C25K, workout 2

Pretty much the same as Monday's workout. Still feeling pretty good about this whole running thing!

-Jess

Couch to 5K, Day One

Today I did Day One of the Couch to 5K running plan. Although I did 25 minutes, not 20, just because of the route I chose. And I did a 5 minute walking warm-up and 7 minute walking cool-down. (The whole thing was 2.7 miles. Yay, GMap pedometer!)

But, oh-my-goodness! It didn't kill my knees! I've tried on and off in my adult life to use running as a regular part of my exercise routine and my knees always complain.

But this time, they didn't.

It makes me hope I might get to be a runner after all.

I really hope I can. It's such an efficient exercise, and you can do it outside. I love being outside. Sun and sky and trees = happy Jess.

I think every time I've tried before I've pushed too hard. This time, I'm following expert instruction and trying to do it right. And maybe it won't work, but I've a better shot at it, I think, if I rely on a proven method like this.

Oh! and also! every time I was running I was actually running not just jogging. The 90 seconds walking in between every 60 seconds running was just enough recovery to let me actually run when I was running. And going . . . well, not fast, but at a decent speed is definitely more fun that slowly plodding along. Which is what's happened to me before when I've tried to run the whole time.

I might not be able to really do this plan whole hog till it gets a bit lighter, just because of child care issues. But maybe I can modify it for weekend use, or do some of it with Adam when he's home. (He's interested, and we figure we can go to a park and run around the kids while they play on the grass.)

Anyway. Yay! running! <-- and="and" for="for" me="me" new.="new." p="p" s="s" something="something" that="that">
-Jess

Week 1

So this week was basically a bust for me.  I attempted to do the first P90X workout (chest and back - my least favorite of the set) with my hubby on Monday.  Unfortunately, I just couldn't get my head into it, so I did 10 minutes on the treadmill instead.  I ran a little and walked a little and was basically all over the place.

Tuesday was a bit better, but not much.  I was on the treadmill for 15 minutes walking uphill.

And that was it for the week.

My three year old, on the other hand, is very enthusiastic about P90X and started a workout all by himself yesterday.  I have some video of him interacting with Tony Horton and will have it posted on my blog soon.

Goals for Week 2:
P90X on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Treadmill on one of the off days.

Pure Burn Super Strength

Today I did the 60 min. section of Bob Harper's "Pure Burn Super Strength." Ow, again. As usual. (But, yay, endorphins!)

-Jess

Extreme Shed and Shred

Or is it Shred and Shed? I dunno. I did Level II though!

-Jess

Yoga for the Warrior

Today I did the 60 min. section of Bob Harper's "Yoga for the Warrior" - though it's really more like 56 min., and the first two and last ten are just stretching.

Still! Challenging and relaxing at the same time. There's a lot to be said for power yoga.

-Jess

p.s. We're still dealing with the cold-that-never-ends at our house. Ugh. It's throwing off our schedules, hence the couple of days without a workout.

Zumba!

One of my Christmas presents this year was the Zumba 2 game for Wii. Way too much fun.

Today I did 24 minutes of Zumba, about 6 songs, and I think all but one was medium intensity.

Not a lot of muscle-building, but great cardio! (It's less painful when you're having fun!)

-Jess

1/12/13

I managed to squeeze a workout in this week.  Actually, it was more of a "fun" activity than a workout - my hubby and I towed our son to the neighborhood park in our new bike trailer.  Or rather, my husband towed, and I followed.  Not surprisingly, he got the more intense workout, but there are plenty of inclines in our neighborhood, so I did get some good leg work in.  And my lungs were tested, too - going to have to work on both my endurance and my leg strength.

1/11/13 workout for Jess

Today I did the long (about 45 minutes) workout on Bob Harper's Totally Ripped Core.

Gosh, Harper just makes it very clear that the common conception of abdominal crunches being ineffective only exists because every other instructor out there is a wuss. He has you do them fast, without rest, and at a variety of angles and oh my gosh does it hurt.

Also? His plank circuits are vicious enough that you're relieved when you finally get to do stand up and do insane-jumping-around cardio stuff. Only not for long, because the insane-jumping-around cardio stuff is vicious, too.

But it's so well-designed. None of the pain is injury-inducing pain, just muscles-being-pushed-to-get-stronger pain. Love this workout.

-Jess

(I might double-post this to my other blog, as a review. I'll have to check and see if I've reviewed this DVD there already.)

ETA: I did review it already! Here's a link, if you're interested: http://churchyear.blogspot.com/2012/08/exercise-dvd-review-bob-harpers-totally.html

Jess 1/9/13

Did the 30 Day Shred today, Level 3.

-Jess

Shed and Shred

So, encouraged by Yolanda, I'm going to start posting my workouts here again.

Today I did Level 2 of Jillian Michaels' "Shed and Shred". Ouch, ouch, ouch.

Best/worst/most creative bit of torture? Push-up-jacks: Start in plank, lower down to push-up position while shooting your legs out in a plank jack at the same time. Push up, bringing legs back together at the center. Ow, ow, ow.

-Jess

anyone out there?

Hey ladies -

I stopped posting on here because there wasn't a lot of company anymore. :)  But is anyone interested in starting up the blog again in the new year? If not, I'll probably just keep track elsewhere, but I thought I'd check here first. Hope you're all well!

-Jess

Babies, indeed!

Well this has created a whole new impetus for exercising: I'm pregnant again.  And the reality of starting a pregnancy a good 15 lbs heavier than I wish I were has made me realize I want to be serious about exercising WHILE pregnant, so it isn't quite so impossible afterwards.  Besides, I'm the queen of telling myself that I will get to it later, and it will be easier later, and really?  Who am I kidding?  Of COURSE it won't be easier to exercise when I have an infant to care for!

So.  On the advice of my chiropractor (a specialist in pregnancy, not to mention me, since she's cared for me through two pregnancies already!) here is what I'm doing:

1) Yoga twice a week.  GENTLY.  (That last bit is partly due to the car accident I was in a few weeks ago, which my body hasn't quite recovered from.)

