If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times: Living a healthy and active lifestyle is something that is so important to me. With the start of the Tone It Up Bikini Series, and the fact that I’m done nursing my baby and officially have my body completely back to myself, this is the perfect time to really focus on me. I am so excited to put my all into this challenge, and be able to work out each day and plan delicious and healthy meals and to just make time for me in the week! And it’s so fun, because I don’t just have to wait for nap time to do so anymore, as I have the best little workout buddy ever! ;)
I mean, look at him! It’s so cute, every time I roll out my yoga mat, he goes right to it! And when I’m doing my workouts, he loves to just hang out near me and watch or roll around on the ground with me. My own little yoga baby!
And whenever I go to roll my mat up, he comes over and is like, “No, mama. More yoga!” ;)
So when I got pregnant, I continued to work out, but I made sure to listen to my body. If I wasn’t feeling well one day, that was fine! I was growing a human being, after all! I let myself rest, I ate whatever I wanted (which, thankfully, my main cravings were apples and cereal, so that wasn’t too bad) and I was good to my body. I think that’s the most important thing while pregnant: To exercise when you can, because it’s clearly good for both mama and baby, but also to rest when you need to.
Once I had Sam, and was breastfeeding, it was a whole new ball game. Cutting back on calories was impossible at that time, because I needed to eat MORE calories in order to keep my supply up (and I was happy to do so!) and I also was eating more fatty foods in order to get my baby to gain weight. So that was definitely an adjustment. I had to learn to really be okay with eating a lot more than normal. Now, when Sam weaned himself, when he was around 10 months, I noticed I had to work harder to get in the shape that I want to be in. Breastfeeding really does burn a lot of calories! But with hard work and determination, I’m right where I want to be!
As far as nutrition goes, I would say I eat a pretty good balance of food. I fuel my body with nourishing food that I know will make me feel good, but I also am all about the “treat yo’self” life! I love to eat dessert, and think it’s so important to NEVER deprive yourself! You want that donut? Eat the donut! Just don’t eat a donut every single day. ;) Balance and moderation is key. One way I make sure to make the right choices the majority of the time, is to prepare. You know what they say: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Well, I don’t like to fail, so I make sure to put time aside each week to prep some food and healthy, quick and easy snacks.
I always make a big batch of quinoa to store in the fridge so I can munch on it for lunch or as a side for dinner. Bonus: Sam loves it, too! I also ALWAYS have almonds on hand. The easiest, most delicious healthy snack!
One of my favorite new things that we’ve done since having Sam is RUNNING! Ahhh I am so addicted to it now! I did the Couch to 5K (I know, you’re sick of me talking about it by now!) and after running our 5k, I literally felt like I could do anything! It was an awesome feeling! Now we make sure to run about 3 times a week, and I do my Tone It Up workouts (strength training, HIIT- my absolute favorite, abs, yoga and full body toning) every day. Mixed with eating right, I have literally never felt better! It’s nice that Sam now eats what we’re eating, too. That also makes it easy to make healthy decisions- because we want him to eat healthy, duh! Only makes sense.
I am so proud of myself for living out this healthy lifestyle! I’ve already noticed it just makes me feel better, from the inside out, to make healthy decisions and treat my body right. I’m not 100% back to pre-baby body (and who knows, probably never will be!) but I’m working on toning up and getting stronger. Those are my main goals right now. My 20 pound baby definitely helps with the strength part!
Phew. There you go. If you made it through that, bless you. ;)
xo
Love this! Your healthy meals are always so PRETTY. And they inspire me to put down the donut. Or at least, the second donut ;)
Aww thanks Natalie!! :) And yes, the first donut is never a bad idea! ;)
xo
Working full time (desk job) and nursing/pumping plus having an active involved 10 year old has made it very hard to lose my baby weight. I am working on it though. I do meal prep on Sundays for my week so that helps. Your posts motivate me and I try to exercise and eat healthy when I can but I don’t beat myself up over it if I don’t. It has helped at work that I have a varidesk so I now have the option to stand so I’m not sitting all day now :)
Girl, you are SUPER woman!!! I love what you said, and am ALL about that- never beat yourself up over anything! You are doing an amazing job! And that is really awesome that you have the stand up desk option- Zack really wants one!
xo
ahhh Katie I just adore your posts. Your pictures of your baby belly and 1 year after baby is so inspiring! As someone who has always been tiny I am slightly terrified of gaining “the baby weight”. I know it is necessary and I’m also excited to have a bump BUT I keep freaking out there I won’t be able to “love” my body again after I give birth to this tiny miracle. This post, like many of your posts, inspires me to think different. Thank you for that! You rock girl!
Oh my gosh, Brittany!! You are so nice! Girl, having a baby is such a miracle! You learn to love your body in a whole new way! Just keep reminding yourself of the amazing thing that’s happening and that you are doing! (p.s. are you pregnant?? If so, congratulations!!) I’m so so so glad that my words can inspire you! That means more than I could ever say! <3
xo
You look absolutely gorgeous!! And seriously, I love you look on life! Moderation is key! If you deprive, it either makes you want it more, or you create disordered eating by either binging or overly restricting. Neither a good thing. Good luck with the Bikini Series :)
Thanks so much Chelsea!!! :) And absolutely agree- depriving oneself is NEVER ever a good idea. It always leads to something not good. <3
xo
Ah! The B.o.B. stroller! I am so in love with ours! It’s the perfect stroller to take out running. So light weight and easy to maneuver! Hopefully you’re loving it as much as I love mine! What age was your son when you started taking him out with you? My son just turned 8 months and so far we’ve only gone for walks with it but I’m hoping to start running with him soon.
Carly
http://www.frecklesandcheeks.wordpress.com
Isn’t it so great?! We only just got it in November, I believe, when Sam was 7 months old. He was so tiny in it at first!! :)
xo
Hi Katie! I just came across your blog and I have to say I love your attitude in life! It is nice finding people that have some of the same similarities in life! That is exciting you spent a year in Paris! I have been once so far and loved it. I am currently living in England and the cultures over here are so different from the States. What did you love most about Paris? Their wine is so tasty and the cuisine is amazing too :)
what kind of jogger stroller do you use?
The BOB Revolution! Here’s our exact stroller (I LOVE it!!): http://amzn.to/2kbpqJO
xo