Running in Circles

1. Take more pictures- not just of Hazel but of our everyday life...things that make me happy, sad, proud, and the routine.

2. Run another half-marathon/marathon. 2nd half of this goal: PR in the race unless I'm with child :)

3. Be more loving and outgoing in order to welcome new friends and couples into our church ward.

4. Learn the best cinnamon roll recipe....this means I'll actually have to bake and probably a lot more than my usual three times a year.

5. Stop the "fat talk"

6. Stay in our grocery budget- I'm shopping tomorrow for the first time this year- using cash in an envelope :)

7. Learn more about things. I know this is vague but I feel like I run, I mother Hazel, I cook and clean..but what else do I do? for me? for fun? I do not want to look back on the next year feeling like a total bore that can run a lot!

8. Run at least 2014 miles

9. Serve Brice and Hazel with more patience

10. Get over my fear of another baby, finances, finding Brice a job, health insurance woes, etc... and grow our family.

and just because I love her and this photo:

 When we found out our little baby in my belly was a girl I was ecstatic! I dreamed of hair bows, cute outfits,  and glitter. I dreamed about teaching her how to be sensitive, kind, and feminine. I dreamed about teaching her about loving babies and her siblings.

I dreamed of the relationship Brice would have with her- you know the one where all little girls look up to the daddy's with big sparkling eyes and dance on their toes. The relationship that involves running into Daddy's arms when he comes home from work and singing and stories to be sung and read...that kind of stuff. 

I dreamed about having a little side-kick. A little "mini-me."

And then I got so scared. I have a lot of positive traits to pass on to my children but one that worried me was still is my inability to just be secure and confident in my own skin. I worry about my body shape and weight. I worry about how the world sees me and if I'm pretty enough. I worry about putting enough effort into myself- my talents, dreams, and interests.

I want to teach Hazel that you are in control of your own self-esteem and that confidence comes from within. I hope to set a better example that spending time together and serving one another is more important that shopping and prepping oneself. I want to teach her to be beautiful, confident, and happy.

This was on studio 5 the other morning and I sat on the couch like a sponge taking it all in.

Tips to Teach Girls Body Love

I know I can't expect myself to be perfect but I know that my example is going to be and should be the biggest influence on my kids- and right now on my daughter. 

Any other thoughts on teaching confidence? loving your body? 

I have put off writing this post because I'm sure a lot of people could care less what shape I am in now. I consider myself a pretty modest person in dress and attitude, but there's nothing like posting a picture of half your body on the internet to keep you motivated!

 I've had a lot of people ask me how to lose weight especially after pregnancy and childbirth so I thought I'd share a few helpful thoughts.
Before: I gained 24 pounds

1. Be Patient with yourself

Remember that being pregnant takes a toll on your body and it will take time and effort to see results after. Enjoy the time with your new baby and don't waste time thinking about losing weight at first. 

2.  Chug that Water!!!

I realize how lucky I am to have had an easy experience with breastfeeding. When you are nursing you have to drink a lot of water to keep your supply up. It's easy at the beginning because you get so thirsty when you sit down to feed your babe, but most days I drink 120 oz + of water. Stay away from soda and juices.

3. Avoid junk food and fast food

It takes time to meal plan, but avoiding restaurants and fast food can save you money and calories!

I have a sweet tooth, just like everyone else and I enjoy my M&M's just like everyone else in my family, but its about moderation. 

4. There's nothing like good ol' exercise

If you're reading this blog you know I love to run and teach Pilates. Being fit takes effort but it is so rewarding. The current recommendations for exercise are 60 minutes of cardio on most days of the week (5-6 times) and strength training (weights, resistance training, HIIT two to three times a week. 

5. Make the time

It is so easy to make excuses, even now that Hazel is 8 months old, but if you make a plan stick to it. I have a set, planned workout and run everyday and I do it. Sometimes it means waking up at 6:30 am and pumping so I can run before Hazel wakes up. Sometimes I don't get to run...Brice has to go to work early, Hazel sleeps in, or heaven forbid I sleep in :) But then I spend nap time doing P90X, Jillian Michaels videos, my own  Pilates workouts.

6. Get rid of the guilt.

I am a better wife, mother, and friend when I exercise-its not all about what you look like. At the beginning I felt very selfish when I would leave Hazel with Brice to go workout. But having the time to myself, to push myself physically and mentally does a lot more for my relationships than the time I'm missing from them. If you can make exercise a family affair- if you cant then push the guilt to the side and take care of your own health.

7. Set goals/Find your motivation

At the beginning my goal was to lose the extra pounds, but I do believe breastfeeding was the most efficient at that. Next my motivation came from wanting to get back in running shape. My last run when I was pregnant was 9 miles at a 9:05 pace. Great distance, but much much slower than where I was before. This last week I have been running 6:40-7:30 min miles and couldn't be more thrilled.

Later this week I'm going to share a few of my FAVORITE exercise, but for now figure out your motivation!

2013 

For me this year i hope to have less whine and more cheese.

let me explain...

Less Whining

Less whining about schoolwork, being tired, not running enough, and missing my family. Less whining about the money we don't have, the bills we do. Less whining about the furniture I wish we could afford and the tightness of our budget. Less whining about how our car barely has room for a carseat and how uncomfortable it is to sit in the backseat.

More Cheese

I want to enjoy more cheese. Not the orange cheese or the type with holes- my resolve for this new year is to enjoy the details of our lives more fully. Cheese is yummy and so are cookies and my sweet baby. I have a wonderful husband that provides for our needs, a job teaching pilates which I love. I have a body capable of running and movement and I am so thankful for that. I have a sweet, healthy babe- who  smiles and coos with us now. We have a cozy apartment where are needs and some wants are met. I have a handyman husband who has saved us a lot of money by not being afraid to get his hands dirty. We have family close by that are always inviting us over.

Most importantly- we have the gospel in our lives and feel the love of our Savior each day. This year I am going to find joy in the journey, enjoy the little things every day, slow down, be less judgmental and more kind.

Well, at least for January!

(This post makes me it sound like I complain about everything- and I don't, but for how blessed we are I need to be a lot more grateful!)

Well this is what my New Years Resolutions looked like for the year. In case you can't read them, they say:

1. Be more Christlike

2. Exercise my mind & body each day

3. Be quick to serve others

4. Journal

5. See people the way Heavenly Father sees them

6. Marathon year :)

7. Eat a balanced diet

I think these goals really helped me to not feel discouraged if I wasn't perfect. Everyone knows I eat too many M&M's but I tried to eat better, exercise more, serve others, judge less, and keep a journal blog. I suggest making the columns "Essential", "Necessary", and "Nice to do" to keep your life less stressed and to make sure priorities stay priorities. School is only necessary...it is not an essential.

Hope everyone can look back and say they enjoyed 2011 and felt improvement somewhere in their lives.

-Breann