Over 5 years of blogging I’ve narrowed in on my topic choices based on things I enjoy most and things for which have a slight natural knack. That is why you will see meal planning but won’t ever see pinterest-worthy kids crafts. It’s also why posts to my fitness page have dwindled since the conclusion of writing about my post-baby-body journeys. It’s not because I’ve given up on fitness, quite the opposite actually, but I have outsourced that area of my life to the experts at Burn Boot Camp and haven’t looked back! Let me do more than tell you, let me show you why.burn
A year ago, so January 2015, I decided to snap pictures of both David and me. Why? Because I’m weird like that. Also, because I saw it similarly to having an annual physical- just a good check in point. I never intended to share the images because A. I was in skimpy shorts and B. I felt pretty good about where I was at physically.
However yesterday, for kicks, I decided to pull out the ‘ol camera just to compare images side by side.
First let me say before and after pictures can SO easily be skewed. Just look- different angle, different lighting, maybe better posture, but you guys- I can see (and feel!) a definite difference! I was seriously shocked.
Curiosity got to me and I took all my measurements to compare (again, I had done this a year ago as well) and found I was down a 1/2 pound which easily could be contributed to water weight or general fluctuation, but there on the measuring tape, a solid 2.5″ were gone off my belly and my legs (always my focus area) looked markedly more toned.
The crazy thing to me is that the only thing I’ve done differently this past year is consistent Burn Boot Camp workouts. I eat the same, I’m still nursing (though only twice a day) and I certainly still enjoy my wine, so seeing the physical difference resulting from steady 3 day a week workouts (that’s it- 3 days a week) really got me excited.
I know not everyone has a ‘Burn’ (what the cool kids call it) near them, but if you do I highly encourage you to check it out. If not, pin this workout and sweat through it yourself to some old school gangsta rap. Burn Boot Camp workouts focus on burst training (high intensity body weight intervals) and strength training. The lead trainer at my usual location, Daniel, is incredible. He is motivating and comes up with some serious workouts. Many of them require equipment (free weights, medicine balls, pull up bars, battle ropes, etc) but occasionally he will run us through workouts that can be done at home. This is one we did a week or so ago that fits that description and I’m excited to share it with you today (with permission of course!)
We always start with about a 15 minute warm-up to get the blood flowing, then jump into the circuit, meaning each work out is 45 minutes. So to get the true effect, jog or warm up for 15 minutes then complete the above circuit! To run through the moves, here are some helpful links:
Power Lunge Knee Drives (15 each side)
Plank Punch (with or without bosu ball)
Rapid Punches with Weights (both sides = 1)
In trying to look up videos that show exactly what we do, I noticed there is some variation in names/styles, but for the most part, these are the same moves we do at camp.
If I could change one thing about my current fitness regimen, it would be to add in yoga. I really miss that all over wrung out feeling and increased flexibility, but overall, the boot camp workouts have me more excited about and committed to fitness than I’ve ever been.
Have you found your fitness fit?
What exercise do you enjoy/ stay committed to?
Is there anything you wish you did more of?
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
You are AMAZING! I love that you more or less took these pictures for the fun of it rather than with the intention of losing or something like that. I totally wish there was one near me, because once this baby is out I know I’m going to want to go at it with a vengeance!
Brynn says
Thank you for sharing this at home option! I’ve been curious about Burn 🙂
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
Dang, girl! You look amazing! It looks like it hasn’t made it’s way to CA yet. Hopefully it does!
Nicole Frey says
I just joined BBC and it’s amazing!! The trainer always pushes you to the max and that’s always something I struggle with when I’m working out on my own.
Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl says
Running is what I stay committed to because it keeps me physically, mentally, and emotionally balanced. But I’m really liking some yoga once a week as well for more specific stretching and also the mental clarity and focus 🙂
Kathy says
Great results and great accountability!! Good for you!! Keep up the good work!!!! I have been addicted to early morning (5am) exercise for years now. Various boot camps at my gym and running 3 mornings a week. It all keeps me from getting the crankies. 🙂 I love the endorphin rush I guess. 🙂 Not to mention is has turned out to be kind of my social time with my friends too.
Heather says
Thanks for the breakdown and links! I have a difficult time going to an actual gym, so having options for home workouts is big for me. I tend to get bored, so being able to mix it up helps keep me focused and motivated.
SHU says
You look great! I think some is probably still post-baby change but I am SURE boot camp too! I have found that when I regularly do SOMETHING for strength at least 2x/week it makes an enormous difference. Especially in my core and in how my clothes fit. Currently I’m still into barre but I am going to try a bootcamp class soon – we have one called Barry’s in our area that is supposed to be insane. (Admittedly – I am scared 🙂 ). Finally, I feel like just NOW I have finally recovered body-wise from the 2 pregnancies. And C is about to be 2! So you may see even more positive change in the next few months, or after K weans.
Cassie says
I was totally in my fitness eating clean and healthy groove and at a weight that I felt awesome at. Then I got pregnant, moved in with my parents, quit my job, my husband graduated law school, and the hubs is currently on the job hunt with the baby now almost 19 weeks old. Gosh, that 15 pounds of baby weight just will NOT budge. I’m shifting to Gina Harvey’s workout schedule in Hiit It, and I do feel stronger and my tummy does feel tighter. But man, I wish the weight would start coming off… even if it was just a pound every other week! Oh well. I will definitely try this workout though!
Julie says
You look fantastic! I can definitely see a difference between the 2 pics (hello skinny tummy!). I enjoy a mix of Body Pump & Body Flow during the week w/ some cardio thrown in here & there (short runs or bike). BP def pushes me harder than if I were working out on my own.
Josephine Sharpe says
Your abs Inthe second pic! Wow, you look great. I am exercise phobic, the only way I have stuck to anything in the past has been personal training. I have used in the past “Tone It Up” YouTube videos, I find Karina and Katrina’s positivity infectious and the beach backdrop and their bodies motivating so I plan to use their exercise downloads and nutrition plan after baby. I like being able to do it in my on home.
Joanna @Makingmine says
Woop! You look great! And it’s wonderful that you FEEL even better! I’m hoping to have a similar experience in 2016. I’m 9 months postpartum and officially ready to make my body more of a priority!
Laura Wright says
When you say the Burn boot camp workout is 45 minutes does that include the 15 minutes of warmup or is that additional for a total of 60 minutes? I ask because I am considering trying out the Marietta location opening soon and want to know how long it is to see if it is a good fit with my schedule. Thanks!
Brittany Dixon says
45 minutes total! Usually about a 10 minute warm up, 30 minute work out and 5 minute burst finisher. If you try it, let me know what you think!