While I was pregnant with Gabriella I picked up 15kg and lost 10kg in the first 2 weeks after giving birth, but that is all thanks to breastfeeding. It was so difficult to breastfeed 24/7, to work, adjusting to be a mommy for the first time and having your hormones go crazy… one moment you are happy and the next moment you are crying your eyes out.
I was depressed, I would look at myself and all I saw was the extra weight around my tummy and bum… o don’t we just love that area on our bodies ladies? I seriously wanted to lose the extra 5kg but not even having the time to take a proper bath, how was I to squeeze in time to exercise? Up until the moment I realized that if I don’t look after myself, I will not be the mommy I wanted to be.
I started to walk (3km) every second day, I even took Gabriella with me in her pram, making it a real workout pushing a pram up hill. After the first walk, I felt instantly better about myself. I continued walking up until now, where I combine walking with running 10km x 3 times a week.
Stop putting yourself at the bottom of the priority list. A happy mom = happy home. Include your kids or drop them at the grandparents or ask your partner to play with the kids while you are out exercising.
Step 2: I STOPPED EATING GABI’S FOOD
All moms out there have this common habit without realizing that they finish their child’s plate… why do we do it?
I changed things around, while she is eating/snacking I will eat an apple or drink tea. Keeping my mouth busy worked for me. Also when I prep/cook her meals, I will not help myself to a bite or two.
STOP!!! Eating your kid’s leftovers, that spoonful of butternut pasta and slice of bread adds up your calories and then adds on places where you don’t want it…
Being active all my life, and doing the daily walking, running and swimming I needed a new challenge. Most people start out great and then stop because they lose interest.
My flatmate, Vicky has been doing Yoga for a year and I decided to join in… how my world has changed. I use to think – “how can Yoga change your outlook on life, how can it make you even stronger than weight training?” Well, it’s amazing. After my first night of Yoga, I was sore in places that even a 2 hour gym session could not cause. The thing I love most about Yoga is that one night you are not able to do a move and the next time you try you can do it… It is so inspiring to carry on when you do something that you can see improvement on so quickly.
I am in love and there is no stopping me. I feel inspired, healthy and ON TOP OF THE WORLD!
I realised that you don’t need to be in a gym to look and feel great. You just need to be active, eat super healthy and find something that you love, because then you will do it with a smile.
If you want to see my full Yoga routine and how to do it, let me know in the comments below.