2) Walking daily.  Right now I'm doing 30 minutes after breakfast and 30 minutes after dinner.  My goal is to work up to a mile in the morning and a mile at night, hopefully getting much faster so I'm not tied to the 30 minute mark.  I'd much rather run for 10 minutes than walk for 30, but I'll have to work up to that. :)

Back at it . . .

. . . posting, that is.

I have been working out fairly consistent in the interim and am pretty much back at my pre-baby weight (only took about 4 years).

Did water aerobics over the summer, and am now currently doing an aerobics class and P90X with the hubby.  Have been able to be consistent enough that I miss working out on the off days.  My goal is to add jogging on the treadmill or walking to step things up a bit.  Weight loss has stalled, and I still have about 20 lbs to lose to get to my healthy weight.

Yolanda

Question

So, yes, I am no longer posting here, but I am exercising very regularly again!  However, with that exercise, I am beginning to have frequent pelvic/groin pain and sometimes other issues...

Anyhow, I am waiting for a referral from my doc to see and specialist, but I was wondering if any of you ladies have had pelvic prolapse issues after having babies.  My doctor wouldn't officially diagnose me because she isn't a specialist, but indicated that might be my problem.

Week 12-14 for Jess

Week 12-13, nothing? I think? I dunno. I might have done something the first week. Anyway, onward!

Sun: nothing
Mon: teaching the kids to ride bikes (i.e., lots of running)
Tues: Biggest Winner, Maximize, Full Frontal
Wed: Biggest Winner, Maximize, Back in Action
Thurs: Biggest Winner, Shape Up, Front
Fri: Biggest Winner, Shape Up, Backside
Sat: nothing

-Jess

Week 11 for Jess

Sunday: nothing
Monday: 30 Day Shred, Level 1
Tuesday: Kickbox FastFix, Level 1
Wednesday: nothing
Thursday: nothing
Friday: 30 Day Shred, Level 2
Saturday: almond harvesting

-Jess

Emily's week 47

Nothing. Went to the doctor and was told that my wrist will heal, but I have to stop using it in order for that to happen. (Yes, the doctor was smiling a bit when she told me that.) She has me wearing a splint 24/7 for two weeks, and expects that it will be ok for gentle use after that.

Week 10 for Jessica

Sunday: nothing
Monday: nothing
Tuesday: Killer Buns and Thighs, Level 1
Wednesday: 15 min. alternating jump rope and jumping jacks. Then 3 rounds each of: bicep curls, tricep kickbacks, renegade rows, chest presses, back extensions, chest flies, overhead presses, and overhead tri's.
Thursday: nothing
Friday: nothing
Saturday: Pure Burn Super Strength, 60 min. workout

-Jess

Emily's week 46

Nothing at all! Wrist is acting up badly and I'm going to the doctor to see if it is strained/sprained.

Weeks 8 & 9 for Jess

Sunday: nothing
Monday: Killer Buns and Thighs, Level 3
Tuesday-Saturday: nothing

Sunday: trampoline jumping + track drills/calisthenics + walk
Monday: 30 min. Crossfit:
          -warm-up/dynamic stretches
          -12 times(5 squats + 5 burpies + 6 pike push-ups)
Tuesday: 2 mile hike/walk
Wednesday: about 30 min. Crossfit:
          -10 times (15 push-ups + 20 sit-ups + 60 yard dash)  (I did 100 of the 200 sit-ups, then replaced the rest with bicycle crunches and scissor leg crunches)

Thursday: 2 mile hike
Friday: nothing
Saturday: more Crossfit: 100 burpies. (I did the first 10 and the last 10 with regular push-ups, and the rest were mostly knee pus-ups)

The Crossfit was because we were camping, and Adam's been regularly doing Crossfit, so he got the workouts ahead of time, and we did them together this week.

-Jess

Emily's week 45

Saturday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Friday - nothing

I'm working with my teacher to figure out some ways to be more gentle on my wrist. It can be hard to find the line between being gentle and careful with my body, and being lazy.

Emily's week 44

Saturday - nothing
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - nothing

A combination of a camping trip and an ongoing wrist/shoulder injury flare-up kept me away from my practice this week. The wrist is feeling better now though, so I think that I'll be able to start again soon.

Week 7 for Jess

Sunday: nothing
Monday: nothing
Tuesday: Extreme Shed and Shred, Level 1
Wednesday: Extreme Shed and Shred, Level 2
Thursday: Bob Harper Totally Ripped Core, 50 min. section
Friday: Killer Buns and Thighs, Level 2
Saturday: nothing

-Jess

Weeks 5 & 6 for Jess

Sunday-Thursday: nothing, as I was sick
Friday: 4/7 circuits of No More Trouble Zones
Saturday: nothing

Sunday: nothing
Monday: Ripped in 30, Level 3
Tuesday: Kickbox Fast Fix, Level 3
Wednesday: nothing
Thursday: Ripped in 30, Level 4
Friday: nothing
Saturday: nothing

-Jess

Emily's week 43

Saturday - vinyasa/hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - vinyasa/hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - nothing

I'm injured. My right wrist which had been sore for awhile, has become a wrist that will not take pressure of ANY SORT. Even shifting a manual transmission, or stirring a pot, or running a vacuum cleaner. So I'm backing off for a few days, icing it multiple times a day, and trying to think of ways to lower my stress level, since the weak points in my body tend to do this to me when I've been overstressed for too long. Prayers would be appreciated!

Emily's week 42

Saturday - vinyasa/hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - vinyasa/hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - hatha yoga dvd (75 minutes)
Friday - No OM Zone yoga dvd (30 minutes)

I enjoyed some extended time with Thursday's dvd when my friend Pamela had my kids for a few hours. It requires focus and encourages relaxation between (and even during) poses. I didn't notice how hard it was until afterward when I wondered why I was so hungry and my muscles felt so wrung out. :)

Friday's dvd is pretty basic - fitness focused "yoga". I like it because the segments are 15 minutes (really!) and so it is much easier to convince myself to do one or two.

