Tuesday, June 10, 2014

my body and fitness routine

I've been promising a workout post for awhile now... so here goes! I want to start off by admitting that part of the reason I continued nursing Mia past 12 months (we stopped around 16 months) was because I was so nervous that I would, I dunno, suddenly gain 20 pounds? Nursing was a great calorie burner for me and I was able to drop weight/love handles/ etc quickly, combined with my workouts. That isn't the case for everyone... every body is different and especially every nursing body! I have friends who weren't able to lose the last 5-10 pounds/love handles until they stopped nursing. But I digress. I was incredibly nervous that my body would go down hill once I stopped nursing, which I now realize was an absolutely ridiculous worry for me to have! I have developed a healthy habit of working out that my body appreciates. It's been hard but I've earned every muscle I have!
I admit that I am smaller and weigh less than I have during my entire marriage. In fact, I don't think I've been this small since high school. But let me tell you, I've never been this strong in my entire life!! My family genes attribute to my size, but skinny girls can't bust out 30 push ups or 10 pull ups. I know that for a fact because up until a few months ago, I have never busted out anything like that! So let me make this loud and clear... in my opinion, size doesn't matter! Being healthy, feeling strong, and being happy and loving yourself is what matters! I know it's easier said than done, but there is no sense in comparing our body's to other body's. Being happy in your own skin is what's important, and for most people it takes some time, dedication and hard work to get there! Nothing motivated me more than my changed body after giving birth. It was important for me to wait until I got my doctor's okay to start working out, so after my six week check up I got right to work. And I haven''t stopped! I'm smaller and stronger than ever because I've dedicated more time to working out than ever.
I workout 5-6 days a week and to be honest, it doesn't totally suck! It's what my body is used to and it feels weird to take more than 2 days off in a week (unless we are on vacation). When I first started working out again after Mia was born, I did a lot of Jillian Michaels DVD's. I highly recommend those! They are perfect for building muscles when starting from nothing and it was perfect for me to do them in my home instead of trying to make it to the gym when Eric was home (he works crazy hours) and so I didn't have to take Mia out of the house (hello RSV season!). I slowly started running (and I mean it when I say slow, it took a long time to run distance) and went to spin classes when I could. The best thing for my body now is variety! I love to run (I really mean love/hate) because it's the best for toning my legs, backside, tummy and lungs, so I do that 3-5 times a week. I meet up with my girl friend's at the gym 2 days a week to lift which includes, weight machines, free weights and using my own body in the form of pull ups, push ups, etc. We have a solid routine while lifting which works great for me! On Saturdays I go to a spin or piyo class. I love to hike and swim during the warm months, dance parties with Mia in the kitchen get my heart rate up and body moving, family walks are fun and get us all moving, and the stairs in my home are my best friend!
Working out really does suck in the beginning. But once you start seeing results or even simply feeling good, it is so worth the pain and tears of establishing your routine/habit, I promise!

*My diet has changed over the months as well and I will be sharing what works for me in another post! As sad as it is to admit, my metabolism isn't what it once was, so I've cut back on a lot of my favorite foods and added a lot more fruits/veggies and other stuff. Being an adult is pretty rotten sometimes, HA!

33 comments:

Lauren {at} Life.Love.Lauren said...

You look fantastic! Hopefully one day I can get to my goal! One day at a time, slowly but surely!

Kimberly said...

Eating healthy I have DOWN. I don't know anyone that eats as healthy as I do (in real life anyway!) But I just have the hardest time finding workout time. Every time I make dinner in the crock pot so I can go work out as soon as Adam gets home from work (my usual dinner making time) Adam gets stuck on a long call at work and barely makes it home in time for dinner. Boo.

But since stopping nursing I'm down 7 pounds. I have at least 18 more to lose before I will get pregnant again! I have Jillian Michael's DVD, I just need to get going. Ug. :)

hello erin said...

you look amazing!! i was totally one of those lucky girls who couldn't lose ANY weight while nursing! and strong = awesome. i LOVE being strong. i wear those muscles like a badge of pride. bring on the weights & pushups!

P!nky said...

YOU GO GIRLFRIEND! Look at you rocking out those pullups! I agree, size is just a number, it's all about how you feel and how strong you are.

Kirsty and Seth said...

Your discipline is amazing! And you look fantastic too. I was doing 30 day shred for a little while which I loved but I've had to stop for various reasons. It is such a nice feeling to feel strong and healthy, I need to be better at that!

kirstyandseth.blogspot.co.uk

Ashley said...

You look great. Thanks for sharing this. I'm one of those struggling to lose the last 15lbs and I'm nursing. I've had to change my diet and start working out. This is encouraging for me to read. Thanks Courtney!

tina bumblebee said...

I really wish I could join a gym but #singlemomprobz. I guess I could go to a gym with those daycare things? But they're probably expensive and my daughter is so shy she most likely won't even let me leave her. Your routine sounds great and yay for you being your smallest since high school! I do the Jillian Michaels DVDs and some yoga DVDs!

