weekend wrap-up

It was a crazzyyyy awesome weekend!!

How crazy awesome!?
This girl got herself a 5k PR and 25k under her runners belt!!
And, a sweet something from her man too!!

Sweetheart 5k; 32:08
I'm not going to lie, I was nervous! It's been a while since I ran a base race, last years, st. patty's run. Nonetheless, I was excited to slip into my running gear and lace up the running shoes. I noticed they had a new route mapped out, agh!! Race started, Running happened ALL THE WAY THROUGH!! That's right, I didn't stop once, no recovery, I eased off a few times, I continued to run uphill. Oh, yeahhhh, another addition to the route, MORE hills. I suppose, they were on my side, I took full advantage.

FINISHED STRONG; setting a new PR!!

After a little bit of recovery time, it was time to get dolled up!
From running shoes to fabulous heels. It was a sweet evening at ship wives valentines dinner. We got a amazing surprise, I LOVED the video shout out and love note from my man. Can we get the rest of this deployment done and over with!? C'mon!

Fishline 25k; 4:46:18
Actually, 16.62 miles!
This was a spontaneous decision, like, I signed up a few days before when another MRTT member mentioned it. I was instantly sold since it was literally down the street AND who doesn't want to get a 25k on the trails!?! Uhhhhmmmmm, what did we get ourselves into!? Trails!! Forest, Woods TRAILS!! I followed along on her 3:1 method, we ran longer in some instances. We hiked a lot of it, we had lots of random conversation, we pushed ourselves to keep going, we go lost twice. And, we laughed a iut it. It felt good, it felt awesome, it hurt. It was brutal, it was nothing like expected and then again, I totally loved it!! Those steep trails really got me, my poor knees. My aching calves too. Reaching the finish line never felt better, we were greeted with other finishers telling us how intense and crazy completing this trail run was. So glad, it just wasn't me thinking of it!! Uhmm, call me crazy but I'm totally looking forward to the rest of this race series. Trail running [in Washington] is an truly an AMAZING experience!!

Thankful Thursday!

What are you thankful for?

Tonight, I am thankful for a wonderful support system!!

From family to still breastfeeding to school to work to military life to fitness...I've got it all covered. And, I'm very thankful for those that are apart it. Lately, I have started to re-read, Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives. It's an excellent book, and I kind of read through it before deployment started and didn't digest it properly. Now, I've got a new outlook into reading it and I am identifying to it, open-heartily.

Some days,  some weeks become overwhelming, but like many others, I get through it. No matter what. I sometimes go harder in a workout routine, or spend more quality time with my girls. Remember, I have 3 girls; 6, 3, 1, all demanding ages, all different personalities, each needing my attention. With daddy on deployment, it's be ROUGH, giving them each my all. Juggling different roles, motherhood be the most demanding of them all. I have my good/bad days, days I felt as if I've failed, others I am on that super mama high. My husband is continuously praising me, reminding me that I do A LOT, a lot that other mama's might now do. I am very  much involved with them, from an early age teach them, opening their creativity, showing them the world is an adventure. I haven't stopped enjoying myself just because my husband is away. I'll be honest there has been several days, that I do breakdown with emotions because I do miss him. And, that's completely fine. I've seen many other military spouses via facebook groups, express misery, express how life sucks without there other half home. What I don't see is how they are enjoying their children or themselves. How miserable is that? A waste of time, if you ask me. I make the best of life while he is away or at least I try by hardest. I've embraced the deployment, I've set goals, I've planned out months, outtings for my girls, I've made things happen to keep us distracted. Later, this year we will be traveling to Texas for the Winter Break, it's going to be our first time flying from Washington an my first time traveling with my 3 girls. It's going to be pretty memorable. And, I am totally looking forward to it. We get to spend Christmas with family, I get to RUN a lot and just enjoy time in Texas.

When, it comes to fitness, it's also been challenging but I have put myself out there with friends via the world wide web, they have been apart of my journey, they have seen my success, they have seen Rosanna WORK her ASS off to get her body back after kids. And, they have become INSPIRED, some have jumped on and off, others have had their own success stories, and some are back with me. This brings me to a story in the book,Conquering Resentment, ....... "How can I serve others this week?" No matter how challenged I am in my life, I have to get myself out of that and move forward. I'm self-motivated, a go getta, a woman on the go. And, that's one reason I started setting up bootcamps, started this past April, for fellow military spouses, it's been off/on with our husbands schedules and recently with my knee injury. I'm happy to say, that it's back on the calendar this week. In September, once school started, I began hosting weekly run with Moms Run This Town, another way to keep myself busy and moving, to motivate other moms. Other wives know that I love all things fitness-related, they know I have 3 little ones, and know that I am always ready to get busy. 

Getting crafty, staying social. Those things people already know I enjoy, plan. And, it's been happening lately. We've got our second {eat.craft.drink} event coming up; Pie & Mug Swap!!

One of the chapters that caught my attention early on was, In Everything GIVE THANKS. 
And, I do that often. I am thankful for many things throughout the day. I don't take things for granted, most especially, the time with my girls. I know that on the other side of the ocean, my husband, is missing them. He is making us proud and doing his job which he loves. The deployment factor isn't permanent and we survive. We are proud of our sailor, we are thankful for him.

