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Heather Downey's Post Pregnancy Slim Down Journal

Body Slim Down Journal – Nov. 13, 2008


I’m so happy to report that I have had some really great workouts over the past week! My new sitter seems to be working out just fine, and it gives me total peace of mind being able to check on my baby occassionally while I am at the gym.
 For my last workout I did my old-school, pre-baby leg workout. It felt so incredible to do squats again! I was of course sore the next day, but I knew I was one step closer to getting my nice legs back, so it was completely worth it!
I have decided that I am not only determined to get my body back.  Instead, I would actually like to get in the best shape of my life. I think it would be so great to say, “At 37, and after 2 kids I look better than I have ever looked before, even in my 20’s.” Right now, all I can say is that I look pretty okay for having a 6 and a half-month-old. But that’s not good enough for me, because I am a fitness model, and I want to look like one again!!!
I must get back in amazing shape so I can inspire other women (especially mothers) and prove that it’s possible to do without a posse of hired help. After all, most women I know do not have private chefs, live-in nannies, nutritionists, personal trainers, yoga/pilates instructors, herbalists, etc…in their every day lives. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with it! That’s just not the case in my life, nor is it the case for most women I know who are moms. And I am one of you. That’s why it is my responsibility to get off my butt, get to the gym and eat right!

Body Slim Down Journal – November 5, 2008

Well, I did it!!! I finally got my butt back in the gym. No turning back now…I went once last weekend and trained my whole body. I did two exercises per muscle group, and about 20 minutes of cardio. Strength-wise I was pretty weak, but it felt great to be working my muscles again. I was motivated and had lots of energy. I probably could have spent several hours there, but I was trying to hurry home to my baby.

I went to the gym again on Tuesday, bringing both my baby and new sitter with me. I must say I definitely had peace of mind, knowing I could check on her anytime I needed to, and I was therefore able to really concentrate on my workout. I trained legs, and abs, and did 20 minutes of cardio. It felt amazing to have a real workout, and I love that my legs are sore today. I am going again tomorrow, this time to train my upper body and abs. I will also increase my cardio to a minimum of 30 minutes per session.

I am excited to be back at the gym. It feels so great, and I am looking forward to soon being able to really notice the changes in my body!

Heather Downey's Body Slim Down Journal – October 29, 2008

Since my last entry, I have been walking a bit outside, but other than that, I have unfortunately not begun my gym workouts. I would like to have started sooner, but have been unable to, due to lack of appropriate child care. I finally found a solution and hired a sitter to accompany me to the gym twice a week, beginning next week. I can’t wait! In addition to working out on those two days, I will also go to the gym at least twice a week in the evenings and perhaps one day during the weekend as well.  I am so motivated, and ready to get my body back in the worst way!

Good thing is… I have continued taking the CST Boost. It’s now been three weeks that I have been taking it, and I can’t imagine my life without it.  My moods are still stable and I feel energetic, and happy. My days are now productive, and I am enjoying my life again. Also, I have lost about 5-7 lbs, and it seems I am getting smaller by the day. I’m very happy to say that I am finally back into most of my pre-baby clothes. Can’t wait to see how my body changes once the workouts are in full-force. It’s on, now!

Heather Downey’s Body Slim Down Journal - Part One:

Some of you know me as a top fitness model. You may recognize me from various magazine covers such as Oxygen, Muscle and Fitness, M&F Hers. Or, you may have seen me on commercials for Bow-Flex, infomercials such as Body by Jake Ab Rocker and  Form Shaper, or in National print campaigns for Oxygenfit, just to name a few. In a nutshell, I have always been in shape. Thanks in part to great genetics, but also hard work on my part, spent in the gym, and eating right. Even when I had my son, 11 years ago, I exercised throughout my pregnancy until two weeks before he was born. I was back in the gym a few weeks after his birth and in a bikini again almost immediately. To say that is not the case this time around, after having my daughter 6 months ago, would be an understatement. You may be surprised by what I’m about to share, but this is the truth about my life experiences from the past year, until today…

