Week 2: From Flat to All That

Hey y'all!  Week 2 of  From Flat to All That is done!  I had to complete Circuit 1 and 2 just one time instead of 2 because I taught pump twice.  I figured since Pump is along the same lines of the lighter weight and high reps with a circuit feel, I didn't get off track too much.

I did Circuit 1 on Wednesday morning at home (with my kiddos running around).  I think Britton was entertained watching me and the boys had fun trying to imitate my moves.  I moved quickly since I had everything ready to go and close at hand which made my heart rate stay up and my workout feel a little more effective.  The main purpose of the circuits these first 2 weeks is to get your endurance up so I'm not too worried about lifting heavy right now.   I did Circuit 2 in the gym and thankfully it wasn't crowded so I was able to keep it moving and do everything I wanted to do quickly.

Lifting heavy starts next week, so this is when my body will truly be challenged and shocked.  The workouts go from 4 to 6, so quite an increase in gym time.  I am excited to start lifting heavy next week! 

Jamie Eason's From Flat to All That

Week 1 of "From Flat to All That"

Most of y'all may have seen on Facebook, but I am trying a new 12 week strength training program by Jamie Eason.  I have never done anything like this before so I will be interested to see what changes occur in my body.  The basis of Jamie Eason's program is to build muscle predominantly in the legs, booty and core.  The exercises are performed in circuits therefore getting the heart rate up and eliminating the need for excessive cardio.  This will be the kicker for me.  The first few weeks is all about the weights.  It will be hard for me to reduce the cardio because I love it, but I am going to try to adhere to the program as best I can.  Unfortunately I cannot stick to the program 100% because I am still teaching Pump.  I don't want to over-train, so I will have to modify my days somewhat.  I wanted to start when Jamie did last Monday but due to my class schedule I am 2 days behind.  I started last Wednesday and completed Circuit 1 on Wednesday and Circuit 2 on Thursday.

Here's the link to the program if you are interested in checking it out!   From Flat to All That
I have decided to keep track of my progress via my blog.  I plan to post an update weekly, but as y'all know sometimes I rarely have a minute to sit down so that may not happen but I will try!
Please excuse the chopped videos. I have used up all of my storage on my phone and kept trying to delete some things so I could get my points across but it didn't quite work out.   Here is what I have.  Take what you will from it. Day 1

Post Workout

Day 2

 I ended up doing the 2nd workout at home.  I modified by doing underhand grip rows instead of the lat pull-downs, standing dumbbell curls instead of incline, and overhead extensions instead of tricep rope push-downs.  I actually felt like I got a better workout on day 2.  I think it was because I was able to keep it moving quicker and I was a little more accurate with my weight selection.  I do wish I had been able to go heavier on the deadlifts but I plan on doing them in the gym next time.  My hammies were still sore so I must have done something.

The main reason I didn't make it to the gym was this little guy. 

It's great to have the option to get a quick one in at home.

 I am tracking my progress so here's my Week 1 flex pic...

*Please note that I didn't get the 2nd 2 days of the circuits in due to the holiday and my pump schedule.  I have really only completed half of the first week and I already have noticed changes.  Crazy!

Anyone else doing this program?  I would love to hear from you!  

