Last week, I returned to the gym. (Ok, I only went ONCE... But, it was a start.)
Surprisingly, my return was met with very little fanfare... Clearly, the gym staff and members forgot that I practically lived there before I got pregnant. (Cue sarcasm.)
Anyway, I decided to start with my very favorite exercise class - Zumba. A few things that have changed since I was last there:
1. My boobs. I have a new sympathy for women who were naturally "blessed" with giant boobs. I really hadn't considered how my new milk-filled udders (excuse me if you are male or a former student) would affect my exercise routine. They were quite uncomfortable and inconvenient. I will be buying some super-heavy-duty sports bras asap.
2. My hair. Bangs + Sweat = Disgusting. If you have bangs, what do you do with them when you exercise? I think they are too short even for bobby pins, and headbands just make them stick straight up. Ideas?
3. A posse of former students have moved into the class. Of course, they deserve to be there as much as I do (and I love them); BUT, I wish they weren't. As if their sports bras and six-packs weren't bad enough, it feels a bit awkward bumping and grinding to Pitbull next to the same kids I taught to write a five-paragraph essay.
4. My coordination. I knew NONE of the dance moves anymore, and I looked like a total Oomph. (I don't know exactly what an Oomph is, but it isn't cute.)
5. My life. For the first time, when I left the gym, I had a baby boy to go home to. This hit me about 15 minutes from the end of the class. I LOVED it. (For the record, when I got back to my car, Jeff had already called and left an urgent message for me to hurry home because Sam had been screaming since I left... Oh reality. Haha!)
September 1st is my start date for Operation: Look Good Enough That People Say "I Can't Believe She Just Had a Baby" by Daniel & Jayme's Wedding in October (Or At Least Be Able to Fit in My Bridesmaid's Dress). I've got a long way to go, so I'll be seeing a lot more of the gym lately - boobs, bangs, awkwardness, and all. ;)
you've become quite a funny writer since Sam was born! :) i enjoy it I must say. MISS you today!!
ReplyDeletewow... i try not to look too lame by waiting to comment at least an hour or so after the post was made... but there i go reading and commenting exactly 8 minutes after you post. just consider me your best blog follower :)
ReplyDeleteyou can do it girl!!! hahahaha this was really funny!! reminds me of the time, after you were born I went back to the gym with my mom and PASSED out cold!!! My friend, Libby was working there, and I honestly think Donna was a cute little thing working there, too!! Lets talk about awkward and embarrassed!!! love you, and you are the best!! we loved out time with Sam last night!!! hope he slept well for you and Jeff!!!!
ReplyDeleteYay for getting back in the saddle. Try a really wide stretch fabric headband (like 1960s style) for your bangs. Not that I exercise AT ALL, but I love it when I'm cleaning the house. See you at the wedding!
ReplyDeleteRight now twisting the bangs back to the side seems "in". You can just twist and clip. Otherwise, try the thicker headbands. Bangs and gym are not the best of friends, but you can make it work. Great job getting back to the gym! You can do it.
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Working out is definitely different after baby (in a harder sort of way)! Hence why I hardly ever do it (I know, it's bad).
ReplyDeleteI love Zumba! I am forever trying to find a headband that keeps my hair back. I finally started using bobby pins but mine are longer than yours. But the wider headbands might work for you - let me know if you find one that doesn't slip off - that is my current annoyance!
ReplyDeleteI got a sports bra from Amazon & I LOVE IT. It separates your boobs so it doesn't give that uniboob look & gives me really good support. There are some negative reviews that say you can't adjust the straps, but i don't know what they're talking about, b/c i can adjust mine! I thought i would share b/c they're not TERRIBLY expensive (compared to others i've seen!) & i seriously want another one or two!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001B1PKUM
Good for you, going back to the gym!! I'm proud of you. OK I can totally relate to the bangs and gym problem. Since my bangs are usually fairly short (as in, not the long, side-sweep style, I have to pull them back (usually a bit to one side), twist a few times, then do 2 bobby pins like an X across the twisted part. Then, if there are still flyaways, maybe another bobby pin straight across. Then sometimes even hairspray to make sure nothing thinks about escaping.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lot of primping for the gym, but sweaty bangs are the worst thing ever. And so are little pieces of bangs sticking up out of your bobby pin engineering.
Good luck!!
A friend of mine makes wonderful fabric headbands called "Bison Bands" that have really wide so they would hold back your bangs and a no-slip elastic in the back so it won't move while you are doing Zumba!
ReplyDeleteShe sells them on etsy but is currently out. I'll let you know when she has more to sell!!
Good luck!
I love your bangs, and I also loved Zumba.
ReplyDeleteI twist my bangs back and bobby pin.
Oh, and don't worry about the other people in the class. You may feel dumb, but you're going to feel fantastic if you stick to it.
I was also going to comment that I buy the regular bras from lane bryant (not just for fat girls) and they are really really supportive. I even exercise in mine. I get the balconette.
ReplyDeleteSweaty bangs are why I decided to grow mine out. I love them while I had them, but bangs + 100* GA weather just wasn't cutting it. But I always did the twist to one side and it usually worked. Sometimes I had some flyaways, but not too bad.
ReplyDeleteCan I just say this made me literally laugh out loud in my cubicle?? Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIve never commented on your blog before but you are just so dang cute that I come back every day! Congrats on your sweet Sam! He is so adorable. Anyway, I thought Id write and suggest the Leslie Sansone "Walk at Home" dvd's for getting exercise! I know going to the gym is a pain, especially with a baby at home. The walking program is so amazing and so much fun and you literally do it in your living room - and its a whole body workout!! Ive been doing them for 3 months or so and my body has changed so much. I really think you would LOVE them! xoxo, Beren
ReplyDeleteI can totally relate. Thanks for the post and good luck!!!!!
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ReplyDeleteLove all the photos. I think my favorite is the one with Sam over your shoulder. Oh, you need to cross of number 2 on your 30 before 30 list (become a mom!). Let me know if you want to walk on Wednesday. Jen
ReplyDeletegood luck finding good sports bras. I've been "blessed" (although I wouldn't say so) with big tatas prior to having a baby and always had a hard time finding supportive sports bras. I ordered mine from Athleta; they also have a catalog that they send periodically. Way to go for getting back into the gym!
ReplyDeleteI was also "blessed" from the beginning with a bountiful bosom, though like many, I feel it might have been a curse. My current favorite sports bra is the Champion Powersleek. Something you'll find is that as the sizes and the support increase, the color and print options decrease. Oh well, if they do the job, who cares what they look like, right? I'm getting back into the gym routine after moving, and I've also got a wedding as a deadline. We can do it!
ReplyDeletebtw, I've been reading your blog a lot lately, and I'm really enjoying it! Sam is so cute! Don't know if you remember me from CSHS, but I definitely remember you!
I guess I am not the only one having all of the enjoyment here! Keep up the great work.
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