I know you are probably thinking, why is that challenging if you are feeling great?? Well, when it comes to exercise during pregnancy it’s not really okay to push your body to exhaustion with workouts or even daily activities. I have to remind myself some days that I’m pregnant and to SLOW down. Other days I really feel pregnant and don’t need the reminder but I have to constantly keep that thought in the back of my head. I’m sure in a couple of weeks I won’t have to EVER remind myself, but for right now I’ll enjoy feeling normal!

With that being said, this past Saturday I chose to do a workout at the gym that can really be done by anyone (not just pregnant ladies).

This workout incorporated both upper & lower body and I found my heart rate to be in a good range the whole time. During pregnancy it’s important to listen to your body so I rested when I needed to and drank water throughout this 30 minute workout. I also took a bathroom break. Yes, I have a weaker bladder these days.

Anyways, here’s the workout:

Warm Up

10 minutes of light cardio (I chose the elliptical) walking, biking or jogging is great too!

Krazy Kettlebell Circuit

Kettlebell Swings

Kettlebell Squat to Upright Row

Kettlebell Lunge to Row

Complete each exercise for 30 seconds, repeat circuit 5-7x (rest 30-60 seconds in between each round)

Cool down 

Perform some light stretching or walking for 5-10 minutes

(20 weeks Pregnant)

I completed 5 rounds of the above circuit and my rest times got longer as each round passed. I used both a 20 & 25lb kettlebell for this circuit and while I felt I could do more weight I didn’t push it!

For Demonstrations of some of these exercises check out the links below.

Kettlebell Swing

Kettlebell Squat to Upright Row

**Please check with your Doctor or Physician before beginning a new workout program**

Sometimes I pop in a 21 day fix or Insanity DVD and other times I just create myself a challenging workout!

I decided to share with you a workout that I plan to put myself through today. I chose a 20 minute workout because I assume with both Marc & Ava around my time will be limited and plus 20 minute workouts are over in a jiffy!! What’s not to love?

Before completing the below bodyweight circuit make sure to warm up. I chose a 5 minute bodyweight warm-up of jumping jacks, jogging in place, skaters, butt kicks, and light stretching.

If you are looking to get in a quick workout try this QUICK N’ SWEATY NEW YEARS EVE WORKOUT:

Complete each exercise for 1 minute. Repeat circuit 2x for a 20 minute workout. If you have more time complete another round

**Please consult your doctor or physician before beginning a new workout program**

On Saturday I was looking to do a quick workout before Marc’s parents came in town for his Birthday but I didn’t feel like going to the gym.

I knew I wanted to use weights and I needed the workout to be quick and effective.

I started out with a 5 minute warm-up alternating between jogging, Jumping Jacks, high knees, butt kicks. I then completed this workout:

Quick Full Body Toner

10 SQUAT TO SHOULDER PRESS

10 PUSHUPS

15 SUMO SQUAT TO UPRIGHT ROW

REPEAT 4-6 ROUNDS (4 rounds is about 20 minutes, but you can always add on 2 rounds to make it about 30 minutes) Rest 30-60 seconds between each round and cool down at the end with some light stretching.

I really loved this workout because it was challenging, quick, and effective. My heart was pumping the entire time and by the last round I needed to switch to knee pushups because I was so fatigued. My legs were sore the next day and I didn’t like lifting my arms over my head because my shoulders were wiped.

I used 12 pound dumbbells during this workout, but next time I will go for the 15 pounders!

For all you moms out there this is a great workout to do during nap time!

Do you like full body workouts?

**Please consult your Doctor or Physician before beginning a new workout program**

On Tuesday I did a fun, challenging & sweaty bodyweight workout using the battle ropes, TRX and Bosu ball at the YMCA.

I started my workout with a 5 minute warm-up. I alternated between Box Step-Ups, Quick feet on the Bosu, and some side shuffle drills.

Once I was warm I completed the following workout:

BATTLE ROPES, TRX & BOSU FULL BODY CHALLNGE

2 ARM ROPE SLAMS

ALTERNATING ROPE SLAMS

BATTLE ROPE JUMPING JACKS

TRX BODYWEIGHT ROWS

TRX BODYWEIGHT PUSHUPS

PERFORM EACH EXERCISE FOR 30 SECONDS, REPEAT 3X (REST AS NEEDED)

In between each round I did 30 seconds of Side Shuffle on the BOSU ball for an added cardio blast!

