The Difference 24 Pounds Makes

We had our family pictures taken 3 weeks ago and we just got the pictures back.  I really really like them!

But I had to laugh when I went back and looked at the one we had taken when Naomi was 4 weeks old.

Get a load of this:

Yikes!  We didn't like how either of us turned out, but I had an extra 24 pounds on me - apparently 10 of them were in my face.  On the bright side - the baby is adorable.  And I made that dress!

Hard work, determination and a lot of running and breastfeeding led me to lose all 46 pounds I gained from my pregnancy.  And we now have a family picture that looks like this!

Yahoo!  Doesn't even look like the same person, huh?  And might I say my husband is rather good looking.  And the baby is adorable.  And I adore them both!

Cassie Mickelsen of Pink Paisley Photography took both of these.

I'm (Just About) Back!

My body, anyway.  Today marks 7 months postpartum and I am 1 pound away from my goal weight.  I'm sure it will come off sometime in the next few weeks while running like a crazy. 

There are a few things that are different after going through a 46 pound weight gain during my first pregnancy.

• My back seems to be holding onto fat more than it used to(bra fat and love handles)
• My tummy isn't totally completely flat like it used to be, but it's close.  The muscles are - I just have a small tire going around my middle.
• The arm acne.  Never had it before, but it popped up while pregnant and has not gone away and has gotten worse and worse.  It really really bothers me.  I don't know why it's there and why it wont go away!  
• My breasts are different because of breastfeeding and will never be the same.  Kind of bummed.
• I'm a bit weaker.  Can't do as many push ups like I used to.
• My thighs are a little more shapely. 
• A few fading stretch marks on my outer thighs (never got any on my tummy!)

But these things really aren't bad.  The only noticeable thing I think is the layer of fat around my middle.  And it's not much, just a little.  Maybe others may not notice it much.

I haven't posted a recent body picture, but I had Jaren take these 2 weeks ago. 

Except this one.  This is me a year ago 6 weeks preg.

6 1/2 Months Postpartum

Overall I'm very happy with how I've bounced back.  I am not exactly as thin as I was before, but I feel like if I keep exercising hard I can be with time.  If not, that's ok.  At least that's the mood I'm in now.  Tomorrow I may feel differently.

Training For A Half Marathon

One of my new years resolutions is to run a half marathon.  I'm on track to run one at the end of June and possibly one at the beginning of June.

I ran through my pregnancy until the pain caused me to only walk and then to stop all together.  It felt really good to be 6 months pregnant and running 3-4 miles a day.  But that was in July and I haven't ran since.  Until last week.

I can't believe how out of shape I am!  I mean...  having to be put on bed rest and then having a C-Section will put you out of commission for a while I guess...  but seriously, this is ridiculous.

This is what I'm doing for now.  I go for half an hour and try to get further each time in that amount of time.  If, for some reason I don't even get 2 miles in that amount of time (which is what happened the first two times) I will go until I get to the 2 mile mark.  I went 32 minutes and hit 2 miles.  But the last time I ran I went 2.2 miles in 30 minutes.  So it's better!  Not to mention the 10 (literally) times I ran up the stairs and into Naomi's room because she was screaming during her nap. 

I don't run the entire time (yeah right - OUT OF SHAPE, remember?).  I try to not walk below a 3.5 on the treadmill and do intervals of the walking and then running at a 5.8-6 for a few minutes.  I've gone 3 minutes at a 6 so far and each time I try to go for 30 seconds longer.

My goal is to get to 3 miles in 30 minutes by the end of February.  It's very hard to get myself back into shape.  And it's not been fun to get on the scale and see that I've only lost half a pound when before without exercising at all I was losing a pound a week.  But, knowing what I know about the body and exercise I am retaining more water.  So, that goes up on the scale.

If in 2 weeks I'm not back on track to losing a pound or more a week I'll be sad!  Especially since I finished off my chocolate and have stopped eating that.  And I'm eating better because I'm making dinner.

Another goal?  To be within 5 pounds of my pre pregnancy weight by my 3 year anniversary.  Holy cow... 3 years.  It's in less than 3 months.  Crazy.  10 pounds in 3 months is VERY do-able. 

The Biggest Loser?

We just watched the season finale of The Biggest Loser.

We hardly watch an episode throughout the season (because there are other shows on at the same time we have on a higher priority) but the big unveiling of the amazing weight losses - we can't resist!

I kept saying, "Ed is so sweet! He loves Heba. It's so cute to see someone so in love with their wife!!"

And Jaren yells, "ME!! I love you! Your my Heba!" hahaha. Then I say, "besides us in this house." and he yells, "yeah!"

For those of you who have ever seen a season finale of The Biggest Loser... do you ever kind of sort of wish you were morbidly obese so you could go on that show and loose tons and tons of weight and win $250,000?

Yeah... me neither.....

I asked Jaren that same question and he said, "No! We will get that treadmill and you can loose as much weight as you want and get toned up but there will be no getting fat in this house!" HAHAHA.

He thought I was serious!! hahaha... ha.... hah....*cough*

But really! How amazing! Heba lost just about HALF of herself. If anything, this motivates me to get running. Which is why we have decided on a treadmill! We looked at reviews and saw it in person and made the final desicion.

A Sole F80. Were ordering it TONIGHT!

I wanted a Precor.. but they are just a little bit pricey.

Woohoo! A treadmill!!!

sorry i've been gone so long. school ruined my life, then my internet decided it had been worked much too hard and stopped working. then i decided i had been worked much too hard and left the state for a few days. now both my internet and i are back! but give me a few days to catch up. but catch up i will!!