The Austin Betty

9 Pregnancy Myths Busted

2012-01-31T16:45:00.001-06:00

Whew, because I've been doing them all along! Exercising, painting nails, dyeing my hair, etc. No wonder I'm enjoying my pregnancy so much!

9 Pregnancy Myths Busted

Featured in KissFist Online Magazine

2012-01-20T16:45:00.007-06:00

KISSFIST just released their newest issue, The Deaf Women Issue, and The Austin Betty is among one of the many Deaf women featured in it!

KISSFIST: Issue #10 (my article is on page 60-61)

(ASL Version of my article)

Good to Know:

2012-01-05T17:00:00.008-06:00

Organic. Organic. Organic. We see that word in almost every other sentence out there! Aren't you confused sometimes about what you should buy organic? And shouldn't? Me too.
Health.com has a simple quick guide to what to buy organic... and what not to.

11 Things It's Best to Buy Organic

5 Surprising Things You Don't Have to Buy Organic

16 Things You Didn't Know About the NFL

2011-10-12T06:53:00.002-05:00

It's no secret I love football. But there are still a lot of things I don't know about football. We're right in the middle of football season so you probably hear a lot of talk about the games & plays... and maybe most of them go right over your head. Check out this infographic, you will find some interesting football information to share at your next tailgating event!

p.s. Be sure to check out Fact #14! That one totally surprised me!

p.s.s. GO REDSKINS!

View Other Infographics

A Workout You WILL Want To Do!

2011-10-09T08:22:00.001-05:00

My mom sent me this hilarious YouTube link yesterday. This video is in French, but the video is only a video. No words needed!

Thanks, mom!

Running with the Pack

2011-06-06T11:41:00.002-05:00

I have never considered myself a "runner" because running was never easy for me. I perform better at sports/activities that take place in contained areas like volleyball, strength training, dancing, and uhh... maybe basketball. But definitely not soccer or track.

I am a pitbull, not a vizsla. If you don't know what I mean by that... then check out the article from Runner's World: A Breed Apart.

RW states pitbulls are good for brisk, shorter runs (less than 10K) because they have a mind for sprinting. Long distance runs don't work well for pitbulls because they are prone to overheating. It's a coincidence that I own a pitbull! You know how they say owners and their dogs are alike? I think this is true in my case! This is a picture of me with Bruno after a short, but brisk run last Saturday. We ran around 3 miles that morning and Bruno was done for the day (so was I)!

The chart from RW will tell you which dog breeds are best for your kind of running. Does your dog match your running style? Also, thanks to this chart, I now understand why my sister's dog, Lane (a hound-mix), can outrun and outplay Bruno anytime, any day! Really explains a lot.

If you live in the ATX area, come and run with our "deaf" pack on Saturdays/Sundays at 8 am on the corner of Riverside & Lamar. Dogs and babies welcome!

Russell, Sean, Arlene w/ baby Sydney, The Austin Betty
Kristen w/ Brownie, Debbie & Oscar

Check out the poll on the right! --------------->

Bike-to-Work Day

2011-05-20T08:32:00.001-05:00

May 20th is Bike-to-Work Day! I've been meaning to bike to work--- I live SO close to work, it's just inexcusable to not try biking at least once! Whole Foods Market offered free breakfast for those who biked to work today so this was "icing on the cake" :) I also met Rebecca, who tweets for @WholeFoodsATX, this morning... it's nice to finally put a face to the name!

THE ROUTE: (thanks google maps for providing bike routes!)

THE BREAKFAST PHOTO:

THE SEMI-SWEATY PHOTO:

THE BIKE-LOOKING-OVER-MY-SHOULDER-WHILE-I-WORK PHOTO:

EXERCISE STATS: 8.25 miles; 41 minutes; avg. 12 mph; 305 calories burned. But that's just the morning route... I still have to ride my bike back home after work! The afternoon ride should be shorter, maybe around 3.3 miles.

Do you bike to work? Vote in the poll on the RIGHT! --------->

Bet You Are Sitting Down Right Now...

2011-05-10T14:42:00.006-05:00

Got this *infographic from a co-worker and yes, I learned a new word!

Eye-popping stats. I'm not surprised if you are sitting down right now as you read this! Well, I am.

*infographic: visual representations of information, data and/or knowledge.

I spend about 8-10 hours sitting each day! (ulp) Even though I do an hour-long work out 6 days a week, but it's my office job that keeps me chained to my crappy chair. What about you?

