In her first guest post (exciting!), Venus shares her progress, and talks about how she’s already lost an incredible 6 lbs in just 6 weeks!
Why I knew Strollnetics was for me
It was mid-June when I decided that I needed a jogging stroller. I remember scratching it off my mental list originally, thinking it was just too big for NYC living. How would I get it on the subway, and would I really use it? A year – and three strollers later – I decided,”Yes, I would!”.
Oh no, not bikini time again!
Why? Well, my son had just turned one, summer was in the air and I still dreaded the idea of putting on a bikini. Not that I had ever had rock hard abs but although I was curvy, I was toned. I wanted that back. I had been wanting it back for months but figuring out how to do it was a dilemma!
Time and guilt – not enough of one, too much of the other!
My husband managed a restaurant and had very few days off. My mother was already babysitting while I worked and took classes towards my second degree. Having her babysit while I went to the gym always felt like I was asking for too much.
I rushed through my workouts, never allowing myself to really focus. I also felt some guilt about taking even more time away from my son. I had to face it. My situation had changed drastically; hour and a half sessions at the gym were a thing of the past, as were my workout videos. Whenever I’d pop one in, Esai would get so excited seeing me doing jumping jacks, he would cry until I took him out of the play yard so he could join in on the jumping fun. “Do it when he’s sleeping”, my mother would say, but by the time he was asleep it was 8:30pm (he only just started napping last month) and I was ready for bed too! There constantly seemed to be an obstacle when I wanted to squeeze some fitness into my life. Until I moved.
My outdoor epiphany
As a teen, I frequently ran around the reservoir near my home, the same neighborhood I had just moved back to. Early summer, I had dinner with my super-sporty friend, Cristine. She told me that exercising outdoors really improved her mood and had read that it also helps with depression. Having gone through postpartum depression, this really triggered something in me and it clicked: I had to start running again and I could do it with Esai!
Freedom without sacrifice
The Joovy jogging stroller (more about how I chose this one in the next post!), Esai and I have been a trio for six weeks. My stroller has given me my freedom back, there aren’t any more time constraints and I’m able to work out with my baby. As a new mom this is amazing. I’m working out yet still bonding with Esai! I don’t feel like I’m sacrificing being with him, in exchange for doing something good for myself. During every walk or run, I have taken him to a playground or had snack breaks with him. Our favorite has been cooling off at the sprinklers.
My routine became my regime
I love the flexibility of using a walk with the stroller as a form of fitness. I can turn anything into a training session: a trip to the farmers’ market (.5 miles), visiting a friend (2 miles), having lunch at my husband’s restaurant (5 miles, each way) and so on.
Weight loss and toning without even noticing
By far, the best part has been my weight loss. I didn’t even notice until other people pointed it out. My mother said my clothes fit better and my hubby told me my legs looked firmer. My legs! Now that is an accomplishment! I am pleasantly surprised by the results. Due to an old back injury, I’ve had to switch to walking more than I expected.
Walking works
Switching to walking was frustrating because, like many people, I thought that weight loss could only be achieved through intense and rigorous cardio. I was so wrong. Although I was going slower, the walking has been effective thanks to taking the Joovy out and about every other day. Some walks are longer than others, sometimes I jog, sometimes I do sprints but I always make sure I walk at least 3 days a week – and it’s working!
What’s next: focusing on my arms
Since it was just the beginning, I focused more on walking with this new stroller, but now I look forward to incorporating Strollnetics. The triceps exercise has been great; the combination of that and the stroller’s weight has really given my arms more definition.
Challenging my abs
Due to my handle bar not being adjustable we’re trying to figure out variations of the abs exercises which currently require the handlebar to be in a lower position. I’m really looking forward to these modifications because my midsection has been my perpetual problem zone.
Regardless of how I work out that area, I am sure that I’ll see results at the same pace that I got used to handling my Joovy – slow and steady!
Until next time! GO VENUS!
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