Getting in Shape: The Story of a Square Trying to be a Rectangle

I really need to get in shape. Anyone else?!

After having Sienna, the baby weight just disappeared. On it's own. With no effort at all. It was wonderful and I assumed, wrongly so, that it would happen again after having Tess. Well it's two years later and I'm still struggling to get the pounds off. I was rigorous with exercise after having her, feeling great and starting to work out just 3-4 weeks after she was born. I was running daily and going to yoga but the weight barely budged. Then life got crazy when I went back to work and we had our home on the market...and then summer came, and so did ice cream, sangria and beer...and well, you get the picture. I was in an eating healthy and workout slump.

While getting back in shape is important for my own sanity and overall well being, it's also important that I demonstrate a healthy lifestyle for my kids. Exercise is extremely beneficial to those battling CF. Giving the lungs a good workout helps them stay clear, which leads to less infections and issues in general. I really want to be a healthy example for Sienna. I want her to see that running is fun. Playing sports is fun. Doing things that take care of our body is fun. Just encourage an active lifestyle.  

Wanted: someone to use me

So. I'm getting back into the swing of things - starting with running and ultimately better food choices. I seem to be consuming extra food unintentionally; like today when Sienna said she wanted a waffle for breakfast, and I made that waffle, then she ultimately decided she actually doesn't like waffles. So I ate the waffle. That's mommyhood, right? 

Anyway, I figure once I get myself in a routine, I can make changes from there. Routine being some exercise and some will power to not eat my children's food. 

Twice this week I've gotten out for runs through our neighborhood.  I'm loving the different paths and routes I'm finding and need to start tracking my distance. I'll either run with our double or single BOB which makes whatever terrain easy to handle (which is really just sidewalk to road to grass to sidewalk). I'll bring my phone and put a kids Pandora station on and the kids will hold onto it in charge of the music. However, the problem running with kids is they like to talk to you. And seeing as I'm back to a novice runner status, it's really hard to hold a conversation (read, "yes I see the blue car", "uh huh that's a bird", "no I don't have any more snacks") as I'm winded within two minutes of running. But the kids really love going for rides in the stroller and always beg to come. Plus, I figure the extra effort pushing the stroller is necessary for my whole getting back into shape plan. 

She looks thrilled doesn't she? She really is.

If the kids are good, I'll make a pit stop at the playground or fields for them to play for a bit. Which is usually a win-win, because I get a break from running and they have fun burning energy (which tuckers them out and makes bedtime go smoother - the ultimate WIN). I also get to snap a few pictures during the break, which is a perk for me.  

Shop her look below

My plan is to squeeze in four runs a week.  I've got two down this week - hopefully I stay motivated to get in another two.

What are your tips for staying motivated to exercise? 

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What's Tess wearing?

Romper is from Lulu and Ren, her shop can be found here

Bow is from Little Wilde and Co, her shop can be found here

Shoes are from Duchess and Fox, her shop can be found here