The dreaded treadmill? **workout included

I secretly hope that before the end of 2013 I write 10 posts about fitness.  This is post 1.  I want to return, somewhat, to why this blog was formed....running and fitness.  Will all 10 posts happen?  Maybe.This is only happening b/c my son is asleep and my husband isn't home and I'm too stubborn to lie down even when I've been up since 4:45 am.  Here goes....

I have a love/hate relationship with the treadmill.  I feel like we all should.  Consequently, I also have a love/hate with my gym.  It does the job (since the other location burned to the ground - no foul play though) but with running outside this summer or early morning and being able to lift (limited equipment) at school, I just haven't made it.  It's an extra 10 min drive there and back I don't have anymore.  Ok, back to the treadmill.

I love running outside.  Literally, I would always rather run outside.  I've ran in below zero temps and when the heat index is over 100.  Doesn't matter.  The wind, trails, neighborhoods, new routes, fresh air, etc.  Now, getting to take Liam and show him the world is an added bonus.  However, there are days and if you run, you've been there.  The days when it is pouring down rain and you HAVE to get run.  I have run in pouring down rain but it's not my favorite.  And I end up being soaked.  Not cool.  There have been a few key times when I HAD to use the treadmill.  I had a half marathon coming up or I just had the running bug and would not relax until I got the run on my plate for the day.

Believe me, I'm a glutton for punishment.  I once ran 9 miles....around a track....at 5 am....30 degrees out.  BORING.  Dumb move.  I've also ran when it was "a little" icy which really means I was skating around Belleville.  But now that I'm older and have a kid, I feel I should be a little more responsible.  So when a storm is coming, I hit the treadmill.

Here's why I hate it.  First of all, it's bad on your knees, legs, etc.  It is not accurate to real running/walking and in fact, propels you in such a way that changes your gait.  This could cause more damage in the long run.  It also overestimates how many calories you are burning.  If you think any cardio machine in the gym is right, take off at least 10%, probably closer to 20% and that is what you are actually burning.  Even if I have a TV to watch or magazine to read, (yes, I read while bouncing around) I am still staring at that dumb track with the red blinking light going around and around and slowly watching my mileage and time go up.  I become obsessive and play mind games like, "Okay, I'll wait two more songs and then I'll probably have run 3 miles".  Side note, it's always like half a lap.  Yet again, somedays you have to shut up and hit the road....I mean conveyer belt.

Here's why I love the treadmilll....It is there when I have  no other choice but to get a run in.  And certain routes I have mapped out in town don't have much incline or I can tell I'm not going as fast as I could go. The treadmill is great for playing with incline and speed.  I hated driving to the gym a few mornings back to run just 30 min, but after getting there and getting started, I realized I do like changing it up.  It's great for 15-20 min sprints, 30 min long runs, etc.  But I will never run 9 miles on the treadmill again (yeah I've done that too).

Here's a sample workout to try sometime if you love hate the treadmill like me:

Warm-up - 5 min - 5.0-6.0 mph (depending on fitness level. 6.0 mph is approx 10 min/mile)

3 min (min 5-8) - 1% incline - 6.0 mph
2 min (Min 8-10) - 0% incline - 6.2 mph
3 min (Min 10-13) - 2% incline - 6.2 mph
2 min (Min 13-15) - 0% incline - 6.4 mph
3 min (min 15-18) - 2.5% incline - 6.4 mph
2 min (min 18-20)- 0% incline - 6.6 mph
2 min (min 20-22) - 0-1% incline - 7.0 mph
3 min (min 22-25) - 0% incline - 3.0-4.0 mph

**So pretty much you are increasing the incline, then the speed.  Each time the incline goes up, the speed stays the same.  The point is that you do not increase speed and incline at the same time.  Do it in timed intervals so you aren't dying!  Then all out sprint to finish and a 3 min cool-down.  Mix it up and try different things, but push yourself!  You know your limits and I bet you could go10 more seconds if you gave it your all. =)

Happy Running!

DIY - Liam's Halloween Costume!

Okay, I love to craft but that becomes difficult since I can't really sew.  I understand the basics, but do it so infrequently, that I needed to make something that required little to no sewing.  I plan on making his costumes as much as I can unless he falls in love with some intricately clothed character.  But for his 1st Halloween, I WAS NOT going to buy anything. I had a monkey and pumpkin costume from a rummage sale, but still wanted to make something.  So he became Superhero Liam!  Here's how I did it and how much it cost....

