This story is a little bit of a winded one but aren't they all?

My entire (young) life I was in some sort of sport, dance, basketball, gymnastics, oh gymnastics was my thing. I honestly don't remember a time when I wasn't in SOME sort of sport. Being fit was just something that happened. Now I wasn't ever the "skinny" girl or anything like that but I never felt out of shape or anything of the sort growing up. I always felt pretty confident and I know it was because I was so active that it never dawned on me to really worry.

BECAUSE I was so active, paying attention to my eating habits was never an issue. Gymnastics was my sport, sure I did other sports but I lived and breathed gymnastics once I got a little older. Being in the gym 3 nights a week for roughly 3 hours and then roughly 4 hours on Saturdays, also figure in private lessons which were an hour or so on other nights of the week and THEN on top of that meets. My eating habits were just NEVER a worry, which once I got older was something that really plagued me.

I did gymnastics until I was in high school, then once I quit competitive, I continued private lessons with a coach of mine. I was about 16 by the time I quit the sport, and any other sport, completely. At that age I had never truly learned what it meant to really take care of my body. I was always working out so when I was hungry I ate whatever it was that I wanted. This pattern continued. I ate what I wanted when I wanted and never gave it a thought.

It hit hard when I quit and I didn't even truly realize it.

The weight started adding up and having always had an okay body image I didn’t really pay too much attention it. Working out, running, fitness were just not my thing. I always visioned myself as a gymnast, nothing else. Once that chapter of my life was over, that was it, I even had moments where I was so discouraged that I convinced myself that this was it, this was what I truly looked like and felt like, that there was nothing I could do to change anything.

I graduated high school, started college and realized that something needed to change. I just didn't feel good, I was always tired. Eating never really crossed my mind honestly (and I worked at Subway, go figure)... I started doing workouts at home, in my bedroom every single day. I lost weight, not a lot but it worked enough to make me mildly happy.

Then I got bored and stopped. That was the trend from then until after I had Oliver, so for about 7 years I went in and out of training, not training and everything that came along with it.

Fast forward to 2014 after Oliver was born. I wasn't in the best shape prior to getting pregnant and I made sure that I didn't limit myself on anything food related during that pregnancy. After Oliver was born something changed and I realized I needed to get myself into shape, not only for me but for my son. The little note to the entire thing is that looking back I took it to a really unhealthy extreme, I was dealing with pretty intense postpartum depression. I worked out like crazy, I ate as healthily as possible. I took every chance I could to get out of the house and get to the gym, away from my family from everything to work on myself. I lost the weight pretty fast, I was in incredible shape but I wasn't really entirely happy. I loved my son, I loved my family but I wasn't happy. It took a long time for me to really come around and realize that just because I was a wife and a mother didn't mean that I wasn't also my own person. My entire life, my DREAM job was to be a Mom so it never dawned on me, in the moment, that I could be dealing with something so intense. it still seems a little off putting that for someone who wanted to be a Mom so bad, that I could be plagued with postpartum depression (totally different topic but still, it can happen to anyone and there shouldn't be ANY shame in that!!!!! I wish I would have realized it at the time and dealt with it because my oldest sons first six months are so foggy to me because of this!)

Moving along to my second pregnancy, totally different experience. Maybe it was because I had a toddler or because I was aware of what was to come but I was much more in tune with my body and my mental and physical health. I stayed in shape, I was healthier, I didn't gain as much weight... Charlie stayed inside quite a bit longer, about 50% longer than Oliver did! The delivery was much more enjoyable and I was with it the entire time. I love both my boys more than life but I can tell there was such a difference mentally for me between each pregnancy and delivery.

I realized after Charlie was born that I was no longer working out for myself, I was no longer getting fit for myself but for them as well. I realized it was going to be tough and I was willing to do that. Instead of working out outside of the home, I started using the Sworkit App, I worked out at home, joined a few Facebook groups geared to at home working out/eating healthy challenges. I was present and I was getting stronger.

THIS TIME IT STUCK.

There hasn't been that drop off, that boredom I dealt with for YEARS just never crept back up. I can't fully explain it, something clicked and I didn't question it.

Charlie is going to be 3 in July and I can honestly say that I have been actively working on myself emotionally and physically since the day that he was born.

I have been running for the past 2 years, consistently for the first time in my life.

I'm committed, my mind is clear and I am willing to put in the work.

This journey has taken me at least twelve years. 

