Showing posts with label operation body after baby. Show all posts

Ro Fitness Review, UT Basketball, and Baby Food Prep Sunday

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Howdy!


I'm a little late with the weekend recap, but oh well. I'm rolling with it! I'm partly running behind because this weekend was so fabulous, I needed a little recovery time (and no, not due to wine). :)

On Friday evening, our friends Alison and Danny came in for a visit. They live in San Antonio so we don't get to see them as much as we'd like. They got in right as I finished putting Belle to sleep, and then we got right to catching up (aka discussing all things fitness and sports). 

On Saturday morning, Alison, Danny and I went to try out a rowing studio in town called Ro. E had baby duty, and let's be honest, waking up early on a Saturday to workout is not is idea of fun. Try out a new class at midnight? He's all about it! I've used the rowing machines plenty of times, but had never taken a full rowing class. I was pretty pumped for the experience!


We arrived at Ro Fitness about 15 minutes early and the nice instructor helped us get all set up and familiar with our machines. This studio had Concept 2 rowers which I had been on numerous times.


The actual room itself was on top of the boat house overlooking Lady Bird Lake. It was such a pretty view and very appropriate for a rowing class!


The classroom, was clean, bright, cheery, and had plenty of room for the 10 rowers it housed. The instructor took us through a technical warm up to help us nail down our form and then we started the workout. We did 10 rounds of various 2 minute intervals. I wasn't quite as gassed afterwards as I thought I would be for spending a whole class on the rower, but I was definitely sore the next day. I was actually excited when I woke up the next day with sore hamstrings and glutes, because they say you are suppose to row more with your legs than arms. At least I know I was doing it right!


Overall, it was a really fun class with rocking music and a great atmosphere. I would definitely do it again!

Later on that day, we headed up to campus for the UT vs. Kansas State basketball game with a few friends. As usual, Belle had a great time at the game taking in all of the crowd. She actually does better when we are out and about then when we are at home. She gets bored easily at home, so she loved all the commotion at the game! She looked pretty darn cute too!


Just in case the ref started making bad calls, Annabelle was dressed and ready to go into the game at a moments notice. Luckily, they called a fair game so she was able to stay with us. 


Sunday morning, I went to the grocery store bright and early before Annabelle woke up and then got right to baby food prep. I purchased a Baby Brezza whenever Annabelle started eating solid food and it was the best investment ever. It steams and purees the food for you in one container. I made over 30 jars of organic baby food in no time and all for less than about $12! Not too shabby!


After hanging out with little bit for awhile, I went up to the studio to train some of our new instructors in barre. They did an amazing job, and I can't wait to see them teaching. We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out at home, doing laundry, and practicing our Pilates moves for MarchMatness. Belle is really good at spine stretch forward!


That about sums up our weekend. I hope you are having a great week so far! I'm linking up with Sara from Lake Shore Runner for Tried it Tuesday!



What was your favorite memory from the weekend?

Fellow moms, any favorite baby food recipes I should try?

In health,

Lauren 

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I Workout To.....

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Happy Workout Wednesday,

For most workout Wednesdays, I post a workout, a new playlist, or a workout video, but today, I want to talk about WHY I workout. Of course we workout to look and feel good, but is that all? No, way! I could think of about a million reasons I workout and why I love to teach exercises classes, but I decided to narrow it down to my top 35 (ok, so I didn't narrow it down that much). 


I Workout To.....

Stay strong

Set a good example for my daughter

Feel like a GLADIATOR IN SPANDEX (corny Scandal reference, but true)

Have an excuse to whoop and holler in public (my students know what I'm talking about)

Hang out with amazing friends

Look good for my husband (just being honest)

Thank my body for all it does for me

Revert back to my cheerleading days

Feel good about myself

Work off some steam

Sweat like a pig, and like it

Dance to hip hop music like I'm at a high school dance, and not care who's watching (all my high school friends are laughing to themselves right now) 

Empower others

Empower myself

Build muscle

Burn calories

Make myself smile --> the kind that creeps into your eyes because you're that happy

Have an excuse to sing along with my favorite songs

Bob my head to the music and have half the class do it with me

Spend 10, 20, 30, or 60 minutes just thinking about one thing (my workout) and not my to do list

Escape reality

Embrace my body 

Make myself huff and puff for air

Feel my legs and arms shaking after a hard workout

Experience how rewarding a hot shower can be after a run in the cold

Relieve stress

Reward myself for my hard work as an employee, mom, and wife

Encourage others

Meet new people

Try new things

Learn things I didn't know about myself

Push my limits

Stay healthy

Increase my brain power

Love myself!

There you have it! The top 35 reasons I workout and love every second of it (most of the time)! If you came to the blog today hoping for a new workout, make sure you check out the great lower body barre workout I posted yesterday or my workout page for tons of ideas!

