A Successful Day One

Last post was March 2, 2012.  Seriously?  I didn't even remember that this was MY blog.

Well, since my last post, I have gotten married, gotten pregnant, had a baby, quit my job, and am now raising my two-and-a-half-year-old child.  I've gained 42 pounds (pregnancy), but I've also lost 45.  I've tried to eat cleanly, which I've done well and failed miserably.  Mostly, my weight stays in the same 4-5 pound range, despite my best efforts to drop some pounds.  I think I like food too much.

In the last couple weeks, I must have gone a little crazy with the salt and sugar because my body protested quite loudly.  I have felt terrible: bloated, gurgly tummy rumbles, indigestion, maybe even a little heartburn.  In an effort to feel better, all gluten and refined sugars have been cut from my diet.  At the moment, I'm also going Paleo, so cutting back on brown rice and dairy.  Today is Day 4 of clean eating, and I'm feeling great.  Tracking exactly what calories are going in my mouth has helped quite a bit too because I am more closely sticking to my 1,800 calories a day.  Reducing caloric intake reminds me drastically of living in Hiroshima for a year.  When I first arrived there, I ate so much food.  I'd finish my meal (that my host family provided) and would still be famished.  After several weeks (?...I don't remember exactly when it changed), I would be full before even finishing my meal that the same family provided.  I doubt they fed me more...at least I hope they didn't.  I also lost a total of 30 pounds during my year abroad.  SO...  Yeah, I eat too much.

Those days are changing.  I decided to try a new fitness challenge in addition to attending TKD classes 3 times a week.  This challenge is the Betty Rocker 30-Day challenge, and it basically requires clean eating (which I'm already 4 days in) and a 15-minute workout every day.  I struggled with the 21-Day Fix workouts because 30 minutes away from the little guy just wasn't happening.

I just finished the Day 1 workout, and it surprised me!  I was totally dripping sweat afterwards!!  It felt wonderful, too.  I feel clear-headed and inspired to write, which is why I am tapping away on my laptop as the little guy takes his nap.

Aside from the obvious and usual benefits of working out, this time is dedicated to ME, which is something that every momma desperately needs.  It isn't something that I had been doing, and my psyche paid the price.  As I continually have to remind myself, it is essential that I take care of myself before I can even begin to expect to take care of the Little One.

Yay, for a successful Day One.