I'm Not a Skinny B!tch

Looking great is not about becoming a waif like the models we see in all the media around us. You can be a hot momma by putting your best face forward....taking a bit of time to look in the mirror and get ready, to make sure you are wearing clothes that flatter your figure, and exercise for health, well-being, and to get a break from your job as a mom/wife! I'm not super skinny, I haven't been "skinny" since before I was 15. I guess I consider myself medium size. Not big, not small....not the size of Montreal (That just came out! Memories from Childhood...I don't even remember the original rhyme).
Anyways, whatever your SIZE is, don't obsess. Be the best you can be, love yourself and tell yourself that you are sexy and attractive. Your attitude and how you feel about yourself radiates and others pick up on it. If you are always thinking negative things about yourself, it will show in your demeanor and others will pick up on it. So put on a smile, enjoy your life and your family and embrace the skin you are in....just remember to exfoliate and moisturize! (and maybe add a little bronzer:)

A Few Fitness Myths

Don't lift weights otherwise you'll get huge arms or too big of muscles. MYTH!
It takes so much work to build that kind of muscle bulk in your arms. Lifting weights can help slim and tone your body and help you burn more fat!

Working out while still nursing will cause your breast milk to go sour and the baby won't like it. MYTH!
Some women think they can't work out after having a baby if they are nursing mothers for fear of spoiling their milk. This isn't true. If your doctor has given you the green light to work out and you feel up to it, then by all means, get some exercise!

You can spot reduce fat. IE-get flat abs from merely doing crunches. MYTH!
In order to get a smaller waist or flat abs, you have to burn fat. This means working up a sweat from doing cardiovascular exercise. Creating a routine combined of cardio and strength training will help reduce overall body fat. You can do all the sit-ups that you want, but without burning off the fat, you'll just have mud on rocks.

No Pain No Gain! MYTH!
We've all heard the saying "no pain no gain" when it comes to fitness but it's just not true. If you are in pain while working out, you are either doing it wrong or have an injury. To make gains in your workout, you may work yourself to the point of fatigue or exhaustion, but remember, muscle fatigue and pain are not the same thing. Pain in the form of soreness a day or two after working out is normal, but pain during your workout is not.

Stylish Moms

When trying to find a style for yourself as a mom that doesn't scream "MOM", look to stylish celeb moms for ideas. Not all celeb moms are model style icons....I don't see myself walking my daughter to school when she's 5 wearing booty shorts like Kate Moss. After looking at a few pictures of each celeb mom, you will start to notice a preference for certain celeb moms, as their style seems to mesh with your own, or is at least something you could see yourself emulating.

Check out PHOTOS of Stylish Moms on the go! Click Here.

Hot Momma's can indulge their chocolate cravings without the guilt!

So I've been trying to eat less junk food lately, but I'm a sucker for anything crunchy or chocolaty. (who isn't!). I've been on a good workout regime, going to Yoga class and working out at Gold's Gym and doing Abs of Steel or Turbo Jam at home, but I haven't wanted to give up my treats! I walked by the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory at the mall the other day and ever since I couldn't shed the craving for chocolate covered almonds, which I LOVE! Well, I kept thinking about it and decided to make my own. Using raw, unsalted almonds and dark chocolate from the baking section, I've recreated one of my favorite treats, but now I consider it "superfood". lol. Maybe the experts wouldn't include it, but after all the articles I've read about superfoods, it is clear to me that raw almonds and dark chocolate are on that list. So, I gave it a try and they turned out great or as Rachel Ray would say "Yum-O!"

Just because you want to try to maintain your figure or even loose a bit of it doesn't mean you have to deprive yourself completely. I consider this a healthy snack...as long as I don't eat too many at once. Check out my recipe and enjoy!

