How You Can Lose Weight in the New Year

I am very excited to announce the start of my new audio course called, Losing Weight After Baby: 31 Days to a New You!

I've been developing this material for the past 2 years, researching and journaling about what works for moms who want to lose that baby weight and keep it off.



Here's how it works:



1. You decide you want to have a breakthrough month. You haven't seen the scale moving in the right direction and you want that to change. You want to be healthier and have more energy.


2. You sign up for my 31 day audio course. Every day for one month, you'll receive a 5 minute audio message from me directly to your inbox to motivate you, inform you and then call you to action. The daily action steps are totally doable and will produce life change.

3. Your clothes will fit looser and you'll be on your way to achieving your weight goals!


Give yourself the gift of health this Christmas and please sign up. Your husband and children will thank you because we as moms have so much influence over the health of our kids. The audio course will sell for $29.95, but I have a Christmas special right now for $19.95 in December so don't let that pass you by! That's way less than a cup of coffee (it's less than 65 cents a day!).


Get ready for a NEW YOU in the NEW YEAR!

"Behold I am doing a new thing..." Isaiah 43:18

Chocolate Anyone?

Okay, I admit it. I love chocolate. Yes, I am the "losing weight after baby" website lady and I do encourage moms to make healthy choices. But I DO love chocolate ever-so-much!

Now by loving chocolate, I don't mean I eat a big bowl of chocolate chip ice cream everyday. I try to keep my treats in moderation (like a 100 calorie chunk of dark chocolate).

I'm in maintenance mode right now, which means I want to eat enough calories to maintain my current weight. When the scale begins to creep up, I know it's time to kiss the chocolates goodbye for a few days.

If you've just had a baby, you're probably in "weight loss" mode. When I wanted to lose weight after my last pregnancy, I saved treats like chocolate to enjoy every 2 weeks or so.

Does it sound too radical to pass up chocolate for 2 weeks? Then do what my friend did. Only eat chocolate (or other favorite treats) every other day. That will cut your chocolate consumption in half if you're nibbling on something sweet everyday. The beauty of every other day is when you feel like you really want a treat, you just tell yourself, "Oh, I can eat that tomorrow," and that seems really doable.

Once you are comfortable with treats every other day, you can move to treats twice a week. And then graduate to once a week. Just remember the beauty of delayed gratification. It may be hard to say no to chocolate, but you'll be thrilled when you can put on your old jeans again. When you see the scale moving in the right direction, you'll know it was worth it to skip a treat or two.

The fruit of the Spirit is...self-control. - Galatians 5:22-23

-Arlene

Is There Recreational Fun after Baby?

After we had a baby, a recreational activity for me and my husband was going to Walmart together. That was about it. Maybe you know the feeling! Yet doing fun things together, maybe something you did before baby, is important to strengthen your marriage. Your spouse can feel forgotten when diapers and onesies take front and center.

This week on my Losing Weight After Baby podcast, I talk about one thing your husband needs: recreational companionship. And guess what? When you bike, hike, swim, play tennis, etc. with your husband, you'll be burning calories at the same time. And you're having fun while communicating how much you enjoy your man. That's multitasking at its finest!

On my website, I have a list of activities to jog your brain about things you can do together with your spouse and even a few you can do with baby. Right now, we love to hike with our 3 & 1 year old. Ethan loves running in the dirt and Noelle is all about being outdoors. Summers approaching...take out your calendar and plan a little family fun! When you keep active, the pounds will come off much faster.

Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not
obey the word, they without a word, may be won by the conduct of their
wives. I Peter 3:1

-Arlene

Where's My Brain?

Today felt like a "Where's my brain?" kind of day. I dropped a vase and then cut my finger on the glass. Forgot to cover a casserole with aluminum foil (it specifically said to cover it!). Mixed up the kids socks. I have a website called "Losing Weight After Baby" and one mom I know joked that there should be another website called "Losing Your Mind After Baby."

Ever had one of those kinds of days when you can't quite get your head in the game? Here's my advice - just laugh and roll with the punches. Chances are, no one will permanently suffer from your absentmindness.

At the first opportunity, pray and ask God to give you clarity. As it says in 2 Corinthians 10:5, "bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."

