How I keep my fitness routine on family vacations

How I keep my fitness routine on family vacations

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Hi friends! Coming to you LIVE from a quick little getaway in florida during our “fall recess”.

I wanted to touch base on traveling & how I fit fitness in while on vacation! Before I had kids, it was pretty easy to fit working out in while traveling! Now…it’s a whole different ball game.

Travel with kids is something I really can’t even describe! Basically, it’s the most amazing thing but also the most exhausting! You need a vacation from your vacation LOL. Just thinking about packing for a family vacation legit gives me anxiety (especially now with 3 kids lol!!). It can be really tough, especially with little ones that miss naps, and don’t understand a change in environment.

However, I can honestly assure you that taking the family vacation, however exhausting it can be, is ALWAYS worth it. It’s kind of like child birth at times…the journey to get there is supperrrr painful (read: babies screaming the whole time on the flight) but more than worth it when you smell that salty ocean air.

Speaking of prep work before a vacation…one of the biggest vaca prep I hear about is people hitting up the gym before their vacation so they look and feel great on their vacations. This is AWESOME. Motivation comes in so many different ways, and I’m cool with whatever gets you motivated to become more healthy, and fit. Motivation doesn’t always need to come from pure intention. REAL TALK: A third of my workouts are fueled by this.

BUT what happens when you get to your hotel, resort, cruise, all-inclusive? SO many drop their activity levels when they’re on vacation and let loose on their nutrition …because they’re “on vacation” or “because I deserve it”. I’m totally with you. You do deserve to live a little. BUT making sure you’re active every day during vacation can go a LONG way in continuing your progress/routine when you get back home. Half of the battle is staying on schedule throughout your vaca so that when you get home, you hit the ground running!

It can be tough especially if you don’t have help on the trip (we never usually have help or a babysitter)but IMO nothing is more important than your health!!

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Here’s a few tips I try to live by when going on vacation:

1.     Research before you go: Be smart about your hotel selection. Nobody has an endless budget, but there are a lot of hotels with decent gyms. All it takes is 30 minutes to get a good sweat in. I look for hotels with 24 hour access to gyms that have free weights-there is so much you can do with those. Also, you can find a hotel that has a path nearby for running/walking, and sometimes I call ahead to see if there are side walks.

2.     BYO: Bring your own. If its impossible to find a hotel with a gym in your location/price range…Bring your own. Bands and body weight exercises can be an awesome, easy way to incorporate training. And, bands take up very little space. I also pack my own protein powder with me as well as protein bars so I’m prepared for snacks on the go! Also, running, walking (and swimming if hotel has a pool) are easy ways to get exercise.

3.     Diet: The biggest tip I could give to anyone (especially moms with kids) is stay somewhere with a fridge and microwave. This way you can store healthy snacks. Even better? Stay in a hotel with a kitchen, or rent a house. Cooking on your own isn’t very vacation like, but you would be surprised at how much healthier you eat just having breakfast and lunch at home is, then eating all three meals out. We always find hotels or apartments that have full kitchens and stock up at local grocery stores. We tend to have breakfast and lunch at home and some days cook & some days go out!

4.     Balance: Speaking of diet, balance is key. Enjoy those tacos or pizza, but the next meal balance it out with chicken or salmon. Also, using those extra carbs to fuel (and feel GREAT) is the best part of eating them. I always find my runs post pizza/pasta I feel SO good.

5.     Make the time: Its funny to think that most people make the priority when their lives are the busiest (at home, working, daily grind) BUT when they’re on vacation (and have all the time in the world) they let it all slide. There’s 24 hours in a day, and you will prioritize something if its important!

6.     Find things to do that include activity: Sure, nothing wrong with having a beach afternoon or a pool day in the shade, but there’s something to be said for exploring a new place by going on a walk, finding a local playground for the kids, looking for a hiking trail, or swimming instead of lounging. One of my favorite things to do is run in a new neighborhood/right when we get into a new hotel. You learn so much more about the area if you’re not in a car! You don’t need to be a slave to the gym on vacation! Vary up your activity.

7.     The 50-50 rule: A good way to approach vacation workouts is try to do a “workout” half of the days you’re there. The other days, be intentional about moving more. I think we can all commit to working out 3 or 4 days out of 7!!

8.     Plan to succeed: Be intentional and plan your workout with your spouse. For me personally, I love to get my work out before the kids wake (especially a run because I can literally walk out the door). Not a morning person and your kids nap? Get your workout in while they sleep.  I find if I think about when I want to get my workout in the next day based around our schedule the night before, I’m more apt to follow through. Also, when they go to bed is another time I use. There have been times I have gone to a hotel gym for 30 minutes once the kids go to bed. ALSO…if you have school age children going at a time that your kids have to do school work or reading for school is another great time to take advantage of.

9. Something I really do is try and stick to the most important parts of your diet/exercise routine. One piece that I am continuing with while on vacation is my fasting. I am counting macros, just more loosely which allows me to enjoy my vacation more. By still fasting, I know I’ll still make progress even though I’m away!

