I’ve been working my butt off for the last couple of months. Just about every day I have made it my mission to work out. Instead of being something I fit in if I can, I’ve made exercise a non-negotiable. This has been game changing for me.

I’ve always been one of those girls who, while not obese, could stand to lose at least 10 pounds. Blame it on body type, genetics, laziness, whatever. I’ve always struggled to keep those last few pounds off. But now it’s different. I’m not dieting. I’m not looking for mystical results in a ridiculously short amount of time. I’m making a lifestyle change.

The problem? I’VE LOST HARDLY ANY WEIGHT. I realize that muscle weighs more than fat and that inches are just as important as pounds. I realize that my clothes fit me differently and that I feel stronger and my back doesn’t ache when my toddler is in a hardcore “CARRY ME!” mood. I realize all of that. But would it kill the scale to creep down a bit?! For my psychological well being?!

The one thing that does seem to help me is flooding myself with positive reinforcement. I started following a bunch of healthy living Instagrammers and the constant encouragement and healthy food inspiration has been huge. HUGE, I tell you!

My bite-sized little bundle is about five and a half months old now, which means blaming my bulging midsection on “just having a baby” is getting a liiiittle bit old.

It’s time to do something about this post-baby bod of mine instead of just hoping time will suck it all back in.

During my bout with technical difficulties I found myself with a lot more time on my hands than normal. Samantha (my five-year old) was in that dangerous camp-school limbo zone which meant we needed things to do.

I borrowed Wii Zumba Fitness from my friend Meg (who is currently prego and unable to do it herself) and decided to try it out with my muffin while the wee baby napped.

We had so much fun! Samantha loves the music and the dancing and it’s great to have something like this that I can do with her– even if we’re both terrible at.Once we got a little frustrated with our lack of rhythm, we decided to try a kickboxing video that I added to our Netflix instant queue. It’s called 10 Minute Solution: Kickbox Bootcamp and it’s awesome!

It’s a 50-minute workout broken into 10-minute sections, which is perfect for a mom (especially when doing it with a 5-year old who gets bored easily). Better yet, the instructor does the steps slowly and rhythmically enough so even this spazz can get it.

So far I did Basic Training one day and Ultimate Buns and Thighs the next and had to take two days off before I move on to the third section (Arm and Shoulder Sculptor) because my thighs/butt/calves were so sore.

I’ve also been planning on trying out the (free!) Nike Training Club app because of heard such good things about it.

What do you do to stay in shape? I need ideas!

As if the gloominess and bad hair that all this rain is bringing isn’t bad enough, it’s also making me increasingly lazy. I mean, really. Who wants to leave the house when it means getting soaked? Especially when it means wrapping up a newborn and trying to keep her warm and dry while your almost five-year old jumps in every puddle in sight.

But I said I was trying to find the positive in everything, right?

If the rain is going to prevent me from walking off my baby weight in the park, I’ll just have to scrape my ass off the couch and find something fabulous to do inside.

This afternoon I’m thinking yoga. Aside from being awesome in it’s own right, it’s something my daughter can actually do with me (her favorite is the tree pose and she can do it better than most adults). So while I stretch and tone my core, I can be sure she’s not off somewhere getting into trouble. Instead, she’ll be next to me giggling at my form.

What do you do to feel good in bad weather?

1 Old Navy :: 2 Gaiam :: 3 Au Lac Designs :: 4 Gaiam

1 Drishti dress outfit :: 2 Athleta Inhale pant outfit