J. Lo's Post-Twins Plan: A Triathlon

Now, I've never really loved Jennifer Lopez. I, like millions, skipped out on the cinematic prize that was Gigli, and although I admired her gumption for putting on that famous green dress, I actually thought Ben Affleck could have done better when they were dating. And I've thought very little of Ben Affleck since Mallrats.

But since Jennifer gave birth to her twins, Max and Emme, six months ago, she's grown on me just a tad. One thing that has made her a bit more "normal" in my eyes -- other than the $120K she allegedly spent on the twins' nursery, of course -- is how she didn't instantly morph back to her pre-pregnancy size. Instead of doing all she could to immediately slim down before the paparazzi could even blink, she has seemed to take a normal amount of time getting back into shape post-babies.

Jen was interviewed yesterday on Good Morning America about her admirable and realistic fitness goals, namely her desire to complete a triathlon even if she has to "crawl across that finish line." In addition to racing, biking and swimming for better health, Lopez is raising money for Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. She's paired up with Self magazine to reach her goal and cross that finish line.

Sure, she's living the kind of glamorous life that most new moms can't even fathom and she may never actually live down all those trips (and almost-trips) down the aisle, but her latest move is pretty damn inspiring. So many celebs give birth and then do all they can to slip back into their skinny jeans before anyone can post an unflattering picture of their post-baby belly. It's just not a feat most new moms can even remotely relate to. Jennifer is getting fit the right way: with a plan and a goal that is good for body and mind. What's more, instead of spewing fluffy comments about how she loves her new, more in-shape body, she is commenting about how great she "feels" and how "she's proud" of herself.

As a woman who is roughly 13-weeks pregnant -- and in that lovely phase I like to call: "Is she pregnant or just a fan of keg stands?" -- this is the kind of goal I can get inspired by. Perhaps not six months after I give birth, admittedly, but eventually.

I for one never thought I'd say this, but I may be a newly converted fan of J. Lo.

That doesn't mean I'll be Netflixing Gigli or even Maid in Manhatten anytime soon, though.

Comments

[Amie]

She always struck me as having a "normal" figure, even before she was pregnant. I'm not her biggest fan, but I always appreciated her refusal to turn herself into the stick-creature that is so popular for female actresses.

I've always had a hard time getting in shape after a pregnancy, and now that I'm on my third, I'm terrified. In the meantime, I've been embracing it as an excuse to stop fretting over the extra stomach pudge and just let people go ahead and assume it's baby bump. Now, at 19 weeks, it is. But at 6 weeks? Who did I think I was kidding.

[LauraC]

I have to disagree with being in love with J Lo. As a mother of twins myself, I think six months is an unreasonable amount of time to expect to lose 50 lbs. How realistic is she really being - launching a fragrance, doing a reality show, training for a triathalon, and having newborn twins?

Personally, I'd love to see just one celebrity say, "I'm taking this time to focus on my kids" the way Julia Roberts did when her twins were born. To me, that is a role model.

I'll check her blog in case I feel the need to eat my words.

[rednexmama]

What I really don't like about the whole dille-o, is that she decided not to get straight back to work, which I think is great. Lots of time to bond with her kids (especially considering there's a good chance, that once she's back at work, those times could be few and far between). But instead has replaced her normal "job" with working out. She even says in the article that the training doesn't leave her with much time to spend with her kids. Now I'm sure a lot of women are going to jump on me for saying this but... if you are NOT working, not ill, not out saving the world, shouldn't your priority be your twins as opposed to training for a totally optional triathlon??? For that matter, is there a reason that the twins can't join her for much of her training? Considering all the women out there struggling to juggle childcare, careers, and spending PRECIOUS time with their kids, it kind of gets my hackles up to hear about a woman who chooses NOT to be around her children when she could. I'm not saying we don't all need our own time, to go out, to work out, hell, to have a freaking bath... but at the end of the day, a triathlon is more important??

[Barbara]

Gonna have to disagree with She Likes Purple. No, I can't really get behind a person bouncing back like this 6 months after having twins. If she was say, taking daily walks with the kids and Marc, then yeah. But this attitude that one must "conquer the evil baby weight" just pisses me off. There are those of us (though not really me) that don't have the support of family or the money to pay for support so that we can get back into shape. They are left to lose weight by fitting it around their new responsibility. And it's fucking hard.

JLo is a competitive woman, so this sort of thing fits right into her forte. I'm just tired of celebrities being celebrated for their tireless pursuit of physical perfection while the rest of the masses are just glad to have their child sleep for 4 consecutive hours.

[She Likes Purple]

I completely understand everyone's point of view here, and once I'm six months post-baby, I may change my tune completely, but I don't think she's striving for physical perfection the way so many insanely-skinny celebs often do. The second picture above was taken just this week and although I think she looks fantastic for having twins just six months ago, I also think she looks healthy.

My overall point was, it's obviously hard to find the time to lose the baby weight but where other celebs do it in mere weeks behind closed doors, I admire someone who can set a fitness goal and achieve it not because she wants to look good in pictures or nail an upcoming role but because she's determined to feel better and wants to raise a little money along the way, as well.

[Martha]

But what I want to know is...

Who is going to be run in front of her, sprinkling purple rose petals? ;)

P.S. I secretly didn't hate Maid in Manhattan. Also, praise Jenny for making the booty acceptable. However, I read somewhere that she doesn't let her twins wear "repeat" clothes, or some such ridiculousness. They're BABIES. Nobody cares if they're seen wearing the same outfit more than once!!

[Kim S.]

Chiming in here as a mom of twins--this story simultaneously makes me feel inspired and feel like shit. My twins are 15 months old and my husband and I both are physically and emotionally exhausted. It is *hard* work man! The idea of training for a triathlon seems as crazy to me as rocketing to Mars. Or folding the laundry. That said, I give her props for working so hard. I wish I looked like her six months out. Or 15 months out. I'm just too damn tired.

I will add my DISDAIN for her crazy nursery though. It solidified my feeling that she is not of our planet. I much prefer the more realistic stories about Angelina and Brad's twin experience: having family gather around, Angelina being exhausted and dealing with twins who are not on the same schedule. They may be on a beautiful French estate, but the reality of twins kicking your butt will find you anywhere.

[Suzy Q]

Hmm...that "after" pic looks to me like she's already lost 45 of those 50 pounds.

I don't think anything she does could make me a fan of hers; she's just waay too much of a diva.

[jennifer]

right on, rednexmama.

[JellyBean]

I don't like JLo, but give her props for not hiring any nannies, nurses, child care staff as I've seen reported numerous times that she and Marc are caring for the infants themselves, round the clock. On the other hand, she was photographed training the other day with her makeup artist standing nearby. Yuk!

[Suzy Q]

Jellybean, if you believe that they don't have any child care help, I've got some GREAT land in SW Florida I'd like to sell you.

[DianaCLT]

I saw a mag just a few days ago, commenting on how nice it is that they "even change diapers themselves on occasion." Yes - they have nannies, absolutely. I hadn't heard otherwise, actually.

[JellyBean]

Well, I am skeptical too about no nanny help, but I've read & seen the story so many times I am not certain. I know on a recent trip they took overseas, the press remarked about how they didn't have a nanny with them. Maybe no one will work for her b/c she is too much of a DIVA? It also bothers me the press make such a big deal about her not having a nanny b/c isn't that how most families do it? Anyway, here is one link to People magazine about the story.
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20203335,00.html