#Mamavation Monday: Strength training

So this week's topic is strength training and I'll be honest I usually avoid it.  I'm not confident I know what to do and I'm afraid I'll hurt myself.  I am also usually alone and I don't think we're suppose  lift alone.

Okay with my excuses aside, I do try to  lift dumbbells and I have the Mamavation 2-week challenges to thank for the confidence and routine.  I keep the Mama Guns routine as my go to for lifting and when I started I struggled with 15 lbs weights and now I'm up to 20 without much problem.

I do have an idea in my mind that I would love to be strong enough to do an unassisted pull up.  I know I can build strength and I just need to commit to building my strength to reach my goals.  I'm toying with the idea of setting up a few private training sessions so I can set up a strength building routine that will lead to my goal.  Right now I'm toning up and I can see a real change.  My arms are looking great but now I"m up for the challenge of building some major muscle power!

#Mamavation Monday - The Stairs

So I have been taking the stairs instead of the elevator!  My office is on the fourth floor and I'm slowly keeping my breath more and more.  The first day I lost my breath on the second floor.  Now I'm good until the 3rd floor.  I'm recovering pretty quickly but recovery has never really been a problem.  I have no clue why I seem to sweat like a pig and lose my breath very easily and then recover in 30 seconds flat.  It makes me feel like I don't workout hard enough but then I push until I can't push and still recover quickly.  I've lost 2lbs since making the switch to the stairs and my ass is getting rounder so this is a total win-win for me :)

Anyways, I conquered the high ropes the week before last.  I tried all three challenges and I only fell off of one!  I didn't really fall off, I just could not find a way to stand up on the pole for the leap of faith so I just let go.  The hardest part of the whole thing was on the first challenge were I was reaching from vine to vine and suddenly the whole ropes course started to shake.  I just knew I was going to fall.  I held fast!  I was shaken as much as humanly possible at the moment.  Shaking and 30 feet in the air and I held fast.  I'm taking that lesson into my life in general.  I can survive anything!  I can be shaken and I can survive!

#Mamavation Monday: Emotional Eating

This weeks topic hits close to home. I eat my feelings. I feel great, time to eat. I feel sad, time to eat. I feel nothing, time to eat. I'm not sure why I connect eating with my feels so closely but I do. I try to exam my hunger and eating. I check in with myself. I feel like I should begin keeping a diary for why I eat. At this point in my life, I am noticing I eat when I'm bored. Instead of starting a project, I tend to sit and eat. I totally catch myself searching for food knowing I"m not hungry but bored. I'm trying to do other things, like read (which by the way I very rarely eat while doing this task). Is it any wonder my weight is over the top? Strangely since I started hanging with the Mamavation Sistas I've lost about three inches around my underbust area and about 2 around my waist. My weight on the other hand keeps going up. I have no clue what is going on with that! I took my first zumba-like class today. I had fun and I plan to continue with the classes. I play bass, I have birthed a black child, and I still can't find the flipping beat! Anyways that is my check-in for the week!

#Mamavation Monday: #2weekchallenge non-completer

So first of all I would like to give myself props for not calling myself a loser.  I am non-completer.  I did most of the 2week challenge.  The bur-pees and my lack of working out for almost 2 months did me in this round. 

I am still proud of the workout I did complete and I plan to keep a few in my regular rotation.  I'm also happy with the new format.  Week 1 was based on the plan for the challenging rotation from the last 2 week challenge.  I would have never tried it if it were not part of this challenge.  I was too afraid to try.  I was worried I couldn't handle it but I know I totally can.  I just need to take my time and get it done.

I hope to finish out the couple of workout I have left.  I am a non-completer but I still feel like I won since I challenged myself and finished each workout I started.  I'll get stronger and I'll keep at it.  I'm sure I'll be ready to kick the 2-week challenge in the nads next time. 

#Mamavation Monday: Residency is over

As most of you know I've been in the first year of my doctorate in Educational Leadership.  Saturday May 3 was the last day of my residency year (Year 1).  I feel like I've accomplished something big.  I survived my first 8 classes (24 hrs) of doctoral work and I'm pretty sure I'll be keeping my 4.0. 

