New Life

I have some great news. We have a new addition to our family. Emily Rose, was born in mid-November. We are both happy, healthy and can’t believe a month has already come and gone.

Since this blog is about my weight journey, I thought I’d share that when Emily was born (and the week after), I lost what I gained during the pregnancy (about 20 pounds). However, the reason I was so careful this time around is that I was still holding on to 70 pounds that I gained with my first pregnancy and in between.

Since this is my second time around as the mother of a newborn, I knew I had to prepare myself to forge forward on a healthy path. I knew how difficult it was to get a healthy meal on the table, especially while trying to get things done around the house with one hand (with the other hand holding a newborn) and sleep deprivation. Under any kind of stress, the first thing to drop from my to-do list is typically healthy eating in favor of convenience.

Also, I noticed during my pregnancy was the tiniest amount of additional weight made a huge difference in my joints. I had trouble getting up from the floor while playing with my first daughter. I developed severe pain in my knees, which had to be resolved with physical therapy. It was a reminder that it was time for me to get serious about heading down the scale again.

I enlisted the support of BistroMD during these first few months since I already had a terrific experience with this company. They were kind enough to supply my food while training in Telluride, Colorado for my third and final trek up Mount Kilimanjaro. I dropped about six pounds that week alone!

Each week BistroMD will deliver me five days of per perfectly portioned, frozen healthy meals and snacks and I will write about my experience along the way. You can follow my journey here each month on my blog here on www.fatwomanonthemountain.com . This is my way of taking care of me. I like to think of it as if I hired a personal chef to take care of me. The first box included an amazing array of food from Bombay inspired chicken to spinach crepes.

Since I’m nursing, I am adding in two additional snacks of protein and fruit and adding a side salad to my lunches and dinners. Just to be on the safe side, I’m drinking three cups of Mother’s Milk tea each day to make sure my milk supply doesn’t dip.

When I was a guest on Oprah’s Lifeclass, Iyanla (Oprah’s friend and the special guest on the show) spoke about how responsibility really means you are able to respond. I have been dogged by weight issues for decades and I need to take responsibility for my health and wellness, especially with this new life in my life and the life that I want to lead. My big goal, in addition to being the best mom I can be, is to be healthy enough to take on Machu Picchu (by foot, of course, since I rarely do things the easy way) in the coming year.

I hope to be an active role model for my daughters, and to continue on my adventures. But it is my “Response-ability” to do so.

If you’d like to try BistroMD, use code NEWLIFE and they'll give you $50 off the first week.

Back to Class

Since I've returned from Mount Kilimanjaro my workouts have been, well, lackluster. There is a bit of a let down after accomplishing a goal so grand, something that you've been training for and dreaming of for more than a year.

I love having a grand adventure to visualize while I exercise. Otherwise, I find myself bored and unmotivated. I just spin my wheels on the bike or go through the motions on the elliptical trainer for a quick 28-minute workout.

I'm still deciding what my next Big Fat Adventure will be. Other items on my life list include a rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike, a trek up Machu Picchu or another one of the world's Seven Summits (Aconcagua, perhaps). Since I've just barely unpacked after this last trip (and then again after Irene), I decided to give myself a little while to decide what my 2012 challenge will be.

In the meantime, I decided to shake things up by heading back to class -- exercise class that is. I love the positive peer pressure of an exercise class. You have to keep up, and people expect you to return.

I grabbed the group exercise schedule at the Summit YMCA to find some fun, challenging activities here at home. I started circling Zumba, Spinning Out Loud (where singing is encouraged) and others that can keep me motivated and working hard.

Since it is nice to have a familiar face in class, I started with my personal trainer Heather Worthy's class -- Cardio, Cuts & Core. She kept us sweating for an hour with a mix of kickboxing, strength training and more. What an incredible workout (I'm still sore).

So with the back-to-school season upon us, think about shaking up your exercise routine. Is there something you've always wanted to try? Get out there and try something new!

Made it to the top!

Just a quick note that I have made it to the top of Kilimanjaro and back down.

A lot of the porters and guides doubted that I could make it to the top. This challenge was as much a mental one as it was a physical one. I had to calm feelings of doubt along the way. I used mantras such as "Strong, Steady, smooth" and "I believe in me" with each step to squash negative feelings and continue on this journey.

I am so grateful for your support along this long, hard journey. Hope your summer has been full of awesome adventures.

Wish I Was Fat Like You....

Today a woman in the Kibera Slum, in Nairobi, Kenya asked me, how can I be fat like you....



Kibera is one of the largest slums in the world, home to as many as 1 million people. It is some of the most vast poverty I have ever seen. A visit like that has made me appreciate everything I have including my fat.

Altitude and Attitude Training in Telluride

I am spending the week in Telluride, Colorado to get a taste of thin air before heading off to conquer Africa's highest peak -- Mount Kilimanjaro.

I am here with Stacey Pratt, who is also hiking Kilimanjaro for Global Alliance for Africa, and Sydney Clover, who is helping me document my journey. My 3-year-old daughter also joined us and is attending day camp while I'm hiking way up high but it is a wonderful way for us to spend quality time before I take off for two weeks to Africa.

Our home away from home is an amazing condo at Mountain Lodge in Mountain Village. We sleep at about 10,000 feet. Just being here is altitude and attitude training. There is 73 percent as much oxygen here compared to home. (At the top of Kilimanjaro there will be half as much as home!)We often wake up with a smidge of a headache and a dry mouth. The key is to stay hydrated. I've been downing at least four liters of water each day to stay ahead of altitude sickness.

Each day we hike -- often trying to reach 12,000 feet. That will give us a head start before taking on Kilimanjaro's 19,343 feet. Our ulitmate goal while in town is to conquer Ajax Peak.

I am also using this week as a wellness retreat. BistoMD was kind enough to provide our healthy meals (ranging from 1,100 to 1,400 calories a day)so we could stay on track and could focus on our training. They are so easy to prepare, just a few minutes in the microwave and diner is served. So far, my favorites have been the Shrimp Burrito Bowl and the Chicken Breast Stuffed with Broccoli & Cheddar.

There is a little relaxation built in here... Yesterday we headed to Moab to visit Arches National Park (only 1.5 miles of hiking because of the 108 degree heat). I am heading to a Monsoon Yoga Class on Wednesday at Telluride Yoga Center and will hit Mountain Lodge's tub as often as possible to keep my legs feeling happy for the big challenge ahead. (We will summit Kilimanjaro two weeks from today!)

Packing to travel from the Equator to glaciers

I wanted to share two videos with you as I prepare for my trek up Kilimanjaro. The packing list for this adventure is about two pages long, as we make our way from the equator to glaciers.

Here is a trip to Bill's Army Navy Outdoors in Millburn:


and a packing confession about my second ill-fated trek up Kilimanjaro:


Hope you are having a wonderful summer filled with great adventures!
www.fatwomanonthemountain.com

Breaking a Sweat!

I have been working out with my trainer, Heather Worthy, to prepare for Mount Kilimanjaro. I can't believe there are less than six weeks before the summit!

Here is a video of our training session this week. If you want to learn more about Heather, please check out her website, www.worthyfitness.com or her book, Worthy Workouts!