Category Archives: fitness

Running

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Every morning ryder and I go for a 2-3 mile walk. It’s our way of getting out of the house to get some fresh air while also letting me get a little light cardio in. I’ve had SO many people tell me I need to start running. They tell me how “freeing it is” and how I’ll love it. Let me tell you what’s NOT freeing to someone with a tear in each meniscus, a right side MCL tear and a previously fractured knee cap……RUNNING! Would I like to run? Maybe. I never was a huge fan. I always said I only run if someone is chasing me. Lol

I’m sure you’re wondering why I never got my knees fixed. Well, back when I was younger when the injuries happened, we didn’t exactly have a lot of money. Plus my brother was on his 4th meniscus tear and he needed surgery. I was at the end of my college cheerleading career and he was up for multiple wrestling scholarships coming out of high school so the obvious choice was for him to get his done. I built up enough scar tissue over the years that my knees are fine for every day use. However running isn’t exactly in the cards. Running is painful. My knees hurt for days after just ten minutes of light jogging. It honestly sucks because my husband is a runner and I always thought it would be fun to run together. Some days I get this “high” and think I can do it, and I’ll push through a short jog. But then the pain hits for a few days after and I think….that was stupid. Do I still have hope I’ll be able to jog without pain one day? Yes of course. But it’s a slow process to build that knee strength. Not to mention it’s frustrating having people tell me I need to start running. I need to start running like I need a hole in my head. 😂 It’s too much to explain to them why I don’t just up and run, so I just smile and say “maybe” every time. I’m going to keep trying and slowly pushing myself. But it will definitely take some time. Longer than the norm that’s for sure!

Always remember you know what’s best for your body. Listen to it! If something hurts, stop! I have seen so many people get injured trying to push through actual pain (not soreness or tiredness) to keep up with others. It’s your body not theirs, remember that.

Don’t let someone tell you you can’t

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There is a difference of about 5 years between these two pictures yet I’m rocking the same shorts in both! When I got pregnant everyone (literally almost everyone) told me to get ready for a new closet. They said after having a baby my body would never be the same and none of my old clothes would fit. I found the comments to be discouraging, then after a while it was like I was being challenged. Having people tell me I’d never get back to my old size just made me mad. So I worked hard every day to push myself past their comments and get back to close to my old size. Yes they were correct when they say your body will never be the same again. Things definitely change. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get back to where you were or make yourself better. It may just take a little more time and effort than before! I’m proud to say almost all of my old clothes fit again! There are a few items that don’t fit but in all honesty I probably shouldn’t have been squeezing myself into them before. 😂 Don’t ever let anyone tell you you can’t do something. Negativity breeds negativity. Surround yourself with people who are going to encourage you and help you try to meet your goals!

Summer Resolution

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Swimsuit season is here. We are our own worst critics. I’m guilty of being too hard on myself regularly. I would say 80% of the time that I look in the mirror I focus on what still needs work. I beat myself down pretty often about how I look. I have to stop and remind myself I had a baby! That really takes a toll on your body. AND I’m not 20 years old anymore! My body doesn’t bounce back over night like it used to. I have to work harder now days.

I also have to work hard to not compare myself to others. It’s so hard when I see these instagram moms who got their bodies back after 5 months, etc. I try to remember that everyone’s body is different. What works for one person might not work for others. Some people get lucky with genetics and they bounce back fast. Others take twice as long.

Since we aren’t close to New Years I’m going to do a summer resolution. And that is to try to focus less on what needs work still. Instead I need to be proud of how far I’ve come. I’m constantly telling people not to be so hard on themselves and not to beat themselves down all the time. I need to learn to take my own advice!

Yoga for flexibility

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When I got pregnant with Ryder I had a lot of joint and ligament pain. It was mainly in my legs. I did yoga up until I was 5 1/2 months pregnant and that helped significantly. That is until I got too big and my belly got in the way so yoga was put on hold. I still get joint and ligament pain on occasion even 9 months post delivery. It helps to stretch and do yoga whenever I can. I think flexibility is a huge part of health and fitness. I’m not saying you need to be Gumby, but having a little flexibility is great for your muscle strength. It also helps reduce the risk of muscular injury. If yoga isn’t your thing, then just take 5 minutes a day to do a few simple stretches. You’re sure to notice a difference in your muscles and joints after a few weeks.

Back day workout

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Another hotel gym workout! Today was back day! Here are a few things I do on back day. I love a good cable machine because it can be used for so much. You may notice I struggle with my right shoulder. I had an injury years ago and that shoulder never fully healed properly. It’s a bit weaker than my other side but I still push it as much as I can.

Leg day hotel gym workout

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Another leg day hotel workout! Sorry for the glare. The hotel gym is all windows so there wasn’t a good spot. The sun is shining bright here in Orlando!

Each of these workouts I do 4 sets of 12. Some of them require you to switch legs but I obviously only showed one leg to spare y’all the extra unnecessary videos. Some hotel gyms have resistance bands and others don’t. You may have to improvise if one isn’t available. Cable machines work great!

Bosu workout moves to build back and arms

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Two (not too difficult) moves to build your back, arm and core muscles. The first one is bosu updowns. Alternate arms every other down. The second is bosu push ups. Make sure to get a good grip on the outside edges of the bosu ball. I typically do 4 sets of 10 each. It doesn’t sound like@much but give it a try. You’ll definitely feel it in your arms!

Leg workout

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I’m at Disney World this weekend judging a cheer competition called the Summit. I’ve been working since 7am. I finally got a two hour judges break so I came back to the hotel and got a leg workout in! These are three of my favorite workout moves. Two are pretty easy but one definitely requires a bit of balance! It’s great for stability in building leg and core strength!

Back at it

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FDD1304D-FBE6-47B0-9F54-60393CC9897DIm starting to put a little muscle back on. It’s been a battle after pregnancy to put back on the muscle I had before. Your body definitely isn’t the same after you have a baby. Not to mention, feedings really take everything out of you. I’m slowly getting back to feeling like myself again. My strength and energy is back so I’m not as tired after workouts anymore. I still have a ways to go but I feel like I’m on a good path. Consistency in workouts would help but that’s difficult when you’re husband works late and you don’t have anyone to watch your little man. I’m going to try to start up on my in home workouts again. It’s hard with Ryder sometimes because he sees me doing something and thinks he can play too or wants to be held. So this could be interesting! Be on the lookout. I’ll post a few videos in upcoming weeks of my favorite in home workouts!