Fitness

Working Out At Home: Fitness Videos on Gaiam TV

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*This post was sponsored by Gaiam TV. All opinions are my own.

 

 

Since becoming a stay-at-home-mom I have been trying to find creative ways to get my workouts in since I no longer have time to head out to the gym.  Luckily the weather is still beautiful here and I am able to get out for walks and runs however in the past week or so Edith has decided she hates her car seat which means walks in the stroller are hard to come by these days so I have been turning to workouts I can do at home with her in her bouncy chair, swing or just on a blanket next to me.

Lately I have been using Gaiam TV, which is like Netflix for health, wellness, yoga and fitness lover, on the Roku.  I have found a number of yoga, Pilates and cardio workouts by some of my favorite instructors including Rodney Yee, Seane Corn, Jillian Michaels, Mari Winsor, Kathryn Budig and Shiva Rea. My favorites right now are Rodney Yee’s Conditioning For Athletes which has a mini workout for runners that is perfect for before and after runs and Shiva Rea’s Mama & Baby Yoga which Edie absolutely loves.

Edie & I doing some Mama & Baby Yoga with Shiva Rea via GaiamTV

One of the best things I love is that I can use Gaiam TV on my computer and smartphone so when I travel I have instant access to my favorite workout videos.  Since many of my favorite DVD workouts are on Gaiam TV I now no longer have to remember to bring them with me instead I can just view them on my computer or iPhone.

Another feature I really like about Gaiam TV is that I am able customize workouts for weight loss, total body sculpting or increased energy.  I am also able to search for workouts based on level, style, instructor and amount of available time. I recently went through and added a number of postpartum videos to my playlist as well as my favorite yoga, pilates and Jillian Michael’s fitness videos. I also love when searching that I can see how other users have rated the video, it makes choosing which new ones to try much easier, plus I can rate them as well.

As much as I love getting out to the gym or to a yoga class I love having the option of working out at home when I can fit it in.  As a new mom that is the theme of my days, fitting things in around the Edie’s schedule.  Having the option to fit in a quick 15 minute fitness video or even 30 minutes (wishful thinking) is great; all I have to do is change into some workout clothes (who am I kidding I live in yoga pants) and pick a workout out on from my playlist and I’m good to go!

Gaiam TV’s $9.95 per month subscription fee allows subscribers to stream unlimited content. The subscription to Gaiam TV is no strings attached; there is no commitment, and members can cancel at anytime. Gaiam TV is offering a free 10-day trial plus the first 25 people that sign up for Gaiam TV will get a free yoga mat with their subscription! Sign up here today!

 

Getting Back To My Fitness

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During my second and third trimesters  I was active most days of the week either heading out to yoga, walking, swimming or doing a prenatal workout video at home. Since giving birth I have gotten out for a few walks each week but have been focusing more on healing and relaxing.  Now that I am three weeks postpartum I am finally feeling ready to get back to more regular workouts. I am still starting off slow but am looking forward to getting back up and running.

Current Workouts:

  • Plank
  • Crunches
  • Leg Lifts
  • Walking

Plans for the next three weeks (continue with the above plus below):

  • Yoga-at home
  • Skinny Bitch workout videos- I love that they have quick 5 minute workouts that I can do fit in between nursing, diaper changes, nursing, working, nursing, playing with baby, nursing, cooking, ect.
  • Increase walking times/distance- currently I am doing between 25-35 minutes and ranging between 1-1.5 miles

Plans starting in four weeks (continue above):

  • Start going to postnatal yoga once per week
  • Start C25K
  • Add in more intense home workouts

I am looking forward to finding a balance between everything I need to do at home and workouts because workouts are important for me to get my body back in shape and for my sanity.

New moms: how do you find the balance?

 

Guest Post: Yoga in the Office

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Yoga In the Office

This is a guest post from Erin at Creative Soul in Motion. Erin is a yoga-loving, whole-food eating Warrior Goddess empowering people of all ages to find growth + happiness through active living.

For most of us, our jobs require us to sit in front of a computer typing away all day. There’s no movement, no spontaneity, no openness in our work days and instead our bodies are wound up and stressed out.