"Don't wait to for inspiration to find you; BECOME IT!!"

Hello, there!

The last few days have been INSANELY BUSY; the last thing I wanted to do was plant my booty in front of the PC!! I've missed RUNNING, and missed slipping into those running tights. However, I did LOVE feeling the difference in my jeans, slimming down!! Whoop! Whoop!!
 

 Saturday: I watched my girl get busy on the field during SOCCER!! She is getting aggressive with those boys. She is the only girl on her team and I believe it's rubbing off on her. She gets after it and when playing defense, blocks em'!! And, we chant her on from the sidelines, PROUDLY! After, soccer, it was a mad dash to go find the 'perfect' princess costume. Leanna said I looked 'fabulous' even though I felt silly. We originally were going to dress up as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles but of course my girls changed their minds. So, we are princess'.







 Later that night, I finished up last minute crafts; Spooky Pins & Pumpkin Game Stand. I loaded my car with hay bales (yes, actualy HUGE hay bales) for the Fall Photo Display!!! Also, with a few totes of decorations and supplies. 













Sunday: My FIRST event as Social Chair was a crazy success; Fall Festival. 
Many, Many, Stennis Families came by, they decorated cookies, made crafts, played games, turned in/decorated their family leaves and entered raffles, had fun with the crazy pinata & got to trick r' treat at the end. My co-chair and volunteers did a FABULOUS job!!!
I was SO happy to see so many families come out and enjoy the event with their kiddos. Someone, even bought out ther 'flat daddy' and had him displayed for pictures. I REALLY loved that idea, a little creepy but totally memorable!! hahaa




Monday: No time for "rest", car pooled with a friend as soon as our kiddos were at school, to a town 30minutes away for a KEURIG PARTY!! A friend was a host applicant/winner, for a Keurig (to keep) and party to host. She made a yummy brunch and there was lots of chatting with other mama's. Great Morning. Afterwards, we enjoyed the rainy drive to Toy R Us, for some Christmas Shopping. As soon as I got home, I got busy with folding 4 loads of laundry. And, then babysat her kiddos. Finished the night off with crafts, week 9/day 1 of les mills pump and Spinned 10 miles!!

These are the latest Hoop Art on display; Navy Love!!

Today: Mama on the go for school drop off and then back home to walk Leanna to school. Add in a dramatic little nursing monster. We Headed back to Ailea's school to join in her First Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch. We had a GREAT time, luckily NO RAIN, although the cold wind was picking up a little. Brr!! Both girls, saw several farm animals, walked the corn maze, yelling "PUMPKINS", and picked their own little pumpkins. 
We currently have a total of 9 pumpkins in our home. No carving this year, we've had fun painting and decorating them. 

It's Back to the routine tomorrow, got myself a morning run, Moms Run This Town Meetup on Thursday and then Friday Night, Dawn of the Dead Dash!! I recevied the email with all the DETAILS, I'll admit I was SPOOKED!! I'm super excited though, not sure how far I will go, and I'm sure I will be screaming more than running. Hahhaa, good times ahead!! 

"Don't wait to for inspiration to find you; BECOME IT!!"

Fabulous Fall Y'all!!

It was a Fabulous Fall Day in the Great State of Washington and ONE MONTH since husband left on deployment!! Whenever I'm on the PC, I see my family to my right; little reminders to smile!

After the double school drop offs, I had an EPIC fail of changing out the tire tubes on the single jogger, I don't know why I thought I could do it, I never have. And, now I'll be on the search for a bike store to do it, it's only been like almost 2 years since I used it. Hahahhahaaa

Sore and bloody fingers were DONE. So, I decided to head outdoors with baby girl and take our crazy dog for a walk to the lakes. Absolutely Perfect Weather!!

The rest of the afternoon was spent w/Social Chair duties, we have a fabulous fall festival in the making. My FIRST event as Social Chair. Aghhh!!! 



Can you tell we had a DRY SUMMER, the grass is dead and needs RAIN!!

A girl and her puppa!

Run, Baby Girl, Run!

 Fabulous 1 Mile Walk!!

"Don't wait to for inspiration to find you; BECOME IT!!"

Reflecting back on 8 years!!

Whoop! Whoop!!

This Mama is 2.2 lbs DOWN, currently at 158!! BEST ANNIVERSARY GIFT EVER!! I weighed in at 165 just before he left, 28 days ago. It's a big deal, since I've been back on the weight loss journey. I was 147 mid-February and my new "deployment goal" is at 140. Giving myself a little leeway to gain and not beat myself up. Of course, it's not all about weight loss, I am seeing the toning of my arms, once again. In my legs too, over all really. Les Mills Pump is doing it again. Week 5 starts tomorrow!! 

Back to the weight gaining drama!
That's right I said, my military wifey's know it. With homecoming, usually comes some weight gain, husbands back home, home-coooking, dining out, late night grubbing. You know all the stuff you avoided during that deployment. It happened to me and while I didn't necessarily care when it was happening, I was actually enjoying it, I didn't enjoy the gaining weight from birth control though. And, it's finally shedding off. Thank Goodness!!! 

