Multitasking Mommy — A Boston career mom's adventures in stay-at-home mommyhood

#FitFriday — Oh the Shame

February 12, 2010

I didn’t even write a #FitFriday post last week, which is so sad and pathetic. I was at Blissdom, so I kind of had an excuse, but still… the half-marathon doesn’t care about my travel schedule.

Any way, last week was kind of pathetic, workout-wise. I did run twice at Blissdom, but couldn’t get motivated on the treadmill, and the exercise room was warm, and downright hot after 5 minutes of running. So, I did two miles, two times, which was just lame. But I did get in my long run this week, 8.5 miles outdoors, and this Sunday is a 10 mile long run. So wish me luck!

As for Your Shape? I was only able to do it a few times. I love the game, but it isn’t exactly portable or travel sized. So I did a few of the exercises that I remembered while traveling, specifically the upright rows (with weights in the fitness center) and the planks (ugh, the planks…).

While at Blissdom, I had the chance to talk to a nutritionist at the Arnold Breads booth. We discussed my weight loss plans as well as my fitness plan, and I feel really confident in my approach. She recommended a healthy, filling breakfast each morning (whole wheat toast with peanut butter and yogurt, also egg whites if I choose), and strongly suggested I add more protein to my diet. I’m on track to lose 10 lbs total, at about .5 lb per week. So far, for the last three weeks, I’ve been down .5 lb per week!

Next week, I’ll be at the Mom 2.0 Summit in Houston, but hope to workout AND post!

The Your Shape Challenge is sponsored by Ubisoft & Collective Bias, and the nutritionist was sponsored by Arnold Breads.

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Moms, Remember Yourselves

February 11, 2010

Like many people, there have been times of my life where I’ve had a bit of hypochondria. In my mind, a swollen gland could be lymphoma, a headache could be a brain tumor, arm numbness could be MS, and stomach pain could be appendicitis. I have a mole on my chest that I’ve had checked by two different doctors. But since becoming a mom, I’ve been so busy, I’ve mellowed out. And, I know I’m healthy, and always get physicals, and check-ups.

On Tuesday, I went to my new dermatologist’s office for an acne follow-up (as I’ve mentioned before, I’ve suffered from adult acne since having my son). As I lay on the table, and the doctor examined my face, she quickly turned her attention to my chest. She asked if she could examine a dark mole, and then measured it. “That’s coming out”, she said, and then she left to get my prescriptions.

She returned with the surgeon of the office, and the two of them looked at the mole, while having a discussion. I heard, “Oh yeah, definitely abnormal”, “Punch or incision?”, “Incision, because if it comes back cancerous, we’d have to go back in”.

Excuse me? Cancerous?

This isn’t a pity post. I’m fairly certain it won’t come back cancerous – my doctor doesn’t think it is. I’m lucky. Lucky because I happened to be wearing a lower cut shirt. Lucky my doctor happened to see it. Lucky I was even there. I did have a full dermatology check last year with my prior doctor, and I’d even pointed out that mole, but he said it was normal.

Instead, this is a reminder to get yourself checked. It’s so easy to avoid, or postpone, because we’re all so busy. But just one simple check can keep you healthy!

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The Good, The Bad, and The Downright Odd at Blissdom

February 8, 2010

Wow, it’s been a whole day and a half since Blissdom ended and I can’t believe I haven’t gotten my recap up yet. Usually, I’m blogging while I’m still there, but I was so busy absorbing everything I learned that I didn’t even have a chance to write! Here are the good, the bad, and the downright odd things that happened at Blissdom.

The Good

Umm… is it fair to say the whole thing? I just loved the small size of the conference, the location (the Gaylord Opryland which is just amazing), the speakers… just everything!
The Tastemaker Challenge, which was SO.MUCH.FUN. None of us knew what to expect, but the party was an absolute blast, and the challenge was loads of fun.
Running into Mindi right when I got there, and having the chance to catch up over a drink and a bite to eat. Then Jo-Lynne joined us, and it was so great to get to know her better.
Getting to know a few people better – such as my roommate Melanie, Disney Mom Darcie, Caitlin from Mabel’s Labels, Sandy, Erin (and many others)…
Meeting some new people, including those I’ve followed on Twitter.
The sessions, especially the Professional Blogger panel, which was one of the best panels I’ve attended thus far.
Seeing the Boston Contingent – Jill (who thankfully won the trip a week before the conference), Christine, Audrey, and Christy.
The Smokyeyes CoverGirl event was a blast!

