Body after Baby: the master plan

If you're anything like me, you've started a diet many times and failed many times. Or, who hasn't said "I'll start on Monday" only to have Monday come and go...and the next Monday and the next, and so on.

Like I said in my previous post, I am committed to losing the baby weight (and then some). So, you ask, how is this time going to be different from all the times I've started before and failed to succeed? Well, I've asked myself the same thing and in doing so I've addressed the biggest challenges I face when it comes to following through.

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CHALLENGE: I lose motivation
You know how it goes. You start out all gung-ho (kind of like I am now...) then slowly fall back into old habits like eating pizza once a week or forgoing that work-out to catch up on junk TV on the DVR. It's just too easy to do.

>> SOLUTION: Create a Vision Board for inspiration
I am a visual person. I do much better with a physical list in front of me - something about seeing the little check marks on completed items makes me happy. In the era of Pinterest, making a vision board is super easy to do. However I will need to take it a step further than a virtual pin board. I'm actually going to print out pictures and checklists and have them front and center where I can see them every day. Maybe hanging on my bedroom door or bathroom mirror? I'll share once it's complete.

Sample "vision board": Source

CHALLENGE: Eating healthy is too hard
It's no secret that I lack the cooking gene. I don't like to do it. I don't like the mess. And I'm not good at coming up with meals spur-of-the-moment so I end up snacking or eating convenience foods.

>>  SOLUTION:  Create a weekly meal plan and stick to it
A little planning goes a long way. Not only does it take the guess work out of "what's for dinner?", but it also satisfies my list-making mentality. I've made a cutesy meal plan printable to use for this purpose. There are TONS of websites with great ready-made meal plans and obviously Pinterest has revolutionized recipe sharing. That's where I get most of my inspiration...and almost everything I've tried has been amazing!

CHALLENGE: I have ZERO will power
I'm the queen of caving. I'm all "No more Sour Patch Kids for me". I even ask Ricky to help me stick to it and then on my next Target trip I buy a bag and hide it in my purse . When he finds it and gently reminds me I gave them up I immediately snap back "I don't care I NEEEED Sour Patch Kids right NOOOOWWW!" And then finish it up with a dose if guilt with "Don't judge me."

>>  SOLUTION:  Baby steps, folks, baby steps
I found this great idea on Pinterest called the No Junk Food Challenge. It has a list of things to exclude from your diet for 21 days. While it is great in theory, for someone who has issues with will power it seems like I'd just be setting myself up for failure. So...I'm going to modify it a bit. I'll give up each item for a week starting at the top of the list and working my way down. For instance, this week I will give up chocolate. Next week candy and so on and so forth.

Source: Pinterest.com

CHALLENGE: I don't have time to exercise
I know, I know...so cliche. But, hear me out. I've got a 1-month old baby and two very busy 4 and 5 year-old boys. I'm also PTA Secretary, serve on the executive board of a non-profit's young professional Leadership Council and I'm on a handful of other committees for various organizations. Sometimes I wonder if I've spread myself too thin. So, needless to say working out usually takes a back seat to these commitments.

>>  SOLUTION:  Suck it up and make the time
My mom always says 'where there is a will, there's a way'. My super-busy (and super-disciplined) husband wakes up at 5:30am up to 3 days a week to run with a group in our neighborhood. While that's definitely not going to happen for me (I'm not a runner and I'm usually feeding Hudson at 5:30am), I can incorporate little things throughout my day that resemble exercise. For instance, I will make myself do squats or lunges or crunches while I'm watching tv at night. Or I will gather the troops for a walk around the block a few times/week. Eventually, I am going to dust off my rollerblades. And when Hudson's a little older, I plan on hitting the gym while the kids play in the childcare area.

CHALLENGE: I don't realize what I'm really eating...
In other words, I often don't account for the little "extras" I consume throughout the day. That handful of Lucky Charms. The mini Snickers from the candy dish at the PTA meeting. The three bites of corn dog as I'm making my kids dinner.

>>  SOLUTION:  Keep track of EVERYTHING
My method of choice is the smart phone app My Fitness Pal. When I force myself to keep track of every bite I take it gives me a realistic picture of how all those little things add up. And it educates me. Choosing that salad for lunch from Panera? NOT as healthy as I originally thought. Plus, you can set it up so that your friends see if you've met or exceeded your calories for the day and your weight loss progress. {My username is tarync23 if you'd like to join/follow}

So there it is folks. My master plan. Ultimately my main goal is to simply get healthy. If I can get back into a bikini at the end of all this, that will be an added bonus!