Introducing....ShapelyGirl Fitness! #shapelygirl

Below are all the links to follow my progress!

Week ONE Fitness Friday Check-in

Week TWO Fitness Friday Check-in

Week THREE Fitness Friday Check-in

Week FOUR Fitness Friday Check-in

Final Post and wrap-up!

When I joined Christian Women Affiliate I was really excited about being able to get a few books to review, but I was over the top EXCITED to learn I was chosen to join the special crew to review the ShapelyGirl Fitness DVD! My DVD,  "Let's Get Stepping" just arrived today and I cannot wait to get started! I will be doing this along with 27 other amazing women as a "challenge" using the ShapelyGirl Fitness DVD's for the month of October!



"Debra Mazda’s Shapely Girls focus is…
No Matter what size you are- even if you’ve never worked out before- start moving, breathing and feeling great. Debra is living proof you don’t need to be a size 2 to be Fit & Fabulous! At 315 pounds, Debra decided that diets were not the answer and discovered that exercise can transform your body and your life. Debra & her Shapely Girl Team will work out right along with you and teach you to embrace your curves while getting fit and healthy. She’s now a Healthy and Fit size 10."


But why would I want to be on this crew? Well, I've got at least SIX reasons! My 6 kids!!!
But to be vulnerable, share my struggles openly? Why would I CHOOSE to do that?!
Because I think we all struggle with weight. I want to be open and honest that having 6 kids and staying fit is hard work!

I'm 38 years old and I spend my days homeschooling my kids and driving them to all their co-op and extra-curricular activities. I don't always pay attention to my body's needs for exercise and nutrition. I'm also about 20-25 pounds heavier than I would like to be! Here I am in January of this year after giving birth to my 6th child. (Note the exercise equipment in the background. Available to the entire family, yet barely used!) I think I weigh about 185 lbs. here. I'm still pretty puffy from my c-section too.

Over the sixteen years I have been birthing my kids, my weight has gone up and down. I usually gain about 35-40 pounds per pregnancy. Not a HUGE amount but more than my body should probably gain especially in order to take the weight off quickly. So I figure I've probably gained over 240 lbs in the last 16 years, and taken off all of it except for the last 25-30 lbs. My body likes to hover at a certain weight where my hormones are unstable, placing me in the battle against infertility more than once. (I know, you wouldn't think that looking at me with 6 kids, but it's true! Second time infertility has been a huge part of my life these last 12 years.)

I still love to be active with my kids though. Here I am with my youngest son on a walk last week.

I'm hoping to gain tons of energy and strength while increasing in flexibility and loosing inches over the next month! I will be watching my scale (can't help it!) but I'm focusing more on my energy and inches lost for the month! I used to take a step class about 9 years ago and had a lot of fun, so I'm really looking forward to this DVD!
I hope you will check back each Friday for a Fitness Friday check-in and follow along with me as I accept this ShapelyGirl Fitness challenge!

Here is more info about the DVD I will be using!

Debra Mazda and her ShapelyGirl team are back with Let's Get Stepping!, a step-cardio workout for beginners. Debra Mazda, M.Ed is the leader of the plus-size fitness movement and creator of the ShapelyGirl DVD series. Her philosophy is Fitness Comes in Many Sizes and she will inspire you to get moving with her friendly, energetic style and her personal story of overcoming obesity once and for all through exercise.

This workout will help you burn calories and increase flexibility and stamina. It includes fun, easy-to-learn moves designed for larger women, but they are great for anyone who is new to Step or hasn't done it for a while. Features of this DVD include Debra's Step Tutorial (where she demonstrates each move), a bonus Cardio track with weights, and a new edition of "Circle Time" where the ShapelyGirls share their thoughts on body image, finding their motivation and working toward their fitness goals.

Level: Beginner

Runtime: approximately 82 minutes

You can check out a sample below of what I'll be doing!!! Woot! Woot! 

I look forward to sharing with you THIS Friday!

I just LOVE this picture, special thanks to Noelle Mena for creating it and allowing us to share it! God bless!

  I received a free copy of this DVD to review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations. I am part of The CWA Review Crew.