The Shopping Mama

Total Gym Total Mom Challenge: Final Stats

by Kate on November 11th, 2010 | 5 Comments | For Mama, Reviews

The Total Gym Total Mom Challenge with the Total Gym XLS has come to an end! It’s hard to believe it’s been two months, although a lot has happened in that time! So, here’s the info that you’re probably most curious about: the before and after info.

“Before” & “After” Stats

[table id=41 /]

I lost 1.5 pounds and 4 and 1/4 inches. I realize it sounds a little underwhelming for 8 weeks, but I’m very pleased. I didn’t set out to lose pounds… my goal from the beginning was to build muscle and I think losing an inch in every measurement but the bust is an indication that I turned some fat into muscle. Woot!

I think the most visual change is in my thighs and arms. Both look and feel more toned and strong. (And, for some reason my pants are poofing in the after shot, but I swear I didn’t grow an extra hip as it appears.)

The most important thing, for me, is that I found a routine that I am comfortable with. It’s a work out system that I can do on my own time. A routine that is worth making time for. And a routine that I *like*.

Total Gym Total Mom Posts

In case you missed any updates, check out all my Total Gym posts:

Other Total Mom Total Mom Participants

I can’t wait to see how the other participants did in the Challenge – and who won! Check in on them for final updates.

Shop! Join me on the Total Mom Challenge! Click this link to get 15% off your Total Gym purchase.

I am participating in the Total Mom Total Gym Challenge facilitated by Blog Friendly PR and received a Total Gym.

Why Working Out At Home is Nice #TotalGymMom

by Kate on November 4th, 2010 | 5 Comments | Life

My next post about the Total Gym will be with final thoughts and my end measurements. Can you believe it? The past two months has flown by and been more than a little crazy in my life. But, before that post, I need to share a little story that highlights why the privacy of working out at home can be so nice.

One of the first things I did when we arrived in Ohio was join a gym. I’m sure you’re thinking, “Why in the world would you pay to join a gym when you have an amazing complete home gym system in your house?” And that’s a good question! Basically, I joined the gym to have another opportunity to get out of the house – something for the kids and I to do. My main objective for the next 11.5 months is to keep busy and the kids and I are keeping busy by operating with a fairly full schedule. I also joined the particular gym because they have swim lessons and other children’s programs (see the aforementioned objective). Oh, and the 2 hours of free childcare in the kid’s playroom a day didn’t hurt!

But, let me tell you I was *seriously* questioning my decision to join said gym when I went to work out for the first time. I decided to go to a group exercise class called 50/50 – a combination class with half the time spent doing cardio and the other half doing strength training. I figured I’ve been working out and getting strong on the Total Gym so I was just going to take the plunge and take this crazy class.

Holy heck, y’all. I nearly freaked out when the instructor bound into class. She literally looked like a caricature of an 80s aerobics instructor. She was wearing a sports bra and tight capris. And a headband. And she popped around like she had springs in her shoes. And she hooted and hollered. A lot.

I wanted to run home to the comfort of my Total Gym XLS. And the nice DVD workouts with normally dressed instructors who don’t “Are we having fun yet?!?!” me to tears. And the go at your own pace freedom of working out alone. And the privacy to workout with out feeling totally self conscious. Yes, all of that is very nice.

Shop! Join me on the Total Mom Challenge! Click this link to get 15% off your Total Gym purchase.

I am participating in the Total Mom Total Gym Challenge facilitated by Blog Friendly PR and received a Total Gym.

Another Total Gym Update

by Kate on October 25th, 2010 | 5 Comments | For Mama, Reviews

I have come to the conclusion that there are two paths I can take on this deployment journey: fat or fit. I’m serious. The stress, long nights, dining solo with kids every day… it doesn’t really set me up for the most healthy eating habits. I need to start on the right foot, and that means committing to working out and eating (mostly) right.

So, feel free to hold me to this promise: I will work out 4 times a week on the Total Gym. I have been working out on it a good amount until the past week when it was packed in a box and driven across the country by a moving company. Before then, though, my husband and I did it together. It was part of our nightly routine. Now that he’s not here I need to make it MY routine. I can do it… Right?

Total Gym: More About the Machine

Enough about me, let me tell you a little more about how the Total Gym actually works. Here are some fun facts about the Total Gym from the website:

Total Gym comes fully assembled. Just pull it out of the box and have it set-up in minutes.

Total Gym folds flat for storage against a wall, in a closet or under a bed to about the size of an ironing board.

To boost your cardio workout, perform the Total Gym exercises one after another without any rest period in-between.

Crunched for time? No problem! Total Gym has a variety of workouts that will get you a total body workout in just 10-20 minutes a day.

With Total Gym, you target all major fitness areas with just one workout: resistance training, cardio training and stretching. Everything your body needs on just ONE machine.

With Total Gym you can build & sculpt your muscles at the higher incline.

With Total Gym you can firm & slenderize your body at the lower incline.

One of the things that is most unique is that the Total Gym relies on your body weight to create resistance. The level of resistance and intensity increases as you raise the Total Gym incline. (Though there are a few exercises where a lower incline is actually harder, which is indicated on the exercise card.) The incline has six set positions, and you can estimate the resistance in pounds based on your weight. The photo below is of a graph from the resistance exercise card so you can see how it works.

