I choose health and my 90 Day Challenge

Huff. Puff.

Excuse me as I catch my breath. Phew. That had to be the end of the work out.

"Great job warming up! Now, moving on to the upper body portion of this work out."

WHAT?

Whoever said being skinny and being fit are the same things is a big fat liar and his pants should catch on fire. 

I am on a mission. Actually, it's more of a challenge. A 90-Day Challenge. My six week postpartum check-up has come and gone, and I am cleared to work out.  I have been motivated to get back into shape since my husband started a health and fitness based business.  However having been pregnant, I wasn't sure what was allowed/ok to do during pregnancy. So, I decided to wait and started at six weeks postpartum exactly to work out.  And I have come to a definite conclusion.

I am incredibly out of shape.  Granted, I've spent the better half of the last three years pregnant, however I'm pretty sure that has less to do with it than my lack of stewardship in this area. I mean at Day One I was huffing and puffing through a twenty minute DVD! I barely made it out of the warm-up alive! (Yes, the introduction to this post is indeed a real-life conversation in my head) I'm not exactly doing P90X or Insanity here.  Just a sweet little Ballet/Pilates workout.  And I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't finish that first day.

But, I am here at day six and can say that I am making it very much alive through the warm-up, the huffing and puffing has been reduced to the appropriate (loud) inhaling and exhaling they're always talking about and I have made it through the workout 5 out of 6 times.  That first time, it's always the hardest and the most defeating if you let it dictate your motivation.  Thankfully I overcame the first workout blues (though, I have to say... I was a little more than depressed at the my end of it) and am very slowly seeing improvements.  It's all about commitment and baby steps for me.  But, I have a goal. Several goals actually.

Goal number one: The DVD I own is broken up into 3 segments (besides the obvious warm-up and cool down).  By the end of the 90 days I will be able to complete all 3 segments, warm up and cool down.  And look graceful while doing it too. :)

Goal number two:  By the end of the 90 Days, I will have created an "activity" habit.  I will be active every day (though "working out" will happen closer to 4 times a week) and incorporate my babies.

Goal number three:  By the end of the 90 Days I. Will. RUN. a. mile

So. I want to encourage you.  Getting healthy and being fit has less to do with the outward appearance and more to do with an inward change.  It's kind of how Christianity works, the inward change manifests itself in outward appearance. Looking good and being "skinny" are great goals, but won't keep you motivated through those embarrassing and I-just-can't-do-it-please-leave-me-alone-while-I-inhale-an-entire-tub-of-ice-cream moments. I am skinny.  But I am nowhere near fit and healthy.  And that's why I'm choosing the 90 Day Challenge.  Because when I do that, I'm choosing health.

two challenges-- week one recap.

If you're just joining us to the 5 Disciplines in 5 Weeks series, Courtney from over at Women Living Well is encouraging women to establish five different disciplines in specific areas, over the course of five weeks. Last week, our focus was body. Here's part one, two and three. 

This is an update on how my body discipline area went. 

I had quite the high hopes at the beginning of this week regarding my nutrition and fitness goals. I was very ambitious, and for good reason.  It is an area of active conviction to change in my life. However, I forget that being pregnant is a state that demands my complete reliance upon the Father.  My body gets tired easily, it reacts, inadvertently, to certain foods and etc, etc.

That being said, my week wasn't a complete disaster. Like my good ol' friend Jenny says... "It's about progress, not perfection."  Let's take a look at my, ahem, progress shall we?

1. Drink more water-- Well, Jenny hit it right on the nail this time.  I was significantly more aware to my water intake this week and made quite the effort to double the intake.  It's rather difficult though, since, through pregnancy, I feel as though I have a bladder the size of a pea.  That being said, I'm nowhere near the recommended amount for adults (much less pregnant women!), but I'm getting there. I'd say I averaged about 36oz/water any given day. Some days more... some a little less.
2. Exercise at least three times a week--  I think when I established this one, it was more a long-term thing.  I did, however, mention that I wanted to walk around Cranes Roost (the lake near our place) several times this week. I didn't necessarily walk around Cranes Roost, however we were able to take a walk as a family around our neighborhood and smaller lake once this week, and I took a brisk walk yesterday that I think counted.  I think this has been one of the biggest challenges for me, personally.  Being in my third trimester (one more month, anyone?! yess) I am starting to get fatigued significantly quicker and swollen feet and achy hips don't help the cause.  Granted, should I have done this before my 8th month of pregnancy, I probably wouldn't feel this way now. Bah-humbug.
3. Drink one of the Visalus Protein Shakes daily-- Mm! Piece of cake, piece of pie!  Quite literally-- since it's been dubbed by our family and a few others as the "Cake Batter Shake."  Obviously, it's not made from cake batter since it has an insane amount of nutritional value to it, but drinking this puppy everyday is awesome! Pictures and recipes coming up soon! 
4. Wean myself off artificial sugars-- We.won't.discuss.this.

How'd your week go?  Have you established a health/fitness goal or challenge for yourself?

the what? -- my health, nutrition and fitness goals

If you're just joining us, I have been joining Courtney from Women Living Well in her 5 Week 5 Disciplines Challenge as well as taking the leap to join the Visalus 90-Day Challenge.  I have previously discussed starting the challenge as well as the why behind the what. Today, we're laying down specific goals to meet this week and beyond. 

Being pregnant and establishing health, nutrition and fitness goals can actually be quite the funny haha.  Society has taught us that eating anything and everything during the nine-months that we carry life is quite acceptable and in fact, encouraged.

Even though it is a fact that pregnant [and nursing] Mammas need additional calories and additional sources of nutrition, it is not a fact that we get a "free" pass just because of our condition.  Pregnancy should be a greater motivator for establishing health, nutrition and fitness goals.  Healthy Mamas tend to produce healthier babies.  Not everything health, nutrition and fitness oriented has to do with weight loss, yano!  That being said... after praying, talking with the hubby about it, I have written out my goals and will (again!) be posting them in place[s] I know I will come across consistently.

