DAY ELEVEN

Interesting change of plans today....(Yes, I did my workout!)

My husband is off from work today, and he told me that he wanted to workout with me today.  So, I put the video on level three in order to give him a good workout as well.  As always, Jillian delivered a butt-kicking workout.  I believe, at one time, even my husband said, "This woman is CRAZY!"  He also admitted that the workout was harder than he thought it would be, and he was proud that I have stuck with it each day.  Awwwww......  Thanks, hon .

My sister is still here, and she shot a picture of us (and our three-year-old daughter) working out with Jillian today. 

You know, level three is NO JOKE.  But,  I have to say that it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  There are definitely some killer spots in there, but I was expecting it to be WAY more difficult than level two...and to me, it wasn't that much worse.  I'm thinking that I will probably do a couple more days of level two, then do four or five days of level three, and then toggle between all of them (just to shake up the ol' muscle memory).

To be honest, I'm proud of myself for working out today at all.  My "little friend" showed up today.  Oh, how I hate her.  As all you women out there know, the LAST thing you want to do when she comes to visit is work out (atleast I don't).  I just want to sit on the couch and watch movies on the Lifetime channel while eating a chocolate doughnut.  Maybe that's just me.....

See you tomorrow!

DAY TEN

I have to say, I'm super proud of myself for not bailing on working out today.  My sister and brother-in-law are in town (from out-of-state), and I STILL made sure to work out.  My sister is pregnant, so I couldn't ask her to get her butt whooped with me.  She got to sit and watch me grunt and sputter. 

Made it through the workout, but I sure was glad when it was over.  Level two is no joke with the constant cardio!  Any good that I did today I think I cancelled out with supper tonight.  We went to Joe's Crab Shack, and I very well could have ingested my own body weight in drawn butter.  Whoops.

See you tomorrow!

DAY NINE

I did the workout super early this morning.  I got up at 5:15, and I thought it would be a good way to start my day.  As nice as it was to start out my day with something so healthy, I have to say that I'm not quite sure if I can do that without yet having my morning coffee.  I truly believe that there is a caffeine minimum required to deal with skinny, toned women with that much energy.  I do have to admit, though, that I was feeling much better--and much more energized--by the time the workout was over.  

Not really much to write today.  I can definitely tell that there is an increase in my endurance and energy.   It's nice to NOT feel like my heart is going to explode at any moment!  Baby steps, people!  I'm getting there!

See you tomorrow!

DAY EIGHT

Okee dokee.......My daily shredding has been completed.

I definitely feel better today than yesterday.  I don't allow myself to stop any of the workouts EVER.  If my body starts feeling overwhelmed, I just start following the modified verson of the movement until I can get back up to "Natalie mode".  In true "mom" fashion, I was THIS CLOSE to snapping my ankle in half after tripping on one of my daughter's puzzle pieces during a jumping jack.  Thanks, Ava.

You know, I have to admit--doing this program, and doing it diligently, has really made me excited about exercising again.  Trust me, it's been a LONG time since that has happened.  I got pregnant for the first time over four years ago, and although that pregnancy ended in a miscarriage, I was pregnant with my daughter soon after that.  After I was done nursing Ava, I'll be honest, I had ZERO desire to work out because I knew that we were going to be trying for baby #2 within a year or so.  So, I really didn't try too hard to get my body back into shape.  I know that is not the best mentality to have, but it was mine.  I just had too hard of a time finding motivation to whip my body back into shape when I knew that I was going to blow it out again in just a matter of months...which--sure enough--I did when I got pregnant with my son.

But, we know that we are done having children now.....so no more excuses, Kristi.  Time to see what I'm made of.  Again, I have to admit.....it feels kindof great....  :-)

DAY SEVEN

Today was tough for me!  I thought it would be because--doing level two for the first time yesterday--I knew I would be really sore again.  Level two definitely engages a whole new set of muscles! 

Not too much to write for this entry.  I did pretty much exactly what I did yesterday....sometimes followed Anita, and sometimes, Natalie.  After that, I mopped my floors....look at that, more cardio and arm workouts.  I'm so tough--like a gladiator, really.  I'll be ripping doors off the hinges in no time.

(wink)  See you tomorrow.  Roar.

DAY SIX

Wow....I started level two today.

I miss you already, level one....please come back.....

