After you have a baby, you’ve got extra weight… combined with less confidence and less time. So what’s a busy mom to do? Sara Holliday of fitbysara.com has plenty of answers. She’s a mother of two (as seen in this fabulous photo!), a licensed marriage-family therapist, and a life and fitness coach. Sara talks to FatFighterTV about how to tackle the three key elements you need to lose the post-baby pounds and feel good about yourself again.

Exercise:
Having a hard time finding just a few minutes to exercise? Sara suggests incorporating your baby into your workout.

“That’s why a stroller workout is really good,” Sara explains. “If you push the baby up and down hills, you’re going to tone your buttocks, your hips, your thighs, and you’re going to burn a bunch of calories. Plus babies really like being outside and it’s a great way to connect and at the same time have your time.

Motivation just not there? Sara stresses to focus on how good you feel after you workout.

“Once you get in the habit of it, it becomes a positive addiction,” she says. “Do it a little longer, you’re going to see you’ll feel so good!”

Here are some of her tips to get you going:

• Set out your workout clothes in the morning. That’s going to remind you to do it.

• Call up a girlfriend and say, “Let’s meet.” When you have someone to workout with, you’re more accountable.

• Challenge your husband to a competition – see who can workout consistently four times a week for a month and whoever does gets the prize of their choice.

Diet:
Does your busy mom schedule have you in the habit of eating not-so-healthy food because it’s quick?

Sara suggests preparing the night before.

“Cut up some fruit, cut up veggies, prepare even a turkey burger or a garden burger. There are so many healthy options that don’t take a lot of time,” Sara notes. “It’s not that much time – it’s an extra maybe ten minutes. I say, ten minutes for a lifetime of health or don’t do the ten minutes and end up obese with a child who’s obese.”

Your mindset:
This is something that’s missing from many weight loss plans. And without the mental factor, it will be tough to succeed.

“Most women feel like they’ve lost a part of themselves after having a child – not only physically have their bodies changed, but their whole independence changes,” she explains. “A lot of times it’s even more reflected in the way they look and carry themselves – to put on the weight and the frumpy sweats and no makeup anymore, it’s like this loss of self. You need to take care of yourself in order to be there for your family. You are the most important person. You’ve got to realize your value.”

And remember to communicate with your husband – make sure he knows your needs.

“I think a lot of women expect the man to read their mind instead of telling them exactly what they need,” says Sara. “Let him know exactly – Every Thursday it’d be really great if I had two hours to myself – one where I can go to the gym, and one where I can just do what I want. I’m going to be a better mom. I’m going to be a better wife if I have time to myself.”

The most important thing, Sara tells me, is improving your relationships and how you feel about yourself. Then you’ll get the added benefit – the weight loss.

Can anyone out there relate?

Related posts

• What motivates me to live a healthy lifestyle?
• Weight loss tips from the Duchess of York
• News Nugget: Brisk walking trims belly fat
• Winter Workouts (indoors) giveaway #3: Get Extremely RIPPED! 1000
• Winter Workouts (indoors) giveaway #1: ExerciseTV DVDs