  I would encourage, if you can to just get new things....if you really feel you need to be refreshed.  This isn't a very frugal idea and in these times, who can afford it, right?  I'm not saying go out there and re-furnish your house in one evening.  Look for sales and replace things as you can.  We have been donating and recycling lots of the old stuff and are actually down sizing in the process.  We had over 20 bath towels that we never used.  We went to Target (Walmart would work too) and grabbed 6 new towels in the store brand line.  Each towel was about $5 if I remember correctly.  That's right, we live off of 6 towels (plus the 3 baby towels for Ty).  Think of how much room we save.  We hang and re-use 5 towels for a few days and then I wash.  I'm storing only 4 towels.  We have a few hand towels for guests and one wash cloth for Ty.  We use mesh sponges so there's not point in having a bazillion hand towels.  (Actually, the hand towels went to the kitchen rags and I use them to wipe up Ty after meals.  They are the perfect size and saves money on paper towels.)  Sorry, I ramble, but there are ways to de-clutter and get new if you work at it.

Another run, another day, and a visit to the zoo

Weight is a little up and I'm not sure why.  My goal this week is to track my intake a little better.

Went for a run this morning but ended up walked the last part because my knee hurts.  I injured it a while back and I have to back off when it acts up.  It was still a good run because my goal was to go faster, which I did for 1 1/2 miles. I'm eager to get a bike helmet so I can add biking to my list of exercises. I should probably add kettlebells to the list.  I could fit that into the schedule in the evenings.  Oh ya, the kettlebells are at the old house still.  UGH. Well, add that to the list for next week.

Last night we went to Como Zoo.  We only had an hour before the park closed, but it was a great time to go!  No crowds and it was coolish outside.  We zoomed through the exhibits and the animals were up close and personal (except the bears...I think they were already in their dens for the night).  I had a monkey run at me, which was spooky.  It came out of no where on a branch and pounced the glass.  I screamed of course.  Totally wasn't expecting that.  He was a cute little fellow.  The lion was pacing in front of the glass so the kids got to be very close up.  Poor thing wanted to be outside.  Not sure why he wasn't, I'm thinking the lions were brought in for the night.  That's the closest we'll ever be to a lion! The gorillas were looking pretty sad in their inside enclosures, but when we went outside we found out why.  They're doing a huge renovation to the outdoor gorilla exhibit.  It will be a much better space for them.

Today is a "stay home day."  We're going to try to do stuff around the house today.  Lars and Ali like playing with their friends and they hate having their play time interrupted.  I don't blame them.  Nope, today we stick around the house.  Maybe I'll get some house work done too.  Make a couple of phone calls.  Yep, that sounds good today.

woohoo! 4 miles!

It was a much cooler morning.  I was able to make it the 4 miles today!  Of course I went the Lite Side route so I only had 2 hills to battle.

At what point does the body take over?  It seems like I got about 2 miles and suddenly my legs were going and I was along for the ride.  It's a great feeling!

I'm so glad I made up my mind to go that extra mile.  Half the battle is committing in your head.  If I would have gone out thinking "I'd really like to run 4 miles, but we'll see what happens," I'd never made it.  Commit and do it!  The next run will be easier and maybe soon I'll go even farther.

HOT HOT HOT

Oh my goodness.  It's really hot this week!  It's been in the high 90s (F) to 101 (F).  Icky, drippy, hot, bluck. 

I am very glad we have season passes to Valleyfair.  Our amusement park with a small water park.  The last two evenings we took the kids there.  The water park was absolutely perfect.  They added a wave pool which the kids LOVE.  Even Ty is giddy when he sees it.  He stands as far out as we let him and he laughs as the waves wash over him.  Jeff and I take a pounding as we try to sit next to him.  Notice "try" to sit next to him. It's hard to stay stable while holding him up even in the smaller waves.  The kids had fun and we cooled off.  It's a win-win.

You know how you move into a new area and you have to re-learn everything?  This morning, I brought the kids to the library and it's only open in the afternoons on Friday.  OK, so we plan to go back after Ty's nap.  I thought the sign said 1-8pm.  It was 1-5pm.  So try 2 today was a failure as well.  UGH!  I don't really know where to get haircuts, chiropractor, church, etc.  We're on "try it and see" mode.  It's a very teachable moment for the kids.  What to do when you don't know what you're doing.  Fake it until make it.  Shake it off when you fail and try again.  At least we can say, "we're new here, now we know."  Unfortunately that happened twice today...there was an incident at a gas pump too today.  Good times.  I'm fortunate to have a husband who can take the phone calls and talk me down from the frustration.

Hoping to get a run in tomorrow morning.  As I sit here typing, I'm watching the lightening light up the sky.  Hoping it cools off for tomorrow.  I'm aiming for a 4 mile run tomorrow.  Wish me luck!

Not a fluke. I did it again!

So I chickened out on the morning run.

I got out this evening and found yet another route.  Let's call it Dark Side II since it's an off-shoot of Dark Side and it's longer.  I managed to conquer that route, despite my fantabulous decision to have second helpings at dinner. 

