Working on my fitness...again

At this point last year, I had just learned I was pregnant with Nathan. Kara wasn't even six months old, and I was beginning another round of Weight Watchers. I had finally reached a point in my post-partum existence where I felt motivated to put my health first. But once I learned of my "with child" status, that all went out the window. Suddenly, it was no longer necessary to avoid Oreos or chocolate chip cookie dough or three helpings of french fries. Those calories were essential for my baby's growth and development. And people, I am all about the children.

After I delivered this past January, I'll admit it: I was kind of disgusted with my body. Even throughout the pregnancy I was surprised to see that my basketball belly didn't mask my tire of a gut and smooth everything out like it did the first time around. Instead, the tire just camped out underneath, sagging like an eighty-year-old man's flabby double chin. Once Nathan was out and I was over the initial glee, I couldn't stop looking in the mirror and staring at the mess of skin my stomach had truly become, the fullness in my face, all that extra junk in my trunk. Even after the first few weeks, my weight plateaued around the mid-150s, a number I had never seen before in my life. And on my 5'2" frame, it's just too much. I lost a couple of pounds before I returned to work, but going back after only eight weeks was pretty hard for me, and it was difficult to focus on anything else but adjusting to being away from my family.

Luckily, though, despite a few crying jags here and there, my return to the office wasn't as soul-crushing as it was with Kara, so I finally decided Enough Is Enough and began a new fitness regimen last Wednesday, a few days before Nathan's four-month birthday. Everything I said in regards to wellness after Kara was born is still true; I want to be a fit person. I want to show my kids that being active is fun and natural and easy, even when it doesn't come naturally or easily to me. And I want them to see that I make my personal health a top priority because it's THAT important.

Of course, they will only see these things if I actually do them. Therein lies the challenge.

Because I've gotten on and off this particular bandwagon more times than I care to count (hello, Weight Loss Wednesday), I gave a lot of thought as to how I was going to realistically change my outlook on getting into shape. As far as food goes, I don't have the energy to join Weight Watchers again and track every single thing I put in my mouth, but Luke and I are slowly ridding our kitchen of high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, nitrates, and other ingredients that get in our way, and I'm being more selective about what I eat and how much. I've also decided to stop eating after eight o'clock, simply because that's when I'm most suspectible to overeating. In regards to exercise, my primary complaint has always been not having enough time, so I'm starting small. As those of you who follow me on Parents know, I've been doing Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred, not because I enjoy the workouts but because it's fast. Twenty minutes and I'm done. So when my muscles are burning and I'm huffing and puffing heavier than an extra in a porno, I look at the clock and think, "Only ten minutes left? I can do ten minutes," and keep on keeping on. I'm still modifying push-ups, I'm still constantly reminding myself to keep good form, but I'm pushing through it just the same, and I'm actually seeing results. According to my scale, I've lost 4.6 pounds so far.

I was pretty reluctant to try the Shred because so many other bloggers were doing it and giving up, and I don't even watch The Biggest Loser, so references to Jillian's tough-as-nails personality were lost on me; I also wasn't sure if I could commit to doing a video that took so much hard work when I was barely moving to begin with. At first, I just planned to get walking more with the kids, but I found when I did that, I suddenly stopped going on walks because they weren't fun anymore. That's when I realized I personally need to separate activity intended for weight loss and strength building from that which enables me to spend time with my family. When I keep the two compartmentalized, each one becomes a lot more manageable. Plus, in my experience, it's more feasible to say I'm going to shred every night after the kids go to bed than it is to count on taking a walk every day after dinner. So much of our evening routine is still up in the air; I come home anywhere between four and five, and sometimes dinner is close to being ready, but usually it's not, and sometimes the lawn needs to be mowed and kids need to be bathed and sometimes the weather is bad, and you see where this is going? Not to mention my body is so out of shape that a few walks a week aren't going to give me the results I need to get back to a reasonable weight as soon as possible. I'm not looking to score a size 8 by the end of the month, but as Jillian likes to say, "You've got to push yourself."

So I'm pushing. I've not been able to shred every day--a nasty cold/cough combo I've been fighting (plus pink eye! In both eyes!) left me out of commission for two of the eight days I've been doing this, so even though today is my ninth day on the Shred, tonight will only be my seventh actual Shred. Still, I'm doing it, and I'm proud of what I've done.

My quick bout of success thus far has come from taking it one day at a time so I don't get discouraged and re-evaluating my priorities so exercise doesn't once again get pushed to the back burner. That last one has been the most eye-opening, because the clutter build-up in my house is a direct result of the new time I've carved out for the Shred. So while I'm losing weight and getting fit, my carpets are getting dirtier, my shower stalls are getting scummier, and my CD rack continues to multitask as a clothing rack. But in the end, I ask myself, would I rather be a fit person living in a messy home or an unfit person living in a moderately clean home (because even when I can spend more time cleaning, there's still a lot I have to miss)? And right now, the answer is A. Because really, A should have been the answer all along.

