Month: February 2016

Meet Nikki!

Happy Leap Day! We’re excited to introduce Nikki this month for our March feature,  a brand new mama to her first baby boy (only 11 weeks old), residing west of Boston with her husband. When Nikki isn’t enjoying all things Maternity leave (like excessively shopping for tiny clothes!), she works full-time as a Sales Operations Manager. We asked her how she’s Living Well today amidst her transition to Mama-hood, and here’s what she told us…

How do you typically start your day?

I’m sure this will look a lot different once I go back to work in mid-March, but my day typically starts around 6:30 AM.  My husband is up for work and we squeeze in a coffee and hangout together for 10-15 minutes before he leaves.

I do a few things around the house and make a green smoothie before my son wakes up around 7:30-8:00 AM.  Our first stop is his nursery for a quick diaper change (he’s currently still in a bassinet in our bedroom) and then head to the living room for playtime.

He’s ready to eat around 8:30 AM then goes down for his first nap around 9:30 AM.  This is when I either pick a couple Pinterest workouts or my mom comes over so I can go to a spinning class.

What is your favorite workout now that you’re in the clear postpartum?

I’m obsessed with Spinning.  I go to 3-5 indoor cycling classes a week.  I actually got certified to teach when I was 7 weeks pregnant and had planned on teaching throughout my pregnancy. I came down with the worst morning sickness (nausea, vomiting, dehydration, etc.) around 9 weeks and it lasted 24 hours a day until I was 18 weeks.

By then, I’d lost all my endurance and told myself I’d just take the next 5 months off.  Once I build my endurance back up I’ll be teaching my own classes.

Spin has been my go to for years now.  I can make it as challenging or as easy as I need to and no matter what, I always leave feeling like I got a great workout in.

What is one of your recent go-to healthy dinners to cook at home?

My go to healthy dinner is B-O-R-I-N-G because I have one of the world’s pickiest eaters for a husband.  But it’s healthy and he’ll eat it.  I season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, thyme, lemon and garlic.  Throw them onto a baking sheet with veggies for me (I love carrots, onions, & brussels sprouts) and potatoes for him.

Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees and serve!

What do you do when you want to have “Me Time”?

My “Me Time” includes going to the gym, running errands/shopping and sometimes it’s just taking a really long hot shower or taking a break to grab a quick coffee.

What do you love most about being a new Mama so far?

I have truly learned the meaning of unconditional love. I thought I knew what it was before, but I’ve uncovered parts of my heart and soul that I never knew existed.

Can you share a few Wellness goals for this year & how you’ll track your progress?

I gained well over the recommended amount of weight for my starting body height and weight. My first fitness goal is to get back my pre-baby body.

What works well for me is keeping a food diary. I do this through an app called, My Fitness Pal.  It allows me to track all of my calories and workouts so I have an idea of where I’m at for the day and can make smart choices about what I’m eating. The real progress will show when I can wear my skinny jeans again!

Another fitness goal is to be able to run longer than 3 miles.  Before I was pregnant, I was running 3-5 miles a couple times a week.  It would be great to be there again.  I’m planning on signing up for a race this summer and will use that as my motivation.

What has been your biggest challenge with wellness since the birth of your baby?

My biggest challenge is finding the time to exercise. When I can’t make it to the gym, I look up workouts on Pinterest and try to pick a HIIT and run through it 2-3 times.  Thankfully, in the last few weeks, my little one’s naps have become really consistent, so I’ve been able to plan my workouts around them.

Who do you lean on most for support when it comes to wellness?

I lean friends and other women who have recently had a baby for support.  It’s easy for me to get caught up with the celebs that bounce back to their pre baby weight in what feels like days!  Talking to women in similar situations as myself is where I find the most support.

What is one piece of candid advice you’d like to share with other new Mamas?

There have been times where I look in the mirror, start to cry and think, Will I ever have my old body back? and I’m sure I’m not alone.

Please remind yourself that you just grew a HUMAN BEING inside of you for 9 months…and we’re not all Gisele (and that is completely OKAY). It takes 9 months to gain the weight, I think you deserve to give yourself a full 9 months to take it off.

 

Meet Kim!

Kim is our February feature, a brand new Movin’ Mama residing on the South Shore of MA with her boyfriend and 5-month-old baby girl. Kim is a full-time, stay-at-home Mama who’s making the most of nap time breaks, and is keeping her eyes on her OTHER sweet prize–not only her new little one, but a spinning instructor certification, too (We love this, go Kim!).

How do you typically start your day?

I’ve been away in Florida for about 6 weeks now.  I am thankful I was able to quit my job and stay home to take care of my daughter. My schedule has become more consistent since I’ve been here.  My morning usually starts around 7am.  Lola and I usually wake up around the same time.  We usually cuddle and chat before getting ready.  Once we’re up she gets a fresh diaper and change from her pajamas.  Then we  go downstairs and she’ll have her bottle and I have my breakfast after while my boyfriend hangs out with her.  

What are some of your wellness goals for 2016 and how are you tracking your progress?

Before I was pregnant I was training to become a certified spin instructor.  I fell in love with spinning about two years ago and decided to get my certification.  Aside from spinning I like running.  I’ve participated in a few road races including a half marathon. I also enjoy strengthening workouts with weights and TRX.  

During my pregnancy I was going to the gym and spinning until 36 weeks.  So for 2016, I hope to get back into the groove of all the workouts and focus on training for my spin instructor certification.  

How am I going to track my progress will the challenge, but nap time is key. Since I haven’t been spinning as much I hope to start (when I return home to MA) by spinning 15 mins each time Lola takes a nap.  Hopefully within couple months I can pick up where I left off and aim for my certification goal by year end.

For all my other workouts, I’ve been working out during nap times. I would do few sets of crunches, push-ups, squats, bench dips and running up and down the stairs (24 steps each way!) That’s been working out great so when I am ready for the gym again I can start strong!

What is your diet like on an average day?  

My diet consist of  3 meals a day with a snack in between each meal.  My breakfast is a bowl of corn flakes cereal with milk.  Then I usually have some crackers until lunch.  My lunch is usually my heavy meal of the day.  It varies from a burger to pasta.  My afternoon snack is yogurt or a village green drink from Lido.  For dinner we usually have something light and easy–our favorite is whole wheat pasta, with ground turkey and cheese.  

We make everything vegan because my boyfriend is lactose intolerant, so it’s easier to keep the ingredients dairy-free.  Did you know vegan food is JUST as good!?   

What’s your favorite go-to healthy snack when you’re on the go?

Yogurt, key lime (or vanilla) flavor is the best! I need to eat more fruit again.  I was addicted to them when I was pregnant but some reason after Lola I don’t crave it as much. I love making banana bread too!

How have you had to streamline your beauty routine since having kids?

I remember I did not put any makeup on the first month when my daughter was born.  I stayed home for the most part but even when I went out, I didn’t bother.  In fact I got so used to it I didn’t wear makeup for over 2 months.

When Lola was about 3 months old, my family would come over to help babysit so that me and my boyfriend could go out and have some alone time.  That’s when I started to put my daily makeup back on – eyeliner, mascara, eyebrows and bronzer.

What do you wish you knew when you first became a mom that you know now?

I didn’t realize how much personal time I lost.  Everyone told me before to enjoy my sleep before the baby arrives.  But it’s not the sleep that I am missing, it’s the personal time.  

By personal time I don’t mean shopping, hanging out with friends–but more importantly for me, it’s been my workout schedule.  But being a Mom is the greatest feeling so I would not trade it for anything! I am sure everything will gradually all come together.