Many new mothers claim they stay slim simply by “eating in moderation”, instead of turning to complicated diet regimes and food combinations. If moderation has alluded you in the past, try using portion control when eating your favorite foods, because a healthy lifestyle is often defined by never going to extremes (either too much or too little of any one thing).

            We know that new mothers don’t have time to measure, weigh or categorize the foods you eat, so simply try using your hands when it comes to chowing down.

·         The size of your fist= Protein. Try a small serving of lean chicken or fish, an egg white omelet or a serving of quinoa.

·         Both of your thumbs= 2 Tablespoons. For example, the peanut butter you spread on a whole-wheat bagel, the fresh tomato sauce you add to noodles or the vinaigrette dressing atop your salad.

·         One cupped palm= Grains or Carbohydrates. They should fit comfortably in your palm, like a slice of bread, a cup of brown rice or the afore mentioned and appropriately sized whole-grain bagel.

So stop fretting about what to eat (a variety of unprocessed foods whenever possible) or when to eat (only when you’re hungry), and remember that everything you need to know about how much you need to eat is in your hands.

Instead of only offering workout tips applicable for home use, we realize that many of our Makeover Momma’s need advice on staying fit and active during working hours at the office too. Being stuck at your desk can make it seem nearly impossible to stay fit, but it often can be easier than you think. Here are some quick ideas for staying active without even leaving your desk:

• Check out Leslie Sansone’s Walk Club for a yearly paying membership which features streaming exercise video that can be done right at your desk, as well as nutrition and fitness advice that anyone can follow.
• If walking simply isn’t your thing, then find variety at Demand Fitness online, which will let you access over 200 varied exercise classes on your computer, at any time you want during the day for as low as 99¢. High-low cardio dancing, anyone?
• Check out our personal favorite Exercise TV online, which features free streaming fitness videos all day long. You could pump out a 2 minute booty toner during busy days (every little bit counts) or a 30 minute yoga class during your lunch hour…it’s up to you!
• Keep small weights under your desk and use during breaks for a quickie toning session. Press overhead to tone the arms, do simple bicep curls at different angles, place on your legs for weighted leg lifts and calf raises (using leg while sitting), or tighten abdominals by alternating cross-punches with weights across the body at a fast tempo.

1.   1-2 Seconds: Start with your eyes to avoid smudging face makeup later. Rest your elbow on a stable surface and gently pull the eyelid taught with your finger. Draw a thin line from the inner to outer corner of the eye using a liquid liner pen (increasing the thickness towards the outer edge of the eye).

TRY: Rimmel Professional Liquid Eyeliner

2.       2-3 Seconds: Take lengthening mascara with a non-clump formula and coat the outer edges of the eyelashes only (to create a “cat eye” effect). Apply several smooth coats and let dry.

TRY: Cover Girl Lash Exact Mascara

3.       3-5 Seconds: Create a smooth, silky complexion with mineral foundation. This looks quick, understated and creates an airbrushed effect. Try buffing a small amount of the powder in a soft circular motion across the face until covered (adding a second layer to areas with additional redness).

TRY: Wet & Wild Ultimate Minerals Powder Foundation

* All product suggestions at Makeover Momma™ can be purchased at your local Wal-Mart, Target, drugstore, or online at www.drugstore.com.

Makeover Momma™ Rating: C

Why:

               We at Makeover Momma™ admit that we often feel jealous of our baby’s cute and cuddly romper-ridden wardrobes, which generally consist of loose fit cotton (and a significant lack of control panels or corseted waistlines). If only mothers could dress as free and relaxed as our children…or can we? Fashion maven Sarah Jessica Parker was recently spotted sporting the current trend of adult rompers, which look equally comfortable as they are risky.

                Although we love the comfort factor for grown women (no tight waistlines, no skinny jean restriction, no visible panty lines of any kind), very few momma’s can truly pull of this trend. To begin with, this style generally looks best on the very petite, should not be worn extremely tight (we are not J.Lo circa 90’s) and has to be accessorized flawlessly at risk of looking messy. To avoid a janitor aesthetic, try choosing rompers that hit a few inches above the knee (save the long style for S.J.P), are loose fitting in the waist and hips, and pair with feminine accents like delicate flat sandals, pretty jewelry or a soft tank top underneath.

Think Thin brand protein bars are so tasty and rich, that it can be tempting not to eat an entire box. These chocolate-covered bars come in rich flavors of milk, white, and dark chocolates, with soft centers in flavors like Creamy Peanut Butter or Brownie Crunch. The Think Thin bars are perfect for stashing in a bag or car for a hungry moment when doughnuts and deli subs are the only foods available, or for the picky toddler who will refuse to eat their vitamins/calories during a hectic day.

At around 220-260 calories per bar, and extremely high in protein, Think Thin bars are an ideal alternative for meal replacement programs (such as Slim Fast) that cater to the busy dieter. It goes without saying that Think Thin bars are meant to be healthy, low in calories, and good for both mommas and babies alike. The flavors are tasty, the bars delectable, and they will always be a better alternative to grabbing a candy bar for your tike when in a rush.

· One bar has 220-260 calories, 20 grams of protein, 18 essential vitamins, and are sugar-free

· Covered in rich chocolate layers, and filled with dessert inspired centers

· Flavors include Creamy or Chunky Peanut Butter, Chocolate Fudge, Brownie Crunch, Chocolate Mudslide, Dark Chocolate, and White Chocolate Chip

· Offer mini bars in Chunky Peanut Butter and Chocolate Fudge flavors, as well as new White Chocolate Raspberry and Peanut Butter Caramel

PROS:

· Taste is chewy, gooey, and decadent like dessert

· Perfect substitute for candy bar or potential unhealthy food choice

· Wide variety of flavors

· Satisfy even the most intensive sweet cravings

· High in protein and healthy nutrients

CONS:

· Caloric equivalent to meal bar (not a snack)

· If you don’t like chocolate, you’re out of luck

· Hard to stop at just one bar

*All meal suggestions at Makeover Momma™ will include allergen information and suggestions for children with allergies, celiac disease, or additional health concerns. This snack is gluten-free.

