Thankful Thursdays

During the month of November Ill be doing my Thankful Thursday Link up with some other blogs. This is a way to really keep my heart and head where it belongs and remember what is important.

• This week I am thankful for the safety of my family. As many of you know my husband, mother and sister were all visiting family in NY and NJ this past weekend and their trips took a horrible turn with the arrival of Sandy. Every single person Im related to (minus my brother and father) were affected by Sandy. I feel for all the families that have lost things they hold dear. {Red cross donations can be made HERE}
• I am thankful for my children. For the first time I am a mom to 2 boys and taking care of them alone has been quite the learning lesson! I am reminded to be patient and understanding. 
• Im thankful for will power! Halloween has been a true test to that! With many pounds of candy sitting on my table (and my son constantly looking over it) I am tempted by the smells of chocolate and sour treats. I've stayed strong and avoided eating any!
• Im thankful for the Navy. The men and women on this base have kept us safe through the bomb threats made earlier this week. As frustrating as some of it may be, I feel safer knowing we are protective by brave men and women on a daily basis. 
• I am so thankful for my friends. I have an amazing group of ladies doing a Paleo challenge that started this week! Even though I may not actually know many of them, Im glad to have their support and support them on a daily basis! Keeps me honest and ready for more!

Safe Postpartum Running

Now that I am back to working out (almost 2 weeks in!) Ive been thinking about what I want to accomplish in the next year. I have my 6 month and 1 year goals but the one I am most wanting to start preparing for is a 1/2 marathon. I have done countless 5ks and love them but Im ready to challenge myself! I want to properly train for it and feel like I did everything I could in order to do my best.
I've been looking at some training programs but haven't found one that I'm going to go with.

I prefer to run with a jogger. This gets you and baby out and adds resistance-especially going up hills!
Here are some tips for safely running after pregnancy and with a jogger!

• Recovery: After giving birth its important to be cleared for exercise by your doctor. 
• Age of infant: If you are not using a car seat attachment your baby should be at least 6 months old when running with a jogger. 
• Pack accordingly: Bring items for the baby just incase you have to change or feed. Depending on the weather- bring extra water, blankets, sunscreen, snacks. If its raining bring a cover. 
• Safety: Baby should be securely strapped in seat. Stay clear of busy roads (especially when wearing headphones) and unsafe areas.
• Ease into it: Whether you ran while pregnant or are just starting out, taking your time to build you endurance back up will take time. Don't expect to run 5 miles the first day! Find a plan and have patience! 
• Sole Sisters: Most cities have running groups like that you can join or find some friends to jog with around your neighborhood. Having support and accountability is the key to success! 

Some great running sites:

• Beginners
• Couch to 5k program
• 5k, 10k, Marathon
• Stroller Strides

Monday Mommy Transformation

What was your life like before you started your journey to better health?  

Well... I have been over weight my whole life, pretty much beginning when puberty struck. I was always "big boned" But my weight really ballooned when I got married. I really never realized how miserable I was...even at the beginning when we were "happy". 

I was obese, my highest weight being 236lbs..not pregnant!  I went up and down many times, never getting lower than 190lbs.  Well, long story short, after a decade of being in a difficult marriage, struggling with infertility, financial problems, etc (everyone has their struggles, mine are no worse) I separated from my husband in July 2009. That was a rude awakening for me. I struggled badly with my new life as a single mother.  

How do you involve your family in your journey?  

Well, I enlist family support to give me time to run while training for a half marathon.  I couldn't do it without my "village".  My kids are a part of  the everyday..they go to weight watchers meetings with me, help me prepare healthy meals and snacks, etc.  Their current favorite thing: roasted veggies!

What is your biggest accomplishment so far?  

    In general:  Being  a good,healthy example/role model for my two children (ages 5 and 9) is by far my biggest accomplishment.  I am showing them how to take care of themselves by taking care of myself.  They are happier because I am happier!

