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One Year Blog Anniversary 

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It’s been a year since I started this blog, mainly to keep myself motivated and accountable for staying active during my pregnancy. I don’t get a chance to post as often as I wish to but I really enjoy having this space to share with you about my life and workouts. 


This past weekend I ran my first post-pregnancy 5K. And boy did I surpass my expectations. I didn’t give myself a goal although I was secretly hoping to do it under 24 minutes…and I didn’t even wear my watch…I ended up running my second fastest 5K to date! According to my phone it was 23:15 but Strava said 22:45.

If you’ve been reading my posts you know I don’t get to run often- usually 2 mile runs on the treadmill or with Frankie in the stroller. I also have been coaching more CrossFit so I don’t get yo work out as often. I guess my takeaway is that LESS is more!

Another fun thing about the 5K is that I got to meet a new group of runners- the Asuncion Runners NJ. It’s a satellite branch of the Asuncion, Paraguay group that we’re a part of. We actually all walked away with awards! I got my first trophy ever 🙂


It might be too hot today to run with Frankie but I’m hoping to do my usual 2 miles on the treadmill while he naps and then a circuit workout once he’s awake.

Here’s an easy and simple equipment-free WOD:

15 AMRAP

10 burpees 

20 lunges

30 push-ups 

40 sit-ups 

50 mountain climbers

60 jumping jacks

Today also happens to be Frankie’s Half Birthday 🙂 And tomorrow is my birthday! Hop over to Instagram to see how we celebrate!


Cheers, 

Julia

Friday Fitness

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Happy Friday everyone! I’m in definite need of some extra caffeine this morning as a little someone decided to wake up FOUR times last night! He’s never done that before and I’m still scratching my head trying to figure out why. He didn’t even break out of his swaddle as he’s been doing lately. I’ll take any mommy advise I can get in this issue! #desperate

  
As a busy mom, it’s becoming so hard to post a blog even once a week like I’ve been trying to do but you may see more frequent posts on my Instagram. 

Today, I’ll be doing a 2 mile treadmill run (during Frankie’s nap) followed by a Posterior Chain Workout by Betty Rocker (once he’s up). The workout entails doing 3 rounds of 45 seconds of each exercise- thigh jacks, elevated bridge lifts, triceps dips, swimmers, single leg tabletops and 3-way calf raises. Lower body/booty burner! 

  
It’s supposed to be 81 degrees later here in NJ so some outdoor play time with Frankie will be a must 🙂 He loves music so we sometimes have dance parties on our deck 😉

 Hopefully the hubby and I will be able to get a longish run in on Sunday like we did last weekend. We went running on this trail by our house which went through a few local farms. We’re so lucky to live in such a beautiful area close to a great downtown as well as nature. 

  
Have a great Friday and weekend! Planning on running this weekend? Are there trails by you that you love? 

~Julia 

At Home Workouts

/ thepetitefastinista / 8 Comments

Before baby, I would run 3-5 days a week and do CrossFit 3 times a week (yes, I would sometimes double up). In order to keep myself sane and fit, I had to learn to get creative in sneaking in workouts throughout the day with my now 3 month old. 

  

What I learned works best for me at home is circuit training or “rounds for time.” I basically look for things I can do with a pair of dumbbells and my own body weight. I also get outside with Frankie and walk whenever it’s nice enough.

Last week, I signed up for a free 30 day challenge by Betty Rocker. Each day I get an email with that day’s workout including a warmup and a link to a video showing the moves. I don’t plan on doing them on consecutive days, just whenever I don’t have CrossFit or some other type of exercise in mind.

On Easter morning, I woke up early to do the CrossFit Open 16.5, a combo of thrusters and over the bar burpees. It took me 17:58, which is not bad considering I just started training with barbells again. 

  
Today I did the “Hot Abs” Betty Rocker workout; instead of doing 3 rounds as suggested, I did 2 before Frankie’s nap and then 2 after:

1 min of air squats

30 sec side bridge w/ hip dip (each side)

30 sec overhead reach (each side)

1 min mountain climbers

30 sec reverse tabletop toe taps (each side)

I could see and feel tighter abs right after just the first 2 rounds. This is 3 months post partum!  

