Fitness Challenge!

(Sorry if this post looks a little wonky. I'm writing it on my laptop with the broken screen AND screwy keyboards!)

So, as I posted previously, yesterday, September 10th, was my "official" weigh-in day. The goal I had set was 185 lbs. But I was so busy that I couldn't make it to the computer to blog my results!

So, my weight yesterday morning was.....

185.4 LBS!

So, I'm not *quite* there, but I'm okay with being less then 1/2 a pound away from my goal!

I will re-check my weight in one week (next Thurs) and hopefully I will have shed that .4 :)

As for today, it was Day 3 of Couch To 5K!

So I finished Week 1. I was going to give myself an extra week to work on my endurance, but after today's run I feel like I need to push on to Week 2. If it's not a challenge, what's the point?

Today was great. I didn't get tired until the 6th set and I think that has something to do with the fact that I forgot to stretch beforehand >_>

Everytime my podcast-guy said "Okay, it's time to slow back down to your brisk walk", I was thinking, "Already!? But I JUST started running!" So I think this is an indication that I am ready for Week 2! I can't wait for Monday! I was thinking of running Week 1's workout again tomorrow just as an extra boost since I'll have Sunday to recover, but I have a classmate coming over for a HUGE anatomy&physiology study session. I can't afford to mess up my first test in this class!

I feel great about myself :D

Anyone else doing this program? Let me know! I want to hear from you! Especially if you have successfully completed it... tell me all about your journey!

(I promise, there will be some cloth-diaper related stuff coming soon! I have a few reviews I need to type up!)

Couch to 5K, Week 1: Day 2

So, today was my 2nd day with the Couch to 5K program and I am just so psyched!

It was a 5 minute warm up walk, then 8 sets of 60 seconds of running and 90 seconds of walking followed by another 5 min cool down walk.

I got through all 8!!! It was difficult but I just kept reminding myself what a disaster Monday was and if I felt myself speeding up too much, I just slowed down and concentrated on my breathing to make sure I wasn't overexerting myself. Sure I got out of breath, and very tired (and am now pretty sore!!!) but it was SO fulfilling. Stuart and Liam hung back and played by the river because Li-bug was fussing too much for a walk in the stroller. When I got to the 5th set, I turned around and started heading back the other direction. They had just begun walking towards me when I was already in the 5 minute cool down walk. Stuart asked, "Did you give up?" and I was smiling SO huge when I told him, no, I'm in the 5minute cool down!

I'm so excited! I cannot wait until Friday to do it again!!! :D Wow... there is really nothing more motivating than actually DOING something you doubted yourself on.

Before starting, I told myself that if it got way too tough I could just walk through one of the running sets, but it was totally unecessary. I didn't stop once, nor did I have to skip a set!

It truly is amazing how just accomplishing something so simple as getting through a workout can make your whole day brighter.

Tomorrow is my BIG weigh in. Remember my fitness challenge? My goal for September 10th was 185 lbs... I've got my fingers crossed. I will not be entirely disappointed if I'm not quite there yet, though. I know I'm on the way.

Fitness: Couch to 5K

If any of you remember this post, you'll remember that I made a public vow to get back into shape. I have decided to do the Couch to 5K program from CoolRunning. It's a progressive program that starts you off running just 60 second intervals, and by the end of 9 weeks (though I suspect it will take much longer for me, hehe.) you are supposed to be able to run 30 minutes - or 5k.

Well, today was my first day with Couch to 5K. Um.. let's just say it didn't go so well, haha!

I had my MP3 player with the podcast that I downloaded that has music plus the audio cues telling when to walk and when to run. Today's routine was supposed to be a 5-min brisk warmup walk, then 8 sets of 60 secs of running/jogging and 90 secs of "recovery" walking.

5-min warmup walk: Started feeling good, a little out of breath... shocked at how out of shape I am these days!

First 60-sec run: Felt good to push myself. Was definitely a shock to my body. WAY out of breath... started feeling it, but it wasn't too bad :)

90-sec brisk walk: Stayed out of breath most of the time, it didn't really feel like much of a "recovery", haha. I actually started to feel quite heated.