Let's talk about what you shouldn't eat before going off on a run.  An alien stole my brain for a moment and I made the yummiest mexican hot dish.  It's one of those dishes that you only eat if you're trying to gain weight.  Take seconds if you need to gain weight faster.  Corn bread and sour cream are the biggest offenders in the dish.  But seriously, you have to live sometimes.  Only you should be smart about it and take a small portion.  My tummy is still stuffed and I ate 3 hours ago....and took a run. 

I had an excellent run, which makes me wonder....am I not eating enough before my runs?  Obviously a double dose of a Mexican dish is not the answer, but maybe I need to re-evaluate how I'm fueling up.

HMMM  Lots to think about. 

Now to take the last for minutes of my day to relax and prep for bed. 

Good night everyone!

What a great day

It was a scorcher today in Minnesota!  Hot and humid is not a good combination.  I believe it was in the 90s (F) with 71% humidity.  We're lucky to have central air!

This morning we biked to a park nearby.  Even at 10:00 am it was sticky hot.  Super mom saved the day and got the Burley changed from a jogger to a pull-behind for the bike.  Dripping sweat I braced cab with my feet and pulled with ultra super strength on the tire and POP it came off.  Whew!  The kids were a bit nervous that mom wouldn't be able to do it and then the ride would be cancelled.  Mom couldn't let that happen.  Putting the trailer piece on was much easier.  So got that ready, hop on the bike and the chain falls off.  Twice.  ARGH.  Needless to say, I got it fixed.  We had a good time riding bikes together.  I think that's the first time we all hopped on a bike and rode off. 

One of the kids' new friends spent the first part of the afternoon playing.  It is so much fun to have friends close to keep us busy.

Like a normal kid, Larson informs me when we get to the pool that he doesn't have his shoes.  He was embarrassed and said he was sorry so I really couldn't get angry.  We've all been there.  But OMG.  Seriously.  We have an agenda after lessons!  Took this time as an opportunity for some Love & Logic.  "Well honey, the pavement is really hot.  You're going to have to run to the door.  Watch for cars!"  He tries to pin it on me..."mom, you forgot to remind me."  Nope, not working.  My come-back...."sorry buddy, your shoes are your responsibility.  You know you need to put shoes on when we go somewhere.  Remember next time."  So yes, I got about 30 minutes behind running errands because we had to go back home and get the shoes, but he learned a lesson and I kept my head about me.  Yay mom!

So after Larson's lessons, I pick up a take-n-bake pizza at a place in Savage called Woodland Take-N-Bake Pizza Company.  Dare I say it's better than Papa Murphy's?  So many toppings! Yummy crust!  Anyway, we just sit down and the door bell rings.  The neighbor kids are inviting the kids to a pool party.  Yep, eat and hurry off, kids.  Ali's swim lessons are in 45 minutes.  Ali and Jeff soon take off and Larson stays out.  All the kids are pool hopping and running through various sprinklers.  They were out until 8:30 pm!  Good times. 

On to tomorrow.  Dare I take a run in the morning?  I've been a slacker the last few days and it should be nice and mugging tomorrow morning.  Well, my punishment for procrastinating.  Wish me luck!

3 Miles Feels Good!

I've decided to name my routes the Lite Side and the Dark Side.  The Lite Side is the less steep side where the hill isn't quite so long.  The Dark Side is the route with the ridiculously long steep hill.

So today I took a 3 mile run down the Lite Side.  It felt SO good to get back into it.

Today we will be making a hot dish for a family with a new baby on our cul de sac.  Also taking the van in for some repairs.  Right before we moved, we had new tires put on and now there's a horrible rattle.  We're hoping it's just something loose.  Whatever the outcome it will be nice to have a quiet vehicle again.  It's so irritating to drive around with a loud banging noise following you everywhere.  Increases the blood pressure instantly. 

Lars and Ali start swimming lessons today.  Larson has private lessons at 2:50, so I'm hoping Ty gets down for an early nap so we don't have to cut his nap too short.  Ali's is at 6:55 because daddy wanted to take her.  Also gives mom a little break.  I never thought I'd hear myself say it's easier with only 2 kids.  It's all relative, isn't it?

Almost forgot....down 1 more pound!

Hope everyone has a nice Monday!

Gotta...conquer....that....hill

So intellectually we all know that it's harder to run up hill than on a flat surface.  So actually facing that situation really brings it home.

Just outside our development you can go left or right.  Both ways you start off down hill.  To the right, it's a more gradual decline and less than a mile.  I can run this route the whole way with some trouble, but I can run the whole thing. 

To the left is a steeper hill that goes a mile or more, depending on how far you run.  It's a continuous slope too.  I have not been able to run the whole 2 miles yet.  I say YET because I WILL eventually do it. 

The good news is that it's getting easier all the way around.  The flat part in our development, the declines and even the inclines are getting easier.  I know it sounds funny to say the declines are getting easier because, well duh, they should be.  But you still exert energy even though it's an easier run.

You know it's funny.  I could go a good 3-5 miles before and now I'm struggling to go 2!  Very frustrating, but I have to remind myself that running up hill for a mile or more is hard. 

