Rediscovering HEALTH after pregnancies.

During my third pregnancy, I had this deep, unexplainable feeling that she would be our final kid.  I have heard from others that I’m not the only one to experience this.  It was a sense of accomplishment, finality, contentment.  I just “knew.”

My season of pregnancy and nursing was coming to an end, and my mindset began to shift.  I began to think about myself, my body, my health.  It sounds slightly selfish, but every mom understands what I’m saying.  We are so selfLESS for so many months or years, giving our bodies to the cause of creating and sustaining tiny humans.  I was thrilled, excited, and even nervous about the idea of having my body to myself, finally.  No more pregnancies. No more c-sections. No more nursing.  I felt a deep sigh of relief, and also a pride for what my body did.  I thanked God for the chance to be used to bring life into the world.

My mindset shifted from “I need to take care of myself for my kids” to “I need to take care of myself for ME.”  You only get one body.  I was scarred from three c-sections, I was carrying about 15-20 pounds of leftover baby weight.  I was wearing clothes that didn’t fit quite right.  It was time for a change in my health.

As I move into this new season, I know there are moms out there who are with me.  I know you’re struggling with your body image.  I know it’s hard.

I don’t have any hard and fast solutions for you.  I am not selling you a workout plan, a pouch of powder to add to your smoothie, or an “accountability group.”  I just hope to share my journey, which is a combination of nutrition, exercise, and faith. And I encourage you: NOW is the time.  You did it.  You birthed and nursed the babies.  NOW you need to find your new groove for your health.  You can do it!

-Laura

#healthymom #postpartumbody #sahm #nutrition #healthyeating #running

Running Doubts: I could never run a 10k!

I wasan “on again, off again” runner.  I started running in college, but recently started running again after having my third child. We had decided that she would be our last, so that meant I could finally be done with being pregnant and nursing. I could focus on my health and fitness.

I missed running, and I was ready to get back into it. But it was such a slow start. I began just running for 5 minutes, walking for one. I built up slowly and steadily using the Nike Run Club app.  I loved tracking my runs, watching my speed and distances increase.

I remember my first 2 mile run that was scheduled. I didn’t think I could even run that without stopping. But I just kept putting one foot in front of the other, slowly but surely.

The next big milestone was the 5k.  It wasn’t even on my radar.  These 5k races were things that “real runners” did for fun.  It seemed a lofty goal to me.

 

As with anything it came about slowly. I surprised myself.  First that 2 mile run was an accomplishment.  Then I slowly did 2.5.  Then, 3.2 seemed attainable.  That’s the thing about running that I love- you slowly surprise yourself with what you can do. Incremental increases made all the difference.

Then, I set the 10k as my next challenge.  My friend and I both had this on our bucket list for running, so we decided to do it on “marathon weekend” in the Twin Cities, the first weekend of October.

 

We ran every Sunday afternoon after church, escaping our kids and our messy kitchens for a few hours!  And I’m so proud to announce that WE DID IT!

 

Now, I am continuing to run weekly.  I’m not as consistent through the Minnesota winters (because treadmill running is just NOT the same!), but I am still running weekly.  I think my next goals will have more to do with speed rather than distance.  Stay tuned!