Where have i gone?

Hi! Sorry I have been MIA, but my personal life is kinda hectic right now. To the point that I feel like every day is groundhog day. But you didn't come here to read about that. So, on with the show.
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I sure know I did! It was an emotional day for me, because as you know, last year, the Pumpkin Pie 5K in Nazareth was the first 5K I EVER did. I ran it again this year as race-aversy present and tried to look back on how far I came. Let me just tell you that this course was NO joke and the fact that for my first race I ran those big hills lets me know something, I LOVE challenges. I did manage a 30 second PR and although I was frustrated at first, I realized with the help of my sister and running friends that had I actually rested my legs (I ran steps the day before and did 30 Day Shred the day of) I probably would have done better. But, hind sight is always 20/20 so at least I PR'd. Speaking of 30 Day Shred, I managed to only miss Monday this week so far bc of my sick child, but tomorrow I am stepping up my game and moving on to Level 3. AGH! Goodness hopes it doesn't kill me, right?!? Right.
Speaking of fitness, I am stepping my fitness up to the next level. I am now a beachbody coach and will be starting Insanity here in the next week or 2. Goodness knows I want to look my best for myself and for my daughter, but I also want to be proud to wear a bathing suit again, especially with a beach wedding this summer. I am also taking Shakeology, another beachbody product, to also try to restart my healthy eating habits. Since I have lost 57 pounds, I am not stepping everything up. I am throwing all cards in the middle and saying go for it!! Who knows where this next stage will take me, but I know it can only take me closer to my goal. Speaking of goals, I am still looking into becoming a personal trainer, I am just kinda waiting for life to slow down a moment so I can catch my breath.
I am also going to be refocusing some of my energy back on my motivation board. I started it last running season, and now that a new one is upon me, I want to update it and add things to help me this year. I am also trying to add some of the same races, but different races this year as well. For instance, I am running the same race that was my first half marathon last year again, but I am also throwing in a warrior dash and a chocolate race (hopefully) this year as well. Variety is the spice of life right?!?
Well, I really should get to bed. 430 will be here shortly and I want to make sure I have enough energy to put into tomorrow's 30 Day Shred level 3 workout! Goodness I am scared and nervous all at the same time. I hope you all have a great night!

The Fighter

I don't know how I found this song, but I did. The lyrics seem to be where I am right now, wanting to give them hell.  Who is them? I don't know. I think the them is more my doubt, because I am sure that I am not the talk of anyone out there. But, these lyrics....

Give 'em hell, turn their heads
Gonna live life 'til we're dead
Give me scars, give me pain
Then they'll say to me, say to me, say to me

There goes a fighter, there goes a fighter
Here comes a fighter
That's what they'll say to me, say to me, say to me
This one's a fighter

That's how I feel right now. I need to be a fighter, I need to keep on moving on.  

 

 

Today was an unintended rest day. I didn't sleep well on Wednesday night, and when it was time for my alarm to go off, my daughter climbed into my bed and wanted to snuggle. I am all about spending this type of quality time with her, and I wouldn't trade that in for anything in the world. I made up my mind to just work out then when I came home, but, quality time with my sweet babe is more important. So, today, I made it a rest day.  I enjoyed the moments of spending time with my daughter. I want her to know the sacrifices I have made to get healthier so I can be around for a long time for her.

As you know, I have been doing Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred. If you have been following me on instagram and/or twitter you can see the occasional post workout photo. Like I stated there, I am not sure if the workouts are getting easier so I am working harder or if I am just not as in shape as I thought, either way, it is kicking my butt. Starting tomorrow, I will be going back to an ab routine that I did a while ago as a challenge with some of my friends. Even if I do them 3 days a week for starters, hopefully it will help my core. My core is insanely out of shape.

 

I am focusing so much on the fitness, but I think I need to start looking again at my nutrition. If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to send them my way.

