Baby Got Back!

I have a new best friend. She hangs out with me everyday and she brings along her friends. I often find myself talking to her when no one else is around. Her name is Cellulite and her BFF's name is Stretch Mark. They are roommates and both take up prime real estate on my thighs and bun cakes. Both of them moved in while I was pregnant and have decided they would like to stay...permanently. I can't say that I am thrilled. First, let's talk about Cellulite.

Oh, Cellulite. I don't really notice you until I move a certain way and your beautiful ripples go down my thighs. You are sometimes referred to as cottage cheese and I can totally see the resemblance. Orange Peel and Pin Cushion Skin are also less known references to your glory. I don't appreciate you deciding to take up residence over the strong leg muscles that took me miles to build. Your uneven texture makes me never want to hop into a pair of shorts again...not that I currently fit into any of mine at the moment. I am determined to get rid of you...or at least make you less noticable. SO, be forewarned. Your time is running out...your lease is almost up! Lunges, Squats, Running, and more are one their way to kick you out! Now for your BFF Strech Mark(s).

 

Oh, Stretch Marks...otherwise known as Mommy Tatooes or Zebra Stripes...you are Cellulite's neighbor. You also reside on my thighs and bun cakes. Early on...while pregnant...I thought you were a rash. I mean who gets Stretch Marks on their rump while pregnant. It is your belly that is supposed to grow and stretch...right?! Well when you decided to permanently move in I came to the realization you were stretch marks and after doing some Googling of stretch mark pictures I was sure of it. Zebra Stripes make you sound so cute and cuddley...well you are neither of those. It is as if you glow in the mirror and say "hey look at me!". I really don't like you...you are even worse than your friend Cellulite. At least working out can reduce Cellulite. You however require expensive creams...which may or may not work. My pocket book cannot afford most of your solutions...so I am hoping the "cheap" cream I bought will at least lighten you up. I have decided to wear you with a badge of honor. As battle scars of mommyhood...just please...PLEASE...lighten up so I can enjoy the last part of bathing suit weather.

 

And to my precious Baby E. I love you with all of my heart...but I could have done without your little "gifts!"

 

Here is a Workout to Help Firm Up those Bun Cakes...and reduce the appearance of Cellulite!!!

 

No Buns About it Workout

 

This is a 20 - 30 minute workout with strength and cardio. You will do the strength workout first and then the carido intervals at the end. This will help to maximize fat burning. Each exercise contains an "A" and "B" portion. You will be doing theses in super sets. You will perform Exercise A then immediately doing Exercise B. You will need a set of dumbbells, an exercise band, and a stair or step. Perform 12 - 15 reps and repeat the sequence a total of 3 times before moving on to the cardio.

 

1A. Reverse Lunges - Holding weights at your side lunge back with the left leg making sure your front knee doesn't go over your toe. Push back up into starting position and switch legs for one rep.

  

NO REST

  

1B. Calve Raises - With your heels hanging off the back of a stair or step, drop heels down and then push-up on your toes. Pause at the top to feel the burn and then return to starting position. Hold a set of weights to make it more challenging.

  

30 SECOND REST

  

2A. Romanian Deadlift - Feet are hip width apart and knees are slightly bent. Hold a dumbbell in each hand so that palms are facing the body. Slowly bend forward, pushing those glutes behind you (you want to stick your chest out ... it helps drive glutes back). Keep knees slightly bent. Squeeze glutes and return to start.

NO REST

  

2B. Side Step with Band - Tie resistance band around shins...or step on band and draw handles towards hips holding them there. Step your feet out wide enough to feel tension in the band. Bend knees about 45 degrees. Step right foot out a few inches followed by the left . Walk 12 - 15 steps one direction than switch for one set.

  

30 SECOND REST

  

3A. Plie Squat - Stand with feet slightly wider than hip width apart. Toes pointed to the corners at about 45 degrees. Squat down to 90 degrees. As you stand back up squeeze your inner thighs and booty together. For added burn hold weights at your sides.

