As the mother of six children, and a weight loss success story herself, Carmen is all too familiar with managing a household, her health, and the needs of the other busy bodies in her home. She’s a real mom who gets it, who has figured out how to make it all work, and will help you find your way there, too.

Sign-up now, and then learn more about the Mom to Mom Newsletter.

Each month you can expect to see family-friendly recipes, ways to get fit together, and learn about activities that bring the family closer together. Proving good health depends on more than just what you’re eating, it’s about the happiness and well-being of the whole family.

Look for your first Mom to Mom Newsletter before Thanksgiving, as Carmen helps you prepare to celebrate and offer thanks in a more healthful way.

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Announcing New Mom to Mom Newsletter

The study examined more than 12,500 five-year-olds and found that those who had working mothers were less active and more likely to eat unhealthy food.

An estimated 60 percent of UK mothers with children up to five-years old work. Those children whose mothers were employed, even part-time, were more likely to consume sweetened drinks between meals.

The children of working mothers were also more likely to be driven to school, as opposed to the children of stay-at-home mothers who usually walked or biked to school.

“Time constraints may limit parents’ capacity to provide their children with healthy foods and opportunities for physical activity,” says Catherine Law, who led the study. “Our results do not imply that mothers should not work. Rather, they highlight the need for policies and programs to help support parents.”

As is usually the case, some experts say that more studies are needed to reassure the findings by the The Institute of Child Health.

(via: BBC)

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Working Moms in the UK Have Unfit Kids

The actress, who is known for her roles on Lifetime’s Rita Rocks, the sketch comedy series, MADtv and other sitcoms like Scrubs and The King of Queens, is determined to lose the 35 pounds she gained while pregnant with her second son. The actress gave birth six weeks ago and will spend the next few months working hard on the Jenny Craig food and exercise plan to lose the baby weight she put on her petite 5′ 5″ frame.

“You spend a year of your life eating what you want and enjoying letting the baby have what it feels like having — and I’[ve] lost track of what I’m supposed to be doing that’s right,” Sullivan tells People magazine.

With the constant support of Jenny Craig counselors, pre-portioned and calorie-controlled meals and the constant cameras who will be snapping nearly every pound of her weight loss, Sullivan has all of the pieces in place for a successful weight loss journey.

Sullivan’s reasons for getting in shape are just like the rest of millions of moms who are eager to lose the baby weight:

“I want to put my jeans on and have my jeans look cute.”

And on a less image-focused level, Sullivan also wants to feel young again. She discredits the extra weight she is carrying around to her feeling older and less willing to be active.

Sullivan is not that far off either: Carrying around extra weight is associated with early onset of age-related conditions like diabetes, and when you’re not feeling great about yourself, digging up the motivation to take a jog with your partner or hit the beach with your kids is all but nonexistent.

But for a new-mom, it is important to keep weight loss at a safe pace and allow time for the body to replenish itself. Given Sullivan’s post-pregnant state, it is likely that Jenny Craig will pay special attention to her unique nutritional needs and physical abilities.

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Nicole Sullivan Named New Jenny Craig Spokesperson

Kimberly Seals Allers is the author of The Mocha Manual series of books, editor in chief of Mocha Manual, the fastest growing online destination for Black moms and a noted expert on issues related to mothers of color. Her first book, The Mocha Manual to a Fabulous Pregnancy, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award and sparked her popular maternity tee shirt line. The series also includes The Mocha Manual to Turning Your Passion—How to Find and Grow Your “Side Hustle” in any Economy and The Mocha Manual to Military Life—A Savvy Guide for Girlfriends, Wives and Female Service members. An award winning journalist, Kimberly is a former writer at Fortune and senior editor at Essence. A divorcing mom of two, Kimberly lives in Long Island with her children.

Summer is all about running free and breaking rules. Anytime is playtime. Bye bye bedtimes. Lazy lounging days rule. And ice cream runs replace treadmill runs. It’s easy to lose your routine. That’s not always a bad thing.

For example, summertime turned my morning run on the treadmill into a group activity and a spectator sport. For weeks, my two beautiful children stood there watching me, asking every 30 seconds, “is it thirty minutes yet?”. This, of course, is in between the arguments over who gets on the treadmill next and their figuring out how to sit on the itty bitty space on the side of the treadmill. This is no way to workout, so I surrendered to summer and gave all of my morning back to my kids. We had a morning dance around instead.

And though I usually run a very tight ship about bedtimes, television and snacks, I surrendered to summer and allowed a few late nights, an extra hour of television (if there was an extra hour of reading, too!) and a few more trips to Baskin Robbins (which I now pinch!).

