Lean Mommy

1. Embrace Your Post-Baby Body: A New You for a New Journey

Being a mom can be the most wonderful and joyous time. But it's not always easy.

Your body has changed. Pregnancy and childbirth have transformed your body in ways you may not have anticipated. From hormonal shifts to physical alterations, your post-baby body is a testament to the incredible journey of motherhood. It's crucial to understand and accept these changes as part of your new identity.

Embrace the transition. Rather than focusing on "getting your body back," shift your perspective to nurturing and strengthening your new body. This mindset change is essential for both your physical and mental well-being. Remember that your body has accomplished something remarkable, and it deserves care and respect.

Set realistic expectations. Recovery and transformation take time. It's normal for your body to take months, even up to a year, to adjust post-pregnancy. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way. Focus on how you feel rather than solely on how you look.

2. Mind Over Matter: Reshaping Your Body Image

If you don't do it, who will?

Cognitive behavior therapy. Changing your body starts with changing your mind. By identifying and modifying negative thought patterns about your body, you can create a more positive self-image and motivate yourself to make healthier choices.

Break the cycle. Many women fall into a pattern of negative self-talk, crash dieting, and subsequent weight gain. Recognize this cycle and consciously work to break it. Instead of harsh self-criticism, practice self-compassion and focus on health-promoting behaviors.

Reframe your goals. Shift your focus from appearance-based goals to health and energy-oriented ones. For example, instead of aiming to fit into pre-pregnancy jeans, set goals like having enough energy to play with your child or improving your overall strength and stamina.

3. Know Thyself: Understanding Your Eating and Exercise Patterns

If you follow my plan, I promise you will become what I call an Opti-Mom—a woman who is empowered to make life-affirming lifestyle choices.

Self-awareness is key. Use tools like food and fitness diaries to gain insight into your eating and exercise habits. Pay attention to triggers that lead to unhealthy choices and identify patterns in your behavior.

Set SMART goals. Create Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Reinforceable, and Timely goals for yourself. Break larger objectives into smaller, manageable steps to increase your chances of success.

Be flexible and patient. Understand that lifestyle changes take time. Be prepared to adjust your goals and strategies as you learn more about what works best for you. Remember that progress isn't always linear, and setbacks are a normal part of the process.

4. The Lean Mommy Fitness Plan: Tailored Workouts for New Moms

Women who see the most dramatic changes from exercise are those who are active five or six times a week.

Gradual progression. The Lean Mommy plan offers two levels of workouts, catering to both beginners and experienced exercisers. Start slowly and gradually increase intensity and duration as your fitness improves.

Comprehensive approach. The plan incorporates:

• Cardiovascular exercise
• Strength training
• Flexibility work
• Pelvic floor exercises (Kegels)
• Posture improvement

Consistency is key. Aim for regular workouts, even if they're short. Remember that any activity is better than none, and consistency over time leads to significant results.

5. Stroller and Baby-Weight Workouts: Bonding While Burning Calories

The beauty about being outside is that your child is happily distracted—and for a moment, you're off the hook from entertaining duties.

Multi-tasking workouts. These exercises allow you to spend time with your baby while getting fit. Use your stroller or your baby's weight as resistance to add challenge to your workouts.

Outdoor benefits. Stroller workouts get you and your baby outside, providing:

• Vitamin D exposure
• Mood-boosting effects of nature
• Stimulation for your baby

Bonding opportunity. Incorporate songs, games, and interaction with your baby into your workout routine. This not only keeps your child entertained but also strengthens your bond.

6. Quick Tubing Exercises: Fitness in a Flash for Busy Moms

You can do it virtually anywhere.

Versatile equipment. Resistance tubing is lightweight, portable, and effective for strength training. It can be used for a full-body workout in limited time and space.

Time-efficient. These exercises are perfect for moms who only have a few minutes to spare. You can do them while watching your baby or even during short breaks in your day.

Progressive resistance. As you get stronger, you can increase the resistance by using different strengths of tubing or adjusting your grip, ensuring continued challenge and improvement.

7. Nutrition Essentials: Fueling Your Body and Setting a Healthy Example

You may feel like you have less time than ever to worry about what you eat. Eating well is not only important for breastfeeding, but for giving you energy and getting you back into shape.

Focus on nutrient-dense foods. Prioritize:

• Colorful fruits and vegetables
• Lean proteins
• Whole grains
• Healthy fats

Balanced approach. Avoid extreme diets, especially if breastfeeding. Instead, focus on making small, sustainable improvements to your eating habits.

Plan ahead. Prepare healthy meals and snacks in advance to avoid relying on convenience foods. This not only supports your health but also sets a good example for your children.

8. Mindful Eating Habits: Transforming Your Relationship with Food

It's very easy for kids and adults to drink more calories than they need.

Eat mindfully. Pay attention to hunger cues, eat slowly, and savor your food. This can help prevent overeating and improve your overall relationship with food.

Avoid emotional eating. Find alternative ways to cope with stress, boredom, or other emotions that don't involve food. This could include exercise, meditation, or talking with friends.

Watch liquid calories. Be mindful of high-calorie drinks like sodas, juices, and sweetened coffees. Opt for water, unsweetened tea, or other low-calorie beverages instead.

9. Be an Opti-Mom: Modeling Positive Behaviors for Your Children

Kids are like sponges and they take in more than the ABCs, shapes, and colors that you teach them.

Lead by example. Your children learn from watching you. Model the behaviors and attitudes you want them to adopt, including:

• Positive body image
• Healthy eating habits
• Regular physical activity
• Stress management techniques

Positive language. Avoid negative self-talk or criticism about your body or others'. Instead, focus on celebrating what your body can do and the importance of health over appearance.

Create a healthy home environment. Make nutritious foods readily available and limit access to junk food. Encourage family activities that involve movement and outdoor time.

10. Overcoming Obstacles: Addressing Common Post-Pregnancy Challenges

Every mom with weak, overstretched abs, there is a mom with an achy back.

Physical challenges. Address common issues like:

• Diastasis recti (separated abdominal muscles)
• Lower back pain
• Pelvic floor weakness
• Postural changes

Time management. Find creative ways to incorporate exercise and healthy eating into your busy schedule. This might include baby-wearing workouts, meal prepping, or short, high-intensity exercises.

Emotional hurdles. Be aware of potential postpartum mood disorders and seek help if needed. Remember that taking care of yourself is crucial for being able to care for your baby effectively.

Last updated: July 20, 2024