A Smokin' Pregnancy

Being a hot mama doesn't mean you have to have a flat stomach (although it doesn't mean we all want one anyway!) Even when you're stomach is the size of 3 watermelons during pregnancy you can still look great. To look great and feel attractive during pregnancy, buy a few maternity clothes. It's tempting to just wear our husband's baggy shirts and that's okay when you are lounging around the house needing to be comfortable, but you should invest in at least a few cute maternity clothes for when you do leave the house, or just even when you want to look nice when your man comes home.
You should shop around for the following items:
Start out with some cute maternity panties. Wearing cute new panties can add a little spring into your step and I'm pretty sure your hubby won't complain! I had a hard time finding any cute undergarments while I was preggo, but here is where you can find a 4-pack of these cute little panties.

Citizens Maternity Jeans will make you look and feel stylish a great. Designer jeans are a little pricey, but well worth the splurge, esspecially if you are planning on having multiple pregnancies. If not, you can re-sell your used Citizens on Craigslist or eBay! Buy you new pair HERE.
This feminine little summer dress looks so comfortable for easy, effortless style on the go. Plus, a dress like this is great post pregnancy too giving you extra room and camouflaging your post-baby belly. I found this dress at a fun webstore called Hot Mama Maternity.


Another MUST HAVE item for pregnancy is a Bella Band. You will be able to wear all your favorite pants a little longer as you can unbutton them and hold them up with the bella band, available in an assortment of colors and they add a stylish layered effect. Get a couple in a few basic colors HERE.


Think about getting at least one nice maternity blouse and then the rest can just be empire waist tops or stretchy long tanks and t-shirts that can be layered. I like this top a lot! Find it HERE.


Now to really feel great and have a beautiful smokin' pregnancy, is to stay healthy and fit in a safe and appropriate way. When I was pregnant, I was broke but I did splurge on a prenatal yoga DVD and it was so worth it. Doing Yoga during pregnancy energizes you, aids digestion and helps relieve back pressure and physical and emotional stressed caused by pregnancy. When doing Yoga during pregnancy you have to be very careful as some exercises are dangerous during pregnancy, which is why it is safer to just buy a DVD specifically for Prenatal Yoga. I enjoyed this DVD by Gaiam.

Easy Weight Loss Tips After Having a Baby

* Breastfeeding burns up to 500 calories a day!
* Drink Green Tea as it helps give your metabolism a boost and is a great antioxidant. The caffeine will also give you the little extra umpf you need as a mom.
* Drink dairy, and if you drink 1% or 2%, switch to fat free milk and instantly cut out calories without changing anything else.
* Hold your baby in front of you rather than on your hip. When you hold your baby on your hip, you tent to push out your stomach muscles, which doesn't help with the pounch factor. Hold your baby in front of you and remember to keep your abs in.
* Eat plenty of whole grains and fiber.
* Drink lots of water. Especially of you are nursing.
* Eat an apple 30 minutes before your next meal to curb your appetite.
* Dance with your baby, or dance around the house while your baby watches from her swing. It will entertain your baby and get your heart rate up.
* Get in on with your man. Once the doctor gives the okay, get all the baby stuff out of the room and get intimate with your man. Being on top is a great way to work your muscles and start getting back in shape. And it's fun and relieves stress...something moms know a lot about!!! (And stress can make it harder to lose weight or even cause you to gain weight.)

Embrace your Face!

Do your make-up, even if it’s a quick job. Even if you are not big on make-up, you can brighten up and freshen your look with some under eye concealer and a swipe of mascara on top eyelashes to look brighter and more awake. I recently discovered Bare Escentuals Mineral Make-up and I will NEVER go without it again. It goes on so light you don’t even feel like you are wearing make-up plus it is fast and easy to apply.No special beauty skills required. I apply some powder under and around my eyes and use the warm powder to add a natural looking glow to my face and I instantly look and feel 10 times better! I can literally change my complexion from blah to aw in 1 minute. The powders have been lasting me a long time too and I can honestly say I haven't been more impressed with any other kind of coverage make-up, OH and it also has built in SPF coverage too! Seriously, I can't live without this stuff! I don't understand how it can be so light, yet cover up all my blemishes so perfectly at the same time.
Bare Escentuals Mineral Make-Up starter kit
Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals Starter kit (Medium)
Bare Escentuals Sephora Exclusive Get Started Kit - Fair ($174 VALUE for $60)