One Mama Gets Fit

Let's just lay this out.  My number one goal for 2016?  Get back to Kenya. Hands down that is my number one priority. Our family needs to be home in a routine.  I'm excited for so many things back in Nairobi.  I'm looking forward to greeting all our friends (ok, not looking forward to certain friends that will have already left the country or will be leaving the country!), meeting new people, going back to my Bible study group (oh ladies!  i have missed you deeply!), hosting folks in our home, and the list could go on and on. For Andrew, I'm excited for him to start school.  I think this kid will ROCK school.  He loves learning and soaks up everything he reads and hears.  Plus, just for him to be around his friends more often will be wonderful.  I know he has missed them so much (looking at you Matt, Jonathan, Emmanuel, Matthew, Joel, Aly, Ezzie, and Larsen)! For Nattie, I'm just so happy for her to have a bit of her own space.  I'm looking forward to ge

How was your 2015? I have been doing a lot of reflecting on this year - easy to do this time of year - and thinking about my goals and things I have my eyes set on for next year. To be honest, the past couple of days my mind and heart has been heavy at thinking of all the people I have known that have passed away this past year. Husbands, a wife, children...my own grandma.  All I can do is pray for these families that have lost a loved one. This year has been full.  For sure. We started off in Kenya and are closing out the year Stateside. Nattie traveled to the States for the first time. We all visited beautiful Switzerland for a missions conference and were thoroughly thrown off by the sun being out past 11pm. Kyle represented BlueSky and SIM at conferences and traveled to a couple different countries for meetings and trainings. We traveled to 18 different States in the fall while sharing with friends and churches about our work and life in Kenya. Andrew turned 4 i

I have gained 8 pounds in one week. Yes, you read that right. If you were with me at my doctor's appointment this morning when I saw that number on the scale - you would have seen me bawl my eyes out. I had another RA appointment today.  My doc wanted to go over how meds have been the first week, review more blood work done (which apparently I need to get used to...2 more rounds of blood work were ordered today), and go over the results of x-rays I had done last week. Diagnosis of RA was even more solidly confirmed today.  He put my level of severity of the disease on a scale of 1-10 at a 6 or 7. He also prescribed more medicine to take in addition to the ones I'm already taking. Swell.  (Yes, that is sarcasm.  Yes, I am using that.  Yes, generally I am against sarcasm.) Cue tears. I started to read a bit more on RA this past week.  I found a blog that I really like on this disease.  I have heard from so many folks that either have this disease or another auto i

I remember having chicken pox as a child. It was the only time growing up that I got to miss church.  I think my sister and I thought it was so amazing that we were still in our pajamas on a Sunday morning. Is chicken pox a disease? (I am no medical person but I'm putting it into that category for the sake of this post.) In Kenya, I have contracted malaria. That's nothing to joke about.  That disease is awful. Besides that, I've been generally healthy my whole life (well, if you exclude being obese.  And what a disease - epidemic that is in our nation.) But, yea, I've generally been able to stay away from doctor's office and hospitals. I am grateful. Since giving birth to Natalie, I've had numerous little things that have popped up that have affected my health. My knees giving me pain where I can't walk up or down stairs normally. Intense amounts of pain in my feet that I can't walk or move or workout or anything like that. I...an

I'll say this first: I'm writing this from a perspective of receiving medical care overseas (which, of course, is different).  So, with that said... I have been looking forward to having a physical done for a long time.   Strange, yes.   I had a lot of questions about things that have happened to my body over this transformation, I want to know all the details on my numbers from blood work, talk about things I can improve on, etc.   But, nothing.  None of that happened. It was an in and out visit. Where's the getting to know the patient?   I didn't even get a chance to tell them I lost the weight.  Don't you think that would be a key factor in some of the other things going on? No "you're in good health". No "your heart rate is...." No "blood pressure is...."  No "what line of work are you in" No questions about if there's stress in your life. No questions about if I

