I guess I am also thinking of vacation in a few weeks so I want to make sure I’m feeling good when I throw my pasty body in a swim suit.

I was going to have Marc write this post because he did the workout last night, but I figured since I created it I would share today. I’m not gonna lie it was quite fun sitting on my butt and telling Marc what exercise to do next. Oh yeah and correct his form I’m just kidding he didn’t need any tweaking, he’s form is pretty legit.

This short ab series would be great paired with a cardio workout or even with a shoulder workout (which is what Marc did). Make sure to gain with a 5 minute warm-up (examples: jump rope, jogging, jumping jacks)

SUMMER AB WORKOUT

Scissor Crunch Punch

Weighted Full Sit-Up

V-UP

PLANK T-ROTATION

Perform each exercise for 1 minute before moving to the next circuit. Repeat 2-3 rounds or as many as you can handle

What is your favorite Ab exercise?

Are you ready for summer and warmer weather?

**Before beginning any new workout program always consult your Doctor or Physician.**

I thought my hamstring was doing better last week, but then it started bothering me again this  past weekend;( I really limit my activity on the weekend and I wonder if that has something to do with it??

I have been doing my Physical Therapy exercises and stretches but it just seems to get tight super quick. I used heat for about 20 minutes yesterday and then did some light stretching. I’m keeping my fingers crossed it feels better soon.

(This ball is my new best friend and I do tons of Hamstring Curls on it!)

Now I know why people say hamstring strains are the worst. They take a while to heal and you have to stretch SOOOO much. It’s like a job haha.

You can’t take 3 days off and do nothing with a hamstring strain you literally need to keep strengthening and stretching it or else it tightens up like a rubber band.

I get frustrated with injuries. I’m sure most of you can agree with me if you have ever had an injury they take a toll on you mentally. You can’t push through the pain either because it will only make it worse, so for now my best option is avoiding all exercises that don’t feel right!

That brings me into my next topic!!! PUSHUPS.. I’ve been working hard at my pushups over the past few weeks and I can honestly say I love the challenge they bring. Of course I hate them while I am doing them but after I am done I feel great!

If you are short on time and want to get in a quick upper body blast here is a great 10 minute workout:

PUSH-UP BLAST

Perform each exercise for 30 seconds with 10 seconds rest in between each set, repeat 2x before moving to the next exercise

BASIC PUSHUP

PUSH-UP JACK

TRICEP PUSHUP

TRICEP PUSH-UP HOLD

**Make sure to warm-up for at least 5 minutes before beginning the workout**

Has anyone ever had a hamstring strain or similar injury before? If so how long did it take to heal? Did you find anything that worked for you? 

I am always looking forward to the weekend because it’s time to spend with friends and family! Free time is always nice.

Tomorrow morning I am running a morning Boot Camp class, and then Ava & I will be going to Stratford, CT to hang out with my best girl friends for the afternoon.

This week I started the Insanity MAX30 program. They are 30 minute bodyweight workouts that are seriously no joke.

I even took a selfie so you could see my sweat..

BUT you can’t see it in the pic. Just super red cheeks. This workout was similar to my boot camp workout but I was dying and I maxed out at 9 minutes and 55 seconds. I was gasping for air but for some raeason kept going.

I also started drinking the Shakeology which pairs with the workout and it is super delicious. I looked forward to drinking it last night after Boot Camp.

On Tuesday I completed a quick back workout that I wanted to share with you.  I didn’t have a lot of time to spend in the gym for myself so I got to it right away with an 8 minute Warm-Up on the elliptical. I got my heart rate up and my body warm pretty quickly. I then completed this workout:

15-MINUTE BACK WORKOUT

Complete 3-4 sets of each exercise.

SEATED ROW (single arm attachments)

Set 1 Complete 10 reps

Set 2 Complete 8 reps

Set 3 Complete 6 reps

PULL-UPS (using assisted pull-up machine)

Set 1 Complete 10 reps

Set 2 Complete 8 reps

Set 3 Complete 6 reps

SINGLE ARM DUMBBELL ROW

Set 1 Complete 10 reps

Set 2 Complete 8 reps

Set 3 Complete 6 reps

For each of these exercises I increased the weights with each set. I also took 30 seconds rest in between each exercise.

In combination with shoveling my back was crazy sore the next day! Wow

Do you ever focus on just lifting your back?

Do you have any exciting plans for the weekend?

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

Ava is weighing in at roughly 18 lbs and is 29.5 inches long.

WHAT IS NEW?

Ava is now actively crawling ALL over the place. I thought I was fast, but man, she can move!! Sometimes I think to myself as she is crawling “I have plenty of time before I have to chase her” but then she surprises me at how quickly she can get into things… especially when she crawls so fast towards Coopers water bowl where she dumps it all over the place.

She tries to pull herself up on everything…..clearly she will be walking before we know it!

Oh yeah, and Ava also has 2 bottom teeth.

