Baby Weight Update: 6/5/13

Okay, no photo this time; things haven’t really changed much since my last post.

I didn’t end up finishing my 25 Miles in May last month, so I’m trying again for June. Basically, I have the month to walk 25 miles. Caleb loves trips in the Bob stroller, so that’s pretty good motivation each morning. I’ve got 25 days left in the month and only 20.57 miles to go!! I’m using the mapmyfitness app, which is fantastic:

I can keep track of my routes, which helps me gauge how far I want to walk and keep up a brisk pace.

I get a “Good Job” and a smiley face after every workout. Who says positive reinforcement has to be any more than that?!

I am using Instagram (@dancingwillowphoto) for accoutability with the hashtags #25milesinjune and #OperationZipThosePants – feel free to follow and encourage me and all the other women working hard to get healthy!

On the food end of things, I’ve been able to cut back my portions and calories big time since Caleb is officially weaned. That wasn’t even that intentional, but after Bolivia, it all “dried up.” So I thought I’d share the essence of my daily meals:

BREAKFAST:

1 Egg

1 Slice of American Cheese

1 Serving of Bacon/Sausage/other source of protein

Handful of almonds

or

Protein Parfait (greek yogurt, granola, peanut butter)

LUNCH:

1 Green Smoothie (5-7 servings of fruits & veggies)

1 Sandwich/Bagel/Wrap

DINNER:

Whatever I make that night :)

SNACKS:

Chunky Monkey Smoothie

Greek Yogurt

Spoonful of Peanut Butter or Nutella (if you don’t believe me, check the Nutrition label, they are almost the same)

Piece of Fruit

Chocolate Milk (usually with almond milk for extra protein)

I’m choosing portions based on the idea of feeling like my stomach is 50% full (it’s actually full, but our brains don’t get the message for awhile). Also, I only allow myself one sweet thing a day and drink more than the recommended 64oz of water a day.

Haven’t noticed much weight loss yet, but I’m feeling a lot more energized (even with less sleep), so that’s a win in my book!!

 

Dear Dad: It Takes a Village

Dear Dad:

I have been so thankful for all of the friends and family that have surrounded us to encourage and support us in raising Caleb. The best parenting definitely includes a village of helping hands!

Over the last six months, I have realized that a village of helpers is equally important in grief.

Two of my friends are walking that long and sad road of watching their dad’s suffer. I hate that other people have to experience the raw, unrelenting grief that I have. On the other hand, I am glad that I can use my own grief journey to encourage and support others. A handful of other friends are grieving different losses and I can only hope that I can give them some measure of comfort.

Molly wrote the other day after her first end of the year banquet without you. Grief can be so lonely sometimes. We need each other so desperately during this season of grief. Mom put it well in her post today. I’m glad we have each other to mourn with; one day we’ll write that book about our grief journeys as a young woman, a young mom, and a young widow.

When I first began my battle with anxiety, mom discovered the song Healing Begins and I heard it on the radio the other day. The lyrics continue to resonate with me so deeply:

So you thought you had to keep this up/All the work that you do/So we think that you’re good/And you can’t believe it’s not enough/All the walls you built up/Are just glass on the outside//So let ’em fall down/There’s freedom waiting in the sound/When you let your walls fall to the ground/We’re here now//This is where the healing begins, oh/This is where the healing starts/When you come to where you’re broken within/The light meets the dark/The light meets the dark

Love you dad and so thankful for the legacy of community you have left,

Me