AFTER
"Before, I never realized what times of the day I was hungriest, or why I was choosing the food I ate," Mann says. "Now I think before I eat. I try to make better choices: fewer cookies, more fruit and vegetables. My carbs have to be whole wheat, not white flour." The changes brought immediate rewards: "When I eat fruit, I have more energy in the afternoon, whereas I used to get tired. Plus, I'm more motivated to get outside and run, and that in turn motivates me to eat better."
From the food diary she kept, Miller saw that she needed to structure her food intake and only eat when she needs to?not when she's feeding Matthew or when she's alone watching TV. She also observed that breaking a sweat is about way more than just her body; "there's also the emotional aspect of working out," Miller confirms. It's a tremendous mood-stabilizer, which is essential when you're being pulled in several directions.
NO WEASELING OUT!
Every excuse can be broken down.
What you say: "I can't find the time."
Why it doesn't hold water: You have to make the time. If that means hiring a trainer—whose time you're more apt to respect than your own—so be it. The cost of the sessions will be worth it, because you'll have a workout, tailored to your needs and weaknesses, that you can actually do on your own. For instance, Mann can do cardio until the cows come home, but she'll only motivate to sculpt and stretch when Gonzalez is around. "I much prefer to go out for a run than to do lunges in front of the TV," she says.
What you say: "But I'm nursing!"
Why it doesn't hold water: To keep up your milk supply, you need only 500 extra calories a day-and those should mostly be lean proteins (such as six ounces of skinless chicken breast), for your sake and your infant's. So it's especially important to make your food choices count while you're nursing. As Mann learned, a food log keeps you honest: "After the baby, I was eating entire boxes of Tastykakes. Now I think before I mindlessly shovel anything like that into my mouth."
What you say: "I'd rather spend the time catching up on sleep."
Why it doesn't hold water: True, sleep is a crucial aspect of staying healthy and sane, but so is exercise. While working out, you trigger hormones that relieve stress and stimulate blood flow, increasing the amount of oxygen your brain receives. With this burst of alertness, you're likely to feel more capable and invigorated. Mann found that when she got herself to do a circuit before sitting on the couch after work, she had more energy for the rest of the night.