TWELVE

YEARS

So when someone comes to me with a pitch about a miracle pill, drink or wrap I will politely decline the offer because it is so much more than that. Health and wellness isn’t something that you get form a "quick fix" it's a journey that we all have to go on; maybe we don't all get there the same way and that's okay but what's NOT okay is tricking each other into thinking that it CAN be easy because IT'S NOT. It's hard, it's emotional, it's the hardest damned (sorry but it's true) thing in the world. We have to come to terms with who we are, what we want and work our A** off to get there.

I did participated in the ADVOCARE 24 day Challenge after Oliver was born, yes, but bottom line, that was WAY more MEAL PLANNING based than anything. I also did the Whole30 Diet after Charlie was born, this was 100% meal based, no supplements or anything of the sort at all and honestly, I didn't lose any weight but I did learn a TON about food and learned what I wanted and didn't want to put in my body.

My tried and true method has always been:

I cut soda, added a butt load of water and I drink my coffee black. I track my calories using My Fitness Pal (add me, I like new friends @mmlarose)... I workout daily, I run, I crosstrain (looking at you Sworkit) and I do anything I can to be active.

2006 vs. 2018...

***THIS IS MY PERSONAL OPINION AND WHAT HAS WORKED FOR ME. I DO NOT PRETEND TO THINK THIS IS THE ONE AND ONLY METHOD TO HEALTH AND FITNESS. EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN JOURNEY, THIS IS JUST MINE***

*CHEERS*

So it's been a while since I have written here. I honestly just felt a little overwhelmed with some stuff going on and just didn't have the drive to keep up with intriguing and quality content, instead of writing just to put something out I figured taking a break would be the best thing to do.

So much has happened the past couple months and I can't wait to catch everyone up and rekindle my love for writing in this space at the same time!

The last time we checked in I was in training for a half marathon, the Vine to Wine Half on September 9th! I originally was planning on a Full Marathon, however an injury occurred so I decided it best to take it a little slower and only go for the 13.1 this year!

The Vine to Wine has come and gone and I wanted to share my experience with everyone here!

My husband and I decided that we were going to stay overnight the night before in the town that the race was being held, Greenville IL (we are in the St. Louis, MO area). It was a little over an hour away and I was afraid of being super stiff the morning of had we chosen to drive in race day.

The race offered a 10% discount at a local hotel for all race runners, it was a very reasonably priced hotel and with the discount it was even better. I was quite happy with where we stayed, however I wish they had had a little bit of a nicer workout room (I had planned to run a mile or two when we showed up to the hotel before going to pick up our packets, however only one of two treadmills was working and a lady was already occupying the one, so I wasn't able to get in any run).

We checked in and hung out at the hotel for a little while. My husband attempted to nap and I went down to the pool, put on the BibRave podcast and just sat with my feet in the pool and listening to that weeks podcast!

A little before dinner time we headed over to the winery (The Family Vine), where the race was going to be held, to pick up our packets. We also sat outside, indulged in a couple beverages and ate dinner. My husbands brother and his wife were also running in the 5k and chose to join us that evening to stay the night and met us for dinner and drinks as well!

We headed back to the hotel and settled in for the night. I sat out all of my gear and took the obligatory #flatmelissa photo for Instagram.

I slept pretty well that night and was ready to get up and get going when my alarm went off on race day. I woke up, got dressed, made some coffee and headed down to the continental breakfast. I grabbed half a bagel with some cream cheese. I was struggling in the bathroom department and had hopes that I would be able to go before the race at the winery, this did not happen and had some major effects on my running.

We met up with a couple of our other friends, who were also running the half, who drove in that morning, at the winery. I will say this race was super nice because it was probably one of the smallest races I've ever run in. I liked how the starting line wasn't crowded and we were able to get right up front and not feel crowded.

Countdown commenced and we were off. The first few miles went quite well, the course was gorgeous and we were under nice shade. I was feeling quite strong at the beginning and had every intention of PRing that day.

Around mile 6 everything sort of fell apart. My bathroom issues came back to haunt me, the heat started setting in and we were no longer running under any shade. To top it off the course was quite hilly and I just hate hills and have always stunk at running them, I'm attempting to work on this so courses like this don't defeat me.

Either way I clocked in at 2:44:27 which was in no way close to my goal or my half PR.

I felt defeated about mile 10 and knew I wasn't going to be back by my predicted time so I shot a text to my husband just letting him know that other than feeling poopy everything was fine, it was just going to take me a while longer. He was extremely supportive and sweet, bringing me to tears on the course. I was sure to thank him for being so supportive and caring in that moment, because it was what helped me finish the race!

Crossing that finish line has never felt better, I was so glad it was over and also so proud of myself for completing the race!