According to the cohort before us, if you can survive this first year then it's all good until dissertation.  This was the hardest part.  I'm looking forward to some time back.  Instead of losing my entire weekend, I should have more time for family and friends.  I'm excited for days without worrying about homework.

I'm excited about getting back on board with my workouts!  I haven't done jack since spring break so like 8 weeks :(  Mamavation 2-week challenge here I come!

#Mamavation Monday: Changing Lives

First let me apologize for not blogging for Mamavation for so long.  My doctoral classes have been kicking my butt and when it is not kicking me, I'm just so brain dead I feel like I have no brain power to blog.  Anyways I'm here!

So the question of the week is what have I done to positively impact my family?  The number one thing I did was have a homebirth.  This isn't an ad for homebirth or about one type of birth being better than another.  Simply put it was the single most life changing decision I've made that still has a positive impact today.

What about that decision has been so impactful?  It spiraled my life for the better.  I know having a child in general can do that but if I reflect back on my life and my attitude toward life before my homebirth, I almost don't recognize myself.

The homebirth led to breastfeeding.  The breastfeeding led to discovering my daughter's wheat allergy.  That lead to going gluten-free which led to eating better then to being active in label reading and finding information on GMOs and trying to go green.  For me it all started with being welcomed into the "crunchy" community via my homebirth.  I wasn't green or hippy-ish before the homebirth and the homebirth community opened my eyes to the importance of the what goes into my body.

The homebirth also changed my outlook on myself.  I felt stronger afterward.  I felt like I could do anything since I had pushed a baby out in my living-room.  I felt more like the woman I was always meant to be and as a result I feel like I live stronger.  As the mother of a daughter, I want my daughter to see being a woman is about being strong and that we can do anything we want.  I don't want to be the do as I say not as I do sort of person so I must show her strength and not just talk about it.

To me this is were Mamavation fits into my life.  I learn about strength, both physical and spiritual, from my fellow Sistas!  Mamavation has given me tools for greening my life as well as working out.  I love that I can turn to the Sistahood when I'm feeling weak.  When I need extra support or just a safe place to bitch.  I love the Sistahood and before my homebirth I would have never reached out to join so yes, my homebirth changed everything for me and my family.

Mamavation Monday: Trying to garden in a bag

I have a black thumb.  Like seriously black.  I once tried to plant blackberry bushes and just about killed them or outright killed them, I don't remember anymore.  One week after I abandoned them to the great gardener in the sky, the stupid bushes came back to life and started growing!  I'm the sort of person should not have plants.

Now that I have Ravebaby, I am determined to try and grow things with her.  As a homeschooling mother, I feel like I need to expose her to a little bit of everything and growing stuff should be part of a well rounded education.  So what is a homeschooling mother with a black thumb to do?

The answer came via my Facebook timeline, garden in a bag!  I want to say that my fellow Mamavation Sista over at Just Joanna is the one who posted about this great idea but I don't really remember now.  The basic idea is you buy some prestarted plants and a bag of potting soil.  Next you poke holes in the bottom of the bag, turn over, and cut a square out of the top and plant your stuff in the dirt.  No digging up the ground and that means no scars in yard if I manage to kill everything again.

Ravebaby and I have planted cilantro, red bell peppers, and zucchini, which I bought at my locally owned feed store.  I placed my bag of Miracle Gro potting soil on an old palette to keep it off the ground and we're ready to see how we do.  If I manage to keep these alive for a while then we'll go out and plant more stuff in this manner.  The only thing I wish I had done differently was to have looked for and purchases an organic potting mix.  The Miracle Gro's chemically smell turned my stomach a bit and lingered in the car for way too long.  So here's to a garden in a bag!

#Mamavation Monday: Wheat is now my enemy

So the saga of wheat in New Orleans ends with me being super sick and swearing wheat off for life, like forever.

After my last Mamavation post, I went to the doctor and got some bad health news.  My blood sugar was 120 after a 12-hours fast.  That is so not good, like a few more points and I would have been pre- diabetic.  My blood pressure was up.  My weight was up 5 lbs!  In general my usually healthy wheat-free self was trying to cleanse itself and as a result I was going through the wringer.

