My Body Back Journey by Libby- final installment!

Before

Wednesday 11/9 10pm

I watched everything I ate today, only healthy things and a lot of water! I wish I did that every day as I felt so much better. I was worried I was going to be disappointed in my weight loss which I was a little, but again I didn’t give this 100% the last few weeks. Although I now fit in my pre-maternity pants which is something in itself! So I know the weight will come in time and wearing my regular clothes will help me get there!

A few weeks ago Jackie asked us to give up a bad habit. My bad habit is drinking soda. I drink about 1 a day. Somehow I stuck to it and kicked the soda everyday and now have about 1 soda a week so that was a big accomplishment for me! I’ve drank more water in the past 8 weeks than I ever have and now it’s a habit to fill my water bottle every morning.

 

 

 

After

The assessment class tonight went a lot better than I expected! I lost a total of 5lbs. As much is this was about weight for me, it was more so about starting new habits and changing my life. I had 10 extra pounds from having 2 kids and I knew this was my chance to get over the hump and once I did, I would be back to an even healthier me.

I can’t do it all in 8 weeks but I feel really good about the path I’m on now. These 8 weeks were about taking time for myself and realizing I needed to make changes in my diet and start exercising on a regular basis even if it was for 15 minutes while my kids played. There is always an excuse, especially with our busy lives and having children but nothing works with an unhappy and unhealthy Mom. I want my children to have healthy lifestyles.

Before

This class taught me a lot. It taught me to start small with exercising, changing what we eat, drinking more water and slowly giving up thinks like sugar and soda of which I love both! I loved the inspiration I got from Jackie and the other Mom’s in class. I think we all need the support in class and outside. I really enjoyed the facebook group as it was encouragement during the week, sometimes when I needed it most.

Sunday 11/13 8pm

Tonight we had a Final results party! It was at the Blue Jean’s Bar. It’s a great store with tons of different types and styles of jeans! A great place to reward yourself for 8 weeks of hard work! It was fun to see everyone in “regular” clothes with makeup on! More importantly it was exciting to see the changes we all made over the past 8 weeks and the support that got us all there! Thanks Jackie and Victoria!

After

Here I am 8 weeks later….I lost 5 pounds. I lost 2 inches in my waist which I am thrilled about as I knew it was something since I am no longer in my maternity pants! Bye-Bye maternity pants, it was fun! I think the best part for me was seeing the before and after pictures. I look so different! My pushup improvements were 60% but to be honest, I only did 6 the first night of class. I am not a fan of pushups. My plan improved 40% and overall I am very happy with where I am 8 weeks later.

I will miss this group as it really did change my life and how I view exercising. I will miss Jackie saying “Belly buttons in”, as I always need the reminder. I might even miss Friday nights and dreading Saturday mornings. But once I was at class on Saturdays I was so glad I made it and left knowing it was the best way to start the weekend and to remind myself of what to do and what not to do! I will miss Jackie’s upbeat music but I know this is a start to a new me and I don’t want to let myself go back to where I was. I’m so glad I took this class for many different reasons! Jackie, I’ve said it before and will say it again, you are a true inspiration!

My Body Back Journey by Libby

Wednesday 11/2 8pm

I missed class tonight which I was bummed about as it sounded challenging! I guess they did 100 of multiple exercises! I am also missing Saturday’s class so I will have to try and keep myself on track. Tonight I made the Chicken Verde recipe which is one of the recipes in our workout book. I have to say it was super easy to make and delicious and of course healthy! I have a feeling that recipe will be a regular meal in our house.

Sunday 11/6 7pm

We were out of town this weekend so I missed the Saturday class. It’s always difficult when you’re away to watch what you eat especially when you are in the car for a few hours which we were. I felt like I did pretty well and in the back of my mind the reminder of final assessments this week played into helping me control what I ate and drank.

