Sunday, December 17, 2006

Feeling the Burn Never Felt So Good!

Remember me saying how great it would feel the first time I could take off running after having the baby? Well, I forgot to blog about it until now, but I did take off on that first run 2 1/2 weeks after Abby Kate was born and it felt awesome! I jogged two miles and felt like pumping my fists like Rocky in the home stretch. The neighbors would've thought I was crazier than they already do, so I obstained, but in my head I was so singing Eye of the Tiger! Since then, I've been slowly building my endurance back up by running, spinning, circuit training and resistance training. It feels exhilarating to seriously exercise again. I feel completely free not having that huge belly and all the strain it brought on my body. I LOVE NOT BEING PREGNANT!!!!

Here's my new jogging stroller, equipped with a big basket for Junah, a pedometer (which I still haven't figured out), lots of handy pockets and cup holders. And the best features are the speakers so I can use my iPod Shuffle without having to wear the ear pieces.

My friend, Sommer, and I have been working out every chance we get. Sometimes we wait until our husbands are home to watch the babies and then head to the gym. Other days, we just take the babies with us and strap them into our jogging strollers. It's so much harder to run while pushing a stroller, but we still manage to run about two miles. Abby Kate loves it and so does Junah, who rides in the basket underneath. There's an 8-mile paved path called Blackwater Trail that we usually go to.

At week seven, I've still got about five more pounds to lose before I get back to my pre-pregnancy weight. But it's coming off a lot faster than I thought it would. Along with the exercise, it may be because I'm on the go non-stop all day since having Abby Kate. I feel like I never sit down anymore! But I still have many more push-ups, sit-ups, lunges and squats to do before I get the muscle tone back. It's a welcomed challenge. I just can't tell you how great it is to feel "normal" again!!!

10 comments:

Brandi said...

Way to go Casey! You look awesome. I really admire your motivation- can I borrow some?? ;)

Lori said...

I am super jealous!!! I can barely waddle these days. I can't wait to run.

My jogging stroller instructions said that a baby couldn't ride in the jogging stroller until around 4-6 months, and I cheated by putting Hannah in there at three months, because she had good neck support. Did yours not say anything about it, or do you just have a better jogging stroller than me--one that is more schock absorbant, etc. Let me know as I am in the market for a double jogging stroller, and would like the information on your stroller if you really like it.

Casey Wallace said...

To answer Lori's question for anyone interested, my stroller is the Jeep ® Overland Limited Jogging Stroller by Kolcraft®. You can find it online at Target. You aren't supposed to put a baby in a jogging stroller until they can support their head, but Sommer let me borrow her Snuzzler (http://www.kiddopotamus.com/p_snuzz.php) that supports her entire body. She doesn't jiggle one bit! My stroller does have great shocks, though, so that helps a lot.

Brandon and Carolyn Schroder said...

you look amazing already! you two are rock stars.

Lori said...

Thanks for the info Casey! I have the Expedition by Baby Trend, and I am NOT a fan. It pulls to the right, doesn't turn well, and I am not impressed with how it handles bumps. Yes, it enabled me to run with Hannah in tow, but I will be looking for a different brand when we begin hunting for a double jogging stroller.

sara said...

Good for you! You are one motivated gal!

Marge and Brent said...

You look great Casey! Keep up the good work. I am always telling my clients to "feel the burn" but they don't always see that as a good thing. Ha Ha.

Chad and Sommer Tucker said...

Yay for me! I have my workout partner back! what would I do without you? You look awesome! Keep up the hard work!!!

Anonymous said...

Casey "You ARE the Biggest Loser". Ha I really can't believe how quickly you lost it (although I never thought you really had that much to lose!) Way to stay motivated. Keep up the good work! Love Ya!

Lyndsay

Crazy Love said...

Wow...you look great! Abby Kate is sooo cute. (By the way..I am Carolyn's friend from 29) I met you once or twice in VA but I don't know if you remember! Congratulations on your adorable little girl!! :-)