Tag: motivation

2nd Trimester: Energy and Exercise

Published on by Sarah Lubetsky1 Comment

I did it! I climbed back on the wagon, stuck my trusty old 21 Day Fix DVD in the player, and FINALLY got back to a real workout! 

I know, I’m a freakin’ champion. Thank you, thank you. Now let me enjoy my reward:


That first trimester hits me like a ton of bricks. This was my 4th time dragging myself through the exhaustion, nausea, and fatigue… but the prize is worth the pain, and hopefully this time around I’ll get to hold a new little person in my arms in just 22 weeks and 6 days. But who’s counting? 

I’ve tried to keep moving by taking walks and doing dance workouts here and there, but I’ve seriously struggled with finding the time, energy, and motivation to do a more intense workout. 

Well, today I’m feeling pretty good. I got pretty solid sleep last night for one of a handful of times in last 19 months (thank you Ziva!) and there were no errands to run or business to handle. 

The stars aligned and my desire to move outweighed my desire to lay like a puddle on a pillow of cotton. 

What was my workout of choice? Total Body Cardio with my homegirl Autumn Calabrese. I started my postpartum weight loss with the 21 Day Fix, why not start my pregnancy fitness with the same? I modified some stretches to my comfort level, changed the ab workouts to avoid laying on my back, and went all in!  I used these alternative ab exercises from What to Expect in place of the round 4 floor exercises. 

I FEEL GREAT. I just wish I’d gotten back to it a little sooner since working out actually helps minimize my pregnancy symptoms. 

I’ll admit it, after losing the 1st baby and having the Sub-chorionic hematoma while pregnant with Ziva, and losing the 3rd baby, I have a bit of a semi-subconscious fear of doing anything with my body that could jeopardize the pregnancy. Even if many women and their doctors find it perfectly acceptable to continue working out at their pre-pregnancy capacity, I hold back and hesitate a little with each move. That’s okay though, I’ve decided, as long as I keep moving! 

Prepped for success

Published on by Sarah LubetskyLeave a comment

MealPrepMondays

#mealprepmonday #mealprepsunday

Search them on Instagram, I promise you, it’s a thing. It’s a thing for a good reason, too! Planning and preparing meals in advance is a great way to stay ahead in healthy eating.

This week it was my birthday. I didn’t feel like making a giant salad and portions of protein on Sunday. I took the day off for other things. Well, whaddaya think happened? Monday I went out for lunch, not ideal, but delicious. Then Tuesday rolls around and there was no time for lunch packing or breakfast making. I grabbed whatever was easy to transport or fast to throw together (my shipment of Shakeology needs to get here already). I sat down to eat lunch and immediately regretted skipping prep day. Hardly any veggies, not enough of anything, dense calories but not really satisfying…

When I fail to prep, I’m left with a raggletaggle bundle of random things. There’s most often no semblance of balance to my meals this way. I’m left hungry for that something that was missing (most often either the proteins or veggies), and I’m more susceptible to temptations and “easy” snacks.

Needless to say, I wasn’t about to let the same thing happen again on Wednesday!  

Since I started the 21 day fix it’s been really interesting to see where the holes are in my eating habits. It’s obvious now I was definitely eating WAY TOO FEW veggies. That’s right.  Not too many, too few. In this meal plan sometimes the issue is you need to eat more, not less. I would fill up on nuts and cereals, calorie dense foods but I’d still be missing something, and it was definitely veggies. By prepping my week day meals I’m able to make sure I have enough veggie snacks, protein, and veggie-full lunches to keep me going strong.
I’d love to hear new ideas for balanced lunches. Post your pics on my Facebook page or tag me on Instagram @Sarah_Ivy! Are you looking for a meal plan to follow? Drop your email below or send me a message here. I’ll help you find the best program for your goals.

Happy preppin’ y’all!

Making a commitment to health

Published on by Sarah Lubetsky1 Comment

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I have a long history as what you would call a yo-yo dieter. Since my early twenties I’ve bounced back and forth, using diets and different fitness classes (Cardio kickboxing, Bikram, Pure Barre). I would lose a lot of weight, sometimes nearly reaching my goals! But, of course, overtime I’d fall right back into bad habits and I’d inevitably gain it all back (plus some). I’d move away from my gym, change schedules, start having a few too many “cheat days”… and just like that I’d be back at square one.

I eat pretty healthy. Throughout most of my life I’ve avoided junk foods and empty calories. I grew up eating clean, I just didn’t grow up eating carefully. I know what portions SHOULD look like meal to meal, but I enacting that discipline every day and at every meal just didn’t come naturally. You really CAN have too much avocado, brown rice, and nuts.

When I gave birth to my daughter in February of this year, I’d reached my absolute biggest. Sure, I was pregnant, but only a bit of it would be considered baby weight. I was shocked and disappointed my body had gotten out of control so quickly. How could I have gone from goal weight to my biggest in just a year and a half? I knew I needed to take charge of my health.

