Friday, September 12, 2008

I used to blame IT on my children...

After this mornings 6am workout, I approached my fitness boot camp instructor. Sweaty and breathless from the workout, I asked him.

"So what can I be doing at home to get rid of this muffin top?" I pointed to the tire around my waist to clarify, just in case the iron man athlete has never seen one.

He smiled.

"I just can't get rid of this after having three children." I clarified my reason for my muffin top. Those kids and their births are my badge of honor and excuse for *this* muffin top.

He smiled. "Your diet."

"What?"

"No amount of ab workout alone, will rid you of that muffin top. Which, by the way, isn't the product of pregnancy." He said. "You need to watch what you eat and then we will talk about ab exercises." The iron man explained. "No processed foods. No-no."

"Sh!t." I no longer have an excuse for *this* muffin top. My pregnancies are no longer to blame. I honest to God, thought that it came with having children, since that's when it appeared. Flipping frogs. The left over processed chicken nuggets in the shape of dinosaurs are to blame.

Now. Don't go all hating "my body is my temple" iron man of a fitness instructor. I could be working out at home getting minimal results. Instead I have someone to push me physically and mentally to get real results. Cardio. Weights. More cardio. I have lost four pounds in two weeks from eating better, cutting out dino shaped nuggets, not drinking any vino, and working out. That's. Awesome.

87classy comments:

Jessica said...

No No. He is a man. He needs to pop out 3 kiddos and see what happens to his waist. Then you guys can exchange ideas.

AutoSysGene said...

I agree with Jessica!! Muffin tops come from pregnancy...or from muffins...but let's don't get picky!

I would think working out would help with that? If not, what good are his workouts....just trying to put the blame back where it belongs ;)

Val said...

I agree with Jessica and Melissa. They have to be from pregnancy. There are many with"MTs" that don't have kids, right?

Christina said...

Don't believe him for a minute. Pregnancy does contribute to a muffin top. The tissue is stretched out in that area from pregnancy, so it looks worse than it would pre-pregnancy.

Diet and exercise reach the same effect, don't they? I mean, working out burns fat, dieting burns fat - same thing, right?

BookMamma said...

I asked my trainer the same question but got a different answer: "cardio"

Are they jerking our chain or what? You either CAN do something about it (in which case I'll give anything a try) or you CAN'T (in which I settle in with some Krispy Kremes).

You're doing so awesome with that boot camp, been watching tweets & posts. It's inspired me to look more closely at the one at my gym!!

Irene said...

No definitely, caused by pregnancy. I am the same weight as before my pregnancies (or pretty close) and none of my pre-pregnancy clothes fit! The problem is, at that time, the styles were much more at waist, and NOTHING fits me around the waist! I even lost some weight after having Caroline (stress induced) and I still didn't fit into those clothes. But butt fit great, even too loose, but the waist was tight. Sorry, but your body CAN change after all that stretching out!

And dieting? Seriously? Haven't there been studies showing that diets DON'T work? I know there isn't an exercise to lose weight in a specific region, but doing cardio AND weight lifting will increase your metabolism and will burn off fat everywhere.

krissy said...

So does that mean my atomic fat bomb that invaded my butt isn't from my daughter? This can't be. I don't think it is from the mounds of donuts I eat. It isn't possible. Is it?

Rachel said...

Well, darn! Now my excuse is ruined. . . off to see if I can come up with another one.

GypsiAdventure said...

That is awesome - you are making real progress. I too thought the 'muffin top' came from the babies, but have been informed (on more than one occasion) that my choice of foods does not help my weight loss process. BOO! That is my biggest struggle...doesn't really matter what 'classes' I attend, I can't seem to give up some of my bad habits.

Good luck!
~K

Elisa @ Globetrotting in Heels said...

Pregnancy contributes to muffin top in the form of extra sin maybe, but otherwise, I agree with him. Which isn't to say that I don't have a muffin top. I may be able to avoid processed foods, but desserts... that's another story.

Courtney said...

That is awesome, but since he is a man I don't think he realizes that part of it is from having kids. I'm sure some of it is diet, but funny how it appears after having kids and gets worse with each one!

Anonymous said...

