Staying Motivated to Workout

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Hello everyone and Happy Friiiiiday!!

I don’t have much new to report on our front. We are currently gearing up for Miss C’s first week of preschool, omg!! {It’s only 2 half days, but it’s a big step for her and us}. I’ll try not to cry in front of her and am looking forward to some one on one time with Donovan! I already have her first day of school outfit picked out, lol. Don’t worry, I’ll be sharing some pictures of course!

As you probably already know, exercise has always been a huge part of my life. I grew up playing sports so it’s normal for me to “go workout.” my body has changed and I can’t play multiple intense soccer games each week like I used to. Today I’m sharing some of my tips for staying motivated to workout.

Try Something New

If you don’t look forward to your workout, you are going to find any excuse to NOT workout. If your routine is feeling stale, switch things up! There are so many boutique fitness studios, gyms, group exercise classes and online workouts these days it’s actually overwhelming! I keep hearing about Orange Theory, so that’s on my list to try out soon!

Get a Workout Buddy

Grab a friend, significant other, or family member to workout with you or even virtually. The last few months I’ve been hardcore keeping up with the Tone it Up Plan. Each week, I print out the schedule and fit in the workouts when I can. I used to be a big gym person, but with the two little ones at home, that’s just not feasible. I squeeze in a workout during naptime or after bed….and sometimes they join me!

 

Have Something to Train For

This doesn’t mean you need to sign up for a triatholon. Set a goal to train for an upcoming vacation, a work event or buy yourself a new pair of shoes after one month of a consistant routine. You get it, be creative here. I do want to get back to half marathon training and am considering a race early 2018. For now, I’m trying to keep up with teaching Strides and Pop Pilates classes as well as maintaining a consistent routine.

Wear Something Comfortable

You want to feel good while you workout so keep that in mind when choosing your exercise attire. I live in my athleisure clothes these days so comfort is a priority! Also, my tip for staying motivated to workout, along with few others, was featured in a recent graphic. Check it out below!

 How fun is this?

While of course I don’t have personal experience wearing boxer briefs (lol), but I’m thinking this will be a PERFECT gift for the man in your life! Hello early Christmas shopping! My husband NEVER shops for himself and I’m eyeing these boxer briefs for him.

A little bit about The Tommy John company & Creator:

Fixing things” doesn’t mean tugging at your crotch or pulling up your socks again. It means finding a solution to this age-old problem, once and for all. It means understanding how men move, combining innovative fabric technologies and tweaking the fit down to the placement of the last stitch. Tom made this task his mission.
That’s why he quit his job and started Tommy John. With the support of his wife, Erin, a local tailor and a small team of designers, Tom re-imagined the fit, feel and function of man’s most fundamental layers. He built and patented new features from scratch. The result? Shirts that stay tucked, socks that stay up and underwear that keeps everything in place, whichever way a man moves

You can follow Tommy John on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter Pinterest and even You Tube

What motivates you to workout? Please share in the comments below!

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The Sometimes Blogger

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Hi hi friends! It’s been a minute…again!

Honestly, I think about the blog a lot and have struggled with what direction I want to take it. Do I want to blog multiple times a week and try to grow it, do I want to blog occasionally, or do I want to stop and start something new?

Since becoming a SAHM, I’ve been able to pursue some side gigs that I really love….teaching Stroller Strides and Pop Pilates classes, working my Rodan+Fields business and blogging occasionally!  I am so thankful for these outlets and being able to pursue some activities that are just for me! I think the problem is when I do have free time, I don’t know what to do first! Do I workout (that usually wins), do stuff around the house, do I blog, do I work on my R+F stuff or do I just relax & unplug? Geesh that’s a lot of things pulling me in different directions!

{MMMM Coffee}

So what’s my conclusion with all of this? Right now, I’m happy being somewhere in the middle. My top priorities of course are my family & myself. I don’t want to blog just for the sake of getting a post up, but at the same time I don’t want to NOT blog because I don’t think I have 100% perfect content! Writing has always been therapeutic for me and helps me work out my feelings and emptions, so I am thankful for this space. I think besides planning my workouts and meals I need to plan my blogging time!

Thanks for stopping by my little space on the internet!

 

Do you work from home, how do you schedule your days?

Do you stick to a blogging schedule each week?

Please share in the comments below!

 

Why I Won’t Workout Everyday

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Happy Last week of June everyone!! Seriously, I know I say it all the time but I cannot believe that it’s almost July! I feel like every year that month is notoriously busy, which always makes summer just fly by!

