4 Things I Did RIGHT After Giving Birth

Carrying a child for 40 weeks and then birthing this said child is not for the faint of heart. Even if things go rather smoothly, recovery does take a while. But there are things you can do to make things a lot better/healthier. Take a look at my list!

Say No to Sugar!

1. Almost the moment after my son was born, I cut my white sugar intake by 90%. Knowing that I wanted to breastfeed and just how hungry I get, I wanted to make sure every calorie counted. My replacement? Stevia! My doctor introduced it to me because it is a natural sweetener derived from a leaf. I have baked many dessert items with it and cannot tell a difference.j

It Tastes Better Cold! ;)

2. I started juicing. The inspiration came from the Juice King, Joe Cross, after watching his documentary, Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead (click here if you want to read more about it!). It really convinced me that my family could use more micro-nutrients (vegetables) in our daily lives, and the result is that my body doesn't even crave unhealthy, fatty foods. I feel satisfied. 

This Is NOT My Bathroom-- Would Be Nice!

3. I took nightly baths with Epsom salts. First of all, it feels GREAT to soak in a hot bath after 40 weeks of lukewarm water! But adding the Epsom salts made it all count because it really helped speed up my healing down there.

Got It on Sale!

4. I bought the Bellyfit girdle. I debated long and hard if I actually needed a postpartum girdle, but I am so glad I bought it. I put it on 3-4 days after having my baby and it was a lifesaver for holding in my stomach and giving me support as I walked around. It also helps with ab separation, and I did have slight diastasis recti. If you are thinking of buying one, make sure you get it on sale! They seem to always be running a special and you don't want to have to pay full price!

Well, that is my list! I will say that even if you have never had a baby, #1 and #2 are helpful for anyone and I highly recommend trying it! 

~Tabs

Take A Look Inside the Bikini... Guide ;)

Do you know the feeling of wanting to get fit and being unsure of which one of the MILLIONS of weight loss/workout programs to use? And which ones actually work anyway?

I knew I wanted to try a structured program and with all of the success stories of BBG, I was ALMOST sold. But I had questions... What were the guides really like? How was it set up? Should I spend almost $60 for 12 weeks? I decided to go for it and here I am now finishing my first week. 

So I just wanted to let you guys inside the guides so you can see how it is! Please know that I am not advertising in any way. If you have been following my blog, I try new workouts and then give you my honest opinion! 

Anyway,  I THINK I am making progress because I am really sore and I feel like I can suck in my "mama pooch" a little more, but it is definitely going to be a process! I really can't wait until I can post a progress picture in 3 weeks! 

So take a look at my YouTube video showing you inside the BBG! I hope you enjoy! 

https://youtu.be/slEqSp-dwUc

~Tabs 

Day 3 of BBG!

So I tried to make a video for my YouTube channel today but it didn't work out :( And when I tried to go make it AFTER my workout it didn't give let me because my workout had already been completed! Nooooo. But I did take a few screen shots for you to take a peek at.

Arms & Abs!

Curcuit 2 on the Timer!

As you know I had my second baby 2 months ago and because I am still healing, I decided to do the pre- training (shown above) and let me just say I have felt every bit of sore for the past week now. It is definitely doing something! Also, on Tuesdays and Thursday's I am going to the gym for 30 mins of cardio. 

I am a little impatient to see results NOW but I know it will take time and sacrifice. Burpees really are as awful as everyone says, but what I do like about this BBG guide is that you are never in one exercise for too long.  

I can't wait to show you my first progress picture! And I WILL get one of her workouts on video! Hopefully for Friday! 

Say Hello To My Noodle Arms! For Now ;)

Bye for now!

~Tabs

My Baby Threw Up on Me And I am Glad He Did!

My baby threw up on my clothes, in my hair, and I am glad.

It sounds gross, doesn't it? Like, no thank you. But it's true!

I have been really wanting to get into a routine but get distracted by different things and then I feel tired all day and waaay behind. So, I have been trying to shower and get ready for the day during my 16 month old's morning nap. But today I was holding my 2 month old and getting really absorbed in my phone (reading about parenting, no less) when I should be seizing the day and my son decided to vomit all over me! Now I HAD to shower.

