Good Week

Sunday: walk
Monday: 20 minute bike ride, 1 hr yardwork
Tuesday: Walk with Luke, 30 minute bike ride
Wednesday: 2 mile walk pushing both kids in the double stroller- Luke loved riding with Rebekah. We all had a good time!
Thursday: 3 hrs. yardwork
Friday: bike for 40 minutes
Saturday: 2 mile walk

I planted my spring garden this week and spent some time trying to revitalize our lawn after last summer's record drought. It was a good week.

The kids got sick on Thursday night, so I worked out indoors on Friday and Nathan watched the kids while I went out Saturday morning.

My eating has been atrocious, however. I think I just need to eat more in the beginning of the day. By after dinner time, I am hungry and tend to overdo it. Rebekah complicates things too. She eats more than Luke did and has a higher metabolism. It is hard for me to judge how much I actually need to eat in order to keep up with her.

This Week

Sunday: nothing
Monday: Bob Harper Pure Strength - 2nd half. I did the first part last week. I was so sore both times that I felt it 3 and 4 days after.
Tuesday: Walk with Luke, some gardening
Wednesday: Prevention Belly
Thursday: Prevention Belly, Butt, and Thighs
Friday: nothing
Saturday: 2 mile walk carrying Rebekah (my 21lb kettle ball :) )

It was raining everyday this week so I didn't get a chance to go outside much. Hopefully we will get to see more sunshine in the coming week. :)

Practical Exercise

We retured home from CA about a week ago and I have been working to get things back in shape ever since. Practical exercise has made up the bulk of my workouts- heavy duty housework. I have been doing lots of yardwork- pruning, raking, etc... and still have much more to go. I have also tried to walk or ride the exercise bike at least once a day. Soon I'll be getting back to writing things down soon, but so far I have been too busy trying to conquer disorganiztion in other places of my life. :)

It is good to see everyone's posts. :)

Congratulations Katie P!

Good Week

I have been loving Bob Harper's Pure Strength DVD (except for some of the silly "hardcore" camera shots, etc..). There is a beginner 20 min workout and a one hour knock your socks off hard sort of work out. I had been trying to do the hour long workout, but I was seriously sore for an entire week. When I am lifting a baby and wrestling a toddler all week too, it is just not practical for me to be that sore. So, I am contenting myself with the beginner. That combined with walks, my bike, and some good old yard work is giving me plenty of variation to stay motivated.

I can't remember what day was what (still coming out of the sick/baby fog from last month), but my goal was to do Bob 3x, walk at least 5 days, and the bike 2x, with a smattering of yard work. I missed a day on the bike, and didn't as long of walks in as I wanted everyday, but pretty much met the goal.

Yay!

Bran Muffins

I posted this recipe on my own blog, but thought you all might like it too:

http://making-room.blogspot.com/2011/10/bran-muffins.html

I literally eat these with milk or coffee/milk everyday. They are high fiber and low in calories and contain only fruit and honey to sweeten them. Enjoy!

Oh, and last week I walked and did Bob's pure strength workout again (1/2 one day and 1/2 the next). I still feel it today and have to break up the strength training with the walks. It is perfect for someone like me who has hip troubles, but is otherwise in good shape. Often after a workout with Jillian, the jumping and cardio segments would set off my bursitis.

Week 1

Saturday - 2 mile walk
Sunday - 2 mile walk
Monday - 2 mile walk
Tuesday - 2 mile walk
Wednesday - 20 minutes bike, Bob's "Pure Burn, Super Strength" 20 minute beginner workout
Thursday - 2 mile walk, Bob's "Pure Burn, Super Strength" harder workout (only 30 minutes)
Friday - 2 mile walk
Saturday- sick, but still walked outside out of necessity (3 year olds do not understand when mommy is sick. Energy still must be burned or Luke will drive me insane!)

Walking

I still can't seem to get organized enough to write down what I am doing everyday, but I have been walking a lot- probably about 2-3 miles a day about 5 days a week. Because of the heat and humidity and tiny baby (which don't mix well :) ), I have walked in malls, outside early in the morning, or just around with Rebekah in the baby bjorn. I don't know how it is in CA, but here we have a lot of mall walkers! I saw a lot of moms and strollers too! Maybe I'll make a friend?

Also, I vaccumed and felt really good to have mopped my floor this week. I was really proud of that-It has been awhile :{

Starting Up Post Baby

Well, we had heat advisories almost everyday in Houston, so there has not been much outside activity. Luke hates for me to do exercise videos inside and does not nap any longer, so that has been out too.

