If you have ever been to a FITMOM class you know that when we are not talking about sleeping issues, breastfeeding challenges or questions on infant development, the conversations take place around food. What to eat, what to avoid and the best recipes to feed a mama and her family.  I am always happy to share the recipes that I love with all of you.  I try to eat pretty clean (meaning trying to reduce the amount of food that comes processed in a box, and instead eating fresh, whole foods). 


In an attempt to cut out added sugar from our diets, I have been on the hunt for easy recipes for some of my families favourite meals that eliminate the convenience factor (and increase our sugar content) but still have lots of flavor.  Thanks to the internet I found a great recipe for home made fajita mix.  The original recipe called for sugar and salt, but I easily eliminated those two ingredients from my home made mix and it is still super delicious and healthy!

Home Made Fajita Mix:

One Tablespoon of Cornstarch
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cumin

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and mix.  This recipe is enough for one meal.

Quinoa Salad

I have just recently started making this easy and delicious quinoa salad.  Quino is a fantastic grain, that is iron rich.

This recipe is off the back of the Casbah Quinoa Box

Step 1.
Use 2 cups of water (or vegetable broth for added flavor)
Bring water to a boil.  Add in the box of quinoa and simmer for 15 min, until liquid is absorbed. 
Fluff with fork

Cut cucumbers, yellow peppers and cherry tomatoes and add it to the quinoa

For the dressing 1/4 cup oil 2 TBSP of Apple Cider Vinegar and 1-2 cloves of garlic minced.  Add pepper to taste.  Stir until combined then add it to the quinoa and mix.  Salad can then be refrigerated and served cold.

Exercise & Breastfeeding

 

I am often asked by new moms how exercise will impact breastfeeding, I was going through some of my resources when I came across this piece written by our FITMOM founder, Andrea Page, and I thought I would share it with all of you!  Enjoy :)

 

All new moms who choose to breastfeed are often concerned that the quality and supply of their milk may be compromised as a result of exercise.  Just as nursing moms tend to become meticulous about selecting healthy foods and avoiding toxins in pregnancy and postpartum, may are concerned that exercising may adversely affect their breast milk.  There are clear ways to reap all the benefits of exercise while producing an excellent supply of breast milk.  An exercise program that is complimented with adequate nutrition and fluids will increase your metabolism and your appetite (your body's request to be replenished as it requires). Exercise induced appetite increase is perfectly healthy when moms meet this physiological demand by consuming quality calories.  FITMOM suggests that you follow these guidelines to ensure that exercise will not affect the quality or quantity of your milk so that you and your baby can enjoy the many benefits of both fitness and breastfeeding:

 

Milk Supply:
It is recommended to wait at least six weeks before doing anything other than very low intensity exercise.  Aside from giving your body a chance to recover from birth, a new mom's number 1 focus is bonding with her baby and learning to breastfeed.  Frequen access to the breast in the first weeks of baby's life will help ensure an abundant & lasting milk supply, however, when you are ready to begin an exercise routine follow these recommendations to ensure your milk supply with be sustained.

 

1. Begin exercising on a slow and gradual progression.
2. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day (carry a bottle of water with you):
• Proper hydration should occur 20- 30 minutes prior to exercise. (at least 500 ml)
• Throughout exercise every 10 –15 minutes 3 oz.
• Exercise should conclude with conscious rehydration. (at least 500 ml)
3. Caloric intake needs to increase:
• Vigorous exercise requires 200–300 calories per every half hour from the body
• Breastfeeding requires an additional 500 calories daily.

Remember, quality calories will help you to rebuild muscle tissue (lean muscle mass) and not store unnecessary saturated fats. Regular eating also promotes a more efficient metabolism.

Weight Loss:
Recommended postpartum weight loss is maximum 4 pounds a month initially then decreasing over time.

Lactic Acid: Lactic acid is a by-product of anaerobic or very high intensity exercise. It is believed to be the element that causes the immediate muscle soreness and fatigue or the “burn” we feel during intense workouts. After exercise breast milk contains higher levels of lactic acid. Babies most often do not reject milk at this time unless the exercise performed is at a very high intensity. Levels return to normal within 1 –1.5 hrs after exercise. If you can, breastfeed your baby before you workout. 

Some research also suggests that the antibody immunoglobulin A in breast milk largely decreases after very vigorous exercise but return to normal levels within 1 hour.

Proper Support:
Last but not least, make sure your bra is supportive enough during exercise. The extra weight of breasts during lactation can cause back pain especially if not properly supported. If your bra is very constricting for extra support this is fine for exercise purposes only. After exercise return to a bra that is designed specifically for breastfeeding.