Anonymous said...

you go girl! I was nervous to stop breastfeeding too! Getting on a schedule makes working out for me so much easier! You look great!

Lauren said...

you look amazing! breastfeeding was huge for me as well and I'm so glad that I stuck it out as long as I did! This time around I haven't been gaining as fast and I'm attributing it to the fact that I was in MUCH better shape than when I first got pregnant with Elyse.

Sara {Rhapsody and Chaos} said...

Uh, okay. You are seriously my new motivation. GET IT, GIRL.

Erin LFF said...

Thanks for sharing this, friend! Your drive and dedication is so motivating to me, I want to go work out right now! You look amazing and I think variety really is so important! Now, move to Ohio and be my workout buddy! :)

Danielle said...

I love it!! I started working out religiously (at times too religiously!) years ago but I've never stopped since. 1/24 of the day spent taking care of myself is something I can get behind! I need to throw in some weights to my routine, but every time I start to stray from just running, I miss it. Ha!!

Pamela said...

Oh I look up to you in so many ways! You are awesome!

Dee Stephens said...

You look awesome!! Always have! As I've mentioned, I'm smaller than ever now, but honestly.. mine is because of food.
I don't have as much time to work out so I have modified my diet and NEVER eat after 7pm anymore. That's been key for me. GEAUX GIRL!

KelseyB said...

Go on with yo bad self!!! You look great! I am thinner than I ever was before having kids. Maybe it is because I never sit down, but I need to workout. I just never have, so my problem is getting started. One day...one day...haha!

Christy said...

I'm thinner now, since having Grayson, than I have been in years! Like...not since early college days! But I am also TERRIFIED that once I quit nursing I'll gain 20 pounds! I'm sure it's crazy, but I do worry about it. Especially since so many people comment about how thin I am and are constantly attributing it to breastfeeding. Don't get me wrong, I know it helps, but I think I have a healthier lifestyle now than before. However, I'm not nearly as committed to working out as you are. I rely almost entirely on Jillian to get me going! My schedule right now just doesn't allow for gym time. You rock!!

Nicole@mamashiptips said...

girl good for you. I'm so proud of you .. I hope to get my body right also so sick of being sick and tired

MonicaLeeBlog said...

You look amazinggg! The hard work is definitely paying off girlfriend!

Alycia said...

You look fantastic!!!! WOOT WOOT!!!

Alycia//Crazily Normal

Anonymous said...

You look amazing!! Good for you. I wish I had more self control. I have never had to watch what I eat, but after having this baby I'm sure I will have to watch more of what I eat and try to stay active as much as I can.

Sprinkles and Glitter said...

You look AMAZING!! I can't even do 1 pull up! Keepp up the good work!! :)

Anonymous said...

You go girl! I find going to the gym so boring, so I prefer fun / active exercise. I also started getting back into yoga, which I LOVE. Not sure if that will really tone me up or anything, but so far I feel so much more healthy since I started incorporating that.

J and A said...

Great post lady! You are a STRONG mama and a great role model for Mia - that is what matters!

Shaunacey Bonneville said...

you seriously look AMAZING!!
I was doing Jillian videos and then Annabelle got really mobile... that kinda put a hamper on that. Then I went back to work and my husband works late. I struggle to fit workouts in.
I recently bought a 3 month gym membership and some personal training sessions and am hoping I can fit them in on my lunch. I need more hours in a day!

Elizabeth [Chasin' Mason] said...

You look amazing! And have such discipline. I have the hardest time getting the motivation to workout...even a little. It's kinda sad and bad. When I get home from work, I come up with all sorts of excuses as to why I can't or don't have time. I need something I can do at home. Like maybe in the morning for like 20 minutes before I take a shower and get ready for work. How long are those DVDs? Maybe I need those!

oomph. said...

looking good! i agree it's more about being healthy vs being skinny.

Mandie said...

Damn girl, look at those muscles in your legs as you're running! Lookin' good, lookin' good. :)

Julie said...

You look great! I'm going to be honest, I've always heard that breast feeding does burn the calories but I can honestly say that didn't with a few people in my life so it does make me wonder sometimes. But you should totally come to St. Louis and be my workout buddy to motivate me!

Sarita @ it's my girls' world said...

I love this post as fitness means a lot to me too. I used to use Jillian Michaels when my baby was born and sometimes if I'm home on a weekend and want to bust out a quick workout I still do. Stay strong!!

Janna Renee said...

I heart Jillian Michael's! The weight on the scale doesn't matter, it's how you feel! You look amazing, lady ;)

The Yarbrough's said...

You look G-R-E-A-T girl!!!

Hayley Chandler said...

I haven't worked out since Jackson was born. I haven't figured out when to do it. And to be honest, I never have liked working out anyway. I wish I did!!! You look fabulous!

Stephanie said...

I really struggle with the eating part of being healthy. I love a good workout with a killer burn. But for whatever reason, I can't seem to get my act together when it comes to eating healthy. Do you have a previous post that shares what you eat or what you recommend?

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