OK, I get it! I'm overweight!

     I'm not oblivious, I know the obvious truth, and I also realize that because of a recent pregnancy not only is it unavoidable, but the fat is also centered around my belly. But, do not ask me "When is the baby due!"  Sunday morning while at work at Williams Sonoma a long time customer approached me, patted me on the belly and said," Oh Boy! Another?" In that awkward moment I just smiled and replied, "Actually, I just had him...about a month ago."  In reality it has been two months, but I did not want to reveal how crushed I was by this comment.  Saying one month gave me a better excuse.
    I don't know if it is because this is number two, or if because I am almost 33, or because I am sleep deprived and still recovering from a mastitis infection - but the weight is not coming off!  I taught 3-4 aerobics classes a week during my entire pregnancy and returned to the gym after only four weeks hoping that the weight would just start falling off.  With my first pregnancy, I was down 15 pounds the day I got home from the hospital and down another 10 after the first two weeks. Not the case this time.  I was only down 8 pounds after the hospital and only down 5 more pounds the first week. Then, I did not lose a single pound for the next month.  On Rex's one month birthday I resolved to get more serious. Apparently I am actually going to have to work at this. :(
     As a fitness professional I have always stayed active and have been in shape.  I also have always eaten pretty healthy. Minus my love for sweets, I am a great eater. But, this is a new world with new parameters. Starting at one month:

• I have to watch the sweets and carbs
• In addition to the three-four workouts I'm already doing per week, I am embracing Tabata.
• I am blogging about it so that I feel responsible for my results.  I feel like the world is watching and expecting to see results. Pressure! I need it. 

Tabata is a Japanese created workout plan where you exercise at a very high intensity for 20 secs. with a 10 sec. recovery for 8 repetitions.  This creates a 4 minute fat burning workout. After researching P90X and Intensity and learning that I can't afford to buy either program, they both incorporate this high intensity interval workout combing fat burning cardio with toning.  With all my experience and training, I'm smart enough to know how to do it and honest enough to admit I've never done it. Even in my cycling classes, although fun and challenging, I never get to the intensity that Tabata requires. I have seen many workouts "pinned" on Pintrest lauding a new 4 minute workout. That is not enough! I believe that these 4 minute workouts must be combined with an active lifestyle to see results.

My plan:

• To incorporate at least one Tabata interval into each class I teach at the YMCA: spin, step and toning.
• On days I don't teach, do a Tabata interval at home with Camilla as a "Dance Party" then take the stroller out or bikes out for family 'active' time.
• Worst case scenario because I am to busy to do any workout at all... do a 4 minute Tabata interval before I jump into the shower.

Here are the results:
Starting at One Month Old:     176 pounds

 

Two Months Old:               170 Pounds

It is quite embarrassing to share these photos with you.....but perhaps it will provide the necessary motivation to stay the course.