Operation Flat Belly: Frustration Ensues

Economom Amie's musings on shedding her post-baby weight, also known as Operation Flat Belly.

Sorry I haven't kept up with Operation Flat Belly lately. My quest to lose weight has become somewhat futile. Frustration has set in.

To say I have been busy is an understatement. In the past few weeks I threw a "Sip and See" party for friends and family to meet Macy, I returned to my day job half time, my future mother-in-law came into town for a visit, AND I was on the hunt for good day care, which can be found few and far between.

Operation Flat Belly has been on the forefront of my mind but on the bottom of my to-do list. I'm constantly fretting about working out and eating healthy, but when it comes to performing these actions, I'm definitely falling short.

Party appetizers aren't exactly the healthiest of foods. We ate out at restaurants four different times over a span of two days when Macy's grandma was in town. And "stress eating" was my go-to coping mechanism after we visited with a couple day care options that I could NEVER imagine sending Macy to.

I know, I know. I need to stop with the excuses. But sometimes you just need to vent! Losing weight is hard, damn it!

And on top of it all, my fiance and Operation Flat Belly partnerTodd is shedding pounds at warp speed. We're putting in the same effort, yet the weight is falling off of him. What the heck! (Sorry honey, I am proud of you ........ Sort of.)

Therefore, my frustration ensues .... When people told me it takes nine months to gain the weight, so don't expect it to take shorter to lose it, I should have believed them! Lesson learned.

So what am I currently doing that I need to beef up?

I'm continuing to train for the Mud Chasers race by working out about two to three times per week. Thank goodness Todd and I have family nearby that can watch Macy when we find the time to do Kamikaze Class. Macy is also getting to know the babysitters at the Y! Very rarely I'm catching a yoga class. In reality, working out two to three times a week is great for maintaining weight, but I need to up this to four or five to actually lose weight.

We're on our second week of Supper Thyme's Three-a-Day Fast Track Meals. I love this diet because it doesn't really feel like a diet -- the food tastes good and is filling. But I've realized eating out is a HUGE part of our lifestyle. So most days two out of my three meals will be Fast Tracks but the other is from a restaurant. I'm finding it almost impossible to eat healthy at restaurants. Again, this format seems to be great for maintaining my weight. In order to shed those pounds, I really need to try to eat at home perhaps during the whole work week and then occassionally on the weekends.

These are my goals moving forward. I know I shouldn't be super hard on myself, but it's hard not to! Thanks for letting me rant :-)

Operation Flat Belly - The Diet That's Not Really a Diet

Economom Amie's musings on shedding her post-baby weight, also known as Operation Flat Belly.

I started Supper Thyme Cockeysville's 3-a-Day Fast Track meals last Thursday. I decided to hop aboard the Fast Track because it seemed liked a realistic alternative to the traditional gimmicky diets that never really work. The Fast Track isn't so much a diet as eating healthy and controlling portions.

I can't vouch for the Fast Track meals in terms of weight loss yet, but I can tell you I am really liking that they taste like "real" food and aren't miniscule portions that leave me wanting more. I have been somewhat hungry in between meals, but Supper Thyme encourages you to eat a healthy snack every few hours to keep your metabolism up. This seems to work.

To be completely honest, I also haven't stuck to the Fast Track meals 100%. My fiance, Todd, and I had dinner plans both nights during this past weekend. We attempted to order somewhat healthy options, but it didn't quite work out.

The sourdough rolls with sweet butter that came out before dinner was even served were the end of me. And Todd ordered a quarter of roasted chicken, but it ended up being drenched in butter ... Just further proving that restaurant eating makes it really difficult to lose weight!

There are a few things I'm really liking about the Fast Track meals so far. First, everything's already prepared. As a new mom, can I tell you how nice it is to not have to come up with a menu, go grocery shopping for it, prep the food, then cook it? All of the breakfasts and lunches can be cooked in the microwave in five minutes or less. The dinners have to be thawed, but then you just pop them in the oven or put the meat over a broiler. So easy!

Secondly, like I mentioned before, it's "real" food. It isn't this chemical, preservative ridden diet food like you find in Lean Cuisines. It's just healthy, fresh whole foods that are assembled into a meal for you.

Third, I don't feel deprived like I have on other diets in the past. I'm eating foods I normally eat, just in smaller quantities and healthier options substituted ... Stuff like high grain tortillas, omelettes with turkey bacon, or tilapia with an omega-3 rich marinade.

