This week’s workout playlist and my issue with strength training.

I feel you on strength training! I really want to implement it, because I know it’s SOOOO good for me, but am I willing to do that if it means being sore for the one workout I actually enjoy?! Ugh, I just don’t know.

I usually work between 8-10 hours a day, and it’s TOUGH to squeeze a run in. Right now I”m taking advantage of the decent weather and just doing it right after work, but it still is a bummer because it sets my evenings back, and I get HUNGRY early! :)

I typically listen to podcasts when I run, just because they help me zone out, but a song I’m loving for every day is Meghan Trainor Lips are Movin! So so fun!

I used to run around the house while my kids napped inside just to get a workout in. It was tough, but sometimes you do what you gotta do! I have to admit, I’m kind of glad those days are over!

I’m sure you will get somewhere with strength training–I mean, look how for you came with running! I am sure that in the beginning running is just as hard as the beginning of strength training.

I Do love waking up sore though, it’s quite motivating.

Songs…
Liberation by Harold van Lennep.
One Day (Vandaag) by Bakermat.

I workout in the evening, but now in my fifth year of teaching high school, it has been catching up with me.. and I don’t always feel like working-out. Which is sad.

I love that you are so dedicated to working out, even now that you are a single mom! It is very inspiring. I struggle to work out sometimes with my 9 month old son. Although I do feel like a single mom sometimes since my husband works such long hours!

Favorite song to work out to lately: Shake it Off by Taylor Swift

Since my son still isn’t walking and does fine in the stroller for less than 1 hour, I take him on all of my runs. Strength/cross training I do at home while he naps or plays on his own.

I am a working mom (single parent to boot)…when I can, I have been trying to get up ~5:15am for 30 minutes of yoga or strength traning (Jillian Michaels). Other than that, my workouts are between end of work and picking up my child. I work until 4…I try to pick my son up by about 5:30. I can be home and changed by about 4:20ish. I like to keep my workouts M-F so I can have the weekends open for time with my son…and whatever else life may throw at us. I have moments of feeling selfish for taking the time for me, but I know what running / working out does for me mentally, so I think being a little selfish really makes me a better person & mom. I am so much happier after a workout!

I usually go to the gym before work – it took awhile to get into a morning habit, but now I’m really glad to have free evenings, and it helps start the day out on a great note.

If I’m sore after strength training, I usually see it as a sign that I’ve had a successful, challenging workout and that my body could use a rest for the day. Or I do low-impact work that lets those muscles rest a bit and works the other parts of my body.

Working mom here – to get a workout in before I have to get up at 4:45am and be out the door by 5 and back home and in the shower by 6:15. The dark road and I are friends :)
It sucks, but trying to do it after work rarely happens, plus I hate cutting into the family time in the evenings.

Gingerbread+icing = so good.

I always run in the morning before work! If I want to do a yoga or strength class I do that after work, but most days I don’t have the time or energy to run after work so its become a habit to do it in the morning. It’s also my favorite part of the day so I wake up excited to run almost every day!

I am in LOVE with Bolthouse dressings. Try the Salsa Ranch!!! I think it’s even better than the Classic Ranch!

I have to get my runs in after work…and before I lay down or else it’s so hard to get up!! For music, Right now I’m actually stuck on throwin’ it back to the 90s haha! Some olldddd Mariah Carey and Boys 2 Men what whattttt :P
Gingerbread yes. Always.

No kids, just work. Woke up at 4:30 this morning to run 11 miles before getting into work by 8:30. By that point I’m always extra grateful to be sitting down with tea or coffee at my desk and finally relaxing!

Strength training always leaves me sore too. Normally I think it’s a good feeling because it reminds me I have strong muscles but when it combines with the harder phase of running / training I feel like I am sore all the time. To combat this I throw in a couple sessions of body weight only stuff for legs and normal weight for upper body. The body weight stuff still gives me a workout but provides a nice stretch too and makes me legs feel a lot better (I think about it like a cut back week in running).

As for songs I am liking Take Me To Church by Hozier, Five Hours by Deorro, and Express Yourself by Diplo.

