The Slimming Effect: Black & Bodysuits

Black as a slimming trick - groundbreaking, right? We're not recreating the fashion wheel here - we all know black is a go-to slimmer. I pretty much lived in black {leggings} postpartum. And even now that I'm feeling much more fit-mom-ish and less frumpy-mom-ish, I've kind of become accustomed to my black. Colorful me - accustomed to black. Motherhood does things to you.

 

 

Now, pair black with a bodysuit, and you're in the double-slimming business. In the right fabric, a bodysuit can be like a one-piece that's sucking & tucking you in all the right places. Bonus: it's not a bathing suit, and you're not on the beach feeling all sorts of body-conscious. Trust me, bodysuits {or, as they appear in my new-mom head - adult onesies} are where it's at!

 

{Oh, hey babe!}

Not quite as slimming, but equally as appealing to me these days: mom jeans. I am, afterall, a mom. Not that this stopped me from rocking high-waisted mom-jeans pre-twinlets. Rebel that I am.

 

  

Bodysuit: Tobi {size medium} // Cropped pants: Old Navy - no longer available online {check in-store!}; Super similar // Shoes: Nordstrom Rack - last season; Similar & Similar {and also, I'll trade you - because that chunkyheel!} // Sunnies: Quay Australia - no longer available {but they sometimes come back in stock!}; Similar

 

Last random thought from my recent fashion files - let's talk about Tobi. I've long shied away from buying from Tobi because - well, models be fiercely fit. Which always begged the question - how is that going to fit this shorter & stouter bod. Slowly but surely, Tobi's endless sales broke me down - and now I can officially tell you that any ol' average girl can rock it like their gorgeous amazon models.

 

 

Fabrics are quality, fit is on par, fashions are trending, AND prices are enticing. Like, annoyingly enticing. Enter my newest shopping obsession—and my latest apology, for turning you into a Tobi fiend like me. 

Top: Tobi {size small} // Pants: Anthropologie - sale, no longer available; Similar & Similar // Shoes: Oldies from god-knows-where; Similar & Similar // Head scarf: Ancient; Similar // Earrings: Francescas: Oldies; Similar & Oh-so-boho

Photo cred: Instagram & Blog Husband {Thanks, Babuh!}

XO,

Nik

Psst...more fashion obsessions: 

That 70's Style: Two ways

Cool for Culottes

2017 Fitness Inspiration Calendar

Every year I make a fitness inspiration calendar that I hang in my workout room and glance over at when I need an extra push. Sometimes it gives me a chuckle, sometimes a nod of "you know that's right!" and sometimes it lights a much-needed fire under my bum. I also jot down every workout that I do on the calendar so I can track my progress and beat my PR's! There's no better competition than yourself.

Here are my favorite 12 fitness quotes that I used for my 2017 calendar {thanks for that, Pinterest}! I always use Vistaprint to create my calendars because they have great deals and good quality. #winwin

{January}

Word.

{February} 

 

Okay, so, yea, I'm doing it for me...but there are two new humans in my life who also push me to be the best me I can be. So I can play with them, run with them, and be there for them for a very, very long time. 

{March}

Remember how I said some of these quotes light a fire under my bum? #caseinpoint

{April}

 

Like skinny jeans.

{May}

 

Anything before that point was too easy. Push past the point when you want to stop—that'll make the real difference. 

{June} 

  

 

A little summer inspiration for ya. 

{July}

 

This one just plain cracked me up. Don't waste that fairy's dust, yo!

{August}

 

I did not change my life over night—I didn't even do it in a year. It's a lifestyle, not a quick fix. Commit to yourself. 

{September}

 

We push and push ourselves and rarely stop to pat ourselves on the back. LOOK at what you're doing. Now walk up to the mirror and give yourself a fist-bump, you rockstar, you.

{October}

 

A reminder that I think every mom needs, at any age or stage of motherhood. Even if it's only 20 minutes a day, a workout is time for YOU. 

{November}

 

One of my FAVORITES, and I aptly made it the month of my twins' birthday :-) They are not an excuse for not working out - they are my reason for working out - to be a healthy role model for them. 

{December}

Now, go kick your workout's ass.  

