First off, before you read this, please no that I am by means absolutely no expert and really have no idea what I am doing when it comes to working out or eating right. So before you go on reading this, just know that I am sharing my heart on fitness after having my second baby and what works for me now.
top // shoes // double stroller // leggings // sweatshirt
Becoming fit. That is what I am currently striving for. Not losing weight, but becoming fit this time around. And to actually take care of my health and body because I love the body that God has given me. Ever since I was in high school I feel I have been on some weird, fad diet, or trying the latest and greatest workout dvd. I am so done with all of that, and hope that I can always keep this mentality.
After I was done nursing Adelyn, I just remember starting the Whole 30 diet which I loved when I was on it, but when I finished I didn’t really know how to eat. I love bread, and so this diet wasn’t a lifestyle for me. It has always been a love/hate relationship with food and all of this yo-yo dieting, but after having Emery, I feel like my thinking has all changed about working out and dieting. No more diets, and no more crazy workout plans.
So with the start of the new year, I made a goal, to not make a weight, food, or fitness goal but to start by truly wanting to eat and workout because I want to take care of this body that God gave me. So I eat what my family eats (rather than making something else for myself), and I workout (when I have the time) to get fit and take care of my body rather than focusing on the scale number.
I want to share some working out ideas that I have found effective and that I love to do! Especially being a mom, it has be effective and fun because it’s usually done with a child climbing on our back or one yelling that they are hungry etc. I wish I could get up before my kids to workout, but it rarely happens, so I have to find things that I can do with them, or sneak in a quick one at nap time.
Stroller workouts: I love to take our jogging stroller to the park and run around the lake on nice days. After jogging around the lake once or twice, I will do a few reps of some “stroller workouts”. Yes, I feel like an idiot doing them, but they work and I get in a nice workout even with my kids being present. I usually do a couple rounds of 15 reps of calf raises, reverse leg lifts, stroller squats, and not pictured is lunges. (P.S. I love how Adelyn is peaking out on my squat photo.)
BBG: I recently downloaded the “Sweat with Kayla” app and have done a few of the workouts from the BBG. I do like them for a quick and easy workout but they do get repetitive. I get bored easily so this is something I just like to do a few times a week, but I have heard that if you fully commit to it, it can produce amazing results. I do like the ability to take the workouts with me on trips as the guide is on your phone.
DVDs: Ok so my tried and true way to workout is by DVD’s. My workout DVD selection is insane, and so I am only going to list the ones that I love to do and feel like they are effective.
Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred – I have used this one for years and it’s cheap, like $7.
Turbo Jam – For when I get bored of any workout DVDs, I will whip this baby it. It’s totally cheesy, but fun and upbeat.
T25 – I actually did this right before I got pregnant with Emery, and I loved it. It’s quick and it works.
Xtend-Barre – If you like Barre workouts, this one is good. Its great to work on toning and flexibility.
Jillian Michaels Yoga – I do really like the Jillian Michaels DVDs, and by the reviews on Amazon, so do others. This is a great yoga DVD.
Turbo Fire – And I really like Chalean Johnson. These DVDs are intense but will give you a workout that you will feel for the next few days.
One other thing that I have found to be helpful in working out, is nice workout clothes. A great pair of leggings that stay put while working out, and help my backside look toned is what I have always been searching for. I recently started wearing Albion Fit and love, love, love their leggings. All of their workout clothing are so well-made and perfect to workout in. I’ve been loving these leggings, this sweatshirt, and this sports bra. If interested, I am giving away TWO $25 gift cards on my Instagram, so make sure to go enter so you can try Albion Fit for yourself!
Top // water bottle: similar here
I hope you can find some of this helpful! I always like to read what others are doing, so maybe you might find one area of insight. More than anything from this blog post, I hope you workout and eat right because of your desire to be healthy, take care of your body, and to feel good. I think once I changed my mentality on how I wanted to get fit, it actually started working. It is all about how you think and talk to yourself that becomes the most effective tool. YOU are perfect, strong, and brave. Don’t just tell yourself that, but truly, truly believe it.
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. 1 Corintians 6:19