10. Lastly, don’t beat yourself up!!! If you miss a day or two, no worries!

I hope these tips help you out and keep you on track as you plan for your summer vacation! Hey

Xo

Alex

FASTer Way to Fat Loss 3 Week Update

FASTer Way to Fat Loss Update

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HAPPY MONDAY! Who is ready to get after it this week?!!

I’m officially 3 weeks into the FASTer Way to Fat Loss program and I wanted to share 4 things that have surprised me about the program, and what have been my hottest items at the grocery store the last month!

If you don’t have any clue what I’m talking about, check out my 4 months postpartum post where I explain a little bit about the FASTer Way to Fat Loss program!

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4 things that have surprised me the most about the FASTer Way to Fat Loss Program:

  1. How Quickly I saw results: I’ll admit I was pretty skeptical of the program going into it especially because I’m nursing. BUT I swear that I saw a difference in my body within 5-7 days. I could see changes in my body, clothes fitting better and the crazy thing was…I was eating ALL of the food! This kept me super motivated on and on track! I’m currently halfway through the program, and have lost weight & inches (technically I’m not supposed to weigh myself so shhhh….don’t tell!!But I already have lost a few lbs!)

  2. How easy the intermittent fasting is: I was honestly really worried about skipping breakfast and not eating until noon. Going 16 hours without food seemed pretty much impossible. ha. Can you tell I love food?!! I pretty much was convinced that I might shrivel up and waste away during the 16 hours. lol.

    It’s turned out that intermittent fasting is one of those things that sounds harder than what it actually is (for me anyway). Its really just getting past thinking about eating all the time! In order to make the transition easier, during “prep” week I worked my way up to the 16 hours of fasting. And this is coming from someone who LOVES breakfast. Truthfully, It makes my mornings so easy to not eat and I really feel like its working!

  3. My milk supply has been great: Outside of the intermittent fasting, maintaining my milk supply was probably my biggest concern going into this whole thing. I’m happy to report that MY MILK SUPPLY HAS INCREASED. Guys, I have more milk now than I did before AND I’m getting leaner relatively quickly! I have no issues on low carb OR low macro days. So, this was clearly a pleasant surprise!

  4. Prep week is overwhelming, but after a few days everything becomes second nature: During prep week, I felt a little overwhelmed with info and scared i wasn’t going to be able to manage this. Crazy as it sounds, after a few days, I was starting to take the time to plan the night before (I totally recommend this) and punch everything in to myfitness pal! Remember, knowledge is power! I can’t say enough how much you will learn about fueling your body when you join the FASTer Way to Fat Loss.

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The next round starts on July and you can register here: https://www.fasterwaycoach.com/#Alexsahlen2 . THIS IS an affiliate link, but please know I didn’t even share the link before I started because I wanted to be sure it was something I could stand behind! I truly love how I feel right now and I’m starting to feel confident that this can get me where I want to be physically WHILE I’m nursing my little guy!

I have another 3 weeks left in the program and I’m excited to see where it will take me! I’ll be sharing my results mid July on the blog including a Q & A on the program.

My current grocery store list:

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As always, let me know if you guys have any questions about the program!

xo

Alex









The Willow Pump Review

My Willow Pump Review

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I’m so excited today to be finally sharing my review of the Willow Pump! For those that don’t know, the willow pump is new(er) on the market, and is the first wearable, mobile and tubeless/bottle-less pump!

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I first found out about the Willow at the end of my breastfeeding journey with my middle son and was so jealous of those who were currently pregnant and able to try the willow! Fast forward a year later, and I was pregnant again! I was looking forward to trying the Willow pump when I had my baby. I remembered how hard it was to manage my time and make time to pump when I was away from baby with only two kids (much less three!). I knew this pump could only help me, especially going into “zonal defense” of raising three boys under the age of 5.

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Breastfeeding is probably one of the hardest (mentally & physically), but also the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. The bond I had with my sons through nursing was truly incredible. BUT the thing about breastfeeding that I dislike the most is …..

The pumping. The time it takes. The cleaning of the parts. The sound. Being tied down every couple hours.

Although I had gotten pretty good at multi tasking and figuring out how to be more efficient, I still hated pumping and dreaded it. Trying to juggle work, meetings, events for my older son…it was crazy, I feel like ½ the time I would have to pump in the car (using my ultimate favorite hands free Ollie Gray bra!)

Other times I would come home from being at work, or running an errand to find that the baby coulden’t wait and needed to be fed, regardless of how I tried to time it. This ultimately meant that the babysitter would be leaving me with an awake baby, needing to pump!  Trying to pump while being plugged into a wall with a  2 year old and a newborn is virtually impossible if you’re on your own. AND, yeah, sure you can pump while your kids sleep. But really?  Using your time while the kids are napping to pump is not really high on your list of things you want to do during that time!  

