Last semester when Lillian started sleeping mostly through the night, I made the commitment to join an early morning circuit training program. Enough was enough. After a year of dealing with the exhaustion and apathy that comes with being a parent of two small children, I just had to do something for myself. Even if it meant getting up at 5:30 am.
It was embarrassing how out of shape I was. It made sense… I had almost serial pregancies, my abs were all stretched out and weak, and the only thing I’d lifted in two years were my kids. So it was really hard getting back, but the motivation was there. I didn’t have to dress the girls in the mornings! I left the house before their whining even started! I got to start 3 out of 7 days a week doing something positive. Yay!
And then it was 15 weeks later. Post-test time. I knew I’d improve on the strength tests: wall sit, bench press, and plank. I did improve. I was definitely stronger, I now have a waist, my running tights are a little looser in some places. BUT… I didn’t lose any weight. According to the electronic scale-thingy I didn’t even lose any body fat (which I don’t actually believe). What I did, you guys, is I built a whole bunch of muscle under my fat and actually got bigger.
So now that the weather is changing and more opportunities are arising, I am biting the bullet. “Eating healthier?” you ask. HAHAHAHAHAHA! No. I signed up for a challenge with my friend to do more cardo. Over the next 3 months, I have to row 4.8 miles, cycle 224 miles, and run 52.4 miles. Because I am a competitive jerk, I know I will complete the challenge. I also registered for a 26-mile charity bike ride and an obstacle course 5K. I may also do a paddle-bike-run in July. I’m really putting in the effort now.
Just don’t ask me to give up chips or wine. Or fries. Or easy mac and cheese and chicken nugget dinners. Because I still do have two little kids. And I’m tired.
How do you stay in shape? Let’s cheer each other on! Make sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. I will follow you back to help keep you on track!
the newest mcdermott 
Good luck on your journey ! I always say everything in moderation. Denying yourself all those yummy foods is something you probably won’t have to do as long as you have some balance.
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But at 14 months I can still call it baby weight, right? Right? 😉
Last week I found an ounce of inner resolve and started up yoga again. My abs are a hilarious mess, more so than I anticipated, considering my two pregnancies were 4 years apart and both babies were pretty small. I’m hoping once our basement is put back together (post pipe-break flooding) I can convince myself to get on the treadmill once in a while.
But I’m just so damn tired. And I’m not an early riser. I fear I may be permanently trapped in a layer of mommy mush-belly.
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I hate getting out of bed early, but I feel so much better for it. I think the key is that I get to GET OUT OF THE HOUSE. Not dressing those girls for school is a giant plus. GIANT.
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Woah, you are a stronger woman than me!! Good luck with your challenge, but I’m totally with you on the chips, fries and mac and cheese – I just love food too much to give all those things up!!!
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I just loved the title of this post Nicole. 🙂 I can so relate, the struggle is real! For me the big thing that finally helped was watching my food, mostly carbs, sweets, and snacking. Now I’ve finally started trying to up my cardio game (cause that’s normal during your second and third trimester, right?) and it feels good to be at it again!
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I’m not doing much of any kind of exercising. I got a FitBit, so I’m trying to hit a certain amount of steps each day. But other than that, not much.
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My daughter is three and I still have about 10 lbs left to lose…oops!
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