As a new mom wanting to get a flat stomach, I see women doing endless crunches… This is the worst thing possible for them. I worked with a mother who did just that and had a 4 finger separation in her abdomen because the outer abdominal muscles (rectus abdominus) were pulled too far apart from pregnancy and never given a chance to be pulled in. In this video Jill and I will demonstrate an amazing exercise that can help pull that stomach back in!
[youtube D9pEMDQGvXM]
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[...] Why new moms shouldn’t do crunches part 1 [...]
"It took lots of time, but I have been able to lose 115lbs and 8 dress sizes and keep it off by making changes that are no longer ‘changes’ but part of my normal life. ”
Every time I run into someone I haven’t seen in a long time, they exclaim, “You look great!” I chuckle and graciously accept the complement because I know what’s coming next. They lower their voice, almost to a whisper, and say, so “what did you do? What’s your secret?” I respond, in a similarly lowered voice, “You know everything they tell you regarding eating right and exercising?” Eagerly, they say, “yeah…” “I did it.” “Oh.”—obviously disappointed.
I changed what I ate drastically and I started exercising vigorously. It took lots of time, but I have been able to lose 61lbs and 5 dress sizes and keep it off by making changes that are no longer ‘changes’ but part of my normal life. I know that I have to exercise most days of the week for the rest of my life. Good thing I like to exercise!
I joined a fitness program, ran by Dustin Maher, called Fit Fun Boot Camp AND I enlisted a friend to go with me. I initially signed up for a trial period but enjoyed the extremely difficult workouts and friendly atmosphere so much that I continued my membership for 6 months. THIS CHANGED MY LIFE.
- Crystal
"I always deleted photos of myself thinking “oh, that’s a bad angle!”
After I had my second son and he stopped nursing the weight just kept piling on until I got on the scale one day and weighed 203. I knew once I went over 200 I was in trouble and needed to be a better role model for my kids. Plus how was I going to keep up with two boys under the age of 3 if I didn’t get my act together?!
A few days later a neighbor asked if I would like to go for a walk, that was the beginning of the new me, a me that is healthier and happier than I have ever been. We slowly started out walking , then added some 1 minute runs into our walks until we got to a point where we could run for 20 minutes straight. Next thing I knew I was a runner again, but one with a desire to do the best that I could.After a friend told me about Dustin’s MamaTone class I knew it was just what I needed to keep me going! The friends and support that have come from being a BEFORE part of MamaTone has really kept me on track. There have been countless runs and races where the thoughts of “would Dustin be proud of me?” have come across my brain. Those thoughts always make me move a little faster and work a little harder.
I’ve lost lots of weight and inches over the past year working with Dustin and the strength I have have gained is incredible!
- Liz
"Full Time Nurse and Mom Drops 51 lbs Through Fit Fun Bootcamps"
Finding time to exercise has been a problem of mine for a long time. I work a full time job as a nurse and caring for my young kids doesn't leave me much time for myself. I knew though that it was important for both me and my family. I decided to join Fit Fun Bootcamps after seeing some of my friends make amazing transformations. I sacrificed and got up each morning at 4:30 to drive 40 minutes to Fit Fun Bootcamp. The rewards and benefits have been staggering. I have dropped over 50 lbs. I went from a size 18 down to a size six and have lost over 30 inches off my body! My energy levels are so much higher than before and I feel great getting up at 4:30 AM and have energy to make it all day long.
I would encourage anybody thinking of Fit Fun Bootcamps to definitely give it a try.
-Tiffany Borrow
"Weight has been an issue my whole life...Luckily, a friend of mine suggested Dustin’s classes. ”
“Weight has been an issue my whole life. I stayed fairly fit during my high school years by running cross country, but from college on my weight was constantly fluctuating depending on what was going on in my life. When I went through a divorce in 2005 I lost a lot of weight. A year later when I met my current husband (and was happy), I packed on the pounds. I would try every fad diet out there, but I would lack will power and eventually give up. I would also try to exercise. I thought running on a treadmill was the best way to burn calories, but when I didn’t lose any weight I would get frustrated and stop.
After giving birth to my 3rd child the end of November 2009, I was the heaviest I had ever been at 184. I knew this was my last child, so I couldn’t use the “I’m just going to have another baby and get fat again” excuse that I had hidden behind for the previous 6 years. I had to do something about my weight, and this time I was determined to succeed! Both my mom & sister had great success with Weight Watchers, so I started that program, but I needed to exercise, too. Luckily, a friend of mine suggested Dustin’s classes.
