If you know me well, you would know that this is a HUGE accomplishment and milestone in my almost 30 years of life. I’ve NEVER been the workout type. Sure, I dabbled in playing sports here and there throughout my life, but as far as a set workout regiment. NEVER. I’ve never been able to stick to one. Even my last attempt at 30ds pre-wedding was short-lived.

I’m not sure what it was, but I think the main motivator was “me-time” and feeling like my old self again. Not that I’ll ever be the same person. Motherhood has forever changed me (into a better person), but I wanted to feel like the new me, in my pre-preg body. Am I making any sense? Anyway– this is the month that I lost the least amount of weight on the scale. But, I didn’t let that discourage me. I knew that my body was changing fat into muscle. And it is SO true. While the scale might not reflect big losses like my previous months, I can feel my body getting tighter, stronger. I actually see definition of muscles in different areas of my body. And my clothes? Boy do they fit better and more comfortably too. (Aside from button downs, which I figure I won’t be able to wear until after I wean from breastfeeding.)

I mostly stuck to Jillian’s 30ds– I started on Lvl 1 and did each Lvl for 5 days. Sometimes, if Mr.Dubs and I worked out together we did p90x Cardio and one time when I was feeling really sore and tired, I did Jillian’s Yoga Meltdown. It was a great kick start what I was hoping would happen mentally. I saw a quote on IG the other day and it’s stuck with me ever since: “The body achieves, what the mind believes!” And IT.IS.SO.TRUE. My body never gave up on, it was always my mental game that was the big hurdle.

I’m not going to lie, there were days that were SUPER hard to get motivated. Especially after getting the babe down, eating dinner beforehand, and running errands. There were many nights that I had 10pm workouts and the last few days were at 11pm! But, I am SO happy that I kept it up and got it done.

Like I said last month, I still have a long ways to go. But, I’ve been bit by the fitness bug and I hope to keep this going! I’m going to give myself today off, for the last 30 days of every day workouts. Although, I’m tempted to do a quick AbRipperX tonight just to do something, but we shall see! In May, I hope to keep up at least 5 days of workouts. The fear of painful soreness is what’s keeping me going this time around. Every night after I work out, I feel a good soreness. I DON’T want to feel the pain from the first few days again. This month, I’m going to try to run outside (yay nice weather!) and mix in different Jillian and p90x DVDs!

Moment of Bravery (Before #shredapril | 4/1/13)

Second Moment of Bravery (After #shredapril | 5/1/13)

No sucking in, no editing. I wanted the comparison before & after pic for myself. You see, I was never a believer of workouts (for me) and had I stuck to my addiction the numbers on the scale, I would have quit weeks ago. I wanted to document a before and after pic to prove to myself that working out would make a difference. I’m definitely still aiming to reach my pre-preg weight, but I won’t be disappointed if I never reach 128 again. 128 with no muscle and being “skinny fat” (what I’ve been all my life) is not what I want anymore. I’ll take a lean, tight, strong, fit, toned 135 any day!

And a few more pictures because what’s a fitness post without some vanity pics:

In terms of diet, I still didn’t eat too many breads or rice. But, I also didn’t really stick to Paleo like my previous months. We eat Korean food a lot for dinner, so that helped a lot– all I had to do was avoid the rice. And in general, I still tried to be conscious of portion control and not overeating. Anyway, as I head into May, I am gearing up to go hardcore 90/10 Paleo.

A typical day of meals looks like this:

Breakfast: Banana, black coffee, apple, eggs

Lunch: Entree (Salad, Sandwich, etc.) from Cafe or leftovers

Dinner: Meat entree + Veggie Sides

Snacks: Nuts! Almonds, Cashews, Walnuts, etc. Ice cream

Stats

My normal: 128 lbs

Pre-pregnancy: 136 lbs (+8)

Pregnancy: 174 lbs (+46)

Post-pregnancy: 162 lbs (+34) (6 weeks pp)

LAST UPDATE: 147 lbs (+19) (18 weeks pp)

TODAY: 143 lbs (+15) (22 weeks pp)

Goal: 7 lbs ’til BFP weight | 15 lbs+ ’til GOAL weight 

Baby’s Height: He was 26 inches at his 4 month well check. Probably an inch or two taller? We need to start marking his height on his measuring frame we have in his nursery!

