What's New?

Whenever I'm asked What's new? I end up feeling really dull because I normally don't have an exciting answer to give. But...right now I have a few new things I want to document, one is more exciting than the other.

On January 2, 2013 I decided to get serious about losing my pregnancy weight. I began working out again, making better food choices, and tracking what I eat again using my iphone app (My Net Diary) and my food scale. We moved our gym membership from Tom's company gym to the YMCA. The location of his company gym and the fact that their childcare room only takes children 2 years of age and up was just not working out for us. The Y works better for us because it has multiple locations and childcare from 6 weeks and up. The first couple of times the babies went to the Y's childcare they got sick or had some other issue. Because it is still sick season, it's a lot of work getting them there, and my workouts are cut short if they are having a problem in the childcare room, I have started working out in the evenings after Tom gets off so he can stay home with the babies. On Saturdays we go together to a smaller location and we take the babies with us because the smaller Y usually doesn't have many kids in the childcare room (less germ exposure).

Since January 2, I have lost 5 pounds!!! I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but I've worked hard for those 5 pounds! I've been working out 4-5 times a week. I usually go to spin class a few times a week, a bodypump class once a week, and I workout on my own with cardio and circuit training on the other days. I am also following the Couch to 5k training program (currently on Week 4) to prepare to run The Race for Healing 5k on March 30, 2013. My first goal is to lose the rest of my baby weight by the twins' 1st birthday. I gained 40 pounds in my pregnancy and so far I've lost 24 pounds. That now leaves 17 pounds to lose by May 6, 2013. After I've met that goal, I want to continue to lose more by my 30th birthday in August.

The other thing that prompted this post began on Sunday, February 10, 2013. While I was at church practicing with the worship team, my friend Tim Wall mentioned how a local theatre (Poteet Theatre) he has been performing/working at is doing a production of a Disney Musical Review. He mentioned how auditions were that night and that he thought I should try out. Of course I said, "Oh that would be fun, but I'm a mom of twin babies and it's just not the right season of life to be doing that kind of stuff." But what I really meant was "I haven't auditioned for anything in LONG time, I'm washed up, rusty, and well passed my prime and there's no way I'd make it." Tim relentlessly suggested I do it and then got Tom on his side. After I told him I didn't have an audition cut prepared, he said he'd scan some music and email it to me. Every excuse/reason I had not to do it, he squelched and offered a solution. When Tom and I were on our way home from church we discussed it and Tom was all for me auditioning. I pointed out that if I made it that would mean him being alone with the babies during all rehearsals and performances and he said, "not a problem." He also reminded me of the time I told him my unrealistic dream job was to be a singer for a Disney movie (the old school animated kind). Let's face it, this is the closest I'm going to get to that.

After we ate lunch I printed off and filled out the audition form, wrote out my resume, sent my headshot a cropped photo to Walgreens 1-Hour photo for printing, and practiced my 16-bar cut of Part of Your World. I felt so rushed and unprepared, not my preferred method of prepping for something like this. I got to Poteet at 7:30pm, checked in, and waited for my name to be called. The whole time I waited, I contemplated running for the door. My name was eventually called, I auditioned, and was asked to sing at callbacks which immediately followed. I didn't get done until a little after 10:00pm. On Tuesday, February 12, I got a phone call from the director asking me to be in the cast. My role will be to sing the song Baby Mine (lullaby from Dumbo) and to be a member of the stage quartet. I still can't believe I ended up auditioning and being cast! The show will run from August 8-18, 2013 and rehearsals begin this Saturday. Eeeek!

What's My Motivation?

What's my motivation [as it pertains to physical fitness/health]? I'm making a list for when I'm lacking motivation so I can go back and re-read this to remind myself why I'm doing what I'm doing.

1.) Results: The scale and the measuring tape do not lie.

2.) Energy: I have so much more energy when I'm in better shape [due to eating healthier and working out].

3.) Stress Relief: It feels good to literally work off the stress of the day.

4.) Clothes: My clothes fit better [and some are actually too big]. I need to shop for smaller ones soon. :)

5.) Confidence: I feel better in my own skin.

6.) Health: I am healthier and reducing my risks for future health problems.

Now that I've shared some of my motivations, I would love to hear from you lovelies. Leave me a comment telling me what your motivations are! :)

I read this quote on a fitness blog today, and I like it, so I'm using it!

Inching Closer

In the midst of a tough/emotional week, I received some unexpected positive news yesterday that I wanted to document. In the beginning of our IUI study at OU, nurse Michelle was required to take down my waist and hip measurements. I didn't look at the tape measure while she measured me nor did I ask what the numbers were. I didn't want to know. As I posted yesterday, the study has been concluded for us. So at my final study appointment yesterday, Michelle had to measure my waist and hips again. I asked her to compare the two sets of measurements so I could see how many inches I've lost. She didn't have my old chart in front of her at the time, so she emailed them to me later that day. I was so pumped to see the comparison!

