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Exercise, Life, Thoughts

5 Thoughts

November 13, 2019 By Robyn 27 Comments

On not exercising

I can count on one hand how many times I’ve gone out and intentionally moved my body in a structured way over the past couple months. I can’t even tell you the last time I went this long without structured movement. Postpartum was my longest period at about 7 weeks. Maybe I’ve never gone this long? Which isn’t something I’d consider as positive I don’t think. Life got really busy with interviewing for jobs and traveling and then moving and it’s not as if I couldn’t find time to squeeze in something quick, I could have, it just wasn’t a priority. I’ve never been a morning exerciser, and I’m certainly not now. Sleep always wins. And I don’t want to spend nap time exercising when that’s precious work time. And then I thought between naps would be a great time because there is childcare at the gym I belonged to in Boston, but exercising was just the last way I wanted to spend my time in between naps. And by evening time I’m done for. I want to cozy up in my soft clothes and chill.

After a few weeks of this, I started to think maybe I should get back into something because my body felt tight. But then I realized, what I needed was just a good foam rolling session and 10-15 minutes spent stretching in the evening or morning. As I was observing my mindset shift and my desire for structured movement fade, it became clear to me that exercise just isn’t a priority for me right now. And that’s okay. For me, getting to/from the gym and working out is just not how I want to spend my time during those few hours I have with Cal in between naps. But even beyond that, I just don’t desire to move my body in a structured way on a regular basis in this season of life. I realized how much mental clutter it was causing me to find time to do that. Once I just let it go, I realized how much more mentally at ease I was. I know there’s enough organic movement in my day for me to be healthy.

Our bodies can only handle so much stress. I’ve had a lot of life stress, sleep hasn’t been stellar and I’ve traveled a lot of the past couple months. I think the last thing my body needed was structured movement so it makes sense my desire to do so dwindled. I have recently starting craving yoga, so when I have time (like once or twice a month, but I’ll take it!) doing that is helpful for my mind and body. This is just me external processing what I’ve been observing in myself over the past few months and hoping maybe it resonates with one of you reading. Priorities shift and change I’m learning.

Soup on soup on soup

We got to VA and it was COLD. Like, colder than Boston. It warmed up for a bit, but it’s back in the 20s in the morning. I love winter. It’s my favorite season for many reasons, one of them being comforting food. I don’t like preparing lunch or cooking lunch so if I can just make a big batch of soup at once and eat it all week that’s good. So that’s what we have been doing. Eating soup. Last week I made chili (which isn’t soup but you get it..) and this week I made this chicken tikka masala soup that was very easy and added rice to the bowl because we need carbs over here. Later this week I’ve got plans for this red lentil soup that looks like comfort in a bowl. Share with me your favorite soup recipes in the comments so I can build up my stash.

Our smoothest move yet

The move from Boston to Charlottesville last week went overall, very smooth. BLESS. Our move from New York to Boston didn’t go horribly, but there were a lot more logistical pieces and hiccups. This move though, other than a flat tire on the drive down, went off pretty much without a hitch. Moving is expensive, so when Hire a Helper emailed me right after I wrote this post and wanted to collaborate I was like, “um, yes please.” Think of them like the Hotwire for movers – you use their search engine to find the best deal in your area. It was a seamless, quick process to get a quote and find movers. They showed up ON TIME to our apartment in Boston, which I feel like never happens, and had everything moved out and packed up within a few hours. Nick drove the truck down and his dad drove our CR-V (which got the flat tire) behind him. Once they got to Charlottesville, the movers on this end had the whole truck unpacked in under an hour, but since they were hired for longer, they helped put together furniture. So helpful and so seamless. I’d use them again with my own pennies.

