Amber Harper, ACE Certified Fitness Trainer

Exactly one year ago today, one of my best friends helped us bring our miracle into this world 💕

So 12 years from now, I can only hope will be there when baby girl Harper is acting out, like a teenager can, and Porche can say:

“I brought you into this world… and I can take you out!” 😂

All jokes aside, we are over the moon about today. It marks a year of not knowing what time it is or what we ate yesterday. Thank gosh we made it through 🙌🏻 Peanut, I’m thrilled to say (for the first time), Happy Birthday!!

Peek a boo 🤗

Popping in to thank everyone for the early birthday wishes on the .fit Row leaderboard tonight!
I think I most enjoyed how I envisioned everyone singing happy birthday to me when I put a spooky Happy Birthday song in my playlist 👻

But no jokes here, just big smiles and so much gratitude for this space, the happy place I am in, and the community around me of which I constantly feel lifted up and supported by 🩵

In 6 months, I knew I would have a better routine.

I told myself (in secret) that I would be the “strong” mom:
-The mom that jumped back into her athletic prowess and made others jealous. (Yup it’s true, I totally thought it would come back naturally)

-The one that looked strong even when not holding 8 things

-The mom that wouldn’t feel self conscious even if her belly jiggled bc she was a superhero
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Funny how what we think can happen isn’t even a shred of what reality has in store.
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And funny how my definition of what strong looks like has changed almost every day in the last 6 months.
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We are all in a season of life.
I cannot compare my current season to a mom of 2/3/4 babes current season, even when she has her routines down to a science and I have no clue how my routines can handle just 1 babe.
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But I have to believe this to be true:
Seasons change. Thoughts change. Strengths change.
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And when we adapt to our current season, we can move forward without preconceived notions holding us back.

That’s where I’m starting going into these next 6 months.
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Here’s a quick glimpse of an incredible “staycation” night out, without baby girl. And I didn’t cry! It was an incredible weekend celebrating great friends and enjoying time together.

Happy Sun☀️day!

Sunshine, how I’ve missed you!

We’ve had such a wet winter, so yesterday we took a long walk with a good friend catching up, and then played in the back with the dogs.
I couldn’t help but feel overjoyed and “full of happy” from the day!

Adequate and safe exposure from sunshine helps with:

- producing more “happy hormones” aka serotonin

-setting your circadian rhythms, which helps better daytime energy and restful nighttime sleep

-preventing SAD, seasonal affective disorder

-absorbing Vitamin D from sunlight is necessary for great bone health

-treating certain skin disorders like eczema, acne, jaundice, and psoriasis

-desire to be outside = desire to move outside = extra movement in your day = healthier YOU!

Direct exposure from sun rays can be harmful so make sure you’re protected with appropriate clothing and sunscreen and of course plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Research says anywhere from 5-15 minutes on hands or arms or legs roughly 3X per week is all the exposure you need for adequate vitamin D absorption.

I say give me at least 5-15 minutes everyday!

“Smile big for a selfie with mama”… 😂 she said “just try”

I used to get so frustrated with Valentine’s Day.

I mean why have a holiday centered around first love/forever love if I was chronically single all growing up??? How stupid. It’s just a holiday made big by candy and card companies to make you spend more…
(This is where I can also argue: but Amber, isn’t that any holiday nowadays??)

Now don’t get me wrong- Valentine’s Day is super fun when you’re around little kids! But as teenager/adult me, bleh.

So this year I made a list of fun ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day without all the cliches, gifts, or significant others.
And it’s a game! Ready to play???

How many points can you get?!
Comment below with your points by February 17, and if you reach 8+ points, I’ll send Y❤️U a personalized note via IG or FB!!
Let’s share the love!

❣️2 pts: Send a text/message to someone in your phone who brings a smile to your face.
❤️‍🔥Bonus 2 pts if they msg you back, and you carry a conversation!

❣️1 pt: Give an extra long hug today.
❤️‍🔥Bonus 3 pts if you tickle them afterwards, then run away

❣️2 pts: Write a 3 sentence appreciative letter to your future self. (Tip: Doesn’t have to be years from now when you read it. Maybe it’s next time you’re having a hard day)
❤️‍🔥Bonus 1 pt for 5 sentences!

