And this Mom keeps runnin', runnin', & runnin', runnin'

Some of you may be aware that over the past year I have become a runner.  People who have known me for a long time may find this hard to believe because I was not all that athletic for the first 22 yrs. of my life.  Anyway, I would still not consider myself to be an "athlete" because I feel that an athlete is someone whom participates in sports that involve balls in some way, and I still duck and cover when anything is thrown at me instead of trying to catch it.  However, I really do like running.  I think my favorite part about running is that I am able to push myself to do things I never thought were possible.  Forever, I have thought of myself as the awkward adolescent girl I was in middle school, and running has really taken that feeling away from me.  Running has made me realize that I am capable of anything I put my mind to, and that I am an important person with some pretty great ideas and attributes.  

I began running last year when my kids were 5 months old.  I started doing it as a way to get back into working out and start shedding my baby weight.  I did that Couch to 5k Plan, and I ran my first 5k at the end of October 2011.  In the next 7 months I ran five more 5k's and one 8k.  All this running really helped me start to feel like me again, but more of a new and improved me.  I took a break over the summer, but at the end of August I put back on the running shoes to train for my first 10k.  Now, I plan to run a 12k in February, a 15k in March, and half marathon in April.  My training for my half marathon begins this week, and I plan to keep you all posted on my training as it progresses.  

I know the training process will be tough at times, but I think writing about it every now and then will help me out.  I just need to remember that running makes me feel like a lean, mean, fighting Mama!  I can't wait to share my journey with you (and I hope that my running posts don't bore the socks off of you).

To wrap up this post, here's a pic for your viewing pleasure.  It's from my second 5k.  I did it with Ryan and the twinners in November 2011.

Now, here's to many more!

Before/Mid-way Through Pic

I have been working on losing weight since the babies were about 4 months old.  I started off by just going to Weight Watchers, and then I started working out not long after that.  I gained 60 lbs. while I was pregnant, and lost 30 of it right after the babies were born.  Since I have started Weight Watchers and working out, I have lost 17 more pounds.  I thought I 'd celebrate this loss by posting a Before and Midway through my weight loss picture.   

The twins were 3 weeks in this picture.  It's not the greatest pic because I have a coat on, but believe me that coat was well-fitted. 

BEFORE

Below is my Midway through pic.  I think you can see the difference the most in my face.  Now I only need to lose 13 more lbs. to get to pre-baby weight.  Then I'll set my goal weight with Weight Watchers.  Look for my pic in April to see if I lose all the baby weight before the babies 1st birthday.

MIDWAY

Let the training begin!

I have started training for a 5K that is at the end of October.  I'm doing this to help me get rid of some of baby weight.  I put on a little more then I wanted to, but when you're pregnant with twins you are always worried about them arriving early and being very tiny, so I ate a ton of meals and snacks loaded with protien while pregnant thinking this would hep bulk up my babies.  (protien shakes, peanut butter, meat, meat, and more meat)  I think this may have caused the weight gain not to mention all the foods loaded with calcium like string cheese, yogurt and ICE CREAM!!!  Anyway, I am not happy with my body at the current moment so I am starting to run and am back on Weight Watchers.  I'm doing the "From Couch to 5K" program, and am in my 3rd week of training.  I am enjoying the time I get to spend with Owen, Lindy, and Marlee (the wonder dog).  The picture below is not of me running, but it is of me with my running crew, and you can see the enourmous stroller I push while I jog. 

Happy jogging!!