Reflecting on 2014 + 2015 Resolutions

Happy New Year's Eve!

To all you late-night crazy people, have a great time doing the New Year's countdown tonight! As for me, I will do my best to stay up until 10 pm.

Today I've been thinking about the past year and what lies ahead for 2015. It's been a crazy year, as usual it's gone by too fast, and we've made some great memories! Here are a few 2014 moments worth noting...

• March 3 - Mr. E celebrated his first birthday
• Apr 23 - 1 Year "Blogiversary"
• May 10 - Ran my first half marathon for Mother's Day
• May 19 - Celebrated 2 years of marriage
• June 21 - Ran our first race together as a family of 3
• August 9 - Survived my first year of being a stay-at-home mom
• Sept 27 - Placed 3rd in my age group at the Wild Hog Half 
• Sept 30 - Then we found out we're expecting Baby #2
• Nov 20 - Met our midwife and had our first appointment.
• Dec 28 - Made our first airplane trip with a toddler

I'm trying to remember what green grass looks like. Hope summer comes early this year :)

To follow-up on last year's 2014 resolutions post, here are a few reflections from this year:

Reflections from 2014

1. God's timing isn't my timing.

That is the main take-away that our TTC journey left me with. What I have planned for my life and what God has planned don't always line up, but His plan is always perfect. This year He has been teaching me many lessons in patience, seeking His direction first, and trusting that He knows exactly what I need.

I don't always understand His ways, but you can't beat God's timing!

2. Half marathons are just as fun.

It must have been my stubbornness that kept me from running a half marathon until this year. Six full marathons into my running adventures and I finally ran my first half marathon this spring! It was less stressful to train for, the medals are still pretty, and the race is just as fun as the full (and recovery is much faster!). I'm okay with running a half here and there, but that doesn't mean I'm giving up on the 26.2 now :)

Half marathons are fun. We like fun!

3. Pray first.

I have a track record of making a decision first and then praying about it after the fact.This year God has been showing me that everything works out and I am less stressed when I ask for His guidance before I say yes to a commitment or make a decision. Pray first, then act!

4. Toddlers are fun little monsters.

Since E entered toddlerhood, there has been a lot more attitude in our house and a lot more mess. I am really enjoying having a toddler because we can be active together (especially in the warm months) and he has so much personality! I love going for walks with him when he actually wants to hold my hand. Watching him explore the world and attempt his first conversations has been absolutely priceless.

5. Less is more.

This concept contradicts our consumer culture, but it's the truth - giving is more fun than getting. After reading the books Enough by Will Davis Jr. and The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn, we have been looking at ways of living on less and giving more to bless others in the name of Jesus Christ. I want to continue this process into the new year (and the rest of our lives) of determining what we really "need" and how we can help those who are in need.

...

And here are a few new resolutions for the upcoming year:

Resolutions for 2015

1. Pray specifically for our marriage and children.

One of my resolutions for 2014 was to be a "prayer warrior" and I am happy to say that I have grown more disciplined in my prayer life! For the coming year, I want to focus on being consistent in praying over our marriage and our children. Hannah's Intentional Prayer Series is a great prayer resource that walks you through specific prayers each month.

2. Keep up a running and strength training routine.

Throughout this pregnancy, I have been running a little less and strength training a little more compared to my first. Personally, I've found it works great for me! My goal is to continue running 4 days a week and strength training 2 days a week. After Baby #2 arrives, I'm taking my time to recover and then will be on the lookout for marathon #7! Any full marathon suggestions in the Midwest?

3. Set clear boundaries for our family.

As we continue to settle into this new hometown of ours, Leo and I are being intentional about not being involved in too many activities away from home. This culture puts such a value on "busy-ness" yet all it leads to is less time with family and a stressful, joyless life. No thank you! We are praying about what activities we choose to be involved in and being assertive in the decisions we make.

Our first flight as a family of 3!

4. Spend more time practicing piano.

Our new church-home gave us a piano this summer and now I'm playing on the worship team once a month. I prayed a lot about being able to learn all of these hymns and piano is coming back to me pretty quickly! Leo's grandma told me she would practice piano for 6 hours a day, split into three 2-hour sessions, when she was younger - like waking up early just to play piano! The only things I wake up early to do are my devotional time and running :) Maybe someday I will be that dedicated to piano... okay, probably not. Let's just shoot for practicing 30 minutes a day, if E and the new baby let me!

5. Schedule a regular date night with Leo.

Since E was born, our "date nights" have been scarce and sporadic. Whether we plan an "at-home date" after E's bedtime or actually get a babysitter for the evening, we really need to intentionally make time to be together. Hopefully we can get a date night plan rolling before Baby #2 arrives!

What are your plans for New Year's Eve?
Do you write down resolutions for each year?

I'm linking up with Jessica & Jill at the Fit Dish for the first time! Join the weekly Fit Dish link-up on Tuesdays! Also linking up with Fitness Friday.

Glad to Be Back + 17 Week Update

I am so glad to be home. Not in a car, not in a plane, just home.

Now if only I could get all of our west coast family to move back here with us...

Home sweet home

Our week-long trip to northern California started a bit rough when E came down with the flu the day before we left. On our way to the airport early Saturday morning, he threw up all over the carseat, himself and me. Despite our morning surprise, we did make it to the airport on time even after a wardrobe change and quick trip to Target!

E generously shared his flu with me (pregnancy and the flu just don't mix!)... and then Leo, Grandma, and Grandpa got sick, too. This trip has been interesting and we have learned a few lessons along the way!

#1 Lesson Learned: Pack extra carry-on clothes for the toddler AND for parents. E ended up being a wonderful little flier for us but he still wasn't completely over the flu. In between flights, he threw up again all over himself and me. He had extra clothes in my carry-on bag... I didn't :s

Happy to be flying!

#2 Lesson Learned: Always bring your running shoes in the carry-on bag. The airport lost my bag and our car seat for 3 days!? They seriously couldn't tell us where they ended up, yet Leo's bag did make it to the right place. Over those 36 hours, I missed my running shoes the most! We had a replacement car seat for the time being and who really needs makeup anyways. Now running shoes, you can't just replace those! After 36 hours, the airline found our stuff and we were able to pick it up.

So glad to have my shoes and Boston coat back!!!

