Beta fitness reruns

So almost two years ago or so a good friend of mine invited me to participate in his ‘beta fitness for moms’ program that he was creating. I jumped on the opportunity, as with an old-time back injury activity has been low on my end, and I missed feeling like I was in shape and having lots of energy.

It was actually quite great, and I was able to follow it to slowly build activity back into my daily life, and got stronger without really realizing it as it moved along.

But come my getting pregnant it really stagnated, as in the first and beginning of the second trimester I was couch-ridden most of the time, and at the end of the second and all of the third the various pains, especially the pelvic ones, kept me even from walking to work (or anywhere really) in the end. So though the birth went pretty fast and I recovered a lot sooner this time compared to last, my actual physical state of fitness is not so stellar, and I really feel it.

So last week I started the beta program again, and though I am not yet following the program really, just doing certain of the mobility and strength movements that I remember were at the start, and moving towards adding a few of the stretching movements, it just feels sooooogreat to be adding some ‘get-myself-toward-fit’ activities into my life again. That, and actually being able to do some toprock and minor footwork with Leona when music is playing is making me feel wonderful ;)

[The reason I'm a candidate for the moms' fitness evolution program ;)  Leona around 3 months old, and Eliana at almost 1 month old.]

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beta after the first month

After a month of this, I have found that I have gotten a lot better at remembering to do the exercises. Sure, perhaps sometimes it's after I have just gone to bed, but the great thing is, since it is (currently) just 10 movements / about 5 min, I feel like I can get up and do them no problem.

These past two weeks' "up-the-ante" in movements have gone pretty smooth. In the beginning, the first 'notch up' (clasping our hands behind our back and driving our fists down and elbows in while doing some of the movements) was more tiring than any of the other exercises. It's become smoother though, so that must mean there's progress, right?

And I found that the second 'notch up' from holding an elbow plank to holding a push-up position plank, that the notch made it actually easier for me. But I made sure to really focus on correct form as coached to us, and tightening all the muscles in my body the whole time through as suggested (rather than trying to be lazy about it to get through the time, as really I am doing this just for me so I'd just be 'hurting' myself right?), and it felt good! And these past few days I've been adding some seconds to the hold, while waiting for our next 'notches up'.

In terms of the last stretch movement that goes on our thighs, I don't feel much of a stretch I have found - but I think that is because of the gymnastics I did when I was younger and all the stretching I did up until a few years ago (in various sports, then in dancing). But again I focus on form, and do get some stretching in, so I'm content to just go along with the program and increase slowly so as not to bite off too much and then stall.

After a month of doing it, I'm happy to have been able to be pretty consistent in doing it, and since it is a progressive program, am not stressing over the movements that are perhaps not so challenging yet, or the lack of length, as the aim is start small so it can be long-term and making it a part of life rather than overwhelment. Plus I know it will increase every couple weeks - and we are encouraged to add to it if we wish.

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beta going into W3

I've been on the beta fitness for moms program for two weeks now, today being the first day I will go up 'the notch' on a few of the movements.

I have found that the hardest part about the program is to remember to do the exercises. I always seem to remember at a time when it's not feasible to do them - out and about, or nursing Leona, or putting her to bed, etc. Yesterday is a perfect example - I intended fully to start the 3rd week by first watching the instructions for the two switch-ups, and then forgot completely until this afternoon.

It's been good so far. Felt good. Feels good. Great to be on a 'program' in terms of motivation and a sense of support. Great to also have support from Judge (he knows how much I miss 'active' - and he misses me 'active' too - so though i.e. the strength movement is 'laughably' simple, he doesn't laugh at my current strength level).

The first week I think I got 4 out of the 5 days done (and one or two days where I did the first 4 to 7 movements, sometimes when I was taking my walk I'd do the first 4 in stride), and in week two I think I got in 5 days.