But all of that is about to come to an end. Back to school means the reinstatement of my routine and theirs. My morning 30-minute run, which happens right after the school bus picks up the little people, will be back in effect. It means I’m nudged backed into healthy snack-dom for the kids since the school now has very stringent snack requirements. Nobody wants to be the mom sending in the “bad” snacks. It means we’ll be back on routine sleep habits and routine dinner habits.

But there’s a sadness to back to school. As moms, we have to always keep things going on a schedule. Breakfast is on a schedule. Dinner is on a schedule. Homework is on a schedule. Sometimes our kids are overscheduled. And while that is often a good and a very necessary aspect of our lives, it is also equally empowering and exhilarating to kiss routine goodbye. Even if just for six weeks or less. It is the breaks that make the routines bearable and dare I say, even enjoyable. As a matter of fact, I’m freakishly looking forward to the treadmill!

And so as I get back to my family’s daily grind and my personal routine, it is with keen awareness that it’s the sweet breaks and surrenders that make us welcome back the routine of our daily lives. See you soon Summer and thanks!

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Mocha Manual Mom Returns to Routine for Back to School

We also did not forget about the new dads, inviting a couple of fathers who’ve battled the “daddy baby bulge” to share their experiences and how they’re overcoming the sympathy weight they gained alongside their wives.

Here you’ll find each of the posts from our Healthy Pregnancy series. We thank each of the contributors who made this series possible, and hope you’ll find this to be valuable information.

Getting Ready to Shed that Baby Weight This mom-to-be talks about her successful weight loss, only to turn around and plan another pregnancy. Learn how she plans to take it right back off. Susan Wenner Jackson from Mr. and Mrs. Get Fit

5 Pregnancy Diet Tips from Jillian Michaels and 4 Pregnancy Fitness Tips from Jillian Michaels The no-nonsense Biggest Loser trainer breaks down pregnancy diet and fitness needs with simple and approachable ways. Jillian Michaels

What Pregnant Moms Need to Know about Gestational Diabetes From personal experience, Jill Knapp shares three simple ways in which pregnant women can prevent gestational diabetes. Jill Knapp from Get Up and Get Moving

Pros and Cons of Pilates During Pregnancy with Alana Reed This Pilates expert talks about the many benefits pregnant women can enjoy by practicing this gentle fitness program. Alana Reed

Obesity Increases Chances of Infertility The author of several books related to infertility discusses the relationship between higher BMIs and reduced fertility in both men and women. Evelina Sterling from My Fertility Plan

Setting Goals to Lose the Daddy Bulge One of the dads who admits he “would eat for two as my wife was” talks about the goal that’s helping him slim down. Jason from SnaggedMag

Dads, Battle the Baby Bulge During Your Partner’s Pregnancy This father of twins, with one on the way, shared all of his wife’s fast-food cravings the first time and watched his weight rise. This time, he’s letting his wife have the cravings and he’s focused on his health. Clint Springer

New Mom Tips for Shedding the Baby Weight This mom stopped making excuses and got busy losing weight, 20 pounds in four months to be exact. Find out her real-life tips that work for losing baby weight. Christina from A Mommy Story

Omega-3 Can Prevent Postpartum Depression and 5 Ways to Overcome Postpartum Depression Our resident mental health professional discusses the benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids for postpartum prevention, as well as simple steps you can take for preventing and managing the depression. Brooke Randolph of DietsInReview.com

8 Tips for Post-Pregnancy Weight Loss from Moms This mom gathered advice from other new moms to share real-life tips that work when trying to drop those post-pregnancy pounds. Rebecca from Life With Boys

Be Grocery Shopping Savvy During Pregnancy From the IFIC comes advice for feeding your grocery-shopping induced cravings with something more nutritious that will fuel your pregnant body. Elizabeth Rahavi, R.D. from IFIC

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Healthy Pregnancy Week

Yesterday, I shared some interesting research that suggests that Omega-3 fatty acids may be your best defense against Postpartum Depression (PPD). As someone who does not eat seafood, I am guessing there are others like me who would like more options for preventing and overcoming PPD.

Exercise – Physical activity can play a big role in mental health and self-esteem. After pregnancy and childbirth, you may have difficulty recognizing your own body and may not like what you see. Most people suggest waiting six weeks after childbirth before starting exercise, and eight weeks if you had a cesarean section. If you are breastfeeding, you will likely feel more comfortable if you feed your baby before exercising. Exercise will help you lose the baby weight and feel more connected and in charge of your body. If you do not have someone to watch the baby while you are working out, find a gym with child care, workout at home during nap time, or take walks or runs with a stroller.

Rest – You have heard it before, but I will say it again: sleep when your baby is sleeping. Fatigue can increase depression and a myriad of other ailments. Even a newborn can require a lot of attention and energy. Make sure your physical energy supplies are full by getting as much rest as possible.