So .... so far so good! I haven't been perfect about sticking to the meal plan, but let's face it, I'm not perfect! Plus, I think it's okay to treat yourself every once in awhile. Otherwise, you'd go crazy! That's all for now on the Operation Flat Belly front :-)

Operation Flat Belly - Hopping on the Fast Track

Economom Amie's musings on shedding her post-baby weight, also known as Operation Flat Belly.

Over the past several weeks since I launched my Operation Flat Belly mission, I've been pretty good about working out. Between practicing yoga, running through my neighborhood, hitting up the Y occassionally, and taking the oh-so-challenging Kamikaze classes at Interactive Fitness, I feel like I've put forth a decent effort toward being more physically active.

Eating? Not so much. The extra calories I'm burning from breast feeding just aren't enough. It's time for a diet. Time to depart from let's eat healthy for breakfast and lunch but pig out at dinner. Or let's be good all week and then ruin my progress over the weekend.

Frankly, I'm tired of thinking about it. It's exhausting to come up with healthy meals and snacks, especially when you're trying to juggle caring for a baby, upkeeping a house, penning a blog, and working. Unfortunately, my full-time maternity leave is over; I'm now working half-time from home with occasional pop-ins at the office.

By the end of the day, cooking is the last thing I feel like doing. And as you all know, eating healthy at a restaurant is close to impossible!

So I've decided to jump on the Fast Track -- Supper Thyme Cockeysville's 3-a-Day Fast Track that is. And I convinced my fiance Todd to do it with me too! The program offers homemade meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that keep your daily calorie intake at a low enough level to lose weight along with exercise.

Now, I'm not one for gimmicks at all. Diets like SlimFast and Nutrisystem are not my speed. Supper Thyme's Fast Track meals appealed to me because it's REAL food that's healthy and portioned correctly. That's my biggest fault, by the way, eating portion sizes that are wayyyyy too big.

Plus, just after I had Macy, we picked up some frozen Supper Thyme meals to make dinnert-time easy. They were delish! So I know I'll be getting something that tastes good.

I pick up my one week supply of food this afternoon. I'm so excited and can't wait to try our first dinner tonight! No cooking ... woo hoo!

As I progress through the Fast Track meals, I'll let you know how it goes--for better or worse! If you want to go ahead and try Fast Track for yourself, Supper Thyme is having an open house this Thursday, March 24 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at which you'll get to sample the meals and ask any questions you might have. Fan their Facebook page for details and updates.

Exclusive to Economoms: 60% Off Fit Mom Circuit Training & Food Journal Analysis

Mom Kelly has lost 38 pounds so far with Fit Mom Circuit Training!

When I took on the challenge of Operation Flat Belly, my goal was not only to lose my pregnancy weight but to also inspire other moms out there to take steps toward getting fit. Now that I have a child, I understand just how hard it is to set aside time for myself--not to mention the feelings of guilt that come along with the rare occasions I'm able to.

The monetary expenses associated with losing weight can also be a deterrent to moms. That's why I'm trying to provide as many fitness deals as possible during my Operation Flat Belly quest. Whether you're trying to shed baby weight like me, or you just want to shape up for spring break and bathing suit season, now is the time to do it because you don't stumble upon a steep discount like this often.

Fit Mom Circuit Training is offering a 60% off deal for all Economoms fans! For just $50 get 8 classes and a food journal analysis from certified trainer Melanie Thomas. This is a $126 value!

Fit Mom's bootcamp classes are offered at 6 a.m., 9:15 a.m. or 11 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Each 45 minute class, located at Interactive Fitness in Cockeysville, consists of strength training, cardio intervals and core training. Classes are offered in a small group setting with other moms just like you. Feelings of self-consciousness will fly right out the window in this supportive yet structured environment designed for all levels.

As a mom to three kids of her own, Melanie is all too familiar with trying to incorporate fitness and healthy eating into a jam-packed child-centric schedule. She'll guide you through bootcamp with individualized attention. And she even pens a blog that offers workout tips and healthy recipes for outside of class. Check out some of the amazing before and after stories of some of her clients. There's also a great listing of meals under 350 calories each that you can grab on the go, at places like Panera and Qdoba. 

Here's the deal:

• $50 for 8 classes and a food journal analysis, which is 60% off the regular price of $126.
• Deal available to new clients only.
• Classes must be taken by April 30, 2011, which is perfect timing to prepare you for spring break or Team Economoms' Mud Chasers race!
• To receive your discount, email Melanie at Fitmombaltimore@verizon.net and mention Economoms. Melanie can also answer any questions you have by email.

Operation Flat Belly - Kamikaze!

Economom Amie's musings on shedding her post-baby weight, also known as Operation Flat Belly.

