I've been wanting to write this post for quite some time now. It's an odd one to write. It doesn't have much to do with sewing or crafting, though there is a bit of that probably near the end, there's always some sort of "mama made" to share right? But, while it doesn't have much to do with "making" in the usual sense of this blog, it does have to do with creating I suppose...creating a stronger and healthier body...
You may remember last year's selfish sewing 2014 roundup in which I showed some of my handmades, that no longer fit...
And, if you follow me on Instagram you've seen some of my recent running successes and adventures...
Nearly a year an a half ago I was just recovering from a terribly painful running injury, a stress fracture in my pelvis! It was truly one of the most excruciating things I have ever felt, not to mention frustrating as it happened only weeks after my first half marathon since before Violet was born. I had been getting back into shape and loving it, I felt stronger and happier than I had in a while, and then was halted by injury.
When I returned to my running club in September 2014 I was eager to get started again, but also had a realization, while I had gained some of my pre-kids running speed and distances, I was still caring all of my post-kids body weight which, to me, seemed a likely reason for my injury...too much stress on my body. When I mentioned to one of my running mates (who is also a personal trainer!) that I was thinking about trying to loose some weight she gave me the most important recommendation...keep track of what you eat, write it down.
To be honest, this sounded like way too much work, but the next day I was determined to give it a try...I used the MyFitnessPal app on my phone, typed in that I wanted to loose 30lbs (I started at 160) and proceeded to log in every little bit of food that I ate that day. I was pretty miserable. I was cranky and hungry. Clearly I had been eating way too many calories each day! But, despite my misery, I was determined! So, the next day I did the same thing and after one week of balancing my calorie intake with daily exercise and nixing those mid-day stress munchies I had lost 7lbs! It was working. Before I knew it my goal was met and then, surpassed...I was feeling happier, stronger and more confident!
This is not the first time I've been thin. I struggled with anorexia and bulimia for about two years in high school. It's also not the first time I've been healthy and strong...I've always been an athlete of some sort, playing field hockey in high school, running cross country and track up through college and then I stuck with running here and there throughout my 20s, running two marathons in the two years before I became pregnant with Violet. But, since my pregnancy with Henry and becoming a stay at home mom I just wasn't taking the time for myself. And, I wasn't paying attention to the foods I was putting in my mouth. For the first time in my life I realized the correlation between exercise and food. In a healthy way. Making smart choices, like opting for a veggie laden salad instead of a grilled cheese sandwich for lunch. Allowing myself to have a glass of wine, but also factoring that into my calories for the day. I didn't starve myself or binge, but opted for lower calorie options and ate in moderation.
With the food changes I also became much more active, because the more you move, the more you can eat! I'm not kidding, but also, the more you move the happier you are. I found that I was a much more tolerant mama when I exercised! The movement and exercise also gave me strength, which in turn brings energy to do pretty much anything!
I lost 50lbs in less than 6 months! I gained so much muscle and even more confidence! And, one year (exactly) after the conversation about keeping track of the foods I eat I was running my first marathon since before having kids and looked a lot different...
I'm putting this all down in super simple, I don't want to bore you too, much words...but I don't want to make it seem like it's been easy! I worked (and still do) very hard! I exercise in some way at least an hour every day. Some days it's running, some days it's pilates Dvds, walking, hiking, biking, or elliptical. Most days I do about 150 push-ups and crunches...I wake up most days (even on the weekends) between 5:30/6 to head to the gym or to squeeze my runs in before school/work/family time. It's become a true "labor of love".
Also, important to me to note, while in the end I did loose 50lbs, that is not the thing that I focussed on, it's not how I talked about it in front of my kids...I've always stressed that I wanted to become healthier, focus on eating better, becoming stronger! Because, strength and energy for life is important! Leading an active life, being outside, walking to and from school, going for bike rides those are important for so many reasons!
I had no idea that one year could transform me so much! I honestly thought that I'd never get anywhere close to my pre-kids body (as it turns out I've made it back to my high school body). I never thought I'd ever place in a race again let alone come in second in a 5k or 10k (this still blows my mind!)! I never thought I'd ever run another marathon, but thanks to a little prodding from my husband, I did and qualified for the Boston marathon (this too still blows my mind!)! And, I never thought I'd ever consider running a crazy relay spending a weekend in a suburban with folks I'd never met before and running a total of 28 miles in two days, but thanks to my running club mates...I've done that too!
What a year it's been. And, I couldn't have done it without the help and support of my "Sole Sisters" running group or my family! My husband and kids are so supportive ever day! Cheering me on each and every day.
Whether it's running races together, listening to my early morning run wildlife counts, joining me in my pilates workouts, or practicing handstands with me... They are there to laugh at my favorite cracker obsessions, embrace new healthy recipes, give me a good morning hug despite my sweat, and roll their eyes at me when I talk about the next crazy thing I might do...
And, here comes the bit of mama mades...because you know, waking up at 5am to get mama to her race in time and then pop up along the race course multiple times for 3 1/2 hours is tough work! And is totally worthy of a new pair of comfy pants made just for such occasion! Ha, ha! The day before my marathon I whipped up a couple of pairs of mini hudsons thinking that these kiddos deserved to be wearing something cozy if they were going to be cheering me on!
Henry's are amazingly soft french terry from Imagine Gnats...
And Violet's are April Rhodes Serape Fervor knit...
As if seeing your family cheering you on isn't amazing and emotional enough, seeing them do so while wearing mama mades, well...that just puts it over the top!
Thanks for the support team!
Phew! So, this has been one long post! And, as I said at the beginning, it's a little weird writing about it here...But, really, I've had so many folks email me or approach me asking and wondering about the changes I've made over the past year or so...And so, I thought why not post it here? I've always wanted this blog to part inspirational and while, usually, that means inspiring folks to sew or create something maybe that's not all...I've posted my journey to perhaps inspire a change or move toward a stronger, healthier self for others in the coming year...To let others know that it does take work and determination, but it's not impossible! It's less about loosing weight, more about gaining strength and confidence, being more active and happier!
So, there you go, it's out there now! Next for me is the Boston Marathon, but aside from that I'm hoping to, perhaps, run a total of 2016 miles this year, running the year...it seems a stretch, but if I've learned anything in the past year, it's that not much is impossible!
Cheers to the New Year!
