Welcome to my fitness blog. I've set this blog up to track my fitness journey.  I invite people to be a part of my journey through their comments and suggestions.

My entire life I have been active.  I was a competitive gymnast and swimmer.  At age 12, I had my first major surgery, a couple pins put in my elbow. That only slowed me down for a short time but as soon back to what I loved doing most, sports!  Then at 14 I had a total knee reconstruction on my left knee.  This put me down a bit longer but I resumed my sports as soon as could.  Two years later I had full reconstruction on my right knee.  My down time was even longer but I did resume my sports only for a short time till I was plagued with yet another injury on my right knee.  By the time I graduated High School I had undergone one elbow surgery and a total of four reconstruction surgeries on my knees.  My sporting days had concluded.  

Then, heading for college, I was no longer active in any competitive sports.  I lived the stereotypical college existence, gaining the Freshmen 15, studying, and learning about the world and people around me.  Occasionally playing an organized game of softball or coed football.  By this time I pretty much abandoned my sporty life.  I carried around a few extra pounds, ate and drank without a second thought.  I was on my way to being average, overweight and unhealthy.  

After college most of my time was spent on working and becoming a financially independent young women.    Since I had almost a non-existent social life I decided to go back to becoming fit. I  joined a gym and starting working out religiously.  this worked for me.  One of my goals was to complete a 10 mile run.  I trained hard.  I gave up drinking, eating fried foods, ran twice a day.  I completed the race averaging 8.5 minute mile.  I was happy and proud.  I was fit and proved to myself that even with my prior surgeries I could be active.

Eventually I met a wonderful man.  We had a magical dating period wining, dining and also going to the gym together.  We got married and had a beautiful baby girl.  After the birth of our daughter I was forced with the reality that my body no longer responded to what I used to do to get into shape and be fit.  I had to devote more time and energy than ever before to achieve half the fitness level I had in the pre-pregnancy time of my life.

Once again I started back at the gym, lost a few pounds toned up but pregnancy had really stretched out my middle.  It seemed like nothing I did would reshape my midsection the way it was and the way I wanted it to look. This was so discouraging. What I wasn't honest  about to myself with was with how much I ate and the bad food choices I made.  So all my hard work physically was being undermined by the poor eating.  As any parent can agree, taking care of your child requires lots of hard work, sleepless nights and quick fixes or reliefs.  One of those comforts for me was eating.  Once I acknowledged this to myself it seemed that I had more ammunition to say no to the bad food choices and be happy with the healthier alternatives without feeling cheated.

Pre and Post Birth Pictures