Postpartum 13 Months

Hannah turned one last month. After her birthday she stopped breast feeding altogether. A year long journey (view Week 1 postpartum) of nursing has come to an end, and I'm ok with that. The exciting part is my hormones have been balancing out more and more since being done with nursing. It's amazing how our bodies work. To all the moms who struggle with fluctuations and mood swings....it gets BETTER. It's hard to realize that when you're in the midst of it all. You feel like you have become this new person and it won't change, but it does. Praise God! 

End of Pregnancy....October 2012

13 Months Postpartum...November 2013

Since nursing ended, I a have dropped a couple pounds. Woot. I knew my body was holding onto weight to keep feeding my little one adequately. It's amazing how much my appetite has slowed down as well. Finally going back to some normalcy. 

*Couple weeks ago*

*Current*

My current weight is 124. It feels good to fit into jeans more comfortably. I am not done yet and am loving the changes my body is making. This is about "endurance" and not a quick fix. I continue to learn and sit in the presence of my Creator. To enjoy each spot I am in, physically and beyond. There is so much I have to learn and I am thankful that The Lord gives me time, grace, and vision. 

I am learning to teach my girls by "doing" and not just "talking." I want to show them my fit journey. That I have failings, successes, and goals. To let them know that it's about balance and that it is FUN. Abby was playing the other day and having her dolls "workout." That brings me so much joy because she sees mommy do it in a healthy way and hopefully God-honoring way. 

I am learning to live a life of sacrifice, to be the Hands and Feet of Jesus. This is all for His glory, how can I get in on it?! I believe He has given me this incredible passion for fitness and nutrition and I am trying to give my time, knowledge, failings, advice, and myself over to God so He can use it for other people. There is redemptive work to be done in all our lives. I feel like each area I surrender over, the closer I get to tasting a bit more of His goodness. 

It's NOT easy, I know. I work hard and I make it a priority. But it's worth it. It really is. It builds character, it can make you cry, it makes you feel vulnerable, it shows you how far you have to go, it gets you out of breath, and it makes you feel weak. But after every workout I feel refreshed, renewed, re-energized, ready to praise God, and I see how exercise breaks down walls that gives Him access to more of me. Why? Because all those things I listed are just opportunities for God's strength and grace to come along side and grow me. It is SPIRITUAL FORMATION.

WIll you surrender? Will you let the Creator do a work in you that you cannot do on your own? I pray for His power in your life. I am cheering you on and I know you can do it because of His help! Where are you at? How can I pray for you and cheer you on? I love hearing from you!

Taquitos

Growing up, my mom used to buy the boxes of taquitos...mmm. Well since I've done away with processed food, I obviously don't buy them. Lately I have found recipes pinned on Pinterest for taquitos. Woo! So I thought I would try it. Hello yum! These taste pretty much the same but maybe better. And they're made with all real ingredients. Yes. You can make different versions, which I will try later, but I went simple because of my hubby and what I had on hand.

FIRST make tortillas. 

Chicken Taquitos

Chicken Filling

1 ½ chicken breasts

chili powder

garlic salt

onion powder

pepper

cream cheese (about ¼ package or 2-3 oz)

½ block (4oz) cheddar cheese

2 tbsp salsa (I used a fresh salsa)

Directions:

1. Put raw chicken in a pan with water covering the bottom. Heat till boiling for about 5 minutes.

2. Simmer chicken in water at least 10 minutes.

3. Drain water and shred chicken with 2 forks.

4. Generously sprinkle seasonings over chicken and mix together. 

5. Shred cheese in a bowl, put in cream cheese, salsa, and warm chicken. Mix thoroughly.

6. Put on tortillas and roll-up (This is enough for 8-10 taquitos and the tortilla recipe makes 10). 

7. Spray 9x13 pan and place tortillas in it. 

8. Lightly brush olive oil on top of rolled tortillas and sprinkle garlic salt. 

9. Bake at 415 degrees about 15-20 minutes or until edges get crispy. 

You are welcome to try adding jalapeno, onions or spinach in yours. The salsa helps add a couple. These had wonderful flavor and were a big hit. I hope you enjoy them too!

