Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Baby Weight Be Gone Already....Really, now is the time

So, little baby boy is 5 1/2 months old...growing well and is a truly delightful child. And here I am sitting with almost 15 extra pounds on my little frame of a body. I haven't really lost anything since my six week check up.

To say this is frustrating would be an understatement. I exercised up until I delivered and I am extremely active now. I exercise 5hrs a week plus about three days with some fabulous kids in addition to the normal mother-running. I eat fairly well and drink plenty of water. And I am nursing a baby who eats a lot...a lot. So why?!!

I'm trying to stay patient but its annoying. I really didn't want to buy new pants for the fall (I hate clothes shopping, hate it). I don't like how my body looks and jiggles. I really want my muscular, athletic body back, and now would be great.

I have seen my arms and legs toning up again and my cardiovascular endurance has improved. But as much as that number shouldn't mean anything, it does.

I asked my dr when I was there last and she was sympathetic but said that if I hadn't lost any by now nothing will probably happen until I stop nursing, or at least until he is sleeping at night a bit more. Well, I plan on nursing for another two years....

So, I know that this is a short-term issue and eventually I can sculpt my body to however I like but it doesn't stop my frustration and longing to fit into my pre-baby jeans.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Healthy Kids

Here is a fun and surprisingly active game to play with your kids (or even other adults!).

Pick 3-4 positions (e.g. standing up, sitting down, laying down) or activities (e.g. run, jump, hop, push ups).
One person is the leader and calls out different positions/activities (quickly, if possible).
The rest of the group gets into the position or does the activity.
Repeat, repeat, repeat.
*change leaders when you like

Position ideas
Standing
Sitting
Laying down
Superman (lay on tummy with arms out like flying)
Banana (lay on back with arms extended above your head)
Ball (tuck body into ball (on back or feet)
Tiger (on hands and knees)
Snake (cobra yoga pose)
Letters (T, Y, R, E....)
Star
Sideways (lay on side)
One leg up
Side plank
Front plank

Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Happy Healthy Kids

So I have finally found the time, kind of, and convinced my employer to let me teach some kids' programs.....so this summer the Fitness Center in Champaign began Healthy Kids. Its 30mins a day, Monday thru Friday for kids ages 3-12.

So many of the things I do in class, you can do at home with your kids. Simple, short, fun things.

Over the next couple weeks, I will share some ideas with you.

*Red, Yellow, Green Light
Take 3 pieces of construction paper (red, yellow, and green). One person stands on one side of the room/yard and holds up a paper...the others move towards to the person according to the color (red=stop, yellow=slow motion, green=run). Take turns being 'the light'.

*Building and Knocking Things Over
Make towers out of things (at the gym we use yoga blocks, at home empty boxes). Then take turns running, punching, and kicking the tower over. Rebuild and repeat.

*Paper Planes
Make lots of paper airplanes together. Then toss them around the room/yard. Run to get them and throw them again.