So I 've been 8 months postpartum for a couple weeks now but I wanted to take this opportunity to share some of my heart with you ladies. I've really been doing the same thing for the past 6 months that I've been working out since having my sweet angel: cardio & weight training. I do the precore for 45-60 mins 3 days a week and then a 50 minute weight training class 1-2 times a week. I haven't changed anything about my diet besides eating more because im always hungry while breastfeeding. I definitely have way more of a sweet tooth while EBF too. Which i've embraced to the fullest. For me I eat healthy because I enjoy putting delicious nutrition packed real food into my body because I care about my health and well being as a wife and mother. I appreciate that God has thus far given me a heathly body that doesn't have any handicaps or ailments, is pain free, a body that can be strong and idependent and get me to and from where i want and need to go, a body that can birth a child, feed a child, have fun and play! This body is a gift and that is why i take care of it. With that said, I definitely indulge at least once a day in something and its usually dessert after dinner or eating something less nutritious and more processed because lets face it, we gotta live a little and enjoy some delicious and naughty foods like nachos, pizza and bread and butter, YUM! I always say everything in moderation, but sometimes you go a little overboard and just have to let it roll of your back and get back to the grind of eating health and being active the next day or week as best you can. I hope that answers some of the questions I get asked about "what i eat", "what I do for work outs", and "what my mentality is about healthy eating and living".
I was asked to model for Swim Spot this past week and took the opportunity to get out there and feel free and confident in my postpartum body. There was a tiny distant voice inside tempting me to believe the lie that I wasn't a "good fit" or "what they're looking for" but they chose me and that reassured me that even though im a mom that doesnt make me less appealing, less beautiful, less free to be myself, less of a women, any less sexy, any less strong, or any less confident. It actually makes me even more proud of my body, and forces me to look at the evidence of my strength and feel empowered by this body God has blessed me with. So I said yes and I am so happy I did! Swim spot brought the best team of people who were so easygoing, fun, and sweet! I had a blast shooting with them yesterday and will be sure to share with you all the finished product once the article comes out in the Orange County Register at the end of the month. Check out their bikinis, they are the cutest!! I'll share more on that in a separate Swim Spot post. For now I just want to encourage you mamas to enjoy your healthy bodies, learn to love yourselves, it takes time and a TON of effort and fighting off negative thoughts and lies about yourself, but you CAN do it, you can live with self confidence and accept yourself the way you are. There is no such thing as perfection so if you are seeking it you will always fail and that is no way to live. We can always better ourselves, its a journey, not a destination..so get rid of the idea of wanting to achieve perfection and be accepting of your best self.. whatever that looks like it will be personal to who you are. You are God's creation, so you are exactly the way He wanted you to be, unique and beautiful.. a stunning image of His handy work.
This little guy and I make an effort to get outside everyday and go for a walk or hang at the park or pool.
Him and his daddy are my home and no matter what my day is like the path im on always leads me home.
Here are some behind the scenes snaps from the SwimSpot crew's Iphones. Cant wait to see the real photos and share them with you all! These cute bikinis definitely make a girl feel gorgeous and playful!
Lauren of Swell Beauty touching up my red lip for this retro look
How about this Hurley one piece... SO CUTE!
* all photos were taken with an iphone in this post *
Black & White Retro Bikini by Guess
TIger One piece by Hurley
White Lacey Two Piece by Reef Girls
All Bikinis c/o Swim spot
Makeup by Me
Hair Styled by Swell Beauty (Dee & Lauren)
SO much fun! Very glad to have you at the shoot yesterday Tessa. You were fabulous!
ReplyDeleteAw thanks so much! I had a blast, you guys are just too sweet! xo
DeleteHi Tessa, I've been following your blog for about two months. I have two beautiful daughters, 3 year old and 5 month old. I work full time (9-5) and then get home and cook, bathe girls, prep for next day. All while still not getting a full nights sleep (my 5 month old still wakes up once or twice a night). I really want to get in shape especially because my sister is getting married in a month and a half. I only have about 8-10 pounds to lose but my body has lost all it's muscle tone and my stomach still looks like I'm 4 months pregnant. How do you schedule in working out? Any tips/advice for me with my schedule? Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteAw Vanessa i am right there with you! Being a mama is a lot of work, and you must be even more tired with TWO! I cant wait to have another but I bet its just that much harder to find "ME" time. My husband is So so helpful with telling me to leave whenever i want to run a an errand, hang out with the girls, head to bible study or the gym! So i can get up early while he's getting ready for work and go to the gym or i can go after he gets home from work. I work out on the weekends because thats the easiest time to go when he can stay home with the baby So that knocks out 2 days a week and then i just have to find 2-3 other nights or mornings to make it fit in. So if you could just pick 2 nights during the week to push yourself to get there just for 30mins to an hour + weekends you will feel great! But you really do have to just get there and not think about it or you will talk yourself out of it. I can come up with a million things i need to do over going to the gym but i know i feel great after a good work out and never regret it so i don't really give myself a choice i just tell myself i need to get there. Meet up with a friend if you need extra motivation!
Deletealso a lot of gyms offer day care! My gym does but i have yet to bring Cash because I'm a little worried about him putting everything in his mouth and getting sick.. sick babies are no fun!
Deletesooooo stunning Tessa! Your smile is infectious :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet!! Thank you Cita!! Much LOVE
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