Tag Archives: fitmom

In A Love Relationship With Yoga

Yes, I’m in a committed, love relationship with yoga and it’s going great. We like to see each other everyday but sometimes we have to miss a few days. It only makes our reunions that much sweeter when we do see each other. If I could I would see hot yoga everyday but I’ll take what I can get. IMG_4150.jpgChilling in Maui post run and yogaIMG_2893_2Teeny, tiny smile post hot yoga class. Happy on the inside but totally wiped out.

I don’t always want to do yoga or feel like I have time to do the yoga. But love doesn’t flourish without  lots of quality time and attention so I make the time.

I’m not flexible at all…And hot yoga feels really awful for part or all of the class every.single.time. Yesterday I ate a cafe yum bowl about 45 minutes before hot yoga and regretted it throughly for the entire class. What you eat, drink, don’t drink can affect your hot yoga class with the intensity of a full body regret.

BurnCycle, I Love You

So, I came back to spin classes after a tumultuous 10 months off. The turmoil is still going but I’m tired of waiting for a “good time” to get back on the bike. So, I hopped on that spin bike 3 weeks ago and had an awesome workout with an amazing instructor.

Then I did it again. My second spin class in 10 months was 2 weeks ago. She was also an amazing instructor. Not sure if I get more physically or mentally from these classes. The jury is still out. As the NOISE rises, so does my self care. I will always take care of myself and my people-it’s in my blood.

If you are like me and in the thick of it and don’t have time, energy or desire to workout-get yourself to a group fitness class. It will change everything. Because, life is happening and waves are coming whether we like it or not. Better to have the sparkle in our heart from a great workout when the waves come crashing in.

May fitness and health be a priority this year and always, my friends.

Getting Started Is The Hardest Part

I’ve never considered myself an underdog. Ever. Although some may have seen it or thought it, I never did. These days, I consider myself highly outnumbered as a single mama to 3 little humans. I remember waterskiing as a kid and my parents telling me that the newest, nicest ski boat or equipment doesn’t always make the best skier. Growing up, we always had everything we needed and skied our butts off early into Springtime and deep into Fall. Not to mention our annual January 1st polar bear waterski event in Oregon every year. Burr. Yes, my parents still chase the fun and adventures like crazy!  If anything it made me stronger. Sometimes stronger than I feel like being. Just sayin. #truth
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1997, lake days were the best!
On those days where I’m yearning to thrive  and I’m not in the mood, I get going. Because half the battle is getting to the gym. Or getting to the yoga class or starting that run. As I recommit to being the best version I can for myself, my kids, my family, my friends and my community, I focus on the going. Push that start button…
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Pepper, Blaize and me cruising the waterfront this summer
I definitely have my days where it feels like I’m a salmon swimming upstream with Black Bears everywhere. Crap! This mom life stuff is a lot of work. Yep, it definitely is. But I wouldn’t change it for the world. Sometimes, it doesn’t look pretty with red lipstick. Often, it looks like mom is wearing her jammie’s all day.  That’s what Blaize and Pepper said to me this morning on the walk to school. “Mom, why are you still wearing your jammie’s?!” Haha! Well, school mornings come hard and fast for your mom. Awake by 6:40am, 7:30am bus pickup with an 8am speech therapy lesson in tow. I don’t always have time to get dressed. But, I always have time to give you princess braids. #momlife
Setting aside the jokes, I’m lucky to grow up with solid parents who taught us even stronger values. Learning at a young age that it’s not for free and the show must go on-one of my mom’s favorite of many quotes! And how right she was. After a good chat with my mom friend in my half jammie outfit this morning, I focused on the “get going” part.” And here I am at the gym, sweating (thriving) like a dog and living the dream.
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Yep. That’s my parents, always chasing the fun! Mimi and Grandpa Mike wheelbarrow racing with Pepper and Blaize. 🙂
May you remember the “get going” part my friends even when you’re busy and it’s hard to get out of those jammie’s.

Glamour Mom

Back in the day, before I had kids I thought being a mom would be a little different than what it is. Such is life! Little did I know that being a mom meant slinging laundry and dishes like a professional athlete. Having more than one kid, let alone 3 close in age is like being a referee. Trying to make a “fair call” all day long. Not to mention the questions, messes and arguments about who gets to hold my hand or who gets the first back rub at night. Fairness is a huge topic with my 3 little people.

So when does the glamour mom come into effect? It’s usually when they’re at school and it’s more like a “glamour moment.” For me, it’s getting to take an uninterrupted shower or go grocery shopping alone-it’s the new definition of “glamour” for me.

Kai wanted a mama snuggle and this kid is getting big. He’s only 7 but can already pick me up! He got the giggles and the rest is history. This is a good example of my glamour #momlife. It isn’t always pretty but it’s always fun and surrounded with so much love! All the energy, questions and kid snuggles, make my heart purr. I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. IMG_4707Giggles for days!IMG_5069Who wouldn’t want to layout on the pavement with a hot, sweaty 40 pound child laying on top of you?IMG_1257Hotel pool party, yes please!

Kids Club At the Gym Is A Family Favorite

I hear a lot from other parents how their kids won’t go to kids club at the gym. I’m lucky because I have 3 little kids who love going to kids club at the gym. I’ve been a gym rat for as long as I can remember. When I was pregnant, I thought “wow I don’t know if I’ll feel comfortable bringing baby Kai to kids club as a 6month old baby? Who would hold him? Would they love him and hold him if he started crying? What if he pooped while I was teaching?

I was a spin instructor for 16 years and even taught while I was pregnant with Kai. Much like everything else, your ideas change once you actually have a baby. I remember counting down the days until I could bring baby Kai with me (must be 6 months old) to kids club while I taught spin classes. I jumped on that spin bike 2 weeks after my c-section with Kai. I started teaching spin classes 30 days after he was born. And it was not too soon for me. 🙂 By the time baby Kai was 6 months old, I was knocking down the door at kids club. Sure, I had to power feed him right before class to keep him happy. And had to eat a balance bar during class to keep my energy high to make it through but I did it.

teaching spin while breast feeding

Happy Mama! Posing post spin class before I raced downstairs to pickup 6 month old baby Kai from kids club.

IMG_5395Fast forward 6 years later and I have 3 little people who wiggle down to the gym with me all the time. Blaize and Pepper have been saying since they were 3 years old, “mommy needs to workout so she can be healthy.” Mimi (my mom) taught my kids that mantra with lots of pep talks. Mimi talked about the importance of going to the kids club so moms can be healthy and strong. Thanks to mimi for being an inspiration and helping me teach my kids that kids club is awesome!

Me and baby Kai

Bottom line, getting to the gym everyday with 3 little kids in tow can feel like so much work! Do I feel like going to the gym to workout? No, not usually. Do I feel like going to the gym to workout with 3 little people that ask 10 questions a minute? No, not really. But, like Mimi always said it will feel so good after you’re done and be worth it. And it is, every single time!IMG_3100Sometimes you get really lucky and adorable identical twin caretakers are at kids club! I told Blaize and Pepper that you guys will be best friends when you’re 21 like these identical twin girls.

 

 

Mamas, keep rocking the kids club so the mother ship can stay strong!