4 Ways To Feel Like Yourself Again After Baby

To say we go through a TON of mental and emotional changes after having a baby is a complete understatement.

After having my 2nd baby, Sofia, I felt like a complete stranger in my own body.  Not only did the physical shape of my body change (it was all mushy and saggy) but by about 4-5 months post partum I noticed that my mental state drastically changed as well.

I had complete brain fog, loss of mental clarity and my energy was constantly depleted.  I literally couldn't remember the littlest things. Mid-sentence I would completely forget my train of thought and there were a few times where I struggled to remember people's names (like people I talk to every single day).  My husband and I would have a conversation the day before and I literally couldn't recall any part of it the next day (it was SCARY)!

You can call it #mombrain but its way more than that.  I was like total memory relapse.  Most of us moms have probably experienced this at some point and the fact that we find it "normal" I've now realized is not well, normal!?  Its not that we've just suddenly had a child and become brainless, we actually may be suffering from a severe hormonal imbalance!

After countless amounts of research and some straight intuition I realized that my hormones were completely out of whack.  Its no wonder I wasn't feeling like myself anymore - my body literally wasn't functioning properly or the same as it used to.

Its taken me lots of time to re-set my body after baby - physically and mentally but here's a few steps I took that might help you if you're going through this challenging season in your life as well.

1.  Eat nutrient dense, calorie dense WHOLE foods 

You may read this and think, "Well I already eat clean healthy foods."  And that's great, so did I.  I ate clean foods, in fact I'd been eating clean for close to 8 years at this point.  What I learned though through my research is that there are some foods that are GOOD for you and NOT good for me.  Or good for ME and not good for YOU.  In a nutshell we all have different food sensitivities and often those sensitivities change after we have a baby.  Figuring out how your body reacts to different foods is vital!  Why? Your hormones are either turned off or turned on according to the foods you eat and how they react in your body.  They say the gut is the "brain" of the body because it is directly connected to your brain health. If you're struggling with brain fog or a lack of mental clarity you need to check what you're eating on a regular basis and if you have a healthy gut flora.  If your gut is not healthy - neither is your brain.  Figuring out what foods you could be sensitive too is vital!  So not only is it important to eat whole foods with lots of good nutrients but its also important to make sure those foods are being absorbed well in your body.

Check out my "Simple + Healthy Meals for Real Moms Cookbook eBook" for great recipes the whole family will enjoy!

2. Increase your intake of healthy fats, lower your intake of processed carbs

Fats are brain healthy foods. In fact, fat is the preferred source of energy for your brain!  Increase your intake of foods with good healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, grass fed beef, fish, olive oil, avocado coconut oil, etc.  The "low fat" diet craze is over. Don't believe the marketing ploys that "fat makes you fat."  Its just not true!

3. Exercise

Move your body daily! I'm not talking about crazy intense long workouts.  Do workouts that honor your body that build strength, stamina and endurance and make you feel better!  Exercise is one of the best ways I know to help you build confidence and de-stress your life so that you start feeling like YOU again.

4. Sleep

This is a hard one when you've just had a baby, I get it.  It was the hardest for me as well.  We all know we're bound to have some sleepless nights with a baby, however, it doesn't mean that we stop making it a priority.  Sleep when your baby sleeps! I know that I got into the habit of staying up late after my kids' bedtime because I SO desperately wanted alone time.  I sacrificed my sleep and my body paid for it!  Now, I make it a priority to get 8 hours each night as long as my baby allows (my best kept secret is nursing in bed with the baby during the night...more on that later).

5. Simplify

De-stress your life friend!  I know its hard but saying NO to good things truly allows you to say YES to the best things.  Cut the clutter out of your life, slow down and simplify your life.  You don't have to do EVERYTHING. Take some things off you plate!  I personally slowed down some responsibilities I had with work, I hired a housecleaner and got groceries delivered (GAME CHANGER)!  Stop trying to do it all and just be present in the moment as much as possible!  Stress is the number one cause of so many chronic diseases (not to mention weight gain) and it will make you sick if you let it.  Take control of your circumstances, don't let your life run you.  

I hope these tips help you to have more energy, clarity and truly get back to feeling like YOU again after your baby... you BOTH deserve that!

If you want to learn more on how to get healthy, fit and balanced after having your baby be sure to join my free 3 Day Butt & Gut Challenge, click here to join.

xoxo,

Jackie

Join the 3 Day Butt and Gut Free Challenge here!