Fifty Two Shades of Shay: My Fitness Routine

Before I begin today, I just want to share that my heart is sad and heavy for the people affected by the bombings in Boston yesterday.  If you know me at all, you know that my Texas heart belongs to that wonderful city.  I'm actually taking Kensington there in just a few weeks for her first visit.  

I am praying for the families of the victims and for all of those injured.  I watched the Red Sox win in Boston yesterday morning on TV and thought to myself, what a wonderful day to be in Boston.  Life is just so precious.  Treasure every day.

Today's Shade of Shay is all about how I make fitness a part of my daily life.  This is a really important shade of who I am!

Before I get started, let me make this disclaimer...I am not a personal trainer.  I am not educated in health and fitness. This post is just about how I make fitness a part of my daily life...it's my opinion and stories from my own personal experiences.  A lot of my insight comes directly from my fitness guru Sagi Kalev...he educates me and I'm just repeating some of it back to you.

I grew up in a very active family.  My dad works out and exercises on a daily basis... I cannot remember a time when my dad didn't fit fitness into his daily life.  My mom...is different.  My mom has never had a gym membership or anything fancy like that, but she incorporates healthy living and activity into her daily life too.  She walks almost every day, she does all of her own yard work outside (and if you've seen my mom's massive yard, you know how much work that is!), and she is active (you'll never find her sitting around the house during the day).  Both of my parents taught me that being active is important to your personal well-being.  I learned from both of them and developed my own since of fitness.

A little history...

I started dancing when I was three years old and danced consistently for the next 15 years.  That was my sport/hobby/extracurricular activity of choice growing up and it kept me really active.  When I was 14, I started going up to the gym with my dad several times a week and learned how to use the cardio equipment and attended group exercise classes because they were fun and I enjoyed them...so, he got me my first gym membership.  I went to the gym because it was fun (not to lose weight).

So...after high school, I parted ways with my ballet slippers and tap shoes and took up yoga instead.  I began my yoga practice in college and still practice today.  I love, love, love yoga because it stretches me out, relaxes me and works muscles I didn't know I had.  Along with yoga, I became a runner...

...that's me running a marathon.

For me, running was a fabulous hobby.  I could do it when I wanted (which was early in the morning for me), I didn't need another person to do it with me (like tennis or something), and I could zone out and just enjoy the scenery as I ran.

I ran races for from the time I was 19 until I had Kensington at 27.  I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of racing and long distance running...but, after I had my sweet baby, I didn't want to spend the hours necessary to be a long distance runner any longer (I would run 3 short runs a week and then a long run on Saturdays that would last 3 to 4 hours).  I checked "running marathons" off my bucket list and hung up my running shoes.

So...what's a gal with an infant suppose to do for fitness???  I found the blessing of stroller fitness...

The day Kensington turned 6 weeks old, I joined my local Baby Boot Camp franchise.  I showed up with my stroller and my infant and met these random girls for the very first time.  Well, well, well...almost five years later, I count these girls as close friends and absolute blessings to me.  

Baby Boot Camp became one of my favorite things to do.  Every morning, I would load up my baby (and then a few months later, my second baby) and head off for our hour long workout with other mamas and kiddos.  If you've read my blog for years, you know how much I love my Boot Camp ladies.  Not only did I get a good workout in but I had this wonderful opportunity to meet and socialize with other moms.  I say all the time that Nancy and Helen taught me how to be moms.  Their boys were a little older than Kensington, so anytime I had a question, I would let Nancy and Helen answer it for me.  Those two ladies taught me everything I know...and I love them to pieces for it.

After two years, our Baby Boot Camp branch closed down and so, we joined Stroller Strides (which is now Fit4Mom)...as a group, we moved to our new location with our kids and our strollers and did the same thing for another year.  After one full year of Stroller Strides, it was time for several of us to reevaluate our routines.  With kiddos starting preschool and outgrowing their strollers, several of us decided it was time to join a gym with a great kids' area...so after 3 wonderful years, we parted ways.  

Let me say this...if you are looking for a way to get out and about with your kids, a place to socialize, a place to exercise in a non-threatening, comfortable environment, I highly, highly recommend you looking into some type of stroller based fitness like what I mentioned above.  Participating in the stroller fitness was one of the very best things I did for myself as a new mom.  I was truly blessed by the friendships, the fellowship and the fitness.  And don't worry if you're a mom that works during the day...both of these companies offer night classes as well!

Ok...so after 3 years, I retired my big stroller and joined a gym about 18 months ago.  I was nervous at first...would I get bored, would I be unmotivated without friends there, would my kids cry at drop-off???  So many doubts...and yet, it turned out to be such a wonderful experience for me and my kiddos!

Right now, we go to the gym 3 or 4 mornings a week.  I drop the kids off and they "exercise" while I do too.  I really enjoy group exercise classes, so most mornings, that is what I do.  Other mornings, I do 40 minutes of weight training and then 30 minutes of cardio.

My tips for working out at the gym...

1. Before you join a class...look at the instructor and the participants and think to yourself, "is my fitness goal to look like them?".  

