Don't Wanna Workout? Been There! Here are some tips ...

With an infant and a toddler in tow, it can be a challenge getting motivated enough to bundle them up for the cold weather to get to StrollerFit class at Pinnacle Sports or Summit Mall (though we all LOVE it), and sometimes I really have to talk myself into hopping on the treadmill or doing some strength work at 9p with all the verve I had mid-day while the kiddies were awake!

We all have our reasons why we say "but I don't want to" or "I can do it tomorrow ..."

BUT HERE ARE A FEW OF THE TOP REASONS I USE TO JUST DO IT. Put a few of these in your mind-file next time you start excusing yourself from that planned workout. They help!

1. I know it’ll make me feel better physically and mentally. Maybe lessen the intensity or duration, but just get that workout in. The post workout high is worth it

2. I like to set goals and create a plan. Small goals are great steps, and a plan helps me to stay focused and committed.

3. The dishes in the sink aren't going anywhere, neither are the dustbunnies on the floor. Get the workout in ... I'll feel better when I'm folding laundry and sweeping later.

4. Some days, I'll pass someone using a cane and I just think "Katie, use your body today… because you CAN"

5. If I don’t feel like doing whatever I have scheduled (run, cardio, strength, StrollerFit class, core work, you name it) I tell myself to at least do it for ~10 minutes, then if I feel like quitting I can. And most times I end up doing the whole workout. Sometimes I'm so happy I did it, I add a bit more!

Bootcamps?

So, while I love exercising with my kiddos and wouldn't trade it for the world (after all, StrollerFit Akron/Medina is what allows me to get so much cardio and strength training in), I'm thinking I need a big push in grown-up-world-only for spring to really help me lose these last 8 lbs of babyweight and then focus on the 10 lbs more i wanted to lose BEFORE I got preggo.

I can't run with my little one in the front carrier ;-).

I still am breastfeeding through early March, and am not looking to begin until after that, but am starting some old fashioned R & D now.

Anyone have any ideas or opinions?

As many of you are aware, I am coming up on my due date (around the holidays) and the wee-one may join us sooner than any of us expect! Let's keep our fingers crossed I'll make it as late in the year as possible ... and Wendi is due to deliver in February. In anticipation of our growing families, and our growing number of students, we have added 2 new members to our Instructing Team!

We are thrilled to welcome Claire Periard as a StrollerFit Instructor in Training. Claire began with StrollerFit, along with her daughter, Mia in early summer and has been an avid StrollerFit mom ever since! Her background in Collegiate Sports and some Coaching experience make her a great fit for our moms! Expect to see her jumping in on Monday and Friday classes in the near future!

We are also thrilled to welcome Erica Graffein, mother of 2 collegiate-age kiddos, who was one of our very first Restore The Core Students. Erica has been a pillar in the Restore The Core classes for over 10 months! She's personally experienced the positively wonderful changes that Restore The Core brings to a woman's body, has months of one-on-one workshop experience, and will soon be leading our some of our RTC classes!

Visit one of our classes! Click HERE for a full StrollerFit and Restore The Core Class Schedule in Fairlawn and Medina. Next time you see either of these talented ladies, share some kudos and welcome them aboard!

Fitness for the Holidays

Whoa! It's been a whirlwind of a month, my apologies for not getting here sooner! We took a short, but very enjoyable trip to FL to visit the family (see pic of my son, hubby and very preggo self), celebrated my son's 2-year birthday, dressed up for Halloween, had an uber-fun month with StrollerFit; welcoming new student, Missy Littlefield ... and lots more!

The docs and midwives have put on hold with many of my activities due to the unchanging previa with this pregnancy, but each week I'm able to carry this little one is one week closer to a healthy and happy new addition to our family, and I'm so very grateful for that. This "down time" that everyone keeps telling me I should be enjoying has forced me to reflect on how marvelous it truly is to be able to be an active, healthy person.

