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What’s New In Fitness

I wrote about Birch’s fourth trimester, so here’s an update on mine from a fitness angle!

  • First sitting.
  • Then strolling.
  • Then walking.
  • Then power walking.
  • Then power walking uphill.
  • Then jogging VERY slowly.
  • Then interval jogging.
  • Then jogging normally.
  • Then lifting weights.
  • Then interval running.
  • Then going to plyo athletic conditioning.
  • Then sprinting.
  • Then playing indoor soccer.

I finally feel like my old self again! Translation: I don’t do any modifications during my workouts and don’t doubt myself when challenged to do something by a coach, whether on Aaptiv or in a workout class.

I’m not as fit as I was prior to getting pregnant and I’m not lifting as heavy as I was a few years ago, but I am getting there! My goal postpartum was to literally take it one day at a time, increasing my fitness level both slowly and naturally based on what I felt like doing at the time. I felt like doing a little bit more everyday, so that’s what I did. Usually the first time I did something new – from my first light jog to my first soccer game – I moved more gently than I would have in the past. My steps were softer, my plyo jump lands more graceful, and my soccer playing less aggressive. But by the second time I ran, hopped, and kicked I felt confident that my body would not break in two.

Knock on wood, my pelvic floor felt 100% normal at about the 4-6 week mark. What took longer to feel normal were my lower abs. The same ligaments that ached when I was pregnant twinged sometimes while working out. They were sore those first few jogs and runs. But my body now feels all back to normal. My abs are getting stronger again. I had my doctor feel them to check for any separation, and she said I had just a tiniest bit at my 6 week appointment, which was normal, but nothing that would restrict my movements.

I miss going to group ex classes, but I’ve loved going to Saturday morning plyo class (SO GLAD IT’S BACK after a two year hiatus!) Many of my friends and there, and thankfully Thomas is cool with that being my special hour of the week to slip away from the kiddos.

My favorite pre-workout snack is PB toast and coffee!

Having our home treadmill has been such a wonderful treat, especially since it is winter. Unfortunately though, the belt on it continues to stick, and running fast is quite a hazard since sometimes it stops so suddenly that I fly forward. I don’t feel comfortable going much faster than 7.5 mph. We tried to DIY fix it, and I suppose the next step is to contact Horizon about a replacement belt. Part of me just wants to get a new treadmill because I’ve been getting so much use out of it I think a new one is worth it, but the other part of me wonders if as soon as the weather is nice I’ll start running more outside with Birch in the stroller or solo after Thomas gets home from work and then by the time winter is here again I’ll be back at the gym more and putting Birch in KidsZone. So I just don’t know what to do! I KNOW I would use a new treadmill a lot if we got one, but I also don’t know if it’s really a necessity since I can walk and run slowly at least on the old one for now.

I have graduated from beginner to intermediate on Aaptiv and have been loving the workouts that combine cardio and strength. I did this one last week that was a 5K run combined with some strength moves in between 3 running sets. I really liked it! I like anything with intervals these days much more than a steady state.

So many of you have told me that you downloaded Aaptiv at my recommendation and you’re loving the workouts too. Send me screenshots of your favorites on Instagram too! There are so many I want to try, including some vinyasa yoga. I bought a set of 15 pound dumbbells to use for strength workouts, and I’d really like to have a 25-30 lb kettlebell too but they were really expensive when I priced them!

Speaking of yoga, I haven’t been back to hot yoga yet. It’s hard because I need childcare + a long period of time so it’s quite the commitment but I’ll get there sometime soon!

I can’t wait for spring weather and to be able to put Birch in the BOB stroller. When are they ready for that again? Six months? My BOB needs a good tune-up because it’s six years old, but man I loved the heck out of that thing with Mazen! I missed stroller running once Mazen grew out of it because it’s so nice to have a place for your phone, water bottle, and a storage area for a jacket if you de-layer.

The one thing I’m not quite ready for: running with both a stroller and Gus! How do you guys manage?

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Comments

  2. I’m so glad you’re back to feeling normal! I always feel like I’ll neverrrr bounce back after baby but over time it always comes 🙂 I’m expecting my 3rd in August and think I’ve finally accepted that it’ll just take time to get my strength and stamina back.

    In regards to a BOB and a dog… I’ve never had a problem! I have a BIG yellow lab, but I just hook his [short] leash to one of those giant clips on my handlebars and hit the road. I’ve trained him to help me out a little on uphills so that’s nice 😉 my youngest is almost 2 now and yells “MUSH! MUSH!” on the hills. Ha!

    I have an attachment that allows me to place the infant car seat on the BOB so you can start that at any age. As soon as they can easily hold their head up and aren’t as “noodle-y”, I take off the attachment and just strap them into the seat of the stroller. Have fun and let us know how it goes!

    Reply

    • I had that attachment with Mazen, but I have a different car seat this time, so I don’t want to buy another one. I love the idea of Gus helping me up hills!!

      Reply

  3. Get a stunt-puppy leash, and have him wear a harness! It goes around your waist, and then you have a stretchy (and really strong) leash that hooks to the harness. It’ll keep him next to you while running, hands free, and it will train him quickly to run beside you and not in front.

