Ripples In The Tummy - How To

I woke up exhausted. This week like the weeks previous has been crazy. There really isn’t a break in sight. I’m tired. I can feel my mind getting weak. Weaker moments are slipping in as far as doubts, abilities, just negative stuff. I realize it is my choice to pull it all together and make it happen. Things are getting harder. It is harder to balance. It is harder to have a positive attitude. Our days are packed with things to do right now. It is just an all-around busy time of year for us and packing 2 huge goals on top of that makes the chaos almost unbearable. My mind is playing tricks on me as we are coming down to seeing the light and the finish line. I have a choice to kick or give in. I have to find yet another gear. Kicking used to be one of my specialties!

This weekend's running schedule was tough.  A 5k race for KC Corporate Challenge, which I actually pushed and my 10.88 miles on Sunday before church, which I felt every bit of. I may or may not have cried running through the cemetery again.  Like an ugly cry that I would be embarrassed of if anyone actually saw me.  Hopefully that car I passed at the stop sign didn't notice the tears running down my cheeks.  Tuesday was my rest day this week and that is just too long ago for me. I just need to breathe. Do the best I can and breathe! We will get there. I WILL do this! I CAN do this!

Week by week, day by day, hour by hour, I’m going to get there. I’m just going to breathe!

So, I’ve had a TON of questions about what I’m doing for abs. First of all, abs and my rear end/upper hamstring have been my slowest to respond and my trouble areas. That is where my fat goes. I didn’t seriously start training abs every day until a couple of weeks ago when I got frustrated at the slowness of their progress. I took it upon myself to do every ab exercise I could think of pumping out about 500 plus abs exercises. It was killer and I think jump started things. Then my sister set a plan for me to do something every night with abs. Because they are made up of so many muscles you can work them every day if you choose to. I’ve asked for her blessing in sharing this information. She was all about letting the cat out of the bag. It’s all about helping our fellow men and women get to their best selves, right?!

Here we go. Take notes, come back here and read often, etc. If you want to do this I highly recommend taking some before and after pictures. You will love to see your progress. Let me tell you though, this is a complete package deal. Don’t expect to keep eating all the same crap you may be eating (if you are on the unhealthier side of a diet) and not work your body out in other areas and see results. All of these things work together. Ladies, lifting weights affects a lot of areas of your body. If you are standing up right curling you should be able to feel some of that in your abs because they should be tight to keep you stable. Lunges? You are using your core to stabilize your lunge down and bring that knee forward to take your next step. It all works together.

Here are some pics of before I started ripping on my abs. 

Those 2 are purely running and yoga and that was after completing P90x as well.  A thing to remember is the look of your abs could change day by day or actually from morning to night.  Don't get discouraged with yourselves.  So many factors play a role in your tummy area.  Food, stress, posture, etc.  Do your best at controlling all of those factors.  If you slip up, try harder the next day.

So, what I'm doing? 

During my workout Tionna usually has me doing some sort of ab workout mixed in with whatever muscle group we are working.  Usually something like hanging leg raises, knees up, or double crunches with a weighted ball.   Later in the night I will take time before bed or when I can get it in to do more.  Monday, Wednesday, Friday I try to do cross body moves to help define the line down the middle of my core.  Tuesday and Thursday I do straight on abs, crunches, heels to the heavens, etc. Saturday and Sunday I do whatever I feel like doing with abs. 

I don't have pictures of all of them but if you have questions just ask away.  I will try to explain the ones I do have pictures for. 

This first one is pure awesomeness and totally hard.  I felt really accomplished when I finally got this one.  Note:  you may fall, you may lose your balance, you may get really frustrated with how badly your body is shaking.  Breathe, control, push on until you get it.  You WILL get it. 

Start out as shown here

Tuck knees

Extend back out to plank and raise up as much as you can.  Really use those core muscles to get you up there.  You want your back straight as if it is up against a wall.  If you aren't there yet, keep trying. 

10 reps - 3 to 4 sets

CROSS BODY

There are 3 exercises in this set.  Do 20 on each before you switch to the next exercise.  So, you will do a total of 60 with your right arm, left leg before you switch to do 60 with your left arm, right leg through all 3 exercises.  

 

1.  Rested knee/opposite elbow  (20)

2.  Extend knee - bring it in to meet opposite elbow  (20)

3.  Straight leg raised - arm extended to meet opposite foot  (20)

Rest, Switch arms and legs, Repeat above!

You want to do 3 or 4 sets of these.

#1 - Start with your leg on your knee and your opposite elbow needs to meet your rested knee

20 reps

#2 - Extend your leg then bring it in to your opposite elbow

#3 - Straighten your leg and bring it up to meet your extended opposite arm

When you are down your leg should only be inches off of the ground as well as your arm raised over your head only inches off of the groung.  Bring it all up to meet in the middle and squeeze!

Go take ridiculous amounts of pictures of yourself in the mirror because your abs be poppin!

Another one I do, I think she calls it Bird Dog or something. 

Start on your hands and knees.

Ball up - Bring your left arm in to meet your right knee

So, your knee and elbow should be meeting around your belly button. 

Extend your arm and leg and REACH as far as you possibly can.  Squeeze that butt and reach with those fingers. 

Do 15 to 20 with right arm/left leg

Then switch and do 15 to 20 with left arm/right leg

Make sure you reach and squeeze

Squeeze when you are balled up and squeeze when you are extended.

3 to 4 sets of those, too.

Take a lot of pictures so you have proof you are making progress when you doubt yourself.

