Losing the Pre-school Weight

Mothers have a unique challenge when it comes to losing weight. Most of us have packed on the baby weight and seem to hang onto it as if it were the best thing since sliced cinnamon raisin bread toasted with butter and sugar. I digress (and drool).

Baby weight is a very difficult thing to get rid of. However, many of us no longer have babies and still have the weight they so generously shared with us. With children that are 4 and 12, the baby weight excuse just doesn't work anymore. So, the issue becomes baby weight that stuck around, on our hips, for years and years.

Is it harder to get rid of baby weight when it is toddler, pre-school, school-age, tween, teen....you get the point....weight? Well, yes, it is. Our bodies have adjusted to the extra weight and have learned to function with the pounds stubbornly hanging on. We have decided that it is totally cool that watching the kids play while we munch donuts and coffee on the bench. Some of us pack the carrots and water with the best intentions. But really, who can say no to the new mommy at the park with her fresh brownies?

So what are the tricks? What can we do to lose this weight and keep it off, once and for all? Well first things first. We have got to stop referring to the kangaroo pouch as baby weight. It was baby weight 4 years ago. Now it is just fat. Ouch, I know. But if we continue to excuse our unhealthy bodies with our precious children, we will never get anywhere. Next thing we must do is decide to change our lives. No more gooey cinnamon rolls in the morning, no more macaroni and cheese for lunch, no more chicken nuggets for dinner, and absolutely no more fast food visits in a pinch.

A change of lifestyle is imperative and is not going to be the easiest thing ever. No magic shakes, no miracle pills, and no crash diets. Eating balanced meals and making the time to make sure we all eat the best possible foods for our bodies is so important. Get a larger purse and stash some fruit and veggie snack bags in it. Now when the kids are hungry you can give them this healthy choice rather than opt for the drive through because it is so easy. Pack a lunch when you are going to have a full day out with the kids and eat at a picnic table or in the car listening to some fun music. Make a menu for dinners and be sure to include lots of veggies in every meal.

The next step is a lot more fun. Get off the couch! Play with the kids. Get a football or soccer ball and play in the yard. Push them on the swings. Go hiking. You will get closer to your children and you will feel better. You will feel better and you will see a large improvement in your little ones as well. They will even sleep better at night for you. WOW!

What to do about those cravings? Easy does it. Have that cupcake, have the raisin bread. But just a little bit. You can eat anything you want to eat if it is the proper portion and balanced with healthy meals throughout the day.

Drink more water. No more coffee all day, no more soda and juice, and kick the teas with extra caffeine and sugar.

Talk to your doctor and ask what the best portions are for you, and find out how much caffeine is ok for you. Once you have that foundation, the sky is the limit!!