I have this conversation a trillion times a week at the gym. My only great advice is what worked for me and other Mom's I have worked with to reach success. Diets? I think are a bust. Good for you if you can cut out ANYTHING for any period of time, but this I *do* know. If it is something that will be a part of your life again, learning to shed lb's without will only creep back up.

Moooooog35 said...

Pregnancy.

That's how I got my muffin top.

Well..my wife's pregnancy.

As soon as she started eating the pickles wrapped in ham and cheese, I was done for.

You just can't say 'no' to the hamcheesickle.

Kelly said...

Honey, if you have a muffin top, you do a great job of hiding it under your clothes. You look great in all of your pictures.

Great job sticking with the exercise and diet. I have horrible will power with food and not good about keeping an exercise routine up.

Lisa said...

I have a muffin top & try to hide it proudly. Besides....everyone knows the top of a muffin is the best part ;)

PS - Congrats on the loss hot mama!

beck said...

When someone gives us a dose of reality, it can really hurt at first but then what comes next, the freedom of choosing what is best for us, is priceless. Wishing you all the best of your journey to your best self.
I started doing something called intenSati about a year ago. It has changed my body and my life. It is the first workout I have ever stuck to and I recently became certified to teach it as well. Check it out www.satilife.com
After reading your blog for a while it sounds like something you may like. You never know:-)
Rebecca

Glowstars said...

Trust me, next he'll be getting you to cut out carbs after 6! It's an unfortunately fact that while your muffin top may have been caused by your kids, it's you that's keeping it there.
Of courrse he's wrong about exercise and dieting. You need both. Your diet alone isn't going to build the muscles you need to work to burn fat. Your exercise alone isn't going to fuel your body with the right things to cope with its day to day demands. Combine the two, eat healthily (yes, that means no more dinosaur-shaped pieces of chicken) and it'll all fall into place.

beck said...

just reread my post and it sounds a harsh or something ,not what I intended...We are all on our own journeys to feeling good about ourselves. Different things work for different people. For me I've learned that working out regularly and eating responsibly with nourishing foods leaves me feeling really good about myself( even if the "muffin top" or "fat back" are still hanging around)
Here's to feeling great about yourself and letting the hotness in all of us shine through all the child bearing remnents!

Nina said...

Thats awesome on the weight loss. I have lost all exercise drive recently and my eating habits are really bad. I blame the kids for all the junk food in the house. LOL... ok I buy it but it is for them, I just eat it.

Unknown said...

First, heavy weights. Then, eliminating processed foods. It works, right? It did for me. But then why I fantasize about eating bagels???

Your Iron Man is a smart guy. I try to follow his advice, but I am surrounded by the temptations of my kids' snacks!

Manager Mom said...

I don't COMPLETELY disagree with what he is saying... diet is important...but it's the wink that skeeved me a little bit.

Chelsea said...

You found me! I was going to resist making comments on your blog so I wouldn't make you busier and make you think you had to come check my little blog. You can take a break from me until I have kids...then I'll just email you questions. :)

Hottest Mommy Blogger 2009? In the bag for you!

Karen said...

That IS awesome! Woo-hoo on weight loss. But I, too, am horribly disappointed that my muffin top is all mine. Drat.

Hailey said...

Great job! I bet you feel great working out. I wish I was motivated enough to do it. I'd rather sit at home, eat Reese's and get fat. :-)

PS- I typed this while eating a Reese's cup. Sad but true.

EatPlayLove said...

Boot camp kicked my butt! I remember having to take an advil before my second class just to make it through.

You know, I try to work on the portion control premise, it makes a huge difference with out cutting out foods I enjoy.

Mr Lady said...

What does he know?

Here's what I know:

Sitting in front of the tv with a laptop on my lap burns calories THROUGH RADIATION!

Eating left over, 3 hour old pancakes for (lunch)breakfast burns calories THROUGH RECYCLING!

Laying on the floor while my kids color all over my body with Sharpie and I may or may not get a little nap in edgewise burns calories THOUGH CHEMICAL PEELS.

Screw him. :)

Flea said...