AVA LOVES:

• Crawling towards Cooper’s food & water bowl and thinks its funny to bang his bowl on the ground.
• Pulling herself up on the dishwasher or any cabinet.
• Her eating from her squeeze pouches and she likes little puff cereal
• the mirrors and looking at herself
• Pulling Cooper’s tail and touching his paws or face.
• Peek-a-boo… it never gets old to her
• obstacles.. and will crawl over pillows, Cooper, or whatever is in her way.
• sesame street.. whenever she hears elmo’s voice it excites her
• music
• being outside and being in her pool

EAT, SLEEP, & PLAY:

As long as her teeth are not bothering her she sleeps really well. Generally around 8pm-6:15am. Her naps are usually around the same time each day now. She either takes 2 good naps or 3 small ones. I am fine with either

It seems like she’s getting sick of a lot of the toys she has. She prefers to explore the cabinets (the ones that are childproof), she likes to hold spatulas, drop her toys from her high-chair to hear them bang on the floor, and likes to pull herself up and look out the front door to people watch.

This past week has been fun for me as Ava explores her VOICE. Yesterday she was clearly making mmmmmm sounds all day and I swear I am not making this up you can ask Marc, but she said Mom. She definitely doesn’t associate the “mom”  word with me, but she got me fired up when I heard her say it!! Bababa and dadada had been her lingo for the past few weeks, so clearly I was excited for the MMMMMM break through!!

POSTPARTUM UPDATE

I am pleased with the strength progress I have seen my upper body this month. I have been focusing on my arms, chest, and back a lot lately and I can tell that some exercises are getting easier. I have also been able to increase my weight in Group Power on the triceps, biceps, and back tracks.  My cardio strength is on point. When I did a cardio workout over the weekend, I was surprised at my speed and energy compared to Month 2 postpartum where I was incapable of completing a lot of the exercises.

I look forward to challenging my body in new ways in the next few months and learning new exercises to teach you all!!

This past weekend Ava hit the 7 Month mark. I absolutely love this age. She is progressing so quickly and it excites me for all the fun stuff ahead.

7 month Stats: Ava weighed in at 17lbs 5oz, she is so long and I don’t have an update on her length but she keeps stretching out. She outgrew most of her 6 month clothing so I will say she’s in 9 month gear!

Eat 

We have been slowing down on the eating front. Since Ava has been sick solids are really not as appealing these last couple of weeks. She clenches her mouth shut when I try to feed her oatmeal or bananas but will open her mouth for peas, sweet potatoes, squash etc. Girl knows what she wants! The doctor said when babies are sick not to worry about the solids and just focus on the bottles which works for us right now.

They love eachother

Sleep

We had a few rough nights with Ava when she was sick and coughing. She would wake up thirsty which would mean we were up a little longer then we like but its okay! She’s back on track now and sleeping from about 730 or 8pm until 545 or 6am. This works great with our schedule right now.

She usually gives us 1 good nap and 2 small ones! She’s just not into napping and doesn’t want to miss out. That’s kind of how I am..

Play

This should be titled Play & Exercise because Ava is on the move.

Ava started crawling about a week or so ago. She’s not moving quickly yet, but every day she is picking up the pace! She learned how to sit up and stand up in her crib, she flies around in her little walker, and all she wants to do is stand on our laps or pull herself up. I have a feeling she won’t be crawling long and will skip right into the walking.

I am excited for this but everyone warns me that it just gets harder! Oh well, I am up for the challenge.

MY UPDATE

I said I was going to end these updates about my postpartum progress but I will post one more.  I was sick with a sinus infection and laryngitis over the past 10 days so my workouts have been super limited. I am feeling much better and yesterday I was back to my normal routine. I am so SORE today thanks to all the pushups I did.

My weight has stayed the same this past month and hasn’t fluctuated at all. I am focusing on gaining strength in my arms. My shoulder is still not 100% so I am finding ways to work around it and get back to my normal self. Injuries take time to heal and man does it feel like its been a while but we are almost there!

My goal this month is to increase my strength with body weight exercises like pull-ups, burpees & pushups. Since they all put a lot of pressure on the shoulder it is crucial that I don’t over due it and progress slowly.

I have another push-up challenge coming to you guys this week so get ready!!

I got a pumpkin spice latte.. with skim milk. Somehow it was TOO sweet for me and I had maybe 10 sips total.

So onto the blog topic of regaining strength…. This week I really jumped back into my fitness routine. My body was ready and I was mentally ready to get back to it. With 2 Boot camp classes this week, I was super sore but it felt good. I didn’t go 100% because i didn’t want to pull a muscle or injure myself by working too hard, but I got in some great workouts.

I was surprised at the strength I had to complete the workouts considering I was only 6 weeks postpartum and hadn’t seriously worked out in a while. I took for granted how strong I was during my pregnancy and I am super thankful that I exercised my entire pregnancy.

Last night’s workout seemed so much easier compared to Tuesday night. I felt stronger with my planks and I was able to do the cardio at a little faster pace. My pushups got a little lower to the floor and my squats were a little deeper.

Although regaining strength takes time, I can already see progress and that is so motivating for me. I can’t wait to get my stomach back in shape. A strong CORE makes exercise so much easier. Bathing suit season is right around the corner and who doesn’t want to feel good in a bikini????

Today is my off day.. my body is telling me to rest and relax! I am all for it Tomorrow I will be focusing on learning the Group Power workout and I hoping Sunday will just be some walking cardio outside with the Baby and Cooper!

HAPPY FRIDAY!!