March 22, 2017

I DON'T WANT TO WEAR SHAPEWEAR

March 22, 2017/ Alexandra Evjen

Back in August, I shared a vulnerable update on what my body looked like almost one year after having Levi. Today, I'm sharing with you unedited pictures of that same body in a one piece. It's scary for me for some reason, but it really shouldn't be. This is me. This is my body. It's beautiful, but I also don't feel strong and I want to tone up the jiggle. I don't want to have to wear Spanx or one pieces to feel confident.

Prior to my pregnancy with Levi I was in the best shape of my life. I worked out at the gym three times a week, wore a size 2/4 and felt stronger than I ever had. So, knowing my body has the potential to not have a lot of jiggle and to FEEL strong made me want to get back into shape.

I had resolved many times throughout my post-partum season to get to my butt to the gym. Well, as some of you know, we battled a lot of health issues for Levi at the time and getting to the gym was a struggle. I couldn't take him with me, and waking up at the wee hours of the morning or doing it at night was taken up by work since I had to take off so many days.

Fast forward to now...I am 18 months post-partum and my body hasn't changed one bit. I'm still wearing size 6 pants and my tummy and arms jiggle like jello. I don't weigh much at all. I'm only one 130, but I don't feel strong and I still have to wear spanx smooth my lumps under dresses. I hate that!

I don't want to have to wear hot, sweaty, beige underwear to make my body look better. I want to naturally do it myself by toning up and getting in shape. So, for the past six days and for the rest of this month I have committed myself to Core Body Pilates. (You may have already seen posts about it on my Instagram stories). It is said that after 10 times you'll feel different and after 20 times you'll see results. Well, I'll tell you what...After only six times I'm seeing results and I'm feeling stronger.

More about what I've learned in pilates soon, but for now, you can join me on Instagram to see daily updates on my progress.

Luxury Lifestyle Award Winner

A Season of Transformation

Best Gifts for a Single Parent

December 17, 2014

Health & Fitness Goals for 2015

December 17, 2014/ Alexandra Evjen

This post is sponsored by Mountainside Fitness.

I know I might be jumping the gun by talking about my New Year's resolutions before Christmas has even happened, but I'm a planner. I just can't help myself. Not to mention, I'm kind of anxious to kiss 2014 good-bye and start fresh. There are many things to be thankful for this year, but emotionally, 2014 has been a hard one for me. So, here are 5 things I'm looking forward to doing in the next year to help my body.

View More: http://sarahgray.pass.us/avemtnside

1| Drink 3 glasses of water a day, every day. I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but I hardly drink any liquids that aren't coffee. I'm dehydrated and I live in the desert. This can't be good for my skin or my body, so I'd like to change that by starting with an attainable and manageable goal of 3 tall glasses of water a day.

2| Run a 5K with my husband. Running a 5K is one of my husband's goals, and so I've made it one of mine as well. I'd love to accomplish such a big goal together.

3| Try TRX classes. I've been really interested in TRX training, and I would love to try out a class. I think it's going to be my new favorite workout style.

4| Try a spin class. I haven't tried a spin classes either. I'm intimidated by them, actually, but it's time to get over that fear.

5| Start using anti-aging products morning and night. All I do for my skin right now is wash it with soap and apply SPF in the morning. I'm starting to notice some deep wrinkles, and it's time to do something about it now.

Photos by Sarah Gray Portraits

December 11, 2014

Exercises to Try Coming Back from a Break

December 11, 2014/ Alexandra Evjen

This post is sponsored by Mountainside Fitness.

If you missed a week or two from the gym it can be a bit challenging to get back into the swing of things. I always feel a bit emotionally and physically discouraged, so I try to tackle exercises that will give me a good workout, but also aren't huge mountains to climb. I also will start my week back at the gym by working out my legs mostly because that's the strongest area of my body, and the area I feel most confident with.

WARM UP - Walk at a steep incline for 10 minutes on a treadmill. I usually set my speed to 4.0 and I set the incline to 8%. After five minutes you'll start feeling it. 10 minutes on a rowing machine is also a great way to get your heart pumping.

PLANKING - Every single time I go to the gym I spend time doing planks (center and left and right side planks). Try it. Spend 60 seconds in a center plank position, and then switch to your right side (hold for 30 seconds) and then your left side (hold for 30 seconds).

PUSH-UPS - Every workout I do push-ups. It's something that I have been committed to because they are the hardest exercise for me, and I never want to get back to a place where I can barely do 10 push ups. When I first started working out (this past May), 10 push-ups was my goal. Now 30 push-ups balanced on Bosu Ball is my goal. It works your core while working out your arms.