Second 60-sec run: Ick. I kept my pace up but was SO out of breath, and started to feel ridiculously hot. I made it all the way through the 60 seconds..

then started the 90-sec walk and felt like I was going to pass out. I had to stop for a second and when I stopped it hit me that I was *not* okay to continue standing, haha. Luckily there was a picnic bench nearby and I sat down. DBF and DS caught up to me with the stroller and he lectured me to keep going but I had never felt that terrible in my life. And on top of the physical stress, there was an extreme disappointment in myself for stopping. I didn't realize I was *so* out of shape. I have never been so unhealthy in my life. Bleh!

After I felt better, I picked it back up with the 90 sec walk... then I did another 60 secs, but took it slower. It felt good, but I started to get light headed and didn't want to feel like death again. Then I walked about 10 min to the car. The second I got to the car I felt like I was going to throw up. My face was like bright bright red and I had a killer headache. It was almost like being at the picnic bench again. SOoo weird, considering I had just *walked* and not even fast!

I think my problem was, during the runs/jogs, I went pretty fast. The music was fast and I by instinct was keeping up with it. I might try to run again in a couple hours, actually. It might take me an extra week just to get through Week 1! That's disappointing but I'm determined to stick with it and push myself. I WILL finish this program!

Besides that, in my last fitness-related post, I mentioned that my goal weight was 185 by September 10th. I'm not going to jump the gun, but it's Sept. 7th and I weighed in this morning at 185.8 :D .. Almost there! Then I can set a new goal... I'm so excited! I feel terrific, even after this morning's disappointment. But I WILL get there!

I'll keep you guys posted on Wednesday.

Review: You've Got Fluffy Mail - gDiaper Cloth Inserts

While posting on a popular parenting website, I met Janell. I was impressed by her in every way - and still am. Her 3rd baby is the same age as my son and we have so much in common. Best of all - she's a cloth mama! Janell makes and sells diapers, inserts, wipes, wraps, and more... and not only does she sell them in her shop, You've Got Fluffy Mail , but she posts tutorials on how to make them on her blog! She also has a Cafe Press store.

Janell is a wonderful, creative mama and GREAT to work with. I encourage all of you to check out her sites. Her blog is so helpful, and everything she makes is made with love :)

Plus, her cafepress merchandise? Super cute:

gDiaper Cloth Inserts:

Janell designed and made these terrific cloth inserts for gDiapers, and was kind enough to send me two of them to test on my Li-bug.

She has styles available for boys, girls, and gender neutral. I received one of an adorable penguin print and one in a cute cute cute froggie print. I use them in a size Medium gPants.
Like I said earlier, this entry has been a long time coming because of my little hiatus from the cyber-world, so I've had nearly a month to test out this product before reporting here to you. I have nothing but positive things to say.

Cuteness Factor : 10/10... Need I say more?!
Absorbancy: 8/10 ... Absorbs MUCH better than a prefold would in a gPants and a gDiapers flushable doesn't even hold a candle to these inserts. They last roughly 2 hours on my son (heavy wetter, haha)
Leakage: 0. *handclaps!*
Customer Service: 10/10.... Maybe I'm biased, but Janell is terrific to work with!
Washing/drying: 9/10 I hand-wash so washing usually isn't an issue with us. However, I think I scrubbed a little too hard because the fabric on my froggy print faded a little. My penguin print is pristine. Drying time is average... I MUCH prefer waiting for an insert to dry (hang drying) than a fitted... it's so much more convenient.

These inserts in gDiapers are a convenient way to cloth diaper. Since you don't have to deal with washing the gPants (like I said, zero leakage!) each time and you only have to change out the insert, there's less to fuss with!
Plus... price-wise, these are great. Janell's shop, You've Got Fluffy Mail, offers 3 gDiapers cloth inserts for $10, or 10 for $30! Considering if you order the gCloth inserts manufactured by gDiapers (I am not knocking them - I have not yet tried them!) , you only receive 6 inserts for $29.99... sounds like a deal to me!

Thank you Janell! We love our cloth inserts!

It feels good to be back!

Well hi! Fancy seeing you here :) Did you miss me?

I apologize for my long absence from the internet. I now have my personal affairs settled and am ready to get back into the online world!

In just a few minutes, I have a VERY important review going up! Hang tight :)