S Club Mama

I have had a bulging disc in my back since April and that stinks. It hurts every day - mostly in my lower back and hip. I haven't been able to run since May. I walk almost every day but it's hard; today I didn't think I'd make it back home. Please don't take this as whining; I really have been accepting this, even when it's hard. I've also been proactive with my health. I've done chiropractic work, PT, exercise, stretching, and I have an appointment for a cortisone shot. And, when I had a shot to try a balance disc from Vive Health, I took it. At the time, I thought it would be to do core exercises but exercise of any kind irritates my back even more so that was out. I wasn't sure I'd be able to do a review but then I started to use the disc to sit on and stand on. image via Vive Health I sit on the disc every day. I sat on it while we traveled to my sister's wedding. I sat on it while we prepped for the wedding. I sat on it at the we...

I hear this all the time from non-running family & friends: I can't run, I have bad knees . I completely understand! I've been dealing with my injured foot for over a year now so I know it's no fun to do things that hurt! However, it's not healthy to just not exercise at all! We all know this; we've been told since we're young. Get 30 minutes of exercise at least three times a week. So you can't run and maybe you can't walk either (I know my foot can get aggravated if I walk at too fast of a pace). What can you do then? I have discovered Jessica Smith, a trainer who puts FREE videos on YouTube. She is peppy (not like Denise Austin peppy. Did one of her workouts last week -weird!) and has many low impact cardio workouts. Sometimes videos are not someone's thing but if you do these, you can find moves to incorporate in your own workout session.  I even love this chair workout from Smith. It's not the hardest workout I've ever done bu...

I run. I love to dress up. Why not look fashionable while I run? That's the basic idea behind Ellie : fitness meats fashion. It's simple , really. Two ways to sign up: non-member or Fit Fashionista Club Member. Non-member. Shop the Ellie tops and bottoms, collections - to your heart's content. Your pieces usually arrive in 5-7 days and you're ready to break a sweat in style. Fit Fashionista Club Member. Sign up . Choose any two pieces for $49.95 each month. That's $25 per piece (top & bottom, two tops, two bottoms); hard to find that price really, especially on bottoms. FREE shipping, no matter how often you order. Priority access - get the pieces you want before collections are released so they aren't sold out before you get to them. Access to exclusive things like flash sales, discounts, etc. No hassle guarantee. Don't like something? Doesn't matter the reason; return it for something new and get free shipping both ways. That's ...

I was going back over my 2010 Biggest Loser calendar where I tracked all of my mileage and exercise time. In total (approximate total), I ran 475.2 miles last year and exercised a total of 147 hours and 20 minutes. Perhaps that may not be as much as some serious runners or work-out-aholics BUT that's amazing for me!! Now on to 2011. I have another half-marathon in mind for May. Who knows what other races will come my way. I'd like to do more of my exercise DVDs but keep up with my running. I noticed a rapid decline in my hours exercised once I started putting in more miles - so really I just worked out less and ran more. And I really do like the cross training it provides - AND I have a friend who wants to do some with me once or twice a week, so that will be a lot of fun. I'd really like to find a running partner this next year since I can't really run with my husband (often). For concrete goals: I'd like to shoot for 500-600 miles and at least 150-200 hours of...

As you all know, I've been running my tail off lately. However, I have forgotten a true love of mine: yoga. I've done it once in the past month (so sad). Partially because I've been focused on running (more than partially, I'd say). Another reason is that I wanted to take my yoga to the next level by using weights. I don't own weights of any kind - or I didn't. Then I had the opportunity to get the Cap Barbell Dumbbell Set (40 lbs) through CSN Stores . I'll admit I haven't used them as much as I'd like - I'm still trying to work out the bugs in my yoga/running system. But, Big A has used them a few times himself to do a boot camp DVD. Now, my husband is not a small man - he requires large weights. This set is perfect because he hasn't lifted in awhile (running, again) but he still has some burly muscles (yes, ladies, you can swoon but he's mine). They are heavy enough for him to use but let me start out with a smaller set because I do ...

so my wedding dress may not fit exactly like it did on August 5, 2006 but it does fit. Can I just say I don't mind (and my hubby doesn't either) that it fits...more snugly in *ahem* certain top areas? Although I am glad the full skirt helps cover up some tummy parts that will be the last jiggly area to go (if ever). And just wait until I try it on again, it'll look even better!

