Hi mums! My name is Jo and I am one of your April motivating mums. I have lost 13.4kgs* with Lose Baby Weight.
Its funny how your life can change. Even though my change has been gradual, my life is vastly different from 2.5 months ago. I have slowly and surely been exchanging unhealthy habits (like twisties for breakfast) for healthier ones (breakfast Healthy Mummy Smoothie).
Anyway some things are still big…. Facebook, babywearing, my kids and hubby. But others have gone like KFC, Dominos, reading & eating and chocolate.
Other things have become tools that use several times a day. Just before Easter my phone charger went missing. I ordered one online but it soon became apparent that it would not arrive before the Easter break!
At first I was calm. My first thought, Facebook….I could survive without social media. I could manage without texts, email and calls. But first day with no phone I realised there were a few crucial tools for my weight loss journey with Lose Baby Weight on my phone that I missed.
So here it is…my top 10 things I can’t manage without! (In no particular order)
1. Lose Baby Weight
Well this encompasses a few things. The Facebook support page is my favourite resource.
Long before I joined the 28 day Challenge I was being motivated by the amazing ladies on the Facebook page. And joining the 28 day Challenge was definitely the start of my success (I lost 8.9kgs that first challenge and am currently in my 3rd challenge with a 15kgs total loss!)
Part of that is the website, the BMR calculator, the app with customisable menu plans, shopping list…. The list goes on…all these tools help me stay on track! Go and have a squiz!
2. Medication
I think there is definitely a current trend that ‘natural is better’ and alternative medicine reigns supreme. I know I was trying to cope with depression but not successfully.
By the time my husband made me see a doctor, things were pretty bad. I think going on antidepressants definitely helped me succeed on the challenges.
Now I’m feeling better, I’m making more and more healthy choices, which in turn helps my mental health. I know that when the time comes for me to stop taking them that I will be able to do it because I’m healthier and fitter than ever before.
As much as I hate taking medicine for things that aren’t life threatening….being the best body you can is hard work….if taking medication relieves pain and makes it easier for you to exercise and eat healthy then do it!!!!! See your doctor. Talk about your goals and what is holding you back. A good doctor will be able to help you head in the right direction.
For me this was antidepressants, going to a Bowen Therapist to get my sciatica sorted and just recently I’ve restarted my asthma preventer because my asthma was starting to affect my exercise. All these little ‘non life threatening’ issues would have prevented me from succeeding before. So look after yourself!
3. A good pair of trainers & Yoga leggings
If you are uncomfortable when you exercise you aren’t going to do it as often.
So having a pair of trainers that don’t hurt your feet is essential.
Don’t have to be expensive… just supportive and pain free! The active wear….. It’s not about what you look like. I didn’t want to buy size 20 gym pants so I squeezed into my size 16s with a muffin cake top & had to take them off as soon as I got home because the waist band was too tight lol. But having walked in trackies and yoga leggings…it is definitely easier with less friction.
Shiny, slidey lycra is your friend! Tight, skin fitting leggings prevent thigh chafe too. So It doesn’t matter if you are wearing a knee length t-shirt over the top…..Do get those leggings! You won’t regret it!
4. Fitbit
Or any activity tracker! I’m so addicted to mine!
I track steps, I track minutes moved, I track my exercise and my sleep…. I even track my friends! Fitbit have challenges that you can race your friends to your goal or have a work week hustle to see who can rack up the most steps.
All of this is done on the Fitbit app! Such a tiny square but hours of fun. This has definitely been instrumental in getting me moving and enjoying it! 10,000 steps a day is just the beginning 😉
5. My Fitness Pal
The dreaded calorie counter. I love the 28 day challenge…it takes the guess work out of healthy eating!
But I’m a rebel…and I’m lazy…. Sometimes I want to shake things up or have an easy option. Also my calorie allowance is larger than the 1500 challenge total, so I also need to add a few extra calories.
My fitness pal has most food pre loaded; you can scan the bar code or search the name. You can log food, water, exercise & weight in here. It makes calorie counting and balancing the occasional cheat meal heaps easier!
6. Healthy Mummy Smoothies
I have done shake diets before. I put on weight and swore off them forever! Healthy Mummy Smoothies are not your usual shake diet! Full of great ingredients.
You add whole foods from your fridge and pantry to make up delicious filling smoothies! Plus the free recipe book you get with the tub is full of yummy ideas. 3 flavours in tubs but the sky is seriously the limit on combinations! Yum!!!
Aside from yumminess (Sneaky Snickers anyone?)…. These things are quick and easy. They have saved me from munchies more times than I can count.
You don’t need these to do the 28 day challenge. You don’t need them to maintain…but if you’ve ever gobbled an entire cheesecake because you let yourself get too hungry or eaten 2 McDonalds meals because you skipped lunch, then these smoothies are a great tool to have in your cupboard!
They are the bomb for afternoon munchies! And awesome for meals on the run! You can swap 2 meals per day. Lots of people do breaky & lunch but I use them for my trouble zones….. That would be breakfast and afternoon snack!
7. Blitz & go Bottle Blenders!
Haha ok they are by no means a necessity but like the HM smoothies….they keep me on track!
Blenders and food processors…. I always over filled L . They were a pain to clean. Bulky to move… Enter the blender bottle!!!!! It’s impossible to overfill! It’s quick and easy!
Most days a quick rinse after use and a soapy wash at the end of the day is enough. It’s light, small and comes in funky colours. If I’m running late I blitz and go…. I drink breaky in the car!
I have a food processor but my blender bottle gets used twice a day! And that’s just me! I had to go and buy more of the bottles because the kids kept beating me to the smoothie bottles!
8. PFEI App
Pelvic Floor or Kegels exercises….Mummies its gotta be done!!! And since I’m revamping my body I have included this! It gives you the exercises to do and you can even set alarms to remind you to do it!! I’m pretty sure our bodies will thank us for this when we’re 80!!!!
9. Weight log App
So important to staying on track! I love using the 28 Day Challenge app for this!
I can log my measurements and weight in one screen. It tells me how much I’ve gone down! It tells me BMI. It has motivation! It has a water tracker! It has all that days challenge recipes AND exercises!
Everything I need to keep me on challenge pointe. Added bonus is access to the recipe hub and being able to personalise my menu.
Sometimes logging in my weight loss and charting my victories is what stops me from snacking.
10. Progress pics!
Ahhhh yes one common theme on the support page is regret for some that they didn’t take a ‘start’ photo. Nothing is more uplifting than using an app like pic jointer to do side by side comparison photos and visibly see how far you’ve come!
So take that picture! No one has to see it but you. Some pointers for a good before and after shot: Stand in the same spot, same distance, same pose. After my first picture I now always stand on the drain and try and hold my hand in the same spot.
Wear the same clothes or at least similar. When you join them together use a background item to help you get the photos the same size/level. I feel proud to share my progress because that ‘before’ pic isn’t me anymore and thanks to LBW it never will be again!
Hope you enjoyed my list.
You can succeed to whatever you put your mind to. You can do it with or without these tools on the 28 Day Challenge. I am!
Jo xx
Every month on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge, we run a BRAND NEW 28 Day Menu with a different theme so you NEVER get bored!Next months theme is the ENERGY & METABOLISM BOOSTING! – so if you are feeling a tad tired – this one is right up your avenue!!
If you are curious about the 28 Day Challenge recipes then we have a 28 Day Challenge recipe pack for you to try here 
Join now
You won’t regret it!
