I never ever expected to be writing a blog post like this. I keep checking the skies to see if there are some pigs flying up there!
Growing up I had issues with nervous sweat. I actually ended up using prescription deodorant to stop it from happening. I would sweat all the time and always worried about sweat showing on my clothes (I even perfected the “lick test” when shopping. Yup, I’d lick a little spot on a top to see if it’d show sweat or not!). I was never much of an athletic child anyway but the sweating issues made me loathe sweating. Since I can’t smell (What Emily? You can’t smell? Read about it here!) I ALWAYS worry about body odor. I mean I don’t really understand how all that kind of stuff works and the last thing I want to do is smell bad and not even know it!!!
All of those factors combined have created a girl who has NEVER worked out. The ONLY time in my LIFE that I have had any kind of workout routine was when I was engaged. I ran on the treadmill and pretty much starved myself to look my best on my wedding day. When Kye was born I’d go walking around the neighborhood pushing him in the stroller but that’s not really legit.
That is about to change!!! (I seriously can’t believe I’m saying this!)
I ALWAYS said that I would work out for my wedding day and for my 10 year high school reunion. Well. The reunion is in August. So if I plan to meet my goal, I’d better get at it 😉
Honestly though, the reunion isn’t even that motivating. I could find a decent outfit to hide my flawed areas and I’d be okay. I need more motivation than that!
I am a big Pinterest fan and I KEEP seeing this image. Over and over and over. I refuse to “repin” it but it’s there. Again and again. A gentle reminder that it doesn’t take that long to see a change. Hello even 12 weeks is like nothing!
No matter how much I try to ignore it this quote keeps popping back up in my mind. Then I met with my pre-op dr and he went on a super long rant about how he gets up every morning and works out. Not because he likes it or because of how it makes him look but because he cannot in good faith tell his patients they need to take care of their bodies and not take care of his own. That struck a cord with me. I want my KIDS to be healthy. To live long lives. I can’t expect them to have active lifestyles if I don’t too! I gotta practice what I preach, right?
Then I read THIS POST by my friend Danielle E. While I’m NOT wanting to have some 6 pack or something I do want to be HEALTHY thin and not just LOOK-GOOD thin. I am not super skinny or anything now, by any means, but I’m “good enough.” I can find flattering clothing pretty easily and feel confident in how I look. But if I’m never working out then how healthy can I be? Kinda scary to think about it!
So. I have a plan. I am going to get my stitches out tomorrow and plan to talk to my foot dr about what I’m allowed to do as far as exercise goes. Assuming I get the okay I plan to use my elliptical and swim for cardio. The thing I REALLY REALLY need your help with is this:
I want exercises that will SPECIFICALLY target my areas that I want to feel more confident about. I own the Can You 24 Dvd series from Advocare and I think it’s awesome. However, if I’m going to devote 12 legit weeks to something I KNOW myself. I need it to be TARGETED at a certain area so I can SEE results in that area. I know my thighs have some jiggle but I don’t mind that one bit. I don’t really care about having a nicer butt? Who cares what my back looks like since I never see it! I know if I get in this routine and work to target the areas I DO care about then I will stick with it. I know as I see results in those areas I’m sure I’ll want to focus in on other areas too or start to do a broad type workout like the Can You 24 Dvd. But I gotta start small and simple in order to get this ball rolling 🙂
I own:
- hand weights (I think I have 5, 10, and maybe one that’s higher lbs? 20 maybe?)
- exercise ball (one of those big ones…I used it for my Bradley Childbirth exercises)
My Goal:
- THINNER arms (don’t care about them looking muscular or anything like that…I just wanna get rid of the flab or at least lessen it)
- Goodbye “Tire Tummy” (Baby Pooch + Love Handles = Tire Tummy)
I Need:
- Workout suggestions to only hit those target areas. (Again, I’ve NEVER done stuff like this so I need a LOT of direction. I don’t know what a “bicep” is let alone how to “curl” it)
- Quick, small workouts
- Things I can do AT HOME
- Something that doesn’t require me to spend ANY money
I have no clue if any of you can help or if you have ANY tips but I’d REALLY appreciate it. I’ve been finding sooooo many ideas all over the internet that it’s hard to pick a plan to start with! Everything promises to give me “leaner arms” or a “flatter tummy” but I would LOVE to hear from REAL PEOPLE what REALLY works! Again, if it’s gonna take 12 weeks I wanna make sure it’s legit stuff I’m doing and not just a time waster 😉
Also I CANNOT think about the fact that I’m not done having kids. B/c that makes me unmotivated to do this. Why bother when I’m gonna be getting pregnant (Lord willing of course!) again eventually anyway, right? Wrong. I NEED to do this…and heck having nicer arms can be something I enjoy even while pregnant and I know a better tummy prior to pregnancy would also mean a better one after!
I’m currently on Day 3 of my 3rd round of the 24 Day Challenge and I think it’s a GREAT time to start this little adventure of mine! I know my body is getting what it needs for nutrition, now I just gotta add in the exercise part and I’ll be good to go 🙂 I promise to give an update when my 12 weeks are up! Let’s see if this whole Pinterest quote that keeps whispering in my ear is legit 😉
There aren’t any pigs hanging around in the clouds, huh? I guess maybe deep down I always knew this day would come. It’s time for me to grow up and take proper care of ME!
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Jillian Michaels "30 Day Shred" – You can do it at home. It's only 20 minutes. It's tough, but you just do as much as you can and move to the next level when it gets "easier."
good for you!! if anyone can put their mind to it, you can! you'll probably end up loving it and never look back. i can't wait until after this baby to be active again! i have not been so much this time.
Awesome! So excited for you! I think the biggest lesson I have learned are "target" exercises don't work for me. I have to target my body. It has to let go in all areas to truly look and feel different. I did Jamie Eason's LiveFit (on bodybuilding.com) and she had exercises for those that didnt attend a gym, so it's worth looking into! 🙂
Definitely yes to 30 Day Shred. I'vee had great results with it and it's a short workout. You get cardio, abs, and strength.
Yay!!! So glad I could help you out! 🙂 I am with everyone else on the Jilian Michaels, I have the 30 day shred and LOVE it! Also, the #1 most important thing to remember is what Dana said – you CAN NOT target weight loss, it doesn't work that way. I bought the 30 day shred off Amazon last year and I think it cost under $10 with shipping (cant beat that deal). It's a great DVD and you can progress through the levels when you are ready, not at the instructors pace. I know you just wrote a blog about offering help, BUT if you have any questions seriously (text) message me, I don't want to push any info onto you unless asked 🙂 Good luck!
30 Day Shred is great – also really good if you're needing to workout quickly. I also love Debbie Siebers' Slim in 6. The first introductory workout is 25 minutes and, really, you can stay with that one for as long as you want. I use these videos in addition to running and really enjoy it!
Incredible! This blog looks just like my old one!It's on a totally different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Wonderful choice of colors!Look into my web site … http://spoken-tutorial.org
Go to http://www.dailyhiit.com yes there are two I's in hiit. there are different routines every day an it is free and short! my mom and friends and I have all seen amazing results. also, I found your blog through some link a friend of mine posted about nursing while on advocare and I enjoy reading it, thanks!
I did the 30 Day Shred as well and it's awesome 🙂 and the best, you can do it again and don't need new stuff… You don't even have to buy barbells, I used water bottles… 🙂 and on Youtube there are many many good information and sequences with super advice 🙂