During our amazing Mother's Day week I didn't have time to stop and update the blog so you get a doubly good post today!
Week 4
I can’t quite believe that we’re already half-way through Body Back! It’s been a good week to reflect on how far I’ve come in just four weeks. I honestly didn’t think that I would be seeing results this soon into the program, but I am! I’ve never been one for body measurements and weighing myself, but gauge progress on how I feel. And this week I’m starting to feel great! I have quite a bit more energy and my clothes are beginning to fit better. I’m finally feeling more comfortable in my post-baby body!
This week has also shown me that working out is fun again! I used to have so much fun working out. I was a dancer growing up, an athlete in high school and joined the rowing team in college. I enjoyed each of those active stages in my life where working out and getting stronger was just a regular part of my day. Even while I was pregnant, I felt strong and alive. I couldn’t workout at quite the same level, but I was in awe of my body’s capacity to grow a tiny human while still affording me the ability to run, jump and play with agility and strength. (Sorry! I’m one of those annoying people who enjoyed being pregnant and who’s body pretty much agreed with the experience.)
More recently, working out has just been work for me. I did it because I knew that it was best for my overall health, but not because it was enjoyable. I was easily talked out of going for a run or taking the extra trip to the Quad Cities for a Stroller Strides class. This week there was a clear shift in my thinking and mindset toward working out. I was looking forward to classes and made sure to arrange my schedule to include more time to work out on my own. As I exercised, I found myself striving to squeeze in just one push-up and hold a plank just a few seconds longer. Since I’ve felt my strength return, I find that I’m pushing myself more to see what I can do and how far I can go. I felt great after each workout this week and for the first time, in a long time, the phrase #MomStrong has fully resonated with me. I not only am strong at playing the mom-game (doing all the things, all day long), but I’m also healthy and physically strong.
My over-arching goal for this program was to “feel better” at the end of these eight weeks. It looks like I’m well on my way to getting there!
Week 5
The week leading up to Mother’s Day is always a fun one for me. Seeing the world erupt in thanks for those that brought us into the world is always such a breath of fresh air, and you can see that everyone’s mood benefits from the influx of positivity into the world.
This year was no different as I encountered the smiles of older women at our coffee shop whose eyes were filled with memories of their littles as they gazed upon my cooing baby, as I received a wish of ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ from a stranger at the grocery store who passed by as I negotiated the need for cookies in our cart with my smaller shopping companion, and as I shared the all-knowing head nod of solidarity with fellow moms living in yoga pants and ponytails. This year, my week was also peppered with handmade gifts from preschool, Sunday School and playgroups, as well as countless bouquets of dandelions.
I love being celebrated by others just as much as the next person, but this year I decided to add to the week even more and celebrate myself. Why not go all out?!
Fit4Mom set the stage as this was their week to celebrate moms with free classes, swag bags, giveaways at each class and a party on Friday during playgroup. In addition to the two Body Back classes scheduled for the week, I also attended two Stroller Strides classes and a yoga class. How fun it was to work out next to strong, energetic women every day of the week. This framework kept my spirits well nourished all week long.
In addition to the awesome workouts, the Body Back theme for the week was “Me Time.” Our challenge was to do something each day that was just for us and brought us joy. This sounds simple enough but try it and see for yourself! As a busy mom, it’s way too easy to get to the end of a busy day and not have taken 2 minutes to yourself, so I made this a priority. Simple things like taking a walk around the yard to admire our spring flowers, enjoying a cup of HOT coffee while working a crossword puzzle and a solo shopping trip to Target are seemingly small things to add into my day, but in the end they were so refreshing. I found that I was a calmer and happier person by the end of the day. Still frazzled at times, but more able to smile at the situation my littles have unknowingly turned into a chaos.