The Secret To Getting Your Pre-Pregnancy Body Back

I'm baaaaaack!  Yes, it's been a while since my last post.  Between being a new Mommy, training my clients, and moving, I haven't had much time to do anything else.  I know, I know, those are just excuses (and good ones if you ask me), but those excuses do make a perfect segue into this post!  So let's get to it... 

Here's what 8 months postpartum looks like on me:

What this pic tells me:  I need to clean the mirror, get a tan, and Jack likes selfies as much as Mommy...

As you can see, there's no evidence of childbearing besides the baby on my hip. So what's my secret?  Unfortunately, I have no awesome secret to tell you, just the truth.  

As a new mom, who tries to also maintain a small business and a household, I'm not left with much "me time."  The only time my hair sees a blow dryer is if we have an event to go to and it's mandatory I look decent.  I've mastered the art of putting on make-up with one hand while holding Jack in the other (hence why "hot mess" is my new go-to look.... but I think I pull it off nicely).  I can't even remember the last time I went to a mall (I said mall, not Target), not even at Christmas time!  Needless to say, I don't have time to hit the gym for hours on end either.  Even if I did have the time, I definitely would not have the energy!  With the lack of sleep and the constant care Jack requires, caffeine has become a close friend of mine, not to mention carbs, sugar, and maybe wine too (shhhhh!  Only sometimes).  I just make sure to keep everything in moderation, plus I try to keep active as much as possible.  I take Jack on walks or jogs, dance around with him, and play with him all the time.  We're constantly moving.  I also put him in his exersaucer while I do a 15-25 minute circuit, which he loves.  He'll mimic jumping jacks and other exercises I do.  I have made a gym appearance here and there, but by no means have I made a routine out of it.  As a mom who works, I don't like to take any extra time away from my baby.  Luckily, I have a flexible schedule with part-time hours so I still get to spend the majority of my day with Jack.  Even though I'm not gone that long, I still don't want to miss any more time with him than I already do.  Every minute counts.  These times are precious and won't last long, so I don't want to miss a thing (I bet that Aerosmith song chorus is running through your head now... sorry). 

With all that being said, I'd like to give some advice rather than a crazy secret:  Don't obsess over your post baby bod,  just do what you can to stay active and make good food choices.  If there was a secret,  I guess it would be to stay in control during your pregnancy.  If you don't over gain, you won't have much to lose.  That's what made my pre-pregnancy body very easy to regain.  After all, preparation is the key to success, or at least according to Alexander Graham Bell, but I agree with him.    

I do have one more secret to share with you... my Jack bean is freakin' awesome!  Oh wait, that's no secret :)

      

I'm blogging, not bullying

Long time no blog!  So it's been 3 months since I gave birth to my bundle of joy and this is my latest bathroom selfie (sorry for the sour face, it's just not as fun taking bare belly photos without the cute baby bump)....

Not bad, right?!  Some people think because I'm a personal trainer I live in a gym, but those people couldn't be more wrong.  First of all, I do in-home training, so I don't even go to a gym to train my clients, I go to their homes - not to mention I personally haven't stepped foot in a gym since a month before the arrival of my baby boy.  I also don't work out with my clients (unless I'm using their session/workout as my workout for the day), there is such a thing as over exercising and I don't care for that. I simply write workouts for my clients, hold them accountable, and make sure they do the exercises correctly.  With all that being said, ANYONE can achieve my pre and post baby gut.  

Here's what my typical day entails:

• taking care of baby
• training clients
• writing workouts and plans for clients
• taking care of dogs
• house chores
• working out myself

For those of you with babies, you know that everyday is different, hence why I just have bullets of what I do everyday and not an actual schedule.  For the purpose and this blog, I will only talk about the workout aspect of my day.  To start off, I never do it when Jack (my baby) is napping, that's just an excuse waiting to happen... "the baby woke up!  I guess that means my workout is over."  However, that's not the main reason I don't workout when Jack naps, I workout while he's awake because he loves it!  He loves watching me do burpees, jumping jacks, lifting dumbbells, you name it.  He kicks his legs and moves his arms like crazy, as if he's imitating me.  I also engage him in each workout.  I count enthusiastically, talk to him in between sets about the exercises and how tired mommy is... he seriously loves workout time!  He also loves when we go walking or jogging outside.  He seems to enjoy looking at the trees and getting fresh air.  As long as he is fed before, he is good to go.  It's a great activity to get babies stimulated, plus I believe you're creating a healthy lifestyle for them by showing the importance of physical activity in your daily routine.

