INSANITY UPDATE: So I'm a Little Insane...

Tomorrow I start the workout program Insanity. My husband did it a few months ago and lost a bunch of weight & toned up. I'm 9 weeks postpartum tomorrow and I've finally had it with this extra 15-20 lbs sitting on my hips and thighs. I want to be back in my skinny jeans for crying out loud! (as well as the rest of my wardrobe) As comfy as yoga pants and fat jeans are, I just don't like them as much when it's all I CAN wear...kind of takes the fun out of it.

Hubby keeps telling me that I won't make it through an entire DVD when I first start out...he says he's trying to motivate me (thanks, Honey.) I'm pretty motivated as it is right now though...I just want to feel like ME again. I figure I've been working out for the past 6-8 weeks pretty well and I'm ready to move up to something more intense.

I will update here on how the workouts are going and my overall progress. Taking my measurements again tonight (wonder if they've changed at all since the last time I posted!) and will post them on here later so I can keep track. :)

Wish me luck, and pray I don't die.

Before I Was A Blogger...

I was a writer and poet! :) This is why I love blogging so much - it gives me the chance to tap back into my creative writing talent. I recently found a poem that I wrote for Tanner 3 years ago and wanted to share it with all of you:


YOU'RE WORTH IT

Nine months of body changes,
Going through so many stages,
A painful labor,
But I knew God was doing me a favor.

Bedtime story readings,
Midnight feedings,
Up again at 2 and 4,
But loving you is never a chore.

Dirty diapers and dirty clothes,
Constantly wiping a runny nose,
Seem to never get anything done,
But I will always have time for my son.

Trips to the doctor when you're sick,
Tantrums when you scream and kick,
Disobedience and baby drama,
But I still cherish the first time you said "mama".

Never have any time for myself,
Constantly putting toys back on the shelf,
Throwing food on the rug,
But it all gets better when I get a hug.

Getting into all my stuff,
A nap that's just not long enough,
Those stressful days of craziness,
But nothing beats a "hello" kiss.

Nights when you won't go to bed,
Getting a bump on your little head,
Never-ending whines and cries,
But I can't resist those bright blue eyes.

Nights when I can't find a sitter,
Not able to go out and feeling bitter,
Don't always get to do what I want to do,
But there's nothing more fun than playing with you.

Never have the time to just relax,
Can't remember my last bubble bath,
Some days we get annoyed with each other,
But it's worth it all to be your mother.


By Morgan J. Smith

Workout Wednesdays: Blending Motherhood & Fitness

Prior to becoming a mommy, keeping into a fitness routine was easy. There were no issues with fitting it into my daily schedule - I had tons of free time back then! I would work out before work, on lunch, after work...and any time I desired on the weekends. I could also spend as much time during a workout as I wanted.

Now I've got to schedule it between changings, feedings, working, playing with my kids and spending quality time with my husband. When it was just Tanner, it wasn't that hard...I could just take him with me in the jogging stroller and get a nice workout down the beach. Most gyms also have childcare, so it wasn't a big deal to pay a little extra to have that perk when I needed it. With two, it's definitely tricky. The only way I can take out the jogging stroller to get a decent workout is if Tanner is at daycare or Jake is home to watch him. Tanner just couldn't handle walking or jogging the distance I go...I'd go for the double stroller, but he's a month shy of turning 5, so definitely a little too big for that. Being that Jake works from 7:30 to 4:30 every day, I've got limited time to be able to take Breckin out for a run. And the price of a gym membership plus TWO childcare fees each month is a bit out of the question right now as I'm trying to build up my cleaning business. Once that gets rolling, I may be able to consider that. So my workouts are limited to at home in the living room with my own equipment. Luckily, lately, I've noticed that Breckin actually likes to sit in front of me in his bouncy seat and watch me workout. Somehow it entertains him. He just smiles, stares and coos at me. Cute. (I'm glad one of us is amused.) As busy as my life can get, I always make time for fitness. It's one of the few things I have these days that is just for me...and it's important for me to take that time to de-stress, rejuvenate and reflect (I get some of my best thinking done while working up a sweat)...and a plus for my family is that it makes for a happy mommy which makes their lives a lot better. Endorphins, anyone?

Anyway, I wanted to compile a list of my personal must-have home workout equipment for you mommies out there that are also struggling to fit fitness into your routine, as well as give you a few of my favorite exercises to use them for. You can also easily Google routines online for any of this equipment.

1. Dumbbells. You'll want to have some 5s, 8s, 10s, and if you're really into it, some 12s and 15s. To save money, try finding a set of dumbbells with interchangeable weights. This will also save space.

2. Yoga Mat. Even if you don't do yoga, this is great to have for ab exercises, etc. so you don't have to be lying on the carpet.