 

BAM!  Rock it, ladies!  Work it, sweat, keep trying and some day you will wake up and not have to try every position achieveable to see one little ripple including coughing or leaning as far back as possible.  Don't act like you've never done it!  You will wake up, lift your shirt and say, "YES!"

Sometimes I forget I have them.  I get to doubting myself and feeling like I'm not good enough to step up on that stage with these girls that have been going through the same things.  Then I lift my shirt and tell myself I'm going to be ready.  I'm so close.  I still have some issues with my lower core muscles.  I'm still working on those hard.  I also need to shape up my lower back muscles and my lower butt/hip area.  I know I am in awesome shape, probably the best of my life, but I have a stage to walk onto nearly naked, so I need a little more work. 3 weeks out, actually a little less than that as far as exercise.  I'm so ready to get this going.  Here we go....

Let me know if you all have any questions.  Go thank T for the awesome info!  Better yet, go hire her!  She will whip you right into shape!

What I Do With My Excuses

My last post listed a bunch of excuses that I used to use before I finally just MADE A DECISION to be healthy and LIVE life. To go a step further for some of you that need an extra push to help you make that decision for yourself, I’m going to list things here to tell you what I actually do to make it work.


First of all and probably the most important thing you could take away from this ENTIRE post is this: Believe in yourself! Make a decision FOR YOURSELF that you want to be healthy and get the most out of life. You CAN’T be successful in this if you don’t take that first step.

Second, know that it is going to be a difficult road full of sharp turns, huge mountains, small bunny slopes, and smooth goings. There will be days where your drive and determination could conquer the world and shoot you to the moon and there will be days when you question why the heck you are doing this to yourself and you won’t want to get off the couch or out of that bed. You will find HIGH highs and LOW lows. You will motivate people and some will look at you like you just stepped off of some kind of alien space ship and wish you would shut the heck up.

I can’t actually conquer the world, but I can put my ripple in the water and soon that ripple becomes a huge monstrous wave with a force no one can stop. I might motivate you, you get moving, you might motivate your neighbor or that (harmless) facebook stalker you never knew you had, they get movin, they motivate someone else, they move, then they motivate someone else, and they move, and then on, and on, and on and on. To go to races and see hundreds, thousands even, lining up to run miles?! That’s a movement, people. And there are kids at the starting line and on the side lines. These kids are watching, learning, forming WAYS in their minds on how to be an adult. On how to LIVE your life. On the meaning of hard work and satisfaction.

What I’ve found? The lows make my highs HIGHER. Sometimes I even welcome them as a way to check myself and not let my head get too big. Like right now as I had “before” pics done yesterday. I’m in shape, thought I was pretty happy with my composition, but then I looked at the pictures and I wanted to say gross. But, I have to tell myself that those pictures are motivation to keep doing what I’m doing. Keep forming and sculpting (with a lot of help) until I like what I see and can be proud of those before, progress, and here on after pictures.

Perfection is not a goal of mine. I know I will never reach perfection until I enter those golden gates, but being happy with what I’m doing and the results of it all is what I’m striving for. And when I say results I mean way more than the physical make up of my body. It is a full package I’m shooting for: mind, body, home life, as a Christian, wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend. I want to BALANCE and I want to be happy with it all the majority of the time. I’m well on my way, but I know the lows and the hard times will come again in one area or another and I want to be ready for them. I truly am training for LIFE as well as what comes after.

So, with all of that said, here is what I do.

• I have devotionals sent to my inbox. I take time to read them every day as my day is starting. I have 2 different ones: She Reads Truth/YouVersion and Daily Hope with Rick Warren. I take time to read these and jot down a few notes from them that spoke to me. I like to write a specific prayer after the note. I have gotten behind on the notes a bit, but I make sure to read every day. This only takes a few minutes and I usually break up the time when I need a break from work. I pray and praise as much as I can sporadically throughout the day.

• I EAT BREAKFAST every single day and a glass of water. I do this on my way to work. I fix wheat toast or oatmeal, sometimes eggs, and eat them on the go. I have a long drive to work so I have to be as efficient as possible.

• In the car I switched my radio stations from regular talk show stuff over to a Christian channel which fills me every day. I REALLY enjoy that time listening to sermons. Most of the time they are preaching about living life, how to come out of struggles, and how to find God’s will in it all. Right up my alley! A few years ago, this same Christian station got me through some dark times right after my brother was in a serious accident and was struggling with a lot of things. That was one of the biggest times I really learned about my faith and I learned to love the book of Job. I got away from it for a while, but now I’m back. I don’t miss my other stations a bit.

• Work – I try to stay as focused as possible, not take things too personally, and do the best by using my mind to keep pushing forward and doing what I feel is right even if it isn’t the popular decision.

• Lunch – Monday’s I meet my sister. I love this time in the gym and with my sister. I love redefining our relationship. The years have not always been smooth between us but I wouldn’t trade them for anything if they got us to where we are now. I’m sure we went through all of that to get right here and further. I respect what she does, she is good at it, and we are stronger than ever. Food wise – a sandwich or left-overs from dinner. I feel like I snack all day; protein bars, oranges, apples, nuts and water throughout.

• The drive home – release, relax, and listening

• Pick up the boys – 2 from the babysitter and 1 from Dale’s mom who watches him before and after the bus.

• Get dinner started, change, get the boys settled into something so they don’t destroy the house – not always successful here.

• Once Dale gets home I hit the streets… for a run.  This pushes dinner a bit, but I would rather have a slightly late dinner vs sacrifice anymore sleep. I’ve changed my 5 – 5 1/2 hours to about 7 hours a night, which is helping tremendously!