I was feeling confident over the past couple of days.  I was able to wake up in the morning and NOT have to avoid peeing as long as possible just so that I didn't have use my leg muscles to sit down on the toilet.  I have a feeling that I am going to be reminded of that sensation tomorrow.  I don't even want to talk about the fact that level three is coming in a week.  Tears will flow......

I kindof ping-ponged back and forth between Natalie and Anita today.  In some areas, I was able to stick with Natalie, but there were definitely moments where I was staring at Anita like she was a piece of chocolate cake (Mainly because she was doing the easier version of the exercise, but also because I really would like a piece of chocolate cake.  Argh.)

You know what I do like?  I like that I am more flexible than Jillian.  That woman is NOT flexible at all during the warm-down (and she admits it), so I like knowing that there is something that I can do better than she can.  Of course, I only admit this on my blog....many miles away from Miss Michaels....because I know that she could beat me until I was nothing but a twitching little stain on the floor.

I was proud of the fact that I worked out today.  My husband was home from work today, and he and my daughter went swimming in the back yard.  I actually stayed inside to work out.  That's dedication, people.....or sheer terror about having to be in a swimsuit in 23 days.

Speaking of swimsuit terrors, let me tell you about my experience yesterday.  My husband and I decided to go shopping for the Caribbean trip--new clothes and everything.  I don't know WHAT IN THE WORLD I was thinking, but I actually grabbed a two-piece to take into the dressing room with me.  Don't ask me why. 
For goodness sakes, I JUST took those "before" pictures FIVE DAYS AGO.  On what planet did I think that my body was going to be in a different state from then?  I'm so stupid sometimes.  I know that there is a very good chance that my days of the bikini are over, but I think that I got so excited about working out again....I was feeling really good and energized, etc....and I completely lost touch with reality.  I was finally at that point where I feeling really good about how I was looking in my clothes again (Trust me, it's been over four years since that has happened because I have pretty much either been pregnant or nursing), and I just got swept away in that excitement, I guess.  Needless to say, I put that suit on and lost it.  My eyes got all teary in the store....and then I cried the entire way home.  Ridiculous.  That was about the dumbest thing I've ever done--It was WAY too soon, and I know better.  Now it feels like I took about ten steps back in the ol' self esteem department.  I totally understand that there is a good reason to have the big change in my body--two kids in three years (and you saw on my first post how big my belly got each time) will do that to you.  But, no matter how logical and understandable that it is, it doesn't make it any easier to see staring back at you when your body--as you knew it--looked like a totally different person only five short years ago.  It still stings...even if it makes "sense" as to why the change has taken place.  Yes....I have two beautiful children, and I love them more fiercely than I ever thought possible.  I wouldn't change a thing.  This is not about that.  I know that I will never have my pre-baby figure back.  I don't have an unattainable goal here.  I simply want to remember what it feels like to feel good about how my body looks again.  I don't think there is anything wrong with that; I'm willing to fight for it, and--at the very least--know that I tried everything possible to get there.

Oh well....if anything, I am that much more committed NOT to drop a single day of this workout program. Even though level two is definitely a step up in difficulty, I just kept reminding myself of the reflection in that dressing room mirror.


Enough with my dramatic pity party.   On to day seven.  See you tomorrow.

DAY FIVE

Hmmmmmmm.  Today was interesting.

I didn't feel nearly as good today as yesterday.  But, there could be a couple of explanations for that.  For one, I ate a pretty heavy breakfast with my family this morning, and secondly, I had a couple of stiff drinks last night while my husband and I were watching our team play in the NBA finals.  Whoops.

I did complete the entire workout, and I followed Natalie (the more advanced girl) for every single move EXCEPT the pushups.  I tried....I did the first set the "real" way, and it quickly became apparent that I was not getting nearly the benefit of the pushup as I was on my knees because I simply couldn't keep the correct form yet.  I know--lame--but I'm working on it.  I just noticed that (doing the "real" pushup) I was sticking my butt up in the air...which is a no no.  I figure that I should stick with the knees version for now if it is what guarantees me the correct form.  As my arms get stronger, I'll transition over when I feel like I can.

I think that I am going to move to level two tomorrow!  Yikes.....we'll see how it goes!  Also, I may be doing some St. Maarten shopping with my husband today.  If I have to start looking at swimsuits, I'm sure that will give me all the motivation that I need to keep going....gulp.....

See you tomorrow!

DAY FOUR

The handweights have been found!  Waaaaaaaay more convenient!