Imagine being able to live a life where you could make dinner while you pumped. Fold clothes. Hang up laundry. Put your makeup on. Blow dry your hair. Go for a walk.

You can.

Enter the Willow.

How does it work? You simply put it together (minimal parts), wait the initial 3-5 min stimulation phase, and you’re on your way once you hit expression (let down).

FREE TO DO ALL OF THE THINGS. Even lay down #winning.

I thought I would break down pros/cons of the Willow, if I like it better than my hospital grade, and my ultimate thoughts on the pump and whether it is worth getting.

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Pros of the Willow Pump:

1.     It’s wireless. You can literally pump anywhere, anytime! Rejoice, mama’s! Go for a walk? Yes. Clean? Yes. Read a book to your toddler? Yes. Prepare a snack or meal? Yes. ANYTHING you want to do, you can do.

2.     Not many parts and easy to clean: I love this about it, its so easy to clean and no super small part to lose.

3.     The bags are easy, and take up less room: I like the bag for the purpose of storage in the fridge, also when traveling I could fit more in a cooler than I could with the bottles!

4.     It’s Quiet: Anyone else feel like their pump sings to them? Do you have to press mute if you’re on a conference call while pumping because yours is so loud? Not with the willow!

5.     It’s Smart: Willow has an awesome app that helps you keep track of how much you’re pumping, what phase you’re in, how much battery life is left as well as great support If you have issues.

6.     Customer Service: The customer service and support team is excellent if you have any issues. There are so many different avenues available for assistance whether its chat, text or phone. Also, there is support on the app.

7.     Battery life is really good: I took the pump with me to NYC for the day and didn’t have to charge it all day and I used it 4-5 times!

8.     Compact & Easy to Travel with: As I mentioned above, I travelled with this pump to NYC (as well as Florida) and It was such a relief to not have my huge hospital grade pump. I swear I have to have a bag JUST for my pump and bottles! The willow can fit this in my purse/backpack and its so compact and much more lightweight. LOVE.

9.     FREEDOM!!! Need I say more?!

 

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Cons of the Willow pump:

1.     The learning curve is REAL. This took me a good 3-4 weeks to get the hang of and I am experienced with nursing and pumping. I could see if you are a new mom this could be hard to get at first. However, as I mentioned above, they do have good support and help via their app, phone, and text. Stick with it! Its worth it!

2.     It’s pricy: This pump is not covered by health insurance. However, if you have a HSA/FSA, you can purchase the willow using that (this is what I did so it wasn’t out of pocket)

3.     Bags: The Willow 2.0 holds 5 oz, so if you’re an over supplier like me, it can be frustrating to have to stop and put a new bag in. Usually this only affects me in the mornings when I have more milk. The bags are also a little expensive and can only be used once.

4.     Stimulation/Expression: The stimulation setting is already set and you can’t change in manually. For those that don’t understand, this is the phase before your milk lets down. This is probably the most frustrating part for me and what I wish I could change. I find I need a lot of suction during stimulation and I can’t adjust the suction until I’m in the expression mode.

5.     Charging: You can only charge one side at a time. I really wish that you could charge two in one with the charger.

Other things to know:

1.     You can only buy their items online (bags, flanges, etc.) on their website.

2.     The flanges only come in two sizes!

3.     I’ve found the most important part of the learning curve is figuring out your alignment! Once you have that down pat, it should be smooth sailing.

4.    Your bra matters. They have a few different ones on their website that they recommend, but I love the Cake Maternity Bra and the Ollie Gray’s nursing/pumping bra!

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So what pump do I like the best?

I find that I rotate and use both my Willow and my hospital grade for various reasons (as listed above). As most of you know, you get a pump through your insurance (hello, free!!) and regardless of whether or not you plan on using it, I would definitely get the hospital grade pump even if you think you only want to use the willow.

VERDICT:

All in all, I think the Willow pump is seriously the most amazing, incredible concept and feel so fortunate to be able to utilize one of these pumps! The fact that I can go for a walk, do household chores, drive, etc. while pumping makes me so much happier of a mom and less stressed. All in all, while the willow has some areas it can improve (which I’m sure they will- its only been out for a short time!), this pump is such an empowering tool for breastfeeding moms. Anything that makes #momlife and #nursinglife easier is a WIN in my book.

I definitely recommend this pump to anyone who feels they are going to be giving their baby a bottle 3-4 days a week. I still use my hospital grade pump at work because I’m usually sitting at a desk anyway, and its cheaper (no need to buy bags like with the willow) but I use my Willow on average once a day at home. I use it in instances where I need to do extra pumping session or if I’ve been out running errands. It allows me to not miss a beat taking care of my baby, older children, as well as do ALL OF THINGS we mamas do while still providing milk for my baby which I’m so grateful for!

Happy Pumping friends! Xo

Alex

** This post is not sponsored or affiliated with the Willow Pump. All thoughts & opinions are solely my own.