Digging Deeper

It takes approximately 21 days for something to become part of your everyday routine. Almost a month. I'm on week 2 (again) and already I'm starting to dread working out. Well not dread exactly, but I just wish there was an easier way. I know full well that there isn't a REAL easier way - if I want to lose the weight I've got to put the work in. 21 days worth of putting the work in, and then it shouldn't feel quite as much like work as it does right now.
So when I need to dig deeper, when I need *something* to run towards, when I feel like cutting it short or giving up, I made this.

This is my vision board, my goals, my "why I am doing this". I'm getting healthy for my BOYS. I'm getting healthy for my HAPPINESS. I'm doing this because I love my family and I want to be around for a long long time to bug and harass them. I have put this up right in front of my treadmill, so when I need to focus on something to get through the last excruciating 30 seconds of a sprint or when I need something to climb towards, I can see EXACTLY why I'm doing it.

What gets you through a run or a workout? Are you motivated by the physical or mental changes that comes with a workout? How do you push through or dig a little deeper?

Thursday's Workout (Day 6ish)

Alright, so I have been TRYING to do these daily workouts, I really have. Sunday I had a little screamer, every time he was not in my arms. Monday, the little screamer was nursing every 2 hours throughout the day AND NIGHT and then the icing on the cake was when the 4 year old starting barfing. Oh, and have I mentioned that my hubby works away so I get no tag outs, no relief and no help most of the time?! Tuesday I kept Little Barfer home from school, which he was totally capable of going, so he just ran laps around this tired old mum all day while Little Screamer did was he does best; cry. Bring on Wednesday, which was FINALLY a good day - Starting to get into the groove of things being on our own; neither child overly demanding or annoying; got out of the house for the ENTIRE morning and early afternoon. Woop woop! Success! But after all the running around and playing and putting on my game face for being in public, I didn't have much get-up-and-go to workout. I got through about half of the workout before baby starting fussing and I threw in the towel.

follow the #livingroomworkout on twitter

But I actually got today's workout done. YAY! I pounded it out, so it only took about 10 minutes (next time I'll actually time it). Again, I found it fairly easy, but I need easy right now. The Saturday's workout I had found almost too easy when I was doing it, but I actually felt some of those unused muscles the next day. Now don't get me wrong, they weren't crying out "OMG THAT HURTS SO GOOD!", but there was a little burny happening.
Modifications/Changes: My nursing boobies were complaining quite a bit when I was doing the jumping jacks, so I broke it down and did 20 in between each exercise - which means I actually doubled the reps! I wasn't sure what exactly the lunge split jumps were and didn't want to break stride to google, so I did 20 walking lunges instead. Also, I did modified pushups instead of wall pushups.
Successes/Celebrations: I pushed myself to do this workout fast and hard without doing the exercises sloppily. I got out 15 (modified) pushups before I had to take a little breather, but they were all  in good form.

Saturday's Workout (Day 1)

I just finished my first workout. Yay me! Even though I have been pretty sedentary for the past 10ish months, I found most of it fairly easy. There wasn't much to it, but it's a good starting point, I think. Next week I might have to go through the exercises twice to step it up a bit.
Modifications/Changes: Instead of 1 minute downward dog, I did a plank. And I wasn't quite able to do the jack knife situps, so I replaced with regular situps and doubled the reps.
Success/Celebrations: I have 3 today! (1) I bought XL sweats because that's what fit best pre-pregnancy... and they were a bit too big! They are STILL a bit too big even after washing/drying them too. (2) After having S I was worried my ab muscles might have separated a bit and/or lost strength, but I was able to rock out the russian twists and situps without too much of a problem! (3) Baby S (aka, ScreamyFace) hung out in his swing watching and/or sleeping the entire time I worked out. YAY!

Are you following along with the daily #livingroomworkout on twitter? Join us for a cyber workout buddy, encouragement, and accountability. C'monnnnn. Follow me on twitter @jiggleymommy!

Pregnancy Workouts (May)

Ok - I'm making a resolution to myself to have a healthier pregnancy this time around. I want to aim to workout at least 3 times a week. I'm going to track my monthly workouts here with the dates, to make me accountable. Please feel free to join me in these short workouts (I'll try to post more with just bodyweight exercises for those of you with no equipment), comment if you like it or not and if you have any input, please share!
Week1, Day1: 20 mins stationary bike (prog1), 10 reps X5 - bicep curl to press (w/ 5lbs each hand), squats, overhead tricep extensions (w/ 10lbs kettlebell)
Wk 1, Day2: 5 miles/8km stationary bike (res1-3), 50 pushups, 50 lunges per leg, 50 fire hydrants to donkey kick (? I'm making up my own names here lol)

Wk 2 - nothing, nadda, zip.

#LivingRoomWorkout

I am a busy mom. Between babysitting other people's children, playgroups, library story times, minimal cleaning so my hubby thinks I do more than play all day and all the other mundane day to day stuff a SAHM/WAHM does, I still have to find time to workout. I still have to carve out a chunk of time in my day to move my body, strengthen it, love it and sometimes it's way harder to do than I ever imagined.
So what do I do when taking the 45 minute bus ride to my gym isn't working for me? What do I do when I have kids here until later and there just isn't enough time to commit to the 3 hours (an hour commute time each way and an hour long class) to go to the gym? What do I do when there's a sick kid or a snow storm or "I don't want to be seen with you in public" meltdown or when I just don't have the energy to get my butt to the gym?
I do a #LivingRoomWorkout. Jo Dumont Fitness Training has taught me a lot of valuable lessons in the past couple of years I've been with them. One of the best things they've taught me is that you don't need a lot of fancy equipment or tools or torture devices to get a decent workout. When I can't make it into the gym for whatever reason, I try to schedule myself a 20+ minute workout that can be done at home with little to no equipment. It be a drag to workout on your own, at home, but it doesn't have to be easy OR boring. I will try to post some of my #LivingRoomWorkout's on here and on twitter when I'm doing them. So if YOU can't get to the gym, you can do your own workout at home.

Today's #LivingRoomWorkout

You do each exercise 25 times and repeat 4 times. In total, you will have done 500 reps! Awesome! Time yourself and see if you can beat yourself or challenge a friend. :) I did today's in 21m39s!

Prisoner Get Ups: Hands on your head, elbows out. Go down to your knees and back up again without your hands coming off your head.
Push Ups: Lay on floor (on tummy), hands are a little wider than shoulder width with fingers facing out, squeeze your abs and lift off the floor a bit so your elbows are bent, the straighten arms using to raise up but remember to keep your body in a straight line to the floor, lower back down as far as you can do and then go back up. (for modified, go on your knees instead of your toes, but remember to keep your body in as straight a line as possible).
Wall Crunch: Lay with bum up against a wall, legs in V position, crunch up to touch the wall.
Pull Ups: Position 2 chairs with enough room for yourself between them, use a broom handle between them for your bar, lay under your bar and holding (palms in) raise your body so you are only supported by your hands and feet, now using your arms only pull yourself up the bar.
Hamstring Curl: Lay on your back with your feet up on your exercise ball, lift your bum off the floor and pull the ball into you with your feet, now push it away but do not lower your bum.