The Fit Skool | by Kelly

May 12, 2014
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
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Mother’s Day Weekend

I hope you all had a lovely Mother’s Day weekend with your families & friends. This year I had a whole new view of Mother’s Day and I am even more appreciative of my mom than I was before….if that’s possible.

Being a mom is hard work but the most rewarding job there is!! I realized that my mom made it look so easy over the years and it’s extremely hard to make it LOOK easy

It would be 10x harder if I didn’t have the best husband to help me through each day! So a BIG thanks to Marc on being super daddy.

Now onto my weekend. Saturday morning we met my mother in law and the rest of Marc’s family for breakfast. It was delicious and I had an omelet with mushrooms, bacon, & avocado.. it was a great combo!! It is so nice to celebrate with his family and spend some time together.

When we got back from breakfast I headed to PURE BARRE for a workout. I really enjoyed the class and I am starting to get the hang out the workout. I will be posting more on my second experience..

For Mother’s day morning we headed to breakfast at the Cos Cobber in Greenwich, CT with my family. I got this veggie omelet & whole wheat toast, which was SO tasty!

It was great to hang out with my mom, my sister in law, and my brothers. Ava was such a good girl at breakfast too!

Ava & Grandma

Family Photo!

After breakfast we headed to Bruce Park for a nice long walk and play time with Cooper. Of course I want to spend time with him on Mother’s day.

The scenery was gorgeous!

After or walk we headed home to change and grab some things before heading to my parents to BBQ and relax on the deck all day. Before we left, Marc handed me a gift from Ava.

Beautiful earrings that are Ava’s birthstone. What a thoughtful & beautiful gift I love them!

It was such a great day!

May 9, 2014
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
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My First Barre Class

Yesterday I took my first Barre class at PURE BARRE in Greenwich, CT.

If you are looking to try a BARRE class be ready for a workout that will push your body to the limit. Most of the workout was body weight training that focused on leaning out the muscles, however we did use light free weights and a ball. The workout is done in your socks which is fun too

I have done SO many different classes before but nothing like a Barre class. With such tiny movements throughout the class I questioned how my muscles would get fatigued but it didn’t take long before I got a burn! There were moments when my thighs were screaming and I couldn’t wait for the countdown from 10 to be over! I don’t know if my Quads were sore from teaching Group Power the night before but wow were they on fire yesterday.

Some of the weight bearing lower body exercises were challenging, but in a good way. I loved holding a squat on my tippy toes, it was a move I’ve never done before and my legs were shaking just from holding that position for minute straight!

I noticed throughout the workout that my legs were more challenged then my upper body but I’m sure that will change the next time I take a class. I highly recommend this class to anyone who is looking for a low-impact workout, it is easy on the joints but tough on the muscles! As you can see my heart rate didn’t get too high, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a great workout.

My first Barre experience was fun! There were a few technical points I need to work on, like “tucking my hip” and keeping my lower back from arching, but for my first day I think I did okay.

I’m looking forward to seeing what my second workout brings. Check out the Pure Barre schedule and give it a try!

***Disclosure: The following post is sponsored by Pure Barre in Greenwich, CT. All thoughts and Opinions are my own however I am compensated with a free month of classes***

May 8, 2014
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
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“Mommy & Me” Workout #2

Over the weekend Ava and I tested out some exercises together. It was fun and I can’t believe how excited she was! She made me want to do more pushups with her giggling and smiling.

This simple workout with help you tone your muscles and have fun with your baby! The added laughter is an extra burn to the core.

Complete 20 repetitions of each exercise, repeat as many times as possible in 20 minutes. (For the plank, hold as long as you can and then move to the next exercise!)

PUSH-UPS

SIT-UPS W/ a Bear Hug

TRICEP PRESS

PLANKS

SQUAT TO SHOULDER PRESS

I’m sure your arms will be exhausted by the end of your session

May 6, 2014
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
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5 Months Baby & Postpartum Update

It is crazy to think that 5 months has passed since Ava was born. I can probably say this same thing every month that passes but it is so true that times does fly!

AVA’S 5 MONTH UPDATE

Ava is now about 15lbs and 26 ¾ inches long!

EAT

About 2 weeks ago we tried solids. Ava had been staring at the food on my plate and reaching for it, so we knew it was time. Plus she has been taking so much formula and waking up starving in the middle of the night.