Speaking of nutrition, with Christmas being a little over a month a way, and my birthday less than a month away, here are an example of some of the books that I am hoping to incorporate into my life. I am not asking anyone to buy them for me, but just trying to shop around so that I can eat healthier, cleaner.

 

I hope you all have a happy Friday! I will be running with my BCR friends this weekend, I have another race scheduled for Thanksgiving, it will be sentimental to me because it was this exact race last year that was my first race EVER! And look at me now. I would have never thought I would be where I am today. How far I have come and how much further I am going to go. I thank each and everyone of you for supporting me and helping me every step of the way. Thank you!



1st Annual River Ramble

Let's start off by saying that I am sorry that I haven't been blogging like I would love too, but work and life sometimes get in the way of free time. And, when I do get some free time I try to do some sort of cross training to make up for the missing runs or I simply just cuddle with my daughter. The latter has been winning lately :) Anyway, since my trip to Chicago 2 weeks ago I haven't completed many runs. I don't even think I did any aside from the stairs since then. So, yesterday I made it to kinda run with BCR. I say kinda because 1- 730 is really early in the morning, but 2- it's even earlier with a toddler who I refuse to wake up in the morning, so by the time I got to where BCR was running they had already started. But, I was there none the less. I really didn't have a mind set on how far I wanted to run, I just really wanted to stretch my legs out and see how they felt. I ended up doing 3.62, which is good considering it was my first run in way too long. I also didn't want to push myself because of the race I was doing today.  Today was the first annual River Ramble Fall Classic.  It was held in the Delaware Water Gap, which I have to admit is one place I have never been before. It was put on my Ready Set Run which is a running store in the Poconos. There was a 5K and a 10K which the option of changing your mind out of the 10K mid course. But, I made up my mind yesterday running that I don't think 5Ks are long enough, and with all the driving we did to get there I wasn't going to just run a 5K. So, at the 5K turn around I kept going. But, wait, let me back up. I found about this race from a girl named Sam who contacted me via twitter after the Runner's World Half Marathon with something along the lines that we run at the same pace. So, due to peer pressure, I totally signed up for this race not knowing anything about it. Nothing. I didn't even know where the Delaware Water Gap was, although I did know of the general vicinity. Oh, I did forget to mention that one of the perks of this race was that they weren't giving away race t-shirts but instead race sweatshirts! Yes! Something different. So, Yesterday after running and then showering (in that particular order) we headed up to Ready Set Run to pick up the race packet. It actually was pretty cool, with some free pens and a free cup from Bushkill falls. The ladies that work there must not get out of the Poconos much because they thought it was cute that I went to breakfast after I run. (I guess they didn't get the whole Breakfast Club Runners on my sweatshirt).  That leads me to today, race day. We left the house at 730 to head to the race. We left with extra time to spare because River Road (which I later learned was the main road) closed 10 minutes before the race and since I didn't know what to expect I didn't want to have to scramble to get ready. We got there with plenty of time to spare and found a good parking spot. There was still some time to wait before the race, but since I was meeting Sam IRL for the first time, I wanted to make sure I actually ran into her. With the race capped out at 500, I didn't know how hard it would be. It actually turned out to be pretty easy. After I met up with her, there was still some time to kill so I went and got a free stretch. I am not sure if I will continue to stretch before I run, but it was still nice.  Much easier to find her than to actually find the race. My only complaint of this entire race is that they should have done a better job with the signage on actually getting there. So, with 10 minutes before race time, they send the walkers to their starting line and then had us runners line up at ours.  They did a bunch of chattering on the bull horn, but nothing that I could really understand. It was at this time that they mentioned that you could change your mind at the 5K turnaround if you wanted, and no one would have to know. I think that should have been my warning, but I ignored it. Someone sang the National Anthem, and then some cheers. Then we started. We started out of the park and immediately went up an incline. It was not to bad as the hills I am used to running, but it was still a hill when my legs still felt cold and stiff.  We then continued onto River Road and ran away from the park. Up and down hills. The website was not kidding when it said rolling hills. The course was well marked and East Stroudsburg Softball team was there to cheer us on as well as the many volunteers. At mile 1.5 was the first water stop which was nice to have.  A little after that was the 5K turnaround. Again, that should have been my cue, but I kept trucking along. Up and down hills, along a windy road. I pushed hard up the hills, relaxed on the down slope and just tried to maintain my momentum. I NEVER once looked at my Garmin, I wanted to run based on how I felt. Right before the 10K turnaround was another long and windy hill, but then we went downhill. At the turn around I thanked the volunteer and told her she was my favorite person of the day. So that awesome hill that we went down, yes, we had to go up it. But, not only did I have to conquer that hill, but also the pitch in the road. I didn't notice how much the road pitched because coming into the turnaround we were on the upside of the slope. There were some nice ladies who at this point passed me, and they were helping me figure out what part of the road to be on. I chose to just run along the yellow lines, that had to be the straightest part right?

