Feeling A Little Stretched...

So here I am, writing on my deck...listening to birds chirping, the sun setting in my eyes and my kids are fast asleep.the perfect evening. my fav hoodie, slippers and hubby gone for the evening...which means I am alone. It's peaceful and calm...almost overwhelming, as today was another crazy day in the life of me. This is the first time I have been able to sit all. day. long. and I love it!!!
Nothing particular sort of day...just life sort of busy, a 'mom' sort of busy. Today was filled with grocery shopping, making hamburger patties with 10 lbs of ground beef, portioning out a ton of meat to get ready for bbq season with family size portions, Buddy's snack day, carpool, stain removal, cutting both kids hair and taking them to the park... to mention a few things that happened. And my house isn't neat and tidy like I would like it to be...and it'll just have to wait until tomorrow...after babe's needle and after moms play date in the park...and there may be another 'after' yet but we'll have to wait and see how it goes!
I have been trying to make a balance of physical, spiritual, mental stretching along with all the have-to's in my daily list.I mentioned when I began this blog back in March, that I was trying to get in shape and I was planning to celebrate my efforts in the end of May, which is now. I think this is something that most of us feel we need to try at though it sure can lead to much frustration along the way. Or maybe others don't feel this way, but I sure do. I am always working out in some form but once in a while, I want to change things up. I love aerobics, Pilates, power walking, chasing the kids or trying out a new workout video. As I was downstairs 8 weeks ago, I was saddened by the dust on my treadmill. I bought it for my winter pregnancies and since I'm not 'in a family way', it's been left in the dust.(no pun intended) So my new workout has been running which I have found out is not my thing. But since Kris loves to run, he has encouraged me to keep at it for a little longer...and I'm so happy I have. I've been able to walk and run intermittently, closing the gap on the walking and increasing the speed and incline at each interval. I lost 4 pounds after 4 weeks and have been frustrated that this waking up at 6:10 each morning to do something I dread, would show no more results than that though I've been working harder each time. I decided to measure myself today on my 4 problem areas and ...I have lost 9 inches in total. I was SHOCKED! My clothes have felt much looser but I thought I was just toning...I guess I was!
I am not saying that running is for everyone...cuz I do it kicking and screaming but I am so happy that finally after much hard work, after having three kids, I can stretch myself back to health. The best part of this though is that I can be 'the busy mommy' and chase my kids and just not feel so tired all. day. long!!!