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Post-Baby Fitness Update: Four Month Progress

From our House

by Maria White

It’s been two months since my last post-baby fitness update. As I previously mentioned, I began an 8-week strength training workout twice a week. I’m happy to say I just completed those 8 weeks and even added a couple boot camp classes on top of the strength training to start getting some cardio in. Unfortunately, I hit a road block as I discovered a bump on my achilles tendon and started having some pain as well, which led to an MRI and a non-conclusive diagnosis. Needless to say it’s been an unwanted setback, but if you can tell by the pictures below, it has forced me to focus even more on the foods I am eating, since my workouts are not exactly where I want them to be at this point.
Here are some helpful tips that kept me on track with my food:

Post Baby Fitness Month 4

Drink water first thing in the morning – This is something I like to do to fill me up first thing in the morning. Plus, it’s great to flush your body with water after sleeping each night. It’s the perfect healthy habit to get into.

Have a daily smoothie – The easiest way to get in some fruits and veggies for the day is through a smoothie. I’ve made sure to blend up my favorite mix (frozen strawberries, one whole banana, a cup of water, and spinach) each morning. Get a single serve blender to make your life easier, too. Green smoothies may not always look appealing, but they really taste great! I find myself looking forward to them.

Prepare food ahead of time – I’ve probably recommended this tip each update, but it really is the one that is most important in keeping me on track. This month I stepped it up by packaging each lunch and dinner ahead of time. My husband grilled out chicken (extra crisp per my request), steamed some rice and veggies and then portioned them out into little containers. These are so easy to just grab and go and really makes it easy to eat that healthy meal when it’s all ready for you.

Eat healthy at restaurants – Meals out are inevitable. These days, with three small kids, Chick Fil A is one of the few restaurants we attempt to take the kids to, and fortunately they have some healthy choices, as you can see in the picture above. A small bowl of oatmeal with dried fruit and granola, a little cup of fruit and a small coffee is a great pick if you must eat out. Simply try and make the best choices when you eat out, or just make it a habit to eat half of the portion that you are served.

While, I’ve been a little discouraged about the workout situation, the nutrition plays such an important role in getting healthy and fit, so I’ve been excited to get myself into some daily habits that have really been working. I am down another 3 pounds and am about 8 pounds away from my pre-baby weight. I just have to keep reminding myself it’s a marathon, not a sprint!

*There was no compensation for the services mentioned in this post. They reflect my own personal opinions and do not have any affiliation with The OrganWise Guys Inc.  

 

Special Moments from OrganWise Moms

Happy Mother’s Day! There’s nothing like being a mom and having the incredible responsibility of raising a child. We are all about raising a healthy child both inside and out! In honor of Mother’s Day we thought we would share some sentiments from our OrganWise moms to you.

What is your favorite thing about being a mom?

Enjoying being with my now adult children and feeling so very proud of the fine young men they have become. I love watching the way they interact with one another and love their sense of humor. They always keep me laughing (even if it’s often at my expense!) – Dr. Michelle LombardoMichelle and Boys Crop

It has taught me to happily accept that I am perfectly imperfect/imperfectly perfect, which I think is a great lesson for kids to learn early. – Karen McNamara

I have many favorites but most importantly that I (along with my husband) was entrusted by God to raise these precious gifts: Children are True Blessings from Heaven. Listening to kids giggle, sleep, sing and play and then watching them grow and learn about life whether it is hard or easy tops the list as well as getting all the hugs and thank yous and being able to play with your kids at any age they may be. – Julie Green

Knowing that I am one of two people in my kids’ lives that they love and trust the most. Feeling this unconditional love through hugs, smiles, tears and everything else is incredible. I love that I was given the responsibility and opportunity of raising my sweet blessings. – Maria White

What do you do as a mom to influence your children to make healthy choices in life?

