I posted a question on both my Instagram and Facebook accounts earlier this week asking what I should write for this post. It was a pretty even result on Instagram but shout out to the one person who voted on Facebook (Hi, Clare! 👋🏿) to break the tie. Fitness it is! 🏃🏿♀️
This year has caused pivoting in my life in a lot of ways. As I’ve mentioned before I’ve done a lot of things this year that I hadn’t planned on due to the COVID-19 pandemic, like how I would start working out. From March-May, my three kids and I practically lived outside – weather permitting. I came to really love being outside and walking. It really helped my sanity during lock-down. Walking is a great form of physical activity but in mid-July, I decided that I wanted to start exercising regularly aka to the point of perspiration. 💦
My reasoning was not only to see physical results but to better manage my stress level and mental health. Although I enjoy walks, there is something different about getting in a good sweaty workout. I love a good workout class. I know some people like to get on a machine but I love a good class. To get the ball rolling, I signed up for a Beach Body trial. If you are unfamiliar, Beach Body is a subscription service to a massive library of workouts you can do from your phone, laptop, or tv. I began with a three- day yoga challenge and slowly started doing more physically intense cardio workouts. I only ended up doing the trial because it was a little pricey. (If you know me, you know I’m frugal. 😏)
It had been soooo long since I got in a good sweat – like a couple of years – and I very quickly noticed a difference. I was in a better mood and had an increase in energy. I started setting my alarm and working out in the morning. I’m a morning person anyway but it really helps me to get a workout in before I start mommin’ all day.
I joined an online group for an entertainer/influencer that I enjoy, @ThatChickAngel. The ladies in that group, also known as Angel Wings, started keeping each other accountable and in September we did a group fitness challenge. The challenge covered everything from exercise, water intake, healthy eating, building healthy habits, and eliminating bad habits.
It is from that challenge that I have solidified exercising regularly and began a routine. I work out 4 -5 days a week. My go-to is the FitOn app that is available in the App Store and Play Store on mobile devices. (This is not a paid ad but it might as well be.) I LOOOOOVVVEEEE the app. It’s similar to Beach Body but FREE. I ended up getting the paid version because I didn’t want the ads popping up but it was a lot less than other programs. What really attracted me to them is that they have so many different types of workouts with varying lengths of time. I build my workouts around how much time I have. I do a mix of Zumba, pilates, yoga, stretching, and HIIT (high-intensity interval training). I’ve started seeing my body change but it’s the mood boost that has me coming back every morning. I feel a big difference when I do workout vs. when I don’t.
I also love a good YouTube workout. One of the members of the Angel Wings is Rose Haynes. She is a fitness instructor and with great dance workouts. You can check out her routines here. My personal favorites are the songs Made For Now by Janet Jackson and Simon Says by Megan Thee Stallion (language warning if that bothers your spirit.) My kids really like doing Can’t Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake with me.
I love Rose’s dance workouts. She really has a dynamic personality and energy that keeps you motivated. I enjoyed her YouTube videos so much that I decided to check out her Zoom classes. She offers two classes via Zoom for $5 a week. One is a cardio dance class and the other is a HIIT style class. I’ve done her class for a few weeks now and have really enjoyed it. Better use than a Starbucks drink. And yes you get BOTH classes for $5 a week. Her Instagram handle is @fitnesswrose and you can follow it here. Let me know if you plan on doing one of her classes and we can sweat it out together. 😅
One of the many things I’ve learned this year is the importance of investing in myself. I can’t pour out of an empty cup and fitness is one of the many things that helps refill me. Even if all I have is 10 minutes, doing a YouTube workout while my kids are going wild in the background, it’s worth it.
Heading into 2021 my goal is to continue being consistent in my workouts and also tone up my stomach muscles after my youngest child – coming in at 9.5 pounds – destroyed them with his birth in 2019. I’m hoping to literally start the year strong. 💪🏾
What about you guys? Do you work out regularly or trying to build a new routine? It can be tough at first to create a new habit but once you find your groove, it’s a great place to be and grow. I’d love to hear what’s working for you or what your fitness goals are for 2021. Tell me in the comments.❤️