"Pintrest Workouts"

If you're on Pinterest you've seen them, all the "at home" workouts being pinned. But which ones are the best? Do any of them work? Are any of them worth it?

I set out to find an answer. This is my first market testing article. I ask 3 friends to try 3 different workouts I found on Pinterest and see what they thought. I had these lovely ladies do the workouts for 2 weeks - not very long but generally the amount of time people give to a workout before they want to see some kind of results.

One Room Cardio was performed by Becky R. She's a lovely mother of 1 who has been very dedicated to loosing her baby weight and has done an amazing job. She's a swimmer by trade but was willing to give this workout a go for me. (this workout was found HERE )

Our next workout "The 100 Workout" was performed by my good friend from college Kim F. Kim is an amazing woman who juggles a full-time job, 2 large dogs, a bunny and helping her hubby who has been working on starting up a welding business. This lady can multi-task like nobody's business. Kim loves yoga, and trying out new workout regimes, so it was no surprise when she was game to try this test. (this workout was found HERE ) 

Our last workout "At Home Circuit Workout" was done by Sheri W. Sheri is my hubby's cousin, so being that she's family I made her do this. hahaha Just kidding. This mother of 4 is a big fan of the different Pinterest workouts, and has a full fitness board of all kinds of helpful things she's found. She's a runner and continued her running while fitting this in on her off days. She's hardcore! 

(this workout was found HERE )

Here's what you've all been waiting for!! THE RESULTS!!

One Room Cardio

In Becky's own words:

My forearm measurements went down. My thighs went down. Basically, everything but hips, waist and chest. It wasn't by a lot. But my left and right arms/legs evened out. Before hand they were close to an inch apart and now they are all in the same inch.

 I weighed 128.1. I was feeling good and I was down 1.8 making me 126.3! 
I kept a journal and overall theme was-- it was easy. When it was hot outside it was more difficult. It only got easier as the days went on. The whole time it felt like a good warm up for the "real thing". It was really energizing. For days I cant go to the gym or if I need a pick me up, I'll probably go back to it. Honestly, it made me look for more fitness things on pinterest to do. I found an ab work out I just started!

Sounds like it was a good workout all in all

The 100 Workout

In Kim's own words:

This workout is a great lower body workout! But it's not for the faint of heart (or legs). I really enjoyed the simplicity of the format and exercises. It provides a solid leg workout with squats and jumping jacks but also provides some ab work with leg lifts and crunches. Because of the number of repetitions you're doing at a time, I really "felt the burn" and was definitely left sore, the good, kind the next day. 

Results...I don't actually own a scale, so I'm not sure on weight, but the rest of my measurements stayed about the same for my legs and arms. I did lose 1/4 inch around my waist. More than that, I really felt my abs and legs firm and tone during this routine, but didn't notice major muscle growth or weight loss during my sessions.

This workout plan does take a really long time to complete. I work out pretty routinely and it still took me 50 minutes the first time around, not including my 30 minutes of cardio and a stretching routine. I've been able to cut it down to between 30-40 minutes each time. There is also no upper body component. If you're looking for a quick full body workout this isn't it, but it definitely will work your legs, abs, and butt!

I'm excited to try this as a lower body and core workout!

At Home Circuit Workout

In Sheri's own words:

Here are my results.  I thought it was a good work out but I think if I did it every single day then I would get bored.  I never really noticed if it got easier.  I think if I did it for more weeks it would get easier. I noticed also that I really didn't have any big change in my measurements but was thinking that since I already workout that it would probably take more like six weeks to see good results compared to someone that is just barely starting to workout.

My Measurements went down by 1/4 of an inch in almost every area. 

Not huge measurement differences but not bad for only 2 weeks of work! 

Thanks ladies for your hard work!!! I'd love to hear from any of my readers if they have found a great circuit on Pinterest!! 

Baby and Me Workout Phase 1

Let me paint the picture: Kids are down for a nap or still asleep in the morning and you turn on your workout video and rush through your workout so that you can finish before they wake up in the morning. Or you baby wakes up mid-workout and you then have to stop to entertain them. OR even more likely you day gets filled up before you know it with preschool, playgroups, feeding kids, cleaning up the toys for the 6 millionth time, work or any of the other activities that fill up Mommy's day. 10:00PM you crawl in bed and realize "I haven't worked out at all today". Well I'm here to help!!! This is Phase 1 of my series called... wait for it, it's a clever name... Working Out With Kids.

This workout is designed for moms (or dads) with newborn to preschool aged kids. I made this video showing you what some of the workouts look like. They are not in order on the video, except by age of baby/child. Watch the video and then print the descriptions and give it a try!! 

Disclaimer: I am not a certified fitness trainer. I am not liable for any injuries incurred while doing these workouts. Always consult your doctor before starting a new workout regiment. 

New Born Workout:
(This can be done after your doc has cleared you to workout again after labor)
Age- newborn to 2 

• Baby step-ups (if you have stairs or a step box) 
• High Knees
• Baby lunges (on video) This might be one that your body may not be ready to do right away!!
• Baby Squats (on video) again one you might want to wait till your body is read (8-10 weeks post-partum)
• Wall sit (on video)
• Baby kiss ups (on video) 
• Bicycles (on video) 
• Baby Plank 20 seconds 
• DANCE IT UP!! Put on some music -lay baby on the floor and jam out! It's a great workout! 

Baby who can hold their own head and/or sit up:

(These are the be added to the above workouts)

• Baby Dead Lifts (on video)
• Baby Squat and lift (on video)
• Baby butt ups (on video)
• Baby Bicep curl (on video)
• Baby Bench Press (on video)

Toddler Workout:

(You can add these to the above workouts or take out some of the above when your toddler gets to too heavy for some) These are workouts that older toddlers can do with you and enjoy watching

• ABC Jumping Jacks (on video) My daughter loves to do these with me!
• Sqaut Jumps 
• Hunting sprints (sprint in place and go on a bear hunt for fun)
• "Hop Scotch" Squares (4 corner jumps) I forgot to put this on video.  Email me if you want to explain.

Working out with stroller:

(Great for ages 0-3)

• Wheels on the Bus (on video) Kids LOVE THIS!!
• Squat Hold B-I-N-G-O (on video)
• Lunges with Stroller (on video)
• Kick backs (on video)
• Sprint to stroller (on video)
• Side kicks (on video)
• Peek-a-boo side squats (on video)
• Side step circles (on video)

I was going to design a schedule for these workouts but it's hard to mass produce one being that every person (especially after having a baby) is at different fitness levels. I don't want to dish out a schedule and have someone get injured because they weren't ready for an exercise yet. So here's the deal- if you want a PERSONALIZE Baby and Me workout schedule I am happy to work one up for you for $5.00 fee. Contact me at momsdofit@yahoo.com . If you're in the Saginaw area and are interested in a personal or group class let me know, and I'd be more than happy to oblige. 

As always remember to send me your fitness questions!! Look for Phase 2 - Working Out With Kids (for mom's with kids ages 4 - 10) coming soon! 

The End of Shin Splints

Here is my secret weapon for shin splints. I hope this works for those of you who suffer from them as much as it has worked for me! (PS I know I made a typo in the video with my link and said momsgofit again... sorry but you all know what the link is!!) 

Make sure to share the blog and the Facebook page with all your friends. I'm working on a give-away for when we reach 100 LIKES on Facebook!!!!