Postpartum 1 Year

Hannah is turning one! So I need to update my progress...but first pictures of this cutie :)

Newborn

3 Months

6 Months

9 Months

One Year 

Now on to my progress of getting "down to size." I definitely am continuing to make progress. Reminding myself that this is a journey, not a destination is daily on my mind. You know what? I am ok with that...most of the time, until my pants feel too tight some days! But really, I am content with each day and know that I am giving it to God. He doesn't let me down, no matter what. 

Current Weight... 126. 

Remember these pants?!!!

This is the shirt I originally couldn't button but now have plenty of room to move around in. 

So here's a snapshop of losing the baby belly. Week 1 top left, Week 4 top right, 6 months lower left, 1 Year lower right (I would have written on the pictures but the app was not allowing me to).

I just want to say that my intent on posting all of this is not to just give myself praise. I hope this inspires you to believe that things are possible...anything is possible, with God. I continue to learn from Him. Exercise and eating is a JOURNEY. Do I have it right all the time? No. Definitely not. But I am learning that His grace covers, even when it comes to fitness and nutrition. 

How is God speaking to you in these areas? What temptations do you need to give to Him? The temptation of putting food on a pedestal or the temptation of exercising too much and focusing on the nice body you might have? God wants to break in to each moment of the day. He wants to break in when you want to eat half of that pizza and wash it down with a beer, followed by icecream and cookies. He wants to break in when you are so consumed with losing weight that you press play on your DVD player for another hour of a workout video, when you need to stop. 

It starts and doesn't end with giving all these days and moments to the God of the universe. You know what? He will be the strength you need. He will remind you of who He IS and that He doesn't change. He will work in you what you can't do on your own. Will you lean into Him? He loves you and can't wait to take on your burdens! 

I'd love to hear how you're doing in your journey and I will continue updating. I still have a few pounds to lose and I am ok with that. So how are you doing? :) 

Ball Workout #1

Did you know that a stability ball can do more for your workouts than just sitting on it to do crunches? Well get excited and take it out of your closet because there is almost an unlimited amount of exercises you can do with it! But first I want to share just 3 benefits of using a ball instead of no equipment.

#1 A ball is unstable which is a good thing because it works your balance

#2 Since it works your balance you are actually engaging more neurons and muscle fiber which means more calaories burned

#3 Lifting, lunging and twisting with a ball causes an increased heart rate, more blood circulation, and exhausts muscles sooner...which means a harder and more effective workout!

Warm-up: Get the blood flowing for 3-5 minutes with squats, jogging in place, jumprope, briskwalking, very light weights. You can even squat with your ball if you'd like. Light stretching as well. 

Lunge with ball rotation. Keep your knee over the ankle. 10-15 each leg.

The "wheel." Bring the ball to the shoulder and lift over head to the other shoulder. Keep your tummy tucked and abs sucked in tight so you work your stomach **This is important* Do 10.

One leg balance. Have one hand out to the side for balance or put both hands on the ball to make it more difficult. Keep one leg lifted, roll ball out and bring it back in. Do 8 each leg. 

Push-ups! The farther you roll out, the more difficult. So a great way to improve your strength is starting with the ball on your stomach and rolling out closer to your feet. Do as many as possible.

Modified pike. Get in your plank position and bring the legs in to your stomach. Do 8-10.

Side crunch. Pretty self explanatory by the picture. Do 10 each side.

Taking the Side Crunch to the next level and straightening the arm as well. Do 10 each side. 

Ab Roller. Keep your body a rigid piece, roll out and back. Do 5-10. Your abs should be screaming with all this work. 

Now get up and lunge while lifting the ball overhead as you're lunging forward. Do 10 each leg. 

Then get down and crunch. 20 crunches.

Cool down and stretch. 

This is just a few things you can do. I may do another post to show some other awesome ideas. You can repeat this circuit one or two more times if you'd like. Dust that ball off and get to work! :)

Pink and Green Smoothie

I made a delicious, just delicious smoothie that is super healthy too! Win win! Contains healthy fat, vitamins, minerals, fiber, probiotics, and is tasty. Woo hoo! Well here it is. 

Pink and Green Smoothie

1 small banana 

1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries

Handful spinach 1/3 avocado

1 tbsp fiber supplement (optional) 

Probiotic powder 1 scoop (optional

1/4 cup apple juice

1/4 cup water

The banana and avocado make this nice and creamy. Enjoy :)

Snack Box

Eating whole foods/clean can be tricky at times when you need a quick snack because most of the food you eat is making it from scratch or refrigerated and spoils easily. What do you do when you have kids and you don't want to take a cooler everytime you leave the house but still keep it healthy? Here are some ideas of healthy snacks you can buy without getting a bunch of unhealthy processed junk. I decided that it is important to have more readily available snacks and it would be nice to organize them in our pantry for easy access. My goal is to keep it fairly full all of the time for the girls...well, for all of us!