   Health related:  I reached my goal weight this fall and am maintaining under my goal.  I weigh less than I did in jr high now at 147lbs.  I exercise regularly and I am training for a half marathon (completing this will be a huge accomplishment.  I can't wait!).

Who inspires you? 

 I have a friend (Hi Tracey!) who I met along my way in this weight loss/health journey.  She is around my age.  She suffered a stroke recently and since has taken charge of her health and has lost over 100 lbs so far.  I would post online about my runs..and she would post about her walks from one end her driveway to the other.  I know if she could run, she would put me to shame daily.  She gives maximum effort all the time despite her health challenges.  She is kicking butt!

What future goals do you have for yourself?

Fitness related...My very short term goal is to run my first half marathon on Oct 21.  After that, continue to maintain my weight loss and my running for my second half on my 39th birthday in February.  

Simply put, how did you do it? 

 Weight watchers, couch to 5k running program were the two main things.  I have gone past the 5k distance now, but if it were not for that program I would not be able to run more than 60 seconds at a time!  Those two programs have changed my life!

What is one of your favorite recipes?

Slowcooker lentil polenta stew

1.5 cups brown lentils (rinsed and picked over)

2 onions sliced

1 large green pepper, diced

4 garlic cloves, sliced

1 can plum tomatoes with juice

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

1.5 cups vegetable broth

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 cup quick cooking Polenta

Layer lentils, onions, green programs garlic in slow cooker. Halve tomatoes and add to cooker with juice. Sprinkle with oregano, pepper flakes, and salt. Pour in broth and vinegar. Cover and cook on low for seven hours or until lentils are tender. Serve over Polenta (I stirred it in!)

Serves 6. Per serving... 300 calories, 1 gram fat, 57 gram carb, 15 gram fiber, 16 gram protein

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Foodie Pen Pal September

This month I received my Foodie Pen Pal box from Lindsay in Ohio! She sent some of the most DELICIOUS items I have had in a while! Two Words...COOKIE-BUTTER! The other items were equally delicious as well! 

 Two Words...COOKIE-BUTTER! The other items were equally delicious as well! I don’t know why I have never had this before...It something everyone should try! I had it on pretzels, toast, with peanut butter and straight out of the jar! Hey, everything in moderation right?! 

Next I tried the BBQ Sauce...Maybe its just me but I do believe Cincinnati makes the best sauce ever! 

The chocolate and cookies were all shared amongst my boys and well liked! A good cup of tea and a sweet is something I can appreciate every once in a while!! 

Trying these goodies definitely makes me want to get to Ohio ASAP and get some more Cookie Butter! If you want to take part in The Lean Green Bean's Foodie Pen Pal program click below!!

Monday Mommy Transformation

Hello Monday! Today, Stephanie is sharing her fitness journey!  

-What was your life like before you started your journey to better health?                 

 As a naturally thin girl, I was very rarely active. I lived with the false belief that thin meant healthy. I was so sedentary I could barely run more than 30 seconds without being completely out of breath. I assumed I was healthy but looking back at old pictures, my hair was dull, my skin had no glow and I constantly battled hypoglycemic attacks, insomnia and fatigue.

 -How do you involve your family in your journey?

I do my best to include my kids in everything I do. Whether it's "helping" with dinner, going for runs with the jogging stroller or doing short, intense fitness circuits in the backyard, basement or part, I try to always model the behaviour and lifestyle I want them to live as they get older. Actions speak much louder than words and if I want them to be healthy, I have to model healthy.

 -What is your biggest accomplishment so far?

To date my biggest accomplishments are learning to swim 2 years ago and running my first half marathon last year. Also included in that is my success in losing all my baby weight after both my pregnancies through healthy eating and regular exercise.

 -When your in a slump what do you do to shake it?                                                 When I feel tired, unmotivated and like I want to sit on the couch and eat my way through a bag of chips (which tends to happen a lot more often with a toddler and baby keeping me up all night!) I just channel my inner fit mom and remind myself that I will feel much better if I eat well and exercise. My exercise time is also my alone time, which I both cherish and need so that's always a good motivator for me to get off my butt.

