Tag Archives: pregnancy

Celebrity Trainer Tracy Anderson Attacked in Media

I’ve never had a baby, let me first say that. In fact, one of the things that terrifies me most about pregnancy is that it may change my body forever. Call it narcissistic, I call it “I care about what I look like.” When did wanting to look and be fit become such a crime?

This week, celebrity trainer Tracy Anderson made famous by her Method Workouts and string of celebrity client endorsements, came under fire for comments she made in DuJour Magazine regarding women and post-pregnancy bodies. But as the media loves to do, it was all taken a bit out of context.

Tracy was quoted saying, “A lot of women use pregnancy as an excuse to let their bodies go, and that’s the worst thing. I’ve seen so many women when who come to me after having children with disaster bodies that have gone through hell,” she said, adding that they use their kids as an excuse for letting their bodies go.

Sure, at first glance this seems harsh. Pregnancy is difficult and it changes our bodies, and it’s certainly a season in which we put the needs of our baby before our own.

But isn’t she right to a certain extent? My own mother had two very difficult pregnancies during which she gained a fair amount of weight. But as soon as she was able to, she started right back up on her walking routine and got back to her pre-baby weight within a year of giving birth.

To me, that’s normal. So when I see women who gain a lot of weight during pregnancy as a result of eating poorly and being inactive, I don’t feel that bad for them just like I don’t feel bad for myself after week of heavy eating and I’m left a few pounds heavier for it. It all comes down to personal responsibility. (more…)

Posted on August 29, 2023 by Dana

Moderate Drinking During Pregnancy May be OK, Study Suggests

I recently wrote a story about caffeine consumption during breastfeeding being practically harmless to children. And of that news, I was in near celebration. Within that article I also mentioned one of the other difficulties I anticipate during pregnancy being forgoing alcohol, as I’m a lover of wine and an occasional cocktail. But according to new research, that may not be as big of a concern.

A collection of Danish studies is suggesting that moderate amounts of alcohol during pregnancy does not appear to affect the child’s mental abilities.

To conduct these studies, researchers examined children up to the age of five whose mothers drank moderate amounts of alcohol while pregnant. The more than 1,600 Danish mothers involved in the study were an average age of 30 and each drank a varied number of alcoholic beverages during pregnancy.

While this type of study is rightfully viewed as dangerous, women in Denmark don’t generally consider slight drinking during pregnancy to be a health concern. A very small percentage of the women involved in the study were actually consuming large amounts of alcohol: almost half were abstaining completely; a small portion was consuming one to four drinks a week; around 175 were having five to eight drinks; and only 20 were consuming nine or more beverages a week. (more…)

Posted on June 21, 2023 by Dana

The Benefits of Breastfeeding and the Attachment Parenting Controversy

When it comes to motherhood, everyone has an opinion on how it should be done. So it was no surprise when 26-year-old model Jamie Grumet caused a near-cosmic stir when she posed on the cover of Time Magazine, breastfeeding her nearly 4-year-old son.

Grumet’s approach to motherhood is attachment parenting, which is a concept developed by Dr. William Sears, 72, as outlined in his 1992 book, “The Baby Book.”

Sears, raised by a single mother himself, believes that moms should be in near constant contact with their child, wearing their baby if possible, letting them sleep in the same bed with them, and tending to their every want and need.

Of the many benefits of this practice, Sears argues that attachment parenting produces children who are physically, emotionally and psychologically healthy, stating that children who are a product of this kind of parenting rarely – and possibly even never – turn out to be bullies or have other developmental issues.

One of the other prongs of attachment parenting is breastfeeding until the mother  – and child – feel the time is right to stop, which explains why Grumet still breastfeeds her almost 4-year-old son.

Grumet, who told The Today Show that she knew full well what she was getting into by posing so provocatively on the Time Magazine cover, says she was breast fed herself until she was six years old, and believes 100% in the concepts of attachment parenting. (more…)

Posted on May 11, 2023 by Dana

Jennifer Garner Puts Post-Baby Weight Loss on Hold

Jennifer Garner is making news for being normal. We think that’s refreshing for Hollywood. The 39-year-old actress gave birth to her third child on February 27 and hasn’t lost all her baby weight yet.