The past month or so has been pretty awful on a personal level, and I've fallen pretty far back into depression and eating for comfort. This week's workouts were an effort to start pulling myself out of that morass. I'm reminding myself that yoga is something I do for myself, and spending the boys' quiet time with a yoga dvd is a better use of my time than moping on the couch.

Week 4 for Jess

Sunday: nothing
Monday: nothing
Tuesday: nothing
Wednesday: Jillian Michaels Kickbox FastFix, Levels 1, 2, and 3 YES I DID!!!! :D
Thursday: about 1 1/2 hours swimming in the ocean, and some walking
Friday: about 40 minutes swimming in the ocean
Saturday: nothing

-Jess

Emily's week 41

Saturday - hatha yoga (15 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - vinyasa/hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - nothing

Weeks 2 & 3 for Jess

Sunday: walked around downtown Chicago for a few hours
Monday: walked through some woods for about an hour and a half, and then did 10 min. of yoga
Tuesday - Saturday: nothing

Sunday: Killer Buns and Thighs, Level 1
Monday: Personal Training with Jackie, minus leg sections ('cause of yesterday's workout)
Tuesday: Dance with Julianne, Cardio Ballroom: cha-cha and jive sections
Wednesday: Personal Training with Jackie: Xtreme Timesaver Training
Thursday: Dance Off the Inches: Fat-Burning Belly Dance
Friday: nothing
Saturday: Bob Harper Totally Ripped Core, 50 min. section

Okay, so last week sucked, but this week ROCKED. Fitness-wise, anyway. :)

-Jess

Emily's week 40

Saturday - vinyasa/hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - vinyasa/hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - nothing

Allison has me working HARD in yoga, and I'm loving it. I'm sore after every class (the good kind of sore) and I'm definitely getting stronger. Now if only the fat on top of the muscle would go away. ;)

Emily's week 39

Saturday - hatha yoga (60 minutes) - with Jonathan!
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - vinyasa/hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - nothing

Getting Ready

Well, Nathan was absolutely swamped with work this week (sorta happens when you have a regular job and a contract job), so we didn't get started yet. Also, I looked over the eating plan and excercise plan more. I see more flexibility in the eating plan and also realized that I will not be able to do all the P90X workouts. My hips will not allow for plyometric training, so I'll just have to modify.

My week went like this:

R- Bob's Pure Strength Beginner Workout, gardening
F- Nothing
S- 2 mile walk
S- 2 mile walk
M- 2 mile walk, short walk with kids
T- Bob's Pure Strength 1st half, gardening
W- Bob's Pure Strength 2nd half
R- Bob's Pure Strength Beginner Workout

So, it has been walking and Bob's workout. Walking has been so lovely- I go after the kids go to bed since it is light until about 9pm here.

Weeks 52 & 1 (again) for Jess

Week 52: nothing

Week 1:

Sunday: nothing
Monday: 30 Day Shred, Level 2
Tuesday: nothing
Wednesday: nothing
Thursday: Bob Harper's Yoga for the Warrior, 60 min. section
Friday: 30 Day Shred, Level 3
Saturday: nothing

-Jess

Emily's week 38

Saturday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - vinyasa/hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - evening walk with the family (45 minutes)
Thursday - nothing
Friday - nothing

Jonathan has been asking to come to yoga with me for quite some time now. Last Saturday I brought him to class with me...and he LOVED it. I was expecting him to get bored and we had brought a book for him to read in the lobby area if he got tired of the class. But he was completely engaged (and silent!) for the whole hour. When we were finished, he leaned over and whispered "Mommy, I really want to come back here again." Later he said that he liked working his muscles and then resting them at the end. Allison (my teacher) was incredibly impressed with Jonathan - she said she's never had a young child participate so well in an adult class. She invited him to come back anytime. :) So we'll see how long Jonathan enjoys it, but as long as he wants to, Saturday morning yoga will be a joint venture!

Oh, and I almost forgot! I can now do full yoga headstands without falling over. :) I've been working on this for some months now and am very pleased. Boy does it take a lot of core strength!

hiatus

I'm exercising fine (though I did take a week off due to shin splint issues last month).  But I'm not really keeping track right now because things are a bit crazy.  I found out my mom has breast cancer and Edmund came down with a really bad case of mono in the same week.  Edmund is all better and we are now down here helping out while she recovers from surgery and then will be traveling down a lot in the next several months while she undergoes chemo.  So, I'm just not bothering with keeping track about exercising.  But, suffice it to say, I have been managing to get 30-40 minutes in about 5 days a week.

Postpartum Recovery and P90X

So, I have been absent awhile, but I have still checked in occasionally to see what everyone is up to. Thanks Jessica and Emily for keeping the blog going. :)

For more than a month, I was feeling very weak because I was stopping the anxiety meds that I took when Rebekah was born. It took longer than I thought to come out of it, but now I am back. I don't regret the meds- I think they really helped to balance me out and be a better mother. I have a great psychiatrist who specializes in post-partum disorders. She is incredible and tried to help me while being sensitive to the fact that I really didn't want to be on any medication if it was possible.

Anyways, I kept walking almost every day through the process and occasionally did Bob's Pure Strength beginner workout and Jillian's Shred levels 1 & 2.

Fast forwarding to today- Nathan was on a work trip and watched an infomercial for P90X. He bought the whole package. I was a little surprised, but glad that he found some sort of workout plan that he wasnted to get started on. We are planning to do the program together, though it will be more modified for me bacuase of nursing. I look forward to the challenge. My sister did the program about a year ago with her husband and she dropped 30lbs while he drooped enough to qualify for the National Guard. It was the only program that actually motivated them to get into shape (so it comes highly recommended).

