Well, sister, you are not alone. There are millions of us still waddling around months after delivering our little bundles of
joy. I have met more moms than not who tell me not to worry, “It took 10 months
to pack on the pounds, so give it 10-12 months to take it off” or, “Just wait
until you hit that one year mark” or the constant promise of “The weight will just start melting off
when you start chasing a toddler.”
As much as I would like to find comfort in those words, I don’t.
I believe wholly that “Diets” are a complete waste of time. To me, DIET stands for Dammit I’m
Eating That? A diet eventually ends. A healthy life style lasts
forever. Also, exercise does not have to mean 2-3 hours in the gym 5 days a week. Especially now that I am a mom, that kind of
commitment is not realistic. Doing just 30 minutes of exercise three to four days a week is. It’s
just important not to over due it, especially in the beginning.
Before baby I was a fairly active and healthy person. Throughout my life I have met with nutritionist and personal trianers. I had to use every tool I learned from those experiences to come up with this jump start plan. It actually worked! After two solid weeks I see a difference. So, I thought I would share it.
Before baby I was a fairly active and healthy person. Throughout my life I have met with nutritionist and personal trianers. I had to use every tool I learned from those experiences to come up with this jump start plan. It actually worked! After two solid weeks I see a difference. So, I thought I would share it.
Anyways, to the challenge!
I challenge you to spend 4 days in a row doing the following things.
1.
Make the best possible choices when it comes to eating. I say
“best possible” because going out and buying an entire kitchen of healthy food
is not realistic. However, over
time filling your refrigerator and pantry with healthy food is not such a bad
thing. Cut back on salt, sugar, empty calories... just cut back on bad, increase good. Simple! ; )
I have not had a cupcake since
last Saturday. I am not having
another cupcake until I can comfortably button my pre baby pants! Yes, it’s
time to make some sacrifices.
2.
Spend 30 minutes doing some sort of activity. Go for a walk, shop at the mall, take a trip to
the zoo, garden, clean the house… I have been going for a walk every morning
with Oliver before it gets too hot. After two weeks, I now look forward to the
walk. It’s quiet and
peaceful. I can listen to my music
or just think about my attack on life.
This is my favorite time of day.
3.
Use your baby as a dumbbell. Do the following exercises while keeping your abdominal muscles
engaged throughout the entire workout. By doing so you will give your back support , and give your abs a
constant workout too. (It might actually be best to do this workout the first day without holding your baby. Get your balance down first.)
1.
Squats- Hold your
baby out in front of you while you sit back into a squat position (like you are
sitting in a chair). Do not let your knees go over your toes! Do five squats
the first day, increasing 5 squats every day. Working up to 20 squats on your
fourth day.
2.
Lunges- Start with
your feet together. Take a large step forward with your right leg. Bring the
knee of your left leg down towards the ground. Do not go too far down, stop before it becomes uncomfortable. Hold for five seconds and
straighten back up. Do five lunges on each leg, increasing 5
lunges every day. Working up to 20 on your fourth day. The trick here
is to do the lunge comfortably. Do
not step out too far or lunge down too far, you just want to feel a slight burn
3.
Bench press your baby-
Ok, not literally, it just sounded good! Start with your baby out in front of
you eye level, slowly lower to your bub to waist level, then slowly lift back to
your eye level. Do five times working to 20 by the fourth day. Don’t forget to smile and coo!
I propose this “4-Day Challenge,” because by the 5th day you
will not want to stop! I know I didn’t. I felt noticeably better, no way was I
stopping. Give yourself
a break for a day, then start back up. Aiming for at least 4 days a week of
activity, and eating healthy meals 6 days a week.
If you fall off the workout wagon, climb back on and do the
4-Day Challenge all over again.
This is not a diet with a workout, this is a new healthy life style. In
a matter of days you will feel noticeably better. In a matter of time this will all be second nature and your
family will be maintaining a healthy lifestyle!
