Gym Rat

Today was a great day. I spent nearly all day visiting with friends, and finished up the night with my 'Lifegroup' (small Bible study group from church:). I am exhausted but happy and feeling really thankful for all the awesome people I have in my life. I had a great eating day...lots of fruits and veggies and protein and I did a good job avoiding temptation...we still have some leftover candy from Christmas around and it was calling to me today like crazy! (I know, I know, throw it out! but 1) my son does get some here and there as a treat and 2) candy is ok once in awhile! I will never be about making a food 100% off limits). I stopped eating when I was full, I chose wheat/grains instead of white carbs, picked healthy snacks...all in all it was a successful day.

Even on days like this though, there is still always something on my mind. Exercise. Before I delivered Luke I was at the gym almost 6 days a week most weeks. I had personal training and/or pilates 3x a week and a weight loss cardio group 3x a week. When I got pregnant I kept going, just with modifications. Then I gave birth to our second baby and life went pretty crazy for quite awhile. Little by little I managed to get back to the gym but I'm still not back in that groove. I have PT once a week, private pilates once a week and a PT cardio once a week. I also have tried to add a short weight lifting sessions at home once or twice a week but that's only about 20-30 minutes. It's really hard to not be there every day like I used to be...but I just feel right now like it is so challenging to even get out of the house with 2 kids...thinking of doing it daily is so overwhelming. It's even harder with Luke because the gym daycare won't change diapers and they require a reservation for infants so it's a little limiting. But on the other hand I am so craving that activity. For a month or two after Luke was born I didn't even care about the gym too much, but now I am really starting to miss that old routine.

The other issue is my hip. Since the baby my hip has been really annoying, sometimes downright painful. My trainers and I have been working on it a ton...doing special stretches, special movements, different things in pilates and even working on the way I walk to try and correct it. I just switched to some new shoes and it seems to be helping so I am crossing my fingers and am hopeful! But it's gotten me a little down in the dumps lately...I really want to run! I started the C25K program again a few weeks ago but had to put it on hold because my hip was throbbing so badly when I would run that I couldn't take it. I have a lot of friends right now that have gotten into running and I would love to get back at it too! I miss it and I really think it could help me (physically and mentally) with my weight loss/body transformation! I used to run about 3 miles 3 or 4 times a week so I know I can do it, it's just a matter of my body agreeing with me again.

I don't know where I'm going here, I guess I'm just venting frustration. I wish I had more time, I wish it were easier to tote 2 kids around, and I wish my hip didn't hurt. I just have to take things day by day I guess. I am going to keep working on my hip issue, trying out these new shoes and stretching. I am going to try to look at my days and really see when/if I can fit in some extra sessions here and there. And I WILL get back to running. I really really want to do some 5K's this year at least. And I'm going to try to not be so hard on myself. :) I'm doing the best I can right now. And hey, at least it gives me something to work towards! This year is going to be MY year.