Work it Wednesday: Week 3

So glad we're halfway through this week for multiple reasons. The biggest one is that Steven is out of town all week, so I'm alone with the boys (we have family and friends who have been helping out some) until Saturday. So far we are managing. I was even able to get a shower during naps today (and am hopefully going to finish this post before Caffrey wakes up again), although of course he woke up as soon as I got started on this!

The other reason I'm happy that it's Wednesday is because that means it's time to link up with Katie again to share about my fitness goals and progress. I'm so glad she started this even though I still haven't been able to do much.

This week, I feel like I have definite victories and things to work on. I'm going to start with the victories because, well, why not?

We had family pictures taken last week, and I was able to feel pretty comfortable for the most part. Does it show that I have a belly? Yes, in at least some of the pictures. But who doesn't three weeks after delivery? I was so happy with the pics, and I think I may actually get this one framed!

My other discovery is actually a two part victory centered around clothing. I've been slowly trying on my regular clothes to see what I can manage to squeeze into and what needs to hold off for a while. Sunday was National Wear Your Lilly Day (I'm a big fan), and I wanted to try it out. I was actually able to completely zip my Lilly dress that I bought last summer as a gift to me when I was at my smallest! I didn't end up wearing it because (1.) it was pretty tight and would have been uncomfortable quick, and (2.) I was scared of busting the zipper or stretching it and ruining the dress. But still. I was pretty pumped! Then on Monday, I was able to button and zip my stretchy jean capris! There is some definite muffin top action, but I'm so glad I can stop tugging at my maternity capris. The trade off is worth it!

Okay, so here is what I need to work on:

1. Relax. I'm chomping at the bit to get back into the gym, and it's driving me even more crazy that I really can't even get out of the house for walks right now because it's either too hot or Keagan wouldn't be able to keep up with me to do much of anything. In some ways, I think it's good that I'm so ready to get back, but I also have been tempted multiple times to push it farther than I probably should. Let's just say I can't wait to get the doctor's okay in less than two weeks. I may cry if she says I need to wait longer, though...
2. Cut back on the sweets. This is a never-ending battle for me. It hasn't been any easier with all of the family in town until last Friday and then all the meals we were brought along with yummy desserts. Yesterday I ate two slices of chocolate pie because "I wanted to get rid of it". I do need to get it out of my house, but maybe not all at once.
3. Start "measuring" progress. I've said it before. I feel so awkward taking selfies, especially fitness ones. But I want to be able to look back and see how far I've come. It's already honestly not that bad (although yay for elastic waist!), but I can't wait to compare these pics to ones after I get back to the gym!

What are you doing to stay fit this summer? Go join the link-up!

Work It Wednesday

I know it's been a little while since my last post, and I'll be honest. It's going to be like that for a little while as I adjust to being a mommy of two AND work to pack and move by the middle of next month. School is at the bottom of my list of concerns right now, and I'm doing well to even attempt to clear out my Bloglovin feed and at least glimpse at a few posts here and there. I promise I will come back to it eventually, but first I need to create a "new normal".

I did, however, see this linky from Katie and had to join in. She's been such an inspiration to so many (myself included) in her weight loss journey last summer, and this year I was right along with her in gaining baby weight and now trying to lose it. Although I haven't been cleared to do ANYTHING beyond walking yet, I'm still wanting to set goals and start working toward regular clothes (you know, with buttons and zippers that are more than just decoration) hopefully even by the fall.

For starters, I am very proud that I was able to maintain a healthy weight gain through this pregnancy and even continued to work out up through the beginning of the third trimester (before my schedule got crazy and then I pulled a muscle). That alone has made a HUGE difference in recovery from my first pregnancy. After leaving the hospital, I was already down 10 pounds and able to wear some of my more flowy tops and dresses. I actually packed up all of the maternity clothes I was borrowing and returned them on Monday. I was so excited!

This was a few days after coming home from the hospital. There's a bump, but not huge by any means. And I was amazed how positive I felt about my image. That was huge for me! I still have about 18 pounds to lose, which is almost entirely in my stomach area (another difference from last time), and I have 3 more weeks before I'm cleared to go to the gym. I'm itching to get back into my BodyPump class. I haven't been able to go since mid April, and I really miss it!

This past week has been tough for eating right because we've had a lot of family celebrations (a graduation AND a first birthday party back to back), but I want to start tracking my eating habits on myfitnesspal again. And if it would ever cool down a little, I want to get some good walks in as much as possible. Maybe I should try early morning or late evening and stop with the excuses.

Today we have newborn photos, so I need to choose which dress to wear. I'm actually excited to be in some of the photos this time around! The few I appeared in with Keagan as a baby, I felt like I complete wreck. Most of the time, I was hiding from the camera.

Okay, I feel like I was hopping all over the place (blaming sleep deprivation), and I only have a little longer before I have to go for these pictures. Go link up with Katie!

Currently June

June is here, and I have lots of big news!

Listening: My parents got here Saturday to help out while Steven went back to work for the last two weeks of school. It's a good thing because there is a lot to do. Our house finally went under contract on Sunday, and they are doing the home inspection tomorrow. So today is all about cleaning and making sure everything is ready one last time. On the flip side, I'm SO glad that we don't have to do this anymore!

Loving: I was supposed to go to the hospital this morning for a scheduled c-section. Caffrey had other plans and surprised us in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 24 (read my story here - it's CRAZY)!! So instead, today I am home and getting fairly well adjusted with a 9 day old! He's the sweetest little thing, and I'm already so in love!

Thinking: Since we now have a contract on our house, that means we are going to be BUSY packing and moving! We have to close by July 17, so we had to put an offer on a house quickly (found that and had our contract accepted this morning). It's crazy how quickly everything is moving, especially after waiting so long for any bites.

Wanting: Of course, with the insanity I'm wanting to do more than I'm supposed to. I had a c-section, and the doctors basically told me I'm not supposed to lift anything heavier than my baby OR drive until my 6-week checkup. I have things to do! I'm not someone who does well with sitting back and not being able to do things, so that's been tough.

Needing: See above

Summer lovin': Pretty self-explanatory, especially with all that I've already said. We go to the beach in August, and I'm hopeful that I will have lost at least a little of my belly by then (obviously not going to try a bikini or anything yet). I've already lost 12 without doing much at all, and I'm going to try and walk as much as I can until I'm cleared to go back to the gym! Right now, I'm just ready for Steven to be out of school so we can enjoy time as a family!