Month 5 Progress
Posted: June 7, 2011 at 9:12 amIt’s that time of the month again! No, not that time of the month. I mean progress check time of the month. Yes, four weeks have already passed since my last check-in on this part of my life. Hard to believe, huh?
Last month I learned from some tough moments that continuing to make regular healthy decisions without going overboard will reap me the most progress. I put that lesson into action this month and despite a trip to Fitbloggin, BBQs, and getting closer and closer to my happy weight, I still saw progress this month.
| This Month’s Progress | Overall Progress | |
| Weight | - 2.4 lbs | - 16.0 lbs |
| Stomach (Smallest) | - 0.25” | - 3.5” |
| Stomach (Belly Button) | - 0.5” | - 5.0” |
| Hips | - 0.25” | - 4.0” |
| Butt | - 0.75” | - 4.0” |
| Thighs | - 0.25” | - 2.25” |
Front Progress Shots: Month 4 on Left – Month 5 on Right
Side Progress Shots: Month 4 on Left – Month 5 on Right
{Begin Side Note} I always feel SO weird posting pictures like this. It has nothing to do with fearing what I look like or people seeing them. You all know I don’t mind putting myself out there openly. I guess I don’t want to come across as “Look at me! Look at me!”. Yes. That’s what it is that feels so weird! {End Side Note}
I didn’t do anything dramatically different this past month. I simply kept myself focused and determined on caring for my health. It did take some extra drive at times, like when my emotional side tried to lure me into binge eating, but I remembered my dedication to caring for my health while still enjoying life. I stayed on top of regular workouts and choosing nutritious foods to fuel my body. That’s pretty much the gist of it.
However, I will say that it does take effort, planning (in a non-anal way), and compromise to make progress in the physical goals I have for myself. While I certainly do not take a drastic approach, I do have to accommodate certain habits in my life to continue the momentum of my progress.
- Occasional counting of calories and measuring of portion sizes. I do not meticulously track my food on a daily basis. Nevertheless, I remain mindful of how much I eat. I do this by loosely shooting for a certain amount of calories in each meal/snack and consuming proper portion sizes in balanced meals.
- Deciding the best way to satisfy cravings. Sometimes I have strong cravings for some chocolate or ice-cream that I do not honor by feeding myself chocolate or ice-cream. Part of feeding myself well for my progress does involve some limitations. I could happily eat a huge bowl of ice-cream every day. But I don’t. I choose to honor my cravings in a way that suits my progress – with a small portion on occasion, an alternate choice (yogurt or a smoothie instead for example), or distractions in the case of a non-hunger-induced craving. I do try to minimize “treats” to a few occasions weekly, so I don’t feel deprived at all but stay on track. I do, in fact, sometimes have to say “no”.
- Setting and committing to workouts. They are a commitment. I make them happen, unless a true physical/mental need for rest. Other than that, no excuses.
Yet again, I plan to persevere in this upcoming month with my commitment to “Body After Baby”. Does that mean I don’t feel satisfied with my body currently? Heck, no! Does that mean I believe I need to tighten up more or lose more weight? Absolutely not! But – does that mean I plan to stop working hard? Also, no. I still plan to live healthy, challenge myself, and see where my body takes me. That’s what this progress is all about. Staying committed to my healthy lifestyle, testing myself physically, and trusting my body to end up right where it wants. Right where it belongs.
- What is one way you challenged yourself physically this past month?
Tags: body after baby, progress pictures
My biggest challenge/goal I set for myself was my “reach goal” of running a sub 27 minute 5k (not a race, but just the distance). I’m slowly working on my speed running outside (I was a treadmill warrior until April of this year) and I enjoy the experience and the scenery so much more while outside. I honestly didn’t think I was going to be able to accomplish the 27 min 5k because I even tried one day on the treadmill to maintain the appropriate pace & I only got about 2 miles in, but right before the end of the month, I ran along a flat road next to the ocean in Maine & hit 3.1 in 27 on the dot, which shaved 55 seconds off the fastest 5k distance I’ve ever done. Big smiles after that.
You look great, Tina. I love coming to your blog to get inspired by your workouts and your positive attitude. 🙂
Awesome job!!! 27 is a fantastic and speedy time!
I love your monthly progress posts. It motivates me for after I have this baby in November. I just recently went back to see your comparison between post-baby and now and WOW!!!! I love seeing the progress. SO motivating – and real!!!
I have to live through your posts right now. I’m 18 weeks along and havent been able to work out in 3 weeks (some minor bleeding) until I see our High Risk Dr and a follow up u/s this Thursday. I MISS my workouts and my mood is showing it and my body is feeling it. =(
You’re doing great!!!!!!!!
I had to stop workouts for about 5 or 6 weeks before reaching full-term because it kept giving me some contractions. It is hard when its such a part of your life. But I always worked to remind myself that sometimes NOT working out is the healthiest thing we can do. Congrats on the pregnancy!
You look fantastic!!!
You look amazing :). All your hard work is definitely paying off and it’s proof that you can lose the weight and tone up after you have a baby. Plus you’re definitely doing it the healthy way and not depriving yourself which is awesome!