❣️1 pt: Give a puppy some extra love
❤️‍🔥 Bonus 2 pts if it’s someone else’s!

❣️1 pt: Hold yourself accountable for only the time you’re enjoying today; not for the time you think you need to work off something you eat/drink today
❤️‍🔥Bonus 2 pts if you write down your enjoyable moment!

❣️2 pts: Pick a flower and stick it behind your ear. I promise you this releases endorphins!
❤️‍🔥Bonus 3 pts if you make a flower crown

❣️1 pt: Look someone directly in the eyes when they talk to you, letting them know you’re truly listening
❤️‍🔥Bonus 2 pts if you can repeat back to them what they told you!

❣️5 pts! When you eat something sugary or chocolatey today, don’t shame yourself afterwards.
❤️‍🔥Bonus 3 pts if you share that delicious morsel with someone else!

Happy Valentines Day!

Im honored to be the first repeat guest on podcast!

You know when you hear yourself recorded and wish you sounded different or more intelligent? Yea well one of those things is true after hearing myself gab yesterday when the show dropped 😆

There are takeaways I discussed I wish I would’ve explained better, examples and analogies I could’ve expressed in a more clear manner, and expressions I definitely jumbled up!

But I meant every word, jumbled and all! Motherhood has been the best, most confusing, weirdest, conflicting, best glow-up time.

Also, here’s the post from I discussed about post pregnant body image, as regarded by society. I truly believe there’s nothing worth someone going “back to” after raising a child.
No previous body image is worth your worry. Move forward in life, not back.

And finally another post regarding maternity leave that I didn’t even touch on- the incredible tug of war it played mentally emotionally and physically on me. Thanks for saying it best.

Whether you have a listen to this episode or ones past, supporting amazing friends and an incredible community is what I love doing here! Thank you again and for always bringing an amazing platform for us to share our experiences and respecting our journeys ❤️

Don’t let a number on the scale determine your quality or quantity today (or ever! for that matter)

Here’s a little January/New Years reminder that just because you see a number on the scale move up or down in the coming weeks doesn’t mean you are a success or failure for the day.

Your scale can’t determine how good your gut micro biome is. It can’t measure your cholesterol levels. It can’t count the servings of fruits or vegetables you have in a day. It also can’t determine if you’re a good shape or bad shape.

It can only tell you gravity’s effect on you measured as mass. That’s it.

Shake off the numbers game, and allow your quality and quantity for life come from what you like, what makes you feel good, and how you can help someone else achieve this too.

(Side note: when these pics were taken, I didn’t enjoy them bc of the rolls on my tummy. I let my shape define my happiness. But look at my face: pure joy for swinging! In the moment, I was having a blast! Why did I let my judgement for my size take away from this really fun moment? I let the scale win. Ugh, gross!
Practice improving your inner monologue when this debate comes up, and moment by moment, your quality and quantity for life can and will improve 🙌🏻)

Can I have “this” body back please?

I don’t even need to pull a picture of me in a sports bars to portray that this body is picturesque for me. This body has
my favorite butt muscles
my strongest quad muscles
my best shoulders
most toned mid section

Here’s the kicker: in this moment, the moment the camera went off, did I think all of these things? NOT A CHANCE.

I criticized my triceps for not being stronger, my shoulders for not looking defined, my abs bc I had breakfast that day before the shoot and didn’t fast so they weren’t “photo ready”etc, etc, blah, blah.

We are constantly revering our bodies as “they once were”. Whether it’s from high school, college, or even as recent 2 years ago.

It’s normal/human nature to critique ourselves. It’s absolutely ok by me if you want to make changes to the way you look.

Sometimes the best form of self love is to want to change your look so you can love yourself more!
But understand what you have right now.

I don’t have this body anymore.
I’ve got a body that’s two years older, two years stronger, two years wiser, and two years way more experienced than the body in this picture. I’ve also got a body that gave me my greatest gift ever.

I don’t think I’ll ever get THIS body back…
but I can get a body that makes me feel good in the morning, that can move steadily and ferociously through any workout I attempt, a body that I can work to feel good about when I look at her, and a body that can be a mirror for my daughter.

A mirror of confidence and forward progress. Not a mirror that looks back longingly and forgets to reflect all the amazing qualities she has right in front of her.

