Let's Get Physical!!!!!

I can’t think about the idea of “healthy mom-ing” without the role that exercise plays in it.  Not only is about feeling good about myself but it’s just as much about my emotional health.  It’s not as easy as it once was and it has required a LOT of flexibility and accepting “something is better than nothing” but I have to prioritize exercise.  Period.   

 

For most of my adult life, I’ve been a regular exerciser.  From step aerobics and body sculpt back in the day to discovering indoor spin in my early twenties (umm still obsessed!) my favorite workouts have evolved over time.  Yoga has been a staple since college but in the last few years Pilates moves have become appealing and really helped support changes to my body that have come during and after pregnancy.  Fortunately I was able to work out while pregnant with both the boys, and I desperately needed Pilates and yoga to offset the lower back pain and tighter hips of pregnancy.  Pelvic floor rehabilitation and regaining core strength has been especially important to me after pregnancy and...ugh....NOT as easy as I thought it would be! The older I get the more I find that core stability is the foundation for EVERYTHING body and alignment wise so incorporating core work is now extra important.     

 

I could write a novel about the personal benefits of exercise.  Besides the mental gain of course, I love the "functional life training" it provides since my days are full of lifting up and down, in and out... and left and right.  From car seats to cribs, high chairs to bathtubs.... the physical load alone of a mom’s life with little ones is pretty intense!  For me it’s less about trying to get some six pack back but more about wanting a strong and flexible body to handle the challenges of day to day.  

 

As life has gotten crazier with little kids, I’ve had to do a lot of quick home workouts here and there (sometimes even with them nearby and “semi occupied!”) Here are some of my favorite YouTube links that are mostly just 15-30 minutes but give you a great bang for your buck.  I love how these maximize muscle groups and cardio intervals mixed with the stability and strength training that comes with Pilates.  The shorter Pilates workouts are great when you’re crunched for time or I love to pair them with a walk for a combo workout day when possible! 

 

Pilates - weights/cardio – 30 minutes

*Use 3-4 pound hand weights and includes strength and cardio intervals, Pilates moves and targeted core work.


 

Barre/Sculpt with a little cardio – 30 minutes

*No weights but sometimes I add in for some of the circuits too to kick it up a notch.


The PopSugar Fitness ones in general seem to always be good AND they include a huge variety of classes!! 

 

Power Pilates (plus some full body strength) – 15 minutes


 

Pilates (Abs/Core focus) – 20 minutes


I love finding workouts that deliver results in a short amount of time.  And time is no joke lately (especially in socially distancing quarantine days!)   When I hear people say they don’t have time to exercise I think that EVERYONE can make time.  And I’m reminded of the words of a favorite Peloton spin instructor... “what we WANT to prioritize we make time for and what we DON’T want to prioritize we make excuses for.”  So so true for me!  I’m quick to make excuses for laundry piling up or the sheets not being changes QUITE as promptly as they should be from time to time (I know.. gross!) but I manage to fit in workouts amidst the craziness of two little ones.  
Speaking of exercise, I’ll have to share about my love affair with Peloton in a later post.  They have also played a pivotal role in my workout world (and my sanity) lately!  Anyone who’s thinking about taking the plunge DO IT. More on that another time! 

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