These freeze-dried apples are awesome especially cauae Abby loves Mickey Mouse. 

Just applesauce and no HFCS, added sugar, or other junk.

We like Clif Bars and the crunchy ones are the best :)

dark chocolate plums without any hydrogenated oil or other unwanted chemicals. Yay!

I did not mean to get sweetened craisins but one time will be fine.

Here it is in the pantry. 

This yogurt doesn't go in the pantry but these are easy and Abigail likes them a lot. 

There you go. The only thing missing from the box is almonds, which I like to get from Whole Foods and I haven't been there yet. I would love to know other healthy snack ideas you might have so comment below if you have some! 

Abby eating a mandarin orange at the mall today while she got spoiled by a set of grandparents :)

Her and her grandpa.

Advanced Full body Workout

Want a fullbody workout that will challenge you? This is ADVANCED so beware. If you are not at a moderate level of fitness then modify each one. Well here you go. Let's get going!

Start with warming up and light STRETCHING. I personally use my foam roller, then a series of squats and moving stretches. Picking up a light set of weights is good to do as well after that. Bicep curls, tricep extensions, overhead presses and squats will get the blood pumping. Use 3-8 pounds depending on what you're used to.

Exercise #1 Tricep Push-up

 

Put your elbows tight to your body with your arms against your body as well. Start on your knees if you have never done one. They are pretty tough so don't fret. You will improve! Go down and up. Do as many as possible until failure. 

#2 Plank with tricep extension

Get into plank position, feet wide for good balance. Place your hand in the middle of your chest also for balance. Bring your arm up and just picture your elbow as a hinge. Lift up like pictured and hinge back to starting position. Do 10 to 12 reps with the 12th being the most you can do because you're too exhausted to do anymore! I am using 10 pounds here. 

#3 Lateral Raise

With your elbows bent and holding your weights like a hammer, lift up keeping everything at shoulder height and even. Do 10-12 reps with a heavy enough weight to fail by 12 but no less than 10. I use 12 pound weights.

Tricep Dips and Inclined Tricep Push-up

This is self-explanatory with the pictures. The farther away your feet are the tougher it is. Do as many as possible.

Leg Extension with Rowing

Spice it up with this. The band provides EXTRA resistance. Go heavy with your arms because your shoulders are strong. I am using 20 lbs each (40 lb total) in the picture. Keep your back FLAT, good form is important. Lift your leg and row with your arms simultaniously. Keep your stomach tight because you are working your whole body with this and you need a solid core to keep from injury plus work your abs. Do 12 total with 6 each leg.

Down dog Air Jacks

Start as pictured. This is pretty quick so go up and down. Keep your core rigid and don't arch your back (like I am doing in the pic). Do 15-20

Army Crawl and Superman

If you don't have a bosu don't worry! You can do both on the floor. The bosu makes this more difficult because it challenges your balance. For the army crawl pretend you are crawling under a bed so keep your booty down and bring your knee to your elbow. Rotate legs. Do 10 count each leg. For the superman lift all limbs off the floor and balance. Hold for 30 second count.

Headstand 

This will work your core, flexibility, and balance. So play with it and just start with getting into a regular headstand if need be. 

Stretch

Finish your workout with stretching to keep from injury, tight muscles, and soreness. A flexible muscle has greater strength potential. You will not be able to continue advancing physically without injury if you do not stretch. 5-10 minutes full body stretching. 

Foam Roll

Every exercise enthusiast needs a foam roller! This has so many benefits to tight muscles, soreness, blood flow, and injuries. This is literally a deep tissue massage. If you workout all the time then you know the constant soreness that occurs....when I got a roller I was suffering from tendonitis, calf pain, and back pain. After a week most of it subsided! There is no way I could have paid for enough massages to fix all this in one week and I was at risk for injury with a couple areas so this is totally worth it. $30 is a great price. That's a 30 minute massage but at your disposal whenever you want and a one time cost! Looks like my next post is on how to use the foam roller. Now get to work!