39 Gifts Under $50
Category: Health
Baby Weight or NOT Baby Weight?
My son is 2, is it still considered baby weight? Maybe it’s “I had kids and they take up all of my time” weight!
After my 1st I was great about going to the gym, eating healthy and getting adequate rest. I think I was in better shape at her first birthday than I was when I got pregnant. Then my son was born…
I kept asking everyone when I was pregnant, How much more work is 2 children than just one? Double the work? Not as much as double? No one would give me a straight answer. I’ll tell you the truth- it’s one hundred times more the work!!!!!! One child is a cute accessory. Add another child and your life is consumed by non stop, never ending work! Good bye coffee dates with friends and Hello sweatpants! Between running the kids here and there, errands, laundry, cleaning, cooking, dishes, working part-time, raising children that act like wild animals into decent human beings, who has time for the gym?!?! Every time my kids start screaming and fighting with each other I grab a pint of ice cream and start shoveling cookies in my mouth! At the end of the day I want some wine and dessert to help me unwind, or to celebrate the great day I just accomplished.
And here we are, it’s been 2.5 years since my son was born. Everything seems like one big blur, all my days blend together, and I still have my “baby weight”. I tried to lose it over the summer. That should be easy right? We are all outside, more active; the weight should just fall off. Oh wait, I’m not 23 any more!! Is it me or is the summer filled with one cook out after the next? They usually start around 3:00. You graze all afternoon while drinking cocktails, have a huge burger for dinner, and don’t forget about the delicious dessert being served right before you leave. Tons of fun!!!! I definitely gained 10 pounds this summer! With the Holidays coming up, forget it!
So where does it end? For me it ended Monday! I got on the scale and I weighed my all time high at 156.5, and that was it for me! I may not always have control over my time and whether I can fit a work out into my schedule or not. But I do have control over what I put in my mouth. I have to break the cycle! First thing I did, think of my body as a machine and food is fuel. What is the best things I can put into it? I also started thinking about my kids. Do I want to continue eating unhealthy and have health problems that my kids have to worry about when they are my age? Next thing was grocery shopping. I stocked up on veggies and got a dip made from beets to dip them in. It’s actually really good. Then I got friendly with the butcher. I had no idea my grocery store has chicken burgers with spinach and feta, delicious!!
I’m 4 days in and have already lost 4.5 pounds! It hasn’t been easy, but I’m pushing thru it and happy to be seeing results so quickly. Last night I had something worth celebrating with my husband. All I wanted was to open a bottle of wine and get some chocolate cake. I was really struggling! Then my hubby said to me “Celebrate by having the best body of your life”. He is so encouraging and amazing to me!!
In the event of an absolute melt down of cravings, I have 1 of these cookies and it’s all better. 1 cookie is 40 calories and soooooo delicious! The best part, I can eat it guilt free!
I Slept Thru My Alarm Survivor’s Guide
No matter who you are or where you are going, we are all guilty of sleeping thru our alarm. This morning it happened to me. When I woke up I had 15 minutes to get both my kids out of bed, get all 3 of us ready and out the door. I couldn’t roll into the school drop off in my pj’s, I had a multitude of errands to run this morning. I had to look half way presentable. Only 15 minutes? No problem!! Here is what I do to make a crazy mad rush out the door morning more smooth.
First, I tell Sofia that we are playing a game, yeah! Who can get ready and be standing by the door first? That person wins! GO!!! I lay out an outfit she can put on herself. I make sure she goes potty and brushes her teeth. Easy Peasy!
Next is me, oih! Everyone needs that 1 go to outfit that you can put on quickly, you know it will look good and you will feel good wearing it. For me, it’s a pair of thick leggings, a long sweater, tall boots and a soft, cozy scarf. I call it effortless fashion, or a hot mess- you choose. I have a 5 minute make up bag that gets taken here or there or where ever I need it. Today, it went in the car and my make up was done on the go. Luckily my hair didn’t move much while I was sleeping, or else it would be up in a messy bun.
I grab Caleb out of his crib, diaper change and clean pants. I throw a hoodie over his pj shirt and he is good to go!
Just because you are running late doesn’t mean you have to skip breakfast. Make sure you have options for yourself. Have hard-boiled eggs in the fridge and grab a banana. Or, my personal go to is a Kind protein bar. It’s high in protein, low in sugar and has 200 calories. That’s a meal replacement for me. Skip the drive thru with that oh so yummy pumpkin muffin with cream cheese frosting and spice latte with whipped cream, and oh! can I have a saddle bag with that please? Don’t blow your entire days calories!
Whether you are late for work, school drop off, an appointment, etc; you don’t have to panic. Get dressed, a little make up and something to eat and you are good to go and looking fabulous!
And yes, my kids ate cereal bars and squeezy yogurt in the car :)
Any Free People sweater like this one is perfect with leggings! Just make sure it completely covers your butt.
The Zella “live in leggings” are amazing!! They are as thick as a ponte knit pant, you will never be able to see thru them. And bonus! They are as comfortable as work out pants!
