Walking Route

I completed Day 2 of the Ab Challenge last night.  The sit ups were more difficult than they were the night before but I did them all!  I was able to do the plank all at once.  The only thing is, my chest (or boobs- haha) was touching the ground.  It was still difficult for me, so I decided that I would accept it and maybe by doing it everyday this month, it will get better.  I can't expect to do it perfectly right away!

I found a picture from when we were at the Iowa State Fair last week.  My girls were in the twins contest and received 4th in their age group!  (I, of course, thought they deserved 1st!)  They had so much fun and loved wearing their dresses that my mom sewed for them.  She also made them purses to match, which they thought were really neat.  They spent the day putting treasures in their purses... then eventually got sick of carrying them (typical woman... or maybe I should say, like mother, like daughter!)  Anyways, this picture shows my new capris and new shoes!  It also shows the weight I've gained... fortunately, I'm working on that!

I almost always walk the same route in town.  I started a long walking route when I was in high school.  I lived on a different block in town but when I moved back to town, I just tweaked the route a bit and still use the same one.  That route is a little over 3 miles long and covers pretty much ever street in my little town.  Since I've only been walking 1 mile at a time, I've just shortened up my regular route.  I decided this morning I need a change of scenery today.  I went to runningmap.com and plotted out a new route.  I might have to do this more often!  It's kinda fun :)  Here is where I'm going to walk today.  Pretty much just a big loop.  There are a couple hills in there to add a little difficulty.  Hopefully the rain will hold off for a bit so I can get it in!

Ab Challenge Day 1

I just did Day 1 of the Ab Challenge.  The part I was most nervous about was the Sit Ups and I actually could do a sit up fairly well.  I helped myself just a little bit by putting my hands under my thighs in the middle of the sit up, I didn't have to pull myself up, just a little tug and then I touched the couch (cause I had my feet under the couch).  I could do the crunches and the leg lifts pretty easily.  Then there was the plank... I could barely get myself into a plank pose!  It pulled on my lower back so much and was kinda painful.  I went up into what was as close to the pose as I could get and counted to 5 (quickly).  Then I took a second and talked myself into getting up into it again and counted to 5 (again, quickly).  Hopefully, this portion of the routine gets a little easier.

I actually had fun shopping the other day! :)  I went with my mom.  I got a pair of jeans and a pair of capris.  Then we went down a few stores and I got a pair of tennis shoes (do you call them tennis shoes?... I usually say something like, Tenna-Shoes haha).  Also, a pair of shoes my mom found and thought were cool... they are like MaryJane Crocks and are pretty comfy.  I'll have to see if I can take some pics.

A few days ago I was invited to a Body By Vi party.  I decided to go because I wanted to see what it was all about.  They started out by making samples for everyone to try.  The first sample was orange julius.  The second sample was butterfinger... pretty yummy.  I can't remember what they called the third sample but it was a lot thicker than the others and was like mango/pineapple/orange type flavored. I really liked it, especially how it was thicker, kinda like sorbet-ish.  The fourth sample may have been my favorite... it was coffee flavored, like iced coffee -so good!  After they had you taste the samples, we watched an informative video.  Then the sales lady talked about her story.  She has lost 92 lbs and went from a size 22 to a size 12 in 9 months.  That's pretty impressive but I was most impressed about the fact that she has 7 kids! haha  I decided to order some.  I ordered the smallest package.  I thought I'd just try it.  I thought if I just used it once a day it would help.  I would have one meal already set out for me, plus I would be getting more nutrition than I might otherwise.  A couple of my friends drink it and seem to like it.  We'll see how it goes and if I want to switch to the two shakes a day program.

Also... since I'm going crazy with everything... I ordered a couple workout DVD's!  I should be getting them in the mail in a couple days, so I'll fill you in on all of that when they come.  I'm pretty excited, though!

