A new era has begun.

Or not. After years of spot work outs with Tony (Horton, from P90X, we are on a first name basis) my hubby and I have decided to mix it up and include Shaun T in our lives.  We borrowed an Insanity video recently that included the "Fit Test".  After watching from the couch in its entirety first (because "Insanity" is admittedly a scary term), we jumped in and did the test.  I was mighty proud of myself for getting the amount of reps that I did for some of those exercises! My biggest concern was the cramping that occurs in my feet when I do that level of jumping in most cardio exercises but I managed to make it through the fit test relatively unscathed. (I dealt with the cramps i.e. sucked it up).

We (meaning, HE) decided to do some research on some other Shaun T workout programs and came upon Focus T 25. It's also by Beachbody and it's a shorter version of Insanity. Lesser time per workout, 5 days a week rather than 6 but NO breaks between exercises.  We like the idea of a shorter work out with the same intensity which is also what P90X3, who just came out to market, is touting.  He compared the two programs and was leaning towards T25.  The foot cramp thing made me uneasy so I leaned the other way to P90X3 and because it also has a variety of workouts that I enjoy like Yoga, Pilates and some circuit weight training.  I seemed to have swayed him.  He pulled the trigger on P90X3 but somehow inadvertently, T25 showed up on our doorstep at the same time that he completed his order. Whoopsie! I guess during his initial research, he got trigger happy! Ha!  Rather than return it we decided to keep it and give it a go since it was IN. MY. HANDS! 

Monday (yesterday) was our first day.  My two biggest concerns were the foot cramps I mentioned and the other was whether 25 minutes would seem like a full workout. When I got home, my hubby had just completed it.  He was dripping in sweat (but alive) so I quickly changed and took my turn.  My initial thoughts:

OW, MY FEET!  Ugh.  I pushed and got it done but honestly, nothing, not my quads, calves or heart for that matter felt the pain like my feet did.  I'll have a separate post on this because upon googling late last night, I found it's a common issue and I am determined to figure this thing out.

After the heat in my feet subsided I felt like I could go for a run.  It went by very quick and like an intense warm up.  I'm thinking that they start you off "easy" so they can give you a one, two sucker punch later in the week to make you take back anything you ever said about the first couple of days. (so I'll tread lightly...:) )

It felt good to have so much extra time in the evening to work on yoga stretches and the challenge I'm currently working on (of course I am).  I also like that Shaun T is no nonsense.  He just cuts to the chase and before you know it you are jumping around the room with sweat dripping from your nose.  There is a short cool down after the 25 minute workout is complete to help stretch out those big muscles but that is not included within the workout time so you get a SOLID 25 minutes of GO.

Today, Houston is in the middle of a "Snowpocalypse",  meaning the whole city shuts down with the smallest threat of snow or ice on the roads.  Schools are closed and work is on a "if you have to come in" basis. So, I figured I'd get day 2 out of the way while hubby and I swapped half days for work.  I did "Speed 1.0" and I went for it barefooted.  Seemed crazy but surprisingly, much less cramping.  The jump squat landings were a bit hard on my feet but I sucked it up as best I could.

Again, before you can even want a sip of water, it's over.  The last 7 minutes were the hardest only because the baby who was watching me from the bouncer and had been laughing at my antics the whole time, was getting tired.  I had to add extra acrobatics to keep him entertained through to the end.

I should mention that my legs were sore when I woke up this morning so last night's workout was effective. And now, a few hours after day 2's workout, my legs feel pretty solid.  THIS is a step in the right direction!
My take away so far is that I have got to find a solution for the foot arch cramp issue.  Until then, I will continue to push through as long as I can. At the very least until the next shipment arrives on my doorstep! Stay tuned for a follow up review at the end of week 1.

Happy Snow Day all...stay warm!

~V

Set a date & get a move on.

Daily challenge. Race Date. Coach Schedule. Workout meetup. Without these things, I am sure I'd be a total bum. I KNOW this and because of it, I try to always have at least one on the list going.

Over the last few months, I've gone on several runs, one good bike ride, a couple of swims, done some P90X workouts and have gone on plenty of walks but I have done nothing with consistency or on a schedule.  I have had no end goal in sight (other than fitting into my pants & pencil skirts again). I was doing just enough to keep me moving but I knew that once I went back to work, some level of discipline would be required so that I can stay fit with my crazy schedule.

So, right before the new year, I started looking for challenges, planned on meeting up friends on their long training runs and looked into following a "Coach" schedule from the new update on my Nike app. Aren't I resourceful?! I figured these were all things that would get me "there".   But then again...what was "there"?

