motivation monday? fitness goals...

Let's talk about this baby weight. Not Cora's, but mine. ;) I am currently 7 weeks postpartum and ready to start thinking about bidding this extra 20lbs farewell. FOREVER. I guess you could say I've taken the first step by cleaning up my diet and going for walks around the neighborhood. But so far, the weight really isn't budging. That's fine, as I am only 7 weeks post beautiful, perfect baby and my body is still adjusting to not growing a human. Truly so amazing. 9 months on, 9 months off is what they say, right? Even though I am exclusively breastfeeding, the weight does not just melt off for me. As a matter of fact, I tend to hold on to a few extra pounds while breastfeeding, or at least that's my experience with Christian. All good if that's what my body needs to nourish Cora.

However I am using this Monday to set some small fitness goals since I have gotten the all clear to exercise again. I plan to start slowly, like detailed below and then my long term goal is to rejoin Kaia for their Winter BRIK session at the end of this year/start of next year.

Small fitness goal #1 - Hit 10,000 steps everyday using my trusty fitbit to track. 
(Not really) Funny story. I stopped wearing my fitbit when I learned I needed a cerclage when I was about 16 weeks pregnant. It got packed away in the move, and when I finally found it a few weeks ago, it didn't work. I couldn't get it to stay turned on despite charging it. I emailed fitbit and they made sure to point out that it had been inactive for the past 8 months or so. Yeah, thanks. Anyway, they sent me a brand new one so I am back in business!

Small fitness goal #2 - Work on closing my diastasis recti AKA ab separation.
Many women may not know this, or maybe you do, but when you're pregnant your abdominal wall separates as that beautiful baby grows. It's a huge contributing factor to what causes that "mom pooch." If it doesn't heal, it is impossible to get rid of despite how many sit-ups and planks you do because sit-ups and planks actually only make it worse. Sad, but true. I'm going to use the Tupler Technique to work on healing it before I even attempt abdominal work. You can easily measure your gap.

Small fitness goal #3 - Join Stroller Strides.
Today was supposed to be my first day back. Well, "back" to a new location since I've moved across island. But it didn't happen today simply because I'M TIRED. I didn't feel the need to push myself and rush out of the house this morning.

Small fitness goal #4 - Attempt one 30-45 minute walk around the neighborhood (with stroller) a day. 
I say attempt because sometimes it gets cut a little short depending on one certain baby's mood. But let's talk about the Double BOB. That stroller is a beast, and it is by far my favorite baby purchase (along with my Solly Baby Wrap). I know people balk at the price, but it was no question the ONE item I had to have, and is worth every single last penny. In my general attempt to be thrifty, I actually got a great deal on a brand new one on Amazon using my baby registry completely discount of 15% + a BOB promotion of $50 off. AND THEY SHIPPED IT TO HAWAII. #amazing #unicorns. The stroller by itself weighs 35lbs. Load it up with a 40lbs of Christian, 10lbs Cora, and Cora's carseat, my walk around the neighborhood just got kicked up a notch. Especially on the hills.

Small fitness goal #5 - Embrace the journey.
Remind myself to love my body and give thanks for the miracle it just performed.

Exactly one year ago...

Because Kaia. 

I hope to be back at that level again one day. Mostly because of how it made me feel. I felt strong, I had tons of energy, and it gave me confidence that I never had before. 

Here's to embracing the journey back to health and fitness! Cheers! *raises bottle of kombucha* 

VBS, whole15, life

Dang. I'm not sure this blog post is meant to be. This is my 39485098th attempt at writing it, and I had to force quit Safari because of some evil popup that would not allow me off the webpage. (I thought us Mac users didn't have those problems??) And therefore lost a bunch I just typed this morning. Sigh. WHY DIDN'T IT SAVE? #firstworldproblems

As I was saying, full disclosure: I started this post on Tuesday or Wednesday, and am just now getting back around to it because life. This week was a busy one with VBS (and swim lessons), which Christian LOVED. Both VBS and swim lessons, but I'm really talking about VBS. First Prez really outdid themselves. Christian is still talking about it this morning, and I just love his excitement and spirit, and his obsession over now climbing Mt. Everest where he will certainly meet all his bible buddies.

I was so happy to get this picture from Amanda while the kids were upstairs. Christian is clearly into it! 

So, my Whole30... which turned into a Whole15. I shall explain. 

Kind of a last minute decision, but on purpose. It wasn't a decision made in a moment of weakness, which I would have totally felt guilty over.

