Running

I have started running. I have always hated running...but now it feels like I must.

Our baby is now 2 months old and for the past 4 weeks I have not lost one pound. I am nursing, which is supposed to facilitate weight loss (that is a bunch of baloney if you ask me). I am readying myself to teach Zumba again, but...There are 30 pounds here that I am not accustomed to!!

I have always been a "smallish" person and even after having my first two kids I eventually got back to a weight I could live with...but I don't want it to take a year and a half this time!!!

Getting dressed in the morning was getting pretty depressing so I bought a few things in a size large and XL....first time for that one.

So, I have made it my goal to become a runner. Here in Iowa you will see people running for exercise no matter the weather....that long lean danceresque body.....it will be mine again I tell you! I have joined the ranks of those who have survived natural childbirth so I should be able to accomplish anything right?

I started just walking for 30 minutes every week day to warn my body what was coming. I was even sore after that for the first weeks. What had childbirth done to me?! To top it all off, during pregnancy I developed plantar faciitis (probably because I was so much heavier than I am used to)...ouchie After walking for 3 weeks I went to Runnersworld.com and started reading. They say it is important that I eat enough calories so I continue to make milk for my baby....no crash diets allowed...darn it. I have however, started eating a lot more fruits and veggies. I just want to feel healthy, not win a beauty pageant.....although :0)

Running is hard. For someone who has never done it regularly, it is super hard. I take that back...running for one minute and walking for two minutes every other day was pretty doable....then the training schedule I have taped to my bathroom mirror said to run 3 minutes and walk for one minute...what happened to 2...they skipped 2! I did it yesterday, or rather I tried. The first three minute interval I purposely did downhill so as not to psyche myself out. By the time I got to interval #4 I was pretty pathetic. I pushed through, glancing at my watch way too often and was shaking like a leaf when I got home.

Runners...is this normal? I was in pretty good shape when I got preggo. I was even teaching Zumba classes until about 20 weeks. Why the heck is this so hard? I am determined...I will keep going and my size 4/6 jeans will no longer run in fear from me when I open my closet. I will NOT wear "mom-jeans"...ever.

So if you see me in my ill-fitting exercise attire and custom made orthotics "running" down 2nd street....please try not to laugh. I am going to be a runner.

Finally alive

This past month has been remarkable. I gave birth to our 3rd child...natural childbirth. The recovery and ensuing adjustments have been intense. Let me address these items one at a time

LACK OF SLEEP:

This makes normal people turn into crazy, grumpy, self doubting monsters. Waking up every hour or two as our baby's sole source of food has been harder this time around. It made me wonder if we could really ever do this again...have another baby. It made me wonder if I am any good at parenthood anyway.

LACK OF TIME:

Our first baby got my undivided attention. There was no one else to care for once hubby went to work. I could sleep when she slept because no one needed to be picked up at school, or fed lunch, or generally be paid attention to. This time two of the sweetest kids on the planet need me, even when baby is finally asleep. I feel neglectful. I want to spend more time having fun with them...let's face it...big kids are more fun than diapers and spit up. That is not to mention the fact that I have to neglect myself.

PHYSICAL RECOVERY:

Having a baby does a number on the human body. Bones actually move. Blood volume changes drastically. Hormones are off the charts. Fatigue...oh so tired. I knew I wouldn't look perfect after giving birth, but I feel ridiculous. Wearing maternity clothes when you aren't pregnant is depressing. I am normally a smallish person. I exercised regularly before baby, and right now I get sore muscles from walking...walking! I dread getting dressed in the morning. Nursing this time around started out very rocky. I was in soooooo much pain for the first 4 weeks. I never had this kind of pain with the other two. It has slowly gotten better, but I thought I was doomed to major pain 10-12 times a day for the next 15 months. Thank heavens it improved.

EMOTIONAL:

I have understandably been all over the place emotionally. I wouldn't want to be married to me this last month. I have felt like I give everything I have and my hubby and kiddos still need more. Oh, and my house is a mess. I wish I was like my friends who only gain 25 pounds when pregnant and lose it all within a month. They start jogging when baby is 2 weeks old like it is the most normal thing ever. I feel like I got run over and I still have 30 pounds to get back to normal.

HOPE:

This week I have pumped a bottle of milk every day so hubby can feed baby once during the night and I can sleep a little longer. The miracle is that baby took the bottle without a problem...our other babies hated the bottle with a passion. I have been taking baby to the mall every morning so I can walk for exercise. Some days she does better than others, and I am feeling a little stronger. Today was warm enough to walk outside and I felt amazing! It has been my goal to become a runner...and actually enjoy it, and I feel like I really can do it. I will walk for one more week and then officially start my running program. I need a jogging stroller....anyone (in Iowa) have one they are not using? I also tried doing a few of my Zumba songs the other day and it was fun...I will be ready to teach again soon. It is all worth it, and my sweet family

is the best thing ever....I will survive....wish me luck.