Okay – it’s ‘Day 1’ on my new adventure. So, I’ll tell everyone just a bit about myself. I’m a full-time working mother of 2 incredible little girls. I just gave birth to our second baby girl less than 8 weeks ago – which I guess is what is my motivational factor in starting this blog/diet program. I also have a wonderful husband, who consequently works late a lot – he’s a high school basketball coach and well, we’re approaching basketball season in well, less than a week.
So what does all that mean to me? I work 40 hours a week at a 9-5, Monday-Friday job. I do have leway to get out of the office some since I am my own boss. I have a daughter in kindergarten which means I spend lots of time entertaining, attending school functions, doing hair, making sure homework is done, school papers are filled out and returned…you get the picture – mom stuff. As I mentioned, we also have a newborn in the house – so that means I’m getting VERY little sleep (even though she’s a terrific baby) I’m still up at 11p, 1a, 3a and again at 6:30a. My day ‘officially’ begins at 7:15 a.m. when I’m off and running. During basketball season, I’ll be taking the girls to their daddy’s games at least 1-2 times per week through the first of March. Some of these games will be local, in-town games, other’s will be up to 2.5 hours away and include overnight stays where I’ll also help my husband keep track of another 20 high school aged girls.
Also add into those ‘real world’ days of cooking dinner, laundry, cleaning house, paying bills, running errands….and MAYBE squeeze in a few minutes each week for myself. Maybe…But I’m determined to get down to my pre-pre-pregnancy weight, look better, fit into the few remaining clothes still hanging in my closet that were favorites, feel better (get some much needed energy for my busy days) and along the way, maybe motivate my husband to do some of the same.
I’ve NEVER been a fan of exercising or dieting for that matter. I’m 5’1″, as of today, I weigh 170 and have an extreme addiction to anything chocolate or containing bread. So there are two strikes against me already. But again, I’m determined!! Keeping track of things online will also help keep me ‘accountable’ to myself and anyone else reading.
MY GOAL: 202 days (or 29 weeks) to lose 30 pounds. The exact date is April 25, 2010.
Why that date? Oklahoma City Marathon. My little brother and sister-in-law have been running in this the last couple of years. I am being realistic – I don’t forsee myself running the full 26 miles, but I’d like to shoot for a half-marathon or to even enter in the walking side of the event. Either way – that’s my goal and my deadline.
That seems simple, doable and certainly attainable. Of course looking ahead I see Halloween (left over candy), Thanksgiving (which for me consists of 2 days worth of BIG meals), and Christmas (which for me consists of another 2.5 days of BIG meals). Whoa!
MY RESOURCES: Let’s face it, I have ZERO time for a gym and know that if I pay a membership, it will just be a waste of much needed money. I do very well to schedule my time as it is anyway.
* I have a quite road where our home is located. From our house, to the entrance of our housing addition is approximately 1 mile (down and back).
* I have my office located on the end of a city block – I am able to walk around the block at some point during the day.
* I am a decent cook – I can find some terrific tasting recipes that are quick and easy to prepare for my entire family. (This will go towards that motivation side for my husband who’s own doctor has told him his cholesterol level is too high).
* I have a brand new house w/ almost NO landscaping. I enjoy gardening (not necessarily in the winter…but spring is on the horizon already). (Translation – get outside and do some manual labor – bend, stretch, lift, squat, sweat…).
* We built a new house over the summer and it’s about 300 sf bigger than our old house, it’s an open floor plan so keeping laundry, messes, clutter and dust at bay is a big thing for me. There are very few ‘hiding places’ in our kitchen/livingroom/dining room – gotta keep things neat and tidy! (Translation – do some vigorous house cleaning to get the heart pumping…)
THE PLAN:
* Invest a minimum of 15 minutes each day to exercise in some form. (i.e. Walking, cardio, weights, stretching.) My optimal goal is to invest 30 minutes, but realize that some days will just not be as accomodating as others.
* Stick to a healthy and reasonable 1500 calorie day – without having to ‘count’ calories as much.
* Log a total weekly mile count of 3-5. I’ll start out on the low end and hope to expand the weekly mile count as each week passes.
The Working Mom's Real World Exercise Adventure 