Run Like a Nanay

Week 1 Updates (Aug 1-7)

August 9th, 2011

Week 1: Date	30 Day Shred	Other Exercises
August 1 Mon	Done	2.5 walk / Kinnect sports game 20 min
August 2 Tue	(free day used)	2.5 walk/jog
August 3 Wed	Done	— Kinnect sports game 20 min
August 4 Thu	Done	2.5 walk
August 5 Fri	Done	2.5 walk / Kinnect sports game 20 min
August 6 Sat	—	1.5 walk / Kinnect sports game 20 min
August 7 Sun	—	—

So here’s the summary of last week.

Ya. Not so pretty with the red marks. Bad news.

Good news is that I kept pretty active almost every day. The “Kinnect games” is basically Adventure games that involve a lot of arm swaying and jumping. I love it. My husband doesn’t but he’s a good sport and plays with me anyway.

I love the 30 Day Shred. I can say that now because it is the second week.

The first day was a killer. By day five it was bearable.

I pretty much skipped (not on purpose) days 6 and 7.

Week 2′s slate is still pretty fresh and looking good.

How was your 1^st week of 30 Day Shred?

Day 3 of 30: Done

August 3rd, 2011

Day 3 of 30 is done folks.

It really does help to get it done and over with before 10am Otherwise, there will be gazillion of excuses not to get it done.

I am quite sore from the past two day’s work-outs but the 30 Day Shred seems easier than the first day I tried it. Challenge to me is the push-ups along with the lateral raises.

Tip: Keep a water bottle nearby at all times. Re-fill as you finish up the water. Makes it easier to be hydrated.

Day 2 : Free day and 2.5 miles

August 2nd, 2011

Yep.

Don’t hate.

I used it.

August has 31 days and I used the “free day”.

Why? I have a 4 month old that refuse to sleep so we “partied” all night and pretty much slept the day.

Before we went to bed (at sun up), I went for a 2.5 mile walk-jog while Daddy watched baby.

It was actually very good. I jogged more than I walked.

This is a short sentence post.

Happy.

Gets?

Day 1 and Measurements

August 1st, 2011

Day 1 of Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred is d.o.n.e.

Yes. Praise the LORD! I survived the first day.

I was thinking about how very blessed I am to have the ability and strength to walk, jump, and move. There are people in the world who are faced with the challenge or even the inability to do any physical movement— at all. So there’s my thought today, as I work at being a better steward of this body God has given me.

My husband, baby, and I took an early walk (in the humid FL weather ).

In additon to the 30DS, I will incorporate walking/jogging. Why? Because my brother-in-law is getting married in less than 3 months and I’m one of the bridesmaids…I’d rather not be a flabby one.

Oh, and I can’t fit into my pre-preggo clothes/dresses.

Summary.

Day 1 of 30: Complete.

Struggle: Lateral Raise. My arms are flabby and weak.

Measurements Aug 1′ 11
Starting Weight	140
Bust	39
Waist	34
Hips	39
Biceps (L)	10.5
Biceps (R)	11
Thigh (L)	22
Thigh (R)	23
Calf (L)	14
Calf (R)	14

August Challenge: 30 Day Shred

July 28th, 2011

Hello folks!

It’s official.

Beginning August 1, I will subject myself to punishingly hard…

brutal…

agonizing experiences…

for 30 days:

I will be doing Jillian-I-will-beat-you-up-Michaels‘ work-out DVD , 30 Day Shred!
.

You see, I came across a group of ladies on Twitter lead by @projectJAEMIE. She announced that a group of like-minded nuts will be doing the 30 Day Shred in August.

I was thrilled.

I’ve had this DVD collecting dust in my baol and I believe it is high time I use it. Honestly, I tried this work out DVD a few weeks after baby girl was born…and I weaseled out of it after the first day. For one, because I couldn’t feel my legs the following day. Haha! That was a joke. Seriously. Jillian Michaels (the instructor) promises “shredding” some bilbil and she promises this result because the work outs are intense. Only 20 minutes but allows for no break. So . It gets tough.

But I want to do it. I will do it. Having a group of other ladies doing this challenge will help hold my feet to the fire! Keep me accountable.

If you are interested and you’d like to join in the torture (because you know how fun it is to be tortured ) you can let me or Jaemie know by

Twitter: Use the hashtag #Aug30DS
Her Website: Project Jaymie
or Comment Below

My Make it a Habit Goal is ending on July 31 but I will continue taking walks along with the DVD workouts.

So why do this to myself, you may ask?

challenge
no excuse for bad weather
bil-bil (I’m sorry folks, you’ll just have to look that one up. It’s Tagalog.) prevents me from fitting into my pre-pregnancy clothing.

So what do you say?

Wanna join my insanity? C’mon…you know you want to!

Establishing a New Habit Steps 1 and 2 : Make a Plan and Work the Plan

July 26th, 2011

I wrote about my struggle to complete a personal challenge I set up for myself. And then I shared with you how my husband helped me create 7 steps to establish a new habit of exercising. Last week, I also shared about the SMART goal setting which is the first of the seven steps. Today, let’s talk about the 2^nd and 3^rdsteps.

