thank you!

When I heard that our church was having a 'Mom's Day Out,' my first thought was..."Yes! I can go get groceries, get a pedicure, run errands, etc." But then it happened...Liz called. :)

Cheerfully, Liz says, "Do you wanna come work out with me and Katie tomorrow?"
"Sure!!!" I reply, trying to sound excited.

And there I was. I had agreed to spend my free morning working out. So yesterday morning, Liz and I met, dropped our kids off with the church ladies and off we went. On the way there Liz is like, "We're going to run one mile, Rach!" "WHAT?!?!?" I said out loud. Now I was really getting nervous. We made it to Champions and started with a one mile walk to warm up and then Liz looks at me and says, "Are you ready?" "No!" But off we went. 5.0, 5.1, 5.2....our speed was increasing every minute.

"T!....T!....My lungs are burnin'!" is all my brain was telling me as I ran. I don't think I made it quite a mile, honestly, I'm not sure. But I could feel the pain of my body changing...and it was good--NO PAIN NO GAIN :)

All jokes aside, I am very thankful that Liz and Katie included me in their workout. Although it was painful, pain is good. Even the Bible promises suffering. I must tell myself every time I workout that there WILL be pain, that's just the way it is. Lord give me perseverance as I beat this temple of flesh into submission...

Silas with his buddy, Azariah.

2 mile road race

This morning Julie and I ran a two mile road race to raise money for the flood victims in Iowa.  It was a great work out.  We ran faster then we usually do, it was fun to push ourselves a bit.  It was a nice cool morning and a great course.  I hope you all have a great weekend.

Fear Pain

Last night I did a track work out on a high school track.  The moment I got there I felt like I was going to have diarrhea from the nerves.  Julie, Meredith and I went there to get trained by Sarah Freeman.  She is an awesome runner and will train anyone to be a better runner.  Anyways the first thing I thought was the pain of it.  I fear pain and it makes me anxious.  The work out ended up to be great and I hope to do it again.  When I got home I was so hungry just like after a track practice.  I am so proud of you moms that used your moms day out to work out, that is awesome.  Here is a quote I read today and I liked it!

DON'T FEAR PAIN, but come to expect it, develop your own mental strategy for coping.  the mind and body are much stronger than you think they are.

Sweat-breaking

I broke many sweats this week while shoveling snow, even though it wasn't that much snow. I cleared our driveway 3 times. I actually enjoy shoveling, however, I now have shovel arms, another word for 'sore' arms, not oddly shaped ones. You'd think push-ups would prevent sore arms, but not so. Hopefully if we get a lot more snow, I will be more in shape for the swimming portion of the triathlon. I want to join the training team, but wasn't sure if I ever told Jen that. Hey, Jen, I want to join the team! Sore in Nebraska, SueL

great bra

I finally found my sports bra.  I always wear two because I don't like any jiggling.  It is called the T-Back Sports Bra by Champion.  www.championjogbra.com   I also got a great deal at Dick's Sporting goods.  Buy one get one free.  I am so pumped about this  They seem to be very true to size.  I am a 36B and that is the bra that fit me perfectly.  So now I have two awesome sports bras and I feel like throwing the rest of mine away.

tanks

Jake designed the tanks tonight and they look great.  You know if it was up to me they would be black but Jake did a great job.  As of now the people I have down for tanks are, Liz, Hannah, Katie, Rachel, Rachel, Abby.  So if there are any others that want to join the team let me know.  I will not mention any names like, Katie Ebers and Kathy Jacobitz, where are you at girls, you have to represent for Northeast!!

Push through the pain!!!!!!