30 Day Ab Challenge

I'm part of a group of mommy's on Facebook.  We all had our babies in June 2013 (some a couple weeks before, some a couple weeks after).  Most of us are starting to get ready to get our bodies back in shape.  Since I had a C section, I didn't really know when it would be ok for me to start working out more intensely.  I am really starting to feel motivated to workout and eat more healthy foods.  Most of my concentration has been on Annika (as you can imagine)... by the way, check out how much she has grown!

Several of the other mom's are doing this Ab Challenge... I'm sure there are hundreds of them out there but I'm going to try this one.

I will let you know how it goes.  I haven't really done any form of exercise in a long time, so we will see how it goes.  I'm not sure I can do 1 sit up!

Since I lost so much weight before I got pregnant, I don't have many pants that fit me.  I have one pair of jeans that fit but are ripped so I don't wear them.  All I have been wearing is my maternity shorts.  Yes, 7 weeks postpartum and I'm still wearing maternity pants.  It is depressing.  Since we are going to the Iowa State Fair tomorrow, I'm going shopping for myself today.  I need a pair of pants that fit.  I'm not exactly looking forward to it.  I don't like shopping for myself... never really have.  I usually wear whatever I own until it dies... then I try to fix it and wear it longer.  I don't like how clothes look on me.  I don't even get the luxury of having normal sized feet!  I usually have to wear mens shoes, or women's shoes that don't have the best fit.  Anyways, I'm buying some shorts or jeans today.  I'll let you know how it goes. :)  Hopefully, they won't fit me in a couple months!

Guess Who's been Slacking?

It's been almost a month (where the heck did that time go?!) and I have only walked about 4 miles ...actually probably more but that's if you count all the walking around the fairs that I did.  The first time I went for a walk, I took the kids.  About halfway through the walk my lower back started hurting.  I imagine it's partially because I just had a baby but probably mostly because I'm carrying so much more weight on my front, still.  I still have a month and plan on completing my goal.

Do any of you watch Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition?  I always watch it, and love it!  Chris Powell is so motivating and good at what he does.  ...and in case you missed my last post... good looking!  This week the show was about a girl that hid her size behind fashion.  Her family, friends, and coworkers did not support her losing weight... which is so weird, but it's a different culture, I guess.  Although, they were all proud of her at the finale... probably because she looked amazing!  Anyways, long story short... I got a good idea from the show that I am going to steal.  They had two jars, one of them had marbles in it.  There was one marble for each pound she wanted to lose.  As she lost weight, she transferred the marbles to the other jar.  I just so happened to have jars and little colored stones!

Here is where I start!  

Celebrity Crushes

I'm going to branch off topic a little.  One of my besties at Mama Mandolin had a topic awhile back about celebrity crushes.  She listed her top 5 celebrity crushes here.  I have been thinking about it... I made a list... I'm sure I have forgotten someone haha!  ...but here we go....

Denzel Washington -I had to add him.  For an older man, he's got it.

Yes.  Justin Timberlake.

Chris Powell - Love him!

Ryan Reynolds -I fell in love with him in Van Wilder.

Gilles Marini - In my opinion, he is HOT!

Alexander Skarsgard -I can't complete this list without having 

someone from True Blood and "Eric" is really nice to watch :)

Feeling Self-conscious

I've had the opportunity to get out of the house a few times in the last few days.  I went out for the 4th of July to a friends house to see the parade and hang out at their annual 4th of July party and then to a rodeo in a nearby town.  Yesterday was my 10 year class reunion... it's hard to believe it's been 10 years and it's amazing how much people haven't changed!  Tonight one of my best friends had a little get together to celebrate her birthday... it was soo hot and muggy out!  I was sweating like nobody's business... thank goodness I wasn't the only one.