I try to set an example through my own healthy life choices and remind them that being safe and healthy (being Organwise!) will keep them strong and happy. – Julie Green

Julie Mothers DayI strive to be a good role model, but not too rigid. – Karen McNamara

Karena and Family

We make healthy living a constant conversation and while we are not always perfect in our choices, they are learning which ones are the best ones to make. – Maria White

At this time all of them are out and on their own. They are all extremely conscious of what they eat as well as exercising on a regular basis. I guess growing up with Hardy and the gang really rubbed off on them. They all cook regularly (just like their mother) and choose organic when they can. – Dr. Michelle Lombardo

What has been your favorite Mother’s Day gift from you kids?

In different years, each of them has brought home from school a seedling in a makeshift Mother’s Day container. The message being something to the effect of, “Just like me, this seedling is destined to be so much more than it is now! Have fun watching it grow.” – Karen McNamara

Well this Mother’s Day I received a call (actually several days in advance) to come over to my oldest son’s house for a Mother’s Day brunch (which includes my youngest son – just missing my middle son who is on his honeymoon!). I honestly am one very happy and proud mom! – Dr. Michelle Lombardo

The best gift is being able to enjoy an event as a family. Last year, I was surprised with tickets to an Atlanta Braves Baseball game. It wasn’t tangible, but the memories are cherished. – Julie Green

My kids are young and so the homemade masterpieces that they excitedly bring home are so special and meaningful. – Maria White

Maria Family

Happy Mother’s Day! Enjoy your special days … we know they are well-deserved!

How a Trampoline Can Be Good For Your Health

 

Wellness Wednesday stacked

OrganWise Andrew here! I’m back with an all new activity that you may want to add to your exercise repertoire! I was fortunate enough to have a trampoline in my backyard throughout my childhood. While there was plenty of fun to be had on one trampoline, I had heard stories of trampoline parks that contained wall-to-wall trampolines. It only took me 25 years to find one, but I finally did. Here in Georgia, there are several chains of trampoline parks that not only have wall-to-wall trampolines, they even have trampolines ON the walls!

I was excited to get jumping and, while l felt like a kid again, the stamina was certainly not where it once was. This was the most exhausting activity I’ve done since playing team sports! While I was bouncing I didn’t realize how tired I was. However, once I stopped, it would hit me like a ton of bricks. Windy, the lungs was struggling! This made me realize that I need to make sure I pamper Windy and Madame Muscle a whole lot more by taking them out to exercise. I never realized just how good a trampoline could be for my health!

I would love to hear more about how you take care of Windy, the lungs and Madame Muscle. Will you share with me your activities so I may try them?

OrganWise Andrew Indoor Trampoline

Post-Baby Fitness Journey Update: Two Month Progress

From our House

by Maria White

If you’ve been following our blog lately, you’re aware that I’ve been working on getting back into shape following the birth of my third child. I’m not the most patient person when it comes to obtaining a fitness goal and I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that I want to see the results of my hard work instantaneously. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. Instead, it’s about staying committed to a goal despite how daunting it may seem. Last month I focused on my nutrition and mixed in a little exercise, while this month I have not only committed to healthy eating, but to working out more intensely. I’m happy to report that I’ve lost another 5.5 pounds, which is always a good feeling.

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Exploring New Ways to Exercise

Wellness Wednesday stacked exercise

OrganWise Andrew is back to share with you one of my latest finds as I have been exploring some fun ways to exercise. It can be difficult being in a new city (that’s not known for its outdoor lifestyle), to find enjoyable, recreational activities that challenge you physically. This past weekend I decided to try something different that I have never done before as some friends asked me to go indoor rock climbing. I was skeptical but decided to try it out anyway. You would never believe how challenging tRockwall Climbing Exercisehese artificial climbing walls can be! We climbed several indoor walls for a few hours and were completely worn out when we left. It was such a great feeling to diversify my active lifestyle with a fun, new challenge. You should try it for sure, I highly recommend it!

 

What are some of  your favorite, non-typical activities that you like to do for exercise?