I have been breaking in some new lounging err I mean fitness gear around here lately. I don’t know about you other SAHM’s out there but I tend to live in my yoga pants and running tights. Who am I trying to kid though? If you ask my husband I have been living in these two things for the past year plus.
Since I have been living in my old gear I have definitely been long over due for some new duds. Sweaty Betty generously sent me a pair of their Sculpt Workout Capri. Doesn’t the name just make you feel guilty not actually getting a workout on when you are wearing them?
Honestly these are some of the most comfortable workout capris that I have ever sat on my couch and nursed in. When I’m not lounging in them I have been wearing them out for walks with E and for in home workouts. They have been really great although a little on the light side when it comes to outdoor workouts in the winter.
Disclaimer: Sweaty Betty sent me these capris at no cost. All opinions are my own.
Is anyone else sad that hiking season is basically over? I didn’t make it out once this year and it’s a huge bummer because Neil and I have become really big fans of hiking. Last year we did an overnight hike on the Long Trail and it was amazing and then I got pregnant so no hiking this past spring for me and then of course Edith arrived and well no hiking this late summer/fall for me either.
Although I haven’t been out hiking we have been taking advantage of the nature trails around the area. It is great to get back to nature and Edith is in love with being outdoors. There is nothing more calming (besides a boob in her mouth) than being outside in the fresh air.
One thing I hate to do is wear my running shoes for trail/nature walks so I was excited when Anhu generously sent me a pair of their (vegan) Orinda trail shoe. My pair of trail shoes were basically destroyed from hiking and I was in need of a new supportive shoe.
I know it’s not a ‘must’ to have multiple pairs of shoes for different adventures but I really love having a special shoe for trail walking. These ones have great traction, are light weight and dry fast when they are wet which is essential.
Do you wear special shoes for hiking or trail walks?
Disclaimer: Anhu sent me these shoes at no cost. All opinions are my own.
As you read in my last post I need to work on increasing the intensity (and frequency) of my workouts. Today I did just that thanks to my husband who encouraged me and pushed me to run further and having a new pair of Brooks to try out was a great motivator as well.
A few weeks ago Brooks contacted me about trying out a pair of their shoes. I wasn’t told what I would be getting, only that I should expect something in a few weeks. Last week to my delight a new pair of shoes arrived on my doorstep.
I opened the box and inside was a pair of Brooks PureProject Flow running shoes. Instantly the desire to go for a run overtook my mind and body, there is nothing better than new shoes to motivate me to move.
According to the website they are “For runners who love the feel of free feet but count on cushion to go the distance, this shoe strikes the perfect balance. Breathable on top, flexible underneath, and altogether awesome looking.”
Lightweight with cushioning
Wide Toe Flex empowers big toe
Air mesh upper for breathability
Nav Band provides a locked-in fit
Named “Best Buy” by Runner’s World in their Spring 2012 Shoe
I was in need of new running shoes ASAP so I was hoping that these new Brooks PureProject Flow would fit my needs.
Today Neil and I decided to have an at home day after running around for the last four days and I decided that it would be the perfect day to try out my new shoes. Neil and Edith decided to come along for the run since my pace is still pretty slow. Neil pushed Edith in the BOB and I ran ahead of them, making loops back to say ‘hi’ every .3 miles or so.
The run went really well and it was great to have Neil helping me with correcting my stride and arms. He also was a great “coach” and pushed me to challenge myself and run further before taking a walking break. I usually don’t like to run with anyone else but today it was great to have the help, support and of course to get to see little E while I ran.
On the way back from our run E was getting cold and a little fussy so daddy to the rescue aka Neil carried her home during my cool down walk and I pushed the empty BOB.
E was so glad to get home and decided to show you all how I felt by the end of my run.
I am so glad I got out for a run and now I’m itching to get back at it again.
What motivates you to run?
Disclaimer: Brooks sent me these shoes at no cost. I was not asked or required to review these shoes.
Goal #6 is one that I am finding to be the most challenging.
When I was making my plans for postpartum fitness (back before I actually had a baby) I had these grand plans of run/walking the half marathon that I had signed up for (before I knew I was pregnant). I thought that around 4-6 weeks I would doing low intensity workouts and even start run/walking. By eight weeks I would be back to consistent running and attending a weekly postpartum yoga class and of course getting out for daily 2-3 mile walks with Edith. Here we are at almost 20 weeks postpartum and I have been on five runs and the only yoga classes I have attended are baby yoga and I don’t think taking three deep breaths and sounding ‘om’ once counts as yoga practice.
The only workout I was consistently doing were walks with Edith which occur 4-6 times per week and are usually 1-1.5 miles; so not exactly what I had hoped but it’s something. Then about four weeks ago I started Tina’s Best Body Bootcamp and although I feel like it has helped me to get back into a better routine I know that I haven’t been doing the workouts to the fullest. I know I have a million excuses but it is really challenging to fit workouts in with a demanding 4.5 month old and a husband who works long hours. At this point I am able to 10-20 minutes at a time and some days that’s all I can fit in.
Goal #6 is going to take some time and dedication to accomplish. It is also going to involve working out a better plan with my husband so that both of us have adequate time to workout 4-6 times per week. Right now my fitness intensity is around a 2 and I’d really like it to be at more of a 6 while I am still breastfeeding.
Speaking of breastfeeding that is also a factor that is making fitness a challenge. I have been having issues with my supply (that’s for another post over on Naturally Family) and so I have to be mindful of the intensity of my workouts as well as making sure I am eating adequate calories and staying hydrated. As you can see this goal faces a number of obstacles, however these are all obstacles that I know I can work through to get myself to the fitness level that I once was, and who knows maybe even increase that level.