- Katy Smith, Madison
Abby Lost 23 lbs and 6 Inches Off Her Waist By Quitting Her Cardio Addiction and Beginning Her Fit Fun Bootcamp Addiction!
Despite my numerous hours at the gym, engaged in my Cardio Queen activities, I couldn’t lose any weight…and more specifically, couldn’t lose any fat! After years of frustration and low self-esteem, I signed up for Dustin’s Bootcamps.
I enjoyed it so much and saw such great results, that I’ve been going ever since! Bootcamp is great because every day is different. I never get tired of it because each workout is unique and continues to challenge my body. Dustin pushes me in a way that I would never push myself (but it’s always in a positive manner…none of that yelling that you might think of when you hear about “bootcamps”).
Because of the continual challenge, I am down to 127lbs and 13.5% body fat, from a bodyfat of over 29%! More importantly, my self-esteem has risen and I feel better than ever! I love going to Fit Fun Bootcamps. Not only has it helped me lose weight and tone up, but also the friendships I have gained are the best.
-Abby Brockman, 25
""Mom of Two Little Daughters Drops 3 Dress Sizes, 6 Inches off her Waist, and Is In The Best Shape of Her Life."
In my late twenties, I gave birth to two daughters, who are 20 months apart. Life was very busy and stressful, and my eating habits and exercise commitment further dwindled. So did my self-esteem. Seeing that I was unhappy with how I looked, my husband would occasionally suggest (albeit very respectfully) that I try to exercise. Although I know he had the best of intentions, it made me feel even worse.
A little over a year ago, I decided that I needed to change. I saw that Dustin was offering bootcamp classes 5 minutes from where I live, Six weeks later, I had lost about 8 pounds and several inches around my waist and hips. I have been going to bootcamp for 15 months now, and have lost 20 pounds, 6 inches in my waist and 4.5 inches in my hips. I love working out with my fellow bootcampers and watching others achieve their fitness goals. At 33, I am in the best shape of my life!
-Kelly
"Mary at Age 40, Dropped 2 Dress Sizes and is in the Best Shape of Her Life!"
I saw a brochure on Dustin’s Fit Fun Bootcamp that highlighted several success stories which got me excited so I signed-up.
I was apprehensive at first because I thought bootcamp might be too advanced for me because the only form of exercise I did on my own was speed walking on a trend mill (occasionally!). But I found the instructors to be very supportive and great working with people at all fitness levels. Plus the people in my class were very encouraging. I immediately fell in love with the program. I love the variety of exercises and the camaraderie of group exercise.
Within six months of joining Fit Fun Bootcamp, I lost 14 lbs, dropped 2 pant sizes, and lost my muffin-top that hung over my jeans! At 40 years old, I am now in the best shape of my life! Thank you Dustin and all your fantastic instructors!
-Mary
"Mother of 3 and Long Time Runner and Running Coach Drops 15 lbs and 5 Minutes Of Her 5K!"
Stronger, faster, thinner and healthier are the best words to describe the results I have experienced participating in Fit Moms For Life DVDs. I have been an avid runner for most of my life running 5K, 10K, half-marathon and marathon races. Running kept me “in shape” through college and three pregnancies yet the dreaded muffin top remained.
The results, more than I could have expected. After six weeks, I started to see changes in my body. Approximately eight weeks into my training, I ran a 5K race and was the 10th woman to finish. I took an amazing five minutes off of my 5K time from last year. More important than that, I am running injury free. I have also lost 15 pounds and me arms, back, waist and legs are so much more toned and I feel great about it.
-Karen
Busy mom takes back control in her life and drops 53 lbs, 3 dress sizes, and 7 inches in her waist!
“Where do I start? Ever since high school I was on the slow train to weight gain, when suddenly the slow train stopped off at “How on earth did I let myself get this far?” Each time I went up a pant size I would tell myself, “This is it - I refuse to go up another size.”
After the first bootcamp session I had lost about 11 pounds - not bad for six weeks. I signed up again and continued to sign up for every session offered through December. As a result of eating better and going to boot camp, I have now lost 53 pounds and have more energy and can do more things. I am still about 45 pounds away from my goal, but am motivated to keep on going.
I have learned that the number of pounds lost is not the only measure of weight loss success so I will list the rest of my stats. Due to the weight loss and toning effects of bootcamp, since March I have gone down 3 pants sizes and have lost 2 inches in my upper arm, 7 inches in my waist, 6 ½ inches in my hips and 4 ½ inches in my thigh.
I encourage everyone to try Dustin’s Fit Fun Bootcamps - it is for people at all stages of fitness as you can see by my story. It is a fun and rewarding experience and I am thankful everyday that I had the courage to try.