  

{Bonus: Cover}

 

You heard it - it's game time, ya'll. Go kill it. 

  

XO,

Nik

Psst...More fitness inspo:

The 6 Commitments That Helped Me Lose 80 Pounds

   

My Fitness Frenemies: Workout DVDs for The Advanced

Second Trimester Fitness: Weekly Workout Schedule

 

You know how they say, "just make it to your second trimester—you'll feel human again"? "They" speak the truth! In the first trimester you might be battling morning sickness {aka, all day nausea}, you lose your breath much easier {HOW did I used to do 10 jumping jacks...in a row?!}, and the bloat - oh god, the bloat. Fun fact: your body is now pumping 40 percent more blood to allot for baby - and that's werk on your body.

But, by the second trimester, you get the pep back in your workout step. You feel—dare I say—normal. You're able to catch your breathe a bit more, your energy levels are back to the norm, and you can fit a workout into your day because you're not crashing at 8pm...okay, fine, 7pm. This is your shining trimester, so e m b r a c e it - while you can {I'm striking that part for good reason—because I hate the negative "just wait"-esque sayings. If you push and stay healthy, your "while you can" will turn into, "there's nothing you can't do" - no matter how many weeks you are or how many babies you're carrying. Don't let anybody tell you it's too hard to handle - because it's up to you {and your doctor}, not them. I digress...}

In the second trimester I mostly jumped back into one of my favorite BeachBody workouts - PiYo. I followed that and running...until I was put on "light rest" around Week 23 due to my cervix shortening. It set "me" back, but I'm no longer the priority - these babes are. You'll notice a break in my schedule, but then a reamping-up, slowly but surely. In the first trimester you listen to your body - in the second, you listen to your doctors. Trust.

Here's every workout I did for each day that I worked out in the second trimester - including links to almost every workout!

 

 142.9 lbs

Day 1: 3.5 mile run at my own pace—getting harder because I have to jump off an pee so often! & 2:00 plank & Thigh Challenge Day 5 {I love throwing a 30-day challenge in every now and then as a workout supplement. Recruit all of your friends to join you and check-in with each other every day!}
Day 2: Tone It Up {TIU} Beach Babe 3 Arms DVD & Arms/Abs Circuit Pin - Circuit 1, all with 10lb. weights, & Thigh Challenge Day 6
Day 3: PiYo Sweat & Thigh Challenge Day 7
Day 4: 21Day Fix Cardio & Thigh Challenge Day 8 {TIP: I signed up for BeachBody On Demand so I could access TONS of BeachBody workouts whenever and wherever I wanted. This majorly came in handy for me to switch things up when I got bored! It's worth it for the Autumn Calabrese Maternity Workouts alone.}
Day 5: PiYo Strength Intervals
Day 6: TIU Cardio Abs {13 minutes} & TIU Beach Yoga {20 minutes} & Thigh Challenge Day 9
Day 7: REST

 

145.4 lbs 

{Can you tell my appetite was back?}

Day 1: Thigh Challenge Day 10 was all I could manage {I worked and was on my feet all day and was exhausted! Needed a break - so I listened to my body and did not feel bad about it for one second.}
Day 2: 3 mile HIIT = 29:01! Felt good enough to modify harder a little bit! & Thigh Challenge Day 11
Day 3: Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown 1 {modified last move of the circuit - did crab dips instead and arched my back to work my back muscles}
Day 4: PiYo Core {no modification - but HARD!} & Thigh Challenge Day 13
Day 5: 1.8 mile walk outside with 5lb. weights & Thigh Challenge Day 14
Day 6: On vacation! But fit in Thigh Challenge Day 15

Day 7: On vacation! But fit in Thigh Challenge Day 17

 

147.9 lbs 

Day 1: REST
Day 2: PiYo Sweat & 1:30 plank
Day 3: PiYo Buns & :30 side planks each side {with 10 raises and hold throughout the :30}
Day 4: PiYo Core {no modification - but HARD!}
Day 5: 2 mile run at my pace & TIU BB3 Arms
Day 6: REST
Day 7: 3 mile HIIT = 29:40! & TONS of housework that had me up and down the stairs all day {yes, this counts as a workout!}

