I Am An After

I am a mom to five kids - four boys and a 6 month old little princess. Yes my life is crazy - I don't stop...My days run on a schedule. My older boys are very active - playing hockey in the winter - hockey in the summer - soccer - football...I often spend my evenings and weekends driving to arenas and soccer fields...But I love it and wouldn't change it for the world!
But with this hectic life - I had given up my "me time". Arriving home late from practice - getting the kids to bed and being too tired to make myself supper - much too often, I found myself reaching for the restaurant take-out menus...I had no time slot for workouts in my schedule.
In December - as I stood in my closet - desperately trying to find something to wear for Christmas dinner - I finally saw myself - and what I saw - was someone I no longer recognized...Not only had my pregnancy weight not come off at all - but I was now weighing more than I did the day I had delivered...
On that day - standing in front of the mirror looking like a stuffed sausage in my way too tight "loose jeans" - I made a promise to myself - I am going to find myself again.
On January 7th - my journey began.
It has been a journey to find myself and to become healthy... I made huge changes in my diet...the restaurant take-out menus have all been put away - no more coke bottles fill my fridge.
I also started running. When it's been years since the last time you laced up your running shoes - it's not an easy feat...The thought of having to run for 90 seconds without stopping had me almost in tears - the shock of knowing just how badly out of shape I had become was a slap in the face - another wake up call...At first I find myself walking a lot - out of breath - discouraged - embarrassed...But I pushed through and week after week it became easier...In some ways - my mind became my worst enemy - trying to put limits on how much my body could endure...A little voice telling me to take a break - that I was tired...At first - I listened - but I knew I was stronger - I knew I could push harder - go longer...Somewhere along the way - my worst enemy has become my motivator - pushing me forward - through those extra minutes - that extra mile - to a place that only a few months back - looked out of reach...
The road has not been easy. On many days I have had to push myself very hard to do my workouts. Countless times I have repeated to myself "I want to be an after" - when I would find myself reaching for the kids Easter chocolate...And I admit - I haven't been perfect - I have skipped workouts - and I have eaten an occasional quarter pounder or piece of chocolate cake - but that's okay.
My goal was to lose 40 pounds in 4months. January 7th to May 7th. Today is May 7th - my goal date - and I have officially reached 40 pounds. I have done it!
My whole me has changed...Not only my weight - but my body - my strength - my stamina...
I can run after my 2 year old - go hiking with my 6 month old strapped on my back - go for a real 5k run with my 11 year old...My kids have a mom that can keep up with them - do activities with them - challenge them...
I am a new me - I am an AFTER - and now when I stand in front of the mirror - I smile...