Morning Walk on the Beach

One of my new favorite things to do is taking a morning walk on the beach. It's so peaceful with the sound of the waves crashing against the shore and the slight breeze blowing at your back. It's a great change to the same old walk in my neighborhood or the park. I love it because beach workouts are also great for your quads, hamstrings, gluts and calf muscles!

 It's been a long time since I've lived so close to the shore. I lived in VA Beach for a few years as a child but this was short lived due to another military move that came my family's way.  Jesse and I lived about 3 hours from the coast while living in California so it was hard to do a morning walk on the beach unless we of course stayed overnight somewhere.

Jesse and I fortunately live very close to the shore after this last move so we can take advantage of this treat often. This particular morning we decided to take my family who came to visit of the weekend. It was great to see my parents reminiscing about this particular beach because this was the same beach they took me too as a child. It was my mom's go to spot to take the kids while my Dad was on deployment.

Baby Allie enjoying the waves

Those waves put her to SLEEP!

The crabs were busy at work that morning.......this one didn't want his picture taken! Jesse enjoyed kicking sand on him after I was done taking his photo..... (He's such a boy, ha!)

My mom found a perfect sand dollar! Ive never seen one this put together!

I'm glad I got a picture of it because Jesse ended up putting it in his pocket, forgot about it and found it again completely disintegrated while we were shopping at Target. (I forgot to tell him how fragile they are.)

Anyways, we had such a great morning and great 3 mile walk on the beach!


Till next time!

Laura

Postnatal 5K Training

So before having Allie, I was in pretty good shape, such as climbing a 14,000ft mountain, completing a few metric centuries (65 miles) on a road bike as well as working out 4 times a week doing a spin class or other sort of cardio but I would have NEVER considered myself a runner. I would tell friends, that I couldn't run because my body just couldn't handle it. Little did I know, with a little practice my body COULD handle it.

I got the push to run by hanging out with runners in Lemoore I think. These friends were awesome runners.....they could run half and full marathons....yikes! So, I started a training program I found on the Runner's World website called the Runner's World 8 Week Beginning Runner's Training Program

I did this program for about 5 weeks and I was slowly becoming a runner but then I found out I was pregnant. I knew that running was probably okay to keep up with (at a slower intensity of course) but me being the worry-wort that I am I didn't feel safe running while preggers. So, I found other ways to exercise during the duration of my pregnancy.

I was so excited and determined to run again after waiting those 6 weeks after having a c-section. I had to remember though to start working out slowly again. Here is pretty much what I did:

• Weeks 6-8 Postnatal Workouts
• Bike on trainer for 40 minutes light intensity 3x a week 
• Walk 2.5 miles approx 2x a week
• Weeks 7-11 Postnatal Workouts
• Bike on trainer for 40 minutes moderate intensity 3x a week
• Runner's World Training Program: Run/Walk 2.5 miles aprrox 3-4x a week
• Weeks 12-Present Postnatal Workouts
• High intensity Spin/Weights/Plyometric class at the gym 1-2x a week
• 40 minutes on spin bike
• 20 minutes of weights and exercises such as push-ups, mountain climbers, high knees
• Runner's World Training program: Run/Walk to 3.1 miles* 4x a week 

 *I extended the mileage to a 5K distance. The Runner's World workout only has you go about 2.5 miles

By doing this program I was able to complete a 5K 17 weeks postnatal at a 10.48 average mile. SLOW but I did it :-)

The before photo

The after photo

33.28 minutes to the finish!

I am by no means saying this program is the best way to do it or the "correct" way and I was of course in shape before hand so it was easier to pick back up the workouts. I am just hoping to motivate you to start your own workout schedule and I hope that you succeed at whatever you find you love to do.

Please remember to consult a doctor before starting any workout program


Till Next Time!

Laura

Just a Few Things about Me

Welcome to my blog! Here are just a few little things about my life that I thought I'd share

• I'm a Navy Brat! My dad was an E-2 pilot so we moved around a few times, living in places like Monterey Ca, Virginia Beach then the D.C. area. This is why when people ask me where I grew up my first thought is "umm....where do I start?" 
• I graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Kinesiology, GO TERPS! 

• I went back to school in 2007 to get a Master's in Education from Grand Canyon University.
• I was a figure skater, I trained for 16 years until my back just couldn't take it anymore. And yes, The Cutting Edge "toe-pick" movie is my favorite movie.
• I met my husband while teaching figure skating at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. My husband would want me to make sure I say that he was NOT taking these lessons, ha! We started out as friends then got married two days after he graduated in 2007.

Getting his wings!

•  I have many passions which are being a mom, teaching, fitness and health. Ive worked as a professional skating coach, personal trainer and teacher and loved every bit of it. 

Love these kids!

• Continuing with my lifestyle from my childhood...now being a Navy wife, we move alot! Ive actually lived five different places in four years!! And most I didn't even know existed, uhh like Enid and Kingsville!

• We welcomed a beautiful baby girl in January 2011.

Zoo Trip

Easter

Heidi, 2009

•  We own two beautiful dogs, Heidi and Coco, who love to get into trouble and cuddle. For example, Heidi knows when the pantry is open and eat all the bread. Oh and dont dare leave frozen meat on the counter!

Coco, 2009

 These few things play a major role in my life and pretty much what my life revolves around; my husband, my child, my pets, moving and teaching/health and fitness. There's definitely much more that I could share so I guess you'll have to keep reading future posts to find out!

Till Next Time!

Laura