Where do you spend most of your time sitting down? Vote in the poll on the right!

Via: Medical Billing And Coding

Are Your Bananas Brown and Mushy?

2011-04-18T20:10:00.000-05:00

If you're like me, I pick up a fresh batch of bananas every time I go to the food store. I usually use them all up, but some days I forget and they get all brown and mushy... attracting fruit flies like crazy! Instead of throwing them out, I make banana bread. Healthy version, of course. You know how bananas taste sweeter when they're more mushy? This is perfect for making banana bread because you won't need to use as much sugar as you would with ripe bananas. In this recipe, I removed butter, white flour, and some sugar. It still tastes great! The best part is that it doesn't take too long to make this, and you probably already have everything in your kitchen!

Healthy Banana Bread:
3-4 brown, wilty bananas
1 egg
1/4 cup brown sugar (or naturally sweetened applesauce)
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon (but I tend to put in more, I love cinnamon!)
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
Chopped nuts, optional

1. Set the oven to 350 degrees
2. Mash up the bananas and beat in the egg in a large bowl or a mixer.
3. Stir in brown sugar, salt and cinnamon.
4. In a separate bow, mix whole wheat flour, baking soda and baking powder.
5. Gradually add the dry mixture to the banana mixture.
6. Pour batter into a loaf pan
7. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes *cook time depends on size of your loaf pan*
8. Test readiness by sticking a dry knife into the loaf, if it comes out clean... it is ready!

Nutrition data: 1 slice (2" x 2"); calories - 151; fat - 1g; sat. fat - 0.2g; cholesterol - 21g; sodium - 233g; carb. - 34g; fiber - 4.2g; sugars - 11g; protein - 4g.

Workout DVDs with Captions and/or Subtitles

2011-04-05T12:10:00.005-05:00

Dear Readers,

I have complied (and am actively adding to) a list of workout DVDs with closed captions and/or English subtitles. The purpose of the list is to help take out the guesswork out of shopping for workout DVDs. Websites, such as Amazon.com, often do not include CC/subtitles information in their listings. This can make online shopping frustrating for deaf & hard-of-hearing people. If you have some finds you'd like to share on this list, send me an email (tamara@theaustinbetty.com) or leave a comment, and I'll add it.

~The Austin Betty

p.s. check out the fun poll on the right!

What's In Your Deodorant?

2011-03-28T17:32:00.012-05:00

I'm sure you've heard the claims about aluminum in deodorants causing breast cancer and/or Alzheimer's disease. I've heard plenty about this from my mom a few years ago. In fact, her words still haunt me to this day every time I find myself wandering in the deodorant aisle at the grocery.

When my maternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer about 8 years ago, naturally... my mom became worried about the probability of contracting the same disease herself. She started buying aluminum-free deodorants and explained to me that since we shave our underarms, it allows the aluminum in the deodorant to be absorbed through razor nicks. It gets deposited in the lymph nodes under the arms causing a high concentration of toxins, which leads to cells mutating into cancer. She also said that men have a lower risk of breast cancer because they don't shave their underarms, and their underarm hair keeps chemicals from being absorbed. Scientific research has shown that most breast cancers develop in the upper-outer quadrant of the breast. And it just so happens that area is closest to the lymph nodes exposed to antiperspirants (deodorants with aluminum). Although at this time, there is no concrete proof that aluminum causes breast cancer or Alzheimer's Disease. Regardless, my mom's words stuck to me. I was in college when my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer, but I kept using the same deodorant, Degree Shower Clean, an antiperspirant. But let me tell you, every time I went to the store to pick up new ones, I always took a moment to think about trying another brand that's not antiperspirant but I would end up buying the same brand because I was afraid the aluminum-free ones would fail to keep me smelling sweet, fresh and dry during my workouts, and I didn't want to smell like a hippie-chick either. I thought to myself, "Why fix it if it's not broken?"

Well, last week I finally took a leap of faith and bought an aluminum-free brand. Why now? Well, on Twitter, there was a tweet with a link to a blogger writing about finding the best aluminum-free deodorant (I can't find the blog to link back here, sorry!) She couldn't find any that were aluminum-free and not made by natural brands (usually more costly). So she decided to venture over to the men's section and she was surprised to find several popular brands offering aluminum-free ones.

