Getting Back in Shape After Baby

Bomber Jacket: Audrey and Olive (30% off with code HOTPINK) // Tee: Libre T-shirt via Aritzia (my fave tee ever!) // Leggings: Athleta // Diaper Bag: Jujube // Watch: Armitron c/o // Car seat: Chico Key Fit 30 // Carrier insulator: 7AM Infant // Shoes: Nike mesh Blazer via eBay

If you knew me before my rough pregnancy, you knew I LOVED to workout. I love taking classes and trying new ones as much as I can. However with my pregnancy came serious nausea, heartburn and carpal tunnel that swelled my hands so bad that even prenatal yoga became impossible. I had to quit doing Bar Method at 18 weeks because the nausea and heartburn were both too bad. Then at 26 weeks even my once a week attempt at prenatal yoga was too much on my hands and wrists that I couldn't even do a down dog. 

Now coming from a girl who liked to work out every day, this set me into a serious funk. Working out was always my release and happiness for the day. It made me happy to do something good for myself, and without it, I didn't feel strong or have that daily reset that I craved. I didn't feel like myself and it wore me down hard.

I have been dealing with this here body of mine for 35 years now and I know that I have the type of body that will gain weight quickly and loose strength if I don't keep active daily. When I had to stop working out I could feel myself loosing strength and muscle and it felt just plain gross, especially because I couldn't do anything to control it. To make matters worse I hated everything about food, especially veggies and fruit for 9 months straight and it was all kinds of depressing. It sucked to just watch my hard work disappear and there wasn't much I could do about it.

So now here I am on the other side of that rough pregnancy trying to fix the damage. And any of you who have had a baby or even a serious injury, know how humbling it can be to start back at square one. Classes I was once good at and excited to take, now make me feel like a newbie and leave me drained. But I am not letting that stop me! I have been back at hot yoga for the last 3 weeks, Bar Method at least 3 times a week and hiking and walking in my hilly hood with the baby daily!

Food also instantly changed after I had the baby. I love Whole 30 and clean eating because they are the easiest for me. The fruits and vegetables that once made me absolutely sick when I was pregnant are back to being my main source of food. It was so strange that the instant I had Athena, I was ready to eat them again and it was such a welcome comeback. First thing I ordered in the hospital was green beans and 2 fruit cups!

I knew this would be a struggle but it really is a whole new beast after baby to get healthy again. Aside from just making healthy choices you have the struggle of being able to actually carry out those choices. You want to workout but are exhausted from being up with the baby all night, or you can't get away for long enough to take a class or even pick up groceries to do meal prep, also just preparing a meal can be daunting. At one point in my pregnancy I was so scared I'd forget healthy things I liked to cook so I made a list called "Jill Food" so I would remember what I liked when food didn't make me sick. I still look at this list because my brain did forget all the yummy things I used to cook on the regular. I'm glad I made it because I look at it now and get great "new" ideas!

People also keep telling me to cut myself a break and that it takes time and I think I really am doing that even though it's throwing up new challenges daily, I think Andrew and I are working really hard to make sure we keep up with a healthy way of living. He's been very supportive of helping me to get a work out in and allowing me time to rest to have energy to recover from it. 

Progress will be slow and steady, but I'm up for the challenge. If you have any tips for getting back in shape after baby (or after injury, cause I've got one of those from childbirth) send it my way. 

My Love Letter to Yoga

About 7 years ago I began a new addiction. Yoga. Here's my story and how it led me to be in Times Square for the last 5 years for the summer solstice and to be an all-around better human!

I've always liked taking workout classes so I signed up to take an outdoor yoga class in Chicago. I liked it so much I decided to go back the following week, but rain moved the class to the teacher, Megan's, indoor studio, Tru Harmony (no longer open). 

When I walked into the actual studio I noticed it was hot. Like so hot and humid I though something was wrong. Surely she did not expect my amateur yogi self to survive this! I also remember finding out it was a 75 min. class. But the stubborn girl that I am, I decided I can do anything once and so I did. I remember the feeling like I wanted to pass out but also surprised that I was able to do the poses a little better because the heat made me more flexible. It was a strange confidence booster.

At the time I was in between teaching jobs and didn't know what the next school year held for me.  I had been with that school and kids for the last 5 years. I loved them and the school because I was so involved, but budget cuts forced me out being one of the youngest teachers in the school. I remember how hard it was to hear my principal tell me, "you are once of my best teachers, but I have to let you go." It just didn't make sense to me and I didn't think I would ever find a school that felt like "home" again.

Meanwhile, I decided to start an unlimited membership at Tru Harmony Yoga studio. I began to go every day. I loved the teachers, the sense of community and how they never judged me and always supported me and somehow seemed to be speaking straight to me and my current life situation. It was incredible. I was being challenged in a way I had never been before, both physically and emotionally.

