Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Working the work-out

Would you believe this is my 500th post!? Love blogging, love looking back on two and a half years of it and love the blogging community. Thanks for the reads, friends!


It's only fitting that my 500th post is about something near and dear to my heart- working out. I met someone the other day who asked me when I started working out. I realised I've been working out my entire adult life. 

Right after university, ( I walked a lot in school) I joined the gym with my mom and have almost always enjoyed some sort of exercise…. I can basically count the times in my life I've taken breaks: when I just moved out of home and was so busy with work, the first year of my MBA( very light working out) and a couple months when I was pregnant with C--- and all of those times I packed on the lbs. 

So yeah, I feel like I have to work out. It seriously makes me a happier person! I'm one of those people who believes in the power of exercise. When I was in the corporate world, I would fit it in whenever I could. Two to five times a week, 20 minutes to an hour, mornings, lunch times, evenings or weekends--- I'd always be trying to squeeze something in. 




When I had kids, I quit my gym membership as I was commuting about an hour away and wanted to spend my time with the kids. I was also paranoid about the gym germies with very little ones.  We got an elliptical , I bought a boatload of DVDs and my dad gave me a jogging stroller. I would either work out in the basement first thing in the morning or during nap. There were times a crying baby stopped me, timed my run with a nap and there were times I held a kid while on the elliptical but I made it happen. 


When A was one, I joined a gym once again and I love it.  I'm a gym people. Love working out around others and love good classes! Now, I do it five times a week: Monday to Friday- about an hour and 20 to 30 minutes most days. My schedule is usually like this.
Monday: 
30 minutes of running
either a 45 minute spin class or Body Shred 
some light weights to follow

Tuesday: 
Some cardio and light weights
50 minutes of Body Combat (kickboxing)
Sometimes I skip the light weights and cardio and do 30 minutes CX Worx after combat- a core class

Wednesday: 
20-30 minutes of running
55 min Body Pump (muscle training) or intense spin class.

Thursday: 
light cardio (10-20 minutes)
55 minute Body Attack Class (sports training)







Friday: 
20-30 minutes of running 
 intense 50 minute spin class.

On Saturday and Sunday, I rest up and spend the time with my family. 

So there you have it. I know that I won't be able to maintain this schedule forever but for now it works for me. Here's what works for me:
1- I always put on a sports bra/tights first thing. That way, I have no excuse. Weird I know
2- Find what works for you. It could be walking, it could be light weights, zumba etc. Start small and go from there. 
3- Pinterest and youtube are the best resources.
4- Plateauing is real--- I think that's what's happening to me so I need to mix it up some. Be it changing my workout a bit, trying a new class or doing some light and some heavy classes.
5- Schedule your week and fit it in where possible. Even if it means doing a walk with the kids in the evening or getting up 30 minutes earlier than everyone once or twice a week. 
6- I loved working out during my pregnancies. Of course, check with your doctor! I think exercise helped with with labour and delivery. 
6- Make fitness a part of your family's life. For as long as I can remember, my parents have been exercising and now me and two brothers do the same. I think fitness is key to a healthy lifestyle. 



And there you have it…. exercise is a huge part of my life but because of that time for myself, I seriously think I'm a better parent and person! 

For real, yo!

Linking up with:
Beth and some other lovely ladies for Tuesday Talk

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6 comments:

  1. 500 posts, you go Mama!!! I wish I enjoyed working out, maybe I can glean some inspiration from you!

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  2. 500 posts Wahoo! Congratulations friend!!!

    I absolutely loved this post. LOVED. Excuses suck, I don't want to hear therm. That is my motto at least. I also hate when people tell me they don't have time. I wake up at 4:30 to MAKE time. If you want it go get it. And if you want it bad enough, you'll do anything. Okay so your post clearly got me a little fired up :D!

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  3. Congrats on 500 posts and way to go on your workout consistency! I quit the gym after Ez was born, and owning a treadmill (plus a ton of dvds) has been a lifesaver. Not sure whether or not I'll go back, since I like the freedom of being able to do little workouts here and there instead of one long one. I definitely think exercise makes a huge difference on mood, which is a great motivator to keep doing it.

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  4. Congrats on 500 posts!!! Blogging sure is fun. yay you for working out and not making excuses. I try to push through even when I really really really want to stop!

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  5. 500 post, wow, congrats. Yes, we all admit working out have to be part of your lifestyle, like eating, sleeping and breathing. Of course it can be a challenge at times especially after illness, pregnancy and vacation but you have to stick with it and remember excerise avoid most illnesses, weight gain, pain, and not forgetting feeling great about yourself.

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  6. Great tips! I think workouts have been part of my life since I was in 7th grade and started playing school sports. I feel the difference physically but even more so mentally as I've gotten older if I skip them.

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Hearing from you makes me so happy!!

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