Dumbbells & Diapers (2026)

25/02/2022

I had intended to share Marabelle's birth story by her birthday, but here I am-two days after-writing it. I'm enjoying sharing bits and pieces of our life with anyone who might read my blog, but I've also been wanting to write this out for the past TWO years so I can read it in the years to come when the memory doesn't feel so fresh.

Click the link below to read about how this sweet girl surprised us 🥰

https://www.dumbbellsanddiapersfitness.com/post/birth-story-marabelle-rose-olson

12/02/2022

I'm a firm believer that movement is medicine, and that fitness [no matter what phase of life you're in] is a fundamental part to not just being the healthiest mama you can be, but the happiest one, as well.

It doesn't have to be an hour. It doesn't have to be high intensity. It's not a failed workout if you didn't finish everything you've set out to do. There will be days you're interrupted countless times, and days when a walk is the best you can fit in. But something is always better than nothing-you will always feel better afterward. So don't wait for the phase you're in to be over to get started, or to get back in to fitness. Do it now, where you are, with what you have.

Check out the full blog here ☺️https://www.dumbbellsanddiapersfitness.com/post/just-a-phase

09/02/2022

Last year, I came across "1000 Hours Outside," which is a global movement to get people spending more time outside. I loved the sound of it, and decided we'd give it a try. If we'd followed through with our tracking, I'm sure it would report that we failed miserably. It's not that we didn't get in lots of outside time, it's just that we (I) didn't prioritize it every day.

So, we set out on January 1 to accomplish this over the course of 2022. Use the link below to read about how we're tackling this and how it's going so far ☺️

https://www.dumbbellsanddiapersfitness.com/post/1000-hours-outside

05/02/2022

When it comes to nutrition, some of the most common things I hear from moms is that they don't know what to cook & they don't have time to cook-particularly dinner. Being responsible for feeding the entire family can feel overwhelming. Then, add in factors like the "witching hour," squeezing in baths for the kids, and trying to figure out what to make each night, and dinnertime easily feels like the most stressful part of the day.

Use the link below to see how I avoid the stress of dinnertime and prioritize great nutrition in our house, plus-check out a sample of our weekly dinner plan!

https://www.dumbbellsanddiapersfitness.com/post/ditching-dinnertime-stress

01/02/2022

Pressing overhead isn't just about using a barbell or dumbbells to work on upper body strength. We use this movement day in and day out, whether we're in the gym or not. Think about it: lifting a box to put on the top shelf of your closet, throwing your toddler up in the air, even reaching those obnoxiously high cabinets in your kitchen to put something away. All of these things involve moving a load overhead and require core engagement and strength; things that are challenged during pregnancy and in the initial postpartum period.

Use the link below to check out the full blog and get 3 tips for pressing overhead during and after pregnancy 🏋️‍♀️

https://www.dumbbellsanddiapersfitness.com/post/overhead-press-in-pregnancy-postpartum

25/01/2022

I'm Type A by nature. A perfectionist. A self-proclaimed "neat freak." I'm particular, and like things done a certain way. As a kid, these traits made me "the helper" around the house. As a student, they supported me in doing well in school. As a nurse, they made the ICU the perfect place for me to work. As a mom? These characteristics have created some of my greatest struggles.

Do you get wrapped up in the idea of "perfect?" I think many moms know how this feels. Check out the full blog "Happiness Over Perfect" at the link below to read about how being a perfectionist wore me down in my first year of motherhood, and how I ditched a mindset that didn't support me, or my family.

https://www.dumbbellsanddiapersfitness.com/post/happiness-over-perfect

23/01/2022

I never could understand those people who forget to eat...until I became a mom. Some days are so busy, that unless you make it a priority-meals and snacks can be forgotten about.

