Body Back

So what is this class? Well, from what I understand it's Stroller Strides minus the stroller. It's a combo of high-intensity workouts, a Body Back meal plan (food journals), workout DVDs, and a kick-ass instructor who is sweet but firm. The small classes use cardio, strength and core .... Thursday night we did five sets—everything for a minute. (Motto: You can do anything for a minute. Me: Except mountain climbers.) Push-ups, planks, bicep curls, lunges. I suck at lunges. And push-ups. Maybe in eight weeks I won't be saying that. And after eating (a bit of) cotton candy and popcorn at the circus I need that food journal to hold me accountable. And I love that the DVD workouts are 20 minutes long. So, they can be done while baby(ies) sleep or are tethered to something. —JED

Hurts So Good

Yesterday I was feeling pretty good after our introductory class on Thursday night. But today the soreness set in. It's all coming back to me—tingles in muscles you forgot you had. And it feels good. It's fired me up for this session and I can't wait for the classes to start. When I exercise, I eat better, feel better, act better. It makes me feel so good and I am so excited to start that.

My c-section scar? I can't even see it because I've got a nice shelf of fat that covers it. I want that gone ... My face that looks like there might be an extra chin? I want that gone ... My belly that still looks slightly pregnant? I want it gone.

But as Kristin said I know it's not about the pounds ... but about the lifestyle change. (But losing weight will be an added bonus.)

Yesterday I was exhausted. Babies are still up every 3.5-four hours and I've hit my wall after 11 weeks. Thursday night when I got home I was revved up. I ate dinner, went on the computer, watched some TV, just when I was ready to sleep ... babies were back up. But I'm not going to keep putting off this class.

It felt so good to be outside, surrounded by all sorts of mommies, knowing everyone understands crying babies, husbands that work late, tiresome toddlers, balancing work and family, wanting some me time.  So finally I have some me time twice a week. The class is only an hour. I asked Kristin if I could tell Ron it was two hours. Hope he doesn't read this. —JED

Step 1: Admit Problem

My name is Janelle and I no longer have abdominal muscles. See, that's what happens when you have four babies in five years including twins. Since last July when we found out about the twins, I digested the info, ate, grew, and gave birth to my boys at 36 weeks this past January. 

My body has taken the brunt of three pregnancies—with each pregnancy my boobs and belly have sagged a little more. Add in nursing, some, umm heft to begin with, lack of time with kids to exercise ... and you have where I am now: unhappy at my body but proud that I had three successful pregnancies. But now that I am officially done with having babies (sad!) ... it's my turn. Time for me to wear the clothes I miss wearing (all those great Anthropologie dresses from my honeymoon), time for me to not hate going to the pool, time for me to have more energy so I can keep up with my kids. I just turned 35. I've given over my body the last five years to my babies and pregnancies and now it's my turn to take it back. 

That's why I am so excited about my Body Back boot camp. Over the next few weeks I am going to lay it all out here ... the good, the bad, the sweaty. This is going to be an honest look at what it's like for a normal person to try to loose weight by exercising and eating well, while also trying to juggle kids and life. I'm going to admit my failures (ice cream!) and successes (weight lose), schedule (20 minute workouts while babies sleep) and crying jags (usually between 12-6 AM). And eek, tell you all my measurements. Be kind. —JED