The "F" Word (Repost)

First, I want to apologize for not posting earlier this week.  My Great-Aunt passed away on Sunday, so I decided to travel down to Tennessee to spend time with my family.  We're going to be staying through the weekend while my husband runs the half marathon in the Music City race this weekend.  With exercising on the mind, I decided to repost an entry from my previous blog. Enjoy!

Originally posted on August 13,2008

This past weekend Dipal (my husband) had to travel to Chicago for a work trip, so little Jayden and I tagged along and brought our friend Amanda to help us tour "The Windy City." It was my first time actually spending time in the downtown area and I absolutely loved it! I definitely could have spent a lot more time there, there's just so much available to do. I think it's great when you can go somewhere and enjoy great shopping, great weather temp.s, a clean beach and of course sight-seeing (if you wish) all within a very short drive, or possibly even walking distance. We had a great view of downtown and the river from our hotel - The Holiday Inn at Mart Plaza - and amazing service from the staff! I have to say kudos to the Chicagoans for being way nicer than I ever expected in the north! Being from the south, I feel like I can always tell a huge difference when I travel somewhere in the hospitality of the people, but everyone was so unbelievably nice in Chicago! My only complaint would be heavy traffic, no matter what time of day, it was always there - but hey, it's a big city, it's to be expected!


So, after our downtown fun was over, we stopped to see Dipal's family who live in the Chicago suburbs. I am very lucky to have very sweet family from Dipal's side and I want to say that I really enjoy the family that we had the chance to visit with! With that said, something happened during our visit and I feel the need to share because I know I'm not the only one this has happened to, and if it happens to you, know you're not alone. Ok, here goes... My husband's aunt walked up to me and said (loosely quoted) "Brittany, you getting fat? Are you pregnant again?". That's right folks - she called me every new mom's worst nightmare, the "F" word, "FAT." Even more, asked if I was pregnant again. :(

I immediately turned a very bright shade of red and became completely flustered and speechless. I felt so great about all the walking we had done while downtown, but that bubble got busted within seconds! I never in my life have struggled with weight and definitely have never been called fat. But almost eight months after giving birth I am still struggling with losing the weight, and those who know me closely know I am very hard on myself because I have always struggled with a low self image. But only eight months after giving birth, isn't that normal for most women? Not all of us can look like Nicole Kidman or Jennifer Lopez with our personal trainers, chefs, and nannys to watch our children so we can spend time whipping ourselves into tip-top shape. For the average everyday person it takes time, and that is okay! Actually, I remember reading many times while pregnant: It takes 9 months to gain the weight and about the same to lose it. And another little fact I heard recently is that although breastfeeding can help to lose weight quickly in the beginning, it makes those last 10-15 pounds harder to lose because your body is still supporting another precious little being. So, to all of you moms out there... it's ok if you're struggling to lose that weight! You are SO not alone, even if you feel like you're surrounded by skinny mommys on TV! The healthy way to lose is slowly and you need to do what is best for you and your baby. I know I'm trying to focus on sticking to the basics of working out and eating well to try to lose my weight and eventually my weight will get back in check. To those of you who know a mommy who is working to lose that weight, give nothing but support and positivity!

I hold absolutley no hard feelings towards the aunt who made this comment to me. If anything, I'm now thankful because it inspired my working out, that had been taking somewhat of a vacation, to get back on track. I have such a supportive network of family and friends who boost that low self-esteem back up that I usually don't stay too down for too long. And hopefully, as part of the intention of the entire blog, this story can show others of you out there we all share in the same struggles as mommys!
*Photo Credit: Wikipedia - Chicago*

** Update to this post:  Since the original posting of this entry I have had a second baby (He is almost a year old, and no, I was not pregnant with him yet at the time of this entry) and am still struggling to lose the weight!  Plain and simple - it's going to take work.  Finding time in the day to work out with 2 little ones is hard!  Now that the weather is getting nicer we occasionally take walks around the neighborhood, which is great for me and the boys!  How do you find time in your busy day to fit in exercise?

What I Learned from Richard Simmons (Repost)

As I'm starting out this new blog I wanted to repost some of my favorites from the blog I was working on previously.  Sometimes I'm embarrassingly cheesy, but I hope you can see the bright side of it like I try to.  Enjoy!

