Barely Surviving

I am at that point finally. Looking at gaining over 50 pounds... I am at that point where I dont know if I can ever do this again. I am swelling and gaining weight still. A lot of people gain no weight their last month. With Caleb, I gained 11 pounds in the last month. ELEVEN. Count em. I feel so alone in this. I dont understand why my body insists on gaining so much weight. I am sure I will lose it but what a rollercoaster for my poor body in a short period of time!

BEING POSITIVE:

Motherhood, as I have discovered, is not easy. But, I know it is a commandment, and that God is the one in charge. And I know that God blesses mothers every single day. It is a blessing to simply hear, "Mommy!" out of my son's mouth. Or even to hold his little body and have him happy to be with Mommy. I think so many moms get caught up in how different their lives were before motherhood. News flash ladies - your life is changed forever. That part before being a mom is over and was merely prep for what lies in store now. It's time to embrace it and enjoy the new beginning of forever. Forever as a mother, which truly is a NOBLE calling. And an immense blessing.

Sure we are tired and need to continually have support from others. But let's be positive supports to each other, rather than dragging each other down. Moms can do hard things. And it may not make life all warm and fuzzy 24 hours of the day, but that does not matter. What matters is that we are bringing up the rising generation. The generation that needs mothers who are there to support them. Mothers who are there to say, "I am so happy that you came into the world and into my life."

Feeling (Being) Very Fat... Phat

Icky picture...
The next day, good picture...

Yuck. I hate the third trimester. But I am grateful that I have had a healthy pregnancy! "Healthy" for the baby at least. Not for me. Gaining just as much if not more weight than last time! So easy to get discouraged over 9 months of seeing the scale constantly rise.

Last doc's appointment the bleeping nurse laughed at my weight gain. She weighed me, told me I'd gained SEVEN pounds, and then laughed. I looked square at her and said, "Dont laugh at my fat-ness." She didnt know how to react. That's very mean of me I know. But I hate getting so heavy so fast!!!!! In just 18 weeks I have gained about 40 pounds. My body hurts, and it hurts to look in the mirror. So many people say I look like I'm all baby... but I'm not. You'd think I am carrying a baby in my belly AND another one in my hind-end. ACK! Can't wait to lose this stuff!

Oh and oh the joy of stretch marks. I don't have any NEW ones yet... but soon, very soon. Around this time was when I started seeing them last time. And I'm not talking 1 or 2. I'm talking hundreds all over my hips. Only 1 on my tummy... thankfully. TMI?

24 1/2 Weeks Pregnant

Love this morning hair and morning face...

So, I have worked out 5 to 6 days a week this whole pregnancy! I have had much more motivation, happiness, and energy. I think it's because of my active lifestyle this time! Last pregnancy, I kind of let my workouts go to blah and resorted to water aerobics... boo. This time, I ran a lot up until 24 weeks along. The day I was 24 weeks along, I did a 5k with a not-so-impressive time of 34 minutes, but still I did it!

Anyway... I have still gained a REDICULOUS amount of weight. I retain water and my body likes to keep fat when I'm pregnant. Starting 8 pounds lighter than I started last time, I have gained a total of 21 pounds. And I'm only 24 1/2 weeks along. That's like awful. So I am 10 pounds lighter than I was at this point in my last pregnancy. But... I still think I'm on the track to gain at least 50 pounds. WOOT!

Also, I am not running anymore. It was too much stress on my body and I have resorted to power walking, biking, and lap swimming. Surprisingly, power walking is a WICKED AWESOME hard workout! I highly recommend it.

Total weight gain: 21 lbs.

Getting "Phat" Again

So, I am pregant again! Yay!!! So happy! But nervous... I better not gain 50 to 60 pounds again! I'm going to track my weight gain here and document my workouts!

For the past 14 weeks of pregnancy, I have been working out a lot. 5 to 6 days a week. I either run, do step aerobics, spin, or... run. :) It's awesome!

Weight gain thus far: 2.5 lbs.

20+ Mile Runs...

