I’ve got lots to do tonight because I’m heading to the office tomorrow. I’m very lucky to mostly work from home but some days it can’t be helped.
So, 4am wake up call tomorrow…anyone with me? What’s the earliest you’ll set your alarm to get in your workout?
Baby is sleeping so it’s time to pack up all of my necessary things for tomorrow and try to get to bed early. Good night!
What food I’m bringing to work – Lactation cookies, flax seeds & protein powder and a P90X bar
On Friday, I got to experience yoga in a crazy place for the second time. I had gone to the Times Square Alliance’s solstice yoga event in 2011, rushing over from work with my yoga mat and pretending my yoga clothes were work appropriate for the day. It was an amazing experience to be on the mat in the middle of a busy place, with cars still beeping and the tourists and New Yorkers looking on.
This year, I took a day off from work and did the Bikram class in the middle of a nice hot day. This year, I also didn’t go alone (well, as alone as you could be in Times Square). I had a great time and hope that I can do it again many times.
I had a few days of terrible sleep leading up to Friday. Some days here are better than others, and we had a few rough nights in a row (tonight is looking to be fun as well, though the last two were pretty good ones). I literally fell asleep during the class…for just about a minute. It was a time where I typically would have my eyes open, but since the sun was right overhead, they were closed. And I woke up a bit confused but tried to continue with my practice without dwelling on it.
Also, to bring it fully into the mom + fitness world, I had to bring my breast pump as I was gone for about 6 hours. I pumped in Times Square, under a nursing cover (I rarely use it, but it came in handy for this and for changing into my yoga clothes when done).
So in review…I did yoga, fell asleep, pumped and changed in Times Square on Friday. Now we get pictures!
I have a picture-heavy post I planned to write tonight, but a dip in supply meant it was cookie cooking time again. Hopefully tomorrow!
I finished week 4 of Insanity (well, technically tomorrow which is a rest day) and those who have done it know what that means…recovery week! AKA the week many don’t come back from. The workouts get longer and tougher from there and I’m both looking forward to the challenge and the end 🙂
Not that I’ll slack when it’s over! ShaunT’s new Focus T25 comes out Monday and I’m thinking that’s next. 25 minute workouts…3 phases of 25 days. I heard ShaunT speak about the workouts on Thursday and I am pretty excited for it. You can shoot me a message or leave a comment if you want more info.
Tomorrow, we are heading for the gym. I have been working out at home and not making it there, but I plan to take Zumba tomorrow. This is a step in taking yoga there…seeing if the baby can handle the child care center while in a class. I want to make sure she is comfortable before I start taking yoga because I’d hate for them to come get me and disturb the class. I know I wouldn’t be the first, but I’ve been waiting it out. I want to start making it more often on the weekends, but I’m fairly maxed out with Insanity. I’ll go for walks and do some yoga, but that’s it so far. I do have some 5Ks coming, so I may go to run a bit (though I can do that with the stroller now too). I never thought I would be sticking to home workouts so much, but with the right program you really don’t need much more. My extra workouts are for fun really.
I think my cookies are cooled, so I’m going to put them away and put myself to bed. Goodnight!
I wanted to post some answers to a few questions I have heard about Insanity. These are my opinions, and I hope that they are helpful. If you have other questions, leave them in the comments!
Can anyone do it? Well, yes and no. First, we’re talking “anyone who can workout”…if your doctor says no or there are other limitations, then no. If you pay attention to form (a mirror or buddy are helpful) and are willing to go slower to maintain form, yes. You are encouraged to take breaks when necessary! There are times when no one in the video is doing the move. Be smart and listen to your body. As you do the workouts, you’ll get stronger and it will get easier.
That said, is it a good newbie workout? Not really! It’s hard. I wont lie. And that can be really discouraging to a beginner. I think that being at a point where exercise is a habit, or very much becoming one, is a good plan.
Do I need equipment? Nope! I got a jump mat because I have a bad leg and floors with no give. Other than that, I use a towel and water!
Do I need a lot of room? Nope! I can do the whole workout on the jump mat plus a few inches to either side (for moves like globe jumps that move. I would say that if you have a square where each side is just over your height, you’re good.
Does it work? If you do it, yes. If you buy the workout and put it on a shelf? No. It isn’t magical.
That’s what I have for now. Is your question not answered? Ask away!
So here will be MY experience. I’m not a doctor, a lactation consultant, or any other medical professional. I’m just a regular woman with a baby and boobs (pardon me).
Everyone asks about losing weight, breastfeeding and exercise. No one really wants to know if it can be done. The true question is “will it hurt my supply”, and the answer is maybe. This “everyone” doesn’t include those who lose tons of weight by breastfeeding (many do) but the others who can not shed weight until after they wean.
You need extra calories to breastfeed so you shouldn’t diet to lose weight. It’s good for you and your baby to eat good food and not be starving. I count calories, but give myself 500 extra a day to accommodate breastfeeding, and don’t really worry if I go over. I also eat any calories burned from exercise. And that’s what this post is about.
At this point, I am doing Insanity. I have also done TurboFire and LesMills Pump, along with some running and yoga. These can be intense, and I started slowly and built up to the Insanity program. I don’t think I could have handled that first for many reasons. I find that I’m okay as long as I drink water and eat extra. And by water, I mean a LOT of water. I have dips in supply, but nothing that would be noticeable if I wasn’t working and pumping. My baby always gets enough! I’m losing weight slowly but surely. Baby is gaining weight. Everybody wins!
So, what exercise did you do before pregnancy (or during!)? You can probably do it now, starting slowly and working your way up. The important things for me have been to listen to my body, drink a lot of water, eat when hungry, and eat healthy foods. If you feel it is too much or that your supply is taking a hit, adjust. I’m serious on the water! Cookies help too!
What has your experience been? I’d love to hear your stories!
And we’re back…to making lactation cookies! They’re delicious and frankly I can use all the help I can get. They aren’t exactly in the Insanity nutrition plan, but they are in mine.
So now I have this tower of cookies. Hopefully they’ll help. Surely they’ll taste delicious!
Insanity is going well. It isn’t my favorite workout, but I think that’s because I’m doing it daily. I think it would be something to look forward to if I worked it in 1-2 times a week, but first I want to do the whole program.
Do I typically eat healthy? Yes! Do I occasionally indulge? Of course! And if I’m going to make a cupcake, it’s going to be a cupcake worth the fuss and calories. I went on a pinterest search for something dairy free, delicious and fairly easy. I found a cupcake that seemed complicated, but the instructions sounded easy enough.
So here you go…Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes They were reported as being heavy…lots of cupcake in there! And delicious. I went for a few regular size chips on top and they looked very cookie-like. Enjoy!
I posted my review of Les Mills Pump here but see the results for yourself!
I lost over 7lbs and almost 15 inches! Plus I really see the difference in the side view. I also fit into a pair of pre-pregnancy jeans and can now fit in my belt…on the third hole! I feel stronger and more like myself.
I still have about 15lbs to my pre pregnancy weight, but I’m getting there! I have said it before, but food is still my biggest obstacle. I’m so hungry between exercise and breastfeeding and have little time to cook. I made eggs the other day and was hugely proud of myself. I would love to see my results with a better diet but am proud of my progress anyway.
Allison Getting Fit 