WALKING LUNGES - Lunges are one of my favorite exercises because I don't always feel the burn right away. The first set (20 walking lunges (10 for each leg)) always feels empowering and great. The second set is where the burn starts to kick in for me, but you're already committed. Make sure to rest in between sets for up to 30 seconds, and if you have it in you, go for three sets. You can also add weight with your lunges. I like to use sandbags, but dumbbells get the job done too.

ELEVATED HIP RAISES - I don't have much a of a butt, but I'm really trying to get one - or at least make what I have not jiggle. These elevated hip raises are awesome. You can even use a chair or a couch to do them. I do 3 sets of 15 hip raises.

ONE-LEGGED RESISTANCE BAND KICK-BACKS - I save these babies until the end because they are HAAARD. Three sets of ten on each side and you'll be burnin'.

After all of that I'll usually go back and do some more cardio, but I always make sure to get strength training in every workout.

Photos by Sarah Gray Portraits.

December 09, 2014

Wear Your Gym Clothes All Day and Look Stylish

December 09, 2014/ Alexandra Evjen

This post is sponsored by Mountainside Fitness.

Let's be honest...Sometimes what can keep us from the gym is simply the fact that we have errands to run before and after our workout, and we don't want to look a hot mess. I totally get it, and getting sweaty and stinky can definitely be an inconvenience, especially when you're in a time crunch. So, I thought I'd share with you how I wear my gym leggings and sports bra while running around before the gym. To help, I've included before and after photos. After this post you won't have an excuse not to hit the gym!

When I wear my gym leggings I also choose boots and a tunic top to wear along with them. You could also choose a long sweater as well, and look fall ready in a snap. I don't wear too much makeup because I don't like to workout with a ton of product on my face. So, I simply wear tinted moisturizer, concealer, blush, eye primer, mascara and lipstick. You are set for the day and in style.

When I get to the gym all i have to do is change my shoes and my top.

After my workout I'm all sweaty, but I don't always have time to take a shower and do my hair. This might sound really gross to you, but I blow dry the sweat out of my hair. It acts as natural sea salt spray and gives me a ton of volume. I just go back through with dry shampoo to make sure I'm not too stinky. If you carry face wipes with you, just go ahead and wipe your face, armpits and chest with them and then apply some body spray and deodorant. Then apply your 2 minute face like I mentioned above.

Lastly, put your other top and shoes back on, and you're set to go run more errands or even meet friends for dinner.

Photos by Sarah Gray Portraits.

November 25, 2014

Preparing to Stay in Shape Over the Holidays

November 25, 2014/ Alexandra Evjen

Over the summer I turned 30, and I started my own 30 Thriving Challenge because I had always talked about getting in shape, but I never did anything about it. I wasn't fat, but I wasn't strong. I knew I couldn't run a mile without feeling winded. I knew I couldn't lift much more than 30 pounds without struggling. I knew something had to change. I partnered with Mountainside Fitness to help me change my lifestyle, and I'm partnering with them again to help me maintain it over the busiest season full of distractions and temptations to over-indulge. Here is how I am preparing for the next 37 days to make sure I don't back slide.

1| Scheduling my workouts until the end of the year - I use Google Calendar for everything. I would never know what day it is without it. I have scheduled three workouts a week for the rest of the year, and put a reminder right when I need to wake up that day to go to the gym. Doing this will prevent me from filling up my calendar and not leaving room for fitness.

2| New workout gear - I am gifting myself new workout gear for Christmas. I only have two pairs of pants, and with the cooler weather here I don't want to bring out my shorts. Getting more pants and some long-sleeve tops will keep me from the excuse that my clothes are dirty and I can't go to the gym.

3| Paying for Childcare - I am paying $15 a month for the rest of the year for childcare with Mountainside Fitness. I couldn't workout without it. Sure, I could workout in the evenings when my husband is home, but then I would miss out on family time. This way Elle gets to play with other kids, and I get some alone time without any anxiety.

4| Meal planning - I am the WORST at this. I need to start meal planning weekly to avoid eating a lot of pasta and takeout over the next couple of weeks. I am proclaiming to you that I will be using my crockpot like no one has ever seen. Soups, chicken, tacos...It's all happening until the new year. I'll be sure to share recipes along the way as well.

5| Hanging out with friends at the gym - If you're my good friend and you're reading this I have news for you. We're ditching Starbucks and hitting the gym to hangout. Sound good? Okay, okay...maybe not always the gym, but we're doing something active like going to the park or going on a walk at the very least. The weather it too beautiful in Arizona not to enjoy it, and the brownies that people offer me are too yummy not to try. Get what I'm saying?