Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Body Back: The Results

After 6 weeks of eating right and exercising more than I have in years I am happy to share the results of my Body Back experience.  If you remember my goals they were mostly related to the number on the scale but I am so please that the results were made up of so much more than that!  Today I am going to share not only my results but also the average results from the group of women.
 
 
 
Of course my original focus was to lose weight and inches.  From my first pregnancy I am still holding onto about 8 pounds that I have really been struggling to lose.  In the first four weeks of the program I lost four pounds and then all the sudden gained two back.  Two weeks after the program ended I all the sudden dropped the two pounds again.  After a lot of thought I realized that I had quit breastfeeding around the four week mark so my best guess is that my body went into starvation mode and held the weight for a bit until it regulated.  So based on that I am taking credit for my four pound weight loss. 
 
My Results:
My Weight Loss: 4 pounds
Chest Inches Lost: 0 inches
Waist Inches Lost: 2.5 inches
Hips Inches Lost: 1 inch
Thigh Inches Lost: 1 inch
Total Inches Lost: 4.5 inches
 
Group Results:
Average Weight Loss: 6.4 pounds
Average Inches Lost: 3.5 inches
 
Some moms lost over 10 pounds during the six weeks of classes!!  Of course individual experiences are going to heavily depend upon where you are post-partum and your individual body but everyone did amazing!
 
Some unexpected results are the fitness and strength results that I experienced.  I didn't think that in 6 weeks I would see as significant results as I did!!  I remember during a yoga class mid way through the body back experience that I felt like I was really strong during the poses.  I figured that it was just my imagination or maybe it was an easy class but looking back I realize that I really was that strong!  I find that during my stroller strides classes that I can now push myself harder because I am stronger and so I get an even better workout.  Overall I am thrilled with the strength and muscle tone that I have built from the body back classes, here are my results:
 
Number of reps in a minute -
Bicep Curls: From 27 to 34, 26% increase
Push-ups: From 13 to 27, 108% increase
Sit-ups: From 22 to 23, 5% increase
Squats: From 35 to 55, 57%
 
Number of minutes I can hold -
Plank: From 1 minutes to 2:05, 108%
Side-Bridge: From 28 seconds to 1:27, 201%
 
Looking at the numbers its hard not to be really pleased with my results.  I have noticed a big difference in how my cloths fit and I have even had to take in some pants.  I do not fully have my body back, but the program gave me the tools that I need to keep losing weight and getting back (or better) to where I use to be.
 
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Tuesday, July 22, 2014

The POSITIVES of POOP

 
One of the biggest concerns people have about cloth diapers (and probably the biggest reason people choose not to use cloth diapers) is having to deal with the poop.  I tell people all the time that it isn’t really that big of a deal, that you really don’t end up touching poop that often and that thankfully it’s all washable, but still the concerns persist.  A few weeks ago as I was spraying a diaper and I started thinking about all of the positive things that come because I have to “deal with the poop”.  Here are 5 positives to consider:
 
1.  I know my kids are healthy/ know how many times they have pooped
Having to take a few more steps to clean up dirty diapers really leaves an impression in one’s mind and therefore it’s easier to keep track of the number of times your baby has pooped.  This also helps me keep track of when their last poop was because it’s kind of hard to forget when they pooped in my favorite diaper. Lastly you can really tell the health of your child based on what their poop looks like, I won’t go into it, you know what I mean ;).
 
2.  I can tell what my kids actually ate
As you are spraying out diapers, especially messy diapers, you really get to see what is making its way through the digestive track and therefore actually made it into their mouth.  My husband and I will frequently marvel over how different foods change the color, consistency, etc of our kids “output”, which brings us to…
 
3.      It gives you something to talk about with your spouse
When we used disposable diapers I don’t remember talking about poop nearly as much but since switching to cloth 18 months ago it makes up a semi-regular conversation topic between me and my husband. 
Amazement: “You should have seen this HUGE poop?”
Concern: “What did you feed the girls, that diaper was disgusting?”
Wonderment: “I can’t believe the diaper held all of that mess!”
Questioning: “Did you spray out that diaper or leave it for me?”
Caution: “Don’t put the baby in my new SoftBums, she’s about to poop!”
 
4.      You get to experience the excitement over the different stages of poop
 

Disposable diaper users don’t get to experience the highs and lows that come with your child’s transition through the different stages of poop.  It starts out on a high; exclusively breastfed baby poop doesn’t require any rinsing.  Then comes the pre first food dread of actually having to clean out a diaper.  Followed by the low of having to deal with messy transition poop.  Then comes the much anticipated “plopable poop” stage that again requires very little work or personal interaction.  A cloth diaper parent gets to experience so many more milestones than one that uses disposable diapers!
 
5.      A great cure for constipation
Almost any cloth diapering mom will tell you about the “myth” of a prized cloth diaper curing their baby’s constipation.  If you have a baby that hasn’t pooped in a while (see #1) you can cure it almost instantly by putting a new, hard to find, or prized cloth diaper on them.  If your favorite diaper that has never been pooped in or brand new fluff mail touches your baby’s bum - they will immediately poop.  Sometimes you just have to sacrifice the Jules you have been hoarding for your baby’s comfort.  Alternatively you can start doing your cloth diaper laundry and your baby will poop right about the time you can’t add anything else to the cycle.  Problem solved!
 
So maybe as cloth diaper parents we need to start talking more about the positives of all that come from dealing with poop!
 
What are some of the things you see as positives of poop?
 
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Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Imagine Baby Diaper Trial Results

I am excited to share the results of the diaper trial performed on three different diapers offered by Imagine Baby Products - One Size Pocket, One Size Stay Dry All-In-One, One Size Bamboo All-In-One.  My sister was looking for some inexpensive but good quality diapers to round out her stash and I had heard good things about Imagine diapers so she decided to try them out.  I am thankful that she did all of the work for me with tracking their performance and the pictures feature my adorable niece who is about 12 pounds. 


Pocket
Number times of uses: 10
Number of leaks: 2 (both small)
Longest wear without a leak: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Big Booty factor: 4
Best Use: Around the house




Pros:
* Easy to stuff and use
* Daddy friendly when assembled
* Very inexpensive
Cons:
* Wider through the crotch than other styles
* When snapped to the smallest setting have to be careful that the micro fleece doesn't stick out
* The most leaks of all 3

Stay Dry All-In-One
Number times of uses: 10
Number of leaks: 1 (small)
Longest wear without a leak: 3 hours, 10 minutes
Big Booty factor: 2
Best Use: Going out and around the house

Pros:
* Narrowest of the crotches making it very trim but still absorbent
* Insert snaps in for quicker drying time and no stuffing
* Very inexpensive
Cons:
* Insert is made of microfiber so prone to wicking





 
Bamboo All-In-One
Number times of uses: 12
Number of leaks: 0
Longest wear without a leak: 3 hours, 45 minutes
Big Booty factor: 3
Best Use: Naps and out of the house

Pros:
* Most absorbent of the three Imagine diapers
* Insert snaps in for easy washing and drying
Cons:
* Prone to leaks when snapped on the smallest setting
* Have to make sure that the insert is tucked into the front well





Overall all of the Imagine diapers performed really well.  My favorite was the Bamboo All-In-One but I also loved that the Stay Dry All-In-One was really trim.  I am impressed that these diapers fit my small daughter really well.  I also love that these are economical diapers from a US company.  I love the all-in-ones because they are really easy to use and assemble after being washed (which is really important since I am a working mom).  My husband and babysitter also found all of them very easy to use.  Overall a great diaper for a great price!
 
Note that post contains affiliate links.  All results and opinions are my own.
 
 
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