you asked and I answered - staying fit

Since I've been having success in losing my baby weight, I've had many requests for this blog post.

First of all, I think it’s important to get one thing straight: I’m not perfect. And that’s such an obvious statement that it’s ridiculous to even have to say it. But in a post like this it just needs to be said. I mean really, Monday night for dinner I had a bowl of popcorn and four spoonfuls of nutella. So you see? Not. Perfect. And I'm certainly not an expert on anything I'm writing about here.

But even so, I love all of you rad people that read this little blog and so I feel that it's my obligation to get this post written already. I’ve been eating healthy and counting calories and working out almost every single day, and I’m feeling oh so grand. The requests have been for my typical eating and workout schedule, so here it is! I'm sorry and you're welcome, per whichever applies best to you personally.

- WORKOUTS -

I’ve always been a very active person, and if there is one thing that I swear by it’s VARIETY. I strongly believe in switching up workouts so that you aren’t doing the same thing every day. In my experience, that is MONEY. Here is my variety:

I start my week each Sunday morning with a nice long run. Or a nice short run, however I feel. ;)

Monday I do Yoga. Mondays are MONDAYS so, I choose something really nice and calm to get me through. This is my current favorite yoga workout. (tara stiles, you beautiful thing you.)

Tuesday and Thursday are for lifting weights. Here’s a fun fact: did you know that just two days a week of lifting weights can reduce overall body fat by about 3 percentage points in just 10 weeks? Even if you don’t cut a single calorie. Now if that’s not motivation to lift! I do a toning class at the gym, so it incorporates lifting weights along with a butt-load of squats (pun intended) and a little bit of ab work.

Wednesday I do piyo. Have I told you about piyo? Because I can’t tell you enough. I am obsessed with it! I only wish there were more days in the week so I could do more piyo. It’s such an amazing workout.

Friday is kickboxing class. Punching bags are where it's at, mixed with some burpees and running laps.

And then Saturday I REST.

Other advice I have on working out:

Get out of bed! When I struggle to get out of bed when my alarm goes off, I simply remind myself of how I will feel for the rest of the day if I let myself stay in bed. That's good motivation for me because it’s tried and true. I have the best mornings and days when I start my day with a workout. And on the flip side, I have the worst mornings and days when I sleep in. Also, once you really start to see and feel RESULTS it will be so much easier to get yourself out of bed. That’s the best part, seeing the results you are looking for. DON’T GIVE UP before then! Keep pushing through!

ABS! Four of my six workout days include at least ten minutes of abs.

Find something you are passionate about. You shouldn’t feel forced to be doing something that you hate. And sometimes it's not about losing weight at all, it's just about staying healthy and feeling good. So try out different things. Maybe you’re a runner? Maybe you’re a biker? Maybe you’d love yoga? Maybe you’d love lifting weights? Maybe you’d love zumba? Maybe you’d love swimming? I’m pretty sure there are a billion things you can try, but make sure you find something that kind of makes your heart sing. That’s the thing that you’ll be able to get out of bed in the mornings for.

Sleeping is for wimps. I mean not really, that’s harsh. But…really. I’m averaging five to six hours of sleep a night right now, and I’m actually thriving. Because the truth is, no one’s dreams came true by sleeping in every morning. There’s just not enough hours in the day for that crap. Wake up early, and stay up late. And while you're at it, wear a short skirt with a long, loooonnnnggggg jacket! (thanks cake.)

- NUTRITION -

When I initially needed to lose pounds, aka the baby weight, I decided I wanted something to really kick start the weight loss. I went with shakeology and for four weeks I had a shake for lunch everyday, on top of counting calories and working out. In those four weeks I lost eight pounds, hallelujah! I still have six pounds to lose, and now I'm counting on my fitbit flex to help me track my calories and get me through.

Here's the thing about counting calories: it totally sucks. I'm not even going to try and sugarcoat it. (again, pun intended.) But here's the other thing about counting calories: if you want to lose weight, you just have to do it.

I suppose my real secret is just being aware. Sure, I count calories and stay healthy but I don't go extremist. I indulge every now and again. If I eat a huge lunch, I eat a small dinner. And I'm watching what I'm putting into my body. I'm recognizing how certain foods make me feel. More than just weight, eating healthy plays a huge role in my energy and my moods.

