I haven’t written about my workouts in a while! Here’s an update…
1) I am still weight training with Erin once a week.
I’ve really been hitting the weights hard! Erin has truly pushed me in amazing directions this year. I don’t have any metrics to share, but I’m waaaay stronger than I was a year ago. My arms are so much more defined. (My legs are stronger, but also a little bigger!) Every session we do is different, and I’m comfortably lifting weights that I could barely pick up last year. I’m probably going to drop down to doing small groups only in 2015, mostly for cost reasons, but I’m hoping we still get a lot of weights in.
2) I have been going to Chris’s 10:20 strength class twice a week again.
Not only have I been going, but I’ve been lifting really heavy too. For the longest time I went to 9:15 classes because they were better for my schedule, and they were mostly athletic conditioning with a little weights. Now 10:20 is a better time, and so I’m all about strength. Chris’s class has changed a lot since I started taking it….3? 4? years ago. It used to be more like body pump – with a bar and lots of reps, and now it’s heavy weight kettlebell + free weight challenge. I’ve moved up from 15lbs to a 25lb kettlebell. Part of this has been because I am competitive and my friends Lynsie and Katherine started using more weight so I figured I should be too! And part is because Chris has changed the class to be more heavy-weight focused. He is so good at motivating us to really push it. I recently did some one-armed tricep pushups (but for some reason I still totally suck at side planks!)
3) I still love cardio!
But my cardio is a lot more compressed these days. Most weeks I go to one athletic conditioning class that kicks my BUTT! Hardest workout of the week (when I’m not playing soccer). We do so much jumping that my legs are totally fried by the end of the class. On a good week I’d also make it to a Saturday morning athletic conditioning, but that only happens about 50% of the time. Has to be a good instructor and a day when Matt isn’t at the bakery. I also walk 2 miles to and from the gym most days, so that counts for something, and I do the stairmaster for 10-20 minutes before class half of the time.
4) Running is…meh.
I still haven’t gotten my love for running back. I think that’s mostly because I don’t run that much! Running is always harder when you’re out of the habit. M is much happier at Kids Zone than in the stroller for an hour, but I usually get in at least one four-miler a week. Sometimes two. I am thinking about running the Cville 10 Miler this year with some friends, but I’m also wondering how much I’m going to like training in the cold of winter! We shall see.
5) Walking is where it’s at!
The older I get the more I love to walk. Not because my joints are tired or anything, but I can just feel how much walking a mile here or there affects my life. I walk a lot more in the summer not because of the temperature but because there are more daylight hours. Winter is killing us – after dinner instead of going to the park we hunker down in the family room. I can’t wait to get those hours outside back!!
6) Soccer remains my favorite workout of the week.
But not all weeks contain soccer! The seasons have a month between them, so I have lulls with no soccer at all. This fall I was sometimes playing 2 games in one weekend, and boy did that wear me out! I’m sure it was amazing for my fitness though. I’m playing indoor this winter and am really excited for the season to start! I’ll have played a whole year in a row when I get to the spring season! (PS. Soccer is the #1 reason I’m still not ready for baby #2 : ) )
Have you ever done toddler pushups?
35+ pounds of weight – quite challenging! But he loves it!
Happy New Year’s Eve!!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
You’re making me want to check out my gym’s class schedule! I’ve been doing at-home videos a lot but I love how the competitiveness of a class really pushes me!
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
Sounds like you have lots of variety in your weekly workouts and have really found things you enjoy! That’s awesome.
Livi @ Eat, Pray, Work It Out says
You look strong!!! I have been strength training more this year too and I love it!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I love CrossFit because it’s helped push me to lift more and heavier weights. I was doing weights on my own but it’s definitely not the same as having someone to push you (whether that be class or trainer) so it’s awesome that you’ve been able to get that extra push somehow!
KathEats says
I agree that I needed someone to push me. I would never had realized you had to lift REALLY heavy to get stronger.
Linda @ TheFitty says
Running is meh for me too when the weather is cold outside. I guess I’ll have to stick to indoor track workouts until then. And I don’t know how you manage to workout with Erin, haha. When I work out, I’m serious and I don’t want to talk to anybody.