 

149.7 lbs

Day 1: PiYo Sweat & 1:00 plank
Day 2: PiYo Core & 1:00 plank
Day 3: PiYo Buns & 1:00 plank
Day 4: PiYo DRENCH!! {All the way through, NO modifications, few child poses needed, felt great!! A little tired/shaky at the end - but that's not a preggers thing, that's a PiYo Drench thing} & 1:00 plank
Day 5: 2 mile run at my pace{not a lot of time today but squeezed something in!}
Day 6: REST
Day 7: Kayaking for two hours
  

   

149.3 lbs

Day 1: 3.5 mile HIIT {Sore and exhausted afterwards! Back is starting to kill after runs. Might be time for a belly band soon...}
Day 2: PiYo Sweat {Plank section getting tough! Modified to less burpees.}
Day 3: PiYo Core & 1:10 plank
Day 4: PiYo Buns & 1:20 plank
Day 5: PiYo DRENCH! {All the way through, little mods!}
Day 6: REST
Day 7: 3 mile HIIT {Had a little big of very light pink, very light blood afterwards - but no pain. Still, something to mention to doc...} & Tricep Pin with 10lb. weights, 10-20 reps each move

 

150 lbs

Day 1: PiYo Sculpt {Yowza, I forgot how tough this one was, in general! Works those triceps!}
Day 2: PiYo Sweat
Day 3: PiYo Core {Getting tougher to do floor exercises. Feels weird and tougher to maneuver bicycle section.}
Day 4: PiYo DRENCH! {Definitely getting HARD-er, especially the plank section!}
Day 5: PiYo Buns
Day 6: REST
Day 7: PiYo Strength Intervals - After going nonstop all day on house stuff, I chose to squeeze this in at 7:30pm at night. Proof that you can squeeze something in at some point - especially when it's only 22 minutes!

 

151.5 lbs

Day 1: PiYo Sweat {Core section is tough, but busted out all burpees at the end, and all push-ups in the last segment!} & Tank Top Arms Challenge Day 1 {Followed a friend's challenge, but here's a good one to try!}
Day 2: 3 mile HIIT
Day 3: PiYo Buns & Arms Challenge Day 2 & 3 {Played catch-up. Exhausted today, but pushed through!}
Day 4: PiYo DRENCH until Flow {didn't have enough time!} & Arms Challenge Day 4
Day 5: PiYo Sculpt
Day 6: REST
Day 7: PiYo Strength Intervals & Arms Challenge Day 5

 

This is also the week I decided I finally needed a belly band. It took just a little getting used to, but all-in-all it was a great investment. Really worked wonders when I was running! Kept the pressure of my bladder and back, and didn't slip or get uncomfortable. I used this for week to support my back during runs and lower body workouts {like buns & legs}. Stopped using after the second trimester when it got harder to wrap around my belly - but I also slowed back on workouts {doc's orders} so I didn't need it as much. Bottom line, I would recommend this for the start of the second trimester and throughout! Even though you may not be caring that much more weight {yet}, your back still overcompensates and this really helps!

 

153.7 lbs

Day 1: PiYo Sculpt & 1:30 plank
Day 2: PiYo Sweat {No mods - felt great! Proof that how you feel and how your body performs will ebb and flow.}
Day 3: PiYo Core {Did great until bicycle segment - felt like I could barely breathe! Did the second round standing - and I felt like I got the same effect! Cramps in my lower abdomen when trying to do floor exercises - I think it's officially time to retire PiYo Core - womp.}
Day 4: PiYo Buns
Day 5: PiYo DRENCH {Definitely getting a little too big for this workout - things are crunched in certain positions. Pushed through, though! I think I might have ONE more full Drench left in me!}
Day 6: REST
Day 7: 3 mile HIIT = 29:42 & 1:30 plank & :30 plank each side with 10 dips each

{Noted to myself: "GREAT MONTH!!" I really stuck to my PiYo schedule and added in some challenges. Felt great most of the time, and felt like "me" through workouts.}

