Kara Main

About Kara

Occupation: Domestic Diva

Kara's goals include: Getting back into the shape she was "pre-kids," and increasing her heart health.

Height: 62 inches

	As of February 2007	As of May 2007
Weight:	162 pounds	150.7 pounds
Body Mass Index:	29	27.4
METS:	7.1	8.4
Average Daily Steps:	9,988	13,907

“I took an inch off my waist. Now I’m more huggable than ever!”

Go Red for Women Link

Here is a bit more of my story-
http://www.community.goredtv.org/recent-posts/default.asp?item=2175474&rttpagenum=1

Posted by Kara on April 16, 2008 9:02 PM in Kara | Permalink | Comments (0)

Go Red for Women

Go Red for Women
Originally uploaded by karabyrd1

I'm BACK! If you were to run into me on almost any given day this february this is how I might have been dressed. In my Go Red for Women "uniform". It has become my staple attire when I am running around town spreading the word that HEART DISEASE IS THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF WOMEN! Not only that but it has killed MORE women than men EVERY year since 1984. Scary Stuff! Certainly this is not a man's disease! You can tell I am in my up on my soap box mode. I am all fired up about heart month.

We went to a minor league ice hockey game with the kids on saturday night and it was pink in the rink night (literally they were skating on pink ice) in support of breast cancer. Even the players had special pink jerseys with the pink ribbon just for this game. My six year old daughter who had just had me tell my open heart surgery story to her class the day before turns and whispers in my ear - "mommy, why can't they be wearing red?" I almost cried. My sweet little kids are even mini-crusaders for the cause.
My wish is that one day people will be as aware and committed to fighting cardiovascular disease in women, which kills 1 in 2.5 women, as they are today in the fight against breast cancer.
Okay, back to what is up with me these days. I am still getting the Y as much as I can which some weeks is 5 days, some 6 and then some only 3. I have signed up for another 5k GOD HELP ME! Last time I was worried about finishing now I am worried about doing slightly better than I did last time. I am headed to DC this week to speak to a group of Business Professional Women and share with them all the fabulousness (is that a word?) of Choose to Move. I am bringing Gabby my oldest with me. We are very excited about getting in some good walks while we see our nations capitol. I hope to have some great shots to share with you all.
You can tell I have missed writing because this may be my longest blog yet. Well, I am glad to be back and hope all you movers are still moving!!!! Happy Heart Month! Don't forget to visit www.goredforwomen.org this month

Posted by Kara on February 12, 2008 9:49 PM Permalink | Comments (2)

Bubbly Byrd Bunch

Bubbly Byrd Bunch
Originally uploaded by karabyrd1

It is difficult to fit it ALL in during the holiday rush. I am attempting to hit the Y about 4x a week during this season. With some weeks only getting there 3x & others 5. But the point is that I am trying which is way better than last year this time.

Merry Moving to All and to All a Good Night!

ps-This was our Christmas card for the 4th year.

Posted by Kara on December 6, 2007 10:24 PM Permalink | Comments (2)

Rode our bikes over the GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE!!!!

golden gate looking down
Originally uploaded by karabyrd1

What fun Chris and I went on a four day trip to San Fran. Lots of walking up and down those hills and sometimes even in heals. There seem to be no fat mommies in San Francisco - pushing those strollers up hill is an olympic event.

On our last day there we decided to rent bikes and ride over the Golden Gate Bridge. It was an awesome experience! Loved every minute of it! Would recommend it to everyone. Click on photo of the bridge for a few more shots.

ps- you only have to ride one way to Sausalito then you put your bike on a ferry to get it back to San Fran and you can sit and relax and massage your sore butt. Just kidding~

Posted by Kara on November 26, 2007 12:34 AM Permalink | Comments (1)

Bring on the Weight(s)

A little bit of weight training
Originally uploaded by LollyKnit

15,000-16,000 lbs to be exact!

I had fogortten how good the strength training portion of working out can make you feel. Remember back when I started to "train" (ha ha) for the 5k~ I kind of let my weights go so I could run run run. But now I am trying a NEW tactic - new to me that is.
Instead of doing my weights after my cardio, I am doing them FIRST! One thing I heard from a trainer at the Y that strength training can increase your metabolism which would make my cardio workouts more efficient. And who can't use some efficiency in their lives. I also used to forego my weights sometimes if I was too tired after the cardio stuff. I am also, reducing the time of my cardio to 30-45 min instead of an hour+ to make sure I have time for the weights AND I am not stressed about being at the Y all day (at least that is what it would feel like).
So my workouts are split up by upper body one day and lower the next, both followed by a good intense cardio workout (5k on the treadmill or a solid half hour on an elliptical for example). I am lifting the above numbers on each day that I do either my upper or lower body. That is a lot of weight hopefully this will in turn bring a lot of weight off! We'll see, keep you posted on my new routine.