• Dinner – I try. This one is hard. Dale is a country boy at heart that grew up on his mom and grandma’s home cooking with desert every night. He is truly a meat and potatoes kind of man. I have to try to find the balance to cook as healthy as possible and make it taste good for him as well. I’m still working hard here. Suggestions for recipes with practical healthy ingredients is always accepted. Send them to me whenever you find them, PLEASE???

• After – all I want to do is say DONE and sit down on the couch for the rest of the night, but the kitchen needs cleaned, the boys bathed (every other night unless they are really gross), homework to do, and bed time to prepare for.

• Saturday – an early run, picking up the house, vacuuming, a ton of laundry, folding clothes and putting them away, meal planning, grocery list, shopping. If we have other things to do on Saturday things get really tricky. I clean the bathrooms about once a month (toilets and the base and floor around the toilets – uh, I have 3 boys, when I can while supervising bath time.) I dust when it needs it and I have time. If I get behind on some things I will pick it up during the week. That usually means laundry. I have to mention that Dale is not absent here. He helps a ton with a lot of this stuff. I’m not working alone. He can clean a toilet like a boss!!!
• Sunday – early long runs. Church, Grandma’s, then Papa and Nae Nae’s. No time for anything else usually. A full family and soul building day.

Sometimes all of this stuff doesn’t go smoothly. Sometimes my boys have a hard time and I have to reevaluate what we are doing and make changes. I work on trying to be ok with not everything being done at one time. While all of this is going on I’m responsible for being a good wife who loves her husband completely and nurturing my boys and trying to be the mom that supports and loves them as much as they need it and more. Sometimes I truly fail, but I always try harder the next day.

• I use Facebook wisely, I think, I fill my feed with motivational stuff. Stuff that is important to me. I don’t friend everyone. I choose wisely. I don’t keep negative people. A high number of followers is not my goal.  I will delete them quickly except for a couple I just can’t let go of. I guess they aren’t too bad, but they do give me another perspective on some things. We can’t always love everyone that believes just as we do. The more I see the runners, the runner’s quotes, the girls in the gym, people asking what I did today to be healthy, etc. the more I am focused on keeping up with it.  It's hard to ignore something you are surrounded by.

I post stuff that I think is funny and I post pictures I feel could motivate others. My goal is NOT to toot my own horn, my goal is to be real and to let you know that you are capable of just as much if not more. Sure, the likes and comments feel good to me and help me keep going, but that is not my ultimate goal. To get comments and private messages about how I am motivating someone else to get up and get moving, to enjoy their lives, and make positive changes in their lives is what really makes my soul shine. I’ve built a support system that keeps me going. I’m sure the haters are coming, but so far I haven’t run into that and I’m very grateful. I’m not sure I’d care too much at this point anyway. I feel I’m doing what I need to be doing. I also use it to share other people that are doing the same in their lives.

• I make time with my friends often. These relationships are extremely important to me and now that most of us are getting our run on we are starting to do some runs together. I really can’t tell you how happy that makes me. So, proud of my girls! Our first official big run with everyone together will be in May. I haven’t mentioned it just yet, but I’m extremely excited about it.

• I learn as I go. My sister has taught me a lot lately and previously I found running blogs that I enjoy. Following fit people of Facebook, blogs, Instagram, even Twitter can be very beneficial. Most of them offer up the knowledge they have learned and will share workouts with you. If you don’t know a move YouTube it. You’ll catch on. Just yesterday I did a new move that felt extremely awkward, but you just have to stick with it until you get the hang of it. Remember that it takes time to build up. Don’t expect to be an expert the second you step out there. We have to learn how to crawl before we walk and trust me, somedays after a good workout, crawling is all you might be able to do!

The last thing I could tell you is quit caring about what everyone else thinks. Quit obsessing over the number you see on that little scale under your feet. Go out and do what you feel is right, make good choices, and stick with it. Feel that sweat roll down the side of your temple, get your sports bra soaked, stink, and run your hands through your sweaty hair. Go with your feeling alone and learn. Make your smile and your eyes reflect the way you feel inside and out. Are you truly happy? Like deep down in your soul truly happy and living the way you want to live? No? Keep going!!!! Believe and trust in the process. Believe and trust in God. If you still don’t know what you are doing, hire my sister ; )!  There are millions of resources out there, but until you make that CHOICE to change, none of this will come together for you.  No one can do it for you and no magic pill will do it.  The SECRET IS CHOICE!

A Little Catch Up

It’s been 9 days since I’ve been able to hear anything out of my right ear. It sucks, but I’m pushing through. When I exercise I actually think it is helping me and I swear for seconds at a time I can hear out of it. Thank goodness I feel better and don’t have the pain any longer, but I will really be glad when my hearing returns.


I think I’m finally getting into a workout routine. I feel strong, motivated, wanting to do more. I started working out right after I get home. Waiting until the boys were in bed kept pushing my bedtime later and later. I did this to gain more sleep, not to keep the same amount. This does put a little more stress into dinner as I’m forced to choose quicker meals and stay 100% on task if we want to eat by 7pm. Not easy to do with pretty constant demands of drinks, the little man wanting to change boots every 2 seconds, and screams of "I'm done!" coming from the bathroom.

I’m not sure how much experience you all have with p90x, however, I hate to say this, but I lived fearing it for a long time before I jumped into it. I thought it would be too hard, too many pull-ups, too much weights, etc. Now that I’m in it, I know how wrong I was. I’m actually thinking I need more. Don’t get me wrong, the pull-ups, hard freakin work (I am up to 3 unassisted pull-ups. My goal is 10), but the other stuff, not that hard. To challenge myself a little more and save time, I actually started fast forwarding through all of Tony’s jabbering after sets. I know he probably strategically did that to allow rest time, but I was getting cold and needed to keep going and keep sweating the entire workout. This definitely did the trick. My muscles are burning like crazy and I work up a good sweat.