You know, I have to say that today felt much better!  I felt strong throughout, and I was able to squat down further and do better pushups (still on my knees, though).  I even followed Natalie instead of  Anita on some of the moves.  I also noticed that I wasn't nearly as sore as I was yesterday.  Good sign, right?  The muscles are getting stronger!

Because of this, I think that--tomorrow--I will still stay on level one, but I'm going to follow Natalie on every move.  Full on pushups, here I come!

I feel really good about today.  I'm staying on track....and I even have a wicked head cold right now. 

As far as my diet, I followed the Weight Watcher Points Program until I got down to my goal weight.  Now that I'm there, I am a bit more relaxed about my diet, but I get back on it if I start picking up pounds again.  I tend to be a pretty healthy eater anyway, so I'm just continuing to pay attention to eating good and balanced meals. 

See you tomorrow!

DAY THREE

Okay--Just finished day three.

Notes from today:

• My legs felt stronger in the fact that I could squat down further than previous days.
• My arms actually felt weaker.  I had a tough time with a lot of the weighted arm exercises.  But, my arms have always been ridiculously weaker than my legs, so I'm not surprised that they are in shock today.  I made sure not to quit any of the exercises, but it was painful today for sure!
• I still find it comical how horrible I am at pushups.  I am doing the modified (on the knees) version, and I'm still shaking all the way back up.  Pathetic.
• My daughter started out with me, but she stopped halfway through.  Small victories, Kristi....you beat a three-year-old.  Go me.

Time to hit the shower.  I'm a sweaty mess, and I'm sure that my son is going to wake up from his nap any minute.  See you tomorrow!

DAY TWO

Okay....I have to say that I am proud of myself for doing the workout today.  Not only are my muscles so sore that they feel like they are going to fall off of the bone, but I also woke up with a head cold.

Awesome.

I was amazed, last night, at how much heavier my dishes seemed as I pulled them out of my dishwasher.  When I noticed that my trash can needed to have a new bag put it, I was devastated because I knew that it meant that I had to bend over to put it in, and I wasn't quite sure if I'd be able to get back up again..  I am so, so very lame.....

On to today....

I still couldn't find my hand weights (and I KNOW that they are in this house somewhere....so frustrating), and I used one of the yesterday's cans of spaghetti for dinner last night, so I ended up using the remaining 26-ounce can of spaghetti sauce in my right hand, and a 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes in the other.  What am I explaining all of this?  Hmmmmmmm......I guess to show that ANYONE can do this if they commit to it.....even a mom of a three-year-old, a one-year-old, and cans from the pantry.  It just takes a little imagination!  Also, if you find that my right arm is visibly buffer than my left at the end of the week, it apparently is credited to two ounces of crushed tomatoes.  :-)

The hardest part of today's workout (due to the sore muscles) was acutally the transitioning between the standing workouts and the floor work--I would actually have to grab hold of the ottoman just to hoist myself back up to a standing position.  Pretty sad.  But, I have to admit, the sore muscles felt better after today's workout. 

My three year old "worked out" next to me today (Again....you make it work if need be--hee hee).  For her handweights, she used her play kitchen cell phone in one hand and a toy plastic pitcher in the other.  Hilarious!   I asked her if she wanted to exercise with mommy every day, and she said, "Yes....but can we do it again and again today?"

Uh......no.

See you tomorrow!

DAY ONE

Okay....so I just finished DAY ONE.  Here are some notes:

1.  I didn't have any hand weights that I could find, so I totally used two large cans of speghetti sauce.  Two pounds each, but pretty awkward.  I'll have to get some handweights by tomorrow.

2.  I obviously did Level One today.  Behind Jillian are two equally skinny and toned women.  The woman on the left, Natalie, is the one you watch if you are already in great shape and want to step it up a notch.  The woman on the right, Anita, is the girl doing the wussy modified version of each workout.  Needless to say, Anita is my girl for now!  Gotta start somewhere, right?

3.  When Jillian said, "Put your hands on your hips", it means (to me), "Put your hands on the fleshy overhang of your muffin top...right above your dimply butt and directly below that back fat that your bra pushes down." 

4.  I learned that the punching portion of the workout was easier for me to do when I was pretending to punch her in the face for doing this to me.  Sorry, Jillian--I'm sure that I'm going to love you in a month, but for now, you are just going to have to deal with the anger and wrath of a horribly out-of-shape woman on a time crunch. 