#3 Lesson Learned: Chick-fil-A is so good! I went to Chick-fil-A (the airport version) for the first time ever yesterday. The chicken nuggets were delicious, though I did get heartburn later... Pregnancy makes me very heartburn-prone. This place makes awesome chicken and they have godly values - win, win!

Toddler-approved :) 

#4 Lesson Learned: Fit in vacation workouts as life allows. After the flu battle and losing my shoes, I wasn't out running much this week but I fit in mini-workouts when possible. Leo and I went on the most uncomfortable 3-miler ever. We left in what seemed like a gentle rain and returned in an ice storm! It's funny to look back on but wasn't very funny at the moment :)

Solo run on Christmas day

#5 Lesson Learned: Spending Christmas with family makes all of the traveling drama worth it! Our time with family this week was truly priceless. E even met his Great Grandma and Grandpa, his aunt and a few other cousins for the first time! Plus he learned two new words: grandma (pronounced "dama") and grandpa (pronounced "gampa"). That definitely makes our trip worth it!

Daddy's old stomping grounds

Pregnancy Week 17: Baby #2

We just got home at 1:30 that morning, so forgive my tiredness in this picture!

Baby's Size: Onion, average fetus size: 5.1 in, 5.9 oz.

Cravings: Breakfast food, especially eggs.

Aversions: Traveling!!!

Eating: Definite appetite increase this week. Maybe it doesn't help that it was Christmas and we had all kinds of good food around!

I'm Feeling: Much better since having the flu on Saturday evening and Sunday. I feel like it is taking my body a while to recover. I could feel Baby's kicking this week, especially while we were traveling in the car and in the airplane! I was surprised at how much he/she moves around - sometimes in my lower belly and sometimes already up in my ribs.

Sleep: Adjusting back to our time zone. I could use a lot more sleep!

Weight: Up 7 lbs. from pre-pregnancy weight.

My Prayer for Baby: "Lord, thank You for keeping us safe on our Christmas travels and for helping E to be so calm with all of these new experiences. Thank You for time with family and for the blessing of being able to travel. I pray that our family is an example in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity to all who we meet each day. Amen."

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 TIMOTHY 4:12

Last Week's Workouts:

Monday: Recovering from the flu. Car travel day.
Tuesday: Played outside in the beautiful northern CA weather! Still recovering from flu.
Wednesday: 3.07 miles outside with Leo, 9:17/mile. Got caught in an ice storm!?
Thursday: 3.1 miles outside, 9:46/mile. Beautiful, sunny and 30°F!
Friday: Brief lower body strength training before another car travel day.
Saturday: Lots of walking. Airplane travel day.
Total Mileage: 6.17 miles

Have you had the flu while traveling?
How was your Christmas?

Linking up at Mommy Moments.
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Staying Sane While Flying + Week 16 Update

Surprise, surprise. I've procrastinated packing most of this week and now Friday is here. This afternoon I am power-packing!

I am very excited to visit the in-laws though I'm not a huge fan of flying PLUS this will be little E's first airplane trip! I'm praying that our flights go smoothly and that we will stay semi-sane through these holiday travels. E has been throwing up this morning and I hope we can all be healthy by tomorrow morning and ready to fly...

The only plus about sick days: more cuddles!

Here are a few things I'm doing to make flying more enjoyable...

6 Sanity-Saving Airport Strategies:

• Keep Moving During Layovers - This is our active time to blow off the toddler's steam before sitting down on the flight again. During our 4 hour lay-over, we might as well do some jumping jacks, lunges and squats, too! I bet we'll even have time for a game of tag.
• Dress Comfy - I'm wearing semi-activewear for our big travel day so I can comfortably run around the airport with our son to blow off some of his energy and also sit/sleep on our longer flight. A sweatshirt and comfy jeans or pants are my ideal for travel. 
• Pack Snacks - We are packing plenty of toddler snacks for E: PB & J sandwiches, goldfish and raisins. Leo and I will both bring our empty water bottles and probably steal some of the toddler snacks, too. And don't forget that sippy cup!
• Bring Entertainment - For E, I'm packing a Color Wonder book and markers, a couple reading books, a small ball and a toy tractor to keep us busy during the waiting. Before having a kid, Leo and I used our travel-waiting time to talk, read books or I would write but now it's all about keeping the toddler busy!
• Nap During the Flight - If we run around enough during the lay-over, I'm hoping E will take a nap for most (or at least half) of our 4-hour flight! (Mom wouldn't mind a nap either)
• Bring "The" Blanket - Never forget the toddler's blanket. Might as well just go back home if we forget that blanket!

Pregnancy Week 16: Baby #2

E wanted to show his belly, too!

Baby's Size: Avocado, average fetus size: 4.5 in, 3.5 oz.

Cravings: Bring on the Chinese food... and eggs.

Aversions: Anything that's not related to Chinese food, eggs or oatmeal.

Eating: Hungry, like most pregnant women.

I'm Feeling: Really tired this week. We had our second baby appointment this week and it was wonderful to hear baby's heartbeat at a solid 160 bpm. I'm measuring 6 weeks ahead (21 weeks) right now and I'm antsy to have our ultrasound 4 weeks from now. Praying that everything is okay and maybe baby is just in a huge growth spurt!

Sleep: The same. I'm up once a night to head to the restroom and E is up crying some nights lately.

Weight: Up 7 lbs. from pre-pregnancy weight. Must be a growth spurt!?

My Prayer for Baby: "Lord, thank You for the blessing of hearing Baby's heartbeat this week! I pray that everything is fine with Baby's growth and that You give me peace as we wait for our ultrasound appointment. Thank You for blessing us with our children and I pray for their future spouses; that they will love the Lord, be caring and respectful. Amen."

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 JOHN 1:4

Last Week's Workouts:

Monday: 3 miles on the treadmill, 10:04/mile average. Feeling good but so tired.
Tuesday: G-Fit Workout of the Day.
Wednesday: 3 miles on the treadmill, 10:00/mile average. Starting to feel better!
Thursday: Ctollerun Dumbbell Workout: Upper Body
Friday: 3 miles on the treadmill, 10:01/mile watching "More Business of Being Born".
Saturday: 3 miles on the treadmill, 10:00/mile average.
Total Mileage: 12 miles

Do you have any toddler travel tips to share??