You look awesome!!
I’m trying to lose about 15 lbs and have been finding it really hard. I have been getting so hungry at night and have been giving in to my cravings way too much.
You are beautiful! I love reading about your journey towards better health.
One of my goals is to start running again at some point but it’s difficult to find the time with 3 little ones. For now, they are my main source of activity 🙂
you look fan-tas-tic!! tina, for real. you are a great inspiration. i’ve challenged myself to short but intense circuit workouts and changing it up constantly allows me look forwards to workouts and prevent boredom! love it!
I always have to change it up too. Even if I’m doing a similar type of workout, the moves/intensity/etc has to be different to keep me motivated!
Tina you look amazing and I can see a big difference in this month’s pictures! You are definitely working hard but I like that you keep such a balanced approach to food and exercise.
I challenged myself by running 20 miles (last year when I trained for a marathon I only made it to 17 miles before I quit the long training run) — I felt so good because I pushed through and finished, even though I really wanted to give up and go home!
You look absolutely amazing, Tina! I have enjoyed these progress posts so much. You are such an inspiration to all of us <3
Way to go girly!! I love how you’ve totally stuck to your goal and made it happen 🙂
Wow, you look amazing! You tiny thing you!! Seriously, so good. And I know what you mean, I’d feel funny posting pics too for the ‘look at me’ worry’ but don’t worry, I can guarantee none of us think that! I SO look forward to these posts!!
Tina – you look fantastic. I know how hard you’ve worked and it is paying off big time. You are such an inspiration.
You look AMAZING!! I love that you have the confidence to post bikini pics, too. Not sure I’ll have the balls to do the same after September, but hope I do 🙂
I think you are AMAZING for posting these photos and look absolutely incredible! Your hard work is definitely paying off!
Girl, you are an inspiration!! You look absolutely phenomenal! I can only hope that I’ll look like that after I have a baby (which isn’t for a while…I think!) Haha 🙂
You are just awesome!
You look incredible, Tina! Keep up the great work and thanks for inspiring us with your progress updates. 🙂
Wow, you look so gorgeous & it’s pretty amazing that you’d put yourself out there as a REAL story of losing the baby weight instead of the celebrities I see that go into hiding for weeks then emerge thinner than ever. Your arms look so toned! One way I physically challenged myself this month was to start skipping every morning. It’s harder than it seems! I’m gradually building up to about 20 minutes of skipping.
I bet skipping is tough! I’ve done it in “functional training” workouts before and it would wind me. 20 minutes straight = wow!
And thanks. Showing a real story is my biggest motivation in these posts.
You are looking fan-freakin’-tastic!
Girl, you look amazing! You are such an inspiration. I try hard to eat intuitively, but I’d also like to lose some weight, and embracing that it’s okay to say “no” sometimes is really freeing. For a long time I struggled thinking that if I ate intuitively it meant I’d just go ahead and have that grilled cheese sandwich, beer, and brownie for dinner. Now I know that it’s okay to set goals and limits, and that I don’t have to give in every single time my mind tells me it wants something.
Physically this past month I’ve been doing my usual, though I did take a hike the other day at a very, very fast pace that left me out of breath! I’m trying to challenge myself more with heavier weights, too.
I believe we can still be intuitive by choosing things that satisfy us…but going for healthier options when certain cravings hit. Like if I crave sugar I might realize a piece of fruit still sounds good and go for that over the chocolate bar. Still being intuitive, but still working towards goals and health. 🙂
Incredible. Not just your progress but your fierce committment to balance is so, so, SO inspiring. And dear, don’t feel weird for posting pics of yourself for this portion of your blog, nobody is judging you as being all “look at me” – instead we’re all inspired and proud of you!! At least I know I am. How much farther do you have to go to get to your “happy weight” if you don’t mind me asking (you don’t have to answer if you don’t want)?
Well, I don’t know my weight so I can’t really answer anyways. I just know the progress I’ve made so far since I do the thing where Peter weighs me. I really don’t have a set weight. I know my jeans that I love and wore where I felt best before are getting close to buttoning so maybe around 5ish lbs? It’s hard to say though. I don’t think I have to lose much more but it will more be my body shifting in its composition. Hope that makes sense.
It totally does. I’m a moron – realized after I typed this that you don’t actually “know” your weight, duh me!! But this totally makes sense – those jeans will fit you like a glove in no time! 🙂
No side note need! Look at you girl! Whoop whoop! Your abs are rockin! I cannot believe you had a baby 5 months ago! I must mention this every time- you are my post baby role model 🙂
You look absolutely incredible. I cannot even believe it’s been five months since Baby B was born!
Way to Go!! I’m 4 months post baby and look nothing like that! I keep going from counting calories, to Atkins, to counting calories again! Yuck! I have lost the 40 I gained but need to loose 20 more!!!
You are such a inspiration!! Keep it up girl! You motivate me to get out and get in better shape!!!
🙂
You can do it! Just stay motivated on overall healthy choices. They really can go a long way for our bodies. 🙂
You look amazing! Congrats on your progress!
