So for my last post before my first half marathon this weekend I thought I would share some of the things that inspire me.
Having 3 kids in 3 1/2 years is not for wimps. I'm going on 4 years of changing diapers, 4 years of being pregnant or nursing which also means 4 years of being the designated driver....................4 years of sleepless nights....4 years of questioning every decision I make because who the hell knows if it's the right one or not. Some other struggles that come with cramming children this close together...how incredibly hard it has been on my body. There's the obvious...weight gain, stretch marks, wider hips (Yes. That IS NOT from my twizzler addiction...it's from shooting 3 kids out in record time.) Then there's the less obvious emotional battle. When I was HUGELY pregnant with Tyler... HUGELY pregnant...I was crying my eyes out because I couldn't even get out of bed. I was miserable. I needed help off the couch...and when I say help I mean a crane. I couldn't play with my other babes...I was a disaster. And I promised myself that as soon as he was out and I'd given my body enough time to heal I would NEVER take the ability to be active for granted again. I know I've posted this picture before but the picture on the left really shows how incredibly huge I was while growing my last human...My low back aches just looking at that picture.
Left: 2 WEEKS before I had my sweet little babe.
Right: 4 months post babe when I started regularly running with said sweet little babe.
One of the perks of being up at all hours of the night feeding a little human is lots of time to search social media...however there's only so much happening on facebook at 3:30 in the morning...at least on MY facebook..............freaks. So I spent a lot of time on Pintrest and that's were I found a blog that changed my life. Mamalaughlin.com Her story...where she started...how far she has come...how she has done it...the ups and downs... Her hard work and incredible transformation not only inspired me to get moving, but also to share my struggles and victories with all of you. Women Helping Women...it's an incredibly powerful concept if you stop and think about it.
Another huge motivator for me has been the skinny hooker that is running with me this weekend. She has pushed me out of my comfort zone, waited in my driveway (aka... crushing candy) for almost an hour when my alarm didn't go off, she runs lightning fast and is always kind enough to come back when she get's out of sight to make sure I haven't been kidnapped. So thank you skinny hooker...for making me into a runner.
The last baby we had we chose to have him at home...yes we CHOSE to have him at home...it wasn't an accident... I am writing an amazing story about that experience...But the wonderful woman that delivered him is a runner and invited me to an awesome Facebook Group that inspired me to be a better runner...to push outside of my comfort zone, to run with my feet...not my head, and to set a big goal and WORK for it....Thanks BAWG...You rock my socks.
Two of my favorite articles that are so incredibly inspiring and motivating are:
The Tale of Two Moms...I cry EVERY time I read this. Full out ugly cry.
And finally, one of the biggest things that has inspired me is all of you. A few years ago, I was part of a study group within our church that taught me my Love Language...Basically it's the way I feel loved and encouraged by others....what makes me feel like my cup is full. There are 5 Love Languages: Acts of Service, Physical Touch (Dana...cough...Dana...), Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and my love language...Words of Affirmation. This study taught me so much about myself and what I need not only in my marriage but within my friendships and every day life.
When I sit down and read the e-mails and messages from women that have read my blog and are starting their own journey to health because of something I wrote..Every time I get a text from friends saying they went and ran for the first time in a year ...Every fist pump and horn honk I get from people that see me out running....All of that keeps me going...it makes me want to go just one more mile...just one more workout...just a little faster.... I don't care if people know what I weigh, or how long I've struggled with my weight...Or that I could HOUSE a full size bag of twizzlers while watching Survivor....before the first commercial break.................................................................
What I do care about is letting other women know that IT CAN BE DONE!!! You CAN start somewhere. You CAN move your body even if it takes you 15 minutes to make it your first mile...even if it takes you 20 minutes to make your first mile..YOU CAN DO IT..
I really encourage you to find something that inspires you and share it with your friends...Share my blog, share your favorite work out, share you struggles and victories, share the HILARIOUS work out cards you find on Pintrest.
And never forget...........
13.1 Miles in 4 days....Must.Keep.Going.
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