Losing the Baby Weight

Ok y'all!  Here it is.  I have kept going back and forth on whether or not to post these pics, but I think they are a great visual to show the transformation post baby.  I work pretty hard to try to stay in shape, so I feel good about sharing my progress on loosing the baby weight thus far.  Let me just say that I still have work to do and could clean up my diet some more but overall I try to eat pretty healthy during the week.  I do love my supplements and protein too!  It took me about 5 months to get back to my  pre-pregnancy weight.  I really feel working out and continuing to teach Pump while I was pregnant helped a lot post par-tum.  Running after twin toddler helps too. ; )  I am feeling good and back to myself again.  Yay!
My post baby regimen:
WorkoutsI honestly don't get to work out as often as I like (obviously these kiddos require a lot of me) but when I do get to the gym I make the most of it.  I have really been trying to listen to my body. If I haven't slept or don't feel up to it, I don't do it.  I have been teaching a lot of Pump which is pretty much all I have been doing lately.  I average 2-3 pumps or weight training a week and 1-2 cardio workouts.  I really want to step up the cardio but never seem to be able to make it that 5th day.  I hope to add some more cardio back in soon.  Right now building muscle is more important to me.  Since time is so precious, I recently started doing my own cardio/weight training workouts (bascially HIIT).  I try to combine both.  It seems to work well and I feel like I've really utilized my time in the gym efficiently.  I am still not where I want to be but considering all I have going on, I am pleased with my progress thus far.  Right now it's all about staying as fit as I can so I can keep up with my kiddos and basically survive.  I have to be healthy to keep up the pace I am going.  The piece that's missing is more sleep (I like to sleep at least 8 hours a night) but B is doing much better about sleeping at night!  Yay!
DietY'all know it's all about diet!  I cannot stress enough how clean eating helps absolutely everything!  On the days I cheat I feel so much more lethargic and tired than the days I eat healthy.  My goal is protein at every meal, eat as many whole foods I can (limit processed as much as possible), and strive for 5-6 fruits and veggies (veggie heavy) daily.  I suck down lemon water like nobody's business!
SupplementsMy supplements right now consist of a prenatal vitamin (still taking prenatal).  I'm not breastfeeding anymore but I swear they help my nails and hair.  I also take a probiotic, Krill Oil (I replaced my Omega 3 with this), and Advocare Catalyst (amino acids).  
Ok, deep breath...here they are..
~3 Weeks Postpartum~

~7 Weeks Postpartum~

~8 Weeks Postpartum~

~10 Weeks Postpartum~

~14 Weeks Postpartum~

~4 Months Postpartum~

~5 Months Postpartum~

Y'all know I love fitness and nutrition.  I could talk about it all day.  Please feel free to comment or message me with any questions, tips, etc.  

Surviving Twin Boy Toddlers?