Mostly for this blog I wanted to write about nutrition and exercise. This one.  Hmm, maybe not so much. Folks, I am losing my sanity. Since June 19th, we have been living out of suitcases. That's 136 days, friends. A lot of days. I'm not even sure how many different beds we have slept in since we left our home. At each new place we visit, Andrew asks "Is this our new home?" Oh buddy. Andrew and Natalie's favorite game to play is "let's fly to Kenya in a plane". Andrew asks us frequently when we are going to go back home. I answer him with we are praying right after Thanksgiving and then Christmas and then we will be back home. But, what if it's delayed more than that? When we were in Charlotte for a debrief time with our sending organization, we learned we have significant more monthly financial support to raise.  With that, we cannot purchase our plane tickets to return home until we hit 90% of our support needed. So,

Tomorrow begins my 36th year of life. My 35th year of life has been nothing short of amazing. One year ago on my birthday, my husband and I sat at our favorite little sushi and Korean restaurant in Nairobi and we together declared this year as the "year of me". Ha. Sounds a bit narcissistic, eh? Selfish? At first I was like…this is silly. But it wasn't. Not even in the slightest. In my 35th year of life, I decided it was time to take care of me and learn how to be healthy. I am beyond thankful for my husband who has supported EVERY SINGLE DAY of this past year.  He has encouraged me beyond measure.  Only uplifting and positive words have come from his mouth this entire year.  He pushes me.  Motivates me.  Challenges me.  Tells me how proud he is of me and how much he loves me. I am blessed. Learning about nutrition and how to properly fuel my body has been life-giving.  I am forever indebted to Stephanie Martin (check out her new business with her

well, first.  sweet 2 months later I'm writing.  eek.  i would have thought i would have more time to write stateside.  hmm.  not so much.  oh well.  it's probably just as well too - means i'm spending great time catching up with folks.  and well, that is just lovely. 2.5 months ago my sister mentioned doing the indianapolis women's half or 5k with her and mom.  i didn't think we would be in the city at the time so i declined.  plus, i was just getting over a stress fracture in my foot and didn't really want to press my luck running. but, over the past 2.5 months my foot has felt better and better and my running outside has increased. i decided i could do a thanksgiving day race with them and my husband and also a race in december.  actually, there's a race in december that kyle has wanted to run that's a half but i have been a bit sheepish about doing that distance so i've been settling to do the 5k of it. a half just seemed like too much.  

I like to keep things light and happy on social media. I ask for prayer requests time to time. But, most of all, I like to use social media as a way to brighten someone's day with a smile or chuckle. Light.  Happy. "How is it coming back?" Most popular question that we have been asked - by far. Overall, great.  We are enjoying being with family and starting to see friends that we haven't seen in a couple of years. Reunions are sweet. This is where things may not be so light or happy. I've been heartbroken upon returning to the States. There is a serious problem here in the States with obesity. I speak from love.  I have been overweight or obese almost my entire life.  I know what it's like. And, even now, I am still considered overweight in the BMI chart by a couple of pounds. I see it with fresh eyes. Fresh eyes of not being here for almost 3 years. Fresh eyes of changing my lifestyle completely to desiring it become healthy and

I'm trying to remember how I presented myself an additional 121 pounds ago. Like out in stores or meeting up with new people. Did I hold my head up or was I slouched down? Did I present myself in a way that people could come up to me and talk? Lately, I've been noticing that more people notice me. Not trying to sound prideful.  I hope it doesn't come across that way. But, more people smile at me and offer to help me (this could also be the amazing way Kenyans help out a mama with 2 young ones) and just generally look my direction. I can't help but wonder if it has to do with the fact that I'm healthier now. Do we judge people that are overweight and don't come up to them to talk or would we not offer to help them out in the store and instead go over to the person who looks more in shape? I think that we do.  I don't think it's done on purpose but I do think it happens. It's so sad. I also think that when I was carrying around al