Because my goal is to build long, lean muscle and not bulk, I am not as concerned about increasing the level at which I exercise. I’m still focusing on doing the exercise correctly and increasing reps and sets.

Shop! Join me on the Total Mom Challenge! Click this link to get 15% off your Total Gym purchase.

Other Total Mom Total Mom Participants

You should stop in and visit the other moms on the Total Gym Total Mom Challenge.

I am participating in the Total Mom Total Gym Challenge facilitated by Blog Friendly PR and received a Total Gym.

Total Gym Total Mom Challenge – Week 4, Er, 5 Update

by Kate on October 14th, 2010 | 5 Comments | Life

It’s been a month since I introduced the Total Gym Total Mom Challenge. Up until the past week, I’ve felt extremely positive and excited about the Challenge. Not positive in the sense that I think I’m going to win the challenge (because I don’t), but positive about the work I was putting in on the Total Gym and positive about the changes in my body.

And then this week happened. Yikes! A long weekend of travel to tackle the ABC Expo and eating my way through Vegas with my family do not equal progress in a fitness challenge. (Hello, three hour brunch. I’m talking to you.)

Stats Update

I really debated taking measurements this week. And then I debated sharing them. I had a feeling the results wouldn’t be positive and it’s a reflection of me – not the machine. But, in the spirit of disclosure and putting it all out there, I’m sharing my stats. UGH. Here are my current stats and the change from my “before” stats four weeks ago.

Weight: 127.0 pounds (same as 2 weeks ago, down 0.6 pounds from “before” stats)
BMI: 18.7 (same as 2 weeks ago, down 0.1 from “before” stats)
Bust: 34 inches (still no change)
Waist: 28 inches (up 1/2 inch from 2 weeks ago, same as “before” stats)
Hip: 37.5 inch (up 1/2 inch from 2 weeks ago, down 1/2 inch from “before”)
Arm: 10 inches (down 1/4 inch from 2 weeks ago, down – 1/2 inch from “before”)
Thigh: 19.5 inches (down 1/2 inch, down 1 inch from “before”)

I was totally discouraged (though not surprised) by the weight and increase in my waist and hip measurements. But, seriously, I ate an embarrassing amount of food over the weekend and haven’t worked out nearly as much as I would have liked. The good news is that I can get back to my usual eating habits. The bad news? We’re moving which will definitely interfere with regular exercise. I won’t be able to get back into that routine until we get settled in our new home.

Shop! Join me on the Total Mom Challenge! Click this link to get 15% off your Total Gym purchase.

Other Total Mom Total Mom Participants

You should stop in and visit the other moms on the Total Gym Total Mom Challenge.

I am participating in the Total Mom Total Gym Challenge facilitated by Blog Friendly PR and received a Total Gym

Total Mom Total Gym Update: Check Out My Arms!

by Kate on October 7th, 2010 | 5 Comments | Life

We are officially in crazy-over-scheduled-preparing-to-deploy-trips-vacation-mode. And it is so stressful. I am honestly thisclose to having a total breakdown. Like I mentioned last week, this is one of the reasons I so enjoy working out. I’m nervous about the next several weeks because we’ll be traveling and I obviously won’t have the Total Gym with me. I’ll fit in walks and maybe a hotel treadmill, but I really don’t want to lose any of the strength or endurance I’ve built. (I’ve worked up to a level 4 on many exercises!)

Today we had a little farewell for my husband at his work. We took a family photo out by the plane. And, do you know what I noticed in this picture?

Not my son acting crazy, or my daughter distracted or my good looking husband. No, I am totally staring at MY ARM! Look, there’s, like, definition.

Okay, so I just showed my husband and he wasn’t all that impressed. Whatever. I can tell a difference in my arms – among other more muscle-y parts – and I like it.

Shop! Join me on the Total Mom Challenge! Click this link to get 15% off your Total Gym purchase.

Other Total Mom Total Mom Participants

You should stop in and visit the other moms on the Total Gym Total Mom Challenge.

I am participating in the Total Mom Total Gym Challenge facilitated by Blog Friendly PR and received a Total Gym

Total Me Time With the Total Gym

by Kate on September 30th, 2010 | 5 Comments | Life

When I first learned of the Total Gym Total Mom Challenge, I imagined it starting in November, taking place after my husband deployed. I figured it would be a new hobby to pick up while he was away – and, of course, I’d get in shape to be looking my best when he returns. But, the timing didn’t quite work out as I imagined. The Total Gym folks were on the ball and the Challenge started very quickly.

The timing has turned out to be a blessing. I have come to really enjoy the me time that comes with hopping on the Total Gym to do my work out. While I glide up and down the machine, working muscles I didn’t know I had, no one bothers me. It’s just me and my thoughts. I silently count the reps of the exercise as I think about new activities for the kids, how to organize my closet, or best of all, I think about absolutely nothing. I just exercise. As we prepare for my husband to leave for a year, the exercise has been a real stress reliever in a very stressful time.

