Get Your Body Back 2009 Challenge: Final Recap
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Determined. Inspired. Motivated. Changed. Renewed.
Get My Body Back Update From OSG Sis!
Hello fellow OSG fans! For those of you who have been a fan of Angela’s amazing website for some time, you may remember the segments I did on getting my body back after 2 babies! It has been several months since my last update so here I am with my latest news!
[This was us at the gym in the summer of 2009]
When I first started back at the gym in January, I held very high expectations for what I was going to achieve and when I would achieve it. I was determined to get to the gym 6 days a week and to complete intense workouts at every session. I was successful with this for only a short period of time because this is not realistic for me, my friends! On top of being a full-time mom and caregiver for my two boys, I also work about 25 hours a week (at night when my hubby is home). So, my time at the gym is limited. I have found two mornings a week, (when my oldest son is in pre-school and my baby is in a play group) when I hit the gym to sweat it out! My time is limited to about 1.5 hours so I have learned to make the most of this time! I am still loving every minute of my STRONG class! They also have a newer version out, called Urban Strong that incorporates cardio in between weight tracks. This is, by far, the best one hour workout I have ever had! The sweat drips off of me and I leave feeling renewed, refreshed and accomplished!
There have been set backs on my road to health though. In early September, I fractured my foot quite badly. My sweet little boy jumped on my foot in excitement and I knew right then and there that something was very, very wrong. It was about 7 weeks before I felt confident that I could give my workouts 100% again. For those of you who have had an injury, you know how frustrating it can be to watch all your hard work go down the drain. Time heals all wounds though and I am happy to report that I am back to my old self and enjoying my old routine at the gym again!
On another happy note, I was fortunate enough to purchase an elliptical trainer for my home back in July. I decided on the Octane Q37ce. What a beautiful machine! It is so amazing to have the convenience of a good cardio workout in the comfort of my home! This also helps me to fit in a workout 2-3 other times during the week as getting to the gym is harder for me right now. This way, I can workout when the boys are sleeping! For the other mommies out there who are busy and finding it hard to fit in a workout, I strongly encourage you to look into the benefit of having a piece of equipment in your home. This is especially true for those of you who live in colder climates like myself and outdoor cardio may be very difficult for several months out of the year. Although my elliptical was expensive, I see it as an investment piece. Over the years, gym memberships certainly do add up!
Next on my fitness agenda is to re-learn how to ice skate. I use to skate as a child, but over the years and many moves later, I lost my ability to do so! I see skating as a fun way to be with my kids and to get some exercise at the same time! I am also very eager to try Hot Yoga! There is a studio in my area that offers classes with very flexible time slots. One thing at a time though. I try not to expect too much at one time.
Thanks to my beautiful sister, my world has been opened to so many nutritious alternatives that I may never have tried! I start every morning off now with a Green Monster. My 21 month old son also loves them! I also have drastically reduced the amount of meat we eat and I now replace a few meals a week with lentils, veggie stir-fry’s or meatless dishes. I may never be able to give meat up completely, but I am happy with and grateful for the healthy adjustments I have made and I am much more open minded to try new things now! Thanks Ange – I owe it all to you!!!
I am enjoying my journey and learning that we are all made differently. Some of us will be a size 2 when we leave the hospital and some of us may never get there again, but it is okay either way. I often remind myself of a wonderful piece of inspiration I was once told:
For every time you look at someone else with envy at how beautiful they may be or how perfect their life may seem, just remember there is someone else right behind you, thinking the exact same thing about you!
Cheers to all of you! Keep up the great work and for all of you mommies out there, remember to be proud of your body and grateful for the little miracles it helped you create!
Kristi
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Thanks sis! You are very inspiring have come a long way! I hope that your posts were helpful for others out there who are looking to get on their own journey too. :)
Any moms out there? How do YOU stay balanced? Or, do you know a mom who stays fit while juggling a busy lifestyle? What are her strategies?
I love Kristi’s discovery that fitness did not have to mean 6 days a week at the gym. I think it is best to do what you can fit in your own lifestyle and you will be more likely to stick with it!
Hi,
Love this post. I have a 5 year old and twin 3 year olds. I can get to the gym since childcare is included-so nice! But for the other times I make working out hard to avoid. We have a ton of gym things around the house like jumprope, hand weights, ball, elastic bands, elliptical, trampoline, boxing bag. Most stuff really cheap. I also have trained myself to work fitness into every day moves. For instance if I’m waiting for the microwave I do squats or something. Every time I pass a certain chair I do tricep dips, I have the computer on a high counter and do sidesteps while reading e-mail, I do pushups against the sink when I’m going mouthwash. I also read books to my kids while doing plank :) My kids get included in lots of fitness in that we have dance sessions, kids yoga, and jumping contests with the trampoline. I do the best I can and try to be OK with that. Thanks for the update.