I am a little skeptical on the nutrition side of the program, but we will continue (as we have been) to try and eat more healthfully and naturally. Also, my goal is to gain strength and endurance rather than to lose weight on the program. I'll keep you all updated on our porgress- it should be exciting :)

Emily's week 37

Saturday - horseback riding! (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - vinyasa/hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing (sick)
Friday - nothing

Week 51 for Jess

Sunday: nothing
Monday: Bob Harper's "Total Body Transformation", 60 min. section
Tuesday: nothing
Wednesday: nothing
Thursday: Jillian Michaels' "Shred-It with Weights", Level 1
Friday: nothing
Saturday: Bob Harper's "Cardio Conditioning", 60 min. section

Hey, it's just me and Em around here lately. How's everyone else doing? I hope well!

-Jess

Emily's week 36

Saturday - nothing (Gabe on ACR board retreat)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - vinyasa/hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing (Gabe at ACR board meeting)
Friday - 4 hour rock climbing trip!

Week 50 for Jess

Sunday: nothing
Monday: nothing
Tuesday: Ripped in 30, Level 3
Wednesday: Bob Harper Beginner's Weight Loss Transformation, plus bonus 10 min. ab. workout
Thursday: Step and Core Pilates
Friday: nothing
Saturday: nothing

Emily's week 35

Saturday - nothing (client appointment)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing (Gabe out with friends from work)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - AWESOME vinyasa/hatha yoga class!
Friday - nothing

I'm SO glad that I made it to yoga on Thursday, because it was amazing! There were only two of us there, and we're the ones who really like being challenged. So Allison created a totally different class than planned, on the fly, and it was incredible! We did a series of real (i.e. hard!) sun salutations, working on details like how to roll over our toes through the movement. We practiced crow, and dancer, and plow and shoulder stands and finished up with a full wheel pose. It was super hard and so much fun and I absolutely loved it. And the best part is that Allison told us afterward that she's been thinking about changing her Tuesday class to be more like what we had just done, because it is really what she prefers to be teaching and she wants to keep the younger crowd that has started to check out the studio. Yay!

Week 49 for Jess

Sunday: nothing
Monday: nothing
Tuesday: did the 45 min. step workout again
Wednesday: Bob Harper Totally Ripped Core (about 45 min.)
Thursday: Kathy Smith Great Buns and Thighs Step Workout*
Friday: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism (my ankle was okay through this - yay!)
Saturday: spent about 45 minutes digging giant holes in the sand at the beach

-Jess

*okay, this was from the library, because I'm continuing to check things out that look low-impact (on account of my twisted ankle) and it turns out this is a video re-recorded onto DVD, and the leotards in it are AWESOME. :D

Emily's week 34

Saturday - nothing
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - nothing

That went well.

Week 48 for Jess

Sunday: nothing
Monday: nothing
Tuesday: Personal Training with Jackie (40 min. circuit)
Wednesday: 30 Day Shred, Level 1
Thursday: nothing (my ankle was a bit sore from the jumping yesterday, and I didn't want to push it and risk re-injuring it.)
Friday: Xtreme Timesaver Training
Saturday: I did this step routine. Actually, I did the first 11 minutes, then went back to the beginning and did the whole thing. Great option for a good cardio routine without high impact moves.

-Jess

Emily's week 33

Saturday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - nothing

I'm giving up some of my class time in the next few weeks so that Gabe can go out on Tuesday evenings. Next Tuesday is a dinner with some of his previous co-workers, and the following week is an Angels game with his new co-workers. And the Saturday after that he'll be on a church retreat, so no class then either.

All that to say that my class time is going to be seriously sparse for the rest of the month. Perhaps I'll get motivated to pull out some workout dvds? I got Bob Harper's Yoga for the Warrior from the library but the cover is so hardcore I'm pretty sure I won't like it! ;)

Week 47 for Jess

Sunday: nothing
Monday: nothing
Tuesday: 30 Day Shred, Level 2
Wednesday: Mari Windsor Shape Pilates Core Challenge for Pink*
Thursday: Rodney Yee Yoga Conditioning for Athletes
Friday: nothing
Saturday: No More Trouble Zones

I'm skipping out on plyometric workouts till my ankle heals, I think. So, it's going to be weights and yoga for me, for awhile.

-Jess

*or something like that - this DVD has the longest title ever. Did this one as I sprained my ankle yesterday and thought I shouldn't be jumping with Jillian the day afterwards. Sadly, except for about five minutes of truly painful core work, this one was fairly lame. Bicep curls sans weights do NOT impress me.

Emily's week 32

Saturday - nothing
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Friday - nothing

Twice this week, yay! And tomorrow I get to go again. :)

Week 46 for Jess

Sunday: nothing
Monday: 30 Day Shred, Level 3
Tuesday: 30 Day Shred, Level 1
Wednesday: nothing
Thursday: 30 Day Shred, Level 2
Friday: 30 Day Shred, Level 1
Saturday: 30 Day Shred, Level 3

This is the first time in a long time that I've exercised five times in one week.

And I feel so good. Funny thing is, the work-outs have NOT been fun. I've really been pushing myself - going at a faster pace, using heavier weights, doing  harder versions of the movies, etc. (except push-ups - I'm still doing real ones only about half the time!) - but pushing hard has meant the work-outs have hurt a lot while I'm doing them.

But afterwards? Seriously, I feel so good. I feel like I've got my body back - I feel connected to it again, and like it's on my side and not working against me. I've been eating well too . . . I just need to do this all the time. It feels so good, and I'm so much happier. I swear doing this changes my brain chemistry. It makes it so much easier to be happy, and that's such a grace and gift in ordinary life.

ETA: going back to the Shred, and just doing that over and over, through all the levels, is part of what feels so right. I like having variety sometimes, but right now I just want my very familiar work-out. I know this work-out so well that I feel very comfortable pushing myself during it, I know what's coming, I know I can get through the whole thing, so it's easy to tell myself, "It's not that long, just do it. You'll feel better at the end. It's not fun, but there aren't going to be any surprises. Just do it." And I'm always glad that I do.

Not being long is another thing. It really is under half an hour. That makes such a difference.