Congratulations, OHmommy! The real question is, when you do lose the muffin top, will you maintain the diet and exercise it took to lose it?

VerWaynia said...

I hate my muffin top - it's the difference between feeling really good in a pair of jeans and feeling like a stuffed sausage!

My instructor told me the only way to get rid of it was to do more cardio - that toning exercises alone wouldn't take care of it.

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

He's a jerky jerk man with no responsibilities other than working out. Phhhbbbtttt on his stinky butt.

Good luck on your work out!

Laski said...

Um. What? Maybe is was just trying to fire you up. Get you going?

Is he married? Does he have children? Is he human???

I wonder if he'd ever say that to his wife/girlfriend?

He obviously hasn't learned,"Muffin top? What muffin top? You are gorgeous. Perfect. Awesome in every way." Poor thing . . .

Regardless . . . keep it up!

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

I have to think that some of it is not diet. My grandma is super skinny and has a belly. I think it comes from the kids.

However, I don't think it's diet alone. So many women would ask me how to reduce it (I teach aerobics) and I agree that you can't spot reduce, but you are definitely on the right track. It is a combination of diet and cardio exercise. You've got to burn the calories and fat, too (not saying you have any)!!

Good luck! Being young definitely helps.

DKC said...

Congratulations on your success!

I kind of want to agree with the others and keep the blame on the kids. They are my excuse for "no time to exercise" anyway, so can't we just add the pregnancy thing in there too?

Miss Lisa said...

Yay on 4 pounds!

I don't care what he says--muffin tops come from babies--either being pregnant with them or eating their leftovers ;)

Anonymous said...

Woot on the weight loss!!

MT or not, you should be damn proud of yourself for hauling butt to the gym every morning that early!!

The boot camp instructor at my gym (I dont think its the same one?) is seriously an iron man... i mean he has muscles bulging in places where I didn't know there WERE supposed to be muscles!

Question - do your workout clothes match? Tee hee.

Don Mills Diva said...

Not drinking any vino?

I think I'd rather be dead.

lattemommy said...

*eyes closed, fingers in ears, singing "la la la la, I can't hear you!"*

Laura said...

I agree with the other comments - he is a man, what does he know!

I think you are doing great! Way to go! Keep it up! Soon you will feel too good to care about a little post-pregnancies roll...KUDOS for you going to the classes and loosing the wt.

Unknown said...

Muffin Top = Soft place to rest my head while we take a break. ahem. Nothing in the world wrong with a little bit of MT. It's when it's allowed to get out of control that said MT can and will be a problem.

Amy said...

Well I guess I'm stuck with my muffin top because I am not giving up my Cheez-its or my Coffee Ice Cream with Heath Bar Crunch!

Indy said...

Good for you! I can't believe you are getting up so early to exercise. That's great!

the planet of janet said...

well, shit!!!!

he's a man. he knows NOTHING (an affliction that is attached to the Y chromosome).

because i TOTALLY blame my 14-year-old daughter for my muffin top.

Cecily R said...

I don't care WHERE it comes from, Dude needs to work on his ab-machine side manner. Stinker.

And flipping frogs is my new favorite catch phrase.

Unknown said...

Yeah, yeah, rub it in. Now... if I could just find where I left my willpower... hmmm....

Nan Patience said...

Disabusing someone of their excuses: priceless (but mean).

Unknown said...

OH Mommy! First no poptarts now no Dino shaped chi chi nuggets! Stop the madness!

Betsy Mae said...

I love what Lisa said, that the top of the muffin is the best part-funny!

I don't eat processed food (often) and I still have muffin top! I'm not disagreeing that diet plays a part in the old muffin top, but I think that exercise can (and will) reduce it. Keep up the good work!!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to say...muffin tops are NOT specifically caused by pregnancy...I have not given birth to any children and YET I Have this horrible muffin top. Ugh!

Kj said...

i'm seriously impressed with your self-discipline at getting to the gym by 6am and even more impressed that you had the balls to ask super fit muscle man about your muffin top. yeah for you --

and boo for me. i can no longer live in self denial but haul myself by the boot straps and pratice a better lifestyle :-)

keep up the good work and remember to post all your success on here. they'll be plenty cheering for you. I'm sure of that.