I started to think about races to sign up for that will give me more of a definitive finish line (pun intended). I have a few goals swirling in my head but nothing I am willing to commit to just yet (especially on an public forum like the interwebs). Will it be my first tri that comes first or a half marathon? Maybe just PR a 10k?

But then, something BIGGER hit me in the back of the head while I was looking at dates. Um. My birthday! I have a whopper of a milestone coming up and I have always said I wanted to be in the "best shape of my life" by then. Well, crap! I totally forgot about that and now I am what...a month away?! Aaaaahhhh!!! Where has the time gone?!

All this to say that my ho hum approach will have to be stepped up for the next few weeks if I want to meet that goal. I guess first things first though.  What does the "best shape of my life" really mean? Well, I guess this is where I can cheat some, huh? I define this based on me and my life? Because, technically, I am already pretty close to being in the best shape of my life. I have been the fittest I have ever been in the last 5-6 years and more importantly the HAPPIEST. So, I'm done right? Oh yea, I still have to get into those pants.

But seriously, I need to define this so that I can have something to put a tack on or write it on that post it on my monitor. To me, being in the BEST shape is feeling strong, being tone, living a healthy lifestyle and...being confident enough to wear shorts.

Yes, that's right. Confident to wear shorts.  I said it.  That may seem silly (and my husband thinks I'm crazy) but every one has that "area" on their body that just makes them cringe, right?  Okay, maybe not everyone...most people. Fine, I'll speak for myself.  Yes, I have that area.  For me, it's the lass. You know, the area between the back of your thigh and your ass? There. And upper thigh area altogether could use some toning up.

Sitting down in shorts with confidence is a pretty solid goal.  In my mind.  Sitting down is the key piece of the goal though.  I am totally okay with standing, walking and running around in shorts (if they are not too short) but sitting? That's a different animal.  Tightening up the ab area where baby left squishy I'm throwing on to the goal too because...what the heck, I could use a fall back of success if this lass thing doesn't work out. (I hope you all have picked up on my sarcasm and sense of humor by now)

Anywaaaay....I have a few things going for me that will make this endeavor a little less painful and perhaps even achievable. For starters, these are the things that I am already doing (yay, me!):

~ 30 Day Yoga Challenge - keeps me practicing and engages my core daily (Abs!)
~ 10K Coach Challenge on Nike Ap - keeps me running MORE often (fat burning & some leg definition)
~ Green smoothie daily - I admit, I am addicted.  I've been doing it since pre baby and when I go without it, I crave it.  This keeps my nutrition in check by getting all my daily fruits and veggies (and then some).
~ Meet ups - I've been also meeting up with friends on Sunday mornings for long runs. The Nike coach would disapprove as I would be considered as "over training" but...it's motivated me to push the pace and distance.
~ Weekly Aerial Fabric class.  Good overall body workout but lots of core work. (more abs!)

My abs seem to be heading in the right direction but my lass was not mentioned in any of those things.  This is where the rubber meets the road. I'll be looking for some glute workouts on pinterest so pardon all the butt pics coming through on the board below, this mama needs to get squatting!

Now I have a fast approaching date to work towards.  I also will have measurable results which will be before and after pictures (that will never see the light of day).  My first goal for 2014 is set and I know it's going to be tough but my motivation is not only to wear those shorts but to wear them (and a bikini) on that birthday beach trip my hubby will be taking me on. (wink, wink - hi, honey!)

Stay tuned for progress reports.  I gotta go...I have some lunges to do.

~V

So where are we with this thing?

This thing we call a baby fitness blog, you mean? Oh yea. That. I admit, I have been a total slacker (in more ways than one). This blog has fallen so far back on the burner that it's not even in the kitchen. Wha? I have been exercising, which if you follow me on Instagram or Twitter --->, you know of my progress. I just have failed miserably to sit a write about it. Baby #4 is now 15 weeks old and a pure joy in our lives. He is so happy all of the time and flashes a smile so easily that I spend most of my time around him in an utter state of goo and gah. Not even kidding about that. Along with all my other "plans" for 2014, I do intend to keep this space updated with routines, workouts and may incorporate reviews on exercise gear, local "boutique" gym classes and share some of my smoothie recipes that have been a hit (not the beet one...ha!). Stay tuned and hope you'll come visit and join me in my journey on remaining "Baby Fit". ~V P.S. - I'll also start researching on how best to revamp this site. I am not thrilled with it's appearance but unfortunately, writing code is not something I am proficient at. Suggestions and tips welcomed! :)

New year, new you happy you.

