The Physical and Mental Workout in Potty Training

I am fully immersed in the trials and tribulations of potty training right now with my 2.5 year old. Boy, it is yet another adventure, I'm quite confident I'll embark on many more with him.

It's a mental workout trying to stay one step (or should I say potty-thought) ahead of him as I watch him like a hawk attempting to interpret his movements, breathing, leg positioning, etc ... to see if he might have to "go" and determine if I should ask him just that for what feels like the 50th time in the last hour and then swooping down if he doesn't give me the heads up to put him on the potty.

I think my son has a love-hate relationship with the chilly piece of porcelain. Occasionally, he'll shriek and sprint off the other direction: it's amazing how well he can move with his blue jeans around his ankles ... I seriously need to consider him as a teammate next time I'm in a three-legged race. Other times he loves going to the potty, and will hang out with, talk to, and observe every detail of the shiny handle and smooth white basin in front of him (he likes to sit backwards).

It's definitely not the same as StrollerFit class, but the bonus physical workout for me comes with him getting excited about "going" and then my need to check before removing him, offering a good bicep curl, and sometimes an added squat. This can be repeated up to 6 or 7 times per visit.

I do believe he's in the final phases of "training", as he's no longer wanting me in the room until he's "done". So when during one of my many walk-bys during a potty-break today, when I asked him what he was doing (he was really taking his time - the more power to him!), he told me "I'm just relaxing", I had to walk very, very fast out of ear shot, and just laugh.

I guess dad has helped out in this potty training after all!

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?

DID YOU KNOW? 4lbs in 2 months? Uugh!

The average American will gain four pounds between Halloween and New Year's Day. Doesn't sound like much? It's just about enough to push you up to the next clothing size!

YOU don't have be average! You can have that extra cookie, you just need to work for it! The bottom line for keeping weight off this holiday is remembering that you have to work off what you put in. Make it fun - something you look forward to - a place and time where you can be social as well as burn calories, have fun, special time with your child ... Think of fitness as the holiday gift you give yourself.

In order to keep us all motivated, StrollerFit is holding a special event Nov 23-Dec 31 called Fitness Takes No Holiday. We're giving away prizes for highest attendance (as if not seeing your waistline grow is not reward enough). Check it out at our site! We're sending weekly emails out with great motivating tips, too. If you haven't already received the first one, email us, and we'll put you on our list.

You and your family will be super-proud. A happy mama makes for a very happy family!

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

StrollerFit Convention!

Wendi is at the StrollerFit Annual convention this week in Cincinnati! We are both very excited to learn and share all kinds of new moves, great ideas, and new creative ways to use our fitness equipment in StrollerFit and Restore The Core classes!

We'll keep you posted, and check out the new moves in classes soon!