-Jess

Emily's week 31

Saturday - nothing
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - nothing

I'm finding myself a bit frustrated with the last two weeks...it seems like getting to the studio is at the very, very bottom of the family priority list, and thus it is easy for it to get pre-empted for something else. And working out at home has been such an abysmal failure that I've simply given up...there are too many other things calling my name. I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do about this, or even if there is anything to be done about it.

Weeks 44 & 45 for Jess

Sunday: run/walk of 5.9 miles
Monday: 20 min. of calisthenics (jumping jacks, etc.)
Tuesday-Sat: nothing

Sun: nothing
Mon: jumping rope (1000 circuits)
Tues: Personal Training with Jackie DVD (40 min.)
Wed: nothing
Thurs: nothing
Friday: 30 Day Shred, Level 3
Sat: nothing

Emily's week 30

Saturday - nothing
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing (sick kids had to stay home from Awana with me)
Friday - nothing

recap

notta.  sick all week.

Emily's week 29

Saturday - nothing
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Friday - nothing

Week 43 for Jess

Sunday: nothing
Monday: nothing
Tuesday: 30 Day Shred, Level 1
Wednesday: Ripped in 30, Level 1
Thursday: Ripped in 30, Level 2
Friday: nothing
Saturday: nothing

recap for last two weeks

Sun-rest
M-30 min pilates
T-rest (battling a cold)
W-20 min pilates
Th-4 mile run
F/Sat-rest

Sun-rest
M-30 min pilates
T-4 mile run
W-20 min pilates
Th-2 mile run
F-2 mile walk
Sat-2 mile run (fighting another cold)

Emily's week 28

Saturday - nothing
Sunday - nothing
Monday - cross fit workout at Chalk Fitness
Tuesday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - nothing

Week 42 for Jess

Sunday: nothing
Monday: nothing
Tuesday: 30 Day Shred, Level 3
Wednesday: 30 Day Shred, Level 2
Thursday: nothing
Friday: 30 minute workout in the park, consisting of:
     -600 jumping jacks
     -600 jump-rope jumps/revolutions
     -60 squats
     -60 lunges
     -60 sit-ups (real ones)
     -30 push-ups
Saturday: nothing

-Jess

Emily's week 27

Saturday - nothing
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - nothing

As expected...it was a busy week! A postpartum visit, a prenatal visit, and the most amazing incredible joyful birth I've had the pleasure of assisting! For next week: I'm skipping Saturday's yoga in order to attend a doula meeting, since I haven't been to one in months and I miss them. Then hopefully I'll manage yoga on Tuesday and Thursday.

Week 41 for Jess

Sun: nothing
Mon: nothing
Tues: Killer Buns and Thighs, Level 3
Wed: 20 minute run (with a bit of walking)
Thurs: nothing
Friday: Xtreme Timesaver Training DVD
Sat: nothing

doing great

I've been challening myself this last month and this week has born the fruit of my perseverance:

Sat--4 mile run
Sun--rest
M--20 min pilates, 2 mile run
T--4 mile run
W--30 min pilates
Th--4 mile run
F--20 min pilates

This is basically my pre-pregnancy exercise routine which I thrived on.  I'm definitely a lot weaker than I was then (a 4 mile run is very slow for me right now.  Takes me about 50 minutes).  But, I feel much better emotionally and my energy levels are much more stable.  I really do think doing Pilates regularly is the key for me.  It is also nice now because Jesse works from home more and so it is easy to exercise during the baby's nap.  I enjoy running much more when I don't have to push a stroller.

Yay!

Emily's week 26

Saturday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - nothing

This week has been full of work (an interview, a prenatal, and a birth) AND I'm on my period...so I don't feel too bad about not working out. I rather expect next week to be the same, since I've got a prenatal and postpartum visit scheduled, and another client who will probably give birth. After all that I'll take a deep breath and get back into yoga. :)

Weeks 39-40 for Jessica

Week 39 - nothing; this was a getting-back-into-routine-after-being-sick week.

Week 40:
Sunday: nothing
Monday: Ripped in 30, Level 4
Tuesday: Ripped in 30, Level 3
Wednesday:

I had fun this week pretending that I was at a bootcamp fitness class while I did the "Ripped in 30" DVD. Being an introvert, I think this might have been more fun than going to a bootcamp fitness class.

Well, maybe not, but it's certainly less expensive.

sooo

I have been exercising again the last few weeks.  I just needed to not post about it for a bit.

I'm working on having the right attitude again for WHY I am exercising.  I was so desperate to lose the baby weight (and quickly) that I become obsessive for the wrong reason and didn't exercise wisely (too much running too quick).  Then, when I was nearly pre-preg weight, I became so frustrated with how my body is for different reasons (my tummy, my thighs, my everything are so much more jiggly than I 'd like!) that I didn't want to exercise at all because I thought I would never reach my pre-preg body again (which I liked).

However, after a hard few months (for many reasons), I am back to exercising again for mental health and back health and have been working hard on telling myself that I am doing this to feel better and NOT to look better (though I realize that will naturally come with the territory, it can't be my motivation!).

So, I'm running and doing pilates.  I am focusing on building my bodies strength up again, and, honestly, I have much more energy to exercise now at 9 months postpartum than I did at 2, 3 and 4 months.   It is nice to think (feel) like I can actually rebuild my pre-pregnancy strength now.  Everything seemed so futile a few months ago.

All right.  Sorry for the long post!  (Okay, so I'm not, but well, there is no other expression in the English language I have found to express being 'sorry' without meaning that you're actually begging for forgiveness, if you know what I mean).

Emily's week 25

Saturday - hatha yoga (60 minutes), family hike (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - does housework count if it gets your heart-rate way up and throws your back out? ;)
Friday - nothing

Emily's week 24

Saturday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Friday - nothing

I'm really glad to be back on track with my yoga classes. I missed them while I was on sick and on vacation!

Emily's week 22

Nothing, nothing, and nothing! We've all been sick, so I've either been caring for sick children or being sick myself.