Your look great! You are a great insipiration 🙂
You look amazing and I see noticeable changes from this past month..way to go! I agree with all of your points on weight management and loss…well said!
I told Lisa this, that I am so jealous you two get to speak together at the conference, but so happy for you both! How fun!!! You guys are gonna rock 🙂
I think your doing great Tina! Life is a progression and we are constantly changing. I think you are so great to share your story.
You look so great! Keep up the hard work because it is paying off!
Wow, you’ve made great progress and you look amazing!! 🙂
HOT MAMA! Look at the waist. You’re doing so great and in such a healthy manner. Keep up the stellar work.
You look seriously amazing girl! Ive been trying to do yoga 3-4 times a week and stregth training on those days as well. It just helps me refocus, which I love!
Well done Tina, you look great! Hey just wondering, do you drink wine/beer? I haven’t seen you post about it but just wondering if it’s something you include in your diet or whether you aren’t because you are nursing, or just choose not to etc.
I don’t do so regularly – mainly to save money since the only times I’m really ever in a mood to have an alcoholic beverage is when I’m out which is $$$. I like both though! I just like dessert more so choose to put our budget dollars on dessert over a drink. LOL Regardless – I don’t have them less often due to nursing or “dieting”. It’s purely a money thing.
I will say that you wills eee some drinks almost nightly next week while I’m on vacay, where my GPa picks up the bill. Hehe.
You are one HOT MAMA! I can’t even express how much I love you, for being a fabulous, realistic and positive role model.
Gooo Tina!! Wow, has it really been 5 months! You are seriously looking great, I can see your abs! What’s really awesome is that your doing it the right way! 🙂
WOW, you look great Tina! I’m so proud of you for all that you’re improving each month. I hope to follow in your footsteps after I have my first child in the future. You are such an inspiration and I listen to all your advice and I truly mean it when I say that you’ve really helped me on my path to keep a healthy lifestyle.
GO TINA! 🙂
Tina, you look amazing and are SO inspiring in your attitude and consistent, healthy progress. And by the way, your posts NEVER come off as “Oh look at me!” 🙂
Good job!! You are looking great and there really is such a difference between this and last month! And i really cant believe that its been 5 months already!!!!!!
Wow, Tina – you are incredible! I can’t believe you had a child 5 months ago! Amazing. Congrats on your success and your hard work! I am so inspired 🙂
Tina you look amazing! I can’t believe the progress you’ve made in a month. That is really impressive. Keep up the fabulous work!
I. Love. You. for these posts! It is so awesome to see your progress! You are looking wonderful!! 😀
You look great Tina! You really have the motivation and drive that I would love to have. I don’t know why but I just don’t stick with it long enough to see progress. The one way I have challanged myself this week is stepping up my workouts. I just have to get the food choices in a better place.
Tina you look absolutely amazing! Great work!
I too felt super weird and awkward about posting pictures for my NROLFW plan but it’s such a good way to see change and keep yourself motivated.
Tina, you look awesome!!! What’s your goal? When do you plan to stop losing and start maintaining?
I don’t have a set goal per se. I think my body has a set-point that it gets to with steady workouts and balanced eating. The losses have consistently slowed so I imagine it will reach that natural place in a few months. I know my old jeans that I wore at that set-point before still don’t fit quite yet but aren’t far away either.
Wow Tina you look amaaaaaazing. I can’t believe you’ve had two children! No one would ever know!
I’ve upped my strength training over the past month and have been loving it. I can notice myself getting more toned and it feels great!
You never fail to inspire me Tina. You look fantastic, and I love how honest you are. People like to make it look easy, but its not. You’ve gotta work for it, and clearly, thats what you’re doing.
You look great! I’m sure you’ve addressed it in the past but how did you get the “healthy” mindset around weight and appearance? I am having a really tough time lately with the scale dictating whether it’s a “good day” or a “bad day”… I know there needs to be a shift in what I focus on because when I looked at the photos from my 1/2 marathon I didn’t see a strong capable body – I hated the photo instead thinking that it made me look fat. And I know it’s not just me who has similar thoughts. You just seem so body confident – wondering how you got there.
A LOT of it had to deal with my faith, recognizing my worth, wanting to be a good example for my daughter, and just making choices to care for myself. Plus – I had to learn to tell those demons to shove it by consistently making it a habit. Although it was hard! My 30 Days of Self Love series posts (tab at the top) on a lot of the habits and lessons I learned over the process. As well as my overcoming binge eating post (on my top posts page). It’s a never-ending journey though. I certainly still have rough days!
Wow…congrats! Keep up the great work!
Looking good lady! You are so inspiring me at this exact moment (and many other moments past) 😀
My biggest challenge this month is starting to exercise again! I’m not doing anything major yet, but I am walking a couple miles a day. And, please do not feel like your clamoring for attention or anything, because seeing your progress has been such an amazing motivator for those of us who are a few months behind you!
Tina, I continue to be so thankful for finding your blog when you posts things like this! I think your approach to your body is so inspiring and healthy, and a place I am looking to get to as well! Keep up the amazing work lady 🙂