Materials 
Plain t-shirt for cape - Hobby Lobby - $2.09
Plain white long sleeved onesie - Babies R Us - pack of 3 - $9.00 (divided by 3 = $3) (if you just had one this would be free)
Gold fabric glitter glue - Purchased last year at Jo Anns - free
Craft Fuse/Lite EZ Steam - $3.40-$3.99 - Jo Anns (I bought 2 different things b/c I wasn't sure I got the right thing the first time.  Turns out it was but I had difficulties using one of them)
Red pants - already owned - free
Fabric for letter - Rummage sale remnant fabric ( I bought a bunch of stuff and only paid $3 so probably $.75?)

Total -  $9-10

Here are my materials

First thing I did was use the fabric to cute out my "L".  I did it free hand and just used my straight edge for the long side.  It took me way too long.  And I may have had a few L's lying around

This part was ridiculous.  It took me way too long and too many trials b/c I didn't peel off the last layer.  I ended up calling my friend Robin and she helped/sewed the L on.  Again, sewing is not my forte!

I actually did the L right but struggled to remember what I had done to get it to stay. 

I missed a few pics in there but I ironed on'd and sewed the belt and added a glitter belt.  It got sort of globby so I spread it with a toothpick.  I put a piece of cardboard in between the shirt when I did the lightening bolt.  I did it free hand and filled it in.  It is very thick and sticky but it works.

It only needed a night to dry and I finished it up the night before my Halloween race so Liam could match me!  I cute the sleeves off the t-shirt and there you have a cape.  *Note, this t-shirt was a size 2T but Liam has a big head so glad I went big!

The finished product on!

He was sick this morning so please excuse him but it turned out perfect!

Sorry this is flipped, but this was Halloween.  In the 2 weeks between my race and Halloween, the onesie barely snapped so go up a size if you ever create with a onesie.

Happy Crafting!!!

Liam - months 5, 6, 7

I have been soooooo far behind on my updates of little man.  He is growing so fast and getting more and fun by the day.  Much has happened these last 3 months.  I'll try to sum it up as best as I can...

*New look* - his reverse soul-patch fell out and now he has blonde spikey, fuzzy hair.  Everyone just "has" to run their hands through it.

*New weight* - At 5 months he was 16 lbs 1 oz and 27 inches long.  At 6 months - 17 lbs 9 1/2 oz.  At 7 months - 17 lbs 12 oz.  (these were only a week apart b/c our 6 month appointment is delayed and he was sick

*First "real" sickness* - 10/14 - Liam had a low grade fever, puffy eyes, snotty nose, goopy eyes and an mild ear infection.  We treated it holistically and bounced back very well.  It was a very mild ear infection b/c he slept better than he's ever slept before. 

*First time sitting up unassisted* - 10/8 - He still wobbles but he gets stronger every day.  He loves grabbing at things and if he falls, he doesn't cry so much.  (note to self....baby proof soon!)

*First foods* - He has tried oatmeal, rice cereal, sweet potatoes, squash, green beans, avocado, and pear.  He loves his squash and pears.  He tolerates green beans and will eat them without being forced if he's starving.  Still drinking 5, 6 oz bottles a day.

*First fun holiday* - I made Liam's costume of a superhero and he wore it so well (post coming)! We went to our friends Robin and Layne's house and went around with their little girls to get candy. I, of course, dressed up too so I really loaded up on candy thanks to Liam's cuteness.

*First thing I'm not a fan of* - I posted this previously but he now drops things just to see if we'll get it.  This game will only get worse.

*Favorite toys/gadgets* - Jumper/bouncer, frog puppet, orange monkey, baby mirror, anything that rattles, shakes, vibrates, bath time ( now that he gets what a toy is in there)

*Newest new* - Liam will wake in the morning, get on his hands and knees and rock himself to the back of the crib and then get his legs stuck.  It's adorable and reminds me that crawling is on its way.

Size - 9 month sleepers; 6-12 month clothes; shoe size - 3-4; diapers - size 3 (his legs are too skinny for 4's)

*Best mommy moment* - He started giving me kisses when I say, "Liam, kisses for mommy?" and try to kiss him.  He comes in open mouth and it is so slobbery, but it is the absolute best!  

