Pilates 30 Day Challenge: Days 14 and 15

Back on track!  It feels so good to be halfway done.  I'm looking forward to completing this and moving on to something harder and new...I'll save that until later but its going to be good.

A big thank you to my motivators.  It really makes a difference knowing you are supported!

Now if I can just get a shower in before Ellie's dance class this day will be on track...

Pilates 30 Day Challenge: Rewind to day 13

Well last week I admitted to falling behind in my 30 day challenge.  I have completed day 13 and tomorrow I'm beginning day 14.  It is certainly not what I wanted but if I let a setback get me down I will never be a healthier me.  I would have loved to have done a consecutive 30 days but it is what it is and as long as I don't give up I'm okay with it.  So now that the kids are feeling better (2 kids with double ear infections and one with RSV, ugh) this week should be less doctor-y and more pilates-y. 

I have started something else to help me get healthy that I can do when I nurse Jackers.  I love my IPhone and found the application Lose It! (which is free).  It has really helped me to track my caloric intake and exercise.  I mean I can't just do pilates and eat whatever and expect to lose weight right? 

Well all kids are in bed and its time to snuggle with my husband and watch the Giants blow this game against the Colts.  Hopefully this week you will get to see some cute DIY's and Mom to Mom's.  There are quite a few that I've got drafted but not posted yet.  Silly sick kids!

Pilates 30 Day Challenge: Day 19

So here we are at Day 19 and I have so fallen off the wagon as far as doing Pilates.  Labor Day weekend gave me too many excuses and getting sick hasn't helped either.  So here we are at Day 19 and pilates wise I am really on Day 13.  I can't decide whether I should push through to Day 30 and just see how far I get, or rewind and start at Day 13.  Any suggestions? 

On the plus side Jack has started sleeping (for the most part) through the night.and getting his little schedule figured out.  Our family has taken some great positive steps towards a healthier lifestyle.  Jack can ride in the double jogging stroller with Regan and we have had a few great outings!   I love that stroller.  I've got to get back on this pilates wagon today!!!!  The skinny girl inside is screaming that she needs to be a skinny woman!  And well she's right.

Pilates 30 Day Challenge: Days 7 and 8

Days 7 and 8 have gone off without a hitch.  It feels so good to have made it this far.  I actually look forward to my me time and my little workout.  Granted I have a long way to go, I feel like I am really making progress physically, mentally and emotionally.  While I'm making scale progress I'm finding that completing the task is a bigger high than the number on the scale going down.  It's still nice though, I'm not gonna lie!

Ultimately I would like to do my workout before everyone gets up and be able to shower and make breakfast without the little ones around.  We're working up to that.  I know within the next month Jack will settle into more of a routine and that will become more of a possibility.  Please don't tell him this GCR readers but I think R.Barry may have the right idea going to bed and getting up early to do that bike riding. 

The next two days are really going to be a challenge.  We have a rehearsal dinner and wedding.  I may take my DVD on the road.  Oh and I'm going to be checking off one of those last summer things if its still warm enough...jumping in the pool at the Grandparents!

Pilates 30 Day Challenge: Days 5 and 6

Well Day 5 was a bust so to speak but I've made up for it on Day 6.  This morning Jack slept for 2 hours!  After I made the kids breakfast and watched Ethan get on the bus I sent the girls out back to play and turned it up!  I love that I can watch them play and do my workout at the same time.

I finally finished the last bit of Day 4's lower body workout.  For Day 5 I did the upper body workout and for today, Day 6 I did flow and flexibility.  Jack woke up for the end of Day 6, but I put him in his little bouncy/vibrator seat and he watched. 

I don't even care that I could have been doing other things.  It feels so good to be caught up on me!  I'm going to be posting updates every other day (2 days in one post) from now on. 

Coming soon:  A fun and easy DIY and a Mom to Mom!

Pilates 30 Day Challenge: Day 4

Well Day 4 was yesterday and I am still trying to finish that one segment!  I was 7 minutes in when Jack woke up.  We are definitely on a nursing marathon.  I am trying to keep perspective.  I know that in the next month he will settle into more of a schedule and he will be less demanding, so to speak.

So I did another 5 or so minutes this morning (Day 5).  I hate feeling behind!!!  I only have about 10 minutes left to finish it up.  We have been nursing nearly all morning.  Thankfully he took a break so that I could make some coffee...as Ellie says I am a "Coffee Woman."  She is certainly correct.

Cross your fingers that this handsome little guy and wild little girl nap at the same time (dreaming right now, obviously the coffee hasn't kicked in) so I can finish Day 4, complete Day 5 and take a shower!

30 Day Pilates Challenge: Day 3

Today I had a workout partner, Regan.  I have to admit her lunge was pretty impressive for an 18 month old.  It wasn't so much fun when she decided to fix my hair by pulling out my pony tail holder.  Jack has been marathon nursing lately so free time is valuable and rare.  Even making lunch was an event.  I admit I had a mini mom meltdown.  Ever have the feeling that you just can't get a thing done????  

I learned something about myself during todays workout.  When I take time for myself, and I'm feeling rather stressed, I start to think about all of the things I could be getting done in that amount of time like laundry or dishes.  It really defeats the purpose of time for myself!  No more doing that.  To hell with the laundry and dishes they will always be there!  The feeling I get from working out far surpasses that of getting the laundry done and trust me that is a great feeling!

Pilates 30 Day Challenge: Day 2

Around 7pm I began to feel rather unsure about whether or not I would get a workout in today.  Jack is not on a schedule and still rather unpredictable.  So when he finally fell asleep at 9pm I was in go mode.  I quickly cleaned up the living room floor of all the pillows and blankets and the little toys that hadn't made their way home.  Normally I would be a little peeved that I was picking their toys up but not tonight.  I was on a mission. 

Yesterday I mentioned there are three sections to this dvd, upper body, lower body and flow and flexibility (i.e watch what I can do with my super long ballerina legs).  Tonight I did the lower body and flow and flexibility.  I have never completed 30 consecutive days of working out (since I've had kids) and there are a few obstacles coming up (rehearsal and wedding next weekend).  I feel like I'm on the brim of a better me and all I have to do is dive in and my life will change for the better.  This is the time where follow through, drive and willpower all come in to play.  I know I'm strong enough, I just have to believe it.

Pilates 30 Day Challenge: Day 1

Get ready hot mom body here I come!  That is if I don't die from pilates first.  If you have never tried pilates I highly recommend Jennifer Kries.  She combines ballet, yoga and pilates and I always feel more energized (and sore, good sore not pain sore) after one of her series.  She doesn't know it but we have a love hate relationship. 

So here is my 30 day challenge: To do one (or more) of her pilate segments each day for the next 30 days.  Each segment is about 20+ minutes long (omg sometimes its the longest 20 minutes ever) and she always works out every part of your body.  If I don't start working in some me time now, my 20's will have gone by without me being a hot mom and I just can't let that happen. 

Ready, set, go!

Day 1:  So this morning I did half of the lower body workout before Ethan left for the bus and the second half after we watched him hop on.  It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be (I won't feel this way tomorrow).  It was funny to watch Ellie do it with me.  Ethan, being the sweet sensitive guy he is, told me how well I was doing and to "keep up the good work."  What a guy.  He is going to be a great husband and father someday.  Day 1 down, 29 to go.  Hopefully by day 30 I won't feel like a day without it!