It's all about balance

My favourite thing about summer is all the fun ways that you can exercise without really feeling like your doing anything. Beach volleyball, tossing the frisbee around, swimming..etc. Amongst all this "working out" we have all of this munching. Potato chips, burgers, hot dogs and plenty of finger foods to balance out any calorie burning you just did.  Ey ey ey...we can't win. Your best bet...hit the fruit and veggie trays hard and maybe you'll be too full to feast.

Happy Summer!

Time for....baby

Running with baby and blogging with baby is becoming increasingly more difficult...actually doing anything with baby. He is on such a crazy sleeping schedule (as we found out the hard way what he's like without one)  that my day consists of getting him down for a nap or feeding him, with little time in between.


I am still taking an hour each day for running (after 9pm), thanks to Body Design's Liz Gillis for keeping our running clinic going through the summer. I need the motivation right now and I don't want to lose this momentum. Plus I think we are all going to run a 6km in August.

Check this run out, it looks like tons of fun.  http://www.sunsetshuffle.com/

I did it!

Well we finished our Learn to Run class with a bang. The group ran the Mount Albert Sports Day 5KM. It was my first ever race and I LOVED it. I am definitely going to keep racing. So exciting.

I have been a "runner" for a long time but have never really timed myself, set goals or pace. Therefore, I have never improved. The Learn to Run clinic slowly built up stamina and speed and was so much easier and healthier on my body. Now I feel like a real runner.

I finished the 5 KM race 28:47. My goal was 35 mins (I think I may have aimed a little low). I was extremely proud of myself and finished feeling like a million bucks. Every single person in the group exceeded their goal. It was FANTASTIC.

I recommend a small town race for anyone starting out or looking for a friendly run. It was inspiring and a good cause for the Mount Albert community. Thanks to Body Design, Farquharson Realty, Oxford Homes and The Running Room for making it happen.

Got my shoes tied tight...

We are on week 5 of our running clinic with Body Design. It's getting tough now we are running six sets of 4 and 1's which is runners talk for interval training 4 minute run and 1 minute walk.  I can definitely feel the strength building though...much more than I ever did training on my own. I see a half marathon in my future!

Taking yoga while training for a 5K has been the perfect match. Sandy from Body Design's Essential Yoga recommends doing 4-5 sun salutations before every run. This is a 12 count set of various poses that glide into one another warming up your body and stretching your muscles at the same time. Check it out here.It makes a huge difference. I didn't feel as stiff the next morning after my run.

If anyone is thinking of starting to run I highly recommend a running clinic. Its the safest and fastest way to hit your goals.  Plus you now have a group of running buddies to get together with for group runs. This is a great way to ensure you don't bail and hit the couch instead.

The weather outside is...delightful!

There is nothing better for Ontarians than the smell of spring and the first gust of warm wind. It's the sign that says "this winter will end soon, I promise"

Best thing to do in warm weather....walk. And we have been doing plenty of it.

Eldred King - York Region Forest

I have also joined the Body Design Learn to Run class on Thursday nights. Its been great, we have had 3 classes and are building up our strength towards running a 5km race in June (The Mount Albert 5K). So exciting, I have never run a race before. I have been a runner for awhile now but with pregnancy and postpartum I kind of lost touch. This gradual training program is perfect for me. I suggest it for anyone looking to start from scratch.

Last night there was this incredible warm wind and at yoga, Sandy had all the windows open in the studio. The smell of fresh air in the room makes such a difference when your trying to relax. I just loved it.

Well here's to summer 2012...it's coming I can taste it

To Zzz..or not to Zzz

Yoga has started up again for spring...yeah! And Sandy (our instructor) talked about insomnia.

What an appropriate topic seeing as lately my nightly sleeps have been broken up into 2 hour increments. This of course making me extremely exhausted...all the time.

She says a simple pose like this one can help with sleep problems. Lay on your back, press the soles of your feet together and let your knees fall to the side. Try this every night before bed to help battle insomnia.
....but will it help keep the baby asleep. *sigh*

yum yum yum yum

I have always had a sensitive stomach or in other words digestive issues. Nothing is harder to diagnose. Trying the elimination diets can be tedious and frustrating. After a lifetime of trials and a visit to Brandi McCarthy  I recently discovered that I have a sensitivity to wheat and dairy.

No big deal...that only includes everything in my fridge and cupboards.

Now while nursing a newborn, I am responsible for a whole different digestive system and because this is MY son we are talking about, we are going to have some issues. So far it seems to be raw veggies, coffee and any form of tomatoes (canned, sauce etc) that give him problems.....is there anything left to eat?

Well at least I am home and have the chance to get creative in the kitchen.

Last weeks yoga class was all about simple yoga positions and stretched that promote healthy digestion...YES!! Just what I need. I love these!

Click here

Do you have a good relationship with your body?

Last nights yoga class was all about our intimate relationship with our body. For awhile now (since I was pregnant) my body and me have been on two different planets. Even at 3 months postpartum we still feel pretty distant.
My Monday night yoga class is definitely helping bring us back together. For that hour at least, I have control.

As i watch my son discover his hands and his toes for the first time, I am reminded of the importance of ones body and that taking care of it should always be top priority. Without health, we have nothing.