Baby sleep 

Thank you everyone for all your 1) baby sleep empathy 2) baby sleep encouragement and 3) baby sleep tips when I posted an SOS on IG stories last week. Hearing “you’re not alone” and “this happened too when we moved” made me feel like… ok, nothing crazy is happening. We took Taking Cara Babies newborn class and loved it and also bought her 3-4 month workbook, but I haven’t moved on to her 5-24 month class because of the price and I’m scared of the crying part lol. But many of you had great reviews so I’m keeping it on my radar! Also, many of you recommended Little Z sleep (a much more affordable option, hallelujah) and she has a podcast I’ve started listening to. Then there were several book recommendations, including the No Cry Sleep Solution. I liked that title (although it seems like an oxymoron) so right now, we are starting with that and making adjustments to our current situation and praying to the good lord bub’s sleep improves. It will be slow moving with this “plan” but I’m hopeful. And hopeful is good! I’ll report back.

Facebook Marketplace is Gold

The house we just moved into isn’t our forever home. And coming from 700 sq feet and into 1900 sq feet we have a lot of space to furnish. So we’ve been scouring FB market place and you guys, this place is gold if you take the time to really search. Highly recommend if you’re looking to furnish a room and the majority of your home without spending your whole savings or going bananas with a credit card.

Ok, those are my thoughts right now. I’d love to hear yours in the comments!


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Filed Under: Exercise, Life, Thoughts

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Comments

  1. Nadja ,AUstin says

    November 13, 2019 at 1:35 pm

    Hey Robyn I was wondering if you have heard of this weight loss program before? http://bit.ly/2NM6Klo. It looks like a great program to help people lose weight, I was just looking for some opinions before I made my decision. By the way i love the content you have been posting lately,mostly about your routines. Thanks for being such a role model

    Reply
  2. Hillary says

    November 13, 2019 at 1:38 pm

    I’ve also got plans for that lentil soup too 🙂

    If you haven’t tried Pinch of Yum’s Instant Pot Spicy Peanut Soup – you MUST. it’s so easy, filling and delicious!!

    https://pinchofyum.com/sweet-potato-peanut-soup

    I also want to try her widl rice soup https://pinchofyum.com/instant-pot-wild-rice-soup

    Reply
  3. Amy says

    November 13, 2019 at 2:36 pm

    I have no baby sleep advice because every baby and family is different. However, I just wanted to tell you that there is hope! My second son did not sleep all night (11-12 hours) until he was nearly one. He will be three on Monday and has been a great sleeper since around that one year mark. My comment won’t make you any less tired, but just know it won’t last forever!

    Reply
    • Amy says

      November 13, 2019 at 2:39 pm

      Oh and one more thing! My oldest son, who is five and a half, started sleeping 12 hours by 12 weeks old and has never changed. We are the same parents with the same strategies, but two totally different babies. Don’t put a ton of pressure on yourself to “fix” the sleep problem. Set a good routine and sleep environment and then just let it happen! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Jenni says

    November 14, 2019 at 12:34 am

    That lentil soup is gold! I also love one from her cook book – a curried cauliflower version. I always add sweet potato to mine too!

    And yes, second that spicy peanut soup, along with any and all of Pinch of Yum’s soups.

    Reply
  5. Nickoli says

    November 14, 2019 at 3:43 am

    The Real Life RD The is literally the BEST weight loss community anywhere. I read it every day, and I’m also grateful I found bit.ly2KnL1OyLoseWeightFast, it helped me not only lose weight, but keep it off, hope it helps some others!

    Reply
  6. Claire says

    November 14, 2019 at 8:53 pm

    What if that’s how I’ve felt about structured exercise since I left the dieting world? I don’t feel like it’s a season but literally my permanent priority (or lack there of). I’d just rather do so many other things and I work from 8:30am to 8:30pm most days. I’ve felt this way for years and feel guilty every season I don’t “get back” to six days a week on a treadmill or even just weekly yoga.

    Reply
    • Erica says

      November 15, 2019 at 4:09 pm

      I’m experiencing the same thing! It’s like I’m breaking up with exercise and I’m finally embracing that for me, there’s SO much more to life than slaving away at the gym all the time. Which for me just isn’t living at all. During my sacred time off from work, I want to making memories with friends and family instead of using up all my time trying to change my body.