After this hill there was a small descent and then more of the same. At this point 2 other ladies passed me, but thanked me for pacing them up the hill. I told them I didn't think I did anything, but they were welcome. We then came to a mile marker with 2 miles left, then again with 1.5 miles to go and then the water stop. Again manned by the ESU softball team. They cheered and gave you water all at the same time. More hills and then a small respit of flatness. Which, of course we all know NEVER lasts long. At mile 5, there was a really long rolling hill. I guess I never noticed how much of a hill it was because of running it in the opposite direction, but never the less it was one more hill to conquer. Right before mile 6 we started our return to the park. More ESU athletes, more cheers, more excitement. Once we got back into the park there were athletes everywhere. One girl even offered to run in with me, and I said sure. She took off like a bat out of hell, I had to remind her that I was 5 miles ahead of her so she was way too fast for me. Just when I could see the finish line ahead of me, I turned on my jets and sprinted to the finish.

This race really took a lot out of me. Not emotionally, but physically. Not like I couldn't walk, but I think because of all of the hills, and twists and turns and the pitching of the road. I really felt done after this race. My right foot did hurt a little bit and because of it I am going to call a doctor this week to have it looked at. I want to make sure there isn't something really wrong with my foot.

The after race party, and I do mean party was really nice.  They had free stretches again, (which I used and will do at every race that offers it from now on!), hot oatmeal, fresh fruit, bagels with every imaginable topping, danishes, hot chocolate, coffee, tea. They had raffle prizes to give away as well as the top 3 from each age group. I think it was well organized and that they made it enjoyable for all. With it being sold out it's first race, I am sure others will race it again, especially since the money goes to help educate more Forest Rangers.
Overall, nice race. Well organized (except for the signage), good race swag, race grub, and scenery. I will most likely do this race again!
That is all I have for now. It's off to bed I go, I have a date with Jillian Michaels and her 30 day shred in the morning. I am also going to try to add abs again to my daily workout. My core is NO WHERE near where I want it to be. But anyway...have a great night!!   
 

ACK!!!

OMG! I feel like I have blogged in forever, and it wasn't that I didn't want to either. With hurricane Sandy taking our power in almost everywhere, we were ones of the fortunate ones who didn't lose power, but we did lose internet/cable/phone. Until this morning!! Back to a normal life I guess. Anyway, let me back track up to today...
Friday, we left bright and early for Chicago to visit my sister. You can read all about that over at my other blog Shelze's World (not yet, I didn't blog there yet, come one I just got internet back). Anyway, I knew that while I was there I would have some able bodied person more than willing to watch the babes so I could go for a run. I forgot my Garmin in the haste, so I had to use my mapmyrun app on my iPhone.  Saturday I chose was the perfect day. It was my first run since my half marathon, so I didn't plan on running far, just slow and steady to stretch out. I ended up going 4 I think. I love my sister's neighborhood, it was nice and flat and had a beautiful park with a 0.44 track in it that I incorporated into part of my run. Between the sights being all new to me, and the constant airport and trains, there really was no boredom for me. It felt really awesome to run again, and I didn't even have any pain. I really only planned on getting in that one run, but I packed so much fitness clothes just in case.  With hurricane Sandy, we found out on Sunday that our flight was canceled for Monday so since I knew we were spending another day there, I decided to run on Monday. With my mapmyrun app on hand, I set out for a 6 mile run. I don't know how accurate my speed was, and I hope it was really accurate, but since I didn't have my Garmin for me to constantly check, I actually ran all 6 miles with splits less than 10 min/mile. ALL 6 miles of them!!! I was so totally stoked. The run itself was awesome, no pain (I really hope it was just my shoes) and I thought I could run forever!! I absolutely loved how flat it was. I think I have made up my mind about one of the full marathons I want to run next year! (ACK!!)
While we were there, I did plan on continuing my 30 day Shred, but with the lack of sleep (I am totally ok with that) I chose to continue my week of rest post half. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't completely inactive. With 4 kids under 6, there were lots of walks to the playground and lots of walks themselves. It was nice to get to hang out with everyone, and come Monday morning I will be back in the zone for 30 Day Shred.

