The 'Kate' effect... attention all mommies!

I look at this photo and see a happy couple & their newborn baby (okay, they just happen to be royal & chased by the paparazzi, but you know what I mean...)  This photo was taken only a few days after I had Carter, so I totally understood how amazing they were feeling about their new addition!  

However, what seemed to make the most news was the fact that she still had a small belly.  As a woman, and a new mommy, that is so irritating!  BUT- I totally applaud her for showing what a woman actually looks like after birth!  Too many times we see the 'movie star' back in her size zero clothing while toting around her very young infant... while there are some very genetically blessed chicks that walk out of the hospital in their pre-prego clothes, most of us do NOT!  I most definitely did not!  At 6 weeks post-partum, I still don't fit into most of my normal clothes.  And I worked out throughout my entire pregnancy!  It's tough to not get frustrated & angry sometimes! I mean, it's not like I just had a baby or anything! (& hormones don't help with the self image problems- ugh!!)

So what do we do?  

First, look to positive role models such as Kate for what the post-partum reality is... and BE a positive role model for others!  We all have rough days- sleep deprivation can be really tough emotionally!  Help out your fellow ladies by being encouraging and KIND!

Second, create a plan to help you reach your goals... and make those goals realistic!  I always say short-term goals are sooooo important (maybe take the baby on a walk 3x per week, or cut out sweets- make them attainable goals!)  My plan is to keep exercising daily, and I'm starting back with paleo nutrition next week.  I'm making progress and still losing weight each week, but it does get frustrating to see just how far I still have to go!  I'm also going to continue to blog about my journey- hopefully I can be an encouragement and positive motivator to someone out there that needs to hear it!

So, to all of you mommies and mommies-to-be, remember that it took 10 months to stretch and grow enough to have that healthy baby.  Give yourself time to get that body back!  And anytime that you start to get frustrated by the time it's taking to get your body back, just look down at that precious baby you're holding & realize that it was worth it all :)

Monday morning smiles :) & workout updates...

Take a look at this handsome, smiling face!!!  Since Monday's tend to be rough, I thought that I would share it with you guys- he's almost 6 weeks old & developing quite the personality!  (& remember, 4-day weekend ahead- WOOHOO!!!!!!)

I've been getting in some really good, quick workouts the past few weeks!  And yesterday, my awesome hubby helped me set up a mini-gym downstairs and built a pull-up station!!  I've found that with a newborn, getting in a HIIT-style workout is the best & most effective way to workout.  I have (literally!) hundreds of hour long bootcamp workouts saved from all of my classes, but I don't have a full hour to get in a workout with Carter around!  But 20 minutes is do-able, and he will sit in his chair or lay on a blanket & watch me (& laugh!)  I'm still losing weight, slowly but surely, and I'm starting to gain my strength back.  The very first workout that I did was terrible as far as core strength...  I'm still not back to normal, but I am able to do a lot more (with good form!) now.  There are some great sites online with HIIT workouts (hiitmamas.blogspot.com & dailyhiit.com are 2 of my fave's!) and I usually combine those with some of my own fitness touches! Strength training is so important, and so many ladies don't do it!  Lift weights girls- you won't bulk up, but you WILL look much better with some muscle tone!  Cardio is good as well, but don't skimp on the lifting!!

Here is a progress pic- I still have a long way to go, but I'll get there :)