      Reply
      • Emily says

        November 19, 2019 at 6:54 pm

        This is the same thing I am going through! I no longer feel that structured movement is a beneficial thing in my life- the freedom of not being tied down or fitting in a gym session has been life changing. And echoing what you both have said- this feels like a new way of thinking and living rather than a season. I think it’s possible to maintain your health without structured exercise. My muscles actually feel better and stronger now than before!

        Reply
  7. Hilary says

    November 14, 2019 at 9:01 pm

    Love these updates!

    Soups to try: Sally’s Baking Addiction creamy chicken noodle soup (it freezes well too!) is always on repeat. Well Plated slow cooker white chicken chili, and Ambitious Kitchen’s turkey chili are also favorites.

    We used Taking Cara Babies class for 5-24 and loved it! I have been following Cara closely as we’re approaching the 2-1 nap transition. Her instagram and blogs are great if you don’t want to spring for the full program!

    Reply
  8. Kait says

    November 14, 2019 at 10:13 pm

    I was going to suggest that lentil soup from OSG – a new favourite around here. I also added butternut squash to it and it was extra delicious! Also love her peanut stew and the once upon a chef beef stew.
    Ugh the sleep is so so hard. Have an almost 9 month old and we have also done a ton of travelling and a move. We ended up doing to taking cara babies (we had also done the newborn sleep and it worked great and he only woke 1-2 x/night until the 4 month sleep regression then 7-8 times… sos) so we did the 5-24 months and it actually worked really well and like a new world with him now! I was also scared of the crying but luckily it was not as bad as I thought. Thinking of you in this tired season!

    Reply
  9. Genevieve Miller says

    November 15, 2019 at 3:38 pm

    Favorite go-to soup recipes:
    https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/slow-cooker-pumpkin-peanut-butter-chicken-soup/
    https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/slow-cooker-salsa-verde-chicken-chickpea-chili/
    https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/slow-cooker-black-bean-pumpkin-turkey-chili/

    Also as a new mama with a 3-week old baby, I just want to say thank you SO much for your constant vulnerability and wisdom in parenting and intuitive eating/movement/living. It means the absolute world!

    Reply
  10. Alexa says

    November 15, 2019 at 6:12 pm

    Hey! I was wondering if you could share where that rug is from? In the picture from your move?
    Thanks!

    Reply
  11. Cassi says

    November 17, 2019 at 4:59 pm

    Robyn – thank you for being so honest about this exercising piece!

    Here is a yummy soup recipe I’ve recently enjoyed: https://www.panningtheglobe.com/moroccan-lentil-soup-harira/ I did add the tamari and fish oil as noted in the comments!

    Reply
  12. Erica Archambault says

    November 18, 2019 at 11:11 am

    Hi Robyn,

    I have the PDF for the TCB so you don’t have to take the class/pay for it if you are interested.

    Sincerely,
    Erica

    Reply
  13. Gillian says

    November 18, 2019 at 1:47 pm

    Love your thoughts on movement! So helpful! I LOVE exercise but in between starting a new job and some new medication to manage all the stress – the last thing I needed was to put in a workout in my day. Looking towards getting back into it feels like my thoughts and values about it have shifted. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  14. Elise says

    November 20, 2019 at 4:37 pm

    Julie from peanut butter fingers cheesy corn chicken chili is our go to! Super easy and filling…add tortilla chips for a crunch 🙂

    Reply
  15. Emily Swanson says

    November 26, 2019 at 9:19 pm

    My brother-in-law uses FaceBook Marketplace a lot! 🙂 . I’m so glad you were able to find things you needed there. Also, I LOVE what you shared about exercise. I think that reveals that you have so much freedom Robyn. <3

    Reply
  16. rick says

    November 29, 2019 at 2:12 pm

    hi robyn thanks for sharing good and healthy recipes and almost your entire life hahaha, the other day i was searching and i found this page http://bit.ly/RevertDiabetes some of my friends try it and so far has been truly shocking the changes for good that they have, i hope that this helps other people with weight and diabetesm thank you so much for this space. Bless you

    Reply
  17. mehr says

    December 21, 2019 at 4:17 pm

    Hey
    here are some soup recipes:
    https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/7730/pumpkin-soup
    https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3138673/mushroom-soup
    https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/mushroom-potato-soup

    also found https://mmini.me/LoseWeightveryFast, it helped me a lot, hope it helps some others!

