Category — happy mama

Wow.  Okay.  Just finished my intro special (30 days of unlimited classes for $100) at the Marina del Rey Bar Method studio.  To say I’m addicted is to put it VERY mildly.  In 30 days, I did 21 classes.  And this is while being a stay at home Mom with a little one who has special needs (and therefore, a crazy schedule with therapies, activities, doctor’s appointments, etc).  So, if I can fit it into my schedule?  I would like to think that most people can.

It’s a quick, but intense, one hour class.  Like I mentioned in my first blog about Bar Method a month ago – it is a full body workout.  It sculpts, shapes, stretches and burns away fat in EVERY area.

Personally, here’s what I’ve noticed (please excuse my self indulgence for a minute) :

1. Increased Strength : I’m SO much stronger!  For example, I can now do “regular” push ups, when I NEVER could before.
2. Muscle Definition : Specifically, my arms are pretty ridiculous.  I have to do double takes when I’m looking at myself in the mirror.
3. Long & Lean : I am so conscious of my posture now.  I walk taller and straighter.  I’ve even adjusted my driver’s seat to be more upright!
4. Increased Flexibility : I can’t remember the last time I could do the splits; maybe never.  But I can almost do them on my right side now, which is unfathomable to me.  Give me one more month and I’m there…
5. Great Mood : I’m a pretty happy person in general, but even I have noticed a boost in my mood these days.  I have more energy and I feel great!

And, the teachers and other students are SO warm and amazing.  It’s a great community of women (and a few men!) who uplift and encourage each other to do better, get better, feel better.  I was looking around the room this morning during Vera Tam’s 8:30am class and saw a NOTICEABLE difference in the other Bar Method students who have been regulars like me.   And to think : it’s only been a month!  (By the way, I definitely signed up for month 2).

St. Patrick’s Day, no doubt, conjures up images of all things green : shamrocks, leprechauns and now even beer.  But when I hear the word green today, I think of all the amazing strides we’ve come to bring awareness to the needs of Mother Earth.  With that, here are a few of my favorite green websites for Moms :

1. The Ultimate Green Store As Moms, we are in charge of our households.  The Ultimate Green Store is a one stop shop for all things green.  It’s an aesthetically pleasing site founded by a Mom of 3.  It not only includes sections for baby and kids, but also makes it easier for  you  to manage your entire household : bedding, bath, cleaning supplies, you name it.  Other fun items on the site?  How about eco-friendly stationery goods and recycled seat belt purses.
2. Ideal Bite Now part of Disney’s Family.com, Ideal Bite is an informative site for Moms to “go green” : how to heal the planet, go organic, save money, become eco-friendly in every day life.  Good stuff.
3. Googooswap.com Okay, so I’m biased .. I founded this baby.  But it’s my contribution to the environment and is an amazing platform for recycling, reusing and passing on gently used baby, maternity & kid stuff among your local communities.  We’ve built a small presence in the Los Angeles area, but need help spreading it across the country!  Post your used items for sale to help populate www.googooswap.com.  Let’s make this a useful service among the mommy community.

I find that when I’m home with my 3 year old, household duties tend to dominate our time together.  The dishes, laundry, bills, organizing, cooking … these never ending tasks always seem like a priority.  And even though I’m with my daughter, I’m not really WITH my daughter.  Often, when I’m putting her to bed, I feel a twinge of guilt about the lack of quality time we’ve spent together during that day.

So, in an effort to get some more quality time with Peanut, I’ve incorporated a few small changes in our days.

1. Ask her to help! It might mean that getting chores done will take longer, but just asking your child to help you in whatever task you’re doing can be very engaging and fun.  For example, the next time you’re doing dishes, pull up a stool next to the kitchen sink and fill up one side with water and soap for her toys.  OR just have her run errands for you (Can you throw this away?  Can you put these clothes in the hamper?)
2. Set aside Distraction Free Time.  For example, eat dinner earlier so you can spend the last hour between dinner and bed focused specifically on what your child / children want to do.  Throw your cell phone to the side, keep the tv off and just BE with your kids.  I’ve been doing this for awhile now and have been rewarded with the most engaging interactions with Peanut.
3. Plan Ahead. When I know I’m going to be spending a big chunk of time at home and don’t have any outside activities planned for the kid, I try to plan ahead the night before.  Veggies chopped for dinner, laundry loaded, phone calls made.