This has been a much requested post/video so here it finally is! Above you can see my 'weight journey' in terms of baby weight. The first thing i want to say is i don't weigh myself. I have no idea what i weighed in any of these pictures, but why does that number matter? I can SEE and FEEL the difference, that is what matters.
I didn't do 'no carbs', i didn't work out for hours on end and i didn't give up chocolate.
So, how did i lose my baby weight? With hard work.
I've had many people say to me 'you are so lucky you got your body back' and i always feel like reply with 'it's not luck, it's hard bloody work'.
I didn't just sit there whilst 'luck' cut away the fat, i sweated, i worked hard and i ate well.
How to lose weight;
DIET.
1. Swap all white foods for wholemeal.
This is bread, pasta, spaghetti, wraps, flour anything you can imagine. And in terms of bread, no don't swap for brown or granary, it needs to be wholemeal/wholewheat. They help fill you up for longer and release energy slowly. White processed foods burn off quickly leaving you hungry sooner and most of them are full of sugar making you crave sweet foods.
2. Get more protein/less carbs.
Now, i can't do no carbs, i die. I need carbs, i just make sure they are wholewheat. Breakfast is always carb heavy with toast, peanut butter & fruit. But as the day goes on, i try to eat less and less carbs. Sometimes if i'm feeling 'strong' or trying to get back on track i will have no carbs at dinner, but not all the time. I also try to swap my usual snacks for protein heavy snacks; greek yogurt, plain grilled chicken breast, cheese & fruit, protein shakes/bars.
3. Avoid sugar.
Sugar is the ENEMY! I see a lot of people (sometimes even me) eating all these 'low fat' snack bars. They may be low fat but they are FULL of processed sugars and guess what? Sugar is worse for your body than fat. It plays havoc with your sugar levels and causes weight gain. Try to go for things that are 7g or lower in sugar per serving.
4. Control your portions.
Portion control is key. This is how i am able to eat whatever i want and stay in shape. I eat chocoldate every day. I have what i want, i just keep my portion size low and have it in moderation.
5. Eat slower.
SAVOUR what you are eating. If i'm at home, i make sure i take the time to sit down and savour what i am eating. I don't grab something while i'm running upstairs and it's gone in 2 seconds. This goes hand in hand with portion control. You may think 'AH THAT IS THE TINIEST PORTION EVER IM STILL GOING TO BE STARVING' but, if you take smaller bites and really taste it, you will still be satisfied and full, listen to your body.
WORKOUTS.
With your workouts, you need to push yourself whatever your level. You need to combine cardio and strength. No girls, you won't bulk up and look like the hulk if you use light weights, you will tone and you will sculpt your body.
You see the pre-pregnancy picture above? All i ate was low fat foods and i focused my workouts on cardio. Yes, i lost weight but i didn't change my body shape or tone up. Now the 18 weeks post pregnancy picture? I started doing
blogilates and really trying to tone and sculpt my body, and it bloody works! I have more definition in my abs, legs and arms and my bum has lifted and got perkier POST pregnancy, with pilates/blogilates and cardio.
Here are some of my favourite workouts!
CARDIO.
LEGS/BUTT.
ARMS.
ABS.
THE JOURNEY.
I get reading this may seem like you have to change a lot, but if you start off slow, it will become part of your lifestyle, which is when you will change forever and it is no longer work. I swapped from white foods to brown foods about 3 years ago, and now it doesn't even cross my mind that i am 'swapping', it's normal.
Take the diet tips and try one thing a week, so the first week swap to wholewheat carbs, the second week swap your snacks for protein and so on. Gradually doing it you are more likely to stick to it.
The same thing goes to working out, i started off just walking before i was 6 weeks post partum, then i went back into intervals and strength training. And don't be fooled by quick workouts, that '10 min intense abs' above, i thought i would need more and so i did it twice. I could barely move for a week, i actually hurt my muscles it is so intense, i do not recommend doing that! If you do these properly, you will see change without hours and hours of work.
Other post you may find helpful;
What I Ate Wednesday
How to stay motivated with exercise
Weekly prep
Recents Eats
Another what i ate wednesday
That's all for this post, it is long enough already! If you have any specific questions please email kerrydyer03@googlemail.com or tweet me @kerrymarie
Thanks for reading, i hope this was helpful!