One of the ladies in class stood up last night and showed us some excellent poses she had discovered while researching. I highly recommend this one for lower back (great for new mommies) A seated cat/cow stretch.

1. From Easy Seat, bring your hands to your knees. On your inhale, arch your spine, pulling your shoulders back and looking up. 


2.  On the exhale, round your back, chin to chest. 


3.  Sync your breath to your movement, and do about 12-15 sets. 






Make sure you stop an listen to your body every now and again. You can often ward off illness (cold and flu) and injury (stiff neck, back) if you pay attention to the signs and signals. 

Cheer up!

I have to first apologize for my lack of blogging. This parenting business is a lot of work...geez.

Family Day started last week off. My fav yoga class was centered around depression and sadness.

February is a sad month in Canada, with its cold weather and dull skies, spring seems so far away. Sandy (our instructor) talked about the ways to battle depression using simple yoga techniques. Here is a great site with 10 poses and descriptions that will have you smiling in no time Click here.
All I know is after some warrior poses and legs up the wall, I felt like a million bucks leaving that class.

which brings us to Tuesday. All the girls from my prenatal class got together for coffee. It was great swapping baby stories. Wednesday was Baby and me Pilates in Mount Albert. Bennett decided to join me at this class (he always sleeps right through it) which was a welcome change. It was fun working out around his smiling face. Thursday I decided to try Stroller Mates at Upper Canada Mall. What a fantastic free service offered Tuesday and Thursday morning. I met a friend (from pilates) at the mall and had a great time. It was a surprisingly hard workout. I was sore for a few days later.

All in all a good week, still have yet to get out for a run. It is just so hard to find a time that will work in between feedings.

I hope everyone enjoyed their week as well. It won't be long until we will be smelling that sweet spring aroma. Now that's something to smile about.

And it has begun

Image from  workinonmyfitness.com

What a week! I don't think I have felt this soar is a long time. I started the week off with a Baby and Me fitness class in Newmarket. This is a class where we actually use the babies as weights. Bennett weighs 13 pounds, Ouch. Can I borrow a smaller baby for this?
Great workout though, and great to see some of the girls from my prenatal class
Followed that class with my fav yoga class in the evening. Sandy had my half chewed (thanks Sammy, my shepherd) yoga mat waiting for me in the room when I got there. I left last weeks class in a but of a hurry due to a crying baby.

On Wednesday I had my baby and me pilates class at the Ross Family Complex in Mount Albert. This was painful, I will still pretty stiff from Monday.

And today I plan on going for a long hike in the York Region forest...well, we will see how long. I'm going to try to use my baby carrier for the first time and hope the dog cooperates. Sam sure misses her forest run. The last time we went was the day I went into labour.

I plan on doing my first short run this weekend to kick start my training for the Mount Albert 5K in June, a 10K in the summer and a possible half marathon in the fall. I'll keep you posted on how this goes.

I'll be joining the Learn to Run 10K class again in Mount Albert. It starts this spring along with a Learn to Run (5K) class. Let me know if your interested. This is the perfect way to start running this summer.

Okay....let's get into it!

Is that a baby crying?

I went by my Monday night yoga class to say hello, introduce the little one, give Sandy (the instructor) a thank you card and make a quiet exit. I ended up getting there minutes before the class started and they asked me to stay. I wasn't sure how little B was going to do but I stayed nonetheless.

I don't think I realized how much I missed this class until it started. After months of being away, Sandy's voice took me right back to where I left off. So relaxing. I'm a little stiff but it wont take long to get back on track.

Unfortunately just before the end relaxation (my fav part), little B started to wail. It was feeding time. So I bolted, trying not to ruin everyone else's class. Sorry to those few. I even left my mat there...oops.

Next Monday I will go sans son. Looking forward to the silence.

Jay..E...ell...ell...Oh

Well I made an attempt at a fitness class but my intentions were only to get out of the house and meet some new moms.

I discovered a class offered right in my backyard (literally behind the house) called Baby and Me Pilates. It started last week, which means I had already missed one class out of 8 so I figured I better start this week. I realize that I haven't gotten my go ahead yet from my OB as my 8 week appointment isnt until the 9th but I thought "how hard could it be?"

Yikes! I underestimated how out of shape I am.. My abs have the consistency of Jello and legs like spaghetti.

I am feeling it today, that's for sure. I need my yoga class back. I think I will start on Monday #famouslastwords.

Yo mamma is so...

Okay I must apologize as I have been on a bit of a hiatus. But I do have a good excuse, we had our little boy on December 11 and what a month it has been.

Christmas was mayhem with the new baby, with family celebrations and friends dropping in, time just got away from me.

I am waiting the full (recommended) 8 weeks before I start any exercises, other than walking. But as soon as I get my GYN's go ahead I plan on picking my running back up. YIKES! It has been so long. I am starting with a goal for a 5K race in June (Mount Albert Sports Day 5K) then I will be taking the "learn to run 10K" class again through Body Design and ready to run a 10K race after it is complete. I will see how I am once I start but a half marathon goal by Fall 2012 might be in the picture. Ah that's scary.

I hope everyone has had a great winter so far. I am excited to start thinking about my spring goals. I will also be taking the same FANTASTIC yoga class with Sandy in Mount Albert. Message me if you want to join, I would love some friendly motivation.

Talk soon!