My class reunion I had feelings of self-consciousness.  It didn't help that upon walking up to the event a classmate of mine that is a total prick (but will act super friendly to your face) saw me and made the stupidest face... I'm pretty aware of people and know when people are looking at me.  I never say anything though... why bother?  It does make me uncomfortable though.  This doesn't always have to do with my body.  Over the years there have been many things about myself that may make me embarrassed that I am well aware of and believe me, I see when people stare, look, whisper... I just try to remind myself that they aren't perfect either (even if they think they are!)  ....so back to the original topic... he made a stupid face that I was well aware was directed at me and it immediately put me in a sour mood.  Who wants to lose a bunch of weight, pretty much put it all back on before and during pregnancy, have a baby, and 3 weeks later go to a gathering where a bunch of people are probably all judging you.  Oh well, I will just have to look and feel fabulous at my 15 year reunion!!  Luckily, I had Annika with me so a lot of people were paying more attention to her ...score!  Plus, maybe they'd be more willing to cut me some slack, knowing that I just had a baby.  Aside from my jerk classmate, I did have a fun time catching up and hanging out with my classmates.  We had a pretty small class and I'd say we were all pretty close, so it's fun to get together.

 Here are my classmates that came (about a third of my class)

I have decided that this summer I need to make a goal to get myself out and about and not just hangout in the air conditioning with Annika.  We My dad, has the garden up and running... I had originally planned on working in it a bunch, but I'm not sure how to do that with a newborn.  I might just have to sneak up there a little at a time, I guess.  My idea/goal is to walk 2 marathon's during my maternity leave.  It's totally attainable... about 6 miles/week.  I know a goal like this will help me get out of the house and get a little exercise in.  I will track my progress on here.  I think by making an effort to walk, drink more water (a gallon/day), plan and eat nutritious meals, and get out of the house with the kids, I won't have to think so much about how much weight I will lose because it will work itself out.  I do know that I don't want to be wearing the jeans I currently wear... I put on "real" jeans (not maternity) for the first time the other day and was not too excited that I had to pull out the biggest pair of jeans I own... ugh.  By the end of this summer I would like to be down at least one size.  Also, they say that breastfeeding helps with weight loss... hopefully that proves to be true!

The Stork has Arrived!

Hey Friends!!  I'm proud to announce my new daughter!!

Annika Abbe

7lbs 9oz 22in

born June 16th 

I had a scheduled c-section because the girls were born that way and my area doesn't offer VBAC's but she had other plans.  She totally came by surprise!  Here is how my day went...

My friend Andrea called me in the morning and her and I met up with our kids at a local park for our kids to play and to have a little picnic.  It was pretty nice out and sunny.  There was a picnic table there but it was in the sun so we moved it a few feet into the shade... Andrea is also pregnant now! ...so two pregnant women moving a picnic table... not our smartest move.  Soon after that I felt like I was peeing my pants a little... which I thought was really weird and really irritating.  I stupidly went throughout the day thinking that I was peeing my pants.  I finally told Jeremy about it and how irritating it was.  He suggested my water could have broken... but I didn't believe him.  An hour or two later I started to believe him.  We were having a grill out at our house for Father's Day.  I decided after my dad and sister got there that I better get checked out.  We headed to the hospital, which is an hour away.  On the way we had to stop for gas, return a couple Redbox movies, and stop at Walgreens for an SD card for the video camera.  About 10 minutes into our drive I realized I was having contractions about 3 minutes apart lasting about 30 seconds... thankfully they weren't painful (since we made all the stops... which Jeremy still laughs about).  We got to the hospital and they confirmed my water had broken.  Everyone started moving pretty quickly and a couple hours later she was born!  Best Father's Day present I have ever given!!

My day now consists of sitting around holding and feeding her.  The last couple days I have wanted to get out of the house.  The bad thing is, during the day I want to protect Annika from the sun and heat and in the evening when it cools down a little, the mosquito's are out and in attack mode.

We do plan on getting out for the 4th of July.  See a parade, maybe go to a rodeo, and see some fireworks.  Have a fun and safe weekend!