Next week we're on vacation up at my parents' house, and I'm not sure what that will mean for exercise. I'm kind of guessing it won't happen, though. We'll see. With some luck I'll get back on track in week 24. :)

Good Week

Sunday: walk
Monday: 20 minute bike ride, 1 hr yardwork
Tuesday: Walk with Luke, 30 minute bike ride
Wednesday: 2 mile walk pushing both kids in the double stroller- Luke loved riding with Rebekah. We all had a good time!
Thursday: 3 hrs. yardwork
Friday: bike for 40 minutes
Saturday: 2 mile walk

I planted my spring garden this week and spent some time trying to revitalize our lawn after last summer's record drought. It was a good week.

The kids got sick on Thursday night, so I worked out indoors on Friday and Nathan watched the kids while I went out Saturday morning.

My eating has been atrocious, however. I think I just need to eat more in the beginning of the day. By after dinner time, I am hungry and tend to overdo it. Rebekah complicates things too. She eats more than Luke did and has a higher metabolism. It is hard for me to judge how much I actually need to eat in order to keep up with her.

Week 36 for Jessica

Sunday: nothing
Monday: nothing
Tuesday: 30 Day Shred, Level 1
Wednesday: 30 Day Shred, Level 2
Thursday: nothing
Friday: nothing
Saturday: 4.5 miles of running/walking with Adam (about 50 min.)

Yolanda, I'm sorry, I don't know of a good leasing office. But I hope you find something good!

-Jess

Wks 5, 6 & 7 . . ?

I've lost track of where I'm supposed to be, so these are my best guesses at numbering.

Wk 5: Two 1 1/2 hour toddler speed walks with Ted

Wk 6: One body shaping class

Wk 7: 2 body shaping classes

I've been more busy than I like to be, which has interfered with the work-out schedule. I want to get back to exercising 3 x/week and will try to do that next week. Saturday mornings just aren't working for me right now, so I need to figure something else out.

I am also going to start using a calorie counting app this week. I'll let you know how it goes.

Finally, I could use some help from those of you who live in Southern California or have connections in Southern California. Ted and I are considering moving to Southern California, but we are in need of some affordable housing to make it happen.

Ted was accepted to two law schools in Southern California - one in Costa Mesa and the other in Fullerton - so we are looking for housing close to either place (Fullerton, Brea, Chino Hills, Whittier, Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Tustin, Long Beach, etc., etc.).

Would you happen to know of anyone who is looking to rent out an apartment, condo, or small house, or even an affordable complex to look into or a good leasing agency? We'd like a 3 br, 2 bath place to live if we can come up with one that is affordable. If not, we will settle on a 2 bd, 2 bath.

I'd appreciate any help you could give us. Thanks in advance for your help.

Yolanda

Emily's week 21

Saturday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - yogaworks body slim (30 minutes) - part of a dvd

I don't like the dvd (which is why I didn't do all of it.) It is very western "weight loss" style yoga, which I'm starting to think isn't yoga at all. :) The instructor is a little too chipper/peppy/cheerleader for my taste, and while she pays lip service to "staying with your breath", she moves so fast that we'd all be hyperventilating if we tried to breathe in sync with the movements! Also, she talks way too much.

Tomorrow I'm hoping to get back to class. Please, sick children, get well!

This Week

Sunday: nothing
Monday: Bob Harper Pure Strength - 2nd half. I did the first part last week. I was so sore both times that I felt it 3 and 4 days after.
Tuesday: Walk with Luke, some gardening
Wednesday: Prevention Belly
Thursday: Prevention Belly, Butt, and Thighs
Friday: nothing
Saturday: 2 mile walk carrying Rebekah (my 21lb kettle ball :) )

It was raining everyday this week so I didn't get a chance to go outside much. Hopefully we will get to see more sunshine in the coming week. :)

Week 35 for Jessica

Sunday: nothing
Monday: Killer Buns and Thighs, Level 2
Tuesday: Ripped in 30, Level 1
Wednesday: nothing
Thursday: nothing
Friday: did this super-intense fifteen-minute workout
Saturday: Yogaworks: Body Slim

-Jess

Emily's week 20

Saturday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - hatha yoga (60 minutes)
Friday - nothing

I'm switching from calling my yoga classes "restorative" to "hatha" to reflect more accurately what I'm doing. When I started, there were a bunch of middle-aged women in the group who preferred "relaxing yoga", and Allison was teaching to them. About two weeks ago I talked with her after class and asked if some more challenging poses could be added. She responded enthusiastically, and now the class includes a lot of poses that can be simplified, but which also allow me to work to the edge of my ability. I'm loving it.

Week 34 for Jessica

Sunday: walked around the Huntington
Monday: Ripped in 30 DVD, Level 2
Tuesday: Ripped in 30 DVD, Level 3
Wednesday: nothing
Thursday: nothing
Friday: nothing
Saturday: Ripped in 30, Level 4

-Jess

Emily's week 19

Not a thing this week - the stomach flu really wiped our family out.

Practical Exercise

We retured home from CA about a week ago and I have been working to get things back in shape ever since. Practical exercise has made up the bulk of my workouts- heavy duty housework. I have been doing lots of yardwork- pruning, raking, etc... and still have much more to go. I have also tried to walk or ride the exercise bike at least once a day. Soon I'll be getting back to writing things down soon, but so far I have been too busy trying to conquer disorganiztion in other places of my life. :)

It is good to see everyone's posts. :)

Congratulations Katie P!

recap

M/W/F--20 min pilates
T/Th--2 mile run
Sa/Su--nothing

Week 33 for Jessica

Sunday:  nothing
Monday: three-hour hike
Tuesday: nothing
Wednesday: nothing
Thursday: Billie Blanks: Boot Camp S.O.S. DVD (Tae-Bo)
Friday: Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism DVD
Saturday: nothing

-Jess

Week 3

T: Gym session - 20 mins cardio/20 mins weights

Th: Body shaping class

Back at it this week. I've got new running shoes, which have made a world of difference in my aerobics class (little did I know how unstable my old shoes were). But they did not make my muscles prepared for the soreness they would feel since I have not been exercising much lately. Ouchie.