It's that time again where we tear out the last page of the calendar and start anew. The gym gets crowded, the 20% off Elfa sale at the Container Store goes over like Black Friday, social media is all abuzz with motivational fresh start mantras regarding your mental, physical and emotional state and the ads to a "new, better you" pop up everywhere whether for weight loss, botox, tanning or laser hair removal.

It seems that everywhere you turn, someone it trying to help improve you and your life or lifestyle. How to organize your life, quit smoking, get a new job, get your finances in order...all the answers seem to be thrown at you at the beginning of the year. Do we really go into such disarray throughout the year that we need that much fixing?

And why do we feel the need to get it ALL fixed at once? It seems awfully overwhelming.

I am not one to ever set Resolutions because I know all too well what their success rates are. Rather, I set goals for myself for things (or just one thing) that I'd like to work on for ME. There is no magical thing that happens at 12:01 on 1/1 so I loosely start thinking about it in the first couple of weeks of the year. This year, I have suggested to my family that we should create a goal board with all of our goals, mainly family goals.

It initially sounded like a chore. And admittedly, when I have to come up with work goals, I moan and groan too. There never seems to be any fun in setting goals other than the fact that meeting them gets you paid a bigger bonus. Am I right?

So what's the incentive to doing this at home? Well, having your opinion on family decisions count for starters. Getting to look forward to doing things together and working together to do it is a pretty good reason too. The sense of accomplishment you get from achieving a goal is pretty sweet and doing so as a team should make it that much sweeter.

We haven't quite "set" our goals yet but things we've tossed around is deciding when and where we would travel to as well as the planning of said voyage. DIY house projects are also on the table for discussion. Laying tile, painting, landscaping or simply moving furniture around and refreshing a room with new plants, art and window coverings could be an option too. As "head" of the healthy committee in our house, I vote for picking a goal to keep us all active and eating better (and at home). Minimizing our restaurant visits by pre-planning meals is HUGE on my personal list but by incorporating everyone else in the "active" part, I think the whole family will become more aware of how important nutrition comes into play with staying fit. 

We have already dabbled in fitness challenges together so keeping with this and getting outdoors weekly *should* be totally doable. Right?! I have many more ideas (entertaining more, volunteering in service projects, races, etc) but I don't want to over commit the family and set them (us) up for failure. Ahem. So, family, let's keep our goals ATTAINABLE. Let's just plan on having something to show for 2014 as an accomplishment that made us ALL happy.

Looking back at 2013, those accomplishments were not in the form of house projects, weight and honestly, I couldn't remember what our nutritional intake was (other than it was not in our kitchen)-- although a little of all of that did occur too. I can, however, say that the memories of spending time together whether in a rented Suburban driving across the Southwest or more simply when attempting a yoga challenge and having the family join in like circus clowns, are priceless. Those make me smile and warm my heart. I look forward to a lot more of those in 2014. :)

 Happy New Year!

 ~V

Partnerships that help get it DONE

The success of a business is sometimes as good as the partnership of the people behind it.  If the people don't "partner" well, the business is likely to suffer.  The same goes with my fitness regimen and partnerships needed for it to work.

As difficult as it is to be motivated to start an exercise program and have the energy to stick with it, it is more difficult to (and even tricky) to actually get it done when you have a big family abundant with activities for everyone.  Sure, the plan could be to "ride my bike" today...but with soccer, a newborn, toddler and other logistical issues, those simple three words are tough to get crossed off that to-do list.  That is unless, you are married to my husband.  He tells me all the time "just do it, I'll figure it out".

He is THE reason why I have been able to do Aerial classes or join the Masters Swim class at the gym in the evenings. He is the ONLY reason I can get bike rides in.  I mean, how else do you go on a bike ride with an infant?  No nannies, no housekeepers or maids here...just an awesome husband who will coach, help with homework, make dinner, change diapers, give baths, put babies to sleep, help with the endless loads of laundry and pick up any slack that I may leave to run to get a workout in.  It's his ability to do it without so much a complaint that makes it easy for me to follow through and keep on some sort of program (as erratic as it may seem).

He is the reason why I was able to get a 16 mile bike ride in yesterday.  I didn't want to miss soccer but the timing was such that if I really wanted to get that ride in, the morning was the only time.  He did not hesitate to tell me that he had it covered.  "Just go and do it, you'll feel better and we'll be fine" he said.
I felt guilty but I knew that I needed to get on my bike and get miles in before this du.  I had just picked it up from getting a tune up and because it was my first post baby ride, I was nervous!  I had those pre-race jitters which made me all the more grateful that my friend Rox asked to join me late Friday night.  She just got a bike and is the one who is always sending me races to sign up for (including the Du that we are doing together next month).  Although she has just jumped in and already done a couple of small tris, she too was nervous.