Waist: Down 4.3"

Hips: Down 3.5"

On a side note, I previously made a goal to lose 12 lbs by July 29, and I know right now that is not going to happen. But I'm not going to beat myself up over it. I also may have made too lofty of a goal. I don't like making excuses, but I have to say, fertility medication hampered my progress. I'm just proud of myself for a.) losing weight at all and b.) losing weight during 4 rounds of fertility drugs! :)

Milestone

This morning we went to Tom's gym to workout. Before we left the house, I told Tom that today was the day that I would run 2 miles straight, without stopping. And guess what? I did just that! That's right, today I hit my 2 mile milestone! :)

After we got back from the gym and ate a bite of lunch, we went to my in-law's to swim and soak up some sun. At one point I was the only one outside on the deck by the pool and Ruby was behind me near the back door to the house. She started barking at something by the door and would not stop. There's usually a reason that she barks, and I got the feeling something was up. So I went to where she was, by the door to the house, and there were two snakes wrapped up together by a potted plant. Good girl, Ruby, for alerting me that there were snakes! I went inside to tell my in-laws and Tom. My mother-in-law freaked and made my father-in-law go get the snakes and kill them. Eeeew!!! I do NOT like snakes!

Testing...1, 2, 3

I wanted to test out how my new BlogPress app works by blogging from my phone.

So...today I hit a new running milestone. I ran 1.71 miles without stopping!! I pushed myself and did a few laps faster than my comfortable pace. Woot! After I ran for 20 minutes/1.71 miles, I did 17 minutes of conditioning, followed by 15 minutes of elliptical. Whew!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

New Goal

Back on May 25, I said I'd post my new weight loss goal. So, here it is...my new goal is to lose 12 pounds by July 29, 2011. I have six weeks to knock out 12 more pounds. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can! :)

Lately

It's time to update what's been going on lately...

1. Tom started a new job working for a company that is the 2nd largest producer of natural gas in the U.S. This company is also #32 on Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For. Monday, June, 6th, was Tom's first day as a Title Landman at Chesapeake Energy Corporation. I'm so proud of him and excited that he received this opportunity!

2. Ruby got a summer 'do because her thick coat caused her to get so overheated on walks and such. Poor thing looks a bit ridiculous but she'll feel better in the hot summer heat.

3. My total weight loss is now up to 14lbs. Amazingly, after eating lots of desserts, hush puppies, fries, fried shrimp, and lots of yummy seafood - I did NOT gain any weight while we were on vacation. I attribute this to all the swimming in the ocean, walking on the beach, and walking/shopping at the outlet mall. :) I have slowly been incorporating some running into my workout routine. I'm proud to say that 3 days ago I pushed myself to run 1 whole mile straight...and I did it! Then the next day I pushed myself more and ran 1.5 miles straight - no stopping!! The pic below is my happy self right after running 1.5 miles.

4. We took a vacation to Destin, FL from May 28, 2011 to June 3, 2011. It was so much fun to spend a week at the beach with friends. I will post more vacation pics later.

Workin' On My Fitness

Back on Monday, April 4th, I decided I was done being 30+ lbs overweight and that I was ready to tackle the extra baggage I've accumulated. I have been idle with my health and trying to get back in shape for the past two years, part of the lovely infertility holding pattern I'm determined to get out of. I used to think, "Any day now, I'll be pregnant. So why don't I just wait to get into shape until after I have a baby?" Silly thought, but admittedly, it's true.

My first step in getting healthier and fit was downloading the app, My Net Diary. With the app, I created my plan and plugged in all my key information and began using it religiously. I input EVERYTHING I eat and it counts my calories. I also input any activity/exercise I do and the app assigns a caloric value to each activity. I am not only counting calories, I am trying to make healthy choices with the food I eat. At the end of the day it shows me an analysis of my total calorie deficit. Along with counting calories, I have been hitting the gym at least 5 times a week (sometimes more, schedule permitting).

My first weight loss goal was to lose 13 lbs by the time Tom and I leave for vacation. From April 4th to date, I have lost 12.8 lbs. And yes, I am counting that .8 lbs because that means I am only 2 oz from meeting my first goal! Even if I don't end up dropping those 2 oz by the time we leave, I have succeeded in my first goal by 98%. I think that's a pretty dern good margin of success!

I have noticed that my muscle tone is improving, my clothes are fitting looser, and my energy level has greatly increased. But there are days where I don't think I can keep it up and days that I get really discouraged if the scale doesn't move. This post is to serve as me going on record with what I've been doing in hopes that it will create some accountability for myself.

At a later date, I will post my new weight loss goal.