Originally posted on July 31, 2008

First, a disclaimer for today's post: I like to analyze life a lot and take lessons away from things.  Sometimes, this is a great way to learn life lessons, however, sometimes (and my husband as well as close friends would back me up on this) I over analyze and make up horrible scenarios out of nothing.  Today, some of you might think this is a silly scenario I'm writing about, but I choose to turn it into a positive life lesson!

So, earlier this week a friend my husband works with told us the one and only Richard Simmons was coming to a local Walgreen's.  I'll be honest, I've never watched a single Richard Simmons video, never followed one of his weight-loss plans, never been an avid Richard Simmons follower, but I think that guy is hysterical!!  Immediately, my first thought was: I have to get a picture with that guy!  This is too funny to pass up!!  Well, to my surprise, while driving through St. Louis yesterday I saw the sign saying the big day had arrived, Richard Simmons 6-8pm!  So, I told my husband how much I wanted to go and how funny it would be.  I told my boss (I work part-time, but take my son with me when I actually go into the office, most of my work is done from home), I told my friends...  I was ready to get my picture!  I even called my husband at work to tell him about the "Welcome Richard" car sitting outside of Walgreen's. *I sound like a crazy person, yes, I know this*  So, after my husband gets off work I'm talking about Richard Simmons again and I catch his 'absolutely not interested' vibe.  Oh no!  Then, I think, maybe one of my neighbors, who happens to be a very sweet friend, would go.  She calls to see if I want to go to the gym, I mention Richard Simmons is at Walgreen's, but she didn't seem to care much either, except to say Richard would be very proud of us for going to the gym (Very true)!  So, I didn't go, didn't get my picture, and was very sad I wouldn't have a cool Richard Simmons story for my new blog.  To make matters worse, this morning my husband sent me a very cute, funny pic of the work friend who went to meet Mr. Simmons!!  Never thought I would say this, but I am so jealous!!

My lesson learned - Why was I waiting on someone else to go with me?  If I thought it would be so fun and funny I should have just gone myself.  I immediately remembered the time when I was a freshman at the University of Tennessee (Go VOLS!!) and wanted to go to the freshman picnic to meet people.  When I didn't have anyone to go with me I stayed in my room instead of getting out to meet new people, and this was the beginning of a very hard, lonely first semester of college.  Luckily, my now husband became a great friend during that time and made sure I was getting out meeting new people.

Your take-away from all this - Do things for yourself, don't wait on others to help you do it.  Be confident, and if something is important to you, go for it.  There was a quote I really liked in high school and I think it is very appropriate here: "Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting on someone to bring you flowers." ~ Veronica A. Shoffstall

*Photo Credit: Richard Simmons Official Site*

Wow.  It's wild looking back at this post and seeing how I've grown over the last couple of years.  Silly example, yes, but I hope it reminds us all not to be so dependent on others.  Since writing this our family has moved to a smaller town where I really have to push myself out of my comfort zone sometimes if I want to make any friends.  I'm still a work in progress, but pushing myself out of my comfort zone gets a little easier each time I do it.

Welcome!

I heart blogging. It's true. Reading them, writing them... love them.

For the last couple of years I've known I wanted a platform to be able to share with others, but struggled with the details - what specifically to blog about, what my blog would be called, who would my target audience be (Sorry, PR major thoughts happen occasionally).  Finally, I feel like everything is starting to come into view.

You see, my life has been nothing like I ever would have expected (Is anyone's?).  Like many others (ok... everyone), I've had plenty of occasions where giving up hope seemed like an option, but fortunately, it's never seemed a valid option.  Through every day there always seemed to be a glimmer of hope shining, sometimes in the distance, but always there.

Appropriately, at least I think so, my parents gave me the middle name of Hope.  I'm not sure that my parents planned it this way, but I've always felt like it's a constant reminder that I have hope in my life and not to give it up.

Like me, you too have your own daily grind you're going through, so here at Hope in the Daily Grind I'll be sharing stories, laughter and thoughts to help you keep going through your day.

"For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.  Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in you." ~ Psalm 33:21-22

"... but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." ~ Romans 5:3-4