I've been gone for a minute, but now im back in the jumpoff

Let me talk to ya’ll for a minute…

So I know I haven’t been blogging very much lately. What happened? Life. I get overwhelmed very easy and realized I had way too much on my plate. See, I’m what you like to call an overachiever. I like to be involved in as much as possible, but doing everything I easily forgot about myself. I was having daily breakdowns holding it all in. Not good. I recently reached out to my mama and confided in her about some of my troubles, which felt really good, and not something I’ve ever done. I realized that I don’t have to carry around all this baggage with me, and I’m lucky to have a few close friends whom I know will support me.

So I took a step back from blogging and twitter for awhile. I felt like I was forcing it a bit. I got caught up and forgot the reason why I created Mommy Glow. I created this blog to document my travels as I navigate being a mom, an employee, a student, a young woman. This was a place to share my lows, my highs, my accomplishments and challenges. To gain support from others and at the same time support others, to show that young mommies are competent and not failures!

But somewhere somehow I got caught up. It all started seeming to be a game, a game I didn’t want to play. This whole follow me and I’ll follow you business rubs me the wrong way. Started feeling like it was all about numbers to some bloggers. But I soon learned that a high follow rate does not mean a lot of support or quality information. I felt like I was slacking, I wasn’t getting enough followers, I wasn’t going after sponsorship or hosting giveaways or teaming with companies. While my hope is to grow my blog, I want to do so in a way that is genuine to me. I want people to follow Mommy Glow because they like what I write, not because they want me to follow their blog back, know what I mean? So I needed to take a step back and regain my focus, my desire to write and connect, to remember my purpose.

I have a lot to blog about and hope you’ll all stay tuned and continue with me on this journey.

Happy Monday.

Mamavation Monday

What’s new? After gaining weight 2 weeks ago, I’m happy to report that I lost last week. Seems like I gain a little, and then lose a little, still not making significant process, which is annoying, but I understand why. School has been brutal and I’ve been an emotional eater, and I also haven’t been on my workout game so much. I’m still walking as much as I can, but not carving out time to workout at home as often as I’d like. Boo.

Big News: I think I’m going to sign up for my first 5 mile race in April. I reached out to my friends, but none of them want to run with me, so I’m going solo. Which makes me sad, but completing a 5k is a personal goal of mine for this year, so if I have to run by myself, then so be it. I’m worried that I won’t have enough time to train for it, considering March is tomorrow! But I talked with a coworker who gave me some tips about building up endurance, and I hope to be able to kick serious ass in April. This means I have to start running like yesterday. I’m thinking I’ll start training during my lunch break at work weather permitting. It’ll be tough to squeeze in time to run, but I want to do well in my first 5 mile race! And hope that registering will give me the extra umph I need to lose more weight by then.

I’m down to 166.2 and I am really tired of being in the 60s. I hope to be in the 50s by the time I complete the race. 

Mamavation Monday

Another super crazy busy week.My classes are really hard and this has increased my stress level and I've been an emotional eater. I am trying to only reach for healthy snacks, but its very very hard with all the juggling that I do. But I am trying. Managed to continue walking everyday and incorporated turbo jam a few times this week.

Scale shows I lost 0.8lbs last week which is progress.

Going to continue walking this week, and will try to do turbo jam as much as I can, but will be hard with 2 final exams, 1 quiz, 1 paper, work, and a child to take care of.

My 2011 Vision Board

I was introduced to the idea of making vision boards years ago during one of my classes. I intitally didn't like it. I was pessimitic that a little poster could help me reach my goals. But I was pleasently surprised, and have been making vision boards for years now.

After my homegirl Ashley over at Glam No Labelz talked about creating a vision board for 2011, I promised to create one as well. Then you know...life happened, and I didn't create one. Then Ashley posted hers on her blog, then I knew I had to get my butt into gear!

So here is my 2011 vision board, which I completed weeks ago, but haven't had time to post. 

There is alot going on. But in a nutshell in 2011 I want too:

-Lose 30 lbs [gulp!] and get sexy abs, butt, and thighs lol

-I want to remain in a positive coparenting state of mind [woo-sah]

-I want to believe in myself

-I want to spend more time building relationships with my girlfriends

-I want a Wii, Blackberry, and Sony Vaio

-I want to save more + eliminate debt

-Build up my Project Single Moms affiliate

-Continue blogging and networking

-Breathe and try to relax [Though relax is not in my dictionary lol]

-Continue being the best mom I can be!

