Fitness: Excuses

You name 'em! I have probably used every one in the book. These are my usuals...

It is expensive to eat healthy.
I can't afford a gym membership.
I'm tired.
I don't want to take time away from my family.
I have 3 kids under 3.
I don't want to be a size 0.
It's just my genetics, I can't help it.
I love food too much to diet.
I don't have time to make everything from scratch.
My family wouldn't eat that way if I tried.
My body isn't really that bad- I'm healthy enough.

"Look, Mom!"

"She work out!"

Water baby

He wasn't sure the first couple of weeks, but now he can't get enough of the water. He thinks it is hilarious to splash us and his arms and legs never stop moving.

Chores

I have a couple of very busy little toddlers. And I can distract them with lots of things- TV, books, etc. But if I really want to make them happy, I have learned I just need to give them a job. Weird, right? Emma takes pride in making her bed, sweeping, wiping down cupboards, doing the dishes, and cleaning off the kitchen table. On days when she is being whiney or especially needy, if I give her something productive to do she is HAPPY! And I'm grateful that it is something she enjoys. I'll be sure and remind her when she is a teenager how much she loves chores!

What? It makes it soft and shiny!

I found Emma in the bath tub with a container of yogurt in her hair. Apparently she thinks it is shampoo. I googled it and yogurt is actually supposed to help your hair be softer and replenish shine and moisture. Who knew?!

Fitness: It's kind of personal

I have been a little out of the blogging world lately. I think that is in large part because (other than kids, husband, house, etc.) my life has been pretty consumed with a personal health reform. And, although most people struggle with weight, eating healthy, exercising enough, etc., it sometimes seems like a taboo subject to talk about. And I wasn't feeling like putting myself out there and sharing how it was going for me.

Maybe because I've tried and failed before.

Maybe because I didn't want to be held accountable.

Maybe I wanted to pretend like it was easy.

Maybe I felt like the only person struggling with it.

But I have decided I'm NOT failing this time, and I want to be held accountable to my goals. More than anything, I want to make it clear that it is not EASY, it is a process, but it is POSSIBLE. Maybe I can help someone by writing about my fitness journey. Even if it helps one person, it will be worth it. If nothing else, I'm going to be glad I wrote it down for ME.

I didn't take care very good care of my body during my pregnancy with Briggs. I did at first, but then I had a million excuses why it didn't really matter what I ate or how active I was. With both girls I was running and doing yoga most of the pregnancy. But right before I had Briggs, my wake-up call was coming within a couple of pounds of Jared's weight. That might sound silly, but Jared is 5 inches taller than me! With a much larger frame!

So I made a plan that was to start when Briggs was 2 weeks old... (to be continued...)

Encouragement for the Week

"The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach." -Benjamin E. Mays