November 1, 2013 - Brooklyn Active Mama

Cold and Flu Season can be scary because if you don't make the right decisions at the right time, your child's health could potentially be compromised! Check out these critical tips on when to take your child to the doctor and when you should wait it out.

Tips On How to Manage Cold & Flu Season {Infographic}

by Nellie November 30, 2013

This cold and flu season has been pretty mild on my family so far, but we all know that the danger zone is usually in the colder winter months. A few months ago, I was able to meet Dr. Tanya Altman to discuss some of the signs we should be concerned about with our children.

When I was a first time mommy, I really didn’t know the ins and outs of a basic cold. When my son had fevers I would go crazy googling whether or not I should be waiting it out, or rushing him to a doctor or an ER. Cold and Flu Season can be scary because if you don't make the right decisions at the right time, your child's health could potentially be compromised! Check out these critical tips on when to take your child to the doctor and when you should wait it out.

The makers of Tylenol worked with Dr. Altman to create a simple infographic that you can refer to in times of need just in case your child is sick. Today I am sharing it with you!

Feel free to pin and share for later use, as we will inevitably need to refer to this in the future!!

Are you prepared for the cold and flu season? Did you know all the facts on this infographic?

11 comments

Weekly Wednesday Workout weightlifting

Weekly Wednesday Workout: Dumbbell Side Bends

by Nellie November 27, 2013

Weekly Wednesday Workout: Dumbbell Side Bends

Let’s get back to those obliques shall we?

httpv://youtu.be/dL9ZzqtQI5c

I did these earlier this week and I love them, after watching this video however I realize that I haven’t been extendin far enough. I don’t even think I was going past my knees! I was just kind of reaching over to the side, extending past the knees makes more sense because that way you can get more of a stretch in the obliques. This one is quick, easy and effective and doesn’t have to be done with dumbbells! Water bottles, gallons, pretty much anything that can be hand held works!

Have you ever tried Dumbbell Side Bends?

20 comments

Weekly Wednesday Workout

Weekly Wednesday Workout: Planks With Leg Lifts

by Nellie November 20, 2013

Weekly Wednesday Workout: Planks With Leg Lifts

Let’s get right back to the abs shall we? We got a good one today!

httpv://youtu.be/whRaAg0tYC8

I do these once a week, these are no joke. The heart rate definitely gets going for these! Lately I have been varying my abs routine, so I incorporated these and do them for 30 seconds, then move on to the next exercise during the circuit. I am a fan of the plank in many variations but this one is a fun twist! I definitely think it is better when I am moving during a plank that way I am not staring at the clock–planking makes the seconds go by OH so slow!

Have you ever tried planks with leg lifts?

30 comments

Weekly Wednesday Workout

Weekly Wednesday Workout: Mountain Climbers

by Nellie November 13, 2013

Weekly Wednesday Workout: Mountain Climbers

We are sticking with the abs this week!

httpv://youtu.be/nmwgirgXLYM

Yes, yes we are doing mountain climbers. I know we are all familiar with these, but now that I do them as a part of my ab routine I no longer hate them like I used to–I think–I like them? It is a tough exercise, but when you get used to it, it actually can be kinda fun (I can’t believe that I am admitting this–I used be a mountain climber hater, but I have been converted!!) Right now I do them as a part of a circuit and these usually last 30 seconds. Not to mention the arms get some work too!

Have you ever tried Mountain Climbers?

29 comments

dillemas gym NaBloPoMo

Am I Being Too Sensitive?

by Nellie November 7, 2013

#igiggled

I totally had something else planned for today, but I had a little situation yesterday and I was curious about what you all thought about it, because your opinions matter to me.

I woke up yesterday morning not wanting to do anything. Like nothing at all. The preschooler went to bed past midnight and the baby got up and hour earlier than normal. This can’t be life. I dragged myself out of bed and before my feet even touched the ground outside of my house I had made up my mind about going to the gym.

I wasn’t going. I had no motivation. As always, I still carried my gym clothes because maybe I would change my mind.

I am happy to say I did make it! I knew I couldn’t do a bootcamp or something that required a lot of concentration so I decided to jump on my favorite spin bike and just work really hard for 40 minutes. It was so good, it was delicious. It was what I needed to clear my mind and really press restart on the day. I felt AMAZING. I actually felt a lot like this:

I ended my workout, went upstairs to change and the Group Fitness Manager approaches and asks me to come in his office and close the door.

WTH?!

He proceeds ask me if I like my trainer. I tell him I do. (I only see him once a month, because guess what, I don’t HAVE an extra $300 to pay someone ON TOP of my gym fee, sorry–no.) He then tells me that I NEED to upgrade to 4 times monthly to start seeing the results that he sees with his other clients…

Hmm.

After that he dissects my workout, telling me that I should not have spent 40 minutes on the bike–that I should be doing interval training and blah blah blah. I knew all of that but today, I just wanted to spin. Spinning to me is like what a daily 10k is for runners. Sometimes you need to do it to clear your head.

The whole time I’m looking at dude like:

First of all, WHY are you watching me? Ease up! Second of all, I follow the circuit training regimen 3 times a week as assigned by my trainer. So whats the problem?

The more he spoke the more heated I got because basically he is telling me that after a month that I am not exactly where he would like me to be.

My first reaction was to tell him to kick rocks. Then I remembered my 6 month contract that I am now 1 month into. *facepalm*

THEN he went on to compare me to some other chick and the rest of my PT’s clients “that were making so much progress” had me wanting to FLIP the table.

I didn’t however, I stayed quiet and let him speak his mind while I considered my options.

Maybe I was being too sensitive–maybe I should do circuit training everyday until all of the weight is gone. Hmm.

Maybe he is just an ass and I just need to keep it moving. Hmm.

One thing about me and weight loss, I do not like being pushed financially, I do not like being sold to, and I CERTAINLY do not like being compared to another person in a negative way. Since I gained 7 pounds, I have lost all of it AND THEN some. I have logged my food in MFP for 27 straight days. I am winning, not in his way, but in my own.

I am curious though, do you guys think that I am being too sensitive? Or do you think that I need to keep it moving and ignore him?? Be honest, I can take it.

64 comments

November 2013

Are you prepared for the cold and flu season? Did you know all the facts on this infographic?

Weekly Wednesday Workout: Dumbbell Side Bends

Have you ever tried Dumbbell Side Bends?

Weekly Wednesday Workout: Planks With Leg Lifts

Have you ever tried planks with leg lifts?

Weekly Wednesday Workout: Mountain Climbers

Have you ever tried Mountain Climbers?

I am curious though, do you guys think that I am being too sensitive? Or do you think that I need to keep it moving and ignore him?? Be honest, I can take it.