Linking up at Fitness Friday and Mommy Moments.
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Professional Fit Mom Series: Laura

This week, we are talking with Laura for the second interview in my "Professional Fit Mom" series! Laura is a mom of 2, holistic health coach, running coach and she also writes over at her blog, Mommy, Run Fast.

Laura from Mommy, Run Fast

Coaching & Training

Who or what inspired you to be a coach/trainer?
A friend told me I would make a great health coach, and I started looking into options and got excited about the idea. I added a running coach certificate as well, as it's another passion of mine!

How long have you been a coach/trainer?
In April, it will be two years.

What type of coaching/training do you do?
In my health coaching practice, I work with women to help them meet their health goals, overcome cravings or emotional eating and often lose weight. For runners, I create individualized training plans and guide them through their training.

What certification did it require to coach/train?
I went through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (I wrote a post on my experience here!) and did the RRCA running coach certificate program.

How many clients do you work with?
I take on about 10-15 health coach clients at a time (and usually talk or meet with them twice a month.)

How do you balance motherhood and coaching/training?
I'm lucky to have a really supportive husband! He works from home 2-3 days a week and I plan any daytime coaching calls around his schedule so he can help with the baby. My 4 year old is in preschool. I also work a few evenings each week after they're in bed. But it doesn't feel like work... I really love what I do!

What is your main goal when working with clients?
I try to teach clients about natural health and the importance of real food. Quality makes such a difference - you can lose weight and feel full and satisfied! With my run clients, I want to help them reach their goals and cross the finish line healthy and strong.

Where do you train clients?
I have a home office where I'll meet with clients, and I also do a lot of phone and Skype coaching.

Where would you like to see your practice in the future?
When both girls are in school, I'd like to grow my practice to 20-30 hours per week. I love making my own hours and being my own boss!

Personal Life

How many kids do you have?
2 girls- a 4 year old and 4 month old

How did your passion for fitness begin?
I've always been active and played sports, but in college I began running with friends and loved working toward a race and accomplishing a goal that I trained for!

What is your favorite workout?
Running is still my favorite workout but now I can also appreciate a good strength training workout- push ups and mountain climbers are some of my favorite efficient moves.

When do you fit in your time to exercise?
It has to be first thing in the morning or it doesn't happen! I get it done before the baby is awake and before my husband begins work.

What advice do you have for other moms who are considering becoming a coach/trainer?
Follow your passion! If it's something you love, it will be worth it. I often find myself "working" evenings or weekends because I love it- it doesn't feel like work! But it definitely takes commitment and hard work to get your own business up and running. Be ready to put in lots of time up front getting yourself established and know that it will pay off later.

Thank you, Laura, for taking the time to share your motherhood and coaching experience with us!

Linking up at Fitness Friday.

Favorite At-Home Workouts + Week 15 Update

Before E was born, I was a regular at the gym in our old hometown. I really enjoyed being around the people there and all of the equipment available. Now, since moving to a much smaller town and becoming a mom, I'm all about at-home workouts.

At-home workouts have really grown on me because 1. They are free, 2. There is such a variety available, and 3. No childcare required! My at-home "gym" consists of a treadmill, yoga mat and 2 10-lb. dumbbells.

Here are a few of my favorite strength workouts to do at home:

5 Favorite At-Home Workouts

• G-Fit Workout of the Day - Gina Aliotti shares great strength training workouts with videos.
• Ctollerun Training Tips - Olympian runner Carrie Tollefson shares runner-specific workouts with accompanying videos.
• CrossFit Home WOD's - Melissa at Fit N' Well Mommy has a variety of CrossFit circuits on her blog.
• Fit From Home - On the "Workouts" page of this blog, I share a variety of at-home-friendly workouts and also workouts to spice up treadmill runs.
• DIY Strength Training - This month, Runner's World shared tips for designing your own strength training program! Pick six exercises: two for each major muscle group (upper body, core, lower body), with one working the front side (ex. planks) and one the back side (ex. bridges). Do them two or three days per week. 

P.S. I have to share a picture of my new favorite sweatshirt! I won a drawing over at Winks & Eye Rolls for a $50 gift card to use at Motivated Tanks N Tees. Jo-Anne made this comfy custom sweatshirt for me with part of one of my favorite verses on it!

Hebrews 12 is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible! It does help that they mention running...

Pregnancy Week 15: Baby #2

Baby's Size: Naval Orange, average fetus size: 4.0 in, 2.5 oz.

Cravings: I'm still craving Chinese food and now oatmeal has been another favorite. The cravings seem to change each week!

Aversions: Most meats haven't looked so good lately... unless it's General Tso's chicken!

Eating: Nothing new here. I'm just hungry most of the time.

I'm Feeling: Tired but recovering from the sinus cold.

Sleep: E has been up again at night one or two times, but other than that I'm sleeping really well at night.

Weight: Up 5 lbs. from pre-pregnancy weight.

My Prayer for Baby: "Lord, thank You for helping me get over this sinus infection and get some rest! I pray that You are with baby as he/she is continuing to grow and develop and also be with E, preparing him for big brother-hood. Help my body to carry this body to full-term and listen to the cues when I need to rest! Thank You for caring so deeply for each of Your children that You have the hairs of our head all numbered! Amen."

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. MATTHEW 10:29-31

Last Week's Workouts:

Monday: Still sick with a sinus cold! Cut the run short. 2 miles on the treadmill, 10:00/mile average.
Tuesday: G-Fit Workout of the Day.
Wednesday: 3 miles on the treadmill, 10:00/mile average. Starting to feel better!
Thursday: G-Fit Workout of the Day. Shoulder presses, planks, and lunges, oh my!
Friday: 3.1 miles on the treadmill, 9:48/mile average.
Saturday: 4 miles on the treadmill, 10:00/mile average. Freezing rain outside... no thanks.
Total Mileage: 12.1 miles

If you plan on doing any baking this Christmas, I highly recommend these oatmeal chocolate chip cookies after a workout or whenever! These are so good and they disappeared quickly.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 1 stick butter
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 t. vanilla
• 1 cup quick oats
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 3 cups oatmeal
• 2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Beat the butter and sugars together until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in oatmeal and chocolate chips; mix well. Form dough into cookies and place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 12 minutes.