In conclusion, exercising with a baby is completely possible and extremely enjoyable (if you ask me and baby Jack).  That being said, I hope no one takes this entry as me being a "bully."  You know what I'm talking about:

 

When I saw this picture a few weeks ago on facebook I thought "Damn, she looks good, especially after having three kids, plus they're all back to back!"  Then I heard that people were saying she was a bully. Come on!  How is this bullying? She's trying to inspire people because she looks great.  The people that are bashing her for being a fit mom are not only the actual bullies, but haters because they're just jealous that they're too lazy to find the time to workout but seem to have enough time to browse the internet and give their hateful 2 cents about a hot mama... but that's just my take on it.  

Have a nice day and get a workout in!  It will make it even nicer :)

 

5 Weeks Postpartum - Staying Motivated

It's been a month since I delivered my little guy and we are doing great!  He's already over 11 lbs and I'm back to my normal weight, just working on getting my tummy back to normal as well.  Yes, I was supposed to wait 6 weeks to start working out again but I was feeling good enough to workout and am feeling even better now so oh well, Doc!  Get over it. Here are some recent selfies:

 

 

 

Now let's talk about staying motivated.  As a new mom, I have a lot more on my plate than I used to.  Between my clients, housework, and my new little person, working out is not as easy to fit in to my schedule as it used to be.  Not only can it be hard to fit in a workout, but there's also the fatigue issue.  But I don't let these things stop me... they are just excuses.  So, here are some things that motivate me to keep working out and will help motivate you to workout as well:

 

- First, buy a couple of new workout outfits!  You will feel better working out in something cute, plus you'll feel obligated to use them (especially if they're Nike or Under Armour and you spent $100 on one outfit). 
 
- Your baby!  You need to be healthy and set a good example for your little one.  Include them in your workouts too - go for walks and jogs and have them watch you while you do exercises.  This way you're doing something with baby while also doing something (good) for yourself.
 
- Your husband!  Obviously he loves you no matter what you look like, but making your body better never hurts.  And let's be honest, having a baby can put a little stress on your relationship... working out not only helps you to look better but feel better too, so hopefully you won't feel the urge to yell at your husband because he slept so soundly through the night while you're running off an hour or two of sleep :)  Plus it will help keep your sex life alive even though you're exhausted, and hubby will be happy about that.  Happy wife may mean a happy life, but a hubby needs a chubby or he just won't care.  I just made that up - not bad, right?
 
- Energy!  Working out gives you energy... seriously.  So even though you're tired and may not feel like it, do it anyway.  You will feel much better and be able to keep up with all the things baby wants and needs from you!
 
- "I'm awesome!"  This one is my favorite.  I've been watching a lot of "How I Met Your Mother" recently on Netfilx.  I'm sure many of you know this, but if not, one of the characters, Barney, always says "I'm awesome."  So, the other day I was out for a run and felt tired and wanted to walk, but instead I told myself "I'm awesome" and just charged up that hill like it was nothing and finished my run at a great pace.  I know it sounds dumb but it works.  Trust me and just try it. 
 
- Last but not least... read my blog.  Reading about some chick who worked out her entire pregnancy and continues to workout with a newborn, plus posts pics to show that the stuff she talks about actually works, should definitely help motivate you to workout!

 

 

Staying motivated in a nutshell: Read my blog, get a new and cute outfit, tell yourself "I'm awesome" and go workout because you'll be healthy, love your baby, hubby and life more plus have the energy to keep up with it all.

 

  You're welcome :)

 

 

 

One Week Postpartum

 

Baby Jack is finally here!  He was born on July 20th, 2013.... making him one week old already!  Here are my one week postpartum traditional bathroom selfies, plus one with the man who inspired my Baby Gut blog:

 



 

 

Since I'm not supposed to workout for 6 weeks after my delivery, I don't really have much to say regarding exercise, except that doing it while pregnant really speeds up the process to getting your pre-pregnancy body back (and breastfeeding doesn't hurt either)!  Now that we covered that, I'd like to introduce you to the love of my life (in addition to my husband)... my beautiful baby boy, Jack Matthew!

