Happy Mommy, Happy Baby
April and Cassandra. Happy Times!
Just a quick update on the mommy-baby front as even though my days are pretty easy-going for having a new baby, I'm working on a zillion things and enjoy my time with baby instead of always being at the computer :)
Everything is going spectacularily. April is an extremely happy baby who eats well, sleeps very well, and loves life. As a result, her mommy eats well, sleeps well and loves life too. Yay!
I'm not sure exactely what makes a baby so happy and so easy-going, but for some lucky reason I have one. I do attribute her happiness to both my overall happiness and my good nutrition and consistent exercise habits.
First, I didn't and am not suffering from any post-partum depression, even though I had a history of mild depression in the past (yes, true story). I feel much of my happiness and lack of saddness has to do with my eating habits:
-- I stay away from refined sugar and excess carbohydrates
-- My meals are always balanced with protein, carbohydrates and fats (for example breakfast this morning was egg whites with an omega-3 egg, topped with salsa. A slice of sprouted grain bread coated with coconut oil and sliced apple)
-- I like to eat fats that are good for me including lots of coconut oil, egg yolks, hemp seed butter, hemp seeds, avocado, and the fat found naturally in animal products (ground turkey for example)
-- I eat every 3 to 4 hours
-- I only drink water or seltzer water (no sugars or artifical sweeteners)
-- My supplments include krill oil, a multivitamin and mineral, vitamin D3, choline (for my brain) and an antioxidant blend
My exercise has been back on track since the third week post-partum: I started teaching my boot camps at week 3, and do this, plus exercise when I can fit it in while baby sleeps (at home) consisting of body weight movements, bands, dumbbells, and kettlebells. I mostly focus on interval training and continuous movements and do this 4 to 5 times a week. I also walk my dogs daily (with baby in stroller).
Exercise is something that has ALWAYS made me happy. I find if I sit too much or don't get to move enough in general, I'm a total grouch. I think baby April is the same way too because this kid seriously never stops moving. Boy... she's going to be fun when she starts walking and crawling! :)
Overall, life is really good and I'm glad I have the ability to exercise often and eat well. It's not as if I don't have my share of stresses though - I'm back working to bring in income to the household, so my life isn't just all about baby and me. And, I have three dogs and a husband that still need me too. As long as I can keep my head on straight and remember life is really a fun rollercoaster, I'll know I can stay happy and healthy to support my happy and healthy child.
Motherhood is awesome! :) Enjoy the ride!
Click to Learn About Boot Camps in Manchester, CT!
Connect:
Books by Cassandra
The New Rules of Lifting for Women
Finally, a weight-training book that doesn't treat women like weaklings! The New Rules of Lifting for Women is for the woman who's ready to throw down the "Barbie" weights and start a strength and conditioning program that will give her the body of her dreams. The book puts to rest the shop-worn notion that women who train with heavy weights will bulk up. Nonsense!
Perfect Body Diet
Cassandra Forsythe is the author of Women's Health first-ever diet and fitness plan book. In the Perfect Body Diet, she helps you understand why women are different from each other and how they can address these differences with a personalized meal plan to help them achieve their own perfect body. She's incorporated a revolutionary hunger-reducing aid, that will help women feel fuller, eat less, and stay satisfied while losing weight safely and effectively.
Recommended Links
- Colon Health Advice
- Extreme Fat Loss Training
- Girlsgetsitdone
- Holly Rigsby- YummyMummy
- Jaya Dixit
- Livin La Vida Low Carb
- Maggie Wang
- Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods
- Marie Spano Sports Nutrition
- Performance University
- Rachel Cosgrove
- The Fit Cast
- The ISSN
- Turn Up My Workout!
- Weight of the Evidence
- Wellsphere
Comments for This Entry
Are you having the egg whites to cut down on the fat and/or increase the protein? I see you do have one egg with the yolk. Isn't there choline in egg yolk or are you wanting a higer dose with the supplement?
We like to see a happy baby and a happy mom!
Hi Sue,
Sorry for the delayed reply. Yes, I have the egg whites to increase the protein. I don't skip out on fat at all, but having 8 egg yolks to get in enough protein with whole eggs doesn't sit so well in my tummy :)
For choline, there's only 125 mg of choline per yolk and the RDA is 450-550 for pregnancy and lactation. As such, I have my egg yolks for some choline and get the rest from a supplement, My total choline intake per day is at least 500 mg.
Thanks for your questions! :)
Hi Cassandra,
I am about halfway through your Fitcast interview. I am so inspired by your pregnancy journey and post-partum peace. I fell victim to DR's recommendations and ended up gaining so much weight and then having two c-sections really did not make for an easy time of losing weight. I am just back to my pre-pregnancy weight almost two years later. Anyway, I am just curious if you are nursing your daughter...I have nursed both of my kids for one year and 20 months, and it did seem to affect my weight loss both times. I was just curious about your experience. Thanks so much for being so open with your journey, it is inspirational and more women need to hear this message!! Congrats on your babe :)
Hi Maggie
Thanks for your comments! Yes, I am exclusively breastfeeding and I wouldn't have it any other way. As far as weight loss, well, my weight is actually below my pre-preg weight, but I probably did lose some muscle from being so hyperactive during my pregnancy and afterwards. I do notice that my belly isn't as tight as it used to be, but I'm not sure if that's more because it was just stretched out like a basketball or because of breastfeeding. But, I have heard from many women that your body does hold onto a bit of extra fat while breastfeeding even if your weight is low, and it goes away right after stopping. However, I'm going to keep up with it - it's more important for my daughter to have this than not. ;)
Cassandra, thanks for your response. Congrats on BFing, it is truly one of the best things about motherhood. I was a long-term nurser and wouldn't have it any other way. I weaned my 22mo old son about two months ago and I am finally seeing the last 10lbs come off. That and finally getting adequate sleep again has definitely helped me lose the last of the weight. Keep up the great work :)
Post a Comment
Want to show your face? Get a gravatar!