 I'm also celebrating 8 years of marriage, 8 years y'all!! And, as a military spouse to a husband who has had a VERY demanding schedule in the last, almost 2 years. That's a pretty big deal. I mean, being a sailor is pretty demanding, especially on the Stennis, his current back to back deployment hit me hard but I love that my man. And, stand behind him 110%. If anything, it's made our marriage stronger, I don't base it on the military lifestyle, more of parenting, partnership...all that mushy stuff. I can't wait to have him back, really.can't.wait.

He's been with me since my slimmest, at 145 before marriage. I got careless and comfortable there after. Even though, I worked out, almost daily with a full-time job and college. I still let myself go. Stupid. I remember moving to Hawaii, in September 2005 and being in the 170s. He 's said, he hardly recognized me. I easily gained 15lbs while working/drinking (oh, to be a 21 yr old again), in 3 months. Yes, I can't believe it either. That was wreckless. So, being pier side at homecoming was nothing but uncomfortable.

 I began working out once I got settled into Hawaii, he was there too but honestly I wasn't feeling it, especially since I was pregnant with my first kiddo. You know how that can go. She gave me insane morning sickness and I was pretty miserable for 3 months.  m.i.s.e.r.a.b.l.e.

Hello, San Diego. A new duty station, July 2006. And, Having a baby a month after moving into a new State was rough. And, single parenting a new born was harder since he was out to sea A LOT. I hardly new what I was doing, I thought I was prepared. I was wrong. He then then left for deployment when Leanna was about 6 months old. I started somewhat of a routine but it wasn't enough. Running with jogger, walking, pilates. And then came another homecoming. I don't even think I had lost any baby weight, I was actually "comfortable" with that then. 

That.was.crazy. y'all! 

[March 2007]

[Oct 2007]

[Dec 2007]

Hello, China Lake!! Moving again, to a super secluded area, had me motivated to lose weight before we started for baby #2.  I found a newly started "stroller strides" group, May 2008 and went every week, every week. I even started a weight loss meetup with a few other Mama's on the weight loss journey, we'd walk/jog/run to the gym on base for a workout. I lost about 15lbs. Once, the pregnancy symptoms started with super nausea I stopped stroller strides in November. I tried to keep up with daily walks, or evening walks with the family.

[August 2008]

 

[October 2008]

Fast-Forward to 6 weeks post-baby August 2009,I started to hit the gym; fitness classes like Spin, BOSU, Body Sculpting. I reached my lowest (then) at 154, at 8 months post-baby.  It was far from easy, trying to juggle a new baby, a preschooler, in home daycare business. It was ROUGH waking up at 4AM to nurse Ailea and then hit the gym for a run, spin, or elliptical workout. And, then adding evening classes was my outlet, I found energy and got it done. It did the job and I loved it.

                                  

[March 2009; 154 lbs at 8 Months Post-Ailea]

[Baby #3 in the oven; June 2009]

After an AWESOME [SUCCESSFUL] WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY, what do you think happened??! We turned around and got pregnant with baby #3. Oh, what a HUGE surprise!! And, of course it started all over, trying to hold on to a fitness routine while pregnant. And, then getting back at it after baby arrived. Hello, Baby Serena!!

[Hiking w/baby Girls; April 2011]

 There wasn't much time to get a routine going since we were due to move AGAIN, but this time we were going to Texas for 4 1/2 months, during the Summer. Yay and Boo!! It was tough. My runs happened LATE, I started several different routines, sprained my ankle, bought a spin bike...reached 154 lbs at 4 1/2 months POST-BABY!! 

[July 2011]

[August 2011]

Hello, Washington!! Once, we moved to our current duty station, he left a month later, Nov 2011. That left me to once again juggle this fitness business with 3 girls in tow. I did it. I ran, spinned, walked, worked out, lifted, started running races. Did it all!

In February 2012, I reached another MAJOR weigh loss milestone; 147 lbs!!!

[Dec 2011]

Treadmill Running

[January 2012]

First 10k

 [March 2011]

5k in the Snow

 

[April 2012]

5k with my family

[May 2012]

Color Runned with my girls on Mother's Day

[July 2012]

First Half-Marathon

[Even Leanna gets in on the action; Little Runner Girl]  

[July 2012]

Mud Run

I run, hike, walk on several types of terrain; pavement, trails, anywhere! 

So, as I reflect on the last 8 years of marriage and weight loss challenges. I can't say I "really" had excuses just a few obstacles. We all have them. We all have husband who deploys,....oh wait. No we don't. So, there's no excuse to not claim your body back from whatever it is. Pregnancy, depression, eating too much, lack of motivation, anything. If you've got the drive and dedication, make it happen. The last 8 years of marriage have opened my eyes, as a mother and wife, there's always time for Rosanna to take time to herself. It wasn't something I realized early on but I certainly take "my time" each day, I'd say, it makes me a better person to them. every.single. day.

"Don't wait to for inspiration to find you; BECOME IT!!"