Monday 11/7 9pm

I went to the Monday night class tonight to take “after” pictures. I only see these ladies usually once a week and could tell a difference in each one of them. It gave me motivation for the next two days before it was my turn for assessments, which I was totally dreading! In all honesty, I gave this class about 70%. My 3 month old ended up having surgery in the middle of the 8 weeks and I let things slide a bit.

 

My Body Back Journey By Libby

Thursday 10/27 9am

I missed class last night as my daughter was sick and husband was out. I decided to use my class DVD once the kids went to bed. I would have rather been at class but it was a good substitute! Jackie even found time to text me and tell me what to do workout wise since I missed class. Such a big part of this process for me is the little nudge that Jackie gives me.

Friday 10/28 4pm

Today was a good day for me…..my pre-maternity jeans fit! They are snug but I got them on and was able to wear them! My son is about to be 4 months so this was a feel good moment for me. I have lost a few pounds but more importantly some amount off my waist and hips to get my size 8 jeans back on! BIG DAY! I am tired of wearing my maternity jeans. If this isn't motivation, I'm not sure what is!

Saturday 10/29 11 am

This was the hardest class yet! Just when you think it might get easier, it gets even harder. The best part is leaving class feeling an immediate difference! Jackie always has the best music. I always look forward to the Sat morning class as it’s such a good focus for the weekend. I think as Mom’s we have so many things to juggle and it’s easy for things to go by the wayside (especially on the weekends)!

My Body Back Journey by Libby

Wednesday 10/18 9pm

It felt really good to get back to class tonight after missing last week! I knew the weigh in was going to be bad but it was worse than I thought. I won’t even go there. I know if I am going to get my body back, this is my chance. I need to be pushed. At first I was upset but then decided I really needed to get a move on, the class is half over. Tonight’s workout was really good. Every time I wanted to give up, I remembered my weigh in and that I only had 4 weeks left to give everything I can. I owe this to myself and to my children. If I can just get over this hump of where I seems to be stuck weight and body wise, I can make the change happen. I am determined to do this. I love the motivation I get from the other Mom’s and Jackie. I need them to push me over the hump! This is going to be my breaking week!

Saturday 10/22 11 am

It feels so good to start the day with a good workout. I think it also encourages me to make better food choices on the weekends. It’s too easy to get into a food/drinking slump on the weekends! Jackie is great at pushing you yet encouraging you at the same time. I would not be doing this on my own. Every time I leave her class, I can feel a difference in my body, right away! We also got a second food journal today and I love that it has new recipes.

Sunday 10/23 11 am

It’s was so nice out today we took the kids for a 2 hour walk! My husband commented that I now walk faster. J I think I just have more motivation! It feels good to feel changes taking place and encourages me to keep with it and do a little extra each day!

 

My Body Back Journey by Libby

Saturday 10/1 2pm

I wasn’t at body back today but I knew with it being the weekend I really needed to make sure I got my workout in after the kids Halloween party! My husband worked out with me which always makes it easier and gives me even more motivation! It’s our 6 year anniversary and instead of going out for a heavy meal we are staying in and cooking a healthy one!

Tuesday 10/4 4pm

I am looking forward to class tomorrow night. It’s always a tough workout but I feel so good the following day and feel refueled with energy. We’ve been eating oatmeal at my house for breakfast now that it’s colder out. It’s nice as it’s filling yet healthy! It’s amazing what a difference I feel in my stomach only after 2 weeks of exercising and eating right. It makes it so worth it when I haven’t even done that much yet!

Thursday 10/6 10 am

You know you’ve had a great workout when your nursing pads are falling out of your sports bra and your eyelids are stuck from all the sweat! That was me last night. What I really liked about the workout is that it was nothing like last weeks. I think it’s easy to get bored with workouts and last night was a totally new challenge. I lost 1.5 lbs this week. I thought it might be a little more but was pleased. It’s a good start for the first official week. I make much better snack choices and overall eating choices when I work out. I worked too hard last night to eat shamefully today!