I've also been trying to find other ways to work fun exercise into my day-to-day; lucky for me, my employer is hugely into wellness, so they pay the registration fees for a number of races that take place in the city. Luke and I will participate in a non-competitive 5K this Saturday night and just signed up for a family fun walk in downtown Indy in mid-July. And once I'm done with the Shred, I hope to move on to videos that have a little more zip in their step. I'm dying to resurrect my Richard Simmons videos and start sweating to the oldies again.

Usually when I get involved in projects concerning my health, in the back of my mind, I'm always wondering when I'll fail, since that's what usually happens. But this time, I'm like the tortoise. Slow and steady wins the race. And this time, I will win.

Comments

[Katie]

I'm very similar -- I'll think about exercising a lot, or start something for a few days, but then fall off the wagon. The best I ever did was last year when I did the Couch to 5K workout. I worked up from 1 minute of running at a time to 30 full minutes of running! Now, I was still at total sloth speed, so I still wasn't doing 5K in that time, but hey, at least I was running! Prior to that I thought it was something I just couldn't do.

I had to take all 3 kids on every run (1 in stroller, 2 on bikes or scooters), and that was horrible. They were constantly fighting, crashing, getting injured, and darting out into streets.

I ordered the 30-Day Shred at least a month ago from Netflix and still haven't even opened it. (This is giving me deja vu; sorry if I already made this exact comment at Parents.) I have never seen the Biggest Loser either, but I keep reading about the Shred on blogs. I too have some horrible cold, except mine comes with an ear infection rather than pink eye. The most I've done any night this week is make a very quick dinner. Otherwise I've just been lying on the couch after work. Maybe exercising will help kick it faster.

[Must Be Motherhood]

I lost about 8lbs doing Shred over the course of 2 months post partum last fall (And I didn't change my eating at all). But I only did it 3-4 days a week. I was too sore to do it EVERY SINGLE DAY. I don't know how people do it. Congrats for doing so many days in a row already.

I think one trick is to not set up really difficult plans--like doing something every single day--because when you just can't, you're more likely to feel like a failure. And that's never any good.

Small food changes and adding considerable exercise into your life will have you back in shape in no time! Go you!

[daddyd]

I like the rule of not eating after 8. That is a good time of the day to stop the intake of calories. The balance between food and working out is need for full results. But it takes more effort to lose it through working out than not eating too many calories in the first place. Easier going into than coming off after they become apart of one's self.

[Jen L.]

I"m so glad we're doing the Shred! I've lost 3 pounds. I also had to skip 2 days because of an ear infection. Marcus said if I was too dizzy to walk up the stairs straight, I was not allowed to Shred. Jeez, he can be a party pooper.

The no eating after 8 thing has been much easier than I'd expected, and I think it's making a huge difference. (9pm used to be Oreo time.) I like having 20 minutes a day to just work on me.

We are going to be hawt.

[Molly]

Massive kudos to you for beginning just three months after having a baby. And thanks for encouraging me to join. Every time I walk up the stairs and my thighs burn like hell I curse your name. In love, of course. Wink wink.

[jasmine]

I have been on Weight Watchers since April. I have been losing steam lately.... I understand where you are coming from sista!

[Lynne]

Good for you! Keep up the good work! I have to exercise first thing in the morning or it doesn't get done. I applaud you for being able to do it after the kids are asleep.

I know Nintendo Wii systems aren't cheap, but we just ordered the new "Active; Personal Trainer" for which you don't need the Wii Fit Balance Board and both my husband and I are doing the 30-day workout. It rocks! A nice variety of muscle shaping exercises for both legs and arms so far. It's fun and before I know it, my workout is over. I really like the tennis. I thought I would hate the boxing, but I really enjoy it. I highly recommend it! (And thank goodness—no push ups ... yet, anyway) :) It's nice to hear your personal trainer give you positive feedback when you're doing a good job, and it shows the calories you are burning as you go. (You wear a strap on your leg and hold both Wii remotes in your hands or put one of them in a pocket on the leg strap so it keeps track of your exact movements.)

Anyway, not meaning to sound like a commercial here and I have no connection with either company, just a happy customer!

You go girl!!!! I wish you much success!
P.S. I love the way you wrote this post.

[blooot]

I started the Shred too. My life is too much chaos, but even in that I can commit to 20 minutes a day.

I was so surprised at what a fab workout it is for such a short period of time. I'm on day 8, and I've started to see results, which thrills me to no end.

[Parsing Nonsense]

Cool, good for you! I've heard good things about the 30 Day Shred, hopefully it'll work well for you! I've heard you're going to hate Jillian Michaels or whatever her name is, though. With a passion.

[KIDE]

I realize you probably want more of a workout, but if you must take a day off, don't flog yourself for it. Just do some of that cleaning that has been piling up. I was surprised to find out how many calories you burn washing the floor, vacuuming, and doing general cleaning - it's more physical than you think - especially if you have stairs!

[rkmama]

All I have to say is good on you and Hallefrickenluia for modified push-ups.

[Charlotte]

Do you really think a 20 minute workout is keeping you from being able to clean your house? I doubt it.

[Frema]

Charlotte: Hmmm. From the aggressive tone of your comment, I doubt you're interested in my answer, but I never said we don't clean at all. A general pick-up takes place every day, and the kitchen is almost always completely clean before we go to bed. It's just not as clean as it could be. I do appreciate your concern, though!