    Reply
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A non-diet dietitian and nurse practitioner helping women find peace with food, accept their natural body size and heal from hormonal issues and period problems.

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I have yet to experience postpartum myself, but I've had many clients and readers that have been through that season of life. Or perhaps you are currently living through the postpartum period. Every woman's body is different, therefore every woman's experience after giving birth will be different. What works for one woman, might not work for the next. While one woman might go through postpartum and adjust to newborn life quiet seamlessly, another woman might find it much more difficult. She might need the support of medication, therapy, extra help and many other things. One way is not better than the other - they are simply two different ways of navigating the postpartum period. I hope this post helps you better care for yourself, whatever that means for you. There's no right or wrong way to care for yourself as a mom or your new baby.

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A little way I’m learning to enjoy these years o A little way I’m learning to enjoy these years of getting to spend so much time with my kids: aka another way I’m discovering some pockets of peace so my heart & mind & soul don’t crumble under the reality of dependent & emotionally dysregulated tiny humans.  About once a week we go somewhere for baked goods. We drive or walk, buy something buttery & then find a beautiful, relatively quiet outdoor spot where the boys can romp and I can sit and think my thoughts while I watch them play. This past week we were found ourselves at the Wool Factory where the boys threw rocks & whatever else off the bridge while I ate 90% of this almond 🥐 from @coucourachou that will blow your mind. Boys ate the other 10% bc they were busy playing and didn’t ask for more quickly enough 😜  I’m finding *for me* playgrounds have a time & place but they aren’t where I enjoy motherhood & my two toddlers the most. Baked goods & a pretty outdoor spot without high drops my 15 month old could launch himself off of…I’m here for it.
I brought this bag of snacks along when I took the I brought this bag of snacks along when I took the boys to hike out at one of our favorite spots last week and when I ripped it open I was regretting my choice to share them with my kids. @baresnacks randomly sent me a box of snacks and I usually eat free food we receive or give it to a friend/neighbor and move on. But I felt it my duty to tell you about these bc they are THAT GOOD. I’m not getting paid and this isn’t sponsored - I was just shocked at how tasty these were and felt you needed to know. We ate them with some buttery roasted nuts and the combo was 👌🏻 but they are good just on their own.  The boys climbed rocks and swam in the reservoir - leave it to my almost 3 year old to want to strip down naked and fully submerge himself in chilly water on a sixty degree morning. “Mama can I get super nakey?” Sure baby. Sure. This is your childhood.
It’s a hard sell to get me to accept an offer of It’s a hard sell to get me to accept an offer of extended alone time away from the babies to just be. And that isn’t something that’s best for me, it’s an area I gotta grow in. So this afternoon when Nick pushed me out the door and was like - get out of here plzzzz - I walked to my favorite cafe and ordered a thick pastrami sandwich and sat there for a good LONG while before taking a long, peaceful walk in the rain to wrap up the afternoon. Note to self: stop being such a control freak and go be by yourself sometimes.
a girlfriend brought me a 🍪 the size of my face a girlfriend brought me a 🍪 the size of my face from @mariebettecafe this morning when she came to get her toddler who played with us all morning and it is v good. even better when paired with an iced latte 😍
#AlignPartner I left off a few weeks ago sharing a #AlignPartner I left off a few weeks ago sharing about how taking @alignprobiotic regularly has improved my digestive regularity.  And I’m still taking them! I’ve permanently added Align 24/7 Digestive Support* into the roundup of supplements I take before bed (prenatal, vitamin D, choline & DHA - all which help keep me healthy while breastfeeding) so I can keep seeing the benefits.  Just because you see benefits, doesn’t mean you should stop taking your probiotic. Keep taking Align daily (under the supervision and recommendation of your health care provider of course) to keep seeing the benefits!  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again - one of my favorite parts of Align probiotics is that they don’t need refrigeration AND they come in a convenient little blister pack that has the days labeled. It’s the little things people! #MyAlignGuutJourney #guthealth  *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
I realized it was going to be a long, hot afternoo I realized it was going to be a long, hot afternoon (91 and muggy in MAY 🤯) when a toddler nap was refused and a baby nap was cut wildly short ....so my tired mom brain pulled out two plastic storage bins, filled them up with soap & hose water and striped ‘em down naked in the yard. Two hours later, it was almost time for an early dinner and I had magically been able to sit for most of that time and we already had baths checked off the list. 👍🏻 I’m archiving this idea for my future self, hope it helps another tired mama out.