Yesterday I received in the mail a flyer from Lehigh Valley Road Runners with all of the upcoming races in the next month. I am so excited, there are so many races I haven't raced before, so I am looking forward to running this year. Thank you LVRR for a well timed and mailed flyer!!!

Today, I plan on running steps at Lafayette. Me and my arch nemesis doubt have a date so I can kick it's ass. Tomorrow I will be back to running with BCR to an undetermined distance at this point. In 9 days I have my first race since the half and I am looking forward to it.

Have a great Friday and an awesome weekend!!

WIAW + Fitness update

Good morning! I know it has been a while since I have blogged. I try to make use of as much free time as I can, but sometimes life just goes by quickly, ya know! Anyway, let's just start with how in the world is it almost time for my half marathon already?!?! I feel like I just started training, and now I am getting more nervous as the time gets closer. But, while I know I haven't been running as much as I used to, I NEVER missed my long runs and made sure that I am doing something in the form, of cross training. I am also trying to eat healthier, which lately, I have been struggling with since quite my running has been cut backed. So, I found a picture of something I JUST HAD TO TRY on instagram from someone I hope to meet in real life @mymissionimpossible. I never thought I would pair eggs, with peanut butter and chocolate chips and walnuts, and it ACTUALLY taste good. Well, let me just tell you...

 

 

 

while this doesn't look appetizing it was absolutely Divine. Since it also had vanilla whey protein and vanilla almond milk in it, it tasted more like vanilla with yumminess that I forgot that there were eggs in it.  I will definitely make this again, maybe not for breakfast (although I wanted something sweet today) but definitely for a late night snack since it is healthy for me.  Since it isn't lunch time yet, this is all I ate so far today. Hopefully, I will be able to continue with the healthy eating, and hydrating since I don't want to dehydrate on Sunday.

 

 

As you know, I have been doing Jillian Michael's 30 day shred. I am on Level 2. Today was my 9th day on level 2. It definitely is a slight bit easier than when I started it, BUT I definitely wouldn't say that I am ready to move to Level 3 yet. It hasn't killed me yet, BUT I do feel like I am dying ever.single workout.  In the 20 minutes of the workout, I am covered head to toe in sweat. After the 20 minutes, you would have thought I ran for like an hour; in the middle of the summer; with 90% humidity. I LOVE IT! I don't know how it will help with my running, Sunday will be a great indicator. I do have some other plans for cross training, but I will not be crossing that bridge until I feel more comfortable with Jillian. The only drawback to Jillian is how repetitious it is. I LOVE change, but I can know tell you what exercise is coming next, and that takes away the excitement for me. But, I will stick with it. I started it, and I have been doing it for 17 days now. I have 13 weeks left of the 30 day Shred plan. I don't know if I will be shredded by then, but if I keep it up, and get back to eating healthier, maybe just maybe I too can be Shredded.