Posted by Kara on November 7, 2007 8:09 PM Permalink | Comments (0)

Women Make Women Strong

Family Girls Getaway
Originally uploaded by karabyrd1

We had our FAMILY GIRLS GETAWAY a few weeks ago at The Club at Hammock Beach in Florida. It was AWESOME! Getting away with fantastic women that you are related to is incredible! We laughed so hard I think that was an exercise in itself. Took a private Yoga class together early one morning. How cool to look around the room and see your mom, your sisters, aunts, friends and even your grandmother doing down dog. We celebrated my Great Grandmother's 98th birthday on a 117 foot yacht Sunday Brunch Cruise - that is where this picture is from. My new niece Ella James even joined us at three weeks old! Imagine FIVE generations of women all toasting with mimosas to a life well lived (well Ella didn't get any)! Thank you to my family for helping me to become the woman I am today! I love you guys!

Posted by Kara on October 19, 2007 7:35 AM in Kara | Permalink | Comments (0)

My first 5k - Duluth Fall Festival

My first 5k - Duluth Fall Festival
Originally uploaded by karabyrd1

I did it and I wasn't last! Thanks to all who said, "Oh, just do it - you can do it!". I did and it felt alright. I don't know if I will be doing anymore running in a 5k but who knows. The HILLS were killer and I did walk a lot but it was a great morning. Finishing the clock read 41:04.

As I ran, I started to blog in my head.......... I thought about the reasons I did this and this time I don't really think it was for me. I think it was for my girls, so that one day they can say "hey, remember when mom did that race". On the way there they were saying "we hope you win Mom." I was explaining to them that this wasn't about winning it was about a goal and that you win just by doing it.

You can see the girls on the left in the brown and Grayson is hidden behind them. They were cheering me on along with my super supportive (and not in the annoying way) husband and a handful of girlfriends. As I came down the last hill the announcer yelled "let's cheer Kara on this is her first race - way to go Kara". The kids were so excited to hear my name (& so was I).

Thanks to Kristen for the invite! Thanks for Pauline, Val & Gina (& kristen again) for giving me the goal of reaching them at the finish line. And looking for me even before I registered to get my number. Thanks to Dana & Kim for starting with me today - you guys were great! Thanks to my kids and my husband. And of course thanks to all you Choose to Movers because you were my 2nd reason behind my kids of why I did this this morning.

I am still tortured about this sunday's 5k

Emma Creek Classic 5K
Originally uploaded by beckham2007

Okay, last week I went out to run on the greenway trails instead of inside on the treadmill. Everyone says road running is easier than treadmill running. I beg to differ. I was practically in tears not because I can't do this but because I really don't like it. I was thinking how I would rather be walking or biking would be even better. I was thinking, "why at 35 yrs old, am I doing something that doesn't make me happy?". I am still wrestling with thoughts of gracefully bowing out of Sunday's race not because I can't do it but because I REALLY don't want to do it. Okay, to be honest I am not good at it either and I know I can walk I just don't want to come in last. And I don't want to hate myself while I am doing it. What to do - What to do?

Posted by Kara on September 26, 2007 9:50 AM Permalink | Comments (3)

Where have I been?

I have been BUSY!

Today, I became an AUNT again. What fun little Baby Ella James was born today. Happy Birthday Ella! Kelli (my little sis) I am so proud of you!

I am still scheduled to run/walk the 5k on Sept 30th. Even though I still HATE running. I don't care what anyone says I will never like it. I can walk to the ends of the earth or even ride my bike there now but this running stuff is for the birds (and not this byrd). I will do this one but I am pretty sure I won't sign up for another run event.

My bike FINALLY found it's way out of the basement!

Bicycle Race
Originally uploaded by federicocristina

Since, I began the program back in March - one of my goals was to get my bike out of the basement. Where it sat since we moved in EIGHT years ago. Well, it finally made it's way to the garage where it sat for a few days and then put a little air in the tires and I am as good as gone.

I had Chris take a seat out of the van so I could throw it in the back and head to the Greenway (a 13 mile biking/walking path) near our home. The first day I was nervous! It had been a while a LONG while since I did any type of serious biking. Like since 1995 just following my open heart surgery. I used to ride 14 miles a day back then as part of my recovery.

I have done the 10 1/2 mile ride 4x since last week! I love it! It feels so freeing! To just have you and a winding road ahead of you. It is almost poetic. I listen to my music and pedal my little heart out. One day this week I even saw a bunch of beautiful wildlife while I was out there. Giant turtles, blue heron, squirrells & a snake that I almost ran over. And on Sat morning my husband joined me! It was nice to have him with me for company. I look forward to many more rides in my future. I can't imagine my bike EVER ending up collecting dust in the basement again!

Posted by Kara on September 2, 2007 6:25 PM Permalink | Comments (5)

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Expert Advice!

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