MamaStaysFit

My home gym - you don't need much - just some motivation!

I love working out, especially early in the day as it kicks starts me and I feel more energetic for the rest of the day. However, after I had my first two kids I stopped exercising for the most part (other than a bit of Zumba once a week - fun but once a week is definitely not enough to maintain a healthy lifestyle). Since baby number three I have been very consistently pushing myself to exercise and it feels great to be fit again. I feel so much better, my shoulder is happy and I can keep up with my kids. I actually feel more fit, likely because I am eating better and don't have constant stomach aches and blood sugar crashes, than I did when I was dancing and working out 10 hours a week. Its crazy!

 My fitness goals are:

1) To work out at least 3 times a week for 45 minutes but preferably 4 -5 times a week. I try to get to a group class at the YMCA 2 times a week (yay for the babysitting room) and supplement that with my home work outs once or twice a week. During the summer I do more functional fitness - yard work, walks, bike rides, etc so less formal classes.
2) To maintain my current cardio fitness level but increase my upper body strength (to help support my chronic shoulder injury - that shoulder is still a bit weak) and strengthen my back (pregnancy, lack of sleep and carrying a fussy baby has taken its toll on my back).
3) To keep it interesting and varied so I don't get sick of it. I basically favor doing high intensity interval training using different moves each time. But I'm not afraid to try different things - cardio, step, yoga, zumba, strength, weights, cross-fit, jogging (rarely), Tabata's, plymetrics, cycle class and dance. I need to keep it interesting or I lose interest.

Here are some of my posts on Fitness:

A word on Fitness...Not to be forgotten

Sample Tabata Plymetric workout

My one year anniversary update on getting back in shape - where I'm at Aug 2013

My fitness accountability pictures - Going back to work

I used to keep my fitness journal here but I decided that I am in enough of a fitness routine that I don't actually need it anymore. My body tells me when I need to work out. And when I need to rest.

That's me - 7 months after baby - 20 pounds lighter than when I got pregnant with baby #3. Eating clean, high intensity interval training and strength training has made me fit again and able to keep up with my kids and my yard work.

March 5 2014 - Starting the Lent Challenge today!