I’ve got #2 on the brain. Not that number two. I’m talking baby number two. It’s not a coincidence because lately it seems everyone is wondering if I’ll have a second baby. I find this questioning only slightly less invasive than having  my belly felt up when I was pregnant. D2 turns two in November and whenever anyone asks me how old he is, it’s always followed up with, “So are you going to give him a little brother or sister?” Last week at the salon my stylist put it much more bluntly, “So what’s the story, are we having a second baby or what?” *Gulp. Silence.* Heads swivled to look at me as I choked out the standard “We’re practicing!”line.  Sheesh. What do I say to such a personal question? My uterus has barely snapped back into place and already the questions are flying.

I’ve been saying that we really would like to give D2 a sibling if we can. Actually, I sort of feel that we are obligated to do so because we are older parents. When D2 turns 20 we’ll be 60. When  he’s 40 we’ll be …. oh God, I don’t even want to think about it. This sounds morbid but I fear that we’ll die and leave him alone while he’s still a relatively young man.

I think about my anxiety over possibly having another miscarriage, which I experienced before I had D2. It’s a tough emotional journey that many women don’t talk about – and it’s exceedingly common. I think about the letters AMA (Advanced Maternal Age) that will be scrawled across my chart that let everyone know at the OB/GYN  that you are officially past your prime but some how your eggs have managed to hang on for the last call at the bar. (Quick side bar: Ignore the B.S. lies you read in tabloids about 40 something celebrities and their claims they got pregnant “naturally” even though they are pumping out fraternal twins at alarming rates. There is no f@$*^!g way. Not Judging. Just saying.)

I think of all of the pros and cons of having a second child. On the pro side I think about:

1. D2 won’t grow up an only child and will have a sibling for friendship and company;
2. having my first child at age 40 has meant that I am a more centered, focused and mature mother which has been good for D2;
3. how I ‘m obsessed with my son and a second child will ensure I won’t smother D2 to death if I have another child to dote on;
4. having children exponentially opens your heart to wanting more;
5. how kids are just so much darn fun and Dr. D and I are having the time of our lives with D2;
6. how much I loved breastfeeding even though it was hell on my boobs.

On the Con side I think about:

1. whether I can love a second child as much as my first (I think I can but I worry about it);
2. whether I actually have any good eggs left to conceive (My OB seems to still think I’m in the Green Zone);
3. how pregnancy and recovering from pregnancy is pure hell on a post-40 body (my C-section scar still hurts);
4. the fact that Dr. D and  I are exhausted already with one toddler, can we really do two children under 5?
5. taking three months off for maternity leave and the anxiety and paranoia it caused me.
6. having two kids in college at the same time. Enough said.

All that said, I absolutely love being a mother and D2 is the single best thing that has happened in my life. I am thrilled watching him achieve all of the little milestones and yet also sad because it’s going so fast. I take in every day and am grateful for it. Even on my worst days, I really wouldn’t mind doing it all again.

So yeah, we are going to go for it. It’s not going to be easy. I know the statistics on getting pregnant after 40. But I choose to mainly focus on the positive; I’m in great shape and have a positive mental outlook. We’ll see if luck and the fertility gods are on our side. In the meantime, the next time someone asks me if I’m going to have number two I’ll just smile and say, “We’re practicing.”

It’s that time of year when every women’s magazine cover trumpets its own formula for the perfect beach body. If you are still feeling a wee bit zaftig from all of those wonderful winter comfort foods you consumed, have no fear help is around the corner. While there is no silver bullet to losing those extra lbs, Physique 57′s  DVD series is pretty damn close. Based on the famed Lotte Berk Method, Physique 57 is a rigorous ballet-inspired routine that is designed to sculpt  long,  lean dancer-like muscles in a full-body routine that takes just 57 minutes. The focus is on developing a strong core, muscle endurance and flexibility. I once heard Physique 57 described as Pilates on steroids. If you want to experience one of  New York-based Physique 57′s wildly popular classes without the $30.00 per class price tag, this home DVD series (of which there are now two) is just the ticket.

Physique 57 at a Glance.

Degree of Difficulty. Challenging to Very Difficult. As a relatively fit woman, I thought I would breeze through the 57 minute classic work out. Wrong. Ten minutes into the DVD, my quads were burning, my legs were shaking and I was pouring sweat. The classic routine starts with a warm up, followed by arm exercises using the 3lb and 5lb weights. I scoffed at these light weights until I did this arm routine. Trust me. They will be plenty heavy when you get into the workout. The Express 30-minute DVD is a bit less hard core but still a solid total body workout especially for those new to the Physique 57 regime.

Fun Factor. I’m not sure I would call Physique 57 “fun” but instructor Tanya Becker is appealing and her light banter keeps your mind off your burning tush as you go through endless squats, plies and leg extensions. The background music is a combination of hip-hop and deep house tracks that’s loud enough to hear without drowning out the instruction.

Production Value. Excellent. The studio is well lit and clear audio makes it easy to follow Tanya’s direction.  She explains each move very clearly as well as the proper positioning of your body to ensure optimal performance and injury prevention. For beginners or those who need to take it a bit easier, there are easy-to-follow modifications to all of the exercises performed in the DVD.

 Cost. About $60.00. The Physique 57 DVD kit includes three DVDs (Classic 57-minute work out, Express 30-minute work out, Arms and Abs Booster), a playground ball and pump. In addition, you’ll need a set each of 3 and 5 pound weights, a yoga mat and a blanket or thick towel.

Physique 57 Benefits. The workout suits just about all fitness levels and is especially good if you are looking to develop muscle tone and definition without the use of heavy weight machinery. This is an especially good workout for sculpting trouble spots like your rear, inner thighs, arms and abdominal region. With clearance from a doctor and some modifications, it’s possible to do Physique 57 through some or all a pregnancy and is especially great post-partum (Side note: Since they offer pregnancy fitness classes in their studios, my guess is that Physique 57 will add a pregnancy workout to its DVD series sooner or later).

Physique 57 Negatives. While Physique 57 claims to provide a good cardio workout (and it’s true your heart rate will go up), I would not rely on this workout for my sole source of cardio. Better to do this workout a few days a week and supplement with your cardio choice on alternate days.

Overall Rating. I’d give the Physique 57′s DVD series a solid 4.5 stars out of 5. This is a challenging full-body workout for time-starved moms and professionals that will produce great results with sustained effort. With a minimum of equipment and priced well under $100.00, Physique 57 series is also less expensive than other popular home workout series like Turbo Fire, P90X and Insanity.

Have you tried Physique 57 at home or in studio? What was your experience and would you recommend it to others?