155.3 lbs

Day 1: PiYo Buns & 1:30 plank & :30 side planks with 10 dips each side
Day 2: PiYo DRENCH {Woo-wee - tough, but I did it!}
Day 3: Triceps Pin {15-20 reps} & 1:30 plank & :30 side planks with 10 dips each side
Day 4: 2.25 mile run outside at the beach {ROUGH start - didn't think I would be able to do it, but I paced myself, concentrated on breathing, and pushed over the hump at .5 miles. Ended up feeling great!} & 1:30 plank & :30 side planks with 10 dips each side
Day 5: Yoga on the beach - 1 hour {Very relaxing and chill vinyasa}
Day 6: Stand-up Paddle Boarding Bootcamp - crazy!! First time paddle boarding and did not expect the extent of this workout. Did intervals and "sprints" on board - burned over 400 calories in an hour!
Day 7: 3.5 mile HIIT {Pushed through and felt good. Some side pains in the beginning just when I was trying to get loose and find a rhythm - but they quickly dissipated. Note to self: push through the first mile to get into the rhythm!}

 

156.6 lbs

Day 1: Turbo Fire 40 {Some modification - less hopping/jumping and more "shuffling." It was LONG and rough at times, but I stuck through! Great cardio workout. Fire 40 takes the "fire drills" out of Fire 45, which I likely couldn't do anyway because of the intensity of them, so it worked out perfect.} & 1:30 plank & :30 side planks with 10 dips each side
Day 2: TIU BB3 Beach Bombshell DVD - drop set of weights 10, 8 and 5lbs. {Light modifications but mostly stuck through it! Reverse plank dips were rough - mostly did crab dips.}
Day 3: 30 minute treadmill HIIT
Day 4: SkinnyGirl Yoga 40 minutes {Hadn't done this one in a while - it's much tougher now! Have to remember that I'm lifting a lot more weight now. Modified a bit, especially at the end, but was able to do a 3-count wheel!}
Day 5: Diary of a Fit Mommy Bun in the Oven Prenatal workout -30 minutes at my own pace {Did all the way through but modified on side planks when needed - they were tough!}
Day 6: REST
Day 7: 3.5 mile HIIT {Felt great!! No pains, had good energy, felt like I could keep going! Which is ironic, since...}

 

157.6 lbs

Day 1: Put on "light rest" due to cervix trying to "funnel" open. Will be kept under a close eye from here on out. Best case scenario - we're told we'll make it to 28 Weeks. You'll notice over the next few weeks that I ween back in to workouts - this is only due to my doctor's permission. Little by little I could add things back in, and if my cervix remained stable then I could add a little more back in. LISTEN to your doctors - they are the only reason I got as far as I did!
Day 2: REST
Day 3: REST
Day 4: REST
Day 5: Booty Blast Day 1 {Friend's challenge, but here's another good one!} & Tricep Pin - 10lb. weights for 15 reps per move {Took it super slow and easy, but had to do something. Promised myself I would stop immediately if anything felt off.}
Day 6: REST
Day 7: REST

 

156.2 lbs

Day 1: Booty Blast Day 2 & Tricep Pin - 10lb. weights for 10-15 reps per move
Day 2: Booty Blast Day 3 & TIU Bikini Arms - 8lb. weights for 10-20 reps per move, no swimmers - did lateral raises instead
Day 3: Booty Blast Day 4 & TIU Arm Routine x3 - 10lb. weights for first two rounds, then 8lb. weights for third round
Day 4: 1.8 mile walk outside with 5lb. weights
Day 5: REST {on feet all day working - that was enough!}
Day 6: TIU BB3 Arms - 8lb. weights {Not bad considering it's been a while - hung it and it flew by!}
Day 7: TIU Thigh Pin & Short Triceps Pin - 8lb. weights for 15-20 reps per move & My own made-up triceps workout with band - 25 minute workout total

 

159.9 lbs

Day 1: 20 minute walking incline treadmill workout - 1.25 miles {Backed off to 3.5mph when needed!} & Diary of a Fit Mommy 15-minute Abs & Core workout - 30 reps each move
Day 2: REST {Pains - listen to your body!}
Day 3: TIU BB3 Arms with 8lb. weights
Day 4: 1.8 mile walk outside with 5lb. weights
Day 5: REST
Day 6: Autumn Calabrese Maternity First Trimester workout with 8-10lb. weights {GOOD workout!! I was expecting way less, but it worked me!}
Day 7: TIU Bikini Arms Pin x1 with 10lb. weights - no swimmers

No pics from Week 27 - Whoops!

