Before pregnancy, I hardly had any issues with weight gain, cellulite or stretch marks. I ate relatively healthy and did a fair amount of exercise (I love group exercise instead of going to the boring gym).
During my first pregnancy, I attended pregnancy yoga classes, looked after my diet because I had gestational diabetes, and I applied body oils religiously day and night. I had to stop most exercising at my 3rd trimester because I had really bad lower back and nerve pains on my thighs. I had problems walking and even trying to sleep in bed.
38 weeks with my first pregnancy
During my second pregnancy, I had lower back and thigh pains as early as my first trimester where I had to seek therapy from an osteotherapist and had to take panadol when I just can’t take the pain. I avoided pretty much all types of exercise except for gentle walking and low-intensity stretching exercises. I got a little lazy applying body oils partially because I had to look after a toddler as well. I went a bit off track in looking at my diet because I was not diagnosed with gestational diabetes (yeah I know, I’m bad).
Baby bump with my second pregnancy
So, after I gave birth to my second boy, I was left with quite a few stretch marks on my tummy and a few extra kilos I can’t get rid of. Don’t get me wrong, I never feel regret having kids at all and I’m not ashamed of my stretch marks, but I was a little disappointed at myself for not looking after my diet and generally not looking after myself at all during the pregnancy.
Our family photo by Amy Cope
So, here I am, 5 months post-natal, I am back with doing some regular exercise, cutting down the junk food and looking after the skin around my body.
Clarins Body Fit Anti-Cellulite Contouring Expert
I was recently sent the NEW Clarins Body Fit Anti-Cellulite Contouring Expert and it instantly reminded me to get back into shape (also the fact that I will be the maiden of honour to my sister’s wedding in Feb 2018!).
This gel-cream formula feels so refreshing on the skin and it has a really nice menthol scent that is not too overwhelming. The gel-cream was absorbed quickly and it hydrated my skin as well. After a few minutes, my skin started to feel cool and slightly tightening. I love that feeling I literally can’t wait to use this every day after the shower.
Since I am looking after my 6-month-old baby full time at the moment and I will be working part time in June, I literally cannot find time to attend fitness classes and go to the gym. Looking after a baby is already calorie-burning, but it doesn’t really target specific areas so I look for YouTube exercise videos and channels to help me with specific areas.
Combined with a healthier diet, I am cutting down on junk food like chips, ice cream, chocolates and lollies. Eating more fresh fruit, raw vegetables and lean meat. Getting a balanced diet is ideal for me as I am still exclusively breastfeeding so I need to make sure I get a range of food to provide necessary vitamins and minerals to my baby.
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