Shed 5 Fast Contest

After three years of marriage, my husband and I found out we were expecting our first child; a little girl. We were thrilled! Once the first trimester was over, it was evident I was pregnant. There was no hiding it. I definitely was showing. And as my pregnancy progressed, I um, blossomed. Ok, let’s face it. My stomach was huge. It didn’t take long for people to start commenting on the massiveness of my stomach. For the most part, I didn’t mind… as long as my little girl arrived safe and sound. And that she did. Our daughter, Alayna, was born six days late weighing in at 8lbs. 3oz.

That is when my journey really began. Yes, my journey as a mother began. It was wonderful. There were ups and downs, but it was and is the most amazing thing. But it was the journey to finding my body again that also began. I wish I could say that my idea of weight loss after birth was realistic, but it wasn’t. I had envisioned the weight practically melting off at a rapid pace and my body looking the same as what it had been before pregnancy. I mean, after all, I had those so-called “skinny” genes, right? WRONG!

Six weeks after Alayna was born I got the ok to exercise, which I did in fact start doing. (I was quickly realizing how far from good my body was looking.) My only problem was, what kind of exercising should I be doing? I had no idea. To be honest, other than clogging and the occasional off and on workout spells with my roommates in college, I hadn’t done much in the exercise department. It wasn’t something I enjoyed. I wasn’t accustomed to it.

So, I started from square one. I purchased some workout dvds (that I quickly found to be out of my league) and got started. Soon I found myself becoming frustrated, but I continued to work out. About 5 months after having Alayna, I convinced my understanding husband that I needed a treadmill and took up running. Which is exactly what I did. Running now has become my outlet and I surprisingly consider it to be an enjoyable hobby. But my body STILL wasn’t what I wanted it to be.

Months went by and I was still exercising daily. While some progress was being made, I felt like my body was nowhere near where it should be. A year after my daughter was born, I came across some of Lindsay Brin’s dvds. I was at my wit’s end and thought that the last thing I needed was another work out video. But then something in the product description caught my eye and I found myself instantly purchasing them. What? Workouts for moms?! This is what I needed. Someone who understood what my body had been through during pregnancy, and knew exactly what I needed to get it back. It wasn’t long after trying the dvds that I was hooked and purchased more. I LOVED them. They were short, sweet and to the point. I learned methods of working out that I never before known. As a novice exerciser, I was reassured when she took the time to explain exercises and the science behind them. I started to become confident of what I was doing.

Now, four months later I have used several of her dvds and just finished the Shed 5 fast dvd. While during the six weeks of the Shed Fast program, I did not lose any weight; I did lose an inch and a half on my waist! I still have work to do, but I finally have found enjoyable exercise that works for me. I feel great! I have muscles that I never had before and I am healthier and stronger than ever. For the first time in my life I feel like I am taking responsibility and control of my body. I am working out, making progress and I love it! Who would have thought?

1 Year Update

I started my exercising journey to get my body back almost two and half years ago (after my beautiful daughter was born). Close to her first birthday, I discovered Lindsay Brin. (Thank goodness!) and my exercising has never been the same. Fast forward a few more months and I found myself entering in the Shed 5 Contest. I completed the workout program and saw results. Exercising was going great and I enjoyed working out. Things were looking up or should I say things were looking slimmer. :) So, why is it that a year later I am entering the same contest? All I can say is: Life. Life handed me a few challenges. And that is where my story really begins. A few months after completing the Shed 5 fast program, I was feeling great. I still wasn't quite satisfied with where my body was at (I had a couple inches to shed around the waist), but I was working out daily and making it a habit. I was a healthier person. Things were going great. In August, my husband and I found out we were expecting and we couldn't have been happier. Eight weeks into my pregnancy I had a miscarriage. It took us by surprise. We leaned on each other and made it through. Little did we know the challenges weren't over. A couple months later, we were blessed to find out we were expecting again! We were a little more cautious this go around, but truth be told, we were still thrilled. Then 10 weeks into my pregnancy, I miscarried again. There were more complications this go time. Life was tough, but our faith carried us through. Once I felt up to it, I began working out again. My body had seen so many changes in the last few months, it needed to exercise. I had to work off those peanut butter m&ms that helped me drown my sorrows. Just a couple weeks later, Lindsay announced the Shed 5 Contest. I knew I had to do it. I truly have gained a love for exercising and this was perfect for my mind and body. While, my results are not astounding (1/4 inch around my waist) to the eye, internally the results are massive. I am back to exercising daily and really, I am back to being me.