Every email can make your shoulders scrunch up just a bit more

Every phone call can cause jaw muscles to tighten

Every request makes your breath shallow and fast

For many, work causes stress not only to the mind but to the body and the spirit, which is one reason why taking your yoga practice off of the mat and to your desk chair can be so rewarding and uplifting.

The foundation of yoga – connecting breath and movement – can help you de-stress, unwind and open up even during the most stressful days.

So here are 7 simple yoga moves that you can do at the office, next to your desk and without much fanfare. Move through this at your own pace. These poses can help you wake up your body, wring out tension, bring fresh oxygen into your body and organs, alleviate tightness and generate new energy!

Mountain Pose – Reconnects you to your breath and realigns your body and posture

This will help you line up your body from your toes to your head. First, step away from your desk and ground your feet into the floor creating a connection between you and the Earth. Inhale your shoulders up and back and roll your neck. Take a deep breath as you let your shoulders slide down your back and your hands gently shake out next to your sides. Take 3 more deep breaths.

Eagle Arms – Helps dissolve tension in your neck, shoulders and upper back area

Inhale your arms out to the side palms up, exhale and bring your right arm up top crossing your elbows. Inhale and bring the backs of the arms together bringing your arms up and shoulders down. Breathe into your upper back and exhale your arms back to your sides. Repeat with your left arm on the top.

Standing Thigh Stretch – Opens your hips and leg muscles which get tight from sitting all day

Hold the desk in front of you with your left hand and press your feet into the floor. Lift your right foot and hold your right foot while pulling your abdomen in. Inhale and gently guide your right heel and your right knee towards the floor. Try to keep your knees close together.

To take this a bit farther float your left hand up towards the sky and stretch your fingers towards the sun.

Forward Bend – Releases the spine and allows new energy move throughout your back and your hamstrings to lengthen

Ground your feet firmly into the floor, take a deep breath in and let your arms float above you. Bring your hands together and allow yourself to fold over at your hips slowly moving your hands down your body and onto the floor in front of you. Inhale and lengthen your body to stretch out your spine and then fold forward. Just let go of everything and breathe deeply.

If you can’t touch the floor simply let your hands fall towards the floor and maybe hold opposite elbows and sway a bit.

Sitting Cat and Cow Pose – Opens your shoulders, chest and back and can cleanse your body and your mind

Sit towards the front of your chair with your feet firmly planted on the ground and your knees at a 90 degree angle. Have your spine long and your shoulders soft. Inhale as you puff your chest out and roll your shoulders down and away from your ears. Exhale pull your stomach in and let your shoulders roll forward and your head drop down. Repeat at least 5 times moving slowly with your breath.

This short and simple series re-connects you with your breath, your core and your body. It helps awaken your senses, open your mind and lets your stress just melt away. It brings you back to the present and renews your energy and focus.

Try doing this everyday around 2 PM and I bet you’ll notice your days don’t feel as frantic and overwhelming. Just a few minutes of yoga is all it takes to connect and find clarity.

Namaste.

You can read more about Erin’s journey towards balance, joy and connection at Creative Soul in Motion.

Guest Post: Running While Pregnant

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Hi! I’m Nicole from Making Good Choices and I’m so happy to be here with you while Lindsay spends time with her little one. I’m a small business owner and health counselor (like Lindsay) so I spend my days working at Pure Bliss Eats (www.pureblisseats.com) and helping people live a healthier life. You can read more about my business here.

I am (as of when I wrote this) 25 weeks pregnant. I’ve enjoyed following along with Lindsay’s pregnancy and keeping track of her experience. It’s so much fun finding pregnant bloggers, especially since I don’t have too many IRL friends who have babies/have been pregnant.

Ever since I got pregnant I have been running anywhere from 9- 15 miles a week. Generally I run about 12. When I found out I was pregnant, I wasn’t sure about a lot of things, but running wasn’t one of them. I just figured I’d keep running until I couldn’t anymore. So far, so good.

Now, let me tell you some days are WAY harder than others. Some days it takes my body 2 miles just to warm up and feel normal running. Those are the days where I stop and start and take lots of walking breaks. I try hard to just be super happy I’m running instead of discouraged I need to stop and start so much. 99% of the time I’m in a positive mindset. 1% of the time I need to get over myself and keep going.

I have been running for years. Sometimes longer distances, sometimes shorter. Before I got pregnant I was running up to 6 miles at a time. I was physically fit before getting pregnant, which is why I kept up exercising and running.

