Move it
As I alluded to in my last letter, our family had a difficult time transitioning “back to reality” this summer after living the pandemic life for the past 2+ years (something about if you’re still living that life, I see you) Things came to a head after a borderline-traumatic international “vacation”— our 2.5 year olds first time on an airplane was a transatlantic 10-day trip, which may sound like a dream but I assure you *was not*. She was also on the verge of a verbal breakthrough. She had a lot of feelings she didn’t know how to express and we didn’t know how to manage and it was BRUTAL. After another tough “vacation” on Lake Michigan where she refused to be in the same room with her grandparents (who she’s been at least one day a week with since she was an infant), I knew things needed to change.
After a particularly rough tantrum where we had to walk a full mile in sandals with a screaming toddler who did not want to be in her stroller, my husband asked me what I was doing for myself. The answer was a resounding….nothing. I had our daughter six weeks before covid shut everything down and besides a couple mani/pedis, my quarterly haircut, and a sporadic run or night off from my kid, I wasn’t intentionally doing anything for myself on a regular basis. I was surviving, staying afloat, but definitely not thriving.
I’d set an intention at the beginning of the month for the rest of the summer to feel slow, grounding, and nurturing. As I reflected on that, I realized I wanted to incorporate a consistent mind-body practice. I’ve practiced yoga since college but it’s hard to commit to getting to the studio or even to a set class time at this stage of my life. I honestly can’t remember where I first or last heard about Melissa Wood Health, but it had come up a few times, the name stuck in my head, and she offers a 7-day free trial so I decided to give it a go. At the risk of sounding off the walls, I was instantly hooked and I am not exaggerating when I say that her program has completely changed my life. When I first started I did it every single day for two months straight not because I thought I needed to or made an arbitrary commitment to myself but because I genuinely wanted to. It instantly shifts my mood, it always feels good without feeling like you’re killing yourself, and her energy is infectious. Doing these workouts inspired me to restart other healthy practices like meditation and what I eat. There are a few things I love about MWH:
-The workout itself is mostly pilates and a little yoga, ranges from 10-40 minutes long, and are organized by type/body part- as well as a suggested schedule for the week- on the app and website. Sometimes I do 20 minutes a day most days, other times I’ll do maybe 45 minutes a few times a week. Sometimes I do two super quick workouts whenever I can fit them in.
-the workouts range in difficulty but they are all easeful. In she ways as my body has gotten to know the workouts and gotten stronger, I think I use my muscles more and they feel more impactful/harder. Some you’re lying down the whole time, others you’re standing at a counter or chair- all are done within the space of a mat. I love the low impact style but it’s incredible effective. It’s also only $10/month which feels
-Between the style of the workout and length, it’s super accessible to me as a mom with a variable schedule. I can do the workouts anytime, anywhere, even with the kid around. I do it while she’s watching tv, or playing outside, while I cook dinner or when she’s with her dad. Even if I’m interrupted for snacks or attention, it’s easy to pause and come back to.
-The physical impact on my body has been amazing. I struggled with postpartum back and hip/pelvic issues and they cleared up not even weeks into my practice. I used a specialized physical therapist for my postpartum issues and honestly feel like I would have been better off doing MWH. My muscles reappeared and my body has toned noticeably. After breastfeeding I just assumed the flappy sacks on my chest were my new normal, but doing MWH makes me feel like I got implants (in a good way). TMI for some, much needed for others ✌️
-But I think the mental impact has been the most monumental for me. I feel awesome after I workout even for just a few minutes- like I can handle all the things being thrown at me- even the most extreme toddler tantrums that had been bringing me to the brink. I some feel more mellow and more energized. It’s given me something other than playing on my phone during down times with my kid. And most incredibly, the energy of our whole house changed. The tantrums haven’t exactly stopped, but how I react and respond to them has, and we’re not all infected by the overblown emotions of a highly sensitive, deeply feeling, very expressive two year old. Being able to stay above it makes the whole experience milder, shorter, and more manageable. Once I realized I had this powerful tool in my pocket it gave me the confidence to come off the anti-anxiety/anti-depressant medications I’d been on for a year and a half. It’s been less than six months but I can confidently say it’s a practice I’ll return to for the rest of my life.
The four things that get me through a workout:
my Lifeforme mat. This brand is pricey but worth it in my opinion. I like the cushiness and the alignment lines and points but you could definitely find something more affordable without those features.
Ankle weights that can also be used around your hands. I lost a pair and bought another and then of course the original pair showed up so if anyone wants some I can pass them on for a very fair price.
The app. I mostly use the website from my computer at home but when I’m traveling I love the app. It’s intuitive and easy to use and unreasonably cheap at $10/month
A good playlist for the flow. MWH has a workout playlist and I really like this one on Spotify