The Belly Ball workout

January 22, 2013

January 21, 2013

The end date of my fitness calendar was set for January 19th. This past weekend I was going to film my core workout DVD for the Belly Ball and shoot for Max Sports and Fitness magazine.  The road to this moment has been a bumpy ride filled with endless days with the boys, sleepless nights, events, birthdays, nonprofit marketing, errands, work and late workouts. In the midst of those trials I not only feared my overall conditioning, but I also delayed a lot of prep work.

I’ve been procrastinating on filming the DVD because I’m camera shy (funny, right?) and I’ve never ventured into filming any of my workouts before, not even on youtube. For weeks my husband has been hounding me on what my DVD would entail. After all, I ‘wing’ most things in life. While I had an idea of what I would perform, I didn’t start planning it until a few days before filming. In the planning stages I thought about what cool exercises I could demonstrate or new techniques that would intrigue consumers.  When I began thinking about an entire hour of performing 3 different twenty minute core workouts I began to get anxiety. I reviewed some of the fad workout DVDs PR companies often send me and I thought about what I liked and disliked about them. Some seemed too ‘pop-like’ and others didn’t seem like it had a method behind the moves they were demonstrating.  Most of all, it didn’t really seem like any of the people in the fitness DVDs really used those workouts on a daily basis.

Then it hit me.

As a personal trainer in college, I never taught a group exercise class….but when I did; it was always an ABS class. I dedicate my Tuesday workouts in my mom-me group specifically for core work. When I’m at the gym I have a calculated sequence of exercises I perform that engages all areas of my ABS.

If there is any area I am most confident in sharing with others, it’s how to build a strong midsection. I’m proof of that success and what consumers want to experience is not the newest, popular or innovative core workout. They want my core workout.  

As I set my timer while kneeling on my yoga mat in front of the warm lights of the cameras on Friday, I was still camera-shy but I was ready. I envisioned being in front of my mom-me fitness group or core class when I was a group exercise director. I pretended I was in my office/workout room performing core exercises on a typical early morning. I thought about my training methodology and what I personally used to get my core tight after three kids in three years.  I realized that my experience both personally and professionally has prepared me for that single moment in time.

I may not have a lot of free time or a chef to cook my meals, but I’m a reflection of what is possible in the midst of living as a regular person in the real world. I have stretch marks and extra skin. I sometimes skip workouts and often skip meals. I’m not perfect but in being imperfect,  I’m a symbol of what’s possible when striving to be the best I can be. Despite having an incredibly busy life filled with work, back-to-back kids and charity works, it still can be done. If you eat clean 80% of the time, if you make goals, strive for perfection and make daily efforts without giving up…then it is possible.

It is possible to have a flat midsection after kids. It is possible to strengthen your core again. There is still hope – because examples exist out there if you choose to see them and follow. While nerve-wrecking and stressful, I’m excited to have filmed the DVD. Now, I can finally show others exactly what I did to get in my best shape.


Friday DVD filming for the Belly Ball


About to demonstrate how I massage my belly.


My husband and my mom are my biggest supporters.


Dave Slagle is my 3rd biggest supporter!

Sunday Shoot with James Patrick.

7 Comments

  • Reply Tracey February 21, 2013 at 6:52 pm

    Besides protein shakes, do you take any other supplements? For example BCAA powder or pills, weight loss pills, etc?

  • Reply Amber March 15, 2013 at 2:02 am

    Where can you buy the belly ball I ESP like the one in your photo shoot. You look amazing keep up the great work.

    • Reply Maria Kang March 15, 2013 at 4:32 am

      Thanks! I put a hold on all pre-orders because production was delayed. It should be ready in a couple months.

  • Reply Teri Ahlstrom October 15, 2013 at 4:49 pm

    You have some great and well balanced ideas here. I’m sure many are benefiting from them. I’m interested in the DVD and the belly ball. Is that available yet?

  • Reply Syona December 17, 2013 at 1:55 am

    I would love to have this DVD. Where to buy it from?

  • Reply Susan burke December 20, 2013 at 6:42 pm

    Would love to buy tour DVD. When will it be ready?

    • Reply Susan Burke January 24, 2014 at 2:14 pm

      Is the bell ball DVD ready? Let me know would love to have it

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