Growing up, I was always active! From sports to dance to good ole outdoor play, I was always on the move. In my adult years, I let that slip a little…OK maybe a lot! My weight and energy levels fluctuated quite a bit in my 20s, and while I was never overweight per-say, I definitely wasn’t healthy. I of course gained weight with both of my pregnancies and I just wasn’t happy with the woman looking back at me in the mirror. After my second was born, I purchased a double jogger stroller so that I could get out with the boys and get some much needed exercise. The final straw for me was when I realized I was not even strong enough to lift that stroller into the back of my car.
I started out slow with basic exercises like push ups, crunches, jumping jacks and squats. I did this for a month and was so proud of myself when I could finally lift that stroller into my car. It motivated me to try harder and keep progressing. Today, I do 2-3 30 minute resistance workouts, 2 30-60 minute walks pushing the stroller and probably a dozen “mini workouts” (3-10 minutes) per week. I’m active whenever I can be. Not only do I look better, but I FEEL so much better! I have more energy, my skin glows, I feel happier and I am able to be a better mother to my kids, all because I started taking care of myself!
Now, I have had a lot of people ask me how I manage to workout when I stay at home with my kids full time. My answer is always “yes, it can be difficult, but it can be done!’. My workouts are generally a family affair. I used to get them in during my baby’s morning nap, but he has since ceased taking those, so now we all go outside for play/exercise time. Sometimes the kids and dog run around and do their own thing, sometimes they are right on top of me (literally) and sometimes you will see my toddler even trying to replicate my exercises! I think its so great! Teaching kids to be active when they are young will help them grow into healthier adults!
I started incorporating Kayla Itsines BBG program a couple of months ago and I am definitely seeing results. I’m going to continue with it for a bit, then I plan on posting a review post, so stay tuned for that!
Today was a basic workout for me. My trouble zones are my butt and thighs, so I always do more exercises to work those areas. I did:
- Jumping rope for 1 minute
- 20 Squats
- 24 Static Lunges (12 per side)
- 10 Jump Squats
(Repeat 2-4 twice more)
5. 15 Curtsy Lunges per leg 6. 50 Mountain Climbers 7. 30 Push Ups 8. 20 Side Leg Raise and Swing combos per leg 9. 100 Crunches (20 regular, 20 each side, 20 leg raise and 20 leg extend) 10. 20 Rear Leg Raises per leg
The kids and the dog got in on some of it, but its OK! You have got to keep going! It can be so easy to make excuses when it comes to working out. If you are short on time, find out where you can spare it! If you have your kids, include them! If its hard, push through! The rewards are so much greater than if you do nothing.
