Workouts While Traveling - No Excuses!

One thing that the DH and I do well, is always finding a way to be active. We don't let a little 2 month trip from home let us get too out of shape. Here is our list of ways to be active:

1. Run - This is the easiest. Can be done anytime. Weather is not a factor. Baby can come along in jogging stroller now. I actually have done a couple of 5 mile runs with Wesley, and really enjoyed it. I surprisingly can run the same pace with the stroller. I think it is because I am running faster down hills and inclines. I am literally chasing the stroller.

2. Visit the hotel gym/local gym - Cardio equipment can be boring, but for me, I use it as a way to read a magazine. Some of my favorites to read on the elliptical are Triathlete, Women's Health, or Outside. 45 minutes just flies by before I am even half way through my magazine.

3. Find a TRX/Yoga/Computrainer/Les Mills class. A quick google search and you can easily find classes like these that usually let you pay by the class. I went to my first TRX class like this, and loved it!

4. Rent a bike - This would be more sensible than what we do. We usually buy a bike, and bring it back to Denmark. Somehow we always justify the purchase. I think we have about 5 or 6 bikes right now.

5. Walk, Walk, Walk - Also similar to running in terms of easiness. Put on a pedometer. Set a goal, and walk.

What do you do when you travel? Any other activities I have forgotten?

Flexibility

Lists, schedules, and being organized used to bring me so much satisfaction and happiness. When you have a baby, you might as well throw all of those out the window.

Today, I was hoping to go for a run to do some "pre-training" before I start my real marathon training in a few weeks. I have just been running 45 minutes, so I told myself last night I was going to add 10 minutes and go for 55 total. I do better running based on time than distance since some days I feel better than others, and I don't want to push myself too hard this early. Last night, I even came up with a route that I wanted to try.

Wesley decided that it was party time last night, and went to bed after 11 PM, after one nighttime feeding at 2:30 AM, he was up and wide awake at 5:30 AM. I woke up tired, and with the goal to get his passport picture today. Wesley had other plans. : ) He was having a tummy ache, and did not want to have his eyes open, mouth closed, and looking straight forward at the same time. Seriously, are there babies out there who do these 3 things at the same time? We managed all but with a mouth open. Hopefully they will accept this picture.

So it is 5:30 PM, and I don't see that run happening today. You know what I think, WHO CARES?!? That run will be there tomorrow, or the next day, or when it works with Wesley's schedule. I plan to savor this precious moments with him while he is young, and everything else can wait.

I am getting a little nervous....

Tomorrow I will be participating in the Les Mills release at the fitness center as an instructor again. I had initially thought that I would need at least 6 weeks of recovery before I could begin doing anything besides walking, so I didn't sign up to participate. My recovery has been quick, and I was back running and biking at 3 weeks. A last minute request for help for the release, and it didn't take long for me to say yes.

I only have 3 tracks to teach tomorrow, but already I am thinking, what if I can't do the choreography and speak at the same time? What if Wesley has sucked out my brains and I can't remember anything? I have a little baby weight to hide, which is also making me self conscious.

Hopefully my inner star/diva will come out, and I will enjoy being the center of attention.

Cross your fingers for me....BodyStep, here I come!

A real endurance event

I have done a half distance duathlon, ran a few marathons, but nothing is an endurance event like being a mom. First, I hate to even sound like it is challenging when I think about my parents who had twins, and my friend here in Denmark who is a single mom. I have it pretty easy.

BUT, things get "challenging" when your baby thinks it is time to get up at 4AM. He has done this many times, so we kind of expect it now. I try to do as much during the night as possible (he wakes every 2-3 hours) so DH can be rested for work and his training. So this morning at 4AM, I took the shift and played with Wesley for about an hour. I kept thinking, oh he is tired, and just needs to be rocked/bounced back to sleep. After trying this for an hour, I woke DH up and said "your turn"! I then decided since I was awake, it would be the perfect opportunity to go for my 4.5 mile run. As soon as I was done, DH hopped on the trainer, and did his workout. We decided we just would get creative with our workouts, and this morning was great for me to get it done early.

Now it is approaching 5PM, and I am already thinking about when I can put my head on my pillow. I did make plans with the girls to go out with them to a concert tonight, and DH would have some "bonding" time with Wesley. (I really think they are just going to take a nap together!)

I have already pumped and have that ready for them incase Wesley gets hungry while I am gone, but the worrying is already setting in. Is it always this hard to let go, and let someone else take care of them? I know DH will be perfectly ok with him, but what if he wants his mommy? I need to lighten up, right?

This is a race without a finish line, so I am going to sit back an enjoy it. Have a good weekend!

The weather made me do it!

The weather in Denmark has been incredible the last 5 days...INCREDIBLE! I think after going through the winter here, you learn to lower your expectations in terms of what to expect with the weather, so when it is actually good, we all go a little crazy!

