This is Week 8 of the 2013 Fitness Challenge.

I’m sorry I didn’t check in for the fitness challenge last week. We were visiting with my family in Michigan for the weekend, and planned to come back on Sunday, but because Monday was a holiday, we decided to stay for an extra day, and I didn’t get the change to get the post up.

And this past week was just so, so busy for our family, that I fell right off the Fitness Wagon. But, I’m happy to report that as I sit here with sore legs from running 3.5 miles yesterday, that I’m back on the wagon again, and looking forward to this week!

Technically, this is supposed to be the last post of the Fitness Challenge, but I think I’ll post one more week, to show you the end results of the eight weeks, and to hopefully finish out strong.

If you would like to read some more inspiration for keeping up with your fitness goals, I’ve written a couple posts over on Babble about Why You Should Make Easy Workouts a Part of Your Fitness Routine.

I’ve found that committing to an exercise routine doesn’t mean I have to do a strenuous workout for an hour every single day. I’m learning to be consistent on a daily basis, and to keep moving, even if just for a quick 10-minute workout. Even light exercise provides physical benefits, working your muscles while also boosting your metabolism for the rest of the day. Click over to read 3 ways I squeeze in short workouts on busy days.

Developing the Discipline of Exercise

So, developing discipline and creating the habit of exercise means that I have to focus on the end results, the things that I do want. And I want them badly enough to make myself do something, even when I might not want to, because I want those end results; getting in shape, losing the baby weight, and finishing the half-marathon. Read the rest of the post.

Fitness Goals

• Workout 3x per week – hopefully running 2x and a yoga or workout DVD on the other day, weather permitting – I ran twice this week, and did one other quick video workout. I’m still having trouble fitting in other workouts besides running.

• Be able to run 3 miles, 3x per week, and 4 miles on the weekend by the end of the challenge, beginning of March, to start the half-marathon training schedule – I was able to run a little more than 3 miles yesterday, and felt pretty good. I wish that I could run more than twice a week though.

• Make major progress on healing my diastasis, and lose inches off my waist, by working through the videos on Fit2B six days a week – I skipped the diastasis videos this week, but I can feel my core getting stronger through my running and being more aware of keeping it tight throughout the day.

• Lose at least 5-10 lbs – I lost a 1/2 pound this week. I’m really not sure how much it is the working out, or the fact that I’m nursing my now 8 month old. Either way, I’m okay with it!

• Fit back into my pre-pregnancy jeans by the end of the challenge – I have one pair that I can fit into pretty well, and two more pairs that I can get on, but are still too tight.

2.11.13 – Goals for the Week:

We only have 2 1/2 weeks left of the Fitness Challenge! I need to make sure I reach some of my overall set of goals! My goals for the week are:

• I think I’ll be able to fit in two runs this week, based on the weather. Try to run 3.5 miles for one of those runs.
• Schedule one indoor video workout during the week.
• Try to find some Movement Moments in my days for quick workouts.
• Do the diastasis healing videos at least 3 days this week.

Week Six

Oops, I forgot to take a picture again! I’ll try to take one later today, and update the post!

• Weight: 156.5 lbs (1/2 lb. lost)

• Waist at Belly Button: 37″ (no change from last week)

Join Me!

Be sure to check-in with us on Facebook, where I post my exercise plans for the day, and encouragement to keep up with your fitness goals!

Also, my friends Beth at Red and Honey and Erin at The Humbled Homemaker have started their own fitness challenges to heal their diastasis after recently having their third babies. Follow along with them for even more inspiration and encouragement!

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