Why I Workout, When I Workout and What I Wear When I Workout

(Clockwise from top left: breezy Lululemon tank that is giving enough for all activities but doesn't ride up; can't miss it bright sports bra just because; training Nike's; a Bobble bottle because I like to filter my water from water fountains when I'm running; Lululemon crops that are long enough for winter but short enough for other seasons; a headband because I'm nasty sweaty and have bangs; and a nice, sweat proof watch.)

Today is the perfect day to share some of my thoughts on fitness because I got my new spinning bike on Saturday and my annoying enthusiasm won't be contained.  So to begin with, why do I work out as much as I do?  I think there are a number of reasons of which (surprisingly) wanting to look fit is lowest on the scale. Don't get me wrong, I want to look fantastic and I'm as vain as the next mom (who really are an impossible bunch of fitness addicts in the worst way) but it's not what gives me the kick in the pants to train.  I've spent much of my adult life "kind of" sick.  I've had 5 major surgeries, all abdominal, I've had pregnancies on bed rest, miscarriages and a chronic major stomach illness for years.  So I think a large element of my motivation is to prove I won't be defeated by these obstacles and refuse to think about myself as unwell. The other aspect of this equation is that after each of my children were born I had pretty unpleasant post-partum depression and a stomach too trashed to take anti-depressants for long.  So I found something else to give me that push up.  Exercise.  It's tough to squeeze it in with two kids and a business from my home but I've found a pretty good rhythm.  I spin and do a quick round of strength training in the morning while the kids are watching their show, a  Zumba or hot yoga class one evening of the week and on Saturdays I do CrossFit and outdoor hikes.  I've had to find a new motivation as well since the gym I used to drop the kids off for babysitting while I worked out won't take Robert for both his sensory reasons and now his feeding tube.

 (A few of my favorites include using bands for resistance; my spinning bike; Bikram; Zumba; and CrossFit classes; Jillian Michaels kicking my butt; an awesome yoga mat carrier for my yoga mat; and kettle bells.  If it seems like a lot, it's not.  I just do different things each week, not all at once.  I need to get creative and mix it up or I get bored, and that's no bueno.)

So there.  Now you know more about my personal work out system than you ever would have wanted to and yet you can join me in wondering why I still don't look like a supermodel.  I have a creeping suspicious it's because I love dessert and white carbs.  xoxo Agnes