Be that mirror for your best friend
Be that mirror for your aunt
Be that mirror for your spouse
Be that mirror for your coworker
Be that mirror for your child
Be that mirror for yourself

My wish for you is to not go “back” to a body image you once had. Move forward to a body image you deserve!!

Hey you guuuuuyyyss!


How fun was this to see on the .fit page!?

I had my first classes back on New Years Day, and y’all were beyond sweet, encouraging, supportive, and receptive for this crazy lady to babble rowing cues to you again!

Well, you get to jump in on that fun going forward MOST Thursdays of the month! As a reminder, I’ll be swapping out the class with when I can’t make class due to schedule conflicts

Otherwise, to keep this fun train rolling, join me an extra two times TONIGHT!

515pm Endurance 30 Row
615pm Bootcamp 20 Row : Core

Row Row Row with me!

A new year will be here in a matter of hours, and you know what?

You don’t have to be radically different from the person you are today. Now that’s refreshing to hear!

No change, small change, and big change are all acceptable if YOU decide it, but don’t do it because it’s the ploy for a new year.
What a great chance to feel renewed, but also a way to feel extremely pressured.

My wish for everyone, including me, is to figure out if the change you want to make is good any time of the year or is it just because of the new year?
If you want to make a difference in your life, you do it because it benefits you anytime of the year, not just in January 🧡

Now, time to dance like Denise Richards and ring in a new year 🎉 And if you’re planning on taking a workout class tomorrow .fit, you can join me for

Zoomies on the rower at 10:15am
Or
Weekend Roundup classes, 4 10 min challenges, starting at 11:00am EST

Happy 2023!
Stay active, live well, and be happy 😆

#2023

The cats out of the bag… tighten up your ponytails, I’m baaaaack!


Some of you very progressive planning folks have already reached out, but if you haven’t seen, hey .fit fam, you can workout with me this week!

Here’s how this mama is making it work for my new schedule:
I will be working with Thursday afternoons for the 515pm and 615pm rowing classes.
My husband’s a firefighter therefore on the weeks that he’s working, I won’t be able to make it to class BUT Jaime is a rockstar and will be trading off these two classes with me. So you will see me usually about 3 weeks at a time, then you’ll see Jaime.

Otherwise, I will be picking up classes that need a substitute instructor when someone is out sick/on vacation/etc.

A quick shoutout to my EMR crew and my normally scheduled riders/rowers- You won’t see me permanently on the schedule again as I am a bit differently bound on how/when I can get into studio. BUT doesn’t mean you can’t catch me for “new” encore classes going into this year.

Drumroll please 🥁 here’s when you can catch me this upcoming week!!

1/1 (subbing for .mb)
Happy NY 🎉
10:15am Row
11:00am Weekly Roundup: Arms, 11:15 Legs, 11:30 Core, 11:45 Stretch

1/3 (subbing for )
5:15pm Row
6:15pm Row

1/5 MY classes!
5:15pm Row
6:15pm Row

ShooWee this mama will be worn out but smiling from ear to ear after working out with you again!! Let’s do this 💪🏼

The gift of space


I just want to take a moment and thank y’all so much for something you have no idea you have given me… space.

The space to think about my family
The space to think about myself
The space to be my newest me
The space to think about my time
And what I believe is most important:
You have given me the space from being in your feed when I told you I wanted to post about my post partum journey.

I had this idea that I could post about different things I have experienced as I go through a transition of routines/workouts/body changes.
And the past three months have curated my opinion regarding the fitness industry and how we, as a whole, approach fitness.

And even though you probably haven’t thought about any of that, I have not given myself space from thinking that I need to post more and tell you all of these things…

The truth is- I didn’t realize I have curated an audience that accepts my transition and social absence without anything in return.
I have acquired the community, in person and online, that I want to always be around. And I want to thank you for this.

Thank you for the space I didn’t know I needed

As for anybody who is curious of movements that make me feel good everyday, no matter the stage of life I’m in, DM me for a grounded mobility routine that’s deliciously easy and free!

As for my .fit family, you will have the chance to see me again on screen ;) more on that in the coming days!

For now, I’m enjoying the most of this holiday season with a full heart, and the space to do so 💜