Side night: I really think writing out my weekly workout schedule really holds me accountable. It’s tough to plan out my exercise time in addition to meals, kid activities etc, but it helps to have that devoted time penciled in.

Maybe I should take my own advice and keep up with that, right?

To start off this post, I want to say that this is my personal opinion and what works for me!  I have a ton of exercise experience ranging from sports to running a marathon, boot camp classes to yoga and a lot in between. Exercise has always been a part of my life- I love how it makes me feel physically and mentally.

source

I apply this to all aspects of my life. It drives me bonkers as I keep hearing boutique fitness studios recommend clients to take class everyday or overhearing a client say “I need to lose weight, I’m going to take xx class 2x a day etc.”  Back up what?!

No, no, no!!

Even if you are on a specific weight loss journey, the recommended amount of weight loss is 1-2 pounds a WEEK. So regardless of your goals, it’s so important to be gradual. We live in such an instant society from texting a friend or ordering your groceries online…but the human body does not and will not work that way. Our bodies need rest days to recover and rebuild!

What happens when you OVER exercise? There are so much more beside an injury. I checked out a recent Idea Health and Fitness Article and below are some other results of over-training:

“insomnia and sleep disturbances
persistent fatigue and apathy
disrupted heart rate variability
stress, irritability and restlessness
lack of mental concentration
change in appetite
persistent muscle soreness
loss of body mass”

Um yikes!!

I typically workout 4-5 times a week. I do 1-2 tough workouts a week- either a faster/longer run or a HIIT workout where I go all out. The rest of the workouts are at a moderate pace- a shorter run, using lighter weights during a strength training sesh or a slower yoga flow. On my rest days, I may go on a slow walk with the dog or swim in the pool with the kids. I love my rest days as when I do go back to my workouts, my body feels anxious and ready for them!

 

Are you a long time fitness enthusiast or an instructor- how often do you workout?

Please share in the comments below!

 

 

 

My Workout Calender This Week

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Hello Hello And Happy Tuesday!

So, I originally started this blog to share my workouts, and well, I haven’t done that much lately.

Haha! {Although they haven’t changed much since the last time I’ve updated everyone!!}

I thought it would be fun to try to plan and recap my workouts each week. Plus writing anything

down always holds me more accountable!!

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Below is my workout plan for this week (6/19- 6/25)

 

Monday- Tone it Up 15 minutes HIIT circuit during naptime. 30 minute walk with Paisley

Tuesday– Teach Pop & Stroller Strides. {That’s usually enough for the day, haha!!}

Wednesday– Evening jog with Paisley, 3 miles.

Thursday– Teach 2 Pop Classes. And that is enough!! My body is still getting used to teaching 2 classes in a day. There is a yoga class right after Pop, so I might stay for that!

Friday– My active rest day. Active meaning I’m always lifting or chasing my kids so I do get some activity in no matter what! 🙂

Saturday– I’ll likely do some light upper body- like a Barre Arms workout. Sometimes I kind of make up my own as I go and other times I’ll just search youtube to try out some new stuff!

Sunday- Jog with Paisley. If I can get up early enough to beat the heat, I’m hoping to get in at least 4 miles!

 Side note: I realize I am SO bad at taking pictures on a regular basis. Haha, so I will leave you with this cute picture of Donovan. Everyone likes a cute baby, right?

 

 

Do you plan your weekly workouts?

What is your favorite workout lately?

 

 

 

What I’m Loving Lately

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Hey everyone! How was the weekend? Naturally ours flew by and sometimes I can’t really remember what we did exactly…..a 2 year old and a 1 year old keep things busy busy!

It’s been awhile since I’ve written one of these posts, so I thought I would change that!!

{note: no affiliate links, I just really like this stuff & wanted to share!}

Reality Life with Kate Casey 

You guys know I am kind of a Podcast junkie and watch a decent amount of Reality TV so this is the perfect fit.  I actually don’t remember how I found this podcast in the first place but I’m so happy I did. She is HILARIOUS and discuses current shows and interviews past reality stars…think Melissa Rycroft from the Bachelor. Go download it now!

Chocolate Protein Powder

Yep more Tone it Up talk. I’ve been mixing this in my smoothies the past couple of weeks, so yummy! And they sell it at Target. Another reason to go to Target ladies!

