Hey guys!
How was your Thanksgiving? I hope it was full of lasting memories with family and friends, good food, and time to reflect on the many things we DO have to be thankful for.
My little man for sure! <3
Ours was lovely! Mi Madre (my Momma) hosted, as per the usual, and my brothers were there with their families, Mom, Dad, Pete & I + baby Kester, and Pete’s Mom, Dad, and sister…we were 19 in all. Plates of delicious food were eaten, lots of dishes washed while chatting away in the kitchen, football watched, and steaming cups of coffee savored while indulging in a little holiday pie. Apple for me, don’t mind if I do. 
I think being away from Las Moras, our home, and back with family for the holidays + Kester’s birth and adjusting to new “motherhood” has caused me to reel off track, just a bit, during these last few weeks. I’ve indulged a little more than probably necessary, especially with sugar, and I can feel it in my bones.
Once you become accustomed to living healthy lifestyle, it becomes pretty evident in the way that you feel that you need to get back up on that wagon when you stagger off…and quick! And right now I definitely don’t need any other factors causing me to feel tired and sluggish. The short nights of sleep with a new born are enough. 
So…it’s the start of a new month and this week I’m jumping back up into the workout and healthy eats saddle! Anyone with me??
But, first things first, before anyone jumps on me, yes…I know I am only 3 weeks post partum. I know that we read all over the internet that we shouldn’t start exercising until 6 weeks post partum. Yep, I’ve read all those articles too, and I wondered if I would wait that long.
Hmm, nope.
But I’ll be honest with you guys, throughout my whole pregnancy, and labor I have been doing what instinctively feels best for my body. I have listened to how I feel, and pushed the limits when I was feeling great, and dialed it back when my body cried out for rest.
I truly believe that the level of fitness that I was able to maintain throughout my 40 weeks of pregnancy not only helped me have a quick, “somewhat tolerable” delivery, but also have sped up my post partum recovery like nothing else could! Staying active and fit was the best decision I made as a Momma to be. I highly recommend it, if you can. You can check out some of my pregnancy workouts here.
Going into labor and delivery I listened to my body, and now 3 weeks post partum I KNOW that my body is ready to get out there and work it once again. My muscles are craving some strength training, and my mind is needing some cardio to set it free from the stresses of new motherhood. And, I’m just needing some resemblance of routine in my life, something I can count on, and look forward to as my “me time” everyday.
So…before this post gets too long winded, I have decided to set some simple goals for the next month to help me stay on track and rational during this busy, tempting holiday season. 
And what better way to kick off the New Year than with a month of good habits, and healthy choices under your belt! Three cheers for Lean in 2015!! Ha…I just made that up.
Anyways, here’s my challenges for myself for the next month:
1.) No sweets, or refined sugars – this is how I normally eat, reserving a few squares of dark chocolate for when the sweet tooth hits with a vengence. But the week after Kester was born I think I was in celebrate myself and what my body did growing this little life for 9 months mode. I treated myself to ice cream, cookies, chocolate, etc…and not just treated, but made them a daily thing.
Yikes…one week to start a habit, because that’s exactly what happened, sugar is SO addictive. And worst of all, I hate the way it makes me feel. However, I will have a few Christmas cookies on Christmas Day, and also my Mom’s famous Christmas stollen on Christmas morning…but those are exceptions.
2.) Workout at least 4-5xs a week – I’m ready to get back at it would be an understatement. Even if my life as a new Momma means I don’t get to go to the gym everyday I have no excuses, I love home workouts, and I’m ready to start going steady with running again…we’ve been apart much too long.
And yes, I am aware that my milk supply could suffer as I start to workout again, but I fully plan on being in tune with my body, it’s needs as I start to sweat once again, and the needs of my little one. We will learn and adjust as we go, it’s new territory for the both of us.
3.) Eat veggies, protein, & healthy fats with every single meal - Usually this one isn’t a big deal for me, and actually kind of a no brainer, but I think with being busy figuring out how to be a Mom I’m tired and the grab and eat mentality has hit HARD. I’ll grab some leftovers, heat it up with no regard to the nutrional profile of what I am eating. Need to stop doing that, because my fridge is loaded with good stuff.
4.) Keep a food journal – I don’t often keep track of all my eats throughout the day, but it has served to be a very useful tool in the past to help me re-establish balanced eating habits. So I’m giving it a go this month. I like to use the MyFitnessPal app, free for Ipad and Iphone, and it is super easy to use.
Also I want to do this to keep track of what’s happening with my nutrition, and milk supply for nursing little Kes, as I pick up the intensity of my workouts once again.
5.) Plan, Plan, Plan - Ever heard the saying, “If you fail to plan you can plan to fail?” Well, it’s true. Whenever I have a solid plan for what healthy meals and snacks I’ll be cooking for the week, it’s so much easier to stay on track and not grab a handful of trail mix, and eat 2 spoonfuls of peanut butter for lunch. Hello lack of veggies!
Well, that’s my December plan of attack to get myself back on track and feeling great again!! Anyone else want to join me?
What strategy do you use to get yourself motivated and back on track with healthy eating and exercise after some time off?
~ Liesl
