Cool Mom's Guide to Looking Your Best for Summer 2009

Losing weight after baby and regaining your pre-pregnancy figure can be a daunting task. Cool Mom knows this from experience as she is in the throes of post partum transitions, and she wants to share her holistic approach of nutrition, physical activity, and conscientious clothing choices to help you look better and feel better this summer. By following these simple steps, Cool Mom has already lost 10 pounds in the past 6 weeks with minimal exercise and has learned to artfully disguise what's left of the deflated balloon stomach for a chic and slim summer look.

• Drink more water! Staying hydrated keeps the body from storing excess water reserves (AKA bloating) and has the added benefit of making your skin look fresher and more youthful. You can lose as much as 10 lbs. and keep it off by upping your water intake.

• Eat more fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are low calorie, nutrient packed dietary powerhouses. They promote healthy digestion with fiber. The sugars in fruit keep blood sugar levels more stable than sweet snacks like cookies, candy, and other foods made with refined sugars and high fructose corn syrup. Eating one vegetarian meal a day is what kick started Cool Mom's weight loss even more so than exercise!

• Wear tops with long lines and side rouching. Remember how your maternity tops had side rouching to make your pregnant tummy look cute instead of fat and plunging necklines to draw the eye away from your burgeoning midsection? That trick still works after you have the baby. Rouching gives your clothing a more tailored fit while accentuating the curve of your waistline and creating folds in the fabric to hide the tummy pooch. Cool Mom made a dress based on this concept that does a great job at disguising the post-baby tummy sag.

• Bottoms with wide waistbands that sit lower on the waist are most flattering to the post baby figure. They flatten the tummy and take attention off the flab without creating unsightly muffin tops. When paired with a flattering top, it's a winning combination for a sexy postpartum look. Think gauchos and gauzy wrap skirts for a fun, summer wardrobe that beats the heat.

• Incorporate playing with baby into your exercise and activity plan. Entertaining our little ones is something we mothers already do every day. If you can turn play into a way to also get your body moving, you'll be amazed at how much more exercise you can fit into your day without even thinking about it. Here are some ideas to get your started.

1. Turn crunches and sit ups into a game. My son loves it when I sit him on my chest during crunches and make silly sounds or attack his toes every time I come up.
2. No one likes to run during the hot months of summer. If you baby is anything like mine, he doesn't always nap long enough to allow significant outdoor activity. No matter how hot it get, however, most babies still enjoy taking a trip in the stroller. Beat the heat by making a track in your home. With an umbrella stroller, maneuvering around sharp turns and household obstacles is a breeze. To burn more calories, make it a power walk. For Cool Mom, an added benefit is that a 10 minute power walk around the house usually puts her baby to sleep.
3. Use your baby as a makeshift weight. When your infant is able to comfortable hold his or her own head up without assistance, he or she will probably love to do the superman. For a great arm workout, do several reps lifting and lowering your little one above your head.

• Make every second count. As mothers, we have more opportunities than we realize to get our bodies moving. In addition to using the far away parking spot or opting for the stairs instead of the elevator, there are many daily chores that can be turned into multi-tasking moments for exercise. Do squats while waiting for the water to boil. Stand up and down on your tip toes or do hip and glute presses while you wash the dishes. Do bicep curls with the laundry basket on the way to the washer. Be creative and consistent, and adding activity to your day will soon become a life long healthy habit. Before you know it, you'll be popping in the exercise videos during your little one's naps!