Do you workout mainly at home or at the gym?
Are you baking anything special this Christmas?

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Linking up at Mommy Moments and Mommy Meet-Up Mondays.

Professional Fit Mom Series: Becky

Welcome to my "Professional Fit Mom" series and our very first interviewee! This series is a look into the lives of women who balance motherhood and being a professional in the fitness industry. My motives behind this were somewhat selfish, as I am interested in pursing coaching or training myself. There is no better way to learn than to ask the women who are already there and active in the fitness industry!

---

I'm so excited to introduce you to Becky! She is the creator of Shape Her, a Christ-follower, wife and mother.

Shape Her: Faith, Family, Fitness

Coaching & Training

Who or what inspired you to be a coach/trainer?
I've always enjoyed exercise. I'm kind of a junkie. I like all types - running (short distances), weights, bootcamp, kickboxing, yoga, pilates, swimming....you name it! I created Shape Her to help encourage, equip and motivate women in their faith, family and fitness. I want to help women make the connect between their faith and their health. Remembering our body is a temple of His Spirit as Believers. I want to help women receive the tools they need to fight Satan's lies and attacks against their self worth and identity. I want them to find their worth in Christ, not the mirror!

How long have you been a coach/trainer?
Since August 2014

What type of coaching/training do you do?
I'm a Beachbody Coach, Online Consultant, online and in-person Trainer and currently studying to get my NCCPT Personal Training certification. With that, I'll do much more in-person training and local bootcamp classes as well.

What certification did it require to coach/train?
Nothing is required to be a Beachbody Coach. Anybody with a love for fitness can join the Beachbody team! All you need is a passion for helping others!

How many clients do you work with?
My client load averages about 40 women in a month's time. Lately, it's been a bit more as God continues to grow Shape Her!

How do you balance motherhood and coaching/training?
Great question! And something I work VERY hard at daily. I'm a Mom first! I don't have a desire - at this point in life - to be a full time working mom. Outside of my relationship with the Lord, my priority is my family and I work each day to keep it that way. I get up early, before my son wakes up, to do my daily Bible study and time with the Lord. Once that's done, I'll do a little work if time allows. Then, I try really hard not touch my phone, email, anything work related until my son's afternoon nap time. Certain days are busier during nap times and I'm working the entire time. Others, I set an alarm for myself to work for 1-1.5 hours and that's it. After all, there's still laundry to fold, food to cook, dishes to wash and toilets to clean - all before my son wakes up! :) Plus, just a little "me" time!! At night, once my son is asleep, I usually hop on my social media sites to scroll through and see if there's anything pressing and make a few likes or comments. But I don't stay on there long. That's the time set aside for my husband and I to just relax with each other and watch our current Netflix obsession! I'm not perfect in this area, but I'm learning my boundaries and limits and working to set them up to make me the best Mom and Wife I can be!

What is your main goal when working with clients?
To help them find victory. Victory in their faith - finding their worth in Christ. Victory in their health - honoring Christ with their body and giving them the tools to do so!

Where do you train clients?
I do the majority of my training and coaching online. I've just recently started seeing clients in my home gym too.

Where would you like to see your practice in the future?
My prayer for Shape Her is to continue to give God ALL the glory. It's not about me. It's all about Him. If He wants Shape Her to bloom into this large ministry, then I'm all for it. If not, I'm all for that to. I want HIS WILL to be done in this. I continue to lay the future of Shape Her in God's hands, asking Him to guide me each step of the way. I just want Shape Her to help change people's lives and point them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Personal Life

How many kids do you have?
One son who is 22 months old. He's amazing. I was made to be his Momma. I absolutely love it. :)

How did your passion for fitness begin?
I started exercising in High School. It started as a way to "get a six pack". Then in College turned into a way to put some muscle and definition on my petite/boyish frame. As an adult it's become much more than that. I have hereditarily high cholesterol which I keep in check with my diet and exercise, so keeping myself healthy is priority #1. I also enjoy the way I feel when I'm healthy and I want to be the healthiest me I can be for all that God has in store for me, and for my family!

What is your favorite workout?
Hands down - Les Mills Body Pump. I've done it for almost 5 years now and LOVE it. I like to call it my "soul mate workout". :) It's an hour long class using a bar with weights and it works every single muscle group - head to toe. I do Body Pump in a class setting at the gym and at home too. I've never before seen the change in my body like I have with Body Pump. I do Body Pump twice a week. I've also got to say, I really enjoy kickboxing as well. Les Mills Combat is a great kickboxing workout. When I started doing kickboxing almost 10 years ago, I saw major changes in my legs, booty, core and shoulders from all the punches and kicks! (Both Body Pump and Combat are Beachbody products so I own them at home too!)

When do you fit in your time to exercise?
First, I plan it out. I pick the days I'm working out and what I'll do on those days, early in the week. That way, there's no backing out or last minute decision making. I know what's on tap for the day and I go do it. When my son was younger and napping more during the day, I dedicated his first nap of the day to my workout. I'd workout in my garage. Now that he's older and napping once in the afternoon, we utilize a local gym with childcare in the mornings. Before I had my son, and I worked a full time job, I still planned it out. I took my gym bag with me and went straight to the gym after work on my planned days. My husband knew what those nights were and knew supper would be on the table, just not as quick as other nights. I'd even get some (less sweat intensive) workouts done during my lunch break!

What advice do you have for other moms who are considering becoming a coach/trainer?
Pray about it. Ask the Lord what His plan for you and your family is. Talk to your husband. If God gives you the go ahead, and your hubby is on board, then DO IT! I've never regretted it one minute. You set your own pace, schedule and own it all so it's as intense or minimal as you want it to be. It's a fun way to make a little extra money since you're passionate about it. But by far, it's the most amazing thing to watch God use you in ways to impact others. People you might not even know! That's my favorite thing by far. Check me out on Instagram @shape_her to follow me! And contact me any time to chat about becoming a Beachbody Coach or becoming a client of mine!

Thank you, Becky, for taking the time to share your experience with coaching and training!

Linking up at Fitness Friday and Mommy Moments.

Baby #2: 14 Weeks

Second trimester, we have arrived!