I followed the Whole30 rules for 15 days. Hah. I was texting with a friend one night about how crazy the day was especially with Rob gone. She said that it called for a glass of wine. #amen. It did. It REALLY REALLY did. Except Whole30. Womp. And she said something along the lines of, "man... after abstaining for 9 months!" Truer words... Don't get me wrong, I'm not a lush. Obviously. But an occasional glass of wine or beer at the end of a long day is a great way to unwind.

That particular night of said conversation was the end of day 15. I decided not to have that glass of wine (see?) just to round it out, but decided that it would be my last day on the Whole30. She also told me about the miracle of Overnight Oats, and all of a sudden, cold oatmeal sounded DELICIOUS. So I immediately put some oatmeal + almond milk in a mason jar and voila, the next morning I had a very easy, delicious breakfast! And it was so good that I've had it everyday this week for breakfast. Plus, oatmeal boosts milk supply so win win win win win.

Although I am technically off the Whole30, I'm not really changing much about how I'm eating. Two weeks was long enough to "slay the sugar dragon." I'm no longer craving sugar and crappy carbs, and I don't really want to start eating them again, and my coffee is still black. Since we're overall healthy eaters anyway, I do not feel bad or guilty about my decision. It is what it is, and it's what I needed to break the cycle of crappy eating, and I'm happy with all of this. *cheers*

And to continue on this journey of eating my words (but not all the foods, mind you): I joined Weight Watchers last night. I like that they have a "nursing mothers" option. Like postpartum with Christian, I only plan on using it for the 4 months I signed up for (buy 3 months, get 1 free). I think Weight Watchers is overall a good program for someone starting out on their journey of health, fitness, and weight loss, but I do have quite a few bones to pick with it. For example: points for avocados? Really? REALLY Weight Watchers? Do you know anything about avocados? I don't care, I will continue to eat my at least 1/2 avocado per day.

Kidding kidding kidding kidding... 

I'm looking forward to a quieter week ahead with a playdate, Mighty Moms, and fiiiiiiinally, a hair appointment to fix this color, which means I will be emerging from that hair salon a blonde, or a lot blonder. I just can't help myself.

Cora is officially 7 weeks old today. So here's a picture I took this past week just because she's SO DARN CUTE, and absolutely the sweetest. Also, check out that beautiful handmade quilt that was a gift from our LOAN OFFICER. Yes, our loan officer. We certainly feel special.

I hope you're having a lovely weekend!! 

Aloha! 

cora is a month old!

The other day I looked at the post I wrote when Christian turned one month, and the first thing I noticed were his THIGHS. I knew right away that Cora is not going to be the chunker that her big brother was at that age. At least not this month. She is a petite little thing, and I just can't get enough of her.

Yesterday she had her one month well baby visit and it all went swimmingly!

Cora's stats are:
Weight - 9 lbs 1 oz (30th percentile)
Length - 22.5 inches (91st percentile)

She's tiny and long and very healthy! Praise God! Her growth and weight gain are following all the appropriate curves, so the doctor is very happy. She gave me the go ahead to let Cora sleep 5-6 hours through the night. I will pray for that day to come soon. She is giving us some longer stretches of sleep thankfully, because every little minute helps. So far the routine she has fallen into is: bedtime around 8pm and sleeping until about midnight or so, definitely our longest stretch of sleep. Hence why I go to bed at 8:30. Wake up to eat, usually back to sleep right away, but up in 2ish hours to eat again, small party then sleep, more food around 4am, party party, and then will settle into a "nap" around 5:30-6am for another few hours. She also takes a pretty solid nap at the middle of the day. God smiled upon me and let that happen during Christian's nap/quiet time.

Cora is absolutely the sweetest little girl. She's starting to give us a few real smiles here and there and making her voice heard. She is such a joy, and we all just love her to pieces. And she's completely entranced with everything Christian does. I'm sure it's because he's like a little tornado whirling around her all day, but also because he will sit with her and talk to her, show her his toys, sing to her, and snuggle with her. Yesterday while I was in the kitchen making breakfast, I heard him telling her that he loved her. So so sweet. I do however sometimes wonder how it would be if she were actively trying to play with his toys... time will tell.

A few weeks ago we had a mini family photo shoot at Kapiolani Park. Unfortunately we only had 20 minutes and Cora cried for about 18 of them. C'est la vie. But here's a few pics from that session!

There you have it. One month in the books. I can't believe how much faster it went this time around. One thing I know for certain is that I love my family, and I am so thankful for how blessed we truly are.