Mommy Maxformation
Reprinted from Max Sports and Fitness Magazine, published September 2009. Corry owns a Max Muscle store in Manassas Virginia where she offers FREE nutrition advice for moms (looking to lose baby weight, stay in shape through out their pregnancy or gain energy). Feel free to contact her through this website!
In all accounts, losing weight is difficult, but it doesn’t have to be done all alone! As moms we know all too well how difficult losing “baby” weight can be, and for some of us, twenty years later we still have ten pounds of baby weight to lose!
Similar to other health conscious moms during their pregnancies I enjoyed protein shakes, egg whites, whole grain toast and of course – McDonald’s and Taco Bell! It is amazing how all these hormones suddenly make deep fried/ultra greasy foods that used to look disgusting now taste and smell absolutely delicious! In my case I justified with: I work out 3 to 4 days per week, I walk my dogs and I generally eat really healthy, and of course I thought “I’ll lose it once the baby is here”. From my experience with working with new moms for the past 10 years I have learned that baby weight can be some of the hardest, most stubborn weight to lose! I tell my postnatal clients that “it took nine months to get there, so give yourself at least nine months to get your body back”. Here are some of my tried and true tips for losing the “baby” weight!
- Eat Small Meals – Follow in your baby’s footsteps and eat 5 to 6 small meals throughout the day. Focus on grabbing a meal every time you feed your kids, and you will ensure that you are eating throughout the day. As for what to eat, pick portions of lean protein, veggies, fruit and whole grains. Try to avoid eating what is leftover on their plates!
- Exercise with the baby – Young babies and children enjoy movement. Get outside in the cool fall air for a walk, or turn on the radio and dance to music. Mom gets to burn off some calories and the kids’ burn off some energy.
- Take “ME” time – So many moms tell me they feel guilty doing something just for themselves, but in reality, their “me” time is really saving grace for everyone involved. Me time can be working out, or spending time cooking healthy meals, but it can also be taking a short cat nap, going for a walk with girlfriends or getting a manicure. Being overly stressed releases a hormone called cortisol that makes it harder to lose weight, especially around the middle, where mom wants to lose weight the fastest!
- Have a support system – Make sure you include your closest friends and family in your weight loss goals! Ask them to encourage you, and be specific about what it is you need from them: babysitting, talking, joining you on a run, or choosing healthy restaurants to dine at.
Today, it has taken me almost 8 months to lose all 40 pounds, and yes, I battled breastfeeding issues, postpartum depression and returning to work while getting back in shape and adjusting to a new baby! So, I consider myself ahead of the game (still another month until she turns 9 months old). No matter how my body has changed, I know that having my daughter is the best thing I have even done! So, wherever you are starting from, know you are not alone, everyone has their own story of wanting to lose weight or even gain weight! Thankfully we have a really great place, at Max Muscle, to share our hopes, dream s, goals and achievements!
You really are an expert when it comes to issues like this. Great!
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