If the instructor has the body you're going for (she's tone and looks fit!) and at least a couple of the participants look the same way...I would take that as a good sign.  If I see an instructor that looks out of shape...I'm out of there!  How should I expect them to whip me into shape if they can't whip themselves?

2. Go to the gym when it's convenient for you!  

For me, mornings are the most convenient time, so that's when we go.  If you're trying to make yourself go when it's not convenient, then you'll never make it there on a regular basis.  

3. Leave it at the door.  

As girls, I think we tend to over-think things and be hard on ourselves.  I used to leave the gym and think "I could have done that harder, ran faster, lifted more weights, stayed 20 more minutes, etc", and then I read a great fitness article that said "once you put your gym shoes on and walk into the gym, leave it all behind".  I go, I workout, I leave and I don't have regrets.  Sure, some days, I'm more into it than others...and sometimes, I don't feel great or I'm having a bad day, so I just go for 20 minutes and do a little cardio and leave...but I don't beat myself up about it.  You went!  Celebrate that!  

4. Walk on the treadmill and pay attention to what others are doing.

When I first joined this gym, I would walk on the treadmill and watch the trainers with other people.  I learned how a lot of the equipment was used, got great ideas for myself and was able to watch and evaluate things while still doing a little cardio.  At my gym, you are given a few free training sessions when you first join in order to acquaint yourself with the equipment...if yours doesn't offer something similar, I would consider paying for at least one training session just to help you get to know your gym and the equipment there.

5. Find classes you love!

I'm going to be honest.  I've tried Zumba three times and I hated every second of it.  I understand that some people are passionate about Zumba...but I am not.  I want to scratch my eyes out and scream for mercy the entire time I'm in there...so that's why I don't go any more.  I personally love boot camp style classes (that mix cardio and weight training) and spinning classes...so, that's what I do.  I love my classes because I don't have to come up with the workout for the day, my instructors do.  I just show up, workout and go home.  It's my favorite!

6. Shower at the gym

You might think this sounds nutty...but trust me, it's life-changing.  About three months after I joined the gym, I decided to start showering before I picked up my kids...and it totally made my day easier.  Some days, I just hop in the shower and get right out and put on a clean pair of sweats...but you know what, I'm clean.  I can run errands, go home and do work, make dinner..and know, I'm at least clean (and as a mom, sometimes, that's all we can ask for!).  Some days, I take a few extra minutes and put on clothes and makeup...but no matter what, I pick up my kids clean and feel even more refreshed.  Moms don't treat themselves to many luxuries, so if me taking 10 minutes to clean myself up a bit is my only luxury for the day, I'll take it.  Trust me...try it once and you'll understand.

Things that motivate me...

I have been using MTV's Power Yoga DVD for over 10 years!  I still use it about once a week.  I've tried others...but to me, this is the very best one!  I can do it without volume now...I know it by heart.  If you need a good yoga video for your house, this is a great one.

I also love Tracy Anderson's Mat Workout DVD for days when I can't make it to the gym.

Need some more motivation?  Try buying some fun workout clothes and shoes.  Wearing old, crummy clothes to the gym can make you feel drab...try a new outfit in a bright color and see if that doesn't motivate you just a bit...I like this...

I love these shorts from Athleta!   Athleta is great about letting you make returns (even after you've exercised in their clothes!).  Plus, these shorts come in some great colors and always wash and wear well.

If you're looking for a yoga pant, I love these by Old Navy.  I wear them on airplanes sometimes too.  They're really comfy!

I also love this top by Athleta too!  Not only does it come in great, bright, happy colors...but it's not clingy to your body, so you can workout without feeling like you're showing off too much of yourself.

This tank comes from Gap, and I have it in two colors.  It's perfect for indoor or outdoor exercise.

And a new pair of shoes really does make a huge difference when working out.  I love me a Nike.  Whether you're taking a group class or working out on your own (or just going for a walk around your neighborhood), a new pair of shoes does motivate you to get out and get going.

So...in a nutshell..

I have done it all.  I've done the gym, I've worked out at home with just a few DVDs and some free weights, I've run marathons, I've done stroller classes and I've even done Zumba ;).  The most important thing about creating a fitness routine for yourself is to find something you enjoy...whether it's running, tennis, salsa dancing, cycling, swimming, yoga...whatever...just find something and do it.  And when you get bored and burned out, find something else and keep things fun.

I'm very grateful that my parents made fitness a part of their lives because it's always come so natural to me to make it a part of mine.  I just want to be active most days...even if that's just walking the block.  I want my kids to be active, which right now is riding bikes and going for a swim.  Just add a little activity into your daily life.

One last note about working out while pregnant...

I worked out during both of my pregnancies.  Obviously, check with your doctor, but for me, it was nice to get out, stretch my legs and do something good for myself.  With Kensington, I did a lot of swimming and prenatal yoga and with Smith, I did Baby Boot Camp.  Just get out and be active!

Alright...hold on tight...next week, we're going to move from Fitness to finding a swimsuit.  Fifty Two Shades of Shay: Swimsuit Shopping.  It's almost summer ladies!

(don't be scared!)

And PS: Today, I'm featured on Hi Sugarplum's blog...click here to see me play 20 Questions.

For the Stella and Dot giveaway, click here.