First we tried Rice cereal and to no surprise Ava was not a fan! I don’t blame her. I’m not into rice at all but I will eat it. We tried the rice cereal for a few days to see if those taste buds would change and if she would accept the texture but that didn’t happen. So on to Squash we went, and it was a huge hit. Ava was literally grabbing the spoon out of my hand and sticking it into her mouth. WIN! She’s just like me and enjoys her veggies. We started oatmeal 2 days ago and she seems more accepting of it. This is great because she needs something that will keep her full for a longer period of time.

This morning she tried green beans, and again she liked them! Do you think it is possible to skip the rice and oatmeal??

I can’t wait to try more veggies & soon fruits. We have sweet potatoes next on the list, I hope she likes them as much as I do

SLEEP

Ava is a great sleeper. The other night she slept for 12 straight hours waking up only 1 time to have a bottle. I am SO impressed. Over the last week or two we have had some sleep disturbances due to Ava coughing. It doesn’t wake her up but Marc and I wake up! We didn’t know what to do so we took her to the Doctor. The Dr said she looks healthy besides the cough but maybe we should see an allergist or a GI doctor to see if she has Reflux or allergies. After analyzing her cough and symptoms, we think it is reflux! I guess we need to schedule an appointment to see what we can do.

Besides us waking up in the middle of the night for an hour straight, she really is easy in the sleep department. Her naps are pretty consistent. She takes 1 long nap (1 ½ – 2hrs) and 2 or 3 mini 30-45 min naps per day.

I do hope we get this cough under control so that Marc and I can sleep better! I don’t know about you but I need my sleep!!

PLAY

Of course play-time is the best. Who doesn’t want to see Ava laughing and giggling all day long. When we are playing everything else on my agenda and to-do list can wait. I get caught up with her fun personality. Ava uses her walker now. She doesn’t walk in it but plays and likes to be upright. She loves to make new noises now. She screams, chirps, oohs, & mmms, and has been testing out her voice a little bit more. Ava loves stuffed animals, especially her live stuffed animal Cooper. She reaches to pet him and when he licks her she smiles and laughs!

She can sit up on her own for short periods of time, and loves to play with her feet. Pretty soon she will be sticking them in her mouth.

She loves her cousin Natalie and Aunt Melanie

MY UPDATE

I am happy to say that I feel no pain or tightness in my shoulder and my strength is gradually improving. I am keeping my fingers crossed it stays this way but I am sure I will run into some soreness here and there.

This past week I was able to lift a little bit heavier, and I am more comfortable doing pushups thanks to my Physical Therapist Melissa. She is the best! I love how she makes the tiniest tweak in my form to improve my shoulder mobility and strength. I learn a lot from her.

My weight is the same, but I am not trying to lose any more weight I am happy with where I am. I do notice that my arms are getting a little more toned thanks to being able to lift more weights! It is so nice not having to modify movements at this point. I don’t need to think about my injury with daily tasks and I am hoping I can put the injury behind me now! For the next month my goal is core strength and improving flexibility all over!!

This pic is a sneak peak at the Mommy & Me workout I am going to post this week that I did with Ava!

May 5, 2014
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
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Weekend Highlights

Last week I got in a bunch of workouts so this weekend was a rest weekend for this girl. I did take long walks with Cooper & Ava but I don’t count that as a real workout.

Saturday Marc and I were ultra productive! I had a few errands to run, and one of them was a trip to Buybuybaby. Ava needed some baby spoons since she started eating veggies last week!! I also bought her a couple outfits too (I can’t resist!), it seems lately that I am having more fun shopping for her then myself. Go figure.

At night we headed to a birthday dinner for my best friend Lauren in Stratford. We went to the Sitting Duck restaurant, and the food was delicious!

Sunday we had a late start to our morning after being up later then usual the night before. We headed to Trader Joe’s for some grocery shopping, somehow we always end up buying WAY more then we need, but its okay because it’s all healthy food! Our sunday afternoon consisted of food prep and cooking dinner. Our dinner was super tasty. Marc made Blackened Mahi Mahi with brussel sprouts and my favorite sweet potatoes.

