It’s been almost two months since I finished my “Operation Get Fit” workouts….how do I know this? Well, because I had promised to write a “final” post with my results, photo’s and such………and I haven’t. Lately, I haven’t been able to write and publish the posts I want to on time. It’s just the way life is going these days but I haven’t forgotten about it. So, here it goes.

Last year I agreed to be a bridesmaid (for the first time) for my friend Kelly; her wedding was June 24th 2013. I had baby Hilary in December 2012 and at 8 weeks postpartum, I went dress shopping for my bridesmaid dress. The sales lady and I agreed I’d lose that little weight I needed by June. Ha!

April arrives and so does my dress. I tried it on and couldn’t zip it up! Seriously, I only zipped it half way up my back and I was 8 weeks away from Kelly’s wedding. My mother and husband who saw the dress 1/2 zipped said that I needed to get more active (with a 4 month old and almost 3-year-old). It was a little harsh but just what I needed to hear.

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If you missed the others posts, here you go:

Why Operation Get Fit ; Week 1 ; Week 2 ; Week 3  ; Week 4 ; Week 5  ; Week 6  ; Week 7  and Week 8.

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 “Sometimes you need to hear the honest true from someone you love to get to were you need to be”

I created a plan to workout 4-5 nights a week once both girls were in bed  and after we managed to get baby Hilary on a bedtime routine. Usually around 8 pm I would either run outside if my husband was home or workout in our basement to a few different DVD’s.

1. Jillian Michael’s Ripped in 30 (All 4 levels completed).
2. Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred (just to change it up here and there).
3. Brad Gouthro DVD.
4. Running occasionally outside on my own or with baby H in the stroller.
5. A variety of other random workouts (arms, abs etc).

Results:

After searching for any before picture this is the only before picture I could find. I guess I am always the one behind the camera these days.

I lost 8 and a 1/2 pounds and 10 inches all over but mainly from my waste/hips and bum – a.k.a. baby weight.

What is hard?

Heck yeah! I committed to being a bridesmaid which meant wearing this dress. The only person that was going to get me there was me. I had to be the one to decide each and every night to put my workout clothing on after I had been up since 6 am taking care of Hilary and sometimes Lilly when not at day care. I was the one who decided not to sit in front of the TV (okay, that did happen at least 2 nights that I remember when I just didn’t have it in me) but 97% of the time I was committed to losing the weight.

Also, my husband was home most evenings and would help out so I could do my workouts. He even watched the hockey playoffs on our computer ……. awwwwwww, that’s love.

What did I learn? A LOT!

Mainly, that I can get the results if not better if I just put in the time.

I also learned that setting a specific goal (long term) and weekly goals (short term) are something I need to keep me going. I would look at each week on Sunday and plan out what days I could workout and what days I just really needed to rest. Yes, some of those workout days turned into rest days but then my scheduled rest days became a workout day.

Did the dress fit?

It sure did! I had no problem zipping it up in the back. I had the dress on from around 1 pm until 11:30 pm expect for the few times I had to nurse Hilary. Off I would go to the cabin we rented. I would strip down and put on a robe so I could nurse her then back in the dress like that! I had pretty little silver shoes with a little heal to go with the dress (great colour choice by the bride).

After the big day I decided to sit back a little and concentrate on things at home. Less working out and more just having fun with the girls. And no, I did not increase my TV time. We actually cancelled our TV cable since we stopped watching it so much. In July I took part in the 6k Mud Hero Run which was a lot of fun and August I recently ran the Run for Women 5k.

Where am I now?

I’ve managed to keep the weight off and am starting to plan for the next round of “losing the baby weight”. I have another 7 pounds to go am coming up with a workout plan to start soon. I’ve been running twice a week when my hubby is home and managed to go to Zumba one night!

I’m happy with my results but not done yet!

Did you ever work 6-8 weeks on a fitness program?

What were your results?

Did you continue, lighten-up a bit or end the workouts all together?

I’d love to hear your comments below!