The bummer is that I've been sick most of the week with a sore throat, stuffed up head, headache + tired combo that just continues to linger over the days.

This week I made homemade the easiest no-cook playdough ever for E and it actually turned out really well! E played with it for about 20 minutes straight and wanted to play with it again at lunch. He drove his tractor all over his playdough and then wanted to thoroughly wash it with the dish scrubber afterwards (he wanted to wash tractors like daddy!).

A toy tractor and homemade playdough brought nearly a solid hour of toddler entertainment!

Playdough farming! 

With this pregnancy, I have been very sensitive to smells and have been getting headaches a lot (being sick probably didn't help either). After contemplating for quite a while, Leo and I finally decided to try essential oils. They came in the mail this week and the oils have helped so much for my headaches!

Peppermint in the diffuser was the most helpful for helping my cold and PanAway has been my favorite for topical use.

I was skeptical about using essential oils but now I'm thankful we got them! The house smells good and my headaches are relieved without taking any medication.

Pregnancy Week 14: Baby #2

Cravings: I needed really really wanted General Tso's chicken this week. On Friday, we went on a Panda Buffet date with my brother, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, Leo and little man. They had so many different kinds of chicken - General Tso's, pineapple, sesame. I definitely want to go back more often!

So good.

Aversions: Whatever is for lunch or supper. Breakfast is always fine by me, but anything besides Chinese food for the other meals really turned my stomach. (I don't remember being this fickle with Baby #1!!!)

Eating: Nothing new here. I'm hungry and smaller meals plus snacking throughout the day is what works.

I'm Feeling: Exhausted. Being sick has left me feeling really worn down all week. Guess this is my body's way of saying "take it easy"!

Sleep: I'm ready to pass out by 9:00 pm most nights and wake up for a bathroom trip at least once a night. I remember the whole bathroom-trip-thing starting a lot later with my first pregnancy.

Physical Changes: Not much besides my growing belly and my not-so-great skin. My skin makes me feel like I'm a teenager again! Thank you, hormones.

Weight: Up 5 lbs. from pre-pregnancy weight.

My Prayer for Baby: "Lord, thank You for bringing us into the second trimester and for the miracle of growing this Baby. I pray that our children will display the fruit of the Spirit in their lives and that Leo and I will be role models of this fruit. Thank You for all of the developments Baby and E are going through this week and for the time we have together as a family. Continue to be with our Baby as he or she is developing and with E as he is continuing to develop in toddler-hood. Thank You, God, for the gift of these children and for the honor of being a mother! Amen."

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. GALATIANS 5:22-23

Last Week's Workouts:

Monday: Upper body strength training with dumbbells and a 5-minute lower body circuit.
Tuesday: 3.1 miles on the treadmill, 9:40/mile average.
Wednesday: Sick but managed to fit in some upper-body strength training. Right ankle is sore :s
Thursday: 3 miles on the treadmill, 10:00/mile average. Feeling pretty rough still.
Friday: Intermediate pregnancy strength training x 3
Saturday: 4 miles outside with Leo and the dog at 10:06/mile. Icy and cool, but nice to be out!
Total Mileage: 10.1 miles

Thanksgiving Flashback: E was so excited to get hockey skates from Grandma and Grandpa for early Christmas! Now we just need to get out on the ice when it's above 20°F...

What is your favorite Chinese dish?
Have you used essential oils before?

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Linking up at Mommy Moments.

Hydrating Body & Soul

Hydration is probably one of the most popular topics I read about in the running world and it's popularity is well-earned. Drinking enough fluids is key to running well and, actually, staying alive!

The average person will be able to survive only 3 to 5 days without water (source). Normal levels of dehydration will make a runner feel uncomfortable and cause them to slow down (source). Dehydration is even more dangerous in pregnancy because it can lead to serious complications including premature labor (source).

How much water should you drink each day? There are a few different theories for how much water we should drink. For one, Runner's World shared the below formulas for calculating the water intake for moderately active males and females. That leaves me drinking about 40 oz. of water a day.

Male Drinking Requirement, in fluid ounces:
Body Weight x .35

Female Drinking Requirement, in fluid ounces:
Body Weight x .31

Now the American Pregnancy Association that recommends drinking 8 to 12 glasses of water a day. With either perspective, that's a lot of water! I do my best to drag my water bottle with me everywhere as a reminder to drink water during the day - otherwise I seriously forget. A lot of water means a lot of trips to the bathroom... including in the middle of the night. Those night-time bathroom trips didn't happen in my first pregnancy until the third trimester!

Morning prayer time with my water and the Living Water!

So what is my point of all this hydration babbling? Water is not just important for our bodies - it's essential.

In John 7, Jesus refers to Himself as our source of water - that means He's essential to our lives! When we fill our souls up with Jesus, the Holy Spirit flows from our lives into the lives of those we are around. That means we can share the joy, peace, patience and love we receive from the Holy Spirit with other people.

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” JOHN 7:37-38

Every day we have a choice to drink from numerous different sources, but only One source satisfies our thirst for Living Water. We can try to fill ourselves with material things, people, ungodly TV shows or whatever it is that "feels right" at that moment. Problem is, they won't quench our thirst. They are all a cheap alternative and temporary solution to fill the thirst God created within us. God made us to thirst for a relationship with Himself, Jesus and the Holy Spirit!

As I was sipping on water during my prayer time this morning, I was thinking about the cheap alternatives in this world. After my time with God, I hit the treadmill for some slow pregnant-lady-running and, even though I only run for 30 minutes these days, I sip my water throughout the run. Pregnancy makes me super thirsty! What if, instead of drinking water on my run, I drank coffee?

Attempting to fill my soul with material things is like drinking that cup of coffee on my morning 3-miler.

Filling an emotional void with food is like drinking eggnog during a marathon.

Putting my worth in what others think of me is like drinking soy sauce in a 5k.

Those alternatives go down, but they come with consequences and will not satisfy my thirst. Nothing else will fill me with life. Everything is a cheap alternative compared to Jesus - our Living Water.

Filling ourselves with Jesus means spending time with God each day and believing in Him. It means reading the Scriptures and keeping it on our hearts. Being filled with Jesus means sharing the love of Christ with others because it is overflowing from our own souls.

How much water do you drink in a day? Have specific goals?
How do you fill your soul during the day?