This workout probably took me about 25 minutes. It was short but challenging and I’ve learned that I don’t need to spend hours working out. Sometimes my best workouts are the ones that are under 30 minutes!

I promise this one will leave your arms feeling like Jell-o and your heart pumping. I love adding the battle ropes into my training, its not only great cardio, but its a great stress reliever!!!

**Always consult a Doctor or physician before beginning a new workout program**

When I tell myself I am going to do something I usually stick to it… so I quickly wrote down my workout plan. I find if I put it on paper I HAVE TO DO IT!

Sunday was the perfect day to workout at home because the weather was horrible, freezing rain and black ice!! From start to finish the workout took me 30 minutes and I was dripping sweat.

I started the workout with a 6 minute Warm-up alternating between Jogging, Jumping jacks, Butt Kicks, & Jump Rope (1 min 30 seconds each)

CARDIO MAX BODYWEIGHT CIRCUIT

AGILITY LADDER- HEISMAN DRILL

BURPEES

PUSHUPS

X-JUMPS

AGILITY LADDER HOPSCOTCH

SQUAT HOPS (AGILITY LADDER)

Each exercise is 1 minute, try to complete as many repetitions in 1 minute as possible. Rest 30-45 seconds in between each exercise.

Complete circuit 2x

Here are a few videos of the some of the exercises: 

Burpees (This is a video of me doing the Burpee minus the pushup) IMG_2285

X-Jumps (During this exercise you perform a full squat with your feet close together and then Jump out into an X) IMG_2290

Pushups (Ava jumped on Marc’s back so I had to snap some pictures)

Agility Ladder Heisman

This workout took me about 20 minutes to complete. I took a little more rest after some of the more intense exercises like X-JUMPS. I was completely winded at one point so my rest was 45 seconds. At the end of the workout I did some light stretching to cool-down, I felt great!

***Consult your Doctor before beginning a new workout program***

Yesterday afternoon I completed a quick but intense workout that left me sore. I am so happy to say that I will NOT be picking up a single dumbbell or weight today.

As I have mentioned in my Postpartum Journey Posts, I would like to practice and gain strength to be able to do consecutive full range Pull-Ups. Right now I can only do 1. My goal is 4 and I am giving myself 2 months. Ever since that collarbone injury back in early February, Pull-ups have been extremely tough because they place an enormous amount of stress on my shoulder. That is why I have been slowly working up to them! The Jumping Pull-ups in this workout are a great way to target all the muscles a normal Pull-up would, without placing too much stress on the upper body.

This is Marc’s new Pull-up Bar that I got him for his birthday. It is kind of like a present to me too.

Here is the workout:

Bosu Ball at Home Workout

Warm-up 100 jumping jacks, 100 butt kicks, 100 jump rope passes

(I did both close and wide grip jumping pull-ups)

8 Bosu Burpee to Press
8 Jumping pull-ups
8 Push-ups
30 seconds Bosu side shuffle 
30 seconds Plank dips on the bosu
8 Bosu Squats

Repeat this circuit 4x.

The jumping pull-ups got me! My back is feeling it this morning

The game plan for this weekend revolves around Christmas!! Tonight I am making some Christmas Cookies with my mom! I will be sure to share the recipe if they come out good.

I will also be finishing up some shopping. I have a few stores I need to quickly get to at some point this weekend. I’m sure the stores will be a ZOO.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

I would have loved to film my workout but I didn’t have someone to help me film!!

Here is an Example of a Jumping Pull-up

Bosu Lateral Side Shuffle

What is one exercise you want to work out?

What is one muscle or area of your body that is weak? 

On Saturday, we visited a new local gym called Clay Health Club & Spa. I actually shouldn’t say we visited a gym, Clay feels like a high-end luxury resort more then it does a gym. The people there are over the top friendly and there was a calming feel about the space.

I was in love with all the equipment, and they had top of the line EVERYTHING. We quickly warmed up on a couple of ellipticals and then we explored the wellness area.