1. Drink more water-- I have to confess, I drink nowhere near enough water for a pregnant woman. 24oz anyone [unless you count the two cups of coffee I average a day?] I know, I know... Don't crucify me.  Hence the goal.  I would like to double my water intake consistently by the end of the week and then double from then on for the next two weeks. 
2. Exercise at least three times a week--  I've been wanting to incorporate some sort of exercise routine into my week, but there is absolutely no way I can commit to working out with the hubbs-- homeboy does a whole lotta Insanity-- yeah, no.  So, I'd really like to do some sort of Pregnancy Yoga/Workout DVD.  I'm hoping to be able to head to the public library this week to get me and Aaliya a library card and check one out.  Until then, since our new place is so close to Cranes Roost, I'd really like to get out there for a walk around the lake at least once or twice.  Way to combine activity with quality Mama & Baby time. :)
3. Drink one of the Visalus Protein Shakes daily-- I also, falter with protein intake in general... Even more so with this pregnancy.  However, I recognize the value of protein during and after pregnancy and want to be able to incorporate as much protein as possible.  I mean, I love beans and all but there's only so much of that I can eat in a day... Hehe. This one's a pretty easy one since the shakes taste pretty yummy and I can have one with my breakfast in the morning.  I do want to try some of the cool tasty recipes that are on the Visalus "Shake"-Book. 
4. Wean myself off artificial and unhealthy sugars-- I have to admit, I'm a sweet fanatic. No, seriously... I don't think you understand. I understand that sugar can be addicting and has very little nutritional value to my body.  So, what I'd like to do is begin decreasing the amount of sugar I intake daily, until eventually, I am eating very little, if any, processed sugars. 

There ya go! What are some of your health, nutrition and/or fitness goals?

why behind the what-- what?

I have to admit.

This whole Challenge thing is so not my thing. I've been very un-motivated to do anything about anything when it comes to health and fitness.

Part of it is that I don't have any real goals or motivation for establishing them.  I mean, my body is so not my own at this moment and losing weight and looking good is just not a part of the upcoming mojo, if you know what I mean...

But, I am so unbelievably incorrect Scripturally.

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." 

-- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

"Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul." 

--3 John 2

Yepp. Any personal opinions or preferences now go out the window.  So, what's still stopping me?  Nothing, in essence-- and yet everything.  

M-O-T-I-V-A-T-I-O-N

I'm sure you can't relate... At all. 

Here is a list that I will write out and place somewhere[s] I can see it daily.  I have quite a few reasons to join the challenge and commit to living healthy and place nutrition and fitness in a position of esteem.  Here's my list. Will you share yours?

1. Because the Bible tells me so-- Do I really need any additional motivation besides bringing glory to my God in the body which He's given to me to steward (any one else failing at this?)? 
2. Because I am a vessel of life-- I may not be able to set a realistic and healthy goal of weight loss, but because I have been privileged to carry life within my body, the same concept [once again] is established before me. I am not my own. I need to choose healthy for the sake of this little man I'm carrying. 
3. Because I am an example to my children--  I have been designed to be one of the greatest influences in my children's lives.  Whether they're 2 or 20, I am, in fact, an intense influence and example to them; in every way. So, if I don't lead and teach them by example, is it fair or right that I expect them to eat the veggies I set before them or lead the healthy lifestyle I desire for them?  I would say no. Jesus went first to the cross, then required that we join him in it.  This isn't even a sacrifice [okay, maybe at first it is], it's something that will make us feel soooo much better in the long run. 
4. Because my husband's passion and his business is based on it!-- I am my husband's helpmate. By design, creation and desire I am to support him and join him in every life adventure. Fitness and health is one of the passions Jesus has designated in his heart, so I should do everything in my ability to join him in that and support him.  I can't exactly do that by living a sedentary life and eating chocolate brownies for breakfast, lunch and dinner... 
5. Because deep down inside, I want the benefits of it-- My head knows the benefits of healthy living. Of drinking more water, of eating healthy, of exercising. My head really knows it. I promise.  I even crave some of the benefits... like more energy, overall health (getting rid of allergies anyone?) and knowing that I'm being a good steward of this body.  So, then-- what's stopping me? Oh yeah, myself. I really do want the benefits that healthy living provides. Soo, here goes nothing. :) 

Hope you enjoyed my little rant and rave on motivation.  Will you share with me your motivation? 

two challenges-- one body.

I just looked at my Facebook profile and have realized that three out of my five last status updates have dealt in some measure with brownies or some other unbelievably unhealthy food.

Granted, there's a baby in my tummy-- but is that really excuse to eat all j-u-n-k?

Unfortunately, I know the answer is no.  That sweet, firm voice keeps me reminding me so.  Ironically, my husband just opened up his own business, and lo-and-behold, it's a fitness and nutrition company. Ha! Yeahh, I'm so not the poster child.  Though I should be.

And then, in good ol' Holy Spirit fashion, I log on to one of my favorite blogs and Courtney is trumpeting and starting a challenge. Granted, it is not only a fitness and health challenge-- but the first week starts off by encouraging us and reminding us that our bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit, that He has given us this physical body as a demonstration and a beginning lesson in stewardship for us.

Eeep! I have failed.

But today, I choose to re-take the test. I choose to join the challenge this way.  I may not be able to set a [realistic] goal for weight loss-- ha! --but I can choose to establish healthy goals now so that when this sweet baby makes his arrival, health, fitness and an amazing diet is part of my lifestyle already!

Stay tuned this week as I share my motivation, my goals and my progress! :)