5.  Surprisingly enough, I actually got through the first day without having to stop.  I can definitely tell, though, that I'm going to be sore tomorrow.  My knees are super sore, and my legs are REALLY wobbly! 

Well, I guess I'll use these spaghetti sauce cans to make some pasta tonight.  If I don't have any noodles....I'll just use my legs. 

See you tomorrow!

Here we go!

Hello, world....

Let's get down to business, shall we?  My name is Kristi, and I am on a mission....

My husband and I are going to St. Maarten in 28 days.  It's going to be great....sun, fun, swimsuits.  Oh crap....swimsuits. 

Quick update on why this bothers me so:  I am 33 years old, and I have had two children in the past three years.  Needless to say, my body has been stretched to its limit in more ways than one.

Yep....that was me....TWICE in the past three years.....OUCH....

As you can see by the above picture, my stomach was blown beyond repair in some ways, I'm sure.  I was blessed enough to not get any stretch marks, but the skin is pretty flacid and dimply due to the amount it was stretched out.  I'm sure that I'm not going to get my tight tummy back in that area, but if I could deal with the fat and muscle underneath, I'll take it!  Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky, and it will help tone up my skin a bit as well.  If I get to the point where it doesn't look like bread dough after you stick your fingers in it, that will be a good day.

I have heard a lot of good things about Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred video. I heard that it was a great video for people who don't have a lot of weight to lose (I don't....I'm actually back to my pre-pregnancy weight) but they have a lot of work to do in the ol' "toning up" department. Uh....that would be me. Even though I am at my pre-preggo weight, I have this RIDICULOUSLY fatty belly, complete with love handles and muffin top. If I don't suck in, I still look three months pregnant.  It's insane.

Anyway, I wanted to do this blog to make myself accountable.  I WILL POST--EVERY DAY--EVEN IF I SCREW UP OR BLOW OFF WORKING OUT.  I'm hoping, though, that I will make it work and not do that.  Even if noboday reads this but me, it will help me stay on track.

I don't have 30 days until I leave, but I do have 28.  I'll just have to make that work!  I'm starting today.  No going back.  Operation Baby Blubber Blastoff commences now.....

Let me introduce you to Jillian Michaels....the woman behind this workout video:

Are you kidding me right now?  I have never hated a woman--yet wanted to be her--so much in my entire life.....  PLEASE GOD, tell me that there is some airbrushing involved here.  Actually, forget that.....tell me that this video is going to do that to me.  And Jillian....quit laughing at me.

Now...for the hard part.....

Here are the before pictures.  I thought it was already an excrutiating task to post these pictures....but now to have to post them after that picture of Miss Michaels makes me want to stick my head in the oven.  Anyway, I digress.  Here they are:

FRONT VIEW--DAY ONE

SIDE VIEW (this pic is the one that shows the gut problem the most--BLEH)--DAY ONE

BACK VIEW--DAY ONE

As you can see--primarily by the side view shot, my stomach is still flabby and untoned.   My side "flank" area is a bit of a "muffin top", and I'm even sporting some back fat.  Fantastic.

Also, you can see that--overall--I'm not overweight.  My pound amount is where I want it to be.  I just need to fix my core area that was so damaged over the past three years.  According to reviews of this program, it is exactly what I need. 

So......here we go, people.  Feel free to follow along with me and comment if you'd like.  After posting these pics, I think I'm past the point of embarrassment.  I just keep telling myself that I'm doing something good for my health and my self-image.  It's going to take some work, and accountability, but I'm willing to go all out to make it happen.

I hope that this blog will speak to people out there who think that they don't have the time or ability to do this.  Trust me, if I can do this--you can do this.  I have a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son who pretty much hang on me at all times.  We are also having some health concerns with my son and, therefore, I am constantly traveling for or taking part in tests, therapy sessions, etc.   I am also in graduate school getting my master's degree.  TRUST ME....TIME is something that is in very short supply in my life right now.  I am just determined to make this happen and stop making excuses for why I keep putting it off.  I'm going to be busy for many years to come.  So, I have the choice to continue using that as a reason not to do this (yes, it is a good reason, but it is one that we have to fight through), or I can just suck it up and get it done.

I'm ready to feel good about my body again.  I know that I'll never have the tight, toned belly that I had before I had my babies, but I CAN get to the point where I know that I've done everything that I can to get as close as my body physically can.

It's on.  Let's do this.