2012 is the Year of the Milnes Family. 2011 was a bit bumpy. I mean, we did have the most amazing addition to our family, Miss Sadie Makena. A healthy, happy new addition. Every reason to celebrate. But two kids really rocked my world unfortunatley. I struggled with an awful case of postpartum, had a daughter that liked to "check in" every few hours at night, Art moved to a new role at work causing mental vomitting at the end of the work day, Joshua declared jihaad on our parenting style and wow. Know it could have been much worse, but it really almost did us in. Regardless of this crazy life, I thank God I had a husband who recognize this was not "us" and did not go running in the oppisite direction, because I know I would have not wanted to live with me or our lifestyle!!
So! 2012 was welcomed with open arms to kick the Milnes clan back into gear! The top two house priorities were get organized (meaning home life, personal life, spiritual life....truly a broad term) and get healthy!! Art and I decided that our kids deserved better than what we were giving them and it was time to step it up and be an example! No more excuses! One of my best friends, (love you for this, Liz!!), asked me an important question one day. Would I rather be a mom that was around all the time, but unhappy because I was around all the time? Or one that dropped them off at the gym for an hour a few times a week but they had a happier mommy as a bi-product of it? AND SO I STARTED GOING TO THE GYM AGAIN!!
Mid January was the start of my new life style.
- Back on South Beach...I love me some carbs, but I have learned over the years that my body loves them so much it doesn't want to let them leave! Yuck! It has to be a way of life.
- Got a personal trainer to teach me "how' to work out since I obviously had no idea where to start when I was so out of shape. (XOXO Allison Milton!!)
- Strength training two times a week and cardio for at least 45 minutes two times a week.
- A goal to run a 5K by summer.
- Pump those vitamins. I had dropped them after I quite nursing because there are a million other things on my mind in the morning.
- At least 64 oz. of water a day.
- Get back into my pre Sadie clothes comfortably!
- Be an example for my family to inspire them to be healthy.
With a lot of hard work, good days and bad days. Fights over dinner choices. Lack of motivation. Blah, blah, blah.....I can now say that after 3 1/2 months of my new lifestyle I am down 25 pounds, feel amazingly strong, fallen in love with running, see muscles that have been hiding since sophmore year of high school, and my clothes fit!!! Not just my pre-Sadie clothes. Clothes from when Art and I were even dating! Clothes I almost throw out millions of times because I knew as a Mama, there was no way they would ever fit again. Actually, I did throw at several of them regardless of fitting though because they were not something I think a 32 year old should be wearing, but I digress.....
Now don't get me wrong. I have come a long ways, but I still have a ways to go. Although things may fit, it doesn't mean that I am toned to where I want to be. I long for a tummy tuck, but have issues with that sort of thing for several reasons so here I am. Going to keep working at it. And I hope to inspire my little team here! And maybe you!!
ENTER MY NEW BFFS!!!
Allow me to introduce you to my Brooks running shoes....halleleuh Gerry Gribble Running Store!! I love 'em!
Upgraded the old jogging stroller! I want to be buried with this thing I love it so much! Art and I are so mad we did not invest in one of these years ago. Yes, it's an investment, but so, so worth it!! Its like pushing a Cadilac versus an old Chevy truck.
And so we come to my news!! Not only did I take SECOND place at Lifetime Fitness Gym's "90 Day Weight Loss Challenge (woo hoo!!), I am now training for a 10K this fall because I RAN MY FIRST 5K!! Okay, I know to some people running a 5K is a piece of cake. (And fortunately I am at that stage of fitness!) I mean, I have walked or even walked/jogged many a 5K. But run??? Hahaha.... To me this little race symbolized so much. It symbolized that I had a goal and stuck with it. It symbolized that I am trying to be an example for my family. (I mean, we have fights over who gets to go on runs with Mommy! Yea!!) It symbolizes how far I have come in the last three months.
I found this particular race, although small, perfect to symbolize what I have been trying for too.....Kansas' Action for Healthy Kids 5K! The proceeds went to assisting schools and families with information regarding nutrition and phyical activity to be healthy. It also started and ended at MNU, where I got my Masters too!! Very appropriate!
So with my Brooks, jogging stroller, a lighter jogging buddie (Sadie), and a ton of excitement I ran to inspire my family! And I finished, with the stroller and buddy, in 33:47 minutes. That's roughly a 11:20 minute mile....not to shabby for my first race!!
Pre-race stretch
Joshua and I flexing to get pumped up
My running partner could not contain her excitement....can you tell??
Daddy and his buddy would drive and meet the girls for high fives
And to share a bit of the jog! So fun!
He helped finish a bit of the last leg with me.
AND DONE!!
My crew which helped inspire me to get after it....
Joshua says he wants to run the next one with me....YEA!
And I came home to this. I made this for us for Valentine's Day (another Pinterest what's up!!). Art had written a message that made all of my hard work worth it. Thanks babe! That was my goal!
1 comment:
Way to go Leslie! You look great!
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