Dorothy was born March 28th, 2016. In the middle of the newborn phase fog, I decided that the date of my 6-week follow-up with my OBGYN would be my 2nd New Year, kicking off the Year of Me. The Year of Me is all about filling myself up so that I can pour myself out for my family and loved ones. I created goals around the areas of fitness, nutrition, prayer/spiritual life, rest, and me time.
Since I started sharing about the Year of Me, I’ve been contacted by so many of my friends saying that they’re feeling motivated to do a Year of Me for themselves. I can’t tell you how awesome that is to me! I don’t think I’m doing anything particularly unique or revolutionary; I just want other women to know that they’re worth it, that they can do it, and that it just takes a daily decision to say “yes” to that baby step.
As important as this is to me, you’d think that I’d remember the day it officially began, but I don’t. I just tried going back to scan my calendar for the date of my 6-week follow-up, but it’s somehow not there. I think I was crafting my goals and starting to work toward them from the moment I left the hospital with Dorothy. Since May 9th is exactly 6 weeks after Dorothy’s birthday, let’s just call May 9th the start of the Year of Me. That means I’m 4 months (or one-third) into the Year of Me, so I thought I’d give an update on how things are going in every area:
Let’s start things off with Fitness!
What a transformation! During pregnancy, I was almost completely sedentary. I was so, so, so sick, and I struggled to get through most days. Nonetheless, I gained more weight with Dorothy than I did during my other pregnancies because of my disordered relationship with food. (More on that next time when I get to my Nutrition Goals.) For the Year of Me, I was motivated to get moving and get myself back into fighting form. Getting started, it was much more about feeling good again than it was about the number on the scale or being able to fit into a certain size.
Back in May, I started running at the gym using the Couch to 5K app. I thought it would be fun to share pictures of the treadmill screen or my Couch to 5K finish screen on social media with the hashtag #yearofme. More than anything, putting those pictures up meant that I was serious about fitness and that I’d have to keep it up since I was telling everyone I know on Facebook and Instagram about it.
I am pleased to report that I started going to the gym 3x/week in May and haven’t stopped since. I struggled to run for 1 minute when I first started the C25K app (Couch to 5K) during my treadmill time, but I stuck with it. I became a Couch 2 5K graduate a month-ish ago. Now, I’m doing 30-minute runs at least 3 times a week at 5.5 speed on the treadmill. If you haven’t checked out the app, do it! That app was like my own little personal trainer in my headphones. It didn’t hurt that I got to listen to my favorite podcasts while I ran!
Our schedule drastically changed with the start of the school year, so I had to rework a few things. This whole parenting thing is teaching me that I have to be at peace with finding what will work for 3 months at a time. Then, I need to be able to change it again when life inevitably changes three months later. Exercising as a parent can’t be about finding what will work forever; it’s about finding what works right now and doing it. I decided I was tired of our mornings getting eaten up at the gym, so I thought I’d try hammering out my exercise before getting the kids off to school. I started running on our treadmill at home in the early morning this week. I’m loving getting in my exercise and shower before the kids are up. That way (in theory), I can get errands run or housework done in the morning while the kids are at school and Dorothy is napping. It’s a beautiful thing when it works out.
In addition to my regular runs, I had a goal to walk our dog, Monty, everyday. Poor Monty. He’s still not getting regular walks. He’s just a 14 lb. lap dog, but he could use a brisk walk everyday.
Another one of my goals was to get moving with the kids for at least half an hour everyday. We easily met that goal with regular play, and we are trying to get them outside as much as possible after school before bedtime.
I am very pleased to report that I weigh less now than I did before I got pregnant with Dorothy, and I’m just a few pounds away from where I was when we got married in 2008. Granted, my body shape is just a *TAD* different after birthing all of these babies, but it’s a beautiful thing to have my clothes fit again and make me feel good. Most importantly, I have so much more energy, and I feel like a strong mama. It doesn’t hurt that Philip likes the results from my exercise, too! I’m still nursing Dorothy, so we’ll see what happens whenever she decides to start weaning. It’s my goal to make it to her first birthday. This is the longest I’ve nursed any of our babies, so I’m entering into unchartered territory. Stay tuned!
Going forward, my exercise goals are:
- Run 3x/week
- Schedule an appointment with a personal trainer by October 1st
- Lift: 2 strength training sessions per week
- Walk Monty for at least 10 minutes every day
- Move: At least 15 minutes of heart pumping activity with the kids on school nights (outside, Go Noodle, basement roughhousing, other fitness apps/games)
Questions for You
What’s working and what’s not for you in the area of fitness? Any tips, tricks, or advice?