3. Resistance bands - get about 3 different sizes.

4. Stability ball.

5. Medicine ball. I like to have a 6 lb one and a 12-15 lb one.

6. Ankle weights. (At least 2 lbs each - I use these to do stairclimbs in on my staircase.)

7. Jump rope.

My favorite at home exercises:

1. Dumbbell Squats: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and a dumbbell in each hand. Keep dumbbells down to your side. Slowly sit back keeping the weight in your heels, do not let your knees protrude over your toes. Aim to get thighs parallel to floor, hold for 2-3 seconds, then return to starting position by lifting from your hips and rear end. 3 sets of 15 reps.

2. Bridges w/stability ball & leg curl: Lying on your back, place your heels on a stability ball and keep legs straight. Lift from the hips to get your butt of the ground, hold, then slowly roll stability ball toward you using your hamstrings. Roll ball back to beginning position, then lower butt back down to floor. 3 sets of 15-25 reps.

3. Medicine ball twists: Sit up with knees bent and feet flat on floor. Gently lean back until your abs are engaged. Holding a medicine ball, twist slowly from side to side. One rep is going to both sides once. 3 sets of 25 reps.

4. Tricep Dips: find a sturdy surface (strong coffee table or chair) and place hands palm down behind you on it. Slowly bend your elbows to move your body downward, using your arms, push yourself back to starting position. 3 sets 15 reps.

5. Dumbbell Dead Lift: Take a heavier set of dumbbells, and keeping legs just a little wider than shoulder-width apart, straight with knees slightly bent (don't lock), keep back straight and bend forward bringing dumbbells down to your ankles. Using your butt and hips, lift back up to starting position, keeping back straight. 3 sets of 15 reps.

HAPPY WORKOUT!

Top 10 Tuesdays: Reasons Why I Love My Job

I own a cleaning business called A Modern Cinderella (fitting for a princess, don't you think?). I recently left my 8 to 5 job so I could pursue the cleaning business and make it my full-time career. Here are the Top 10 reasons why I love it:

10. I make my hours
9. I can make in 10-15 hours what I was making in 40 hours AND not have to pay out as much in childcare costs.
8. I'm not stuck in front of a computer all day.
7. The only person I have to answer to is myself - I'm the boss of me!
6. It's a great opportunity to meet more people in my city.
5. I get a workout with every cleaning job.
4. I can just put on my I-pod and zone out.
3. No business attire!
2. I have the opportunity to make more money...not subjected to a set amount of hours/pay per week.
1. Because I work less hours, I get to be with my kids a lot more!

Why do you love your job?

PROJECT PRE-PREGO: 25 By 12/25

Here's my Goal - and I'm going to let this blog keep me accountable:

LOSE 25 LBS BY XMAS!

I'm 7 weeks postpartum as of yesterday. I've dropped 25 lbs already...but I'm ready to get rid of the rest (and a little extra). That gives me just under 3 months...hopefully I can reach my goal before then, but I thought Christmas was definitely a feasible goal date.

I've been walking, running, doing yoga and home workouts...in 2 weeks (Oct 8) I start Insanity. I will be posting my progress in this blog - workouts, inches lost, lbs lost, etc.

Hope I can inspire some of the other mommies out there that are looking to lose their postpartum weight, or anyone who just wants to lose a few pounds. I will be posting weekly workout tips and tricks on Wednesdays - also known from here on out as Workout Wednesdays posts.

Wish me luck! And good luck to any of you that are working on similar goals!

Operation: Morgan Needs A New Laptop

OK, so here's my charity case:

I'm in desperate need of a laptop! I have been using the same Dell Desktop computer for 9 years...and while I have to say I'm impressed she's made it that long, it's definitely time to move on. I need more RAM, a faster processor, a cd-rom burner, MOBILITY...I'd say that last one is the most important. I am so tired of coming to my little hole in the guest room to do work on the computer...ok, not WORK per se, mostly Facebook and blogging. But in my defense, I do work on the computer sometimes - checking email and promoting my cleaning biz is work. Anyway, this little hole keeps me from being with my family...and plus, I need to be around them to have inspiration for my blog posts. You want some good blog posts to read, don't you?! All I want is to be able to take my computer to the living room so I can simultaneously play a game of Disney Bingo with my son and update my Facebook status to let people know I am playing a game of Disney Bingo with my son. Is that too much to ask?

So I implore you, oh blog reader, to donate to this worthy cause...The Momma Needs A Laptop Fund. All donations are tax deductible. Comment below for more info on how to donate. You can make a difference in one family's life...

