What Are the Specifics

I really believe that by putting my goals out there for the world to see will put me under the pressure and keep me accountable enough to actually accomplish these goals.  It’s definitely something I think is scary to do, BUT I think it will keep me in check because I don’t like to give excuses as to why I didn’t accomplish something.  So before I write down my goals for the 90 Day Challenge, I have to truly analyze what I can give myself to do without overwhelming myself.  I’ve to balance and be realistic.  So here is a list so far…

I want to get out at least one email newsletter a week, so that my friends,family and fans (which can all be one person:)) can be kept up to date on the new things that are going on in my life as well as when they can see a new performance or get my latest release.  I need to hire a babysitter just to assist me a couple of days a week so that I can practically have another set of eyes and hands watching the baby.  I can set aside some time to practice more, get some performance footage, get my email newsletter out and get some much needed couple time with my hubby.  I want to maintain a good work out regimen.  I have been running  a few miles at a time with 4-5 mile runs on Saturday mornings at the beach…BUT haven’t been for the past couple of weeks.  I’ve gotta get back on it because I need to lose the last bit of baby weight that I gained when I was pregnant.  I want to step my workouts up a notch and probably go to the gym a couple of times a week during lunch. I want to find and buy a house, too.  Ok…weremy goals a little too ambitious; 1 email newsletter a week, hiring a babysitter, practicing and tapig performances, date nights with hubby, regular workouts and, buying a house.    I think it is all doable, especially if I follow my own advise I’ve written about in previous blogs about scheduling mytime as a Singer/Mommy/Wife /Motivator. 

I’ll keep you all updated as to where I am and what has been accomplished.  Let me know what your goals are and we can keep eachother accountable.  Good luck.  Peace and soul grease, Nichole Ayanna

Singer with a Belly? How to Lose Weight After Pregnancy

If you just had a baby and you want to get that baby weight off, here are some things that you can safely do in order to lose the weight at a moderate pace without over doing it.

Walk – take your baby out for a stroll and walk and walk and walk. As a new mom myself, I was finding that I was exhausted from being up all night witht he baby, that I was a literal couch potato zombie during the day. I had no energy to get myself going and on my weight training and running routine that I had been on before I got pregnant. Especially during the spring summer and fall months, walking is one of the best methods for getting your metabolism going and its low impact.

Eat Lots of Fruits, Vegetables, and Whole Grain Breads and Pastas as well as lean meats like Chicken and Fish. Sometimes breast feeding moms feel famished even after eating a large meal. I know i often did. That is because breastfeeding often depletes your body of up to 500 calories a day or more. So the best things is to eat healthily. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Make huge salads with your favoirte light salad dressings. If you eat pastas and bread enjoy them but make sure they are whole grain pastas providing nutrients and fiber for healthy digestions.

Sleep when the baby sleeps. I know I used to say that this was impossible. When the baby slept was the only time I could get things done around the house, even typing on the computer, but getting in all the rest that can will be beneficial towards your healthy weight loss. It allows you to replenish that energy you will need to keep exercising to burn the calories you take in so that weight will drop off.

Drink a gallon of water. Do you have big 20 oz plastic cups at home? Drink about 5 of them through out the day and you will have drunk a gallon of water. The water helps to flush your body of toxins. Other benefits are include clear skin.

Once you have built your stamina up and of course the baby is sleeping more, I suggest stepping up your workout doing cardio 2-3 times a week and then weight training at least 2-3 times a week as well. Stick with the same healthy eating suggestions above.