06/16

How I Got My Pre-Baby Body Back

Losing your baby weight can be a long and winding road. Trust me, I relate! During my first pregnancy with Brooks, due to a thyroid condition, I gained almost 80 pounds. It was a struggle to lose and I was terrified the extra pounds would be there forever. I decided I couldn’t sit around and feel sorry for myself. In other words, I had to get out there and make sh*t happen! I set goals, I held myself accountable, I pushed myself, and I’m happy to say that at this current moment, I’m pretty damn proud of myself.

I did it. You can do it. We all can do it. Here are some of the ways I lost the pounds…and kept them off:

1. Exercise With Your Baby On Board (Literally!): Walk with that child, carry that child, hike with that child. Attach that child to your back and GO! Carrying the baby weight you love will help you lose the baby weight you don’t. When my kids were tiny, I used to strap them in with an Ergo Baby carrier literally everywhere I went. I like Ergo Baby because it’s comfortable for both mom and baby. A jogger stroller is a necessity, too! The Bob stroller is really popular among moms because it’s light and all-terrain, which means you can take it hiking.

Also, most cities have a variety of “Mommy & Me” workout classes where you can bond and fight the bulge at the same time. I got involved in classes early on which helped keep me motivated and as an added bonus? I made new friends with babies—so I could ask them lots and lots of questions!

2. Bring Out Your Old Workout DVDs: For the momma of a newborn, I understand it can be hard to get out of the house. But, no excuse! In my experience, workout DVD’s are a lifesaver during these times. You can do them in between feedings or whenever you can find the time to squeeze in a few “you” minutes. They can also be paused—which is a necessity as a new momma!

Here are some I recommend:

• Groov3 Dance Sweat Live: A dance cardio workout with easy choreography broken down step-by-step. Not only do you burn major calories, you can work on your dance moves, too!
• Brazilian Butt Lift: A classic! This at-home workout can completely reshape and define your behind.
• Pure Barre Flex Series: Get the benefits of the in-studio class right in your living room. This method, which was inspired by the sculpting and toning nature of ballet, is one of my favorites!
• Paula Abdul’s Get Up And Dance: Okay, this is throwing it WAY back! But there’s just nothing like it. Seeing Paula in 90’s workout gear automatically makes me want to get up and dance…and burn those calories!

3. Utilize A Belly Band: From the day after I delivered (until about nine months post) I wore a bellyband all the time. I would wear it under my every day clothes as well as while I exercised. Sometimes, I still wear a corset or Spanx while I work out! It holds everything in and helps you concentrate on the ab muscles you really need to tighten.

Do you want solid proof how good a bellyband can train and hide problem areas? The photo above was taken shortly after I had given birth to Scarlett. I was still packing on the pounds from pregnancy but you’d never be able to tell! I’m a huge fan of the line Belly Bandit because of how comfortable yet effective they are. It works wonders!

4. Be Your Own Portion Patrol:

When it comes down to post-baby diet, this is so important! The transition and stress of motherhood can sometimes lead to mindless eating habits or stress eating for comfort—especially when it comes to snacks. After I gave birth, I had to re-train myself to not be eating the 300 extra calories a day you should when pregnant.

To keep myself on track, I would pre-package the correct portion of my foods in resealable bags. They are easy to grab on the go and will keep you from overindulging. Prepare single-serving portions like almonds, granola, low-calorie cheese, baby carrots, or fresh berries in your fridge. It’s all about habit—so if you get used to that portion, you’ll most likely stick with it!

5. Don’t Be Afraid To Research A Treatment:

I put a lot of effort into losing weight after my babies and had made great progress by eating healthy along with the above. But, I still had some stubborn areas that just wouldn’t budge. It truly didn’t matter how much I worked out or what I ate—some of my problem areas weren’t going anywhere. I was totally convinced that my love handles and thighs were there to stay.

After months of frustration, I finally decided to look into some non-surgical treatment options. A lot of new moms are afraid this will make them seem selfish—I was, too. But, at the same time I truly believe if something about your appearance is truly standing in your way of self-confidence, it’s all worth it to me. Nothing is worse than fearing looking in the mirror especially during an already stress transition like motherhood.

I decided to do a treatment called CoolSculpting that is completely non-invasive. Since I was a new mom with a busy lifestyle, I wanted something with no down time and CoolSculpting was a great choice for me.

CoolSculpting is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive body sculpting procedure that basically “freezes” your fat off. I’m happy I made the decision to try it and I was definitely pleased with the results. I noticed results within four weeks!

As far as treatments go, my advice is to do your research. I used CoolSculpting as a bonus tool and motivator for all the hard work I had already accomplished.

If you want to learn more about CoolSculpting and the process, check out their website here for more information. Also, CoolSculpting is running a special sweepstakes to win a trip to NYC to get a blowout at the salon with me + a voucher for your very own CoolSculpting treatment! Enter to win by clicking on the link here.