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self care

  • Family Life, Self Care For Moms, Wednesday Wellness

    Fitness: Barre3 Reflections

    barre3

    Let’s Get Physical!

    Who doesn’t want a bangin’ body? Who doesn’t want a clear mind and happy life?

    This day in age we are bombarded with so many images and visuals of the perfect body. Take a scroll through Instagram or Facebook and I think you will understand what I am saying. But this post is NOT about how to achieve that. It is NOT about how to achieve the perfect physical look. It is NOT about how to loose weight.

    What this post is about is the importance of starting with the idea that you are enough and your physical appearance is only one part of you.

    Just before the New Year I was asked by the studio owner of my local Barre3 studio if I would participate in their upcoming January challenge. I had been taking classes at her studio off and on for a little over a year. Essentially, before she could finish her request, I had bought all new workout clothes and was ready to take the challenge head on.

    I was beyond flattered for the opportunity to be included but I was so nervous. I had to participate in multiple Barre3 classes a week, commit to daily meditation and then reflect. I just wanted to get a firm butt!! Ha.

    What I learned in the four week challenge about myself and about my strength was shocking and a little bit overwhelming. Yes, I participated in multiple classes a week and yes I (tried) to do daily meditation. But the real power and strength came from the reflection. And the belief that I was enough. That what I brought into the studio each day was enough. It was not about more more more… more weight loss, more endurance, more perfection… it was about being enough and focusing on the core aspects of what makes me strong from within.

    As a mother, as a mother who has a son with sensory needs and as a wife of a consultant I need a place where I can go and take care of myself. I found this at Barre3. Finding a place where I loved the workout, loved the community and felt rejuvenated and uplifted when I left was amazing. But Barre3 is not just about the workout. Now, do not get my wrong… it is hard. Your heart beat rises, your muscles burn and there is a lot of sweat. But in conjunction with Headspace I was able to focus on my mind as well.

    The Barre3 Piece

    I LOVE IT. Like honestly, truly, seriously. Even after the official challenge has ended I find myself craving to be at the studio and take a class (which I continue to do). Like I mentioned I wanted to just get a tight butt!! And while there is still progress to be made I am seeing a physical change in my body. The structure of the class is such that leaves you wanting more but feeling completely satisfied and sweaty. They have a formula of large range movements, small movement burnout and postural holds that I have not found in any other workout.

    All About The Workout

    Within each workout I get my hear rate up and blood pumping. My legs/arms/abs quiver. And my isometric strength is tested. I LOVE IT. All of it. With a consistent and committed routine REAL changes happen. My arms are more toned, my legs are stronger and my back has never felt better. For many of you who have been following me for a while you know I have had some serious back problems. Barre3 has been one of the best things that happened to my back. Pain is gone. Mobility is back.

    All About The Breath

    Not only does this fitness class offer a physical component but each class ends with dedicated breath work. It is a time to focus and be present for yourself. It has been in this time where I have felt the true community and connection of the Barre3 practice. I am in love with my home studio and the amazing instructors who share their passion. This dedicated breath work is when these women impact my life the most. With their words of encouragement, guidance and inspiration. It truly is an uplifting community and special place to be.

    The Meditation Piece

    Over the course of the month I began to see a direct correlation between my meditation and my workouts. Whether it be through the use of my breath or the work of quieting my mind it became a TOTAL body workout. So often we, as humans, forget that a total body workout should include our minds. As I have mentioned in the past I started mediating about six months ago and it has changed my life. Really focusing on deepening and bringing that practice into my physical workout began to take shape during this challenge.

    In full transparency Headspace is not my favorite meditation app. It took me a while to get used to the narrators voice in Headspace. BUT I did really connect with several of the daily meditation guides including one about quieting mental noise and another one on accepting challenging times. Both resonated with me as they were very applicable to aspects in my daily life.

    As a mother the ability to quiet mental noise is a hard feat; what with all the lists, errands, lunches, laundry, school, homework, activities, date nights, birthday parties and such to plan and execute. But the more I attended Barre3 class and focused on my meditation I was able to find moments in my day where I could quiet the noise and be present. During those times I could see my life a little more clearly… and I am able to make changes for the better.

    So, What’s The Catch?

    In this case there isn’t one. My fitness journey has been documented on my Instagram and here on the blog and I promise this has been an incredible experience. I continue to attend class at my home studio any Denver ladies wanna meet me there?? And I continue to grow, get stronger and be more intentional and HAPPY in my life. Like any workout routine it takes commitment and perseverance but knowing that I am enough no matter where I am when I enter the studio makes it all worth it.

    With Love,

  • Self Care For Moms, Wednesday Wellness

    Wellness Wednesday: You Have To Take Care Of Yourself

    take care of yourself

    I am a firm believer that in order to take care of them (your children, your spouse, your family) you need to take care of yourself. Plan and simple. You are a better mother, daughter, employee, wife and friend when you treat yourself as a priority. As someone who struggled, for many years, to take care of herself I am speaking from experience. I am 100% a better mother, wife and human when I take time for myself.

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  • Family Life, Real Life Ramblings, Self Care For Moms

    Mom Moments: Breaking Free From Guilt

    guilt

    Those moments.  The mom ones.  The ones you live for.  And then the ones that make you cringe. Those that you want to remember forever. Those you wish you could erase from your memory. But each one is a moment of time attached to your life. Each day I find myself encountering almost all of these emotions. Each day I experience the highs and lows of those moments.