I started off by running 3 miles on Thursday. It was a good workout, and my body didn't punish me or give me any signs (TMI, trust me) that I had done too much.

Friday, I followed it up with a good Bodypump class. I liked the instructor because he didn't talk too much! I must remember that when I start teaching again. You don't have to talk the ENTIRE time. : )

Saturday was a 4.5 mile run finishing up a huge hill (ok, maybe not that bad) and again I felt great!

Yesterday, DH took me out on my road bike. I have an awesome Cervelo S1 road bike. This is way too much bike considering how recreational I am with riding, BUT DH spends a lot of money on his bikes, and I think he felt bad that I was riding an beginners road bike, so he bought me this one. I can tell a big difference. You definitely get what you pay for! : ) We went out for 18 miles, and I swear I was smiling the whole time. I feel so free when I ride.



Today, I went to the fitness center for a special "Mom/Baby" class. DH's mom went too, and did a Pilates class at the same time. Wesley did so good and was asleep the whole time except for the last 10 minutes. He woke up, I fed him, and then he fell back asleep. Tough workout for him!

What will tomorrow bring? Maybe a rest day for me! But if this weather continues, I am sure I will find my way outside to do something.

Ok, baby is on the outside! Let's workout!

Ha!

I guess I never considered all that your body goes through during the pregnancy, and then finishing the "race" with the labor and delivery. In my mind, I thought it would take a week or maybe two, and I would be ready to ride my bike, go jogging (not running), back to the gym for classes, etc.

Reality check: It is going to take 6-8 weeks until I am back.

I am ok with this now. I know the best thing for me is to take care of myself and my family. A healthy mommy means a healthy baby. If I don't make sure I am getting enough rest, staying somewhat calm, and eating right, it won't let me do my job as a mommy very well.

I plan to use this "break" to take long walks with Wesley in his pram, and get some fresh air as much as possible. I picked a great season to have this baby. I also want to slowly start doing some weights at home, so my arms look nice in all of the post pregnancy clothes I plan to buy.

When I use my Beco carrier, I think I have to call that a modified "workout." I have to use my core and legs more to compensate for the extra weight.

What are your stories about getting back into an exercise routine? Did you listen to the doctor and wait the right amount of time? Where there activities that you found easier on your body that you picked up after the baby?

Fitness Friday Again!

I went to a pregnancy fitness class this past Monday night and really enjoyed it! I now am wondering why I waited 36 weeks to attend. I guess, and don't flame me for this, but I thought that I was "fit" enough that I didn't need a special class. I could just do yoga, spinning, step, BodyAttack, and make some minor modifications due to being preggers. This was working out good until last week, when I realized just how hard it is to carry around a 3kg baby and keep up with these young 20 year olds in the gym. (My competitive nature will never go away.)

More about the fitness class this past Monday. First, the class was full! It was nice to see so many woman there on the same adventure as me. There were also two staff members in the class that I knew, and enjoyed speaking to. We started the class with going around and saying our name and what week we are in. I then noticed, that I was definitely the most pregnant woman there. Most were in the 20th weeks, one was a 30, and then you get to me. Um, 36? Big smile from the instructør, which made me feel welcome.

We started with a basic step class for about 30 minutes. After that we switched and got a bar and did some toning work. The next part was the hardest. We had to sit on these squishy balls, and practicing squeezing our kegel muscles, and holding for 10 seconds. It is a good thing it looks like we are all just sitting there because I was 1, 2, 3, ok need a break. I have a lot of work to do if I need to be able to hold it to 10. What are these muscles good for? From what I have heard, having strong muscles here will help us not pee in our pants after pregnancy. Yes, I do what to take up running again one day. The class ended with doing some core work on our hands and knees, and finally stretching and a cooldown. The 75 minute class seemed to fly by! I especially loved our "tisser pause" in the middle of the class. This is a 5 minute bathroom break. : )

So, I am going to go back next week, I think and do it again. I advise those who are thinking of attending to just go and give it a chance. I wish I had looking back now!

Have a fit, phat, and fabulous weekend!

Let's talk Fitness on Friday

I am having problems motivating myself to exercise. This week for example I blamed it on the sunny days making me tired, and then it was the cloudy day making me tired, and then it was the coldish day making me tired. Bottom line, I am tired.

I feel so good AFTER exercising that I have to get over the initial hurdle and just get started. I have tried the following:

1.Sleeping in my gym clothes so I just have to roll out of bed, brush my teeth and go. DH loves my sexy PJs.

2. Pack up everything the night before and put in the car. Who really wants to admit defeat and get the bag out of the car in the morning?

3. Planning a nice treat after working out. I tell myself, "Amber you can sit on your booty the rest of the night and watch Teen Mom if you go workout for 30 minutes".

Any fitness motivation tips out there? I used to have workout buddies to meet at the gym, but now I am just using the cross trainer and not going to any classes. What else do yall do to motivate yourselves?