It was a cool and overcast morning which normally makes it incredibly difficult to get out of bed but that nervous energy popped me right out.  I got the bike loaded up and was ready to go and even pumped breakfast for my little guy.  It was nice to not feel rushed about getting back and knowing that I can enjoy the ride and even extend it if I wanted to.  I could not ask for a better ride. My bike felt like new, complete with a new chain and I was stocked up with tubes and CO2 cartridges, just in case.  I pushed hard and got to show my friend parts of the trail she had never seen.  A great workout!  I dropped her off at home afterwards and called my husband, thinking they were well on their way to soccer.  I was envisioning a shower, smoothie and running errands while they were gone when he said they were down the street fueling up.  What?!  I'm back that early?  He offered to come get me and I swear I've never showered and changed so fast!

As much as I could have used a nap or some quiet time all to myself, there is no other place I'd rather be than with my clan.  He picked me up and off we went.  The sky cleared up and it turned out to be a gorgeous Fall day at the soccer field (both literally and figuratively.)  As it turned out, later he and the big boy went on a boy's mountain trail bike ride at Memorial Park with friends and I was happy to return the favor!

I recognize that without this buddy system, staying in shape is way more difficult to near impossible.  Props to you babe.  Thank you.

~V

6 weeks - it's official!

I'm pregnant! Ha! Just kidding.

It is, however, officially time to get started on a program! Six weeks marks a big milestone in the post baby world (if you didn't have a c-section).  It marks getting the all clear from the doctor to resume "regular", pre-pregnancy type activities.

That means I'm ready to get back in the saddle! Now, the hardest part of getting on a regular exercise schedule/routine is getting motivated and STARTED. I discussed this at length when I first started this blog. It's pretty much my achiles heel. The longer I go without starting, the more difficult it is, the more miserable I feel and more doomed the whole getting healthy thing becomes. This is especially difficult with a newborn now in tow.  Time seems more strained and the needs of every member of the family from me has grown by one more.

Getting fit and more importantly, staying fit, is particularly difficult during this "fourth trimester".  It's this time where we are juggling breast feeding, hormonal changes (night sweats, losing hair, vision changes) and functioning at 100% with sleep deprivation that adding a workout seems a bit crazy.

As soon as I left the doctor's office, I felt motivated.  I had my stats and could now benchmark where I was and where I am now (weight-wise anyway).  I signed up for a race in early December for starters (more on that later) and then, I made sure that I went out for a real run before the weekend was out.  I figured that was enough to get me excited and to start the week ahead with a bang.

Monday and Tuesday came and went, however, and that motivation was long gone.  The thought of working out was SO hard.  Ugh.  I thought about going to the gym.  But didn't.  I thought about going for a run.  But didn't.  Wednesday was looking the same and then I realized that the week was moving along and if I didn't do something, anything at all, I was going to fall into complacency and just give up on this first week.   So, knowing I had little time in my day left before the evening craziness began (kids home from school, homework, projects, soccer playoffs, etc) I decided to pop in a P90X DVD and see how much I can finish.  I got Shoulders & Arms done. Yay!

By Thursday morning, I decided on whim that I was just going to do the P90X workout in its entirety daily with modifications on days that I run or ride.  So, I did Ab Ripper (which I ran out of time for the day before) and moved along to YogaX.  I'm hoping that I can keep it going for the rest of the week. My weeks turn on Fridays since that's when baby was born so on that technicality:

Week 1 PP:
5k
P90X Shoulders & Arms
P90X Ab Ripper X
P90X YogaX

Stats:
- Pregnancy weight gain: 34lbs
- Weight difference from beginning of pregnancy & 6 week checkup: 16lbs
- Immediate goal:  To finish a Duathlon in early December.

5 weeks already?

It's time for a post baby update!

I attempted this post at 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 4 weeks and never got passed the first sentence above.  I am hoping I can get to actually post this before year end!

Right from the get go (after the first few days home), I found I had an extraordinary amount of energy, in fact I was ready to start new challenges and was quickly trying to get into headstands just to see how it felt by the second postpartum week.  Perhaps it was the adrenaline and busy schedule that kept me buzzing about the first week (we went from the hospital straight to the soccer field!).   After holding and cuddling with my baby boy day after day while being home alone with him, it made me...well, lazy.  Even after he was changed and fed, I couldn't bear setting him down so that I can get other tasks done.  I had so many projects that I wanted to accomplish while being home and yet, 5 weeks in and I haven't done any of them.  I can barely keep up with the regular chores.  I have absolutely no guilt about it too!  :)

I know all too well that in no time, I will be back at work and the wheels of life will start turning quickly again where I won't have this one on one time with my little guy.  Before I know it, he won't be cuddle size anymore. :(  It's time that I just won't get back and being he's the LAST baby, well, I feel extra indulgent.