Eat well – Another way of building up physical energy reserves is to make sure that you are eating a healthy, balanced diet. If you are breastfeeding you will need extra calories to produce the milk needed for your baby’s nutrition. Eat small meals throughout the day to keep your energy up at all times. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can both increase feelings of depression and effect your child if breastfeeding.

Seek the Sun – Sunlight can have a positive effect on your mood. Get outside as much as possible. If it is not warm enough to be outside, keep the curtains open and soak up that vitamin D.

Seek support – Many moms can feel isolated; although they are with a baby almost constantly, newborns are not very interactive. Visit friends and family or have them visit you. Join a mommy group in your community like MOPS or online. You will find understanding, answers, and advice in such communities. If you need help, ask for it. Many family and friends will be happy to be involved and included, even if you’re just asking them to make a meal for you.

If these are not enough and you are still feeling not yourself, seek the support of a mental health professional who can help you through this transition.

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

5 Ways to Overcome Postpartum Depression

Rebecca is a stay-at-home mom to four little boys and is committed to fitness and health. She blogs at Life With Boys where she shares her experiences as a mom, and her journey toward weight loss and fitness.

You’ve just had a baby and are in a hurry to lose the weight you gained while pregnant. Weight loss is challenging enough, and now it is compounded by exhaustion and excessive hunger. Don’t lose hope, here are tips from women who have been there and found a way to lose those extra pregnancy pounds.

• The unanimous suggestion was drinking water. It helps with milk production if you are breastfeeding, and it will boost your metabolism and decrease your appetite. Drink a large glass with meals, and when you sit down to feed your baby.    

• Tiffany in Virginia recommends keeping a photo of yourself at your goal weight. Visualizing the end result is excellent motivation.

• Make yourself a priority! Crisa in Texas lost her weight with her second child when she began going to the gym four days a week. She loved watching the news while on the elliptical machine or taking a class with a friend.

• Kathleen in Missouri and Sara in North Carolina say to keep healthy snacks easily accessible. Cut up celery, carrots, and cucumbers and store them in a container in the refrigerator so when the urge to snack hits you have a healthy option ready.

• Keep the junk out of the house. Annette in Nevada says “If there aren’t M&Ms in the cupboard, I’m not going to drag the kids to the store to buy them. I crave chocolate, so I just don’t keep it in the house.”

• Stave off hunger with protein and whole grains.

• Sneak in exercise. Rachel in Kansas did squats with her newborn while burping her. This was great for her legs and glutes, and helped the baby’s air bubbles come up.

• Don’t cut back too much. If you are breastfeeding, cutting too many calories could hurt your milk supply. Even if you aren’t, eating too few calories can actually slow your weight loss. As Crisa says, “everything in moderation.” Going to extremes can ultimately hinder your success.

Guest Blog Series: Look for the following badge on your favorite health sites to see if they have been a featured guest blogger on DietsInReview.com. See other posts in the Guest Blog series.



If you would like to apply to be featured as a guest blogger, please contact us.

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

8 Tips for Post-Pregnancy Weight Loss from Moms

Elizabeth B. Rahavi, R.D. specializes in providing science-based communications about nutrition, health and wellness. She has extensive knowledge in consumer understanding of nutrition and food safety and serves as the Associate Director, Wellness at the International Food Information Council (IFIC). Elizabeth is also an avid runner, chef, and yogi, and lives with her husband in Washington, D.C.

During pregnancy, it’s hard to turn a corner without running into someone offering advice. While useful, advice can often fall short, particularly when it comes to health and nutrition. Expecting mothers often ask, “What do these nutrients mean and how do I include them in my diet?” “I hear that folic acid is important, but how do I get it?” 

As a dietitian, I feel very at home in the grocery store, which is where advice gets put into action. Here are three quick tips that every mom-to-be needs to know when walking the aisles at the grocery store.

1. Great Grains. Carbohydrates are the most important source of energy, especially for pregnant women. To make the most of these energy powerhouses, look for ready-to-eat cereals and breads that contain “whole grains” or “whole” before the grain’s name.

*BONUS* Many of these foods also contain folic acid, which may reduce a woman’s risk of having a child with a brain or spinal cord defect.

2. The Case for Calcium. Calcium is a vital mineral to maintain healthy bones and teeth. Moms-to-be should consume enough calcium for themselves and their baby. While milk is an excellent source of calcium, some people have a difficult time tolerating it. The good news is that calcium can be found all over the grocery store, not just in the dairy case. Look for calcium-fortified orange juice and ready-to-eat cereals. Tofu, salmon, and leafy greens also provide a healthy dose.

3. Iron: It’s Not Just about the Gym. The body demands more iron during pregnancy due to its important role in developing blood cells. During this time a woman’s blood volume increases by fifty percent to account for the growing baby.  The produce and meat aisles are your best bet for finding iron in the grocery store. In the meat aisle, look for lean meat and poultry. In the produce section, green and leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collard greens are good sources. Vitamin C helps your body better absorb this necessary mineral.