OH MY LANTA! My doctor called me an athlete today.  (She should be knighted.) She also said I had strong abdominal muscles and arm muscles (heck yes, she felt 'em!). After doing a pretty complete physical, she said I was healthy and strong. OH MY LANTA!! (Insert sobs here) Never in my life have I had someone in the medical field tell me that.  Do you know how AWESOME that feels? I've always been told the complete opposite. All this hard work pays off. Saying no to the junk pays off. Running 4-6 miles 6 days a week pays off. Lifting weights pays off. Holding that darn plank pays off. HIIT circuit after HIIT circuit pays off. This is a sweet moment in life that I'm at right now. I love that I'm HEALTHY. Now, to be honest, I still have 11 more pounds to go to be in the healthy range for my BMI…but she wasn't worried that I would get there soon…and I'm not worried either.  I'll get there this summer for sure! But, I'M HEALTH

Oh. my. goodness. These honey-lime sweet potato, black bean, & corn tacos were DELISH. We ate it up so fast that I forgot to even take a picture of how lovely it was. Please, please, please make these.  So good. A couple changes we did though: We put the mixture of the potatoes, beans, & corn on a bed of lettuce (1 cup).   I decreased the amount of honey it calls for from 3 TBSP to 1 TBSP and it was still plenty sweet.  I think next time I might omit it altogether b/c the sweet potatoes are well…already sweet.   For the toppings, we skipped the cheese and topped with 1 TBSP homemade guacamole and 1 TBSP homemade salsa.   It was a quick meal too to make.  Bonus for busy nights.   For those of you that count calories…it was a bit over 300 calories (around 310) for 1 heaping cup of the bean/potato/corn mixture (actually 1 1/6 cups) plus 2 cups of lettuce and 2 TBSP of each homemade guacamole and salsa.  To make it feel like I had "seconds" - I did a

Or…how many times does it take for children to like vegetables or like new foods? Answer to both: MANY. Andrew loves cars, trains, planes, helicopters…anything that moves.  He knows that in order for those things to move they have to have fuel. We've taken that concept and talk with him about how we need good fuel too for our bodies in order to move and play all day.  We talk about how multiple times in the day we stop to "fuel" up our bodies (B, L, D, and a snack).  From there, we talk about what might be some good things we can fuel our body with and what might not be the best choices. He's doing great with this line of thinking.  Today in the store he pointed out cereal and told me "mama, this has lots and lots of sugar - this isn't a good way to fuel your body."  I then asked him to point out something that was a great way to fuel our body and he looked in our trolley and pointed to the spinach. He's getting it.  He generally knows what

Butternut Squash Soup. Yum. Not too much to this post except that we have had this soup every week as part of our dinners for the last 3 weeks.  (Find it HERE .) Tonight we paired it with some sautéed zucchini and carrots. Make it.  You'll be happy you did. If you have a soup recipe (meatless) too that you love…let me know!

The way I started to focus on a healthier lifestyle was through trying to clean up my eating first. I lowered the amount of cokes I was drinking and then lowered how many chips (french fries) I was eating. SLOWLY (and I emphasis that word) I made changes to a healthier lifestyle. I started to purchase more fresh produce for the house….instead of chocolate. Things like that. Nothing was done overnight.  I don't think that would have worked for me at all.  It's just not my personality. My friend/trainer/nutritionist, Stephanie, taught me a ton about nutrition.  I read everything she sent to me on eating clean. It all just clicked with me. Then I watched a couple nutrition/food documentaries and those educated me as well. After watching "Fed Up" our family cut out sugar.  That was one that was almost an overnight thing…a couple items took longer..but for the most part after watching the documentary, we went through our house and cleaned up our eating ev