So, when I walked into the deodorant aisle last week, I checked out every single women's deodorant and sure enough, all of them were antiperspirant ones. Then I moved over to the men's section, I found a few aluminum-free deodorants. There were several scents to choose from so I ended up picking the most feminine one (well, in my opinion), Degree Silver Ion Technology in Arctic Edge. I've been using it for about a week now and it works great. It lasts through my entire day... however, I do experience some wetness once in a while, but that also happened with my old deodorant though. Also, a few times I thought my husband was behind me but then realized I must have smelled my own deodorant! (He wears a similar brand) Well, the best part is that it only cost me $1.97 and I don't smell like a hippie-chick!

Quick tips:

If it says it is antiperspirant, it has aluminum.
If it has aluminum, it will be listed on the back on the nutrition label.
If it says it is an antiperspirant, it means you will not sweat (no wetness).
If it says it is a deodorant, it will mask the B.O. but will not prevent wetness.

Is your deodorant aluminum-free? VOTE ON THE POLL! ------->

______

Update #1 (3/29/2011):

Just learned Degree Silver Ion has silver chloride (a common anti-microbial ingredient). I'm not sure if silver chloride does the same stuff aluminum does. I would think so, but I'd have to give Degree customer service a call.
______

Update #2 (3/29/3011): I called Degree customer service and they said that they used sparse amounts of silver chloride in the product (it actually is listed second to last on the ingredient list). It's purpose is to prevent the growth of bacteria, which causes body odor. I did some more research online and found that silver chloride is also used in bandages and wound healing products (wikipedia). But also in photographic paper and in the staining glass process. This information makes me feel somewhat uneasy. Like @hayliedaisies tweeted earlier today, "We can never know with chemicals today."

Good Riddance BMI!

2011-03-09T12:06:00.001-06:00

Shaq is the most obese NBA player, so says BMI. I bet you're shaking your head in disbelief. I know... I was when I first saw that headline! It certainly threw me off but it also piqued my curiosity and I wanted to look further into this.

BMI, body-mass index, was once thought to be a good way to measure your body fat. But the biggest gripe about BMI is that they don't differentiate between muscle and fat. This creates a problem for athletes, body builders, and naturally muscular individuals. Again, Shaq = obese? I don't think so.

So if you've been working out a lot and trying to lose weight, the BMI tool may give you incorrect results. Not only that, the BMI index also doesn't tell you where the fat is stored. As you already know, fat stored at the waist indicates a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, and the BMI tool cannot identify this as fat isn't distributed evenly through your body. This is also true for skinny-fat people. Skinny-fat people have less muscle mass, their BMI score may be lower, but it does not mean they are in the normal or underweight range. They may be thin, but have a high body fat percentage! The same thing goes for elderly people.

So, let me introduce you to body adiposity index (BAI). Scientists say they have found a new way to measure obesity that has nothing to do with how much you weigh. But you will need a calculator... unless you're a math whiz.

The BAI takes your weight out of it and uses your hip circumference and height, in centimeters, in this equation:

{ hip circumference / [(height X square root of height) - 18] = BAI }

p.s. See? I told you would need a calculator!

While BAI is relatively new, but it is not without flaws. The research was done by scientists from University of South California and they validated their equation with two separate studies with a population of 1,700 Mexican-Americans and 220 African-Americans. Obviously, more research is needed to see if this equation is valid for Caucasians as well. Another flaw, this equation cannot distinguish between belly fat and fat in other parts of the body. Belly flab is linked to increased risk for heart disease and other health hazards, while thigh flab is not.

Meanwhile, it's probably best to use as many tools as possible (such as electronic scales, calipers, etc.) to determine your body-fat percentage. I'm looking forward to seeing more research done on this new index... and I hope there'll be a BAI calculator available online soon!

Reference

Diabetes 101

2011-02-26T10:00:00.000-06:00

By 2050, 1 in 3 adults will be diagnosed with diabetes. In 2007, the percentage was at 7.8%

Say again? In 40 years, 30% of adults will be diagnosed with diabetes? Wow.

The American Diabetes Association also reports that 1.6 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in people aged 20 years or older each year.

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin, a hormone that regulates carbohydrate and fat metabolism, which is usually caused by obesity, older age, and/or genetics. Other than premature death, diabetes also causes health complications such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease, nervous system disease, and lower-limb amputation.

Check out the animated & subtitled video about Diabetes... it's also presented in British Sign Language. The visual graphics helps explain how our bodies are affected by diabetes.