Since my last two weeks of workouts are a little off schedule due to my sickness, I actually ran on the treadmill last night. Just 2 miles, but my goodness, it was hard. My legs are sore. I’m also noticing, for a while now, that my left upper hamstring is extremely tight. Just stretching it is uncomfortable. I hope to work that out over time. I have been doing ridiculous amounts of lunges, so maybe that’s the culprit. My booty loves them, my left hamstring does not.

It’s official that I will be running my first half in my life in June. Training for that will be interesting. I think my top consistent mileage in a day has been 9 miles. Here goes pushing my limits, getting out of my comfort zone, and realizing what my body actually is capable of. I’m not going to put a lot of pressure on myself as far as an excellent time. I want to survive without walking, which I will no doubt do, but I also want to push myself a little all while keeping my strategy, which will be determined as I see how training goes. I’m sure you’ll hear all about it. I'm not starting that training until the end of Feb/beginning of March.

The other day my sister posted a pic of her amazing abs during the midst of her second year as a Figure competitor.  She posted some really good information about how to get them and some myths out there about what to do and what not to do to achieve those amazing abs. I think it is important to share so you’re getting it here as well:

She's awesome, amazing, inspirational, very down to earth, and knows what she is talking about.  It's her career.  Check her out on FB. 

Lately I have been surrounded by a couple of messages that keep coming to me from different areas. Usually when that happens I try to pay attention because it usually means I need to hear whatever it is and incorporate it.

The first one is eating better. Eating clean, eating healthy. Messages about this are everywhere. And if you want some of those chiseled amazing abs they say it is 80% kitchen, 20% in the gym. I’m not shooting for amazingly chiseled abs at this point, however it would be cool to show those suckers off at one point, but the healthy standpoint overarches all of it. This is an area I really struggle in. I can control portions, stay away from the high fructose corn syrup and high sugar contents, but to say I always choose the superfoods, eat carbs at just the right time, and incorporate Kale and Spinach at least once a day, that just probably isn’t going to happen unless I decide to step up on a stage. (To compete, not dance – just to be clear – no pole involved) Pay no attention to me hiding in my bathroom shoving Valentine heart cakes down my throat so I wouldn't have to share.  That only happened once last week because I found Dale's stash, promise!

The other message has been about the boys. I’ve been surrounded by messages and thoughts of validating their feelings because their feelings are 100% true and valid for their little lives. Too often I actually say, I don’t care what you want right now… How horrible does that sound. I might as well push them in the freakin ditch and tell them they don’t matter to anyone. Geesh.

I’m actively working on this. A dear friend of mine posted about how she teaches her little man to calm down when he is showing anger or when he is just upset. You can check her post out here. Such a simple technique that they can use for a lifetime. I can just see them as young adults going back to what mom taught them about controlling their emotions. Deep breath in, deep breath out. So simple, so effective. I will be using it myself when I need it.

I tried this out on the boys, however, I twisted it up a bit because I was in a weird mood and their extreme crying over their brother choosing to play with a toy that was considered theirs that they weren’t even playing with was extremely laughable to me. So I pulled Wyatt to the side and talked to him a little about slowing down before he responds strictly based on first reaction and that I would like to show him a technique to use. Smell the fart (deep breath in) Share the fart (big blow out). He laughed hysterically and completely forgot what the issue was. In the meantime Waylon came over so we all practiced together. You all know it was right up their alley.

I do, however, take Amanda’s advice very seriously and recognize the need to teach such simple basics such as this. Stuff we should know and use in our lives today, but some of us just don’t. Like when I’m stomping around in the morning because I’m late and I’m mumbling and yelling that it doesn’t matter what time I get up, what I cut out, what I prepare the night before, I’m always freakin late and how the FREAK does that happen. Maybe I replace freak with a much harsher word, but maybe I don’t.

On the homefront lately:

Wyatt made a little laptop at school (an orange piece of construction paper with the alphabet on it and a space bar folded in half). It is the cutest thing ever. Each day he came home from school he asked where his computer was and he typed away and hit enter and the space bar so strategically. His face was serious and he was getting some mad work done. I even had to watch the hilarious video he made the other night. He waited until I was ready, hit the enter key, and I had to strategically laugh in hysterics. Good times, funny video!

Waylon got a day at home with just daddy this week. I love opportunities they get like this. Such memorable times even with nothing big on the agenda. That night as I was cooking dinner when Waylon came in the kitchen on a mission. He headed straight for the Victoria’s Secret magazine I just got and sprinted away as fast as he could. Pretty soon he came back into the kitchen. “Waylon, where is my magazine?” “In my closet” I just had to shut my mind off right then and there. I’m not going there. I finally got it back after Wyatt handed it to me with a “I can’t believe my brother did that” grin on his face. “Did you look at it?” Wyatt infatically said no. Waylon on the other hand had no problem admitting he did, but refused to tell me what he liked about it while having a very indescribable smile on his face.

Weston turned 2.  Que the crying, sobbing, slobering, snotting "where is my baby going, he's not a baby anymore" dramatics. I was still sick, but Grandma saved the day with dinner, cake, ice cream, and balloons.  We ended the evening with cake and ice cream, then popcorn, and my mom over to watch movies.  I think he was completely satisfied with the outcome.  And his new thing he finds HILARIOUS is running into the room with his brother's underwear on over his clothes or on his head.  Hilarious, I tell you! 

