January 15, 2009

• Kick-Ass Workout

  So, some of you may remember how much I raved about taking Bar Method classes to tone up after Jack was born. It's a killer hour-long class combining movements from yoga, Pilates and ballet, and focuses on tiny movements to build lean muscle, burn fat and improve posture. It sounds kind of loosey-goosey, but seriously, it is a hard workout, during which all your major muscle groups are just shaking with fatigue. When the rare man came to class, he usually had to take breaks while we ladies toughed it out! The reward is that you get results really quickly, especially in your arms, shoulders, abs and thighs -- and who doesn't want that?

  When I was a devoted student this spring and summer, going to class at least three times a week (and running on most of the other days for the Disneyland half-marathon ... wow, I am really quite the couch potato now, by comparison!), I had the thought that I should continue taking Bar Method classes (with some modifications on a few exercises) while pregnant, because man, wouldn't it be great to continue to have toned arms and thighs during pregnancy? I swear, last time, there were days when I was like, "Are there babies also growing in my thighs, or what?" So that was always the plan ... until I rethought our budget after I started working from home part-time, and decided that with the recession, my new job situation and our plans to buy a home in the near future, perhaps spending $220 for 10-class packages wasn't such a hot idea. So, when my lovely in-laws asked for a wish list from each of us for Christmas, I asked for (and received) the Bar Method DVDs!

  Yesterday was my first time using one of the DVDs in the package. I've had it since Christmas, but when we left Michigan, we had so much stuff that my in-laws ended up shipping most of the gifts we got back to us. Since Christmas, I've just been exercising to my two pregnancy fitness DVDs from my pregnancy with Jack, and also taking two 3/4-mile walks every day (to and from the park with Jack). I felt like they were getting too easy, though, so last night, I popped in the Bar Method DVD. I expected it to feel kind of half-hearted compared to the actual class, but man, was I wrong! It kicked my ass! Of course, I don't have a bar at home, but I just used the back of a chair to hold on to for support. My thighs, butt, arms and abs are sore today, just like they were after each class. Lord knows how long my thighs will be sore for, since I haven't gone to a Bar Method class since my package ran out back in November or early December. Anyway, I highly recommend the DVDs, and now I'll be alternating my Bar Method DVD workouts with my easier pregnancy fitness DVDs. Both are about 45 or 50 minutes long. I figure if I can get in two Bar Method DVD workouts and two pregnancy fitness DVD workouts (for a total of four workouts) each week, and I'm still doing the walking with Jack thing every day, then I should be set. I'm really a huge fan of exercise during pregnancy -- it just makes me feel better about, well, everything.

  Plus, I'm happier to have a more difficult workout to do this time, because although I was good with exercising while pregnant with Jack, I still ended up putting on 10 or 12 pounds more than I probably needed to. Since gaining only 25 pounds increases my chances of a successful VBAC, I'm all for trying harder to manage my gain this time around. But, I also know myself -- it won't really be through eating. I've never been one to watch my intake too closely; and besides, I'm going to Taiwan soon -- and who diets while in Taiwan, surrounded by so much great food?? So, I'll be depending a lot on my more taxing workouts (not too taxing, of course!). The upside of trying to gain 25 pounds (or fewer) instead of the 35 I did last time is that it might not take seven months for me to lose it all this time around! Even five extra pounds looks like a lot on me because I'm so short ... and because extra weight on me likes to go on my face, upper arms and hips. Lovely!

  Speaking of sore, I'm not sure whether my butt is sore because of the exercising or because I've been sitting on a hard little stool in front of the toilet so much. Jack and I have been sitting on the potty (or rather, he has) eight times a day, for at least five to 10 minutes each time. As Jack either eliminates or happily reads several books, I sit there on the stool and feel my butt slowly fall asleep. Oh, and for those of you who were wondering: After the massive success of yesterday (a poop, followed by three pees during the rest of the day), we are, very predictably, 0 for six so far today! Wish us luck with Jack's post-dinner poop.

  Finally, please don't miss all the new TV shows on tonight! I can't wait for The Office, 30 Rock (we've gotten into that), Grey's Anatomy, and yes, Smallville (I'm ducking my head in shame).

  • 7:19 pm
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