 

 

 So little, so sweet, and so freakin' cute :)

 

 

 

 

40 weeks: Um, why am I still pregnant?

 

Ok, so let me start off by saying that I am very thankful that I have had such a healthy pregnancy... but seriously, why am I still pregnant?!  40 weeks is enough.  I mean if 37 is considered full-term, why do I have to wait until after 40 to be induced?  Each week after 37 is just torturous and redundant in my opinion; not to mention at my 37 week ultrasound, baby Jack was already measuring over 8 lbs!  What does that make him now?!  My doctor said he doesn't see me having more than a 7 lb baby... I'm hoping he's right and she's wrong - I'll keep you posted.  Either way, he seems to be extremely healthy so I guess I shouldn't be worrying about what size watermelon I have to squeeze out of me.

 

Now let's discuss the discomforts I've been feeling this last month of pregnancy.  Jack has been sitting low for a long time now.  When I say low I mean LOW - since 34 or 35 weeks my doctor has been saying how low his head is and how uncomfortable that must be... ya think?!  By the end of the day it feels like I've been repeatedly kicked in the crotch.  Multiple times a day I get shooting pains out my hips that imitate what I imagine it would feel like if someone was to twist a knife in your side.  Then there's my personal favorite, when my legs just stop working, something locks up and I can't move my legs and have to clutch onto my husband so I don't fall (which is very amusing to watch I'm sure).  Now I've started getting the knife twisting pain in my hips when my legs lock up, that's always a fun one.  I can't make this stuff up, people!

 

Not to toot my own horn, but I am still working out despite all of these lovely pains and discomforts.  I've been taking a 30 minute walk just about every day and doing light weights and toning exercises about 3 times a week.  The exercise gets your blood flowing which I believe helps to counteract the aches and pains, not to mention the swelling that comes along with pregnancy.  I am very proud to say that at 40 weeks my ankles look normal! Not one bit of swelling even in the dead heat of summer!

yay for seeing bones!

Well there you have it!  40 weeks of pregnancy in a blog.  We covered the normal aches and pains, the benefits of health and fitness, and the hormonal rants.  I will say I've probably had an easy pregnancy compared to some, however that doesn't mean I'm someone who "loves" pregnancy, in fact I cannot wait for it to be over!  I'm trying to think of a clever line to wrap up my 40 weeks of having a baby gut, but all I can think about is that I really just want a big ass glass of wine, and then I want to chase it with another glass...  while holding my beautiful baby boy of course :)  Cheers! And be on the lookout for post-baby gut blogging on how I'm losing my baby gut!

34 weeks! Pregnancy Etiquette

I have a couple of topics this 34 week post.... we'll discuss my workouts (obviously) and pregnancy etiquette, or lack there of.  Now when I say "pregnancy etiquette" I'm not talking about the expected behavior of us pregos, I'm talking about the etiquette towards us, and again I say "or lack there of".  Excuse me in advance for the complaining but I'm hormonal so it's excusable.  When I first found out I was pregnant, I remember one of my personal training clients telling me how she loved the treatment she received while pregnant from strangers.  Everyone was so courteous; holding doors, offering a helping hand, letting her go before them in a bathroom or grocery store line, etc.  They did simple things that were greatly appreciated, especially when lugging around extra cargo (all in your uterus might I add), which is extremely uncomfortable and at at times quite painful for those of you who have yet to experience the "joys" of pregnancy.  With all that said, I rarely get any of this!!!! WTF.  No one cares anymore about us procreating ladies - this excludes my husband FYI, he's truly amazing, and pretty cute too...