What size of clothing does baby wear?: I’ve just packed away the last of the 3-6 month. He’s in 6 months exclusively. And the Carter’s 6 months probably only have a few wks of wear left

Any milestones baby reached during the month: Early on in the month, A rolled belly to back pretty regularly. He’s still not a huge fan of tummy time, but he does roll. He’s gone to his side from his back, but not all the way back to belly. He loves standing. He’ll hold a good standing stance propped up against something for a minute or two. He is also getting better at sitting up in the tripod position.

Special outings baby had during the month: This month was pretty low key. We are waiting for the nice spring weather to come and stick around for longer than a day! Running errands and dinner at ILs are a regular thing, we spent a fun Easter Sunday over there, too. We went to Catholic church for the first time as a family.

What was baby’s routine: A wakes up for his morning nursing session at around 6am (give or take a half hour), he snuggles/sleeps in bed until 7/8am and then his 3 hour day time cycles start. His awake time has increased steadily to 2 hours. And he’s taking naps well in the pack n play! He’ll avg 1 hour naps 3x a day. Some are longer, some are shorter. On teething days, he’ll even nap for 3 hours+! :O He “eats” 5-6x a day. On my office days, he’ll take a bottle 3-4x, and we’ll nurse in the AM and before bedtime. He loves playing on all of his baby gear/toys. My mom has him on a rotation! Exersaucer, tummytime, high chair/toys/fish tank viewing, bouncer with sassy links, etc.

Did any big changes occur: A has two teeth! His two bottom teeth are poking in and we first noticed them on tax day (4.15.13). I almost had a mommy meltdown. I can’t handle how fast my baby is growing!! He’s also grown out of his swing. We transitioned him to napping in the pack n play we have set up downstairs. First of the big baby gear to be put away in the basement. I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW FAST TIME FLIES.

What are baby’s favorites: He is obsessed with standing. LOVES it. He LOVES when daddy comes home from work. He has the biggest smile and laughs greeting him. He’s also started to notice the dogs and loves petting them (when Bailey’s not trying to lick his face!)

What are your thoughts about the past month: It is so mind-boggling how quickly time flies and how much A has learned in just a month’s time. There is just so much for him to take in, he’s such a curious baby, always wanting to look out for the next new thing in his line of sight. It’s hit me really hard this month at just how these weeks are flying by. I can’t believe how much he has grown in the last few months. :*) I’m also so excited for the upcoming Spring/Summer months of activities we have to look forward to with A!

Monthly Photos:

6-7am (Varies): A wakes up and we nurse (1 side) in bed

730-8am (Varies): Change A’s dipe/jammies, I get ready for work/pump other side, my mom or Mr.Dubs watches A.

830am-9am (Varies): Get to work

10am: Pump 5-6oz

1130am: Lunch

1pm: Pump 5 oz

4pm: Pump 4 oz

530pm: Get home and play time with A

630pm: Bathtime

7pm: Nurse, Read, Lotion, etc.

730pm: Bedtime for A

8pm – 11pm: Workout, dinner, shower, TV, read, etc.

11pm-midnight: Bedtime for me

And this is what our baby A looks like:

Was it accurate? I say the hair, eyebrows, and nose.

I finally hit the 140s this month and boy was I so excited to see that 4!! I also bought my first pair of postpartum jeans the other day for Easter Sunday– they were only $23 at Loft, and the best part? Size 2/26!!

(March 31, 2013 – Easter Sunday)

I still have a long ways to go. I look good in clothes, but I’m still soft everywhere. My upper arms/chest /belly area is a marshmallow heaven. But, I am definitely feeling great and am trying to keep myself motivated to make this a life change. Not just a quick “lose baby weight” fad in my life.

Moment of Bravery (Before #shredapril | 4/1/13)

I just joined my mama friends in our #ShredApril challenge! 30 days of Jillian Michaels. I had to take an impromptu work from home day today and got a head start on day one! (:

A typical day of meals looks like this:

Breakfast: Banana, black coffee, apple

Lunch: Fresh salad or soup/salad from work cafe

Dinner: Meat entree + Veggie Sides

Snacks: Ice cream! Total Paleo failure, fruit.

Stats

My normal: 128 lbs

Pre-pregnancy: 136 lbs (+8)

Pregnancy: 174 lbs (+46)

Post-pregnancy: 162 lbs (+34) (6 weeks pp) 

LAST UPDATE: 152 lbs (+24) (14 weeks pp)

TODAY: 147 lbs (+19) (18 weeks pp)

Goal: 11 lbs ’til Pre-Preg weight | 19 lbs+ ’til GOAL weight