Time For A Challenge

At the start of 2014, I would say I was pretty fit. But I had to be, I mean I was getting married at the end of January! It didn't help that while I was at the wedding dress boutique being fitted, I kept telling the seamstress, "Tighter! Make it tighter!"

I was motivated. And it paid off. I felt amazing on my wedding day and was confident in my bathing suit on our honeymoon.

My recipe for success was simple: I ate great. Meaning, minimal sugar and minimal fat, with a lot of vegetables and protein. And I did Pure Barre. I loved the work outs. I felt like they worked every muscle group, even though I would hate the LTB (lift, tone, and burn) while I was in the heat of the work out, but results are results!

Then in mid March I found out I was PREGNANT. What? So soon? Anyway, the Husband and I were excited. It was a brand new chapter in our young married lives. Bring it on!

But then I slowed down. Like waaay down. I got morning sickness really badly and did not want to get off the couch. I eventually started doing water aerobics for exercise and did my best to have a fit, healthy pregnancy for my baby and for myself.

On my way to an outing at 13 weeks pregnant.

And here I am again at 8 months. 

Finally, on November 19th, our beautiful baby girl was born and it was THE happiest day of my life. I was thrilled to be a mother and thankful to no longer be pregnant. I mean, I could finally sleep again. Um. Yeah, right. That was my pre-baby, ignorant self talking! Yes, I could finally sleep on my back again, but it would be short, short sleep! But not only would there be "sleep," but I was quickly losing the 35 pounds I gained. After only 3 weeks postpartum, 30 pounds came off. I was going places!

Yes, I was going back UP the scale. Somehow Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and nursing each took their hit and suddenly I was no longer 132 pounds, but 137. How could I be gaining when the hard task of growing a baby in my body was over?

Here I am on my one year wedding anniversary and 2 months PP trying to feel nice.

 So, as soon as I was healed (and I had a stupid complication that placed me in the ER, but more on that in another post), I signed up for another month at the Barre. I needed to get things back on track. But the work outs did not bring the peace and success they once did. I was stuck on something completely different. First, I missed my daughter EVERY TIME. And second, the price was bloody annoying me. $175 for one month? Was this the only way?

And that is the very reason for this post. I went home and hit up good ol' YouTube. Sure enough, there were a plethora of fitness videos that I could look at for FREE. And that made me wonder...

Could I really get the body I want? The abs I want, without paying anything? Could I have a "personal" trainer, nutritionist, and stretching coach for FREE?

So here is my challenge... I am going to spend the next 30 days working out, using only online sources that are free of charge to see how I can sculpt my body. I will be logging which work outs I use and any other form of exercise I do. Of course, nutrition is a key factor in weight loss, so I will be posting what I do about that.

I am inviting you to follow along on my fitness journey! Every one feels more motivated with a fitness buddy!