This post was sponsored by Meta Appetite Control as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central.
It’s no joke when they say it’s harder to lose baby weight the second time around. For me, I was able to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight right at the 1-year mark with Dylan and it just seemed to happen naturally as I followed a mostly clean diet and exercise regimen. This second time around after Kennedy’s birth, the one-year mark had come and gone and sadly here I was, still a good 10 pounds heavier than I wanted to be. With summer looming around the corner, I decided a couple months ago to take a hard look at my lifestyle choices and make some changes. And while I still have about 4-5 more pounds to go until I reach my goal, I wanted to share with you a few tips and tricks that have really helped me lose some of those stubborn pounds!
1. Get enough sleep. More than anything, sleep is critical for losing weight. I knew I wasn’t getting enough sleep and much of it was due to the fact that I would stay up late to finish a blog post. That, combined with the fact that Kennedy still wasn’t sleeping through the night, was resulting in me not getting enough quality sleep every night. Lack of sleep results in high cortisol levels and ultimately causes the body to store excess fat (especially in the belly area!). For me, I’ve since set myself a strict bedtime and stick to it! I find that by giving myself a hard stop deadline, I work more efficiently. And even in those cases when I don’t finish my work for the evening, I’ll try to work on it a bit before I leave for the office in the mornings. I’ve noticed that oftentimes I can finish in half the time it would have taken me at night, probably just because I’m working with a fresh mind and can focus better!
2. Add greens to every meal. Previously when I was dieting, I would focus on what I was taking out. Now, I focus on what I should be adding in. I find that this technique sets me up better for success as I don’t feel like it’s a deprivation game. I’ve made an effort to add greens into every meal, whether it’s kale mixed into my morning juice, zucchini spiralized as noodles in my pasta, or steamed frozen peas as a quick side for dinner. I’ve found that even though my mentality is one of “adding”, I naturally tend to balance out the rest of my meal so that it doesn’t end up resulting in me just eating more.
3. Cut out mid-afternoon snacking. You know the feeling. That slump right around 3pm. I would mindlessly start rummaging through my drawers and look for something to munch on. Sometimes it was healthy like a piece of fruit, but sometimes it wasn’t (I’m looking at you, cookies!). I knew that this was a habit that was a big factor in those extra pounds hanging on and that I needed something to keep the snacking at bay. I stumbled across the Meta Appetite Control fiber supplement at my local Walgreens and loved that it was just natural psyllium fiber and not strange chemicals being used to control appetite. Even more so, it’s the #1 doctor recommended fiber brand! It’s proven to clinically reduce appetite between meals and works naturally with your body. For me, I mix the powder with a glass of water (the orange zest flavor and drink it after my lunch. I find that come 3pm, I just don’t have any appetite to eat anything and can work straight through until I leave for the day! For a free full-size sample and coupon to try out Meta Appetite Control for yourself, scroll down to the bottom of this post to enter via the form!
4. Workout even on your busiest days. I also make it a point to go to the gym at least 3 times a week (where I can guarantee that I’ll get a good sweat in!) and will run on my own the other days. Since I started working outside of the home again this past January, I’ve had to balance more deadlines and projects along with this blog. But even on those days when I feel swamped, I make it a point to still fit in at least 20 minutes of exercise (even if it’s running laps in the parking garage at work!). I find that when I get my blood pumping and heart rate going, I can return to my desk and am more productive with better ability to focus. Taking a workout break mid-day when I was just loaded with work was initially a choice that I had a hard time justifying, but when I noticed that I could turn out better work after a quick workout, the decision was clear!
5. Don’t make kids the excuse. Being a mom is hard and having the responsibility of taking care of kids can easily become a reason for not fitting in exercise or clean eating. But for me, I’ve found that if you want something enough, you will find a way for it to happen. Having a healthy lifestyle is something that I’ve always made sure to model for my kids and that includes eating a balanced diet (we always say to “eat a rainbow”) and getting in daily activity!
And I’m happy to offer you all a chance to try a free sample of a full-size container of Meta Appetite Control as well as receive a free $5 digital coupon.
I’m really happy with my progress so far and hoping to drop those last 5 pounds finally this month! Let me know if you incorporate any of these tips!
What are some of your tips for losing weight?
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++ All pictures were taken with this camera (just upgraded!), lens, tripod, and remote.
Betsy Todd says
Nice post, and thanks for your share
Betsy Todd | http://www.missygowns.com
Yuliya Oleynykova says
I want to try these meals you show
cutenlittle says
thanks! most of these meals are from recipes sent from Hello Fresh! You can read my review here http://cutenlittle.wpengine.com/healthy-eating-with-hellofresh/ and use code UEB32P for $40 off!
Monique | WritingMonique says
Thanks for sharing these tips! Adding greens to every meal is such a good idea!
Cynthia says
Thanks for sharing your tips and it’s true don’t use your kids as an excuse. I was overweight a few years ago and decided one day to start living a healthier lifestyle by incorporating exercising. I have started to run more and the weight lost result.
Shea says
These are such good tips, and I’m definitely saving this post for next year when I’m trying to lose weight after baby #2. I keep hearing that it’s harder after the second. I had a similar experience after my first–the weight pretty much just melted off, I didn’t have to do much other than just try to make healthy choices, etc. Nothing outside what I usually do. But I know this time around to be more prepared to work a little harder, and these tips (like adding greens, I forget about that!) will be helpful!
Candace says
Great tips! I haven’t had a baby yet, but I still like to stay fit and healthy. Working out when I don’t feel like it is the hardest, but it’s more motivating now that I’ve found a few serious people to go to classes with 5 days a week 🙂
http://www.thebeautybeau.com/knot-your-average/
cutenlittle says
so true! you can try out different workout too to find one that you like. I did the typical group classes at my gym for the longest time but found myself burned out. i switched over to crossfit and suddenly really looked forward to the workouts as well as the group camaraderie — I would even have FOMO is I missed a workout! I know for my mom, she loves dance classes like zumba and jazzercise, so i think it’s all about finding something that you love! 🙂
Lee MacArthur says
These tips work for anyone who wants to loose weight. I’m told that you don’t diet, you readjust your habits for a life long change.
cutenlittle says
yes, I believe that for any weight loss to be permanent, it has to be a lifestyle change! glad you found these tips useful! 🙂
xx
kileen
Julie says
I did struggle, even though I only have one child! I was so tired and stressed, which led me to overeat even though I was exercising. It’s only now at around 1.5 years that I am finally back to where I want to be putting in a ton of work. It’s hard!!
Katie says
Ha great tips! Unfortunately for me I can come up with a zillion excuses as to why I cannot lose these last 5 pounds or so. Maybe I should try no more mid-day snacking! Found you at Friday Favorites!
Adelien Tan says
What a wonderful motivating list for moms, especially those who still have the weight after having babies. I know very well that the period after having babies are very hard. The baby matters have kept mommies busy, but they still have to take care of themselves. Thank you very much for sharing at Family Fun Friday.
Frugal Hausfrau says
HI! I love that your ideas are truly healthy and sensible! Sometimes I cringe thinking some gimmick is going to pop up whenever weight loss it mentioned! Thanks much for bringing this by Throwback Thursday this week!!
Mollie
Theresa @DearCreatives says
Great Tips. Shared. Thanks for joining the Inspiration Spotlight party.
Italian Belly says
great tips! I need to get more sleep and am guilty of tip n.5. 3 kilos to go for me!