I have been extraordinarily lucky not only to have a fantastic pregnancy but also a great post delivery recovery.  It appears that I have bounced back to my normal body (from what I hear all the time) because my tummy has pretty much flattened out (maybe that ab challenge was helpful!) but I know all too well that the true test of the "bounce back" is whether you fit into your pre-pregnancy clothes.  ...and that's a negative. Anything that doesn't have give in the fabric, doesn't fit.  Those slacks and pencil skirts are a far cry from going over my hips but thank goodness for running pants and skinny jeans!

I haven't been a complete couch potato though...I still have those other 3 kids that keep me on the go.  I love being home when the bus drops them off and helping them with homework questions and school projects as well as picking up the car pool for their activities.  These are tasks that along with hanging out with baby, I will miss terribly in a couple of months.  (not gonna cry...move on, move on)

We are fortunate enough to live in a neighborhood that has the best of suburban life within the city. I love that I can walk to my daughter's daycare with the baby and take a few laps at the park and then continue to walk over to the soccer field to pick up or drop off the big kids for practice from home.  I am trying to get a walk in daily to one or more of these things and in the last couple of weeks have kicked up the heels and started running too.  It's seems almost a gift that the weather is in the "near perfect" zone (unusual in Houston where's it usually terribly hot & muggy).

At first, I walked half a mile and would up the running from .5mile to .80 to 1 and so on.  The walks in between are helpful but I can feel how much I've lost.  My feet feel like concrete blocks.  I can't believe how much effort it takes to run the shortest of distances!  In addition to walking and/or running 2-3 miles around the neighborhood, I am easing back into yoga.  I started off with stretching and to get me into a solid workout, I am working on doing the P90X Yoga DVD.  I have managed to do the whole thing which I am quite proud of.  I spent the hour and half of the DVD realizing how much strength I'd lost in the last couple of months!  I broke a sweat doing was use to be the easiest of poses!

I am finding ways to stay healthy and fit post pregnancy, slowly but surely.  I am thankful that the crazy sweet tooth I developed in the first weeks is starting to taper off.  I was getting concerned...every baked good, piece of candy or dessert that came through the door got devoured (by me!).  I have continued on the smoothie kick mostly because my sweet husband gave me a Vitamix. The thing is amazing & I can't do him wrong and let it gather dust, so I pretty much have a daily smoothis at least 5 days a week. 

Though I am in no hurry, I am looking to devise a schedule that can work best while still at home that can transition for me when I get back to work.  Nothing is fool proof (or predictable with a big active family) but I've been known to roll with the punches.  I am gearing up for my 6 week ob check up at the end of this week where I will get the all clear to get back to my "normal" activities and take a peak at what the scale has to say.  I weighed in at 160 on my last ob appt (the day before I delivered) and I know from sneaking on the scale at the pediatrician's office that a huge amount of the weight is already gone.  Because I'm nursing, I know that I have "extra" weight upstairs so the comparison from pre-baby won't be apples to apples but it will give me a general idea of where I am at.

So....this is my last week to slack off!  Kidding,  actually it'll be time to set some fitness goals.

My good friend is sending me race links semi-weekly..."how does the Diva Half sound?"...or "what about the Du at Enchanted Rock?" or "10k in the spring, Half in the wine country, Tri over Mother's Day???" All of which I'm excited to do but also realistic in knowing that I am physically not even close to being ready (especially for a Du in November!).  I want to pick and choose things that I can properly train for so I don't beat myself up about it (physically and mentally).  It's too easy to overcommit and then not get any of it done.  I also know that signing up for races is the best way to stay honest with working out and give me something to look forward to.  

Just this past weekend we did our first family 5k as a family of 6.  When I signed up, I figured this was the kind of run that is mostly for fun, especially the kids.  And, I was totally right! The Color Run is something that I can see doing annually just for the fun of it.  We all had a great time and I happy to say that I ran a good bit of the way along the toughest part of the course...over and back high bridges (which is also part of the Houston Marathon Course).

I will think about these goals this week and also a game plan on how to get on a regular workout schedule.  I hope to start posting updates regularly to keep me in shape too! (Pun intended!)

Stay tuned!