 

But, I better go. I have a very important date with those pictured above. Today though, I will only be doing half of them. Or well, that is what I say. Who knows.

 

Have a great Wednesday!

And the beat goes on...

Happy Tuesday! Hope this week is treating you well! Today was  day 10 of Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred (currently Level 2 Day 3) I can honestly say it isn't any easier than the last 2 days, but I am so totally sweating more! I currently have a love hate relationship with it. Last night, my bestie Liz asked me to go with her to the YMCA and take Zumba with her. I have taken Zumba like last May, so it was like I never took it before. Ok, first off, there is not Latina in me ANYWHERE!! I cannot shake my money maker, shake my shoulders, nothing. I was concentrating so much on getting the movements correct, that I might have stopped having fun. Well, until I looked over and saw my best friend standing there with me. And realized I couldn't ask for better company to spend it with. I do know that we will probably try Zumba again, and have a blast. I do know that the classes that my friend is exposing me too is great for cross training. Going to the Y at least once a week might just get me to join. Besides getting girl time while getting in shape, M will be able to take swimming lessons. Sounds like a win win to me. Even if there are no classes that interest me, M and I can still swim, something that I know I will love and cherish.
So here is to a happy Tuesday and more of Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. She says that doing this should make us feel like we are going to die, yeah, I was probably close to it. I am going to keep on keeping on. 12 days until I will have my second half under my belt. Here's to you and exploring other fitness avenues to keep it fresh. I am thankful that my friend is exposing me to all of these classes, it definitely reaffirms my desire to become certified in personal training.
Have a great night.

Saturday...

First, I wanted to see if you noticed a new look here at PirateBooty Fitness?!? No, you didn't? Look again. My awesome "friend" (I hope to make it IRL) from Running In Pearls designed it for me? Doesn't it look swell?!? I LOVE IT! I think it captures the theme of what I wanted this website to look like. Anyway, let's do a recap so to speak of the last couple days, shall we?

As you know, I have been doing Jillian Michael's 30 day Shred. I missed Thursday because well 1- by body told me I needed to sleep in, and 2, I was on call and I got home super late and I was to tired, so I listened to my body again and just rested.  But, yesterday (was a day off) I actually got to run! I know, super crazy right. My friend AJ and I met up at Plainfield Township's rail to trail and we couldn't have asked for a better day. It was 80 (what the heck, isn't it fall?) so I wasn't really dressed the part of a summer runner, I was dressed the part of a fall runner. Anyway, I am in the process of breaking in new shoes (long story, a post for another day) and I thought I could handle a longish run. What do I mean by longish, well, I have exactly 15 days until my next half marathon, so slowly my mileage will be tapering down. I wanted to run at least 6, but breaking in new shoes is no joke. I did manage to do 5, so it wasn't really all bad, but, I think if I would have had already broken in shoes I would have gone further. Anyway, I was just glad to get out and run. This day care thing is starting to look up and up ;)  After runningYesterday, I did week 1 level 1 of the 30 day Shred, and I am glad I did! 
Today, the local running store Aardvark offered free yoga for runners. I went to last month's free session, so I was definitely not going to miss this one. What did I learn, 1- I wish yoga was cheaper, 2- maybe I really do need to look into yoga dvds, 3- I need to see if there are yoga studios closer to my house. Not that driving to Bethlehem is all that far (maybe 15 minutes) but that is not really convenient for me to commit to it.  The session was alright, it wasn't like classes I have been too before, but it was great at helping me stretch. I am not complaining, it was free and still totally worth it.  After yoga, I went home and did Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred Level 2. Let me first start off by saying that I don't EVER remember ever doing level 2. I must have done level 1 FOREVER!! This level is completely different. I was able to do level one in the comfort of my socks or bare feet without any problems. No, not for this level. I will HAVE to make sure I put on my gym shoes, this level is no joke. I am really looking forward to it though, I really know that while it is not running, it will still help in the long run. I wish I would have known about this level before, or well, I obviously knew about this level, I wish I had done it before. Or maybe not, it has only been one day, the jury is still out.
Hope you had a great Saturday!

