Shed 5 Fast Contest Winner

I would like to start my Shed 5 Fast story by telling you a little about myself. I am 35 years old, live with my wonderful husband and six children. Our children range in age from 19 years old down to 19 months old. All six of my children were delivered by c-section. I have also had a tubal reversal and a hysterectomy for a total of eight abdominal surgeries. After my last baby was born, I had a total of thirty pounds to lose.  I did not start an exercise program for several months because of problems with my uterus which led to a hysterectomy.

In February of 2009, I was given the go ahead from my doctor after my hysterectomy to begin exercising. I started out doing Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred DVD. Then, I moved on to Chalene Johnson’s Chalean Extreme program. I completed the 90 days, took a 30 day break, and then started the 90 day program again. I lost thirty pounds in a seven month period and gained lots of lean muscle. I felt really good about the way my body was changing back to pre-pregnancy condition. In fact, I was in better shape than before I had my kids. The only part of my body that didn’t really change much was my belly. I still looked like I was 5 months pregnant. I have to tell you after nineteen years of bearing children, I did not want to look pregnant anymore. I remember getting online to order a pair of jeans and going to the size chart because I had not ordered from that particular company in the past. My hips and thighs were a size 6 on their charts and my belly was a size 13/14. I was at my pre-pregnancy weight but did not have my pre-pregnancy shape back. It was very discouraging to me.

In October of 2009, I went in for my annual exam and my doctor said she would like me to consult with a plastic surgeon to at least consider options for fixing my bulging belly. I made an appointment and visited with the plastic surgeon in November 2009. I told her about all the abdominal exercises I had done over the year and she told me no amount of exercise would fix the bulge in my stomach. She told me I had a three finger width separation in my abdominal wall and needed a tummy tuck to correct it. She showed me pictures of women who had been through the surgery and wrote up a report to send off to our insurance company with hopes they would pay for the procedure.

I was very discouraged and disheartened by the thought of having yet another surgery. The incision site for a tummy tuck is even bigger than a c-section and the pain and recovery is at least that of a c-section. I really did not want to go through that again but I also did not want to look pregnant for the rest of my life. I really doubted that all my getting up before the sun and sweating it out in the basement was worth it. From November to January, I quit exercising and eating right and promptly put on 10 pounds. I was defeated mentally.

In early January of this year, I started researching diastisis recti on the internet and came across Lindsay Brin and Moms Into Fitness. I read through all the information offered on the site and looked through the DVD titles and descriptions. I decided that a doubtful try was better than giving up any old day. I read on the Moms Into Fitness site about the Shed 5 Fast contest and knew it was just what I needed to get my head back in the game. I told my husband that I was not going to go ahead with the surgery even if the insurance decided to pay. I told him about the contest and my desire to be in one of Lindsay’s upcoming videos. He was his usual supportive, encouraging self and told me to go for it.

I started out for the first 2 weeks doing the Boot Camp 2 DVD. I jumped straight into some pretty difficult programs after the pregnancy and really never strengthened or conditioned some of the areas of the body affected by a pregnancy. So, I decided to start with the Bootcamp DVD to work on those areas. I also did the CFS Method level 1 for the first 2 weeks and really focused on finding my pelvic floor and my transverse abs. I started trying to focus on keeping the abs pulled in tight as I went through my daily activities. My core felt fatigued after only minutes of doing this. It was simply amazing to me that I had done crunches, planks, and other abdominal work for a solid year and yet this simple action of activating the core and keeping the belly button pulled toward the spine could fatigue me so quickly.

In weeks 3 and 4, I did the Shed 5 Fast workout 1 and CFS Method level 2 on days 1, 3, and 5. I did the Core Metabolic Jumpstart on days 2 and 4. I also threw in the Dance Jam DVD just for fun here and there. Weeks 3 and 4 were when I really started to notice my waistline getting smaller. Yes, it was getting smaller! I also began to take off some of those 10 pounds I had put on in a short two months time.

In weeks 5 and 6, I did the Shed 5 Fast workout 2 and CFS Method level 3 on days 1,3, and 5. I moved back down to level 2 in the CFS Method because I have not mastered some of the moves in level 2 and was unable to do some of the work in level 3. I continued with the Core Metabolic Jumpstart on days 2 and 4. I know this is a Shed 5 Fast story and contest but I must confess my favorite workout is the Core Metabolic Jumpstart. I wish every Mom I know could own this DVD. I think it would be a great baby shower gift for new Moms.  I enjoyed the Shed 5 Fast DVD so much because it is a tough workout in a short amount of time.  I am not able to spend an hour each morning working out so this fit into my schedule perfectly.  I knew each time I was burning tons of calories and every move incorporated my core.

Whether I win this contest or not, I am so thankful for your hard work and commitment to helping Moms get back into shape after pregnancy. I cannot even tell you how much the core emphasis in every move in all your workouts has helped me. After only 6 weeks, my core is stronger than it has been in years. I was able to shed a lot more than 5 pounds with the Shed 5 Fast DVD and proper nutrition.  I have lost inches off my waistline in only 6 weeks.  I am so excited to see what I can achieve in another couple months with your workouts.  I believe many tummy tuck surgeries could be avoided with this program.  I am planning to continue on with the Shed 5 Fast, the CFS Method, and the Core Metabolic Jumpstart DVDs. The good news is, I believe that it is possible to have a flat stomach and strong core again. I have listed my before and after stats below.  Thank you again, Lindsay, and Moms Into Fitness.  It has been a great journey. I would love the challenge of winning the Shed 5 Fast contest and being in an upcoming video with you. I am watching your “getting my body back” blog and wish you the best in your journey.

3 Week Update

*Moms Into Fitness recommends doing toning on days 1, 3, 5 and cardio on days 2, 4 and 6.