My Body Back Journey by Libby

Monday 9/26/11 9pm

I took Victoria’s class tonight since I can’t make class on Saturday and it was tough! I didn’t think I would be able to finish the class and I was out of water 20 minutes after the class started! She is very motivational! I was so happy to get home/shower/go to bed that I didn’t even pull the car all the way in the garage! The garage door wouldn’t close and I couldn’t figure out why. I was so proud of myself and clearly anxious to shower and go to bed.

Wednesday 9/28 9pm

Tonight’s class was just as hard as Monday’s and we did very different things. My husband told me I looked “wet” when I got home and I was. I felt like I could bust out a couple hours of cleaning I was so energized! My son is only 10 weeks so I usually nap when he and my daughter do but for the past week I haven’t napped and feel so good. I love the new recipes. They are easy but healthy and you feel so good eating them.  I stocked up on a bunch of fresh things, not sugar.  So now when I snack I feel good not guilty. My husband is totally on board with all the new recipes too. It’s been 1 week since I started this class. I have lost 3 pounds, feel so much stronger mentally and physically and am full of energy. It’s a happy place to be.  Thanks Jackie! I so needed this!

My Body Back Journey by Libby

Saturday 9/24 4pm

Today was the first workout and it was difficult but felt so good! It was nice to be outside on the lakefront. I am not a runner so running from station to station was another challenge for me but I did 90% of it and was really proud of myself! I honestly wasn’t sure I would make it through the class but when I did, I realized I could do this and really needed too. I have already started incorporating some of the new recipes in my diet.  I was exhausted all day but a good exhausted! I can already tell a difference from the 2 classes I took. Bring on some more!

Sunday 9/25/11

I woke up feeling like a new person today. Granted I went to bed at 7:30 right after I put my daughter to bed but I feel amazing! I haven’t felt like this in months. It’s amazing how watching what you eat and a little exercise can do. I can tell a difference in my energy. If I can continue this for the next 7 weeks, I can only imagine where I’ll be at the end. It feels really good…

My Body Back Journey by Libby

Thur 9/22 11 am

Wow, I knew I was out of shape but that was embarrassing! We only did assessments and my body feels like I did a full on workout. I couldn’t  do more than 6 push-ups. I sat there laughing but inside I wanted to cry inside. I dropped out of high-knees after 27 seconds…kind of pathetic!

One of my favorite things about Motherhood is my Mom friends. There is nothing better than talking to them whether you know them or not and knowing someone is living the same thing you are or already has. We started the night sharing why we were there, what our goals were and how we were going to overcome our obstacles. It felt good to be honest and throw it all out on the table. I know I am only going to benefit from these 8 weeks both mentally and physically.

I knew eating was a big part of my problem. I snack a lot and eat way too much sugar! I’m thrilled that the workout/eating journal that Jackie gave us comes with healthy and super easy recipes!

My Body Back journey by Libby

Wed 9/21 11am

My name is Libby and I’m 33 and a mother of two! I met Jackie (the Body Back instructor) last week at our Mom’s in business group. She told the group she was looking for someone to take her class and blog about it. I thought to myself, this is my opportunity to get back in shape and change my lifestyle! Talk about being in the right place at the right time.

I have a 2.5 yr old daughter and a 10 week old son. I need the structure and discipline to get my body back to what it was or even better. I need the strength! I’m excited to start the class tonight yet nervous at the same time as I am so out of shape and not happy with how I look.  I’m not excited about how tight my workout clothes are that I am wearing to class tonight. It’s not going to be pretty, that’s for sure!

I think as Mom’s we get so caught up in our busy schedules and we don’t always take the time for ourselves. I’m excited to have these 2 hours blocked off on my calendar each week. It’s a great start to making a change. I don’t exercise other than walking a few miles a week and I definitely need to have better eating habits. Sugar and I like each other way too much! I’m thrilled about this opportunity and to see where I am at the end of the 8 week class! I’m starting this adventure at 149 lbs.