(Baby) Belly inspiration: 40 pounds lost, six pack coming!

Hey everyone,

after I had my baby, I gave myself three months before taking a real look in the mirror. What I saw was a soft, flabby belly and a body that looked like a battlefield- stretch marks, cellulite, hanging skin. I was devestated and thought I could never look good and healthy again. It was my own fault- I had really let myself go while I was pregnant. But hey, you can eat whatever you want when you are growing a baby inside of you, right?! If my husband and I decide to have another one, I will not eat three candy bars a day. And pizza. And ice cream. And chips. That was a terrible idea.

Anyway, whenever my body felt strong enough to start exercising, I started a post partum gymnastics class. I could take my baby with me and she was very happy there. Also, I began to walk. A lot. Myfitnesspal helped me keep my calories in check and I was very strict with my intake.
It worked, I slowly started losing weight. Also, I was breastfeeding which also helped a great deal.

When I felt my endurance improve, I started jogging and doing Jillian Michaels' programs. I finished the 30 day shred once. It couldn't do it in 30 days though. It took me three months. I did push myself as much as I could, but I did have a baby and so my priorities were very clear. Also, I started studying when my baby was 9 months old- I worked out whenever I could which was maybe 3 times a week but I also took my bike to school. Slow and steady wins the race. I fell off the horse many, many, many times but I got back on and kept going.

That is probably why it took me 3 years to lose 40 pounds and build the muscles you can see in the pictures. About 2 years ago I started working out with fitnessblender.com every here and there, besides going to the fitness studio doing Zumba and cardio stuff. Then, about a year ago I started REALLY working out with fitnessblender using their HIIT and strength training programs. This is when I saw crazy changes in my body. I started out on a level 1, huffing and puffing during the workout. Now I'm on a level 4 and sometimes I even do a short level 5 workout. I do look like a tomato in the face and sweat like pig, but I can push through it.

Here's some data for you:
Height: 5'7
Start weight: 190 pounds
Current weight: 150-160 pounds (yes, there is insane fluctuation in my weight and I try not to weigh myself very often)
Goal weight: 140-150 pounds (but I am feeling great at 150, muscles weigh a lot and I don't want to lose my booty)
Workouts: 3x HIIT and strength for about 45 minutes (Fitnessblender) + 1x cardio only like running for 30 minutes or inline skating
Food: Vegetarian, lots of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, water, tea. Try to minimize chocolate intake which is a struggle especially before exams.

Here are my tips for you:
1. Your body is capable of so much! It's insane to see how it can change when you push it right. Just keep it up and your body will surprise you!

2. Don't starve yourself! It takes longer to lose the weight if you don't, but it does come off. Vegetables, fruit, beans, whole grain: real food! I see many people here that eat 1300 calories a day, but basically eat crap. Your body can not live off sugar cereal with milk for breakfast, a whole day of nothing and then a pizza for dinner. I eat around 2500 calories a day now, work out 3-5 times a week for 45-60 minutes and my body keeps changing.

3. It's okay to mess up. If you're going through a tough time and eat crappy foods or not work out for like two weeks, don't beat yourself up. Just get back on track and don't just sit in your misery. This is what I did in the beginning. If I messed up one day, I said "f*** it, it's over, I can't do this". Then I stopped everything all together. Losing weight and changing your habits will take time and hard work and there will be times when you mess up and gain back some weight. It was like that for me, but just be nice and forgiving to yourself, let it go and start back up!

I did it, and SO CAN YOU!!!