Linking up for Workout Wednesday and Wild Workout Wednesday!

Your turn! Why do you workout?

In health,

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Workout Wednesday - My Five Favorite At Home Workouts

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Happy Happy Workout Wednesday!

I hope you all are having a fabulous and sweaty week so far! For today's Workout Wednesday, I wanted to share five of my favorite at home workouts with you (these can all definitely be done at the gym as well). They are all total body workouts that should take 35 minutes or less and give you a killer workout!



First up, is a traditional circuit workout using resistance tubing and your own body weight. Each circuit contains an upper body exercise, lower body exercise, and cardio burst to get your heart rate up. Repeat each circuit 3x's before moving on to the next.


Next up, is a dumbbells only circuit. This workout is great to do at home or while traveling because all you need is a set of dumbbells. You'll perform 12 reps of each exercise and repeat the circuit as many times as you can in 25 minutes.


This one is a doozy!! Fifty reps of each exercise will have your huffing and puffing in no time. I loved this one because 1) it was hard, 2) I was sore the next day, and 3) it was fun to bust out of the 12 reps of everything rut!


Ladder Down was another great rep rut busting workout. You start with 25 reps of each exercise and then ladder down to 5 reps of each workout. All you need is your own body weight for this one, so no excuses!

Last but not least, is my beautiful friend the kettlebell! If I had to be stuck on a deserted island with just one piece of equipment, I think I would take the kettlebell. This total body circuit workout will hit every major muscle group in your body and most of the minor ones in no time. Be prepared to feel it the next day!

 Let me know if you give one of these bad boys a try! I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your Workout Wednesday and Belle sends each one of you a great big hug as well!



Linking up for Workout Wednesday and Wild Workout Wednesday!

Femme Fitale Fit Club

Are you a gym kind of person or an at home exerciser?

If you go to the gym, weight room or group fitness class?

In health,


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Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein + Barre and F-bombs!

Friday, January 30, 2015

Happy Friday Friends!

Today, I want to talk about hunger. More specifically, I want to talk about how I am hungry ALL OF THE TIME right now. I'm talking 24/7, 365. Everyone tells you that you need to consume extra calories while breastfeeding, but no one warned me about the crazy crazy hunger I would feel. Any other mommies out there know what I'm talking about? I think since I was sick for 9 months straight while pregnant and never really hungry, that my current hunger level feels even more dramatic. Hahaha Or maybe I'm just dramatic? Probably the latter. Anyways, do to my insatiable hunger, I constantly need to have healthy snacks on hand which explains why I am posting my second protein bite recipe for the week. Yep, I consumed the entire batch of the first recipe in about 2.5 days! Woops!



Luckily, I had plenty of PB2 powder on hand to make a new batch on Thursday and this time, I went for a chocolate version! Belle was a big fan of this recipe. I used my blender to mix up the dough, and I can't even begin to describe how fanny Belle's face is when I turn on the blender. It's definitely America's Funniest Home Video quality. She starts our looking completely shocked and terrified and then cracks up hysterically .5 seconds later!


If you don't have PB2 powder on hand, you can totally swap it out for regular peanut butter. I haven't tired this, so you may have to play around with the dough consistency. If it comes out too sticky, add an extra tablespoon or two of coconut flour until you get it the consistency you like.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bites

by Lauren George
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Keywords: blender snack gluten-free
Ingredients (1 Dozen)
  • 1/2 cup chia seeds
  • 1/3 cup flax seeds
  • 1/3 cup coconut flour
  • 6 pitted and roughly chopped majool dates
  • 1/2 cup PB2 powder
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp of peanut butter
  • 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp honey
Instructions
Mix PB2 powder, water, and salt in a separate bowl.
Add dates to food processor or blender and pulse until well chopped.
Add in remaining ingredients and pulse until a thick dough forms.
Roll into approximately 1-inch balls and enjoy.
Powered by Recipage


Let me know if you give them a try! It's time to get ready to go shake my booty at the Barre with my 11 AM crew! I saw this ecard today and had to share. I know some of my students are probably secretly cursing me under their breath (I can tell by their dagger eyes when I say 8 more), but I love it (and I know deep down somewhere inside they do to)! They're the best!


I hope you all have a fabulous rest of your Friday!!

Any other mommies out there feel me on the hunger issue? What do you do to tame your hunger?

What's your go to healthy snack when you're starving?

In health,


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Peanut Almond Chia Protein Bites

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Howdy!

I hope your Tuesday is off to a fabulous start! Mine is going great so far. I kicked the day off with at 7 AM Pilates Mat class and 9 AM Barre class fueled by Peanut Almond Chia Protein Bites. Both classes were great and the Peanut Almond Chia Protein Bites have to be my new favorite version of my original chia power balls. Thanks to my garage workout and Barre class yesterday, the following picture is very appropriate.


