I’m excited that we are finally starting our fitness challenge that I told you about a few months back! I wasn’t 100% happy with the name, so I changed it to something that I feel much better reflects my goal for this series: “Fitting in Fitness.”
I want this series to be one of accountability and learning together.
We may all have different goals, but my personal goal for this challenge is that we as homemakers will get back into the exercise habit.
Before my second child was born, I exercised about three times per week–even during my pregnancy with her!
That went out the window when I became a mom of two. And this past pregnancy I didn’t exercise at all–and gained 50 lbs! Now, I did lose about 30 of that after delivery, but I still have a good 20 to go before I hit my goal weight–and 10 more pounds after that to hit my ideal weight.
I struggled about sharing my actual weight with you all because I realize that everyone is in different seasons, and we all have different body types, etc. My “I-need-to-lose-weight”may be someone else’s “goal weight” if they are of a different height or body type.
But I figured the very best accountability was just putting it out there, so here goes:
My current weight: 157 lbs.
My current waist measurement: 35 in.
My current diastasis: 2-2.5 in. (down from 3!)
I now weigh nearly 50 lbs. more than when I got married–and about 45 lbs. more than when I started having children!
Now, I honestly don’t think I need to be as skinny as I was before kids. I had a very high metabolism and didn’t try to be thin–I just always was without trying.
And that’s what scares me the most about this. I’ve never had to work to lose weight, so I’m not sure I even can lose weight. Doesn’t that sound crazy? Part of me is tired of this postpartum body, but the other part of me is just plain afraid of failure.
And that’s why I need you…
Accountability
Each week, I will “check in” with you all on Mondays and give you a report of any weight or inches I’ve lost, and, most importantly, if I’ve been exercising at least three times each week! For my exercise, I’ll be mainly using FitB, an online fitness studio that I reviewed here, as well as a local fitness program that I bought a Groupon for.
Fit2B is a great option for ALL homemakers because it’s an online fitness studio that is perfect for even the most novice or out-of-shape person! The owner and instructor, Beth Learn, specializes in diastasis (learn more about this here–do you look pregnant but aren’t?! You probably have this real medical condition! I do!), but she also includes plenty of family-friendly workouts for everyone in your household.
For just $14.99/month, Fit2B is a fraction of the price of a gym membership. But Humbled Homemaker readers get an even better deal! Use code humbledhomemaker to get 30% off a 1-year membership!
Along with my weekly progress reports (and I hope YOU will join in with yours in the comments and/or on our Facebook page or in our private Facebook group!), over the course of this series, we’ll be covering:
- Realistic fitness/health/wellness goals for busy homemakers
- Exercising while Traveling
- Fitness on a Budget
- Varied Exercise Program Options, like: TTapp, Fit2B and Beach Body
- and much more!
FREEBIES! **Expired**
Before my second child was born, I enjoyed doing circuit training, which you can very, very easily do in the privacy of your own home–in a short amount of time. I know not everyone can afford gym memberships or even online fitness programs or even DVDs, so I’ve put together a list of circuit training workouts in a downloadable printable for my subscribers.
For those who join the private Facebook group, I have uploaded a FREE printable from Beth of Fit2B that lists various exercises that anyone can do on the go. Request to join the private Facebook group here.
Giveaways!
Each Tuesday, we’ll be giving away prizes to help you along your fitness journey! Some of the prizes include:
- Resolution Collection{tea + tincture to aid in metabolism + fiber aid} from The Bulk Herb Store
- TTapp dvd from The Encouraging Home
- Beach Body dvd from Living Water Health and Wellness
- 6-month membership to Fit2B
- Health & Fitness printables packet from Clean Mama Printables
- 100-pound Loser, an eBook by Jessica Heights of Muthering Heights
- Royal Berkey Water Filter from LPC Survival
- and more!
How to Join
ANYONE can join in on this fitness challenge at ANY time! However, if you’d like extra accountability with daily check-ins for the next 8 weeks, you can join the private Facebook group here. Anyone who joins this group will get an automatic entry in each giveaway.