Linking up at Mommy Moments and Fitness Friday.

Meeting Our Midwife & 12/13 Weeks

We met our midwife last week for my 12 week appointment and it was so great to meet her in person! I had contacted her back when we first started trying for Baby #2 in October 2013 and she was so helpful to answer my questions, even if it was over Facebook messaging. (See, there are a few good things about Facebook!)

One of my biggest concerns was that she wouldn't work with us since E was born at 35 weeks. Because he was born without any complications, having a homebirth is an option for us this time around. He is our miracle baby! The doctors were shocked that our "preemie" would score a 9/9 on his Apgars. All the glory goes to God!

Why We Chose a Homebirth This Time

• It's a better fit for me personally. Homebirths are not for everyone and I totally understand that! I'm most comfortable with having our baby at home in a more relaxed environment.
• Water birth is an option. This wasn't a possibility in the hospital where we had E and I was really hoping for a water birth. Even sitting in the tub at home helped immensely with the contractions!
• Our midwife is there for support. She is a great listener and we are on the same page with our faith, thoughts on natural birth and doing our best for this baby. This is a huge improvement from pregnancy #1! If this baby does decide to come early, she will accompany us to the hospital, too. Even early in this pregnancy, the extra support has made such a difference. 
• Less push of interventions. The hospital did respect my decision to have a natural birth with E, but my doctor and nurse were a bit skeptical of our decision. They offered a couple more times just in case I changed my mind. In our hospital, it was the norm to have interventions but homebirths are focused on a more natural pain management/birthing approach.
• We can take our time. If labor goes longer than it did with E, it's okay! As long as I am progressing, we can take our time and not be on a "deadline" to have baby. Despite being 5 weeks "ahead of schedule" with E (and we didn't make it to the hospital until I was 8 cm dilated!), our doctor still wanted to hurry the birth along.

Our midwife gave me "The Christian Childbirth Handbook" last week and it has proven to be an awesome read so far. The book covers a wide range of topics from God's design for pregnancy and childbirth, nutrition and exercise recommendations, birth planning, pain coping strategies, information on labor options, caring for your newborn and so much more information.

"Only God creates, but He has chosen you to co-create another human being with Him. In essence for nine months you and your baby are one body. Wow, what a miracle you are chosen by God for, sharing this miracle of creation with Him." Jan Tritten, founder and editor of Midwifery Today.

Want more information on natural childbirth? Check out the Business of Being Born (you can even find the whole video on Youtube)!

Pregnancy Week 12/13: Baby #2

Cravings: I could eat egg salad on toast every day and popcorn maybe every other day.

Aversions: The thought of cooking certain foods makes me nauseous.

Eating: Eating small meals and snacks throughout the day.

I'm Feeling: My energy level was on the rebound but I've been on a streak of a couple sick days again! And here I thought I was in the clear.

Sleep: I'm doing my best to wake up early for time in prayer and then to run before the family is up. E has been having a hard time with teething so I've been up with him at night. Guess I'm just practicing for having a newborn again!

Physical Changes: My belly is growing like crazy. Our midwife pointed out that my uterus is already up to my belly button! Wow... things are moving so much faster this time around. Something I noticed yesterday is that my blushing has returned. I blush pretty easily anyways, but when I'm pregnant I blush over everything! It's kind of embarrassing sometimes!

Weight: Up 4 lbs. from pre-pregnancy weight.

My Prayer for Baby: "Lord, thank You for this Baby and the joy of sharing our news with family and friends. Guide Baby's development as his/her digestive system is developing this week. I pray that our children are protected against allergies. Give our children compassionate hearts and a Christ-like attitude towards family and everyone they meet. Thank You for the blessing of being a mom to E and our little one #2 and for giving me such a supportive husband! Amen."

When He [Jesus] saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. MATTHEW 9:36

Last Week's Workouts:

Monday: 3.15 miles on the treadmill, 9:31/mile average.
Tuesday: Gina Aliotti Pregnancy Circuit Training: Intermediate x 3.
Wednesday: 3.25 miles in the wind/snow with the dog, 10:00/mile average.
Thursday: Off. Zero energy, sick stomach and a big ole headache.
Friday: 3.1 miles on the treadmill, 9:40/mile average, plus strength training.
Saturday: 4.13 miles outside with Saul (dog), 9:41/mile average.
Total Mileage: 13.63 miles

Have you seen the movie, "Business of Being Born"?
What are your plans for Thanksgiving?!

Linking up at Mommy Moments.

Why Winter Is Awesome

Winter gets really long in these parts and can be a drag some days. For this week's Fitness Friday, here are a few positive points on this season that takes up half of our year!

5 Things That Make Winter Awesome

1. Running in the Snow.
(Notice I didn't include wind or sub-zero temps in that subhead) Peaceful, snowy mornings are actually quite beautiful. The unplowed roads even have an extra leg-strengthening effect. On the days I can force myself outside in the early morning, the dog and I both get a good run in. He needs his exercise, too!

I wear a reflective vest; Saul has reflective eye balls.

2. Seasonal Flavors.
E and I shared a delicious pumpkin smoothie this week. SO GOOD plus it's on the healthy side. Basically anything pumpkin-flavored sounds wonderful right now.Can't wait for the Thanksgiving treats next week!

Our pumpkin-y smoothie mess.

3. Family Time.
We love our families - both the Minnesotans and the Californians. It gets even better because our families also love food! Check out that buffet!?

My sis-in-law displaying the showcase of foods at last year's Christmas lunch.

4. Planning Future Races.
Thinking out goals for next year's running and racing keeps the winter moving along. My "races" scheduled for 2015 are Baby #2 being born around June 6th and maybe a half marathon in the fall.

Sorry Fargo, Lord-willing, I will be super pregnant and probably not running that far in early May!

Maybe 2016?

5. Cozying Up Indoors.
Cold weather means that when we actually do make it outside, E is exhausted by the time we get back in and we both need to warm up! In theory, this should mean more cuddle time. Then again, he is a toddler and far too busy for mommy cuddles most of the day.

This is what happens when he tries to skip naptime. 

What is your favorite part of winter?
Any races planned for 2015?

Linking up at Fitness Friday.

