Baby steps

Any guesses on how many times I've worked out since my last blog post; the one where I swore I was going to get in to shape? That would be 1 time and it doesn't even really count since I didn't work up a sweat.

I tend to put so much pressure on myself before I even start that I convince myself that I'm heading for failure. So I never quite get off the ground and end up giving up a few days or weeks later.

I'm the type of person that needs to be pushed, be held accountable, have an attainable goal and action plan. I'm 0 for 4 on those things. I need to get back to basics and start from scratch on this one. Just saying I'm going to get into shape obviously isn't going to work.

So here's the plan: Every Sunday, I will (attempt to) post an entry about how often I worked out and for how long. Once a month, I'll post my newest stats and possibly a photo. I want to start taking walks again on my breaks at work, but with the cold/rainy weather, I don't know how likely I'd be to stick to that plan. So I'll start doing workouts on the xBox kinect for the time being to ease into this.

For every week that I exercise 5 days for 20 minutes or more, I'll take $20 out of the bank to spend on myself, on whatever I want (except for food/snacks). I'll continue to increase the amount of minutes per day once I get a routine set that I can stick with.

I'll be starting this February 1st and will have my 1st update next weekend. Feel free to send me lots of photos of in-shape ladies to prevent me from sitting around eating candy all day. lol. That sounds more likely than me working out, but I'm hoping by starting small that I'll get into a groove and keep going with it.

Post-baby body update

I've been putting this post off for months, but it's time to get motivated and get to work! I'm just about back down to my pre-pregnancy weight, which doesn't mean all that much since things have kinda shifted around. lol. Gaining 35+ pounds and having a baby messes with your body; who knew?! ;)

This is me, May 2011, a few months before getting pregnant.

Stats:
Weight - 113
Chest - 34"
Waist - 25.5"
Hips - 35.5"

This is me now, January 2013, 8 months after having a baby.

Stats:

Weight - 115

Chest - 35.5"

Waist - 27.5"

Hips - 35.5"

I don't look all that much different, but I'm still holding onto extra junk in the middle that is driving me crazy and causing a not-so-awesome muffin top. So my main focus is going to be working on my mid-section in hopes I don't have to buy all new loose-fitting shirts :)

I really don't have a plan of attack this time around. I KNOW what I need to do, it's just hard to get the energy and motivation to do it. Working full-time and being a mom to a very energetic little boy is exhausting. The last thing I want to do when I put Oliver down to bed is work out, but I know it has to be done. I also need to tweak my diet to include a lot more fruits/veggies and a lot less carbs/sugar, but just the thought of all that menu planning/grocery shopping/cooking makes me tired.

Exercising outside is pretty much out of the question since I hate the cold/wet weather and I will just find excuses to not do it. I'm thinking it's time to dust off the old xBox Kinect and at least get moving a little more each day. Once I get a routine going and start eating healthier, I'll check in again in a month or so and see if there's been any progress. Or to fess up if I quit after 2 days and went back to eating donuts. lol.

So there you have it. Embarrassing bikini photos AND a vow to put down the chocolate & get my body moving. How much worse can this day get?! :)

Wish me luck! 

10 before 30 updated

Oh hello blog, I forgot all about you! Working full time and raising a kid really takes every last minute of my day, but I love it.

I really want to get back into updating regularly and expanding my blog, so fingers crossed that I can squeeze in some time throughout the week to work on that :)

So I recently turned 30 and thought I would re-visit my '10 before 30' list to see how I did. These were goals that I felt were achievable before the end of 2012, but I seemed to over-estimate myself & how much time I had (as usual). See list & comments on each below.

1. Volunteer at a homeless shelter.

Sadly, I didn't get around to this one, but I'd really like to in 2013.

2. Save enough money (at least $1,500) to extend my maternity leave 4 weeks. (I'll have 2 weeks of paid vacation and hopefully 2 weeks of paid sick time, but that's it. The longer I can stay home, the better!)

I was able to stay home with Oliver for 8.5 weeks, so this was a success!

3. Photograph 2 weddings.

I didn't photograph any :( Hoping for better luck in 2013.

4. Make one new lifelong friend.

Yup :)

5. Take our dog Maggie for more walks; at least 3 a week. I'm a bad dog mom, I know :(

We kept this one up during maternity leave and in the summer months, but once we went back to work, there just wasn't time :( Plus, I can't push a stroller and walk an energetic dog at the same time. I'm not that talented yet. haha

6. Plan one last weekend trip for my husband & I before the baby comes. Somewhere cheap (but fun) and within driving distance is the goal.

We took a few day trips, so I think that counts :)

7. Trade in our queen for a king size bed.

Still working on this one...

8. Continue with my 365 project, taking a photo every single day until the end of the year.

This was a success! Check out my Flickr gallery to see my year: Project 365 - 2012

9. Take an overnight trip out of town with our baby boy later this year.

We took a weekend trip to the lake when Oliver was a few weeks old. He went on a boat and we watched dad fish. It was a lot of fun, but exhausting with him being so young.

10. Sell my current car and get a 4-door without spending much money.

All the cars I like require us taking out another car loan and I'm not willing to do that right now. So this goal is on the back burner for now.