Operation MILF | Day One

I have the c section shelf (so gross) plus a tummy pouch for a repulsive ripple effect. As the first phase in Operation MILF, I decided to do the 30 Day Abs Challenge. 

Source: http://30dayfitnesschallenges.com/30-day-abs-challenge/

My core muscles have always been strong and my stomach has (almost) always been flat. During pregnancy and my c section, abdominal muscles were separated from their homes so to speak. In fact, post-op you cannot use your ab muscles at all (and you discover how much you need them!). I know rebuilding these muscles will help me achieve my shelf-free objective. I did not anticipate how much strength I lost in those muscles! This morning I did day one and was thinking 'wow, this is going to be so easy - guess I will do it a few times'. 10 situps, 5 crunches, 5 leg raises and a 10 second plank. Please. That is not an ab workout, that's an easy set.

It was not easy. It was the most challenging one of my life. 

It became apparent there is still a lot of healing going on in my abs - and I'm kind of questioning if I will be able to complete this 30 day challenge. But at the same time, letting those muscles atrophy further will not solution anything. So I'm going to see how far I can go, and if it becomes genuinely painful I will certainly stop.

I will check back in next week with an update!

Getting my Body Back (AKA - Operation MILF)

Six weeks post-partum I am one pound off of my pre-pregnancy weight (yay!), but in no way near my pre-pregnancy shape. Extra inches are loitering on my hips/thighs/tummy - not cool! I don't want to feel bad about it and complain and not do anything about it, so I decided to do something about it. So I'm starting Operation MILF. 

I want to be healthy not only for me, but to set a good example for my son, but also for my husband who did not marry a slightly pudgy frumpy lady (no, he has not said this, and has been very complimentary of my post-baby body, and in fairness I have always worn leggings an awful lot, just not daily). And did I mention I had a respectable (and not inexpensive) wardrobe I would like to fit into again.

Armed with clearance from my doctor to resume exercise, I'm excited to resume an active lifestyle beyond walking, and to tone my body. I'm settling into life with my new one and figuring out how to mind the baby and return to doing my own meal preparation the majority of the time (when the baby is not sleeping in the kitchen - he loves that fan!). 

To keep accountable, and for anyone else who's trying to get back to normal post-pregnancy / post-c section, I'm blogging about it! I will do my best with posts, photos, etc, apologies in advance if I fall off the wagon - a good amount of time I am working from my phone while feeding the little one! And I still have a return to work and a move which will make me have to recalibrate everything again in a few weeks.

If you're working on getting your pre-pregnancy body back post-pregnancy, or if you already have, tell me about it in the comments!

Wish me luck!