A lot of you probably know of my quest to lose these fifteen pounds... mostly because the doctor's been nagging me. And I will say, after being on vacation visiting my family, a number of whom have health-related weight issues, I'm more motivated than ever to drop those few pounds. Even though fifteen pounds doesn't seem like a huge deal to most people, I know it's what I need to get healthy.
So, when I had the opportunity to read and review this book, I jumped at the chance. Most of my weight is that pesky post pregnancy weight. I want to read and learn whatever I can to get the weight off. Both my doctor and nutritionist friend think that my diet is fine... I just need to exercise more. Still, I think the diet information in here is good and matches a lot of what I have read and been told about good nutrition. For example, the whole eating breakfast thing. Since I'm not a morning person, the thought of waking up earlier to eat breakfast is a foreign concept to me. I barely get up in time to get the kids off to school. But I think they (along with others) make a great argument for eating breakfast, and even though I still don't do it perfectly, I feel like I'm really making progress.
The other thing I really like about this book is that it's some extreme, change your whole life book. It recognizes the fact that I am a busy mom with a busy life. It also reminds me of the right motivation to lose the weight. It's not about wanting to look like a supermodel, but wanting to be healthier for my family. Years ago, we went hiking with my stepkids and my MIL (who passed away a few years ago due to cancer) had a hard time getting up the mountain. She was really overweight and what should have been an easy hike was a huge struggle. My stepson said to me in a not unkind way, "I wish Gramma Pat wasn't so fat. She can't climb the mountain with us."
I don't want to be Gramma Pat. I don't want to miss out on the fun things we like to do as a family because I'm too out of shape to do them. I'm not as overweight as she was, but how much longer will I let myself slide and become that way?
Now for the magic exercise pill... *insert hysterical laughter* Yes, I know... no magic pill... just getting up and doing it. *sigh* Have to stay focused on why I'm doing it...
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Motherhood doesn’t have to mean permanent weight gain!
Get rid of those post-pregnancy pounds— even if your youngest is already in school.
Losing the “baby fat” is one of the hardest things for mothers—even years after they give birth. “Eating for two” often results in gaining too much weight, and the more a woman gains, the harder it is to lose. And after having kids, moms are so busy and distracted it’s necessary for them to learn how to eat in a healthy, self-nurturing way again.
In The Baby Fat Diet, moms will be relieved to learn that small changes can make a big difference. Restrictive dieting and cutting out favorite foods to the extreme isn’t necessary. The book offers simple, easy-to-live-by health and nutrition tips that help women change the behaviors that make losing weight so difficult. The 30 timeless tips throughout are eminently practical and the recipes are delicious. Not only will moms lose weight on The Baby Fat Diet, they’ll feel good about themselves, too. Moms will discover:
•Eating for one again—the importance of portion Sizes
•Why breakfast is a weight-loss ally
•The fast-food solution
•Pairing pleasure with healthy foods
•Exercising to the Wiggles®
About the Authors
Monica Bearden, R.D., has written for the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, the American Journal of Medicine and Sports, Today’s Dietitian, and more. She graduated from the Coordinated Program in Dietetics at the University of Texas at Austin.
Shara Aaron, M.S., R.D., has been a nutrition and health editor for Family Circle, manager of nutrition communications at Masterfoods, USA, owner of a nutrition communications consulting company, and a certified aerobics instructor.
INTERVIEW with the Authors:
Where did you get the idea for the book? What compelled you to write it?
Monica: I have always maintained a private practice and teach a prenatal nutrition class at the Y – throughout my career, most of the women that I help to lose weight, started having weight problems post-pregnancy. It was the same for my friends and family. Throughout the years, we have learned what works and what does not work in terms of moms losing weight. So, we wanted to make the information that we had learned more available. And, since most post-pregnancy weight loss books are exercise-based, Shara and I felt that a nutrition and lifestyle book to help mom’s lose weight was missing from the shelves.
Shara: Monica and I both are moms of young children and recognize the challenges moms face in finding time to focus on themselves, including eating well and exercising. We wanted to write a book that took our experiences and those of women we know and have worked with as dietitians over the years to make a simple, realistic book to help them take off the baby weight. Most importantly it had to be fun to read in short chapters so moms could pick it up, read a few pages and put it down - not to be another chore on her to do list.
What are the major themes of the book?
Monica: Each short chapter is based on an issue faced by moms with a solution – we cover, when you should eat, what you should eat, how you should eat with concrete examples and interesting facts throughout the book. Additionally, we provide menus and shopping lists.
Shara: Simple changes make big differences in taking off the weight and living a healthier life.
Why do you think “baby fat” is so difficult for moms to lose?
Monica: With each child comes a new set of demands and less time, plus the body itself is different and needs attention. By focusing on easy to incorporate healthful strategies that really do make a difference versus trying different diets or following bad advice, moms can actually lose the weight without trying too hard or having to take too much time away from other activities and responsibilities.
Shara: They have little time and energy to focus on themselves. Eating well and exercising go by the wayside.
What kind of research did you have to do for the book?
Monica: The book is based on over 12 years of experience and research with a countless number of women (not to mention our own baby weight loss experiences) – every successful weight loss client as well as our own experiences went into this book. Additionally, all recommendations have a scientific foundation and are validated by scientific research.
Shara: In addition to talking to many women about the challenges they face and the solutions they find realistic, we did much research on the latest studies on each topic to provide scientifically based information that works.
What do you hope readers will take away from your book?
Monica: That to lose weight, one must eat and make good decisions. This book will help them learn how to do both.
Shara: That it’s worth focusing on yourself and your health – to be the best mom you can be you need to take care of yourself by eating well and being active. Small changes make a world of difference so it’s not a huge overhaul but tweaks that can really lead to taking off the baby fat.
MORE INFORMATION:You can buy the book on Amazon.
For more information about the book and its authors, you can visit their website, which also has a link to their very informative and interesting blog.
Finally, be sure to visit other blogs on the tour:
5 Minutes for Books
A Little Whine and Cheese
A Peek at My Bookshelf
Be Your Best Mom
Behind the Mountain
Blog Tour Spot
Bookish Mom Reviews
Camy’s Loft
Fictionary
Fit Family
i don’t believe in grammar
In God’s Image
In the Dailies
Kells Creative Musings
Lighthouse Academy
Mommy Snacks.Net
Mommy’s Must Haves
Quiverfullfamily.com
Real Women Scrap
Refresh My Soul
Roni’s Weigh
The Journey of Writer Danica Favorite
The Law, Books and Life
The Pitter Patter of Losing Pounds
The Sassy Pear
The Unadorned Book Review
wandering, wonderings of a whacked-out woman
Or the main tour site.
Happy Reading!
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