Saturday, October 12, 2013

Let the Squat Challenge Begin!

Well hello there my lovely readers. I hope that everyone is enjoying their weekend. A friend from Canada mentioned that this was her "long weekend" for Thanksgivings. So a happy Thanksgiving to all my readers in Canada! That reminds me that my Thanksgiving celebrations aren't too far away and that gets me all excited. I appreciate Thanksgiving much more in my adult years than I did when I was a child. Maybe it's due to the fact that I get to enjoy some wine with my dinner...

Holiday discussion is not what brought you to this evening's post. What drew you in was the snappy title! That's right folks, I am going to participate in another squat challenge. I cross my heart and pinkie promise that I will NOT get pregnant this time around. I'm more excited than any one person should be to begin this squat challenge. I'm going to get weird looks from my co-workers when my squat accomplishments become my talking point at lunch time. That's okay with me because I feel so free!

I was six weeks postpartum on Thursday. My check up went well and I am cleared to resume my normal activities. I already knew I was going to register for kickball again this year, but I had no clue what else I was going to do as a daily exercise to get back in the workout groove. Then another new mama in the MLFC mentioned she wanted to start working out again and wanted to do a squat challenge. I jumped on board and we decided to cheer each other on. It caught on and now other lovely ladies are joining us. We start tomorrow.

Here is the schedule if you would like join us too.

My fellow new-mama found this schedule through a Google search (and I just tried to find the original source but it brings me to a Pinterest board). 

Tomorrow starts off with 50 squats. I think after carrying a probably 10 pound baby in a baby carrier  up and down stairs more than once today that tomorrow's squats will be slightly less difficult than I anticipate. My fingers are crossed. 

I hope you join us. It's going to be fun. Really, I promise. And don't forget to take a before and after picture because you'll be amazed by the results. I've seen some pretty powerful pictures. 

Hugs and love, 



Tuesday, October 1, 2013

I Found A Quick Moment

Well hello there! I have to type as fast my fingers will let me. My little man is sleeping and miraculously I found some time to myself and I thought I should update.

Wow did that first month with little man fly by. He has kept me and the hubby on our toes since arriving and I know it's never going to end from here on out. We are so blessed to have him in our lives. I can't imagine life without him now. My son is perfection.

So what has happened in the last month? I'm teaching again! I'm still sending up prayers of thanks to God for opening that door again. This year I am teaching third grade. It's challenging because I feel like it's such a leap from second grade to third grade - my kiddos aren't so little anymore. They grew up so much over the summer ( I get to teach many of the same kiddos I taught last year since I moved up grades with them).  It's going to be a great year.

This last month has also given me a jump start on my weight loss journey. I found my Weight Watchers weigh-in book from last year. My last weigh-in, which just before I found I was expecting,  was December 3rd (please don't hold me to it. I've got brain drain from my sweet little man) and I was 241 pounds. That is how much I weighed the day I was induced. Now that I have it all straightened out I can officially say that I did not gain anything during my pregnancy. I thought I lost, but I maintained. My belly was all baby. "How does that jump start your weight loss journey?", you ask. Well here's how!

Within  seven days after my delivery I lost about 13 pounds and they just kept melting off. I couldn't believe my eyes when I looked at the scale. By two weeks postpartum I made my 10% Weight Watchers goal and started fitting into pre-pre-pregnancy clothing. I'll be five weeks postpartum on Thursday and my total weight loss is 20.4 pounds. YES!!!

Once my doctor gives me the go ahead to exercise again, which I hope is in the next two weeks, I'm taking my "before" shot and getting back at it with exercise. I'm already planning on playing kickball with my awesome team again this year (oh and team, I promise not to get pregnant during our season!).  These are exciting times again. Me- excited about exercise. Who would have thought?

My goal is to get as close to the 100's as possible by Christmas. Onederland here I come!

Phew, this entry is finished and just in time. My baby boy is waking up and...here comes the little scrunched up face that is an indicator for crying. Mom to the rescue!

Hugs and love,