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Weekly Workout Recap– August 16th–23rd

Workout Recap 8.23.17

I’m thrilled to reintroduce a series that I used to feature on the blog, my weekly workout recap. Now that I have permission from my doctor to return to workouts, I’m excited to start sharing my workouts with you all on a weekly basis. Even though I had very little time to think about workouts the first two months of motherhood, I definitely missed the sweat and endorphins that follow a workout. In addition, I’ve received lots of questions from you guys about what I’m doing now that I received a clean bill of health from my OB-GYN last week.  While I’ve been cleared for all workouts, though it is recommended and only smart to ease back into things, I’m choosing to frequent post-baby or mommy and me workouts right now versus the typical, boutique fitness or group fitness workouts. Why you ask? Well, honestly, at this point in my life, it is a great way to build a commmunity and find support from other parents who are going through the same evolution that I am. In addition, since most of them include childcare or incorporate Katie into the workout, it means that I don’t have to think through the process of working out super early or late, before or after Bo goes to work. Don’t get me wrong. Once in a while I definitely want to meet friends for a workout, but these will most likely be reserved for Saturday workout and brunch dates.

So, now that we’ve covered those bases, let’s get to last week’s workouts, shall we?  In addition to the post-baby workouts I found while researching options a few weeks ago, you’ll see that I’ve discovered a few additional options due in part to the comments I received after sharing that post. 

  • August 16th – My friend Elizabeth convinced me to give CrossFit South Brooklyn’s Diapers & Dumbbells workout a try. I’m so glad she helped me overcome my intimidation of this workout as it is a great option for local parents! The postpartum focused Crossfit workout is designed to help new moms and partners return to exercise while inviting them to bring their children to the workout. The 1-hour class was taught by postnatal certified insturctors and included warm-up, strength and conditioning portions. My favorite exercises were the hanging lat shrugs and the sled push, two exercises that I’d never done before but each of which made me feel SO strong!  While I broke a sweat, Katie and the other children were just a few feet away being cared for by two lovely women who quickly cuddled with the kids, replaced pacifiers and played with them. Katie slept for half the class and then enjoyed some time on her blanket for the rest of the workout.
  • August 17th – Between running errands and going to visit a friend, I walked 5.8 miles throughout the course of the day.
  • August 18th – Total Body Balance workout from Gina’s Post Baby Bod ebook which included six exercises that I did in a circuit, each of which enaged the core and required a focus on balance.
  • August 19th – Bo offered to spend the morning with Katie so I could squeeze in my first post-baby Orangetheory workout. It was great to catch up with the Park Slope Orangetheory staff as they have become friends after all the workouts we took from December until June. The class was a strength class which was the perfect way to return to Orangetheory as I love the challenge of lifting heavier weights and learning new movements. As always, their head coach, Robin, did a great job providing me with a few adjustments for the ab series but otherwise I was able to do everything without modifications. For the treadmill portion I increased the incline and speed but stuck with power walking for my first week of woring out versus running or jogging.
  • August 20th – Rest Day
  • August 21st – Bo and I walked 1.5 miles to Katie’s pediatrician early Monday morning and then later that afternoon I completed the Total Body Workout from Gina’s Post Baby Bod ebook.
  • August 22nd – I met two local moms for a 3.5 mile stroller walk around Brooklyn Bridge Park. This was a nice change of scenery from my typical walking routes and will hopefully be a place that I frequent with her at least once a week. Since it requires a subway or cab ride to get there, I don’t think I can swing it too often but the cool breeze coming off the water and the city views were so nice as was meeting new moms.
  • August 23rd – This morning I was able to enjoy a 45-minute body-weight workout in Carroll Park with two other moms while Katie napped nearby. The workout, taught by Carolyn of CLT wellness, was a body-weight workout that leveraged the park benches and nearby basketball courts to help us break a sweat in a safe, efficient way. It was exactly what I needed today! The fresh air, breeze and cooler temps were great for Katie, while I benefited from the workout and comraderie after a tough night and morning with a fussy baby.
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ashleyd /

A Sweaty Start to Valentines Day

orange theory valentines day workout

Happy Valentine’s Day friends! Most years I roll my eyes at this commercial holiday that has become focused more on chocolates, flowers and gifts than just taking time to be thankful for loved ones. However, this year, I woke up this morning bursting with happiness.  Over the past few weeks I’ve been reminded multiple times that I am blessed with an incredible support group of friends, co-workers and family members both near and far.  So regardless of your status this Valentine’s Day, I hope you can take a moment to be thankful for yourself and those people in your life you hold dear.  I took a few minutes earlier today to thank each of my team members for their support by gifting them $5 on Venmo for a coffee or sweet treat. It isn’t much but sometimes the smallest, unexpected gestures are the most rewarding.