Stats Update

The exercise has been good for my head, but has it been good for my body? Here are my current stats and the change from my “Before” stats two weeks ago.

Weight: 127.0 pounds (-0.6 pounds)
BMI: 18.7 (- 0.1)
Bust: 34 inches (no change)
Waist: 27.5 inches ( – 1/2 inch)
Hip: 37 inch (-1 inch)
Arm: 10 1/4 inches (- 1/4 inch)
Thigh: 20 inches (- 1/2 inch)

Other Total Mom Total Mom Participants

You should stop in and visit the other moms on the Total Gym Total Mom Challenge. Some of these ladies are working their butts off. Literally.

Shop! Join me on the Total Mom Challenge! Click this link to get 15% off your Total Gym purchase.

I am participating in the Total Mom Total Gym Challenge facilitated by Blog Friendly PR and received a Total Gym XLS.

Total Gym Total Mom Challenge – Week 2

by Kate on September 23rd, 2010 | 5 Comments | Blogging, Life

It’s been a week since I introduced you to the Total Gym Total Mom Challenge and provided my “before” stats. And, I’ve decided that I’m not going to torture myself (or you, for that matter) with weekly measurements and weigh-ins. I know that, even after some tough workouts, I’m not going to see immediate results. And, frankly, I don’t want to get discouraged if my measurements or weight aren’t dropping. So, this week, I want to share some of the ins and outs of working out with the Total Gym XLS, and next week I’ll do measurements to see how I’m doing.

Total Gym Storage

When I got the opportunity to review the Total Gym, the first thing I said to my husband is “Where are we going to put it?” We have pretty much outgrown our house and are busting at the seams as it is. But, we knew the opportunity to get in shape at home was worth the space challenge. As it turns out, we decided to take advantage of the fact that the Total Gym folds in half for easy storage and we put it away in our hall closet every night. It would be much easier if we had a makeshift gym for the Total Gym, but the hassle of taking it out and setting it up nearly every day is totally worth it and is definitely faster than driving to and from a gym.

Long and Lean Workout

The Total Gym comes with a variety of workout information including DVDs and the Total Gym Training Deck. The Training Deck consists of cards that describe every imaginable exercise possible with the Total Gym, as well as workout programs grouping various exercises together. There are 30 different workout programs in the Training Deck, like the Starter Workout, Women’s Lower Body Strength, Men’s Upper Body Strength and, my favorite, the Long and Lean.

The Long and Lean Workout includes a training program for two different days so you can alternate between the two. The exercises workout the arms, shoulders, abs, legs – total body, really. The best part for me is that entire workout takes about half an hour. I thought I would prefer using the DVDs but, to my surprise, I really like using the Training Deck. The photos and descriptions on the exercise cards offer plenty of instruction to get the movement right and get a great workout.

Shop! Total Gym wants YOU to be a part of the Total Mom Challenge, too. Order now, through this exclusive link and get 15% off your order of the Total Gym.

Total Mom Total Mom Participants

Check in on the other Total Gym Total Mom participants and see how they are doing with the Total Gym!

Total Gym Total Mom Challenge

by Kate on September 16th, 2010 | 5 Comments | Blogging, Life

At this moment, I can’t believe that I’ve agreed to participate in the Total Gym Total Mom Challenge. Don’t get me wrong, I really love using the Total Gym XLS and changing my getting a fitness routine and getting in shape is worth the embarrassment of sharing my measurements and weight. But, oh my, it is a little hard to put it all out there. Over the next 8 weeks I will be putting it all out there and sharing my experience using the Total Gym including photos, video and fitness updates.

About the Total Gym XLS

The TOTAL GYM XLS targets ALL major muscle groups with just ONE workout. Resistance training, cardio training and stretching – everything the body needs (with over 80 exercises) in just one machine. Individuals can work out in as little as six to eight minutes a day. The XLS makes at-home work-outs more efficient and effective. It is perfect for the entire family from ages eight to 80.

My Goal

I think I am very lucky to have the figure I do without much effort. But, the fact of the matter is, I’m not in good shape. I was in much better shape 4 years ago when I was pregnant with my son. I walked regularly, lifted weights and made an effort to stay fit. I was skinnier six months ago when I was nursing my daughter. But, now for the first time in 4.5 years, it’s my turn to focus on my body – for me. Not because I’m growing a baby or providing nourishment for one, but because I need to get in shape!

I don’t have lofty goals of completing a triathlon (like Monica) or losing 20 pounds in 2 months like my awesome husband. My goal for the Total Gym Total Mom Challenge is really about being fit. Over the next 2 months I want to maintain my weight, build muscle, lose a few inches and feel better about myself. I hope to accomplish my goal by using the Total Gym XLS at least 5 times a week.

“Before” & Starting Stats

Weight: 127.6 pounds
BMI: 18.8
Bust: 34 inches
Waist: 28 inches
Hip: 38 inches
Arm: 10 1/2 inches
Thigh: 20 1/2 inches

Other Total Mom Total Mom Participants

I’m not doing this Challenge alone – there is a great team of bloggers who are on this journey together. I’m so excited to share this journey, exchange exercise tips, and watch their progress.