Summer Motivation

Ok, it is summer, summer, summertime! If you haven't been working out to achieve that summer body you've been wanting to fit just right in that perfect bathing suit, well, it's not too late. There are two good solid months left in the summer. If that itsy, bitsy, teeny, weeny bikini is your motivation (or if you are modest like me, tankini, lol) you should continue to work towards this goal. As for me, my motivation this summer is to get as healthy as possible in preparation to expand my family. I have shared my desire to be a mom of two with many of you in my weight loss blog,"Losing Weight Is My Gain". When I was pregnant with my first child nearly six years ago, I was very over weight. I am 5'2, and when I became pregnant the first time I was 215 lbs. By the end of my pregnancy, I weighed 250 lbs. Now that I am at the weight I want to be, I want to ensure that this next go round at a baby, I maintain the healthy habits that have gotten me this far.

Since my last major race in February which was a half marathon, my running pace has slowed a bit, which I am actually okay with. With the extreme temperatures in the summer, my focus has been to increase the frequency of my runs but shorten the distances, and try to run during the cooler times of day. I have been given the green light to continue running even when I get pregnant to stay as close to my current level of fitness as long as I am able to. I have been trying to get in as many solo runs and group runs with Black Girls Run! that I can to keep conditioned. While my son has been visiting my in-laws out of town, I have had more opportunities to take what I call my "BGR Kids Free Tour", lol. I have attempted to run with as many Black Girls Run! groups as my schedule allows because I just enjoy the fellowship. I have been inspired by a couple of moms-to-be in our local Charlotte chapter who have continued to work hard and maintain an active lifestyle throughout their pregnancies. I've even seen a couple of pregnant women at my gym really getting their sweat on, weightlifting and walking vigorously on the treadmill. With much determination, my hope is that I join the ranks of these awesome ladies.

As we approach the Black Girls Run! Sweat With Your Sole Race and Conference Weekend, I really want to focus on mentally preparing for my 10K race as a hopeful mom-to-be. I would love to PR and run the race in under an hour( I believe last year I finished in 1:05). However, because I am not sure what my condition will be in a couple of months, I really just want to finish. I know that there are many people who still feel that women should not be doing strenuous activity when they are pregnant. Though there are exceptions for high risk moms, I want to encourage other women that if your doctor gives you the "OK" to continue being active throughout your pregnancy, you should continue to do so for not only your health but the health of your baby. I feel like you can "perserve the sexy" even with an expanding belly!

I know this blog was a bit more personal, but I urge you to find your personal motivation not just for the summer, but also for life. This is why I love Black Girls Run!. This organization has given me further drive to keep up an active lifestyle, and not just for a short term goal to fit in a certain size. I want to be a healthy woman, a healthy employee, a healthy wife, and a healthy mom so that I can be around to see generations to come. If you have signed up or plan on signing up for one of the races during the Black Girls Run! race and conference weekend this September in Charlotte, you have already found your motivation. Your motivation is to be apart of a phenomenal movement that could potentially alter how you view fitness as integral part of your overall well-being, especially if you are an African-American female. If this will be your first race, make completing this race the first short term goal of many in order to stay fit. Now get started!

***There is still time to sign up for the Black Girls Run! Sweat With Your Sole Race and Conference Weekend September 6-8 in Charlotte, NC. Sign up at blackgirlsrun.com. The race is co-ed and open to the general public!***