Yes, it has been quite some time since I've last posted.  I bet y'all can guess why?  Twin boys plus a 5 month old ain't no joke!  They are keeping me extremely busy and exhausted! 
So I would remember these crazy times, I thought I would document all the antics I have been dealing with lately.  Anyone with twin boy toddlers out there reading?  I would LOVE some advice on how to discipline them and channel their energy.  They are non stop all the time!  They don't listen.  I have tried spanking, time out, taking things away, etc.  Nothing seems to work.  They would rather do what they want to do and take the punishment. Don't even get me started on the sleeping situation.  Let me tell you, it's party every night and every morning.  So here's where we are...
At the end of the day I am ready to literally kill them or at least give them up for adoption...Anyone interested in two 3 year old boys?...ha ha, didn't think so.  No refunds!  Ha I'm totally kidding...kinda. As much as I love these little boogers, they can infuriate me beyond belief.  There is no rhyme or reason to the toddler mind.  
Tantrums:
Once they get their mind set on something if it doesn't happen (God forbid) then all hell breaks loose.  I thought the tantrums would calm down by now but no.  I have tried ignoring, diverting attention (doesn't work), putting them in time out and spanking.  Nothing seems to phase them.
TOTAL Destruction:
Anything they touch WILL be destroyed.  I have given up on the fact that I will have anything nice ever again.  They break or destroy everything!  Here are just a few of the fun things I've had to deal within the past few weeks...
They got into the locked laundry room and dumped and entire bottle of laundry detergent all over the carpet. They sprayed Febreze all over their room (thank God it was Febreze and not poop this time). They got into the kitchen cabinet and dumped an entire box of carpet cleaner all over their bed and floor.  They also confiscated liquid floor cleaner and dish soap which ended up all over their carpet. It burned my eyes to go in their room to clean it up because of all the strong smells, but at least it wasn't poop.  I'm honestly surprised they haven't killed themselves before now. They literally tried to burn the house down. Somehow they found matches and snuck them back to their room.  I am pretty sure they at least tried to strike some to burn but thank the Lord they didn't start a fire!  Awesome.  They grabbed a whole box of juice boxes out of the pantry and dumped every single box on their floor and bed.  Nothing like the smell of semi burned matches and stale apple juice.  Yum.  Again, how are they/we alive?  Feel free to send DSS to my house.  I promise they will return the boys quickly ha ha.   When were at the beach, I immediately went into the room they were staying in and took every picture off the wall, turned the dresser and nightstand around so they couldn't get in the drawers, and tried to lock all doors (fail-the child locks don't work anymore).  They can get past the child locks better than I can.  I moved all decorations, etc out of the room and thought there wasn't possibly anything they could destroy.  WRONG!!  How about pulling the lamps mounted on the wall out of the wall and breaking them?  OR ruining the blinds?  Pulling the bed post off.  In all honesty that may have already been done, but they probably did that last year, lol.  As you can see, I have my hands full. It is rare we make it through a meal without them spilling something or making some sort of mess.  The thoughts of them actually sitting at the table through a whole meal is wishful thinking too.   I spend most of my days cleaning up after them and while I'm cleaning up after them, they are creating another mess somewhere else.   I have caught them standing on the sofa and ottoman and peeing off of it thinking it's hilarious!   When I put Van in time out in his room, he gets back at me by peeing all over the floor and rug. Bath time usually ends with a flood on the floor.    Penises Everywhere!
By the way what's underwear?  Nude is how we roll at our house.  They hate clothes and undies.  If you stop by our house you will most likely find the boys running around naked or at least with undies on.  I have given up on trying to get them to wear clothes when we're at home.  It's a fight enough to get them ready for the day.  I literally have to pin them down sometimes kicking and screaming at me.  Fun.  Anything to do with poop or farting is hilarious!!  I mean hilarious!  Did I mention they aren't only flopping around butt naked but they also play with themselves.  I mean gross!  Why do boys do this?  I am constantly saying, stop playing with yourself!  Put on your undies!  Quit grabbing yourself!  I have a feeling this one won't ever stop.  : /  
Running Away
They think it's hilarious to gang up on me and run away when we're out.  It's 1 on 3 so I'm definitely outnumbered.  I totally look like an out of control parent and I guess I am.  I'm sure the other moms at school think I have no control when I'm carrying a baby running down the hall chasing 2 going in opposite directions.  I am holding my tongue trying not to scream and yell.  Yes, I'm that mom.  The mom you want to tell to get her kids under control out in public.  Trust me if you were in my shoes, you would have a different view.
Screaming/Whining
This one doesn't bother me as much as it bothers Adam, but when they are put in their room they will scream like someone is cutting them with a knife sometimes for hours.  They are relentless and can let it rip like no other.  As bad as it sounds you have to ignore it.  I have found if you give in to them it only makes it worse.  Lately when Van doesn't get his way, he will run up to me look me square in the face and scream as loud as he can in my face.  It's wrong to slap him silly right? Ha ha just kidding.  The whining about everything is what gets me.  Just talk like a normal human being!  You don't have to whine about every single thing! At the risk of being quite frank, if you don't have twin boys then you have no freaking clue how hard it is!  I wanted children, yes of course, but this has surpassed my wildest dreams as to how hard being a parent could be.  Things I never thought I would do as a mom I do.  I am in survival mode most days.  I feel like I'm ruining my children because I loose patience with them so much.  By the end of the week I am totally exhausted and my patience has gone.  I find myself yelling at them and snapping easily.  I just know I'm screwing them up for life.    I know I sound like I hate being a mom, but seriously I love being a boy mom and wouldn't have it any other way!  Yes times are extremely hard right now with 3 little ones but the moments when they come give you hugs, tell you they love you or want to be doing exactly what you're doing melt my heart.  They really are sweet little boys just so full of life!  It's hard to explain but as frustrating as they are, you can't even describe the love you have for them.  
I just want to raise good solid Christian boys and am trying the best way I know how right now to survive and not screw them up too much.  I pray I will know how to discipline them the right way so they will become wonderful young men.  
Ok boy moms!  Please please give me any advice for what worked or didn't for you.  