I say, to all the admirable women who can, want and/or have been staying active:
DON'T LET ALL YOUR HARD WORK GO FOR NAUGHT THIS HOLIDAY ... OR IF YOU KEEP SAYING "I NEED TO START GETTING ACTIVE", DO IT NOW!

Don't create a bigger challenge for yourself by saying "Oh, I'll get serious after the new year". I say Bah Humbug to that train of thought!

Why make it harder for yourself to feel great and be confident?

There may be a flurry of activities filling up your calendar, but make time for yourself and your health this season. Your family will appreciate it!

A Happy, healthy and well-balanced mom is the best gift you can offer to your family.

Check out our schedule for Stroller Classes, or if you need an hour to unwind, relax, and build some core strength, check out our Restore The Core Class on Mon & Wed nights from 7p- 8p at Pinnacle Sports. Moms are raving about how much better they feel, how they are sleeping better at night, and how much their hubbies are loving it all!

In Good Health,

Katie

Pregnancy: Ice Cream & Exercise

Mmmm, I just finished a scoop of lite vanilla ice cream that I made yummier by adding a bit of homemade brownie (largely removing all the "lite" I suppose, but making it all that much better). I firmly believe that indulging in something a little sweet occasionally will only make me sweeter!

There's nothing wrong with moderation, and I have to keep that in mind while pregnant, too. Whether it be towards sweets, or what makes them occasionally acceptable (at least to my dupa) exercise. Exercise during pregnancy is wonderful! It boosts your mood, improves you sleep, and can help alleviate aches and pains.

I've recently received the questions "should I continue exercising?" and "should I start exercising?" when I'm pregnant, so I thought I'd share some of my thoughts and experiences. Keep in mind, people, that I am not a doctor, just a mom on her 2nd time around who is working hard, like so many of us, to take good care of herself and her family. My comments are just observations, gained from personal pre-natal experiences, and guidance from other fitness professionals.

First and Foremost, let me say that there is a 2-part golden rule: Follow the individual guidelines set by your doctor, and follow the signals your body sends you!

Once you have the above rule memorized (write it 100 times around your Friday morning decaf-skim-latte if you need to), then you're ready to move on. Ready? Really? OK.

So, I'm preggo ... Should I change my fitness routine?
If you have been exercising regularly prior to pregnancy, then in most cases, if you're healthy and your pregnancy is proceeding normally, you can continue working out with some sensible modifications to accommodate your growing belly. What to do: Stick to a moderate level of exercise and avoid bouncing and jarring motions, sudden changes of position, and beginning in your 2nd trimester, lying on your back.

So now that I'm carrying another little human around with me, I'm ready to take on more! I've been pretty sedentary, but I'd like to start getting some exercise. How should I start?

Sometimes, we start new ventures at the most perplexing times, but everything happens for a reason, and being responsible for another life couldn't be a better time to focus on good health.

First, check in with your doctor/midwife/caregiver about your plans. Then, you'll need to start with gentle exercise (check out some great suggestions from baby.com) for short periods of time (about 15 minutes a few times per week) and gradually work up to a longer and more intense daily routine (about half an hour a day).

Good Activities: Walking is the easiest way to get started on a regular fitness routine and it doesn't require any special equipment other than a good pair of walking shoes! Swimming is another great option during pregnancy because the water helps hold up our extra weight.

Personally, I swear by Restore The Core, the Pilate's-based mat class we offer to stretch and strengthen your core muscles as well as relieve aches and pains. The movements can be modified as you progress through pregnancy, and incorporating it at least 2 times a week will result in stronger core muscles which will help immensely during birth! You can learn more about Restore The Core classes at our website.

In any case, being active is a good thing, but use common sense. Some of the warning signals to take a time out include shortness of breath, dizziness, and cramping (legs are common, but rest at the onset any cramping). Use some common sense, and keep in mind that you're exercising to be healthy and to gain stamina for the wonderful yet exhausting tasks ahead of you ... not to lose weight. That'll come soon enough.

Now go enjoy some of that required dairy you should have each day, in the form of ice cream with whatever yummy topping you'd like.

Good Health and Happiness!

Katie