Fortunately we got a great deal on some plane tickets and got the chance to come out to CA for two weeks. 65 degrees this morning? In August? Awesome. Today I began walking with purpose again. Luke was in the stroller and baby Rebekah was taking a nap in her favorite place- the baby bjorn. We walked for 1.5-2 miles I think. It was a route I am not too familiar with. I plan on doing that with some of these that I found at Marshalls today for $20. I love them- I think that they are the most comfortable toning shoes around.

I am going to try to exercise as much as I can while in temperate weather and to help my postpartum anxiety troubles. As far as weight goes, I am sorry to say this Kelly, but I am already back to my pre-preg weight- actually 5 lbs less. But then, I was thinking about it and my ore-preg weight was not very low to begin with. Also, I don't have the muscle that I did before the baby either. I think I found a weight that my body is happy with, and so it is easy to get back to it. If I wanted to be thin again like in high school, I would need to drop another 20lbs. I think though that I have given up on size 4. :)

It is fun to see everyone posting again!

Weekly Summary

M: 2 mile walk with Luke
T: nothing
W: 1 hour yard work- pruning the crepe myrtle
Th: 2 mile walk, 1 hour yard work- raking
F: 1 hour yard work- chopping out crepe myrtle into small enough pieces for the garbage men to take away
S: 1 mile walk
S: 2 mile walk alone

Grandpa was in town this week, so I was privileged enough to take 2 walks by myself. I was feeling better too, so I got some much needed Spring yard cleaning work done.

Yesterday

Yesterday's walk and yard work were a no-go. First, I forgot that we had a Lenten retreat all day, and second I felt faint again when I got home from the retreat. The midwives were not too concerned, but I think I'll call this week if the faint feeling keeps up. I just can't seem to get anything done when it happens. Sometimes that is most of the day!

I did manage my walk today and was feeling better.

Feeling Better

M: Yard work for 1 hour
T: 2 mile walk with Luke, yard work
W: 2 mile walk alone
Th: Bike riding 20 mins
F: Bike riding 45 mins
S: Bike riding 45 mins (planned) + yard work
S: 2 mile walk alone (planned)

This week Nathan came home and I got a lot of energy back! I think I was just emotionally worn out last week. Also, saw the Dr. and baby is doing well, weight gain is on track, etc...

Hope you all had a good week!

Working and Resting

For the past few weeks, I have had to slow down a little. I am struggling with feeling faint at times (not while exercising, just at times throughout the day). I can do a good workout one day, and then nothing at all the next. When I was pregnant with Luke, I experienced something similar. I apparently have low blood pressure that gets lower when I am pregnant and often causes me to feel weak and faint. So, when I feel like that, I usually nix any great exercise feats for the day.

The other reason that I have been tired is because of all the yard work that has had to be done- pulling weeds, planting, raking (bags and bags!). It is Spring here in Houston!

So here is what the past two weeks looked like as best as I can remember:

M: Prevention DVD + yard work for 1 hour
T: Nothing
W: 1 hour yard work
Th: Nothing
F: Prevention DVD
S: Bike riding 30 mins
S: 2 mile walk alone

M: 2 mile walk pushing Luke
T: Nothing
W: Walked around the Houston Rodeo with Luke for nearly 4 hours (too much)
Th: Nothing!
F: Bike for 30 minutes
S: Plan to bike
S: Plan to bike

Two Weeks

I can't remember last week too well, but this week was a lot like last week- a combo of my Prevention DVD, walking, biking, and yard work. The yardwork is going to get more intense over the next few weeks as I try to combat the leaves, attempt to help our grass regrow in some areas, and get my garden plan in order. I may just do a patio garden because of baby #2. Are you all planting anything this year? I was thinking tomatoes, herbs and some peppers.

M: Prevention DVD + yard work for 1 hour
T: Prevention DVD
W: Walk with Luke 1 mile
Th: Bike for 30 minutes and walk around the zoo for 2 hours (I took a nap after)
F: Bike for 45 minutes
S: Plan to bike
S: Plan to walk at Luke's nap time

Jessica- I hope that you feel better soon!

Freezing in the South

With the exception of Monday, this week was all about working out indoors. We had 4 nights of hard freezes (unusual for Southeast Texas!) and a couple of days that it didn't get above freezing. But, with my trusty bike and a good DVD, I managed 6/7 days.

M: Walk with Luke (2 miles
T: Prevention DVD
W: Bike for 40 minutes
Th: Bike for 1 hour- about 17 miles!
F: Bike for 30 minutes
S: Prevention DVD, Bike for 35 minutes
S: I will probably walk 2 miles tomorrow

Monday is my next Dr's appt. and sonogram. I honestly think it is a girl, but acknowledge that it is only a guess. Maybe it is because I can only think of girl's names this time around.

