Get In Shape Girl

Well, it's about time I get back in shape. I have birthed 3 children and don't plan on birthing any more so I have any more excuses...although I came up with plenty over the past 9 months. I had a newborn. I was exhausted. I don't have anywhere to work out. I don't have time to work out. The only time I can work out is at 11pm when I'm done with work and my family is all in bed, dishes are done, house is in order, laundry is caught up...oh wait, that's not 11pm, that's never!

So as you can see I was pretty good at coming up with excuses but I decided it's time. It actually started out back in early February when Lexi was in the hospital. I was up in the wee hours of the morning after Lexi had a respiratory treatment when Tony Horton's 10-Minute Trainer infomercial came on. Wow! I can have a body like that if I only work out 10 minutes a day!?!?!? In my sleep deprived stupor I decided I better order it.

Tony Horton and I had daily dates to work my arms, legs, core and cardio. We have a love-hate  relationship. He's so good for me but he can drive me crazy with his maniacal workout faces. Sorry Tony. That doesn't motivate me. It makes me want to throw my shoe at the TV screen. Pinterest and I also worked on finding some living room workouts I could do while I watched trashy TV. I did find a killer ab workout that I like. Not sure how much it has affected my middle but I'm always sore for a few days after so it has to be good, right?

Came home one morning to find
Will running down the lane to
greet me. That gave me a little more
motivation to make it back up
the lane.

All of this was a good start to get back in shape since my cardio sucked and my muscles were weak...with the exception of the ones in my left arm since those are what I use to lug Lexi around with :) Truth is, it was a good start because as I was adjusting to going back to work full-time after my third child all of the above mentioned excuses were true. I WAS exhausted, I DIDN'T have time or a place to work out, and I had FOUR people to cook for and clean up after. I just decided I couldn't use them as excuses any more and needed to start somewhere. I had at least 10 minutes in my day to spare, right?

And then, about a month and a half ago, a miracle happened. I decided to start running. Most of you probably know that I dislike two things: getting up early and running, but this is how it all began initially. I was getting up early to go run before work. It was awful and I hated every single second of it. But I did notice a huge difference in a short amount of time. My legs were getting toned and I was starting to lose that stubborn baby belly that's still clinging to my mid-section. This kept me motivated to keep going and since summer hit I no longer have to wake up early and can do it in the evenings. Bonus!

Sunset on my way up the lane
tonight. Beautiful night for
a run!

After a month and a half I am now running consistently at least 3 times a week (while supplementing with a few of those 10-minute and Pinterest workouts on my off days) and am running over 3 miles. I still don't LOVE it but I no longer HATE it. What I do love is that I feel better and I guess if I have to run to do that, I will. And running home with a view like this ain't too shabby either.