Monday Motivation

Bikini Ready?

Me? No way.
I have never been bikini ready.

Even at my lightest weight, when I felt the most beautiful (which was my honeymoon, by the way) I never felt bikini ready.
And now? I laugh. Out loud. At the thought of me going to the pool this summer with my littles.


Four kids in 5 years, an eating problem and some major junk in the trunk.
Totally not swimsuit material.


And then I came across Project Real.


And I was inspired.
And maybe a little envious.
That these women could be so comfortable in their suits that it would be nationally publicized.
That they put themselves out there for the world to see.


And when I see them?
I see strong, confident, beautiful women.
Not curvy girls in swimsuits.


So why is my own reflection so much different?

I love...

I love that these little piggies are patient enough to accompany me on a 2.5 mile walk.

I love that Husband did some grocery shopping this weekend and loaded me up with these.

I love that the kids think that these are dessert. (And I'm totally not against bribing)

I love that when I'm pregnant I'm allowed to buy dill pickles.

And I love that its just about summer time, which means flip flops, salads, and sleeping in.

What do you love?

Okay.

So here's the situation.

I finished the Joggermom marathon.
I've managed to lose 3 pounds.

And... I'm almost 11 weeks pregnant.

With all of my other pregnancies, by this point, I've stopped exercising and gained somewhere between 5 and 10 pounds.
Most of the time, by this point, I have to think about pulling out the maternity clothes because "I'm just showing so much sooner" (which really is code for 'I can't stop shoving food in my mouth and I'm bloated and fat').

I didn't lose the weight because of the exercise.
That happened because I'm so stinking nauseated that I don't want to eat. At all.
But that hasn't stopped me from indulging in some of my favorite things.

This showed up on my doorstep yesterday from Julie over at Joy's Hope.

The cupcake? Yum.
The friendship bread? Heavenly.
And I even got my own starter.
But none of this means I'm going to go to back to where I started.

Yes, I will gain weight.
But I will also continue to exercise, even if it's only a daily walk.
I will make good food choices.
I will continue to set a good example for my kids.
And come January, you better believe I'll be starting to train for a half marathon.

Four kids and all. YIKES!

Scarce

Posting will be scarce.
Life is crazy.
Three little littles.
Horizontal Husband.
But come back soon for a big announcement.

Totally Worth It

So I went out for another walk/run today to add another 3.7 miles to the total for my Joggermom Marathon. (Bringing the current total to 15.5 miles.) And had a conversation with my 2 year old that made all of this worth it.


Donovan : Mommy, why are we going for a walk?
Mommy : Because mommy needs to exercise.
Donovan: Mommy, can I exercise too?
Mommy: Sure Donovan, that's a great idea.
Donovan: Kay mommy, me exercise like you.


I know that it doesn't seem like a big deal. But to me, it totally is.
Because one of my biggest motivations for getting healthy and losing the weight is to set a good example for my kids.
So that they don't grow up fighting the sedentary lifestyle that I grew up with.
So that hopefully, they don't have to struggle with their weight, like I always have.
So the fact that my 2 year old wants to exercise, regardless of the reason, makes all of this totally worth it.


My heart is so full.

What makes you awesome? Friend Makin' Mondays

For those of you that are new here, occasionally I partake in Friend Makin Monday, hosted by Kenz at All the Weigh.


So this week we're supposed to say 5 things that are awesome about ourselves. How hard is that? 
I spend most of my days pointing out all of my bad qualities, so thinking of 5 good ones is going to be HARD!!
But totally worth it.


1.) I'm generous. A lot of times to a very uncomfortable fault, but nonetheless, I love to give. Gifts. Time. Whatever.


2.) I can make people laugh. You may not notice, but I have a seriously dry sense of humor. And occasionally I can get a chuckle or two from friends.


3.) I'm loyal. Make me your friend and you won't regret it. I will do anything for my friends. And these days true friends are few and far between.


4.) I'm responsible. That means that you can totally count on me. To show up to work on time, to get the job done, to do the right thing.


5.) I'm honest. Again, sometimes to a fault. The things that I say aren't always what you want to hear, but I mean them. All of them. And sometimes that means that people don't like my very much, but I'm okay with that.