The Bad

The truth is, there wasn’t anything bad about the conference itself. The level of swag and sponsorship was absolutely perfect and so appropriate.
…but, I definitely missed a few of my favorite bloggers, including Ciaran, Whitney, Colleen, and Julie (from Mabel’s, who had to cancel at the last minute).

The Downright Odd

Our conference was past the big Tea Party conference that was going on at the Gaylord Opryland, and this gentleman dressed like…. Ben Franklin? Paul Revere? made me feel right at home. I felt like I was at Faneuil Hall. Moving on….
After the conference was over, Jill, Caitlin, and I had a great dinner at the sushi bar right in the resort. But for some reason, the waitress decided to read us the entire three page menu. It was one of the weirdest experiences….

Thanks to the US Potato Board for sponsoring me (and the entire Tastemaker team) to Blissdom! I had a fabulous time!

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A Blogging Identity Crisis

February 1, 2010

This has been bubbling around in my brain for a while, but I finally decided to write about it.

I’ll admit, I’m having a blogging identity crisis.

When Chris & I started Mom’s Favorite Stuff, we wanted to write about products that are mom must-haves. We didn’t expect free product samples, and didn’t get them right away, but once we did, they flowed constantly (and still d0). I love doing product reviews and certainly can and do decline product samples. MFS gets lots of traffic, makes some good revenue, and in general, what I’ve been known for.

But lately, this blog has started getting more attention. With things like the Your Shape challenge, I’ve wanted to post on this blog, because it’s more of a personal challenge. And, with the Genesis Today event? I posted on MFS, but probably should have put it over here.

I don’t know what fits where, and I don’t know what people expect to see.

Help?

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#FitFriday (or errr…. Saturday)

January 30, 2010

So, I missed my usual #fitfriday posting day, but I had a good excuse. I was flying in from the Genesis Today blogger immersion event in Austin, TX.

Without further ado, here’s my progress…

Your Shape

Sunday – 45 minutes leg strength

Monday – 15 minutes bikini ready workout, 30 minutes arms burn

I missed the other days, as I was out of town, and honestly, I missed this game. It’s fun, and the time goes by quickly. I am hoping to do it a few times before I leave for Blissdom on Thursday. I’m noticing progress too – which makes me want to do it even more.

Running

Saturday – 4 mile run

Tuesday – 10k run

Thursday – 4 mile run (this was a BIG step for me, as I was in Austin and passed up spa treatments to run)

Tomorrow is my longest run yet – 9 miles. I’m hoping I can do it outside, as I really need the outdoor training. I also have to get a run in while in Nashville for Blissdom.

Disclosure: My Your Shape challenge is sponsored by Collective Bias and Ubisoft

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Some Call it February: I Like to Call It Tripapalooza

January 24, 2010

Remember when I quit my job because things got so busy it sent my house in a tailspin? Oh yeah. Well, this month, or really, seven-week period, is likely to send things into a tailspin again. But in a good way.

Starting tomorrow, when I am one of the panelists (and in fabulous company) for the Publicity Club of New England’s Meet the Bloggers program. Technically, this is in Boston, just a short drive from home, but of course as Murphy’s Law works, it also happens to coincide with my husband’s basketball league night. We’re still in search of a babysitter, but he assures me he’ll miss the game if necessary.

Later in the week, I’m headed out to Austin, where I’ve been chosen as a panelist for the “Genesis of a Great Idea” social media contest (this trip is sponsored and I’ll be compensated). I am obsessed with the Genesis Today juices and so I’m so excited to learn more about the company.

On Sunday, I’m hosting a Suave Party. Suave is supplying us with food and drink, and my hair stylist will be here to style our hair. My daughter is already figuring out how we will rearrange the furniture.

Then, later that week, I’m off to Nashville for Blissdom! I’m going as one of the #Tastemakers with the US Potato Board, and our final challenge is Friday night.

Breathe….

Later in the month, I’m traveling to Houston for the Mom 2.0 Summit, and then finally, in March, I’m off to Disney World to run the Princess Half-Marathon.

Oh yeah – in between all of this, I’m supposed to be running almost every day…

Wish me luck!