The word 'kamikaze' originated in World War II, when Japanese fighter pilots were trained to make suicidal crash attacks, especially on ships. Over the past 70 years, the word has evolved into everyday slang, referring to an extremely reckless person who seems to court death.

So when Todd and I signed up for the Kamikaze Class at Interactive Fitness in Timonium, we were just a tad worried about what it might entail. OK, maybe more than a tad ...

Interactive Fitness' web site describes Kamikaze like this: "An advanced group training experience. Utilizing multiple drills and a variety of equipment, your cardiovascular and strength capacity will be tested to the limit." UH-OH!

Before class we met with Cristhian Ruiz, the Co-Founder of and Fitness Director at Interactive Fitness. He's putting on the Mud Chasers race Todd and I are participating in and suggested the Kamikaze class as good way for us to burn off our post-baby weight at warp speed. (By the way, here's $10 off Mud Chasers registration and how you can RSVP to be on our team.)

I kid you not, before class Cristhian goes--"There's a trash can in the corner if you guys need to throw up during class."

What the bleep did we get ourselves into!?!?

Well, let's just say mack truck tires, sledge hammers, and flights of steps (lots and lots of flights of steps!) were involved. And it was one of the most challenging yet rewarding fitness experiences I've ever had.

Did I throw up? No. But Todd was close!

There was more to Cristhian's pre-class advice than just the throw-up statement. He told us to do the best we could and go at our own pace. He assured us that most drills would last only a minute, so if we absolutely hated one, we'd be on to another in just 60 seconds. Finally, he said he wouldn't be screaming in our faces like a sargeant; it was up to us to get what we wanted out of the class.

That philosophy really appealed to both me and Todd. Each exercise was completed individually in circuit training format, which meant everyone was focused only on themselves. I didn't feel like anyone was watching me or judging me as I "flubbered" around trying to get the tasks done.

There were quite a few exercises that were torturous, but as Cristhian advised us, they were over in a flash. And Cristhian, who does the class with us, was even having trouble completing some of the exercises. However, it felt extremely satisfying to push through something so hard to then be rewarded with a drill that was more my speed. For me, jogging on the treadmill for 30 minutes is uber-boring, so I really liked the variety offered.

Cristhian Ruiz

The best comparison I have for the Kamize Class is the training depicted on The Biggest Loser. Throughout the class, I often thought to myself -- if those folks can push themselves to do it, I know I can too.

Here are just a few of the exercises we completed during the hour long session:

• Sprinting 60 seconds on the treadmill alternated with squatting for 60 seconds (That was the warm up! Holy cow!)
• Running up and down four flights of stairs five times (Todd and I only were able to do it four times, and we were definitely "lapped!")
• Flipping a mack truck tire over for about a 50 foot stretch (This was my favorite!)
• Dragging that same tire back and forth on the 50 foot stretch
• Kneeling in front of a tire and hitting it with the swing of a sledge hammer
• Jumping side to side over a weight bench for 60 seconds (I was way too short to do this, so I sort of stepped over it instead. You'd be surprised at how much of a workout this is!)

The best part is that each class is unique, changing based on the many drills Cristhian can pull out of his arsenal. One veteran of the class informed me that if Cristhian eats Chinese for lunch, we're screwed for that evening so he can burn off the calories! One thing is for sure -- Kamikaze will always be challenging yet rewarding. I can't express enough how great I felt after class!

If you think the Kamikaze Class is something that could boost your fitness goals, come join us! Interactive Fitness offers a FREE class pass so you can try it out without any investment. Classes are offered on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 11 a.m.

What do you have to lose? Hey, I know!! WEIGHT!

Operation Flat Belly - How to Make Getting Dirty Look Hot (Plus $10 for You!)

Economom Amie's musings on shedding her post-baby weight, also known as Operation Flat Belly.

Get your minds out of the gutter, people! This column is about losing weight, remember?

All kidding aside, six weeks from now I will be getting the dirtiest I have ever been. How you ask? I'll be particpating in the Mud Chasers 5k! The race is dubbed as "3.5 miles of off-road running, mud, challenging obstacles, mud again, fun, and a spectacular party."

And I really, really DO NOT want to look like a pig wallowing in the mud while I'm doing it!

Thus, the next challenge of Operation Flat Belly has come to fruition--making getting dirty look hot (well, my fiance's version of hot, anyway!).

Speaking of my fiance, I'm happy to introduce you to Todd. He's my rock--the man who can get me to laugh in any situation, the person who loves me for me, and the wonderful dad to our six-week-old daughter Macy. He likes to tell people that during my pregnancy, he gained "sympathy weight." And let's just say he was sympathizing A LOT!