I decided to start with a quick set of Pull-ups. Marc spotted me since I hadn’t done Pull-ups in forever. While I did not do as many as I was hoping for, it felt great to incorporate them back into a workout!

Rope & Kettle Bell Workout

Here is what the rest of my workout consisted of:

15 kettlebell swings (25lb Kettlebell)

Alternating Rope slams (30 seconds) Marc and I did a bigger range of motion then the clip in the video

Rope Jacks (30 seconds)

10 squat to upright rows (25lb KB)

I completed 4 rounds and took rest as needed.

Marc and I then finished our workout with the Jacobs Ladder. It was awesome & challenging and my heart was racing. I wish I had one of these in my basement.

We would have loved to stay longer at Clay Health Club but little Miss Ava was super tired. While we worked out she had fun playing in the childcare area!

As for the rest of my weekend, we ordered some delicious italian take-out food, we enjoyed the fall weather and being outside with Cooper, I did an awesome cardio workout thanks to T-25, and we hung out with family!

It was a great weekend How was yours?

Have you ever used a Jacobs ladder?

Are you a fan of rope training? If you have never used them would you try it?

While watching the Patriots game on Sunday I completed a quick 20-minute bodyweight workout that left me huffing and puffing. I handed Marc my phone and set up the timer so that every minute he could tell me to change exercises. Ava challenged me during my pushups by trying to pull herself up on me.

As my WARM-UP I took a brisk 5 minute walk around the block with Cooper to get my blood pumping.

20 Minute Full Body Quickie

Perform each exercise for 1 MINUTE, repeat circuit 3X or more depending on how long you have to train

Jump Rope 

If you don’t have space for a rope, jump in place

Lunge to Knee Raise 

step back into your lunge, as you come back to your starting position raise your knee up to waist height

Twisting Crunch

Lying flat on the floor with your hands behind your head, lift your shoulders off the floor and rotate to the left, repeat and switch sides

Pushups 

For form and variations of pushups check out this link: Do-A-Push-UP

Fake Lateral Cone-Hops

take two lateral hops to each side, if you have cones use them! If not you could put 2 paper plates down instead.

Lateral Cone Hops

Cool Down With some light stretching

Do you like to exercise on Sundays? 

What are some of your go to quick workouts?

**Always consult a Doctor or Physician before beginning a new exercise program**

Monday rolled around pretty quickly but my weekend was great, how was yours??

My mom was so kind Friday night and let Marc and I go out for dinner! We chose to go to Barcelona! In case you have never been, Barcelona is a Spanish Tapas Wine Bar. We absolutely love it there!

This restaurant has helped me expand my palate and try new foods & flavors! Plus it makes for a great date night.

Marc and I ordered several tapas… Albondigas (meatballs), spinach & chickpea casserole, broccoli rabe with garlic & oil, shrimp with salsa verde, beet salad, sliders, & shishitto peppers! It sounds like a lot but they are small plates.

My favorite was the spinach casserole and the meatballs. The peppers were good but soo spicy! I like spice but not when I can’t think or speak.. JK

It was a perfect date night and seriously an hour out feels like an eternity!!

Saturday morning Marc grabbed us some Dunkin coffees, we loaded up the car and headed to Rhode Island. I always get excited for RI because its a mini vacay and we get to see family.

In the afternoon my brother in law took some AMAZING pictures of Ava for us. I am not really good at taking photos so it was so nice of him to snap some pics. This is a sneak peak.

We had some quality time & good food! Marc’s dad is a great cook and always makes delicious meals for us. I was too hungry so I didn’t snap a picture, but for lunch we had grilled salmon over an italian salad. Yum. Dinner was takeout from The Cove Restaurant… I had a blackened chicken sandwich (No Bun) and veggies

It was definitely hard doing Paleo on the go and at my in-laws but I made it work! Today is the last day of the challenge and I have decided to continue with an 80/20 format. Paleo 80% of the time I have a lot to share about my experience!

When we got back Sunday we unpacked and enjoyed watching some football at my parents. The Patriots got their first win!

Cooper could not keep his eyes open for the game!!

I also got in a speedy workout while watching the Patriots. I did a bodyweight circuit that I will share with you tomorrow!

I hope you all have a great day!