Top 5 exercises for the new mom

 

Below are FITMOM's Top 5 exercises for the new mom. Each one addresses the muscular and biomechanical changes in the body of post partum women and improves endurance, strength and posture.

For those of you who have attended a FITMOM Class, you are well aware of the benefits of these 5 exercises! You know you love it! If you haven't been to a class yet, come on down and try them out either on your own or with us! You will love them too :)

1.Wall Sit
How: Lean your back against a wall and lower yourself until you have your legs are bent at a 90 degree angle.
Reps: 3 intervals of 30-60 seconds.
Benefits: A great stabilizing exercise that targets your abdominals and lower large muscles with very low risk of injury.

2.Side Plank
How: Lie down on one side of your body with your bottom leg bent for beginner or straight for advanced. Lift your hip off the ground and hold for 30 -60 seconds.
Reps: 3 intervals per side of 30-60 seconds.
Benefits: Widely considered one of the most important core exercises for postpartum women. It engages all of the stabilizing core muscles including the pelvic floor.

3.Flys
How: Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Bend the knees slightly and lean forward at the hips to 45 degrees, keeping core firmly engaged. Create length through your spine and extend your arms, holding 1–5 lbs weights outwards and parallel above your thighs. Extend your arms (elbows slightly bent) out to the side (like a cross) and focus on clinching your shoulder blades together.
Reps: 2 sets of 20 repetitions
Benefits: This exercise helps improve posture and strengthens large back muscles to combat middle and upper back strain from pregnancy posture, baby wearing and baby holding postpartum.

Babywearing @ FITMOM

4. Curtsy Lunges
How: From a standing position, extend one leg back as far as you can with the knee slight bent in a lunge position. Then lower down similar to a traditional ladies curtsy.
Reps: 2 sets of 20 repetitions for each side.
Benefits: A great low impact exercise to strengthen and shape calves, quads and glutes. A much better option than a traditional lunge for women recovering from pubic symphysis.

5.Speed Skater
How: From a standing position, bend over at the hips to 45 degrees. Extend one leg as far as you can to the side. Squat with body weight centered over the stabilizing leg with knee slightly bent. As you elevate from the squatting position, also elevate the extended leg as high as you can off the floor.
Reps: 2 sets of 20 repetitions for each side.
Benefits: An exercise that both requires and helps restore balance. This exercise stabilizes the hip muscles and will support and encourage the realignment of your hips. As we all know, it is quite common for a woman's hips to widen during pregnancy.

 

*We recommend discussing your new fitness regime with your primary health care provider before engaging in any new physical activity.*

Calling all new moms! Getting active with your baby has never been so easy, or so fun!

I am pretty sure the warmer weather is on it's way and with the warmer weather, we will be taking our classes outdoors!

That's right mamas.  We are kicking off our Stroller Strength Classes following the Victoria Day Long Weekend, and to celebrate we are offering Unlimited classes all summer for $200+tax.  So you can take advantage of our Signature FITMOM+Baby class and Stroller Strength all summer long!

If you are a new mom (or a veteran mom with busy toddlers) you are invited to join us for our fabulous and fun fitness classes with your baby as your workout partner.

Our FITMOM Stroller Strength classes are the best way to get in shape and play outdoors with your baby. All you need is your stroller, sunscreen, water and a smile. 

Stroller Strength classes incorporate circuit training that changes weekly and is suitable for all fitness levels.   Using our strollers as resistance (and sometimes park benches too), we will walk, lunge and squat our way to stronger, sculpted mamas.  Come on out and meet some new friends, share a laugh and squeeze in a workout too!

For more information visit www.fitmomfitness.com/durham
Or email me at fitmomdurham@hotmail.com

Sweet & Scrumptious: No bake cookie bites

I have a sweet tooth, and I love chocolate.  I also love peanut butter.  Put those two ingredients together in a dish for me and I am in heaven.  I was pretty jazzed a few weeks ago when a wonderful client introduced me to her no bake cookie bites.  These delicious treats will not only satisfy your sweet tooth, if you have one, but are healthy to boot!

She was gracious enough to indulge me with my own personal stash today (they have been consumed between myself and the boys) along with the recipe, which I will share here!

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup oats
• 1/2 cup of nut butter
• 1/2 cup of flaxseed
• 1/2 cup cacao nibs
• 1/3 cup nuts or seeds
• 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1 Tbsp chia seeds (optional)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Stir to combine all ingredients.  Cover and chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.  Roll into small balls and store in refrigerator.  If too wet or dry add more oats or nut butter as needed.


