get it girl // mama shred

Just a quick pop in to say thank you Jesus for running. 

It's keeping me all kinds of sane right now. 

And the Mama Shred. 

I have a big Mama Shred update coming up in a week or so, but it's time to open up new spots because the first cycle is starting over again! If you missed out - now is your time!

Here is my current favorite running playlist. 

I bestow it to you for fun a fun hour of running, dancing with your kids, or cooking breakfast. 

For more MamaShred spots, go here!
Grab your spots quick. Get it girl! 
UPDATE: THE PAYPAL ISN'T RIGHT ON THE MAMASHRED LINK, WE'RE WORKING ON IT:) 

(pssst: Bloggers! Want to help Gospel Community? Steal that image right there ^, put it in your posts and link it to nicksconnolly.com this week! Thank you) 

Whole ladies + first Mama Shred update

Woosh. I guess it was a really good idea to blog through this "get in shape - physically and spiritually" process. Because tonight, all the voices in my head are saying QUIT but the blog schedule is saying UPDATE AND KEEP GOING. And so I shall. 

Last time I shared about the Whole Ladies endeavor, I was hopeful and I have to say - I'm truly still so hopeful. Tired, but hopeful! I was just about to start the MamaShred, an online personal training program with Bobbi of NHerShoes and I knew I didn't want to look back on this season and only see days filled with yucky heart issues of how I look. 

Let me give a practical update about how actually losing weight is going, then I'll get to the heart stuff. 

So, the MamaShred program is AMAZING. The meal plans, workouts, accountability are all seriously A plus plus. I'm pretty confident I couldn't be doing this on my own. I KNOW I wouldn't be working out if it wasn't for our group accountability and cheering one another on. 

I've only lost four pounds, but I know that is a solid doctor recommended pace for weight loss. AND my nursing supply has been great throughout the process because my diet is so much cleaner + more balanced. I'm a little discouraged because it would be great to see some biggest loser type weigh-ins, but in general - I feel so much better. A few weeks ago, I couldn't run more than 4 or 5 minutes and this past weekend, I was able to run 6 miles. I'm able to workout and make it through Bobbi's amazing strength workouts and I'm just starting to feel more whole body-wise. About once a day, I'll stop and realize - I don't feel crazy fit or in shape, but I don't feel like I'm still in that damaged post-partum shape. And for that, I'm super grateful. 

I haven't done any re-measuring since the beginning of the MamaShred, but I look forward to doing that on my next update. My goals for this next segment are to continue to clean up my diet, make it through a heavy week or two of social events while still eating clean, and GET IN MY WORKOUTS. At least 5, preferably 6 per week. 

From a heart perspective.

The patience that is needed in this process is so helpful. It keeps me constantly confessing what is really wrong with my heart. I want to be seen as beautiful. I want to be seen. Jessi wants to be seen. When I'm thinking right, in the purest place I can get, I know that I know that I want Jesus to be the only thing seen in me. I know that the fruit that is found when I'm walking with Him is greater than any size I could be, any perfectly made-up face, or fresh hairstyle. Is it amazing to be healthy and fit and feel good, yes? Is it amazing to have to remember what is actually the ONLY good thing about me while I go through that process? YES. 

When we started Whole Ladies, I kept saying over and over again - I feel so fragmented. I feel like I don't relate to my body. I am so relieved to say, I feel less that way every day. This body is becoming more comfortable and more familiar every day. And I am grateful for how the Lord is strengthening it. 

How about y'all?  What's going on with you?

Food? Eating? Exercise? Heart? 

I'd love to chat! Next update coming in two weeks!

If you're wanting to participate in the MamaShred, Bobbi is opening up the next cycle with a few more spots! It will start next Monday and you can sign up here. Please tweet me or Bobbi if you have any questions. I will tell you, the first round of ladies has SO enjoyed it and I know you'd love it too! 

whole ladies + the MAMA SHRED

Hello dear friends!

Remember a month or so ago when Ellen and I did the #whole30 and #wholeladies series? 

The short story was we wanted to blog through health eating/weight loss, etc in a where we could safely talk about strategically how we were doing it, but address some heart issues too. 

Well, today I'm here to do a little update and to share where I'm at with whole ladies. 

Below is my vlog update on whole ladies, but please please please check out what I'm sharing down underneath that! 

So - I need a strategic plan and I need a coach. For this - I turned to Bobbi, of NHerShoes. I asked her if we could dream up a program for mamas who need some encouragement, motivation, and accountability and together I think we came up with something super fun.

Starting May 1st, Bobbi is going to offer a group training plan to only TEN other women (plus me) called THE MAMA SHRED. For one month, she'll help you make a personalized weight loss/health plan, offer a twice a month video group call, private facebook group accountability, meal plans and shopping lists, AND workout videos and bootcamps that you can watch on your computer and do at home, on your own time PLUS MORE. She'll do an initial phone call about your goals, what you need, etc - and you can do one month or as many as you need! 

Here's a note from Bobbi: 

Hello friends! I am super thrilled to be offering a Mama SHRED here at Naptime Diaries! I have been personal training for over 5 years and have my PTC through the National Exercise and Sport Training Association. I have taught a wide range of boot-camps, kickboxing classes and strength and core classes for over 7 years.

I love helping women be confident in the skin that God has given them. More importantly I have a passion for helping others treat their bodies as God's holy temple and living their lives radiantly for him! I couldn't think of a better way to get ready for summer then to be walking with other Moms who are all on the same team and ready GET on track living out a healthy lifestyle. You have 48 hours to jump in friends, the first 10 ladies to sign up will be in our very first annual Mama Shred. Let's get FIT FOR HIM!

And as for me, I'm going to blog through it, my little mama shred journey, to give you all a picture into what Bobbi has to offer. I'll tell you right now at the start that I have AT LEAST 20 pounds to lose, but more than that I just want to feel very whole and healthy. I want to run half marathons again. I want to feel strong. I want to be fit for the tasks God has given me. And I'll have a lot more to say once I get started with Bobbi this week!

I am so so so so so excited about this. 

And so so so so so grateful. 
And so excited to get to know the 10 other ladies who are going to join us this month!

If you're interested, you can see more info and sign up here! 
Wherever you're at, what's your biggest challenge in being a whole lady right now? 
Let's chat!

UPDATE: This first cycle of the Mama Shred is currently sold out! Bobbi will most likely open up another cycle Mid-May! Stay tuned and email me if you'd like to be on a wait-list!