Week 4 and 5 of The Pinterest Fitness Challenege!

I have not done a good job blogging my activities each week like I promised. I set out with the ambitious goal of blogging twice a week. This soon dropped to once a week, and then I skipped two weeks. But, I have kept on working out, and I realize that this blog is not about being perfect. It’s not about always exercising every day or making the perfect dessert or having the most Pinterest-worthy photographs. It’s about real life. So, real life happens! Your 7 month old discovers scooting, which soon evolves into crawling, and then progresses to trying to climb stuff!  You just thought you had your home baby-proofed!  You soon realize that your little smarty pants has a dangerous item detector, and whatever she should not play with she goes after!  At least all this happens at MY house. Also spring colds or as we like to call them “allergies” strike. Someone has been sick in my house for the last two weeks which really puts blogging on the back burner.  Needless to say, I have been chasing my little Haddie all over the apartment, so by the time she is napping, I feel like I have already worked out. But, I did fit in a little bit of a work out the last two weeks. And I do feel that my poor, postpartum abs are stronger despite my failings at consistency.

Week 4:

Monday: I actually did the Wake-up Workout in the morning yay!! And I did the Plank Challenge.

Tuesday: How to Rebuild Your Core Post-Pregnancy, and The Best Butt Workout, (which works your abs, and  arms a little bit as well)

Wednesday: All I had time for was a quick Wake-Up Workout in the morning, before dashing off to do errands.

Thursday: Was one of those days that I was so tired I didn’t exercise.

Friday: I went to a Fiesta event with some friends and did a lot of walking, so I will count that. ( I probably ate enough Mexican food to counteract the exercise, though.)

Saturday: I went walking along my in-laws’ neighborhood

Sunday: We did even more walking to get bluebonnet pictures

( I count every little bit I can get as exercise)

Week 5

I pretty much dropped the ball. I did not exercise at all Monday or Tuesday.

But on Wednesday I really pushed it and did a long exercise routine. I warmed up with the Wake-Up Workout, and then I moved on to the No Crunch Ab Workout, and finished with the Best Butt Workout.

Thursday: I did Yoga Buddies with Haddie because, well let’s face it, naps are sometimes prime time to get something else done (like nap), and she is crawling, so I needed to occupy her.

Friday, unless you want to count massive house-cleaning and sewing projects, I did not work out, but I did break a sweat, and my closet flooded so I had to do heavy lifting.

Saturday: I did more Fiesta walking and visited Market Square in downtown San Antonio.

It’s been a wonderful 30 days and I’m hoping to keep up with exercising daily throughout the summer. Check out my pinterest Fitness Challenge board and see what new exercises I pin this summer.

Dress Give-Away Winner!!!

The Winner of the Dress Give-away is Maureen McGuckin!!! Congrats! Thank you all for participating  in the give-away. If you are interested in buying one of these cute sun dresses please check out my Etsy store TheHoneymoonBaby. Also Keep an eye out for infant/toddler skirts that will be coming to my store soon.

Fiesta Give Away!!

This week is Fiesta week here in San Antonio! And in Honor of Fiesta I will be giving away a dress from my Etsy store The Honeymoon Baby. The winner will receive 1 dress  and  1 matching dress for a doll or teddy bear.The winner can pick from any size 0-3 months up to 2T, however I will need your childs  and their stuffed animals measurements. You can enter the drawing four times by Liking this post, Sharing this post, Commenting on this post and Pinning This Post on Pinterest. The Drawing ends Midnight the 25th and the winner will be announced on the 26th. If your name did not get drawn never fear the dresses are for sale at my Etsy store for $15 ,with out the doll dress, and $20, with the doll dress. ***Allow 2-3 weeks for the dresses to arrive at your home.***  Happy Fiesta!!

Pinterest Fitness Challenge Week 3

I’m been behind on typing my work out blog posts. I’m really on week 5 and though I’ve been slow in posting I’m still working out.

I’m really pleased that I’m already seeing some results. I feel like my legs are more toned and maybe my arms are a little stronger, but what really matters is that I am starting to really enjoy and value my few minutes of exercise. It’s a part of the day that I don’t have to focus on baby, laundry, dishes or any other task.  It feels good just to move.  I can either listen to music, or, if I need silence,(and the baby is asleep) then I can just enjoy a few minutes of amazing, rare, peace and quiet.

