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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Mix & Match Mama

Health & Fitness ·

Exercise Q&A with Shay!


And it’s Tuesday.

I guess?

Anyone else lost all track of time?  Date? Month?

I don’t really think I’ve had a solid handle on the date since mid-March.

I saw this on Pinterest yesterday and could not stop laughing…

Today’s post is a round up of your questions about my exercise routine!  I’ve done these posts before where I chat about what I do, but this is the first Q&A!  I typically try and stay in my lane, so I don’t talk a lot about health, fitness and nutrition since that’s not my lane (there are so many pros out there for that!), but I can talk about what I personally do and you can take it for what it’s worth (knowing I’m not a professional!).

Over the years (dare I say last 20ish years?!  How old am I??????!!!), I’ve had a very consistent fitness routine.  It might change up a bit, but it’s always there a part of my daily routine.  You girls asked some great questions!  The answers are below…

I’m one of those people who kind of always likes to do the same thing when it comes to fitness.  I’m not super adventurous, don’t join all of these new gyms that pop up, just kind of stay on my track because it works for me and so far, I’m not burned out.  Here is a rough outline of what my workout routine has looked like over the years:

High school: I was a dancer from 3 to 18. At 14, I got a gym membership and would go up there when my dad worked out.  I would do the elliptical/treadmill/things like that.  I started running in high school…not “seriously” running, but I learned to love getting out in my neighborhood and jogging.

College: I would run every morning before class.  It was free…and as a poor college kid, I needed free.  Sometimes, I ran with friends and sometimes, by myself.  It was quick, easy, efficient and cost me nothing.  I discovered yoga when I was 19 and that was a game changer for me.  I bought Kristin McGee’s MTV Power Yoga and have probably done it 500 times over the last 20 years.  I instantly loved yoga.

Early 20s: Andrew and I lived in an apartment with a little gym.  I still ran every morning but would lift weights after or do yoga.  I read a lot of magazines (Self, Shape) and would do whatever workouts I could find in there at the tiny gym.

Mid-20s: Right around 2006ish, I decided to really become a runner.  I started reading magazines geared towards running and books too (I loved Jeff Galloway’s!) and committed to being more of a long distance runner.  We didn’t have kids and Andrew worked all the time, so this was the perfect time for me to focus just on me and my goals.  Andrew and I both got gym memberships at the same gym, and three days a week, I would lift weights and then do short runs (3 miles), two days a week, I would do longer runs 5 to 7 miles and then on Saturday mornings, I would do long runs (18 to 24 miles).  On my really long runs, my sweet dad and hubby would know my route and take turns handing off water to me.  Aren’t they sweet?!  Over a few years, I did many 5Ks, 10Ks, half-marathons and then I did complete two full marathons.  One day in January, I was running and then all of a sudden thought “this isn’t fun anymore”.  It just kind of hit me.  I still to this day remember where I was in McKinney when I had that lightbulb moment.  I ran home and hung up my running shoes for a bit. I still lifted weights, walked and did yoga, but I didn’t run long distances anymore.

Late 20s: This was a very different time in my life because I was pregnant and had babies pretty back to back.  With Kensington’s pregnancy, I still got up and went to the gym every morning.  I lifted light weights, walked on the treadmill, swam, did prenatal yoga…just whatever I felt like.  After Kensington was born, when she was 6 weeks old, I did one of the BEST things for me!  I joined a stroller based workout class that met four days a week.  I had heard about these classes but didn’t know anyone who did them, and I’m so glad I gave it a try!!  I showed up every morning around 9:00 with my stroller, my baby and worked out with so many other mamas.  I loved these classes for many reasons: I met new people here in my community that remain dear friends to me, I learned so much from all of those mamas because they all had older kids/multiple kids and were filled with so much wisdom, advice and encouraged me in so many ways.  Also, these classes are outdoors, so this gave both myself and Kensington an hour each day to enjoy being outside with other friends.  I also loved these classes because as a new mom, I needed to get out and about each day for my own mental wellbeing but didn’t want to have to get “dressed” and these classes provided just that!  I could throw on my gym clothes, not wear makeup and have the best time with my friends.  We did these classes when Smith was born (during my pregnancy too!) until K was three years old.  It was so good for all of us!!!