This morning Bo and I kicked off Valentine’s Day at Orangetheory Park Slope with a grueling Valentine’s Day themed partner workout led by Coach Corey. One of my favorite coaches, his playlist is always amazing and he did a great job motivating the class today as well as providing prenatal adjustments. This morning’s partner workout included an endurance hill and speed treadmill station, rowing and squat thrust station and a strength station that was packed with squats, chest flies and tricep extensions. By the time the clock hit 7:45, Bo and I were both dripping in sweat. Speaking of Orangetheory workouts, did you guys know that every Orangetheory location across the US does the same workout each day? My mind was blown when I discovered this the other day. How fun is that?!

Ashley and Bo 100 pound journey

Workout dates are something that Bo and I are trying to prioritize in our schedule between now and June when Baby Girl Diamond arrives.  As many of you know, we both enjoy sweating together as it provides us with time before our busy days to connect, workout and enjoy each other’s company.  When we started dating fourteen years ago, fitness was not a priority, as you can tell from the above picture. Since we’ve been together we’ve lost a combined weight of one hundred pounds, much of which can be attributed to our healthier and more active lifestyle. I’m so thankful that these days Bo and I equally enjoy working out and staying active together. In fact, it’s become such a part of our routine that I often take it for granted until I read posts like this.  Since running is something that I enjoy more than him, most of our workout dates revolve around workouts we enjoy equally such as high intensity interval training at Orangetheory or Fhitting Room, spin classes at FlyWheel or swimming at the YMCA.

This evening we will continue to enjoy Valentine’s Day together by cooking one of our favorite dishes together, sesame encrusted tuna, and relax with a movie.

Hope you guys have a great day!

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ashleyd /

Weekly Workout Recap – December 12th – 18th

pre-work-miles

Happy Tuesday!  I’m working my way through my work to do list today as I only have a few more hours before I put up my out of office message for two weeks! I am so ready for two weeks of rest and relaxation. We are spending half the time down in Savannah before heading back up to New York City to enjoy a staycation.

In terms of workouts, last week I initially filled my schedule with way too many workouts due to my new-found energy. I was excited to feel human again and was craving workouts. But, luckily my work schedule included three nights of dinners and client meetings which naturally caused me to change my workout schedule. A blessing in disguise, this helped ensure that I didn’t overdo it last week. My goal is to balance my workouts as I know that I can easily get too excited and pack my schedule with multiple workouts especially after missing those sweaty endorphins during the first trimester.

  • Monday December 12th – I started the week with the 6:15 morning
    class at my neighborhood Pilates studio, A-Line Pilates. These tower classes are helping me engage my core and begin training the muscles that will be key during labor and delivery. Since the studio is only a five minute walk from my house, I have no excuses!
  • Tuesday December 13th –  My friend Elizabeth, who is three weeks ahead of me in pregnancy, suggested a pre-work jog. Even though it was frigid outside, we had a blast catching up while we walked and jogged around the neighborhood.
  • Wednesday December 14th – Rest Day
  • Thursday December 15th  – Rest Day
  • Friday December 16th –  I ended the work week with another great 6:15 morning Tower Pilates class at A-Line Pilates.
  • Saturday December 17th – As part of a blogger partnership, I had the opportunity to visit the Brooklyn Heights Orange Theory location with Bo. We took the 11:30-12:30 signature Orange 60 class, led by instructor Corey Harbison. I will share more thoughts in an upcoming post but needless to say Bo and I both thoroughly enjoyed class. It left me sore for two days as I haven’t done much strength training over the past few weeks nor hill intervals but thanks to the heart rate monitor and great instructor, I felt safe the entire time.
  • Sunday December 18th –  Before church, Bo and I spent an hour working out at the YMCA. While he swam I did a 45 minute spin class followed by 15 minutes of foam rolling and core work.
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