MommyFit

Getting the whole family to stay active and healthy doesn’t always have to be as difficult as you think. Some of the best ways to stay close as a family are to do things together; including exercise and have fun while doing it. The Canada Active Living Guide recommends 30 minutes of moderate exercise everyday to stay healthy and fit. Below are some ideas to make it fun for the whole family and get you off to a “running” start to staying active together.

 Family Hike/Walking Adventure

Take the family to the local park or a wooded trail for a hike/walk. Make it fun by adding the task of a scavenger hunt to the hike/walk. Write a list, and you all have to do your best to find the items on it. Be creative, ex. Pine cones, leafs, rocks, spot a bird or a squirrel etc. Make each adventure a little bit more challenging by picking a new trail that might be slightly more difficult or add fun mini races against each other throughout the hike making it a little harder.

 Swimming

Going to your local pool is great exercise for every one of all ages and is a fun day for the whole family. Make it fun by showing your little ones the doggy paddle, blowing bubbles or the back stroke depending on age. This is the perfect activity to do together and get’s those muscles working all the while.

Biking

Going for a bike ride is a great cardio workout and strengthens not only your legs but your core. If you don’t all own a bike you can rent them at your local bike store for fairly in expensive for either a day fee or a couple hours. Take the bikes to local trails and everyone can get some fresh air and enjoy the scenery together.

Playing Together

It doesn’t matter if you go to the soccer field and have a family scrimmage and kick the ball around, play tennis or basketball as a family or even go to the park and play grounders or tag on an open field. Either way you are incorporating exercise and having fun at the same time. 

These are just some basic ideas that kick start your kids off to a healthy active lifestyle without even realizing it. As an added bonus these suggestions won’t break the bank and you’ll get to workout with the whole gang together.

So I’m now at 6 weeks and I can start working out again other than just walking…all I can say is how happy I am about that! Before I had my baby girl my tummy was one of my favourite body parts that I was proud of. Flat and toned. Now post baby…my belly is now jelly and any muscle that was once there…is no more. I have Wii Fit…the latest way to get in shape via a video game. My parents got it for my hubby and I as a Christmas gift…and since the last time I used it was before I was pregnant I can admit I was not really looking forward to hearing how I have been active for a while and need to get on top of things again. I mean really like you want to hear how you haven’t been staying in shape or need a reminder…isn’t that the whole reason why you are playing the so called game…so you can get in shape. I don’t know, but if you ask me that is the most unmotivated idea pitch ever!!!

Well…all I can say is my once super strong tummy…was put to shame by this game. I can agree though that it is a good work out and I worked out for 45minutes and did burn up a sweat! So besides the negative reminders I have to say this is a great tool to have!

Your life seems upside down. Simply put. With the lack of sleep and the constant needs your baby demands from you makes your time very limited these days. Since when did having a 5-10minute shower (if your lucky) become an escape and you time. Ahh to remember the days of soaking in a bubble bath with sea salts, candles and enjoying the pleasure of relaxing for an hour and a half of pure pampering. I have been aching for a long bath of just me time…I honestly can say I have no idea when I will have that long of time to just sit there again and indulge of the sweet scent of vanilla and feel completely at peace.

However on a plus sign; we must burn a number of calories every day from breast feeding, walking our beautiful babies to sleep or trying to get them to calm down from gas pains. So even if you aren’t doing any exercise trying to be super mom does contribute. Doing the laundry and cleaning the house while your baby sleeps, walking up and down those stairs numerous times a day, even when she’s awake and we make those awkward baby faces your at least stretching your face muscles. Ha. Listen to me trying to find the easy way out. If only I could. Speaking about gawking and making weird faces at babies just to make them smile…how did that become so natural to us all. We all do it, I mean really our babies must be truly only smiling and laughing at us because they are thinking we look like complete fools. If someone came up to me and did the same thing I’d just laugh and think they were an idiot too.

So I’ve been super good about eating healthy since the day Ashlyn was born…but yesterday…yes yesterday we were out all day, so when we were hungry and in a rush to my parents house since we were about an hour and a half late…Wendy’s Burgers it was. So I told myself that I had been good and not to feel bad…one slip up wouldn’t hurt…and then dinner time came and cooking well it just didn’t happen. Instead the pizza delivery guy showed up with a large half cheese, half pepperoni…yummy! At least it was thin whole wheat crust…but still. Oh well I’ve already done it…but 2 fast food meals…not the best decision. This wouldn’t be an issue before baby in my pre-baby body, after all I think everything within moderation…but only if your body is healthy and in good shape. Blah Blah Blah…

Walking just means it got doubled…and in the heat. What was I thinking…I wasn’t!

