Wow, is it really Thursday already? The weeks go by in a blink of an eye lately. It’s busy and hectic over here these days. Building a house is waaaay more time-consuming than I ever could have predicted. It’s like a full-time job. Seriously.
If only this was a home blog, I’d have all kinds of topics to share with you. There’s a reason I stick to food, health, and parenting topics, though. I’m pretty clueless when it comes to the home stuff. I wish I had a full-time consultant to research for me and help me choose all my finishes. Instead, I have to cross my fingers and hope I don’t break every design rule out there as I try to pick colors and finishes that don’t clash. Aaaah!
Onto the topic at hand.
I figure it’s time I do a postpartum exercise update. Despite my busy schedule, I am finding time to squeeze in some workouts. And when I say squeeze in, I mean it. There are no 10 mile runs or long, luxurious gym visits happening. Yes, I do think a long visit to the gym would be a luxury right now. Even busy moms can fit in workouts, though. Here’s what I’m loving in my fitness routine now:
1. Bodyrock.tv
A few readers recommended bodyrock.tv to me when I first started working out after having Luke. It took me a while to check it out, but I’m so glad I did! This website is a free website that offers short, intense workouts. By short, I mean 12 minutes. Yes, you can get a great workout in in 12 minutes. I never would have believed it, but you can. In those 12 minutes I’m sweaty, my heart rate gets up, and it makes my muscles sore. Short, but intense. That’s the key. These little 12 minute circuit-style workouts are perfect for my schedule right now and I noticed my body getting more toned very quickly after starting these.
2. Running 1-2 times a week
I still love running, so I try to get a run in 1-2 times a week. Mostly I’m sticking to shorter runs, 3-4 miles. I love getting outside to workout and I love the mental break it affords me. Sunshine and fresh air is good for my soul.
3. Not discounting functional fitness
In Healthy at 100
, John Robbins discusses the lifestyles of the cultures that have produced the most health and longevity. None of them are known for spending hours running. None lift weights or take spin classes. What they all have in common is a naturally active lifestyle. They don’t sit staring at screens all day. Their day-to-day life activities include walking, lifting things, climbing. Moving. I try to emulate this lifestyle by not sitting too much during the day and just being naturally active in my normal activities. I choose to walk when I can, take the stairs, run up the stairs instead of walk, actually play with the kids. I don’t think this type of lifestyle gets enough credit in America. I highly recommend Robbin’s book, by the way. It’s fascinating.
4. Not letting myself feel guilty
If I don’t get a chance to workout, I am trying to not let it weigh on me. I remember what I described in #3, in that I am working to have a naturally active lifestyle whether I get a formal workout in or not. Life is too short to feel guilty over things like working out.
Overall, I am feeling great at 10 months post-pregnancy. My weight has actually dropped a bit below my pre-pregnancy weight. Most importantly, I’m feeling good. My clothes are fitting, I have energy, and I’m happy. I can’t believe in less than 2 months my baby boy will be a 1 year old!
It’s rare for me to get a photo that is good of both kids. Since I was talking about Luke, he got to be the one looking good in this pic. 🙂 Look for his 10-month update coming soon!
Post-kid exercise … It’s a whole new challenge, right? I remember thinking I’d take long leisurely runs while hubby watched bubby, or even with bub rocked off to sleep in the pram. Ha. My favourites over these last 5 years have been Jillian Michaels – she seriously ROCKS short, intense workouts and the Nike Training Club app on my iphone. Again, variety, intensity and choice of length.
And now that bub is older (5!) I can dictate undisturbable ‘mummy time’ while I’m exercising. Yay!
🙂
Do you have all the equipment that they recommend on bodyrock?
No, I don’t. When they call for sandbags, I just use my hand weights. For the dips I use a chair or 2 chairs. I just improvise and make it work. 🙂
I have never seen body rock but I will have to check it out! I here ya on the functional exercise. There are many days that I do not sit for the entire day (maybe only dinner) until my kids are finally bathed and put to bed which on some nights is not until 9 or 9:30! By then I am exhausted whether I had the chance to workout or not. I like dancing the wii with the kids, playing tag, soccer, bball or doing exercises with them too. It’s exhausting trying to keep up with them sometimes! They have so much energy.
Glad to hear you are still finding the time to exercise! Can’t wait to see the progress on your house!
I am excited to check out that book! John Robbins’ book, Diet For A New America was life changing for me when I read it back in college.
Both of my kids are in school and I *still* have to try to squeeze workouts in when I can. Most of the time they happen, but sometimes they don’t. And that’s okay.
You’ll love the book! Anyone interested in health and nutrition would find it fascinating. Highly recommend!
Maryea! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Bodyrock. I’ve been doing it for a little over a year and I’ve had to get rid of basically my whole wardrobe (I’ve gone down 3.5 pant sizes) and I didn’t think I was large before. But, with bodyrock, not only have I lost weight, I found curves that I didn’t think I’d ever have. You should also check out ZWOW (the original founder of Bodyrock – with her ex-husband Freddie). Her workouts are great too!
Congrats on losing the babyweight and thank you for helping me stay committed to a happy, healthy life 🙂
Wow what awesome results! I will definitely check out ZWOW–thanks.
Impressive exercising 🙂 I’m starting to run now too…
Definitely going to check out bodyrock.tv. thanks for the tip!
I have the same issue with my kids. Thanks for posting the picture and your difficulties with photography. Makes me feel like I am not alone in not always having cute-photographic kids… which facebook and the blogging world can sometimes make me feel like! 🙂 ha!
look at those kiddos! so big! and i’m glad you are still running. just the right amount!
Glad you are feeling great, Maryea! And you totally have the right idea about life being too short to worry about a missed workout. Hopefully you’re getting more sleep too!
I really want to check out bodyrock.tv now, thanks to your review. An intense 12-minute workout that produces results? Sounds good to me…thanks for the tip!