Lynn Krebs
At 44, I am in better shape than I have been since playing collegiate volleyball, I can’t wait for my next Fit Fun Bootcamp workout!”
It has been 17 weeks since I started the bootcamps. I have lost another 20+ pounds, lost 2 1/2 inches from my waist, have significantly increased my upper body strength, have tons of energy, no backaches and actually like myself again. Bootcamps have allowed me to make new friends and build a great support group while at the same time giving me individual attention , support and motivation . They work you hard, but it is well worth it.
-Marsue 44, McFarland
"She had sculpted hollowed out cheekbones. She looked awesome. She said she had been going to Mamatone...I envied C.’s physique."
I’d like to blame the baby. But, to be honest, I only gained 18 pounds during my pregnancy because I was sick all 10 months. (That is right, boys, pregnancy is 40 weeks, 10 months, not the 9 that they would like us to believe.) After my 47 hours of labor followed by my emergency C-section I could finally eat. And eat I did. I lost those 18 pounds within the first post partum month. But I felt that I needed to make up for all of those months of eating that I had missed out on…reclaiming what I (mistakenly) believed was my right as a woman – to eat everything and anything in whatever quantities I desired. (Think fried cheese sticks and apple fritters, and who wants to food journal that). Also I was breastfeeding and thought (also, mistakenly) that I could eat those extra 500 calories a day and perhaps even lose a little weight.
So after I had to cross off all of my initial ideas off the list I began considering the exercise route. I tried Pilate-ing my way back to no avail. Then about 9 months ago I ran into my friend C. who I hadn’t seen in a couple months. She had sculpted hollowed out cheekbones. She looked awesome. She said she had been going to Mamatone. I was intrigued by the premise and going to a class that was all women. But mostly I envied C.’s physique.
I tried out a class a few weeks later.
I am now down 57 pounds and feel like I am well on my way to looking great. I am stronger and have more energy to chase around my two year old. And now there are days where I am pleading with Dustin to add more weight – yes – me asking Dustin to please make it harder.
- Aimee
"I go to Bootcamp three days a week and I run three days a week. The group element is inspiring and keeps me accountable. ”
Picture me, 33 years old, in the jeans section of a department store, 3 months after the birth of my second son. I have already lost the 30 or so pounds I gained during pregnancy or so I thought and I start trying on pants. The smallest ones I can fit into are a 22. A 22! I’m depressed. I leave with one pair of 22’s. I have to wear something. I am not the first or last mommy to have been in this position.
Picture me, later that month checking facebook. My friend posts a picture of me pushing my older son on a swing at the park. I don’t even recognize myself. I’m really depressed now.
I attend MamaTone one day a week in addition to running 2 or 3 times a week and the pounds aren’t melting off like I want them to. I realize that I’m going to have to take another look at my eating. It’s obvious that I had been letting my good habits slip. At the same time, my husband mentions that his 20 year high school reunion is coming up and he’d like to lose some weight. He starts counting calories and he starts dropping weight like crazy!
I sign up for Fit Fun Boot Camp so I can get in more workouts a week (the toddler wasn’t fond of childcare). I hear Dustin call out as I’m running up the Elver Park hill, “every step is a step closer to your goals”. This couldn’t be a truer statement. I am so glad to hear it. I need to hear it. I am now addicted to how exercise makes me feel.
Picture me now, 36, at my goal weight, 130 pounds. I couldn’t have done it without my partners along the way. And my journey was just that, a journey. It wasn’t a straight line and it isn’t finished. My new goal is to keep this weight off for the rest of my life. I know there will be challenges in the future, but I plan to persist and I plan to use helpers. I am thankful to all the people who continue to inspire me and help me on this journey called life. I need and appreciate you all. Thank you!
- Lynn
Becky went from a size 18 to a size 4 in less than 1 year!
Dustin had talked to the Mom’s Club that I’m in and I contacted him about personal training at home in October 2008. I was shocked at our first session because I couldn’t even do a single sit-up, yet he was having me do crunches on the ball while holding a dumbbell!
His workouts were so intense!! But they WORKED!! I was amazed how fast I progressed. I was also very impressed with how great he was at avoiding exercises that could cause additional injury or stress to my knee.
The before picture was taken AFTER I had already lost about 20 pounds shortly before I started working with Dustin. In the first 3 months working with Dustin, my weight went down to 124 and my bodyfat percentage went down from 27% to 18.4%. Plus my cholesterol was borderline high and I was going to have to go on medication for it. It is now completely normal from the weight-loss and exercise.
Now for one of the biggest changes — I just went shopping for new jeans. What a difference it was to go shopping for clothes. Last year I would have been in a size 16. I’m now a size 4!