Step 2: Make a Plan (Prepare)

This July I have made a goal of taking 30-minute walks 5 days a week for 4 weeks.

My destination is clear: Walk for 30 minutes (Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, and Sat) for the month of July.

Making the Plan is laying out steps in order that I get to the destination. It is the deliberate and intentional thinking and planning of things that must take place in order that I complete my goal. It minimizes (if not totally eliminates) excuses.

Let’s take for instance my “Make it a Habit” goal. This is what it would look like for me if I am going to make a plan (prepare).

(Step 1) Have a Goal

(Step 2) Make a Plan / Prepare

Excuses

“Make it a Habit”
(Walk 30 minutes 5 days/week)

Make an exercise plan/log
Set the alarm (if running early in the am – w/c is the best time)
Go to bed at a reasonable time. (No need for updating Facebook/ Twitter status)
No electronics 30-min prior to bedtime.
Have gear ready (H2O, clothes, Ipod –if you use one—shoes & socks, etc) the night before.

I don’t know what to do and how to exercise.
I didn’t get up on time.
I was too tired to get up on time.
I’m too tired to exercise.
I couldn’t sleep (and I need to tell the world so via Facebook and Twitter)

I can’t find anything to wear.
I get bored when I run.
I couldn’t find clean socks.

My dog ate my shoe.

I had the plans laid out complete with a pretty little calendar log… everything set!

Let me just insert a confessional note here: I personally am a goal oriented person (Can’t you tell? ) So I thrive and get excited with setting goals, making charts, etc.

Checking off a To-Do list gives me much delight! Doing activities off of the To-Do list is a breeze to me…as long as they are activities I like. And those things I like does not usually include such activities as scrubbing the tub, cleaning out the fridge, or walking 30 minutes especially when I don’t feel like it.

Can you relate?

If not-good for ya!

More power to ya!

I want to be like you when I grow up

So before you figure out that I am stalling….here comes:

Step 3: Work the Plan

Photo Credit - seeklogo.com

Tempting as it may be for some people to say “I don’t need to plan an exercise routine or a training log because it
doesn’t work”

The truth is, planning & preparation will increase my chances for success in accomplishing my goals but I can still accomplish the goal even if I don’t plan.

I CANNOT however accomplish anything if I don’t do
anything. Does that make sense?

In order for the plan to work, I must work the plan.

Somethin’ like this:

(Step 1) Have a Goal

(Step 2) Make a Plan / Prepare

(Step 3) Work the Plan (Just do it)

“Make it a Habit”
(Walk 30 minutes 5 days/week)

Make an exercise plan/log
Set the alarm (if running early in the am – best time)
Go to bed at a reasonable time. (No need for Facebook/Twitter status updates)
Have gear ready (H2O, clothes, Ipod –if you use one, shoes & socks, etc) the night before.

Follow the exercise/training plan

Wake up (from the alarm that I set the night before)
Gear up (with the items laid out and prepared last night)
Just do it. Go walk/exercise.

So there you go. Step 1, 2, and 3 done.

Now, lest you think I have successfully accomplished my health and fitness endeavor, please check out how well (tongue-in-cheek) I am progressing here and how good (again, tongue-in-cheek) I am at following my own principles here .

So if you’re one of those people who plan and fail. Don’t lose heart. You’re not alone.

If you’re not – good for ya!

More power to ya!

But I know I can’t be like you when I grow up.

I simply run (at this time, walk) like a nanay…pressing on one step at a time

Guest Post : Run Like You’re Pregnant by Christa

July 25th, 2011

Run Like a Nanay’s very first guest post is from a dear friend, Christa. I know her family personally and I kid you not when I say her dad, mom, and siblings are all runners! You can visit her at Brown Sugar Toast where she writes about different ways that she adds sweetness to the mundane. Enjoy!

**********************************************************

Hey y’all – I’m Christa from Brown Sugar Toast! Chelo is a great friend and I am super happy to be posting over here at Run Like a Nanay! She asked me to post about a specific topic, so…here we go!

————————————————————————————————————-

Run Like You’re Pregnant.

Wait… Whaaaat?

Yep. That’s what I do.

Or maybe it’s because I am pregnant. Because if you really tried to run like you were pregnant, the best way to start out is by taking 10 minutes to get out the door (because of the frequent bathroom stops beforehand). Then when you finally start running, you have this incredible urge to go to the bathroom again and you’ve only taken 15 steps.

Yeah. It’s that amazing.

I started running when I was about 12 years old. My dad started because he wanted to lose weight, so I went with him sometimes. It took me months to be able to run a mile. Yeah, I know. That bad.

I hated running. I hated the stupid track I had to run around 3 times to make a mile.

But something kept me going. After a couple years, I found that I really liked running and didn’t want to stop.

Fast forward about 10 years + marriage. I take a test that results in 2 lines. Cool – we’re havin’ a baby!!

I keep running. Talk to my OB; she’s glad for me to keep running and just encourages me not to run so hard that I can’t keep up a conversation during the run. (what I call the “talk test.”)