I just wanted to post a little note of encouragement to you all. Today during my workout I almost quit three times. The first time my husband called to tell my my 9 week old wouldn't stop crying. I called him back and told him to try to get her to sleep and to call me back in 5 minutes if she was still "going crazy". I prayed that God would have mercy on us all so that I could get through the workout - and I almost left and went home but I kept running and she fell asleep. Then I started to get itchy legs - Has anyone else had this happen? It is annoying! So I prayed for more mercy (after running for a minute or so fuming in anger) and pushed through it as I listened to myself come up with several excuses to stop running (I should be home, I will feel better tomorrow, maybe if I wait for a few more pounds to come off and then try again . . .). The itching stopped and I was filled with thankfulness and joy!! . . . right before I had a stabbing pain hit me in the right upper chest. I forced myself to keep going. I felt almost as though the enemy wanted me to stop and give up. More excuses...(This is too painful, maybe I am injuring myself, what if this is serious?) So I prayed and kept going until the enemy finally gave up on me. The pain miraculously disappeared as quickly as it came on and I finished my workout! I am so thankful that I serve such a great God and that He used my workout to remind me to stop listening to my silly excuses and trust completely in His promises and His Word.

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:21-23)

So Excited!

This is my first time posting on this blog, and I am so excited to be a part of it. Incase you don't know me, I live here in Alabama about 5 miles from Jen. I have one son, Azariah who is 5 months old, and a wonderful husband, Holden. So Holden has been gone in Indonesia and Japan for a little over a week and will be gone for another week. I have been working out almost everyday he's been gone, thanks to Jen's encouragement. It's been tough, but I am committing to not let my tiredness and my body always dictate when I stop working out. I am tired of giving in to my flesh and my laziness. I hope to participate in the triathalon for the first time this year, and I am so excited. I don't think I have a clue what I'm getting myself into, but I am excited to try.

Clarify

I am giving the tanks as gifts to anyone that trains.  That is why I just need your address and size.  WE have two new authors this week so read all the new posts.  We are growing in number.

Patience and Balance

I am excited to be an official member of the Sweat It & Get Fit blog. Tonight I walked and ran almost 3 miles for the first time in almost 2 years. My prayer is for patience as I wait for this extra 20 pounds of "not baby" to come off and for balance as I try to fit in workout time whenever I can. It will be hard for me to be inconsistently consistent as I work with Josh to find time each week to get to the Y while he watches the girls. I am thankful for a husband who encourages me to work out!

NO PAIN NO GAIN

Hello to my lovely ladies!!!!
I am running a road race this Sat. IT is to raise money for the flood victims in Iowa. I have to tell you about my friend that I am running with. She has had three children and never really worked out in her life. she is in her early thirties and she is afraid to run but she is doing it anyways. We have been working out together for a while and she has worked so hard and is in great shape. For the first time in her life she is working at being healthy and I am so proud of her. Not very many start this at her place in life. I hope to get her to the triathlon this summer. I just wanted to tell you about her to inspire you all. She gives all glory to God as he has given her the strength to overcome so many fears. I so love hearing from all of you women, you inspire me with your hard work. NO PAIN NO GAIN!!
Also I am getting ready to order tanks for the triathlon training. They are a light, soft, cotton tank not super tight fitting for all the nursing mamas. I am going to get a medium. I would order the size you would get in a cotton t-shirt. Jake is going to design the tanks for us. So if you are going to train for the triathlon I want you to comment and leave your name and size and address. I will send them as soon as I get them so you can train in them and wear them race day and we can get a pic for our blog. Please let me know ASAP. IF you don't comment I will just assume that you are not interested. I will wait a week before ordering.
love you all

Stuck

I feel stuck. I have not budged in weight or size for the last 2 months. I have done 30 min. of cardio four times a week. My eating has been a lot better as far as eating more healthy choices and less sweets, but my body seems very stubborn! Before this pregnancy I just had to do what I am doing now to lose weight consistently, so this is making me mad. So I now know I have to DECIDE, COMMIT, AND SUCCEED! (as Jeni reminded me)

Decide: I have to work harder with a 29 year old body than I ever have before. That means walking and running. I am going to up my cardio from 30 to 40 min. and from 4 times/week to 5 times/week.

Commit: I will have to do some crazy scheduling and planning to get to the gym or work out at home. I will have to make my plan for the week on Sunday, and get help from Blake to watch the kids sometimes to make it happen.

Succeed: I don't want fast fix weight loss, but slow, steady body change to get back in my clothes. I will update you all next week about how everything is going.

Don't give up out there! We can't give in. Holy Spirit help us and give patience and self control, two of the fruits You produce.

gotta start somewhere, right?!?

