Physical Fitness

I had recently posted a facebook status about my size and subsequent fitness goal which sparked many of my friends to message me about HOW I intend to lower my bodyfat percentage. THE single most important tip I can pass along is this: Abs are made in the kitchen! In order to keep our bodies in shape, a minimum workout of 30 minutes and nutritious meals are essential!

As a single, work-from-home mommy, I simply can not afford a gym membership or daycare and the free crossfit gyms nearby don't allow young children so for now, I'm a workout-from-home mommy as well. I also have the added bonus issue of battling hemorrhoids that surgery hasn't fixed, which means I need to alter my workouts so I don't end up walking like I stick up my butt. FUN, right?!

Anyway, I find these sets of workouts have the least amount of impact while still producing the results I'm looking for. If you try them, let me know how they work for you.

I'm not quite where I want to be, but I'm getting there!

In the evenings I alternate ballet, yoga, homework, backrubs, "hand holding" and epsom salt soaks. Working out is not something I have all day to do, nor do I WANT to, but it is something that I love doing intermittently throughout my day.

Do you know that working out with your partner can lead to better sex? Oh yeah... I went there. My partner and I do many activities together, working out is one of the activities that I attribute our awesome sex life to (the other is our spiritual connection that I'll likely cover in a future post). Building better bodies through exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, you know, the stuff that makes you feel good. Fellow Washingtonians, instead of picking up pot, why not try picking up some kettlebells and get naturally high!

Now, I'm going to show you photos of my weightloss journey, including photos of me before I lost all this weight... ready? I'm not! *Deep Breath* Here we go.

August 2011, 4 months after my youngest was born. I'm on the far left. Size 14 

September 2011, Size 10

April 2012 Size 6/7

Nov 2012 Size 5/6

July 2013 Size 4 (finally comfortable enough to show my belly)

Oh man. It's so hard looking at photos of me being so heavy. Honestly, my marriage was in BIG trouble and I was inspired to lose the weight. My (now ex) husband would come home and I'd take off for a jog. I'd jog for hours all around my neighborhood. I'd jog with my dear friend Vanessa. I used jogging and working out as additional therapy and boy, looking back, I'm glad I did. My marital issues ended up in divorce, but on the positive side, I am happier and healthier than I have ever been. GO ME!!! And guess what? If I could do this, with all the obstacles that tried to stand in my way SO CAN YOU!!!