I put together F I V E of my go-to snack options that are great for busy mamas, whether your pregnant or postpartum. The best part? Minimal to no prep. Use this link to check them out: https://www.dumbbellsanddiapersfitness.com/post/quick-easy-snack-ideas

20/01/2022

I love hearing women's birth stories. I think it's because the process of birthing a baby is so full of unknown-you don't know when it will happen, how it will start, how long it will last...it's wild, really, because there's nothing else like that. Whenever people want to share theirs, I'm all ears.

So, I thought I'd share ours, for anyone else-like me-who loves to hear them :)

Use the link in below to read about my first birth experience and how Fitzgerald entered the world 😊

https://www.dumbbellsanddiapersfitness.com/post/birth-story-fitzgerald-robert-olson

11/01/2022

Since starting Dumbbells & Diapers almost FOUR years ago, I've written blogs on and off with the intention of sharing information about postpartum fitness with new mamas.

As D&D has evolved, as I have on my transition into motherhood, I've been giving a lot of thought to how I want to show up in supporting other mothers on their journeys. The word authentic kept coming to mind-wanting to be transparent about my own experiences, struggles, viewpoints, etc. I want to share with you things that will support your health and recovery, but I also want you to know me and what I'm about.

With that, I'm commiting to reinvigorating the Dumbbells & Diapers blog and using it to educate, entertain and inspire any mama who might enjoy it.

Use the link in my bio/below to read about my experience with this third pregnancy-our fail at FAM 😂, my biggest challenges, and how I got through a really difficult first trimester 😊

https://www.dumbbellsanddiapersfitness.com/post/baby-olson-3

07/09/2021

I'm an Instant Pot convert. I was very resistant to giving the IP a try, because I loved my Crockpot-but I've got to tell you-I'm now a true believer in the Instant Pot amazingness.

I mean...you can forget to plan dinner, pull out FROZEN chicken at 4 PM, and have dinner made before 5 PM. That's some kind of magic,

Here's what else is magic-this delicious Chicken & Barley soup I made the other morning in less than 20 minutes before I left for work:

Chicken & Barley Soup:
♡ 1.5 pounds chicken breast
♡ 3/4 cup uncooked barley
♡ a few celery stalks, diced
♡ a few handfuls of baby carrots, diced
♡ almost a whole white onion, diced
♡ 2 tsp turmeric
♡ 2 tsp salt
♡ 2 tsp pepper
♡ 4.5 cups chicken broth

Add everything to the Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure x 15 minutes. Natural release x 5 min. Then quick release. Remover the chicken & shred. Return to the pot and voila! Let me know if you try it!

Are you team Instant Pot or Crock Pot?!

03/09/2021

Did you know...

that when mom participates in fitness, a child is TWO times more likely to do the same, than a child with a mom who is sedentary?

This isn't made to make you feel bad if you don't work out. It's meant to empower you with the knowledge that by simply prioritizing physical activity, you're increasing the likelihood that your child will too.

This day in age, when a whopping EIGHTY percent of children aren't getting enough exercise, it's our responsibility to do whatever we can to support our kids in being as healthy as possible. This starts with us. It starts with you.

I get it. It is HARD to workout after pregnancy. Between not having time, not having a babysitter, and not having a clue as to where to start...the whole process can feel frustrating and daunting. That's why I offer online and in-person options tailored to women in the initial postpartum period.

The September [in-person] session of Dumbbells & Diapers kicks off on Tuesday 9/7! Are you in?! Register using the link below!

If in-person isn't your jam, or are aren't local-check out the online training options-also at the link below.

https://linktr.ee/dumbbellsanddiapers_fitness

Happy Friday Mamas!

23/08/2021

Happy Monday, mamas!

This week, when you find yourself forgoing self care to catch up on laundry, or cancel plans with a friend because you feel guilty leaving the kids, or skipping your workout because you have too many other things to do...think twice.

Think about what makes you happy, and make it happen. Because in the end...it's on us to give our babies a happy, healthy mama. 💕

Dumbbells & Diapers