30 Day Shred Round Two

Oh hey look.  I'm back on the 30 day shred routine.  Finally sticking to something.  I need to see results for a beach vacation we have scheduled the first week in June.  After having Graham my stomach is a mess.  I'm still about 2lbs from pre-pregnancy but my stomach pooch is nuts so I had to do something.  Last time I did 30 day shred I say a difference so I figured this was the perfect way to start up again.

Blech, it's terrible.  But it's a starting point.  And if nothing else I can always look back to my post pregnancy body for motivation that change is happening. Take pictures ladies, that's how you'll notice results!

-stephanie

Post Pregnancy Body

39 week bump photo.  Hours before delivery.

I can't believe what I'm about to do but I think it's something a lot of people who are expecting babies are thinking.  I mean, I thought it throughout my entire pregnancy.  What is my body going to look like after having this baby?  Will I bounce back?  How long will it take?  This being my second, will things be totally different this go round?  Some of these questions I have answers to now and some I probably won't have for months to come.

When I got home from the hospital, after settling in for a day or so, I decided to hop on the scale out of curiosity.  To my disappointment I had only lost about 10 lbs.  I delivered a nearly 8lb baby, plus all that other good stuff, and I had only lost 10lbs?!  How was that possible?  That was my initial reaction but I only let that thought run through my head for a few minutes because that was the least of my concerns.  What I did next was even crazier...

I took photos of my post pregnancy body just days after delivery.  Oi what a sight but I'm all about seeing progress photos.  If I don't see the proof of the change, I don't believe anything is happening.  One of my most popular posts are my 30 day shred progress photos and I loved taking them and seeing the changes from those so I wanted to do the same here.  

Just a week later and you can see a lot of change already.  I haven't been cleared to work out yet so this is only chasing around a toddler and breastfeeding.  Once I get the all clear to work out I'm hitting the crunches big time.  Along with running and 30 day shred, I'm hoping to get toned up as soon as possible.  To this point I've lost 20 pounds and have another 12 to go before I get to my pre-pregnancy weight.  I don't plan to stop there.  My goal is another 20 after I lose that pregnancy weight.  But one goal at a time.  Hopefully in the next few weeks I can post about how I've lost the rest of the baby weight!

One with clothes on is needed I think.  :)

How did you lose your baby weight?  Was there any tried and true methods that worked for you?  Going into holiday season I'm a little nervous but confident if I keep at it I can reach my goals in time for spring season!

-stephanie

Green Power Smoothie

I've mentioned a few times that I've been working on my fitness.  I have been trying to tone up and lose weight for a while now and it's definitely been a challenge to lose weight since I turned 30.  Luckily I've stayed at about the same weight for a while and have been able to eat healthy but also splurge without having any impact on me physically.  Or at least on the outside image.  So I've gotten a bit more serious. I started 30 day shred and finished that (I owe you my results) and mid way through my 30 day shred program I decided to start running again.  I mentioned this has been the only way I've ever lost weight.  And though I hate to run, it's an awesome activity for my weight loss as well as for my internal health (read: lung capacity).

I don't eat for about 2-3 hours prior to a run because vomiting while running doesn't sound all that exciting.  So when I'm done running I need to nutrition but don't want to eat anything too heavy immediately after a run.  I'm a big fan of smoothies and this weekend made a great one with both fruits & veggies as well as protein & fiber.  It was tasty!

Green Power Smoothie

3/4 pear

3/4 banana

3/4 cup fresh spinach

handful of ice

Blend on low & immediately switch to high until smooth.  

I shared the rest of my pear & banana with Addie, but if you don't have anyone to share the leftovers with, round it all up to a full banana & pear and full cup spinach and a little more than a handful of ice.  You'll just have a little extra smoothie.  Enjoy!

-stephanie

Working on My Fitness

My 30 day shred workout is nearly finished and though I couldn't be happier, I'm also a little sad that it's over.  I've noticed a considerable difference in my body and want to continue to notice these changes.  I've been on a mission to find my next workout routine for several weeks now.  I've added running to my workout plan which has always been really helpful in the weight loss goals.  Running is also a great mental workout for me for a couple of reason.  The first being that I get really bored when I run so I'm always trying to think of a way to keep my mind occupied.  The second reason running is a mental workout for me is because I am constantly telling myself not to stop, keep going, you can do this.  It's hard work but it's also really rewarding when you stop running knowing you were able to push yourself.

