Tag Archives: motherhood

Building back balance

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“Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.” -Napoleon Hill

I love this picture. It was taken in 2013 on Lake Lewisville just outside of Dallas. I got this crazy idea to do a handstand on the nose of the boat. I held it for a good three seconds before a wave hit from another boater and knocked me over the side. 😂

I used to love to do handstands anywhere, on anything. I got it from my father. He was a gymnast growing up and whenever he went to a new city he would pick a landmark or a cool location and do a handstand picture.

When I got pregnant with Ryder I had major balance issues. It was a weird feeling. I was a gymnast and a cheerleader so balance was never a problem for me before. While pregnant I was constantly stumbling or running into things. It was almost like being tipsy drunk, just without the alcohol! My doctor said that happens to some people but it eventually goes away. It went away completely about 6 months after I had him. And thank goodness because it’s not a fun feeling to have regularly. I had so many bumps and bruises on my legs from running into things. It was not a pretty sight.

I don’t know that I’ll ever do a handstand on the nose of a boat again but I’d like to think maybe one day I could. I’m still building back my upper body strength and working on my balance. For now I’ll stick with on the ground handstands. But this will forever be my favorite handstand picture. I’ll keep it as my “goal picture.” Balancing on a boat just standing is one thing, but doing it in a handstand position is a whole other level!

Everyone has goals, big and small. It’s your focus and determination that will get you there!

Dressing like a mom

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Beauty has so many forms. The most beautiful thing is confidence and loving yourself 💙

My mother would die if she saw the front of this dress. 😂 She’s so old school traditional and thinks moms should dress like the stereotype of covered up conservative. I think for the most part I’m decently conservative but every once in a while it’s fun to wear something a little “different.” And who am I to argue with a beautiful dress my own husband bought me!

Just because you’re a mom, you shouldn’t be forced to dress a certain way. Be who YOU want to be and dress however you want! You can be a mom and still dress up on occasion in a short dress or low cut top! If you’re confident enough, rock it!

I have a friend who only wears one piece swimsuits because she says it’s “not appropriate for a mother to be too revealing in something like a two piece.” I roll my eyes when she says things like that. Then say “to each their own.” She can dress how she wants and I’ll dress how I want (in my “revealing two piece” 😂). You don’t have to conform to what others do. Be your own person and wear what makes you comfortable and happy. They make different styles of clothes for a reason….so we all don’t have to dress alike! 😉

I’m a mom and I’ll wear what I want! 💃🏼

The secret to losing weight

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I want to lose weight, how did you do it?” This is a common question I get from my friends and former athletes (I’m a cheer coach). There isn’t this huge secret of how to do it. I’m not wasting money on products that claim to make you lose weight. I just watch what I eat and I make sure to workout. That’s literally it!

If you aren’t losing weight and you have been trying, these are some reasons that may be affecting you!…..

1. You aren’t being patient. Losing weight won’t happen over night. It would be awesome if it did, but that’s unfortunately not how the body works. For some it takes weeks, others months. Everyone’s body is different.

2. You are comparing yourself to others rather than comparing yourself to where YOU started.

3. Too many cheat meals. Are you eating good during the week then eating everything in sight on the weekend? Or are you adding in too many cheat meals during the week? Cheat meals are great! They’re a good shock for your body. They’re also a great reward for yourself. However doing too many that are too high in fat and calorie will set you back.

4. Water retention. I’ve explained it before in a past post. When you lose weight your body depletes itself of fat cells. However the fat pockets that held the fat cells take a while to diminish so your body fills them with water till it can get rid of them.

5. Eating the wrong things. Some foods are deceiving. We claim them as healthy but in too big of amounts they can actually have reverse effects

6. You’re only doing cardio and not building muscle to burn fat. Cardio burns both fat and muscle. Cardio is fantastic for building endurance but it’s not the only thing you should be doing in your workout routine. Weight training builds lean muscle mass, which elevates your metabolism and burns more fat, even when you’re not exercising!

7. Calorie Deficit. By definition this is reducing the amount of calories consumed relative to the amount of calories required for maintenance of body weight. Multiple your body weight by 10-12 (depending on your activity level. I do 12 since I lift and do cardio weekly) Recalculate every 2-4 weeks as you lose weight.

If you’re struggling to lose weight, don’t give in and go buy diet pills or the teas that claim you’ll lose a ton of weight fast. Work with your body. You’ll be amazed what it can do on its own when you fuel it properly and workout!

Apple Cider Vinegar benefits

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Growing up, my dad had me taking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar for as long as I can remember. I never understood why except for that it was “good for me.” Now having gone to school and learning a thing or two about ACV, I understand the real reasons why my dad had me taking it. Yes I’m short it’s healthy for you, but there are SO many health benefits to taking it. To this day I still take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (3 times a day) in a bottle of water ever day! Yet another fantastic healthy habit my wonderful holistic father instilled in me at an early age! Below are just a few benefits of ACV!

1. Relieves symptoms of acid reflux: Acid reflux occurs because of low stomach acid levels. ACV helps to balance this back out.

