Week #46: Fitness Here... Fitness There... Fitness Everywhere!

I have a confession:  2007/2008 I thought I wanted to be a triathlete (mind you I didn’t know how to swim. Never train for a triathlon and try to learn how to swim at the same time). I was running cycling and learning to swim. I even enlisted a few friends who kindly accepted the challenge. After a couple of triathlon events and a few half marathons under my belt (walk run that is) I get married and have my daughter in 2010 and then my son in 2012.  Despite my best intentions, fitness took a back seat.  I gained 50lbs with both pregnancies and I was primarily focused on figuring out what this thing called “motherhood” was all about.  I lost a lot of the weight but never really felt fit.  

In 2017, I tried to get my fitness groove back and signed up for the infamous Shamrock Shuffle which is an 8K race throughout downtown Chicago.  A few months later, I let my friend convince me to do a personal training session with her for a few months.  Not too bad but I wasn’t too enthusiastic.  As I have mentioned in previous posts, I am not one to just go on the gym an jump on a treadmill or do weight training.  I really really enjoy group exercise classes and the energy and camaraderie that they bring.   So much so that it has become a habit and I feel like I am missing out if I don’t go to my 5AM class.  Crazy, isn’t it?

So this week’s mommy break was book  ended by  two fitness birthday parties.  One on Sunday and one on Saturday.  The one on Sunday was my fitness birthday party with a group of my friends.  We did two cardio dance classes at 360 Mind Body Soul enjoyed Skinny Girl margaritas and some light food (couldn’t ruin the workout with too indulgent of a menu).  One year ago I would have NEVER EVER thought that a fitness party would have been a fun way to celebrate.  On Saturday, one of my new running partners hosted a morning fitness party at Cycle Therapy! We did spinning to high energy music that left you feeling like you went to a party vs a workout class.  

My friends who joined me for my birthday fitness party. 

The other birthday girl who hosted a party on Saturday.  My hair was a hot mess... but I had fun!

Now, I will be honest.  I am working out because I truly enjoy the classes but I would be remised to not admit that my other motivation is because I want to be my fittest self when I turn 40 next year.  I want to feel good in my clothes and look cute in some shorts for the summer.  I want to change my relationship with food, so I am not grazing all day or eating just because my favorite show is on.  Can anyone relate?  So I think that this will be a year long journey with some ups an downs along the way but the most important thing is consistency and to not undo my hard work with every meal that I eat.  Oh, and no I do not count working out as a mommy break.  It’s a life necessity like eating in my opinion.  So Moms, do not let your partners pull a fast one on you!