After I gave birth to my princess, I was so anxious to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight.  After 6 months, I want to do my usual bench press routines again.  Before I learned that I was pregnant with her, I was already doing 3 sets of 10, lifting 50 pounds.  Maybe not much for a seasoned weight lifter, but it was such an accomplishment on my part.

So when I found out that I was pregnant with her, I stopped lifting and focus on my pregnancy.  I promised myself that I’m getting back on shape as soon as I can, right after giving birth.

It wasn’t that easy as I thought.  I tried lifting weights again after 6 months without my husband’s consent but it didn’t work.  I stopped after a week.  With no one to support me on my exercise regimen, it didn’t feel right.  It was pure vanity on my part anyway.

My princess turned 1 year, and I started doing hip hop abs.  It takes 40 minutes to one hour, and took so much of my time.  I was homeschooling 3 kids and taking care of my toddler.  Back then, I was having problems with time management.

I tried 20 minute turbo jam for a change.  At first, it was so difficult.  It was full of jumping and kicking, nonstop.  After 5 minutes of that 20 minute work-out, I was already gasping for air.  I kept thinking, how could someone be that energetic.  The first time I did turbo jam, I stopped the player after 5 minutes, deciding I’m done.

I found 8 minutes abs.  It was difficult but I love the 8-minute routine.  I said it was perfect for busy mothers like me.

By the time I got used to 8 minute abs, I incorporated the 20 minute turbo jam.  It was beyond difficult but I pushed myself into it.  This time, vanity was not just my motivation.  I also wanted to save money.  I don’t want to buy bigger clothes just because I can’t fit into my old ones.

When my little princess turned 2, I got so used to doing 20 minute turbo jam that I memorized the moves and felt that it was time to shift on a different program.  I lost weight already but not gaining muscles.  I still have flabby arms and legs.  I found out that it’s not about how much you weigh because muscles are heavier than fat.  A fit person with muscles (not the bulky but lean muscles) may weigh more than someone of the same height and bone structure, but will still look fit and slim.  So my goal is not to lose weight but to have lean muscles.

My husband introduced me to a very short but difficult routine.  He calls it 55.  I really don’t know what that routine was called.  It’s a series of push-ups and squats. Not half squat, but full squat.  The one that you really have to almost sit on the floor.

10 push-ups…..1 squat

9 push-ups……2 squats

8 push-ups…..3 squats

7 push-ups…..4 squats

6 push-ups…..5 squats

5 push-ups…..6 squats

4 push-ups…..7 squats

3 push-ups…..8 squats

2 push-ups…..9 squats

1 push-ups…..10 squats

If you total them, it will be equal to 55.  The intervals and the time you get to spend on this work-out totally depends on you.  For a strong person, it will only take 5 minutes.  For a newbie, it would take 15 minutes.  The important thing is you finish.

Last year, my husband discovered P90X.  I tried it for a few days but it was too difficult for me.  It has integrated different sets of work-out routine that you should finish for 90 days.  It was challenging for me to do the pull-ups.  The push up was difficult enough, not to mention pull-ups.  I quit after 2 weeks.  Went back to my 55 instead.

Then we found Tapout XT, another 90 day program for 50 minutes to 1 hour.  I don’t know what it is with Tapout XT, but I was able to accomplish it.  The full 90 days.  From 120 pounds ( more fat that muscles), in my 5 feet and 2 inches frame, I slim down to 105 pounds with flat abs and lean muscles.  The real reward was when I was able to fit in my old clothes again.

Sad thing though, I became complacent with my workout.  I paused after 90 days.  Though I joined 2 runs last year, 5k National Geographic run and 10K Nike run.  I didn’t follow up on my 90-day routine.

After 5 months of slacking off, I noticed my belly.  Wow!  I’ m still slim but my belly is not.  I tried going back to my Tapout routine but I feel tired and weak.  I decided to go back to 55 first to develop my strength because it’s a better transition from 5-month non-active lifestyle to a healthy one.

I’m on day 3 on my 55 exercise routine.  Every time I don’t feel like doing it, I JUST DO IT!  No lame excuses!