Having children in Spokane is a blessing to the heart and a shock to the body.They are so special and bring so much joy, but the pregnancy also brings unwanted pounds. I suppose after having five children I felt  like there was no way that I could regain fitness after children.

So What Exactly Did Having Children in Spokane Do To My Body?

I know from experience that having children remakes the body and not always for the positive. I usually would gain about 25-40lbs for each child, but immediately after delivery I would lose 10-15lbs.

So what about the other 10-20 lbs?  Well I just kept adding those pesky pounds on with each baby. So that’s how I got an extra 70lbs of baby weight. Not only was I having children but I made poor choices in the food I ate so at one point with my 3rd child I weighted 280lbs.

For  most of my life I weighed 135lbs so with so much extra weight my whole body was in shock. I never imagined having children and eating poorly would bring about so much weight gain. I felt like it was hopeless and I was helpless to do anything about the situation I was in.

So What Is The Solution?

Besides chasing the little ones around the house I am learning how to eat nutritious foods. It is critical that I learn a new healthy lifestyle. Making  changes in all areas of my life is hard and really takes committment but with time and effort I will see the difference in my life and my body.  

I always have to rememger that it’s the little changes like replacing coffee with water and white bread with whole wheat.  Snacking on protein instead of refined sugary foods. I know that healthy food isn’t always the most tasty at first but believe me there are cookbooks out there that will make your mouth water for the foods that help you lose weight and eat a whole new way. One such cookbook is the  Light Basic Cookbook: The Only Cookbook You’ll Ever Need If You Want To Cook Healthy.  Give a couple of it’s receipes a try and you’ll see that healthy eating isn’t always boring and tasteless.

Exercise in Spokane

Along with eating right it is impairative that I exercise. No matter what shape your body is in there are always simple yet effective ways to start working out. At first I could only walk about 10 blocks before I was exhausted, but with persistance it became 20 blocks. Then I invested in a membership at Curves in Spokane. There I learned that I could workout for 1/2 hour with an intensity that kept my heart rate above 140, which is a good aerobic workout.

But I wanted more. That’s when my prayers were answered. I found Zach Hunt, personal trainer at Physzique in Liberty Lake. He knows how to work out the muscles in my body that haven’t been worked in years.   Some days every muscle in my body aches but its a good feeling. I don’t think in all my years I have ever felt so sore yet so good. After a workout with Zach I know my body is transforming.  So while you are getting fit after having children in Spokane give Zach a call. He will not disappoint.

Every Spokane Nutrition expert knows that when you want to lose weight, you have to cut out the junk food. Say goodbye to Spokane’s fast food, cookies at midnight, candy bar snacks, and doughnuts for breakfast. But have you ever noticed that when you stop stressing about food, it seems to become easier to calm the cravings?

  Life is about balance. So then we CAN have a meal out at Taco Bell? Yes, if it is only once a month and we don’t eat everything on the menu! And when you’re at your best friend’s birthday, you can still have a piece of cake, but keep it small. Don’t eat all the frosting, or say no the ice cream topper.

 In the end, try to remember that goodies are not all bad, but they can wreak havoc on a Spokane mom trying to shed some baby weight. When we tell ourselves that we can’t EVER have another piece of pie, we will set ourselves up for failure. Instead of worrying about every cookie you can’t have, try concentrating on the simple and positive things that you can do:

•  drink more water
• eat 5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables
• exercise at least 15 minutes every day

 If you’re like most of Spokane’s stressed out moms, food can become like a comfort blanket. It ceases to be nourishment, and instead becomes like a significant other. Water is a girl’s best friend. Drink it all the time, up to twelve 8oz glasses a day. When your stomach is full of water you won’t be as likely to binge on brownies. You’ll feel full, and stay hydrated at the same time.

 If you really want a boost to your health, check out www.spokanefitnesscoach.com and see how your life can change for the better. Cravings will still come occasionally, but knowing that you can indulge occasionally or stifle them with a healthy alternative really helps.