-GRADUATE COLLEGE!!!!

I've also included phrases that are meaningful to me like capable single mom, just live your life, and oh yes I can!

I've put this vision board in my bathroom so I can look at it everyday and remain focused on my goals.

Have you made a 2011 vision board? If so, what is on yours? Whats important to you this year? If you haven't made one, would you consider making one?

Mamavation Monday

Last Week’s Goals:

-Walk 15 miles

-Lose 2lbs

-Low-No Carbs

-Continue eating hearty breakfast

-Stretch/Heal traps

Last Week’s Totals:

Monday: 4.2mi

Tuesday: 2.84mi

Wednesday: 5.33mi

Thursday: 0.13mi

Friday: 4.34 mi

Saturday: 3.39mi

Sunday: 1.05mi

Total = 21.28miles

I overall had a not so great week and my pulled trap muscle had me not engaging in Shred or rigorous workouts. Instead I did alot of stretching. I tried Yoga, but only lasted 15 minutes. I’ve tried Yoga in the past. Really tried to love it…but I don’t. Yoga is just not for me lol.

So I surpassed my goal of walking 15 miles so that is awesome, oh and I lost 1lb! I measly pound, I know, I know I should be happy, and given I had a hard week I didn’t think I was going to lose. And I did! It’s just frustrating. I’m making all these changes in my life, and I just lost 1lb?! At this rate it’s going to take forever to reach my goals. I walk an average of 20 miles a week, so I know I’ve gained some muscle. And muscle builds fat. Soooo burn baby burn lol!

Speaking of goals, I have quite a few. The biggest is I want to lose 30 pounds by June!! One of my closest friends is getting married in Canada in June, and I’m using her wedding as a goal to lose 30! Somehow, someway I WILL be down 30 pounds by June! Ahhhh!! But it feels really good to have a goal to be working for. I added a “Get it right – Get it tight” widget over on the right column to track my progress.

Last week I also decided to go low-carb and man was it hard! I’m so used to incorporating pasta and rice into my meals! But I didn’t have any! It was super difficult, and this week I’m going to integrate brown rice and whole grain pasta [which I love] but of course only in moderation. Going to continue a diet high in fruit and veggies!

This Week’s Goals:

-Walk 15 miles

-Continue Shred

-Turbo Jam 2x this week

-Add brown rice/whole grain pasta

-STRETCH after every workout!

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Earth Footwear.

Question: What does “wellness” mean to you? Hmm, what does wellness mean to me? Not a very easy question to answer. Wellness means that my body is in harmony and fluid. Wellness means that I am engaging in activities and eating foods in which provides positive fuel to my body to be the best it can be. Wellness means making healthy choices for myself and my daughter.

Mamavation Monday

Goals for last week:

-Walk 20 miles

-Keep track of water

-Continue Shred

-Watch serving size

Last Week’s Totals:

Monday: 2.5mi [5,662 steps] - Shred

Tuesday: 5.23mi [11,848 steps] – 1hr Zumba

Wednesday: 3.01mi [6,828 steps] - Shred

Thursday: 5.73mi [12,967 steps] - Shred

Friday: 0.74mi [1693 steps] – Turbo-Jam

Saturday: 2.71mi [6149 steps] - Stretch

Sunday: Stretch

Walking Totals: 19.92miles

I continued the 30 Day Shred this week and as of today have 7 days left. I’m really excited to be on the last week because Jillian Michaels is really getting on my nerves!

I’ve had upper trapezoid pain for awhile now. Seems like whenever I get into a workout routine my traps get super tension. And it has happened again. I pulled my trapezius muscle. They hate life. They are super super tense and ache! Which means I haven’t been doing Shred for the past couple days. I’ve instead been switching hold and cold ice packs, stretching, and popping advil. Eck. I tried Yoga tonight, but it just reaffirmed how much I hate Yoga. This pain is ridiculous and I want it to go away ASAP! I'm going to try to swap out both my chairs at work and home with stability balls with hopes that it helps me with my occasional lazy posture. If you have any tips/suggestions please send them my way!!!

