FFF’s weekly Self-Love Reflections have now taken a new spin – they will feature one of YOUR awesome stories of growth, self-discovery, strength, and self-love every week. I can’t wait for this new twist on an old favorite of mine because each of you inspire me every day. Let’s kick things off with Kristin from the STUFT Mama blog!

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After years of struggling with binge eating, over exercising and infertility, God graciously blessed our family with two miracles in December of 2009. Yes, TWO! My husband says we like to do things the hard way around here in the STUFT house. It’s a long and incredible story (and has something to do with a trip to Belize), but I’ll save the details. Here are my little “miracles”.

Throughout my entire pregnancy I was living my dream. I wanted to be that pregnant lady that kept running, working out and staying fit (big belly and all). I wanted it bad enough that I made it happen. As a fitness instructor, I continued teaching classes until I was about 7 months pregnant. I never felt that big, but I remember getting a lot of weird looks and comments and now, as I look back at pictures, I realize why. Ha!

When my doctor pulled the plug on my running I still kept active using the elliptical, walking and lifting light weights. I even went for a walk the morning I gave birth (with my water being broken and not knowing).

When I look back on my whole pregnancy, I actually think I was the healthiest I’ve ever been in my entire life those 9 months. My whole view about food changed. For years pre-pregnancy I had struggled with binging. I cringe when I think about the stress I put my poor body through. I would go from eating my way through entire bags of processed food and/or sweets to restricting calories and exercising 2-3 hours a day. I turned to food instead of dealing with my emotions.

Pregnancy changed everything. I realized that I had been blessed with an amazing gift and I needed to take care of my body and my babies the best that I could. My mindset changed and instead of having a list of foods that were off-limits except for special occasions (which added to the desire to binge), NO foods were off limits. I was focused on eating for health rather than eating to lose weight. I knew my body needed a certain amount of calories a day to feed two babies and I exercised to FEEL GOOD rather than to burn off all the “junk food” I had eaten previously or because I “had” to. Really, as big as my stomach was, I felt great.

After the birth of my boys, things got a little rocky. I thought I had left the old binging Kristin behind. I got back into my workout routine and lost the baby weight rather quickly.

However, after a few weeks of sleep deprivation and struggling to figure out how the heck to be a mom, my binging came back with vengeance. It felt like the only thing I could control. Really though, it just added to the complexity of being a new mom and trying to figure out what direction my life was going to go. Not only did I feel guilty that I ate that way, but I was so disappointed in myself that I had gone back to my old ways (after finally being “normal” during my pregnancy).

One thing I did do though was keep my focus on being active. I went running as my “therapy”. I pushed that stroller everywhere I could and I resumed teaching my fitness classes 5 weeks after the boys were born. Even despite my old eating habits, I managed to run a half marathon when the boys were just 4 months old.

Somewhere along the way I crawled my way out of the hole I had fallen back into. It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t fun. It was a lot of trying to figure out the root cause of the issues, finding other ways to deal with my feelings and being creative with ways to distract myself away from the kitchen. Slowly and surely, by focusing on my boys, my health, and trying to become the mom that I wanted to be, I feel like I have overcome a major obstacle. There’s a part of me that still struggles, but I don’t act on my anxious feelings like I used to. It’s a very long process and a lifelong journey - the whole idea behind my blog and the “journey to find balance”.

Over the past two years since my boys were born, along with many sleepless nights, countless tears and a lot of wasted time second guessing myself and my decisions (rather than just trusting God in the process), I have finally

• gotten to a healthy place with my eating habits
• quit my full-time job as a PE teacher
• started my own business
• become a personal trainer
• run my first full marathon and 8 other races (3 of them pushing the stroller and one of them being my PR for my half marathon time)

People CAN change their habits and views about food. I did and I hope to inspire some others along the way through my STUFT mama blog. I hope to see you there!

• What is one way you have changed for the positive in the last 5 years?

I have a special treat for you all tonight – a special post from Anne of fANNEtastic food! I’ve been reading Anne’s blog for at least a year and enjoy every single post. Since she has inspired me so much on my own running growth, I asked Anne to share her running story with you all. Get inspired from one of my favorite blog friends! Take it away, Anne!

Hey, Faith, Fitness, Fun readers – Anne here from the food and fitness blog fANNEtastic food! I started my blog in October of 2009 as a way to motivate others to lead happier, healthier lives through fitness and nutrition. Since starting my blog, I made a big career change and headed back to graduate school to become a Registered Dietitian! I’m now half way through with my program – so far so good 🙂

On my blog, I share delicious and easy healthy recipes, simple health tips (check out my recent post about how to make a recipe healthier – includes a printable PDF!), and my adventures in fitness. In particular, I love running, and was thrilled when Tina asked if I would share a post with you all about how I got into running!

Because you see, I wasn’t always a runner.

If you read my blog now, you might think that I’ve always been able to run 10 miles, or 11 miles, or even 13 miles – but that’s not the case at all!

When I first graduated from college in 2004, I ran occasionally, but I’d never run more than 3 miles. I mostly stuck to using the elliptical and weight machines, but every once in awhile I’d go for a run on the treadmill, or outside. But I still couldn’t make it past the 3 mile distance.

In 2006, I signed up for my very first 5k race. It was the “2nd Annual Gulf Coast Relief 5k” for which the proceeds went to help revive the New Orleans area following Katrina. A big group of my friends and I all signed up for the race (which was basically the whole reason I signed up), and I remember being so nervous and excited that morning standing waiting for the race to start. And then – what a thrill! Races have such an incredible energy because there are so many people – both on the sidelines AND in the race itself! I loved running among all the others in the early morning light, listening as we passed people cheering us on. It was over in a flash and I was SO proud crossing that finish line! My first race and I was hooked.

Flying high from that accomplishment, I decided it was time to delve into the world of over 3 mile runs. Tentatively, I agreed to sign up for a 5 mile turkey trot on Thanksgiving Day, 2006. My dad, uncle, and brother also signed up for the race, which really helped my motivation. I remember that race as being the day I really believed that I could run longer distances. Running is never easy, no matter how much you do it, but that’s part of what makes it great. It’s always good to challenge yourself. Don’t be afraid to leave your comfort zone!

It wasn’t until 2009 that I delved into the world of longer races (10k’s, 10 milers, and eventually my first half marathon), but that first 5 mile turkey trot was what gave me the confidence to really believe I could do it. It’s still kind of crazy to me now that I ran my second half marathon in March. Just goes to show how far you can come with a little determination (and good training buddies)!

I’d love to hear from you guys now, too! Are you a runner? If so, how did you get started? If not, do you think you want to try?

And if you’re looking to get started but want to try the treadmill first before venturing outside – check out my printable PDF treadmill workout brochure. Just adjust the speeds to your level and you will be good to go!

A big thank you to Tina for having me here today – I hope you guys will stop on by my blog to say hello 🙂

Happy running!

Thanks, Anne! And as she asked – Are you a runner? If so, how did you get started? If not, do you think you want to try?