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Thursday, January 20, 2011

Wrangling the Girls

Did you guys know you can actually do some serious damage to your bod by wearing a sports bra that does not provide enough support? Well, I obviously didn't because I have been wearing cheapo sports bras from Target for as long as I can remember. And, let's be honest, my chest is not small.

I don't know why I have never invested in a good sports bra. I guess it is easier plunking down a chunk of change for a pretty lace number that it is for an ugly, plain athletic one. But if you think about it, it's probably even more important to wear a quality bra while working out than it is any other time. I came to this realization after an unfortunate running incident that involved my less-than-supportive Champion bra creeping up above my boobies around mile 2. Ummmm, not where is is supposed to be. I cannot believe I am writing this on the internet, but I'm telling you people...get a good bra before this happens to you!

I took the plunge yesterday and got two quality bras, and I am happy to report my run today was gloriously bounce free :) I am so glad I did this because, guess what? I (along with 80% of women) was wearing the wrong size bra! It is crucial to go and get fitted, especially if you have had kids and especially, especially if you have nursed said kids. My bra size went down (wooohooo!) since having my kiddos.

Incase you are on the hunt too, here are the bras I got. The Lululemon 50 Rep Bra and a Moving Comfort Fiona Bra. I got the first in black because even I am boring like that sometimes and the second I let my one year old pick the color, purple...mama's girl!! So far I am in love, but I think after years of the wrong bra anything with a little support would be amazing. I will post reviews after I have the chance to really put them to the test

...and put them to the test, I will...uhhhh, with a HALF MARATHON in March! More details about that insane decision soon :)

Anyone have a favorite, supportive sports bra?

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Motivation with a capital M

Motivation has always been my problem when it comes to running, well working out in general really, but especially running. I always have great intentions and then I come up with great excuses. To keep myself motivated I have to play games with myself in my head. Geez, when I type that out it sort of makes me feel a little nutso, but whatev...I can't be alone here. Right? ...Right?!? Anyway, I thought I would share a few things that are motivating me right now. These things change often, I gotta keep it fresh or my motivation starts to dive.

My biggest motivation right now is this guy:
Having the hubs deployed is the ultimate motivation. Once you take a day or two to drown your sorrows in chocolate and wine (not that I actually did this or anything...) it is time to start getting into homecoming shape! Not seeing G for seven months makes me want to look damn good when he comes home! And this motivation goes two ways because you can sure as heck bet he is heading straight to the ship's gym upon reading this. Have a good run, babe ;)

Another current motivator:
Ummmmm, who could not be motivated when they look down and see PINK shoes? Oh, wait...probably just me. I really am though. I look down and get a little giddy boost from that splash of pink :)

And one more:
My first race ever! I am running the 10k relay with an awesome friend. So, while 5k is no big thang to lots of people, it is pretty darn exciting to me. When I told the hubs that I was going to take up running while he was gone he literally laughed out loud. I am not in horrible shape, but running has NEVER been my thing. I used to wake him up early on a weekend morning, force him to run with me and then turn around and beg him to stop after less than a mile. I decided if I could survive a deployment I could do anything - becoming a runner included. Day one of deployment, I laced up my sneakers, loaded up the double Bob and took off. I wanted to stop, a lot. But I didn't and was beat by the time I got back to the house I thought I had really, really pushed myself...and then I wanted to cry when I looked at my mileage. .93 miles. That's right, not even a full mile. So, I quit. A month later I realized I needed to run. I needed to prove to myself that I could do this. So, I started again and I have stuck with it and much to my surprise I LOVE it! I do not love every second of every run, but I LOVE how I felt today when I ran three miles in less than 25 minutes today. I can be a runner, and in some weird way that makes me feel like I can do anything. I am planning an 8k this spring and maybe (even though I am still a little scared to say it out loud!) a half marathon in the fall. 

Okay, that was not supposed to turn into my running saga...but in the spirit of motivation, maybe that will motivate one of you! What do you use for motivation to workout?

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Mixing fitness and fashion. WHAT?

So, a friend of mine made the comment that she too works out at nap time in her house and as a result wears workout clothes most days all day long (Hi, Tarin!). I had to laugh. I can totally relate. There have been many days like this for me as well. I have noticed, however, that I feel better on days that I am "put together". Motherhood has definitely changed my version of put together, but it did not change the fact that I like to have some makeup on my face and cute shoes on my feet.

So, as my (rather large) collection of beautiful (insanely high) heels sit in my closet and collect dust, I have come up with ways to look and feel put together on a daily...okay, maybe not daily...let's say most daily basis. One of my little tricks is making my workout clothes pull double duty. You can find me at the grocery store in workout clothes often, but you wouldn't necessarily know it because I wear them like regular pieces of my wardrobe.