Get up and DO IT

I know I've posted this before, but I struggle with it too.  We all want to be size 4.  It's just not going to happen for everyone, but I can be had healthy as I can be, no matter what the size.  My problem is getting off my duff and doing it!  I can be a healthy weight.  My trouble is maintaining it.  It feels like the minute I sit down the pounds pile on.  Seriously, why does it take one weekend to gain 4 pounds and 2 weeks to take it off?  We create our own misery, don't we.  But again, we can live our own dreams too. 

As I was running -- up hill -- lungs and legs burning, I remember what it takes to be at my best performance.  Burning lungs and legs.  If you do it right the abs and arms will hurt too.

As I encourage myself to get out of bed every morning and continue to live healthy, I want to encourage everyone else who struggles.  Just get up and do it.  (You don't have to run 5 miles every day...do what works for you.)  Knock it out one day at a time and over a few weeks you'll see success!

Got it done AND down 2 pounds!

I'm happy to report, this momto3monkies is 2 pounds lighter!  Back on the down swing.  How'd I do it?  I took advantage of the tracking on Weight Watchers (ya, it helps to actually use the program especially if you're paying for it!) and ran or walked every day.  Sometimes taking an extra walk in the evening.

The unpacking is DONE!!  The garage is cleared!!  All furniture is built!!  The walls have been touched up with fresh paint.  I think we're ready to party.  It will be fun to celebrate Ty's birthday and Father's Day with our family in our new house.  Now to hit the grocery store so we have food for this party.

Getting it done one box at a time.

We are slowly clearing the boxes out of the garage.  I think we may get Jeff's car in the garage by the weekend....and it's a 3 car garage!  Uffda!  We've never taken this long to unpack and organize.  We've never moved with 3 kids either!  Our goal was to unpack at least 4 boxes every day.  I must say, it was a good goal because I think it'll work.  Our huge hurry is Ty's 2nd birthday party is scheduled for Sunday.  If not for that we wouldn't be so stressed out about it.  However, I'm thankful we have a goal pushing us.

So my past post I fessed up to a weight gain.  Good news.  This morning I got up and ran about 2-3 miles (not exactly sure how far because I haven't mapped it yet), and this afternoon we took 2 walks.  Yay!  Feeling much better now.  Back on the bandwagon.

We had a bit of drama this afternoon.  Larson slammed his hand in the door.  As I was trying to get Ty off my lap so I could help Larson, Ali lets out a blood curling scream.  Larson had blood on his forehead.  At this point I have no idea what's going on other than Larson is bleeding and Ali is freaking out.  After some investigating, the blood on his forehead came from his finger and it appeared that his appendage was fine.  We got it washed up and bandaged and he's good to go.

Whew!  Starting this summer break off with a bang!

Cows can hide?

I've lost a grand total of 3 pounds since the end of biggest looser. (33 pounds total) Not real impressive start to my "loose 10 more by Thanksgiving" goal. Well, fall is a new schedule and I've had a hard time getting back into the groove. The good news is I'm back on the down slide now that I have the new routine down.

This week is nuts! I'm not going to find time to hit the gym much, so I decided to take my 3 mile run on the country roads this morning. It was a nice morning....not too chilly, not too hot. I noticed a cow out of her pen at the neighbor's on my way out. She was laying nice so I figured she wasn't going anywhere, she was OK. The others were munching on breakfast. Some playing queen of the hill on a pile of hay, which makes me giggle to see a cow standing atop a hay pile. On my way back, Miss. Escapee gets up and stands behind a tree. Almost like she was hiding from me. "If I stand here, that human won't see me."

If we only knew what animals were thinking.....

Exercise and vacations

On such a hot day, the kids are doing as well as can be expected. The little guy is sleeping and the big kids are playing Chutes and Ladders. We're taking them to the pool later today. It's way to hot for me to take Ty to the pool this afternoon. In reality, I'd like to participate in the kettlebells class at the gym, but some family time is needed too. Jeff gave me a kettlebell for my birthday, so I could exercise at home later this evening.

Jeff and I ran a 5K relay for the first time on Saturday. Ya, it didn't go so great, but we did it. I'm not a fast runner. The experience leads me to question again if I even want to run. I've never really liked it, do I want to pursue it?

I've lost a little over 15 pounds since starting Biggest Looser (20 since starting my weightloss journey). I'm super excited about that! Instead of running distance, I've started running intervals. This seems to work out better for me, and I don't spend as much time on the treadmill. I spend 30 minutes running intervals and then 15 minutes doing something else like the bike or elliptical. Then of course a quick round on the weights. Tracking my food on Weight Watchers has been very beneficial. WW has worked better for me than counting calories.

Looking forward to seeing Jessica and Dave on our family vacation in August. I'm very excited that they agreed to rent a cabin with us. The kids are SO looking forward to seeing auntie.

We scheduled Jeff's birthday trip! I'm not going to tell you how old, but it's a big one...therefore an entire trip dedicated to the big day. We'll be staying at Mountian Villas in Duluth close to Spirit Mountain. We're going at the end of October, so we recognize that the weather will be hit-n-miss. In any weather event, we'll have a blast!

Lots of fun things to think about.