Since around Christmas, I've been talking about my workouts and getting in shape, losing weight, etc. It's time I spilled the beans and told you all what I'm really up to. The whole reason why I exercise (or try to) up to an hour or more per day (minus my lovely Sundays when I rest). I am going to run a marathon. 26.2 miles. I am only telling you all for motivation. You are my encouragers, my supporters, my friends. I will admit that I am scared to death of each one of those miles, but I know that I can do it (with much help from the Lord). I am not a runner, by any definition of the word, but I am determined to have this little slice of something all for myself. It's the Omaha marathon on September 26, 2010. So be cheering for me as I train and continue to stretch myself to my limits (and beyond). I will keep you up to date.

Not really - my butt is still very much present and accounted for (haha). However, I have been working out a LOT lately. From Monday - Friday, I had worked out 7 hours. I haven't gotten anything done because we were gone until supper time (and I think that's partially why I am SO tired). I've been using the Biggest Loser DVDs I got for Christmas ( Boot Camp & Yoga ) and a friend let me borrow her Cardio Max (BL, too). I tried that the other day & it whomped (is that a word?) my butt, but I liked it. And then my aerobics class meets twice a day and I try to do at least a half an hour a day on the Wii Fit Plus. I like to use that to jog or free step. For as much as my body feels I've been working out (I am SORE); that scale has not significantly moved (and we had a Valentine's Day dinner last night at church so I'm fairly sure if I had lost anything, it was gained back haha). I do feel my body gaining muscle (which is cool). I feel stronger and more flex...

Tip of the Week: Although it's cold in many states right now, try to park your car at least halfway through the parking lot. This may mean a slightly longer walk to the store but dress in layers and you (and your family) will be just fine (just know, this is a tip for me because I whine when my husband parks too far away haha). Big A got me 2 workout DVDs for Christmas: Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga & Biggest Loser Boot Camp. He's been working out with me when he comes home from work and on his days off, too. It's great motivation for me to get myself going. He also got me a StayBall (weighted exercise ball) that came with a 30 minute Core Strength DVD. Yesterday, I did the Boot Camp and StayBall DVDs during nap time. Squirt was awake for about 20 minutes of the BC so I had to stop a few minutes to lay him down. But I was feeling pretty good about my workouts. I've been doing them most every day. I think I've not done a workout maybe 3 times since Christmas. T...

It's Week 5 for Natalie's Holiday Slim Down. I'm in a 2 pound slump. And it's no one's fault but my own, of course. I'm just not watching what I eat or eating too large of portions. I just really love carbs: pastas, potatoes, crackers...yum, yum! So my goals for this week are: 1. Walk our "new" route three times & the "old" route once 2. Yoga at least 4 times this week 3. 3-4 tall glasses of water each day 4. Encourage myself as much as possible We signed up for our walk/run - $18 registration fee per person so we're not backing out! I'm very excited about this. Last week, I walked with the boys (once - boo) 2.5 miles so I know I can make it. I mean, I had both boys with me and during the actual event, I'll only have Squirt. The group goal for this week is to not eat sweets for a straight 48 hours. I'm planning on doing this on Wednesday and Thursday. We have a wedding Friday and birthday party on Saturday. I'm excite...

I was just watching GMA & apparently people everywhere (tabloids & such) are commenting about Cheryl Burke's weight. They think she's fat!!! Are you serious? She said herself on the show that she's a size 4, same as last season, but that she has gained weight. A.whole.5.pounds. Woo! 5 pounds. If that makes her fat, I can't be more glad that I'm NOT a celebrity. What would they have thought about my pregnancy and the fact that over a year after my son was born, I still have at least 10 pounds of baby weight still packed on?! Geez, people are unbelievable. I searched it on Google, and there are forums talking about her being pregnant (at least 4 months) and how she's fat (or at the very least, more curvy). If that's what she looks like 4 months pregnant (which she is NOT), I want that kind of pregnancy. What kind of message are we sending our children and ourselves?? That you need to be UNDER size 4 to be skinny? That you can't pack on 5 pounds wi...