On Valentine’s Day there are so many ways to express love and gratitude that the possibilities are endless.
Some may give a simple card, and others may choose jewelry. Many will cook a delicious meal for their family or enjoy a romantic candlelight dinner with that special someone. Tons of flowers and boxes of chocolates will be sent, and many moms will beam at the beautiful artwork or handmade gift given to them by their sweet children.
In the midst of all the giving to others to show love, many people don’t stop and take the time to love themselves-especially mothers. This really became a reality to me after experiencing childbirth. So, this Valentine’s Day I am loving myself with the gift of good health and sharing tips to help motivate you if you are where I was on Valentine’s Day a year ago. Fast forward to today, and I am 80 pounds lighter and feeling great!
I have always been athletic and fit. I love working out, doing Krav Maga, and maintaining my normal weight of 140…so you can imagine my disbelief as I tipped the scale at 229 right before giving birth. I exercised-walked leisurely on the treadmill five days a week up until a week before giving birth, and my delivery went well, but when I found myself in the back of an ambulance from passing out from dehydration, not eating right, and lack of sleep a month after giving birth…I knew I had to make a serious change!
Start somewhere!
I sat down, wrote out my goals-including my goal weight. I looked at photos of myself at my target weight, visualized myself there, posted the goals where I could see them daily, and I prayed God would give me strength to endure.
You don’t have to have a gym membership!
From February 2012 to now, I have visited the gym for only 2 months out of 12 and only twice a week for 30 minutes! I was working out with an awesome trainer, my cousin Patrick Webb at 5:30 a.m., but with having a newborn-that got old fast! During those workouts I lost 10 lbs., but I started working out at home with only an exercise ball and two 15 lb. dumbbells. I work out 15 minutes in the morning each day by doing resistance training using my body weight, planks, and burpees. I squeeze in another 15 minutes later in the day to do cardio or abdominal work.
Eating right is a must!
I eat five low sodium, 300 calorie meals a day by eating every three hours, I usually don’t eat past 7:00 p.m., and if I do it’s fruit or yogurt. I avoid fried foods, soda, and white starches but I always allow myself a cheat day in the weekend to eat whatever I want.
So, that’s it. Love yourself with the gift of good health. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Feel free to contact me with specific questions at 1tabathajames@gmail.com or on Facebook.
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