I have always been someone who worked out regularly. I got my first gym membership when I was 11 and I would go with my dad & my brother most evenings. My dad worked out every weekday morning, after he dropped me off at school. On holiday breaks from school my dad would make me go with him. I loved practicing free throws on the basketball court, loved the rowing machine, and would get my main sweat from the elliptical. Then to end the workout I would do the strength training loop.
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Going to the gym was such a huge part of my life, and I didn’t even realize how much so until I had Lila. Besides being a new mom and all the challenges that came with that, I realized my anxiety got 100 times worse. I always thought it was completely related with the new responsibilities and fears of motherhood.
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Two years ago I had such terrible anxiety attacks that I finally tried going to the gym again after a 4-5+ year break. Jake left for work at 7am and I refused to have anyone watch Lila so I would wake up at 5am, drive to the gym, workout, and be back home at 6:55am every day. Within two weeks of doing this my anxiety attacks were about 80% gone and I realized that my body needed this. The funny thing about me is I love working out. I love going to the gym, I love pushing myself, I love finding a great song that pumps me up and makes my workout run longer just because I’m in the zone.
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We all know what happens next. The works shut down. Between living in survival mode & snacking ALL day long my gym my anxiety came rushing back & the pounds came packing on.
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In January I knew it was time to make a change. Diet, exercise, daily schedule – all of it. My body has been is survival mode for 10 months straight and I was ready for normalcy, whatever that looked like now.
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I started by eating better beginning the 2nd week of January.
Morning: black coffee
Lunch: protein shake
*no snacks*
Dinner: whatever I wanted
After dinner dessert
*stop eating*
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This was my usual way of eating for many years and it was very easy to get back into the swing of. After a week of eating like this I started BBG.
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On Monday, January 18th I started BBG. On Monday’s, Wednesday’s, & Friday’s there are workouts and on Tuesday’s & Friday’s I did cardio. I would go between 3-4 miles runs around our neighborhood. Then on Saturday’s & Sunday’s I would rest.
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When I completed the 4 week program, I started it again. Only this time I started “calorie counting” I am using the NOOM app for this. It helps me understand my nutrition better, and has changed my daily eating habits to:
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Morning: Celsius (pre workout)
Lunch: protein shake
Snack: fresh veggies
Dinner: of the ~Salad~ variety
*stop eating*
Make an herbal tea
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For the 2nd round of the program I also changed the weekly program:
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On Monday’s, Wednesday’s, & Friday’s I do the workouts and on Tuesday’s, Friday’s, and Saturday’s I do cardio. I go between 3-4 miles runs around our neighborhood. Then on Sunday’s I do yoga in the morning & we go on a family hike in the early afternoon.
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My favorite part of everything has to be the alone time. When I finish my workout, dropped in sweat, with earbuds blasting some crazy rap song- my sweet daughter & husband are in bed fast sleep. Nothing makes me feel more at peace in the world that getting in the ME time at the expense of no one else.
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I know I did my self care; while the two people that need me don’t even know I’m not fast asleep next to them. That my friends, is the only it works for me. The hardest part is that I am not a morning person. My body has and might always hate mornings. So waking up is the hardest part of the daily workout. I’ll admit in the past week or so it has gotten easier. I don’t think I’ll ever be a “morning person” but I’ll take it being a little easier as time goes on.
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Now for the fun part. Workout clothes!
I treat myself to a new workout outfit for 3 reasons. (1) I did something difficult. Like when I finished my 1week or month of BBG. (2) When I need a little motivation. Like there are chips or cookies in the kitchen and I wanna go eat them all. Instead I’ll make an herbal tea and do some shoppping! (3) To treat myself! Having a matching workout set makes me feel good. If you know me you know my pajamas match, my leisure outfits match, and heck my socks have never been mismatched a day in my life. So treating myself to a cute lil 2pc set makes me feel good!
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Here are some of my favorite places to shop:
Sweaty Betty
Fabletics
Lululemon
Up West
AE
