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Getting Fit - Part 2

We all know our ladies start to sag over time. Add breastfeeding 2 kids into that and they hit your knees! (Not literally but that's about how I feel right now. lol) 

This workout can be found at: http://www.self.com/fitness/workouts/2010/10/moves-to-perk-up-your-boobs-slideshow#slide=4

Legs are always a sore point for me. It's been where I've always stored fat. I rarely wear shorts or short skirts for this reason. This routine seems to do a good bit for toning up those thighs!

Found at: http://backonpointe.tumblr.com/post/26014627525/clear-some-space-and-kill-those-legs

We all have those mornings where we just can't get going! I've found yoga really helps me get going! This webpage has a good morning routine!

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/1-3761-3/Good-Morning-Yoga-Sequence.html

We all need to find our motivation for getting fit! I want to be a good example for my girls & I'd love to eventually get back into a bikini again. It's a pain to workout and some days I just want to quit, but with a goal or some motivation, I can keep going.

I have a month until my hubby comes home, so I'll be working out every day til then! I'm sure he'd be surprised to come home to a wife who's not so darn frumpy anymore!!!





Getting Fit

After having 2 kids, my body is a bit stretched & saggy. I'd love to get it back in shape and decided I would do a little research and see what I could find to help. I don't really have a lot of fat to loose, so most of the exercises I am doing are just for toning up the saggy areas.

My main problem area is my tummy! It's pretty saggy after having my girls! I really wanted to tone it & fast! It drives me nuts! I found this workout and it's great. A bit intense, but it is designed to work in 2 weeks.

Ab workout at: http://www.prevention.com/fitness/strength-training/2-week-belly-flattening-routine?page=3

 Another problem area I have is my rear end. It's saggy & has lost it's shape. I've heard alot about the Brazillian butt workout. I found this on Pinterest. 

Another area is my arms. My husband jokes and calls them "Bingo Wings" (referring to the fact I look like an elderly lady playing Bingo when I lift/wave my arms! Nice huh?!) This workout is great for toning arms. It was found on fitfabcities.com

  

Fashion Obsession

I have to say I've never been too into fashion but www.polyvore.com makes putting together outfits easy. A lot of the items are higher end but you can always find similar items for a lot less. Here is one cute outfit I designed.

Find more of my designs by clicking my user name: psignor2012

DIY beauty products

Having 2 kids really limits Mommy's beauty budget, so buying sugar scrubs, facial masks, bath fizzies, etc... are usually out of the question. I found a few DIY ones online that are pretty good so I  thought I'd share!

Sugar Scrub

2.5 cups of sugar (just regular sugar)
1 cup of olive or almond oil (I used olive because it's what I had on hand)
5 tablespoons of citrus juice (I used lemon, but orange or lime would work too)

~ Mix & place in air tight container! 


Hair Mask

4 tablespoons of olive oil
2 tablespoons of honey

~ Microwave oil for 20 seconds. Add honey & stir until smooth. Coat hair & let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse twice the shampoo/condition as normal.


Facial Mask

1 cup of brown sugar
0.5 cup of honey
1 tablespoon of milk

OR

2 tablespoons of honey
1 tablespoon of cinnamon
1 tablespoon of nutmeg

~ Mix & smooth onto face. Leave for 20-30 minutes and then rinse with warm water.


Detox Bath

Run a hot bath & add 3 pints of peroxide and 2 oz. of ground ginger to bath. Soak for 30 minutes.

~ This will cause you to really sweat & loose lots of fluid so DRINK A LOT OF WATER afterwards!


Skin Brightening Toner

0.5 cup of lemon juice
1 cup of water (I use filtered water)
0.5 cup of witch hazel

~ Mix in a bottle. Wash face, apply toner, then moisturize.


Pumpkin Face mask

0.5 cup of pumpkin
1 tablespoon greek yogurt
1 teaspoon of lemon juice

~ Mix and apply to face. Leave for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.


Coconut Milk Shampoo

1/4 cup of coconut milk
1/3 cup of Dr. Bronner's soap (unscented)
1 teaspoon of Vitamin E or Almond oil
20 drops of essential oil (any one you choose)

~ Mix all items in a jug. Use about 1 tablespoon per wash. This will keep for about 1 month in your shower.