After 2 rounds of “Hot Abs”

 

Check back to see how I do with this new challenge and how I keep juggling motherhood with my active life. 
Xoxo 

First Post-natal WOD

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It’s been 2 weeks + 1 day since I gave birth to my little Frankie (have you seen all his cute pictures on my Instagram?!? @juliafastinista) and this mama is ready to start getting back in shape! Although I have done little things here and there before yesterday, like push-ups off my couch, leg extensions and weight-less arm curls, I don’t consider them real workouts yet as I was only testing out what my body could handle. I did, after all, not only have a C-section, but I went through hours of labor and pushing prior to that.

 

LSIT

Doing L pull-ups last year…can’t wait to do these again soon!

So yesterday, while my son was napping, I did 3 rounds of:

20 Deadlifts

16 Bicep Curls

10 Push Presses

16 Side Bends

I used my 8-pound dumbbells as usual…

Ideally, I would love to be ready to do the CrossFit Open WODs next month and kill them, but… I won’t be too hard on myself if I have to do a lot of scaling back.

Please don’t think that just because I’m already working out 2 weeks post-partum, that you should be too. Everyone is different. The last thing you want is to get injured and have a big setback. Please be careful and always, always consult with your doctor first.

I just want to say that staying active has been a huuuge help in helping me bounce back. I fit in my skinny jeans just a week later. Now I’m almost pooch-free…just didn’t have time to take a photo.

5 days post-baby
9 days post-baby

Have a happy and healthy day! xoxo

Christmas Love

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In my family, Christmas Eve is a bigger deal than the next day. We cook delicious food, make “clericó”, a Paraguayan sangria-like punch, and plenty of desserts and gather at my one aunt’s house. This year I made pizzelles to add a little bit of Italian flair to the table. We eat dinner around 10, play drinking games (non-alcoholic for me this year), and then toast our Savior’s birth at midnight. We then exchange gifts and party a bit more. 

     
 The next day we go to church and then usually my husband and I go to meet up with his family, but this year, we met up with my family again since we didn’t want to be too far from the hospital. Baby Hicky still has no interest in gracing us with his presence!

 

Opening gifts under our own tree on Christmas Day.

 
People were shocked when I told them I did this workout on Christmas Eve morning. I was secretly hoping that it would help kick off labor! 

6 rounds of:

60 jump ropes 

24 mountain climbers 

24 push presses

24 plié lunges

I posted it on Instagram, which reminds me, you should follow me on there as I tend to post more often there. My handle is @juliafastinista. 

I’m feeling extremely grateful as I reflect on all the great memories and great gifts from the past few days and pray to God to watch over those who weren’t as lucky to at least have a roof over their heads and be surrounded by their loved ones. 

My hubby outdid himself and got me lots of fun bling. The David Yurman necklace is blue topaz which is Baby’s birthstone and hubby said it’s from the stork aka my push gift 😁🤗…now Baby better be here by the end of the month! 

   
 The Chanel earrings are one of the gifts I got from my mom. I will cherish this gift forever knowing that my loving, hardworking mom went above and beyond to buy me something of such value.

I hope you all have special memories from the past few days. Whether there were fancy gifts under the tree or not, we all have so much to be thankful for.

Now, get a workout in and enjoy your Sunday 🙂.

38 Weeks

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I’m getting to the point where I’m really anxious and antsy to meet my Baby Boy. Any little ache or discomfort and I think that it might be the start of labor…but no, still here, on the couch, with my feet up, waiting…
I had a nice weekend of seeing my husband’s relatives for their annual Holiday get-together. It’s always nice to see the extended family and catch up with them. We then attended a fundraiser event on Saturday night for the parks committee in our town. It took place at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum mansion, once owned by George Griswold Frelinghuysen, NYC attorney and president of Ballantine Brewing Company, it is now a center for educational programs, horticulture and botanical literature. We actually had our engagement photos taken on the grounds of the mansion, but Saturday night was our first time actually stepping foot inside the mansion. It was a true beauty! Everything I love about older homes- the architecture, the detailing, the fireplaces…

   
    
 I’m still working out here and there, although I’m so nervous about my water breaking at the gym…eek! I’m feeling pretty big lately so I have to be extra careful. I’m done coaching until sometime next year, and I hope to get a pre/post-natal certification to add to my fitness resume.