One comment I did not expect to hear was that I was gluten intolerant.  Now before you jump, I went wheat-free for my daughter. I was nursing and when I ate wheat she broke out.  I never when wheat-free for myself or even for DH who also has a wheat allergy.  Why was this shocking?  Well I think in the back of my mind I was thought of being wheat free as an optional piece of my life.  I could go back to eating like a "normal" person at some point.  This experience has taught me that is not the case.  I need to not only be wheat free but gluten free; I wasn't expecting that.  How did we go from a household with two wheat allergy sufferers to where everyone has some wheat issue?

I am finally feeling better.  I had some tests run today and I'm waiting for results.  I suspect my blood sugar is back to normal.  My blood pressure is back to normal.  I've lost all 5lbs.  My thirst is back to normal and my energy level is returning.  Lesson learned, stay away from wheat!

#Mamavation Monday: Detox from Wheat

I totally missed my post last week due to being in New Orleans for the SERA conference.  It was a requirement for my doctorate.  While there I eat several things not on my gluten free diet and I'm paying for it!

I started with a mini meat pie on the way and only got worse from there including two trips to Cafe Du Monde for beignets.  I was stupid and I didn't think it would hurt me too much since I went wheat free for Ravebaby and not personal health reasons.  I was so wrong.

After four years wheat free, I started paying for the bites almost instantly.  So much gas and a headache.  Since arriving at home I feel like I've been fighting the flu.  Body aches and fatigue and a thirst I can't seem to drink enough water to quench.  I was already scheduled for my annual checkup for tomorrow and I think DH would have demanded a doctor visit anyway since I'm totally not myself at this point.

I don't remember struggling like this for years ago.  I think it is because before I had a baseline of normal that might included all of this achynessand fatigue but I don't remember.  My new normal was painfree and usually with plenty of energy so maybe that is why this seems so bad.  I don't like it.  No way I'm going back to wheat.  Anyone else ever try to go back to wheat only to discover it hurts?

Mamavation Monday: Cleaning up

So I think I need to just call this Mamavation One-day late post since I am never on my computer on Mondays to write but anyways, here it is one day late.

The topic this week is non-toxic cleaners.  I honestly never thought too much about what I used to clean until I had Ravebaby.  DH has very sensitive skin but I want things to look and smell clean so I would just buy stuff anyway.  Now that I'm making the move to making my own cleaners, I've noticed that DH's skin and allergies are better so I guess I owe DH a huge apology.  I just never made the connection between cleaners and our health.  Yep I'm that girl.

So with a husband, daughter, and myself all having sensitive skin, I have slowly been making my way to buying less cleaning stuff and turning to the internet for recipes to make my own stuff.  The only issue I've had with finding recipes is the call for orange.  DH is pretty allergic to oranges and I'm afraid to use any citric in the things I make since I don't want it to be exposure that puts on permanent Epi-pen alert.

The stuff I use the most to clean is borax powder.  I use it for my bathroom.  My mom who has cleaned houses and used just about everything on the market has also switched to borax powder.  She says nothing else cleans as well, lasts as long, and most importantly she doesn't break out after using it.  We also use borax in the kitchen to clean the stove and counter-tops.  It is also one of the main ingredients in my homemade laundry soap.  Here is the link for the soap.

So that is what we do, borax powder.  How about you?

Mamavation Monday: 2-week challenge wrap up

So I finished the mamavation 2-week challenge and my number one take away, working out doesn't have to take hours!  Now when I run I'm usually making a commitment to running around an hour.  I am the sort of person that avoids weights mostly because I find them intimidating and I have know clue what to do.  So enter the 2-week challenge and a personal challenge to finish.  There were three workouts, cardio, abs, and arms.  You hit each one twice a week and watch your body change!  Now my results were dramatic,I think I need to have a better diet for dramatic but I'm very proud to report having lost an inch on my waist!  I have been amazed that none of the workouts took longer than 40 mins and I felt great.  I noticed the exercises got easier and I got faster. 