Monday: I started out the week strong with Wake-up Work Out, Post Baby Ab Rehab, Plank Challenge, and I did part of the exercise routine 14 Moves to a Perfect Bubble Butt, which was really hard, so I couldn’t make it all the way through, but I made it to the supermans.

Tuesday: I always procrastinate, so I just did the Wake Up Work Out. Again I did it at night and the plank challenge.  Maybe next week I’ll do the Wake Up Work Out in the morning…

Wednesday: I decided to go on a long walk in place of a work out and skipped the Pinterest exercises… hey at least I did something! Even if you end up at a clothing store, it counts as exercise if a long walk is involved, right?

Thursday: Haddie was having trouble napping, so I did the Yoga Buddies work out with her. She loved it, but it was harder to keep her interest since she has hit the new mile stone of crawling/scooting, but we managed. I also did 5 Ways to Work Out Your Abs Without Crunches, and I did the Best Butt Work Out Ever which, was challenging, but I think I can do it almost every day because it only took me 10 min, and wow, it burned!

Friday: We continued to have nap troubles, so we did the Yoga Buddies, Plank Challenge, 5 Min. Arm Work Out for Slim Strong Arms, and again The Best Butt Work Out, which really is the best.  Don’t just take my word for it.  Try it!

I may have had a little mid-week slump, but I finished the last two days of strong.

Pinterest Exercise Challenge week 2

Easter week was a hard week to keep exercising!

– Monday, I did a good job incorporating a variety of exercises. I did the “Postnatal Yoga Buddies,” “Wake-up Workout,” “ 30 day Plank Challenge” and normal crunches.

-Tuesday, I attend a Bible study, and Tuesday is normally my busy day. I have the car that day, so I try to pack in as many errands as I can. I procrastinated working out until late that night, and I just did the “Wake Up Work Out.” I know…I know it was a little backward because I was trying to go to bed when I did the “ Wake-up Work Out,” but, hey, you do what you have to do.

-Wednesday, I really pushed myself to do a full work out and not to skimp. I warmed up to “The Wake-Up Work Out” and then did “5 Minute Yoga for Strong Slim Arms.” I wanted to try some new exercises, So I did the “Drop a Pant Size Work Out,” but I would only do it all the way through one time, not 3 times like it says to do because my poor, out-of-shape muscles started shaking!  Lastly, I tried the “Post Pregnancy Core Rebuilding.” I heard the baby waking up from her nap, so I quickly did “The Plank Challenge” to close my work out.

Thursday: I took a rest day — kind of.  I was getting ready to go out of town so I skipped …oops.

Friday –Sunday: My family went camping at Inks Lake which was very fun and crazy, but that’s a story for another post. I deviated from doing Pinterest exercises and went swimming, canoeing, and hiking.

It’s been harder than I thought to remember to fit working out in my day, but I really am starting to enjoy it more.

***Sorry I’m a little behind in my fitness blog, but I have been working out this week and will post about it sometime next week.***

You Know “One of Those Days”

We all have those days. You know what I’m talking about. That day the kid pukes in McDonalds, the day you leave you wallet at home to go grocery shopping, the list goes on. I have a lot of “those days,” and in honor of my daughter’s 6 month Birthday I  want to share one such day with you.

I’m pushing my beautiful newborn daughter, Hadassah, in her stroller through Ross looking for cheap clothes to fit my post-baby body. People are telling me how she is so beautiful and random strangers are smiling. I’m feeling oh so proud to be a mommy. She is only a few weeks old at this point, and she is maybe 7lbs. She is a pretty tiny little girl. Suddenly, out of the blue I hear the loudest –how do I say this delicately? —“bodily function” noise I’ve ever heard! I don’t even know if a sumo wrestler could beat that little girl’s toot. A smell envelopes the isle I’m on. I look at what had once been the smiling faces of congratulation all around to see them replaced with faces of disdain and disgust. A sudden realization flows over me: they all think I did that…that I made that awful noise! I mean, who would think a little baby could make that loud of a noise. I look at her, oblivious to the discomfort she has brought to me, her face turning bright red with the effort of her internal struggle.  Then out bursts another one. I smile weakly at Haddie, speaking a little loudly in hopes that those around might hear. “Are you pooping honey?” I try to wrap up my shopping as the disapproval surrounds me like a heavy fog. As I dash for the register, my beet-red baby girl starts grunting loudly. I think it may have even echoed. We finally make it to the register, and I can’t find my wallet. As if just for grins, fate makes me stop and bask in my own embarrassment.  As I dig in the depths of my diaper bag, a chuckle escapes my lips, and I hand the woman behind the counter my debit card and sigh.  “You know,” I tell her.  “It’s just one of those days.” As I walk away I think it’s all worth it, and I have to call my mom to tell her what happened today. I don’t think it will be the last time I have one of those embarrassing crazy days, but at least they make good stories.