· Photo provided by gluten-free blog spot.

            One of the easiest ways to fit-in-fitness to your daily life, is simply by creating a simple toning routine when getting ready in the morning.

·         While brushing your teeth, do deep squats (holding onto the side of the sink for support) as if you’re about to sit on a chair placed behind you. Continue squatting the entire time…

·         While washing your face, do simple heel raises by rising up onto the balls of your feet and back down to tone your calve muscles.

·         While brushing your hair, do easy side leg lifts by balancing on one leg, and raising the other parallel to the side. Continue lowering and raising leg, without releasing the muscle to the ground until you are done. (Switch to the other side).

·         While picking out your clothes, do jumping jacks as you scan your closet, or simply try to do jumping jacks between each pause in your morning routine (10 before applying sunscreen, 10 before applying mascara, etc.)

·         While your coffee brews… (or while the morning bottle of formula is warming, or the baby is eating, etc.) do a quick rotation of high knees for 10 counts (jogging in place) and 10 on-your-knees pushups. Continue this rotation to really bring your heart rate up…

EXTRA Ways To “Fit-It-In” During Morning Hours:

-          If you live in a home with stairs, strive to take stairs two-at-a-time the entire morning (or try to jog up them instead of walking).

-          If you watch the morning show, try to do a combination of 10 crunches, 10 counts of holding an extended push-up position (plank) and 10 counts of squat jumps during commercials. Let your toddler join in…

-          If your baby needs tummy time, lay next to them and alternate between “mountain climbers” (holding push up position and quickly switch-jumping feet into deep lunges behind you) and “abdominal leg lowers” (lay flat on your back, extend legs to the ceiling with abdominals engaged and slowly lower legs toward the ground with control. Return and repeat.)

Surprisingly, when you’re short on cash (and time/energy), but high on shine…try grabbing a few toilet seat covers from the bathroom, ripping into small squares and storing in your diaper bag. These toilet-seat covers make for fantastic oil blotting papers (with zero price), which can help keep you from looking tired, slimy or breaking out. Don’t have time to hit your local restroom? Try using coffee filters instead…they will zap oil in no time!

            Try achieving a similar style to Naomi (with 1/2 the price tag) by combining a comfortable, cinched top like this Sheer Lace Tunic from Forever 21 ($19), with casual slim fitting jeans like SO Slim Jeans from Kohl’s ($14). It’s the relaxed and chic accessories that really pull this look together, so make sure to choose a soft cardigan similar to Wet Seal’s Rib Inset Cardigan ($18), and a dramatically draped scarf like Rue 21’s Dip Dye Scarf ($5) for flare. You will be able to tote babies, diapers bags and groceries in no time, while looking comfortable and classically casual.

Try giving it to your child or toddler for a nutritious drink in a “sippy cup”, or add some nutritious vanilla ice cream (such as Soy Delicious Dairy and Gluten Free Vanilla) to make it into a dessert!

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. of pumpkin flavor soymilk, like Silk Pumpkin Spice soymilk
• 1 container (6 oz.) Vanilla flavor Whole Soy Co. soy yogurt
• ½ cup of Light Silken tofu
• ½ fresh banana (for texture) or ½ cup of ice
• Cinnamon

Instructions:

Pour the 8 oz. of Pumpkin Spice soymilk into a blender, and add the 6 oz. container of Whole Soy vanilla yogurt and ½ full package of tofu. Sprinkle mixture with cinnamon, and add the banana or ½ cup of ice for texture and thickness. Blend the mixture until smooth, pour, and garnish with sprinkling of cinnamon! It packs a healthy natural protein and a whole lot of flavor!

Serves 1 to 2.

As hard as it may seem to take time aside for yourself during the day, it’s important for your health (as well as your child’s health and your future as your child’s parent) for you to teach them that once per day you have “exercise time.” Let your child join in on the videos with you or create a “boredom basket” filled with stickers, snacks and coloring books that your child can only use during your fitness video workouts.

Feel this big? Slim down like Jennifer Lopez and other fit moms…without leaving the house!

* You can get a wonderful workout right in the comfort of your own home, without needing a gym membership! Try getting 5 workout videos for each day of the week, and use them to create variety and fun in your routine. Aim to have 3 that include strength training to use on non-consecutive days, and others that involve fun and challenging cardiovascular such as walking, dancing, aerobics, or kickboxing.

* If this seems more of a strain on your pocketbook than your body, try getting used videos from Goodwill, yard sales, or even renting from the library or local video store.

* Websites such as collagevideo.com offer affordable in-home exercise programs, or you can simply trade with a friend.

* Get your fitness delivered by joining a website such as Netflix.com and signing up for a vast range of brand new exercise programs and DVDs, that will be delivered straight to your mailbox each week!

*If you want a more personalized and intense program to help get you back in shape at home, you can try singing up for new systems such as Push TV (www.push.tv). At the cost of $25 per month, they will deliver a personalized fitness DVD every 2 weeks that has been completely catered to your goals, needs, fitness level, and even music preferences. It is literally like having your own personal trainer (whom you chose from a wide range of established celebrity gurus) who will coach you individually through your routine day-by-day to help you reach your goals.

- Stay tuned next month for Fit Family ideas for working out from home using your computer or friends (for free!)