After the race we got our wine glasses and wine tasting and hung out for a bit. We all decided to go and get some lunch at a local Mexican restaurant and then headed on back home.

All in all I would say the weekend was successful and the race was very well organized and the course was gorgeous. The only problem was with myself and my inability to get past certain elements of the race and my own body. I am very proud to have finished and to have also stuck with a training plan, hitting all of my long runs and making it a priority instead of pushing it off like I have always done in the past!

I have many more races coming up this Fall and have already began planning out my 2018 races. I'll be getting into all of that in another post!

Well I think that about sums up my Vine to Wine experience and I would highly suggest checking it out if you're in the Midwest and looking for a nicely ran and lower key half marathon to run!

(All photos credited to my husband and brother-in-law)

I hope everyone has a great Monday and hope to see you back here next time!

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So I talk a lot about training, about fitness and about running.

What I don't talk a lot about is they why behind it all.

Today I want to share that with you, honestly I apologize that it has taken this long.

I run for many reasons.

One being it gets me out of the house, gets me that much needed alone time.

I stay at home with my boys all day, every day. 

I love this job, I love being with them every step of the way when they're this little.

However this doesn't mean that I don't need some me time squeezed in between all the hugs, cuddles and tantrums that ensue throughout the day.

I love that I have a husband that understands this, a husband who gets it and who is encouraging.

He is really great at saying, "Go, take some time, just run." When he can tell I'm about to lose my mind.

There are times where I feel extremely guilty for going out on a run, leaving my family to fend for themselves during that time I am away.

Then I step back and have to realize that what I am doing is benefiting them in ways beyond measure. Keeping myself grounded, stress free and happy is going to help me to be a better Mother and Wife to those who depend on me to be so.

Two being health.

This may seem obvious but I wasn't always a runner.

In fact I was the furthest thing from being a runner just about two years ago.

Sure I ran a couple races years ago, and did a handful of 5k's and bootcamps but nothing ever really stuck.

It wasn't until my second son was born that I really got into this lifestyle.

I knew that I needed to be healthy and that I needed to do something to get myself into shape, not only for myself but for my family as well.

Let's face it, I want to be around as long as I possible can for them.

I never planned on running, it just sort of happened and I became enthralled with the lifestyle.

I love knowing that what I am doing is not only giving me an outlet for my stress but it is also helping me stay fit and healthy at the same time.

Three being the community of runners.

This community is one that I would have never even thought of being there, however they are ever present, ever encouraging and ever helpful.

I love interacting on all social media platforms with every runner I can find.

I love listening to all the running podcasts, in particular BibRave right now.

It's incredible the resources for any question I may have, and I have never once been made to feel inadequate with anything I have inquired about.

This community supports one another so incredibly, in a sport where you may think is a one person game.

Bottom line, I love to run.

I love that this sport has taken me in and swept me up in it.

I love that it doesn't matter how old I was when I fell in love with it, running doesn't care the way many other sports do.

I love the simplicity of it, the pure raw nature of it.

The beauty of it.

This is why I run.

My posts about training have been few and far between lately, due to an injury to my left knee that has left me extremely discouraged and aggravated. I went to see a physical therapist and she said my knee cap was just not tracking right but rather slipping over to the right when it wasn't supposed to be. She gave me some exercises to help strengthen the muscles that will hopefully pull it back in track, which I have been doing and it has definitely been helping and I've been able to run but I just haven't been pushing myself too hard or sticking to my full marathon training plan. I really don't want to push myself too far and end up hurting myself worse.

Running, ironically, doesn't hurt my knee at all. The only time I feel pain is going up and down stairs, even squats don't hurt. It's by far the weirdest knee pain I've ever experienced. I just don't want to push my knee and end up hurting it from running too long of distances.

My initial goal was to complete my first full marathon late September. However I have made the difficult decision to put that goal off until next April and run the Go! St. Louis full. I do have the Vine to Wine Half Marathon early in September so I am going to focus on speed work and getting a faster half time. The race is 14 weeks away and I have found a 12 week plan (well actually I found 3 and am going to be creating one that makes sense for me). I am going to give myself these next two weeks to run at my leisure, take care of myself and just hope that my knee recovers fully in that period of time.

I am going to continue to do my exercises, twice a day and make sure to avoid activities that cause my knee to flare up, by recommendation of my physical therapist, since the paid is caused my weak muscles I just need to focus on strengthening them for the time being!