In happier news on my weekly weigh-in on Sunday I managed to lose 0.8lbs. Again. What is up with this not-even-1-pound-business? I’m getting really annoyed!!! I know I should be happy the number on the scale is going down, but I’m getting bummed the number isn’t decreasing faster considering all the darn walking I do! I mean I WALK giiiirl! Sigh.

My daughter and I were FINALLY able to make it to Zumba on Tuesday! Getting there and getting home was a disaster, but the actual class was fun and there were only a few people due to the crazy weather, so we really got to enjoy ourselves. She was a little shy at first and by the end of the class she was running around and dancing around. Too friggen cute!!

I really really really want to lose 2lbs this week!!! So I’m going to try to go low-no carb. No potatoes no bread. I’ll have to grow to love brown rice and if I need to I’ll add in whole wheat pasta. This will be a challenge. Also, once traps are feeling better going to increase my 30min workouts to 45minutes by adding in TurboJam as cardio.

This Week’s Goals:

-Walk 15 miles

-Lose 2lbs

-Low-No Carbs

-Continue eating hearty breakfast

-Stretch/Heal traps

How are you getting more fiber in your diet this New Year? I've started using flaxseed in smoothies and dishes as well as FiberOne bars.

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Fiber Plus

Monday Mamavation 12.20

What a week, what a week! If you remember in last week’s post I wanted to walk a total of 25 miles this past week. Below are my totals:

Monday: 2
Tuesday: 3.2
Wednesday: 4.2
Thursday: 5.3
Friday: 2.6
Saturday: 3.5
Sunday: 1.8

TOTAL: 22.6

So I didn’t make my 25 miles, and I’m ok with it. I walked, and walked, and walked some more. I’ve been walking for exercise for the last 3 weeks; here are my totals for the past 3 weeks:

12-20 = 22.6 miles

12-13 = 22.1 miles

12-6 = 19.9 miles

I’m making steady progress walking more which is great news. Though this week my leg and feet started throbbing and aching, so it made me incredibly unmotivated to want to walk. But, this week, I really do feel like I walked as much as I could. I opted out of taking the bus several times even when I just wanted to hop on. I braved the frigid temps of Boston bundled up and just sucked it up!

Sooo I took my measurements tonight, and it’s not good. Not good at all. I found some measurements I took sometime between April and May and..lets just say I’ve expanded…everywhere. So it’s put me in a funky mood. I’m the type of person that craves immediate results. So in my head I’m like ok I’ve been walking consistently for 3 weeks now, why don’t my pants feel looser? Why don’t my arms look tighter? Why don’t my abs look more defined. I know I need to give myself a break, but its frustrating! It’s really really frustrating. Gotta keep telling myself, Rome wasn’t built in a day!

I’ve been doing better with healthy snacks! But not doing well with packing lunch. Fail. I haven’t been cooking a lot, which means I don’t have any leftovers to bring for lunch. And I haven’t been choosing the most healthy lunch choices.

I avoided doing pushups alllll week! I’m starting this program that is supposed to help you build up your pushup strength to be able to do 100 pushups! Pure craziness…and I love it! I finally took the initial test tonight which consisted of doing as many pushups as you could before you reached failure. I managed to bang out 15 pushups on my knees. The number probably would have been 2 if I did them on my toes. So the plan has you do pushups 3x a week. I hope I can survive, I’m a little nervous, but I need to build up my upper body strength, so I’m ready to dig deep!!

Oh, oh, oh, and for those of you who read last week’s post I was saying that I was going to beg ask my Zumba instructor if I could bring my 5 year old daughter with me to Zumba class. Not to side and watch, but to participate! She is a 5 year old dancing machine, and can probably outdance many grown adults! So, I asked her….and…. she said YES! She said I could bring her!! Wooo-Hoo!! I was so excited!! I would have gone this past Thursday, but my daughter had Girls Scouts, so we’ll have to attend a class after the New Year. I was so excited! Being a single mom with extremely limited support, I have my daughter with me all the time, and have to adapt my exercise routine to be able to be done with her around. This is a great and fun way to exercise, and I KNOW my daughter will totally lose her mind in excitement!

This Weeks goals:

- Walk 15 miles [with the holiday I hope to still get in as much walking as I can]

-Pack a healthy lunch everyday this week

-Pack healthy snacks [already bought carrots + celery sticks]

-Increase water intake!

