Finding my inner Victoria Beckham
Finding my inner Victoria (and failing) One of my offspring was born within weeks of Victoria Beckham also having a baby. Predictably, a few weeks later, there was a carefully staged photo op of her wearing skinny jeans; high heeled shoes; juggling her baby; designer handbag and oversized sunglasses, looking nothing short of spectacular. That was the day I gave up reading magazines altogether. Well that’s not entirely true. But it did make me think how hard she must have worked in those weeks after having her baby to end up looking like that. And I wasn’t prepared to give up my precious time with my newborn to do that. There are some women who are lucky enough to bounce back after giving birth and I would be lying to say I don’t envy you. But with me, it’s always been 9 months gaining weight followed by 9 months losing it. I am absolutely fine with that. The one thing I am passionate about is exercise after having a baby. Whenever I’ve had my “all clear” from my doctor I’ve made a point of loading up the offspring and going for walks. Short walks building up to longer walks, followed by jogging. The endorphins I get from exercising helped me cope with the sleep deprivation that go hand in hand with a new baby. It didn’t get me back into skinny jeans but it meant I felt better about myself. I always found myself quite housebound after having my babies and it was vital for me to get outdoors just for a few minutes each day. Even if it was just up to the end of the street and back it all helped. And on the days where there was a lot of screaming, the baby (not me) well, not usually me I could pop them in the pram and go for a walk. It usually settled them down and even if it didn’t, it meant we were both outside and sometimes that was a good place to be. These days there is plenty of practical and free advice on how new mums can exercise I read a brilliant quote the other day that said: “you’ll always regret not training, but you’ll never regret training” and it makes perfect sense to me. I always feel bad if I don’t get out on my “exercise days” but never feel bad if I do. Do you exercise? How do you manage it?
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One of my offspring was born within weeks of Victoria Beckham also having a baby. Predictably, a few weeks later, there was a carefully staged photo op of her wearing skinny jeans; high heeled shoes; juggling her baby; designer handbag and oversized sunglasses, looking nothing short of spectacular.
You can read more about me finding my inner Victoria Beckham here
Posted 21 July 2010 - 02:25 AM
This is something I want to get better at, inspired by both you and Stacey in making it work into my schedule. I always feel better when I hit the road to the playground with the toddler (Bebito) in tow. We often go to further away playgrounds on purpose so I can get more exercise. I was one of those people who was lucky enough to lose weight pretty quickly after having him but I was also quite overweight when I got pregnant and started focusing on being healthy thanks to thinking about the example I was setting as well as what was going through my milk to feed my baby. I am keen to get a wii though and get up earlier of a morning to do a work out as I haven't got anyone to child mind for me otherwise. smile
Posted 21 July 2010 - 05:29 AM
After being quite active after my first bub with lots of long walks and exercise dvds at home, I really found it hard to do the same after number two came along. After many attempts at walking where by my eldest then decided that it was his time to also walk which meant my brisk walks then turned into three hour marathon sessions!!! This got incredibly frustrating, so I caved and gave in and joined a gym that offers creche facilities. THis has been the best thing I have done in a long time, not only does it give me an hour to myself, i am getting fit and healthy and my children are enjoying the creche facilities so much, it makes me wonder why I didnt do this sooner. I did manage to sign up on a month to month membership so that once i get it under control I can go back to my own exercise routine or if I find it too hard on the bank balance I can cancel at anytime.
Posted 23 July 2010 - 12:28 AM
Month to month membership is a great idea and good on you for getting there to exercise. I know how difficult it can be to do that.
Posted 24 July 2010 - 12:34 AM
As a Mum of 3 (ages are 8,6 and 3) my experience has been, 1 child easy, 2 harder but still OK and 3...... mmmmmmm, let the games begin.
To top it off, I also have 2 step daughters AND I run my own graphic design business (which is VERY deadline based) and illustrate children's books, do the shopping, cook the food, pay the bills, co-ordinate all activities which includes holidays, family outings and kids extra curricular activities. My eldest has ADD & ODD, my middle one has to have both speech and occupational therapy and the youngest wants his Mummy to do every thing (apparently I'm the favourite). I get 4-5hrs sleep a night (if I'm lucky). In a nut shell!
Looking like Victoria Beckham (who in actual fact makes my skin crawl) is not high on my priority list. I was one of those so called unfortunate ones who got to put on 38kg's with my first pregnancy and have struggled with weight ever since. The only chance I would have to exercise is to give up some sleep time, I don't think that is an option right now.
BUT my point to all of this is that my family loves me, I love them. I know I'm not perfect but then again none of us are. And even though I may not be good enough for the pages of Vogue I'M GOOD ENOUGH!
Maybe, just maybe, we should pay more attention to the kind of people we are rather than the way we look. That's the message I have been teaching my children including my very impressionable teenage step daughters who think SKINNY is normal ie Victoria Beckham.
Call me old fashioned BUT I think women should still have curves, men should have cut muscle and we should judge a person on how they behave rather than what they look like.
Posted 24 July 2010 - 11:59 AM
I'm a stay-at-home-but-wants-to-go-back-to-uni-eventually-Mum of two kids under 2. My Hubby works 3 jobs & i'm also doing some work online - so, as you can imagine... there is not really much time to exercise... after trying the daily walk thing with my toddler and baby, i discovered that there are just some says where nothing goes right and you can't get out in the rain for a walk... so i have sacrificed my sleep. My amazing Neighbour and i both get up at 5:30 every day (except Sunday!) and do a 5k beach walk through our local area. Despite the late nights (my 3 month old is still doing the 10:30pm feeds) and early mornings, i find the daily walk has become SO beneficial. The exercise actually gives me more energy for my crazy days, i am less stressed - because we walk and talk of course! Also - my friend is very inspirational and i am now managing the time in my day MUCH better so that i can cook dinner and still do everything else in the day without being all flustered and grumpy when my Husband gets home and in turn getting him in a bad mood right off the mark! My walk is already helping me shed the baby weight, get my confidence back in myself and my cooking and made my moods better for my Hubby & Bubbies! WOHOO! (Oh and the little incentive we gave ourselves of a trip to the Peninsula Hot Springs for a measly 20bucks once a month - IF we've walked every day - REALLY helps! HEAVEN!) xx
Posted 25 July 2010 - 12:08 AM
CC216 I agree with you completely about having curves. I have plenty believe me! For me, it's more about being fit and like you, it's the first thing to go when life is too busy. It sounds like you are unbelievably busy and our youngest children sound very similar! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and I hope you get some more sleep soon.
LiebeLi good on you! I am in awe of you getting up that early though it sounds like you have a great incentive! Thanks for the comment. I LOVE hearing from readers and other peoples stories. I wish you all the best with juggling it all. You're doing great!
Posted 25 July 2010 - 01:17 AM
I never thought about exercising after the baby was born and didn't exercise whilst pregant either, I am not the exercising type. Within the first couple of months all I could manage was a few walks to playgroup and the local shops. During this time I was getting pretty bored and feeling very housebound I would look forward to playgroup and weekly visits from the mother in law. First I joined Mums and Bubs Yoga then regular yoga classes at night with Dad looking after the baby and then a friend suggested Social tennis with child minding which I took up even though I had never played before. I am doing things that I thought about doing before baby and never got around to because I lacked confidence in my abilities. These days I am a much fitter,saner and happier first time Mum.
Posted 26 July 2010 - 03:02 AM
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