total body tri-sets

Susie picked a new workout just before conking out for a little Christmas nap.

Instructor: Cathe Friedrich

DVD: Total Body Tri-Sets (part of the Low Impact Series)

This was a great workout for where I am now.  It was very challenging despite being low impact.  My knee only twinged out once!

Someday soon enough, I will be fit enough to do splits instead of total body workouts.

Tri-sets here meant that each set had three exercises in it, which provided some nice variety.

Look at all these workouts!  I haven't tried them all yet.

Here is today's workout.  As you can see, easy equipment set up.  I made it through legs, chest and shoulders.

Wait a minute.  Dixie cups??

Yes, Dixie cups!  I wish I was in Dixie, hurray, hurray.

I didn't have Dixie cups, so I ran into the kitchen and grabbed a sippy cup that had a bunch of bottle parts in it.

Eventually, I got sick of the sippy cup. I just made sure I touched the floor (which seemed to be the point each time the Dixie cups were used).  That worked fine!

Today, I had to work out in a pit.  This goes against my desire to have everything be clean before I start a new task, but I'm starting to realize that is the name of the game for working out as a mommy.  Or just being a mommy.

Ooh, I really want to finish that laundry...

My "workout table" had remnants of cheese and breakfast cookie on them.

I didn't snack while whistling Dixie though, I promise.  Actually, I barely had enough breath to pant the word "Dixie".

And the view was pretty stellar.  Merry Christmas!

drop set strength

Greetings!

Susie is my 5 month old daughter.

I am a 33 year old stay-at-home mom.

Before I was a mom, I liked to work out.  I still like to work out; however, I do not have as much time to do TRX, Pilates, Pure Barre or anything outside of the house, really.

This blog will primarily be about discovering ways to get a good workout in at home with the babies.  When there is a will, there is a way, they say!

Yesterday, Friday, Susie selected a workout for me.

Instructor: Amy Bento Ross
DVD: Drop Set Strength

Amy Bento Ross is one of my main two at-home workout instructors.  Amy is cheerful, quirky, and encouraging, and very creative.

We have been on and off sick, traveling, and just plain exhausted for the last month.  I needed a challenging workout that would help me get back on track, but one that I wouldn't dread because it's too hard.  It's also low in equipment, which is great for those days on which mental resistance is greatest.  You just need a step, risers, and dumbbells.

We warmed up with some lunges and a quick stretch, then jumped right into major muscle groups.  "Drop set" in this instance means you do three sets of an exercise, dropping the weight down as the muscle fatigues, as well as modifying the exercise each time.  

I was able to complete the chest, legs and back before big sister woke up.

Here is Amy doing a closed-stance squat, and Susie cheering me on from her swing.

Here is my "rack": the dining room table.  It is worth shelling out a little extra for the neoprene dumbbells.  They're the best!

I have a timer app, so I can push pause during any interruptions, thus accurately recording the amount of time spent working out.

Susie's big sister is down and out for a late nap. 

The high chair becomes my workout station.  I turn the volume on my phone off so I don't add any more interruptions.  Hmm, my sister just played a round of Scrabble...oh whoops it's plank time.  Whatever it is, it can usually wait.  I can still see who's calling, though.

With any luck, at this point in my life, I can get a good 40-75 minutes of working out in a single session, if Susie is fed and big sister is sleeping.

Friday December 13: 45 minutes weights, 25 minutes yoga