Deep Hair Conditioner

1 Avocado
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 tablespoons of water
2 tablespoons of heavy cream

~ Mix & comb through hair. Let sit for 20 minutes. Rinse & shampoo.


DIY Microdermabrasion

3 parts baking soda
1 part water

~ Mix into a paste & apply in a circular motion. Rinse with warm water.


Homemade bath salt soaks

6 parts coarse sea salt
3 parts epsom salt
1 part baking soda
10 drops essential oil
5 drops food coloring (optional)

~ Mix and place in air tight container. Sprinkle in warm bath.


Beach Hair Spray

2 cups hot water
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 tablespoon hair gel or conditioner (optional)

~Mix into a spray bottle. Spray into wet hair & twist hair into sections. Let dry.


DIY Vicks shower fizzies

Mix 2-3 cups of baking soda with water until it's a putty consistency. (If it fizzes you are adding water too fast. Slow down!)
Add 10-15 drops each of 3 essential oils (Eucalyptus, Rosemary, & Lavendar).
Spoon into a cupcake liner (place the liners in a pan first).
Let dry for 12-18 hours.


Lotion Bars

4.5 oz of beeswax
4 oz of shea butter
4 oz of coconut oil

~ Combine in a double boiler. Melt & stir until well mixed.  Pour into molds (silicone ones work best). Allow to cool completely & pop from pan. (If stuck place in freezer for 30 minutes)


Bath Fizzies/Bombs

1 cup of baking soda
1/2 cup of citric acid
1/2 cup of corn startch

~ mix well. set aside.

2 1/2 tablespoons of sunflower or almond oil
3/4 tablespoon of water
1/2 to 2 tablespoons of essential oil (any scent works. Lavendar is relaxing!)
1/4 teaspoon of vitamin e
1/4 teaspoon of borax
Witch hazel (in spray bottle)

~ Whisk into a bowl, slowly add dry items from above. (No fizzing should occur. If it does SLOW DOWN!) Once mixed, lightly spray mixture with witch hazel (2-3 sprays). You have the right consistency if you can press it together and it sticks/molds well, but can be easily broken apart. If it's not sticking well, add more witch hazel. Pack into a mold (something that can hold about 1/4 cup) and then pop out. Place on wax paper and let dry over night.

Should make about 6 bath fizzies/bombs.

Harper's Birth Story

Harper Elizabeth Signor

June 25, 2012

6:16 pm ~ 7 lbs. ~ 19.5 inches

Frank was in Afghanistan and was not expected to make it home in time for Harper’s birth. Unknown to me, his boss had arranged to have him home a few days before my due date, so he was able to share this wonderful event with me. This was amazing and helped relieve a lot of my stress and ease my worries for the birth.

My due date, June 16, 2012, came and went and still no baby. I was beginning to get miserable and was just ready for my baby to be born. I talked to Sue, my doula, about some natural induction techniques and we tried all of them one by one. Massage, sex, teas, walking, bouncing on an exercise ball, etc…. At 1 week past due, I tried two herbs, red raspberry leaf and blue cohash, to help kick start labor. At 1 week and 2 days past due my labor finally started at home at 4 am. I had contractions lasting roughly 30-45 seconds every 5 minutes for 2 hours before I woke Frank, which took me smacking him with a pillow. We decided to text Sue around 6:15 am. I worked through my contractions by walking and bouncing on my exercise ball while waiting on Sue to arrive. She arrived about half an hour later and she focused on talking to me and making sure I was doing ok & helping Frank getting stuff ready for the hospital. I was bouncing on my exercise ball waiting on Chloe & Madison to get up. At this point contractions were every 5 minutes, but I was able to talk through them and even ate some breakfast.



Around 9 am my mom came over and stayed for a while. She and Frank made pancakes and got the girls dressed. Frank’s dad came over and got Chloe. Around 10:30 or 11 am my mom took Madison to her house. I was worried that having Chloe & Madison around during my labor would distract me and might very well scare them, so we felt it was best for them to spend the day with grandparents to keep them occupied. With the house quiet, I was able to focus on my contractions and labor. Over the next few hours they got increasingly painful & closer together. I worked through them by walking, swaying my hips, bouncing on my exercise ball, hip compressions and a good bit of loud groaning and grunting. At one point Sue even used a large cloth to help relieve some of the pressure while I was standing. This period of my labor was nothing like I had imagined it to be. With my previous birth my contractions were back to back and extremely intense. This time I was able to manage them and get through them. I would have never imagined I could have done that.

