Alternate title: And these buns, they don’t feel nothing like steel

Before Edie, I was doing a lot of rock climbing at our local gym. I started getting into it when we were in the middle of fertility treatments, craving a new way to challenge myself physically and looking for something fun and active that Jared and I could do together. It’s intense, but relatively quick (I’m an impatient person- long distance running and I do not get along very well). I found it a mental workout just as much as a physical one, requiring 100% of your attention and focus as opposed to the mindless elliptical machine. For that reason specifically it ended up being a fantastic stress reliever and I craved it. It’s impossible to think of anything else when you’re climbing beyond the not-so-simple problem of where am I going to put my hand next and where am I going to put my hand after that.

Oh, it’s been painful though to start again! I feel like my muscles aren’t quite remembering what to do, and even when they can remember they can’t quite keep up while my mind is racing. Three weeks ago I got the green light from my doctor to start exercising again after Edie’s birth. It was right before Christmas and like a lot of us I was feeling a little disgusted by my holiday eating habits so I threw on my running shoes and headed out. I didn’t really know what to expect, or how far my legs would take me but I knew this was going to be a long uphill battle in getting back in shape and I had to start somewhere. And sure enough, moments later I was bent over panting in the rose garden (just a couple minutes from home), wondering how on earth my feet could be hurting more than my legs or abs. They had forgotten how to move, turns out. Oh, I have a long road ahead of me!

One thing that helped me get excited about getting in shape again was getting new workout clothes for Christmas. Until recently, I’ve never owned decent workout gear beyond cheap leggings and an old t-shirt,  but now I’ve found that it makes a big difference. Some of my favorites from the Old Navy Active Line are these compression leggings and the graphic tank. I like that the tank is over-sized and doesn’t cling too much.

Featuring items from Old Navy: Compression leggings, sports bra, graphic tank.

Also, striped east coast hoodie from Albion Fit

More about climbing as a family after the jump…
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This post was sponsored by Old Navy. Check out Old Navy’s latest fashion lineup in store or online at oldnavy.com.

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Henry and Jared love to rock climb as well. When we go all together to the climbing gym we bring an iPad, plenty of snacks, and try to pick a time that it won’t be busy (like the morning, the evenings are a scene there). With Edie we like to have one extra adult so the person belaying doesn’t have to belay and watch a baby. Like anything active with Henry, we try to make it fun and not force him to do anything if he seems disinterested or frustrated. If it ever becomes less than fun, we try a little bribery, and if that doesn’t work we bail. We talk about it a lot afterwards and get on youtube at home to try to peak his interest again in the sport.

I’m excited because once Edie is a little older and able to sit up and play, I could bring her along with a portable crib while Henry’s in school. It sounds a little crazy, but people do it there all the time when it’s empty and quiet and I think it might just work!

Although I’m not very good, I enjoy it probably more than I’ve enjoyed any other exercise routine I’ve done.  For a while I was so into it that when we got a babysitter I’d rather go to the climbing gym than to a movie or out to dinner. I know, kind of nuts! But fun to find something that’s good for you and also so enjoyable (unlike oh- spinach, for example). Have you found an exercise you truly enjoy doing like that?