Skinny Housewife: My FIT Journey

I was thinking back about where this all began for me.  When Four was almost 1 yr old, I talked The Bestie into taking a Zumba class with me.  She hauled her cookies 40 minutes to my house, once a week, so we could drive another 20 minutes together to take this class.  We did 2 sessions (12 weeks) and I loved it.  Life happened, and my One's dance class got moved to the same night and made it impossible for me to take the class any longer.  Approximately a year later, One and Two started taking pottery classes at the community center.  While we (The Bestie again) were sitting and waiting for them to be done, we observed that there was a Zumba class in the building DURING the same time frame.  If we had to be there every week ANYWAY, why not take the class too??  The Bestie signed up with me, again because I just drag her along whenever I can.  She was only able to do another 2 sessions-she has a lot of health issues-but I stuck with it.  After taking the class for nearly 9 months, I decided to become an instructor.  I had no job prospects for it, but I wanted to be able to do it more so why not??  Several months later my instructor wanted to "retire" and handed me her class.  It's the class I still teach, and there are a handful of students left that originally took that class WITH me.

I lost 15 lbs in that first 9 months of class and I made no other changes.  I don't diet well, and I was only exercising that ONE time a week.  1 hour once a week, and I lost 15 lbs.  I wish I had measured myself instead of focusing on numbers, because I know I lost several inches in my thighs.

Zumba became a "gateway exercise" for me (*think gateway drug..*)  And now that I was 15 lbs lighter and my heart and lungs were stronger, I could run again.  I loved running YEARS ago when I was in high school.  I started the couch to 5K program with a friend, and we met up 3 or 4 times a week to walk/run.  I signed up to do a mud run with a bunch of friends.  I was HOOKED.  I did a color run, a glow run, an electric run.  But obstacle course/mud runs were my happy place.  I like the added difficulty level that the mud/obstacles adds.  It pushes me harder than just "running."  And, I like to be pushed.

I started BikiniBodyMommy, and do two rounds of her program (which I HIGHLY recommend.)  I lose inches.  I'm happy.

I have a friend who I met through Zumba, we attended the same class originally and both became instructors.  She taught at a gym, and started working out at the gym in addition to teaching.  She started taking CrossFit classes.  She signed up for a Spartan race.  She invited me.  After reading about it, I KNEW I wasn't ready for that.  Fast forward a year.  She asks again.  She assures me that I CAN do it.  But, I'm really uneasy about it.  I'm NOT strong.  I am a good runner, yes.  I've done obstacles, yes.  But nothing even CLOSE to the level of a Spartan.  I consult another friend (who has done more races than he can probably count, and is by all accounts the most badass guy I know.)  He tells me the truth-which is why I consulted him-that I can't do it, right now.  I CAN train and absolutely do it.  He suggests Warrior Dash as a "try and see," since it is harder than the obstacle/mud runs I've done, but not as hard as a Spartan.  I sign up.  I drag some friends.  It was AMAZING.  It was hard.  But I finished.  And I finished in decent time.  One of the friends and I discuss half marathons WHILE running the Warrior Dash, and decide we want to do one together (He has already done one, I have not.)  I come home, and sign up.  4 months later I completed my first half-marathon.
I decided my new goal was a Spartan race.

I bit the bullet and signed up.  I installed a pull-up bar in our house.  I joined the gym.  I joined bodybuilding.com and started a program at the gym.  I lift weights.  I run.  I do pull-ups and burpees.  I get sick.  Really sick.  I lose a full month of training just weeks before my first Spartan race.  I sign up for the 2nd race to complete my trifecta BEFORE even completing the first.  Because I believe I can do it.

I show up to my Spartan and meet up with the ONE friend (Warrior-Dash and half-marathon friend)  I could convince to run it with me.  Turns out he didn't really read anything about a Spartan race, and was expecting something Warrior-Dash-Esque.  He was in for a shock.  We did it.  SLOWLY.  But, we did it.  Together.  I was/am so super proud of him.  I was/am so super proud of myself.