Sprite and the Ipad, all a newly 2 year old needs.  What a great example.  BTW, there were drops of that Sprite left, but he owned it like it was full.  Such a big man. 

Happy weekend, all.  Hope you are staying healthy!!!

Dreams To Memories

You know when you write things down on your bucket list and then immediately think, “there’s no way in hell I will ever get to doing this” but you write it down anyway thinking there is a slim chance you might get a wild hair and book the trip or say “To hell with it, I’m DOING it” and just DO IT? People, I can barely contain the excitement in my chest for this one.

I will be on a team running … HOOD TO COAST this year!!! I really can’t be more excited about it. I just wish it was sooner than later. I wrote this item down on my bucket list shortly after I started running last year. I’ve always wanted to travel up north because the beauty of it all. Then following several of you runners out there who blog, I fell in love with wanting to run this race. To have this fun, to experience life in a whole new way. And now, it is happening.

It’s been over a year since I made the decision to start living my best life and there have been setbacks and disappointments. There have been times where I wondered what I was doing it all for. There have been times I’ve taken breaks. But, it always comes back; that thrill, that motivation, the drive and determination to keep going, it always comes back. I see little benefits, payoffs, rewards ever so often that keep reminding me to keep going. I see my boys want to do push-ups, or want to get their workout clothes on and step down to the basement for a workout. Weston, at 23 1/2 months, even joined me for a few push-ups the other day. It means the world to me that they are seeing it. That it is becoming part of their growing up, part of them, to live healthy, to move, to work for what they want.

I’ve seen my husband get back into running more, maybe not because of me, but because he is finally healthy enough to do so. I’ve seen my booty come back, but not the old booty. This booty’s solid. The payoffs have been priceless and life-changing. Sure, I have to make adjustments in my life to make it all work out, but that’s the beauty of it. It’s a challenge to see what I can do to get things to fall into place. Sometimes I’m completely up for it and sometimes I’m just not.

I was bummed about the timing. My biggest source of inspiration is having her big weekend the same weekend. World’s for the WBFF Championships are that same weekend in Vegas and I wanted to be there for my sister this year in person. I want to see her win that title. I couldn’t make my decision until I talked to 2 people, her being one of them. As always she was just about as excited as I was and told me to absolutely go for it. We will be training for the same weekend to kick some serious butt and making more dreams that sit nicely on our pillow tops made into lifelong memories.

I was thrilled when Dale gave me the go-ahead, so, short of buying my plane ticket, this is happening! And, I couldn’t be happier! I’m hoping to meet up with some of you that will be running or will be in the area. Please let me know. Anyone that wants to throw any awesome running gear my way, I would be happy to wear it, too. Ha!

I’m not really sure what all I just got myself into, but I’m ready for the experience. Bring it, August!!
Thank you so much, Molly and Jason for the opportunity.  I can't wait to experience this with you all!

Feeling It Today

Get up

Live your life
Stop listening to your own excuses
Forget what happened yesterday
Start fresh today and do the things you do that make you you and make you great
They say there is no hope for you
You don’t have a chance
What’s your hate and anger doing for you
Where is it taking you
Maybe someone else just might know what they are talking about
The blood that runs through your veins doesn’t hold your destiny
You do
Only You
What makes you great
What strives in your mind
What thoughts do you waste
Stop blaming this world, your place
Where are your gifts
What do you have to offer this world
How are you making it better
Try
Fail
And get up stronger
Succeed
Why do you think God chose you
To do what
Sweat
Cry
Reach for more
Get up and work for it

GET UP and WORK for IT

I have enough thought, motivation, determination, willingness, strength to conquer the world today. It feels good to have that feeling back.

Where I Say Genius Twice

Weston has just amazed me lately. He’s talking full sentences. Full and clear sentences. He is able to get all of those baddler (not quite baby/not quite toddler) thoughts out of his mouth. In a way I am completely excited about thinking my 3rd kid is a genius and he didn’t get gypped with any of the runt, whatever was left, genes we had to pass down, but in another way, OH MY GOSH slow the freaking time down! I’m not ready to have no babies at home except I don’t want any more babies. That totally makes sense!


Oh, warning, I actually had some “coffee” this morning in the form of a warm, smooth, thick, glorious cup of cappuccino (that completely tore my stomach up). It really made me crave my couch, a warm fuzzy blanket and my jammy pants even though I don’t think I’ve ever had any form of coffee at home.

Back on subject: I often have to take a double take to see who said what. He sounds a lot like his middle brother with some of the things he says.

A sampling:
“Is that poop, mommy?” I don’t know, did you poop?” “No, jusss fart. I jusss fart, mommy.”
“Wyatt, I see in the toilet. I see in the toilet. I see inthetoilet. Iseeinthetoilet!!!!! Oh, nice!”
“Weeee, the truck goes down the hill. Weee the truck crash (big truck crash sound)”
“No, mommy, I don’t want batman jammies off.”
“This is my bed, mom and I sleep here and watch moobies.”
“Waylon hit me and hurt my head”
“I want to go with daddy in the truck. I want in the truck. Mommy, you take me to the truck? I ride in the truck. I ride inthetruck. IRIDEINTHETRUCK!”
“It’s my turn in the bath. It’s my turninthebath! IWANTTOGETINTHEBATH!”

23 and a ½ months! Blows my mind! There’s just something about the way his lips form around those words, too. I figured he’d talk late since he had two brothers to talk for him and meet his every need. Nope, he can totally tell them where to go and what he wants. He is also starting a little screaming when he is upset like a two year old should. I can’t stand it. He’s trying it quite often.

