Body Back- 8 weeks that changed my life...

Before

                                                                               After

Wow... 8 weeks. It sounded like an eternity when I first thought about it. In reality, it flew by so incredibly fast!!! When I first began the Body Back program I thought, 'How am I going to be able to handle TWO workouts a day?' 'There is no way I am going to succeed with the meal plan!' I am proud to say that despite my insecurities about having a successful BB session, I am so happy with my results! More than anything, Body Back made me realize that I have a great support system, not just in my family, but also the women going through this journey with me. Every time I thought I couldn't do one more push up, or run any further, there was a voice in my ear saying "Come on mama, you got this!" or "Let's do five more reps, count with me!", and that is an incredible feeling to know that we were all there for each other. In the beginning I was only expecting BB to be about the weight loss and strength gain- I had no idea it was going to be such an emotional experience, and I feel like I have an unbreakable bond with these strong women now, and while the inches lost are amazing, the friendships are even better.
As for the physical results, I was shocked at how much of a change I actually made. I lost a total of 8.4 lbs, lost inches (yes, plural- inches) from my chest and waist (I forgot the exact numbers... but it was around 2 inches) I improved by at least a minute on all of the 'endurance' tests like push ups, high knees, etc. But the icing on the cake (just a figure of speech, there is no cake on the BB menu ;) ) was my 11 minute plank. That was an experience I will NEVER forget!!! My previous time was 2:12, so that was a huge improvement! Overall, I feel better about the way I look, I have WAY more energy, I am able to workout harder, I feel stronger and I LOVE IT!!!!
I took this program seriously, because I wanted to see how far and hard I could push myself. I thought that after 8 weeks, I would be tired of the two workouts and thinking about if I was 'proud' about what I was eating, and I would go back to my old lifestyle. I surprised myself because I am still thinking about what to do for workout #2 and I am actually not craving junk food. This was a lifestyle change, intentional or not- I wouldn't change these new habits now, I feel too good. I loved this program- it changed my life. I thought I was doomed to have a post baby body forever, and that was that. Now I see what I am capable of, how strong I can be and the changes I can make for the better. I am sure that the people around me think that I am obsessed with BB, but it is just that phenomenal. It was a challenge that I needed, and I enjoyed every travelling class, push up, shoulder press, kick boxing with 10lb weights, minute of it.

Body Back Week 1: Embrace

I spent most of the time on the way home from Body Back tonight with the windows down, just reflecting on the hour workout that I had just finished, and the weigh in at the beginning of the night. From last Wednesday, to tonight- I lost 5 pounds. FIVE POUNDS in one week!!!! Needless to say, my mind is blown. I spent most of this past week struggling, to put it mildly. Two workouts a day were killer and I felt hungry all of the time. Despite my struggle, I pushed through it because this journey is what I set my mind on. That's just the way I am, that's what I have always done, if I have a goal I go at it full force. Nerdy, I know. The success that I have had this week has just made me want to push harder and go further, which also amazes me because I am sore, and tired... I am happy with my first week, and I am embracing it.

Which brings me to why I am calling this week "Embrace". Tonight Kelly spoke about not rushing through this time and to really enjoy it. Not just Body Back, but watching our kids grow and all the milestones they hit. So, after she played the song I will refer to as "Make all the Moms cry, track 1", I really got to thinking about what I embrace in my life- and truth be told, I could do a lot more embracing. I tend to feel rushed quite a bit throughout the day, and poor Degan usually takes the brunt of it. He is such an amazing little boy and there are no words to describe how appreciative I am that I do get to spend as much time as I do with him, so I need to embrace it- because it won't last forever. Then I thought 'Why am I rushing through the rest of my life?' I love my life! I love my family! Why am I trying to race through it? And tonight I came to the realization that maybe it's ok not to have everything "done" all day everyday and maybe use some of that time to stop and smell the roses.

Then my thoughts turned to what I embrace about myself. And usually when you are on the bottom of the totem pole, spending most hours of the day doing for others- it's easy to forget to embrace something about 'me' once in a while. This week, that is what Body Back is about for me- having this time to enjoy this journey and just to be able to revel in these moments. I am extatic about my weight loss, but I am even happier to even get this opportunity- so I will embrace it.

What I would send myself if my body could recieve mail

Dear "Post-Baby" Body,

We have been together now for a long 16 months and one day, which is 16 months too long for my liking. I knew that you would change after having a child (one of the funniest and most beautiful children, at that)- but I never knew it would be so hard to get back to where I was in March of 2009. We have gone through quite a bit together: breast feeding (if only for a short while), stretch marks, injuries. But you have also taken me through many 5k's, stroller strides workouts, and the strength to take care of my son. So, while you have changed, I am lucky to have a healthy body that allows me to do all of these things.

Yet, I do have to tell you that times, they are a-changin' and starting tomorrow, you and I are on the beginning of another journey, another change. The next 8 weeks are "Body Back" weeks, and I want to see a huge change! We are in this together, post-baby body, and we will push ourselves to the limit- no matter how much it hurts.

While the past months have been a love-hate relationship, I will say that I am going to be glad to see you go. I am looking forward to a stronger and leaner body- and living with you has made me so ready and so anxious to put in all the hard work to get there. Goodbye post-baby body, I won't be missing you!

Love,
Me

Hooray for Blogs!

I have been contemplating the whole 'blog' thing for a while now, and here I am, finally doing it! I took this semester off of school (a much needed break!) and I guess my writing was put on the back burner also. I have always been fond of writing, but as of late, the only writing I was doing was for academic purposes only- and that really isn't my first choice... at all.
Having a venue to share my thoughts and experiences sounds like it could do me a world of good. My life has gone from independent 20-something to stay-at-home-mom in the blink of an eye, and not only has becoming a mom changed my life for the better- it's been a whrilwind of emotion and experiences. I cherish these emotions and experiences- because I know that these moments are fleeting, and how fun to get to chronicle them to eventually look back on.
This week is one of transition. A transfer to a university and an upcoming personal fitness challenge (body back, and trust me, that's not the last time I will mention that!) I recieved my AA from GCC last semester and I am off to ASU to finish my BS in psychology. I have been getting all of my ducks in a row since summer sessions are fast approaching, and call me crazy, but I miss school. I probably won't be saying that when I am knee deep in papers and homework assignments- but I have been told that no one has ever been killed by homework. Next Wednesday also marks my 8 week body back journey. I am a member of a mommy and me fitness group called Stroller Strides and Body Back is a supplemental program that is offered. I am excited, and nervous- but mostly nervous. I have never pushed myself to do something like this so not only is it a physical challenge, but a mental one too.
Since transiton is the word of the week- I thought that blogging would fit in nicely. I am so happy to have started this, and glad to be back to writing!