On a typical day, this is what my eating schedule looks like:

BREAKFAST - always a bowl of oatmeal. (1/2 c rolled oats, 1 c water, topped with 1 tbsp brown sugar and 1 tbsp unsweetened almond milk)

- a couple of times a week, usually on my most intense workout days, I also eat eggs. (2 eggs cracked into a coffee mug, microwave 45 seconds, stir and add 1 sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese, microwave 30 more seconds, top off with fresh diced tomatoes)

+ vitamins. don't forget your vitamins! I don't want to hear any crap from anyone about how you read an article that said you don't need vitamins. Take them! (I take womens one a day + calcium + vitamin c + an occasional fish oil)

LUNCH - because I work, I often have business lunches or lunch on the go. It ranges in WHAT I eat, but I always track the calories and keep my lunch UNDER 500 calories.

DINNER - portion sizes are the key here. Whatever the main dish, I make sure the sides are vegetables and salad, and my portion size for the sides is always much larger than my main dish. I love cooking fish because it's so healthy, fast and easy. We also do a lot of chicken and ground beef. Recently I made some gluten free quinoa meatballs that were delightful! I like to find new recipes (via pinterest of course) and try them out often.

SNACKS - I always snack on either fruit, vegetables or nuts. And I make sure I have a small snack in between each meal. When I'm feeling fancy, I like CLIFF protein bars as well.

Again, I know counting calories is a total buzzkill but it's what you have to do if you want to see change!

And that's that friends. I hope this helps a little?

My current goals are to lose the last six pounds and then work on my abs. I can get killer legs in a heartbeat, but my stomach is the most stubborn thing I've ever met! So this is going to take some time. But I'll probably keep you updated because, have you seen my social media accounts? I'm always there. ;)

And listen, if you have any other questions for me, please let me know! Call me! Text me! E-mail me! And if you live nearby and want to join me in my workouts, the more the merrier. Come one, come all! I would love to have you with me.

Whatever your journey, good luck. Staying fit and healthy is just oh so worth it. I promise.

BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES - yikes!

listen.

it is insanely vulnerable and slightly embarrassing to share pictures like this. so why do it?

ONE because i think we need to be proud of our accomplishments, and sharing them with the world promotes confidence. it's almost always a good idea to do something that scares you, i say.

TWO because it helps to motivate others, and you never know who could benefit from your motivation!

but have i mentioned that it's slightly embarrassing? because, it is.

anyway. i've been working my you-know-what off and i promised myself i would do this, so i'm doing it. i shared with you my six week post baby plan here, remember that? on top of what was in my plan, i also:

>> purchased shakeology and for the past {almost} month i've been drinking my shakeology for lunch everyday.

>> purchased a fitbit flex, which i've used to track my calories and monitor my exercise/calories burned each day.

>> i ended up cutting out soda entirely, mostly due to the fact that the shakeology took away any cravings i had for it!

so here you are. i still have a ways to go on my stomach, to lose a little more and define some abs. but i'm most proud of my arms! when i get pregnant so do my arms, so toning those flabby thangs was one of my biggest goals. insert thumbs up emoji con here.

ps yes, my stomach is white and i realize that it looks weird. it hasn't seen sun yet, whatcanyado?! hashtag i don't waste self tanner.

my six week plan, the post baby edition

it has been hard for me to get on here and post something regularly, besides a weekly iphone photo dump. i'm convinced that babies have a sixth sense that makes them needy whenever we mothers are about to do anything for ourselves. i can't tell you how many times i've sat down at the computer to do a blog post, but instead ended up with a previously-sleeping-but-now-fussy-and-needing-to-be-held baby in my arms.

save, exit, shutdown, maybe next time. lather, rinse, repeat.

so, here's a post i will hopefully publish at some point.

let's talk about getting fit post pregnancy. you know you want to.

i just started a "summer tracking program" at the local rec center. it's a six week program that helps motivate you to stay in shape and be healthy. it motivates you by giving you free pool passes for completing your weekly goals, and come on, if that's not motivation?!

this tracking program holds you accountable through the initials of another person that knows you met your goals. hubs, remember how i went running this morning? initial here! that kind of thing. through this program you set endurance goals and strength goals and crossing training goals. and i'm doing it with my girlfriends so i've got more motivation. it's all about having a support system, i say! do it together!

and thank goodness getting a good nights sleep isn't a part of the program, because that would be my downfall right now. i'm at the will i ever get a good nights sleep again stage of life.

(and hey, even though i wasn't able to take advantage of it because fate is cruel that way, b slept FIVE HOURS STRAIGHT last night and HALLELUJAH! i'll take more of that, please!)

so i thought i would share a little more on my six week plan, in case you needed motivation or wanted in on the fun. it's not like you have to have just had a baby to steal some of these goals and ideas!