The Fall Five

I love the fall. Summer was always my favorite season...until I moved to Charleston, SC. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a summer-lovin' beach girl, but it is SOOOOOOOO freaking hot and humid in the summer here! My car is a sauna, my electric bill is through the roof and I feel like I need to take two showers a day just because of how dewy my skin is all day. In Charleston, the fall months are more like the summer weather I'm used to anywhere else I've lived.

Here are my top 5 reasons why I love fall:

5. My favorite 5K's (Susan G. Komen, Turkey Day Run & Reindeer Run)
4. I can actually stand to take my sons to the play park for longer than 45 minutes.
3. Exercising outside isn't limited to before 10am or after 6pm.
2. Fall fashions are my favorite. (Hello layers, scarves and boots!)
1. I can sit outside in the evening with my husband or a couple of friends and enjoy a glass of wine without feeling the need to reapply deodorant.

What are your Top 5 for Fall?

Blog Renewal...and a little Blogger's Block

I have "revamped" this blog to basically put both the blogs I had going in the same place rather than two separate blogs. So Smith Beach Babies and Fit and Fabulous Mommy are no more. Introducing: Princess Mommy - Once a Princess, Always a Princess. I worked out this title because I just had my 2nd son...and it's no secret that early on in my pregnancy I was hoping for a girl. But alas, I am a mommy of boys and I have to learn to live with that (though their sweet faces make that part pretty easy). So what happens to a mom when she doesn't have a little princess? She gets to STAY the princess...FOREVER! I'm not new to this role as princess because I also was the only girl out of the three kids my parents had, so let's just say I'm pretty good at it by now and I think I can continue to handle it. I'm fairly sure I provide enough estrogen for one household as it is.

I have been pondering how I will post in this blog going forward. I love to write and I love making people laugh. I hope my witty and sarcastic sense of humor will shine through my posts - I hope to even offend some readers...yes, I'm that sarcastic. But it's all in the name of good blog writing and to stir up some interest and comment banter (yes, feel free to comment on any of my posts!) If you think you can handle it, please become a follower. So you know, I just like to keep life light-hearted and find the humor in things...being a mom, it is especially important. I would go absolutely crazy if I couldn't find a way to laugh at the utter chaos that is my life. But I wouldn't have it any other way...my boys (including my husband) are my everything. So I hope you enjoy my little anecdotes about my life as a mommy...and as the princess.

Unfortunately for tonight, I've been struck with a little Blogger's (Writer's) Block...but I thought I would at least introduce the new and improved blog. Enjoy!

We're All Smiles

Breckin is 6 weeks old now and has been smiling and cooing sooooo much! I love smiling at him and having him actually smile back! There's no better gratification as a mommy than having your child smile at you. He is also starting to interact with his toys! Here are some pics:

 

Friends/Family - if you would like any of the pictures you see of us on the blog, please just right-click on the image and save it to your computer. You are welcome to print at your leisure! They are all high-pixel images. If you do not know my family or me, you probably shouldn't right-click/save or print any of our images. Just saying.

Workout Partners

There's nothing better than having someone to work out with. It can be the extra boost of motivation you need - knowing that someone is in it with you and also, you're less likely to back out of a workout when you know someone is going to be waiting for you. :)

My workout partners lately are either a) my dog, Dakotah or b) Breckin in his stroller...neither are much good for conversation, but hey, it still makes for a nice workout.

What I've started doing lately though is calling around to my friends and asking them to meet me for a walk - be it the Cooper River Bridge, Daniel Island leisure trails...whatever. Especially with having been pregnant and feeling out of the loop with my girlfriends for 9 months - I am eager to invest more time into my friendships because life changes can interrupt those relationships from time to time. Last night I met up with my good friend Corey to walk the bridge...I had Breckin in tow as well. It was nice to be able to pass the time and catch up with her. She has been such a wonderful friend over the past few years and I've missed hanging out with her. It's also nice to be able to call your friends once in a while to hang out without drinking or spending money! Not that I don't mind that from time to time, but with kids, it's not always feasible to go out drinking, or appropriate. I love having friends that are into a healthy lifestyle as well...to have that in common is motivating...and you know you have someone who is supportive of your health and fitness goals.

As soon as I rejoin the gym - I will definitely be calling some girls up to meet me for Spinning, yoga or even just a strength training session...it's kind of like knocking out two birds with one stone: getting your workout in and catching up with a good friend. To my girlfriends: Don't be surprised if I contact you soon to meet me for a walk on the Cooper River Bridge! :)

 

Friends/Family - if you would like any of the pictures you see of us on the blog, please just right-click on the image and save it to your computer. You are welcome to print at your leisure! They are all high-pixel images. If you do not know my family or me, you probably shouldn't right-click/save or print any of our images. Just saying.