What's the big deal with Jillian?

Ok, so a couple confusing things. This week I  started my first Jillian Michaels DVD workout. It's the shed and shred video. I did it Monday for almost a half hour and today for around 40 minutes. Both times I intended on doing the full hour, but Jack woke up from his naps early. (Side note: Jack does NOT like it when I'm all sweaty! He turns away from me and doesn't want me to touch him, but he also wants me to snuggle him since he's still tired. Poor guy.) This workout is split into two 30 minute sessions, so I don't really feel like I cheated the workout. I did my own version of abs once I brought Jack downstairs so I was still getting more exercise time in. 

First confusing thing: everyone told me to beware Jillian. Everyone said her workouts were impossible. Eh? Yes, it's tough, gets my heart rate going, gets me sweaty, and makes me want to quit, but it's definitely doable! Her intervals are perfect so I have a lighter rep right when I need a chance to break it out. Her cardio reps are easy to do for someone who hates cardio like me. Is it enjoyable? Not really, but I  was surprised how much I didn't hate the workout. Since she mixed up the moves it wasn't repetitive and one body part wasn't getting over worked. After two workouts I can already feel my core tightening up! 

I was discussing this with my bro-in-law and he thought that maybe others are more wimpy than me. I'm not big into exercise, but I've always been fairly athletic. So maybe it's just my body type.  Maybe I'm not as out of shape as I thought I was. I do chase Jack around all day and I can still carry him for a good while without having to take a break. But either way, Jillian wasn't anywhere near as bad as I expected her to be. 

Second confusing thing: my stinking belly! My middle isn't necessarily a problem area, but it is kinda oddly shaped. My waist and hips are pretty straight, so my middle often creates a pooch with bottoms. I am not fat, but I do have a little excess flub around the middle, but not enough to be poochy. I definitely want to firm up that area though so that there's nothing available to roll over etc. Well, after exercising this whole month and just starting Jillian's video, I can feel my middle firming up... But the pooch looks like I'm pregnant. I've checked (multiple times) and I am not pregnant... So why the little preggo belly? This is seriously confusing (and annoying) to me. Matt says I need to diet and keep exercising for it to go away. Hello, been doing both those things! Not really dieting, but eating more healthy, which cuts calories and fat, which should help me lose body fat. Sigh. I'm not really too worried about it, but it would nice if it went away. It's developed recently- when I began exercising. Isn't exercise supposed to make that kind of thing disappear? 

All in all though, it feels good to exercise. I am excited to join a gym when we move so that I can do a complete workout without Jack being a distraction. I love him, but this whole 30-40 minute nap a nap thing isn't working. If he begins sleeping through the night then I can handle a short nap. But where did his 2-3 hour naps go?