Weekly Post

M: Nothing- I did 1 hour on the bike last Sunday and my morning sickness returned (overdid it)
T: Prevention DVD
W: 2 mile walk pushing Luke
Th: Bike for 35 minutes, yard work
F: Bike for 40 minutes
S: Prevention DVD, 1 1/2 mile walk
S: Nothing

It was a good week. I keep thinking that my $100 investment in the exercise bike is one of the best I ever made. Right now, I am mostly reading the Lord of the Rings series while riding. I have actually never read the books before, so I am having a lot of fun! Luke likes to have me ride too- he says, "Stay on bike Mommy, stay on!" in his forceful two-year-old way. :)

Emily- I honestly do NOT like exercising either. But, I love the way it makes me feel and how it helps me control other things in my life (like diet mainly). I have found over time that I like certain things more than others. Maybe the Shred is not the right thing for you? You found a great way to eat after a lot of experimenting. :)

Kelly-It is so good to hear that you are able to get some exercise in these days! We are praying for a healthy baby and mommy everyday.

Jessica- Did you work out much with your pregnancies? Obviously the twins were different, but were there things that you particularly like to stay in shape?

Good Week

Monday: Prevention DVD
Tuesday: 2 mile walk with stroller
Wednesday: Bike ride- 30 minutes, about 8 miles
Thursday: vaccumed the house (yes, I am counting that right now :) )
Friday: Prevention DVD, squatting against a wall, and dancing with Luke

I am feeling good and beginning slowly to bring in light weights to the Prevention DVD. I also discovered this week that I can actually still do a few full push-ups. Yay for Jillian!

This weekend may not be the best- Nathan is very sick and I am mostly trying to take the extra share of Luke care. Who knows though, we may do a walk or something.

Hope you all are doing well out there!

Yay!

I did nearly all of my Prevention DVD today (sans the ab work on the floor- for obvious reasons). I am very excited!

Weak

Well, we are back in Houston after a month-long sojourn through CA. It was a great trip and I got some good long walks in (thanks to grandparents!), but we are certainly glad to be home.

The office that my midwives use is in a high rise building in downtown Houston. When I was leaving my appointment and walking back up the stairs to my car, I was shocked at how weak I felt. Climbing 6 flights of stairs, I almost had to stop part way up.

I am not really sad about this or anything, it's just that I used to think that walking was enough to get fit. Though I have still been walking and doing other little things, I have learned how much different it is to do a really difficult workout tape, or just any significant amount of weight lifting/push-ups/squats etc...

Hopefully I can resume some more vigorous exercise, but for right now, I am still working on getting through each day. My morning sickness returned with a vengeance after flying home solo with Luke. Traveling for 8 hours with a 2-year old and a 25lb backpack left me totally spent.

Everyday Exercise

Between Luke being sick (again!!) and the nausea, we missed our walk 3 days this week. I did ride the bike for 20 minutes one day and did a little yard work two days. Today I spent an hour cleaning my fridge. We are going on a trip to CA for 3+ weeks so it was a must. All in all, I probably exerted myself physically everyday this week.

One good side effect for me during pregnancy is that my body dictates what I should eat very forcefully. Really, I feel like I have been taken over by an alien of sorts. I want lots of fruits, vegetables, carbs, and yogurt. This baby's favorite seems to be oatmeal made with milk and honey, mountain high yogurt (not nonfat!), homemade soup, and it HATES sweets. I realized how much ice cream, chocolate, and other types of sugar I used to eat. I cannot eat them now or I feel very sick.

Kelly, it definitely sounds like the right thing to take it slower. Honestly, when I read your initial plans for exercise, I thought them awfully ambitious (which it is not always bad to be). But then, you are ambitious about most things you do. :) I have been able to keep food down and a walk with Luke, dishes, and the laundry puts me out for the rest of the day. I am so glad that you are feeling better! I am praying that your body will recover soon!

Jessica, thank you for your continued updates. It really encourages me just to hear about your efforts. The video clips are awfully funny too. :)

Walking Again

Everyday this week I have been on a walk with Luke. Truly, that is all I can do. Though i haven't been throwing up (sorry Kelly! I really hope you feel better soon!), I have been feeling sick all day long and need any extra sleep I can get. This time around has been worse for me than when I was pregnant with Luke.

Jessica- Your cold must have taken a lot out of you! I am glad that you are feeling better. Also, your comment to Kelly about twins scares me- we have twins in the family- Nathan is one, my family has a couple of sets too. May God give me the strength for whatever comes.

I still really like reading everyone's updates. It has been motivating me to keep moving at least a little each day.

Question: Did any of you do any good maternity exercise tapes during pregnancy? Most of the ones that I have tried are bland or too easy. For now, I am just going to try to do my morning walk. When i feel better, I plan on adding back the exercise bike and some weights.