By 4 pm I needed a break and got into the tub. The hot water helped relieve the contractions to a manageable point. I spent about an hour and a half in the tub relaxing. Frank kept trying to get me to eat and drink but I was stubborn which caused issues after the birth. Around 5:30 pm I got out of the tub and my contractions picked up and got a lot stronger. They were coming almost back to back, so Sue knew it was almost time to go to the hospital. I was beginning to doubt if I could finish my labor without any pain medication, but Frank & Sue were awesome at reminding me how well I was doing and that I could do it.

After getting out of the tub, the contractions were so intense that I was crying & even screamed a few times. Sue & Frank decided it was time to head to the hospital, so I got some clothes on and we headed out. It took a while just to get to the car because I had to keep stopping to work through contractions.

We arrived at the hospital at 6 pm and my mom, dad, and Madison arrived just a few minutes later (Dad & Madison waited in the waiting room). When we got to the hospital they were just finishing cleaning a room and the rest were full. The nurses and doctors were rushing around trying to get what they needed to deliver the baby. They were able to get me into the room and check me. I was fully dilated and effaced. Time to push! I pushed several times and the doctor told me to touch her head as she started to crown. That was amazing! She had a head full of hair. The doctor had me relax a bit and give a few smaller pushes as she was trying to help me avoid tearing. I pushed a few times and the head came out followed immediately by the body. I didn’t even have to give her a second push! She was in a hurry to get out.

After just 16 minutes in the hospital, Harper Elizabeth was born. The few minutes after her birth was a big blur from the rush of adrenaline and emotions. I remember Frank being able to cut her cord and her being taken to a warmer. I was later told that there was meconium (poop) in the fluid and there was apparently a good bit on her face and she was trying to breathe, so they wanted to make sure she hadn’t inhaled it, but was fine. The doctor had to do some pressing on my stomach because the placenta was not coming out completely & I was bleeding a good bit. After it came out (thankfully, it was all intact) was checking me and I did in fact tear because Harper came out so quickly. While she stitched me up, I finally got to hold and breast feed my baby, and Madison got to meet her new sister for the first time. She was not at all sure about what was going on and she kept saying “don’t like her” when we would try to get her to hold her sister or kiss her. She finally did come around, but only after we got home.

Harper was weighed and measured a bit later and was 7 lbs. & 19.5 inches long. Frank’s parents made it to the hospital just after Harper was born, so both the girls and our parents got to take turns holding her and loving her while I ate. Our family left and Frank and I were able to spend some time alone with our newest little princess. I got dehydrated pretty badly during labor & delivery and passed out when the nurse had me get up to go to the restroom later that night, so I ended up needing an IV of fluids and an extra day in the hospital.

Although what happened immediately after her birth was not as we had planned, her birth was an amazing experience. I was able to let my body do what it was meant to do naturally, without drugs or surgical intervention. My VBAC was a success!! This is an experience I will not forget and would even do again.

Madison's Birth Story

It's taken two years for me to deal with and come to terms with everything that happened during my first birth. The result was my precious baby girl, Madison, who I wouldn't trade for the world. Part of the healing process for me came from writing out my birth story.

Madison Elissa Signor

May 5, 2012 @ 2:46 am

5 lbs. 11 oz. & 18 ¾ inches long

For my first birth I had planned to have a natural delivery. I had envisioned a calm and peaceful birth with Frank and our parents all in attendance. My actual birth was anything but that due to a host of interventions and medical complications.

Around 30 weeks my blood pressure began to creep up so my doctors chose to monitor it for the next few weeks and see if I could still deliver naturally on my own. On Monday, May 3, 2010 Frank took me to my doctor’s appointment before he headed back to the base in North Carolina. I had been feeling “off”, swelling, and having dizzy spells. My doctors informed me that my blood pressure was extremely high and they wanted me to be admitted to the hospital for the remainder of my pregnancy.