I've also made a deal with myself that I will not over-do it. As in I will follow the program specs for timings etc, and if I want to do more, I will do more in other ways than with the 10 movements, as I often get in the habit of competing with myself, which can easily lead me to go too far too fast, and then it becomes so big it's hard to make it into a daily life-style thing.

I have been successful before though - for example back in Vancouver when I took up running. Other times I've tried it, I've ran so far and/or fast the first time that I've felt like I need to throw up, and then I don't run again for a year or two. But that time I started with a jog around the block - literally, one block, as that is all I was up for. Next day I doubled it (two blocks, literally), and then it progressively grew until I was running more than 10k maybe 4-5 times a week - even getting up before the crack of dawn when it was frozen outside!

Sure I was competitive with myself (and others, of course, otherwise I wouldn't be me now would I), but I was able to do gradual progression. Key.


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beta fitness for moms

A long-standing good friend of mine is a professional wellness coach/fitness instructor/personal trainer (? - I actually just realized I don't know what he titles himself as), who has created a wellness/fitness program specifically for moms. He's beta-testing it right now, and I am fortunate enough to be in on it.

After two rounds of questions to gain a better understanding of where we're at and where we want to get to (not just physically, but also emotionally, mentally, and spiritually), the beta program was launched yesterday.

I'm excited. He has an intimately good grasp of what goes on with our bodies and minds as we become moms, and the struggles we face physically, emotionally, mentally. His wife (a soul-sister of mine) and him have three little ones, his sister-in-law and husband also have three little ones (living upstairs from them), his sisters have kids, etc. He's surrounded by amazingly grounded mothers who self-reflect and share journeys.

We're starting out with 10 simple stretches/loosenings/strengths that take 5 min., and should do them 5 days a week. And we will deepen from there. Also, each month will focus on a virtue - this month: Compassion (for ourselves).

I thoroughly enjoyed the videos with his hushed greetings (the household was asleep so he had to keep it down) and how-tos and encouraging words - made it feel very focused as though it was just for 'me'. In fact, as he was talking about our need to remember to have compassion for ourselves, I actually had some tears. There seems to be a lot of untapped emotion in me regarding being a mother.

I also appreciated how little there is to start with. It achieves its purpose - I am sitting here feeling like 'I can do this, every (5 out of 7) day(s) - just five min!'. Motivation has been an issue with me previously (especially since it's been disgustingly hot here, so heading out for walks has only just recently been on my plate again, now that the weather has started to become bearable).

I find it is kind of like the obligatory prayer - if I still said it daily...so perhaps, rather for mre, like seeing the temples all around the neighborhoods/towns/cities/boonies - they ground me spiritually - and with this, it grounds me in a mix of mentally/physically/emotionally - reminding me to stay loose, stretch, breathe - and not just while doing the exercises, but even just thinking about remembering to do them has the same effect ... and of course this month, to be compassionate towards myself.

In terms of the stretches and loosenings, they felt gooood - and the strengths, though I was able to hold it the full minute (deep and slow breathing made it possible, as the short breathing I had started with was bringing me to the need to rest quite quickly), I know that these will be the ones I will struggle with the most. I realized I've never been one to enjoy pushing myself strength-wise. Endurance - ok (thinking back 8 or so years ago to my running days that culminated in the Sun Run, and competing with a friend regularly on the Grousse Grind). Loosenings and stretches - ok. Gaining muscle through activities - ok. Strength training specifically, not so enjoyable for me.

I have been longing to be more active again though, thirsting for it - to dance really, or swim, or even walk (which as mentioned I've finally gotten to start with again - not just because of the weather, but also because of the environment after this recent move is more walk-enjoyable), so I am really looking forward to this process.

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Last night, as I was editing a case on a deadline - having to finish it before today so ended up working until after 2am - I looked over and saw this:

She is most definitely her father's daughter ;)  She's started sleeping a lot on her side now that she's such a good roller (not quite to a full-fledged back-to-stomach yet, her last arm is stuck under her, but very close, and she works on it often).


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