I realized I haven’t done any QnA for awhile. I love getting questions from you lovely ladies. So keep ’em coming. Here are some great ones I’ve gotten recently on saggy boobs, prenatal cravings and how often one should sweat.
QUESTION: After completing your 6 Week PWL, I’m so enjoying having my fitness back and it really doesn’t take that much time. I have one question, there exercises that lift your saggy boobs after breastfeeding. So far push-ups seem to be helping but I need some help on this…from a professional (trainer, not saggy boobs person). Tricia
ANSWER: Tricia, Congrats on completing our 6 Week Pregnancy Weight Loss Program! I love the saggy boob question. Because all(ok, most) moms have it and a lot of non-moms have it. It reminds me of Judy Blume books from growing up, where she talked about breast growing exercises, “We MUST, we MUST, we MUST increase out bust!” So funny!
So, there are kind of two answers to this question. First, we need to talk about the sagging. That is saggy skin. Skin has a certain level of elasticity that you cannot control. It will be more stretchy (yes, hanging lower) with age and depending on how stretched it was. There is also a genetic component. Some people have very elastic skin that can stretch and bounce right back, others, not so much. Most moms find that a year out from birth their skin has returned to as much tone as possible.
That brings us to part two. Toned skin and toned muscles are two different things. You can continue to do chest exercises to “tone” your chest muscles. However, females don’t develop very large pecs, so that takes considerable work and the sagging skin will still be sagging. Sorry. Also, you don’t want to over develop your chest as that will put you at risk for back injuries. Your chest is probably already really tight from computers, nursing, cuddling, and everything else you do all day that makes you round forward.
So the best answer – a great push up bra.
QUESTION: I’m 8 1/2 weeks pregnant right now. I had been using a LOT of your veggie suggestions for meals. However, the idea of all those great veggies I’d been enjoying for the months before getting pregnant now turn my stomach at the thought of them. The things that sound good are NOT at all good for me. Candy and sodas REALLY sound good. I’ve been healthily chugging along since April and suddenly feel like all my hard work is slowly going down the drain. I’m still working out regularly, but I need some mindset help here. What kind of butt kicking can you give me here? Christina
ANSWER: Christina, Congratulations on your pregnancy! AWESOME job with the workouts – you are a rock star!!! Way to go on that veggie meal plan the last few months. Your veggie vs sugar battle is very common in pregnancy. It is crazy how your brain tells you to want one thing (veggies) and your body just won’t have it (more sugar, please!) One of the biggest things you can do to curb cravings is to make sure your staying on top of protein and healthy fat consumption. The more you stay “fueled” the less you will crave junk. Kick of breakfast with some protein right away every morning (and carbs, especially if you’re feeling nauseous!)
I was recently at breakfast with a friend who is 11 weeks and she ordered biscuits and hashbrowns, exclaiming, “I ONLY want carbs!!” So you are not alone. Really try to focus on the idea of fueling yourself, rather than just feeding. Also, plan to indulge a bit here and there. Make deals with yourself. “I will eat this protein and if I still want sugar, I will have a small amount and not be critical of myself.”
QUESTION: I follow you on Facebook. I love it when you post workouts. But, I find myself overwhelmed by fitness information and workouts sometimes. When I get overwhelmed I end up throwing in the towel and doing nothing. How often do I really need to workout to lose weight? Beth
ANSWER: Beth, Thanks for being a Facebook fan! So here’s the deal with exercise frequency. . . If you’re looking for weight loss, you should aim for 5 days a week. If you’re looking for weight loss maintenance, you should get in 3 workouts a week. HOWEVER, I have seen plenty of moms perfect their diet in a way that allows them to get by on 3 workouts a week and get fabulous weight loss results. It really come down to how disciplined you can be in the food department.
Keep in mind, workouts don’t have to be an hour at the gym. They can be 15 minutes at home. In our 6 Week Pregnancy Weight Loss program most moms do 3-5 workouts a week that are 20-30 minutes each and they lose up to 20 pounds in 6 weeks, with a CLEAN DIET.
Lastly, some moms find that consistency keeps them more successful. If you are a routine person, 5-6 days of workouts may be what works best for you because if you only schedule in 3 days a week, you’ll talk yourself out of it. I’m that way. It’s just a given that I’m going to workout to some extent everyday except Sunday. That way I don’t have to think about it or negotiate with myself. Other women are really good at setting three workout appointments a week and sticking to them. Know yourself and how accountable you can be to yourself!
Ok, out of time for now. Keep sending questions and I’ll try to get up a QnA post every couple weeks! You can post any questions below in the comments.
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