My post-baby body: Chika

Statistics show that being overweight/obesity is a major contributing risk factor to many chronic health conditions; therefore, staying fit is extremely important to help ward off various diseases
~Chika

 

At Maternity Nest, we are always on the look out for mothers who have successfully bounced back, and are fit after having their babies. We know it’s such a struggle to combine our FitFam goals with our busy mommy/wifey/work schedules; therefore we try to get all the details on how they are able to achieve this, so as to motivate other moms and moms-to-be who may be in need of inspiration to stay fit after pregnancy.

We had a chat with Chika; a mom of three. We absolutely can’t believe she is a mom, not to talk of being a mom of three. Phew! Anyway, she let us in on all her secrets. We hope you will be inspired. Enjoy!

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Tell us a bit about Chika?

I have been married for 14 years and I am a proud mother of three kids: a girl and 2 boys, ages 13, 11, and 7 respectively. I am a pharmacist and biochemist by training, a dream borne out of my love for science. In addition, I love everything fashion and so I am constantly on the look out for new styles and trends. Besides fashion, I am also crazy about interior design to the point where my kids have nicknamed me “the design hurricane”. I turn drab into fab and I thoroughly enjoy transforming my surroundings. My other hobbies include cooking and reading. I want to see the world and gain new experiences and so traveling has become a new interest of mine.

We usually ask this question: what is your opinion about the societal pressure on women to lose weight after pregnancy?

In my opinion, maintaining a healthy weight should be a lifelong goal. Societal pressure on women to lose weight after pregnancy may help with motivation but is not absolutely necessary. The individual in question should intuitively know that losing weight is the right course of action after pregnancy. Statistics show that being overweight/obesity is a major contributing risk factor to many chronic health conditions; therefore, staying fit is extremely important to help ward off various diseases. Societal pressure may seem like a push in the right direction but on the flip side may lead to negative behaviors such as depression, eating disorders (anorexia/bulimia), and low self esteem.

What was your weight at the end of your last pregnancy? And how much weight have you lost so far?

I gained about 30 pounds with each pregnancy; but I was able to shed most of the weight within 4 to 6 months by exercising regularly and eating balanced meals with lots of fruits and vegetables. I breast fed all my kids as well so that helped tremendously. I am not completely back to my pre-pregnancy weight but I am happy with what I am working with as I look much healthier now. My husband loves my curves and so that’s a plus, lol.

When after childbirth did you start your fitness journey? And how long has it taken to get to your current weight?

When I was pregnant, I abided by the popular saying “eating for two”; but I did not overindulge and so fortunately, I didn’t gain excessive weight. I delivered my 3 kids naturally and so I started my fitness journey about 3 weeks postpartum. I started out with light exercise which mostly involved walking and Pilates, but then I eventually stepped it up to jogging most days of the week. Currently, I combine cardio with Pilates and I have been able to maintain a healthy weight.

What/Who has been your greatest motivation to keep pushing?

I am very health-conscious and my job as a pharmacist serves as a constant reminder of how important it is that I stay on track. I have to practice what I preach basically and so exercise has become a huge part of my life. I exercise on a regular basis and as I see results, it fuels my desire to keep going. I am human and with my busy work schedule and mommy/wife duties I lapse sometimes; however when I think of the health consequences of not staying fit, I always manage to pick myself back up.

Now, the part we’ve been waiting for! What exactly are you doing? What is your weight loss regimen? What is the secret? Spare no detail!

My weight loss regimen entails watching what I eat and exercising regularly. I love food but I try to eat responsibly. I avoid fast food and I cook my meals at home. When I do my grocery shopping, I focus primarily on buying healthy food items and snacks. I drink mostly water, coffee, and green tea and I avoid soda and juice as much as possible. For exercise, I combine cardio 5-6 times per week with Pilates which helps me stretch out and tone my muscles for a leaner look.

Can you give us a breakdown of your daily meal plan? How many times in a day do you eat, and what do you eat at those times?

I work long hours which can sometimes be problematic when it comes to planning meals. However, I always eat breakfast before I leave for work which normally comprises of coffee or tea, hard boiled egg, a slice of toast with an orange or apple. Sometimes, I will have a bowl of cereal or oatmeal with blueberries/raspberries. For lunch, I pack a snack bar, grapes, and a sandwich with yoghurt. At work I eat on the go as I don’t necessarily get a lunch break! Then for dinner, I will eat brown rice with mixed vegetables and chicken stew, salmon with salad, or pasta with meat sauce, etc. Like I said I love food but I watch my portions and I eat slowly. In between meals, I snack on nuts, fruits, and vegetables.

 

Do you see yourself doing this for a long time to come? Or you will stop once you hit your target weight?

It has definitely become a lifestyle and I have been doing it for a long time now. I keep going because I reap the benefits of my hard work and I just feel good and confident.

What are the challenges/weaknesses/ temptations you face and how do you overcome them?

The challenges I mostly face have to do with when I am on vacation. I tend to get lazy, but I chalk it down to being in relaxation mode. I gain weight after almost every vacation and so moving forward, I will have to plan accordingly and aim to make use of the gym or other facilities at my disposal.

How are you able to incorporate your fitness regimen into your daily Work/ Mommy/ Wife schedule? Where do you find the time and strength? What’s the method to the madness? Any practical tips to share?

I am a morning person and so I wake up early to exercise first thing in the morning. I have failed miserably at trying to exercise after work because I am just physically and mentally drained at that point. Also, I try not to skip meals because I find that it is just a recipe for failure as it often leads to poor eating habits.

What are the best things about losing weight/staying fit?

Generally speaking, staying fit has so many great benefits. Personally, it helps boost my mood, energy, and confidence. I feel vibrant and I am able to work with great focus throughout the day. It also helps me sleep better at night so that I wake up refreshed and rejuvenated.

Finally, what is your advice to other moms in this weight loss struggle?

As moms, we normally have very tight schedules and time is not typically on our side. So my biggest advice will be to make out time everyday for exercise. We have 24 hours in a day and so 15 minutes here and there will be very beneficial for overall success. Take baby steps and then increase your intensity as you get stronger. Don’t be discouraged and keep at it even if you succumb to laziness. Personally, I struggle with motivation when I am extremely busy or on vacation. However, I get back on track soon enough as I start to experience the negative effects of leading a sedentary lifestyle (bloating, fatigue, weakness, and insomnia). Plan your day and aim to eat healthy balanced meals. Remember health is wealth and so invest in being the best possible version of yourself.

 

Thank you for taking the time to respond to our questions. We really appreciate it.
You are welcome!

 

Have you been able to lose that excess baby weight? How did you do it? Interested in motivating other women by sharing your tips and regimen? Contact us at features@maternitynest.com with the subject “my post-baby body”.

Do you need support and motivation to lose weight? Join other moms in the Postpartum weight loss challenge forum. Let’s struggle together! See you there!