And find out your risk for having pre-diabetes or Type 2 diabetes, take the Risk Test.

There is good news. You can reduce your risk for Type 2 diabetes by making relatively moderate lifestyle changes: losing weight (if overweight or obese), improving dietary choices, and regular exercise.

Whether or not if you are at risk for diabetes, maintaining a balanced blood glucose levels is critical in maintaining a healthy life and weight management. The more steady your blood glucose levels are, the less "yo-yoing" you experience from cravings and bingeing, and the less chance you'll find yourself baffled with health issues in the future. There is no one diet or meal plan that works for everyone, but the most important thing is to follow a meal plan that helps achieve balanced blood glucose levels.

Remember, health is in your hands... You can change your fate.

References

Drink Yourself to Health?

2011-02-24T17:00:00.001-06:00

We all have heard about how "healthy" it is to drink red wine because it prevents heart disease & diabetes, wards off cancer & kidney stones, cuts stroke risk, provides flavonoids & antioxidants protection, and promotes longevity. There are more health benefits that I have not listed here. If you love to drink red wine then you are fortunate to enjoy the drink and get its health benefits as well. But before you go and buy cases of red wine, thinking you can go on a "red wine diet"... you must consider one thing which is to have it in moderation.

To receive the health benefits of red wine, you must drink it in moderation and regularly. So, how much red wine is considered moderate? Most would suggest 1-2 glasses per day. But you also need to know exactly how much red wine is in a single glass. Not everyone pours the same amount in their glass every time. The American Medical Association states that one glass of red wine should be 5 ounces. The average wine bottle has 25 ounces, so there are around 5 glasses of wine in a bottle.

However, the American Health Association cautions people not to start drinking. They acknowledge the health benefits of drinking wine but they also believe that alcohol will lead to other health problems and increases the risk for accidents/suicides. They also added that it's not possible to predict in which people alcoholism will become a problem.

Also, some researches/studies have found that red wine use indeed prevents 26,000 deaths annually, but that number was outweighed by 90,000 deaths caused by alcohol annually. That means that for every one death prevented, it caused three other deaths.

That said, I think drinking red wine for its health benefits is a personal decision and should be made for yourself only.

Check out the poll on the right! -------------->

References

"But I Just Ate! I Can't Be Hungry Already!"

2011-01-10T16:30:00.007-06:00

Have you ever had one of those moments when you are all of a sudden ravenous after a meal, and you say to yourself... "But I just ate! I can't be hungry already!" Well... there's a reason for that!

Glycemic Index (GI) is a medical term used to measure the speed at which carbohydrates break down in the digestive system to form glucose. Glucose = energy to fuel your brain, muscles and other organs. Glucose is set at 100. So, foods that are quickly digested have a higher GI number, and foods that are digested more slowly have a lower GI number.

To keep your blood glucose levels steady, switch over to mainly low GI foods that slowly trickle glucose in your blood stream, and it will keep your energy levels balanced and you will feel fuller for longer periods between meals. Examples of low GI foods are: yogurt, nuts, hummus, avocados, low-fat cheeses, fruits, air-popped popcorn, etc.

There's no need to count numbers or anything like that. Just familiarize yourself with the foods that keep you full and then incorporate those types of foods in your meals/snacks.

How I do to stay balanced? For breakfast or whenever I'm pressed for time, I have a USANA Nutrimeal shake (they're low GI, keeps me full and tastes so good!) and snack on low GI foods during the day as well. For instance, today I snacked on an apple with peanut butter, a Clif's MOJO mixed nuts bar, and air-popped organic popcorn. My husband and I also try to cook meals that are filling so that we don't end up snacking late at night.

If you need ideas for low GI meals, snacks and/or products... click here, here, here, and here.

Reference

Small Loss, Big Benefit!

2010-12-19T11:08:00.000-06:00

Yesterday morning, I came across a very intriguing article in Self's January 2011 issue regarding how losing only a few pounds can reap huge healthy rewards. I felt this topic was totally blog-worthy! Read on...

Lose 2 pounds... And dodge diabetes.
When you're overweight, you are unable to metabolize blood sugars properly. For every 1% of weight lost (about 2 lbs.), overweight individuals' odds of obtaining type 2 diabetes dropped by 16%.