160.7 

{Gained 17.8 pounds in the second trimester. Up 21.8 pounds total!}

Day 1: Autumn Calabrese Maternity Second Trimester workout with 10lb. weights {Modified jumping jacks and side planks, but otherwise quick and great!}
Day 2: REST
Day 3: Autumn First Trimester workout with 8-10lb. weights
Day 4: TIU Bikini Arms x2 - first round with 8-10lb. weights for 20 reps, second round with 8-10lb. weights for 14-15 reps {Pelvis pain! So I took it easy.}
Day 5: Cize Crazy 8's! {Fun and low impact cardio workout!}
Day 6: REST
Day 7: 1.8 mile walk outside with 5lb. weights

While I started out strong in the second trimester, I am still so happy that I got to do something to finish it out - even if the workouts weren't close to my normal level. At the end of the day, the twinlets are more important than some toned arms. Still, being able to ween back into some modified and low-impact workouts kept my mind sane, my body moving, and me and the babes healthy. Always, always, always listen to your doctor. They are not trying to jeopardize your healthy lifestyle - they are trying to kickstart your babes' health, period.

Until the third trimester wrap-up... {Which, P.S. Has a lot more Autumn Calabrese Maternity, and Shaun T's Cize - because nothing is funnier than seeing a mega-preggo dance around the living room.}

XO,

Nik

  

Psst...more workout-aholic posts:

First Trimester Fitness: Complete Workout Schedule

 

A Beginner's Guide to Workout DVDs

 

My Fitness Frenemies: Workout DVDs for the Advanced

A fitness frenemy: someone who you dread seeing, despise while in their "presence," and occasionally cuss at - yet whole-heartedly credit for your strength, stamina & health.

Take Jillian Michaels for example - she was one of my first workout DVD purchases, and I stalk her social accounts for any mention of a new DVD. Then, I spend a few times a week cussing Jillian to hell and wishing I had never "met" her. But I'm hooked, and I'll never give her up, no matter how much I hate her when I'm on my 18th burpee, and I'm contemplating throwing the kettlebell at our very nice TV.

But Jill {we're close like that} isn't my only Fitness Frenemy—I have an arsenal of personal trainers yelling at me in my living room. Weight Watchers taught me how to eat, my running-coach-BFF taught me how to run {and how to hate Shaun T}, and Jillian, Bob, Jackie, Chalene, Tony, Jeanette & SO many more taught me how to get strong, long & lean. I'm not selfish—I'll share my trainers, and I'll even let them spend time in your living room {given that you purchase them on Amazon, at Target, or through my go-to BeachBody coach...}. 

Running 
While I still follow Hal Higdon's schedules when training for a distance run - I like to keep things fresh, fast & exciting when hitting the tread on a regular basis. Enter my absolute favorite running workout - HIIT's, aka, high intensity interval training. Here are a few of my go-to HIITs that keep my mind occupied and my feet flying. 

HIIT-tastic {A gradual 2-minute increase}
Anything and everything by pbfingers {My favs are the 30 Minute Treadmill Workout, and the 30 Minute Intense Incline Treadmill Workout}
"Yellow Notepad 4 Mile HIIT" {As I dreadfully fondly refer to it as. I've made it through this to the T once, but I've attempted it many times!} 
Bess Be Fit - 30 minute HIIT {A back and forth killer that f l i e s!} 

 

Yoga
"You're almost always a beginner in yoga." Skinnygirl® Bethenny Frankel said it best—you are always evolving with yoga, always learning, always getting a workout. No matter how many times you do the same yoga routine, it can still leave you with a penguin waddle the next day. The key to yoga is to engage, BREATHE, and never give up. I will crow, I will wheel, and dammit, I will headstand one day. 

