Mama Method

Am I right?!

I’ve taken a much needed break from social media to tend to my family.

We’ve been plagued with sicknesses🤢, injuries🤕, mental health😖, you name it!

Sometimes a break is truly what we need to heal and gain perspective😌.

Do you agree?

xo

…those leggings might have been worn a few days in a row too. 🦸🏼‍♀️

Said every mom after have a holiday weekend ⚰️

1, 2, 3, or 4?

A very Happy Halloween from Mr. Vincent + The Marottas 👻

Rocking my postpartum body.

It’s true what they say — your body will not be the same after birth.

My hips are a whole 2 inches wider, my rib cage has expanded, there’s a little bit more junk in the trunk, and I have a slight pooch. On top of all that, my body is holding onto to fat since I’m nursing. So the scale hasn’t moved much since giving birth.

But so what???

Why would I want to “bounce back” when I can move forward? My body spent 9 months creating a beautiful tiny human. This body made me a mama. It’s not supposed to be the same. It has more knowledge now. It can take as long as it wants. I’m in no rush and nor do I expect my measurements to be what they once were. My goal is what it has always been — to feel good in my body. To love my body.

I am so much more than a number.

So are you. Don’t judge yourself by your past, don’t judge yourself by a scale, don’t judge yourself by another woman’s photo (including mine). Everyone’s body is different. Our journey’s will be different. Remember to love your body along the way.

First we had each other. 👫🏻
Then we had you. 👶🏼
Now we have everything.👨‍👩‍👦

Sadly, we weren’t able to do newborn photos because of Covid. Which is okay after seeing the family photos captured... outdoors at a safe social distance. 😷

Aim for progress—not perfection.

Is your quest for perfection holding you back from trying new things? 🙋🏻‍♀️ Guilty! I always want to do my best with every new challenge I’m given. Often if I don’t think my best will be “good enough” I won’t even attempt a new venture. I’ve come to realize to expect perfection on my very first go is irrational.

The process works the same for all of us: You won’t be flawless when you’re trying something completely new to you. In fact, you might totally suck at it. But, if you stick with it and commit, you’re bound to improve along the way.

Trying something new, like a workout, can be scary and it’s typically enough to inspire plenty of self-deprecating thoughts. A little bit of doubt is natural—particularly when you’re feeling intimidated by a new challenge. However, the key is to not let those seeds of negativity grow and hold you back.

The next time try a new workout class and feel overwhelmed, remind yourself that—no matter what that condescending voice in your head is trying to tell you—everyone once started as a beginner.

If you fail, you fail. But, at least you’ll be able to rest assured that you didn’t stop before you even managed to get started.
When you take perfectionism off the the table you might even have a little fun when you fail. 😉

How to Get Fitness-Motivated as a New Mom

Caffeine, duh! Lol just kidding... kind of. As a first-time mom of a 3-month-old and a fitness professional, I sometimes use copious amounts of caffeine as a strategy to get things done. 🤫

But chugging gallons of coffee is not a long-term strategy. I've found a more sustainable solution is learning about prioritization and how it simplifies my daily struggle to get things done.

Whether you’re an exercise j***y or a beginner in fitness, having a baby can seem like the perfect reason to skip out on exercising. You’re fighting fatigue like you’ve never felt before. You’re sleeping with one eye open and tripping over piles of laundry. And you’re wondering what the heck happened to your body.

The last thing you have time for is working out, right? But exercise just might be the one thing that makes you feel like YOU again.

As a new mom, I’ve learned I have to prioritize exercise as a part of my lifestyle now more than ever. Exercising is the most important part of my day because it’s the only time I have carved out for ME. I psychology feel better after a workout. Which makes me better equipped as a mom.

So, if you’re a new mom, or you have just found yourself busy and putting your own fitness last, you may need a little motivation to keep working out. Check out my latest blog post to see what 5 tips I suggest to help get you back in the game.

https://karamarotta.com/blog/5-tips-to-get-fitness-motivated-as-a-new-mom

Me and the crew...

Today marks my first official day as a SAHM 😱 My husband went back to work, fitness centers are still closed and I don’t start teaching virtually till next week. So here I am left to juggle our new home life - better yet “our new life” aka Vincent!

We’re off to a great start. I finally got 6 hours of sleep only to be greeted by 3 huge piles of dog throw up at 6am. One of those piles was on the bed - so I juggled holding a whiny baby with stripping our sheets. I think it was an appropriate ‘welcome to the job’ task.

This is the new normal I hadn’t anticipated for. I thought I’d be going back to work in a studio, with a nanny, and my full roster of clients. I’m not going to lie to you - this has been REALLY hard for me to process. I’ve had a number of days crying over the loss of my old life. Who am I without my job? I was raised to put work above and beyond everything else in my life. Everything I worked my ass off for the past 10 years has vastly changed.

I keep telling myself it means God has something greater in store. Something much bigger that he had to make room for it. And as my husband keeps reminding me, everyone in my industry is going through the same thing (maybe minus the baby part) and my career isn’t over. It’s just paused. Reminding myself of this isn’t enough yet though. I’m still having a hard time processing it and that’s okay.

As scary as it is I am excited to get to know this new version of me. I am thankful to have this time with our son. Who changes so much everyday. I’m also extremely grateful to the clients who are okay with swimming these uncharted waters with me as I learn to balance teaching them and motherhood.

-
Mamas, did you struggle with this as well as a new mother? And is there any advice you can give?

What was supposed to be a solo relaxing bath turned into this - a mommy and me soak.

I’m not going to lie I was disappointed I couldn’t get more than a scrub in before Vince started crying. I feel guilty admitted I want my own personal time. Lately, all Vince wants is his mommy. Which I love - but I’m exhausted. 🥵 My husband was home and I thought I could FiNALLY have a little me time. Nope.

My resentment quickly washed away as soon as he started smiling and splashing his tiny little feet around. It turned into a moment I had to capture.

I’m still exhausted and in desperate need of that soak though 😅

Let’s chat about your psoas muscle!

This is a muscle that tends to be tight on everyone. Why? The psoas muscle is a powerful hip flexor and an important component of running and walking. Without it our ability to walk would be hindered.

When you sit, your psoas — like all of your hip flexor muscles — are in a shortened position. Which means it’s contracted and getting tight.

So pretty much the two things we do most (walking and sitting) in our society are stressing out this muscle.

PSOAS STRETCH:

In addition to sitting less and moving more, try incorporating this easy psoas stretch.

+ Set up in a half-kneeling position so your front and back legs are both bent 90 degrees. Place a slider under the knee of your back leg (or a towel if you’re on a smooth surface) and the top of your back foot on the floor.

+ Engage your abs, squeeze the glutes of your back leg, and flex your back foot to slowly draw your rear knee backward, extending your hip. Keep your toes in contact with the floor throughout the movement.

+ Stop when you can’t flex your back foot further, and pull that knee back to the starting position with control.

+ Hold, breathe, & repeat on the other side