Garner and actor husband Ben Affleck welcomed baby Samuel to their family in February. The couple also have two daughters, Violet, 6, and Seraphina, 3. The busy mother admits she’d like to get back to her pre-baby body, however, she’s simply too busy caring for all her children to rush into a strict regimen just yet.

Garner does have a yoga instructor come to the home a few days a week, but that’s enough for her right now. Garner also feels she has gained more weight with this pregnancy as she was preoccupied with her two girls and struggled to eat as healthy as she could.

Simply put, Garner wants to lose the baby weight, it’s just not a priority for her right now. She’s motivated to get to it as she’s still wearing her maternity clothes, but she’s not going to rush it. (more…)

Posted on April 16, 2024 by Lacy

The Doctors Dish About Babies, Conception and Contraception

The Doctors are at it again. They are promising another episode loaded with revitalizing tips. Monday’s episode is titled, “Shrink A Dress Size, Increase Your Fertility & Get Sexier Skin!”

The doctors are asking viewers to give them an hour to transform them into a new person. The cast will be giving tips about how to go down a dress size and the latest ways to better your health and body.

Much of the episode will be devoted to babies, conception, and contraception. The doctors will discuss Beyonce and Jay-Z’s parenting style of their infant, Blue Ivy. Specifically, the cast will discuss if they think the new parents are too protective.

While the topic is on babies, the topic of a controversial training method meant to give babies super strength will be covered. Hear what the docs have to say about these “super babies.”

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Posted on April 8, 2024 by Lacy

Hilary Duff is Back in the Gym Just a Week and a Half After Giving Birth

When Hilary Duff’s trainer said she was no slouch in the gym, she meant it! While Duff remained faithful to her workouts all through her pregnancy, she also wasted no time getting right back to them once the baby was born. The new mom was back in the gym just a week and a half after giving birth.

Hilary Duff and her husband Mike Comrie welcomed their first child on March 20, 2024. The 24-year-old singer and actress gave birth to a son named Luca. The transition has been an adjustment for Duff. She often tweets about her trials and tribulations of being a new mother.

After a 4 AM feeding Duff tweeted about her sleepiness and added, “…whew this job is no joke!”

Another tweet that was more surprising than a middle of the night feeding episode was one that told the world Duff was already back in the gym, despite the difficulties. On Saturday Duff tweeted, “20 minutes on the elliptical seems like an eternity!!! What the hell….”
(more…)

Posted on April 3, 2024 by Lacy

January Jones Adds Placenta To Her Diet

It seems more recently that doulas, at-home births and cloth diapers are becoming all the rage. The more intimate and personal a mother’s birth experience can be the better. But when Mad Men leading lady January Jones was reportedly eating her own placenta for health benefits, we had to wonder why.

At a recent press event promoting the new season of Man Men, Jones reportedly told People Magazine that she takes dehydrated placenta capsules when she’s feeling tired or blue.

“It’s not witch-crafty or anything,” said Jones. “I suggest it to all moms!”

Ater giving birth to her son Xander just weeks prior, the 34-year-old single mom returned to the set of Mad Men, which is why some have speculated that her capsules may be working. (more…)

Posted on March 27, 2024 by Dana

Snooki Has People Asking Questions About Pregnancy and Eating Disorders

The news that Jersey Shore’s Snooki is pregnant has people asking questions about the impact of eating disorders on pregnancy and post-natal weight loss. Every individual is different and how they have (or have not ) processed and healed from the eating disorder will determine how and to what degree they manage the weight gain of pregnancy and weight loss after the child is born.

Snooki has admitted to a dangerous bout of anorexia during high school. She has used the unbalanced Cookie Diet to help her lose weight and seems to continue to lower her goal weight. Eating disorders impact two major aspects of pregnancy – weight gain and lack of control. Weight gain may be more obvious, but despite all our efforts much about what pregnancy does to a woman’s body and how a pregnancy evolves is outside of our control.