Alex @ get big, go to work says
Really enjoy this update on your workouts as of late! It is neat to see what others do for exercise. I love strength training as well so it is really cool to see how strong you’ve gotten over the past year 🙂 PS Beautiful pictures with Mazen. O, the love!
Kim says
Is your gym day care not open on Saturday? I would think that would be the busiest day!
KathEats says
It is but it’s impossible for me to get there with mazen dressed, fed and happy by the time class starts 🙂
Allison says
I had a dream last night that you announced baby number 2 today. Haha.
KathEats says
Haha. Not yet!
Dana | fresh simple five says
I’m currently trying to figure out a new workout routine so this was a fun post to read. I feel like I’m in a bit of a rut, but you’ve inspired me to try some new classes at the gym. Hope you and your family have a Happy New Year!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
The cutest little boy! <3
Way to go on your workouts! Happy NYE!
Colleen says
Great idea to reflect on your workouts. Mine definitely take a back burner / come 2nd on the to do list after all the holiday must do’s. My son hates being in the stroller now, so I rarely run. I take him to the gym and he plays in the child care while I workout — we’re both happy this way.
Leah says
You should totally take measurements and note the weights you’re lifting, it’s so amazing to be able to see in real numbers how far you’ve come!
Cute “workout” pics with Mazen, he’s adorable.
Emily @ Life on Food says
It is great how much variety you get in. I need more of that in my life. Being 8 months pregnant I pretty much stick to walking right now. I am hoping come March once the baby is here, it is warmer and there is more day light I will be able to do more.
Winding Spiral Case says
Very cute photos 🙂 Walking is actually one of my favourite ways to get moving. It’s easy to be consistent in doing it daily and it’s a nice way to get some fresh air and sunshine!
Michelle says
You are so motivating! I definitely want to improve my strength in 2015!
Jen@jpabstfitness says
My kids hating hours spent in the stroller weekly is what pushed me inside to do DVD’s and other home workouts. Some days I miss running, but ehhh.
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Running is definitely meh…weights and outdoor fun training is were it’s at!
elizabeth says
This is a silly question and I don’t have kids, but I’ve been wondering how you keep your couch fabric so white with a little boy in the house, is it easy?
I need a boy, instead of dogs in my house, then I could have a white couch!
KathEats says
Ha…we’ll it’s not quite as clean as it looks from a distance. However…white is bleachable! Between bleach pens for a quick fix and the real stuff in the laundry it’S easier to keep clean than a light colored fabric. Leather would be best but it’s not my style. We also have rules about where eating can take place…the kitchen and dining room only.
elizabeth says
well, your home looks great and happy! Best wishes for 2015 to you and your family!
carrie says
You are so inspiring and motivating me to get moving in 2015. Thank YOU!
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
Oh my goodness he is growing so fast!! My trainer threw 45 pounds on my back while doing push ups so I can vouch for how difficult added weight makes your push ups!
Determined WW Momma says
I love this! So adorable and creative! I have a 1 year old and a 2 year old so it is hard to make it to the gym. I will start using them as my exercise accessories!
Alaina says
Does anyone know of a good plan to get better at push-ups? I inherited my mom’s weak upper body, and they’re so challenging for me. I’d love to make doing real push-ups (no knees!) my 2015 goal
KathEats says
You gotta just start doing them on your toes! Do 1 then 2 then 3 each day. You’ll be stronger before you know it.
Laura says
I read an article this year about how to get better at push-ups, I had the same problem! It had you start doing push ups with your feet on a weight bench, etc. to get your legs up higher. The other way was to do push-ups with your hands on a higher surface (again a weight bench would work). These two variations help build up strength to do a normal one. I also read in the article that often women are lacking in core strength which prevents them from doing a push up. I never thought of that before but then I noticed how my body kind of collapses in the middle when getting low it makes sense.
Alaina says
Thank you both so much! I’ll work hard 🙂
C.W. says
Awesome photos! Mazen is looking really cute and more of a child than a baby now 🙂 Kath, you are seriously so motivated. I’m jealous!
Kristilyn (Reading In Winter) says
I would love to get out for a walk with the boy but it’s sooooooo cold here! I think it would be fine for me to bundle up and go out, but I hate not knowing if he’s comfortable or now. I can’t wait until April when we can start to get out again! For now, it’s indoor play. 🙂