Battling Fears in Pregnancy + 11 Week Update

My guess is that about 99.9% of pregnant women battle some sort of fear(s) during their pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a scary time because you can do all the "right" things yet there are so many factors out of your control. Week 12 is coming up soon and this is the time when many announce their pregnancy due to the decreased risk of miscarriage.

Though I feel more peace in knowing that the second trimester is near, fears still come up in my mind. In fact, I know Satan whispers lies to me about what could happen and he does his best to distract me from enjoying this pregnancy.

Here are a few fears Satan throws my way...

• What if we lose our baby later in the pregnancy?
• What if baby has developmental issues?
• What if baby arrives premature? (this is one that comes up often for me)
• What if I have a horrible delivery?
• What if I gain a ridiculously huge amount of weight this time?

Fears are going to come up, it's just a part of life. What I remind myself is that fear is not from God. No matter what happens, God is there and He will get our family through the good and the bad (He always has!).

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 TIMOTHY 1:7 (NLT)

When a fear or anxious knot in your stomach shows up, see it as a prompt to pray. I know those "what if's" will keep coming up, but now I pray and give my worries to God before they have a chance to drag me down. God does care about the big and the little worries in our lives. I find peace in knowing that He loves my children and my husband even more than I do! Don't allow fear to keep you from enjoying this moment of your life with the people around you!

"Fear is stopping us from the things we are meant to be doing, the things God means for us to accomplish." The Chase Study by Jennie Allen

Pregnancy Week 11: Baby #2

You can hardly see a bump in that coat! I'm wearing my Boston coat out running as much as I can because it doesn't fit when I'm a.) pregnant or b.) breastfeeding.

Cravings: Nothing in particular this week.

Aversions: Cooking venison. That smell was just not good!

Eating: Eating little meals or snacks throughout the day. Making healthy choices (most of the time) when I do snack!

I'm Feeling: Tired, but much better.

Sleep: I can do without the power nap during the day now, but I'm usually pretty wiped by 9 pm.

Physical Changes: The belly has definitely popped. I bought some yoga pants that look like dress pants at JC Penney's last week and those are wonderful. Wearing my usual button pants puts an annoying amount of pressure on my uterus. I'm totally okay with yoga pants and my maternity jeans!

Weight: Up 4 lbs. from pre-pregnancy weight.

My Prayer for Baby: "Lord, thank You for giving me strength to get things done throughout the day even when I am lacking in energy. Guide baby's developing tooth buds and sense of smell this week! I pray that our children will be blessed with good, healthy teeth. Thank You for baby's amazing developments this week and for E's developments, too. Give me peace with all of the changes going on right now and comfort in know that You love my baby and are guiding the development according to Your plans. Amen."

To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
in You I trust, O my God. PSALM 25:1-2

Last Week's Workouts:

Monday: 3.1 miles on the treadmill, 9:40/mile average.
Tuesday: Full body AMRAP from Fit N' Cookies.
Wednesday: 3.18 on the treadmill, 9:26/mile average.
Thursday: Upper body and lower body circuits from Ctollerun.
Friday: 3.1 miles on the treadmill, 9:40/mile average.
Saturday: 4 miles outside with Leo, 9:41/mile average.
Total Mileage: 13.38 miles

This Saturday, Leo and I went on a "date run" and we warmed up with some "prancercising" (if you don't know what that is, you need to watch this video!).

With the windy 10°F temps, a solid warm-up of prancercising was much needed. Notice our flashy orange outfits - we're still in peak hunting season here, wouldn't want to be mistaken for a deer!

Leo is possibly the best prancersicer I've ever seen...

What pregnancy fears have you/did you struggle with? - Baby arriving prematurely.
Have you ever tried prancercising?! - I spent most of my childhood doing that!

Linking up at Mommy Moments.

Friday Favorites - 11/14

It's been feeling like winter this week! I woke up this morning and was contemplating going out for a run with the dog. The temp was at 5°F above and I opted for the treadmill - I'm just not ready for cold running yet! E and I made it outside to play for only 15 minutes this week on one of the "warmer" days (+20°F).

Hope you are staying warm! Here are my favorites for this Fitness Friday...

5 Blessings This Week

Snow. I really enjoy winter for the first few months. It's around March or April that I really get sick of the snow and cold! As for now, thank God for snow! It's beautiful and E looks like a cute little snowman when he's all bundled up :)

Determining My Value. In my Bible study we are going through a book called "Chase" by Jennie Allen and it teaches on chasing after the heart of God. We talk about all that we are chasing in this world that doesn't satisfy because nothing is more satisfying than God.

This paragraph is such a freeing truth. God gives us His value - it's not something we can earn! My worth isn't found in a high "self-esteem", in how many races I run, or my job. It's all God and I'm thankful for that because He is solid and unchanging.

The Chase Study

Snail Mail (That Isn't a Bill!). This week I got a package from the Wild Hog Half Marathon that I ran back in September. They sent me a coaster for placing in the top of my age group!

Problem is, it was a 1st place coaster and I finished 3rd. I emailed the race director so we could send it to the rightful owner. They said they sent it to me because the 1st and 2nd place women already had coasters for placing in the female division.

A sympathy prize? I'll take it! I edited the placing with a Sharpie and was thankful I didn't have to re-mail it anywhere (no thanks, $2.00 postage). Getting that coaster in the mail was encouraging because, despite not being in the huge pregnancy stages, I feel like I'm running at a snail's pace these days. The nausea has mostly disappeared but my energy level is still tanked.

Our Announcement. I'm almost done with our Christmas card design for this year and designed a quick image to announce Baby #2, too! We haven't shared this pregnancy with "Facebook-land" yet though most of our friends and family already know. It's fun to make a cute picture involving Mr. E! As I'm coming up on week 12 of the pregnancy, next week we're sharing this:

Mr. E's last Christmas as an only child!

Winter Baking. Cold weather means it's time to bake more. A warm oven does make the house feel a bit more cozy! These peanut butter cookies are quick to make and a favorite in our house!

Easiest-Ever Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

• 1 cup peanut butter (chunky or creamy)
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 t. vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1 cup quick oats

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Mix ingredients in medium bowl. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes and then remove from cookie sheet while still warm.