Over the last year,  I've lost nearly 19 inches total.  I have the measurements from when I started BBM, and I did comparison measurements last month to see how far I've come.  My weight hasn't really changed, but that's ok.  I am happy with the way my pants fit, and that's what really matters.  I'm also SO MUCH STRONGER.  SO.  MUCH.  Just this week, I had a new milestone!  I was able to do the bars at the park.  I've NEVER been able to do them.  Not ever.  And, I'm currently 'nursing' a shoulder injury (I see the Ortho in 2 weeks, that's the earliest they could get me in) so it makes it even more impressive to me.  I am strong enough to do them, even with my shoulder being less than 100%.  That's a BIG deal.

Now, I'm signed up for Spartan Super, and will be signing up for Spartan Beast (after I volunteer and receive my free race) this year, so that I get the Trifecta medal. The Bestie asked me "What's next?  What is there for you to DO after you've completed this?"  I didn't hesitate with my reply,  because, yes I've already thought it out...Tri-Athlon.  2016 is the year of the Tri-Athlon.  The Bestie had a fit of giggles.  I'm always moving, always training, always pushing.  Why WOULDNT I know what I'm going to be training for next year?  ;)

Sunday snapshots

Lots of Lego building. 

This is myself, The Bestie, and The Lyonesse on the lawn at the Matt Nathanson concert. 

Here is Matt on stage. He pointed at us in the crowd, no joke!  We were the only people standing in our section (apparently everyone else was there to see Gavin Degraw...who was also very good, but WE were there because of Matt!) 

After the show we were first in line for a "meet and greet," and he hugged me!  Asked my name. And was just overall freaking adorable. Dimple. Nose-ring. Adorable. 

Spent time with cousins (this is Four with my sister's youngest.)

My sister's third with my One and Two. 

Something my children created. It's supposed to be a "mobile" and Four was being the baby. 

I've been cutting up shirts, this one is specifically for my Zumba convention!!

Lastly, Four left his beloved stuffed meerkat (technically, he has two stuffed meerkats) at the park because he didn't listen to me and leave him in the car.  After a couple weeks, reality that David Jr was REALLY gone and tearfully asking The Punk if "people can just find stuff laying around and take it home with them??" The Punk found him a replacement David Jr. He was super-excited , and Three just wanted to be in the pic. 

Sunday Snapshots: love is...

Love is...searching thrift store racks for a newborn sized pj outfit for a stuffed animal. 

Love is...stitching a beloved monkey's head back on. 

Love is...pulling off the decoration of one of YOUR favorite headbands in order to convert it to a useable accessory for your child's Halloween costume. 

Love is...hand painting shoes (bright pink ones because that's the only color we could find in her size) YELLOW to match your child's Halloween costume. 

Love is....watching your kids do their thing! (Four blocking a goal, that's my little keeper!)

Love is....taking care of yourself and doing what you love (at the same time in my case!) 

Love is...a hammock near a bonfire. 

Love is....The Bestie and I hanging out in the back of her car, in a Walmart parking lot (because we are both on restrictive diets and weren't drinking either and would have felt rude sitting in a restaraunt and not ordering, AND this was my only free time this week--you do what you can!)

Sunday Snapshots

That's me (far left,) The Bestie, and a lovely young lady friend. We were out for a girl's night prior to seeing The Hunger Games midnight showing on Thursday night/Friday morning. That's how I roll.

A trip the museum's discovery room for our preschool co-op led to:

Triceratops dress up.

Microscope exploring.
Trying to open a clam.

Examining a snail.

One had her dance pictures this week, this is one of her costumes (they have 2.) Her class is competing one week from today! I'm so excited to spend the day in Greensboro with her and her dance school. Yay!

We were running late, and she had to apply her makeup in the car.

Another shot from the museum (yeah, I uploaded out of order today, oops.) They were using binoculars to check out the construction across the street.

Our "spring tree" craft, completed.

A tour of the weather station for One and Two with our 4H club.

Spring Time Tree process, with Four.

And, spring time tree craft process for Three.

Two for Tuesday. Welcome Spring!

We are headed to the park today with The Bestie and her crew (she has 3 kidlets) to welcome spring! Bestie's Three is here with us, and MY One and Two are at her house after a last minute sleepover was suggested while we were there yesterday (she takes the girls, I take the boys.) So, I plan to do a craft with the boys here before we head out to the park, and I found a "Signs of Spring scavenger Hunt" to print and do with them too.

Scavenger Hunt Printable

Kids Spring Crafts

Enjoy the equinox!