How do you shop for health in the grocery store? Here are more tips on incorporating various foods for health into your diet and advice on healthy eating during pregnancy.

Guest Blog Series: Look for the following badge on your favorite health sites to see if they have been a featured guest blogger on DietsInReview.com. See other posts in the Guest Blog series.

If you would like to apply to be featured as a guest blogger, please contact us.

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Be Grocery Shopping Savvy During Pregnancy

You know Jillian Michaels best as the no-nonsense trainer from NBC’s Biggest Loser. She’s also grown a fitness empire of her own and through that has been able to help men and women alike transform their bodies and regain the healthy lives they deserve to live. Jillian joins our healthy pregnancy week to share tips for how moms-to-be can stay fit.

Here are Jillian’s tips for fitness during pregnancy:

1. Before embarking on any kind of exercise program, it’s always advised to check with your doctor first. This ensures that he is aware of the kinds of activities you intend to do and he can provide guidance and even make suggestions.

2. From about half way through the pregnancy, you should avoid any exercises that require you to lie on your back. This position puts pressure on a major vein called the vena cava, which will diminish blood flow to your brain and uterus, and can make you dizzy, short of breath, or nauseated. Some women are comfortable in this position well into their pregnancies, but this isn’t necessarily a good gauge of whether blood flow to the uterus is affected. Placing a pillow under your right hip or buttock will allow you to be almost supine without compressing the vena cava.

3. Make sure to avoid heavy weights. During the third trimester, hormonal changes are thought to induce a greater laxity in joints, tendons, and ligaments in order to help accommodate the delivery of your new arrival. This makes you more susceptible to sprains and strains, so make sure to use light weight and body weight only at this time.

4. Abdominal and back exercises are important.  They help with postural changes and stability and keep your body strong after the baby’s born, when you’ll have a lot of lifting to do. Since doing crunches on your back is not safe, switch to standing pelvic tilts or lying on your side or on your hands and knees; concentrate on bringing your navel toward your spine. You can also experiment with wall sits, side-lying bicep curls, side-lying lifts, side-lying lateral raises, side-lying tricep extensions… you get the idea.

5. Stretching is critical. Although proper diet and exercise can go a long way toward keeping you healthy and contributing toward an easy birth, they are only part of the equation. You have to stretch as well. In fact, the third trimester is a great time to make stretching the focus of your fitness routine. Stretching is a great way to keep the blood flowing through your muscles, relieve tension, and keep your body supple. Here are a few stretches to explore: child’s pose, child’s kneel, tailor stretch, full back stretch and calf, ankle, and foot stretches.

Also see Jillian Michaels’ Pregnancy Diet tips.

Learn more about the Jillian Michaels diet and fitness plan online or in her new book Master Your Metabolism.

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

4 Pregnancy Fitness Tips from Jillian Michaels

Christina is a mom of two living in Columbus, OH. She recently finished nursing school and can be found blogging at A Mommy Story and Hot by BlogHer or on Twitter as @mommystory.

I’m one of the lucky women who didn’t gain a lot of weight when pregnant, but my luck ran out after each of my daughters was born. Blaming the stress of being a new mom for my weight gain might make me feel better, but the truth is I gained weight because I let myself overeat and didn’t exercise. I let breastfeeding be my excuse to eat without restriction, and I strongly believed the mantra “sleep when the baby sleeps.” I put on more weight in the first year of both my children’s lives than I did while pregnant with them.

In the past four months, however, I put aside my excuses and decided it was time for a change. I’ve lost 20 pounds so far, and I’ve realized it only takes small changes to make a big difference in your weight loss, as long as you’re ready to make those changes. Here are my tips for other new moms trying to shed some baby weight:

• Make your home your gym. If it’s tough to get out of the house because of the baby, invest in some hand weights and a good workout DVD or two and exercise while the baby sleeps.

• Look for new mom fitness groups. There are several types of workout classes designed to let you bring your baby along, whether it’s strollercize or mother-baby yoga. The additional advantage is you’ll meet other moms with similar goals.

• Find a buddy. If you have a friend trying to get fit, work together on your goals. Or ask your spouse – my husband has been one of my biggest supporters and often joins me for workouts.

• Be accountable. I’m successful when I know someone else is keeping track. I blog about my progress, including updating photos so others can see how well I’m doing. It keeps me honest with myself, and it keeps me motivated.

The most important tip, though, is making the commitment to be healthy for yourself and your family!

Guest Blog Series: Look for the following badge on your favorite health sites to see if they have been a featured guest blogger on DietsInReview.com. See other posts in the Guest Blog series.

If you would like to apply to be featured as a guest blogger, please contact us.

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

New Mom Tips for Shedding the Baby Weight