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#fitfriday, and Why I’m the Queen of Peanut Butter

January 22, 2010

Week #1 of the Your Shape Challenge has come and gone, and I’m up in weight instead of down. Wwwwhat??

Okay, no dwelling, time to move on and do better this week. I worked out harder this week and watched what I ate more closely. Since last week was my birthday, I did manage to eat some cake and a massive birthday dinner that may have contributed to the gain. More on the weight thing later.

Here’s how I did with fitness:

Running

Saturday – 4 miles (run/walk)

Sunday - 7 miles (run/walk)

Tuesday – 4 miles (run/walk)

Wednesday – 2 miles (run)

Thursday – 3.25 miles (run/walk)

I know I need to walk less (I shouldn’t walk at all on any run less than 5 miles, but overall, I think I’m sticking to my plan).

Your Shape

Monday – 45 mins arm burn

Wednesday – 45 mins arm strength

Thursday – 15 mins bikini ready

Friday – 15 mins bikini ready, 30 mins ab strength

I’m still so impressed with the type of workout I get with Your Shape, and am especially finding the arms exercises to be difficult (ouch – pushups!). In most cases, the camera catches my movements, but there have been times when I think I’m really doing it right and yet it doesn’t seem to register my arms.

Now, about that peanut butter….

After losing quite a bit of weight in 2008, I gained weight in 2009. The weird thing is that at first, I seemed to be gaining muscle, as my clothes still fit great. But then at some point, my new “skinny” clothes no longer fit, and I was back in my heavier clothes. I couldn’t figure out why, because I’d actually increased my exercising. I mean, I also had increased my eating, but I figured it was proportional with the amount of calories I was burning.

One day last summer, I was in Whole Foods when I happened upon this amazing food…

peanut-butter Chocolate peanut butter from Whole Foods, and its (not pictured) friend White Chocolate peanut butter, which is even more delicious.

Look at it there, looking so delicious and innocent, hiding in a Whole Foods container. It looks so fresh and healthy doesn’t it?

I’ve been eating this stuff by the gallon, thinking that peanut butter is such a good source of protein. It must be good for my new running habit, right?

Last week, I checked out the nutritional value of peanut butter. Turns out, a serving of this stuff is 2 Tablespoons! OMG! I’ve been eating like 10, daily. And the fat? OMG, I don’t even want to think about it. Basically, it’s been like having an IV of Ensure running through my veins. While I’ve been trying to get fit, my body thinks I’m about to audition for the title role in Bridget Jones’ Diary Three.

So, while I’m not tossing the peanut butter (after all, my son loves it, and it’s not his fault I’m such a pig), I’m only taking one serving out of the jar, putting the jar away, and eating slowly. And so far, it’s working.

Let’s hope I at least lose one pound this week.

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Wordless Wednesday: Copy Editing is SO Overrated

January 20, 2010

On my new treadmill…. right at the spot that I’m looking at for hours per day…

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My 30s Are Flying By….

January 17, 2010

and I’m a little bit scared….

I had a birthday on Friday, and I generally don’t panic about those things – after all, you age a day on your birthday, just like any other day.

It was something that happened earlier that week that scared me a bit.

I was shopping, and I heard the song “Hook” by Blues Traveler. Remember that one…

Suck it in, suck it in, suck it in
If you’re Rin Tin Tin or Anne Boleyn
Make a desperate move or else you’ll win
And then begin to see
What you’re doing to me
This MTV is not for free
It’s so PC it’s killing me
So desperately I sing to thee of love
Sure but also rage and hate and pain and fear of self
And I can’t keep these feelings on the shelf
I’ve tried, well, no, in fact I lied
Could be financial suicide
But I’ve got too much pride inside ….

And, I remembered being in college, driving to the mall with my friends during a rare study break, listening to that song and singing out loud. We were going to dinner at a pizza place at the mall, before doing some shopping. I remember it, like it was YESTERDAY.

It was 1996 – 14 years ago!

Fourteen years ago, I didn’t even know my husband. My children, who are the most important people in the world to me, didn’t exist. My entire life was different.

But me? Not so different. This week, I sang along to that song just like I did in 1996.

And then I thought about this… in fourteen years, when I hear “I Gotta Feelin’” by Black Eyed Peas, I’ll be singing along, remembering the beginning of the Expedition Everest 5K when we all sang and danced to it.

And I’ll be 50! 50!!!!