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  • Real Life Ramblings, Self Care For Moms

    Book Roundup: Current Favorites, On The List + Daily Inspirational

    books

    Hey Loves!  Happy Thursday.  I am not sure about you but I am really ready for this weekend…. this week is dragging on for me.  Maybe it is all this back stuff and the uncertainty of whether I will be able to walk each day.  Believe me when I saw I know it could be a lot worse.  Each day I am thankful and give praise that the pain and uncomfortablenesss is as minimal as it is. 

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  • Real Life Ramblings

    My Holiday Tech Break and What I Learned

    Over the holidays I unintentionally took a technology and blog break.  While I did not set out to be off-line and my plan was never to decompress and take a step back I was kind of forced to.  However, I learned a bit about myself and my relationship with social media and technology.  While I wouldn’t say there was anything revolutionary or extraordinary it was very awakening to acknowledge and admit my limitations.

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  • Everyday Fashion

    Self Care: Graphic Tanks + Joggers

    Graphic Tanks + Joggers

    The most trendy buzz word in my “mama” circle is?????

    SELF CARE. 

    Recentlyish I was asked what I do for self-care.  How I ensure my needs are met.  And well…. I didn’t have an answer.  I stood there speechless.

    Fast forward several weeks.  Declan is in school and Brendan is traveling so I have a lot of time to think about myself.  I have a lot of time to focus on myself.  And it feels super unnatural and awkward. There is such a taboo about making yourself the focus of your own life, especially as a mother.  BUT why???  Everyone knows that if mama isn’t happy no one is happy but no one is comfortable with making mama the focus.  After I was asked how I take care of myself I spent a great deal of time thinking about what makes ME happy, what make ME feel complete and how do I make ME the center of my own attention.  A lot of women exercise, a lot of women spend a day at the spa, a lot of women do happy hours and believe me I try to do all of those but I need something different.

    I need ME time.  I need alone time.  It took me years to realize that I need alone time.  For reflection, for thought, for planning, for decompressing, for comfort, for SELF-CARE. I used to be scared to be alone with my thoughts and I was always seeking distractions. I was constantly seeking “noise” in my life to avoid the “noise” in my own head.  Being comfortable and alone with my thoughts was scary… Its like I was scared to think for myself.  If I listened to my mind I would have to change my life, if I listened to my brain I would have to change my heart and that scared me.  It scared me enough that I avoided it and created other things to think about.  I, essentially, created drama in my life to avoid dealing with my own life.  Talk about the opposite of self-care.  In fact, it made it impossible to engage in worthwhile, effective self-care because it was easier.

    Being alone and giving myself the time to address my thoughts is HARD.  It is harder than ignoring it.  Addressing and unpacking those thoughts is uncomfortable and sometimes it is yucky.  It’s a big mess up in my brain, it’s an emotional dumping ground, it’s a hodge podge of missed opportunities, regrets, celebrations and fears.  Over the last several years I have worked really hard at becoming comfortable with my thoughts, with learning to silence the outside “noise” to focus on the inside, with being alone.  It is challenging and sometimes downright impossible but in an effort to focus on self-care it is time I go back to listening to myself.  For some reason, I have slipped back into avoiding myself and of creating outside “noise” loud enough to drown out the inside “noise”

    While we lived in London and the year prior to that I had done a great job of focusing on my own thoughts, of learning to love being alone with my mind and to embrace the chaos of my own life.  Some might say I had no other choice given I was across the world but it was as much that as it was the internal feeling of knowing something needed to change.  I was ready to feel differently.  And I am again, ready to feel differently.

    Photos: Jenna Sparks Photography 

    ** Disclosure: my sight contains affiliate links.  It does not cost you anything to click on the links and if you purchase I may earn a small commission** 

    get the look: Joggers <similar> // Graphic Tank (old) <similar> // wedges // tote // watch // sunnies 

    Who doesn’t love this jogger trend??!?!? It is like wearing fancy sweatpants out of the house and I am obsessed.  I think these are my third or fourth pair!  I love to dress them up (like in this look) with a fun tee, wedges or heels and some fancy fun jewelry.  But I am not afraid to throw them on with a tee, flip flops and cardigan (perfect for school drop off).  This graphic tank is old but this trend is still hot!!  You can find ones with just anything on them… I have linked a few of my other favorites <here> <here> and <here> .  Again such a versatile piece to have in your closet- throw it on with joggers or distressed denim for a super cute trendy look.

    I, personally, tend to gravitate towards simple accessories.  I almost exclusively wear stud earrings (especially in my everyday life) and stick to the same four-six bracelets.  My style is pretty classic and easy.  Below I have linked my favorite stud earrings and bracelets- most of which you can find me any day of the week.

    taking care

    Self-care comes in many forms and is different for each person.  Self-care is not just about getting away from you children, or your job or your spouse… it is about embracing yourself.  It is about making yourself and your happiness a priority. Whatever form your self-care takes on I challenge you to remain authentic, real and transparent with your journey.  Embracing my feelings, my wandering mind and noisy thoughts is how I practice self-care.  Being alone and making the time to decompress, relax and reflect is how I practice self-care.  Recognizing and accepting myself as important is how I practice self-care.

    How do you do it???

    With Love,

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