Due to the most hectic of all days today, I didn’t get my post finished for the giveaway I have planned. It’s an extra special post because I’m also doing a little review of this item.

I can tell you that it’s a very, very good review! This is one product I’m really excited to share with you, as I think it represents the future of music.

Check back later in the day on Tuesday and enter to win!

Post from: Blisstree

It’s Coming, I Promise!

Today, five years after giving birth to my little Sophia, I’m still holding onto the baby fat — 20 pounds of it to be exact. Here’s why I think I should have worked hard those first two months after her birth to get back to my pre-baby body…

1) The longer you leave extra weight on your body, the more complacent you’ll become.

Ever notice how you feel decent about your body, only to see yourself in a recent picture and suddenly feel disgusted with yourself? That’s because it’s easy to get used to the way you look and feel with extra weight on your body. After five years, you may figure that being 10 pounds overweight is no big deal, and there will go all your motivation.

2) As time passes after having a baby, you increase your chances of having more to lose than just baby fat.

After having Sophia, I only had 10 pounds to lose, which for me isn’t much at all considering at one point I was 100 pounds overweight. If you have just a little bit to lose and figure it’ll come off as time goes by, think again. I’ve now added 10 pounds onto that baby fat, making it harder to lose. If you plan on having more children in the future and are waiting until you’re all done, consider how much more work you are making for yourself. Losing 10 pounds twice may be easier than losing 20 pounds once…especially if the larger numbers intimidate you.

3) The longer you wait to begin losing the fat, the harder it’ll become as age catches up with you. 

Let’s admit it, as the years tick by, our bodies age and our processes slow down. If you were late in life having your kids, you may even get close to menopause before realizing you still have baby fat to lose. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about menopause from listening to others, it’s that your metabolism slows down and hormone changes make it even harder to lose weight. Do yourself a favor and lose the baby fat while you’re still young, agile, and energetic.

4) You may not have much time now, but believe me, you’ll have even less time later.

Nobody has less time or energy than new moms, right? Wrong. Those little babies may keep moms up at night, keep them nursing around the clock, or keep them exhausted during the day, but those babies grow up to become toddlers, then preschoolers, then children with soccer practice, homework, and play dates.  The worst thing you could do is think you’ll have more time later — if you’re a mom, you’ll never have as much time as you did before your kids were born. Never. So just do it; use the treadmill while the baby is napping, walk in place during each commercial, dance around the kitchen while making dinner. Be a creative mom and you’ll find ways to fit it into your schedule.

5) Leaving the weight on puts your health at risk, and possibly a future baby’s health as well.

Perhaps the most important reason to lose the weight now rather than later is because of your own health. Whether you have 15 pounds to lose or 50, our bodies don’t work properly with extra weight on them. If just a 10% reduction in weight can improve your chances of not getting cancer or having a stroke, imagine the difference a few pounds can make. If you’re planning another baby, leaving the previous pregnancy’s baby fat on can also increase your chance of pregnancy-related problems such as gestational diabetes, toxemia, and premature birth.

Come on and join me in losing the baby fat! I’ve got 20 pounds to go to get to my pre-Sophia weight. How much do you have to lose?

Post from: Blisstree

5 Reasons to Lose the Baby Fat Now

Most of these tools came from the American Cancer Society’s website on Prevention and Early Detection, and I highly recommend taking a look at what they have to say about the link between obesity and cancer.

Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculator

One of the most important steps you could take right now is figuring out your BMI. Why is this crucial? Well for one, many overweight people don’t realize just how overweight they are. If you have never before calculated your BMI, this may open your eyes a bit to how much you are (or are not) putting your health at risk by being overweight.

Calorie Counter

This isn’t one of those “how many calories is in an apple?” type of calculators, but rather one that will help you determine the appropriate number of calories you should be consuming each day. While I’ve touched upon the fact that weight loss isn’t just a matter of watching calories, it’s still important to know how much your body should be consuming to keep your metabolism running smoothly.

Nutrition and Activity Quiz

Take this fun little quiz to see how you rate when it comes to your lifestyle, eating properly, and exercising regularly. Your answers will help you figure out what little changes you can make in your life to be healthier.

Exercise and Calories Burned

Use this handy tool to figure out just how many calories your workout burned. Even if you’re not actively engaging in regular exercise, you may be surprised how much you can burn by carrying boxes, mowing the lawn, watching television, or even sleeping. You just may be inspired to get moving!

Target Heart Rate Calculator

When you do decide to get physical, you will want to monitor your heart rate. If your workout is too vigorous, you could put your heart at risk. If your heart rate is too low, you may not be working your heart enough to make a difference in your body’s overall health. There are some expensive heart rate monitors you can buy (and work really well) but if you want to do it the old-fashioned way, this calculator will help.

Next Friday I’ll talk a bit about weight loss surgery and gastric bypass, and whether it may be right for you, so please join me!

Post from: Blisstree

Links that Fight Fat

I’m the new blogger for Weighting Line, and am so excited to be working with the wonderful Health & Wellness team at b5media!

I’m here for you, to give you the tools you need regardless of your goals. Need inspiration, motivation, or just a buddy to vent your frustrations? Come see me. I have a lifetime of personal experience when it comes to weight gain and loss, so if you have any questions or concerns, please just let me know by commenting on my blog posts or emailing me at diane.penna (at) b5media (dot) com. I hope you find my posts helpful, and I hope you continue to join me as I share my weight loss tips, trials, and triumphs with you all.

Post from: Blisstree

Your New Weight Loss Buddy

In theory, losing weight is easy. Says one author who writes about practical cooking,

The secret to natural weight loss is easy if you just obey it; do not eat more than your body requires through normal activities and exercise.

Easier said than done.

Our bodies may know what we need, but our minds are another story. We want, want, want things that aren’t good for us. We keep eating when we’re not hungry anymore. We reach for huge portions of stuff that we should be eating at all, much less in huge quantities. And when we give it up (which we know we should do!) we feel deprived. So we “cheat.” And then we feel horrible. Repeat ad nauseam.

I’m saying “we” though I mean “I.” But I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who does this cycle over and over and over.

Though I haven’t managed to successfully apply this theory, I think the trick is to focus on what’s actually helpful and healthy to our bodies rather than what we think we want. To feel good about doing the right thing for yourself. To be proud of the little victories.

What do you think? How to you break the cycle of bad habits and low self-esteem? Or am I alone in this?

- Kristen

Contents © Copyright 2008 by Kristen King

Post from: Blisstree

Dieting and Self-Esteem: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

I’ve had a lifelong struggle with body image and weight. When I was a child, I was the scrawniest thing you ever did see — all elbows and kneecaps — so when I hit college and actually got to a normal weight for a woman, I felt as big as a house because it was so different from what I was accustomed to. You’d think I’d be used to it by now at 26, but I’m still not there yet.

While I’m here this week, I plan to talk with you about some of the things I’ve dealt with and how I’ve started to make my peace with this body of mine. Thanks in advance for your support. I’m glad to be here.

- Kristen

Contents © Copyright 2008 by Kristen King

Post from: Blisstree

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