When your brain feels fuzzy, it's easy to have a lazy attitude about your health. It's ironic because chances are if you ate some fruit and took a walk, you would feel a whole lot better. So even on those days when you feel like your brain is frozen, pray to Jesus, reach for a healthy snack and be active. You'll be thinking more clearly in no time!

-Arlene

Your Baby, Your Husband

Just because you have a darling 10-pound baby staring into your eyes almost 24 hours a day, don't forget about your other baby...your husband!

Remember those days when he was your baby, your sole focus at home, the recipient of all your attention? Your husband may be experiencing a little post-baby culture shock too. You're getting used to a busy life with baby, and he's getting used to taking care of himself a little more these days.

I want to encourage you to take a moment for your husband today. Write him a note. Tell him that you realize you haven't cooked a real meal in days. Ask for his opinion about something you're facing with your baby. Ask for his help with baby. Don't be the kind of mom who says "I'm the only one who knows how to change a diaper in this house." Let your husband share in the responsibilities, even if he doesn't do everything exactly like you do.

I have been blessed with a talkative, expressive husband who's not afraid to voice his needs (maybe it's because he's Italian and from New York?). He and I recently did a podcast together (a first for us!) called, "She Loses, He Loses" about how both of us needed to lose weight after baby . Isn't it true your husband probably gained a few "sympathy pounds" - ha! On the podcast, my husband James and I talk about what we did to drop the pregnancy pounds together. What does this have to do with loving your husband? Getting your body back is a great way to show you care for your man since physical appearance probably matters a great deal to him. My weekly podcast is called "Losing Weight After Baby" and I hope you'll check out the show.

So this weekend, think of your other baby - your husband - and tell him how much you love him.

Love never fails. I Corinthians 13:8

-Arlene

The Comforter

Yesterday was shaping up to be a bad day. My kids woke up earlier than normal, I had cramps, plus the Chinese food I ate yesterday was not agreeing with me!

In the afternoon, I was recording my weekly podcast Losing Weight After Baby. I wasn’t feeling well when I did it, but pressed through only to find out I had the microphone facing the wrong way and had to do it all over again. At that point, I said, I need to pray! Guess what? When I prayed and asked the Holy Spirit to empower me, He did! The podcast went much better the second time than the first time.

My pastor is doing a 3 part series on the Holy Spirit and it has really helped me to focus on the Holy Spirit and ask for His daily guidance, empowerment and comfort.

When you need comfort, turn your eyes upon Jesus. Depend on the Holy Spirit. Throw yourself in His able arms instead of a carton of ice cream or a piece of chocolate cake. I read a great quote by pastor and author Dr. David Jeremiah today,

Let me suggest to you that only a feeling of utter inadequacy and insufficiency
can ever prepare us to be God’s warriors.

Whatever battle you’re facing, big or small, call on the Comforter today. He will not disappoint!

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will
teach you all things. John 14:26

-Arlene

You Can Do It Mom!

You’ve been making a person inside of your body for 40 weeks – talk about hard work! Then after your sweet baby is born, your body has to recover from delivery. And of course the shocker for many new moms is: why do I still look pregnant after my baby has been born?!

Have no fear mom! God designed our bodies in such an amazing way to produce life, and He will give you the strength to bounce back physically after the baby as well. Give yourself 6 weeks to rest and recover. Walk if you’re comfortable doing so. Then when your doctor gives you the green light, you can start working those pregnancy pounds off and I will be here to help you!

In the coming weeks, I’ll be giving you tips and encouragement about refueling your body and losing weight after baby. After 3 pregnancies in 3 years in my 30s, I have learned a few things about what works and what doesn’t. And I’m excited to let you in on the good stuff!

Here’s the first thing I want to encourage you to do: Believe that you can lose your baby weight. For some of you, you may feel like you will need a miracle but remember what Matthew 19:26 says, "With God all things are possible." When you have a "can-do" attitude, it’s much easier for God to do the miraculous.

If you buy the lie that "I’ll never have time to exercise" or "I’ll never fit in my old clothes again" – guess what? You’re probably right! You will go where you focus.

Keep coming back to Totally New Moms, and let us cheer you along the wonderful journey of motherhood. And remember, when it comes to losing weight after baby, you can do it mom!

-Arlene