Trimdown Thursday: Balancing Barre

I honestly can't believe it's week three! Feels like week 33!! I kid, y'all. :) I'm having a blast in this Pure Barre journey and feeling so good. It's amazing how exercise can give you that natural high...and when I'm feeling unmotivated and tired, I go to Pure Barre and BOOM. I have energy again! Isn't it funny how that works? I love it.


So, this week I feel like I'm really starting to connect with the moves...the form...the barre technique. It takes a few classes just to get this down (tomorrow will be #10 for me and Pure Barre suggests this is really when you start to see some results.). And once you do, it's rather exciting! Then you can concentrate on really working your body. While I've been modifying some moves, especially ab work, I'm feeling stronger every class and beginning to insert some moves regularly like the side plank (I'm still modifying the full plank). After I had little C, I hurt my back (although I strongly feel like it was due to the epidural, and this time I didn't have one), so I'm trying not to overdo my muscles on anything too soon. I have to remind myself I'm not even three months postpartum yet!

Had to take a Pure Barre selfie...
This week what I've really struggled with is balance...and I don't mean holding a tree pose for 90 seconds. I mean, trying to fit everything in. I read interviews all the time where moms say they're not worried about their body...it will come. Or they try not to be away from their kids just to exercise. But, for me, I need this hour of strength and getting back to myself. Feeling good about myself and my body, as well as being healthy (which sets a good example), is important to me. Not only is it a nice break for the soul, but getting back to my weight will make me physically and mentally feel better. Um, not to mention I have a huge closet full of clothes I refuse to just throw away!
So how do I balance? I don't. Something has to give, and it's become a harsh reality that I can't do it all. But I can come darn close. In the mornings, my husband helps me with taking little C to "school" for a few hours, and I have my time with baby L. Then, my mom is my right-hand gal the rest of the afternoon. She helps me juggle picking up little C and babysitting the kids while I exercise. That alone is no easy task, and many times she makes sure little C and baby L are both fed. I usually have to pump twice a day to make sure I have enough breastmilk to leave for baby L while I'm gone. And sometimes I have to either feed her and rush out, or rush home to feed her. Oh, the life of a nursing mom who's trying to get her body back and spend time with her kids! Once I'm home from barre, I can spend time with little C for the afternoon, but many times there are appointments and errands we have to run together. Oh, and I write these at about 10 p.m. at night in between feeding sessions and a shower. ;)
Yes, it's quite exhausting, but all worth it. I know it will slow down, but until then I just have to focus on the end results. And honestly, I can't imagine working throughout all of this, so kudos to all of you moms who head back to work after baby! I applaud you.

I'm living (!) in my Milan and Jade leggings and Stephanie tank (so great for nursing) from Yummie by Heather Thomson. They're life-changing.
A healthy body helps me be a better mama. It clears my mind and makes me feel good. And I can sprint around the house or on the soccer field with little C. :) Some days I feel like I want to give up. I don't have a moment to breathe or sit down. But somehow I always come back and center myself. Just keep going. You can do this.

Ok, LOVING this Hard Tail Forever cardigan. Great for hiding a not-yet-flat belly, and for breastfeeding!
Several people have told me this week I'm an inspiration. That's what this is all all about...reaching our goals. I really, really hope I'm inspiring to you! We can do this, mamas!
P.S. As I've mentioned, I'm doing Weight Watchers as I also practice Pure Barre. I'm so close to my first goal, and hope to hit it within the next week. So exciting! I've been losing 1.5-2 pounds on average per week, the recommended for nursing mothers. Since I started the program a few weeks ago, I've now lost 7 pounds...squeal!!! I'm over halfway to shedding all the baby weight (since after birth I shed about 20 pounds just from breastfeeding). Summer bathing suit...here I come!

Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, so please consult yours before starting any new diet or exercise plan. I was not compensated for this post, but was provided the PB Baby Bounceback Package for the purposes of my reviews. All opinions, as always, are my own.