SET GOALS!

a lot of people get discouraged by not having immediate results when they decide to set fitness goals. it's nice to come up with an exact date. i've got a six week plan, so august sixteenth is my date. it's a light at the end of the tunnel, something to look forward to.

and without further adieu, here is my current six week fitness plan:

> train for a 10k race, to run at the end of august. here is a good six week training program for a 10k. i'm super rusty on the running, since i just had a baby and didn't run while pregnant. so this will be FUN.

> muscle conditioning twice a week. currently i'm using a power toning class at the rec center for my muscle conditioning.

> cardio three times a week. i'll be using my 10k training as my cardio, but if you're not a runner and if you can swing it, i highly recommend cardio classes at a gym. i have found that being with a group of people and having an instructor push me really motivates me to work harder. some great cardio classes to try: zumba or a dance class, piyo, kickboxing, turbo kick, and power yoga.

> yoga five days a week. yoga is such an essential for my mind. the meditation aspect of yoga is incredibly calming and really sets the tone for my entire day. i'm currently doing this postnatal yoga dvd from home, but as my body recovers i'm looking forward to yoga classes at the gym or a yoga studio in town.

my six week nutrition goals:

i have to be careful that i'm not too hardcore with nutrition. hear me out on this one: if i become a calorie counting machine, i become miserable. if i put myself on a strict diet, i become miserable. i know i've emphasized this on my blog before, but for me the absolute key is: all things in moderation. i watch the amounts i consume. i do keep a "food journal", not to count calories but to keep myself aware of what i'm eating. writing it down everyday so that i can see it in front of me honestly makes me eat healthier. but i don't deprive myself of foods i love.

> daily fruits and veggies. it's simple and basic and i need to be better at this, so it's a part of my six week plan. some easy ways to make sure i get my 5 a day:
^morning smoothies. i use a magic bullet, and typically i just throw in yogurt, oatmeal, almond milk, and then whatever fruit i have on hand.
^make veggies my snacks. instead of snack foods, i try to grab veggies when i'm feeling munchie. snap peas, carrots, a salad with toppings.
^eat a fruit or vegetable with every meal.
^have pre-cut fruits and veggies in ziplock bags, prepared at the beginning of the week and stored in the fridge.

>one can of soda per week. again, i can't deprive myself completely so i've allowed myself a splurge.

>load up on water. this one is easy for me, but i keep it on my six week plan just as a reminder.

>cut sweets intake by half. this is a part of the summer tracking program, and it's another goal i like because it doesn't try to completely deprive you of sweets. if you eat two sweets a day, cut it in half and have only one. if you splurge on sweets twice a week, only have them once.

and that is the basics of my six week plan. also, part of the tracking program is to set endurance goals and strength goals, so that you are really pushing yourself.

writing it all down to keep track of it is essential! make a document in word or write it in a notebook with check boxes. find someone to hold you accountable for meeting your goals. luckily, i have a card for this summer tracking program that i'll be doing. (if you're local and you want to join in, head over to the logan rec center and pick yours up! it started yesterday, so hurry your buns!)

and there is my yearly fitness post, sponsored by no one and approved by me.

get er done!

6 weeks to a flat stomach-The Results!

Well, I have some good news guys: I feel great! One year ago today I was a week away from having a baby and weighed in at 156 pounds. Today, one week before my little guy's first birthday, I weigh in at 120 pounds.

So here was the plan I made for myself on February 1st.
Six weeks ago my stomach looked like this:

Today it looks like this:

Here are my thoughts on my success:

• Hands down, the number one reason I lost that flab is because I cut back on soda. Because I stopped drinking it everyday, in the last 6 weeks I have lost 3 pounds and all of my bloating.

• Zumba is the best way to burn a large amount of calories while having fun. I love Zumba! I lose track of time and by the end of the class I can't believe it's already been an hour.

• I do Yoga at home, and I've found you don't need to do this every single day. Once or twice a week is enough to tone and uplift!

And just so you know, that "50 crunches every night" lasted maybe a week. Sooo...that wasn't part of my routine.

Here I am in my first size 2 jeans since having my baby just under a year ago. I worked hard to get here, and I feel great!

And trust me guys, if I can do it, anybody can do it! Making a six week plan was a great way to make myself better aware of what I was doing. Click here for some more ideas of habits that keep you healthy.

6 weeks to a flat stomach!

Today is February 1st. Why is that a big deal? Well it's the end of dreary ol' January, and the beginning of a whole new month. One month closer to warmer weather! {And it's LEAP year! That's when fabulous things happen, didn'tchaknow.} Really, what better time to start a new "project"?

6 weeks from today, on March 14th, I will bravely show you a before and after picture of (dun, dun, dun)...MY STOMACH.