I wanted to share some tips that have worked for me over the past 6 months to keep me happy while running.

Getting out and exercising: In the first tri when I felt awful I would get up to workout and it was the only thing that made me feel better. I took it easy most days, but just getting the heart pumping and blood flowing really helped. If I ever had felt worse I would have stopped.

When I was in the first tri, I would do run/walk intervals. I think in weeks 7-8 I ran 5-7 minutes and walked a couple of minutes and repeated that. Eventually I got back into the groove and now walk 1-2x per run.(Which probably will go back to being 3-4x in the third trimester.)

Allow yourself to walk whenever you want. As long as I’m getting out there, I could walk 1 time or 4, I don’t really care.

Don’t worry about pace. Some people (like Michele) are still super fast. Before getting pregnant I ran about 9:30-10 minute miles when I was just out for a typical run. Now I’m running between 11-12 minute miles and celebrating every one.

Hydrate and go to the bathroom about 10 times before you run. Or better yet, go running FIRST thing when you wake up. I’ve found that if I just wake up and go I am MUCH happier and don’t feel like I have to go to the bathroom ½ mile in. I try to make sure I’m drinking enough water, but I don’t want to drink too much before I run because then I’ll have to go to the bathroom 5 minutes in.

Carry a cell phone and water if you think you’ll need it. I ALWAYS carry my cell phone while running. You never know if you just can’t finish the run, or if you need to picked up.

Listen to your body. If you feel pain or are very uncomfortable, stop.

Whatever you thought about running before, throw it out the window. It’s important to be FLEXIBLE and to do what you’re body needs. If you need to stop and start or take a break do it. The important part is that you are getting out there and moving.

Don’t give up! I’ve had many runs where the first 20 minutes are awful, but the last 20 are amazing and I’m on top of the world. I can usually tell if it’s a head game or if I’m just off that day. Push through and keep going! (Unless something is really wrong, then obviously, stop!)

Have fun! This isn’t a time to be super serious about your running. Enjoy the fact you are running!

Note: I spoke to my doctor about the fact that I run and he said that as long as I was doing it before, I was fine to continue. Speak to your doctor before you do anything!

Thank you for letting me share my running while pregnant experience with you! I hope you’ll visit my blog as I talk about food, fitness, health and being pregnant!

Weekend Fitness: Hitting the Trails

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This weekend Neil and I have been super active because it’s been beautiful out and as part of “Project Get This Baby Out.” Friday Neil and I went for our evening walk and then Saturday we did lots of walking downtown and then we went for a nice swim.  Sunday took the cake though with a wonderful afternoon on the trails at the Ethan Allen Homestead.

It’s actually pretty depressing that I have lived in the Burlington area for most of my life and this is the first time I have ever been to the Homestead.  Neil and I took a look at the trail map and picked a few routes to go on, it was absolutely wonderful. We did around 2 miles, which is a good distance for me especially in the heat and since I’m 39 weeks and 3 days pregnant!

We had a great time and are really looking forward to many more walks on the trails when baby arrives.

How did you stay fit this weekend?

You can check out more photos from our walks at The Ethan Allen Homestead over on Naturally Family.

 

Get Your Summer Satisfaction

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As a former 9-5er I know what a challenge it can be to enjoy all that summer has to offer during the week.  However there are a number of things that you can do to enjoy the longer days and warmer nights (and not just on the weekend).

  • Join a team. Or in my case have my husband join a team so I can go to his games. Often you will find adult recreational league sports teams and even many companies have summer sports teams to play on.  In our area you can find softball, soccer and even kickball leagues for adults to participate in during the week. Neil plays softball once per week and it’s a great way for him to get out, enjoy the weather and socialize during the week (as well as stay active).