So I know I can commit to 40 mins a day for me.  The arms portion was the fastest so if nothing else I have zero excuse for not getting beautifully sculpted arms and as I build muscle I burn more fat!  I have dropped long runs for a more balanced workout.  I'm going for short runs 1-2 miles plus one of the exercise set from the 2-week challenge.  So I've already completed one of my goals for the year, to complete a 2-week challenge.  I'm feeling good and ready to keep it up.  I'm thinking next go around I'll sign up for the advanced 2-week, I mean if I stay on track the beginner will be too easy next time around.  Set my goals high, right?

Mamavation Monday: Week 1 of the 2 week challenge

Yes I know it's Tuesday but better late than never right!

I have survived week 1 of the Mamavation 2-week Challenge and I'm feeling surprising good.  I'm finding the workouts are getting easier and I seem to be getting curvier or that might just be my imagination but I'm taking it.  I am still a bit scared of the scale.  I hopped on Wednesday and it said 230, which is 3 lbs more than start, and then I hopped back on Friday and it said 225, which is a 2 lb loss from start weight.  I think this means that the scale doesn't mean shit.  5 pound swing in just a couple of days!  Anyways, I haven't done measurements but I think those will be a bit more true to showing a change for the better.

The 2-week challenge has introduce me to a couple of new exercises and brought back some old friends, sit-ups anyone?  My favorite day is Mama Guns, which is a killer arm work out.  Since my big goal for the year is to get stronger and stop being afraid of the weight room, this day really helps me get moving towards my goal.  I'm actually of thinking of keep the workout up and just adding back my running.  Rather than going long distances, I'm thinking just a mile or two after the work-out for the day.  We'll see what I do.  So far I'm pretty sure that this Mama is going to have some killer guns!

Mamavation Monday: Scale disappointment and a reality check

So I went to the doctor last week because I decided to go running in 32 degree weather without a hat or jacket.  Yep, I let the sunny looking day lull me into thinking it was warm and totally did not plan accordingly for a freezing north wind.  I only ran a mile but it was one of the hardest of my life.  My ears were hurting so badly I almost went to the ER.  I had never had pain like that in my life.

At the doctor's office they had me step up on the scale.  That evil evil scale!  Why do they start the visit that way?  The horrible number 227!  FUCK!  So at this point I have to options I can pretend I didn't hear or care or I can melt down.  I saved my meltdown rant for later on the safety of Mamavation sistahood.  I hate to admit it really got me down.  For all of the 10k training I had not lost a single pound.  Focus on the positive, right.  I ran a fucking 10k in the middle of December after earning a 4.0 in my doctorate work.  Super positive and yet that damn number is stuck in my head.  227 and suddenly I'm a failure. 

I know I'm far from a failure.  I know I can look at my life and see the good I am doing and yet I'm struggling to shake the number.  Here is the thing, I also know that if I didn't lose I also didn't gain too much.  When Ravebaby weaned at the end of May I gained about 10 lbs.  I also started my doctorate and I was sitting more and more.  If I haven't gained more than the initial weight then I know I'm doing well.  Before I had Ravebaby 4 years ago I was 250 lbs so I'm still better today than 4 years ago.  I'm wheat-free and moving towards more whole foods and cooking more.  As a family we have set a goal for ourselves to try new fruits and vegetables at least twice a month.  We started with butternut squash and this week we'll pick up some parsnips.  We are doing better food wise and I know that will translate to a healthier me no matter what the scale says.

So the reality check is I have a long way to go in learning to cook more of a variety of  food.  I'm also not as cool with the number on the scale as I thought I was.  I know it is a number and yet I feel like it is a judgement on my being.  I'll move forward with the help of my sistas!

