A new journey

WOW! I can not believe it's been nearly a year since I blogged!!!

Well, my "fitness" journey has taken a bit of a detour as I am currently "cooking" our second daughter. After working so hard to lose weight, but more importantly being a healthier mommy, I was determined not to let my pregnancy be an excuse to "let it all go." I made the decision that I was going to be active. And i have continued to workout with my awesome trainer, Laurie. We made adjustments in the first trimester for my nausea and now at 30 weeks, my growing belly, but for the most part I have done the same workouts that I did pre-pregnancy; lunges, bench press, squats, plank, ect. I have been blessed that with a bit of hard work and very little cravings I have been able to keep my weight gain to nearly none. As of 28weeks, I've gained a grand total of 1.8lbs. I don't think I can "stop" the weight gain much longer, as baby herself is starting to pack on the pounds, but I am hoping to gain just baby weigh and no "fluff weight." I can only do what I can do, right?


This hasn't been easy. The increased blood volume has made me short of breath just warming up. I now sweat, a lot. But the hardest thing has been the mental piece, something didn't expect. Things that had gotten easier for me are now hard. Like push ups. Even on my knees, I resemble a table top rather then a plank. And bending my arms is a joke. I forget that I'm pregnant and should be proud of just lacing up my Nike's.



Lunges at 5 months pregnant with Laurie at Ames2Bfit.

But, that competitive side of me is eager to roar; as are my achy hips. (oh, the joys of pregnancy!)

So I am making my post-pregnancy revolution/goals (which will actually start January 2012 if that isn't a coincidence or what).http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Through this journey, I have learned I can say i want to lose X amount of pounds. It doesn't work. So, instead, I am making fitness goals. Things I will need to work towards and in the process, lose weight.

Oh course, the obvious one is to do another triathlon. I LOVED my first one and am super anxious to do another.

But here is the crazy one. I want to complete a 1/2 marathon. I said it. Yep. big goal, especially as i sit here at 2pm in my pj's drinking a frappachino, but it is doable. I have to thank, Katy, another pregnant mom who mentioned this as her post-pregnancy goal. I was like if she can do it, i can do it! Thanks, Katy for the inspiration! Now of course to get to 12.1 miles there will most likely be mini runs (hahaha love how i call them mini already) along the way.

Here's to a continued healthy and active pregnancy and some kick-butt goals!!!!

I think I'll try Defying gravity

You know how before a MLB player goes up to bat, they play a little song? Something to get him pumped up and in the mood? Well, I've been looking for "my" song. Something that encompass this journey and my emotions. Something to get my "motor running." Since the rules of the triathlon, ban the use of personal music players, I needed something to keep my mind "busy."

I've played around with a few songs, but none seemed to completely fit. But then the right song, just dropped in my lap. Okay, more like crossed my tv screen.

This week, I stumbled across the BEST show ever this week, Glee. If you haven't seen it, DVR it!!!

Well, during the episode untitled "Wheels." a certain song made my mouth drop.

(Note: I did not record this. It's the only version I can find.)



the words just hit me like a ton of bricks.


So this is my new "pump up" song. If you hear me humming this weekend (and you most likely will), it will be this song.

I'm through accepting limits cause someone says they're so. Some things I cannot change, but till I try, I'll never know

I think I'll try Defying gravity and you won't bring me down

Today, I ROCK!

I am on cloud 9 right now! I can't stop smiling. Why? Cuz i just completed my first open water swim and it felt AMAZING!!!

I have "struggled" with biking. I tend to be in the back of the pack especially on the hills. I huff and I puff and my legs burn. But today, I got to see what it felt like to run (or in this case swim) with the big boys.

My tri group met at Cottage Lake in Woodinville. We talked about what supplies you need and how to "site" while swimming when you can't see beneath you and then hopped in the lake for a "little swim." Once in the water, a few of the members decided to stay close to shore and practice while other of us started out swimming across the lake (about 1/3 of a mile one way). I started of slow and steady per the training advice. Per coach Marc, your first 100 yards should be the same speed as you last 100 yards. (Let me mention it was his voice I kept hearing the whole way Reach, glide, pull all the way through, don't kick so much. Such a warm, encouraging voice to swim to) I found myself a good rhythm but only to look up and find I was swimming off course! I redirected my elf and started swimming. One stroke after another. Look up every 8th breath to see where I was going. When I made it to the other side, I was SHOCKED!!! Not only had a made it, I was the only one from my beginning Tri group to make it! The rest stayed near shore or turned back shortly after starting. I had kept up with "seasoned" tri guys and gals who had volunteered to help us newbies. I was blown away!!!

So we started back. This time I found it easier to stay straight and keep a consistent pace. I have no idea how fast I swam but I am proud of the distant I covered and NO BREASTSTROKING!

When we made it back to the other side, I felt fabulous, so much so that I actually didn't want to stop swimming!!! So I kindly asked Ironmen Joel (he's completed 3 ironmen!) to swim another lap with me. This time we swam straight across and back (round trip about 1/3 of a mile). I felt so strong and smooth in the water. I was livin' it up.

All said and done, I swam just under a mile. I ROCK!!! OMG! It felt so good to complete something and complete is well.

This gives me so much motivation to keep going. I mean who would have guessed Id be able to swim across a lake 6 months a go. But to day I did it...TWICE!!! If I can rock the water, those hills of Bothell better beware! I'm coming to get you!