  • Run clubs. Join (or start) a summer run club.  One of the greatest things about summer is that it stays lighter out so much later which allows for running outside to be more accessible after work.  Many athletic stores, running associations and even some towns/cities have summer group runs that are after work (and some before).
  • Farmers Markets. What better way to enjoy summer than to also enjoy locally grown food? Often we think of going to weekend farmers markets but did you know that many areas also have afternoon/evening weekday farmers markets? This is the perfect opportunity to get outside, do a little shopping and enjoy summers bounty!
  • Local Studios. Check out what type of summer events are happening at your local yoga studios or Lululemon.  In our area we have one studio that offers AM yoga on a dock at the waterfront and our local Lululemon has a number of outdoor fitness events that go on (and most are free).
  • Local Events Calendar. Check out your town/cities local events calendar to find out what fun summer events are coming up for the week/month.  Often you will find outdoor movie nights, carnivals, live music, brewers festivals and so much more.  Locally we have a movie night in the park once per month in June, July and August and every Thursday night there is Summervale a fun little event down at a local cooperative farm that features local food and lots of activities.
  • Eat Outside. Take advantage of the weather by dining al fresco!  You could plan to pack up a picnic to take to a park or down by a lake after work, head out for dinner at one of your favorite restaurants or make a home cooked meal and enjoy it on your porch (patio, balcony, lawn, etc). This is as great way to really enjoy summer and to create a fun dining experience for your whole family.

 

Q: What are you favorite ways to take advantage of all that summer has to offer?

Postnatal Running “Plans”

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I know that having a baby is hard work on the body and that breastfeeding and sleeping are going to be two of my top priorities once this baby arrives however I do want to set some postnatal running goals.

I would love to get back to walking regularly as soon as it feels right (and my midwives give me the okay), starting with short walks at first and then as I feel up to get going longer. I eventually would like to get back to running, even if that means starting out with a combo of walk/jogging.

I was curious to find out when other FitFluential moms had decided to get back to running post-pregnancy and to my surprise there was quite the range of answers:

  • “I was a slacker, I didn’t start running again until she was 6 months old and I could put her in the stroller to go running. My advice: don’t put too much pressure on yourself, your body is entirely different now. Do the best you can and be happy with the results!”
  • “I didn’t get back to running straight away because it didn’t feel right for me. I did other cardio, yoga and lifted but didn’t push myself because there were so many changes after baby. Find what works for you, your baby and family and do what you can when you feel you can.”
  • “With both of my boys, I started back at about 6-8 weeks after birth (both were uncomplicated deliveries). I had no stamina and was super slow, but I just tried to listen to my body and take it easy. If you are breastfeeding, nurse right before you go. Full boobs are not fun to have during running. Make sure you hydrate well as nursing + running can really dehydrate you. Even if you aren’t nursing, make sure you have a super supportive bra.”
  • “I started running at 6 weeks when I got the go ahead from the doctor but I was walking as early as the first week. Little bits here and there. I used a bjorn to bring E along.”
  • “While I totally have the desire to be running regularly and my body would certainly tolerate it.. I have a little boy who doesn’t sleep well at night (11 weeks old).. so sleeping and making sure I eat enough (so hungry while breastfeeding!) are much more important to me now than getting regular with running. I know it’ll happen in time though!”
  • “I started back at 4 weeks bc it felt right. I was super slow and did run walk intervals. I just listened to my body. I ran a 1/2 marathon at 6 months pp. Definitely agree with Erika … Nurse or pump before running! And drink LOTS of water of youre bfing.”

The reason I was curious about what others have done is because I would like to start “training” (I use that term loosely) for the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon in November. You’re probably now shaking your head and saying what is she thinking!? Well if you have been following Running With Tongs since last Fall you’ll know that Neil and I signed up for the Disney Half Marathon last January but due to his head injury a few months before we decided to defer to the Wine and Dine Half this Fall. At the time we deferred I wasn’t/didn’t know that I was pregnant, had I known we may have decided not to defer and just eat the cost of admission we had already paid. Anyways we did defer and are planning to visit Disney with my parents aka the race night babysitters and run (well I’ll be wogging) the Disney Wine and Dine Half.

That being said, I am comfortable with not being able to finish the race in the allotted 3.5 hours. I also know that I may even decide that I need to back-out all together once this baby arrives but I figure we are going, Neil is running and I already paid I might as well plan to at least try. Since I am not sure when this baby will arrive (i.e. early, “on time”, or past my due date) I haven’t settled on a training plan. I am debating between doing a modified Jeff Galloway Plan since I know I won’t have 18 weeks to complete it or doing the 12 week Hal Higdon Walking/Wogging Plan. I know I sound over ambitious and maybe even a little crazy but I figure I might as well try.

Question: When did you start postnatal running?