Next week's goal: three workout sessions (should help with the sore muscles).

recap

M--2 mile run
T--20 minutes pilates
W--2 mile run
TH/F--nothing
Sat--2 mile run
Sun--nothing

Emily's week 18

Saturday - restorative yoga (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - restorative yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - stomach flu :(

Weeks 31-32 for Jess

Sun-Mon: nothing
Tues: 30 Day Shred, Level 2*
Wed: the Firm TurboCharge Weight Loss: Cardio Blast
Thurs-Sat: nothing

Sun: nothing
Mon: the Firm TurboCharge Weight Loss: Burn and Firm
Tues: 30 Day Shred, Level 1
Wed: nothing
Thurs: nothing
Fri: roller-skating
Sat: roller-skating; Killer Buns and Thighs, Level 1 (new Jillian DVD)

Yolanda - I don't know how it's going in the contest with my brother, 'cause he and I haven't weighed in together since Christmas. But I highly doubt I'm winning. :)  I should find out how it's going at the end of this next week.

-Jess

*you can tell I'm getting serious again: I'm doing my least favorite level of the Shred.

Week 2

Like Emily, I did nothing this week. Start of the semester meetings, job applications, and class prep made going to the gym more trouble than it was worth this week. Will get back into the swing of things next week.

Emily's week 17

Not one bit of exercise to report this week. But my family has been cared for and I spent 31 hours at an amazing birth. So I think my priorities are doing ok. :)

Week 1

So I managed to get back into things after Christmas and my winter minimester had ended. I have only gotten to the gym on Tuesdays & Thursdays, but I still consider myself to be on vacation for another week, when the semester starts up again. In other words, I feel like I can get away with it for another week and then will stop having the major excuse of "relaxing" to keep me out of the gym on Saturdays.

Have been battling a cough and a sore knee in the process, which has not been fun, but I have been able to avoid letting them sidetrack my routine.

Also, an update on the 10 lb challenge: I believe I lost a total of 6 lbs, but I'm not exactly sure. Now that the holidays are over, I'm trying to be more conscious about what I eat and how much I am eating. My hubby is trying to do the same thing, which should make the process a bit easier overall. I'm 12 lbs away from losing the extra pounds that I have been carrying since the birth of my son.

Jessica, how did it go for you and your brother?

week 2 back (i guess)

T and W--2 mile run
Meant to do pilates the rest of the week since Jesse is out of town, but the unexpected 6 hour hospital ordeal on Thurs wiped me out.  All for a stupid splint.  Since when have pediatricians been unable to put a splint on??

Emily's week 16

Saturday - restorative yoga (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - restorative yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - restorative yoga (60 minutes)
Friday - nothing

Recap

Not much exercise, but starting up again was the greater point.  My body feels itself again and that is very nice.

T-1 mile run
W-1 mile run
F-3 hour long hike

Week 30 for Jess

Sun-Mon: nothing
Tues: Biggest Winner Maximize: Back in Action
Wed: 30 Day Shred, Level 3
Thurs: walked around Knott's Berry Farm all day
Fri: 30 Day Shred, Level 1
Sat: yoga class with Emiy - so fun!


12/28 note - It feels so good to get back to basics!

12/31 note - first week in a long time that I worked out all week. It feels so good; I missed working out so much. I think if I get sick again, I'm going to work out anyway - maybe just walking, but something, because I feel so much better when I exercise.

-Jess

Emily's week 16

Saturday - nothing (Christmas Eve!)
Sunday - nothing (Christmas!)
Monday - restorative yoga (about 15 minutes, just to loosen me up a bit)
Tuesday - restorative yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - nothing

Weeks 25-28: nothing, because I was sick.

Week 29:
Sunday-Tues: nothing
Wednesday: "Biggest Winner: Maximize: Back In Action" - longest DVD title ever (I could have added "Jillian Michaels'", but a nice, short, intense workout. A good first one back.)
Thursday: "Biggest Winner: Maximize: Full Frontal" (another Jillian Michaels - matching DVD to the one I did yesterday)
Fri-Sat: nothing

Back to it!

-Jess

Emily's week 15

Saturday - restorative yoga (60 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - restorative yoga (60 minutes)
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - vinyasa yoga (60 minutes)
Friday - nothing

With Jonathan on vacation, I was able to get to an extra class this week (8am classes don't work when I have to take him to school at that time!) Katie Peckham and I traded babysitting today so I could go to yoga at 8am and then she went to the gym at 9:30. It worked out beautifully, and we're going to do it again next week!

spinning plates and low expectations

I've loved the conversation (and honesty) on here about what to choose. Someone once told me that you do each day what is the most important to you. So at the end of the day I can see a visual of my true priorities...it may be indications that I need to re-evaluate what is important to me but what I want and what I accomplish never (NEVER) line up. Right now in this season for our family (Daniel is 5 weeks old) we are adjusting to very little sleep and the busyness of four five and under. On top of life we are selling everything we have, preparing to move out of our home (in several months) and into my parents and raising our support in preparation to depart for Sudan. Let's just say between this and homeschooling I have found great success in setting really low expectations.
I tend to set expectations way too high and then feel discouraged, so for this season I have three each day clean laundry, no dishes in the sink, and time with God to set the tone for our home. These are my priorities and I find my day is successful when I have completed them. I have other things I try and get done but don't allow myself to get overly discouraged when the sun goes down and they are left incomplete. This, for this time, has allowed me to focus on my kids and their needs more then I would normally be able to and just cherish moments instead of being caught up in to dos.

Thanks for encouraging me gals I've loved reading your post and being challenged to exercise even though I am a silent participant :-)

Emily's week 14

Saturday - yoga class (75 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - nothing

Thank you, everyone! It is encouraging to hear that I'm not the only one who can't keep all the plates spinning all the time. :)

I especially liked what Yolanda said here:

"But it can be a challenge to keep my priorities in check and avoid stressing about all the other items on the to do list that have to fall by the wayside."