Anti-Supermom said...

He sounds completely arogant and like he has not in fact, pushed out three babies. Whatever, keep up with what you are doing, it sounds to be working (but I'm shocked as you totally don't look like you could lose that much that quickly)!

Boot camp kicks my butt too~

Kat said...

Um, excuse me? Of course a man is gonna say that. Cuz they never had to have their belly stretch out as far as ours did THREE SEPERATE TIMES. Son of a #@$!*!!!
;)

Seriously though. I have lost my pregnancy weight but my skin around my waist is different than it used to be. It just isn't as tight anymore. Not really a muffin top, just not taut. And I don't care what mister workout man says, it is from my kids! But I'll gladly take my three kids anyway. ;)

Marie around the World said...

I can't believe my eyes when I read you used to eat dino shaped nuggets...tell me at least they were organic !
I am impressed by that boot camp idea ! How brave you are !

The 5 Bickies said...

A good reminder about processed foods but not sure it's the only reason for the muffin top. I think I need to find a boot camp!

The Sarcastic Mommy said...

Ok you are so right, that is awesome!! Congrats on your hard work! However.....I blame my babies, I will always blame my babies for my muffin top and no one is changing my mind, LOL (you can't prove there is anything wrong with dino nuggets and wine can you?)

Skiplovey said...

Dude I so thought that chasing around a toddler would keep me in shape. Oh hardly. And please, it is so hard to not eat those little leftovers here and there, y'know the high fat, high carb little nuggets of goodness they see fit to leave on the plate. Especially hard since the little Mister is now on a high calorie diet.

But really that's it. Swore off all little bits last week. I am not a garbage can. Plus I'm trying not to sabotage all the effort I've been putting in at the gym.

Kudos to you for getting in shape. Cuz it's hard work!

carrie said...

I need one of those (the personal trainer) in the worst way.

Ashley said...

IF I had a male personal trainer and he said that to me, I think I'd say "what do you know, you're a man" and went off to buy some sugar laden yumminess.

I guess he COULD be right. Don't tell anyone I said that...but it'd depend on if your MT is more fat or more skin. My body is way diff in certain areas (boobs and hips), but only surgery will fix the boobs. Wait, ask iron man about my boobs. haha

Great job at your latest weightloss! woohoo!

ClumberKim said...

I'll give up the nugget leftovers but the vino? I'd rather have the muffin top.

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

I have given up on the before baby body....

I think that it is different for everyone....but a combo of cardio and diet does seem to work for most....and by diet I mean moderation....not fad diet!

Tell your trainer to have three kids and get back to us....I guarantee he will be saying exactly what we do!!

Lisa

Stephanie said...

Crap, chicken nuggets are on my grocery list...

Tena said...

I think there is a reason you see muffin tops on ladies... it is called child birth! Iron man doesn't have to worry about muffin tops! LOL! Men just get fubars..lol

CC said...

Darn it stop. What 'cha talking about I'll get no results working out from home :( :( Just b/c I haven't gotten results for the last 10 years doesn't mean it won't finally happen this week!!

Anonymous said...

Good for you!!! I loved my bootcamp, but I'm not a runner so it was especially difficult for me.

Your inspirational, and I'll bet you'll have that muffin top off in no time.

Gretchen said...

Well, I have 4 kids and a tummy to match. Congrats on losing the 4 pounds. I bet you look fantastic and probably TOO thin.

But, back to me. I think life is too short to cut out desserts. Or white bread. Or potatoes. Or anything with flour in it, which makes up 98% of breakfast items.

So, I'm gonna live with my little "food baby" for now. I think I will start to deny myself when I'm within 6 months of having to impress people at my 20 year high school reunion (in 2 more years). After that, it's all muffin, baby!

Mama Smurf said...

Wow. Good for you. My boot camp starts in 4 weeks. Can't wait.

ShannanB said...

I don't think I like your trainer......... 8-)

Mandy said...

Yeah, I think he's a little off with it being strictly diet and not popping out babies.

I think it is a combination of both. Anyway, when you are through with him, can I use him?

I need some motivation over here with my quickly growing booty!!!

