I’ve been doing the baby shark abs challenge for more than 30 days now (32 days to be exact). It has got much easier, so much so, that now I think I could go on doing the exercises for longer than 1 minute 33 seconds. I feel stronger too and notice my new strength in simple everyday activities such as sitting up in bed to drink my tea. I like having the abdominal strength and am using it.
One disappointment for me is I had hoped to have an 8-pack by now but there’s not even a 6-pack let alone an 8-pack. Someone told me I need to lose all the fat around my belly to see the muscles and that’s probably not going to happen since I discovered Ben & Jerry’s vegan peanut butter and cookie ice cream. However, I do think there’s a glimpse of definition there now that wasn’t there before. It may not be a 6-pack or even close to being “ripped” but it’s definitely muscular in appearance.
Meanwhile, at work, we’ve started a 30-day planking challenge. Planking sucks partly because it’s so boring. At least with baby shark abs the movements change and the whole thing is over very quickly. With planking, two minutes feels like two hours. But maybe I’m saying this because I’ve only just started. I may think differently next month.
I have always been very healthy (and vegan for nearly 20 years now), but I have recently been inspired by The Game Changers movie and seeing the positive impact of a plant-based diet on professional athletes: it improved their endurance, recovery time, and reduced their injury rate. But I suppose this really shouldn’t be a surprise. Plants contain the anti-oxidants our bodies need to improve our immune system and reduce inflammation. Plants also contain fiber which improves digestion. I don’t think it’s possible to be vegan and constipated unless you have an underlying medical condition such as celiac disease. Genes and luck also play a role but don’t underestimate the importance of diet.
rachel.blog 
I fell off my couch to 5k running program after about 2 weeks due to a back spasm but that’s coming back tomorrow. I hope. Also the reduction of carbs has to play a role here for me…which is hard when it’s cold and damp and they’re just so delicious. 🙂
You look great! Keep going. You inspire us here…😀
A 5k running program sounds great and challenging. The baby shark abs is only 1.5 minutes a day so it’s hard to convince yourself that you haven’t got time to do it. And carbs are great! I’m a big fan 🙂
That’s really impressive for a woman. It’s much more difficult for women to get a 6 pack than men because our body fat doesn’t go low enough – our bodies make us hold onto it more as a contingency for pregnancy. We also don’t have as much testosterone so it’s harder for us to build muscle. I’ve read that the line down the centre of your abdomen like you’ve got is pretty much our equivalent of a pack.
I hasten to add that I’m nowhere near it as I have a lot of abdominal fat! I do think a well put together vegan diet seems very good for keeping people lean.
Oh well that is good to know especially since the line down the middle is all I can see 🙂
Yes, I think it’s easier to stay slim on a vegan diet because you’re not eating bacon and pork sausages and whipped cream and all those high fat foods.
Pregnancy and labor can also injure the abdominal muscles, making it harder for women in post-pregnancy to get back that flat, toned belly. (If she ever had one to begin with: I’ve was thin as a young woman, but my midriff was always round. 🙂 ) That said, I think you look great! It must be the combination of cycling, a vegan diet, and Baby Sharks .
Great post 😊
Thank you!
Fun fact, vegan babies can get constipated! 🙄 in one day they can eat 4 entire prunes, pumpkin, pear, quinoa, lentils (among other things) and drink more water than a horse and still not poo. Oh the joy of parenting!
That’s surprising. Is the baby breastfed still? I always thought breast milk was a bit like a laxative, at least in my kids it was 🙂 My kids never had formula or cow’s milk and now they’re grown up they don’t like cow’s milk because it was never introduced to them as toddlers.