I woke up with a very sore booty and my triceps are giving me some love as well! After my two classes this morning, my legs are definitely toast and ready for a little R&R this afternoon. After my classes, I was starving so I popped two more of these bad boys in my mouth before hopping in the shower.



They are full of protein from the PB2 powder, almond butter, and coconut flour, healthy fats (omega 3's) from the chia seeds and flax seeds, and complex carbohydrates from the dates, seeds, and coconut flour. These protein bits are perfect to grab for a quick snack before or after a workout! Plus, they are super simple to make! Belle helped me whip them up yesterday in about 10 minutes.

Peanut Almond Chia Protein Bites

by Lauren George
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Keywords: blender snack gluten-free soy-free chia seeds
Ingredients (1 Dozen)
  • 7 pitted majool dates
  • 1/4 cup chia seeds
  • 1/4 cup flaxseeds
  • 1/4 cup coconut flour
  • 1/3 cup PB2
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3 tbsp. almond butter (could sub any nutter butter
Instructions
In a small bowl, mix 1/3 cup PB2 with 1/3 cup of water and 1/4 tsp salt. Stir until it turns into a thin looking peanut butter.
Place pitted dates in food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
Add remaining ingredients and pulse until well mixed. It should form a VERY thick dough like consistency.
Roll into 1 inch balls and enjoy! (I store mine in the refrigerator to make sure they hold their shape and stay fresh.)
Powered by Recipage


Let me know if you give them a try. I'm off to get a little bit more work done before the crazy tiny human wakes up from her nap. I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your Tuesday.

I'm linking up with Sara, at Lake Shore Runner, for Tried It Tuesday!

What is your favorite pre or post workout snack?

Do you enjoy being sore? I actually LOVE it. It lets me know I worked hard and woke my body up!

In health,

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One tool = Four Easy Meals At Once

Monday, January 26, 2015

Happy Monday Friends!



I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! E was feeling a little under the weather, so we mainly hung out at home. This was perfectly fine with me, since I had a lot of projects I needed to get taken care of. We did venture out on Saturday for the UT vs. Kansas basketball game. As always, Belle was dressed for the occasion. 


 It was actually a really fun game until the very end when Kansas started to run away with it for a bit. We even made it there before tip off this time so we got to see all of the pre-game festivities which included strobe lights, fireworks, and thousands of balloons. Belle was VERY impressed!


There was also lots of good daddy daughter bonding time this weekend. :) Please forgive the poor quality of the picture. It was just too cute not to share!


Last week, we talked a little bit about meal planning, and how I do a modified food prep for the week. I definitely believe in having a plan, but I don't always cook all of my meals on Sunday. However, this week, thanks to my wonderful hubby, I got pretty close.

After Belle was born, E started grilling a ton of meat on Sunday night, so at least the protein part of our meals were done for the week. All I had to do was throw together a side dish and salad, and presto, dinner was done.

Since Belle is older now, and I have more time to cook, we don't do this every week, but it's a great way to meal prep when you know you are going to have a busy week! Last night, E got his grill master on for sure! He cooked two gigantic pork chops, 4 chicken breasts (2 with fajita seasoning and 2 with BBQ seasoning), pork sausage for him, and turkey sausage for me.




Are you drooling yet? All of this will go into our dinners this week which lay out as follows:

Sunday: Grilled pork chops with a regular potato for E and a sweet potato for me

Monday: BBQ chicken with roasted carrots (I will make those Monday evening)

Tuesday: Fajitas with black beans (I like to use romaine lettuce for my tortilla)

Wednesday: Sausage wraps and baked beans for E and plain turkey sausage with a sweet potato for me (I will use the leftover turkey sausage in breakfast scrambles throughout the week).

Thursday: Balsamic chicken (not grilled) with green beans - We tried this recipe out a few weeks ago and it was melt in your mouth good!

Friday & Saturday - Out to eat (aka pick up dinner so we can eat while Belle plays with her toys)

I also planning on making some of these delicious chia power balls for snacks! I tried a new chocolate recipe out last week that did not go so well, so back to the original it is.



And that's what our dinners look like for the week! It's so nice to know that 90% of the work is already done. The grill is our secret weapon against take-out during the week.

Alrighty, it's time for Belle and I to get ready to head to the studio. I think she's about ready to teach class by herself. What do you think?


I made this collage over the weekend and realized two things..... 1) She is getting so big and 2) I may be a little obsessed with pink! I'll try to dress her in another color today.....maybe. Linking up with Katie on another Marvelous Monday!



What is you trick to avoid take-out during the week?

How was your weekend?

