I'm no yogi, but the cobra pose is a move that we love! It helps alleviate back pain and helps to stretch out our abdomen muscles. This is a mommy approved move, but of course always get approval from your doctor and/or pelvic floor physiotherapist! This pose, otherwise known as bhujangasana or the snake pose, not only helps relieve pain in the back, but it also helps with uneasiness in the muscles of the neck and abdomen. I should also mention that the cobra pose helps to manage stress, anxiety and depression!

We're back on the amazing Not So Mumsy blog talking about common fitness myths that need to be put to rest once and for all! Seriously almost every other week there is another weight-loss trend promising to get your mom butt in shape, so naturally it’s tough to know what actually works when it comes to becoming a healthier mama.

Summer just ended and you might have had a little too much sangria and dessert to celebrate the warmer temps. But now that September is here, the kids might be back to school and you should be back on track, but you're just having a harder time than usual. 

Sure, we lug around a heavy diaper bag all day and maneuverer busy malls carry a toddler, but sometimes this just isn’t enough to tighten that arm jiggle us moms often complain about. Tank top season might be over here in Toronto, but that doesn't mean you give up on toning those arms of yours. Last summer we shared this post on the Lot801 Blog so just in case you missed it, I want to make sure you're in the loop with three moves you can do to help you achieve shapely toned arms. Who wouldn’t kill for arms like celebrity moms Madonna and Sarah Jessica Parker? Me please! Not to worry, this doesn’t involve rushing to your local gym and lifting dumbbell after dumbbell; these moves can be done right at home (with no weights required) and hopefully you’ll be sporting a tank top with confidence in no time!

I am so proud of Linda Blair and her progress from last month's kettlebell challenge. She is a mother of a two and following any type of "program" was also new to her, but she stuck to it all the way!

We just got home from an incredible trip to Antigua! After the whole issue of losing out on travelling two weeks ago due to my mini's expired passport, this trip was definitely necessary!

I wanted to keep this post short and sweet and simply just share how we stayed active and healthy in Antigua. Yes, we relaxed by the beach a whole lot and yes, we had french fries and ice cream, but we ate healthy the majority of the time and still maintained a very active routine while on the island. 

I was pressed for time today so here is a snapshot of this morning’s kettlebell workout:

Sometimes it’s getting yourself out the door and to the gym that’s the hardest part about exercise. Geez, some mornings you can barely get in a shower let alone a workout. So what if there are some basic moves you can do in the comfort of your own home that can help you get well on your way to becoming a healthier and fitter mama? Sure, you might have to deal with a toddler here, a baby there and a few Thomas the Train toys during a workout, but this could be an amazing alternative to having to get your mama-butt to the gym for a 7:00 o’clock fitness class.

Say hello to a healthier and happier mama ... Anne-Marie completed the April 30-Day Challenge and not only lost 10 lbs., but she trimmed 7.5 inches off her waist. AMAZING!

My Mom Crush Monday goes to the beautiful Ariane, who is a mom of a little 2-year-old cutie! Seriously, how cute is her mini?! Ariane just completed the April 30-Day challenge and lost 7 lbs., 3 inches off her waist and 2 inches off her hips! AMAZING!

Denise is a mom of two girls who was committed to making a true lifestyle change. She wanted to build healthy habits that could last her a lifetime.

In 30 days with a flexible eating plan and home workout regimen, she lost 8 lbs. and two inches off her hips AND waist! But most importantly, she feels amazing! Clothes fit different and she raves about her new "defined jaw line". She is such an incredible and funny woman; I am so glad I had the opportunity to work with her because she is kind and sweet, but also hard-working and committed. She made my job very easy!

What is it with a mother's relationship with coffee? I wasn't even coffee drinker before and now after having a baby, I NEED one to get me going. "Life begins after coffee". This is so true for me now and in fact, there are some health benefits to coffee. Check them out!

Are you loving coconut water as much as we are? Lately we have been obsessed with Jax Coco Coconut water and my body is feeling the difference.

I had my first chiro appointment with the talented and beautiful Dr. Aliya Visram and I felt amazing after. I knew going into this that I was poorly aligned and that my day job, which requires me to drive most of the day, left me with bad posture! 

Check out the official blog post on Bonjourblissblog.com and check out some of the great shots from our workout together. I'm so glad my daughter has a new workout buddy for life! 

We had lots of fun incoporating hula hoops and kettlebells, but for the most part we focused on bodyweight exercises; we kept it really simple (especially since the girls were with us).

If you knew me pre-Harper, I could be found in the gym 6 days a week for hours at a time. Things have changed and prorities have shifted; exercise is often 20-30 minutes at a time now and usually done in the comfort of my 800 square foot condo. Otherwise, I'm sneaking out at lunch hour to get in a quick workout at the local Goodlife. 

Out with the old and in with the new? Not so fast! I try my best to keep up with the hottest new trends in fitness, but sometimes the best moves are the old school traditional ones done years and years ago.

Here are three somewhat “new” fitness classes to hit the scene, which I think are worth checking out!

It's the weekend and there's lots to do, but if you do have a few extra minutes for a quick read about easing back into fitness after having a babe, check us out on The Rebel Mama blog. We touch on optimal postpartum moves to partnering with a pelvic floor physiotherapist! If you're also wondering if I saw a Pelvic Floor PT, I did. I went to the Proactive Pelvic Health Centre and I highly recommend them if you're local to Toronto!

How many of you mamas are rolling it out? I definitely don't use my roller as much as I should to help massage out that muscle tightness (my mini plays with it more than I do) and let’s be serious, what I really needed was some major work to strengthen, lengthen and basically balance out my entire body! I had my first Fascial Stretch Therapy session this past weekend with the amazing trainer, Sarah (IG: @thestretchtherapist) and it’s changing my life - how I walk, stand, and exercise.

Proper form is everything! This girl is schooling me on her push up technique. When the boss says one more rep, I listen!