It feels really good to be running. It’s not something I’ve done in the past, but I like stretching my limits and pushing my body. I ran the BlogHer 5k. It was my goal to run the morning of my birthday in Central Park. I wanted that good fresh start for 31. I want to set an example of good fitness for my daughter.

That all sounds fabulous doesn’t it?

::sigh:: Okay, I have a confession. Okay, two confessions. Alright, three.

1. The 5k wasn’t very organized and I met up with some girls and we ran about 2 miles. There was no real start and end point. It was just kind of like, “Okay! Enjoy your run, wherever you decide to go.” As bloggers, we all decided to go through Central Park. I still got up at 5:45am after being up until 1:00am the night before, so I consider this an accomplishment.

2. I’ve packed on a few in the past 8 months or so. I was able to breastfeed Charlotte for her entire first year. She never had formula. I was a pumping, nursing little milkmaid. I stopped pumping at 12 months and stopped nursing when she was 13 months.

Thanks to this I burned off the baby weight pretty quick. No running necessary. However, I haven’t cut back on my eating. For me, pregnancy hunger was NOTHING compared to breastfeeding hunger. I put it away!

3. Facebook has become a fitness motivator. I know what you’re thinking, “Amy, that is so shallow!” Oh, yeah. I know. I can admit that. I’m admitting this here and now for every woman who understands…

Nothing motivates you to work out like some girl you used to know looking fabulous on Facebook. I logged in a few months ago to find an old friend sauntering down the beach in her bikini. Her baby is about the same age as mine. Gah! She looked amazing! Another friend has already had two babies and posted a picture of herself scantily clad and skinny. What if I run into them somewhere?!?

Jealousy should not be a good motivator. I shouldn’t compare myself to other women. I need to be a better example as a woman raising a young girl.

Uh, yeah. But, I want to be hot too. My kid can’t read yet. She won’t know how shallow her mother really is for a long time. It’s cool.