In health,

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Wake Up Call Workout

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Howdy Friends,

I hope everyone's week is off to a great start! I must admit, mine started off a little rough, but we pushed through and made the best of it. Annabelle was still getting over her cold Sunday night, so she woke up A LOT during the night. Poor thing just couldn't breathe very well. This made for one tired mama when she woke up for her feeding at 5 AM. I also think she gave me a little bit of her gunk because I woke up with a very sore throat. Normally, I just go straight into my workout after feeding her, but I just wasn't feeling it this morning. Yep, I admit it, I sooo did not want to workout. After contemplating hiding under my covers, I reminded myself how much better I would feel after a good workout and forced myself into the garage. After my warm-up set of burpees (I'm participating in a 100 burpee challenge), I felt loads better. Although the workout was definitely harder than most, since I was so tired, it was totally worth it!


I did a nice combination of kettlebell and TRX work for a total body workout that took 25 minutes. I can already tell I am going to feel the split jump lunges and TRX tricep extensions tomorrow. Those two get me every time!


After my workout, I did a some work until little bit woke back up at 7:30 AM. We hung out until it was time for me to head to the studio to teach my 11 AM Barre class. Luckily, E had the day off so he could stay home with Belle and let her rest.

I came home for a quick lunch and then headed back up to the studio for a meeting at 1:45 PM. After I got home from the meeting, we took Belle for a stroll around the neighborhood since it was so nice outside.

We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out with little bit, and getting a few things done around the house. Luckily, I think she is starting to feel a little bit better.




Hopefully, she will be back to her normal spunky self tomorrow! I'm off to grab a cup of throat coat tea and do a little work before she wakes up from her evening nap. I hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday!

How do you summon motivation on days you're just not feeling like working out?

In health,

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Workout Wednesday - Fiery 50

Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Happy Workout Wednesday Friends!

I hope your week is going well so far! I am slowly getting back into a routine after the holiday break! I have a killer workout for you today, that I tested out on Monday. Can you say oh my fiery shoulders and legs (hence the name)! When you look over the workout, you can tell it is going to be a doozy for the legs, but the arms sneak up on you. I seriously spilled a little water on myself afterwards because the hand holding my cup was shaking so bad. Now, you know that's a good workout!


I must admit, I totally took a break at rep 30 during the push-ups and rep 25 in the v-ups. Those babies get hard!! Try to keep rest to a minimum between exercises so you keep your heart rate elevated. I did the core part of the workout (minus the warm-up and cool down) in 23 minutes. Fast and efficient just the way I like it! :)

Now, for the exercises:

You can see a video of kettlebell swings here.

I'm sure we all have the push-up down by now. Feel free to do them from your knees or toes or some combination of the two.

Surrenders:
This is officially my new favorite move, and made me realize how much weaker my left glutes are than my right. To perform a surrender, start on your knees with dumbbells by your side. Step forward with one foot and bring dumbbells to shoulders. Step forward with the opposite foot coming to a standing position and press dumbbells overhead. To return to start, drop down onto one knee bringing dumbbells to shoulders, and then lower to both knees bringing dumbbells back to start. I did 25 reps on each let.

Source: gethealthyu.com

Rows with tubing:
Anchor your tubing around something that won't move. I used our dumbbell rack. Stand facing tubing, and lower down into a semi squatting position. Start with arms extended out in front and then squeeze shoulder blades together as you bring elbows past our rib cage. Return to starting position. You can do one arm at a time (as shown), or both together. I did 50 with both arms rowing at the same time.

source

V-ups:
Begin in boat position - legs in table top with abdominals tight as you recline slightly (top picture). Straighten legs and lean back until lower back touches the floor (lower picture). Return to starting position. Repeat 49 times. Yikes! You can do it!

source

Thrusters:
Begin in a standing position with feet slightly wider than hip distance apart and dumbbells by shoulders. Lower down into a squat keeping weight on heels. As you come into a standing position, press the dumbbells overhead. Think about keeping a tight core the entire time and really squeezing your glutes as you stand up.


Plank Jacks: 
Begin in a plank position with hands under shoulders and back flat. Jump your feet apart like you were doing a jumping jack and then jump back to your plank. Voila! I love these because they get your heart rate up while working your entire body!

source

And there you have it folks. Although it was tough, I loved this workout. It's fun to play with rep numbers and get out of the whole 12 reps for 3 sets routine that I usually do. I hope you enjoy it!

After that Fiery 50 workout and teaching a barre class on Monday, my legs were toast. Luckily, I have a very cute walking partner to help me shake out my legs in the afternoon. It was a chilly 50 degrees here (I hear the eye rolls from my northern friends), so I had Belle bundled up pretty good.


After our walk, we enjoyed some play time in her jumper. She was jumping like crazy and making the funniest faces ever. I promise she was really happy the entire time! Sorry for the fuzzy pictures she was moving when I took them. 



If you haven't already, don't forget to enter my giveaway for a FREE entry into any Spartan Race in the continental U.S.! 

Do you usually stick to a certain number of sets and reps for workouts or do you like to switch things up?

In health,

Lauren George

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