Lose 9 pounds... And be more fertile.
Shedding just 5% of your body weight (about 9 lbs.) caused overweight women to have a 19% jump in blood flow to the womb. This result greatly improves ovulation, raising the chance of pregnancy.

Lose 11 pounds... And ease your aches.
Women who weighed 150 lbs. and shed about 11 lbs. cut their risk for osteoarthritis of the knee by 50%. Each pound of excess weight translates to 3-6 lbs. of extra weight on your knees when walking or running. Losing this much weight can prevent damage to your knees.

Lose 15 pounds... And protect your heart.
Overweight people who lost 15 or more lbs. reduced their risk for hypertension by as much as 28%. Weight loss lowers pressure within the blood vessels, putting less strain on your heart.

Lose 20 pounds... And avoid breast cancer.
Overweight women who lost 20 lbs. reduced their risk by 19%. Fat cells produce excess estrogen, which may play a role in the rapid growth of cancer cells.

Or gain a little weight... And live longer!
Underweight women whose body-mass index is below 18.5 have a higher risk than overweight women of dying from non-cancer, non-heart disease such as pneumonia, injury or Parkinson's disease. If you're too thin, you may not have the nutrient stores to help your body heal.

Reference

Can You Believe These Ads?!

2010-11-30T08:53:00.002-06:00

A co-worker forwarded me an email with some ads from the past... I couldn't believe my eyes when I gazed upon them!

In your opinion, which is the worst ad?

I wonder why they call it The Good Ol' Days? It doesn't seem like it! This also makes me wonder which ads from this present era will be considered "erroneous"a few decades from now...

P90X Journal - Day 83 Entry

2010-11-22T18:56:00.001-06:00

Another McDonald's Experiment, ulp.

2010-11-11T08:47:00.001-06:00

I was doing my morning reading and came across another McDonald's experiment done by Snack Girl. I still can't get over the fact that McDonald's food does NOT rot or decompose at all. Check it out!

McDonald's Cheeseburger Left For Two Weeks

Snack Girl also talks about her theory why McDonald's cheeseburger did not rot... it just simply isn't food. Be sure to read the entire article to learn more about her findings. Also, she is currently doing another experiment with McNuggets and some other fast food chicken as well.

Chicken McNuggets Experiment: Rot or Not?

After reading both blogs, you might want to think twice about picking up fast food!

New Poll on the right! ----->

Costume of the Year!

2010-11-01T10:00:00.002-05:00

My husband, Oscar, is such a party pooper when it comes to Halloween. He just wants to put on a mask and go. This year, I begged him to get into the Halloween spirit, at least for me, but he just wanted to wear an afro, ugly set of fake teeth and stuff his shirt with a pillow. Then we both got this genius idea to add a sign in front of him saying "P90X Fail (I tried)" with a frowny-face.

When we went to 6th St. in Austin to celebrate Halloween, he was a huge hit! People wanted to take photos with him! I think he secretly enjoys Halloween more than he lets on.

Disclaimer: My husband is still doing P90X :)

Fit Moms Check In...

2010-10-27T20:00:00.000-05:00

I often am contacted by my readers with questions about weight loss and exercise programs. However, one of the most common questions I am asked is:

How do I lose the weight I've gained from having a baby?

I struggle to answer this one because I've not had a baby yet and because of that, I believe I don't have the right to tell mothers how they should lose the weight.

So, I thought who better to ask than these fitness conscious mothers. They share their experience, wisdom, advice and tips with us.

HOW MANY CHILDREN DO YOU HAVE? HOW OLD ARE THEY?

Raymonda: One, almost 12 months old.
Jennifer: One, 8 months old.
Mom T: One, age 2 1/2, and another baby on the way!
Melly S: Two children, ages 32 mos. and 20 mos.
Scarlett: Three children, ages 12, 5, and 1
Arlene: Four children, ages 7, 5 (twins), and 18-mos.
FitMama4: Four children, ages 8 1/2, 6, 3, and 6 mos.
Yoga: Two children, ages 6 and 5.
Shel: Three children, ages 9, 7 and 5.
Mom A: Two boys, ages 7 1/2 and 5.

AVERAGE WEIGHT GAINED DURING PREGNANCY?

