Hi Healthy Mummies, my name is Melissa Bray. I have been following the Lose Baby Weight plans and 28 Day Challenges and I have a challenge for any Mummy’s who feel like it is all a bit “too much,” that its too hard, or that are feeling a bit discouraged.

 
 
Firstly I wanted to give you some context and explain that I know exactly how you are feeling and where you are coming from.
I have always been a driven person. Part of my identity was defined by “being successful.” I brought that attitude to everything…including my weight. Herein lay the problem. I played a lot of sport as a child and teenager and had always been a “muscular build.” However gradually I put on more and more weight. After having my children I was at the heaviest I had ever been and desperately miserable. I couldn’t even bare to look in the mirror. I could have blamed the rigor of motherhood, work, busyness, trauma, or the stress I’d experienced. However the culprit really was the insidious enemy of ‘emotional eating’ and the choices I continued to make.

Regardless of the reasons why, whichever way I looked at it I felt like a complete failure. Needless to say I didn’t like the way that felt so I would busy myself some more so that I could excuse “not having time for me;” to avoid facing the pain that would entail.
However post breaking point – I reached a time in my life when I knew that my children deserved more. They deserved a mother that was truly present and wasn’t just managing or spectating her way through life. A mother that could jump on the trampoline with them, ride bikes with them, chase them down the beach, and enjoy life with them. That’s when my dear sister in law introduced me to Lose Baby Weight. It was like a light bulb moment. It’s not just my children that deserve a healthy Mummy…I deserve to be happy and healthy!
Where to start? I knew it would take a healthy level of reflection, deliberate planning and self-awareness. I started by acknowledging my ‘all or nothing’ tendencies and extensive history not finishing things I started…giving in to the fear of failure. I also acknowledged that I was incredibly time poor as a full time working Mumma, and would need to be super organised (something that doesn’t come naturally to me). So what would I do differently this time to ensure that I would stay on track and succeed?
I decided to do 4 things that have been critical for my success to date.

Take “bite sized chunks” out of my jam-packed day to increase my physical activity

Instead of sending that email – I would walk the longest route possible to talk to that colleague. Instead of finding the closest park – I would find the park the furthest away. Instead of driving to the shops the kids and I would walk and ride bikes to the shops and carry the shopping home. Gradually I was able to build upon that

Set S.M.A.R.T goals

Rather than expecting the world of myself I set goals that were Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely (S.M.A.R.T) This led to me hiding the scales!!! When I was able to identify that my ultimate goal was Health – this freed me up to focus on things that improved my physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health, and allowed me to measure my progress accordingly

Measure progress appropriately

When I was able to look past the scales to see that health was so much more than a number it changed my mindset. Suddenly being able to walk that bit further, play with the children, wake feeling positive, were all measures of wonderful progress. I refused to be defined by a number on a scale. I refused to allow a number to control my happiness. I knew my body’s disposition toward building muscle and that any weight loss would be painfully slow. I could either agonise over this or focus on the victories that I was seeing

Become actively involved in the Private Support Group

I also knew my need for encouragement and affirmation. This has quite seriously been the key to my success. The support received by the Motivational Mums and all of the ladies journeying alongside of you is indescribable. The support provided by admin is second to none and you can’t help but feel uplifted each time you share in another Mums journey. I have cried, cheered, and laughed with some truly exceptional ladies through this group. Their encouragement has been crucial and has helped me achieve things I never thought possible. And you can see the support group here.
So hopefully you can see I have walked your path. I truly know how you are feeling and my heart has ached for you. I feel like it is time for some motivational silliness

I have a challenge…

If I can get 100 Mumma’s to drop what you are doing, or work this into what you are doing;

• 5 push-ups
• 10 crunches
• 5 lunges (for each leg)
• 5 burpees

I will post a picture in the Private Healthy Mummy & Lose Baby Weight Support Group of myself in a ridiculous outfit…and by ridiculous, I do mean ridiculous. The only clues I will give are two words… “hypercolour” and leotard!!! As an added incentive I have also lined up some pretty amazing Mums to also join me in the ridiculous outfit adventure!

So how about it? Are you in?….

 
Please note that this site is for information only and should not replace any medical advice from a Doctor taken before undergoing any weight loss campaign or change in exercise and diet routine post pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding. We also do not recommend any exercise or stomach exercises until you have had full clearance from your Doctor or Physiotherapist post birth – which for mums who have had C-Sections could be many many months post birth and trying to do exercise before you are ready could lead to severe injury.
 
And for the ULTIMATE SAFE, EFFECTIVE & TRUSTED Post Pregnancy Workout – see our EXPERT Post Pregnancy Exercise DVD below – you can purchase and see more information on it here