Bye bye, baby weight!

I've been meaning to post here for a while. A while being... a year. I had my third baby in January 2009 and thought I could write a little here and there about my journey losing the baby weight. Long story short, I gained and lost the motivation several times during the year. I finally decided to wait until I was done breastfeeding, when he turned one, and then give it all I had.

I'm proud to say, I am doing just that. I woke up one morning, about 3 weeks prior to the official one year birthday and had determination and will that could not be ignored. I sat in my bed and thought, "This is it. I'm tired of this weight and TODAY IS THE DAY I am starting.". There was going to be no more excuses, and no more procrastinating! That day was December 16, 2009.

Getting active again:
I've always loved the gym but I found it difficult to go consistently with 3 small kids. As for outdoor workouts- It is impossible to take 3 kids on a run or walk and get a good cardio workout. It is a lot of stopping and starting, waiting for them to catch up with you, taking potty breaks etc. If you are a Mom, you know what I am talking about. To some (including myself), it looked like I had few, if any other options. I have NO treadmill, elliptical or any cardio equipment at my house. Some dumbbells, a balance ball and a stability ball are pretty much it. I knew had to get creative with my exercise. I went on a search for some challenging and non-cheesy workout DVDs. Here, here and here are what I came home with. I got started immediately. I've been rotating DVDs, doing workout shows on Fittv, climbing the stairs in my house (SOOO incredibly boring, but I gotta change it up!) and getting outside for a walk/jog when my hubby is home on weekends (he works out of state). Being a single Mom during the weeks means I don't even get to get out in the evenings for a workout at a gym or outside. Could have been yet another excuse for me.

I started off doing these workouts in my living room while my kids ate breakfast or any other time during the day that I could. This did not work out well. I was stopping constantly to wait on them and then had a baby crawling between my legs, pulling up on me and crying to be held. When the big kids were done with their meal, they would join the baby on the floor to play, and then I had 3 kids to dodge! It would have been so easy to quite at this point. It was another challenge, but I was determined to figure out some other way. Remember, I said there would be no more excuses! I now give up an hour of sleep in the morning and get up and do it in my bedroom. The kids have been instructed not to dare come in and interrupt if they wake up during that time (unless they are sick or it is urgent). That is MY time!

Diet:
I eat smaller portions and pretty healthy. No fast food, nothing fried, no butter etc. I try and do lean meat, lots of fruits and lots of veggies. I snack on yogurt, almonds, string cheese and fruit. I do NOT count calories, carbs, sugar etc. No fad diets. I don't want to make myself crazy. Everything is just common sense eating. It really IS that simple!


Where I am now:
I lost 5 lbs sometime during the first year, which left me 3 lbs away from my pre-pregnancy weight. However, I had gained at least 10-15 lbs in the year prior to getting preggers. This left me with 20-25 total lbs to lose.

As of today (I weigh every Wednesday), it has been 7 full weeks and I am down a total of 14.7 lbs. I weigh only to serve as a weekly check on my progress. Mainly, I just want to know that what I am doing is working, although how I feel is a great indicator. At the end of the day, I'm not concerned about the number on the scale. It is about fitting into my old clothes again, getting in great shape, being strong and feeling really good! I took my measurements a few weeks in and that is what I will be interested in when I reach my goal. I'm really looking forward to seeing the inches lost!

So, here I am, about halfway through this journey and I am feeling great! My message of encouragement is this: I no longer have a gym membership, and I have no equipment. I cannot get outside regularly, and I have no special diet with certain foods, yet I am making great progress toward my goal of getting fit again. ANYONE can lose weight, tone up, get in shape, and improve their diet (or whatever your personal goal is). We ALL have our own obstacles and hurdles. I just shared some of mine with you. All it takes is some inspiration and a little encouragement along the way. Use this blog for both, that's what it's for!

does FRIDAY NIGHT = bye bye diet?

It is Friday night and I'm ready to fall off that wagon, little dogies.
I'm ready for pizza and beer, you?

SO. I'm going to have it because indulging is a part of dieting. But you can do it right.
I'm going to have a light beer (maybe one of those 60ish calorie jobs) and we're having this:

DISCLAIMER: I HATE (loath, despise, etc) COOKING, but these are SOOOO easy and they don't take the night to make.
*hint: drink that low calorie beer while you cook- makes it a little more fun... hee hee.



and this (we're having company):



(click photos for recipes)

Now, because I like losing weight (who doesn't) and getting in shape (who doesn't), I am also going to CONTINUE TO EXERCISE THIS WEEKEND. (So you can burn off your indulgences)!!

The blog heard around the world

I am adding this post to ALL IN STRIDE because it needs to be known and because it gives me credibility- HA!

Last week, my status on facebook read: "Sarah B. Gilliam has found the fountain of youth."

A couple of friends commented and it didn't take me long to come up with an answer.

And this isn't some crazy Biggest Loser story- I wasn't 600 pounds or something, just unhealthy and not living life to the fullest, but I'm getting there. And you're helping me.

It isn't enough to live- you always enjoy life more when you have someone there to experience it with you. You can quote me on that.

Now, onto my facebook note:

the fountain of youth discovery, explained:

Maybe you remember my status a couple weeks back- overwhelmed, tired, sinking, etc...
Here, I found it (Jan. 9):
"Sarah B. Gilliam can NOT get motivated (in general). It's easy to cheerlead for everyone else."

Well WATCH OUT, 'cause I'm about to TESTIFY!!! (can I get an AMEN)

First, the back story:

As of 2006-07, I was SMOKING about a pack and a half a day, sipping Sun Drops (it's a southern thing for you northerners reading) and eating my FAVORITE thing in the world: China King Buffet.