Raymonda: 20 lbs.
Jennifer: 50 lbs.
Mom T: 35+
Melly S: *laughing* With the first one, 65 lbs. and the second one, about 20 lbs.
Scarlett: 1st one - 50 lbs., 2nd - 30 lbs., 3rd - 25 lbs.
Arlene: 1st one - 80 lbs., 2nd - 100 lbs, 3rd - 40 lbs.
FitMama4: Average 20 lbs. per pregnancy.
Yoga: 40 lbs.
Shel: Average 30 lbs. per pregnancy.
Mom A: Honestly, I don't remember. Didn't really care, ha! I would say approximately 20 lbs. more or less.

HOW SOON DID YOU START WORKING OUT AGAIN?

Raymonda: 7 weeks.
Jennifer: 6 weeks, I had a c-section.
Mom T: About 2 months to fully work out, but in the first 6 weeks I often went out for walks.
Melly S: I'd say after 6 weeks (the doctor recommended after 8th week, I think).
Scarlett: 1 year after the 1st pregnancy-- about 2 years after my 2nd pregnancy. This time around, I started working out and "dieting" less than a year later.
Arlene: 1 year after the first baby, about 6 mos. after the twins, and 2-3 months after my fourth baby.
FitMama4: After my 6-week post check-up with the doctor, and receiving his "OK".
Yoga: After first baby, I did yoga about 2 months. After, second baby... about 2-3 months. I had c-section with both kids.
Shel: First one, about 3-4 weeks later. Second, gosh, I guess a few months later. Third, maybe a year later???
Mom A: At least 6 months with both.

WHAT DID YOUR EXERCISE SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?

Raymonda: 5 X a week to get in shape for the 2010 10-mile Cherry Blossom race last April. After that, 3-4 X a week to keep myself in shape.
Jennifer: 45 min. walks 3-5 X a week along with some floor exercises at home (ie. crunches, push-ups, yoga)
Mom T: Starting out with walks for the first 6-8 weeks, then transitioning into 2-mile treadmill walks, 10-lb. weight lifts for arms, squats for legs, leg presses and exercise balls. Later I cut out the walking and went jogging. I would go to the gym 3 X a week, for 1 - 1 1/2 hours each session.
Melly S: Brisk walking 3 X a week, not constant as it depended on babies' moods and needs. Plus my husband's demanding schedule with work and school.
Scarlett: It was hard to have a rigid exercise schedule because I'm busy with so many things and it usually came to the point where, when I found I had at least half an hour, I would just drop everything and go exercise.
Arlene: I bought a triple jogger and ran with all three boys for a good 30 min. to 1 hour daily. I also did a lot of yoga and pilates, which I did 4-5 X a week for 20 minutes.
FitMama4: My workout schedule varied. I exercised 1-2 hours per day, early in the morning before my kids get up. Sometimes in the afternoon.
Yoga: Not enough. I was overwhelmed with the experience of being a new mom. With my first I was worried over little things then with the second kid, it got easier.
Shel: First one, my workouts were random because I did not have a support system in Oregon. Second one, I'd say roughly 2 X week in the evenings for about an hour to an hour and a half with a buddy who was also a mom. Third one, ha! It wasn't really consistent.
Mom A: After birth, I started walking gradually.

WHICH ACTIVITIES HELPED YOU LOSE WEIGHT?

Raymonda: Breastfeeding, home DVDs, weightlifting, cardio machine, running and playing with my baby at the park. Even picking up my baby and her toys! :)
Jennifer: Breastfeeding. Long walks and jogs with the baby are a lot of fun because I can talk to her about new things she is experiencing (dogs, birds, etc.) and I forget I'm getting a pretty good workout in too.
Mom T: Breastfeeding, staying active in the first few weeks after birth with simple walks, and then slowly going back into a regular gym routine.
Melly S: Breastfeeding and staying busy but the last 20 pounds were tough.
Scarlett: Breastfeeding helped for the first 5-10 lbs. but after that it just stopped helping. Instead, I took walks, went hiking, joined a gym, did some exercises at home, and swam laps in the pool.
Arlene: Running outside, free weights, cardio, yoga and pilates DVDs.
FitMama4: A lot of DVDs, breastfeeding, kickboxing, aerobics, pilates, boot camp and now soon P90X!
Yoga: With the first baby, I lost all of my weight easily thru breastfeeding. With second baby, I had to work harder. Breastfeeding, running and gym.
Shel: Breastfeeding, walking, running, and PILATES! (I totally love it!) And when possible, roughing around. I grew up with 2 older brothers and was involved in Judo so when I see an opportunity to rough around, I will take the opportunity!
Mom A: Breastfeeding at first, then walking afterwards. I did not join a gym til much later.