A good one I did last week at CrossFit was this EMOM (every minute on the minute) for 12 minutes:

14 front squats (35# barbell)

50 single unders (double unders make me nervous I’m going to pee myself!)

15 ring rows

I actually have really enjoyed doing ring rows throughout my pregnancy. I haven’t had to modify them and they make me feel strong!

I also went on a nice 30-minute walk around my neighborhood this weekend. The weather in NJ has been unbelievably nice and I’m taking full advantage.

That’s it for now…off to fold some laundry and keep my mind occupied!

33 Weeks and counting 

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It’s been a great week, very busy with work and training the person who will be filling in for me at the office, as well as getting some last minute details taken care of. 

Even though I’m a CrossFit coach (on the side) and love inspiring and helping people reach and maintain their fitness goals, sometimes I need a little help too. I joined Sweat Pink’s #holidaysweat challenge. I’ll be recording my activity and nutrition for the next several weeks. Let me know if you’re doing it too! I’d like to stay as active as possible over the next 6 weeks and could use your encouragement 🙂

  
On Monday, I did a benchmark WOD called Ghost which was pretty awesome. It consisted of 1 minute of each: 

Rowing, burpees (I did a preggo scaled version against a box), double unders (I did these and my calves are still so sore. Be really careful with these if you’re pregnant), and rest. You go for 6 rounds which ends up being 24 minutes of work. I went at my own scaled back pace but still felt like I got a great workout.

Tonight I did 6 rounds of: 

20 arm curls 

15 weighted squats

10 push press

15 lateral leg lifts (each leg)

15 leg curls

50 side bends

  
It’s so important to keep your core engaged throughout these movements. I make sure to keep my belly button pulled in towards my spine the whole time. Your abs help support your spine and can help with the pushing stage of labor. I haven’t experienced any back pain and have my abs to thank for that. *Please make sure you have the ok from your doctor to workout if you’re pregnant*

Looking forward to a day off tomorrow that includes a mini spa day! And some more baby-stuff shopping 🙂 

Xoxo

Halloween/Marathon Weekend Recap

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What a great weekend of nice weather, Halloween workouts, and shopping! I programmed a fun Halloween-themed WOD for Saturday’s class which seemed to be a big hit. I even gave out a prize of some AboutTime protein powder to the best costume. Winners of the 5-minute plank challenge got some awesome pink Sweat Pink shoelaces 🙂

    
This week I’m 32 weeks pregnant which means I’m officially in month 8! My mom and I had a nice time at the mall shopping for Baby Hicky. Pottery Barn Kids was having a 20% off sale so we bought the rest of the items left on my registry. On sale items we got 10% off which is their registry completion discount. This kid made out pretty well!

The hubby and I also enjoyed a nice romantic date night at a local restaurant. I wore this sexy Splendid dress and over the knee Stuart Weitzman boots 😉  
  And it was the 1 year anniversary of my running the NY Marathon! That was truly an amazing experience.  
What did you do for Halloween? Have you run the NY Marathon- or hope to do so one day?

Xo,

Julia

Sweat Pink

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Today I received an email notifying me that I’m a Sweat Pink Ambassador. Sweat Pink is a community of inspirational, fitness-oriented women where connections and mutual support can blossom as we each strive to reach goals in health and fitness. I’m super excited! 

So in my last post I mentioned that I was getting ready to go to a cousin’s birthday lunch…well, it turned out to be my surprise baby shower. It was such a fun, memorable day surrounded by some of the women that will definitely be playing a big part in Baby Hicky’s life. All the gifts we got were just so thoughtful and awesome. I had a hard time sleeping Sunday night thinking of how real everything feels. Baby will be here so soon! 

   
 Here’s a quick little at home WOD I’ll be doing tonight:

20 bicep curls

10 lateral raises

20 front squats

30 sec wall sit

30 sec plank 

I might do 4 rounds of this but feel free to do more if you’re feeling up to it 🙂

Happy Hump Day…or should I say #bumpday ?! 

Xoxo,

Julia