Early 30s: When Kensington was 3 and Smith was 2, I made the decision to leave our stroller based workout and join a gym with a great childcare program.  My toddlers were beginning to be too restless in the stroller, so I thought I’d give them a new place to visit a few days a week.  I found a fantastic gym by my house (where I still go today!) that had an AMAZING childcare program and three days a week, we went to the gym for one hour.  On other days, I would still walk around the neighborhood with them and do yoga, but those days (especially my classes on Monday and Wednesday) were some of my very favorite!  My kids loved their friends at the gym, and I loved mine!  Once again, we met new people who became dear friends.

Now: Whew!  Now, here’s what I do. I really try and workout a solid five days a week.  Some weeks, I get exercise in daily, but I always aim for at least five days a week.  Two days a week, I go to a weight lifting class at my gym and the other three days, I do cardio or yoga at home.  On top of all of it, I am a daily dog walker too.

For me, exercise is about self-care/stress release/feeling fit/giving me energy/building muscle…but diet is about my shape and size.  I’m of the mindset that it doesn’t matter how much you workout, if you eat a bunch of junk, there is no amount of working out to make you look your best.

I would say my diet and exercise is pretty consistent 7 days a week.  That being said, we eat home during the week and out on Friday and Saturday nights, so I probably consume more calories/indulge a bit more on those days…but overall, things are pretty routine.

On vacations, I get sleep.  I don’t get a lot of sleep at home, so when we’re traveling, I don’t workout and indulge in sleep instead.  After my vacation, I go back to how it was before, but I really give myself grace when traveling.

If I can’t get outside because of the weather, I love to do yoga.  I don’t beat myself up about it if I can’t go outside.  You can only control so much and have to give yourself grace.

I loved walking and swimming.  Both of those things made me feel good about myself but didn’t overwork me.

I love the Peloton app!  Even if you don’t have a bike, get the app.  It has the most amazing classes for running, walking, yoga, strength training, cardio, even dance!  It’s all you need!

I can!!

My parents joke all the time because they say I didn’t hit puberty until I was 19.  Ha!  For me, college was a really healthy time.  I learned a lot about food and exercise from reading magazines (again Self and Shape were my fave!), and I just leaned out/got smaller/became more fit around 19.  I don’t know?  It’s like all of a sudden my body woke up and shook off the baby look…better late than never, right?!

TOTALLY!!  Sometimes, I am lazy and just skip.  The majority of the time, I remind myself that I’ll feel better after I exercise, but yes, some days, you just have to rest and that’s okay.

Yoga works great, but I also go to a weight class twice a week.

Watching my dad!  My dad was always active and fit from going to the gym, so it encouraged me.

I’m kind of back to being a runner these days.  I don’t know what happened, but I snapped out of running and now, I think I might be snapping back in.  Ha!  I’m currently running at least 5 days a week.  I always run when I set out “to run”, and right now, depending on how much time I have, anywhere from 3 to 5 miles.

My sweet spot is 60 minutes.

You know, Andrew and I have eliminated a lot of things so being outside and “playing” are kind of their only options most days.  We don’t have video games at our house, and we don’t like the TV to be on during the day, so my kids are typically swimming, playing with some kind of ball, riding bikes, rollerskating, scootering…all sorts of active things.  This kid…

…has been running with me, and I LOVE IT!!

Right now, I pretty much always, always, always workout before they wake up!  Once my kids are awake, I can find a billion excuses not to workout, but if they’re asleep, it’s much easier.  Andrew and I rotate our gym times and make it work.  Now that Smith wants to run with me, he’ll get up some days earlier, but I love to get up, workout and be done before anyone wakes up.

I actually really love strength training, but I do more cardio because it just works better for me.

I remind myself that I never regret working out but almost always regret skipping.

I really love classes!  I love that I don’t have to think.  I just show up and someone else tells me what to do.  I love that there is accountability there because you meet friends and people are counting on you to be there, and I love that there’s a set start and stop time.

I typically use dumbbells between 5 and 20 pounds depending on what I’m doing.

No, I’ve always been able to make it work without one.

I love having a yoga mat, a medium set of dumbbells (so not too heavy, not too light) and a resistance band.  You can do a lot with just that!

I would be lying if I said my hair and workout schedules didn’t work with each other.  Ha!  If I know I’m going to have a sweaty workout, I’ll wash it after or put it up in a bun/throw on a hat.  If I have fresh clean hair, I’ll do yoga or lift weights (neither which make me sweaty).

I do not!  I drink a cup of coffee and have water with me.  I don’t like to eat beforehand or it makes me feel sluggish.

