I think I have mentioned this before, but pregnancy is sort of like one long vacation. Not that it’s all fun and games, but that a lot of the normal routine things get paused for 3/4 of a year. Mostly in the fitness department – no contact sports, no pushing it with weights or cardio or heart rate. There’s a general slowing down and being gentle with the body. While I stayed active during my pregnancy, I also relaxed into “easier” workouts. After all, growing a human and carrying around all that extra weight in the front is a workout in itself! It all kind of comes to a grand finale when the baby arrives and your only exercise of the day is walking from the couch to the fridge and back.
Just like when I come home from a vacation craving sweaty workouts and salads, I ended those first six weeks after B was born, coupled with nine months of a changing body, with the biggest craving for workouts. I had a cycle teacher back in 2006 who used to yell out in her classes: “Increase that resistance because you CAN. There are people who wish they could be cycling right now but can’t.” This was a year after I had had foot surgery and my activity was very limited, so I was extra appreciative to be working out again.
I have that same gratitude mentality about workouts these days – I am so thankful to be able to run, jump, and play again that it makes me crave the activity even more. Getting out of breath feels so good. I am already addicted to the endorphins!
I’ve been running inside on the treadmill on cold days and outside on warm days with Aaptiv. I went to ACAC Afterburn athletic conditioning on Saturday and strength class on Monday. And indoor soccer started this week! Also because I can’t just escape to a class whenever I want, I appreciate each time I do get to one so much.
A few weeks ago, I had thrown on sweatpants and a hoodie when I got up and entertained both boys all morning. By 2 pm, I was feeling so gross and grumpy and in desperate need of a shower. It made me realize how much feeling clean with a little make-up on contributes to my mood. And so I started embracing the first-thing-in-the-morning-shower every day, even if I have a morning workout planned.
Before having Birch, I could workout out whenever I wanted. But since babies are so unpredictable, sometimes my plans for a workout and shower while he’s napping change 10 minutes into the nap. I HAVE to shower every day. So I have been showering first thing upon getting up even if I have plans to get a morning workout in during nap time. This results in what I have been calling “Clean Sweat.” The sweat that one produces 20 minutes into a workout after a shower is often scented with soap, deodorant, and sometimes perfume. The sweat without a shower first? Not so nice. So if B wakes up 15 minutes into my workout and I don’t get a chance to shower after, at least my sweat is somewhat clean. (If this happens I take a rinse-off one-minute shower later in the day.)
Showering first but dressing in workout clothes allows me to be spontaneous and roll with the punches of our unpredictable days.
Embrace the clean sweat!
Apriori says
Well now I have a name for what I do on the weekends! (I work out before work-strength and light cardio, then shower, on the weekdays, followed by lunchtime walks, then a walk after work for good measure.) This post also reminded me to mix it up! Thanks!
All best wishes!
KathEats says
🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
It’s nice to see you settling back into a healthy routine again, Kath! Thanks for being so inspiring! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Alex says
I’m looking for a natural and simple makeup routine as I’m a mom of a 2.5 yr old with a baby on the way. What products do you use? Thanks!
KathEats says
I do the basics almost every time I shower (even if working out later on!) – a CC cream, concealer, eye shadow (a neutral one), a little eye liner, a mascara (sometimes I skip this) and blush. You can see the ones I use in this post: https://www.katheats.com/current-beauty-favs
Alex says
Awesome! I ordered the supergoop and bye bye undereye 🙂
KathEats says
Nice!! Both are awesome
shannon says
Yes I do the same! I cannot put clean workout clothes when I stink! I shower then workout and then will do the same quick rinse off later!!
Sara says
I love the “clean sweat”, as well! My husband thinks I’m crazy – everyone is different! I feel reasonably clean if I just change my clothes afterwards and reapply deodorant + use some Burt’s Bees cucumber scented wipes. I almost always took a shower with a little baby – it made a world of difference in my mood! You look great – hope you are feeling great, too 🙂
Lauren C says
This was totally me during my 2nd maternity leave. I realized that I just generally felt like CRAP sitting around in my PJs all day. Getting up before the baby, showering and putting on some clean leggings and doing my hair made such a difference. My husband thought I was insane and that I should just sleep in as much as possible but it really doesn’t set the right tone for the day.
Jocelyn says
I can’t agree with you more! I also have to shower first thing, get dressed and sometimes put on a light face. It elevates my mood and the day flows better after.
Ani Kay says
I love the gratitude aspect of working out. I don’t normally think about how I am able to go outside and run and I should be grateful for just that fact. I am always appreciative of being out in blue skies though, and I make a point to look up and enjoy it every time I get out there! I’m with you on the shower thing, if I don’t do it first thing in the morning, I feel gross by 11:30.
Liz says
I need to start doing this. I’ve been going to the gym after getting the kids to school in the mornings, and then trying to run around getting errands done before my youngest is done with preschool. I feel gross all morning! I think showering first thing would help, even if I sweat a few hours later. You’re really motivating me to get more workouts in, and I’m starting to come around to how much better I feel mentally when I sweat it out every day!
KathEats says
: )
K says
Love this! And also love that herringbone zip up you have on in the top pic! Where is it from?
KathEats says
Thanks it’s from Lululemon years ago, BUT, my friend had a similar one on the other day and I asked her where it was from – Old Navy! I just bought it – it’s on sale for $22!
Steph says
I’ve been using the term “Clean Sweat” for decades, but I define it as…you’ve worked out, you’ve showered, but it’s a hot day, so you’re still sort of sweating after your shower (tough to cool down on days like that). But who cares because you’ve just showered, so it’s not a stinky sweat…it’s clean! 😉 Thanks for expanding my definition!
KathEats says
Haha yes!!
Louise RD says
We’re all so different! Me, I refuse to shower until I feel I’ve ‘earned’ it – lol. For this reason, I get my workouts done in the morning. Evening hot yoga classes screw this up a bit but overall, my mantra is to shower when you need one:-).
KathEats says
Haha – I can see that point of view too!
Jenniw says
GREAT TIP. I’ve been trying to embrace this for years. Its SO MUCH EASIER to be spontaneous if you just hop out of bed and squeeze in that shower. My day doesnt feel right without one.
Lindsay E. says
I never comment on blogs, but I had to with this post because I am THE SAME WAY. I often take a 7 AM saturday morning class before which I shower. I’ve even has people ask me if I shower beforehand, lol. I cannot stand the smell and feeling of dirty sweat – and I have to wash my hair daily, too!
Marci says
I feel totally opposite! I shower after everyone has gone to bed. I like to wash off the day and feel clean at the end. I also don’t mind getting sweaty during the day because I know I’ll shower at the end. I think weather is big in it too–about 2/3 of the year I sweat all day because it’s so hot so it’s nice to shower at the end.