The day I read Tarin's comment was the perfect example. My running tights were doubling as leggings and I just threw some easy pieces over them to make my outfit feel complete. Perfect mom solution: easy, quick and comfy! Sure it would have looked better with an iron and a hairbrush, but hey, at least I am not that mom running errands in huge sweat pants and stained t-shirts, right?!?




Running tights: Lululemon wunder under crop
Tunic: Old Navy chambray tunic (old, but similar here)
Jacket: Liquid (aslo a few years old)
Scarf: A little gem mama put in my stocking!
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Baby Groovee satchel
Boots: Miz Mooz Isben (I bought these guys on hautelook.com for half price! Love!)
And I am not often without my gold wings...gotta keep the hubs close to my heart!

Do you ever use your workout clothes as part of other outfits? Am I the only crazy that thinks this is okay?

Small disclaimer: I am not knocking other mom's who do not get up and put on a face full of makeup every day, or head out of the house in lounge clothes. That is me sometimes. I have just noticed how much more ME I feel when I make the effort and thought a few easy tips could help other mamas. 

Friday, January 7, 2011

Like I could ever cheat on The Real Housewives.

Why?!? I get this question often. Why torture myself spend my only free time of the day sweating it out in my living room? Why go for a run when it's still raining outside? Why give up your Real Housewives addiction just to work out during naps?

My answer as a mom is pretty simple. I NEED the energy!

Believe it or not, sitting on the couch watching reality tv, reading the new copy of US Weekly and "treating" myself to some French Vanilla Coffee Mate with a splash of coffee in it during nap time was not leaving me rested and ready to face the second half of my day. I told myself that I "earned" these indulgences because someone had woken me up at 4am or someone else had a major meltdown when his tent wasn't facing the proper direction. I could find a justification every single day. But my chosen nap time activity was not helping me. It was making me more lethargic and my afternoons were TOUGH.

When I changed my "down" time, my energy level sky rocketed. Seriously, pop in a workout dvd, get on the Wii Fit, do your very own home workout or if you managed to make it to the gym in the morning...turn the music up and get some chores done (because who isn't more productive with Katy Perry singing to them?). Trust me when I tell you this: I know how it feels to collapse the second you close the munchkins door. BUT, I also know how much better you will feel if you resist that urge, get your heart rate up and be productive. This little change will make the afternoons much, much easier. The added endorphins make you feel like you can face anything and by the time the monsters munchkins wake up you are ready for them.

You have energy to do things like visit the Old Lady and slide down her shoe:

 And take Cinderella's horse's for a spin:

 Ride in her pumpkin coach:

And even climb up to Owl's house! 
(side note: if you are ever in the Sacramento area and have toddlers, Fairytale Town is a must!)

...AND, here is the real bonus: Are you ready for it? Your evenings are YOURS! You do not have to spend them feeling guilty about not getting a workout in or, if you got some of the endless housework done with a little help from KP (yup, we are on a nick name basis in my house) earlier then you don't have that weighing on your mind. Now, you can indulge...time to hop in bed and catch The Real Housewives. Seriously, did you ever think I would really give up that addiction? Don't tell my husband this is the real reason I relented to a tv in our bedroom. K? Thanks.

P.S. Did you know you can find a Real Housewives episode on pretty much 23 hours of the day. Bliss!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

About as Cliche as it Gets

Starting a new blog in the first week of the new year, resolving to stick with it, writing about fitness...cliche. The good news is, I like cliches. I mean, why not use the New Year as a starting point to better yourself? Call me cheesy, but I love the idea of people making resolutions and looking into their immediate future with optimism.

To my credit, however, this blog has been in the making before this week and my resolutions started over a month ago. It was not the New Year causing me to evaluate my life and my attitude, but rather the deployment of my husband. There is something about the one person I rely on day in and day out leaving for over six months that made me take stock of "me". It was time for me to do something for ME. And, as it turns out, doing something for me has also benefited my entire family.

My relationship with the gym, with food and with my own body has been all over the board. I went from being an athlete in high school to letting my workout habits fall by the wayside in college to crash dieting & frantic gym visiting for my wedding to getting pregnant, gaining too much weight, losing some of it, getting pregnant again, losing all of it and more, but still feeling "squishy" and TIRED to finally realizing that there is no quick fix and my lifestyle had to change all in one decade.

I am documenting my new love affair with fitness for two reasons. 1.) To keep myself accountable. I need the reminder to stay on track just as much as everyone else. And 2.) To hopefully help and inspire you! I can not promise that every post will be this optimistic. Let's face it, with a two and half year old and an almost one year old, and a deployed husband there will be tough days. And I promise to be real with you here. I will not sugar coat how tough it can be to get off my butt and into my running shoes on some days. Come with me on my journey for a healthy 2011, for better or worse!