Doing Work

The last two weeks I've been really good at "doing my work."  That's what my little girl calls working out. Its a pretty common occurrence for her to strike some crazy yoga-ish pose, run through the house or lift something over her head only to tell me she is doing her work.  Super cute but also makes me proud.....not just of her but it also fills me with a sense of pride for setting a good example.  She is only 3 but is already beginning to understand the importance of "doing work" to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle and more importantly, she LIKES it.  She wants to watch me do pullups and wants to join in on my crazy Insanity workouts.  She never complains when I drag her out in the stroller.  If I'm in workout clothes, she says "did you go for a run?"  I think she already understands that its important to her mommy - it makes mommy happy and therefore makes her life a little bit better too.

There are so many ways to set a good example for our children.....how we act, what we eat, the way we take care of our body.  Its amazing how much she acts like me.  She constantly imitates the way I talk to my baby boy.  She says things like "hi handsome baby boy" and mimics the voice I use when I talk to him.  Once again, super cute but it also illustrates just how much our little ones pick up on.  We are their role models.  How can I expect my children to participate in sports if I don't get off the couch myself?  How can I tell them they can't have another cookie and need to eat their broccoli if I don't follow the same rules?  In a world where it has become so easy to sit on your couch, where everything is available to you with the touch of a button, it takes a concentrated effort to get yourself out and keep yourself in shape.  If I'm not willing to make that effort, how can I expect anything different from my children?

So as I continue on this insane journey I've realized that I'm not just doing it for myself.  I'm doing it for Samantha and Sawyer.  I feel stronger, happier and healthier.  I have more energy.  I'm a better mother to my babies.  And most importantly, through my actions I am teaching them valuable habits that will help them become strong, happy and healthy too.

~ Kasey

Crazy Insane or Insane Crazy?

Call me crazy but I started Insanity today!  And I have to say (even just being one day in) that I LOVE it!  It's fast, tough and sweaty.  Even the warm up is tough.  Plus you got Shaun T pushing you along..... Sorry Tony but I have to say Shaun T is just a bit more enjoyable to workout with :)  And I feel like I'm working out with folks just like me - you see them break down and struggle with the workout.  They aren't Dreya Weber adding crazy leg raises to already tough exercises.  These people are pushing it hard and make me push it even harder.  PLUS it was fun!  I really enjoyed the workout and the time flew by.

As far as goals for the next 60 days.....  I want to maintain my strength.  I want to be able to do 20 pullups minimum.  I'd like to lose a few more pounds and get down to about 118.  I think this is the perfect workout program to do that because I won't be lifting any sort of weights.  I tend to gain weight when I lift, esp if I'm already in decent shape.  Plus, I have to RUN in addition to this.  Got lots of races to get ready for and I don't just want to finish them.  I want to push myself and beat some of my previous times (from years ago....).

For my Insanity "Before" pictures, I'll just be using my P90X "Afters"....I can't wait to see what I can do in another 60 days!   

Getting into the New Routine

I made it back to California with my two babies and managed to stay sane on the flight.  Thank goodness for my mom who was willing and able to make the trip across country with me.  I honestly can't imagine doing it on my own!  We are settling back into things here and getting into a good routine.  I have to admit I've been slacking a bit on my workouts, at least on the strength training side of things.  Right now our daycare situation is a pain in the booty.  Sawyer is still on the wait list to get into Samantha's center so in the meantime, I am taking him to the hourly childcare center.  They only allow a max of 85 hours a month so I have to schedule his hours around work and meetings.....not to mention the hassle of dropping them off at separate facilities.  I can't wait to get a call telling me there is a spot open!  Needless to say, all the running around and trying to work full time has put a damper on my workout schedule.  So I've turned to BOB, my new BFF! (sorry Hilary - you'll understand that special relationship soon enough :)  My babies are champs in the stroller and we've managed to rack up some decent mileage in the past week.  

~ My babes out for a ride in BOB ~

And honestly, running is such a welcome relief.  I recommend it to any other moms that are craving a few quiet moments.  It's like a built in babysitter - one baby sleeps and the other enjoys the ride (while playing on an iTouch....another miracle worker).  And I get to put on my headphones and take a good 30-60 minutes just to let my mind wander.  All while preparing for my upcoming runs! 

Speaking of which.....I figure the best way to ensure I don't fall off the wagon is to register....so register I did!  If I have clear and defined goals, I'm less likely to make excuses not to get that run in.  I'm thinking that around one race a month is realistic and thanks to some great friends and motivators, I've managed to plan it out through June.  So here we go....the first race isn't until March so I have plenty of time to get myself ready:

March 13: Safari Park 1/2 Marathon
April 10: Black Mountain Trail Run (15k or 5k....haven't decided yet)
May 15: Coronado Bridge Run?
May 28: TOUGH MUDDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 5:  San Diego Rock 'n Roll Marathon
June 18: ASYMCA Camp Pendleton Mud Run

I'm excited!  Let me know if you are interested in doing any of these with me.  The more, the merrier!  Jacqueline - you don't have a choice! :) 

Stay tuned for Insanity results!  As soon as the DVDs arrive, I'll be starting....well, if I can figure out where to fit it into my schedule.  Maybe after I get the babies in bed.  Thank goodness for early bed times and good sleepers! 

Keep "doing your work." (that's what Samantha calls working out)  I promise getting out for just 30 minutes a day for a walk or run will make a difference in how you feel, your attitude and your outlook.  

~Kasey

Rachel's After

Ok, since Kasey posted hers I had to post mine. BTW Kasey, you look amazing!

 I think this is the perfect time to bring the first phase of getting back in shape after baby to a close.  With the new year comes the next phase and we are both pretty excited about the goals we have set for ourselves this year.