Measurements for the start of the year:
Bust: 46
Underbust: 38
Waist: 44
Hips: 49
Weight: 227
Longest distant run: 10k

2013 Year End Review - 2014 Goals

So a quick year end review first.  2013 was not an easy year.  It was full of hard work and seemingly little pay off.  Of course I'm saying that in my whiney voice.  This last 6 months have been very hard but I survived and I'm better for it.  Here is a list of victories for 2013 (not bragging just reminding myself that it wasn't all bad)
1. I have a 4.0 in my doctorate program after 5 classes (Fall 2013 had me taking 3 classes so I'm very surprised by the 4.0)
2. I completed my first 10k with a time of 83:30.  I set the goal at the beginning of the semester so it was a good end to the whole thing.
3. DH has an ownership stake in the local coffee shop.  Never saw that coming.
4.  Ravebaby is alive and well!  Not always an easy thing to do with an active pre-schoolers who also has a wheat allergy.

2013 was okay but I'm ready to kick 2014 in the ding-dong (Per Max Reynolds of Social Bliss).  I'm setting just a few fitness goals and keeping myself flexible since the 10k was a mid-year goal.  I don't want to focus on my weight.  Honestly I'm so sick of that shit!  I'm a big girl and I'm beautiful.  Fitness to me is about being and feeling stronger so that is what I want.
Goal 1 - Complete at least one Mamavation 2-week bootcamp.  This will push me to do some strength building workouts with accountability.  I hate weights but I got to get stronger for goal #2.
Goal 2 - Work my mile time down to 12min miles. I think this is modest and do able.  Right now I'm at 13:30/mile.  I'm at a loss how to do this but I'll get there.
Goal 3 - Run another race.  The weekend doctorate classes have kept me out of most races this last semester but I want to keep completing races.  I think it will keep me running since I"m goal oriented and it will keep me working toward Goal 2.

Goals not set - weight.  This just doesn't seem like a good measure of anything so why bother focusing on it?
Distance - I want to run a marathon at some point but I just don't want to go there yet.  I want to run faster maybe I'll end up running a half-marry or full marry who knows at this point.

So that is the year-end review and where I'm thinking of going.  Let ring in the new year and then kick in the ding-dong!

Mamavation Mom Application

So I decided to apply to be the next Mamavation Mom!  I'm so excited about the possibility to detox my house and lose weight.  Actually I'm not so concerned about the weight thing.  It has been a while since I blogged mostly thanks to the whole working on a doctorate thing but back in September I started working toward running a 10K!  The 10K is next week and I'm ready but this leads to the whole weight thing since I have not lost a single pound!  At least I didn't gain!

Anyways back to Mamavation.  I love the whole group of Mamavation Moms.  They are a super supportive group and I'm excited about getting back into the Mamavation swing of things.  My schooling has pushed everything not school and family to the back burner but I'm ready to get back to normal and enjoy some social media time again.

If you are so inclined, I highly encourge you to join Mamavation.  Seriously a more supportive sistahood does not exists online.  Here is the link for more information on becoming a Mamavation Mom:

http://www.mamavation.com/2013/12/apply-for-mamavation-detox-weight-loss-boot-camp-january-campaign.html

So join up!

Oh and here is my application video.  Enjoy!

#Mamavation Monday: Overwhelming

Yesterday I decided to put all of my summer classes into my calendar. I had done that for my last masters program and I found it really helped me make decisions and for planning. I had seen the dates in my information but going from a list to putting them on my calendar made it super real and super overwhelming. I have class every Friday in June. I have two Saturdays in June. In July I have the the first weekend off (for the 4th) and then I have every Friday and two Saturdays. My Fridays will be noon til 8:30pm! That is a long time to be in class!

Since I stopped full time over a year ago, I haven't really spent that much time away from Ravebaby. I know the schedule will be a huge change for her. I am also debating my work schedule. Right now it is m-f 9-2, so not too bad but my program is in the next town over so Fridays will basically be a wash for work. It also means only Sundays with my family. At this point I am just not sure how to pay for my degree, the gas to drive up there nor the car that I will need since right now DH and I just share one.

Here is the thing, I am overwhelmed but at peace. The ultimate, if God will lead you to it then he/she will lead you through it. I know I will have resolution and everything I need. I know Ravebaby will adjust and DH will be supportive but looking at my calendar and seeing zero free weekends is scary.

