30 Day Shred

After Leyla was born, I think I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight and clothes, like, immediately. This time around, though, the weight has not come off. I gained more with Lucas and those extra pounds want to stick around! Everyone says I look good, but there's just one little problem: none of my clothes fit! I had one pair of maternity jeans that fit me and that was it.

My friend Amanda cut out sodas and has lost weight eating healthy and exercising. I am so proud of her! And she inspired me to exercise as well. She has been using Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred program, so I decided to look it up. I was impressed with the results I saw in several others, in photos. I decided to give it a try...

The program works like this: there are 3 levels of workouts that you do every day for 10 days each. Ten days of level one, then up to level 2 for another 10 days, then finally level three. When you finish, it's been 30 days. Each one includes a warm up and 3 circuits of 3 minutes strength training, 2 minutes cardio, and 1 minute abs, plus a cool down. It's the cardio that kills me. And that last 3 minutes of strength training that is the hardest. I am currently on DAY 15, half way through!! Proud of myself and a little surprised that I have been that disciplined. Haven't skipped a day! It is hard, especially since I am mostly sedentary - and especially since you aren't allowed a break. But, I have already started seeing results, so that motivates me to keep going.

I've lost 4 pounds just in the first 10-11 days. I haven't retaken my measurements, but the pants I borrowed from a friend of mine are already loose, and she loaned me several other (smaller!) sizes. They are a mix of sizes, mostly juniors, so I believe I am now between a size 6 and size 8. Also, at my doctor's appointment, my pulse was down to 72. That was very exciting, since my pulse has never been under 80-90.

So, in 15 days, hopefully, I'll fit into my jeans again. And I'll post my results.

Belly Dance

This post will have to come with a little bit of explanation.
As everyone knows who reads my blog or knows me, I had a c-section with Leyla almost exactly 2 years ago. And, after two years, I've been bitten by the baby bug again...
This time around I am determined to have a natural birth, what's called a VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section), and need to prepare my body if I want a successful one. Most labors end in c-sections for a failure to progress--the longer the labor, the higher the likelihood of fetal distress and uterine rupture. I need to go into labor on my own, naturally, and push a baby out with 2 pushes!! Soooo I have started exercising.
I started exercising 3 days ago, just doing core exercises since that's the area I need strong for childbirth. I've been doing crunches and planks, and since I took a belly dancing class a few years ago I thought I might as well practice up and throw that into the workout too. Today my abs are soooo sore....so I guess it's working!
I looked up more today and was excited to find this:

"Belly dance helps in preparing for childbirth: The movements of raks sharki make an excellent prenatal exercise regimen that strengthens the muscles used during the childbirth process. The toned abdominal muscles and natural hip tucks, which are similar to the "pelvic rocking" taught during prenatal classes, teach the expectant mother how to move her pelvis. For women who desire natural childbirth, this form of exercise through dance, with its emphasis on muscle control not only facilitates natural childbirth, but also makes an excellent post-natal exercise that helps encourage abdominal tone."

That means I DID have a great idea and it will do exactly what I want! Yay!

Here are a few videos Maria and I watched to practice. We also watched several Shakira videos last night...haha.