For months I’ve been itching to write a health related blog, but first, I had to see some tangible results for my own excruciating efforts. At exactly a year to the day my daughter was born, I was shocked and amazed when I able to close the button on a pair of my old jeans! It may seem like nothing now, but I was huge, depressed and saggy for many months after having a baby. The whole thing is so, well, life changing. You created a person for goodness sake. You deserve a cookie! But instead of congratulating yourself, the work, inner and outer is just beginning.
Once you have a baby, there is no magic pill that will give you your figure, your memory, your sense of humor, your career or your sanity back. I’m still a work in progress, and the memory thing is the scariest of all. I’ve lost and forgotten so many things I’m ready to see a hypnotist! You have to work to find answers to these bizarre, new issues that you never thought about before you had a baby. Who am I now? Who are my friends, what is my career, will I ever work again? And what is this new size? Is it forever or just temporary? But at the one year mark, if you are like me, you might be looking back at what a wonderful journey its been – even the hard parts - especially the hard parts, as you've found a new you -- a better you. Here’s a list of some things that might help new moms moms get their groove back, if that's even possible.
1. Get on a mommies board email list. I am part of the Hudson River Park Mommies Board (HRC Mommies) and it’s been such a great resource. From finding a play group to a part-time job (yes, I found a pretty great part-time job from this list and it’s not writing this blog).
2. Find Mommy Friends - Find a playgroup, a mommy and me class or a workout class or something where you see other moms.
When my baby was two months old I caught myself trying to talk to any mom with a baby regardless of whether or not we had anything in common. I was looking desperately for a “mommy friend.” Here’s a good article about becoming “mommy friends.” Unfortunately playgroups with dozens of other moms didn’t fit into my schedule and clearly wasn’t my style. I felt totally uncomfortable in these forced “groups.” But to be honest, I’ve only been once. I think they are valuable to many moms. So sure, join a play group.
Luckily, after a few months, I was able to meet mom friends in other ways. First of all, I began to rely more on what I knew. Three of my pre-baby New York friends happened to have had babies within 2 months of me, so in that regard I was lucky. Some mom friends I met in my daughter’s Gymboree classes, some in my building and one mom I met at the fish section of Whole Foods. We noticed that we had similarly aged babies and exchanged numbers. She became my best “take the kids to the swings” buddy until she moved this past summer.
The best bang for my buck off buck came in an odd place. Back in February when I was still huge, I saw some hot moms working out with their babies in tow. It was the dead of winter and the lady who ran the class, Pam Keefer, came out of the steamy room and gave me a warm welcome. I am not a joiner, but I liked this class from day one. Pam is super down-to-earth and an amazing trainer. The class is a great workout and gave me chance to connect with other moms while we were doing something proactive. This class meets in North Battery Park City and is nothing short of remarkable.
Baby Body Bootcamp Special Deal for Examiner Readers:
For my readers and those new to the class, Pam is willing to give you a special deal: Buy one four pack and get another one free. Check out her website and email her for details on “the deal” and for class info.
3. Get a trainer. I wasn’t sure I could afford a trainer, but if there ever is a time in your life when you deserve to spend money on a trainer, it’s after you’ve had a baby. Meghan Grady, who also writes an awesome fitness blog -- comes to us in our building and trains both my husband and me. She has given us workouts to do on our own and it’s really motivated us to be healthy. We now run two miles every Sunday.
Meghan’s Special Deal for Examiner readers: Mention the article and my name and Meghan will give you a free class when you sign up for a package. Check out Meghan’s blog and email her for more info.
4. Do a cleanse diet. I have never done a cleanse diet before, but I have friends who seem to be addicted to "not eating." Given that I had some forty pounds to lose, I decided that a cleanse sounded like a good idea, but which one would be best?
“A cleanse diet is a good way to kick start you into healthy eating,” says Yvette Rose owner of Joulebody. I met Yvette in the café one day and we got to chatting. She showed me her website and I got to check out her all-green philosophy and menu of real foods (not just juices). I agreed to give her cleanse a try.
The Joulebody cleanse was perfect for me. First of all, it’s not just juices, there is food involved (not a lot of it), but it’s quite tasty. Second, she brings it all to you in recyclable glass containers. Seriously, this is a good thing. It’s because of the joulebody cleanse that I was able to fit in my jeans only two days later. Yes, that is my kick start!
The Joulebody Deal. For Examiner readers, you can do the Joulebody clease for $25 off the regular price. See her site and email her for details.
For all these special Examiner deals, mention my name and the Examiner article to get the deal.
Good luck mommies. You now have at least one more reason to be healthy.
Comments
Nice mention of Meghan Grady she is awesome!
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