Y Talk: Making Changes to Exercise and Diet When Baby Comes Along by Brittany Rose

Recently I have gotten a few comments about looking good, if not better, since having the baby. Of course I’m appreciative, but then I wonder, “How is that possible since I don’t workout at all like I used to?” It’s a daily struggle of mine and many others I’m sure—mom or not—to find time to workout daily for an hour.

For me it has really become more about how can I make it us time (Calee and I) and still get done what I need to get done for work and home. Once upon a time it was CrossFit workouts, free weights in the gym, a Thursday night class at the YMCA, running outside on a nice day, Wednesday wallyball, golf, etc.

With Calee in the picture I needed to makes some changes to my normal gym workout routine at the YMCA. Now I squeeze in a short 10- to 15-minute workout maybe twice a week, using good ’ole YouTube. I have found a bunch of different fitness ones, but the one that Calee and I both liked was Rebecca Louise XHIT. Calee joins in with squats and claps, or sits on my belly and gives hugs while I laugh and try to do abs. She brings me the free weights for arms, or just sits and watches. Any of these things makes working out so much better, and without a doubt brings a smile to my face. I just can’t get enough of watching her be silly.

The Biggest Change

So that brings me to the biggest change. My husband Justin decided to make some changes to his diet. At first he was going to do it himself, but then I chose to join in on making better food choices. I always knew that it wasn’t always just working out that changed your physical appearance and overall health. What I didn’t know is that change will happen if you make 80 percent your diet and 20 percent your exercise.

I made the switch and results starting happening. The results weren’t the same as what I saw strength training do for me in the past. And we won’t even talk about how for Justin, and most men in general, the weight just falls off. But I can say it’s more motivating to have everyone in the family on board than to have to do it by yourself. We swapped out our breakfast, snacks and dinner to contain with a focus on low sodium, high protein, lean meats and more vegetables and it’s seriously been the biggest difference.

Here are a few things I learned when looking at some labels and swapping out some old habits:

• Sliced processed American cheese (105 calories) vs. string cheese (70 calories)
• Go-gurt (10g sugar/2g protein) vs. Light & Fit Greek yogurt (7g sugar/12g protein)
• Instant oatmeal (115mg sodium) vs. Old fashioned oats – which took some getting used to (5mg sodium)
• Olive Garden Italian dressing (80 calories/520mg sodium) vs. Olive garden Lite Italian dressing (30 calories/440mg sodium)

And a few good snack changes:

• Peanut butter and celery
• Hummus & pita bread
• Coconut bites with sunflower seeds
• Blueberries

Lastly a friend of ours introduced us to the Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15. If you never heard of this, Google it. You may be surprised as to what the list states as the dirty dozen.

While I know I’m not an expert, these are some things that have worked for me. If nothing else I hope to give you and your family some additional healthy choices to try. And I wouldn’t be human to say we don’t have a cheat day in there every once and a while. Usually on Saturday or Sunday we join family members for dinner and we eat whatever they make!

-by Brittany Rose, Camping Services Director​