Sticking With What I Know... Opening a Can of Whoop-Ass

As I mentioned earlier, I used to kickbox pre-babies. I loved it, and I had a knack for it, if I do say so myself.

Now that I am trying to get back into shape, I bought a bunch of cardio DVDs. Having a 6-week-old baby (and two pre-schoolers) doesn't exactly give me oodles of free time, so I figured DVDs which I could follow at home whenever I managed to get 30 precious minutes would be perfect!

However, after the first couple of days I started to get really irritated. I expected cardio, but somehow every workout evolved into a complicated dance routine!

I want to get my heart rate up, not practice my frigging "jazz hands"! I want easy steps that I can follow. Why are these skinny bitches trying to make me mambo?

I can't dance. After an hour of almost certainly looking like a moron, I was struck with a brilliant idea. I should stick with my roots: hitting things!

So the next night I decided to go with a kickboxing-based cardio workout. I tried the Jillian Michaels Cardio Kickbox DVD.

Finally! This was the first workout this week where I felt like I knew what the hell was going on! I'm sure I still looked silly, but at least I was familiar with all of the moves and able to easily keep up. My entire body was aching the next day, but in such a good way. It felt like old times, when I used to push my body on a daily basis... and I didn't even realize how much I missed that ache.

Lesson: Working out is more likely to become a daily event if I stick with what I know and love.

I Survived Cardio!

Since I was given the all-clear at my 6-week checkup yesterday to start exercising, I figured I'd jump right in.

I popped in my nifty new The Firm: 500 Calorie Workout DVD, thinking "Awesome! I can totally stand to burn 500 calories!" HOLY CRAP! This thing was advanced! I swear the instructor was doing 50 different things with her feet at once. I had no clue what was going on. I basically just stood there with my brow furrowed and my mouth hanging open. I'm sure it's a great workout if you are used to cardio moves, though.

So after 2 minutes of tripping over my own feet, I admitted defeat and switched to a more beginner-friendly DVD. I popped in The Firm: Sculpting Ball Workout DVD. I told myself that if I couldn't manage this one, maybe I could do some jumping jacks without falling down. After all, my 4-year-old can do jumping jacks.

Luckily, this workout proved to be a lot less complicated! I'm sure I still looked hilarious bouncing around trying to keep up with the DVD, but at least I was able to do most of the moves without falling down.

I got through half an hour of cardio with a sculpting ball, and even some ab work at the end. I'm proud that I found the time to do it (it was 9:30 p.m. before I had a brief window where all of the kids were sleeping), and I'm even more proud that I made it all the way through without passing out! =-p

I Used to Be Hot Before I Had Kids...

But now I've had 3 kids, and I'm not hot anymore. Not even close.

Oops! My bad!

Guess I shouldn't have literally eaten for 2 each time I was pregnant, huh?

I just had a beautiful baby 6 weeks ago. In fact, today was my 6 week checkup and I got the "all clear" to start exercising again. Since I am DONE having kids, I feel incredibly motivated to get my sexy back. Somehow, it was just so easy to not worry about it when I might just ruin all of my hard work with another pregnancy. It's not logical, but it is a great excuse not to work out, right?

I am 27, 5'4" and I am now 45 lbs heavier than when I became pregnant with my first child 5 years ago. I just checked a BMI calculator and not only am I overweight - I am nearing the border of obese!!! Now I want to cry!

A Little Background:
I am 5'4" and was 130 before my first baby. A lot of that was huge knockers and big old badonkadonk, and I was plenty happy with my body. I kickboxed for years prior, so I wasn't a stranger to a good workout. I hadn't kickboxed for a while before I began having kids, but I still stayed really active and was what I would consider "fit".

After my first child I ended up at 145. I say "ended up" because I didn't try to lose any weight, that's just where I landed. I would have liked to have gotten back down to 130, but apparently not bad enough to put forth any effort.

After my second child, I wound up at 165. In addition, I opened a business shortly after having him, so weight loss was the last thing from my mind.

Now I am 6 weeks postpartum from a cesarean with my third and final baby. I am now at 175! I love my kids, and they are worth any amount of residual chub I may have.

But GOOD LORD, I can't believe that I am 45 lbs heavier than I was 5 years ago! I am so ready to get in shape again. I miss cute clothes. I miss feeling active and energetic. And I hate feeling self-conscious all of the time... wondering if something highlights my chubs. ;-)

I'm creating this blog to keep track of my progress, my ideas, and the moments when I fall off the wagon. This will be a great way for my friends and family to cheer me on, and/or verbally kick my arse if I need it.

My Plan So Far:
* Work Out - I have a nifty jogging stroller, and I should be able to walk outdoors at least 3 times a week. I also have some light dumbbells, an exercise ball, a yoga mat, and several cardio and yoga DVD's for days when I can't make it out. Oh, and there's a pool at my complex, but at this point you won't catch my festively plump self in a bathing suit in public. Maybe when I drop a few pounds I'll feel a little more confident. A gym membership is not in the budget, so I am just going to have to figure this out myself. On a related note, if anyone would like to donate a gym membership, I am not above taking handouts! (Totally kidding, not panhandling, here!)

* Watch Portions - I really need to pay attention to how much I eat. I can easily eat more than a grown man, and I usually do. I'm going to start serving my portions with more intent and sticking to that amount.

I won't be going crazy, because I am breastfeeding and I don't want to inhibit my supply in any way. This will be a matter of slow and steady!

Wish me luck! I can use all of the support and motivation I can get.