I think I have a genius new birthday gift idea… with three boys we have A TON of toys and every birthday (January, May, & October) and every Christmas we only add to the madness. They love the toys, but with that many they don’t play with some of them much. We just donated a bunch of toys to the babysitter and dropped quite a load off at Meet the Need, a local thrift store, resource for people in need. Amazing place. I’m proud to have such a thriving resource for those around us that need help. Way to go, communities around me.

Anyway, a couple of years ago for Wyatt’s birthday we had the usual huge slide and water fun outside and told people that they didn’t have to bring wrapped gifts, but if they felt like giving a gift that they could donate to the swing set fund that Dale was building with some family help. It turned out great. We still have a little more to finish like the roof and the climbing wall. But that got me thinking about other ideas. Things people could do for birthdays so they don’t have to go buy another toy or break the bank with my crew. I thought about doing projects for them with stuff they could use for a while. Things that would be pretty big and memorable for them. Things that would be a part of their lives for quite some time. Things like the swing set. Maybe a room remodel, a college fund donation, etc. Not that I want people actually coming to the party and remodeling their room, but donations of any amount to get that sort of thing accomplished for them and some place to sign or leave their own special little mark like a framed picture of the party group with a “Batman room brought to you by:” (totally stole that idea from you, Christen) or they could sign the climbing wall or something like that.

I know a lot of people feel naked coming to a birthday party without a wrapped gift so I could also leave that option out there if they really want to do that. That way it cuts down on the number of toys they get, but allows them a gift that is big and meaningful and is with them for the majority of their lives. My mind is going crazy with ideas!!! What do you think? Would you like that idea as a party goer? What ideas do you have for your kid’s birthdays? How do you keep the toys to a minimum.

I looked for runs for this season. Whoa, so many of them. All of them sound so good to join until that Saturday morning when I have to get up at 5 and drive an hour to get there. I have to remember that little fact before registering. So far I have one that I’m already registered for in March. That should have me finishing up P90x just in time to hit the roads to build my endurance. 10k’s here we come. I’m also looking for a half this year. The fear is slowly leaving me. However I do will be a PR and something to strive for if I decide to ever run that distance again. I’m never going to get to a marathon if I don’t set my sights a little further. I’m going to do as many 5k’s as I can, but also schedule some 10k’s and at least 1 half. I’m excited to start back up!

P90x was a bummer last night. An hour of stretching when I was hungry for some sweat. I had to run back upstairs and put more clothes on because I got cold, boo. I know it is a process and next week I might be crying UNCLE!!!! The good part was Weston actually tried to join me in a couple of the moves. Cat stretch was my fav. I don’t think that kid could be any cuter. That is until he started turning off the basement lights and thinking it was funny. Not too cute then.

Would you like the gift idea as a party goer?
What ideas do you have for your kid’s birthdays?
How do you keep the toys to a minimum?
How do you decide what races to do?
How many do you try to squeeze in for the season?


Happy weekend to you!

Changing Seasons and New Things

The weather is trying to change and that change is bringing me to new/different things.  I started P90x for my cross training as I don’t have any races scheduled until Spring time and the cold temps right out of bed are not appealing to me. I made my mind up to do that last week sometime. Then I talked to my sister about a training plan and then I bought a used treadmill. So, I kind of feel like I’m back in the indecisive mode. I want to build more muscle and have a stronger core. Running makes me really lean, but dang, I finally love my calves. I’ve always thought they were too small even when I was running in college.

Most of you know that what got me back on my feet again and running towards a healthy, best self lifestyle was Insanity last January. I loved it. It made me sweat big time and it gave me a good base. Thank goodness for some muscle memory. Last Spring I was offered free entry into a 5k thanks to my work. I had not been running whatsoever. I was only doing Insanity. I went out and ran the race and it felt so dang good!!! I was hooked. I spent Spring, Summer, and Fall training and racing 5k’s. I struggled at the end with my performance when I should have been dominating. So, time for a change. I’ve had P90x sitting on my shelf for a while. I always said it has too many weights or too many pull-ups and that I wasn’t interested in even trying it. Now it is different. I want weights. I want muscle. So, here we are.

This picture was taken after Day 1, Chest and Back in which I felt like it was more of an arm workout because my arms were shot and bulked by the time I was done.

I’m on day 4. I’m sore as can be! I feel really strong until I try to scratch my nose, wash my hair, pick up my pen, go to the bathroom, walk down the steps, sneeze or cough, or get up from my chair, or push open a light door. Then I want to cry like a baby.  It’s slow going and a lot of facial grimacing. I actually like it a lot. And, honestly, it doesn’t seem too bad.  What was I so afraid of? The pull-ups, yes, those are bad. I can’t do them unassisted, BUT someday I WILL! I’m really glad I’m starting it in shape and can keep pace with those on the video.

Today the workout was Yoga. Wow! I’m a Yoga virgin and it is tough. Probably the toughest so far and one and a half hours long, which I had to cut short. I wish the workouts weren’t so long. I think that is the only bad thing. I already get up too early and go to sleep late and the hour workouts, sometimes a little over, are hard to squeeze in and then get ready for work along with its long two hour drive back and forth each day, and the boys ready and out the door (Dale already helps a ton), plus breakfast and packing lunch. I know, I should pack lunch the night before, but I’m spent the night before and I don’t want a sandwich that has sat in the fridge that long.

Anyway, it’s going well regardless of hurting myself 2 out of the 4 days. The first time I hit my shin on the bar while trying to assist myself doing a pull-up. The second time I was doing leg swings over a chair and hit my calf on the first one right after Tony said I would probably hit my leg on the chair. It hurts, but it is hard to distinguish from the other pain I’m already feeling. Anyone have a backscratcher?

