Losing Weight After Baby

If you have a toddler or a baby who’s eating solids, I know one thing about you.  When your child eats half of their sandwich, you quickly shove the other half in your mouth as you clean up the table.  Whatever your child is snacking on, you are too.  So if you’re feeding your baby or toddler whole grain breads, fruit, chicken and vegetables, you’re golden!  But if they’re getting lots of chips, crackers, white breads, and junk food - you’re both in trouble! 

You know the old adage:  You are what you eat.  Well, for the mom of young ones it could say:  You are what your child eats.  Make sure you’re making the healthiest choices available for your little ones and that will help you to lose the baby weight much faster. 

Today’s Action Step:  Look at what you’re feeding your baby or toddler.  Be selective and choose healthy foods today.  Then you’ll have leftovers that won’t add inches to your waistline. 

While vacationing in Yosemite National Park, I was in a long, slow moving line for the bathroom. While waiting, I noticed a group of women ahead of me. It didn’t take long to notice two things about them: they were from Europe and they were skinny. They looked fit, healthy and vibrant. What do the Europeans know that Americans don’t? Maybe one of their secrets could be found in one of the ladies’ hands. She was holding a raw carrot stick.

Not a 100-calorie snack pack of cookies. Not a bag of potato chips. A carrot.

Let me ask you a question. If I saw you in line snacking, what would be in your hand? If there was a 24-hour survellience camera zoomed in on you, what list of foods would the camera capture? A convicting thought for sure!

So when it’s time to reach for a snack, think of those skinny Europeans and grab a nice juicy fruit or vegetable.  Go carrots!

Want to know what the roller derby, racing, and bathing suits have to do with losing weight after baby?  Check out the new video pages on my website LosingWeightAfterBaby.com  I hope you’ll enjoy these video tips for losing weight, many of which include my accountability group (my toddler and baby!). 

Speaking of video, have you taken any videos or photos of yourself recently?  If not, I would highly encourage you to do so.  As you lose your desired weight in the next few weeks and months, you’ll want an old photo to compare to.  I know the thought of taking a photograph may be about as appealing as a root canal, but you’ll thank me down the road when you have great before and after pictures. 

Today’s Action Step:  Take a picture of yourself if you don’t have a recent one.  Mark it with the date and use it as motivation to lose weight in coming weeks and months.  Fill in this sentence for yourself:  When I take another picture 3 months from now, I will weigh ____ lbs. 

What’s on your menu today mom?  AARP magazine had a great article about ten power foods.  These foods will fight disease, fuel your body with energy, and help you lose weight.  Here they are:

1. Peanut butter
2. Watermelon
3. Blueberries
4. Turmeric
5. Salmon
6. Chili Peppers
7. Apples
8. Whole grain cereal
9. Avocados
10. Eggs

Get in the habit of eating some of these foods/spices everyday and you’ll be on your way to losing weight after baby.  Teach your kids by example to eat these foods too.  I talk more about power foods on my podcast Losing Weight After Baby. 

Today I was in spin class with my mom.  Our spin instructor is a certified personal trainer and can be intimidating until you get to know her.  She’s competed in body building and is one tough lady. 

Well as usual, she was yelling at us, “PUSH!  PEDAL!  GIVE ME ALL YOU’VE GOT!  LET’S GET MOVING PEOPLE!”  And the thought struck me, this is the kind of yelling that is good.  Believe me, when I walked into spin this morning, I did not feel like working out.  It’s that time of the month and I just feel like eating chocolate!  But as our instructor yelled at us, I obeyed.  I pedaled.  I pushed.  I sweat and gave it everything I had.  Imagine if she had yelled, “JUST QUIT!  YOU’RE TIRED, GIVE UP!”  I probably would have done that instead. 

What thoughts are shouting in your head?  “Give up, you’ll never lose your baby weight!” or “Hang in there mom and keep pushing.  You can do it!”

Well listen up mom while I yell in your ear, “You are awesome!  You’re reading this blog and you care about your health.  You can lose weight for yourself and your family!” 

It’s every mother’s question:  how can I find time to exercise?  Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing: 

Make it fun. Swing baby around throughout the day. Run up and down the stairs over and over again. Your bouncing baby will love her new roller coaster. Get out of the house and walk to the park. Take in the beauty around you.

