It's A Journey

2013 New Years Resolution:
"It's A Journey"
And we all have one. Yet we seem to get so wrapped up on the end result, the final product, that is what we want and are working so hard for right? But what about the process, isn't that where the good stuff happens. The Journey, we all have one. I like to think of it as a testimony. No one starts in the same place and no one has the same story. I know the root of our efforts are to be healthy but not all of us are reaching for the same goal. For me at times it was to lose weight, to run faster, and lately to add muscle and build shoulders and glutes, not to just tone them. One of my favorite scriptures is 2 Corinthians 12:10 " that is why for Christ's sake I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Don't we learn from the journey, the weakness, the hardships, and take that knowledge and experience to do better everyday. Do you think if we just wished for a first place trophy in a competition and got it we would be any better off for having it without working for it? This 2013 I want you to focus and celebrate where you are each day. Rejoice in the small victories and recognize your mistakes for a better tomorrow. Take pride in where you are realizing there will always be somewhere to go. What will it be for you this year, to hit new lifting PR's, to compete, to go Pro, to get back in shape and finally lose that baby weight? What about to recognize that you really haven't been committed to being healthy at all and you are going to reach out to someone (I can be that someone if you need) to ask for help or where to get started. Maybe to set a goal, a big one, and create a new journey so when 2014 rolls around you can look back and say "see how far I've come".

What will your Journey be? Do you know or have you thought about it? Please share and please take us all on the ride with you. We never know how our own personal testimony is going to help someone else get started on their journey. For me, to be persistent in having a healthy and fit pregnancy, remembering what I do now (the journey) will help me get back where I want to be come 2014. I can't wait to see what we accomplish this year, get excited its going to be great!

PREGNANT AND FIT

PREGNANT AND FIT

To help you understand some of my thoughts throughout this pregnancy I need to fill you in on the first two.  For both girls I was mostly a runner and would lift weights here and there.  I ran out of guilt for the poor food choices and mostly to lose weight and stay thin.  When I got pregnant with Gracie (my first) once I had gained the initial 10 pounds which happened pretty fast I felt bad about myself and the thought of running seemed useless.  I gained a solid 55 pounds and lost it in about 8 months and actually got pretty thin, again mostly through running.  Second baby I now had a toddler to consider and pushing her in a jogger was difficult.  At about 5.5 months we moved to Colorado Springs, CO and the altitude made breathing among other things difficult.  Again no more exercise after that, felt pretty discouraged and food was a comfort and a why not I’m going to gain weight anyways.  Even though I swore I would do better another 55 pounds up after baby #2.  Took me a little longer to lose the baby weight but I did and with the help of another deployment I lost the weight and was thinner than pre-pregnancy, skinny fat for sure though.  Once Mary Ashlynn was two and Tim was home I was ready for our third, well not everyone was so expanding our family if ever was on the back burner.  Insert Figure Athlete here.  Not worried about having another baby I finally wanted more than just being thin.  I learned to eat better than counting crappy calories (ya know 100 calorie packs and special K cereal), and picked up the weights.  Finally attaining the “Figure” I always wanted.  And through all of that a healthy lifestyle of training and nutrition became part of me, not a preventive measure.  It truly made me happy and was something I could take pride in. 

So………here I am 3 months into my third and possibly final pregnancy.  My approach to this one is much different than the first two.  Even though I may not look in the mirror how I feel on the inside I will continue to train, hard even.  I have talked with my doctor and being in such good shape prior, to keep at it the way I was is fine.  Not looking to hit any personal records here, just want to keep the intensity as much as possible.  Also not worried about being a cardio queen, I believe that maintaining my lean muscle will help get my body back when all is said and done.  The past two years have been dedicated to gaining muscle mass while maintaining a lean physic, and that was mostly diet.  While pregnant I want to focus on eating healthy, eating enough, and keeping it clean.  Not too worried about my macros for now, and getting most of my protein naturally through meat, nuts, etc.  I know that I will indulge more than I normally would, hormones are not stable when you’re pregnant, but I will not use this pregnancy as an excuse to eat whatever, whenever.  So to sum it all up I will remain dedicated to my training, I will eat right (often, small meals, clean foods, adequate protein), and I will not let feeling unhappy about myself keep me from knowing that what I do now will pay off later.  So far I have done better than the first two times around.  After first trimester I was always up 13 pounds which set the stage for more than the 25-30 pounds you are suggested to gain.  Hoping this time around is different but I sure as heck am going to bust my butt trying.