Other Bloggers Doing an Exercise Challenge this Month
Think you are alone in trying to get back into the exercise habit? You aren’t! Think you are alone in your postpartum belly? You’re not! Check out these amazing bloggers who are doing their own fitness challenges this month:
Stacy at Stacy Makes Cents is leading her readers through a TTapp Challenge
Emily at Live Renewed is hosting a Fitness Challenge
Beth at Red & Honey is leading her readers through The Postpartum Body Project
Cheryn
I am definitely joining this one! It’s just what I’ve needed; I recently joined Fit2B, and I LOVE it!! Accountablility will be wonderful. I am currently at my ideal weight (130lbs) but my goal is to close the diastasis I gained though the pregnancies with my three little princesses over the past five years! Current waist messurement is 34″ and I’d say (I’m still new to this!!) that I have a 2, 4, 2 finger disastasis. Lets go!!
Erin
Way to go to be at your ideal weight!!! I hope you see some good results with the diastasis! Mine has closed some, and I really couldn’t believe it b/c the exercises in Fit2B are WAY easier than crunches!
De, Like the Letter
I am always trying to find ways to fit exercise into my life, and this focus and accountability is just what I need to get moving! I use work out DVDs at home much of the time, but my husband recently got us a gym package through his work; here’s to making it out of the house and to the gym three times this week!!!
Erin
That sounds wonderful!! I find that getting out of the house is often the motivation I need as well….it doesn’t work for everyone, but it’s a great incentive!!
Anna H.
Definitely joining in! Will you share the exercises you do from Fit2B for those of us who have subscribed to Fit2B?
Erin
Yay! Do you mean if i will name which exercises I’ve been doing?
Anna H.
Yes. The workouts from Fit2B that you are doing each week.
Erin
Sure! That’s a great idea! I am especially loving the “Pilates in Pajamas” right now! 🙂
Jen
I’m SO in!! With all the travel we will be doing the next 6 months it will be great to get some ideas on fitting in fitness while on the road. I’m currently using several Beach Body programs depending on my mood. 🙂
Erin
I’m working on scheduling all the posts now, and Christy from The Simple Homemaker will be posting on that topic! Her family travels with her husband’s music ministry, so she has some great tips! So glad to have you on board, Jen!! 🙂
Brooke
I’m in! I was planning on doing some ab work this month anyway. This will help a lot! I had my fourth baby 8 weeks ago and my pooch is a bit bigger than yours! I can fit all 10 finger in my diastisis. 😛 I would like to lose a little weight, too, but my biggest concern is toning my big belly! I don’t want to do anything that would compromise my milk supply. Gotta keep that baby chunky. 😉
Emily @ Live Renewed
Way to go Erin! Can’t wait to follow along with you too!
Erin
I’ve been enjoying reading yours, Emily! Glad to be in this together!! 🙂
Stacy @Stacy Makes Cents
Love the title! 🙂
Tasha
As a 40 year old shift worker with a 4, 5 and 15 year old, like everyone else I have to “budget” my time. I find that since my last two kids were born, I have really struggled with my weight. I was also diagnosed with thyroid problems, so that weight just won’t budge! I am excited to have a group who will hold me accountable!
Sheila S
Thank you for doing this! I have been wanting to join a fitness challenge and start exercising…again. I knew I had that “split in my tummy muscles,” but didn’t know what to do to fix it. Thank you so much for directing us to Fit2b! Just did the introductory exercises. So nice to find something that works my core and doesn’t make my tummy stick out more!
Rachel
Awesome! I’ll join the FB group! Sounds like fun 🙂
Erin
Yay!
Paula
My twins are 13 months and I’m needing to keep up! I have started a couch to 5k training, but need to supplement with some”mommy toning”. I am excited to look into this and other things.
Megan
Oh my gosh! Thank you, thank you, thank you for telling me about the Fit2Be studio! I”ve been doing so much research online to try and figure out how to heal my diastasis and have found not much more than a few workouts with no direction, or conflicting information. I”ll be giving this a shot for a month to see if it helps!
Erin
Yay! I hope it works out well for you!
Debra @ Sweet Kisses and Dirty Dishes
I think this summer will be the first time I will be trying to lose weight (and actually working towards it) since when I was a teenager (and my weight management was to not eat for a week…) .
You started this series while I was pregnant, so I have not been following but I look forward to reading it afterwards. I started this pregnancy 30 pounds heavier than my last pregnancy, and 40 pounds heavier than when I got married (but I was actually underweight both of those times…).
I have already gained a TON because I have been so sick that in order to be able to sleep I would eat whatever I felt like I could about 10 o’ clock at night after throwing up dinner and maybe a couple other times.
I am a little scared about trying to lose weight because of my distorted mindset in that regards.
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erickajen
will you be doing this again sometme?