I have decided to try working in walking at my current job. Today my co-worker and I got in a half-mile. Not too great but in the Texas sun after a couple of months of sitting on my butt I think it is okay. I have also put my foot down with DH. We must work out. I need to stress relief. It is amazing to me how much better I feel, how much more at peace. So I gotta keep it up!

This post is sponsored by Noelle Katai and Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway

#mamavation monday: stomache flu is not a weightloss plan

This weekend was spent fighting my body and my husband for the toilet.   I don't recommend the stomach flu.   I have read stories of people who eat tape worms to try to lose weight.  I've known people who were bulimic and after having my head in the toilet playing homage to the porcelain gods i have no clue who anyone does that just to fit into a pair of jeans.

Anyways after spending all of Sunday in bed out on the toilet and not being able to eat at all working out is not on my radar.   I know i need to get back into a routine. I miss working out. I miss running. I miss feeling strong. I must get off my ass.

 This post is sponsored by Dr. Ken and Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway 

#Mamavation Monday: dress your body

<p dir=ltr>One aspect of weight loss that is really easy to over look is dressing yourself. I know for me i have been struggling with dressing myself.&#160;&#160; I have never had much style but when i was a bigger girl it was easy to find tents to wear. Now as a normal sized girl 14/16 I have no clue what to wear. I mean i don't want to wear tents anymore but i have a wonderful upper and lower spare tire. I have a waist but rolls on to and bottom. How in the heck do i dress that? </p>
<p dir=ltr>I went with a great group of girls to the woodlands to shop. I knew I would probably be in the plus size section but I was hoping for more selection. I did find some great pieces including a beautiful red super trendy dress. Honestly I look hot in it and you know I never say anything like that about myself.  I was disappointed I'm the lack of choices especially I'm colors.  I would find a great top only to discover they only had it in day-glo Orange.  What is with neon colors this season?

Anyway, I think i need a stylist our to be nominated for what not to wear.   I know i can dress better but have no clue where to start.

This post is sponsored by Doctor G and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway ”

#Mamavation Monday: why run?

So my plan had been to write about my work into greening my life but when I got home I heard about the tragedy at today's Boston Marathon and needless to change my topic changed. DH and I were trying to figure out what happened at the Boston Marathon since I got home got on Twitter and saw pray for Boston. While watching the coverage DH noticed that people were still finishing the race. Why the hell were they still running?

So why run? Why keep running when you hear a bomb? Well I wasn't there and I honestly have no clue but I know this, when I am racing I am in my head. I am barely aware of the world around me. I can image that at the end a a marathon you are completely in your zone. You are so one with yourself and you are about to finish a marathon, I can image it would take your brain to register that that sound you heard was a bomb. I think also in part it is your natural instinct to run when you hear a scary noise.

I have been not running. I have been sitting. I have been debating the reason for me to run. Why run? Why not do weights and planks and focus on losing weight instead of going further and running longer. I think I am going to start again. I think I want to get back into the running. Anyway, I will be praying for those injured, I will be praying for the families of those killed, and I will be praying for peace.

Mamavation Monday: family affair

So since DH and I started trying to workout back in October, we have noticed that our number one motivator isn't each other but our 3-year-old, Ravebaby. Just about daily she'll ask to workout. If we workout while she is napping and she finds out about, she gets mad. There have been times when I workout before she gets up in the morning and she'll require we workout together. I am not a fan of working out after I just worked out but I like that she wants to get moving. It is pretty hard to tell Ravebaby no so it's a big motivator to get up and move if nothing else to keep the child from whining about wanting to work out.

Along with Ravebaby wanting to workout together, I am also finding it difficult to go out to run. I just can't kick myself into gear! I've started doing the Kenya Moore Booty Bootcamp and have a lot of fun with it. I am moving and working out but I'm not running. I am really struggling to decide what is my purpose for working out. Do I want to run a half-marry or would I rather see the changes in my body, ie losing inches? I know I want to be healthy and working out is part of that. I do like the challenge of running longer or faster but I was not seeing any changes as far as losing weight o inches. So I need to figure out the why to the working out. I'll get there for know I'm happy to moving and keep moving.

This post is sponsored by Color Maker & Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women. I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway