Hello! It’s been a hot second since I blogged as I took made an impromptu decision to disconnect from blogging during the second half of our vacation. I realized that I never took a true leave from blogging after giving birth to Katie as I found so much support, inspiration and energy from blogging right after she was born. As soon as we landed in Savannah I felt the urge to disconnect 100% from email, blogging and most of social media. While I shared a few stories on Instagram and a few posts, I spent most of the time soaking up the Savannah humidity and all the love from our Savannah friends and family.

In a similar vein, working out was not my number one priority. While many people assumed that Bo and I would take advantage of the time with grandparents to run errands, go on a date together, or workout we both found ourselves wanting to spend the time together with everyone, including Katie. For me, that meant that workouts were not a priority during this trip. While I did squeeze in a few workouts, I spent more time chatting with family, rolling on the floor with Katie, sipping beers on the back porch, and enjoying delicious food. Maybe it’s the unofficial end of Summer or cooler Fall weather, but since returning to Brooklyn yesterday, I’ve been inspired to dive back into blogging as well as a healthier, more mindful workout and food routine. Most of my maternity and post-baby clothing that I’ve worn all Summer is just that, Summer clothing, and therefore if I have any hope of fitting in some of my Fall wardrobe, I need to get back to workouts and cleaner eating. Don’t get me wrong – I have no skewed thinking that these new hips or my larger chest will fit in some items, and that is just fine. But, I know that if I can shed the few pounds that I gained over the past month of travel and fun, a majority of my leggings, jeans, sweaters and flowy blouses will be an option for the cooler, Fall temperatures.

Since I’m aware that dieting and extreme exercise can have a negative impact on breast milk supply as well as add unnecessary stress, I’m taking a realistic, healthy, manageable approach. I am taking pictures of my food as a way to stay accountable and nix the mindless snacking and I’m dedicating Katie’s morning nap to the Post Baby Bod Workouts. This morning nap tends to be her longest one of the day so it’s realistic that I can do an at-home strength/cardio workout at least three days a week during this nap. The afternoon nap, around 5pm, tends to be the least reliable one so this is going to become a stroller walk time a few days a week. In regards to out of home workouts, my goal is two per week – one early, morning YMCA workout during the week before Katie wakes up and one weekend workout while Bo can watch Katie.

So, now that we’ve covered those bases, let’s get to last week’s workouts, shall we? Most of these workouts ended up being cardio since I didn’t spend anytime at a gym, fitness studio and were enjoyed with my mom.

• August 30th: A quick, 30 minute walk/jog around my aunt and uncle’s driveway in Vermont before our drive home to Brooklyn.
• August 31st: I headed to the YMCA at 5:30 AM to squeeze in a workout before our flight down to Savannah. I did 30 minutes on the Stairmill and 15 minutes of arms/back before returning home. I added a bit more to the workout by doing a 5:1 walk/jog interval for the mile commute home.
• September 1st: I headed out for my first solo walk/run through the neighborhood which was 45 minutes of 5:1 walk/jog intervals. It was hot and humid but the sunshine was so refreshing as was some alone time to disconnect and zone out to the music on my playlist.
• September 3rd: I headed out for a solo 60 minute walk/run through the neighborhood and was able to cover 4.25 miles using a 5:1 walk/jog interval system. The workout felt especially tough due to the heat and humidity in Savannah but the views were gorgeous!
• September 4th: My mom and I enjoyed chatting together during a 60 minute stroller walk through the neighborhood while taking advantage of the lower, evening temperatures.
• September 5th: Travel Day home from Savannah, aka rest day.
• September 6th: Since the weather in NYC isn’t conducive for a long walk today, I did 10 minutes of cardio (mountain climbers, jumping jacks, speed skaters) as well as the Total Body Workout from Gina’s Post Baby Bod ebook.