Let’s dive into all these sporadic thoughts in my head, shall we? My mind has been racing with a bunch of new fitness goals and I thought I would share them all with you! I have also changed up my routine and I will share that as well.

For starters, I have stopped swimming altogether because it got me close to my prepregnancy weight. My goal was to swim during my pregnancy and then really utilize it more the first few months postpartum to get me to a good place. Not going to lie, it was also wrecking my hair. It was getting to the point where I needed to give it a little break or chop my hair off. I’m not ready to cut it just yet…so I’m fine with taking a break! By the way here is the shampoo and conditioner I started using and it has worked wonders. I can’t say enough good things about this brand, Amika. I ordered these from Amazon!

The weather is beautiful and I want to spend it outside running with Ollie and Liv. If I can avoid leaving them to workout by working out with them, I will always choose that option. Call me a crazy momma bear but I am obsessed with my little people! For the past three weeks, I have ditched the swimming and eased my way back into some running, which feels. so. GOOD. I have briefly mentioned several times on here that I walk the hills and run the flat areas on my run. There is no shame in my game! I’m being careful for multiple reasons:

  • I had ACL surgery almost two years ago and working on building my right quad back up. The last thing I want is to overdo running (which I totally have done in the past).
  • I’m pushing two, 20-pound babies, in a 33-pound stroller and it is HEAVY! On a positive note, I will say it is an amazing arm workout!
  • Can I be blunt? I don’t feel like running the hills…so I don’t!

Every time I head out for a walk/run I always end up running more and more because my body is adapting! It’s funny because a typical response after having children is to complain about your body being “so out of shape” or “this is wrong with it” or that. I genuinely enjoy starting over in some ways. Don’t get me wrong, I have had my fair share of breakdowns but it’s fun to make strides and gain back the strength I once had. Sometimes it is all about one’s mentality. You can view your postpartum fitness journey as hopeless or you can learn to have an open mind. Enjoy the struggles, let that feed your motivation to show up every day and make yourself BETTER. There is something very beautiful about this journey but it is up the individual to realize that. *Ramble over back to my walk/runs* The farthest distance I will go in a day is typically 4 miles and many times this is broken up into two walks (which is during the babies naps in the stroller). I make a point of always stopping at the park benches to do:

  • Tricep Dips
  • Push-ups
  • Lying leg raises (both legs)
  • 3 sets x 15 reps

When I was out walking yesterday this guy ran past me and headed towards the picnic table. He started doing a bunch of quad exercises using the table and it inspired the heck out of me. I looked like a total creep just standing there watching to see which exercises he was going to do next. “Uhhh don’t mind me, sir, my babies and I are just watching you exercise from afar! No need to be alarmed!” In all seriousness, I  am going to start incorporating some of these exercises into my daily routine because I need to build my leg strength back!

  • Step up knee raises
  • Split squats
  • Side knee ups
  • Good Ol’ fashioned squats

Thank you, random stranger, for the inspiration! Isn’t it funny how someone you do not know at all can motivate you? Funny stuff. Anyways, I’m going to make a workout post demonstrating all of these exercises so it’s more crystal clear but figured I would share my new plan as of now!

I have to say that my babies have become very accustomed to their short naps in the stroller that within a minute – not exaggerating – they close their eyes to go to sleep. This is a serious blessing because it gets my booty moving! However, sometimes I am tired and don’t want to go for a walk…hahaha but when you are desperate for your crabby babies to take a short nap you will do just about anything! I will also say that as a stay at home twin momma, it is easier in a lot of ways to choose to do nap time during walk time versus a crib. The reason being that you can get them BOTH down for a nap in a matter of minutes rather than 15 minutes to half an hour. I’m really glad I got them used to the stroller right away because boy is it saving my butt lately! Just something to keep in mind!

Besides my run/walks, body weight exercises I am incorporating yoga into my daily regimen. Who the heck am I?! If you know me well, you know that I am not a yogi, at all. I was very close to purchasing a yoga program when it hit me, there are a ton of free yoga videos on YouTube. I ended up falling in love with the channel, Yoga With Adriene. My personal favorite video is the Deep Stretch. Yoga takes a special kind of patience, something I do not naturally have. Matthew and I constantly making the joke that the only time I am patient is when I am with Oliver and Oliver. It’s true! I melt with them. So, how do I make yoga work with two babies? They are on the floor constantly anyways so I just join them. I set my laptop on the couch and sprawl out on the floor to do my routine as they play around me. There are toys everywhere to keep them occupied and for the most part, it works. Occasionally I have to pause the video and change a diaper or make sure one baby is not trying to roll on the other. Would I consider it relaxing? No, but it works and has definitely been benefiting my body! Not to mention the babies love it. They just think I’m playing with them on the ground so it’s kind of a win-win! I am one of those people who have to change up their workout regimen every few months or frankly, I get bored. Swimming saved me during my pregnancy and early on in my postpartum journey. I am excited to now spend time outside gaining back some of my endurance and strength. Also, I am very curious to see how yoga positively impacts my body!

8 months postpartum!

Lastly, here is an updated photo of my body 8 months postpartum. I am flexing as hard as I can because I just want to see what I’m working with here! Naturally, I am tall and lanky so I am excited to put on some more muscle. I have started to gain back abdominal strength since that has been my sole focus for some time. After being super pregnant and then recovering, it’s unbelievably rewarding to start to see progress! Now its time to get to work on my arms and legs- I’ll keep you guys updated!

Don’t forget to check back here for Things You Ask Thursday, and if you have questions you want to be answered, comment on this post and ask away! If you prefer more privacy, email me at livelygirlfitness@gmail.com.

Thanks for stopping by & Stay Lively!