Todd changing his first diaper!

So whether he likes it or not, I signed Todd up for the Mud Chasers race too. It's on April 17, by the way, at Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville. I registered on impulse, figuring it would be a unique end goal for us to work toward that's more fun than your typical running race.

After I registered, I delved further into the Mud Chasers web site and quickly realized this wasn't going to be just a happy go lucky run at the park. With obstacles like "Grizzly Climb," "Tire(d)," and "Tuck and Duck", it dawned on me that this race would be pretty darn challenging.

But on the same token, I realized its challenging nature would be a good thing. The way my mind works, I was already thinking of the embarassment it would cause me if I physically couldn't climb over a wall or adeptly run through a tire maze. So come Hell or high water, I WILL finish this race! And I WILL look hot doing it!

Plus, there's a party afterward with beer and bands. If that isn't motivation, I don't know what is! ;-)

If I can do it, I know you can too. Please consider joining us! Here's $10 to sweeten the pot. All Economoms and their kids are exclusively entitled to $10 off registration by using promotion code economom at checkout.

Mini Mudders is the kiddo version of the event. There's a category for 5-10 year olds and 11-13 year olds. It's a 1/4 to 1/2 mile pint-sized obstacle course that's not timed and is just for fun. Every child receives a medal for participating. Adults must accompany 5 and 6 year olds on the course and do not have to pay.

Join Team Economoms at the Mud Chasers event! Participants (one per registered child or adult) will receive swag bags with special family-friendly deals and giveaways on race day. We're also working on a special party just for us after the race! To RSVP for Team Economoms, go here. It's important to RSVP so I know how many bags to put together.

Next up in the Operation Flat Belly series ..... Kamikaze Class! (Two days later, and I'm seriously having trouble walking up the stairs.)

Exclusive to Economoms: 46% Off Baltimore Yoga Village Classes Plus At-Home Guided Yoga CD

Earlier this week I recounted my experience with yoga for the first time in over two years as part of my Operation Flat Belly quest. While the class was demanding, it was such a great workout--not only for my body, but my mind too. That's what I love most about yoga; it's physically challenging yet so restorative to the soul. And we all know just how important stress-relief is for us moms!

That got me to thinking it would be wonderful to offer Economoms fans a deal at a local yoga studio so you too can benefit from this great exercise alternative. Whether you're a yoga veteran or a curious newbie, this package is a great deal because it combines classes at the studio with a CD that you can use at home.

Now through March 14 Baltimore Yoga Village, located in Hampden and Mount Washington, is offering three classes and a guided yoga CD for just $35. Classes are normally $15 each, and the CD at full-price is $20. That's $30 in savings!

With this deal, take any three classes taught by Anjali Sunita, Baltimore Yoga Village owner and six-year expert. Anjali leads seven classes throughout the week offered at varying times and skill levels. Click here to view the Hampden schedule and here to check out the Mount Washington schedule.

The Om Shanti CD provides a guided yoga routine led by Anjali, so you can practice yoga between making dinner and cleaning the house, or after putting your kids to bed. Pop it in anytime you get a free minute! It includes almost 2 hours of exercises--everything from relaxing breathing techniques to shoulder and neck warm-ups to more challenging poses like the Crescent Moon.

Here's the deal:

• $35 for three Baltimore Yoga Village classes and the Om Shanti CD--a 46% savings over regular price.
• This deal must be purchased by March 14, 2011.
• Purchase the deal here. This link has been created exclusively for Economoms and automatically loads the deal.
• The three classes must be taken with Anjali before April 30, 2011.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email bmorefamilydeals@gmail.com.

Operation Flat Belly - The Dreaded Weigh-In

Economom Amie's musings on shedding her post-baby weight, also known as Operation Flat Belly.

I'm going to make this post short and to the point because it's information that I really, really wish I could just keep to myself! But in the spirit of this column and my original promise--to share not only the ups but also the downs during my quest to get fit--I'm forcing myself to spill the beans.

I stepped on a scale for the first time today since I was 40 weeks pregnant. I had my six week check-up at the OBGYN following my C-section. I'm thrilled at how well I bounced back from the C-section, but I'm less than enthusiastic about the digits that showed up on the scale.

So what's the magic number? 155.

The weight has started to come off but I haven't lost nearly as much as I had anticipated. For some reason after 6 weeks I thought I'd be closer to my pre-pregnancy weight. Lesson learned--Operation Flat Belly isn't going to be easy. The weight isn't going to magically melt away as I sit on my booty doing nothing. DUH!

