In my early 20’s I had a bright idea that it would be just so great to get a flat belly button. You know what I’m talking about…like the people on late night infomercials about the exercise machine/DVD/juice/pill. Take a look at their belly buttons some time…they’re totally flat.
So this image has become my goal over time and I never did achieve it – except when I was 10 months pregnant with both of our children. Yes, 10. Ask any woman and she will tell you that is exactly right. 40 weeks divided by 4 weeks in a month and you have…10 months of baby growing.
After 11 weeks of running 3x per week and the last two weeks of running when I can fit it in, this flat belly button thing really is very far from possible at this point of life.There is always that slight chance that some Total Body Makeover show will call and say they can work surgical miracles with about 2 hours of recovery time…because that’s just enough time for me to get out of surgery, throw on a load of laundry, and get our oldest child to soccer practice on time.
So what’s the real goal? Susan, Melpo, Dana and I all want to run the 5K JDRF on September 24 to the best of our ability. The more exhausted I get with school, dance, and soccer starting; and trying to get all the outside done before it gets too wet this Fall, the more I try to remember that this is about overall health and not a flat belly button. I really hoped the flat belly button would happen. Maybe one day it will if I keep this up long enough. Today? I’m a Mom. The best things I can do are to be there for the kids and give them the best opportunity to be successful in life.I realize, though, that they watch me and have a better chance of learning to take good care of themselves if they see Mommy taking care of her health.
People are asking if I’ve lost weight. I have lost 5-6 pounds since I started running, and two pant sizes. I feel better about the way I look and I also feel strong. Like “I could out run or fight off a mugger” strong. Something that I need to look at is trying to eat less fast food. With the crazy schedule, it’s not uncommon for me to eat fast food 5-7 times a week. I cook lunch & dinner for the family, but tend to grab something for myself for lunch at the office or when I’m out working on the weekend. On Friday, I took the bull by the horns and bought a loaf of bread, peanut butter, and jelly at Country Mart and enjoyed a PB&J sandwich for lunch. I’m just sick of fast food. Don’t get me wrong – I will be at Maid Rite several times a week as long as the good Lord leaves me on this earth. I’m just going to try to cut down on the other stuff. We shall see.