5 Steps to Something Amazing

This pin is definitely worth sharing. I'm making chocolate peanut butter sandwiches for Christmas! Quick steps and only a few ingredients - just my style.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Sandwiches
View pin here.

How do you maintain sanity through the winter months?
Do you have any baking planned for Thanksgiving or Christmas?

Linking up at Fitness Friday.

Baby #2: 10 Weeks

This weekend is deer hunting opener in our part of the country so I chose to hit the treadmill instead of running outside with the stroller. You never know where a stray bullet could end up and I'm super cautious when little man is with me! Even though it's National Stroller Running Day, I opted for the treadmill this morning.

My re-organized "home gym". 

I usually just listen to music while running but decided to get crazy today and watch a grown-up movie. I watched "Run for Your Life", the story of Fred Lebow (founder of the NYC Marathon), for approximately one mile and then little man woke up. After he woke up, the movie choice changed from running-related to Veggie Tales Sweet Pea Beauty. Give E his milk, a breakfast muffin and some Veggie Tales and he's as content as could be.

Yesterday I made some banana carrot spice breakfast muffins for the guys because I knew I wouldn't want to wake up early to make them pre-hunting breakfast. Wendy at New Moms Talk sent me this recipe and it was easily adaptable to whatever special ingredients you have in the house. I added 2 bananas, 1 cup shredded carrot, one cup oats, 1 tsp. nutmeg and 1 tsp. cinnamon to the recipe.

Banana Carrot Spice Muffins

I'm usually not too pumped about deer hunting because it means Leo is gone again, but today has been a great day. Lots of pancakes with a wonderful family this morning, girls' time at a local craft show, and Leo even shot a 5-point buck this afternoon! I hope that means he's done hunting now for the year :)

Pregnancy Week 10: Baby #2

Cravings: Mott's fruit snacks, breaded chicken, avocado, toast, eggs.

Aversions: I'm finally able to enjoy a cup of coffee again as long as it includes creamer or half n' half. Nothing specific is making me sick this week!

Eating: Hungry, as usual. Eating small meals and snacking is my approach lately. A sandwich of chicken, avocado and spinach on whole wheat toast has been my absolute favorite! I could eat that for lunch every day...

The best sandwich ever.

I'm Feeling: Tired, but the nausea is gone! I feel so much more relaxed with this pregnancy. I haven't had any negative comments related to pregnancy this time around - opposite from pregnancy #1! I got so much negative advice with E's pregnancy. The "just you wait 'til" comments were really discouraging and totally unhelpful!

Sleep: Sometimes I still fall asleep while E is napping in the afternoon. I've been waking up to run at 5:15/5:30 some mornings but I'm not able to do that consistently without being totally exhausted by the end of the day. 6:00 am is the time for me.

Physical Changes: Belly is growing gradually and I can tell my body is gearing up for breastfeeding again (already?!).

Weight: Up 2 lbs. from pre-pregnancy weight.

My Prayer for Baby: "Lord, I thank you for our children and the gift of motherhood. I pray for Baby's development this week and that you bless our children with the ability to memorize Your Word. I pray that they will keep it close to their heart all of their lives. When I feel tempted to worry about this pregnancy and Baby's development, guide me back to Your Word and prayer. Amen."

I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. PSALM 119:11

Last Week's Workouts:

Monday: 3.32 windy miles with the jogging stroller and the dog.
Tuesday: CrossFit At-Home Workout #17 from Fit N' Well Mommy.
Wednesday: 3.15 on the treadmill.
Thursday: Upper body and lower body circuits from Ctollerun.
Friday: 3.16 miles on the treadmill.
Saturday: 4.24 miles on the treadmill.
Total Mileage: 13.87

E was cruisin' with some babes at Pop-In & Playtime on Friday. That playtime is really my favorite part of Fridays! Mom gets to drink coffee (plus pumpkin spice creamer!) and visit while E runs off to play with a million toys (for about 2 seconds per toy).

Have you taken on any baking projects this week? - Muffins!
Are you a hunting fanatic? - Leo is, I just cook/eat whatever he brings home.

Linking up at Mommy Moments.

National Stroller Running Day: BOB Ironman Review

This Saturday is the first ever National Stroller Running Day! Thank you to Mom's Little Running Buddy and Run Stroller Run for organizing this event.

To celebrate, I'm heading out with little man in our BOB Ironman for a few miles in this cold and windy fall weather! The jogging stroller truly is a running mom's best friend.

Enter the #StrollerRun14 giveaway here!

We bought our stroller on the Black Friday sale before E was born in Spring 2013 and I really should have kept track of the mileage on this baby. (Call me crazy, but this was our first baby-related purchase.)

This stroller has logged many miles through snow, rain, wind and even the occasional sunny day!

It's carried little man through two 5k's and a 10k. He even won two of the races! When running with a stroller, the baby always wins since he crosses the finish line first :)

The BOB Ironman has been keeping E happy since he was just a little guy.

And it still manages to put him to sleep even as a toddler.

My Review of the BOB Ironman

I have been using our BOB Ironman jogging stroller for the last 18 months and have absolutely nothing negative to say about it! After putting on considerable miles, the stroller is still working just as well as it did on the first run.

Here are a few of my favorite features of the BOB Ironman:

This stroller is lightweight. Perfect for racing, training runs or an everyday stroll. It is very easy to fold up for packing in the car and the wheels are easily removable, too.

The weather shield is a must for cold weather runners. Once September hit, I have been using the weather shield on most of my runs. It's great for running in weather cooler than 65°F and keeps baby comfortable even while mom is struggling to push the stroller through the wind/snow/rain. Over the winter, I was able to take E out in the stroller if it was 20°F or above (which was rare!).

Long visor blocks sun and wind. Your child is protected from wind and the sun while running plus the stroller has a sun roof. The sun roof makes it easy to check on my son without stopping the run.

Storage in bottom basket and back of stroller. The storage space is perfect for hauling extra snacks, clothing, blankies, toys and mom's water bottle.

Now that the Lord has blessed us with Baby #2 on the way, I will be checking the Black Friday sales once again for a double stroller as awesome as this one. Also, check out my past post on Tips for Running with a Jogging Stroller!

What kind of stroller do you run with?
Any recommendations for a double stroller?

Linking up with National Stroller Running Day, Fitness Fridays and Mommy Moments..