See, the thing is that I have always focused on just one side of my fitness at a time. I’d have the exercise routine down but not the eating, or the other way around.

Now that I’m a mom, how was I going to get the exercise and nutrition I needed for success now that I had EVEN LESS time? I can’t get to a gym when I only have a few hours each evening with Ziva! I already know as soon as it’s cold out I’ll stop heading to even the gym in our complex right here at home…

I knew it would have to be something simple, easy to follow, CONSISTENT, and that I could do at home.

I knew it had to be Beachbody.

I’ve seen this program change people’s lives, and I wanted in on that magic.

Sure, I might be late to the party, but I’ve been watching women I admire take charge of their lives both physically and financially over the last few years. I’m inspired by people like my Cousin Jen, and Amy Silverman (top beachbody coach and adventurer).

I started following the meal plan a couple of weeks ago and found it really manageable, and I’m in my first cycle of the 21 day fix and I’m loving it. Sure, I’ve done online workouts with the Tone It Up! girls and Blogilates in the past and I loved them, but being part of a private challenge group, having a team of people to be accountable to, and a structure to follow motivates me.

I lost the first 30 lbs of baby weight on my own, but in the last few weeks with beachbody I’ve lost 9 1/2 pounds. I was able to break through my plateau. It’s Not a lot, I know, but this is just the beginning. 

Pounds aren’t what it’s all about. I’ve regained confidence in my body and my abilities. Sure, I pushed out a 7 lb baby sans medication, I know my body is some legit warrior material, but I had lost mobility, comfort, and confidence in movement. I’ve only been doing the workouts consistently for a week, but I’ve already regained some of my strength and mobility. I feel free. Free to move, dance, climb, free to move like I have ownership of the body I had let get out of control.

This isn’t about weight, I think there’s beauty in every size.

This isn’t about being “beachbody ready”. This is about living my life free from limitations, with strength, mobility, and energy. 

Fitness may not have always come naturally to me, but MOTIVATION and DEDICATION always have. With a path to follow, I can get where I want to go.

Want to join me in making a commitment to health? I can help you find your path on your fitness journey, help keep you on that path (even when there seems to be NO TIME and NO MOTIVATION). Let’s get on this road together!

Leave me a comment here, send me a facebook message, or go to my page here if you are interested in learning more. I’d love to see some of the people I love join me on this journey.

My Favorite Home Workout Resources

Published on by Sarah LubetskyLeave a comment

 

Top left: Tone it up. Top right: Blogilates. Bottom left: Beachbody 21 day fix. Bottome right: bodyrocktv.
Top left: Tone it up. Top right: Blogilates. Bottom left: Beachbody 21 day fix. Bottome right: bodyrocktv.

After a long day at work away from my baby the last thing I want to do is take more time away from her to go to the gym. I know some people may feel differently, they’re just dying for a little “me” time away, but Ziva is still so young and I want to be home with her as much as possible. BUT, I still want to be a good example for her of self-care and fitness. For years I’ve followed a few of these online resources:

I would get into it for a while and then fall off the wagon. I needed something with a bit more accountability, a bit more human interaction and support. I’ve recently started using Beachbody products and I’m loving the challenge groups and the way my coach (who is also still on her fitness journey) checks in with me and helps keep me on the right path with healthy, clean eating and working out. So, now my new favorite-

I’m definitely drinking the cool aide (if by cool aide you mean protein shakes full of vitamins and healthy ingredients). I’ve found new motivation to press play each night once I get Ziva to bed. It took a while to figure out when exactly I could fit in a workout, but now that I have I’m feeling, and seeing the results.

For more online/at-home workout resources, check out this comprehensive list from Huffington Post-http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-smith2/free-online-workout_b_7722024.html 

What are your favorite at home or online workout resources?

Trying Again

Published on by Sarah LubetskyLeave a comment

My Sunday night words of wisdom last week must have been in the back of my mind as I finally got the nerve to speak up and get the ball rolling towards some change for (hopefully) the better.

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Sometimes speaking up for what you need is scary… especially at work. I am hoping and praying that this is all happening for a reason, that the challenges I’m facing now are meant to point me in the direction of something wonderful.

Brian and I chose our wedding photographer last week. She’s awesome and talented, perky and warm. When we asked her how she got started the story she told me hit a chord deep in me that has been longing for something happier and more fulfilling.

Long story short she originally studied social work, but when she was planning her own wedding she was inspired to make a change and took some community college classes in photography and that training combined with her talent has blossomed in just 4 years into a strong business.

I found myself jealous and inspired by how she turned something fun and creative into what she gets to do each day. It made me sad that I haven’t been enjoying the work I once thought I loved. All of this climaxed last week in a way that felt like fate pointing me in a better direction… And I went with it. I can only keep my head up and eyes open and hope that everything comes together positively.

And off we go, into another week. This time with a little more hope to accompany the nerves.

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