The Best Pregnancy Workout

As most of you know, I could easily be put into the categories of gym rat, fitness junkie and aerobically obsessed. If a new fitness craze emerges, my first thought is: When and where can I try it. Over the past few years I have flipped tires at CrossFit, swung kettle bells, lost a few pounds of sweat in hot yoga and discovered new cardio formats like my beloved Calorie Crusher. However, nothing could prepare me for the obsession that would bless my second trimester.

We woman know that there are certain target areas we struggle with, particularly this time of year. I’m referring to your core, legs and glutes. Last year my good friend and co-worker Emily Worstell invited me to  one-year anniversary class at PurreBarre’s Hyde Park location in Cincinnati. After one class I vowed to try a one-month challenge and see what all the frenzy was about. After I completed the Heart Mini, I dove in head first… and there was no turning back!

Pure Barre was started in 2001 by fitness guru Carrie Rezabek Dorr, and now you can find them in most cities, including three locations here in Cincinnati. The concept is simple: Take choreography found in ballet and serve it up in small isometric movements that lift, tone and burn away your biggest problem areas.

Confession: I was skeptical at first. After teaching weight lifting for 3.5 years, while teaching dance and boot camp classes… I didn’t think there was a workout I couldn’t overcome. Well, I have been taking a Pure Barre class for going on two months, and there are still moments in class that make me feel like I'm about to die. Some of my fittest friends have had the same experience, after months of going to the class, they get the best workout and have yet to plateau. 

The results speak for themselves. After going to class for a few weeks, you’ll start to notice results in yourself and classmates. One of my good friends, Ashley Walters, started going, and in 30 days, she was able to do the splits!  Muscle tone, flexibility and stronger muscles will get you hooked… but the music, stimulating instructors and friendships will keep you coming back for more.  The Hyde Park studio has a variety of instructors with different styles, all with the same goal… pushing you to make sure you get what you came there for: results!

For the soon-to-be and expecting moms reading this, I strongly recommend trying a class. I have been lucky to have fellow mommies to be along side of me and we can all agree on the benefits:

• Little to no impact
• Strengthening the core muscles needed for carrying and delivering a baby
• Great options for pregnancy
• Keeps muscle tone and flexibility throughout your pregnancy
• Great calorie burn, without spiking the heart rate dangerously high
• Staying in shape to make delivery and bouncing back easier 

In fact, they even offer new mommies a baby bounce back to help strengthen your core and fit back in your pre-pregnancy clothes. I am proud to say, thanks to PB I am 29 weeks pregnant and still have one pair of non-maternity jeans I can still wear… zipped up!

If you have a new fitness craze you think I should try, feel free to share.

Wishing you all safe and healthy workouts!

Bump Pics

28 Weeks - Today we hit the 7 month mark!
Feeling pregnant now, but still enjoying every second and movement.
Maxi dresses are my new best friend :) like this one I found at Ross.

Bump Pics!

27 Weeks, baby is the size of a head of cauliflower.
Which is ironic since mommy is craving vegetables!

Rock the Bump

Bringing out your fashionista attitude during your second trimester

There are many blessings during your second trimester: your energy returns, you start to feel the baby movement, any tummy issues you experienced vanish. Now its time to “show and tell” your pregnancy. However, some women think this is the time to spend a fortune on maternity clothes. Or worse, wear their husbands oversized T-shirts and sweat pants.

That is about to change! I am here to share a movement taking place: the chic mama-to-be, hot mama in the making and (my personal favorite) ladies who rock the bump! However, all the tips in the world will not help you if you don’t embrace your pregnancy. Your body is changing, and not every day will be sunshine and rainbows. Some days you will feel huge, uncomfortable and not yourself. My advice is on those days: DON’T GIVE UP! 

There are small things you can do, we will call them cheap thrills, which will make that ickyness go away and make people take notice. Hold your head up high and remember: This is temporary, and your body is changing because you are growing a person! There is nothing more beautiful than a woman who owns and embraces this change.

Now, on to the tips!

• Heels: Height helps everything, your posture, the tone of your legs and the lift of your seat. (Pure Barre girls know what I’m talking about!). Enjoy them now, because in your third trimester, your favorite heels may not fit.
• Go up a size: Let’s be honest; maternity clothes are ridiculous! Half of them are double the cost, and the other half don’t fit right. My advice: For the non-staple items (maternity jeans, shorts, a few chic dresses and pants) buy a bigger size. These days you can find a ton of empire wasted dresses, flowy tops and long tank tops with stretch. These will fit better, save your pocket book and who knows… maybe look good after your pregnancy!

• Thin belts: Placed under the bump, these have been my best friend. It tells the whole world, “Yes, I’m pregnant, and there’s a baby in there.”

• Bangles: My other new best friend, they draw attention away from your growing belly.  As my friend Emily Lang says, “You look put together, when you have a bracelet on.”

• Necklaces – long, short, big and small: If you are sad because your favorite store sent you a coupon that you can’t use because it doesn’t carry maternity clothes…buy a piece of cocktail jewelry! It’s a cheap thrill that will get you through days when you don’t feel so good.

• Spray tan: In case your doctor hasn’t told you, tanning beds are a BIG no no when you are pregnant. But really, is there any reason to do that to our skin these days? Instead, spring for a can of St. Tropez and lather on you new faux glow.
• Paws and Claws: You deserve a little pampering; why not go get a pedicure and to save money by doing the manicure yourself. My secret obsession is the Kiss or Broadway press on nails. Yes, I’m talking press-ons! Over the years, companies like Kiss have came out with amazing products that look just like the $45 shellac that takes hours.
• Scarves: These are a fun way to dress up a comfy T-shirt or a bland twinset. Adding a pop of color can do wonders!
• Capture your favorites: Sometimes it helps to offset baby brain by taking quick pics of your favorite outfits or spend sometime on Pinterest pining cute mama-to-be outfits. At first I had these ideas on my baby board, but after a few weeks I realized it needed its own category. 

Remember, on the days you feel your worst… try to look your best. It may feel pointless, but you never know where the day can take you. While some would say I have had an easy pregnancy, I think mind over matter has been my best friend.

Wishing all of you a happy and chic pregnancy!

Bump Pics!

26 Weeks - 3 months and counting!
Loving this Old Navy dress, not maternity if you can believe it.

Bump Pics!

25 Weeks! Baby weights 1.5 pounds, almost as much as a rutabaga. Loving my new old navy maternity crops!