Here's the scoop: I had a baby almost a year ago. During pregnancy I gained 32 pounds. I'm not complaining at all, because I was able to stay active during my pregnancy and lose the weight quickly. I am now back to my pre-baby weight. BUT (why is there always a but?) my abdomen is just not what it used to be. Not only do I still get a pretty hefty food baby that pops out whenever I eat, but I have a stubborn little pooch that just sticks around and doesn't want to leave. Pooch thinks we're friends, but really...we're not. Not at all.

Now I don't want to hear any criticism from you lovely ladies. No Shut up, you look great! or You don't have any flab to lose! Remember, I'm not trying to lose weight. I'm just trying to lose post-baby flab and get a flat stomach! The numbers on the scale are satisfying to me right now, and because of that I have slacked. I'm at my ideal weight, right? So who cares about anything else? Wellll...I care. I want my flat stomach back.

So here is my 6 weeks to a flat stomach:

-Cut out soda. This is the hardest part for me, but I know losing that nutrition-less carbonation means I will lose a lot of bloating!

-Cut BACK on sugar. I'm not going to kid myself by trying to cut out sugar completely. But I can cut back. I have justified to myself that I need a sugary treat after every meal. Well that's just stupid. How about, ONE sugary treat everyday. That's my new rule.

-50 crunches before bed every night. How easy is that? I'll tell you how easy: easier said then done.

Workout Schedule will be as follows:

Monday: Zumba & Yoga

Tuesday: Yoga

Wednesday: Spinning

Thursday: Yoga

Friday: Zumba or Spinning

Saturday/Sunday: RELAX

**If you are looking to lose weight, rather than just maintain, I have some great tips that have helped me keep weight off before and after pregnancy. And most of them are summed up here.

Wish me luck guys.

And stay tuned for results!

I hate goals.

Okay, that's not entirely true. But I hate the way that I make goals. Seriously, if you could see the piles of post-it notes and slips of paper that I write on everyday, you would be sick. They're all over every pocket of my way-too-big purses. They're in the drawers, they're on the tables. And 95% of the time, after I write them down and stuff them away I never see them again.

I need a solution to this.

And I'm not talking about an organized day planner. (Although, that would be nice...) I'm talking about shutting my brain off for a while! All I do, all the time, is think about what I could do better, what I could buy, how I could get the money to buy it, how I could learn new things, how I could accomplish my goals, blah, blah, blah. It doesn't sound like a bad thing, and maybe it's not so bad. But it sure is annoying sometimes! Why?

Think about it. If you make a million goals, will you be able to keep them all? Chances are no. And if you don't keep your goals, it's pretty depressing right? So I feel like a failure like...all the time!

Here is my solution: not to stop making goals, but to limit the number of goals I make! Bob said it best, baby steps.

So I've slowed it down a little. I'm focusing on getting my six pack back, and my hope is to have it by Christmas time!

So to sum it up, I thought I'd share with y'all my new workout routine. I'm loving it! (Did you get the McDonald's song in your head when you read that? I did too! Good job mcd's marketing.) I'm working on encorporating a lot more weight training/abs to my work outs.

Monday: CARDIO Spinning 9:00 a.m. and/or Zumba 4:15

Tuesday: WEIGHTS/ABS Body sculpting 6:00 a.m.

Wednesday: OFF

Thursday: WEIGHTS/ABS + CARDIO Body sculpting 6:00 a.m. and Zumba 6:30 p.m.

Friday: TONING/ABS PLiO strength 7:00 a.m.

Saturday: MEDITATION/TONING Yoga Flow 10:00 a.m.

Sunday: OFF

Do you love the variety? Me too! I get Yoga, weight lifting, dancing, and cycling all in one week!

And on top of this, I'm going to do the Jillian Michaels 6 pack in 6 weeks! It's going to be fun, I tell ya what. Dream stomach, I'll see ya soon!!

FAMILY UPDATES

Recently my older brother and his family visited us all the way from Turkey. It was so great to see my big brother, it's been wayyy too long! And Jace finally got to meet his Uncle Chris, Aunt Laura and cousin Kairi!

Good times.

And can you believe my little dude is 6 months old?! I sure can't. That's half a year people! Sheesh! Where does the time go.

This little guy is seriously the best. And did you know, he eats everything now (except meat and dairy, of course) and he's sure a food lover. Except for olives. We tried giving him some olives the other day, and this is what it looked like:

It's fun to see his cute personality coming out more and more everyday. He laughs a lot, smiles a lot, and TALKS a lot! I swear he will be talking soon, all his babbles are already sounding like words! He always has great stories to tell mom and dad.

I just love my cute little family. We rock!!