Seize the moment. Feel busy now with baby? Fast forward the tape 5 years…you’ll be dropping your baby off at kindergarten with two more kids in the backseat. Ah then, you’ll be really busy! Life doesn’t slow down. A better time will not exist in the future. Now is the time to get in the fabulous habit of exercise.

Involve a friend. If you’re meeting a friend for lunch, insist on taking a walk after your meal together. Look for ways to be active with others. Meet weekly with another mom to workout, either with the kids or take turns watching the kids while the other mom exercises for 20 minutes.

Plan for it. On Sundays, take your calendar out and schedule in your exercise times for the week. Exercise DVD during baby’s Monday morning nap. Walk 45 minutes with baby on Wednesday after lunch. Put it in your calendar and stick to it. You wouldn’t miss a doctor’s appointment, so don’t miss these critical appointments for your health.

Set small weight loss goals and reach them. If the thought of finding time for a 45 minute workout gets you depressed, start with fitting 10 minutes of exercise into your day, 5 days a week. Once you establish that as your normal routine, you can extend your workout time to 20 minutes on some days, or have a few 10 minute sessions during the day. 

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Yes, this weekend, my 3-year-old who we thought for sure knew better swallowed a coin.  Here’s what happened:

He was playing at grandpa’s house and they had all sorts of coins out pretending they were cookies.  They pretended to bake them and eat them (yes, you see where this is going).  In a flash, Ethan had put either a nickel or quarter in his mouth and swallowed.  He didn’t choke or anything.  My dad couldn’t believe he had done it.  It happened so fast which leads me to think it was a nickel, cause how do you down a quarter???

It’s been two days and we haven’t seen the coin on the flip side (ha ha).  Ethan seems totally normal.  Any advice out there from moms who have had this experience?  How long did it take for the coin to come out?  The doctor says it could be 1-2 weeks.  I’d love to have your advice! 

Hot Tip for Moms:  No matter how hungry you are, don’t eat money. 

It doesn’t matter if chocolate is shaped like a bunny, egg, basket or chicken - this weekend, it’s time for restraint!  Just like bunnies multiply, the chocolate in your life will multiply too.  From getting Easter baskets ready for the children in your life, to Easter egg hunts, to Easter dinner - get ready to be surrounded by chocolate!

Here’s my advice moms as you continue to lose weight after baby (or at least MAINTAIN during the Easter festivities) - choose your Easter treat wisely.  Don’t just fall for popping in a peep, unless peeps are your total favorite!

You might think they’re gross, but I love Cadbury creme eggs.  So I will have one at Easter and enjoy it :)  But I’ll skip the other stuff. 

What will you enjoy this Easter?  Leave a comment and we’ll see which Easter treat is our favorite.

Have a blessed Easter holiday!   

After meals, you may be craving something sweet.  But alas, no cake, ice cream or cookies can help you with weight loss.  Enter the frozen fruit.  Try eating frozen fruits for dessert.  Grapes, blueberries, strawberries and bananas are my favorite.  When you eat a frozen grape, imagine you’re having sorbet.  They are actually quite satisfying and fun to eat.  Put them in a pretty glass bowl with a mint leaf and it actually looks artistic. 

Bananas aren’t as pretty but they taste delicious frozen.  They really do!  Adjust your expectations of dessert and enjoy some frozen treats that are completely guilt-free! 

Today’s Action Step:  When you crave something sweet, reach for a frozen fruit. 

I wrote an article on my website http://www.losingweightafterbaby.com titled, “Me, Look Good Naked?”  As moms living in a postpartum body, we can feel a bit uncomfortable in our own skin.  Many women wonder where they can go for a new body minus the cottage cheese legs and tummy folds thanks to baby.  When you don’t feel confident about your body, it affects your love life with your husband.

A mom emailed me about the article.  She was feeling discouraged about having sex with her husband because of all the weight she still has to lose.  But after reading the article, she was encouraged by the reminder that her husband loves her and wants to have an intimate relationship with her, no matter what her shape or size.

Remember moms, a negative body image robs you and your family from realizing the beautiful person you are.  Accept where you are with grace, and push yourself to become healthier and more attractive with discipline. 

Find out more about overcoming disdain for your body and celebrating lovemaking with your husband, even if the lights are on.  Read ”Me, Look Good Naked?” and other weight loss articles for yourself at http://www.losingweightafterbaby.com/article_content.php?id=167