9 Weeks Post Pregnancy Fitness Update

I was cleared at 6 weeks by my doc to hit the gym again.  Yay!  I've been dying to get back at it.  Until I get back into a good routine, I thought I'd share my journey thus far.
I gained a little over 20 lbs this pregnancy.  When I came home from the hospital I had lost about 10.  I still have about 7-8 more to go until I'm back to pre-preg weight.  Let me tell you, it's not budging!  I am trying to be patient because I know it takes awhile for your body to recover.  It takes a little longer to recover with a C-section too.  I was really sore (extremely) for the first 2 weeks.  Even so, I made myself get out and walk some even if it was a short walk down the road and back.  When I had help with the boys I would take Britton in the stroller, which was good for both of us to get out of the house, get fresh air and for me to move even if it was a little painful.  Of course I took it very easy and listened to my body.  I didn't want to overdo it, but I also didn't want to lay around and delay the recovery process.  I walked as much as I could those first few weeks.
I did try a spin class around 5 weeks which didn't bother me at all!  I tried combat around that same time and it was a little much so I had to take it easy.  At 6 weeks I felt no pain at all and was able to workout when time allowed.  I still have no feeling in my abs so I am working on strengthening them and getting the feeling back.  B couldn't go to the nursery at the gym until 8 weeks and now it's hard to get all 3 to the gym, so I started looking for some at home workouts to do.  More on that later.
 I started teaching pump again last week.  I jumped right back into it by teaching 3 classes last week and this week.  I am still trying to ease back into a vigorous routine.  Right now I work out when I can find time (yeah right!) and if I feel up to it.  Needless to say I'm tired a lot so I don't want to waste my time if it's not going to be a productive workout.  That's where quick at home workouts come in.  It's such a great stress relief though when I'm taking care of kiddos all day.  It's something I can do for me, but it really benefits the whole fam if I'm healthy and happy.  It takes a lot to take care of these 3 boys!
Nutrition wise I have pretty much been eating what I want up until last week.  I had no appetite the week after my surgery, so I think I lost and then gained back some when I started eating again.  My downfall is sugar.  I do try to eat a lot of veggies and semi healthy meals but the desserts are what get me.  I honestly didn't worry about eating very clean until now.  I am trying to limit my sugar intake, add a lot more protein to my diet (shakes, bars, eggs, etc), and veggies. Since I've been eating semi clean I already feel better!  It's amazing what a good diet will do for you.  It truly is the best medicine!
I am hoping to be back in shape by summer, but I do know it takes time.  The main thing I'm trying to focus on right now is getting rest when I can, enjoying teaching my pump classes, building muscle, and throwing in a good cardio/interval blast a few times a week.  I have recently discovered some quick at home workouts that I have been doing as well. 

Jamie Eason's Post Pregnancy Trainer is great!  I love a good HIIT workout and she offers some great quick at home circuits.  She also has some good nutrition tips and recipes.  I've already done some of her at home workouts several times and they are wonderful!  My faves are the Napping Baby Circuit, ab circuit, and Anytime, Anywhere 15-Minute Workout.  It's all laid out by weeks and days but I've been throwing it in when I can't get to the gym or don't have much time.  I include the boys too.  We turn on music and do "our exercise."  They love jumping around with me.  It's a great way to occupy them too. ; )

Life with 3 Boys Thus Far

My blog posts are few and far between these days.  Taking care of 3 kiddos is no joke!  As you can imagine most of my time is devoted to them. I am going to let the pics do the talking today.

Nap time these days

First bath at home

Thanks Daddy!

Watching brothers get a bath

Lil B is quite clingy.  This is how I get stuff done around the house.

This is how we roll...

3 car seats across and in our jammies

A little Chick Fil A playtime

First time out to eat as a family of 5

6 Weeks

7 weeks

8 Weeks

Sorry for the pic overload.  I can't help myself.  : )

My bestie and our huge families!

Party of 11?!  We went from 0 to 7 kids including 2 sets of twins in 5 years.
How the heck did that happen?

Nothing wrong with a little child labor

 Watching the parade at the Irish Festival.  Yay us for getting out!  Such a fun day!!

These guys...

My wonderful blessings!  So thankful for these little ones.