The happiest day of your life was probably the day your baby was born. You looked into their eyes with love and amazement. Nothing could have prepared you for this gift that needed you 24/7. Experienced mothers probably advised you, "Sleep when the baby sleeps." "Don't forget your husband," or my personal favorite, "Don't forget to make time for yourself." At the time, I thought making time for me meant neglecting my child, but only now do I fully comprehend what those sage mamas meant.
Finding Community
You might live thousands of miles from extended family. Maybe you are the first in your circle of friends to become a mom, or maybe you're the last. Mommy and Me Groups are great for making new friends, and getting out of the house. So are fitness classes where you can bring your baby. "Motherhood is busy, making it hard to find time to exercise," says Jamie Gillooly, Stroller Strides Program Manager. Stroller Strides is a functional, total-body conditioning program designed for moms with kids in tow. "Each workout is comprised of strength training cardio and core restoration; all while entertaining little one with songs, activities, and fun! Our classes are designed for all fitness levels. Our mamas leave class feeling energized and ready to tackle the day," says Gillooly adding, "The best part of Stroller Strides is the sisterhood and the companionship. Plus, there is no babysitter required!" Emily Burke, Trainer at 24 Hour Fitness advises her clients, "When our energy is low, we must resist the urge to reach for the cookies, chips or energy drinks. These foods can give us a quick hit of energy, or a spike in blood sugar, and then end in a crash. Instead, reach for foods that are rich in protein and fiber. They keep us fueled for longer without the spike in blood sugar." Emily recommends nuts, yogurt, beef jerky, carrots, blueberries, hard-boiled eggs, oatmeal, banana, cranberries, fresh cut veggies, cottage cheese, and hummus.
Revamp Your Wardrobe with Dia&Co.
Cleaning out your closet may seem extreme, especially if your goal is to fit into your favorite jeans again. You might be looking at a year's worth of maternity clothing. Outfits from another life that you might have worn two years ago. Cheaper than buying a new wardrobe, and less time consuming is a clothes delivery service like Dia&Co. A twenty-dollar monthly styling fee, Dia&Co. will prepare an outfit complete with accessories to fit your budget and style and ship it to your home. The twenty-dollars is subtracted from the fee of your outfit, and if you aren't satisfied with the clothing, you can return it, and stop Dia&Co at any time. I tested Dia&Co, and I was amazed by the cute clothes my stylist had chosen for me. It would have taken me at least a day of shopping to put these outfits together, and I may not have been as successful in my findings. Dia&Co carries sizes 14 to 32. Rosaliz Jimenez Fashion Director at Dia&Co recommends some key pieces, "I always keep in my closet a great pair of jeans and a blazer. A tailored solid colored blazer is highly versatile: it can be dressed up or down; you can wear it with a T-Shirt and jeans, you can wear it with a pair of flats, sneakers, or heels." dia.com
Shoes with a Kick Shoedazzle.com
Some women's feet go up a shoe size postpartum. Shoedazzle.com is a shoe subscription. Fill out a shoe profile online, a Shoedazzle Stylist will ship a pair of shoes to your door monthly for $39.95 which is subtracted from the cost of the shoes you purchase. You can return the shoes for a refund, and cancel anytime. Shoedazzle carries sizes 5 1/2 to 11. Shoedazzle.com
Namaste YogaClub.com
A great fitness clothing delivery service is YogaClub.com. Once a month, a Yoga Stylist will curate a designer yoga outfit for you that is 60% off retail. You choose your membership based on your budget. Prices range from $45, $69, and $79 a month. YogaClub.com
Taking care of yourself physically can have a positive effect on your mood. According to Rosaliz Jimenez Fashion Director at Dia&Co., "Self-Love is about knowing who I am on the inside, and celebrating that person, and style is one of the ways that I do that. It's owning who you are an how you see the world." Stroller Strides Director Jamie Gillooly adds "It is important for a child to see their mom prioritize health and wellness as this will teach them healthy habits early on and help them develop a positive association with exercise. They get to see first hand that fitness is fun, not a chore!"