My kids are older now (pre-teens and teens) but it is still tough to find the time . I now work full time (used to be a stay at home Mom when the kids were little), and go in super early, so I am usually racing home from work to get a run in before going to one of the kids sporting events or extra curricular activities. I would much prefer running in the morning, but with work that isn’t possible. It is nice on Saturday mornings to be able to get up and go out for an early morning run while the kids and hubs sleep in, since they are older. I guess as Moms who love to run you are always figuring ways out to get it in.

Lately I have been loving the song “I Lived” by OneRepublic. So inspiring!!!

I’m not a Mum, so I have some more flexibility about working out times. I get up early and hit the gym by about 5am to get my workout done before work. Sometimes I can still make myself exercise after work, but it’s just best if I get it done before the day potentially gets crazy. On weekends I take my time, but I like to make sure that I can join my husband and our dog for a morning walk as well.

Mom reading: I totally agree that treadmills are definitely the best when young kids are around. Usually my workout happens when the baby’s asleep. Sometimes that means I have to get up early. Love Saturdays when my husband can hold the wakeful baby and I can sleep in and still exercise.

Yay for gingerbread! But your pumpkin bread also looks divine. I probably would have finished off the pan for breakfast the next morning.

My runs are all over the map when I can squeeze them in. My hubs leaves early for work so sometimes after I take my eldest to school I’ll hop on treadmill while my little one rides her bike and plays on driveway where I can see her. Or after my husband gets home before dinner depends on my sons sports practices. Gets tricky with 3 kids and them having their activities but somehow it all works out and I love all of us having our various interests. And sometimes I go running with my 9 year old it’s so fun.

I COMPLETELY feel you with strength training. Whenever I do a Butts and Guts class (or something of the sort) I’m always SUPPPPERRR sore afterwards. I feel like even if I do the classes regularly, I will always be sore for a day or two after, and can feel a major lag in my running.

Hi Janae,

I love, love, love that Bolthouse Ranch! It is my favorite right now as well! I am always a flavored balsamic vinegar girl, but I bought this several months ago and am hooked! I first got the blue cheese one which is so good too, but once I bought the ranch, that became my favorite (and I’m not even a ranch dressing person!)!

Jonna

My 26 year old brother singing “Fancy” by Iggy A. is by far one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. Good song…

I’m kind of in love with the new T. Swift album. The hubs and I work out at 4am at a boot camp. If we’re training for a run, then we’ll run after work with the kids as they ride their bikes or hit up our treadmill. It was almost easier when the hubs didn’t work out too, but I would much rather be healthy together.

I’m a working mom as well so I am FINALLY (after 14 years of running) enjoying running in the morning. Although I’m a wimp with the winter temps (yes, even in the south), I really love the runner’s high I get that lasts the WHOLE work day, plus it makes me feel SO accomplished knocking out a run first thing in the day. On days that I need some more sleep or a little more rest, I will use the gym at my work during my lunch break, or I’ll end my work day a little early and hit the gym before I head home. We have 4 TMs, 1 elliptical, 2 spin bikes and weights. Plus we have showers and the whole nine yards so I don’t have to leave my building at all. It really is a nice perk.

I go to CrossFit on my lunch break 3-4 days a week. It’s my ‘me’ time. It makes my lunch take an hour and a half (so I have to stay an extra 30 minutes those days) but it is 100% worth it. I feel so much better when I go and, usually, at lunch time I’ve already experience something frustrating so it’s nice to have that outlet :)
And those gingerbread mummies look AMAZING right now. I <3 gingerbread. I heart ginger in general, actually. I am married to one, hah!

Is your Boston treadmill still at your parents’ house?

You are awesome to always fit in a good workout, even though it’s not easy; I’m sure it’s good for both you and Brooke (a healthy mama is a happy mama).

The pic of Brooke enjoying the wind machine is just so funny, made my day! Your mom is so cute and I think Brooke looks a lot like her.

I do my running in the morning before I go to work and I think your playlists are just awesome!

Ok so I like running, but I cannot keep the mentality up when it’s on a treadmill especially if it’s what you do for 8 miles. What do you do to actually keep your mentality in the zone to actually run that long while staying in place?