The Kid Diet

Most new moms find it tough to lose weight, especially if they are still dealing with small children. Strangely enough, though, mimicking their toddlers' behavior could help them get bikini-ready in no time, as long as they know where to look.

1. Don't emotionally eat

Any mom who's ever slaved over a hot stove to prep a good meal for her small child knows the heartbreak she will soon experience. Some of the carefully-prepared food will wind up in the toddler's tummy, but some will also wind up on the walls, the floor, and the cat before the mealtime is over. While the manners are not something to emulate, the fact is that your child is showing you a secret to dieting that is crucial to maintaining a healthy weight: Toddlers don't emotionally eat. In other words, they stop eating when they're full, and, for the most part, don't keep on eating to please their parents, to alleviate boredom, or to comfort themselves. Take out the mindless snacking and plate-clearing we moms tend to do on a regular basis, and you'll be amazed at how many calories you save.

2. Meals can be small and satisfying

Toddlers' tummies are only about the size of their fists. As such, they're exceptionally easy to fill. Most new moms know this, and try to make sure their children eat nutritionally-packed meals which include the vitamins, protein, and fats they need to grow. Next time you're prepping something for the kids, try doing the same for yourself in the same portion size. Scramble yourself one egg, fix a small plate of pasta with cheese, or grill an extra half of a cheese sandwich. If you're still hungry when you're done, fix yourself another, but don't be surprised if, in the middle of your egg prep, you suddenly (and shockingly) find yourself full. Toddler food is usually a powerhouse combination of protein, veggies (meaning, fiber), carbs, and fats. The protein and fat help fill you up; the fiber and carbs make it lasting. Try it for a day, and you'll be amazed at the energy you have.

Which brings us to the last point:

3. Keep moving

This is the easiest bit of advice for any new mom to follow, since there is no life without movement for the mother of a busy toddler. While it may sound silly, what I actually mean is to keep active the same way your toddler does. Toddlers don't sit still for long, even when eating, and usually eat just enough to give them the energy to go go go as soon as they're finished. This relates to the last point, in that the toddler will eat just enough so they're full and ready to move, but not so much that they wind up needing to sit quietly and digest after meals. Therefore, they not only eat less, but are also more active than adults. And, as any nutrionist or personal trainer will tell you, calories in - calories out = Mom feeling great in no time.