He is at such a fun stage.  I could do without the constant runny nose (it seems), coughing, soaking through his diaper nearly every night, and when he is sick.  But he is so fun, belly laughing, kisses, and rolling around.  We're starting to feed him 3x a day and he's taking it pretty well.  I'm also starting some sign language with him.  I think he'll get mommy and daddy first.  Every time I show him a picture of us and do the sign, he looks at me and then at the picture.  Fingers crossed!  He enjoys sitting up and seeing the world differently.  He loves faces, seeing dogs (he cracks up) and toys that blink.  I've also been barking like a dog recently and he laughs so hard.  Don't ask me why I was experiencing with that, but hey, anything to get my son to laugh! 

Hopefully I'm not 3 months behind next time I post!

A day early

I've been dreading this post for a few weeks.  And somehow it seems it catches up with me each year.  The days get cooler, the leaves start to fall, football is back on TV.  The perfect time of year.  A time of year my dad absolutely loved.  September 26th comes and goes each year, but it is a day that will forever stand still for me. 

It's been 4 years since we lost my dad to lung cancer.  This year, these last few days, have been so challenging.  I'm not sure what exactly has changed other than we keep getting further and further from the time he was here.  It hurts at times to look at my son, knowing that some day sooner than I would want, I will have to explain to him why his grandpa isn't here.  He will learn way too young that people are taken from us way too soon.

The joys we have are just reminders of what we've lost.  Sure, sure, count my blessings. Some people have it worse.  And on and on it goes.  When you lose someone, though, that pain lingers and rears its' ugly head when you least expect it.  I was sitting in my office today and abruptly started crying and had a hard time catching my breath.  Grief is a beast.  It comes and it goes without welcome and leaves a trail behind it.  It stirs up our lives and wrecks our happiness.  It takes all our energy, focus, effort, and ability to do, well, anything. 

Not much has brought me comfort recently.  Not having my dad is a constant reminder that I do not have it all together.  So many things I question as a wife, a parent, a teacher and my dad was the one with all the advice.  My mom gives good advice too, but there was just something about dad's advice.  He had been there.  He knew what it was like to make something of yourself when people may think you would fail.  He, himself, did fail in so many areas, but did everything with integrity and didn't care what was acceptable or the norm.  He did what was right, regardless of what people thought.  You don't find that quality in everyone. 

I'm not really sure where this post is going.  It is more or less therapy for me to write and get some things off my mind.  I don't have any magic scripture to make it better or try and fake my way into saying, "It all happens for a reason."  It's not ok.  It's not how it was supposed to be.  Tomorrow will come and go and maybe there is a date that sticks out in your mind, whether it be a sad day or a happy day.  Whatever those days bring you, let them come, because then they will go.  Time will still pass and days will go by.  How we handle them makes us who we are.  So many times I am reminded of the fact that we choose our attitude and how we respond to situations in life. 

But tomorrow, I will remember.  I will wear my Walk for Mr. Ervin shirt, dress my son in Chicago Bears head-to-toe and try and give grace to my students who don't have a parent like I did.  I will call my brothers and my mom and we will all share our moment with one another, probably over the phone.  I will breathe in the fall and hopefully smell a freshly cut lawn or burning leaves, some of Dad's favorite smells.  And then the day will end.  And September 27th will come, and so on, and so forth. 

I will just leave you with these words from a song I heard on my run this morning:

"And what if trials of this life
Are Your mercies in disguise?"

"We know that pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home"

This is not our home.  It wasn't my dads.  What a glorious day to be reunited with our Savior, free from pain, affliction, suffering, and sin.  What a magnificent moment. 

Hug your kids, friends, in memory of my dad.  Hug them for my son who will never hug his grandpa.  Hug them for my niece who never met him.  Hug them for my nephew who was so young when dad died.  Hug them for me.  Hug them for you.

Oh, and read them a book =)   

I love you, Dad.  Forever and always and I hope I am making you proud.

Changing seasons

I had the thought for this post last Saturday.  I was up early getting ready to garage sale and I had to dig deep in my closet for the sweatshirt that morning and a warm cup of coffee, which is an everyday staple.  Fall was coming.  Ah...let us all take a deep breath and enjoy that.  While we did not have the hot, crazy humid summer like last year, the cool air was a relief all the same.  I even busted the heat on in the car for my drive.  

There are certain things in life that are unpredictable and even though I feel I have control over things, control is just an illusion.  But seasons will always change. Again, bear with me because I'm assuming we all live in the Midwest or a place where you see snow, sunshine, leaves fall, and flowers bloom.  =)  Seasons come and seasons go.  This is not revolutionary, but it made me stop and consider a few things.  I am not always 100% content in my life.  There are moments of joy and happiness, but there is unrest sometimes.  Seasons change, however.  The trees aren't bare forever.  No matter how dreary your winter is, literally or metaphorically, the snow will melt and the buds will begin to sprout.  