So now is the time when I talk about the action steps that I am going to take to actually accomplish Goal #6
Make time. I know that I could make more time to workout. This means I need to sit down and compare schedules with Neil so that we both have time carved out for our own fitness activities. I know that I could do earlier morning workouts or even late night but I don’t. It’s so easy to sink into the couch after putting E to bed, especially after a particularly long day and/or night. On the other hand if I do my workout instead of sinking in I know that I will be able to help myself to have more energy to make it through those tough days, so as much as I dread an early or late workout it’s either that or some mediocre workout that I try to fit in between playing, feeding, and changing diapers.
Try out 24 Hour Fitness. Down the road from us is a 24 Hour Fitness gym and often you can get free trial memberships. I think it’s time for me to try it out and see if I can make it work because getting out of the house, away from the baby, the computer and household chores may be just what I need to get back to my fit self. Why haven’t I done it yet? Well honestly it kind of frightens me. It’s in a strip mall, I would have to go early in the morning or late at night and who knows who is at the gym at that time and I really hate going to the gym alone but I have no one to go with me (I know suck it up and do it).
TBD. More steps to be determined as I go along.
Do you struggle with balancing life and workouts? Do you have any suggestions?
I have never spent so much time sitting on my ass in my life it’s crazy. Having a baby takes up so much of my time and this little girl loves to eat so we spend about 70% of the day on the couch or in bed nursing (also in that 70% is my time sleeping and eating). So what about the other 30% of the day-and this is all just a guess because I haven’t totally tracked it- maybe I should?
During the 30% of the day that I’m not sleeping or nursing or eating myself I am trying to focus on doing more things that get me moving. I really hate just sitting on the couch especially when I have to because it’s where E likes to nurse but it’s like quick sand once you sit down you just sink in and it’s really hard to get back up (yes we have tried nursing in the carrier and it’s okay but not my or her favorite place). One of the greatest things I have done for myself is sing up for the Best Body Bootcamp, it’s keeping me motivated to workout and not only am I working out 5 days per week I am also finding myself being more active in other ways.
Not only am I getting consistent workouts in I am also getting out a few days a week with E for playgroup and baby yoga and we get out almost daily for walks. Beyond playgroup, baby yoga and walks I have been spending a lot more time babywearing at home so that I can move around hands free with E and we are spending a lot more time on the floor together working on her rolling and tummy time and more time on my feet dancing with her. It seems to be working out well for both of us because I move more and E naps more because she gets tired out more easily. Now just to figure out how to convince her to sleep somewhere other than in my arms….
Q: New moms how do you get off the couch?
Q: Are you participating in BBB? What is your favorite move?
Remember a few weeks ago I posted about my project to get off the couch well things have been going really well. I have done a ton of walking, have gotten out for a few runs (!!!!) and have been spending more time on my feet when I am home. It still is a bit of a challenge like this past Saturday when E nursed pretty much from 1pm-7pm with only a few breaks, but I am happy to say that day I did get out for a short walk with the Hubz and E.
Now to really get myself back in the workout mode I am participating round 3 of Best Body Boot Camp! I am do excited to get started and get back in shape. Every two weeks we are given a workout plan of five workouts for each week. The workouts are about an hour long and consist of three strength days and two cardio days. Tina also includes suggestions for limited training time which is great for me because as much as I’d love and hour to workout every day and it is what I strive for most days are limited to 30-45minutes.
Tuesday I started with workout A and holy crap was it killer, especially for me since I have been doing a lot of walking, some running and very little strength training. I made it through all three sets of the workout though with E hanging out on her playmat grabbing and batting at the birds. I have to say I altered a few of the moves such as scorpion with ball (husband tried it with the ball and had a hard time because our balls are about 50% bigger than the one in the video).
Instead I did this version of scorpion which was still killer.
[image source]
Overall things are going really well with being more active and on my feet during the day. I know it’s early but I am really loving BBB and love how motivating it is; who else is participating?
On the agenda for today is Workout B which will involve a little alteration because I don’t have access to a bosu ball but I guarantee it will still be a challenge.
Where did the time go? I had planned to write this recap but now almost three weeks have past and I’m finally getting to it- that’s what happens when you have a busy husband and a baby. Anyways first you can read about our Montreal stay and the RnR Montreal Expo Recap.
When we first planned to head up to Montreal for the race the plan was for all of us to go to the starting line with Neil and then we would take the Metro up to the finish line. Well once we arrived there we decided that it would be better for Neil to just head to the start by himself and in the end that was the best idea since the Metro was filled to the brim with runners.
At around 9:30 Edith, my parents and I walked up to Mont Royal Metro to meet up with my friend Allie who planned to watch the race with us. Once we located each other we headed over to the finish line to wait for Neil and watch the race. I lucked out the E slept in the Ergo for the first hour and then she wanted out but for the second hour she just hung out in my arms mesmerized by the runners. Unfortunately due to the large number of runners it took Neil forever to finally get across the start line and by the time he reached us (we were at around kilometer 19) E was ready to eat so I didn’t really get to see Neil run and E didn’t get the chance to cheer on her daddy.
I was really impressed with how many people came out to watch the race and cheer everyone on. This was a new experience for me since the only races that I have been to have been local 5 and 10k’s which is pretty much just runners and a few family members and the VCM which had some people watching/cheering but it was nothing like this race.
Since I didn’t actually run the race I can’t give you a recap of how the race went but you can read Neil’s two part recap here and here.
