I hope I’m not flooding you with too many “Body After Baby” posts right now. I know I just posted My Food Plan a couple days ago. I’ve tried to keep it to once a week, but wanted to go ahead and cover the Fitness Plan portion. That’s what I feel like discussing this morning, so I hope you’re cool with that. If not, watch out. I didn’t sleep at all last night thanks to false labor and may be a little cranky. I also may seriously be considering choosing the “labor inducing” eggplant parmesan over my sanity. And I hope you read the above paragraph with some sarcasm…except for the whole eggplant lasagna thing. I’m not kidding about that part after last night.

Let me let you in on a little secret. Once Baby B pops out it honestly won’t take long to get back to pre-pregnancy weight or close to it. My fitness level and shape, however, will have drastically changed. Yet another reason I choose not to use a scale – it doesn’t give the whole picture. I have numerous fitness goals I desire to achieve after baby B arrives. I don’t have a set goal on timing, as I won’t know my body’s fitness level until I get back into workouts. That doesn’t mean I can’t go in with a plan. So, here’s part of what you can expect to see fitness-wise in the (hopefully very near) future on Faith Fitness Fun.

Part 1 - Gradual Increase In Intensity

I firmly believe that if you dive in and try to do too much, too fast, then your body will burn out. Your motivation will decline. You won’t manage to stay consistent and consistency matters in achieving goals. I will take things step by step.

1. Take full rest after Braedon is born until I feel my body is ready for light activity again. This took about 2 weeks after Makenzie, but could vary this time.

2. Begin very light workouts up until my 6 week post-delivery check up. This includes things like short walks or extremely light weights, such as the videos I did to get used to weights again after Makenzie. We’re talking simple here. Fortunately I have midwives/doctors that believe in trusting your body post-baby and feel comfortable with beginning some light activity before the 6 week post-partum mark. No matter what though, you can trust I will listen to my body!

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3. At the 6 week point, I will start monthly workout rotations and plans that get gradually more challenging as each month passes. In general, this will take the form of increasing the length or intensity of cardio, like moving to running over time or getting back to spin classes more often. It will also include weight workouts that go from beginner style plans a couple days a week to more detailed strength training up to 4 days a week. Part 2 will explain in more detail the variety of things I plan on doing and how I will incorporate them into a cohesive plan.

4. More avidly pursue my specific goals – such as races, completing pull-ups, increasing the weight I can lift to previous fitness levels, etc.

Stay tuned for Part 2! Like I mentioned above, I will share a bit more detail on what types of workouts I want to incorporate again. I will also let you in on some ideas I have for the blog related to my fitness and workouts. Now, wish me luck as I have a busy day ahead – including a checkup at the doctor.

Question of the Day – How soon would you like to see Part 2? What ways do you gradually increase the intensity level of your workouts? Or how do you plan to do so this year?

Made me…smile.

The cute things my little M does – like feeding her “Teddy” a wide assortment of goodies. Even cooler? The majority of her play kitchen stuff was mine growing up.

Made me…excited.

I got goodies in the mail! Amy from Healthy Peanut sent me some homemade marshmallows. They’re airy and delicious. Thanks, Amy!!!

Made me…motivated.

My daily devotional always has the best messages. I had to share this one earlier.

Made me…laugh.

Apparently if I eat the Eggplant Parm from this local restaurant I will go into labor in the next 24 hours. A friend sent me that info and it provided a good chuckle.

Made me…consider my sanity.

After the chuckle, I thought “hmmmm”. Maybe I’m not opposed to an Italian dinner for a date night this weekend. 😉

Made me…shocked.

Guess what I did today? I registered my little girl for her first year of preschool!!! This can’t be happening already. It may not be full-blown preschool as a 2-year old class, for a few hours a day 2-3 times a week, but still. Already?

Made me…stoked.

Apparently there WILL be a 2011 Healthy Living Summit later this year as Meghann takes charge of the planning. I’m going. No matter what, I’m going. 

Question of the Evening – What “made you” emotion and moment did you have today?

Also, after seeing the positive response to my earlier post, feel free to let me know of any other reader’s requests you may have!