Would you consider joining me for a Year of YOU? What would be your goals? What areas are you working on in your life? I’d love to hear about your struggles, your progress, and the milestones you’re reaching. I’ve been so encouraged by my progress, and I’d love it if you would share about what’s going on in your Year of YOU!
I totally need a Year of Me. I mean, I guess this year could be it, if I’m late to the party. 🙂 But it’s great to see your progress!
I have a question about the running: did you have any physical issues that impaired your ability to run? I mean, I can only run for about a minute straight, but that’s because I have really crappy ankles (thanks, parents), so if I wanted to *really* run, I’d have to do some serious ankle strengthening first.
Right now I am also working on fitness and food, so this is so timely for me. I’ve found that I really like my barre3 classes because modifications. I LOVE modifications! My body is so weird and so beat up at this point that I must have a workout that incorporates other things I can do.
As far as nutrition, a friend of mine and I are doing the Daniel Plan, and we just finished the Detox part, where you have no caffeine, sugar, dairy, etc. That’s only 10 days. I was SHOCKED to find out that one, I don’t miss soda that much, and two, caffeine really, honestly doesn’t affect me. I can drink a coffee and then go to bed. But I did like incorporating more water into my diet instead of soda. Big win for me. I do miss chocolate, however. 🙂
(The one thing about the Daniel Plan, if you want to try it–some of the stuff isn’t inline with a Catholic Worldview. The entire “Faith” chapter had me yelling at the book, but given that it’s co-authored by Rick Warren, I knew it would be that way going in. So, just advice, there. I did find the part about friends and having a strong faith life to be good, though. Made to Crave is also good at this.)
DOOOOOOO IT!!! I’d love to read about your personalized goals and plan for your year if you do it. Sorry I’m so late in responding. For whatever reason, I’m not getting notifications when I get comments. I apologize! No, I didn’t have any physical reason stopping me from being able to run. I was just SUPER out of shape! Since you said you struggle with weak ankles, maybe you could find something that’s lower impact. I just chose the treadmill because I wanted to get my heart rate up and wanted to be able to listen to podcasts. I’ve been wanting to try barre and am really interested in hearing more about your barre3 class. This Daniel Plan that you’re talking about sounds really, really tough! As a young mama in suburbia, sometimes coffee feels like the last remaining weapon in the wheelhouse. Ha! 🙂 There’s no way chocolate is leaving this residence!
I found out at the end of the 10 days that I could deal without caffeine, but I really don’t want to. 🙂 Coffee is back! But I did find that sodas are just way too sweet now, so they’re out, for the most part. I will allow myself one as a “treat” every now and then, because sometimes a cold Diet Coke is just what you need.
I definitely want to read Living Forward now. That sounds great!
I’ve used a treadmill before, and I don’t mind it. So I might have to start going back to that, if I decide I want to run. Good thought.
I’ll have to write about barre classes on the blog, soon. Because they really are a great workout.
I imagine the caffeine withdrawal was rough stuff. I allow myself one Diet Dr. Pepper on Sundays. I mean, if I can’t enjoy it on the Sabbath, then c’mon! Maybe give interval training a try with the Couch to 5K app to see if it puts too much pressure on your ankles, and make sure you have good shoes with solid support, but you know your body best! No need to go high impact for results. Yes, please do share more about barre!
I totally need a Year of Me. I mean, I guess this year could be it, if I’m late to the party. 🙂 But it’s great to see your progress!
I have a question about the running: did you have any physical issues that impaired your ability to run? I mean, I can only run for about a minute straight, but that’s because I have really crappy ankles (thanks, parents), so if I wanted to *really* run, I’d have to do some serious ankle strengthening first.
Right now I am also working on fitness and food, so this is so timely for me. I’ve found that I really like my barre3 classes because modifications. I LOVE modifications! My body is so weird and so beat up at this point that I must have a workout that incorporates other things I can do.
As far as nutrition, a friend of mine and I are doing the Daniel Plan, and we just finished the Detox part, where you have no caffeine, sugar, dairy, etc. That’s only 10 days. I was SHOCKED to find out that one, I don’t miss soda that much, and two, caffeine really, honestly doesn’t affect me. I can drink a coffee and then go to bed. But I did like incorporating more water into my diet instead of soda. Big win for me. I do miss chocolate, however. 🙂
(The one thing about the Daniel Plan, if you want to try it–some of the stuff isn’t inline with a Catholic Worldview. The entire “Faith” chapter had me yelling at the book, but given that it’s co-authored by Rick Warren, I knew it would be that way going in. So, just advice, there. I did find the part about friends and having a strong faith life to be good, though. Made to Crave is also good at this.)