Bob Harper: Yoga for the Warrior {Yes, it's an hour. But I promise you it will become your favorite hour of the entire week.}
Jeanette Jenkins: The Hollywood Trainer's Power Yoga {Disclaimer: I have never done the full DVD in one sitting, because, ain't nobody got time for that. And also, I like to be able to walk. But, I will pair the 40 minute power yoga with the vinyasa or abs and call it one hell of a workout!}
Yoga Inferno with Jillian Michaels {This is the second in Jillian's yoga series and steps it up a notch!}
PiYo with Chalene Johnson {This is the Donny & Marie of workouts - it's a little bit pilates, and a little bit yoga. Confused? Don't be—check out my full review and breakdown {and love} of PiYo on the blog!}

Cardio
Although I'd love to complete every BeachBody program in full, I'm pretty sure it's impossible. But, it's not impossible to at least get a taste of every program, thanks to BeachBody On Demand! {Again, I swear I'm not a coach or rep, even though I sound like a programmed BB robot. I'm just that big of a devotee!} That's where I find some of my favorite go-to non-running cardio workouts. {Psst - it's FREE for a 30-day trial & then a tiny fee per quarter afterwards. W A Y worth it for the variety of programs offered.}

Turbo Fire: Fire 45 with Chalene Johnson {Kickbox meets dance meets Chalene? One of the most f u n workouts I've ever done! Pretty much all Turbo Fire workouts...}
P90x3 MMX with Tony Horton {Hella good & fast kickboxing workout. *SPRAWL!*}
Insanity: Pure Cardio with Shaun T {ONLY if you're actually insane - which, apparently I am.}

And some non-BeachBody workouts:
Kickbox Fastfix with Jillian Michaels {These are quick 20-minute workouts that each target a different area of the body. I like to pair up two of the workouts, or for a full-body blast I do all three for an hour total!}
Kettlebell Cardio Shred with Bob Harper {Think bootcamp with Bob...with a kettlebell. Sweat, burn, cuss.}   

Strength
You know how instuctors always say, "you won't bulk up by lifting weights"? Pssshhh. I was such a nay-sayer of this—I did not want manly arms. But, like I've done with the rest of my fitness journey - I put my arms into the hands of my fitness besties {fitnesties?}. And guess what!? My arms {legs, abs, bum} are longer, leaner & more toned than eva. And, how did I never realize how much you S W E A T and burn while lifting? #convert

BeachBabe3: Beach Bombshell with the Tone It Up girls {Who doesn't love Kat & Karena?!}
Hammer & Chisel: Total Body Chisel {Also available on BeachBody On Demand!}
Kettlebell: Sculpted Body with Bob Harper {Again with the kettles, again with the pain & sweat that feels oh so good} 

And, some of my favorite strength workouts come from Pins on my workout board! 

 
Workout Sets  
Nothing says dedication like committing to a 30, 60 or 90 day program. My advice? Partner up with a fitness friend & hold each other accountable with check-ins! Yes, even I, the at-home-workout-devotee, get tired of working out alone. But when you have a check-in buddy you feel like you're doing {bitching, sweating, agonizing in pain through} the workout with someone.

Body Revolution by Jillian Michaels {This is one of my favorite, hardest & most evolving Jillian workouts yet. Week 1 & 2 are a little easy for the Advanced, so I jumped in at weeks 5 & 6. But, weeks 11 & 12, yeaaaa, I may or may not have done those workouts once, before resorting back to weeks 9 & 10. They're that tough!}
P90x3 with Tony Horton {Look, who has an hour+ a day to workout? Maybe once a month? Maybe. Good thing Tony figured out you can get it done in 30 minutes. And get it done he does. Yogax3 and Pilatesx3 are two of my fav yoga-esque workouts!}

While I wait for the next BeachBody program release, I'll be dabbling more in Hammer & Chisel, Turbo Fire & Cize!. Heck, maybe I'll even fully commit to taking one of them on for 30, 60 or 90 days in the New Year. While also stalking for the next Jillian Michaels program that she drops. 

Always evolve, always keep pushing, and never, ever give up.

XO,

Nik 

Psst...Need more fitness inspo? How about: 

10 Health Hacks: How I Changed my Body, My Life

 

My Fitness Journey: A Beginner's Guide to Workout DVDs