Not a mom, but I just have to say that I too used to be a skater and am SO pumped to use it as a form of exercise this winter!! Awesome way to incorporate activity in while spending time with the fam :)
Congratulations, Kristi! You look great and it sounds like you feel great too!
Ice skating is one exercise I’ve never considered! Thanks for the tip!
I’m a mom. I have to do a lot to stay balanced. It isn’t easy to make everything in life have the same focus. My son comes first. He is everything to me. Second, my 40 hour a week job, because it pays the bills. Lastly, Yoga. I make every effort, whatever I can do, to make sure I make it to yoga at least 4 times a week. I have to vary my schedule each week, but I still try to do it. It keeps me centered and sane. I used to rollerblade. I think that you getting back into your skating is wonderful.
Wonderful story!!It’s true working out is so much more than being a slave to the gym!
Wow Sister looks Fantastic and just like you! It’s true that there are so many ways to be fit and not be a slave to the gym. Many moms take the kids with in a stroller. Others have machines in their home. It’s an investment, but it’s an investment in YOUR health. And you can’t always undo damage to your body so take care of it. IT’s one of the best investments you can make!
Good for you Kristi!!! Clearly there must be a “glo” gene and all of you possess it :) So glad to see you looking and feeling great!
Kristi- you are gorgeous!!!!!!! I have to ask what is the brand of your top and pants- I love them!
Keep up the good work- you are beautiful!!
I only have one child and I find it difficult to keep up with my workouts so I can only imagine how hard it will be with two! I felt a lot of guilt if I didn’t workout daily early on (my son is 18 mos). I finally realized that if I decided that I would work out 3-4 times per week it was more realistic for me to keep up with it. I workout when my son is napping or when my husband gets home. The best has been our purchase of a jogging stroller so that I am not limited to workouts without my son. It’s great on those days when he decides he doesn’t need a nap! Keep up the good work Kristi!
You two are seriously cool sisters! It’s great to see how you motivate each other. I’m the eldest of four sisters and I hope we can someday support each other in the way you two do. One of the things that helps me focus on eating well and keeping fit is that I want to be a positive example, but those girls love their Buffalo wings and Doritos WAAAY too much to listen:-) Maybe someday…
It is good to see that you don’t have to be at the gym everyday to be healthy. When I am too busy I get upset if I can’t make it six days a week and it just isn’t realistic.
Great post, thanks!
Received my glo bars today! LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM! Thank you so much Angela!
Being a mom and finding time to work out is SOO hard! I do not have a lot of help and my husband works long hours. The thing that works for me is taking 3 VERY long walks with my son and dog. I attach the leash to the stroller and power walk a few miles 3 times a day. Oftentimes we go to the park for a break/lunch/play time, and then we go home. I bundle the little guy up when it is cold! I am saving money for a joggin stroller, but a regular stroller works great!
Thank you to everyone who commented :) We are all in this together and we can all help to inspire and encourage each other! We all have things in our life that make us busy and fitting in excercise is not always easy! Thanks to everyone for all of your ideas and ways you fit in a workout! :)
You look awesome! Good for you for continuing to make new fitness goals even though you are at such a great point. I want to do some more ice skating this year too!
Great post!! Thanks for the tips :-) You both glo!!
Wow, very impressive post all around! Congrats on your achievements!
Having a treadmill in the house really helps a lot. I also have a stepper and some free weights behind the couch. I can do bodyweight circuits, lunges, push-ups, etc. all the free weight stuff right in the living room while my 2 year old plays. She often joins in when I’m doing yoga. You can also do a lot of good bodyweight exercises at the playground. Stuff like that you don’t need a continuous 30-60 minute uninterrupted block like cardio, so that’s easier to fit in.
I guess most importantly, that it is important to remember that the whole package is important – eating well, exercising, good attitude, good social support, good relationships, love & kindness. That’s what makes you GLOW!!!
My daughter is 21 months old as well!! I just try to get to the gym everyday that I am honestly able to. I don’t make excuses but I don’t beat myself up if I miss a day. YOU LOOK GREAT!
i think when you have little ones you are mostly in “survival mode” : ) and working out is low on priority list. i think sis is wise to say be kind to yourself and be o.k. if you aren’t hitting the gym 6 days a week. i would also add that when they get a little older IT GETS SO MUCH EASIER to exercise. when my husband gets home and is watching the kids, i go in my room/”home gym” with my ipod to block out family sounds and dance, lift weights, stretch, whatever floats my boat that day. the kids and hubby know not to come in the room during this time. it is SACRED to me. my husband supports me too because he knows i am SO much happier when i get that time. : )
Go Kristi!! You look amazing! Good for you for doing what you can, with what you have, and making positive changes for your life and your family’s lives! I love the quote at the end about people looking at you thinking how great your life is too.