#AlignPartner I left off a month ago sharing about #AlignPartner I left off a month ago sharing about getting better at doing the basics to care for myself which included taking my supplements and @alignprobiotic regularly.  Probiotics take time to work so I wanted to give it a full month to see the full effects of @alignprobiotic. So here are my honest thoughts: it took a few weeks to notice any differences, but near the end of the month I did notice some changes in my digestive balance - even while traveling! I’m not someone who experiences occasional gas, bloating or abdominal discomfort frequently enough to notice a difference, so I don’t feel like I can comment on how well Align works for those benefits.  All in all though, taking @alignprobiotic was a positive experience and I really appreciated how the capsules don’t need to be stored in the fridge, making it convenient to take them with me anywhere #MyAlignGuutJourney #guthealth  *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Where we will spend a good majority of our summer. Where we will spend a good majority of our summer. Because the swampy VA summer has already begun (it’s in the low 90s today 🥵 lord help) and creeks are our retreat - not only from the heat but also from the noisy world. I need this just (if not more) than they do! We’ll be at the splash pads and pools too, but the quietness of the creek...my mental health is so about it. And it’s hours of play for them! Win win.  A couple things to note: this scene also included a few toddler reminders on finding another direction to throw rocks instead of at his brother - so not all is serene 🤪 and also, yes I am now that mom who buys the same clothing for both kids bc it keeps things simple & i think i kinda like it too 🤷🏻‍♀️
Things I love about midwifery among many: the appo Things I love about midwifery among many: the appointments, no matter how long, feel so unhurried. 
Just walked in from an appointment with my midwife because I was due for a Pap test + an overall wellness visit. My last pap was during my first trimester with Cal which feels like a jillion years ago, but it’s only actually been three years. Life changes so fast! Pre-baby life feels like a whole other life.  I’m wayyyy overdue for a visit to my PCP bc I’ve been under OBGYN or midwifery care for the majority of the past three years while having babies, but I am pretty good with keeping up with my paps. It seems women often think they need pap and/or HPV testing way more frequently than they do (and providers sometimes perform these tests more frequently than necessary - remember more testing doesn’t always mean better outcomes!)  So if you need it, here’s a quick little reminder on this chilly spring Friday afternoon on how often you need this testing (these are the recommendations from ACOG)  Women aged 21–29 years should have a Pap test alone every 3 years. HPV testing is not recommended.  Women aged 30–65 years should have a Pap test and an HPV test (aka co-testing) every 5 years (preferred). It also is acceptable to have a Pap test alone every 3 years.  If you get abnormal results, this testing frequency could change - but for healthy women with normal results, you actually don’t need testing as frequently as you might think. Which is great news for those of you who hate the speculum.  Ok, off to finish up some things on the to-do list (including cleaning this kitchen) during nap time and then come 5 o’clock, crack an IPA with our neighbors 🍻
#AlignPartner Over the past seven months since bec #AlignPartner Over the past seven months since becoming a mom of two, caring for myself has gotten shoved to the back burner. And it's been a challenge to make it a priority. My routine-resistant personality has upsides and downsides when it comes to motherhood. So I'm starting small this year with a consistent bedtime routine that includes taking my supplements and @alignprobiotic and hoping as that becomes consistent, my mornings will naturally shift too.  In short my bedtime currently goes like this….jammies & face care when putting the babies to bed. Before I go to bed (anytime between 9pm and 12am...) I’ll pump, take my supplements and fill my water. Then I go upstairs and brush my teeth. And then get in bed. The kicker: 70% of the time I find myself finishing up tasks on my phone IN BED. I hate this habit.  Back to supplements. This is something I have been able to stick with. On top of fish oil, my prenatal, choline and vitamin D, I recently added @AlignProbiotic 24/7 Digestive Support*§ to see if it helps with abdominal discomfort and regularity because when I don’t drink coffee or am traveling that can get thrown off.  I’ll be taking it every day for the next 28 days since it takes TIME for our bodies to adjust to probiotics - and I'll be taking you guys along with me as I share my honest thoughts. Many people think if they don’t see changes within the first 7-10 days then the probiotic isn’t working, but that’s not the case. I’m giving myself more than just a week or two and instead a full month to see the full benefits. I’ll keep you posted over the next month. Check out my stories to learn more! #MyAlignGutJourney #guthealth
 