Slowly, I started cutting all of that out of my life- I quit smoking with the support of my awesome hubby, Patrick (we both smoked for about 10 years at the point), and then I started brainwashing myself BACK to choosing the RIGHT things to eat - and making those things taste yummy instead of tasting like a big, nasty rice cake- gag.

Then, I got preggers (that was NOT a part of my diet/weight loss plan), SO, I kind of fell of the wagon, which, if you're planning a family, may I suggest not going into it while NOT feeling your best... while I loved being pregnant, I did not love being FAT and pregnant. Who does??

Baby Jack arrived in January of 2008, and I had HAD ENOUGH. I was fat, pregnant fat and it was mid-winter. YUCK YUCK YUCK!!!

*****************TURNING POINT IN OUR STORY*********************

***********

Around month 2 of parenthood (Feb-March) I got back on the healthy plan - not some fad diet, not a crazy, serious health plan- just a normal diet with normal splurges. I bought a cheap jogging stroller on craigslist, bundled that little sprout up, and I have never looked back.

HOW I DO IT:
Eating Well: Healthy in a Hurry
Cooking Light Weeknight
GOOGLE: light chicken recipes, easy chili, blah, blah, blah
NO NO NO NO NO NO FAST FOOD (if I have to, Subway, granola bars in the car)
WATER
WATER
WATER
WATER

Think you missed the part where I got back into the gym, back with a trainer, back to Kettle Bells? No. I had never EXERCISED IN MY LIFE. I still have NEVER been to a gym, done pilates, whatever- I'm sure that's great, but I have a limited amount of time and a limited budget.

HOW I DID IT:
I went to Fleet Feet.
I bought shoes.
I started running using this Website ONLY: www.runnersworld.com.

Then, I got the crazy idea I'd run a marathon. And I did.
That's another story, which you can read here:
http://gilliamlife.blogspot.com/2009/04/bucket-list-marathon-check.html

And for goodness sake, you DO NOT have to run a marathon!!! You don't have to RUN!
30 minutes a day is a great start- on your bike, on your feet, in a pool. Cut out that sitcom and walk around your yard, your parking lot, your neighborhood, your park.

The fountain of youth = exercise and diet.
Really, really.
You don't have to take it from me: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/news/20091201/molecular-proof-exercise-keeps-you-young

OK, more TMI time. I have been blue, blah, bummed for about two or three months, and when it came down to it, I looked at my calendar and saw that I hadn't ran since October.
I have been out three times this week, and you know that psycho cleaning mood you get in? You know the one- yeah, I've been high on that feeling EVERY DAY THIS WEEK.

I am glad you hung in there to read this. I've never really felt like sharing this little story with everyone, but when you feel this good, it is hard not to want to share :)
Maybe this will inspire someone who is blue, or someone who is tired of fast food.. I just hope my story shows that if a smoker, chinese-buffet eating, couch potato can do it, you can, too.

Thanks for 'listening.'

QUESTIONS??? ASK AWAY!!!!

Eating well

The first step to eating well begins with your grocery list!

My rule of thumb: SHOP THE OUTSIDE AISLES. Skip the chips, cookies, canned stuff (preservatives), cokes, etc. Stick to the fresh stuff. Now, there will be some things you'll need from those aisles of temptation, but beware. And remember, if there isn't that other stuff in your pantry, no one else will be eating it either. It is a great way to set a good example for the rest of the family.

Breakfast: Oatmeal is a GREAT. Cereal is a good choice, too. Add some blueberries, raisins or banana or your favorite fruit for sweetener. I also make smoothies- it seems like it would be a hassle, but it isn't- www.runnersworld.com has great smoothie recipes. Drink a glass of water.



Snack: Banana (good for potassium), a handful of almonds, an apple, yogurt, carrot sticks- about 100-150 calories worth or something yummy. Drink a glass of water.

Lunch: I love sandwiches because you can pretty much cram all the food groups into one- bread (whole grain), cheese, meat, and pile on the veggies- bell pepper, lettuce, tomato, sprouts, avacado. Forget the condiments- with all that goodness, you wouldn't taste them anyway. Drink a glass of water.



Another snack

For dinner: www.eatingwell.com. I bought the "Healthy in a Hurry" cookbook a couple of years ago, and it is our go-to for dinners during the week. It is basically 30 minute meals or less. I really only buy cookbooks with the calories and nutritional information listed. Drink a glass of water.

Must eats for dinner:
FISH FISH FISH- there are great ways to disguise it like the Beer Batter Talapia in the Eating Well Cookbook.
Cooking Light Weeknight casseroles (make ahead)
Frozen veggies- They are great and easy to pop in as a side to one of your meals.

For you veggie eaters out there: FIND A COOKBOOK. It can seem monotonous without one.



For hard cord workout days:
I eat a piece of peanut butter toast before a short run. I eat Skittles during a long run for instant simple sugar. I always always drink a sports drink (low calorie) after a long run or long workout- 1 or more hours.
I carb out the night before- not endless pasta at Olive Garden, but a pretty good portion of whole wheat pasta or grains of some sort. Easy on the fiber. WATER- lots.

***I am NOT a nutritionist, and these are things that work for me. And for you ladies, at your next "well woman checkup," tell your doctor you've started running and get his/her advice or just let them know your lifestyle has changed.***

I have done a lot of research on eating right for my exercise routine, so spend sometime Googling- you will find out a lot!