First of all, being pregnant for the second time at 37 was much more difficult for me than it was when I was only 25. I was far more fatigued the entire time, had some frightening complications early on, and had severe lower back pain. I tried to work out during my pregnancy, but it was very difficult. For several weeks or more, in both the first and second trimester, I didn’t step foot into the gym. By the last trimester, the back pain I experienced was debilitating, and I rarely left my house. Mentally, I also suffered from depression, and was put on anti-depressants during my pregnancy. I eventually weaned myself off of them before my daughter was born, but I definitely paid the price.
 In May, I gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby girl, and couldn’t have been happier. After the euphoria wore off around day 10, however, life for me became very trying.

In the first two weeks after giving birth, one of my breasts implants rutured. The reality of knowing what needed to be done to correct the problem, became more than I could bear. I couldn’t even fathom the idea of having major surgery with a newborn baby; not to mention the fact that I would not be able to continue to breastfeed her for at least a year, like I had planned. I had never felt so frightened, stressed or overwhelmed in my entire life!
 

Needless to say, finding out this information was the onset of major postpartum depression. So severe to the point I was crying up to several hours a day, feeling totally hopeless and helpless. Other than caring for my children, I could do nothing else. I did not see my friends, I was unable to do much of anything at home, and had zero energy, and didn’t leave my home unless I absolutely had to.

Unfortunately, my trials did not stop there. About a month ago, I went to see my dermatologist to have a few moles checked, and both of the biopsies came back as basal cell carcinoma. I had already battled with melanoma skin cancer 2 years prior, and had just hoped to be done with all of it.  I really didn’t need one more thing to add to my already over-flowing plate!

To make all these matters worse, of course, I have not been exercising at all. I tried to go to the gym a handful of times, but my workouts were unsuccessful. I was completely unmotivated, and it felt like a complete waste of time. Sadly, in the past month alone, I have now turned down 3 very big fitness modeling jobs, simply because I am not in shape. I know that my being out of shape directly affects my depression, as well, and I am ready to make it all stop. And I have. Here’s how I did it:

A couple of weeks ago, in a desperate plea, I called my long-time friend, Dean Tournabene, whom I have known for over 10 years. I explained my current situation, and told him everything that’s happened in my life over the past year. I told him I was severely depressed, overwhelmed, unmotivated, 10-15 lbs. overweight, and losing work in my industry because of it. I needed help, and I knew he was just the person who could help me. I was right. One week ago to the day, I met him for lunch, and he gave me the single best product I have ever used, hands down. It is called CST Boost, by LifeBurst, Inc. The very next day, I felt better. Not just a little bit better, but 100% better. I have now been taking it for one week, and I truly feel that my life has completely turned around. In fact, here are my exact, unedited words, taken from an email that I sent him a few days ago:

“Can I just tell you something? I truly feel sooooo much better. My moods have stabilized completely, and I have energy for the first time in nearly a year. I am actually feeling back to my usual fabulous self! :) It's been so long since I had the energy to do much of anything. What a blessing to feel like I have my life back.”

I meant every word. I have had to rely on anti-depressants in the past, and did not want to start taking them again. Because of CST Boost, I do not have to. The CST Boost makes me feel happy, motivated, and energetic, and hopeful.  As far as physically, I have already lost several pounds, my stomach is flatter, and I have not even begun my gym regimen, yet!

In addition, I have had the energy to do more than just take care of my children. I have been able to really, really enjoy them, and feel the happiness of being a new mom all over again. This weekend, I took them to a picnic at the lake, and the zoo! I look forward to doing many more fun things with them now that I am feeling so great.

As I begin to really transform myself back into the fitness model that I am, I will continue to update my progress, regularly on this site. I will soon be adding additional supplements to my regimen, as well as getting back to my regular workouts.  I will be back soon, better than ever! Thank you for your interest in my Body Slim down journey.

Heather