*Note: Since this is now being posted on Sunday, I have since done the workout for another day. It did not get easier, in fact, I think it kicked my ass even harder. But, I am going to do this, and I will survive! This is just gearing me up for my next set of goals.

This time of year

This is a beautiful time of year. The weather is getting cooler, the colors are breath taking, yadda yadda yadda. What I don't like about this time of year, is that it gets so dark so soon.  Way too early if you ask me. In the summer, it is light until about 9 pm. Which works well when you work until 730 at night. You still have time to come home and take your daughter for a 2-3 mile run. Well, not this time of year. It is dark before I even get out of work. Makes it nearly impossible to take M for a run. Maybe I really do need to invest in a headlight, and reflective gear, and all of that jazz. Maybe I should get her a headlight so that she can enjoy the nighttime runs with me.

I am supposed to be training for a half marathon right now. Supposed to be is such a good key phrase. I mean I get my long runs in, but it's the short weekday runs that aren't getting in :( Well, maybe I can now get 1 in a week with M being in daycare, but is it too late? How will my half marathon suffer with only my long runs?!? I know that if I don't get a good time, I will be mad at myself, but who can I blame, only myself. I am trying to get some cross training in, I still try to run steps with Bob at least once a week, on my off day, because who wants to run steps at 8pm? I am currently doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred, with the hope that it will help me with maintaining some of my cardiovascular capacity. I know it isn't the same as running, but at least it is something? Trust me, I am not complaining, and I don't regret having M, I just wish that maybe I worked a different shift and then I could still possibly run before I picked up M from daycare. I really need to talk to my uncle about getting my bike back. I could at least add that on Sundays and then I could have that as cross training too.  

Let me not complain, things are looking a little better. I was having pain in my foot, which I went to Aardvark to talk to them about it.  From what the salesperson told me, it is possible that the cut of the shoe was too narrow, so they were willing to exchange it for a wider shoe. It's like I got a new pair of shoes for free! I don't know if they will be broken in in time for the half marathon, but at least I have a new pair of shoes, right. 

I am hoping to next month start Beachbody's Insanity program. A few "friends" of mine are Beachbody coaches, and while I know that I cannot be like them, I look up to them, from both of running awesomeness and nutrition awesomeness. Hopefully the 30 Day Shred will re-ignite my weight loss quest and I will be able to keep it going with Insanity and hopefully add Shakeology as supplements.

I know this sounds like me doing nothing but complaining, but getting it off my chest makes me feel better.  I will hopefully sleep well tonight not having this on my chest anymore. I will get up tomorrow morning and do week1 day7 of the Shred. I will do what I can do keep myself moving forward in preparation for my half marathon. I will continue to be in awe of my friends who are running full marathons this weekend and hope they know how their sacrifices they make for their running definitely does not go unnoticed. My hats are off to you guys! All of you amaze and inspire me!