    Reply

  4. Have you practiced walking with Birch in the stroller and Gus? It just takes practice of walks first. Then try jogging. If Gus is anything like my yellow lab then he likes to stop and pee 100 times. I prefer running without my dog for that reason but I can definitely do it.

    Reply

  5. You should look at some place like Ross, TJ Maxx or Burlington for an inexpensive kettlebell! They sometimes have them in there little eclectic mix of workout stuff. And I love having a treadmill at our house! Ours just randomly stopped working last week (it’s quite old, we got it used) and we are picking up another tomorrow (also used). I feel like it’s worth the investment.

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  6. I believe they are ready for the Bob @ 6 months if I’m not mistaken 🙂 My little guy just turned 6 months so havent gotten a chance to go out with him yet, by the time the weather is warmer it’ll be perfect. I enjoyed many times in the Bob with my oldest…we also have a hand me down double bob that I might be advantageous enough to try out this spring…we’ll see haha!

    I just got myself a treadmill for the first time and its the BEST! No more having to bundle up for the gym if I need to get a workout in before work/taking my kiddo to school. I love the flexibility of being able to squeeze in a run whenever I can.

    I have a border collie/australian shepherd mix so I run with her all the time but definitely this was a game changer:
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00UZXPM00/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Love being hands free with her! I havent been brave enough to try the stroller AND running with her but i’m sure its possible 😀

    Reply

  7. When my daughter was small enough to fit in the stroller (she has graduated to biking next to me, or running WITH me, woohoo!) I would wear an old belt and put the dog leash on it. Hands free! I love running that way with him now, even without the stroller. I definitely felt like we were a parade though…

    Reply

  8. I have been running with both kids since 6 weeks! For the infant stage I used the BOB car seat attachment and it worked great! Our pediatrician said it was fine to start that early as long as we weren’t doing anything crazy like sprinting on bumpy terrain Starting back to running I was obviously taking it slow and just running slowly on sidewalks and paved surfaces so way less movement than driving in a car if you think about it. My son is almost 6 months and I took him on his first run in the BOB without the car seat attachment about a week or two ago (again on a smooth paved surface) and he seemed fine. Our dog comes with us on every run. Buy the tuff mutt waist leash on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Tuff-Mutt-Dual-Handle-Reflective-Adjustable/dp/B00YQZGD42/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1549552866&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=tuff+mutt+hands+free+leash&psc=1), it is great! I was nervous how we’d do but our dog figured it out really quickly and stays right next to us and the only annoying thing is when her leash occasionally hits the wheel at just the right angle and I roll over it and then we have to stop and unravel it. That happens more when we’re walking than running though. And I love running with the BOB because I have bring so much stuff with me and I have a place to put clothes if I over layer! I even brought a spare potty with us when our daughter was potty training and we used it mid run one time!

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  9. I love my in home treadmill! It’s super convenient in the winter time and when I want to get in a quick job during nap time! Jogging with the jogging stroller was much easier than I anticipated, but it does take on a different type of run when you don’t quite have the full momentum of arms pumping. As for running with the baby and a dog–that is something I have yet to master! My dog is a leash puller no matter what we do, so I am always hesitant to run with both my daughter and the dog. Walking with both was a slow process and basically it’s consists of one handed stroller pushing and one handed leash holding.

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  10. Wow, you’re a fast runner! 7.5 mph seems pretty fast to me. I’m usually plodding along at 5.6 or so. How fast are you able to run on the gym treadmills compared to the one at home?

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    • 7.5 is nearly sprinting for me! My usual pace is closer to 6.5 for a run and 6.0 for a jog. And on the Woodways I can crest 8.0+ but just barely! Short legs 🙂

      Reply

  11. Just a thought. I have been doing Orange Theory. They recently updated their treadmills and were offering the old ones for sale. Its something to look into if you are looking for a high end used treadmill. I don’t know if all studios updated at the same time

    Reply

    • I have my eye out for treadmill sales. I’d love to get one used. I also need to call Horizon and see if they can replace the belt…

      Reply

  12. Hi- I’m having a hard time finding a treadmill or outdoor running class with 3-5 miles. That 5K one you shared states that it’s only an estimated 1.5 miles – but it’s 34 mins long …so what am I missing?? I’m loving the stretching category, esp before runs:-)

    Reply

    • Hmmm weird. Maybe I ran faster than the speeds they recommended to get more miles in? (Although I find that hard to believe – haha). I would filter to the advanced ones that are longer in time.

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  13. Hey Kath, I’m super intrigued by Aaptiv. I think you mentioned you started with a 30 day trial but I haven’t been able to find that anywhere. Could you share where you got it? Thanks so much for sharing your post baby fitness journey!

    Reply

  14. Will do, thanks. The few times I’ve used the filters I notice they don’t save—need to re-enter info each day. No biggie, tho! Got my sis & former college roommate to sign up. They are loving it, too!:-)

    Reply

  17. The Bob suggests you get clearance form your pediatrician first so I’d ask at your 6 month appointment. Ours suggested waiting till 8 or 9 months but your mileage may vary!n

    Reply

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