To say that this was a hard decision would be an understatement. Since beginning my serious journey in running a year ago I feel as though every time I get really serious about a plan something happens and side lines me for weeks at a time. Last year it was my foot and earlier in this training cycle my IT Band was causing issues (this has fully gone away as I have done way more stretching to help that). I know injuries are a part of the game, I know it's just my bodies way of telling me to pay attention to what I am doing and what it needs, but it's just really frustrating to not be able to do the one thing that I want to do more than anything. Running is a release for me, it's a way to just shut everything else out and be with myself for an hour or so.

If anyone has had this same issue I would love to hear your story and if you have any suggestions on exercises you think I should try out, I'm all ears!! The more recommendations the better!!

So for now my training is halted, hopefully to be picked back up fully in a couple weeks and once that happens I'll share updates and my journey through a completely different type of training plan, way more based on speed work than distance!

Once I get my plan nailed down I'll share it here for anyone who wants to jump on board with me and train *virtually* together!

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Nothing says Monday like a new Sworkit workout in the Spring into Summer Series!

I'm having so much fun creating and completing these workouts! It's so  nice to be able to squeeze in a quick 20 minute workout in the middle of a hectic day. Seriously, this app has just been a life saver, bottom line. We are all busy but there's no more excuses as to why you aren't getting in those workouts, make some time in the comfort of your own home and get at it!

This workout is very upper body and core intense. I wanted a workout that would give my legs and knees a little break, as I am running and training at the moment. I also wanted a workout that wouldn't be too loud so I could complete it once the boys were all asleep!

I have to say, out of all the workouts I've created, this one is one of the more intense for me. I did 20 minutes with a 30 second break every 5 exercises and I was exhausted afterwards!

To top it off I took the leap and created a Spotify account and listened to the "Throwback Jams - Sworkit Workout Playlist" while doing this workout. This kept me super motivated and took my mind off of the intensity of the workout while I sang some of my favorite songs! :)

I also got an email that I could get 3 months of premium Spotify for 99c so I am totally going to jump on that and have way more control of what I listen to while I'm working out! I am thinking that once you sign up for a free account they will send you that email? I hope so because it's such a great deal and I want you all to be able to have that opportunity as well!

So, what are you waiting for?!

Go grab the WORKOUT and the SPOTIFY App and get your Summer body started!

Be sure to share your progress, thoughts, before and after pics using the hashtags...

#nogymnoexcuse #SworknScribbleSummerSpring

Make sure you are following Sworkit on all social media (IG, FB, TW)

Cheers!

Please Follow Along with Scribble & Dash...

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So a little late this week, this weekend was crazy and I am just now starting to recover! Week 3 went much smoother than week 2 *yay*!

Get my shirt HERE & my shoes HERE

Thursday - 20 minute fartlek run at the gym... Still my FAVORITE day of the week! This image perfectly depicts how that day went. Oliver was annoyed, all day long, with Charlie and everything he did! 

*5 minute warm up*

*1 minute fast X 1 minute recovery* X5

*5 minute cool down*

... Despite the craziness, I do LOVE this view while running on the trail by my parents house!

All in all it was a really great week! I'll come back next week for week 4's breakdown!

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!!

XOXO

Melissa

Week 2 of training has been a bit of a roller coaster!

I woke up on Friday morning with some pain in my right knee. I started doing some research and realized it was my IT Band acting up again! This happened last year when I was training for the MO Cowbell, so I knew that a little bit of rest would be best. I also did some research to find ways to help with this issue as it seems to be recurring for me. I found my way to the use of KT Tape, I used it on my long run on Sunday and I could definitely tell a difference! I will be using this stuff religiously from here on out with my training!

Monday - was a recovery day after Sundays long run! The boys and I took a little walk through our neighborhood equaling about 2 miles... Seriously, they're getting way too big to push together! LOL!

Tuesday - I was supposed to get in some hills and stairs but it instead ended up being a Sworkit and plank kind of night. It was grandparent's day at Oliver's school so we had both my mom and Andrew's over to the house early in the AM and once they were off, Charlie and I took the dogs to get groomed (Which, plugging our groomer for a minute... She's absolutely awesome and if you ever need to get your animals groomed and are in the St. Louis area, check her out HERE). So all in all, this left no time to hit the gym in the AM before the daycare took a break from 12-4:30. Then that evening we celebrated Easter with my parents, making an evening gym trip just not happen. Alas, planking and a Sworkit workout!

Wednesday - For whatever reason the boys didn't want to sleep the night before, so finding the motivation to wake up on Wednesday morning, get myself and both boys ready and hitting the gym was a difficult task. I powered through and was extremely happy I did!