The boat launch

Saturday's run with BCR was at the boat launch by my house. I have run this path several times, but never the distance that I knew in my head I wanted to cover. I couldn't run early because my hubby worked last night, but I knew that if he got home on time (which he didn't) I would be able to get there by 7:30 to run with the group. I got there at 7:50 so I knew they would be out running already. But, I KNEW I had to get a run in. With my last run being only 7 miles AND a week ago, I knew I was in for a challenge. I have been having trouble lately mentally getting through long runs. For some reason, mile 6 has been my breaking point. It is usually at this distance that I tell myself, no I listen to the doubt in me head, telling me I cannot go any farther, and fall apart. It is usually a struggle then to finish the run, no matter what the plan was for distance.  So today, I ran by myself. Nothing new, I am used to it, but I completely shut off my brain. I knew I could do the mechanics of the run without thinking about it, I knew I had the endurance to do the run, I just couldn't think about it. But, as the run began I started to think about how far I wanted to go. How far I needed to go with the half marathon coming up. I thought about how I shouldn't be able to finish it because I haven't run in a week. And this was at mile 2! It was then, that I told myself to stop thinking of the total mileage and take it one mile at a time. I also listened to my body. It was sore and stiff and everything in between. But I listened to it. I slowed my pace and tried to keep it constant.At mile 3.5 I wanted to give up and turn around, but I knew that if I didn't try to get my 10 miles I would be very disappointed in myself and would be bummed the rest of the weekend. So, I just kept going. I enjoyed the scenery around me, and the looked at the leaves who in my opinion are turning fall colors way too early. I enjoyed the occasional runner/walker/fisher I encountered. I took it mile at a time. I didn't let myself get overwhelmed with the need to run 10 miles. Hell, at mile 5 at the turnaround I contemplated going a little further, to push myself just a little more.It felt good to run, and I wanted to run more. But I decided not too. I decided I needed to start back home so that I would make the run. Mile 6 still seemed to be a long mile. It seemed like it was the longest mile to be exact. I don't know what I ever did to the 6 mile mark to make it haunt me so bad, but it did. I just kept telling myself take it one more mile. Miles 7-8 flew by and then mile 9 seemed to take it's time. 9.5 to 10 seemed like it was really 2 miles long, but I just kept pushing.  I am so glad I talked myself into running the 10 miles, I really know I would have been disappointed with myself, and well quite frankly, I needed the miles so that I know I will be ok for the half coming up.


On Friday, I started waking up early and doing Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. It's just 20 minutes, but man, does it kick your behind. I don't remember it being so challenging, but maybe then I wasn't doing it right. I have done it 3 days so far (today included) and I plan on continuing it for the 30 days. According to Jillian, she says you can lose up to 20 pounds in 30 days. I will let you know. Maybe this video will reignite my metabolism and help me continue on my path to a healthier weight. I am also contemplating Insanity, which I believe is 60 days. I know that utilizing that program will help me continue my weight loss, but also improve my core which will help with running. Sounds like a win-win situation for me.

I don't do well with changes...

Right now, the hardest thing that I am having to deal with is not running. Yes, I love having the 1 day off a week, but it doesn't leave me time to run. I really wish that it was still light out longer. I have  no control over that. My husband works 11p-7a, so I can't really run in the morning. When I get home from work, he lays down to sleep and I put M to bed. Some nights are harder than others. Tonight, for example, it took almost 2 hours to get her to bed. But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. On Monday, she starts day care again. While, I don't necessarily want to see her go to daycare, she keeps asking about going to school.  I am hoping that my husband will use the time that she is in daycare and sleep. Before, he watched her while I worked and then my parents watched her in the afternoon so he could rest. Hopefully, now he will be able to sleep for the 8 hours she is in daycare and then be able to watch her once I put her down to bed so I can hit the treadmill. I know, I know, this is my fitness blog. I am getting to that. Starting tomorrow I am going to do what I can at home while the wee one sleeps. Starting tomorrow I am going to do Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred. I know it isn't much, but it is something. It is more than what I am doing during the week currently (which is nothing). I have noticed how my mood, my energy, my eating has been affected by the fact that I am not active. I didn't realize how much everything revolved around my physical activity. I mean I did, but at first I thought it was just because I was adjusting to 10 hour shifts. Now, I realize that it is because my weekly mileage went from 16 a week to 10, and now I also don't have my gym time. What a huge shock to my body!

I am really hoping that will all change starting Monday. M will still go to school even on my off days, which will open up some needed me time, and it won't compromise the us time. I need to get up earlier to get my fitness in, so starting tomorrow I am going to try do me. I am going to do the 20 minutes of Jillian Michael and follow it with my 20 minutes of Abs. It's the baby steps, but hopefully they will get me on the right track to feeling better, eating healthier and getting back on the right track to how I felt before I went to 10 hour shifts. Before I let my fitness go, without even trying.

The above all sound like excuses. Excuses are like assholes, everyone has one. But, the buck stops here. I am taking back my fitness. Hopefully!