  

NO REST

  

3B. Squat with Adduction - Stand with feet hip width apart. Make sure toes remain pointing forward for the whole exercise. Squat down bringing knees to 90 degrees. As you stand up lift right leg off of the floor and raise it out to the side. Keep foot flexed as you do this to really feel it in your outer thigh. Perform all reps on one side before switching. Hold weights for an added burn.

  

CARDIO INTERVAL - Each exercise is 1 minute long. There is no rest between exercises. Take a one minute break after you have done all 5. Perform circuit 2 - 3 times.

 

• 1.) Football Feet
• 2.) Mountain Climbers 
• 3.) Squat Jumps 
• 4.) Jumping Jacks 
• 5.) Squat Thrust

ENJOY!

KRISTIE <3

Keep Calm and Carry On!

This is one of my favorite posts from my Friday posts on Inspired By Sarah.  I re-read it today after having on-of-those-days...with a fussy 12 week old that wouldn't nap and was driving mommy insane.  I hope you enjoy!!! 

What a Week!  From taking care of a newborn, to computer troubles (reason for late post), to chores (which didn't get done), to Baby E's first shots.  It has been an up and down sort of week.  The little bright light in all the stress and exhaustion of this week was going to our Church's Prophetic Prayer night. I had only been prayed over once and the first time it kinda weirded me out. People talking in tongues, "hearing" from the Holy Spirit, telling you what the Lord has for you...not things you grow up with when you have spent the majority of your life in a Catholic church.  So, this time I was a little more prepared.  My husband discussed with me what to expect from this experience and I was VERY excited to go and see the words that the Lord had for me.
Many people don't know this about me...but about 7 years ago I started to have panic attacks.  The kind where all of a sudden you feel like you are having a heart attack.  Your heart races, you get clammy hands, you get dizzy, and you just have to drop whatever you are doing and LEAVE.  I can remember the first one...I was in the doctor's office with a friend and had this uncontrollable urge that I had to leave...that my life depended on it.  Then they would come at the most unpredictable times.  In line at the grocery store (there were times I would have to leave my cart full of groceries), in elevators, in my car, watching TV.  For no rhyme or reason they would just consume me.  These panic attacks ended up developing into constant anxiety.  Anxiety of them happening and not having a way out...Anxiety of them never getting better....Anxiety that I was broken...the anxiety lead to depression...it's a vicious cycle.  I was depressed because I wasn't myself anymore, because I couldn't do the things I enjoyed.  I was constantly putting together "escape plans" in case of an attack.  I was no longer my carefree, outgoing self.  It took me a long time to get help.  There is still such a stigma that goes along with "mental" disorders.  I was worried people would look at me like I was crazy.   Well my doctor put me on an antidepressant and it was a lifesaver.  However, I still struggled with the panic attacks and anxiety on a daily basis.  I was always on edge with worry in the back of my mind.  This brings me to the words the Lord had for me when I was prayed for.
The first words that were said to me were "the Lord gives me a picture of a calm ocean at sunset.  There are no waves, no ripples, just complete calm.  He has you in a place of rest right now.  You are calm and happy with where you are."  CALM?!  That is not the word I would have used to ever describe myself.  However since Baby E was born I have finally felt like God has brought me my purpose in life...to be a mom.  I have been at peace with everything.  I have had no anxiety and no stress.  I know that I cannot be a parent alone, and I think for the first time I have completely surrendered myself to God...knowing that I need his help...and he has blessed me with Peace.  Instead of worrying about worrying...or worrying about the baby, or about being a parent, or really about everything, I Pray.  I know God has me in this place for a reason and that He is  my rock...through all the ups and downs.

Philippians 4:6

The Message (MSG)

 ^6-7Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

WORKOUT

So, I am not a Yoga expert...however I love it when I am tired and stressed out.  You can get a GREAT calming mind-body makeover.  Since I am not a yogi,  Google has provided me with many-a-great yoga workouts!  Here is one of my favorite from Fitness Magazine!!  I hope you enjoy.  Just click the link below!

 Be Calm and Carry On

 

Guest Post - Inspired By Sarah

Come Visit me at Inspired by Sarah today for my weekly Friday Fitness Blog.  The next 4 Fridays will focus on the four most common excuses not to exercise.  This week we are tackling not having enough Time...and next week we will focus on being too tired!  Hope to see you there!!