Honestly I was not very excited to post my after photos.  I struggled with P90X.  Struggle is an understatement.  Frankly, it was over my head at this point.  But I didn't give up.  I still made fitness a priority and did what I could.  Until I saw my after photos I didn't feel that I made much progress, but the photos say otherwise.  I am proud of myself. Clearly, not giving up paid off.  I am so glad that I didn't throw in the towel. I am more motivated than ever to keep going.
Here are my before stats:

Weight: 142 lbs
Chest: 29.5"
Waist: 30.5"
Hips: 36"
R thigh: 22"
L thigh: 21.75"
Bicep: 11.24" (12"flexed)

And my after stats:

Weight: 132 lbs
Chest: 30.5"
Waist: 29"
Hips: 33.5"
R thigh: 20"
L thigh: 19.75"
Bicep: 11" (11.5" flexed)

And now the pictures...after and before side by side!

Although I am proud of the progress that I made I still am not where I'd like to be.  Ideally I'd still like to drop five more pounds (to my pre-pregnancy weight) and I am going to do a pull-up if it kills me!  I am also ready to start running again and have a half marathon planned in June and a full marathon in November. 

My next step is to give myself some time to focus on building the basic strength I need for P90X and I'll give it another go in March or so. When I can do one pull-up I know I'll be ready (I found a great pull-up program for those of us who can't do a pull-up yet-leave your email address in a comment and I'll send it to you). I am determined to finish P90X from beginning to end, I just need a little more time. 

Before I leave you with one last picture I'd like to offer some advice:  Something is always better than nothing.  Any progress is better than no progress. After two c-sections and the loss of my twin daughters my body was pretty worked. The last two and a half years have taken a physical and emotional toll me much greater than I realized. I was very discouraged in the beginning because I couldn't get my body to do what I thought it should be able to do.  But instead of calling it quits I just did what I could. I welcomed the reality check and ditched the perfectionist standards I impose on myself. Everyone has to start somewhere, the point is to just start...and then DON'T quit. Every little bit of effort has made a difference for me and it will make a difference for you too.  I still need another 90 days or so to really get where I want to be, but at least I'm 90 days ahead of where I was. It feels so good to start the new year off right!

Happy New Year!

The After!!!!

It's the start of a new year and I thought it would be appropriate to post my after pictures today.  Exactly one year ago, my husband and I had our wedding (3 yrs after we actually got married) on New Year's Eve.  On New Year's Day, I took a pregnancy test and it came back positive.  I had mixed feelings at the time - I knew I wanted to have another baby but I wasn't sure I was ready to put my body through that again.  Of course as the pregnancy went on, I became excited and when I met my sweet baby boy, I couldn't believe a doubt had ever crossed my mind.  BUT I still had to get my body back....to be in the same place this New Year's Eve that I was last year. 

Here we are - 3 months after my start and I'm excited about my results!  It's a great feeling to set and reach a goal.  I haven't been near close to perfect on my P90X workouts.  I had to improvise, substitute, shorten and skip a lot of my workouts but I stuck with it.  I did the best I could and I'm proud of what I've accomplished.

Here is my list of BEFORE measurements:

Weight: 130 lbs
Chest: 34 inches
Waist: 30 inches (at belly button)
Hips: 36 inches
Right Bicep: 11.5 inches flexed
Left Bicep: 11.75 inches flexed
Right Thigh: 20.5 inches (mid-thigh)
Left Thigh: 20.25 inches (mid-thigh)

And here is where I am at today:

Weight: 119 - 121
Chest: 32 inches
Waist: 26.5 inches
Hips: 34 inches
Right Bicep: 12 inches
Left Bicep: 12 inches
Right Thigh: 18.75 inches
Left Thigh: 18.5 inches

Annnnnnnndddddd the pictures....both After & Before:

 

 

 

Just 3 months after starting my P90X ride, I am so proud to say that I reached both the weight and strength goal.  I am now 120 lbs and I can do 20 pullups.  I've actually made it up to 25 pullups in the past couple weeks.  I feel so much better, stronger, healthier and happier - I even look happier in my after pictures! :)

So now what??  I am heading back to California in just a few days....time to go back to full time work and leave the comfort of my family here in DuBois, PA.  I'm so thankful I was able to come back here for the past few months.  It definitely made an already difficult deployment so much easier....I think I would have gone crazy trying to handle a newborn by myself on top of it!  However, I am ready to go back to my own house and focus on his return.  I'm also ready to continue this journey.  As I've mentioned before, the past couple months have helped me remember just how much I love to workout.  Just how good it makes me feel.  I don't want to ever lose that again.  I only want to improve.  

I've set many goals for the coming year....the first one starts next week with Insanity!  I'm doing a Tough Mudder in May, the San Diego Marathon in June and the USMC Marathon in November.  I might do another Tough Mudder in VA this fall and a half in March....maybe this is a bit ambitious but I am determined!!  Plus I have the support of my hubby - he has already promised to watch the babies while I do my long runs.  I can't wait to get back to California where I can actually push the kids outside in the double jogger....I plan to rack up the miles on my BOB!    

One more goal - improving my diet.  That is one aspect of P90X I definitely didn't follow.  Don't get me wrong, I don't eat horribly but I could do so much better.  This isn't just be a personal goal but also one for my family.  If I feel this good working out, I'm sure it will only be that much better when I eat right.  I'm going to subscribe to Oxygen and to their eat clean magazine.  I tend to take the easy route when it comes to food but I know spending a few extra minutes here and there is all it takes.   

So stay tuned - I'll keep you updated on how things are going and if I'm able to maintain the same level of intensity in my workouts while being a mom, wife, full time worker, getting a degree and just living this crazy life.  For now I'll leave you with a final cheesy pose for my bro.....

Happy New Year!!!!

~Kasey