Pinterest Fitness challenge Week 1 Part 2

The Fitness challenge has been a real test of consistency. Actually making myself do at least 15 minutes of exercise daily is tough!

Day 2, Tuesday: was MOPs ( Mothers of Preschoolers) day, and I was feeling extra exhausted, so I procrastinated.  I put off my exercise routines until about 9:30 p.m. when I decided I better make myself do it before going to bed. Needless to say, I did not listen to peppy workout music but did the bare minimum work out. I did the “Wake up Workout” and the Plank Challenge. That was it, but I was glad I at least did something. Baby steps… baby steps.  And accountability.  Thank you, Blog!

Day 3, Wednesday:  Hadassah didn’t want to take an early morning nap, so we ended up exercising together. We listened to a Spotify workout play list, and Hadassah really enjoyed the music.  I started out with the “Yoga Buddies Workout Moves” which Hadassah loved, She thinks it’s one big game. By the way, the exercise of laying flat on your back with legs bent and the baby resting on your shins while you bounce them up and down is a killer leg work-out! Then I did the “Wake up work out” after which I moved on to focus on my problem area, my weak arms, by doing the “Five Minute Yoga Routine for Strong Slim Arms.” I need to do this so that I can carry my ever-growing daughter!  Last, but certainly not easiest, I did the “30 day Plank Challenge” and the second day of the “30 Day Beach Body Challenge.” I am not looking forward to trying burpees tomorrow. I’m not sure if I can do 50 so I may just start out with 10.

Day 4 Thursday: So after a rough night with my beautiful daughter not sleeping well, I woke up feeling far from motivated to exercise, so I waited until I had had a little time to wake up and adjust to the day.   After my daughters nap and a few minutes of rest for me, too,  I got myself up to exercise. Hadassah was awake again, and she makes a perfect exercise buddy. She rolls on the floor and thinks watching mom jump up and down is funny. I started out again with “ Yoga Buddies Workout Moves,” which she thinks is hilarious, and also incorporated her into my stretching. I basically just talked to her and gave her kisses while I exercised, and she loved all the attention. Then I did the two thirty day challenges. The “30-day Beach Body Challenge” was by far the hardest. Who ever made up burpees is truly a cruel individual. I only made it to ten sort of burpee-looking things. I am so glad that it was just the baby there to see me do them. I also did the “Five Minute Yoga Routine for Strong Slim Arms.” I probably will do this one for the entire challenge as my arms are just that weak.  I decided I wanted to do some new exercises and did the “Three Moves to Target Your Post-pregnancy Pooch” which I really liked.  It wasn’t as intense as some ab workouts can be, but I think it will help to strengthen my core. Last of all I decided to do “Six Easy Exercises to Slim Your Inner Thighs” This is mainly a lot of ballet barre work, so I really enjoyed this routine.

 

**Let me know what your favorite Pinterest Exercises are!***

30 day Pinterest Fitness Challenge

I’m starting a fitness challenge.  I am not one to exercise. I don’t enjoy exercising for the sake of being fit. I took dance classes for most of my life, but I did that because I love dancing not because I wanted to be in shape.  After I got pregnant, I started exercising more often, but after I the baby was born, I’ve been letting exercise slide because of laziness. I pin all kinds of fitness routines thinking that tomorrow I will try them, but I rarely do.  I see posts all the time for “seven days to a bikini ready butt.. or abs or body…”  or even just daily exercise routines. My goal is for the next 30 days to use at least one exercise routine I pinned on Pinterest. It might be the same one for a whole week, but it will be from Pinterest.  I’m not trying to lose weight. I just want to be healthy, and I am curious to see if I can get in better shape by just  using exercises posted on Pinterest