I always aim for 15,000.  Some days, I do more though…and occasionally, I don’t hit that mark.

For yoga, Kristin!

For running or cycling, Robin or Alex!

I don’t keep track of that stuff. I always just keep track of how I’m feeling, how my clothes fit, etc, but not those specific numbers.  On my watch, it counts calories burned and I have the daily goal set to 500, but it’s not one of the ones I watch super closely.

Whew!  So many great questions!!  If you have some workout advice for us, please share!!

I’ll see you guys back here tomorrow for Let’s Look on the first day of July 🙂 .

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Comments

  2. Elspeth says

    I love your Q and A poets! Isn’t it crazy how much our routines and rhythms change in different seasons of life?! Now that things are starting to reopen more, I’m trying my best to get back in the gym, if I don’t hit the gym, i always try to go for walks daily.
    Thanks for sharing your fitness journey
    http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com

  3. Erika Slaughter says

    The perfect post to read after a workout class! Otherwise I’d have been motivated to lace up my shoes. Ha!

  4. Kristi says

    I actually love your lane because it’s a balanced, healthy approach to being fit and active in this season of having little people at home! Do you ever weigh yourself? What do you do if you’re feeling bloated or like you want to feel a bit leaner? Can you share a diet/eats post? Thanks so much!

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I don’t weigh myself unless I’m at the doctor or something like that. If I ever feel icky about what I’ve been eating (maybe after a vacation or something), I just drink more water and try to eat more veggies and lean protein until I feel better. And yes, I can do that next!

  5. grace says

    Loved this! Do you run outside or on a treadmill? I always think outside must feel so nice but for me I get anxious being a woman running alone and my mind goes through all the what ifs. I want to feel safe running outside but my head has all these thoughts. Any tips to get over this? Do you run on the same path every time or in the same neighborhoods? Carry a phone with you? Is that a band on your arm for your phone? I love running too but the treadmill is just not doing it for me lately. Thanks Shay!

      • Carlin says

        I also make sure my husband knows when I’m running and he can monitor my movements on my phone app. I never listen to something right in my ear so I can hear what’s going on around me. And, I, too, vary my routes. My dog and I were recently attacked on a walk, and I haven’t had the courage to go back out yet. But, I plan to carry some pepper spray now.

  7. Kara says

    You have inspired me to wake up early before work and get it done! ?? Would love to see a “day of food” for you! ?

  8. Jenny says

    I love the perspective that you’ll never regret working out but almost always will regret skipping. I workout for my mental health! Makes me a happier wife and mom! ❤️

  9. Alyssa says

    This might sound dramatic, but the Peloton App is the #1 thing getting me through quarantine! I love in NYC so the gyms aren’t opening for a long time and this has been a lifesaver! The yoga is amazing! I like Kristin and Aditi best. Anyone thinking about getting the app just DO IT! 🙂

  12. Shannon says

    So, I am awful at working out. Like, really, really awful. I have been trying to walk and do yoga now that we are stuck at home still here in the Northeast. I think my biggest problems are motivation and consistency. I like how you try to get it in in the morning before your kids are up. My problem is that my son is an EARLY riser… I mean REALLY early, so my morning always gets started with him and I never have an opportunity for quiet time unless I basically get up in the middle of the night. Then, from getting up so early, I need an early bedtime and lose out on quiet time then. Any tips??

  13. Jenna says

    You should try Jess Sims’ strength classes on the Peloton app – they are sooooo good! I love Robins too!

  14. Laci says

    You always look so fit and this would be why! I agree, exercise makes you feel much better!

  15. Sara Cloughton says

    As someone who is trying to get into running, how fast should a mile/average be? I tend to be bad about trying to get to a certain speed or I don’t count it as running.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I would personally just see how fast your current mile is and then from there, work one day on distance and the next on speed. Over time, you’ll naturally improve both!

  16. Debbie Reeves says

    Hey, Shay.
    First, I want to thank you for using your wonderful platform to share about God.
    Your readers have seen your faithfulness to God through good times and hard times like the difficult period you are going through now. Thankfully, God has remained faithful to the beautiful Shull family. It is a powerful testimony to so many.
    My question is off topic. Sorry.
    I am hosting a few girlfriends to a luncheon party by the pool.
    Could you please help with a menu?
    Thanks.
    God bless.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Thank YOU, Debbie for your sweet comment. Okay, I say you need my mother-in-law’s pasta salad recipe (the pepperoni one!!) and maybe a chicken salad too? I would also maybe make my pimento cheese dip. My friends and I love dips and salads for lunch!