2. Helps reduce constipation, bloating and gas: ACV helps control the growth of unwanted yeast and bacteria in the stomach and intestines.

3. Lowers blood pressure: ACV contains potassium which helps balance the body’s sodium levels. This helps you maintain regular blood pressure levels

4. Helps detox the body: ACV detoxes the liver by helping remove harmful toxins from it. It also helps stimulate circulation within the body.

5. Improves skin health: The antioxidant properties in ACV help prevent skin aging.

6. Aids in weight loss: ACV helps you feel full.

7. Helps reduce night time leg cramps: Cramps can be caused by low potassium levels. ACV is high in potassium and can aid in reducing and eliminating leg cramps

There are so many more benefits but these are the ones I mainly take it for!

Toilet paper, baby and a dog

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Never in my life did I think I would come to hate the sight of toilet paper. Don’t freak out I’m not about to discuss anything gross.

What do you get when you have a baby, a dog and a roll of toilet paper?…….a HUGE mess that you are stuck cleaning for days.

So recently Ryder discovered the toilet paper holder in the guest bath. He loves to pull the toilet paper off the roll. I don’t know how he does it. I turn my back for just a few seconds and a full roll of toilet paper goes from the roll to the floor. I’ve learned that while this happens, he shreds a few pieces too and keeps them in his mouth or hands. He then distributed these little pieces all over the house without me looking!

This is not where it ends! My dog LOVES the cardboard part of the toilet paper roll. So she will take it and “burry” it in random places in the house. Guests have found toilet paper rolls between the cushions of our sofas when visiting.

Needless to say, this game of theirs goes on for days. I say that because I’m the one cleaning up the little pieces of toilet paper and hunting down the hidden cardboard roll. It was cute the first two times. Not so much anymore 🤦🏼‍♀️

My Job

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In my opinion I have the best job in the world. Never did I think I would say that about being a stay at home mom. Now do note, I didn’t say anything about it being easy. I just said it’s the best.

I spend every day with my little man from the time he wakes up to the time he goes to bed. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d be a stay at home mom. I was always someone who was so career driven. I worked in marketing for 7 years designing digital marketing pieces for the automotive industry. I then went on to follow my true calling and become a teacher. I loved teaching. Being in the classroom can be so rewarding (and such a beat down at the same time). But when given the option to continue teaching and put my little one in daycare or stay home with him, I of course jumped at the thought of staying home with him. Nothing against people who’s kids are in daycare! My parents worked and had to do daycare so I totally understand. However, the idea of being with my little guy every minute of every day was exactly what I wanted. I never miss anything. Every little milestone I’ve been there to see (and gotten most on film for my husband).

When people ask if I miss working I make sure to correct them. I am working. Raising a child isn’t easy. There’s so much that goes into it. I swear you’re constantly following them around or chasing them to make sure they don’t injure themselves too bad. Unfortunately I don’t get paid to do this job. But it’s the most rewarding job I’ve ever done in my life. Do I miss working in marketing and teaching? Absolutely. There were fantastic things about each of those I loved. But nothing compares to the job I have now.

Cheat meals

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Ryder and I spent the weekend eating and hanging around the house. We ate practically everything in sight. Ok maybe that was just me. Needless to say my body definitely doesn’t bounce back as fast as it did in my 20’s! I’ve been a bit bloated these last two days so I’m glad to be back to my clean eating schedule. Do I regret or feel guilty about the food I ate this weekend? Absolutely not! I eat clean and lean 75% of the time. The other 25% of the time I choose to enjoy and eat as I please. I’m not one who will completely deprive themselves of good food.

I think some people’s biggest downfall is they crave a “cheat meal,” have that meal then feel so guilty afterwards. Why feel guilty? If you work hard all week at your workouts and eating well, why not reward yourself!?! As long as you aren’t eating these “cheat meals” regularly a couple times a week, you’re fine! Pick one night a week and indulge. Or do what I did and have a weekend where you splurge, then get yourself back on track for the next few weeks. One day of bad eating won’t kill you. Neither will one weekend. The weekend may set you back a little further than just one day will (hence me being bloated and a little slower than normal). But like I said, it’s fine if it’s not a regular thing. Life is too short. Have that steak, burger, etc. Just do everything in moderation!

Separation anxiety

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My son is now 10 1/2 months old and I still get separation anxiety when I’m not with him. It was really bad when he was younger and I had to go out of town for a day or two to judge a cheer event. However that’s expected. I just figured by now I would be ok with leaving him for a bit. Maybe it’s a Mom thing. Or even a “first child” thing. I don’t know. But even going to the gym for an hour, halfway into my workout I start missing him and have to text whoever’s watching him to see if he’s ok. Yes I can be a bit of a control freak when it comes to him. I keep him on a tight schedule. He eats at the same time and naps at the same time pretty much every day. He likes his schedules and so do it. But this doesn’t feel like a control thing. It really is a missing him kind of feel. I’ve had people tell me it gets easier as they get older but I don’t know. I don’t know how I’ll ever worry about him less or not wonder if he’s ok all the time. Any other moms feel like this?

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!