Stepping, Sledding, and Lessons from Labor

Sunday's on left; Friday's on right

Last night, my trainer told me to spend another 30 minutes on the stair stepper. Last time, I climbed 76 floors. So, I wanted to hit 80 this time. Matt told he he bet I could reach 100. Well, I didn't quite reach 100, but I got to 96! I had to add more time at the end to reach more floors. So, altogether, I stepped for 40 minutes. Next time, I'll set it for 35 minutes (then add time at the end) so I can get higher than 100 floors.

Here's my beet red face at
the end of the stair stepper
last night. haha

This morning was my 5th training session. It was nice to have his girlfriend there for the beginning part. She's very sweet and encouraging. We are moving up to the next level! Today, that meant THE SLED. The sled gets really challenging pretty fast for me. It will feel great to see myself get better and better at it. Then, he put 10lbs on the sled. Then, 20lbs.  Thank goodness I didn't have to turn that thing with 20lbs on it! That might not sound like a lot, but it is for me right now. I wish I had a picture of the sled to show you, but I don't. We also worked with those big ropes which is fun, but really challenging.

Anyone that knows me knows that sports and fitness aren't naturally my things. I am choosing to make it my thing because I want to be thin and strong and full of energy for my family for as much of the rest of my life as I can.

We all draw from our own life experiences. For me, it's always about childbirth and what I've learned from my labors. I have been able to have 7 completely natural births, 6 at home. So much of what pushes me through labor helps me while I'm working out. My sister in law actually says the same, but in reverse. Fitness has always been her thing. So, that helped her through her 4 natural childbirths. She said, "Labor is just like an intense workout."

When I'm starting to get tired and worn from a hard labor, these thoughts keep me going:
"The bigger the contraction, the closer you are to having that baby in your arms."
"Your body was made to do this."
"You can do this. It's for your baby."

Selah Joelle: the fruit of my 36 hour labor <3

There are many more, but these 3 particularly help me when I'm working out. Here's how they translate:
"The more you can feel it and push yourself through the pain, the closer you are to being that thin, strong, energetic mama that you want to be."
"Your body is getting stronger everyday, and is fully capable of doing this exercise."
"You can do this. It's for your family."

I feel like I have such a long way to go, but just like my most recent 36 hour labor, It's all going to be worth it.