Now's the time to get in shape!
Want to get in the best shape of your life? Mothers getting in great shape isn’t just a reality for Hollywood moms with money to burn on dieticians and fitness trainers. If you have children, even young children you CAN get into the best shape of your life right now! You don’t have to wait to send them off to school to get those post-pregnancy pounds off. Starting today, we can get you one step closer on the path to your best body ever. With all the fitness and weight loss pointers out there it can be discouraging if you can’t find the right program to fit your specific needs as a mother. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, and frustrated but without a doubt it’s possible to achieve your fitness, health and weight loss goals without letting your child’s needs fall to the wayside.
Finding the Time
Mothers need to feel good! If you are on a quest to lose weight and get into great shape, you are not alone. As a mother your body undergoes so many physical changes (not to mention the psychological and emotional changes) including weight gain. Most pregnant women gain between 25 and 37 pounds during pregnancy and much of it will remain after the baby is born. The average mother of even one child weights about five to seven pounds more than a woman who has never given birth. These pounds can leave you emotionally and physically worn down and the desire to get back in to shape, or to get into your best shape ever is important to recognize. But where do you find the time? With active children, “tired” takes on a whole new meaning, but exercise is a must! It’s possible to increase your metabolism, and energy by combining proper nutrition, strength training and cardiovascular workouts. And what’s more, it’s worth it!
Don’t Forget Your Diet
You cannot work off an unhealthy diet. It won’t matter how many workouts you do, crunches you complete or reps you do – you cannot undo the damage of an unhealthy diet. Proper nutrition is essential to mothers at any stage. With the constant demands, pulling you from all directions your energy stores will be drained if you do not supply your body what it needs to function properly. For more information on how to eat properly for energy, and weight loss, read this Skinny Ms. Article for tips on eating like a fit person. Getting in the best shape of your life starts with a little know-how and determination. Take the first step and cut out any foods that don’t nourish your body.
“If you keep good food in your fridge, you will eat good food.” – Errick McAdams
Short Cuts
Don’t look for an easy way to weight loss. There is no way to lose weight without creating a calorie deficit. Since one pound of fat equals about 3,500 calories, you must burn that many calories to lose one pound. So if you burn 500 more calories than you eat a day you would lose about one pound per week (500 x 7 = 3,500). The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends that mothers plan to lose pregnancy weight by the time your baby is about 6 months old. But remember that any progress is a step forward, and that healthy weight loss is the most important thing.
5 How-To Tips and Tricks
Be Patient and Loving With Yourself. Remember that you are only human and that you need the same patience and gentleness as your child. This is the only path to getting your pre-pregnancy body back.
Eat Right. As a mother your body needs the best when it comes to nutrition. Dropping your caloric intake drastically is unhealthy and may actually lead to weight gain, as your metabolism is different from any other time after pregnancy.
Drink Water. Health benefits gained from proper hydration are numerous. These include: better digestion, fewer unhealthy food cravings, less hunger, improved cellular function, body cleansing and more! Read more about how Water Causes Weight Loss here.
Make Time for a Workout. Even if it means just parking far from the door at church on Sunday, make the walk your daily metabolic booster, and a chance to get your heart rate up without breaking your stride. Check out these Great 4-Minute Fat-Blaster Workouts if you have 4 mintues, you can squeeze in a quickie!
Prioritize. Getting your rest may seem like the only thing you want do, making it even more difficult to do. You’ll have to make your rest a priority and never be afraid to ask for help from friends, your partner or family, even co-workers if that’s what it takes. Your body needs to sleep, or it is more likely to hold on to extra pounds.
Check back with Skinny Ms. every week for Great Recipes, Workouts and Fitness Tips to help keep you on track! And remember that you CAN get in the best shape of your life as a Mom. Even with all the distractions, you can do it!