I checked into the labor & delivery unit, and then I was taken to the Maternal Fetal Medicine office that was attached to the hospital for an ultrasound. After an ultrasound with MFM, the doctors decided that it would be best to induce me later that day to prevent my blood pressure from getting any higher or causing any harm to Madison. Later that day the doctor began the induction process by giving me a dose of Cervadil to help dilate and soften my cervix. I was given an IV as well so that I could be given fluids and medications for my blood pressure. That night I was able to get some sleep even though I had started to have some contractions.

The next morning my doctor decided to break my water and start Pitocin to make my contractions stronger and closer together. I decided to wait to get an epidural as I really wanted to deliver as naturally as possible, despite the induction. Several hours later, the pain was so bad that I was blacking out during contractions. After some discussion, I decided to get an epidural so that I could be comfortable and at least try to enjoy what I could salvage of my child’s birth. Although I did get an epidural, something about it was not working properly. I continued to have severe pain that shot down my legs and into my feet. The anesthesiologist continued to ensure me and my family that it was normal, all while dosing the epidural multiple times. Although I was dilating and labor seemed to be progressing, Madison was still not dropping into my pelvis. During my labor, there were several times when Madison’s heart rate dropped and came back up. The doctor changed from the external monitors to internal ones to get a better idea of what her heart rate was doing during my contractions.

After laboring for most of the day and night, my blood pressure spiked and Madison’s heart rate dropped dramatically. The doctor decided to do an emergency c-section to save both our lives. I was wheeled into the operating room and the doctor started the c-section. Although I did not feel the pinch test they did, I was able to feel the incision as the doctor started. I was put under general anesthesia for the c-section.

Madison was born at 2:46 am on Wednesday, May 5, 2010. She was born weighing 5 lbs. 11 oz. and she was 18 ¾ inches long. Her umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck twice, which is what was likely keeping her from dropping down into my pelvis and causing her heart rate to drop. She was also facing upward, which was likely making my pain much worse. The doctor later told me that because of the position she was in they had to both pull her from my abdomen while pushing on her through my vagina to get her out. She had a bunch of little red spots on her face, which worried me since I have a birth mark on my face, but they went away in a day or so. Madison spent some time in the nursery as she had trouble with maintaining her temperature, which I was told was likely due to the medications I was given during labor. Madison met her daddy and grandparents while I was in recovery. Although I was told she was brought to me in recovery, I do not remember seeing her until I was in our room later in the day.  She had her first bath and daddy gave her the first bottle of formula. I only saw these things because Frank was able to video them for me.  

After I was transferred to our room, I was able to hold my little girl and breast feed her for the first time. We had a ton of visitors while in the hospital the remainder of the week and breastfeeding became a huge challenge for us. I was in a lot of pain and Madison preferred a bottle over the breast. She was very gassy from the formula and spit up a lot. We went home on Saturday, May 8, 2010, one day before Mother’s Day. Being able to take my little girl home was the best present anyone could have given me despite what had happened with her birth.

After settling in at home, Madison continued to have stomach issues related to formula and we continued to struggle with breast feeding. My milk was coming in quickly, so we rented a hospital grade pump. I felt it was better for her to get my breast milk rather than the formula, even if it was from a bottle.  During this time, my hormones and emotions were all over the place. I was having a hard time even caring for Madison, especially after Frank returned to base. My mom did her best to help me out, but something just wasn’t right. I talked to my doctor who prescribed an anti-depressant for postpartum depression. The medication was wonderful for me and I was able to become a mother to my daughter and take care of her without the feelings of despair and regret, but it had its draw backs. After starting the medication, I ended up having to switch Madison to a formula again as my supply could not keep up with her demands.

There is still a lot of my labor and delivery that I do not remember and although I did not have the birth experience I planned or wanted, I am grateful that I had doctors who knew what to do and who acted quickly. Breastfeeding was a challenge, that I feel was compounded by her delivery and the fact she was given a bottle so soon after birth. My inability to breast feed her after 8 weeks also bothered me for a long time. I felt as if I had failed to do what was best for her. It has taken time to heal and to really accept that sometimes things just don’t happen as we plan. I held a lot of resentment towards the doctors for forcing an induction which led to a c-section, but now I’ve realized that without their knowledge and care that there was a huge chance neither of us would be here. I’ve also realized that, even though I didn’t breastfeed for a full year like I wanted, I still gave my little girl a wonderful start. Formula wasn’t the end of the world. She is still healthy and happy, and that is after all, all that matters to me.