Follow along as this mom of two finds her way back to a healthy and fit lifestyle, one day at a time.

Friday, October 15, 2010

"This year I will..."

I had today's post all planned, and then of course things changed (don't they always?)!  I went to the gym yesterday wearing a new pair of Lululemons (thanks, hubby!) and threw my gym things into the bag my new pants came in instead of lugging my diaper bag, which has unfortunately become my diaper bag/gym bag/purse/etc etc etc.... anyways, if you've ever bought anything from Lululemon, you know that their bags are pretty inspiring; they are covered with their manifesto, little things like "drink more water" and "friends are more important than money" (you can find the entire thing here, if you want to check it out: http://www.lululemon.com/. Just a warning, you can also buy pants and other yoga and athletic clothing here...don't say I didn't warn you, they are comfy, flattering, and oh-so-addictive!)

But back to the bag... I've always loved the Lulu manifesto, it's pretty inspiring. But this time, it wasn't the manifesto on the outside of the bag that caught my eye. As I was reaching for my bottle, I noticed that the inside of the bag, printed small near the top, reads: "This year I will ______________."  Complete with the space for you to write in your own goal. Pretty smart goal setting, Lulu!

So this got me thinking- what will I do this year? Yes, I am aware it's already mid-October. Most of you are probably wondering, why is this whackjob planning for the rest of a year that is more than 3/4 over? Well, why not? Why wait for the new year? Can you honestly tell me that you haven't spent prior years using January 1st as a goal-setting date, swearing and vowing that this is the magic year, the year that you will lose all kinds of weight and be healthy? Only to be let down a week later when you've already fallen off the wagon, only to abandon all your goals and go back to your pre-New Years way of life? I know I have, and I'm done with it. Why wait another 2 1/2 months to set goals, when I can start TODAY?

So, I am setting a goal. Not a huge, ridiculous, "I am going to have a body like Brittney Spears by the time the clock strikes midnight on Dec 31" type goal.  An achievable, trackable, and reachable goal. Just something to work on for the rest of the year.

My goal will be to work out 10 times per month for the next 3 months. I've already worked out twice this month, so I've got 8 more times to go. 10 times out of 30 days is reachable- it doesn't have to be an in the gym workout, even a good 30 minute walk with the kids will count. So, with that, I've set a goal! YAY! Of course I'll share my progress on here, I want you all to keep me accountable.

Now it's your turn.  If you aren't still browsing the Lululemon site and you've actually read this far, then it's time to step up! Set a goal with me. The year isn't over, so what will you achieve this year? Make it reachable, and attainable. Comment and share it with me. Maybe it isn't a physical goal, or anything to do with health. Maybe it's something like "I will not buy more then 5 more pairs of Lulus before Christmas" (I told you their site is addictive!)

No matter what you're working towards for the rest of 2010, I'd love to hear your goal.

"This year, I will__________________________."

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Why "My Body Today?"

You may be wondering where the title for the blog came from. To be honest, when I chose it, I was worried about two things. First, it sounded a bit like something I hear when I go to mass during Communion ("this is my body, the body of Christ...) I will be keeping my religious thoughts to myself, so don't worry, that is definitely NOT where the title came from!

So where did it come from then? Well, when I was just out of college, I attended a yoga class pretty frequently, and the instrutor always started every class with a short meditation. He would have us sit, cross legged, with our eyes closed, and connect with our bodies. Just take a sort of mental inventory: how we were feeling, what felt good or what was sore, how healthy we felt, etc.  It was not supposed to be a time of thinking "damnit, I can feel my muffin top poking over these yoga pants" or "I'm fat, I hate my body, I need to lose weight!" No. This was a time to be thankful and appreciative.  To think, this is my body today. It isn't going to change drastically today, and that's ok. Thank you, body, for supporting me today. For being strong enough to carry me around all day, to allow me to be in this yoga class. I appreciate you.

So that second thing I worried about? I was worried that this all sounded way too "Eat, Pray, Love" for a simple health blog. I worried that I would sort of sound like Elizabeth, hearing voices and talking to my own body. But again, don't worry. I'm not going to run off and join an ashram. I'm not a devout yogi and I'm not going to ask you to start reciting ancient Sanskrit chants with me (although I do love yoga, more about that another day).  But what that yoga instructor said at the beginning of each class has always stuck in my head, and is just as true today as it was then.

This is my body today. I should be proud of this body. It is a strong, healthy body. Could it be stronger and healthier? Sure. But everyone can say that, no matter their situation. This body, the one I have today, gave me my two beautiful, amazing children. This body allows me to move, to play, to laugh, to jump, to live. I am healthy, and that's what matters. I may be a little more saggy, have a few more stretch marks, and be a little heavier than before, but this is my body today, and I am thankful for this body.

I encourage all of you to sit for a minute, close your eyes, and think about your bodies. And at a risk of sounding all yoga-ish on you- try to appreciate your body, even if for a few minutes. Think about all it allows you to do, and just thank it for a minute. Cause after all, this is your body today.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

It all starts here, and now.

Hi. Welcome to my blog. I have so much I want to say here that I am finding it difficult to start. So, first, I'll keep it simple:

My name is Nikki, and I need to change.

Whew. That feels better. And now that I got that out, here's the longer version:

My name is Nikki. A few years ago, I was in shape. Great shape. I ate healthy, I worked out. I ran, I lifted. I was in my early twenties and living in one of the healthiest places in the world. I had hours a day to spend in the gym, so I did. I was so healthy, and had big plans. But alas, plans change... and for me, two babies in less than 2 years changed my plans. But not two average sized babies. Oh no, not me. As you get to know me, you'll know that I don't do anything "average"- I'm an all or nothing kind of girl. My babies were 9 pounds, 7 ounces, and 11 pounds, 5 ounces. Yes, at birth, that was their weight. And I'll get into more detail later, but let's just say for now that I am 5'1 if I stretch reeeeeealllly tall- I'm not a big girl to be having such big babies!

So, now I am a mommy. And I LOVE being a mommy. My kids and my husband are my life, and I wouldn't change a thing for them.

But...

I am no longer that in shape girl from a few years ago. Like most moms, my kids not only changed every element of my life, but changed every square inch of my body as well. And while I love my kids, it's time to take back my body. For me, and for them, it's time to get healthy again.

I have many mom friends, and most feel the same- it's easy to be discouraged as we look at our post-baby bodies and see stretch marks and other not-so-fun marks of mommyhood. But instead of sitting around discouraged in my sweatpants, I've decided to do something about it. This is not an effort to get skinny- it is an effort to get HEALTHY. My kids depend on me for everything, and I need to be healthy for them.

So I hope you'll follow along as I work on changing my mind and body. And who knows, maybe I can encourage you to jump on the healthy train too.