So thanks to him, I am all clean and ready to tackle my second day of Kayla Itsines BBG! And I know it seems weird to shower BEFORE a workout, but when you are groggy from getting up all night with a baby and then taking care of a toddler, you n e e d the wake up!!

This is the woman that has inspired a lot of women! Obviously.

So I am going to get at it while I can and I just posted a little video giving you an idea of the BBG outline if you are curious!

http://youtu.be/3Nfn93yF1z8

~Tabs

Starting The Bikini Body Guide Post Partum!

Have you ever had a baby?

Well, I have had two... And they are both UNDER 2.

Needless to say my body has had to work really hard creating little humans and then trying to look semi- normal again. It is not easy! But it is soooo worth it!

Anyway, I KNEW I needed to find a workout program that I could do at home with two children and get some serious results and that is when I found Kayla Itsines. If you haven't heard of her, she is aaalll over Instagram. Her success stories are impressive enough, but the workouts are also only 28 minutes at a time and you are never in one particular set for very long. I find that very appealing because I don't want to do 100 burpees in a row! Ew!

So below is my body before I start to get bikini ready and I will be posting my progress!

Okay, let's get onto the stats... Here I am 8 weeks Post Partum:

Sorry the picture is small! I hate iPads!

As of March 24th, 2016, I weighed 147 pounds. Now I am not crazy about that number but it is 22 pounds less than I weighed when I had my baby! So at least we are moving in the right direction. :) Also, I am more concerned with how my clothes feel, and right now EVERYTHING is just a bit too snug.

Since today is Sunday, I am taking the day off and then starting fresh tomorrow! Stay tuned!

~Tabs

Paying To Climb Stairs

I know I am pregnant, but I have been feeling so heavy and unfit and sometimes it just gets to me. So I end up talking to my husband saying, "Why didn't you tell me I was gaining weight??!"

Really? How is he supposed to respond to that? He is a wise man so I know he wouldn't ever actually say anything. ;) But then I tell him I need encouragement to go to the gym- that he can watch our daughter and let me leave for an hour.

So today I did just that.

I got to the gym ready to burn some calories and lift some weights. I piddled around on some weight machines and then headed to the stair master. And while I was "climbing" it dawned on me that I am on this $5,000 machine of stairs...

I HATE climbing stairs and here I pay a monthly membership fee to "work out" on stairs...






It made me realize that I need to incorporate more activity into my day, like hiking or cycling or even walking. I only have 7 weeks left before this baby is born and I will NOT fizzle out now!

A Laptop In Pieces And I Am Still Pregnant

I have to reassure everyone that I REALLY love to blog here. That I am not one of those sporadic-when-I-feel-like-it-bloggers. I have a really good excuse for my absence...

My dear, amazing husband was looking up piano chords on my laptop and had it sitting atop our piano. Well, my beloved laptop of almost 6 years slid off and crashed into pieces on our tile floor. I watched it fall. I held my breath and let out a little, "SAVE THE LAPTOP!!!!!" But it was too late.

For 6 years that beloved white Mac had traveled with me and gotten me through four years of college. It was probably time to let it go, but it was still running so I held on.

Well, our journey together is over. And I just couldn't justify buying another Mac right now when we have a baby on the way. Priorities, you know?

So fast forward to a couple days ago. Hubby and I decided to buy the iPad! We both thought it was a great idea because it's bigger than a phone and lighter than a laptop. So here I am back at my blog!



Now, let's talk about babies...

I am now 32 weeks pregnant! It has honestly gone so fast. Unlike my first pregnancy where I counted every minute. Lol. Having a 1 year old does help! I hardly have time to focus on anything else!

But I have stayed pretty consistent with my healthy eating and moderate exercise. I have enjoyed several evening walks with my husband and daughter and done lots of swimming and some Pure Barre to fight the flab that tries to ensnare every pregnant woman! So far I have gained about 25 pounds, which isn't amazing, but definitely isn't over the top!

                                                       Mama, Baby 1, and Baby 2!

Third Trimester Madness! 

And I DO have plans for finishing out the next 8 weeks strong. I have cut back on certain carbs and fats and I am going to try and do a little more Pure Barre to tone my body.

Well, that is it for now! It feels so good to reconnect with everyone again!

Till tomorrow!

P.s. I can't seem to make the pictures larger? #newiPadproblems