 -What future goals do you have for yourself? 

I am currently training for a 10-miler and a half marathon this fall. I'm hoping to set personal bests in both races. I have a long term goal to compete in a triathlon which I hope to accomplish in the next 2 years.

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Monday Mommy Transformation

This week Im sharing Wendy's story! She is one of the funniest ladies I've come to know and she's a fellow Sweat Pink Ambassador! 

What was your life like before you started your health and fitness journey?

I have always been active. Never over weight in my life. Staying at home with my greatest accomplishment our 2 boys, Logan & Landon, I found myself too *comfortable*. I saw a picture of myself that I did not recognize. Or Like. So I started my journey back into fitness. I had been a CPT for almost 10 years in the 90's. I DECIDED NO MORE. I DECIDED to work hard and find myself again. But not just an *ok version* of me. But the BEST me I can be. Not just for myself, but for my husband, and our boys too. I was So overly happy, and blessed, in all the other areas of my life. Actually completely blessed and thrilled with our little life. But once it was just me, in the mirror by myself, I wasn’t happy with what I saw. So there were times that I would feel insecure about myself. And we all know that is no way to feel, or live. SO me & my husband got after it! And I have never been happier!

What motivated you to make a change?

I actually saw a picture of myself that I didn’t realize it was ME!! L After that I decided NO MORE!! And also not wanting to do certain things because it involved bikinis or water. I wanted to live FIT , healthy & Happy for all my boys!

I started Picking up the heavy weights again for the first time in quite awhile. It’s funny because before I ran across Kelsey Byers Story I had always said “I’m going to get as SKINNY as possible”. After reading her journey, then finding so many others just like her, it sparked something inside of me. Seeing all these women transform their bodies into Strong, fit, women I KNEW that’s what I wanted too! I no longer want to be *skinny* I want to be Strong, toned and Healthy! Just a little girl from TX with BIG FITNESS dreams.

It is truly a journey. Not happening as fast as id like. But it WILL happen. 

How do you involve your family in your journey?

Because there were certain times & places that I tried to avoid because I was not happy with myself. I was doing boot camp {mostly women} and my husband went to his gym. We talked about it decided to re-join our gym and get busy together as a family! Now we all go to the GYM as a family! The boys LOVE it there and have so much fun! And me and my sweet husband get to work out together for the first time in awhile!

It’ exciting to see my older Son, Logan who is 6, seeing the changes and being proud! I want my boys to know, by my example, that they too can do ANYTHING they set their minds to! 

What is your biggest accomplishment so far?

I have lost 55lbs so far on my own. My husband is gone a week at a time and with sick kiddos , and baby boy in the hospital last NOV. it put me in a funk/got me off track. It took me awhile to get back but once I did I never felt more inspired or motivated to get it done!! And past losing that big chunk of weight I would definitely say going to the gym, by myself when my husband is gone. Not being intimidated. Not making excuses. Just getting there to get the job done. And what’s funny is after the first time in the weight room alone I felt Strong already! I had a new *pep* in my step. Felt SO good being back to the weights!

Who inspires you?

The ultimate Main motivation, and inspiration, is our boys. I want to be Strong and healthy to live an active life with them forever! I want them to be proud of me and reach for their goals knowing that mommy taught them that anything is possible!

I also have so many amazing women that I follow on their transformation journeys! Kelsey Byers is really the one that Got me Back on track. After seeing her story. And where she is now. Well it lit a fire inside of me. I have even more goals for myself. I thought…HEY! I can do that too! So there is a Fitness bucket list that I have! I plan to tackle them all! I also follow Angelica Haas and Jamie Eason. All are local to me here in Houston. And more recently I now have a whole *family* of #SWEATPINK sisters! I LOVE that my Facebook page is flooded with motivation & amazing transformation & progress stories from all these amazing women! I have had some very KIND ladies post my transformation/progress and I am so thankful for their encouragement and kind words!

When you’re in a slump what do you do to shake it?