"It's from overuse.  You need to rest your foot." Two different doctors told me this statement after examining my foot - all swollen and bruised.  Tendonitis.  All you can do is rest it and ice it, ibuprofen, wrap it, etc, etc. Never in my life has someone told me I need to rest from certain exercises from overuse. It's always been the complete opposite - "you could do more exercise"! In a way, it's kind of a compliment - means that I've been moving in the right direction and working hard. And…also…I'll be honest it just plain stinks. I've cried.  And cried.  And cried again.  (thank you to some sweet friends that have listened to me as I have cried!) It's hard resting and not running (trying to avoid high impact exercises). Where is my outlet? Exercise has been my healthy outlet for all things this past year.  Not to mention my alone time, my prayer time, and numerous other things. With prepping to leave for the State

It's up and going!   I've been so excited to get this off the ground….to get "running".   Over the past year we have started in on a new healthy lifestyle…our whole extended family.  It's been so exciting to share this journey with them all.   Each week 5 of us in the family write emails on our week was - what did we get a chance to do exercise wise and how did our eating go.  It's been amazing accountability.   It's all been so positive and encouraging.  Even if one of us had a "less than stellar" week - everyone has always been so encouraging to them and focusing on the positives.   I think that has kept me going.  There's been no negative talk this past year.  Only encouragement.   My family is pretty amazing.   So when Kyle and I started planning for our time Stateside for the 2nd half of this year - obviously, we wanted to do some new physical challenges.  I wanted to get in several races and we both ha

Yea.  Weird title for sure. Those 3 things don't really go together. But, I haven't updated for a bit over a week so wanted to play catch up a bit. School.  I have decided that I would like to head back to school and pursue a career in nutrition!! (And because I know this question will be asked)   Wait, Sarah.  What about Kenya? Love things happening here in Kenya.  We are still here!  I would just like to extend my knowledge in this area - an area that I've fallen in love with and would love to use to help other folks. I've been talking with my "go-to" gal, Stephanie, and she has recommended several options ranging from becoming a health coach to a RDN (registered dietitian nutritionist). So right now, just researching all kinds of things - what field, schools, programs, etc. It's an exciting time for sure!  I'll be sure to let you know when I've decided which route I'll go to. Goals. 11 weeks to go (as of today) till we

Or rather the title could be "things that motivate". Not working out. Restaurants that don't have healthy options. Not being able to run with my husband. Loose skin. I could go on but I won't. I've discovered during this journey to a healthy lifestyle that the things I don't like…they don't get me down anymore…rather they MOTIVATE me for change. Kyle says I'm a fighter.  A beast. (I love my shirt that says "mom in beast mode".  It's pretty accurate.) I make time to work out.  It's a priority for me…for us…6 days a week. Recently, I didn't get a chance to get my whole workout in (hello life!).  I was frustrated for a moment and then I turned it to motivation to up my game rest of the week. So, I didn't get to complete a day's workout or have time one day to workout?  No problem - I'll just turn up the heat on other days. Restaurants can serve whatever they want and I don't have to go to a

It was said by my 3 year old son this morning. We're in the kitchen making breakfast…whipping up some smoothies (a family favorite). He looks up at me and says "Mama, you are a workout lady!" *Big, huge grin on my face* Oh yea, buddy? Yea!  And your stomach is hard! (And he feels it to make sure that it's true.) (I'll note that it's not hard…but def getting flatter!) I'm pretty sure no one can beat that compliment :) He made my day.  Literally. Working out is paying off.  It's so sweet to hear words like that from my son. Our kids are watching what we do, friends.  They watch everything. (Even when we think they aren't.)

