Get Out of Your Comfort Zone!

I haven't always loved to workout.  When I got married at 17, I was slim, but flabby.  I had no tone, no muscles, I just happened to be thin (think, 125lbs.).  Cue my first baby.  I didn't eat very well, and gained 50 lbs. (I had gained another 5lbs. after the wedding so final weight at the end of the pregnancy was 180.)  With my 2nd-5th pregnancies, I started at 178, and after giving birth, went back to 178.  Pregnancy #6 I started at 185 and ended at 192...only gaining 7lbs!! After my daughter was born, I actively worked out, and got down to 162 at my lowest! My 7th pregnancy ended in a miscarriage at 10 weeks, so I don't really have numbers for that one.  I'm starting this pregnancy at 172. 

What does that have to do with getting out of your comfort zone?  I'll tell you...

I started working out because my friend, "D" encouraged me to try a live Zumba class at our local Y.  I felt so stupid and awkward,  and it was SUPER HARD!!  But I loved it!  I kept going back.  I got pregnant with #5, and stopped.  Went back after he was born, and she encouraged me to try something called, PiYo (a fusion of Piliates and Yoga. I went to my first class, and thought D was insane for doing it.  It was so hard, and I was miserable.  But, I went again, and again, and at the end of faithfully doing PiYo for a month, I had lost 7in. all over my body!!  I was sold.  I really love PiYo, and even bought the DVDs to do at home!  Then, D told be about the new class she had tried, called R.I.P.P.E.D.  (Resistance, Intervals, Power, Plyometrics, Endurance, & Diet.)  I did my first class, and thought there was no way I would be able to do this long term.  But, here I am...almost 2 years later, going to classes at least once a week!! 

My point?

Stepping out of your comfort zone gets you results.  I went from never exercising, to going to the Y at least once a week, and doing home workouts. I do a range of different styles, and have even started weight training!!  And I love it all!!

It's GLOW Time!

This past Friday, our local YMCA had a GLOW fitness bash.  It was a battle of the instructors, and there were about 10 ladies from 4 different fitness classes;  Zumba, PiYo, Sidekick Cardio Kickboxing, & RIPPED.  I had SO much fun!!  There were blacklights, and glowsticks, and everyone wore white or neon.  I don't really like Kickboxing classes, so the 15 minutes I had to do that was hard.  And one of the Zumba instructors is SUPER annoying...as in, a high-pitched voice that she screams cues with.  My ears physically hurt!!  She also goes way above and beyond with her cues...like, if you're doing jump ropes...she kicks like 5ft in the air. I just cannot do her classes. 

Anyway...here are a few pictures from the event!!

The Instructors!

Making Time for Exercising

So many people ask me, "How do you have time to workout with homeschooling your oldest 3, watching 3 little ones, and being pregnant?"

My answer to them is, "I make the time."

It's that simple.  Exercise is important to my husband and I, so we make time in our day to do it.  My normal workout time is 9pm.  I get a second boost of energy at that time, and it's after all my kids are in bed. We have a "weight room" set up in the back room of our basement.  It has a barbell bench, kettlebells, and dumbbells.  I also use workout DVDs like PiYo and R.I.P.P.E.D.   On Monday and Thursday nights, I go to my local YMCA for group fitness classes.  They are Zumba, PiYo, and RIPPED. Occasionally, there is a special Friday night or Saturday morning class.  I also enjoy the Kettlebell AMPD class they offer.  I checked out their weight room, and am eager to try out some of the machines soon! 

During the warmer weather (I live in Wisconsin) I thoroughly enjoy jogging on our picturesque country roads.  Fall is my favorite time, as all of the trees turn beautiful colors!  My hubby nicely keeps an eye on our kids so I can go on my runs, and he enjoys jogging as well.  We annually do a Tough Mudder course together in the fall, so we train the rest of the year for it.  Upping our miles, working on our upper body strength, etc.  This year, since I am pregnant...I will probably just jog the whole course...while maybe doing the super tame obstacles.  

*Daily Workout Log:

Today I'll be going to the Y for my RIPPED classes!!  My friend is an instructor, so it's super fun...especially doing the kickboxing section.  I get to air punch her, haha!!