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Fit Friday (#fitfriday)

January 15, 2010

Check out Fit Friday, weekly here at Multitasking Mommy, where I’ll update my progress on running and the Your Shape Challenge!

Running

Well, the second treadmill that I ordered arrived on Wednesday (the first one is still MIA, and I disputed the charge with American Express). The kids were home on Wednesday, so I only had the chance to run for a mile, to check out how it works.

Yesterday, I wanted to run 4 miles, but was still struggling. Not only am I out of practice, but running on the treadmill is going to take a little getting used to. I’m committed to running for the next four days in a row though!

#yourshape

I did the Your Shape four days this week – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. I’m impressed with how many calories I burn with it -something I attribute to how high my heart rate gets since the exercises require that my arms are above my heart for most of the time.

I focused on each of the major body parts for each workout – legs, arms, abs, and chest, and did 45 minutes each time, with the exception of abs (where I did 30 minutes). The beginning of each workout is the same, lots of cardio – getting the heart rate up, etc. Then, there’s some focus on the selected area. Before working out, the game asks what equipment you have on hand, and since I have arm weights, it incorporates those weights in my routine.

I’ve been sore every morning, so I think it’s working!

Come back next Friday to see how this upcoming week goes!

Disclosure: I’m participating in a three month sponsored challenge with the Your Shape game.

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I Can’t Believe I Didn’t Tell This Story In It’s Entirety

January 14, 2010

Remember when I hated the awful, terrible twos? The threes? Are much, much worse.

I know I briefly alluded to this back in December, but we had a “behavioral incident” last month.

My kids go to daycare twice a week – the same daycare where they went back when I worked full time. Since I still do work, in some capacity, I decided to keep them in school. I could have gone with a standard preschool, but this is where they grew up, and they are comfortable there, and have friends there. My daughter’s in Pre-K, and my son is in preschool.

So, on a Wednesday, it was school picture day. It happened that the pictures were going to be taken right during gymnastics. I made the decision to skip out on the photos, and just do the class. But then, the director offered to move around the schedule a bit so that both of them could take their pictures. All I had to do was bring the two of them for their individual and joint pictures, and my son’s class picture, then go to gymnastics, then back for my daughter’s class picture. It was a dumb decision in retrospect. But it was my decision.

We hurried around getting ready in the morning, and then I got my daughter dressed. She’s a total ham, and had a full Christmas outfit – a dress, tights, shoes, barrettes, etc. She looked beautiful. I pulled my son’s outfit together – jeans and a sweater – and he refused to get dressed. Finally, we had to leave. Since it was a warm day, I decided to keep him in his t-shirt and underwear (he grabbed a ski cap on the way out) and carry him to the car (with the picture clothes packed in a bag).

But guess what? When we got to school, he still refused to wear the clothes. He watched my daughter take her picture, then his class take their group picture, and still wouldn’t wear clothes. Finally, when we were almost late for gymnastics, he agreed to put on his gymnastics clothes.

On gymnastics days, I let my kids have a special treat if they are good – a donut each at Dunkin Donuts. So, because my son refused to wear clothes, he got no donut. When we left gymnastics, he asked for a donut, and I told him no. I stuck to it, even though I felt bad, because that’s the only way he’ll learn.

Well, he threw a full temper tantrum. It went on for over 20 minutes, where he stood, screaming in the parking lot of gymnastics. He wouldn’t let me pick him up. He wouldn’t let me put him in the car. He just screamed and screamed and screamed.

With our tight schedule, those were 20 minutes I couldn’t afford to lose, so my daughter missed out on being in her class picture. Once she figured that out, she had a temper tantrum. I drove home with both of them screaming in the car. I was shaking – I knew that although I hadn’t lost my cool, somehow I did something wrong with this situation. How could one gentle, sweet, little three year old boy go so crazy-insane over jeans and a sweater?

It was a good thing I had the Disney Moms Panel training trip that weekend, because I needed that break.

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#yourshape Challenge

January 10, 2010

For the next three months, I’m participating in a fitness challenge sponsored by Collective Bias! I’ll using the Your Shape game by Ubisoft for the Wii, as well as running!

The Your Shape game features Jenny McCarthy, and includes the Wii game as well as a small camera. The camera captures your moves, and puts them on the screen right along Jenny. As you work out, you get real-time feedback about how you are doing. I did the initial fitness evaluation, and got a B!

My fellow challengers are: