Monica Lee

FAQ: How have you lost the baby weight?!

Okay y’all,
The post that SO MANY of you have been waiting for!!
I really really hope this post doesn’t disappoint and answers all of your questions, BUT if it doesn’t, please feel free to comment/email/DM me if you have any questions whatsoever!!

Before I get started I HAD to show y’all my outfit from last weekends rehearsal dinner…
I felt more confident than I have in a WHILE and I figured that needed to be documented!
I’m completely obsessed with this rainbow dress and I’m going to wear it AS MUCH as possible while it’s still hot outside.
Can’t wait to dress it down and pair it with some cute sneakers soon.



 

Okay so, I really wanted to wait and do this post when I was 100% back in shape BUT I’m getting overwhelmed with all of the DM’s asking about what I’ve been doing to lose the baby weight SO I figured I would share a little about what I’ve been doing to slowly get rid of it and what my long term plans and goals are!!

First things first, I gained about 35 lbs during my pregnancy and I really didn’t do much working out, which I regret!
I did a good amount of walking and would very very occasionally do some body weight exercises at home BUT the next time around I really want to try and work out through my entire pregnancy…
Because working out again when you haven’t worked out in over a year is NOT easy… it actually freaking sucks haha

So the first 6 weeks after Hayes was born I really wasn’t even thinking about losing weight. I was in full on new mom mode and just soaking up everything and appreciating my body for what it had just done!

However, I swear breastfeeding helped me tremendously those first few weeks when it comes to weight loss! I started going on little walks as soon as I felt up for it just to get my body moving, but BE CAREFUL and do not overdo it in those first few weeks! I was super sore one morning and way overdid it on one of my walks so I had to take a break for a week or so. Giving birth is SERIOUS business and your body needs plenty of time to heal, so seriously y’all, do not rush into working out!!
As far as eating goes, I feel like my main food source was straight carbs the first 3 months of Hayes’s life,
I seriously couldn’t get enough carbs and they were the only thing that satisfied me.
Breastfeeding hunger is no joke!
I kind of just ate what I wanted and then as soon as I was cleared to work out again I continued to eat what I wanted but was way more aware of my portions and wouldn’t overdo it, especially at night!

I’ve worked out a good amount since having Hayes but I’m definitely not as consistent as I’d like to be!
I think the hardest part for most people is finding the motivation to get up and get moving…especially for new exhausted moms!
But now, on top of that, I have to find the TIME. Hayes is always pretty consistent with his morning nap so I’ve learned that I need to do my work out during that time frame or it most likely won’t get done!
I usually use that time for blogging or household stuff but in order to make sure I get a work out in I’ve had to switch up our schedule a little bit, but y’all, I am SO MUCH HAPPIER and more energetic on the days that I get a work out in!

Alright, WHAT WORKOUTS HAVE I BEEN DOING?! 

Before I get started I just want to preface this and say I AM NOT trying to sell this to y’all.
I am “technically” still a coach (became one a few years ago so I could get discount on the shakes) and if you do order stuff through my links I will get a small commission, but y’all, I genuinely SWEAR by these work outs and this shake and I probably won’t ever get a gym membership again because I believe in the program so much.
Honestly, throughout my pregnancy I gained weight pretty quickly at first but I was NEVER worried because I knew exactly how I was going to lose it all afterwards.

Okay, so anyways…
A few years ago I decided to order a challenge pack from BeachBody and it completely changed my body.
After about 2-3 months of doing the at home work outs and drinking their protein/superfood shake for lunch every day I was legitimately in THE best shape of my life. Please don’t be confused though, I DID put in the work every day (5 days a week) and this is not some “miracle program” where you can drink some shake and get abs. This is a program that is designed to help you create a habit of working out regularly and living a healthy lifestyle, it provides you with awesome 30 minute work outs that can be done at home as well as a meal replacement shake that is packed full of superfoods. So basically, it’s teaching you to make better/healthier choices each day, which of course leads to a healthier body!
I have always struggled with eating junk or grabbing something quick (like an XL bag of hot cheetos) when I’m starving and having this shake on hand has been a total game changer, especially since becoming a mom. It’s full of nutrients and good things that your body needs and I have always sucked at making sure I get in all of my fruits and vegetable so I LOVE that I can quickly make a healthy shake after working out and know that I’m getting a ton of nutrients from it.