See, those are some good genes.  Ok back on topic... I can't tell you how many times I've had a door slammed in my face, or someone book it to get in a grocery store line before me (and I only have a few things - but one of which is a gallon of milk that I'm struggling to hold while I'm juggling my basket of food and purse, oh and baby gut), or my personal favorite, I'll be walking one of my great danes and there's someone coming towards me on the narrow sidewalk (usually a chauvinistic pig, I mean a middle aged male all by himself or two power-walking bitches, I mean two middle aged ladies) and they don't move out of the way!  This eight month pregnant girl and her extra large dog are forced to get into the road... REALLY??!!  This rant may seem as though I feel entitled, however I think these manner lacking individuals are the ones with the sense of entitlement, I'm just hormonal so I can blame my neediness on that, these people are just rude and insensitive.  But anyways, when this happens I just smile and/or say "Good morning!" but then usually give them the finger when their back is towards me - maturity at it's finest. 

Now that I got this off my chest, I hope this will inspire you to hold the door for a prego today, step out of her way while she's waddling on the sidewalk, let her pay for her groceries first because she probably has to pee really, really bad or her legs just hurt from that 15-20 lbs in her belly of a growing baby and amniotic fluid, not to mention the added weight of the groceries she's carrying or pushing around.  If this does not inspire you to do this, then I hope you never get pregnant or impregnate someone because you obviously only care about yourself and are incapable of caring for another human being.  True story.  With all this said, there is one good thing coming out of this lack of etiquette; that same client that told me she loved the generosity of others during her pregnancy also said she was depressed when she had the baby and the generosity abruptly stopped.... I guess I won't have to worry about that side of postpartum depression! HA!

Now on to workouts.  I'm still working out just about everyday!  My cardio is pretty much limited to ellipticals and walking, but I do try to do some light jogging here and there.  I keep my weight training on the light side, not using more than 5-8 lbs. or a 20 lb. straight bar for squats and lunges.  I take adequate breaks in between sets and drink plenty of water..... and it's all paying off!  I just had my 34 week appointment where we also got an ultrasound which was awesome since we haven't seen baby Jack since we found out he was going to be a baby Jack, and he's extremely healthy.  I can't wait to finally meet my little workout partner I've been carrying for the last 8 months!  Here's a sample layout of what our third trimester workouts have consisted of:

20-30 minutes of cardio - walking, jogging, or elliptical
3 sets of 10-15 reps of squats or sumo squats with 20 lb. straight bar
3 sets of 15 seated dips
3 sets of 10 incline push-ups (can't do regular or I'd be bouncing off baby Jack!) 

If you have any workout questions for yourself or just need some advice, please don't hesitate to ask me!  :)

TMI: PRESSURE!!!

31 weeks of pregnancy.... my pelvis definitely feels it. TMI? Oh well, it's the truth.  Either you know exactly what I'm talking about or you don't...  and either way you're going to read about it!  It's just pressure from the baby and uterus pushing down, and it is very uncomfortable.  I think that's why pregos tend to waddle, not because of their size, but that's just my opinion.  Unfortunately, I've come to the conclusion that I can't jog anymore because of this pressure.  Saturday at my Boot camp we started out jogging 2.5 miles.  I felt fine during the run, but I can't say the same for the rest of the day.  The pressure on my pelvis was so bad, not to mention my butt and legs as well, I could barely move!  When I woke up Sunday it was pretty much gone, but I don't think I want to deal with that again, especially considering it will only get worse since the baby will only be getting bigger.  Sorry for the TMI but what else is blogging good for?  Here's a 31 week baby gut pic:

Running may be out of the picture, but walking and toning still feel good though!  I will say that my fatigue is back (just like they say!) so I take it easy when necessary.  I always try to fit in a walk because I believe it's better to fit in some activity than to just sit around all day, but I adjust the length of my walks and pace based on how I'm feeling.  Also, in regards to toning, I'm pretty much just sticking to 5 lb. weights now.  I've just been doing basic toning exercises for my arms, back and legs to keep my body feeling as good as it can during this uncomfortable stage of pregnancy:

overhead shoulder press
lateral raises
forward raises
bicep curls
seated dips
body weight squats
lunges
sumo squats
dumbbell row
dumbbell butterfly

I just pick a few exercises a day or every other day and it seems to be keeping standard pregnancy aches and pains to a minimum, swelling down, cravings and mood swings at bay, etc. 

 

Ya'll come back now, ya hear!