  17. Allena Gurley says

    For the last 18 months I’ve been doing jazzercise and I LOVE it! I’ve tried a lot of different things, have had a running phase, have been super lazy too ha, but I am in love with jazzercise. I belong to a studio and right now they are doing classes on Facebook, so I’ve actually been able to workout more during quarantine which has been so nice. The studio I belong to has also started adding Les Milles classes and I CANNOT wait for Body Pump – that was my favorite class in my pre-kiddo days, and the owners have been teasing that it is coming to our studio, and I’m so excited. I love that jazzercise is largely cardio but we lift weights in every class and some classes focus only on strength and some are half-and-half. They are always mixing it up and the music and energy make it so enjoyable. Best thing I’ve done for myself in a long time.

  18. Katie says

    Omg Kristin McGee MTV Power Yoga DVD. I have also done this probably 500 times! It totally made me fall in love with yoga (many, many years ago). We are definitely the same age! Haha. I also love Robin on Peloton! She’s so fun and motivating. Thanks for sharing!

  19. Katie says

    Related to exercise- but bummed Athleta no longer sells the high neck double chi tanks anymore!! I remember your recommendation for them and loooove the ones I got. So sad they seem to no longer sell them! Wish I got more!

  20. Sarah Naumann says

    Do you have a favorite brand of running shoes that you’ve stuck with over the years?

  21. Beth says

    I have done the same thing with running over the years. I didn’t pick it up/enjoy running until my mid-20’s (I’m 40 now). Like you, I’ve done 5Ks, 10Ks, and several half marathons. Often I train with friends and it’s fun to have the accountability. I’ll be rocking along and then wake up one day and not want to run at all. I jokingly call myself a running drop off. Then, a year or two later, I’ll decide I like to run again. It’s so weird, but I guess I get burned out at times.

  22. Priscilla Swanson says

    I love Q and A posts, thank you for sharing. I noticed you said your family eats out on Friday and Saturday. My daughter was just diagnosed with Celiacs Disease last week and I am curious if you had good luck with eating out. I am so worried about cross-contamination and our family usually eats out twice on the weekends. I also live in the DFW area so would love recommendations on restaurants that have been gluten-free friendly.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      We have really found that Mexican food is our sweet spot. We can bring our own chips in the restaurant and then K can have fajita chicken or beef, guacamole, things like that. That’s our typical go-to! Also, some of our favorite restaurants on the McKinney square have g-free menus with separate pans/work spaces for preparing gluten-free food (Cadillac, The Yard, etc) too.

  23. Liz Thorson says

    Shay, you are awesome, wonderful, kind, patient, sweet and flat out inspirational! From reading and thinking about your posts for the last 5-6yrs., I ALWAYS learn something to improve myself. I am a 48 yr. runner, now 3-3 1/2 miles 3x/wk. I turn 70 this Sunday! I know yoga and strength training SHOULD be in my fitness plan. You have given me the nudge to get started in both of those areas, while still keeping up my running with our 2 Black Labs! Thank you! XO

  24. Erin says

    Loved this post! Working on finding the motivation to get out of bed when the alarm goes off is tough for me, but feeling encouraged by your post! One thing I struggle with in exercising (high impact like running) is finding a supportive sports bra. Do you have one you recommend that feels supportive?

  25. Dana D says

    Would love a future post on nutrition and eating tips! Thanks for all you do and share.

  26. Annette says

    How do you survive running in Texas? Isn’t it really humid in the morning? And already hot?

  27. Diane says

    Love these posts of yours! I love that you don’t have video games in your house. Does Smith ever ask for them?? I’ve held off for 10 years but finally caved and got the Nintendo switch during quarantine… but would love to hear your thoughts about why you don’t have video games at your house? (Secretly I’m already ready to get rid of ours)

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      It’s never really been a thing. Andrew and I are big on kids getting out and doing stuff or finding things to do at home…my kids just know we’re not going to be a video game family, so it’s not a big deal. They all have friends that do the same, so it’s not like they’re the only ones.

  28. Ellen says

    MTV Power Yoga?!?!? That sounds so fun! I wonder if it’s still available …

  29. Libby says

    Glad I’m not the only one who schedules her workout routines based on her hair washing schedule. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!