7 1/2 months pregnant with my little girl and I do an 8K. It’s a trail run. There are no bathrooms along the course. But there are lots of wood and trees surrounding. Good times.

I didn’t run anymore after 7 1/2 months – just lots of walking and working out. I have my baby without drugs in 4 hours (from first contractions to her poppin’ out). Go on a 2 mile walk 3 days after her birth. Get a jogging stroller and keep running.

Hello 2 lines! We’re havin’ another baby!

Still running…

Here’s me, my little girl, and little boy after finishing a 5K this past May:

I don’t always look like a cartoon character. I just happen to have a weird expression on my face in that pic.

This was us in the line-up. They let the baby joggers start first:

Oh, and for humor’s sake, here’s another pic of the line-up. Please notice my competition to the right:

I love how I’m standing so stiff and straight right next to him. haha! Seriously, though, I didn’t even notice him until my hubby showed me this pic after the race! Hilarious.

Me and my fam after the race:

My little girl really liked my medal.

So – there are a couple things I do and recommend. Although you can get into trouble recommending things, so…use at your own discretion:

Check with your OB. I suppose that goes without saying? I ask my OB about everything before I do it. I recently painted a room and yep – def checked with her before I did it. If your OB isn’t comfortable with you running, then use that as your guideline of what you should/shouldn’t do.
Enlist your family’s support. By family, I don’t mean Grandma has to love what you do. But there’s no way I would run if my hubby had any caution about the idea. If you and your OB are cool with it but your hubby isn’t, maybe ask him what his concerns are and if he would be interested in coming to your next appointment to talk about those concerns. Trust me – you will get enough comments and stories from other people about your running. You need your hubby’s support during those times! (Like the time a lady stopped me during my first pregnancy, told me I shouldn’t run, and she knew a lady who ran to her mailbox while pregnant, had a miscarriage, and could never have any more children? yeah…those stories…)
Consistency is key. I make it a goal to run at least once a week during pregnancy. Besides that 1 day/week, I walk and do workout dvd’s. I figure if I take more than a few weeks off running while pregnant, I probably should stop running until after I have the baby.
Water. Water. Water. I know…I already referred to the infamous bathroom breaks and needs of a preggo runner. It just comes with the territory. I always carry water with me when I’m running while preggo. And I drink it. If you’re lucky, you’ll run near a construction site and there will be port-a-potties nearby.
Do the “talk test.” If you run with a partner, can you keep up a conversation while running? If so, great! I don’t usually run with a partner (besides my little girl), so I just talk every once in a while. Probably look like a deranged woman…running with a big belly and talking to myself. haha
Hellooooo Belly Band. Large belly with baby inside = bouncing. I never used a belly band during my first pregnancy. Everything was tight. Enter 2nd pregnancy…not so tight anymore. I use this belly band by medela:

via Amazon.com

My friend found it for me on clearance, but I think they retail for about $22. I love this thing. It’s not meant specifically for running, but it works really well and provides awesome support! I wore it the other day for the first time and LOVED it!

As for how long I plan to run during this pregnancy…I don’t have any plans. My main goal is to exercise regularly right up to “birth”day. I know that’s one of the major things that helped me through my first labor and delivery, so I want to keep it up during this pregnancy.

So, that’s what works for me! Thanks, Chelo, for letting me post on Run Like a Nanay!

How about you? What do you do to keep fit during pregnancy?

Make it a Habit : Week#3 Update

July 24th, 2011

Yeah. This past week was ugly and I realize that Saturdays look like its a trend for slacking. But I assure you (at least this past week) that I had a valid reason. My hubby and I were out at 4:30 am on a 2 hour trip. It can be really depressing looking at this log.

But this is a new week…with more opportunities to make right choices.

Make a Choice: Bad Stress or Good Stress

July 21st, 2011

I’d like to share with you some of the choices I’ve been faced with this past week?

Bad stress vs. Good stress

Wanna know what I chose? Read here.

First Confession and a Soapbox

July 20th, 2011

“First Confession” (Meaning there might be more!)

It happened.

I missed a post! I know it probably doesn’t even matter because the 4 people reading this blog may not even have noticed; but I’ll say/write it anyway.

I had posts and ideas scheduled down and Tuesday’s post have been cooking up in my head since last week. All I needed to do was sit down and start typing away. But ya’ know…things happen.

The kind of events that will stick with ya’ for a while— involving people you care about! Yea not good things. Events that saddens a heart, maddens the spirit, and totally makes your entire being rage wildly.

I hate what sin does to people I love.

I hate what sin does to my own heart.

These are the type of events that make me want to run even more. Not to harbor ill feelings but to vent them out through the soles of my shoes.

But did I?

Did I go out and burn them rubbers? Nope. (There shall be sad faces this Saturday)

Neither did I punch somebody in the face. Felt like it. But didn’t—because it was wrong…and, thank goodness, because my husband has more sense than I and prevented me from doing any such shameful behavior!

So what happened?

Nothing.

In my anger, I didn’t pray.

In my stress, I didn’t walk/run…

In all my thinking, I didn’t write

and I missed a blog post.

So there ya go.

My soapbox.

My confession.

Please tell me I’m not the only one who’s had one of those days!