-Written By Bella Bellies Owner, Annie Martens
Tip One:
Write down 10-20 physical attributes you like about yourself. Remember to include the fact that your body created, cared for and birthed your baby.
Tip Two:
Speak with your health care provider prior to beginning **any** exercise program.
Tip Three:
Consider a thorough blood test to ensure your weight concerns are not related to a physiological condition / problem. Ensure the test includes the **most** thorough screening of the thyroid gland, allergies and other factors that will directly affect your metabolism (such as low vitamin D levels, low calcium levels, low magnesium levels...)
Tip Four:
When establishing goals, prioritize goals that stress health and well-being, rather than goals that strictly prioritize being "thin". Children model their parents consciously and (often) unconsciously. Think of yourself as a template your child(ren) will one day grow into -ideally a model of health, happiness and well-being. Just as one tries not to swear or behave improperly in front of children -do not make poor dietary or exercise habits in front of your children. Also be sure to exercise and eat well in front of your children, explain (and thereby teach them) why you are preparing certain foods for the week and include them in your exercise routine (Stroller Moves, Momilates; Pilates for Mommies, a fun soccer game, a walk in a park, etc).
Tip Five:
Be aware of the calories you consume when drinking, especially sugary drinks. Try to eliminate daily soda beverages and replace fruit drinks with actual fruit. Compared to fruit drinks, naturally fruit has more fiber in it and is not only more filling, but more nutritious.
Tip Six:
Consume enough water. Often we feel hungry because we are thirsty. Read the blog below on the metric we use at Bella Bellies for drinking enough water postpartum
Tip Seven:
Get all junk food or junk drinks out of the house. Throw them out. Pitch it and do not purchase it again.
Tip Eight: :
Be aware of your caloric intake after you stop nursing / after you
deliver baby. When you are nursing / pregnant you need an additional
300 - 500 calories (depending on your health care providers
recommendations). Ensure you are not in the habit of consuming these
additional calories when not pregnant / nursing, unless you need them.
Tip Nine:
Prepare, prepare, prepare. Pick a day of the week, Sunday, Monday...to set-up and prepare food for the entire week. Prepare all your vegetables for snacks and meals, clean the necessary amount of fruit off for the week and ensure you have a healthy balance of protein for the week (fish, meat and nuts). Allocate the proper amount of food out per day and stick to your healthy plan.
Tip Ten (last but not least!):
Do not overwhelm yourself and over exert yourself with a drastic life
style change. Gradual changes are often the most effective. Week one
include a daily walk in your schedule, week two include Bella Bellies 5
minute workout on Bella Bellies you tube channel / our blog, week three
one of the above tips....
