Mamavation Monday... Eye of the Tiger

Dum... dum, dum, dum... (enter my current theme song)

Risin' up, straight to the top...

Oh, yes. I felt a little Rocky-esque this week. Obstacles? Yes, I had 'em!

My son got sick and we fought a 101 to 104 degree temperature for 4 days. Then he stopped eating... and for a guy just hanging onto the bottom line of the growth chart, that is a big deal. Add his stomach emptying issues and problems with throwing up... well, it was a challenge to get in my time and focus on eating. But I wasn't about to be kept down..

Had the guts, got the glory...

I  met this week head on! I walked 6/7 days for 3.5 miles or more each day regardless of the weather. I worked on the #100pushups and #300lunges challenges. @Fitmomtraining owned me during hazing circuits, and I even snuck in some DVDs for abs and general strength.

Went the distance now I'm not gonna stop

This marked the last week of "hazing" as a Mamavation Campaign 8 applicant. Regardless of the outcome, (since I have been here before) I know this is the time to really take off with my fitness and whole foods. I hope to be a finalist and start working on getting votes, but either way the MILI challenge will begin and Leah is offering another great carrot to complete the 7 weeks -as if a great body isn't enough? Right?

Well, I am proud of myself for reapplying for Mamavation. It isn't easy to ask friends and strangers even for help and support to make a life change. Shoot, it is tough to just admit that I am overweight and unhealthy. It is usually just the elephant in the room. I am moved by the support from my great Mamavation Sistas. You ladies are great! You have no idea how much this all means to me.

Just a (wo)man and (her) will to survive...

I have a deep desire to survive... I want to live and succeed at being a good role model and a healthy woman. Huffing and puffing, wheezing or sitting out for a break are not ways to survive. I am going to do better than that. I am going to kick this weight to the curb and really live.

Do you remember the Office episode where Michael Scott had his theme song? Well, in Michael fashion... I have chosen my theme song, Journey's Eye of the Tiger. Yes, it is a tough oldie... but goodie.So feel free to get that one stuck in your brain today. I bet it will lend you some extra Rocky-esque strength to tackle your running, resistance training or those planks we all love so much!

My goal is to not give up, keep fighting and go till I succeed in my desire to get fit. I hope you will all be joining me on this quest... either with support, tweet accountability, or...if it comes to it, votes. I hope Mamavation Mom is in the cards for me after these past months. I am definitely hungry for it!  Best of luck to all the applicants. I hope we all reach our goals soon.

***UPDATE*** I AM a Finalist!!! So excited and nervous about getting the votes needed. Please tweet if you can and ask your friends/family to help vote also. Just click on http://bit.ly/geB3Y8 and vote notimeMom, hit enter and you are done. SUPER EASY!

As for my weight this week? I will be adding my scale photo and weight loss Monday morning. I don't think there was much change this week.

This Week's Recipe Share - Black Cherry Tea

you will need:

2 1/2 quarts water
1 lb. black cherries, pitted, or 2- 10-oz bags frozen pitted black cherries, thawed
1/2 c. sugar (frozen cherries might require more)
1/4 c. fresh lemon juice
3 whole star anise
1/2 vanilla bean, split & scraped
16 green-tea bags
Mint sprigs, for serving  (opt.)

Bring the water to boil in a large saucepan. Then simmer the cherries, sugar, lemon juice, star anise & vanilla bean (both seeds & pod) for 15 minutes. Smash the cherries against the side as they simmer. Take off the heat and let it sit for 1 hour.

Then put through a sieve, smashing all liquids out of the cherries. Bring the cherry juice back to boil and then turn off the heat. Let your green tea bags steep for 5 minutes. Remove the bags and chill your tea. 

Serve it over ice with a sprig of mint. Enjoy! *If you are concerned about the cost, use U-pick or slighly bruised fruit (on discount), you can omit the vanilla bean or put in just a touch of real vanilla extract. Look for star anise in Asian markets or in the Latino section at the grocery store for less than big label bottles.

MAMAVATION TV: Join us Monday night at 7pm PST/10pm EST on Mingle Media TV

SISTA of the WEEK: A big well-deserved congrats to Stephanie (@fitmomtraining) for being recognized for her help, motivation and putting all of the applicants through hazing circuits. I think she is even more creative this campaign. I look forward to keeping those up in the next few weeks. I appreciate the push and am happy to be hazed any ole' time. 

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Earth Footwear.   One blogging carnival participant will receive a pair of Earth Footwear.  To be eligible answer the following blogging carnival question in your weekly Mamavation blog post and mention Earth Footwear with a link back to their site.  Link up your post here.

Where will your feet take you this year? Any plans for a big hike, race, or just a lot of walking?

I just ordered a sunshade for our double Phil & Ted Stroller and hope to really get out and pound the pavement this Spring & Summer. Right now I am doing a 3.5 mile loop in front of our house, but hope to do some longer walks to the park and produce market soon. I am still looking for a good 5K (local is best) to sign up for and as soon as our trails here in Oregon dry out a bit, there will be lots of hiking and camping in my future. Really Spring and Summer are exciting times for me and the family to get out and get active.