Herbal Remedies and Alternative Medicine Information

Many new mothers are concerned with gaining weight when pregnant.  This fear often doubles for women who are already overweight.  Pregnancy is NOT the time to diet.  When you’re pregnant it’s very important that you nourish your body and your baby with healthy food so your baby develops and grows.  The suggested amount of pregnancy weight gain is 25-35 pounds.  This weight will come off quite easily through nursing, exercising and eating healthy.  Your focus should be taken off of weight and placed instead on chosing foods that will aid in your babies development.

It always seems like there is so much to do that there’s little time to fit in exercise, but did you know that you’ll get more done if you take a break and exercise?  Exercise produces feel good hormones called endorphines, plus exercise gets your blood circulating so you’ll have more blood flow to your brain and an increase in energy.  An increase in energy equals an increase in your ability to get more done.  So when you’re having a mental block or you need a break get up and move!

When my clients tell me that they “wanted to exercise, but they didn’t have time”, I remind them that we all have 24 hrs. in a day and it’s our choice of what we to with our time. 

The most important thing should be your health since without it we can’t take care of those we love the most.  Start off your day with eating a healthy breakfast followed by 20-45 min. of something active.  When you start your day off healthy you’ll be more productive, energized, and in a better mood. 

It’s your choice…chose your health!

In the last trimester of pregnancy it’s common for women to experience low back pain.  A great exercise to relieve low back pain is what I call “modified cat and cow” performed in the shower.  See how to do it below:

Low Back Soother- Modified Cat and Cow
*Stand in the shower with your feet shoulder width a part. 
*Bend over and place your hands on your upper thighs (above your knees)
*Inhale sway your back “cow” and look up
*Exhale pull your belly button towards your spine creating an arch “cat”
*As you do cat and cow stand right under the shower
*Repeat for 8-10 complete breaths

Being a mom I know first hand that the word “tired” is a common word in my vocabulary and the vocabulary of many other moms I know.  I’ve found that at the  most of us moms just don’t have the energy, motivation, or interest in working out at the end of the day.  I’ve found the answers to this problem:
1. workout first thing in the morning
2.  take your young child with you in a stroller for a walk
3. daycare at the gym
4. yoga in the evenings
For me personally a combo of all of them seems to work well.  Most importantly I know that I feel so much better after working out!  When I’m feeling I’m just “too tired” I remind myself that 1. I’ll feel so much better after doing it 2. 20 min. is better than not doing anything at all!