Letter to a Pregnant Friend...6 Tips for Losing Baby Weight

Dear Friend,

You've reached the end of your third pregnancy. You will deliver your sweet baby boy in a few short weeks. It's hard not to start worrying about losing the baby weight. But you'll get there. Be patient with yourself. In my mind, the best approach is the gradual approach.

My 2nd baby just turned one, and I still have a few pounds to go! If I could turn the clock back a year (or put myself in your soon-to-be-new-mommy-again-shoes), I would probably tell myself to relax just a bit. When my own little bundle-of-pink-joy was 4 weeks old, I started running. I just HAD to get back into my workout routine. To be honest, starting so soon probably did more harm than good. I would finish my quick 3-mile run on the treadmill to console a screaming baby, get a snack for a sad-mommy-deprived toddler, try to throw a shower into the mix, and end my morning routine pulling my hair out, and totally exhausted (and ornery). Not to mention MAJOR back pain for several weeks.

As you know, time with a brand-new baby is SO SHORT. In a few blink-of-an-eye-months, the baby won't even want to be held as he explores the world away from you. So here's my first piece of advice: Enjoy the little piece of heaven that is yours until HE and YOU are ready. Hold him, squeeze him, cuddle him, smell him. Losing the baby weight will take a while either way, so you might as well savor this sweet time. Be patient with yourself! Remember how long it took to put the weight on...expect it to take just as long to take it off!

When you are ready to face reality, here are a few ideas to get you going.

1. Don't "diet." I know this is a strange bit of advice, but something mentally happens when you feel "deprived" of the foods you love. For me, if I know I can't have something, I want it so much more! Having a new baby is stressful enough. Don't deprive yourself, or beat yourself up over an occasional indulgence. However, pay attention to what you eat! Eat healthy, and eat for hunger. Keep healthy snacks on hand. Here's a list of some of my favorite cart-fillers! Load up on these "super foods" before reaching for the processed (although yummy) junk!
2. Drink water! DO NOT DRINK YOUR CALORIES. I'm not even a fan of diet sodas, but I'll stand on that soap box another day! Water, water, water. Drinking water may also speed up your metabolism...woo hoo! And rather than forcing 8-glasses down each day, use the color of your urine as a gauge! If it's relatively clear, and you're going every 3 or so hours, you're getting enough.
3. Breastfeed, if possible. While I'm a big proponent of breastfeeding, I have to say that I have a love-hate relationship with it. I've nursed both of my babies for a full year. I love it while I'm nursing. I hate it when I need a break. But apart from the fact that breastmilk is great for your baby, it also uses up your fat stores (and upwards of 300 calories a day...just don't use it as an excuse to eat whatever you want!)
4. Sleep! This is definitely where I don't practice what I preach. My baby is just NOW! FINALLY! HALLELUJAH! sleeping through the night! Go to bed early if you need to. And if possible--I know, usually impossible--sleep when the baby sleeps. Rest is soooo important to weight loss! When tired, your body releases cortisol and other stress hormones that actually promote weight gain. When I'm tired, I'm also more likely to reach for the unhealthy food choices.
5. EXERCISE!!!! Like I said, give yourself time before jumping in, but when you're ready, move it! Lately, there's been much discussion on the fact that three 10-minute sessions are just as effective as one 30-minute session. So do what you can, when you can! Go for a brisk walk to get your heart pumping. Add some resistance training (apart from lugging a new baby around...unless you use him as your weight as you do your overhead presses!) And here are a few more of my favorite workouts.
6. LOVE YOUR BODY! The human baby-making body is truly a miracle. Look in the mirror each day, and remember that you've been a partner with God in bringing a baby into this world. YOU are a miracle...and one HOT MAMA!

I can't wait to meet your bundle of joy! Good luck!

Love,

Robyn

P.S. Here is an excellent post from Mama Sweat on having a Fit Pregnancy! Enjoy!

One Hot Mama!

Many of you, who are dedicated readers to Starpansie, know how much I love music--especially music that relates to my own life.

My husband and I have multiple "theme" songs we feel best describe our marriage, or "moments" in our life. However, the one that best describes us is "One Hot Mama" by Trace Adkins.

If you haven't heard it, it is hilarious! I am always amazed when a male song writer can get into a woman's head and describe--vividly--the way she feels about herself. I mean, my own DH (love him dearly!) can't even do that sometimes!

Read these words and tell me you haven't (or don't ever) feel this way.

You're doin' all you can to get in them old jeans.
You want that body back, you had at seventeen.
Baby, don't get down; don't worry 'bout a thing.
'Cause the way you fill 'em out, hey, that's all right with me.
I don't want the girl you used to be.
An' if you ain't noticed, the kids are fast asleep, *wink, wink*

An' you're one hot mama;
You turn me on, let's turn it up,
An' turn this room into a sauna.
One hot mama,
Oh, whaddya say, baby?
You wanna?

Well, I know sometimes you think that all you really are,
Is the woman with the kids an' the groceries in the car.
An' you worry about your hips an' you worry about your age.
Meanwhile I'm tryin' to catch the breath you take away.
Oh, an' believe me, you still do.
Baby, all I see, when I look at you,

Is one hot mama...

So classic, right?

Why is it that we worry so much about our hips, our age, the kids, the stretch marks, the old jeans that no longer fit, and sometimes feel like all we are is "the woman with the kids, the groceries, and the car?" Seriously, how can we be expected to turn that room into a "sauna" with all of these things on our mind?

My DH claims loves me just the way that I am (stretch marks, saggy boobs and all).

{{Sometimes I think anything would turn his room into a sauna *wink, wink*}}

So. Why is it we still struggle with our own self-image? Why not embrace the stretch marks and sagginess?

Here at Fit Me Pink, our goal is to help you be a better you! If that means helping you embrace your stretch marks, sagginess, or maybe give you motivation to blast some calories, run a marathon, eat healthier, and feel beautiful just the way you are...then we have accomplished our goal.

We want to hear from you...our fitalicious readers! Do you relate? What is your story? What are you doing to feel like a "Hot Mama" every day? Cuz we know you are!

Discuss...