Inspiration from Jennie

One reader of my blog emailed me and let me know that she had been working on becoming a healthier mommy ever since I posed the challenge in January. I was excited that she was willing to share her story with us.

"My name is Jennie Burke and in January I took Joanna's challenge on to get more fit and healthy. I started out walking 5 days a week for about 30 minutes. Over the course of the 4 weeks I was able to start jogging about 2.5 miles in the 30 minutes. After the 4 weeks was over I continued to jog/slow run about 3 times a week. Well in early March an opportunity came up for me to run in the Southern California Ragnar Relay. Ragnar Relays are an overnight race where you and 11 of your team mates run for 200 plus miles. My husband and sister in law had run one previously and their new team needed a runner and they asked me to join. I was only running about 2 to 3 miles so taking on something like this was really overwhelming for me. But I used Joanna's positive thinking and decided to join. So in April I ran 12.5 miles of the 200.9 mile race. From January to April I lost 35 pounds. It was incredible, the way I pushed my body and did things I didn't think I could do was so amazing. The challenge really changed my life for the better. I am still not as healthy as I would like to be I have a lot more weight to lose but I am on the right path and I am definitely more active than I have been since high school. Which really feels amazing. We have signed up to run another Ragnar in September which is so exciting and will help keep me motivated. Trust me I am living proof that if you set your mind to something you can definitely do it no matter what the stands in the way. "

Thank you so much Jennie for being an inspiration. We all start at different points. I love that you took on something challenging and were able to share that experience with your husband. Good luck in your continued goals toward health and fitness. Please share with us again~ we'd love to have an update again in a few months!

Zumba and Treadmill

I wore my calorie counting watch on Friday to the gym and these are the #s

Zumba (50 minutes)- 300 calories

Treadmill (17 minutes running)- 170 calories. Thought I'd note that even after putting in my age and weight into the treadmill the calories said that I had burned 250 calories, so my watch proved I burn less than the "average" person. Keep that in mind when you are using the machines. Its all based on averages, so everyone's body is a little different. If you are trying to be exact on your calorie intake/exercise than you may want to get something more accurate instead of counting on the averages being correct for your body.

I'm going to have the hit the gym hard next week after all the celebrating we've been doing. Since Thursday its been fun around here celebrating my hubby's 31st birthday and enjoying time with family this Memorial day weekend. It will continue until Monday~then the next couple weeks I will work on whipping myself back into shape to burn off all the yummy food and dessert that I've been eating. YIKES! I may need some extra motivation, who's with me?

Fun with counting :)

I've absolutely been loving testing out my new new mother's day present! Most women wouldn't be excited for their husband to them anything to do with exercise for a gift. Usually that would be an insult right? Not for me! My hubby listened up and surprised me by getting me the New Balance heart rate/calorie counting watch that I have been wanting for a few months now. Its making working out more fun and making me work a little harder at the gym to see what the results are calorie wise.

So far I've logged in 4 of my normal morning workoutsand one day out with the kids and here are the results:

24 Lift (50 minute weight class) 250 calories
I was a little disappointed at first, but strengthening those muscles is just as important as the calorie burn. A balance of weights and cardio is important to being healthy.

Turbo Kick (I was 10 minutes late and had to leave once to change a poopy diaper), so about a 40 minute workout burned 375 calories~ pretty good eh?

Turbo Kick (full class) 450 calorie~ even better!

Step Class (full class) 385 calories

3 hours at the Zoo- 690 calories This was at the L.A. zoo pushing a double stroller up the hilly pathway, picking up kids, and all the other stuff that goes with a day at the zoo with 2 kids :)

Its fun seeing the #s and how the classes compare to just running on the treadmill. I love exercising. I see the results in the mirror, and also in the way I feel. Anything that makes me feel better about myself makes for a good mother's day present. Good job to my hubby for a great gift!

That "SOMETHING"

Of course there are the obvious aspects of being a healthy mama such as, the exercise and healthy eating. Maybe I'm a slow learner, but now that I am a mother to 4 and I've been doing it for 8 1/2 years, I am coming to realize that there are sooooooo many aspects of being a healthy mama. For me part of the struggle has been figuring out what makes me happy and completely fulfilled.

I've just always wanted that special connection and love that in my relationships that I just couldn't figure out how to explain or ask for. For me its just that "SOMETHING" that I just haven't been able to put my finger on. At times I would be frustrated and tell my spouse that I was feeling a certain way, but I had no way of explaining what he could do to help me feel better. I've had this communication barrier for years, that is until I started digging into a new book that my sister recommended to me called the 5 LOVE LANGUAGES.

This book has been taking me on the quest to figure out what makes me feel satisfied and complete in my relationships with others. It also helps me be able to figure out how to understand what others need in their relationships. I feel like its helped me to be a better wife, friend, and mother. Its been so fun and exciting testing the different things out on my relationships and seeing how the different techniques work on different people. I'm not finished yet, but I've pretty much figured out my own "love language." I've now been able to communicate my needs to my husband in a simple way that he understands, and it has taken our relationship to a new level of understanding, connection, and given me that "SOMETHING" that I just couldn't figure out before. I'm still working on pinpointing his "love language." He agreed to sit down and read through a few parts with me, so that is on my to do list :)

If you are searching for that "SOMETHING" that you find is missing in your relationships then pick up the book and read it individually or with your partner. I guarantee it can bring you joy and fulfillment if you put it to practice.