Becky, mother of 2 kids
"Taking Dustin's Program While Pregnant Helped Me Bounce Back in Record Time!”
I was 4 months pregnant with my second, when I started Dustin's MamaTone program. I was in pretty good shape and had been doing a lot of cardio before, but I could feel the difference right away when I started lifting heavy weights in his program. I think before I was skinny fat; now I'm skinny fit!
- Alecia
"Continuing at Mamatone was and is a huge part of my survival.”
I was always a runner, assuming some kind of cardio would keep me fit. And it did, until kids. After my daughter was born (now 5) I lost most of my pregnancy weight. But I got pregnant with my son (now 3), unplanned, when she was only 12 months old. After he was born in June of 2007, I was looking at about 20 pounds of extra weight. The scale read 138 and I’m 5 foot 3. I was also terribly overwhelmed by two kids under two years old, a demanding career and shift, and other personal problems.
I started Mamatone in January of 2008, when my son was 6 months old, and I haven’t stopped since. The weight came off quickly when I started going twice a week. By January of 2009 I was down to 120 and a few months later 115. This was also around the time I started dealing with a very traumatic separation and divorce. Continuing at Mamatone was and is a huge part of my survival.
- Sarah
Busy mom with 5 kids stops making excuses and drops 47 lbs, and does 50 perfect toe pushups!
By the time my baby was about 11 months old, and I weighed close to 170, I was frustrated and tired of not fitting back into my prebaby clothes (or any clothes in my closet for that matter).
I accidentally ran across Dustin on Craigslist and his MamaTone class (similar to bootcamps) sounded intriguing. I met with him before signing up, took the complimentary class, and I was hooked!
After 4 months of MamaTone classes, I lost 30 pounds and met my goal weight for October. Since then, I’ve lost another 10+ pounds while taking his Fit Fun Bootcamp classes. I have muscle definition throughout my entire body, energy to keep up with my family, and strength that astonishes me everyday! My prebaby clothes…are too big! MamaTone, Bootcamp and Dustin has changed my life for the absolute best!”
Jody 35, McFarland
"Patty is in her mid 20's and is in Better Shape than at the Peak of Her Swim Career!"
I tried running and lifting weights after work, but once winter came I lost my motivation. All I wanted to do after work was sit at home and watch TV in the warmth of my apartment. I joined Dustin's Fit Fun Bootcamps and after the first 6 weeks I had lost 6 lbs and started to eat healthier.
I have lost almost 40 lbs since May of 2008. I am in better shape than I remember being in even while I was at the peak of my swim career. While I feel great having lost all the weight I gained after college and the fact that I am able to wear clothes that I haven’t been able to wear in over 5 years, I am most excited about the increase in energy that I have each day and how good I feel after a workout.
-Patty
Megan hardly recognizes the person in her before pictures, since dropping 20 lbs and 3 dress sizes!
When I had to buy larger shorts last summer I decided to sign-up for FitFun Bootcamps as a birthday present to myself. What a great gift!
Friends and family commented often about how good I looked but I really didn’t understand until I saw a picture of myself from 6 months before Bootcamp, I barely recognized myself! I pulled out the boxes in my closet I was going to donate and went back through them. It was like going to the mall in my own house, things I though I’d never wear again fit and looked good!
There were mornings I did not want to get out of bed, I was sore and tired. Now, 3 sizes and 20 pounds later I am glad I did! I am pregnant with my second child and am in better shape then I was with my first.
My food journal is still active and my chart of progress from bootcamp with my burpee count and run time are still on the fridge, an everyday reminder of how far I have come.
Megan Blankenheim-Villarreal
© 2012 Dustin Maher Fitness. All Rights Reserved.
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Hey! I’m going to link to this blog through my blog – there are quite a few women out there looking for this very thing!
I’ll send them your way:)
Great idea.
Thanks Angie for spreading the word about MamaTone Fitness!
Awwww, it was fun seeing Jill and Catherine in the video!
I often do the shoulder presses with Duncan when I have him down in the playroom; it is a bit of a challenge with his weight/size, which is exactly why I do it, ha!
I’m not in Madison and heard you on WPR. I am thrilled to have this option! I’m pregnant with my second child and have had a fit & healthy pregnancy with weight gain in check–totally unlike my first. I appreciate you taking your time on this and making it available to the non-Madisons.
Thank you!
Duncan is a BIG weight to be lifting!!! Keep up the good work Tera.
Beth,
You are very welcome. I am excited to be able to reach out to more than just in Madison, keep spreading the word and being active on the blog!