Okay, literal seasons aside, the pain won't last forever.  It may linger just like the blasted humidity, but it will change and evolve.  The sting of your guilt will subside.  The aching of your heart will mend.  The hurt will heal.  Jesus promised this on the cross.  Without the pain, there would be no victory or glory.  The leaves fall, trees dry up, so they can begin again.  If we truly looked at the seasons, I believe it could help us better deal with our current situations.  

Enjoy the ride of whatever "season" you are on for it will mold you and make you into who God wants you to be.  Sometimes I still feel like I am riding the grief train from losing dad almost 4 years ago this month, but I have confidence and hope in my current season and that always makes the sun shine.


Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything

3 There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

²     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

   

Baby Steps

No, Liam isn't walking, but we do feel he will walk before he crawls.  The boy loves to stand! 

So, the other night, Liam got up, yet again, in the middle of the night sort of cooing and baby talk.  As in, "I'm not really awake, but I'm going to keep you guys up until you get me."  He's been doing really well (sleeping 9 pm-7:30 am most nights), but occasionally he pulls this 1 am stuff.  Or he gets up at 5 am...woof.

However, this night, we had both just fallen asleep and he really shouldn't have been hungry.  Either way, we were up.  Nathan was very frustrated, as was I and after listening to him babble for 30 min, we went in there and changed his diaper and finally I told Nathan I had it and to go back to bed.  There's nothing worse than an exhausted, cranky parent at 1 am.  And I'm really speaking for both of us at this point but instead of creating a fight, I sent him to sleep.  Plus, I would probably lie awake, hoping they were both doing ok. 

I fed Liam and then tried to get him back down which turned into a 45 minute escapade of rubbing his back, rocking him, shushing him, etc.  As I was standing there, nearly falling asleep on the crib, I had a thought....

I've come a long way.  Yes, I still get frustrated at times as a mom and it's still so so hard some moments.  But I read recently that little ones struggle with sin just as adults do.  So when he or my niece or nephew, who are much older, act out or behave in a way us parents get so angered by, we must remember that they too are dealing with their sin.  They just don't know that's what it is.  Liam is not trying to make us miserable or lose sleep, he's just awake.  The Lord has certainly changed my perspective and turned it into one of compassion and patience.  I didn't want to be awake at 1 am.  I didn't care to be awake for 45 extra minutes waiting for my son to fall asleep which he can readily do on his own, but God showed me that this was an opportunity not everyone gets: one to share with my son in the middle of the night, with no one else around.  When gets upset, cries, or is cranky, I find myself feeling bad for him and asking what's wrong instead of being so angry that he's not an angel baby or a textbook baby. 

So again, I know harder days are coming (toddlers anyone?!) but the Lord has already softened my heart towards my little guy.  He will always deal with sin on this earth and though I wish I could change that for him, I am thankful that Jesus offers us grace we don't deserve.

A prayer for my son

As I held my son the other night, read him a book, and rocked him to sleep, we (meaning me) starting praying for each member of our family.  I got thinking...at each stage in his life, I feel I am praying different things for him.  Some superficial; some very real as to what I was feeling in the moment.  Is it too young to pray for his spouse? =)  So here is my prayer for my son at 4 1/2 months of age....

My dear sweet boy,
I pray you would grow strong and tall.  I pray we would be the right parents for you and teach you all about Jesus.  I pray you would be a great friend to many and help others whenever you can.  Know that Jesus loves you and wants the very best for you.  I pray you would sleep well and get rested for the day.  I pray the Lord would be gentle to you as you grow.  Knowing temptation and sin will come but Jesus has overcome the grave already.

I pray you would be a light in your school to your friends and teachers.  Keep that beautiful smile and share it with others.  Know you are loved beyond compare and we are here to help you and protect you.  I pray for us as parents, that we would always provide, protect, and comfort you.  The Lord has entrusted us to be your parents and we take that honor seriously.  Remember, we will fail, but we are doing our best for what we think you need and deserve.  We don't have it all, but you will always have exactly what you need.

Forever and always, you are my son, the one I prayed for, the one I don't deserve, but the one who stole my heart!

I love you buddy,
Mommy