In the 14 months that I’ve been married, I’ve gained approximately ten pounds–and no, I am not pregnant. I attribute the weight to eating poorly for the five months that my husband was deployed. He is the primary cook in our household, and when he was away I survived (quite happily) on cereal, peanut butter and honey on toast and pints of Ben & Jerry’s. I blame the gain on my laziness in the kitchen combined with my tendency towards emotional eating when I’m lonely.

Unfortunately, simply knowing how I went up one pants size doesn’t cause the weight to fall right off. In the last couple of months since J has been home, I’ve been eating more well-rounded meals and have started working out with a trainer once a week like I did prior to my wedding. Still, the scale isn’t budging. I’ve realized that I’m going to need to kick my own butt a bit harder if I really want to get back to my “I do” weight.

Cue Jillian Michaels.

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While I’m not the biggest Biggest Loser fan, when I do watch the show I’m typically “Team Bob.” I just love his zen attitude. But tough times call for a tough trainer–and that’s where Jillian comes in. I ordered her workout DVD, “Jillian Michaels for Beginners: Frontside,” through Netflix, and the first time I tried it (OK, the only time I’ve tried it, so far), I was surprised by how challenging it actually was. The exercises are basic enough that anyone can do them; there are six circuits that each include two or three weight lifting moves plus cardio. The workout lasts approximately 40 minutes, but it goes by quickly (thank goodness!).

My plan is to use the Frontside video a couple of times a week in addition to doing cardio, such as power walking, at the gym. Maybe I’ll get adventurous and rent the Backside DVD, too.

What are your favorite at-home workout DVDs? Have you had weight loss success using them?