I do miss running though. I fear that I will lose some of my endurance because the cardio in P90x is just not the same as getting out on the road and running, but if I compare where I started last season to where I will this season, I’m already ahead. I will work at getting it back slowly. Hopefully I will remember why I do it all in the first place and not start hating it because of my own disappointment from being too hard on myself.  I really want to squeeze in a half next season.

Maybe I will get more occasional fun runs in on the weekends like this past weekend when I met an old friend and a new friend for some trail running, which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!    LOVE!     Running through thick trees, brush, over rocks and bridges, and on a path full of trotted leaves gets me so in touch with nature, myself, my beliefs. Such a free feeling.  Hard to explain, but did I mention that I LOVE it?  We don't have a lot of trails around here, which is sad.

Here's my Cher Bear!  I love running behind her and admiring her calves the whole time.  They're monsters!

I didn’t intend for that to be so long, sorry.

The house is decorated and ready for the season of cuddling weather. It is so cozy in there.   Only one problem, the weather hasn’t been much of cuddling weather. More like, “GET OFF OF ME, I’M FREAKING HOT” weather.   I hear that is supposed to be changing up here soon.  I'm kind of glad even though I hate the cold.  Putting up the tree wasn't a huge ordeal this year other than moving the furniture 100 different times.  I even put tables behind the couch which is so nontraditional for me and something I never thought I'd do.  If you have a tables in your living room they should be used to hold drinks or pictures or something.  These are used to hold lamps and that is it.  I actually really like them back there.  It gets the couch off the back wall.  I even have the loveseat in a place that is nontraditional.  I don't believe in having furniture in your living room that you sit on and can't see the tv.  What's the point in that?  But, I really like it there.

We sold the Tahoe – big sad face. That thing was almost like a family member and paid for.  It was kind of a last minute, "Surprise someone is coming to buy the Tahoe" kind of thing.  It was surreal and I about stopped the whole 10 second show because I didn't get a chance to say goodbye.  I mean, did you make sure to take our lives out of there?  I know it is for the better.  There is no way it would have held to the value we got out of it for much longer. 

I found a wine I actually like – I don’t drink a lot. Thank you, sneaky little Davids'!

Dale is sick, but IS NOT acting "man sick" – you know what I mean. He’s been a trooper!

I've been curling my hair the entire week and it is getting long.  BIG change for me.  I've worn my hair straight for the last few years and I think it was right after Wyatt when I chopped it all off.

You know those days when you feel like you wasted a good outfit?  That was me the other day and just sat at my desk all day.

And then today, I wore flowers and stripes.  (Gasp)  After looking at this picture, I don't like the layered shirt I'm wearing. 

And, I cancelled Christmas for the older boys.  As of right now it is still cancelled. I’ll explain later.

Random: If you are an Elf on the Shelf doer, do you let the kids touch the elf?  No touching Trucker here.  It's never been a problem with the boys either, but I always place Trucker in higher places.
Do you call the Loveseat a Loveseat?  Loveseat for me.
White or colored lights on your tree?  I used to hate white lights when I was a kid and even up to a couple of years ago.  Now?  I love them, but I still feel colored lights go with a kid spirited Christmas and that's what I like for my boys right now.  I'm sure they couldn't care less.

Honored and Inspired

Inspired, refreshed, missing it...

You guys, the 2nd edition of Another Mother Runner’s What a Mother Runner Looks Like has been published. You can find it right here. I’m choking back tears. I’m so honored to be included, inspired to pick up and keep going, and just overwhelmed by the women featured. Cancer survivors, mothers with 5 plus kids, women who have lost pounds in the triple digits. They aren’t perfect, none of us are, but they are all strong. All so inspiring. Proud of where they are. Every women featured has a story. You only get a snippet here, but there is a story there and they have all picked up their knees, tied their shoes, pulled that sports bra over their messy ponytails and hit the streets, the treadmills, the trails.


I’ve been pretty honest here, I think, about my struggles with my running performance lately. Now that the weather in the early mornings is reaching the teens it is even harder to find the motivation to get out there and run. It takes like 20 minutes just to get dressed with all the layers. I’ve been transitioning since I don’t have any races until Spring to train for. I’ve struggled with making up my mind on what I wanted to do next. Keep hitting the streets early in the morning or pressing play on the dvd player and sweating. I’ve wanted more muscle and I think I finally have made up my mind on what it is I’m going to do next. Honestly, I’m a little scared and it is hard to find the drive I had when I was running. I miss that feeling of dominating a workout and feeling so completely strong and confident and WANTING to do it again every day of the week.

I haven’t ran since last Thursday morning when I did my own little turkey trot before heading out to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. Again, the run was slower, the weather was warmer, but my performance was slow and I actually am starting to feel like I’m out of shape. The last thing I want to do is start over. My body, mainly my brain, had such a hard time adjusting to the intensity when I first started turning it on and I suffered with frequent aura migraines. I fear that happening again if I let up. I love getting out for a run when I feel like running without a second thought or a hesitation of fear that I will die or it will hurt too bad.

After scrolling and reading the blurbs on these mothers I feel so renewed and refreshed; aching for that feeling again. Last night we moved a tv downstairs to the basement and I’m starting P90x for my cross training/off season workouts. It will be tough. I’m a little scared, but I know once I get going I will be fine. I really want to knock out a half marathon next season sometime. Again, scared! But, I have to start somewhere. So, I will cross train until the weather is nicer then I will hit the streets again. I’ll hopefully shoot for a half sometime late summer or fall. We will see how it plays out. Right now, I’m excited just thinking about it. It feels good to be there again.