But hopefully putting the number 155 in black and white will be the ultimate motivation. There's nothing I want more than to type a (much) smaller number a couple months from now. So my next step will be to come up with a healthy weight loss goal for my five foot two frame. How exciting, right!? (Insert sarcasm here).

Many thanks for letting me rant tonight! Good night!

Operation Flat Belly - Om My God!

Economom Amie's musings on shedding her post-baby weight, also known as Operation Flat Belly.

No, it's not a typo. It's the best way I can describe my experience with yoga this week. Like I said, Om my God!

Three days later, and I'm still sore. And in places that I didn't even know I could be sore. Hello, elbow muscles!?!?

I used to be somewhat of a yoga buff. My mom and I decided to try a class on a whim almost three years ago, and we were hooked. We started going once a week, then twice a week, and before we knew it we were there Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

While my mom stuck with it (you should see how hot of a grandmother she is!), my participation slowly but surely waned amidst a short stint living in Pennsylvania, the demand of my MBA classes, and my purse strings tightening up a bit. Fast forward two years, and there I was this past Thursday evening laying out my mat, post-baby belly rolls and all, for the first time in a long, long time.

I have to admit I was pretty nervous. My mom and I are devoted to a particular instructor because he's the opposite of how you might envision a traditional yoga teacher. No soft voices, corny sayings, and "I might as well be sleeping" routines. Instead, he leads an athletic class to the backdrop of bands like Led Zeppelin.

He's right up our alley, but here's the thing. His class is considered to be at the three diamond level, the most challenging available. As the yoga studio's web site says, "This class is NOT RECOMMENDED for beginners."

Okay, so I'm not exactly a beginner. But I hadn't done his class in two years. That's 24 months. Or 730 days. 730!!! So yep, I was pretty nervous.

Would all the people there be super fit and look ten times better than me? Would I be able to last the full hour and a half of the class? Would I pass out from the heat (the temp of the room is cranked up to around 90 degrees)?

Well, I am proud to say I made it! And I didn't make a fool out of myself. Granted, my face was red as a fire truck and I was dripping--literally dripping--with sweat afterwards. And I couldn't keep my balance on several of the poses. Heck, I couldn't even DO some of the poses, period!! But I tried, and I tried my best.

It was a reality check to not be able to hold many of the positions that I used to be able to whip out so easily. Exercises that required my core were particularly difficult, and I think that was compounded by my recent C-section. While it was somewhat disheartening, the experience has also inspired me to get back to where I was before.

I now have a fire in me to get my forearms strong enough to hold me in Crow position again. I want my stomach muscles to firm up enough to last in Plank for longer than 30 seconds. I look forward to being flexible enough to do the full bind of the Half Lord of the Fishes pose again. (If you don't know what these poses are, look them up in Google Images and try them out. Yoga is tougher than many think!)

So yes, Om my God! Yoga was hard this week. But I'll be back on Tuesday to try it again!

Operation Flat Belly - Putting It ALL Out There

Economom Amie's weekly musings on shedding her post-baby weight, also known as Operation Flat Belly.


Macy and I just after she was born.
Time for the chubby cheeks and double chin to go!

I have no more excuses. It's been six weeks since my C-section, so I'm medically cleared to exercise. That also means Macy is now old enough for me to take advantage of the nursery at the Y. Macy's even into somewhat of a sleep schedule. And I'm still on maternity leave. Yep, no excuses. It's time for Operation Flat Belly.

However, I'm far from motivated. As someone who thrives on being busy, it's been refreshing to take a chill pill and focus on getting to know my new little girl over anything else. We've become quite good at relaxing on the couch and staring into each others' eyes. I'm in love!

Therefore, I need a sure fire way to get my booty moving and my pie hole eating healthy. Because as much as I absolutely adore lazing around with Macy, I know I won't be 100% satisfied until I shed this baby weight. And I know it will make me a better mom too. Confident and happy person = confident and happy mommy = confident and happy baby.

Self-motivation just isn't going to cut it. So I've decided to put it ALL out there in hopes that making my quest to lose weight public will be the push I need. I figure if I tell 900+ people that I'm going to get in shape, I better do it! Peer pressure at its best!

So here's my pledge, Economoms fans. I WILL get fit, and I WILL tell you about it along the way--the good, the bad, and the ugly. All I ask of you is to support me. Congratulate me if I deserve it and give me a kick in the butt when I need it! Share your tips and recipes, and tell us about your own ventures to be a healthy mom. Hopefully this experiment will motivate many of us, not just me!

Next up ...... the dreaded weigh-in.