Sew & Tell: healthy living

A month and a half ago, I shared a bit about my personal journey - as I am a WIP. This past week, I have hit a few more milestones / completed a few goals - - - so what better time to share that with you than another WIP Wednesday?!

May 31, 2014 I completed my last run for the couch-to-5k training program - and 9 weeks prior I was sure I wanted to attempt it, but not so sure about my success.

That day, I ran 4.28 miles (not the 3.1 (5k) plus warm up / cool down "required" by the program). One friend kindly pointed out "you realize you ran more than a 5k, right?!" :) Yes! Was it purposeful? Partially..... I had plans to run at least the 5k - maybe a bit more. But I also drove and parked my car just outside of town and then ran through our small city - and got a bit farther away from my car than I realized - - - so I had no choice, I had to run back to it!

The feeling of accomplishment - it's empowering! I was NOT a runner 9 weeks ago. I hated it. I was making HUGE strides in my fitness goals - - - using awesome HIIT workouts / strength training..... but running? Yah, right.

But when others tell me "yah, right" I see it as a challenge - so I finally decided it was time to see my own doubt as a challenge.

After that run, I immediately downloaded a 10k run training app. Did I ever think I'd be attempting to run 10k? NOPE.... but I didn't think I could / would care to run a 5k either!

Yes... that's the same shirt (and kiddo mess) in each photo!

This weekend is my birthday and I'm SO excited to be celebrating it by running the Graffiti 5k with some friends and family (my first "official" run!) - then spending the rest of the weekend surrounded by those I love. It's the perfect way to celebrate another year in the books - and the last 5 months of HARD work!

I'm not done.... not at all. I never will be. As I accomplish my goals, I set new ones. One I've got on the books right now is attempting to find a better balance - again. This commitment to fitness and health is taking a ton of focus and, well... time. My sewing machine has been severely neglected - and really, that's okay.... but I am starting to miss it - so it's time to re-focus and put together a strategy to be able to do it all! :)

Still a WIP..... but celebrating the wins along the way!

Oh..... and because you're probably confused and thinking "I thought I was following the blog of a fabric addict / sewing mama!?" - check out these pretty fabrics my friend Alyssa from Calm and Carrion sent me the other day! So sweet! Riley Blake, Blend, Anthology... yum! I count these as a WIP too because I think they'll look really pretty all sewn up together - - - so I'm going to add them to my "fun" sewing list!

Linking up with WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced - hoping to draw some inspiration and motivation from what everyone else is working on! :)

Thanks to my sewing machine deciding to freak out and stop working on Monday (read: now I'm sewing on my "backup" machine) and today being a BIG day the focus of my WIP Wednesday today is going to be slightly different.

Because I am a WIP.

We all are, really.... but today is a big day in the "Kim as a WIP" world. Today is Day 90 of my Bikini Body Mommy 90 day challenge. I promise this is not a sponsored post. I promise I AM the girl who HATES running and puts exercise / eating well / making time for ME last. But that has changed.

This photo below.... it freaks me out. It makes me uncomfortable. The day 1 photo? It's almost like that nightmare where you're giving a speech and you're naked.

Bikini Body Mommy 90 day challenge success

I am a WIP.

90 days ago - January 17, 2014 - a friend of mine posted about a "killer 8 minutes" of a workout she was giving a try. I asked about it - and joined a group on Facebook - and thought I would give it a go. The first day of this challenge is a fit test - 8 minutes.... psh - I could handle 8 minutes!

Holy moly.

50 seconds of activity, 10 seconds rest - immediately move to the next activity.

Speed Squats, High Knees, Push Ups, Jump Squats, Tricep Dips, Burpees, Alternating Lunges, Elbow Plank (hold as long as possible - could be more than 50 seconds).

On day 1 I wasn't sure what each of those exercises was.... but I learned. Quickly.

Today is day 90. 90 days of a 6-days-a-week workout routine. Alternating strength days and cardio days (though she is NOT joking anyone - the strength days are awesome cardio, too - and the cardio days are building strength!)

Over the last 90 days I have gained strength, courage, confidence, and respect for myself. I have become accountable. I have modeled healthy choices - food and exercise - to my kiddos. I have battled through TOUGH workouts and "yah, right!" moments. I did not miss a workout. Not one. Not when we were on a 9-day vacation.... not when life was crazy (when isn't it?!). Not when I thought "ugh, I just don't WANT to!".

I did all this with an awesome hubby by my side - pushing himself through the workouts, too!

By the numbers:
Speed squats: 39 / 37 (though I KNOW that my squats were ALL full squats on day 90 - huge difference!)

High knees: 107 / 120

Push ups: 30 (knees) / 30 (full!!!!) - this one is a HUGE accomplishment for me. I have not done more than a few full push-ups since high school when I hurt my shoulder. To have strengthened my body enough that I can now do them - and a BUNCH of them is a HUGE win!

Jump squats: 27 / 34

Tricep dips: 18 / 25

Burpees: 9 / 12

Alternating lunges: 19 / 24

Elbow Plank: 54 seconds / 1:12

Weight: -5.5lbs (I gained in the 90 days, then lost it all and more)

But I am STILL a work in progress.

Completing this challenge is not the finish line - not even close. This is just the beginning and a wonderful example to myself that I CAN do whatever I put my mind to (especially when surrounded by people who are pushing through with me!).

For anyone who is curious about this challenge you should definitely check out Briana's website / facebook page / youtube videos. The workouts are FREE. The videos?! You'll see her sweating and struggling and having to modify and kicking BUTT! I have tried a few workouts... and a few diets, etc. This one just clicked for me! Oh.... and BBM 2.0 starts May 5th! I'll be participating - and have recruited a bunch of friends who are excited about it thanks to that "hard to post" photo near the beginning of the post!

So..... I am a WIP - but I am proud of my progress so far. Oh.... and I don't know that I can say "I HATE running" anymore..... shhhhhh, don't tell!

Cell phone selfie (a friend of mine and I sent them to each other after every workout for accountability) - smiling after a run?! What?!

In case you're stressing out because you feel like none of this has to do with quilting / sewing / my creative life.... a) it does! Last night I purposefully ran before working so that I could be energized and ready to go... and b) here are a few sewing WIPs on my table! :)