It was Bath time for my darling Ashlyn. Especially since we spat up a lot last night and now smelled of the wonderful fragrance I like to call Sour Breast Milk…doesn’t that sound appealing I know. I decided that since it’s been records hot here that I’d have a cool bath with her. Of course I only filled it up a couple inches for me to sit in and brought her bath in the tub also. I think due to the heat she’s been needing to feed more then usual to stay hydrated. Anyway we made our way to the bath and boy oh boy was I in for a treat. I should have known…what goes in must come out. Well after projectile vomiting mommy’s milk, I quickly picked her up by her arm pits and tried to wipe her mouth, nose and body with a face cloth before it got in our clean bath. Then my sweet girl thought as soon as I picked her up peeing on mommy would also be essential…and then to top it off my once planned cool, refreshing, clean and clear bath time turned to baby’s orange and brown colored poo. Let’s just say she didn’t just take a little squirt. Here I am holding up my baby thinking what do I do and of course all the while we pooped Ashlyn decided this was the sweet moment that every mother waits for her baby to look up in to her eyes and smile directly at her from ear to ear for the first time. Of course what else can you do but just laugh and think that’s my girl…she’s all about timing. How precious!

After giving birth which was the longest 30 plus hours ever, my legs were toned and slim again, my butt nice and firm and my stomach flat and no flabby arms. Plus my face was no longer as round as a beach ball and my swollen feet fit perfectly and elegantly in to those beautiful strappy 3 inch Jimmy Choos. Ha…yeah right! If only it was that easy! I mean really, you’d think after 9 months of discomfort, only being able to stare at your designer jeans and clothes instead of wearing them, and watching those horrible lines appear on your thighs and breasts called stretch marks, that the man upstairs would at least give you your old body back.

Reality; 1 week later I was grocery shopping only to have a very nice man stocking the shelves down the aisle ask me when I was due. What I really wanted to say was 3 weeks ago, and a baby a week ago…it’s called the belly after the baby thanks! What I really said…4 months. I figured I still looked about 5 months pregers.

Now I know it’s still early and I shouldn’t complain, I just am trying to get back what I worked so hard at before I was pregnant to have again…a good body…not only that but confidence and the enjoyment and pleasure of being comfortable in my own skin…if you ask me there is nothing wrong with that.

As soon as I popped that beautiful little girl out of me, I was ready to run, run and run some more…only to be told that I really shouldn’t start exercising too hard until after 6 weeks so my body can heal. Ahhh I finally got this kid out of me and you are still telling me no. I walked for at least 45minutes everyday past my due date so I figured I am at least going to continue to walk. Well on my third day after giving birth it was nice out and I decided to take Harley (our pooch) and Ashlyn out for her first walk and mine since birth. Mind you I walked for 2 hours in the heat…and the next day discovered that my bleeding increased drastically and was barely able to move let alone walk around the house. So I wouldn’t recommend that. However I’m at 3 weeks now and starting at the 2nd week home I’ve been walking anywhere from 2-4 times a week for 2hours, with lots of water on hand and pushing that baby stroller up any hill I can find. I live in the valley so there aren’t a lot of real hills…so more like slopes. I’m happy to report that I’ve lost 26 lbs! Granted I lost 13 right after giving birth but still. Plus I’ve been breast feeding which helps burns calories – my boobs are like a vending machine with the hottest snack on the market! And drinking a glass of V8 everyday. However my belly has gone down but it’s still like a big bowl of jello, it jiggles and wiggles and is not firm at all, plus it’s still not flat! My legs are smaller, but my thighs are still larger then life for my small 5′2 frame! Note that I gained 50lbs on my pregnancy…whatever anyone tells you about how you can eat for two or whatever you want…don’t listen. Stick to your regular habits just add more fruits for sweets and indulge here and there. PS. Take it from me…dessert does not mean the entire pie!

Mommy Fit was born after learning first hand about the difficulties on trying to find a place to turn to that specializes in Pre and Post Natal exercise or for just the everyday mom. Pregnancy, childbirth and well everyday life in general can put significant strains on our bodies and sometimes we just need a little help or guidance to help guide us back in the right direction again.

Our Goal at Mommy Fit is not only to help the average mom get in to shape but to feel healthy and good about themselves while juggling the kids, and all the everyday tasks that come along with having a family and contribute to living a healthy and active lifestyle.

Our Blog will have updated Fitness Tips, Healthy Recipes and News for you to follow regarding what MommyFit is up too and upcoming events.

For more information regarding what we are about and the variety of different services and programs we offer please click on our “About” tab or check out our website: www.mommyfit.ca