I normally am not a fan of Mondays. Sure, I enjoy getting back into a normal routine, but I hate how they never seem to include any fun. I made sure to make fun happen yesterday though. I started off with a fabulous workout of a quick weights circuit followed by a spin class. My circuit looked a little something like this:

I did each move back to back 3 times through. It took all of 15 minutes and I could feel it before I finished. For the record, I have such a love/hate relationship with push-ups. They work my upper body so well, but are so tough! I love seeing my strength with them increase though. It makes me feel all hardcore. Although not as hardcore as my race. 😉

After the gym, I managed to find that elusive balance we all seek. Normally I feel like I either don’t get anything done or I spend too much time with to-dos and don’t have enough fun moments with the family. I set aside 1.5 hours to bang out what chores I could. Badda boom! Laundry done. Floors swept and mopped. Playroom cleaned and vacuumed. Just in time for me to take to the great outdoors for some bubble blowing and sidewalk chalk drawing as my bonding time with my sweet girl.

Then, I made sure to take some time for myself too during nap time. I whipped up a tasty little snack by peeling and chopping an apple then microwaving it for 90 seconds with some cinnamon. I topped it with a small drizzle of maple syrup and a sampler packet of this Love Grown Foods apple walnut granola I received for review.

At first, I thought this little snack would need some yogurt to tie it all together, but it didn’t. The apple + granola combo was actually really filling and reminded me of a healthified apple crumble.

Delicious! Love Grown Foods knows their granola. The stuff is like crack!

Whilst satisfying my belly, I satisfied my hankering for finding future races by checking out the Run Georgia calendar Lee directed me to. This could start a problem. I found a couple options for my next race – hopefully a 10K in the next 6 weeks or so. Then, the crazy set in. I know I want to do a half marathon in the fall. I am already 99% sure I will run the Rock & Roll Savannah half marathon.

Savannah is one of my all-time favorite places. I have always thought Rock & Roll races sound like a blast. I have family in Savannah. Most importantly, it gives Peter & I an excuse for a mini-vacation just the two of us. Then, I see another half marathon at my alma mater and I think that would be so fun too!

Something like the following happens in my head:

• Crazy, Run-Loving, Race-Ogling Tina: Oh! Maybe I can do both!
• Logical Tina: Ummm…they are only two weeks apart.
• Crazy, Run-Loving, Race-Ogling Tina: I could take the first one easy. I would be doing my longest training run that week anyways. I think?
• Logical Tina: You’re crazy! Buuuttttt…you could always plan for the Savannah race and see how training goes and maybe do both? Oh, crap! Crazy Tina you’re getting to me!!!!

And so on. It doesn’t help when certain people send tweets like this…

See? The addiction has officially begun. I don’t know what to do, but at least I have time on my side!

I rounded out my day with a nice walk for more family time and a satisfying dinner. I whipped up a version Meghann’s Black Eyed Pea + Cornmeal Biscuits.

I followed the recipe almost exactly, except for using a frozen mixed veggie blend instead of fresh broccoli and corn. It was quite the hearty dinner. For some reason it upset my stomach, though. I started feeling very crampy and uncomfortable, so I laid low and relaxed the rest of the evening by catching up on some Desperate Housewives. Hey – I have to keep balance between kid and adult entertainment too! 😉

• How do you find balance to start your week off well?
• Can you relate to my Crazy/Logical Tina conundrum?

I faced a sad sight this morning.

One sad, lonely, small bar left. The last of the batch of Tropical Flax bars I made this past Friday. I shall miss you, dense bars of chewy, yummy goodness. Until I make more.

Speaking of which, I need to share this recipe with you all. It’s a good one!

Tropical Flax Bars

• 1/4 c honey
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 c rolled oats
• 1/2 c unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 c ground flaxseeds
• 1/2 c dried mango slices, chopped
• 1/2 c dried pineapple, chopped
• 1/4 c whole wheat pastry flour

Preheat oven to 350. Line a 8x8 baking dish with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Beat the eggs, honey, and salt until blended. In a food processor, combine the remaining ingredients.

Pulse until finely chopped and blended. Place mixture into a mixing bowl. Add the egg/honey mixture and stir to combine. Make sure the mixture is evenly moistened. Press into the baking dish in an even layer. Bake for 20 minutes, until the edges are browned. After cooling, remove bars in foil from pan and cut into 12 even pieces.

Now, it’s time to discuss this month’s progress check-in. As many of you know, I update my Body After Baby progress once a month so I can fully share this journey of getting back in shape and achieving my “happy place”. So far, slow and steady has certainly made this venture a successful one. On with the results!

[Month 2 photos on the left – Month 3 (recent) photos on the right]

FRONT:

SIDE:

For the real kicker – check out the changes since 1 week post-partum!

I don’t think I look too shabby. Three months post-baby or not. 😉

And here are the progress stat totals for my accountability and tracking purposes.

Each month reminds me of many important things to keep in mind while striving to reach these goals. This month did no different. On my 3rd week of this month, I didn’t have much progress according to the scale. Despite my lower weight loss, I knew I was making appropriate choices to reach my goals in a healthy manner. I refused to immediately freak out, think my efforts lacked, and try going overboard with restricting calories or adding more workouts. Those things all sounded tempting to keep progress going, but I knew that one week did not show the whole story. I needed to wait it out and trust my body.

Well, wouldn’t you know, trusting my body after that week meant resting for a few unplanned days thanks to getting sick. I decided to keep on keeping on how I could. I ate balanced meals, took it easy, and focused on getting healthy. When I weighed in for week 4, I had lost the most I have ever lost in a single week in this process. My body proved to me then and there that it knows what it’s doing. All I have to do is care for it with proper nutrition, challenging workouts, adequate rest, and self-love. Consistently doing those things will bring me results. Sure, it may not come as quickly as it could with more restriction, but I know the results will come. And they will last. And I will be happy going through the whole process.

I hope you continue to join me for the rest of the year! 🙂

• What lessons have you learned while working towards a physical goal?
• What is your favorite dried fruit? Pineapple! Hence, the tropical bars.

ETA: Please let me know if you have any specific questions about my “Body After Baby Progress”. I would love to do a Q & A post if there’s enough interest. 🙂