Yes, I have been training with my dad and some others for the Music City Marathon on April 25th! Today, we did a 20 mile run downtown. It was awesome, beautiful 72 degree weather, and a great pace! Two weeks ago, we did my longest run to date (aside from the Ironman!), which was 22 miles!!! It was rough, too, because it was ALL hills. Absolutely no flat.

I have been loving training for this Marathon and feel so strong from sticking to a running plan! If my dad and I were to run the half this year, I am sure we'd run it in under 2 hours, which would be a P.R. for both of us!

The rough thing with the training is that I have lost 0 pounds. But, I know that I am getting stronger, which is probably muscle replacing fat. I am okay with this!

What a blessing running has been in my life. I am so grateful for a body that works and allows me to accomplish such things as 20 miles runs!!!

Almost There!!! 13 Months Postpartum

I am officially 2.5 lbs. below my pre-pregnancy weight!!!!! Hooray!!! I have 2.5 lbs. to go until my ultimate goal.

However, I have something to say about this goal stuff. My Original Goal was to be at this weight by 5 Months Postpartum. That's a little crazy, yes, but it really helped me get motivated.

At 5 Months Postpartum, I was only 7 lbs. above prepregnancy weight. That is REDICULOUSLY awesome, seeing as I gained about 60 pounds!!! So, I lost 53 pounds in 5 months. I am so grateful!!!

It is so amazing that in just over a year, Caleb and I have gone from this...

to this!...

Obviously, HE has changed the most! :)

11 Months Postpartum

It's time to get to my "Goal Weight." IT'S TIME!! I may be at the same weight as I was pre-pregnancy, but that is not my goal weight!

So, this past week here is what I have done:

1 - 15 Mile Bike Ride; 4.5 Mile Run
2 - Yoga; 45 Minute Spin Class; Abs work
3 - 45 Minute Spin Class; 2000 Yard Swim; 45 Minute Spin Class; Abs work
4 - 2.5 Mile Run; Cardio Kickboxing Class
5 - 45 Minute Spin Class; 1200 Yard Swim
6 - 45 Minute Spin; 30 Minute BOSU Class; Swim 1600 Yard; 45 Minute Spin; 1 Hour Pilates

So far, no results. I guess I was out of shape. But I am sick of it, and not putting up with it anymore! :) The truth is, Blake is putting me through bootcamp. He knows I am happiest when I am in shape. He is my private daycare for Caleb until we go to Utah next weekend. I am to pound it out for these 2 weeks. Love that guy.

SUCCESS! HALFWAY THERE, COZZY!

Cozmo has dropped weight!!!! He is now 22 pounds! Two more pounds to go! Yay Cozmo!

Love the Cozmo.

A New Candidate

Someone else in our family has gained a considerable amount of weight since a year and a half ago when I became pregnant...

No, it's not my husband, it is our 2 year old dog, Cozmo.

Cozmo's Pre-Dani-Pregnancy weight: 21 lbs.

Cozmo's Post-Dani-Pregnancy weight: 26 lbs.

Weight gain: 28.5% of his original body weight!!! Poor little fat dog. So, while I lose the last little bit of my weight, which will be uneventful because those last 5 lbs. takes the longest, I have put together a new program:

COZMO DOGGY BOOT CAMP

Goal: Cozmo will lose 5 lbs. by New Years, which is 2 1/2 months from now

How:
1) 5 Days a Week Cozmo will Run while we Rollerblade

2) His food portions will be the same, at twice a day 1/2 a cup each, however he will be on DIET food now, and have NO scraps of people food

Wish this little fat puppy luck!

All is well... All is well... :)

Hello everyone! Thanks for still checking this blog even though I have not fulfilled my word of posting every week... oops! My B. Again. Here's my update:

I am now 1 pound over my prepregnancy weight! Hooray! Go team!

I told you that it's possible. I gained nearly 60 pounds by the time I was 9 months along with Caleb. Now he's not even 9 months old and I am back to normal. With faith, all things are possible my friends.