Mondays are always busy days for me… I am looking forward to a relaxing night on the couch after teaching a bunch of classes and training!

May 2, 2014
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
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Things I’m loving lately..

I have been loving a few things lately..

Kale… I have had Kale probably 3 times this week. We had it with Chicken Sausage at dinner and I have had it as a side with my lunch sauteed in olive oil. It is so good and super healthy!

Bananas… my days don’t seem to be complete without one! I usually have them as part of my snack mid morning. They are super easy to eat in between clients and on-the-go!

Protein Shakes… Now that I am back to lifting a bit heavier, I have been having protein shakes more as a post-workout snack. They always seem to do the trick and fill me up!

Peanut butter PUFFINS… sometimes we need a little crunch in our diet and the peanut butter flavor makes them ever better!

I mentioned this the other day but VEMMA antioxidant supplement! love it

Chobani Plain Greek yogurt. This yogurt is my favorite PLAIN yogurt, its so creamy and smooth. I love throwing berries in the mix for a high protein healthy snack.

And of course.. A picture of Ava, I love that smile!

Happy Friday

May 1, 2014
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
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Rainy at home bodyweight workout

It seems like it has been raining here forever!!! I know that sometimes it is hard to get motivated to hit the gym when the weather is crummy. So here is an at home workout for you to try. It only takes 10 MINUTES and if you do it right you should be dripping sweat & breathing heavy by the end of that 10 minutes.

10 MINUTE BODYWEIGHT WORKOUT

10 BURPEES

10 JUMP SQUATS

10 MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS

repeat as many rounds as possible in 10 minutes

I have done this workout several times before when I am pressed for time or when I don’t have time to head to the gym on the weekends. There’s really no excuse because it only takes 10 minutes. I love the challenge that this workout brings. It combines both strength and cardio, but because your heart rate jumps up quickly I really think the biggest challenge is catching your breath!

Good luck

April 30, 2014
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
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Do you take a Vitamin Supplement?

During my pregnancy with Ava I took a vitamin supplement daily. It helped me maintain energy levels and also kept me healthy during the days when carbohydrates were the only thing that my body would tolerate.

I recently started taking the Vemma Ultra Premium Antioxidant supplement.

It contains vitamins, minerals, mangosteen, and aloe. I bought a 30-day supply and I take 1 ounce daily. I choose to mix 1 ounce with water and the taste is almost similar to a Vitamin Water. I actually enjoy it!

I am a believer in vitamins.. even though I eat extremely healthy, there are days when I don’t get all the nutrients I need and I find that a vitamin supplement keeps everything balanced for me.

Through my studying as a Fitness Nutrition Specialist, I have learned that too much of certain vitamins can be toxic to the body. That is why I choose to take only 1 oz daily of the Vemma supplement. I know that I can get most of the daily recommended amount of vitamins through my diet of fruits and veggies, etc, but the supplement is reassuring!

Do you take a Vitamin Supplement? If so do you feel that it helps?

April 25, 2014
by Kelly @ The Fit Skool
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The importance of healthy fats!

Healthy fats do not make you fat!!! It is the quantity and type of fat that we ingest that can impose our health. We need fats in our diet for numerous reasons… to absorb vitamins, for energy, for brain health, for proper digestion, to make food taste good, etc!

Are you eating the right types of fats? Saturated and trans fats are the types to avoid or keep to a minimal amount. They can raise bad cholesterol and cause health issues.

GOOD FATS.. are unsaturated fats (polyunsaturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fats) examples: fatty fish, olive oil, olives, vegetable oils, avocado, peanut oil, almonds

BAD FATS…are Saturated fats such as: red meat, high-fat dairy, animal products, palm oil, etc

Don’t be afraid of consuming fat in your diet, they are extremely important. I have heard things like if I eat fatty foods I will get fat! That is not true. If you eat the right kinds and exercise you will be able to maintain proper health.

I try to incorporate some sort of fat at each meal. Breakfast I usually have eggs

with my snacks I love peanut butter or almond butter

I enjoy avocado on top of my meals or sometimes I just eat the avocado with some salt using a spoon… try it!

I use olive oil when I cook, and I consume fatty fishes like salmon throughout the week. No one is perfect, so don’t get upset if you aren’t on point every day.

Do you incorporate enough healthy fats in your diet?