The count down begins...the infamous triathlon is fast approaching. Although the anticipation brings much excitement, I must admit, I am nervous. I know, I know...its not a competition...but let's be real...I haven't ran or even jogged a mile in over a year. Yikes!

My sweet baby Silas was born 12/11/08--9 lbs, 21.5 inches. With a 9 lbs babe, you can imagine the 'slight' weight gain I experienced...and I would gain all 50 lbs back in a heart beat if it meant another health little boy. Eventually, though, reality hits...my LIFE is pretty much back to normal (no more avoiding kitty liter or blaming my obesity on my bun-in-the-oven) but my body is definitely NOT back to normal. My first day out on the track was a doozy, to say the least. Before heading out, I decided I would walk for at least 30 minutes. On my last lap, I was graced with a moment of bravery. I decided I would jog the rest of the way home (approximately 3 blocks). As my pace quickened, I glanced down at my feet, hoping to see cement blocks stuck to my ankles...because that's what it felt like. Sad to say; it was just my legs. Not to mention my nursing boobs giving me two black eyes...

I am, however, excited and determined to exchange this post-baby body for a hott, healthy physique. It'll be a long road but I'm willing to make the journey. Baby steps...because we gotta' start somewhere...right?!? So this is me encouraging everyone out there to keep trucking along...you can do it! "...for physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things..." 1 Timothy 4:8

Me with my baby boy!

training week!

hi ladies! i hope all of you are doing well since my last blog...it's been a while. well, here's an update for my sweat track.

i've been wanting to run a 10k ever since i ran my 5k in november, but i've been putting the training off for a long time. well, i looked at the calendar the other day and realized if i was going to commit to the 10k in march, i MUST start training THIS week. so, i put my mind to it and started running again consistently.

the training is actually doable. my only problem has been the lack of daylight when i get off work. so one of my prayers has been to either provide me with longer days or give me a running partner. ha. well, today i found a great friend who wants to train with me, and i am so excited. now i can run in the dark because i'm not by myself!

anyway, because i hadn't ran in such a long time, i had forgotten how much i loved it and how it makes me feel. i am reminded now and loving every step as my feet hit the pavement. i hope the lord is blessing all of you as he has been blessing me!

we have a new saying at work by the way. i feel it captures what we're all trying to do. please join me in saying... 'We're gonna be Fine in 2009!' ha.

Triathlon

Hello girls!!!!!!

   So I am wondering who is ready to DECIDE, COMMIT AND SUCCEED  for the triathlon.  Any of you that want to do it and train together let me know.  I am going to get tanks made for all of us for race day so we can be a team. The team part will be the training and encouraging each other. The triathlon is not a race, it is to encourage fitness.  So the purpose is the training, it is not the race.  The race is just a great time of fellowship.  Some of you may think that that excludes people but believe me I have invited many women to be  a part of it.  I do not wish to exclude anyone.  I just love encouraging each other and going through the pain together. Hannah, I know you are for sure.  So if you sign up give me tank sizes.  I will tell you and I know you know that staying fit is hard.  I never desire to obsessed just healthy.  I love knowing that their are others out their that desire the same.  Keep it up girls!!!

running in maui

Here's a couple pics of me at the 10K race in Kahului, Maui, on Dec. 13. It was an awesome race....well organized, beautiful weather, free stuff, with a free massage and potluck afterwards! I asked God to be with me as I ran and I felt His presence with me more this race than any other before. I know He sent an angel to push me through mile 5! This race has me itching for more. I have my eye on Lincoln, but want to make sure my priorities are in order (i.e. quiet times first!) before proceeding with the training. However, I am committing to the triathlon this year! I can't wait!

Enjoy Jesus today, friends.

A New Year

Hello to all the ladies! Happy New Year! Well I can honestly say i gained 5 lbs. over the past 3 weeks of eating, celebrating, baking, and not working out..... But today is a new day RIGHT? Or a New YEAR.....I did do alot of upper body workouts on the Wii. I played for 3 days straight and then couldn't move my arm or shoulder for 2 days. Anyway heres to a new year...new goals.....and new outlook......Love to all! God Bless!