DID YOU CHANGE YOUR EATING HABITS? DID YOU "DIET"?

Raymonda: No, I didn't. But of course, I did have a cheat day though.
Jennifer: No, I didn't go on a diet. I am terrible with diets! I generally try to eat healthy during the week at work and cook healthy dinners and then eat whatever I like on weekends. Which was similar to what I was doing pre-preganancy.
Mom T: No dieting, ate same, if not MORE than what I ate before because of breastfeeding.
Melly S: Yes, I went into a 6-week body makeover by Michael Thurmond, when AJ was about a year old. It helped a lot!
Scarlett: No, but after each pregnancy became more conscious about what I ate and the portion size as well. It's hard when you have four other people in the house who aren't on diets. But I try, and I do get support from my family as we try to eat healthier together.
Arlene: Yes, I pretty much cut down on sweet products and stopped eating after 8 pm.
FitMama4: No diets. Stuck with small portions of food, ate 4-6 times a day instead of 3 large meals.
Yoga: No, diet doesn't do me good. Exercise!!!!
Shel: No, I have never believed in doing a "diet". Food are meant to be enjoyed! Eat good small sized portions. I don't "avoid" food. If I want it, I will eat it. :)
Mom A: No, I didn't.

ARE YOU AT YOUR POST-PREGNANCY WEIGHT GOAL? IF SO, HOW LONG DID IT TAKE?

Raymonda: Yes. It took me about 2 months.
Jennifer: Yes, in about 4 months. But I am working on rebuilding the muscle I lost.
Mom T: With first child, was 10 lbs. away, but I got pregnant again, maybe this time? :) It took me about 6-7 months, I wasn't in a hurry.
Melly S: Not yet, I still have 20 lbs. to go but I lost 60+ lbs. within a year.
Scarlett: After all three pregnancies, I am about 15-20 lbs. away from my goal. I'm still working on it!
Arlene: Yes, I'm getting there, just have 10 lbs. left!
FitMama4: I'm a few pounds away from my goal, it took me about 2 months.
Yoga: I reached my goal weight, about 3 years after my second child.
Shel: After all three pregnancies, I am 12 lbs. away from my original weight.
Mom A: Yes, but I didn't reach it right after birth. I would say it took me at least a year or so.

DID YOU WORKOUT WHILE PREGNANT?

Raymonda: Yes.
Jennifer: At first, I didn't because I was nauseated and had low energy. Then in the second trimester, I started exercising again.
Mom T: Yes.
Melly S: Not really. I kept myself busy at work, does that count? :)
Scarlett: Yes.
Arlene: No. I was tempted but was also paranoid!
FitMama4: Yes, but at first I couldn't because of morning sickness.
Yoga: Yes.
Shel: No, I was paranoid. But does sex count as exercise?
Mom A: Yes.

LOOKING BACK, WHAT WERE YOU GLAD YOU DID PRE-/DURING/POST-PREGNANCY?

Raymonda: I exercised everyday and attempted to eat organic food.
Jennifer: I was a newlywed before becoming pregnant so fortunately I was already very fit and thin. Constantly moving during/after my pregnancy helped a lot too. I had to trick myself into staying fit by making the goal unrelated to fitness, ie. walking to walk, going for breakfast, going shopping.
Mom T: Helped a lot to exercise while pregnant (more energy, no back pains, etc.) and made the labor easier.
Melly S: I was at my best shape pre-pregnancy and that helped me know what it will take for me to get there again.
Scarlett: Honestly, I felt I finally got it right with my third one. The key is to remain active and keep drinking water, water, water.
Arlene: I enjoyed my pregnancy and knew I had the willpower to get back in shape!
FitMama4: I was athletic and committed to working out post-pregnancy and continued to be active through my pregnancies.
Shel: People have said "you are eating for two," I was glad I didn't eat for two otherwise I would have been 10,000 lbs. at the end of my pregnancy!
Mom A: Didn't worry about my weight too much. I simply took the time to enjoy my pregnancy.

AND WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY?