Cynthia said...

Rock on Chicky...good for you!

Fwiw, I had muffin top after two babies...then I trained for a marathon. Muffin top gone!

Anonymous said...

I agree with Jessica. I know diet plays a part but I have an extra spare tire that I did not get until I had my second daughter. Kids do something to your body!

Angie @ KEEP BELIEVING said...

I say, don't make excuses and just go for the body you want. I lost 20 pounds in 7 months two years ago just by watching what I eat and adding exercise (it was nonexistent at the time). Unfortunatly, I stopped working out and gained 12 of it back. I have lost 4 of those pounds and desire to lose 10 more. I know it is from my diet, ahem, my liquid diet that is. I do loves me some microbres and wine on the weekends. This summer, my weekends became weeks with vacations and get aways and that is where MOST of my weight gain came from.

Just slowing down on the booze and increasing the strength training is ALREADY making a huge difference these past 3 weeks.

You can do it. The muffin top will be gone in no time!!!

KEEP BELIEVING

Heather said...

By processed foods, he doesn't mean from scratch brownies, right?

heh

Muffin top isn't caused by pregnancy or brownies. It's caused by the low rise jeans. Before? It was Mom Jeans. Now? It's muffin top. Is there a better of two evils?

Tonya Staab said...

ummm, I'd lake to take a poll here on how many women have 3 kids AND muffin top, because I'm with you sister.

Kelley @ magneto bold too said...

Good thing that we don't have those dino nuggets here... the Batman shaped ones don't count right?? Right??

Rhea said...

dino-nuggets are a big fan of my younger boy. He doesn't have a muffin top. No fair.

Rhea said...

ummm, what the heck, I disappeared from your top commenters' list! I was in the top five or something. This is just not right. I demand a recount!!! :o)

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

Totally awesome!

Michelle Kemper Brownlow said...

OH OH OH OH OH!!!!!
I have JUST the thing for you and I won't charge you for the info like HE does!!!

Email me and I will scan my magazine article and email you!!

I lost 8 POUNDS in one week and totally cut the bloat around my middle.

It's REAL food but is basedin food pairing!

IT IS AMAZING and from a Dr. at Harvard so it is not jibberish!!

EMAIL ME!!!!

Quarantine Hobby said...

I really hope I can blame my muffin top on pregnancy...otherwise, I'm doomed.

I hope you are enjoying your classes, though. I *finally* started working out again (taking dance classes) and feel great. Even just mentally, it makes a difference!

GoteeMan said...

ok, so after he recovered himself from being kicked in the balls at full force, what did he say next???

LOL

J/ (goteeman.blogspot.com)

Ringleader said...

I blame the low rise jeans for the muffin top! That term didn't even exist in the good old 80's when our jeans went all the way up to our rib cages! I really can't offer up any hope though, since my baby weight is now 6 years old... the closest thing to working out I have done recently is to drive by a store that sells yoga pants...

Jaina said...

Congrats on the weight loss. I'm starting to get a muffin top of my own...incidentally, I've been on a sugar kick this week, no wonder I feel crappy. No processed foods. Got it.

April said...

Not drink vino?!? Oh, the horror! Congrats anyway.

Anglophile Football Fanatic said...

Good for you for sticking to it. At least I can blame mine on the PCOS. Or that's what I tell myself :)

Marmarbug said...

You go girl!!!
And DAMMIT! I want to blame the flab on someone! Surely I never um ate a lot!

Grandy said...

Ok...so you can blame IT on the kids with those who don't know better. It'll still be alright. :)

tiarastantrums said...

yep, the nibbling has done me in as well, the little bits of snacks here and there . . . the 3 tator tots that didn't get eaten at lunch, the almost finished ice cream cone . . .the 2 bites of hot dog, the 12 french fries! They are killing me! I CAN'T lose the 10 pounds!!

Mom said...

I was told the same thing about my muffin top so now instead of the costco size muffin top I sport the Entenmann's mini muffin top why because I can't give up the vino!!!

Kim said...

Um.. you lost FOUR POUNDS.. that is awesome... and it is totally the kids.. let him shoot out three kids and see what it does to his body.. what a hater..

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