Lululemon Shorts

The hubby spoiled me with a giftcard on Mother’s Day so I splurged on some new shorts. My stay at home mom & fitness instructor uniform is yoga pants but these will be perfect for summertime! They are so comfy and fit really well!

 

Coconut Milk Coffee Creamer

I’m trying to be more mindful of my dairy and sugar intake  & this is surprisingly yummy! Found it at Target……..of course!!

Splash Pads

Speaking of summertime….it’s already heating up here in Dallas! We took Charlotte & Donovan to our local splash pad over the weekend and they had a blast. I’m so glad there is one nearby as I have a feeling we will be here often!!

That’s all from me today, thanks for stopping by!

 

What is one thing you are loving lately?

Please share in the comments below!

 

 

 

 

A Napping Baby Workout

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It’s been awhile since I’ve shared a workout, so this post is long overdue!! I know my blog has kind of been all over the place lately with the addition of my kiddos, me being a new mom, and staying at home. But the real heart of it has always been exercise: what people are doing, how to fit it in, what I like doing, what I want to try etc. With that said, I’m planning on sharing more workouts! Yay!

I’ve always been a fan of short efficient workouts. And these days, they are my go-to. Squeezing in a workout during naptime really is the best….it gives me a good mental break as well as the physical benefits. And honestly, I’ve noticed the biggest change in my body when I added in some HIIT type workouts. SO here ya go, get that sweat on!

Perform each exercise for 30 seconds each & repeat 3x through. Form tips and exercise explanations are below! {I used 5 pound weights, use something that feels tough the last 5 seconds of each exercise}

Below are some links to exercise demonstrations….maybe I will get fancy soon enough and do my own videos!!!

Down dog Push-ups

Curtsey Lunge with Chest Press  (perform chest press instead of a front raise)

Cross Over Jacks

Plank Up Downs

Back Lunge with Hop & Press (Add a hop with your front leg as you bring your legs parallel)

Twisting Mountain Climbers

Bridge with a Chest Press

Squat Jumps

Thanks for stopping by, I’m hoping to share some easy at home workouts more often & film some videos too! If you complete the workout, use the hashtag #fitgirlpwworkout, I’d love to see your check-ins!

~M

 

 

My Favorite Things About Texas

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So it’s been about 2 1/2 years that we’ve been official Texas residents! Time really does fly, especially when you have young kids. Today, I thought it would be fun to highlight a few of my favorite things about living in the Lone Star State.

Now of course there are pros and cons to everywhere you live & I will always miss parts of Seattle (where I’m from origionally) and Los Angeles ( I mean how can you not?!) But we are very happy here and thankful to raise our kids in our community!

Alright, here we go!

Friendliness

Yes it is true. People are  friendlier in the South. It’s unlikely to walk past someone on the street without saying hello or having someone open doors for you. Simple little acts like this always put a smile on my face & put me in a good mood!

The Weather

Now I will preface this by saying the summertime is brutal. Like June-August is rough. However the other 9 months of the year are pretty great. Nothing will compare to LA, but wearing my sunglasses almost daily is a win in my book! I appreciate the fact that we can do an activity outside everyday: a walk, going to the park, splash pad or playing with chalk at our house!

Food For Days

Seattle & Los Angeles are pretty big “foodie” cities and Dallas also has it’s fair share! We have a running list of date-night places to try. And since Dallas is SO big, there are a lot of different neighborhoods to check out! Some of our favorites so far:

Victor Tangos

Sissy’s Southern Kitchen

Gloria’s {the BEST queso)

Ida Claire

Now that Dallas is feeling more like home, I was so excited when Modern Map Art contacted me about their city maps! I just love the look of the poster and think it will be a perfect addition in our living room!

C was thought the poster was pretty cool too!

The site has 500 cities listed (amazing) so you are bound to find yours! The sizes range from 8×10 all the up to 24×36 landscape, that’s what we have! A little background info on how the maps are made:

“We use OpenStreetMaps to create the map grid, and then use some styling to color in the streets, land, and water.  Once we pick a city, we try to put the downtown in the center, but are flexible depending on how the map grid/shoreline looks.  Then, we use the map and put it on a poster in photoshop, where we add the city name.  It’s a lot of fun staring at cities from all over the world!”

These are such unique gifts & are perfect for home or even an office. I especially like the black and white classic look as they can really go anywhere!

You can find Modern Map Art on Facebook & Instagram

What do you love about your city? Please share in the comments below!

Have a great rest of your weekend everyone & thanks for stopping by! ~M