Jennifer: I was a terrible eater, I ate frozen pizzas and corn dogs. Then started eating bite-size donuts in the middle of the night. My weight really shot up during the last month or two.
Melly S: Exercise regularly! Big time!!!!
Scarlett: I would have started exercising earlier. It took me way too damn long to start.
Arlene: I wish I worked out during pregnancy. I've learned that it is safe to exercise while pregnant!
FitMama4: I wish I were more committed to exercise with my first few pregnancies like I did with my last one.
Yoga: Wished I exercise more and watched what I ate during my pregnancies.
Shel: Be more consistent with my routine for exercises.
Mom A: I wished there was pregnant mothers' exercise group as they have now.

Take care of yourself before you are able to take care of your baby and loved ones.

-Raymonda

So much of how your body responds to pregnancy is out of your control so take it as it comes and remember your waistline will be one notch lower on your list of priorities. Just do the best you can with whatever energy you have left to give to your food choices and exercise routine.

-Jennifer

1. Consult with a doctor always before you exercise. This is not a time to become "Ms. Fit While Pregnant" and show everyone how in shape you are and how little you gain. Everyone is different, and you need to find what's right for you, not what appears right for the mainstream.
2. Stick to making exercise a part of your schedule.
3. On top of exercising, make sure you eat right, after all you are supposed to be gaining weight!
4. Last but not least, ENJOY being pregnant! :)

-Mom T

Everything is a learning process - each mom with whatever circumstances around them are unique. There are definitely many ways to take good care of yourself so your babies can learn from you.

-Melly S

If you are active before you get pregnant, don't stop once you find out you're carrying a baby. If you aren't active before you get pregnant, do light exercises that your doctor approves of. Don't take the phrase "eating for two" too literally! Water is your best friend! :)

-Scarlett

Enjoy being pregnant. It's a special experience, a gift. DO NOT stress about weight gain, it's normal. Your baby needs it all. You will get the "body" if you work for it. Be determined like me and know that the result takes a lot of effort and patience!

-Arlene

Push yourself hard! Tell yourself, You can do it!!! It will be hard at first, but it will become habit-forming. An important key, it takes time to reach your goals, stay persistent with getting back in shape. Once you reach your goal, keep going and stick with the routines. You'll be pleased with the results!

-FitMama4

Every mothers' experience will be different!!! Just do what you feel is best for you.

-Yoga

Don't eat for two, eat like you normally do before you were pregnant. Walk lots and if possible swim, it's good for your heart too! Water, water and water is your best friend and make sure you have plenty of calcium intake because the baby will steal your calcium. Also, please do not deprive of yourself of something you love to eat otherwise you will go on a binge.

-Shel

Do what YOU feel comfortable and remember to take the time to enjoy your pregnancy!

-Mom A

GOT ??S FOR THESE MOMS OR FOR A SPECIFIC MOM?
SEND THEM TO TAMARA [AT] THEAUSTINBETTY [DOT] COM!

P90X - Day 60

2010-10-24T18:10:00.001-05:00

P90X Journal - Day 51 Entry

2010-10-15T22:47:00.001-05:00

Firming Cream or Cellulite Cream?

2010-10-12T14:19:00.000-05:00

What's the difference between a firming cream and a cellulite cream?

I get so confused when I'm at the store, looking at firming creams and cellulite creams. I often ask myself, "What's the difference?" And every time, I never get an answer! I finally found a clear and simple answer to my question in Shape Magazine's August 2010 issue. Shape says:

"While lotions that target cellulite improve the appearance of indentations on the butt, thighs and tummy, they don't contain high concentrations of ingredients that will tighten slackened skin in other areas. Firming creams, however, can be used all over, especially on places that lose collagen as you age, like your knees, neck, chest and upper arms."

Do you use either type of lotion? Vote in the poll on the right!

1 in 6 Men Will Have Prostate Cancer

2010-10-11T21:11:00.000-05:00

Did you know that 1 in 6 men will have prostate cancer?

A diet rich in fish may help reduce the risk of dying from prostate cancer. Eating large quantities of fish will not prevent prostate cancer from developing in men. But it can stop the disease from spreading and cut the chances that it will be deadly. Not only that, there are studies showing that it can also reduce the risk of breast cancer in women.

To read more about the benefits of fish oil, click here: AOLHealth - Eating Lots of Fish May Cut Prostate Cancer Death Risk

When my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer, many of my friends have told me, "Oh, my uncle had it.", "My dad has it too", "My grandfather and my father both beat it." It is surprising, and shocking, to see that prostate cancer has become a common name in households.

Get yourself or your man started on eating fish and/or taking fish oil pills. My husband and I take ours everyday.