DOOOOOOO IT!!! I’d love to read about your personalized goals and plan for your year if you do it. Sorry I’m so late in responding. For whatever reason, I’m not getting notifications when I get comments. I apologize! No, I didn’t have any physical reason stopping me from being able to run. I was just SUPER out of shape! Since you said you struggle with weak ankles, maybe you could find something that’s lower impact. I just chose the treadmill because I wanted to get my heart rate up and wanted to be able to listen to podcasts. I’ve been wanting to try barre and am really interested in hearing more about your barre3 class. This Daniel Plan that you’re talking about sounds really, really tough! As a young mama in suburbia, sometimes coffee feels like the last remaining weapon in the wheelhouse. Ha! 🙂 There’s no way chocolate is leaving this residence!
I found out at the end of the 10 days that I could deal without caffeine, but I really don’t want to. 🙂 Coffee is back! But I did find that sodas are just way too sweet now, so they’re out, for the most part. I will allow myself one as a “treat” every now and then, because sometimes a cold Diet Coke is just what you need.
I definitely want to read Living Forward now. That sounds great!
I’ve used a treadmill before, and I don’t mind it. So I might have to start going back to that, if I decide I want to run. Good thought.
I’ll have to write about barre classes on the blog, soon. Because they really are a great workout.
I imagine the caffeine withdrawal was rough stuff. I allow myself one Diet Dr. Pepper on Sundays. I mean, if I can’t enjoy it on the Sabbath, then c’mon! Maybe give interval training a try with the Couch to 5K app to see if it puts too much pressure on your ankles, and make sure you have good shoes with solid support, but you know your body best! No need to go high impact for results. Yes, please do share more about barre!
So glad to hear things are going well for you! Since my June surgery I’ve felt BLAH and am super eager to get back to the gym and listening to podcasts! 🙂 Great minds think alike. I too LOVE LOVE LOVE when I can workout, shower, and pray before Josie wakes up but going to bed on time is my #1 killer of that dream. Working on it and doesn’t help that I am married to Mr. Night Owl. I am also SO happy to hear that nursing is going strong! WOOT WOOT! You’re a Rockstar! I am sure you’ll make your year goal. We weaned for my surgery when Jo was 21 months and it was a sad and bittersweet day but I loved every second of that time we shared. Cheering you on in all your goals this year. I recently read Living Forward by Michael Hyatt and essentially it’s coming up with a life plan so the big overarching goals I want to see will be met…sounds similar to doing a Year of Me. I will keep you posted on that.
AMANDA! So great to see your name pop up on here. Like I told Emily, I’m sorry for not responding sooner. I’m not getting notified when people comment, so I missed this. Aren’t podcasts the best for exercising?! And, yes, getting to bed on time is huge. Finally figuring out that we both love reading is enough motivation for us to start getting ready for bed earlier. Bedtime Book Club is where it’s at! Thanks for the cheerleading on the nursing front. It’s amazing how we just keep on trucking along. I’m sure the day you weaned was very, very bittersweet. I’m gonna have to read Living Forward since you’ve now mentioned it twice. Adding it to my never-ending to-read list. Man, we have so much to catch up on! Glad to have you back in the Good Life!!!
So glad to hear things are going well for you! Since my June surgery I’ve felt BLAH and am super eager to get back to the gym and listening to podcasts! 🙂 Great minds think alike. I too LOVE LOVE LOVE when I can workout, shower, and pray before Josie wakes up but going to bed on time is my #1 killer of that dream. Working on it and doesn’t help that I am married to Mr. Night Owl. I am also SO happy to hear that nursing is going strong! WOOT WOOT! You’re a Rockstar! I am sure you’ll make your year goal. We weaned for my surgery when Jo was 21 months and it was a sad and bittersweet day but I loved every second of that time we shared. Cheering you on in all your goals this year. I recently read Living Forward by Michael Hyatt and essentially it’s coming up with a life plan so the big overarching goals I want to see will be met…sounds similar to doing a Year of Me. I will keep you posted on that.
AMANDA! So great to see your name pop up on here. Like I told Emily, I’m sorry for not responding sooner. I’m not getting notified when people comment, so I missed this. Aren’t podcasts the best for exercising?! And, yes, getting to bed on time is huge. Finally figuring out that we both love reading is enough motivation for us to start getting ready for bed earlier. Bedtime Book Club is where it’s at! Thanks for the cheerleading on the nursing front. It’s amazing how we just keep on trucking along. I’m sure the day you weaned was very, very bittersweet. I’m gonna have to read Living Forward since you’ve now mentioned it twice. Adding it to my never-ending to-read list. Man, we have so much to catch up on! Glad to have you back in the Good Life!!!
Diet Dr. Pepper trumps everything else in life.
Diet Dr. Pepper trumps everything else in life.