I somehow convinced Andrew to join me even though telling someone to come sweat your brains out in the humid Chicago summer in a 105 degree room wasn't the most convincing argument, but he gave it a go. We were both hooked. We loved it like we had never loved any other workout.

Like the fashion loving lady that I am, it was also my first exposure to the Lulu girls. I remembered being in down dog and seeing a row of Lululemon symbols lined up on the backs of all the cool yoga girls and vowed as soon as I knew I had secured a new teaching job, I would go and get some of that Lululemon gear for myself. 

As the weeks progressed I reconnected with a principal I had interviewed with out of college and he remembered me and offered me a job! I remember even getting the initial call while I was in the studio lobby. It was such a happy moment I'll never forget it. Especially now knowing how that job changed my life these past 5 years and all the amazing people I met because if it. 

Yoga and my practice became my home, my happy place that I could take with me where ever I go. I also started going to Core Power, South Loop and made an amazing group of friends who are lovingly referred to as my Lobas. If you have ever seen a picture on social media of some stunning ladies with a tag of #yogalobas or #lobalove, this is them!  I've met so many great people who turned into great friends and opened me up to so many new experiences over the years of doing yoga.

Early on I saw a picture of the Times Square Mind over Madness event in New York in a fitness magazine and thought it looked so incredible. Thousands of yogis gathered in such a crazy place, finding peace amongst the madness. I knew I had to go. I began hitting up my friends and finally found one who would go with me.

Since then I have not missed a summer solstice for the last 5 years! I've shared the experience with someone new each year and always have such a unique experience. This past month I went with Andrew, which was a first since he's always been too busy with a campaign at work to leave. Now that we moved to SLC, he was able to take the extra time off to join me. Technically it really was our family's first time going since Athena joined us in my belly.

As dramatic as it may sound, Yoga saved my life! It gave me hope at a low point in my life and made me appreciate everything I did have. It gave me a way to deal with stress and a way to release it and channel it into something powerful and restorative to my mind and body. It's also led to MANY a Lululemon purchase. Haha. Because of yoga it made leaving my teaching job in Chicago and Chicago itself this past year so much easier. I learned hard times get better and you have it within yourself to deal with them and find peace and happiness within the unknown, even if it is super painful and scary. 

I will pretty much tell anyone and everyone to try yoga if they are unsure of it. Many people have had a bad first experience and never go back and I try to make them tag along with me to show them the magic! If you know me in real life, you know exactly what I mean, I've probably been on your case to join me to some class! It's lead me to taking all different kinds of fitness classes too. I'm never afraid to go alone because I know I will always find a home among like-minded people. My husband thinks it's funny how frequently I pick up new friends at workout classes. I seem to collect them.

I can't recommend yoga enough and hope you try it out and experience a fantastic life journey because of it too.

Colorful Workout Clothes to Motivate You Now!

Pants: Zella // Jacket: Lululemon // Gloves: H&M (old) // Bag: Kate Spade (similar style) // Sneakers: Nike // Hat: Target (hot pink option here) // Sunglasses: Raybans

Colorful workout leggings are the ultimate motivation to work out, and Zella has really done a great job recently of not disappointing. The ones I'm wearing were a sale find and sold out super fast but they have some really cute ones here and the colors are always getting updated. I'm loving these ones too. I also think the price point is pretty great for a super high quality pair of pants. Especially compared to the prices at Lululemon. 

These pictures were from a few weeks ago when we drove up into the mountains to see all the fresh pretty snow. I must say that snow in Utah is way prettier than snow in Chicago. I think you can see why. 

Workout Wednesday: Casual Sneakers

This is the very first time ever that all the shots for today's post were taken with my IPhone! You see I'm on spring break so although that leaves me with no photographer to take outfit shots, it also leaves me with a very good reason to NOT get dressed in anything more than workout clothes! 

Since this week is so casual I needed shoes to match. I don't like wearing my running shoes just to walk around so I needed some "walking-around" shoes! While making a return to the newly opened Nordstrom Rack on North Avenue (free parking!) I discovered it's pristine shoe selection with an abundance of pink Nike options! All under $60 too! My heart skipped a beat! 

I finally decided on these black canvas ones with a faint blush trim to replace my beloved yet salt-stained Nike Victoria's, and the hot pink and raspberry pair below! If you are in the market for some new casual shoes stop over there before the place looses it new-store-smell and turns into a disaster! Selection is great right now! Happy shopping! 

So much PINK! How do I decide? 

Shop these bold sneakers below!

Workout Wednesday: Neon Gapfit

This time of year, workout clothes are all about layers. I recently started my 4th year as a Girls on the Run coach/site coordinator at my school. Although I love that we have an outdoor track, this winter has been relentless! When running outside with my girls, I try to show them how important it is to wear lots of thin layers that way you always have the option of losing one as you warm up. Seems like a simple concept but maybe kind of mind-blowing for a 10 year old!

