Super Mommies

Time to Shred

Running two businesses, taking care of two kids and rehabbing an old house (with a husband who works 60-80hrs a week) doesn't leave me a lot of time to work out, which is why I am super excited to start Jillian's 30 day shred. Designed to give you a full body workout in just 20 minutes, up to 20 pounds will melt away in 30 days (well that's what the box says anyway). 

 
Before kids, I never had much trouble losing weight and maintained my sz 4 figure pretty easily. I always found time for a work out, whether it was a run, a hike with my dog or hitting the gym at 5am. I ate to my heart's content and really never gained a pound. And then, everything stared to change. Returning home from my 11 day honeymoon, where I drowned myself in delicious entrees and bottles of wine, I was 10 pounds heavier. (No joke, that's what wedded bliss will get you!) Then all of a sudden two 50 pound pregnancies later, (which I seriously can’t comprehend with the amount of vomiting I did for 9 months) here I am...a far cry from those sz 4s (which I will admit I still have collecting dust in my closet, but that's another story).
 
I'll admit I have watched the Biggest Loser a few times and I am always AMAZED at what these people accomplish. If I can accomplish even a fourth of what they do I will be proud of myself. As I thought about writing this post the word shred began to encompass far more for me than Jillian probably intended. Yes, I want to shred the extra weight, but more than that I want to shred the guilt I feel when I leave my kids to workout. I want to shred the shame I feel about wanting me time now and again. I want to shred the clothes that I know I buy too big just so that I can hide underneath them (and which are totally unfashionable--especially for someone who owns a boutique full of adorable clothing). I want to shred the fact that I don't accept many invitations and regularly skip out on activities where I will need to wear a bathing suit. I want to shred the fact that rarely, if ever, I want a photograph taken-- even if it’s of me and my kids.

Of course yes, fitting into those old clothes is something I aspire to, but more importantly I want to set a good example for my own kids and my younger sister who is entering high school this year (and we all remember what those years were like). I want them to see that you don't need diet pills, drugs or to develop eating disorders to look/feel good. My weight does not define me, and even if I never get into those old clothes I know that finding the time for physical exercise is important for me to feel good; and to remain healthy.  I want to live a long healthy life with my children and husband, who after all, are more important to me than those silly sz 4 jeans.
 
If I am I'm brave enough one day maybe I'll upload the pictures of my transformation!
 
Let the shredding begin…

Keep on Rollin...

With two young children it has been a challenge for me to find time to exercise. Talking to other SuperMommies I find that many mothers struggle with this issue as well. Personally, I am not a gym rat. In fact, I hate working out indoors. Which is why this new product by Dutch company Taga is right up my alley. The Dutch take their bicycling rather seriously and are well known for their pioneering stroller designs (think Bugaboo), so this latest combination of high end stroller and bicycle will surely not disappoint. The unique design converts from a regular stroller to a bicycle carrier and even to a double seat stroller. Unfortunately, this multifunctional urban vehicle has yet to make it’s debut here in the US, but when it does I will be first in line to try it out!

 

What do you think? Would you buy this?

 

  

Have You Had Your Water Today?

 

 

SuperMommies are busy! Running all day it’s easy to forget to DRINK. You’d think this simple task is something we wouldn’t forget, right? I always thought so too, but I don’t know how many times as I flop myself into bed at night I realize I haven’t had a drink in HOURS.

During my pregnancies I was the water Nazi, making sure to drink it by the gallon in the hopes of warding off that whole “water retention” thing. The problem is, after I had the baby my good ol’ habits were quickly forgotten. It was hard to find time to do anything other than nurse, change diapers and sleep. Let’s face it, you do feel better hydrated—it’s a necessity for human life. The mind is clearer, food choices are better, our skin looks radiant, toxins are washed out of our system and our bodies are healthier overall.

Nevertheless, even knowing all of the benefits, it’s really hard to get those recommended 8 glasses a day.  After many thristy nights I came up with some tricks that helped me get them in . Are you a SuperMommy who needs her energy back? Try these simple tricks and you’ll be feeling hydrated again in no time!

1. Always Be Prepared
I was never a Girl-scout, but I believe in that motto. Before I head to bed I pull out my handy dandy Bubba Keg, fill it and set it on the kitchen counter (I enjoy my water room temperature, but if you like a cool glass, just stick your container in the fridge). When I start making breakfast for the little ones there it is waiting for me, calling my name. This method works because it’s right there in front of me and I am reminded to take a swig. It’s the perfect size container to carry with me around the house and heavy enough that little hands won't knock it over. No more having to remember to pour myself glass after glass throughout the day (for flavor when I'm needing a little extra something I also like to throw in some sliced lemons or cucumber).

2. Pick the Right Snacks
Making sure to snack on foods that are high in water content is another great way to stay hydrated. Skip the chips, pretzels, crackers and high sodium choices and choose things like fruits and veggies! SuperMommies don’t have a lot of time, so think ahead and make yourself some little baggies of assorted fruits and vegetables that you can grab and take with you. This simple habit not only keeps you hydrated but provides a whole host of other benefits for your body. You can change up your menu according to what’s in season so you'll never get bored.

3. Leave Your Supplements Out
When I was pregnant for the second time it was seriously impossible for me to remember to take my Pre-Natal vitamin daily. It became clear to me that I needed to SEE the bottle every day and so I began using it to hydrate. My trick was to leave the bottle near the kitchen sink -which I am at for half of my day- (always something to clean) and in seeing that bottle I was immediately reminded to take it with a giant glass of water. One down, 7 more to go!

4. Keys-check, Coat-check, Bag-check, Water-CHECK
When I travel, run errands, head off to play-dates  or work I am always aware of what I’ve got in my hands. Water is one of the can’t leave home without it items. Because I’m not a big supporter of buying hundreds of water bottles that will fill our landfills, I use my Bubba Keg.  I recommend finding a leak free container that fits perfectly into your diaper bag, purse, and cup holder to make things easy. Taking water with me on the go is a great way for me to stay hydrated. Every time I reach for a snack, a diaper, money--ANYTHING-- it’s there, and I take a sip. It also saves me money as I am not ponying up $2.00 for a bottle of water everywhere I go!

Make an effort to do these 4 things and believe it or not you will get your 64 ounces a day, you might even really surprise yourself and go over…well you are a SuperMom after all!

How do you get your water in?