-Do a set of pushups + sit-ups 3x this week

-Resist temptation on Christmas!!

I still need your consistent support to become the next Mamavation Mom! We have until January 5^th to show the people behind Mamavation that I have support! The public can’t vote until finalists have been chosen January 5^th so keep the support going please!

1. Visit Mamavation Facebook Page and tell them why they think I would make a good Mamavation Mom. Be sure to include my handles @YoungFabMama | @AlexandraElizabeth

2. Visit, like, and comment on my Youtube video application. Click Here

3. Tweet: “Hey @bookieboo! I want (@YoungFabMama) to be the next #Mamavation Mom. She has my support! http://bit.ly/zqUxa”

Monday Mamavation

Last week walking totals:

Monday: 4.6
Tuesday: 5
Wednesday: 4.7 miles
Thursday: 4.6 [30 degrees]
Friday: 1.2 [28 degrees]

Saturday: 1.5
Sunday: 0

Total = 21.6 miles

So I managed to walk just a bit more than the previous week and that’s great!!! I wish I would have been able to get out on Sunday, but it was raining cats and dogs and I was stuck doing my finals, which I waited until the last minute to submit.

Some challenges I faced this week was the frigid temperature. Thursday as only 30 degrees and Friday was a chilly 28 degrees. It was extremely difficult to find the motivation to get up and walk instead of taking the bus. On Friday I opted for the bus, because it was just too damn cold. Though I shouldn’t complain I’ve seen the weather reports of other parts of the country getting slammed with snow!

Also on Thursday I did some calf presses while at the bus stop with my daughter. My calf was like, what the heck is going on!! I did about 20 of them, and definitely felt it most of the day Thursday.

I was too nervous-embarrassed-horrified-terrified to take ‘before’ pictures or measurements before I started walking 2 weeks ago, so I don’t really know if I’ve begun to tighten-tone-lose. I don’t see or feel a difference physically. My morning walk into work gets me more motivated than I had been before I started walking. But, I’m not sleeping better at night. Maybe once I start to shed these lbs I’ll be able to actually sleep through the night. Damn you sleep apnea.

What helped me this week was the arrival of my super comfy walking sneakers! Thank you Zappos for upgrading my shipping!! Before I was wearing my running sneakers which are a bit bulky, and they were hurting my feet. So I was on the hunt on Zappos for some cute sneakers and found these:

 

They are amazing and 100% comfortable for all the walking that I do [should be doing]. And they have definitely made for more comfortable commuting back and forth.

Snacking is something that I’m having a problem with. While I’m still sticking to smaller lighter dinners snacking throughout the day is a problemo for me. When I snack, it’s usually unhealthy stuff. So my new tactic is to put healthy snacks on my desk, so if I have a craving, I only see snacks that are good for me. See my raw almonds on my desk! Yumm. I also have to keep up the water intake, which is hard because I don’t love water. I was using a large glass, which was actually a bit intimidating. And because I like drinking ice cold water, I knew I had to change it up. So I’ve started using a smaller glass, and refilling it more often.

 

So this week I’m aiming at walking 25 miles [oh.my.goodness] and I’m going to look around for an affordable foam yoga roller, like this one:

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

My upper back/traps/shoulders are extremely tense because I’m at the computer for 8 hours a day. I do try to take frequent breaks and stretch, but my upper back is pissed. I’ve tried a foam roller before, and it took some getting used to, but it really helped isolate and loosen the tense spots. It’s also good for lower back and leg pain.

I love love love muscle! My legs have always been stronger than my arms, and I want to build my arm strength. And I want to start doing pushups [shoot-me]. I found this site online http://hundredpushups.com/index.html which helps you to be able to eventually do 100 pushups. I’m not looking to do 100, but I’d like to be able to do more than 5 without falling on my face!!!

Oh and I've also contacted my local Zumba teacher to see if I can bring my daughter into a class with me. I've taken a few Zumba classes before and have loved them! But haven't been able to go for the past 6 months because I don't have anyone local to watch my daughter. The solution? Bring my daughter with me. But see, she wouldn't just sit there on the sidelines cheering me on. She'd be up there next to me dancing too! lol. She is a 5 year old dancing machine!! So I have to see if that is ok, I'm hoping it is, because I know that she would love the music and dancing. And I'd love to be able to go to Zumba again!

I'm trying!!