So my new routine will be running and these few ideas I found on Shine a few weeks back.  It's perfect for me because I don't have a gym membership, we have a few machines in our basement but I don't really love machines.  Plus, this requires very few items to have on hand that are cheap and don't take up very much space.  In fact, the entire "gym" you'll need in under $60.  So here's what you need.

1.  Stability Ball - $9

2.  Foam Roller - $8

3.  Dumbbells - $12

4. Gliding Discs - $15

5.  Resistance Bands - $10

6.  Jump Rope - $3

I have some experience in the Gliding Discs and let me tell you, those suckers work really well.  

I'm really excited to try out this move, I could use a serious inner thigh workout and think this one will work.

Check out all of the moves using the items above here.

-stephanie

30 Day Shred Update: Level Two Complete

I have to admit, I'm so happy this level is done.  I wasn't really motivated and I thought level two was really boring.  I just couldn't get into it.  I also don't feel like I've changed much from level one to level two so I'm ready to hit the ground running on level three.  So without further adieu, level two results.

And here's a picture of level one's completed results and level two's front on comparison shots.  I literally see nothing here.  I actually think there's more definition in the level one ab shot than level two.

Finally the side by side comparisons from level one and level two results.  I could maybe convince myself that my stomach is getting a bit smaller but I still don't notice a huge difference here.

Level two results on paper.

Arms - 11.5" both arms (down by 1/2")

Bust - 37.75" (no change)

Thighs - 23.5"  (no change)

Upper Waist - 32.5"

Lower Waist - 35.25" (up by 1/4")

Hips - 39.75" (down by 3/4")

Total change - down by 1" which is a bit shocking since I thought I wouldn't see any change whatsoever.  Again, no change in weight.  I really don't think the program will reflect a weight change, for me at least.  

On another note, my running is going really well.  I haven't seen any results in the scale at this point but I'm running on average about 17 miles a week.  I'm really hoping to see the scale change from the running as that's always been where I see progress on the scale.

If you look back at my level one results and add that to level two, I'm down a total of 2 3/4"!  You can read about all of my results here, here and here.

Don't forget to enter in the Shutterfly giveaway here.

-stephanie

30 Day Shred Update: Level One Complete

As you know I've begun 30 day shred.  Unfortunately, with travel and life happening I haven't been able to be super consistent working out every day as the program is designed for.  I've completed level one and here are my results.

And for a side by side comparison, here is my initial picture and after level two completed.  I can see a small difference in my waist area and a little in my legs.

And the side comparison shots.  You can notice the difference in my stomach in this shot.

And my level one results on paper.

Arms - 12" both arms (no change)

Bust - 37 3/4" (down by 1/4")

Thighs - 23.5" (down by 1/2")

Upper waist - 32.5" (down by 1/2")

Lower waist - 35" (no change)

Hips - 40.5" (down by 1/2")

Total change - down by 1 3/4" which is great since I've been on and off a little with my workouts.  I do need to mention that I didn't see a change in my weight so I decided to pick up running.  Running has been the only way I've ever lost weight so I'll show you my results from running and include that number in future posts.  Remember, everyone's bodies are different and react differently to workouts so you may see the scale change with the 30 day shred.  

I'll be posting my thoughts on the level two workout as I approach the last few days of the program.  Overall, I'm pretty happy with the changes I'm seeing in my pictures.  Have any of you started 30 day shred or have progression pictures?  If so, I'd love to see and feature them.  

Read more about my 30 day shred here and here.

