Getting the Baby Weight Off

Saturday will be a month since Shelby was born but I'm already dreaming of how I'm going to get my body back.

First things first.

I needed to lose 5 or 10-pounds BEFORE I ever got pregnant so now I'm on a mission to lose what I gained and even more.

I gained 27-pounds during the pregnancy and from what I can tell on my home scale I'm about 5 to 8-pounds from my start weight.

But, my body is far from where it was and I know that's going to take time especially since I'm not breastfeeding.

Even through the holidays I tried my best to eat more veggies and less sweets and pasta but I didn't totally deprive myself.

But now it's 'go time'.

I hope to be back to here in a month or so but looking BETTER!

 One of my sorority sisters from LSU had her second baby in October and posted on Facebook about this 8- week program to get your body after baby back.

I immediately ordered it and can't wait to see the results!

BUT..

I went back to the doctor this week and he's telling me another 3-weeks before I can really exercise.

(the night I went in to deliver)

So, until then I'm going to eat lots of salads and fruits and do my best to lose these last few pounds before I can attack my muscles in the gym.

My goal is to be back in my regular clothes by the time I go back to work on March 6th.

I think I can..I think I can.

I KNOW I CAN!!!

New Week and New Routines!

It's a new week and I'm excited because I've added a few new things into my routine.

One of them is something I heard about a few months ago. 

Making an affirmation list.

Do any of you do this and/or have done it?

It's basically a list of positive thoughts that you repeat to yourself on a daily basis.

Read about it here.

I started today and have written my list on index cards that I am going to keep in my purse and at my desk to look at throughout the day.

Not to sound corny, but just writing them down made me feel more positive!

YAY!

For being POSITIVE!

The other big addition to my weekly routine is strength training!

I've been on a 2-year hiatus on lifting weights but started back yesterday.

Our gym, Planet Fitness, has circuit training.

It's a full body work-out in 30-minutes done by rotating weight machines when signaled by a stoplight on the wall.

In between you use these steps that you see above to keep your heart rate up.

This is my first try with circuit training so I'm interested to see the results!

I'm a big walker, so this is just an addition to my regular exercise routine.

I just feel better and stronger when I exercise more.

I'm hoping this helps create a better Dee as well!

Have you added anything new to your routine latley to help you feel better mentally and physically?

Me A Runner?

First things first.

Go and congratulate my blogging buddy Cindy on her completing a half-marathon in Arizona this weekend. She's a REAL runner!

Woohoo!!
So, as for me -- I'm going to a place I said I would never go. I'm trying to convert to running instead of high-speed walking for exercise.

Who would have thunk?

I ran cross country one year in high school and wasn’t a fan. Probably because I was the last one ‘in’ all the time. Other than that though my anti-running philosophy has come through my years of yoga and hearing my one instructor talk about how bad it is for your joints.

So, therefore – I have stuck to walking and I really enjoy it. So, my effort to switch to running is nothing more than a way to challenge and push myself to get my ass back into shape.

To help motivate me -- Brad, and I(along with a group of friends),have decided to run The Cooper River Bridge Run down in Charleston, SC in April. It's a 10K.

So, I started ‘training’ if you will, this weekend. I ran/jogged on the treadmill Saturday and yesterday for starts. I’m not going to lie – I did walk about 5 minutes of the 30 but I think it’s a pretty good start.

But..I’m not at that point yet where I look forward to going to the gym and running like I did with walking. I hear all these runners talk about the RUSH, endorphins, etc. but I’m not there yet.
Granted it has only been 2 days. My question is – when will that addiction kick in so I can drop 10-pounds still eating the same things I eat now?? HAHAHA!!

Really though. For those of you who run – are you addicted?

Wish me luck bloggies! I hope I can stick to this! I'm pretty sure I can -- it's all about the mind!!
Happy Tuesday!

Weekend Plans!!

So, it's official I'm heading, sans Brad, to Atlanta this weekend! It will be a sort of girls weekend for me and my Mom and I figure we'll do a little 'early' celebrating for my birthday.

So, what's on the agenda?? Callaway Gardens!! I've been wanting to go here for some time! I've driven by it but never stopped. It's about an hour south of where my parents live in Atlanta.

Lakes, trails, resorts, etc.
What I hope to do(and just called my Mom to let her know), is bike along one of their many trails!
Mom and I rode bikes several years ago along the Battery in Charleston, SC and she loved it even though she claims she had not rode a bike since she was in her 20's!

I love to ride bikes but right now I don't have one :-( They rent them at C. Gardens though!

Brad and I have been talking recently about buying a couple of cheap bikes to ride together along one of Charlotte's many greenways.

Such great exercise and fun way to spend an afternoon or morning.

Maybe I'll get a bike for my birthday?

Can't wait to share pictures from my weekend with you!!

Exercise Regime for Spring/Summer

I’m a bit of an endorphin addict. It’s too bad I love cheese and wine so much otherwise I would probably weigh 100-pounds with the amount that I exercise.

Really – it’s not overload but I’m pretty active and now that the weather is nice and daylight savings has us experiencing longer days – I got rid of my gym membership and am mixing up the exercise routine for the summer.

#1. Walking – always a good time! Buddy and stroll through the hood once a day – this morning we did it when the sun came up around 6am. Above is a picture I took with my camera phone in the park. This is the view from the park that is literally just a few blocks from my house. Cool or what?
Also seen in the park this morning was a group of ‘boot campers’. The picture below is a bit fuzzy but you get the idea.

#2. Bikram’s Yoga –I was TOTALLY obsessed with this during my tenure in Vegas. I’ve been in and out of it here in Charlotte but am now back ‘in’. I went to a class on Monday and will visiting a class tomorrow night. It’s yoga in a 110-degree room and it’s pretty intense but you feel like a million dollars when you get done.

#3. Wait for it—TENNIS! - okay – literally it’s been like 10-years since I’ve picked up a racket but Brad and I hit the court last night for the first time and it was AWESOME! We both sorta suck but are determined to make it a once or twice a week thing.

Well, that’s it for now! I’m going to see the band OAR tonight at a free concert here in Uptown Charlotte! For now CIAO!

Boot Camp

Bikram's Yoga

Tennis!