I usually SHAKE it off by just Deciding! Sounds too simple I know. But there is another Organization that I ADORE and follow here in Houston, TX and the concept is just that Simple. “I DECIDE”  

I would see The Founder of The "I DECIDE" fan page, Michael-David Reilly , and his photographs, on facebook at: www.facebook.com/IDECIDE4ME and at http://www.idecideiam.com/  And I would get so inspired by these amazing FIT women!

And it just stuck! Now anything I feel that needs to be changed. That’s it. I tell myself “I DECIDE” to change whatever it is that needs to be done and I do it! It’s up to me, and you, to Decide where we take our lives. I could either be stuck, or MOVE!

How did you do it?

I actually started working out for the first time in years doing the Warrior Dash. I was at my heaviest at 210lbs. L I KNOW! WHAT was I thinking!? But my husband wanted to do it and I was determined to do it with him. I survived…I think! After that day I woke up SORE for the first time in forever! And I wanted more! SO then I started out going to Boot camp 3 days a week. And eating Clean. I saw amazing, and pretty fast, results so I joined the boot camp and went 6 or 7 days /week. I was thankful that was body was so forgiving and everything seemed to be going back where it belonged J I did that for about 9 months. Since then it’s been with my family at the Gym. And most recently following Jamie Eason’s LIVEFIT trainer.

My Next goal/what I’m working towards is to save up to meet with Kim Porterfield, a nutritionist, with The Institute of Eating Management here in Houston. And yes she is the one Kelsey Byers goes to! ;)

What is one of your favorite recipes?

I can pretty much eat the same things over & over. But I look to The Eat-Clean Diet, Tosca. And Clean eating online. As well as a number of Clean eating pages on Facebook just to get new ideas. But I always try to eat a lean protein, complex carbohydrate & non-starchy veggie at each small meal every 3 hours. I Love to make things with veggies that taste like you’re cheating. Like Cauliflower Pizza crust or zucchini Pizza bites etc.

One of my Favorites though is Jamie Eason’s Protein Bars. You can find them here at: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/video-jamie-eason-carrot-cake-protein-bars.htm

My FAV Protein right now is: Perfect Fit Protein, from the Tone it up Girls. You can find it here: http://www.perfectfitprotein.com/ or here: www.facebook.com/ToneItUp

& Lean Body for her *Vanilla Ice Cream* You can find it here: http://www.labrada.com/store/MR-0160.html

Eat Clean & Train Mean

XO-

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www.pinkfitt.blogspot.com 

A little Tri

I have always said I wanted to train for a triathlon, not actually do one, just TRAIN for one! Participating in one just seemed like too big of a goal. So when did I start training you ask? NEVER. But it was still a goal of mine that I would probably never complete. 

That was until I heard about the sprint or “mini tris” that a bunch of other Navy wives were doing. I though “I could do this!” It was a 400m swim, 6 mile bike ride, and 1.5 mile run. It seriously could not get any easier! I think I’m a pretty decent swimmer...biking is an breeze and the run...Id deal with that when it came! After being on a trainer that called for “no cardio” I was a bit behind on that part. 

When I finally talked myself into showing up for one it was one of the most nerve wracking mornings of my life. I was SOOO nervous! I figured Id be last, do the worst and go so slow I wouldn’t be able to show my face at the next one. Boy was I wrong!

Since I only knew 2 other people it was really a race against myself. This made it less stressful. I figured what the hell...I don’t know any of them so if I suck they probably won't even notice! 

The entire time I was doing the tri I stayed pretty much in the middle of the group which gave me people to keep up with (ones in front) and people to push me (ones in the back). Did that make sense?  

Everyone was so supportive and cheered each other on. I was so glad it was laid back and fun! It was hotter than hell and I was not properly hydrated (I should have started the week prior!) but it was so worth it...the tan didnt hurt either!

Here are a few shots from the first 2 I did. They are so fun and I recommend them to anyone and everyone of any skill level! It would definitely be something fun to start in your community with other moms/wives you know. Nothing serious...just have fun and get fit!