This is exactly my problem: I think that everything is (or should be) a priority, and get frustrated when that (obviously) doesn't work.

Kelly, your goal of something for the family and something for you each day made me think more clearly about what I actually do during the day. For the family, dinner and/or laundry tend to be my priorities. For me it is usually an orderly house (I get really stressed by visual messes) and/or reading for pleasure. And once I really thought about it, I realized that exercise just doesn't have the same importance to me as either of those. Hmm. Now to decide if it should, or if I should just quit internalizing the culture's stick-thin expectations...!

Jess, your comment about it not being sloth, but rather "triage" made me laugh, and I think you're absolutely right! My whole life is one big triage room right now. :) Thinking about it that way is helpful.

So again, thank you for your encouragement and wise counsel. I'm blessed to know you girls!

dropping plates

Um, yes, something always gets dropped.  Always.

Ironically, I, one of the more regular exercisers here, dropped exercising off for this last month due to health issues and I still had to drop housework on top of that because of other circumstances!!!

So my approach (and this may not be the wisest), but I mark two goals each day as the 'must-have' goals: one is the must-have for my happiness (exercise is usually this. Sometimes sewing.  Sometimes a nap); the second is the must be done for the happiness of the family (usually this is dinner.  If I luck out and there are enough leftovers, then it becomes another chore.  Sometimes it is doing an art project with the kids and then we have cereal for dinner or smthg equally easy and silly.)

In other words, our household is always running a bit behind somewhere and I have come to terms that this just happens when you have small children.  I think our memories of our parents households having it together have a lot to do with us being teenagers helping out with the chores!!!

I think that this season of our lives is more about training than anything else.  We are training ourselves to be disciplined and training our children (not just in character, but in helping out around the house).  And I think this means that things get done less as a result now for the purpose of being taken care of in the future, if that makes sense.

I'm not saying that I don't get annoyed with the seemingly continual chaos, messes and lack of accomplishments, but I realize that what is more important is my attitude than anything else.  And, that brings me back to the main reason I exercise: my mental health.

The Mystical Magical Art of Plate Spinning

Emily, I have no idea to keep all the plates going at once.

Case in point: my exercise schedule for the last several weeks.

Week before Thanksgiving: 4 exercise sessions (the most I've done in a long time!)

Week of: One exercise Class

Week after Thanksgiving: 2 exercise classes

First full week in December: 3 exercise classes (back on track!)

This week: 1 class, if I'm lucky, in addition to my feeble attempts to squeeze some kind of activity into my daily schedule.

I wish I was better about exercising regularly. After all, it is important to maintaining good health - and sanity! But when I add in all my other responsibilities - husband, 2 year old son, full time job - and the other related facets of these responsibilities (maintaining a home and family budget, finals followed by a 10 day minimester, job applications, and other professional responsibilities), I find that I just can't put my all into everything. So I try to prioritize and understand what is most important for the week I am in. This week, it was class prep and job applications. Next week, it will job applications and holiday prep. I will get my exercise in when I can by doing a few simple exercises while my son naps and attending the Saturday morning exercise classes, but I beyond that, I can't worry about what I can't do.

As long as I keep my priority list for the week relatively short (1 to 3 items), I can usually achieve my goals and feel like I've accomplished something each week. But it can be a challenge to keep my priorities in check and avoid stressing about all the other items on the to do list that have to fall by the wayside.

a bye week

Emily - I've been thinking about your last post, and I think the way that I handle it is that I let each category of things have a "bye week". I mean, this month, the kids' school schedule is bizarre and there's tons of holiday prep, and so I'm not pressing myself to get my writing done. Right now, my writing has a bye week. Some days I think, "today is all about writing" and the housework is what slides. Other times I know the kids really need some intensive one-on-one time and I prioritize that and something else gets neglected.

I think you're right: we can't do it all. At least not all the time.  So I cycle things. I attend to one thing and get that plate spinning, then leave it to continue on with its momentum, and turn to the next thing and get it spinning faster, and so on.

I think you have to be okay with saying, "this part of my life isn't stellar right now" but only if you're ending that sentence with "because there is something else more important that I'm attending to". So, not sloth, just triage.

I'm guessing that you never reach a point of life where this isn't necessary, and our dissatisfaction comes with assuming that we will reach that point, and so we get angry that we're not there yet. But I don't think there's any "there" there. Or rather, no "there" here. There is certainly a rest to come for God's people. And He gives to his beloved sleep, even here on earth.

But I do think that part of wisdom is the ability to say, "this now, and not this". And then not to get stuck in that evaluation when the situation changes.

Which it always does.

I hate change. I'm just saying. Golly, everything should stay the same forever and I should just be allowed to sit on the couch reading and drinking coffee.

(Okay, that last bit was my thirty-something angst, not my ideal self. Heh.)

-Jess

Emily's week 13

Saturday - yoga class (75 minutes)
Sunday - nothing
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - nothing

Phooey. This is not going as planned.

Ok, girls, I want to know if the rest of you have the same problem I have. Namely that something always gets dropped each week. Every week I'm aiming for a clean house, clean laundry, healthy meals, quality kid time (reading, preschool, park, play, etc.) and exercise. (And church work and doula work and getting-ready-for Christmas, of course.) Every week something gets dropped. If I'm exercising, it is a good bet that my house isn't clean or I'm not paying enough attention to the kids. Rationally, it doesn't seem like it should be this way, but practically that does seem to be how it plays out.

Is this just me? How do you manage to keep all the plates spinning at once?

Emily's week 12

Saturday - yoga class (75 minutes)
Sunday - yoga class (75 minutes)
Monday - nothing
Tuesday - nothing
Wednesday - nothing
Thursday - nothing
Friday - nothing

Well gee, I'm glad I went to those classes on the weekend! ;)