This neon pullover is a perfect layer to add over one of my favorite Lululemon racerback tanks. It doesn't hurt that it was on sale with an additional 40% off at the Gap last weekend either! I also found a great mint long-sleeve workout top for just around $10. Pretty sweet deals going on in store, so if you have a chance, go check them out!

Pullover // Tank // Nails +glitter on tips // Leggings // Sneakers // Sun Glasses

Workout Wednesday: Cobalt

Crazy pants can be hard to match sometimes. These ones are especially challenging with the white base color. Even though the design is blue I find it safe to wear black with them. I even wore my tie dye sports bra to bring the pattern together.

A helpful hit to all of you out there who love Lululemon but hate their prices, as a member of Core Power Yoga Studio you can do more than just yoga, you can shop. They always carry a great selection of cute Lululemon products. But my favorite part is that they have great sales! And if your at the studio as much as I have, you will be able to keep track of when things go on sale.

Both the jacket and Pants you see here were bought at the South Loop Core Power with 25% off! Pretty sweet huh? Go check them out and do some hot yoga while your at it!

Lululemon: Jacket, pants & tank

Shoes: Nike Victoria

Sunglasses: Target

Since all of what I'm wearing is old here are some cute Target finds for you to shop! 

Workout Wednesday

I know you are used to seeing me in all my work-appropriate teacher looks. But today, I thought it would be nice to share another part of my fashion life with my readers. 

Working out is a huge part of my life, and I'm usually in looks like you see below six days a week. And of course, I try to make sure that my workout clothes are just as cute as my daytime clothes. 

So today, I thought it would be fun to try to capture some of those looks to share on the blog, pre-drenched-in-sweat of course!

I love to try out new classes and make new friends in the Chicago fitness scene. I've had such great experiences with so many of my workouts in Chicago.  I met my lady loves that we all call the "yoga lobas" whom I met a few years back during Hot Yoga Sculpt classes.

As some of you may know from past blog collaborations, I am a huge WERQ Dance Fitness fan! I love the fun and energetic teachers that just force you to smile through the sweat and squats!

Most recently I've added in Bar Method classes. These are especially addicting with their 21-classes-in-30-days challenge - going on now - where full-grown adults get to fill in a sticker chart for each completed class! 

I also love being a healthy-living role model for my students, both in my own example and by serving as coach for my school's division of Girls on the Run in the spring.

Would you be interested in seeing more from my fitness and health ideas here on Hot Pink Style? Feedback welcomed in the comments below - I'd love to know!

Jacket: Lululemon (similar)

Leggings: Ellie

Shoes: Nike "Victoria" (really cool pair here)

Socks: Forever 21

Temple of Apollo

One of my favorite adventures from our honeymoon was hiking to the top of the Temple of Apollo. From far away it looks massive and like such a rough hike, but much like getting to the top of the Acropolis in Athens, it wasn't that bad.

Once you get up there, my oh my how the perspective changes. The ocean is just breathtaking from every which way you looked at it. It was just so blue and expansive. One side of the temple was more of a cliff which you can see me perched on below (yes I was scared) and the other was easier to hike down and on a more walkable incline. It took us down to the clearest little pool. It was crazy to have this calm little spot just a few feet away from the violent ocean. It was such a beautiful contrast and one of my favorite spots we found on the trip.

On the way back up we found little puddles of sea salt that dried up from when the tide went out. If only I brought a zip lock baggie maybe I wouldn't have to spend so much on sea salt at Whole Foods back in Chicago!

Anyway, enjoy another photo-heavy post from the Temple of Apollo in Naxos. And if you like some good workout fashion then this post is for you.

Dont forget to check all the way at the bottom for some SALE info!!

A view on the walk over to the temple. Just look how clear that water is! This ain't Lake Michigan, kids!

 The Temple of Apollo from a distance.

 A cute little bit of shoreline at the foot of the temple.

 A view backwards from the part of town we just came in from. I loved the little beach area to the right.

 How incredible is this view? Just amazing.

 Almost to the top!

 The Temple of Apollo!

 We actually managed to find other people to take our picture. You may notice we didn't have much company up there.

 Just being silly.

 Eek! Yeah that freaks me out just looking at it! 

 My pretty little crystal-clear pool right next to the sapphire blue ocean! The contrast was just so awesome!

Pants: Gap (very similar here)

Shoes: Nike "Victoria"

Tank and headband: Lululemon

Sunglasses: Kate Spade (similar here)

The sea salt we found.

On a completely unrelated note, anyone who feels like doing a little shopping, Piperlime is offering 20% off sale merchandise with code TREAT til the end of today. There are some really great dresses (like this one that I picked up in NYC that is now on sale) at amazing prices so get over there and shop TODAY!