Getting my Body Back 2.0
If you have followed along the last few years, you would know that being active and eating healthy are a large part of my daily life.After I had my first baby in 2015, I began experimenting with my workouts. You can read more about that in detail here. Prior to having my son I was also active, I just didn't workout as often or to the extreme I was afterward. The first thing I had going for me was that I was highly motivated to make the change... you name it, I tried it. I really enjoyed all of the variety and was seeing first hand how each type of activity was challenging my body and mind in different ways.I had also made the decision to clean up my eating. This wasn't a "diet", it was a lifestyle change. My new and improved healthier regiment quickly became my norm and I was highly motivated by the way it made me feel and the results I was experiencing.
Fitness
Pushing myself during my workouts was the priority and as something felt easier, I would change it up. For example; I had bumped up my cardio every week (usually running) but my terrain needed to be challenging. Stairs, hills, trails... anything to make it more difficult. If I was going to spend the time to workout then I was going to kick my own ass and make it worth it was my motto. When I couldn't find challenging running terrain, I would make it challenging by doing sprints throughout my run. Two blocks running, one block sprinting.I was loving all of the variety in different ways. Running allowed me to think, I would listen to music and get in my head. However, if I could choose my #1 it was yoga. Yoga (Power, Sculpt or Bootcamp) fulfills me in a different way, both mentally and physically. I loved how it was always challenging and I didn't have to think. There is something to be said about just showing up to class and getting your workout done!Strength training days were something new for me. I worked one-and-one with a trainer to tone my body and build muscle. The workouts were only 30 minutes but they are insanely difficult. Strength training allowed me to feel physically strong and capable. I didn't do cardio these days either, I was burning fat by lifting weights so I would save all of my energy for that. Read more about my journey strength training here.
Eating
If I wanted to see real results, I had to change up my eating style and it was very simple: high protein, lots of veggies and very low-to-no carbs. If I cheated, I wouldn't get the results I was hoping for. Of course I splurged at times but they were very far and few between, especially when I was trying to get to reach my goal weight and lose those last 10 pounds (which are the hardest). Making healthy choices during breakfast, lunch and dinner quickly became a habit, it was the in-between times that we're challenging for me. I go into full detail about eating after my first baby here.
Differences This Time
The best part of doing this again is exactly that, I've done it already. My experience losing the baby weight after having Brock motivates me now on the daily. I know first hand that all of these adjustments I'm making to my eating and my workouts actually work. Some weeks are amazing and I drop a few pounds, others are really hard and my weight won't budge. I know now to not let those bad weeks get to me.Oh, do I have plenty of things working against me after baby #2! I gained more weight this pregnancy, I had to have another c-section, I'm almost four years older, I'm breastfeeding, my husbands insane work schedule, life is busy with two kids, etc.... the list goes on and on. However, I made the choice to not let any of that discourage me or create excuses for me to not work on myself, in fact it does the opposite. Being busier and having more on my plate this time around forces me to be extremely organized.Planning ahead has been the key to finding that "me" time and eliminate unnecessary stress. I try to have my dinners planned ahead and grocery list completed before I go to the store on Monday. Since having two children, my evenings are that much more hectic so I opt for dinner recipes that are healthy, but also quick and easy. The less prep and ingredients the better.On days I have help with the baby I try to make it to yoga class or run solo. When I don't have help I take Stevie with me on a run in the jogging stroller or she naps through my strength training sessions. Another thing that helps me tremendously is never missing a Monday workout. I don't know why but that's a hot button for me. I have a personal goal to workout at least 5 days in a week so when I miss day one I feel the pressure and it stresses me out.As far as the types of workouts I'm doing this time, I'm sticking to the same routine as before but have made a few minor adjustments. After I had Brock I was not a runner so I had to become one. Running with a jogging stroller eliminated the excuse to not workout since he could come with me. Like I said, I had to become a runner so I had to start out slow with my cardio and work up to longer distances. This time that was not a hurdle for me. I've been able to pick up right where I left off. My runs are typically four to five miles. Another thing that is different this time around is that my husband Brett has been joining me on my strength training days. How romanic right?! There are actually so many things I love about it. For one, he's working on his fitness which is always hot but I really love that we get to spend that extra time together mid-week.Overall, journey 2.0 is going smooth. I'm staying the course, feeling healthier and stronger by the day and the weight is coming off. However, I will not and do not plan to be at my goal weight until I'm done breastfeeding.As always, thank you for following along and feel free to reach out if you have any comments or questions!xo,Shawna