I won't lie. This dish has become one of my absolute favorites. It will require control not to eat the whole thing.  I'm serious.  :) That's just how amazing it is.  (Plus, it has zucchini hidden in it - bonus for parents trying to get their kids to eat more veggies.) Here's the LINK for the recipe….or read below. We pair it with some quinoa and another steamed veggie.  Makes for a great meal. Let me know if you try it! THAI TURKEY ZUCCHINI MEATBALLS For the meatballs… 2 lbs ground turkey, extra lean 1 cup zucchini, shredded & liquid squeezed out 1 tbsp fish sauce 1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped 2 tbsp basil, finely chopped 2 tsp ginger, grated 2 garlic cloves, grated 1 tsp red curry paste 2 tbsp coconut milk, light (canned) 1/8 tsp hot pepper chill flakes For the sauce… 1 + 1/2 cup coconut milk, light (canned) 3 tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp red curry paste 1 tsp fish sauce 1/8 tsp hot pepper chili flakes, or to taste 5-6 kaffi

I completed my very first 10k today. And to boot…here in Kenya. Kenya is for runners. And because of that, it completely baffles me that I just ran a 10k here!  What?!?! And, I decided to run it last night. Yea, the night before. Nuts. Oh and push the kids in the stroller.  That's 2 kids.  Plus a heavy book bag. What!?  50 pounds easy. Up an down hills. Hello arm workout.  Trying to keep that stroller in line really worked my arms.  Moms and dads that push their kids in races are TOUGH.  They have strength, friends.  That was no joke. I was totally encouraged though by everyone around me.  I had so many people come up beside me and run with me and ask about the kids and ask "how in the world are you doing this?" I'm tough.  :) But really, so many people blessed my socks off during the race - speaking encouragement and I heard a lot of "go, mama!"  One woman was so lovely to me that she came running up to me towards the end of the ra

Check it out, friends, here ! Totally excited to share a bit of advice on getting healthy & fit! And, wow, everyone's stories are just amazing! Be sure to read the story on the last couple - their goal is to lose a total of 600 pounds and they are almost there! Totally inspirational! Hope you enjoy the read!

I'm excited about today.  I will have a short Q&A on my favorite blog, Running for Cookies, site later today about losing 100+ pounds.  Can't wait to read it and to read everyone else's stories! But…in other news... This past week has been rough on our family.   My family has been sick for the past one and half weeks - even our baby girl.  She has the most sad cough that I wish I could just take away from her.  (Mine is just silly mastitis…again.  Seriously, you can go away and never come back.)   Even with all this sickness, I managed to still eat well and workout 5 days last week (although at times I don't know how I still got that many workouts in - even one day with running 9 miles.)   Kyle and I were talking this morning about hitting my goals.  I get SO nervous before I meet them - like really nervous.  I do feel like I'm doing all the right things - eating well and working out and so I can't be hard on myself if I don't meet them.

Encouragement.   Everyone needs it.  Everyone wants it.   It's fuel.   For me, it's motivation to keep going.   Over this past week, since sharing that I hit this big milestone of 100 pounds lost, I have been flooded with words of encouragement.   Phone calls, texts, gifts, Facebook comments and messages, emails.   It's been BEYOND lovely.   Inspiration. That's a word that I have heard this past week.  Many times.   Wow.  It's so…not even sure of the word to use here.  Just over a year ago, no way would anyone say I'm an inspiration in the area of health & fitness.   Crazy how just a year can change things.   I love encouragement.  (Really who doesn't love to be told they are rocking at something?!)   Last year on my birthday, one of the gifts that Kyle gave me was posting throughout our house notes from friends speaking life to me.  Those are still up in our house…since the end of September.   We've als

Yesterday was one of the best days of my life. I hit a milestone I waited a long time for: 100 pounds lost. It's still quite "unfathomable" that I hit that but yet - it's completely "fathomable". I tend to be one to shy away from saying "yea, I did that!  rock on!" But, I did!  I can be proud of this!  I worked hard for this. I changed my lifestyle to one that is better than anything else in my past.  I took control of my health and I believe I changed my families health for the better and for our lifetime. I am very proud. The past couple weeks as I approached getting close to hitting this mark (and I'll be honest - I stayed in between 99 and 100 pounds lost for a bit over a week and I'll just say that was one of the hardest weeks for me because I was so close yet so far away!) I started to work on a list of "100 ways life is different/things I have observed with now losing 100 pounds". (Also, shout out to my h