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
We had an AFTERNOON today. Toddler didn’t care f We had an AFTERNOON today. Toddler didn’t care for a nap. Putting baby down was harder than I wanted it to be. Miraculously, I had a moment of clarity as I was covered in tiny humans and decided I wasn’t doing the nap battle thing a on 60 degree, gorgeous, sunny spring day 🙅🏻‍♀️ so I piled both babies into the car half naked, opened the sun roof, put on white noise for them and an audio book for me and drank a kombucha as I drove a meal to a postpartum mama. Thirty five minutes later we had a sleeping baby and a toddler who at least had a rest. Baby transferred without waking HALLELUJAH and although my toddler didn’t nap today (lord help) at least we got soaked in breezy sunshine 😎🤘🏻💆🏻‍♀️
We veered from our usual Friday night homemade piz We veered from our usual Friday night homemade pizza (minus the dough, we leave that to @albemarlebakingco) because we are eating pizza tomorrow with some friends - instead I called my mom and asked her how she makes her chicken fingers and we fried up a big ole batch of chicken nugs 🙌🏻🤤 along with a sheet pan full of sweet potato fries and a simple arugula salad dressed with parmesean, olive oil and s&p. Oh and my moms honey mustard recipe for dipping. It’s SO DANG GOOD.  Over the past 6ish months we’ve been practicing (and practicing and practicing bc it doesn’t come naturally) unplugging from technology and slowing down and resting and just being for one day a week. Some call it Shabbat. Some call it Sabbath. Maybe you call it something different. All I know is IT IS SO GOOD FOR MY WEARY SOUL and the day I look forward to ALL WEEK. Sundown on Friday to sundown Saturday. Nothing but rest. For us that means hiking (or something outside) and napping and reading and being with friends and eating really good food. And drinking some really good wine or craft beer. Sometimes whiskey. 😛  And because I know I’ll get asked about the chicken finger recipe and also because it’s too good not to share and Momma Coale said I could, here ya go:  Cut chicken breast into thin strips or small pieces (I prefer nug size bc the breading to chicken ratio is perfection). Salt and pepper those babies really well. Then dredge them in all purpose flour, then egg, then panko - just like you would bread anything else. Then fry them up in a light oil - I use avocado oil because that’s our everyday oil. You could also use canola or peanut oil. Just fill a pan with an inch or so of oil on medium high heat. They only take 2-3 minutes per side. You can always temp them to make sure they are at least 165 degrees F to really make sure they are done. Dunk in all the sauces and enjoy!  Happy weekend!

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