I’ve been too down on myself lately and I need to get back in the groove again. This was the perfect push I needed to remind me why I do it all. Go check out the post and if you have time check out the 1st one. There are some great ladies in there too. Come back and tell me what you think. I would love to hear your perspective. I also want to hear more from so many of these ladies featured. I found a new running/mom blog today, Small Town Runner, and a very impressive runner/mom on facebook through some of my already favorite runners. And, they have 3 boys!! Do you know of anymore?  Keep sharing their links. I love finding new ones. They keep the inspiration alive and hold me accountable for making sure I’m staying in the game. Ones with 3 boys are icing on the cake!!!

How do you train during “off” season?

Have you done P90x before? What did you think?

What running/mom blogs/facebook friends do you recommend?

Running, it runs in the family



My last "race" of the season.  I say "race" because I did not race.  I threw out my goal of PRing a couple weeks back and I was ok with it considering a bunch of stuff.  So, I got there ready to run with the hubs.  We were up dark and early, dark because the sun still had a couple hours before it lazily rose to light our world.  I dropped Weston off at my parents at the ridiculous 4 am hour and we got the boys up for their racing debut.  But, not before a pit stop at their Aunt T's for an early morning nap.  

Remarkably we found exactly where we needed to be and we were on time, early even. (I was driving)  We didn't even argue.  A couple trips to the bathroom, figuring out where all we needed to go and do, a little strategy talk and our tired faces were ready to go.  This picture notes Dale's excitement perfectly.  Such a great sport with all the crap we do for running. 

The results, I was running slow for Dale and he was running slow for me.  Ooops, little miscommunication there.  We helped each other get a really crappy time.  If we would have been racing then he probably would have finished top 10 and I would have probably top 15.  I did get 1st in my age group, but that is only because the other girls my age weren't being such wusses and were running the much longer distances.  The times in the 1/2 were ridiculous.  I don't think I would have finished in the top half.  But, it did inspire me to get closer to wanting to reach those half marathon goals.

I said I wasn't going for time and I wasn't.  I tried beating myself up about it and I'm still trying to get over my really ridiculous running performance lately.  I just don't know what is going on.  Maybe I am just in slow motion mode because it is colder.  Like I said, I'm really trying to be ok with it and just run.  Like really really trying. 

As Dale and I watched finishers come in, I was more moved by the ones finishing in the back of the pack, running because this race meant so much more than just a race and a time or a PR.  It meant they got out and did something hard and finished.  I found myself getting choked up many a time.  Why can't I accept that for myself?  I don't get myself.  Anyway, it turned out to be an absolutely fantastic day after my pity party!

The left picture are the marathoners.  Go marathoners! and to the right are the 50k'ers. I think they should all be admitted.

Weston and my parents met up with us later to see the boy's race.  He was wearing a ridiculously cute caped shirt but I totally forgot to get a picture of him strutting around in it.  Trust me, it was cute.  He was not cute snooping in every one's bags, however and begging me for the Gu I got in my prize pack.  He doesn't accept no for an answer.  Apparently he was hungry or something.

Ever since I mentioned this race a couple of months back the boys have been asking if it was "kid's race day yet?"  The day finally arrived and it was the only way we were getting them up out of bed at 5am without whining and a complete fight.  They gladly got their gear on and switched questions to "when does it start?  Are we going to miss it?" only about 459 million times.  I was just glad they were excited about it.  

Right before the race at the awards stand.  They are the cutest, right?!  Waylon just got some new Air Jordan's and they make him faster than everyone in this whole world, if you were wondering.  Sorry to break it to you.

The kid's race was about a 1k up hill.  I was kind of surprised they tortured them with a hill, but they handled it like champs.  Wyatt insisted on running with a hat and his hood up.  He did awesome.  Out with a bang and never broke stride.  I got a little worried about Waylon.  Wyatt left him and he was running on his own.  Not something he is used to.  I thought he might get scared.  Thankfully daddy kept a good eye on him and jumped in when Waylon needed a little reassuring. 



Wyatt nearing the finish line.  He just kicked it up a notch when I was yelling for him.  This kid... makes me so stinkin proud!

And then I saw this and I don't think I've ever cheered louder in my life.  I wish I could blow this one up.  His face is fully determined and he looks so strong.  Plus, daddy is right there by his side.  No worries in his world.  MMMM, love it.  Dale told me as they were rounding the corner he told Waylon that they were almost done and to give it everything he's got. Did he ever... 



The proud little faces!  Love them so stinkin much!  They were extremely happy to have racing bibs and get a medal like mommy.



I know to some of you this might not come as a surprise, but I think running runs in the family! 

Not sure I'll post again before Thanksgiving, but I want to wish you all a very blessed one and name just a few things I am so completely overwhelmed with thankfulness about. 

• My husband.  For so many reasons!
• The boys that litter my door step and the floors throughout our house.  I love them to so many extremes!
• Last night when we came home from a little grocery shopping they stood on our doorstep waiting for the door to be opened.  All I could see was their dark silhouettes and heard the youngest calling, "mere, mommy" I was so thankful for them crowding the way when at other times it completely annoys me.  I have to pinch myself sometimes at the opportunity I get.
• My completely supportive family.  All of it.  I have a good family, in-laws definitely included!  Love you all!
• Our location in this world
• My job - our jobs
• All of my friends - let's just not get too sappy - love you all

There is a ton of stuff I didn't name, but my time is running out.  Safe travels if you are traveling and may love surround you and your families.  I love the holidays!!!

Oh, and today is National Hug A Runner day.  Consider yourself hugged and I'll act like you returned it!  I like tight squeezes.