Enjoy!

Abdominal Separation: Ensuring optimal core health in pregnancy & beyond

If you have met me in person, you have likely heard me speak a lot about abdominal separation, or diastasis recti.  Abdominal separation is caused by intra-abdominal pressure, resulting in a separation of the rectus abdominals into left & right halves.  Typically, this will begin in the second trimester of pregnancy and persists into the 3rd trimester.  The degree of separation can vary and is often measured in finger widths, with 1 being normal to low and 4 or more being a high risk separation.  However, length and depth of the separation should also be evaluated as well as a consideration for how long the separation has been present.

Although the condition of abdominal separation is not detrimental to your health (meaning you won't die), left untreated, it can negatively impact your quality of life.  The greater the separation, the more likely you are to suffer from organ prolapse (uterine, bladder and rectal prolapse being most common).

At FITMOM, we recommend that you & your care provider check for abdominal separation once in the first trimester, twice in the second and three times in the third. By doing so, you create an awareness of the condition and can rehabilitate your core correctly in the post partum period.  Engaging in effective abdominal exercises during pregnancy can keep your core strong and reduce/limit the degree of separation.  Avoiding crunches during pregnancy is a good start!

Am I at risk?
Anyone who is pregnant is at risk for some degree of separation.  However, some other factors may increase your risk:

• Genetics
• Carrying multiples
• Previous undiagnosed or untreated separation caused by previous pregnancies
• Engaging in sports or movement where your torso torques (Tennis, ultimate Frisbee, or any activity that causes you to repeatedly cross the midsection)
• Short midsection

After you give birth we recommend that you do a self-assessment at 2 weeks post partum to get a baseline and again at 6 weeks.  In many cases, the separation will close on its own, however one should not make any assumptions.

It is vital that you have your abdominals assessed again prior to starting any traditional core exercises.  Engaging in inappropriate core work can cause further separation and deterioration of your core muscles, leaving your midsection unsupported and at greater risk of prolapse.
Women with a high risk separation will need physiotherapy and in some rare circumstances, surgery.
In most instances though, women with low risk separation can often see full recovery when following certain protocols.  Review our handout on best practices "Core Restore Tip Sheet".

If you are concerned you have a separation and would like to close the gap, please contact me.  I would be happy to help you improve your core strength, rebuild your confidence and improve your overall conditioning. 

Benefits of staying active in late pregnancy

There are many benefits to staying active throughout your pregnancy.  Women who exercise regularly report a  reduction in back pain, have improved circulation and experience less swelling (edema).  They also reduce their risk of high blood pressure and gestational diabetes.  Women who are physically fit also report having shorter and easier labour.

Have you ever wondered why that is?  

Well, for starters a woman who is physically fit handles the physical demands of labour better because she is stronger and has improved endurance.  Active women may also experience shorter labours because the baby us in the optimal position for labour and birth.  If the baby is aligned well in the mothers pelvis contractions are more effective and labour will progress more quickly.  

Towards the end of your pregnancy you may be less inclined to want to exercise and prefer to come home after work to lie down and rest on the couch instead.   Considering the amount of time most of us spend sitting, either at a desk or in a car, lying down for hours at night may not be the best idea.  

Limiting the amount of time a pregnant woman spends in supine or semi-reclining positions can reduce the likelihood of a baby becoming posterior (OP baby's occur in between 10-20% of all pregnancies).  A woman who has an OP baby tends to report higher instances of back pain, back labour, and may experience longer labours because the position of the baby does not allow for even or consistent pressure on the cervix.  Most babies, even those who are persistently OP will eventually realign themselves into position during labour and birth, but the labour experience may be longer and more painful than what you were hoping for.   

So as tempting as it may be to recline on your couch and relax with your feet up after a day at the office, consider adding in these positions into your daily routine instead to encourage what is known as Optimal Fetal Positioning (Sutton& Scott)

• Spend time sitting on a birth ball (stability ball)
• Watch T.V.  in a hands and knees position, add in pelvic rocking (Cat/Cow) and/or swaying of hips
• When standing, lean forward resting your hands against a table or a counter
• Avoid crossing your legs, which narrows your pelvis and doesn't allow your baby to turn
• Avoid lying down with your legs up
• Sleep on your left side
• Yoga postures like the tailor sit or cobbler are restful and helpful positions
• When you do sit on a chair keep your knees lower than your pelvis and your trunk slightly forward

Whenever possible, continue with light to moderate exercise like walking, yoga and swimming.  You may have an easier labour because of it!