Thursday - The workout I completed at the gym on Thursday was a huge butt kicker and I loved every minute of it!

workout:

* 10 minute treadmill warm up*

*8 minute rowing*

*4 minute squats*

*6 minute rowing*

*4 minute burpees*

*4 minute rowing*

*4 minute push ups*

* 2 minute sprint rowing*

*1 minute plank*

*10 minute treadmill cool down*

... I also utilized the gym shower for the first time ever =)

Friday - I woke up Friday morning with my knee pain as stated above so we chilled at home and I decided to rest! The boys completed a really fun craft and I shared it on Friday's post!

Saturday - Again, another rest day! Our anniversary was Sunday so my husband asked what he could get for me. I never really know what to say to that so he suggested a new pair of running shoes. I couldn't pass that up, my $30 Target pair, which reliable and pretty just weren't cutting it any longer for my rigorous new training schedule. I ended up with a pair of On Running Shoes and let me just say, I absolutely love them!!

Sunday - Our weather stunk all weekend. Rained pretty much from Friday morning until well, today, Monday morning... And I can't say for certainty that it's over yet. Anyway, I was supposed to get in my long run which semi-happened. Thanks to my parents and their treadmill! The gym daycare is closed on Sundays so I was so thankful that my parents were in town and could watch the boys upstairs while I ran! Now I only hit a little over 2 miles when I was supposed to get in 5, however between my knee and wanting to ease back into things and the new running shoes I was okay with the shorter distance. After my run I met up with some friends for coffee, these friends and I were supposed to run together on Sunday morning as we are all training for a race in September. Sadly we weren't able to run BUT coffee is always a good substitute! Sunday was also mine and Andrew's 6 year wedding anniversary, so we celebrated with Surf & Turf, wine & watched Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them!

So that about wraps it up for this past week! I hope it inspires and helps you with whatever it is that you are training for or thinking of training for!! :)

We will be celebrating Andrew's birthday today so recovery today should be fun ;)

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!!

XOXO

Melissa

Okay guys so it's been a while, life has been insane, which I'm sure you all can relate!

So today I'm starting something that I am SO excited about. I have put together an AWESOME Sworkit KIDS workout series and I'm going to be sharing the workouts over the next few weeks! These workouts are geared towards your kiddos but are the perfect opportunity to workout WITH your little ones! Oliver and Charlie, while aren't perfect at hitting all the exercises, they try so hard and we have so much fun doing it together!

I don't know about you but for me, setting a healthy example for my kids is something I think about all of the time. I love them watching me workout, or when we go to the gym that they know I'm working out. I love having them see me make healthy and good choices when it comes to the food that I eat and the liquids that I drink. I know that by them watching they are picking up on my habits and want to emulate them!

For example, every time my yoga mat comes out, Charlie immediately goes for it and starts "stretching" or jumping. Oliver also loves to workout with me and even if I'm doing my own Sworkit workout, he always tries to join! Squats are his fave ;)

A couple weeks back I was able to take this first workout and test it out with the kids in my son, Oliver's, class at school! This is a group of 12 kids all ages 3.5 and under. I had so much fun, they were so cute and so engaged. They listened and did the moves to the best of their abilities and I have to say, they kicked butt! I shared with their parents information about the app and hope that they use the app and have fun with their kiddos!!

After the workout I shared a healthy snack with the kids to show that after we workout we have to refuel our bodies in a healthy way! The teachers said the kids LOVED the snack and devoured it!

So without further ado HERE IS THE FIRST WORKOUT of the series. 

First, download the APP and then follow the link HERE and get started.

Make sure you are following Sworkit on all social media (IG, FB, TW) and share pics of your littles doing these workouts using the hashtags

#nogymnoexcuse #kidswhosworkit

Stay tuned for more kid friendly workouts & so much more!

XOXO

Melissa

As many of you know Sworkit recently released its new search feature for creating their custom workouts. If you haven't, check out my post HERE for all the info! I am so excited to be able to punch in exactly what you are looking for and you're given a complete list of exercises to meet your specific needs! So to further show my love for the Sworkit app I am going to share with you all a workout comprised of some of my favorite exercises on the app! They happen to all target your core strength and who doesn't want that?!

I can't express enough just how much I owe to the Sworkit app. This app is what got me back into shape after two babies, it's the app I turn to for my in home workouts on a regular basis, I wouldn't choose any other app! With that being said, Sworkit has been chosen by DC Inno as one of their FAVORITE tech apps and to help Sworkit win this title head TO THIS LINK HERE and vote for Sworkit now and help them move forward in the bracket! I know I will be!

Go on and check out the workout HERE!

I just love this app so much and really hope you all do too!

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