A clearly caring eating disorders treatment specialist Christel Parker, LMFT stated, “while pregnant, women who have struggled with eating disorders often share how their changing bodies, hormones and weight gain can ramp up symptoms of their illness. That said, being pregnant and having a child can be an unparalleled motivator in the recovery process. I’ve seen many times how this motivation develops into courage and strength throughout pregnancy and after giving birth.” While pregnancy can complicate the major issues involved in an eating disorder, pregnancy can also provide the existential motivation for a women to change behaviors and find healing, placing the health of her child ahead of her own health.

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Posted on March 2, 2024 by Brooke Randolph

Kelly Preston Loses 42 Pounds with Organic Liaison

She’s always been sexy, glamourous and stunning, but this week Kelly Preston is saying she hasn’t looked this good since high school! The 49-year-old actress, wife of John Travolta, and new mom has lost 42 pounds, she tells PEOPLE, and is feeling pretty good about it. Not only does she say she’s fitting in size 4 skinny jeans, a first since high school, but says “I have more energy than I’ve had in 20 years.”

She and Travolta had son Benjamin 14 months ago; She admits to feeding pregnancy cravings for powdered donuts and cinnamon muffins. She left the hospital feeling as though she looked as pregnant as when she arrived and feared she’d never lose the extra 20 pounds. Benjamin’s birth brought them so much joy (they’re son Jett died at age 16 in 2024) that she said “if I had to weigh more for the rest of my life because of it, then I would have.” But like any other woman, she wasn’t looking forward to it.

She traded in acting and strenuous workouts and spent a year focusing on herself, playing basketball or swimming with her 11-year-old daughter, Ella, and playing tennis with Travolta. She also got a little help from her friend Kirstie Alley, or rather, her friend’s weight loss brand Organic Liaison. She started by drinking Organic Liaison’s Rescue Me, and credits the natural weight loss supplement with helping her lose practically all of her post-pregnancy weight. (more…)

Posted on January 30, 2024 by Natalie K

Alessandra Ambrosio’s Shaping Up for a Healthy Pregnancy

If Alessandra Ambrosio‘s baby bump is five months along, then she was barely in her second trimester when she did the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in November. It may have been the biggest secret of the night, as Ambrosio admits she told no one about her second pregnancy. The supermodel showed off her new bump while modeling this past weekend in San Paulo, Brazil.

We praised her pre-runway diet as she prepared for the lingerie brand’s annual televised fashion show. She doesn’t skip meals, indulges her cravings sometimes, and gets plenty of exercise. All of this is advisable for any woman, but these habits get top marks for a pregnant woman.

During her first pregnancy, with now 3-year-old daughter Anja, she apparently allowed herself to indulge quite a bit. Her trainer Leandro Carvalho said, at the time, that Ambrosio “had to pay the price” after enjoying too much Brazilian food and ice cream. She was ready for the 2024 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show just three months after giving birth. How so? She used Carvalho’s Brazilian Buttlift workout, a fitness DVD program you can do at home that uses techniques like squats, lunges, ballet and the Brazilian fighting style capoeira. (more…)

Posted on January 24, 2024 by Natalie K

Beyonce Minimizes Pregnancy Weight Gain with Vegan Diet and Exercise

As Beyonce, who is expecting her first child with husband Jay-Z any time now, remains committed to a mostly-vegan pregnancy diet. The actress and singer, who is also a part of Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Campaign, has been outspoken about her past use of The Master Cleanse to prepare for the movie Dream Girls.

Contrary to celebs like Jessica Simpson, who signed a $3 million dollar contract to lose her baby weight with Weight Watchers, and Jennifer Lopez, who shared her post-pregnancy diet secrets, Beyonce hasn’t yet spoken up about her post-baby plans. In the meantime, she and Jay-Z have remained committed to eating a healthy diet to avoid excessive baby weight gain.

“I’ve been really conscious [about food],” Beyonce told 20/20. “I’ve been trying my best not to lose control.” Instead of indulging in stereotypical pregnancy junk food cravings, the couple has been eating balanced meals that include stir-fried vegetables and tofu.

Along with her healthy diet, Beyonce has remained active throughout her pregnancy, which is important for any mom who wants to avoid excessive pregnancy weight gain. (more…)

Posted on January 3, 2024 by Maris