-stephanie

30 Day Shred Update

A couple weeks ago I, very nervously, posted pictures of myself for all the world to see.  I decided to start 30 day shred after several mommy friends suggested it to tone up in a short amount of time without having to spend "hours of phoning it in at the gym".  I'll be honest, as soon as I posted that I thought what did you just do.  Now anyone can see what I look like.  It's a really scary feeling knowing it's out there.  Coworkers, former boyfriends, former classmates, strangers, etc.  It's such a scary feeling but you all came out and offered a lot of support and encouragement.  I want to make sure I provide you with an update so you can see my progress as well as use this as a tool to keep me motivated.  

So first let me tell you where I am in the program.  Remember I told you that 30 day shred is a 3 level program, each level lasting 10 days.  I began level 1 weeks ago, then, our entire family was in a wedding and the following day we headed off to Outerbanks for a vacation.  So I made it all the way through level 1 and then unfortunately stopped because of everything else going on at the time.  

After returning from vacation, I gave myself one day off and then immediately started right back up on Monday.  I'm now 3 days in and Jillian is still kicking my butt but I'm feeling amazing.  Each level is about 20 minutes of intense working out and you feel like quitting several times in those short 20 minutes but I push through it thinking it's only 20 minutes and Jillian looks like a beast.

So here's my initial reaction to completing level one (and restarting again).  Day 1 and 2 are brutal.  My legs hurt so bad that I could hardly walk.  I could barely lift my arms to answer my phone.  But then you start feeling really good after those initial few days.  Honestly, I started seeing my stomach tighten up after around day 5.  The hardest part for me is the push-ups.  I have zero upper body strength, which is really shocking considering I carry a 25 baby around daily.

My plan at this point is to run through level 1 again, take some progression photos once completed and provide you with my update at that point.  Then, I'll start level 2, photos & update, level 3, photos & update until it's complete.  And figures crossed I'll have some fabulous results for you.  I ask that you continue to provide me with support and encouraging words because I know I'll need them.  Also, if any of you have done 30 day shred and want to provide me with your story/photos, I'll post about it.  I'd love to hear about you progress/results.

-stephanie

30 Day Shred...

I can't believe what I'm about to do.  As you're all aware, I have an almost 20 month old daughter, Adalyn.  If you're a woman who has given birth you know what that does to your body.  You're loose where you shouldn't be loose.  You eat what you can when you can because your priority is to feed your child when they're hungry.  Oftentimes that means you're eating something terrible for you just because it's easy.  Having a child also leaves you with little time for yourself.

One of the things I was really afraid of prior to having Addie was losing my sense of self.  Being and individual as well as a mommy.  Unfortunately, I've lost sight of that and am now in a place where I have to make a change.  My favorite mantra, Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes.

So, I've decided to start working out again.  On Monday, I started 30 Day Shred by Jillian Michaels.  It's a 30 day program you do for 20 minutes each day.  Within the program are 3 levels of intensity.  Level one for 10 days, level two for 10 days, level three for 10 days.  After than you're expected to see some results.  I've heard people losing 10 pounds in that amount of time which is a lot considering it's only 20 minutes a day.

The motivation is that I'm ready to start planning for another baby and it's proven that being fit going into a pregnancy means a healthier you throughout the pregnancy as well as an easier bounce back post delivery.  Plus I want to look good.  I recently turned 30 and they say your body goes down hill at this age so I'm here to combat that.  I'm also battling a family full of obesity which is something I can't let myself do.

The plan is to eat better and workout every day for 30 days (I do have a vacation in between so I'll need to figure something out while at the beach).  After 30 days I'll continue to do the program or find another activity to keep me in shape, I may switch back to running as it's great cardio and has really been the only thing I've done to change my body.

Now before we get into the ugly details, here's what I'm hoping for out of this.  I'm hoping that I feel better about myself but also that I see some serious results.  I've always had some serious thighs so that's my target area for change.  If I see less kissing in thigh area I'll be really happy.

So here it comes, ladies and gents, brace yourself for the ugly truth.

Starting Details
Weight 157
Arms - 12"
Thigh - 24"
Upper Waist - 33"
Lower Waist - 35"
Hips - 41"

So I'm asking for your help.  Your advice, easy lunches, and healthy dinners.  Meals with lots of flavor but low in calories.  Have you done 30 Day Shred?  What was your story? What were your results?

-stephanie