Here is a basic outline of the 5 languages~ What you need to do it pinpoint your language and then communicate that need to your spouse. Also, pinpoint their language and fulfill that need for them. Fill their "love tank" and it will make a huge difference in your relationship.

Words of Affirmation
Actions don’t always speak louder than words. If this is your love language, unsolicited compliments mean the world to you. Hearing the words, “I love you,” are important—hearing the reasons behind that love sends your spirits skyward. Insults can leave you shattered and are not easily forgotten.

Quality Time
In the vernacular of Quality Time, nothing says, “I love you,” like full, undivided attention. Being there for this type of person is critical, but really being there—with the TV off, fork and knife down, and all chores and tasks on standby—makes your significant other feel truly special and loved. Distractions, postponed dates, or the failure to listen can be especially hurtful.

Receiving Gifts
Don’t mistake this love language for materialism; the receiver of gifts thrives on the love, thoughtfulness, and effort behind the gift. If you speak this language, the perfect gift or gesture shows that you are known, you are cared for, and you are prized above whatever was sacrificed to bring the gift to you. A missed birthday, anniversary, or a hasty, thoughtless gift would be disastrous—so would the absence of everyday gestures.

Acts of Service
Can vacuuming the floors really be an expression of love? Absolutely! Anything you do to ease the burden of responsibilities weighing on an “Acts of Service” person will speak volumes. The words he or she most want to hear: “Let me do that for you.” Laziness, broken commitments, and making more work for them tell speakers of this language their feelings don’t matter.

Physical Touch
This language isn’t all about the bedroom. A person whose primary language is Physical Touch is, not surprisingly, very touchy. Hugs, pats on the back, holding hands, and thoughtful touches on the arm, shoulder, or face—they can all be ways to show excitement, concern, care, and love. Physical presence and accessibility are crucial, while neglect or abuse can be unforgivable and destructive.

Rainy Day Blues

Not sure how you women who live in places where you are stuck indoors all day due to the weather live! This morning I was able to get out and go to the gym, but our weekly trip to the park was a no go due to the drizzle. Now that I'm home I just wanna be lazy, put the kids in front of the tube, and sit down and snack on yummy treats and do nothing at all. If this was a daily occurance it would not be so pretty to look at this body of mine. I would be overweight for sure, and not sure if I would be as positive as I generally try to be.

Is it just because I was bred to be a California girl? Do some women/mother's enjoy being indoor all day? Maybe that's why people in other states need huge homes with gigantic basements. When I was up at Ricks college in the freezing weather I put on the poundage quick! It was no pretty site (you can ask my hubby who would be glad to share with you that I had chipmunk cheeks after spending the year there).

Random post today, but that's what it on my mind. Until next time, I'll be hoping for my California weather to return soon.

Sleep and Weight Loss

A mother's life and sleep. At park days with other new mommies the questions about sleep always pop up. Is your child a good sleeper? What kind of sleep routine do you have them on? Etc... Another common subject is about weight. How did you lose that baby weight so fast? How do I get my waistline to go down? Or, I just can't seem to lose that last 5-10 lbs no matter what I do!

In the last few months I've been focusing on how to become healthier in several areas. Two of my main goals have been to get to sleep earlier and to have a continuous exercise routine. Funny, I've never thought of these two as related. I just thought getting more sleep would help me be less of a grouch each morning (which it does most mornings :).

As I stepped on the scale a few mornings ago I thought, how in the world is my weight still going down? I haven't changed anything in my eating pattern or exercise routine to cause that amount of calorie difference. Then I thought, the only thing in my daily routine that I have changed is my sleep pattern. So I wondered, could this "earlier to sleep, earlier to rise" sleep change be effecting my weight loss?

After some research online I found that my prediction is likely to be correct. No wonder it is so hard to lose those last 5-10 pounds once children enter your life! Sleep is hard to come by in those first months. Sometimes we must sacrifice time to ourselves in the evening and just shut our eyes.

My challenge to you mommies is to try to fit a little more sleep into your night. I know its not easy (especially if you have new babies or teenagers). Give it a try and let me know if you see the same effects I have seen in the last 2 months. If nothing else, maybe you will be a little slower to snap at your hubbies or children in the morning.

Happy ZZZZZZZZZZZZZs!!!!

Women's Conference

Last week myself, my sister, and 2 good friends traveled to Utah for a women's conference put on by BYU and by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. I had the most wonderful time spending 2 full days being uplifted by wonderful speakers and spending time with my friends and sister. Every once in a while a mommy just needs a few minutes to rejuvenate and speak to other adults.


What's interesting about the trip is that the night before I left I was up all night with my 3 year old while he was sick, and I actually didn't feel too well when I headed out. I was determined and prayed that I would have a great time, and it worked :) Despite calls from home hearing from my sick husband, and hearing that even my baby was sick I was able to focus on the positive and take in the experience. Along the way we even encountered problems with my car! As the snow fell and my car wouldn't start I laughed and stayed positive. I was surrounded by positive people, and that really made all the difference. From this experience it was reaffirmed to me that being around people who are positive helps me to be the same way.

If you are feeling in the dumps and those around you are feeding your fuel of negativity and making it worse~stay clear! Surround yourself with positiveness and make an extra effort to be that person who you would want to be around. It can truly change your life if you stick with it. I have seen myself and felt myself become a different person in the last 2 years or so, and I believe that surrounding myself with positive people has truly been the key.

Have a great day.