Meal Prep!!!

I have always wanted to do this but never found the motivation to do so. Well the 21 Day Fix got me going! I tried to do the Fix meal plan without meal prep and I just sort of failed. So here we are!

And here is where I got the containers on Amazon:

http://amzn.to/1M2xqDr

Breakfast: 2 eggs, Hashbrowns, and toast

Post-workout: shakeology with 1/2 frozen banana and PB

Lunch: ground turkey sautéed with onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, and tomato sauce over zoodles, handful of bell pepper slices, pita bread

Snack: seasoned chicken thigh, steamed broccoli, and small apple

Dinner: fish (salmon or trout), 1/4 avocado, with sautéed yellow squash and spinach

My first Shakeology ever...

Today is day one of being a Beach Body coach! I got my chocolate Shakeology and training videos in the mail!!! I am so excited I can barely contain myself.

I enjoyed my first video call from a coach. It felt empowering and motivating. I am eager to get started!!

My first Shakeology was absolutely amazing. My coach Erica gave me the recipe: 1 scoop chocolate Shakeology, 10 ice cubes, 8 oz. milk, 1/2 tablespoon peanut butter, and 1/2 frozen banana. My expectations were exceeded! It was delicious and filling!

8 Weeks Postpartum with baby #4

Weight above prepregnancy weight: 21 lbs
Total weight lost this week: 0.5 lb
Total weight lost: 28 lbs

I am so happy I lost that half pound this week! Feeling blessed.

Workouts this week:

2- 3 mile runs
1- speed workout
1- cardio kickboxing class
1- 6.5 mile run

I also had a stomach bug this week that put me in bed by 5 pm that day and made me rest the next day. I have struggled to lose much these past few weeks and am so grateful to see a change! I have been praying for help and know that He will help me reach my heathy goals.

7 weeks postpartum with baby #4!

Our 4th child, Finn is here! He is so special and we love him so much. He has been a joy as a baby and we are so grateful!

This 4th pregnancy was my easiest and best by far. We felt so much love and support from friends and family. I felt happy and stayed active. It was just a positive experience. I even only gained 49 pounds, which is the least I've ever gained in a pregnancy.

I am so funny sometimes. I always freak out right about now, worrying I will never lose the weight. And then I do lose it, anyway! I am glad I have recorded these feelings here on my blog in the past! Here I go again, worrying! But I know I can do it. It really takes patience! And smart eating. And exercise. And good sleep. I know this. So here are my stats:

Weight above prepregnancy weight: 21.5 lbs
Weight lost this week: 2.5 lbs
Total weight lost: 27.5 lbs

Workouts this first week of exercise:
2- 3.1 mile runs (one while pushing the stroller)
1- 1 mile swim
1- boot camp class
1- 1.5 mile sprint workout
1- 4 mile run

...every muscle in my body hurts!! LOL

Here are my goals:
1- For the next four weeks continue with at least 3 3+ mile runs, 1 speed workout, 1 cross training workout, and 1 yoga class. After that, I will add in strength training.
2- Complete the Music City Half Marathon in 7 weeks.
3- Be in bed by 10 pm every night.
4- Eat wisely but no calorie counting or cutting back on carbs. Eat intuitively and enjoy life.

With these goals, I hope to lower my stress levels and ease my body into the exercise habits it is used to doing. I miss my healthy, fit body and am excited to get it back!

6 1/2 months postpartum!

I am now 7 lbs above my goal weight! Even over the holidays, since completing my marathon, I have lost 7 more pounds. I feel motivated and relieved!

Food:
Food really is 90% of weight loss. You cannot lose weight without changing your eating habits. I have been successfully changing my night time eating habits! I have gone back to myfitnesspal as my helper in watching calories and carbs. I also try to eat mostly whole foods, or clean eating.

Exercise:
I have enjoying lots of time in classes at the gym. My best workout starts with a 10-20 minute cardio session on the treadmill or elliptical, followed by a weight training class. My favorite class is Yoga VFX, which is yoga+weights+cardio. It is AHMAZING. I also continue to love taekwondo as evening workouts.

Sleep:
I am doing better. But could still improve. :)

Breaking the Eating Bad at Night Habit!

I have a bad habit. Desserts and carbs late at night. Like 11 pm. Right before bed. It has been terribly hard to break and I have yet to do so!

I didn't do this at all before having babies and losing weight. My theory as to why this started? Dieting! All day I try to eat healthy and save up my calories so I won't be hungry at night and not be able to eat. Even if I was eating low calories, this conditioned me to always thinking I need to eat at night! Like its my last night on earth! Every day I recommit and every evening I fail again.

I have a new plan! My plan is to eat a big breakfast, anything I want to eat. Then, eat a heavy lunch, almost like I would normally eat for dinner- mashed potatoes, or meat added to a meal I would normally eat for lunch. Today I had a salad, which is my normal lunch, with a side of mashed potatoes! Then, when dinner came I was not famished. I ate intuitively, listening to when I was full.

On top of the new eating plan, I am adding a workout in the evening. Even something small like a 30 minute workout video. Something to get me sweating. I find that I don't crave anything but water after a good evening workout.

Finally, early to bed!!!! This is KEY and by far the hardest thing for me. I rarely get to bed before midnight. Like once every month or so rarely. It is bad.

So this is my plan! Eat heavier meals early on, exercise again in the evening, and get some much needed sleep! Wish me luck...

5 months postpartum

Losing motivation.... I feel like I have GAINED weight. Too scared to weigh myself. :(

20 weeks Postpartum, 4 1/2 months

I am now 14 lbs above my goal weight!

I have lost 12.5 lbs in the last 9 weeks!

I just completed my marathon. I did it in 4 hours 39 minutes, which is a Personal Record for me!

Tomorrow I start 90 days of P90X!

Weeks 10 & 11 Postpartum

10 Weeks Postpartum

Workouts this week:
3- 3 mile runs
1- 5 mile run
2- Taekwondo Classes
1- Sculpt Class

Weight loss this week: 1.5 lbs.
Weight left til goal weight: 27 lbs.

11 Weeks Postpartum

Workouts this week:
1- Treadmill sprint workouts plus Volleyball night
2- Taekwondo Classes
1- 75 minute run
1- 5 mile run
1- 3 mile run

Weight loss this week: 0.5 lb.
Weight left til goal weight: 26.5 lbs.

Beginning to get discouraged again... Need to punch my punching bag more! Go time!

Weeks 8 & 9 Postpartum

8 Weeks Postpartum

Workouts this week:
1- 5k, ran in 34 minutes
1- One hour gym workout with a 3 mile treadmill speed workout, rowing, and abs
1- Sculpt Class

Weight loss this week: 1 lb.
Weight left til goal weight: 30.5 lbs.

9 Weeks Postpartum

Workouts this week:
3- Classes at the gym
2- Hour punching bag workouts! Dripping sweat!
1- 2 mile run to the gym and back
1- Hour P90X workout

Weight loss this week: 2 lbs.!!!
Weight left til goal weight: 28.5 lbs.

I CAN DO THIS!