** I would love for you all to join me! Let me know how it goes for you and post your tips and ideas as we go. I have a special fitness challenge category on my Pinterest board, and I will be adding to it as I go.**

Day 1: I started my work out listening to music from a pin entitled, “100 Best Work Ou t Songs.” (Warning! I found out some songs listed are labeled explicit! I skipped those songs.) I discovered that the energetic music made exercising more fun than working out in silence. I started with stretching exercises that I did not find on Pinterest but that I have done in dance classes and yoga for a long time. I then moved on to “The Everyday Wake-up Work Out,” which was pinned 433 times. I didn’t really feel like it was that challenging, but it was a good warm up. Because I feel like I have zero arm strength, the push-ups were the most challenging. I then moved on to start the “30 day Plank Challenge,” which was pinned 4,734 times.  This exercise is just planking for 20 seconds and then adding 10 seconds every two days. Because I have weak noodle arms I did a yoga strengthening exercise called  “5 minute Routine for Strong, Slim Arms.”  This one had 245 pins and was very challenging.  I then moved on to “Post-baby Ab Rehab Workout,” and last of all I decided to give the “30 day Beach Body Challenge,”which was pinned 1,782 times, a try. It didn’t take that long, and I did it while Hadassah was napping. I was encouraged that I could get it done and still have time to shower and eat breakfast before she woke up. I probably will do something similar to this every day this week, but I plan on posting twice a week about how the challenge is going!

My Etsy Store is Officially Up!

I know I have not blogged in a while. But I am so excited to announce that my Etsy store is officially up! I have one dress posted which I can custom change if you want a different fabric or color.I only have two sizes right now 0-3 months and 3-6months, but i’m in the process of developing more sizes. If you are interested please check out my Etsy store! I’m hoping to come out with more items soon!

Here is a link to my store:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheHoneymoonBaby?ref=search_shop_redirect

4 Kitchen Appliances Every Girl Should Register For!

I’m in a weird phase of life. I’m a newlywed and a newlymom! Both amazing. But, since being an engaged person didn’t happen THAT long ago, I remember being overwhelmed by the endless sea of gadgets and appliances and trying to decide what was actually worth registering for or buying for my new home.  I registered for some great stuff and some stuff I don’t use very much, so I want to share my favorite four kitchen appliances with you:

• Kitchenaid mixers: This product is amazing!! I love mine so much! It comes in so many different colors. I’m sure you will find one you love. Its so easy to use. I have used it to make cookies, pies, bread, pizza dough, and my favorite, chocolate mousse, Also, it’s unexpectedly perfect at mashing potatoes. The one draw back is that it’s heavy, but if you or your spouse love to cook this is a must have item!
• Oster Blender: That brand comes in a variety of price ranges, but I like mine as it has a glass pitcher. Glass pitchers seem to be more durable. These blenders come in a variety of styles on Amazon and are all highly rated in all models. Healthy smoothies are my favorite snack or breakfast, especially in the summer, so I love having a blender.. Its easy to use and works really well. I have also used mine to make tomato sauce. The blender gave the sauce a great consistency.  That the flavor was not so great was my fault.
• Black and Decker Toaster Oven: They have several models and styles that all come well rated on Amazon and in a wide variety of price ranges. I never had a toaster oven growing up, but I have learned to really enjoy having one. The main plus is that you can bake small things in it and it does not heat up your apartment the way a regular oven does. I have used it to toast bread, bake sweet potatoes, and  cook other frozen foods. My husband has even cooked salmon in it. I think it’s a great investment especially for apartment dwellers.
• George Forman Grill: Is a great item to have especially for apartment living, but I think it is beneficial for everyone who likes grilling but doesn’t always have time to indulge in the activity. It is also good for beginner cooks like myself. We use it mainly to cook hamburgers, but I’ve had steak and even pork cooked on the Forman grill. And they all tasted pretty good. Its easy and quick to use which is why I recommend the grill so highly. All the models are rated pretty highly on Amazon. We have a medium sized one and find it perfect for our needs. Price wise most of them are fairly inexpensive.

I hope these registry suggestions help!  In the comments section please leave your top favorite kitchen appliance and what your favorite meal is to prepare with it.