Now, yes I had heard of BeachBody before and I had even done some of their workout programs in high school and college, but for some reason I wasn’t a huge fan, they were either CRAZY hard or I just couldn’t get into it…but this one was different, no clue why, it just was…or maybe I was just super motivated. I don’t know what it was but it is hands down MY FAVORITE work out program.
So whenever I first started the program I decided to go with the 21 day fix challenge pack (work outs + shake) and after doing two rounds of that (6 weeks) I moved on to the 21 day fix extreme challenge pack and that’s really when I started noticing some muscle poppin’ and the love handles that I had been trying my entire life to get rid of finally disappear.
After having Hayes I just went straight into the extreme work outs again because they’re my favorite, did I have to modify some of the moves? YEP. Do they kick my butt? YEP. But I loved what they did to my body previously, so I’ve been doing those occasionally as well as drinking a shake for lunch every now and then.

(When I first did this work out program years ago I had AWESOME before and after photos but I can’t find them anywhere and I’m so disappointed…so I guess I’ll have to take some new ones for y’all!)

Since we have Hawaii coming up I really want to start being more consistent and get my butt back in shape.
I have lost the baby weight BUT my tummy is nowhere near as toned as it used to be and my booty is pretty sad right now.
So starting Monday I’m going to restart the 21 day fix extreme program and I’m super pumped about it!!
I’m going to do two rounds of it which means I have exactly 6 weeks to get my butt in shape for our trip!
I’m also going to start having the shake for lunch every single day instead of just occasionally.

BeachBody has TONS of awesome programs but the 21DF programs are definitely a favorite of mine AND I’ve done them before and know that they can change your body significantly if you’re consistent! I’ll be keeping y’all updated with everything and will of course let y’all know when I decide to try out a different program of theirs!
If you have any questions on the work outs or the shake or if you want to start a program with me and keep each other accountable just holler at ya girl!

As far as my diet goes, I definitely am not super strict!
I love a good queso + margarita night and pizza and I are totally BFFs.
But I really do try to eat “good” most of the time!

I typically have some oatmeal + an English muffin every morning (& fruit if we have any!)
Shakeology for lunch
And for dinner we’ve been doing Blue Apron!
It is SO easy and convenient and you can even choose your meals for the upcoming weeks.
I love it because I am NOT a cook and trying to come up with meals to cook every week totally stresses me out…
Bonus, the meals are usually super healthy and always delicious!!

I’m sure I’ll get asked this – I drink the Vegan Vanilla shakeology! and I get the bag instead of the individual packets.
I’ve tried both chocolate and strawberry but I like the vanilla because you can make so many different recipes out of it!
If you’re thinking about getting a work out program and also want to try the shakes make sure you order a challenge pack and don’t order them individually, you’ll save $$ that way!!

Okay y’all, that’s it for today!!
Love you and thanks for stopping by!

Mia Tango – Maternity Activewear

I don’t always do yoga…
but when I do, I’m 9 months pregnant, on a pile of rocks, with a bunch of cows as my audience.


Happy Tuesday Y’all!!!
I had way too much fun being silly and shooting this maternity activewear from Mia Tango!!
SHOP >> // Top // Leggings //

Click {HERE} to shop their full athletic wear line.

I was SO excited when Mia Tango reached out to me and wanted to work together,
they have the prettiest clothing and it’s such great quality as well!
I wore one of their gorgeous red maternity dresses {HERE} for Valentines Day!

Make sure you head to their site and check out all of the beautiful pieces they have.
I REALLY wish I would’ve known about their activewear earlier in my pregnancy, it’s seriously SO cute.
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Well guys, I have a doctors appointment today and I’m REALLY hoping that I’ve progressed a little and that I’m somewhat dilated…I’ll be sharing a full bump date with y’all tomorrow, and know knows, it could be my VERY LAST ONE! Probably not, but hey, a girl can dream haha

Hope everyone has a great day!

Friday Favorites – Maternity Activewear

WE MADE IT!!!
It’s finally Friday, and it was SUPPOSED to be a very exciting Friday for me, because I thought we were going to get to see our baby boy…BUT unfortunately we had to reschedule the appointment for next week…whomp. But that’s okay, better late than never!
{So instead of doing my normal “bumpdate” on Wednesday I’m going to have it up for y’all after our appointment Thursday!}

As promised, today’s post is all about maternity activewear.
I’m going to link a bunch of cute options for y’all, and if you happen to click on something and notice that it isn’t maternity, that’s because I actually own it and have worn it while pregnant so I’m sure you’ll be able too as well!

As far as support goes, Blanqi is my absolute favorite brand. I have a pair of their maternity support leggings (wearing them in the photo above), as well as one of their maternity support tanks and if I’m planning on jogging or doing any kind of up and down activity where my belly REALLY needs support I always go to these items!

For trendier activewear at a good price – I go to ShopPinkBlush,
They have a wide variety of maternity activewear and it’s all reasonably priced!

Okay, here are some cute items I found that I think y’all may like as well!
See something you like? Just click the image and it’ll take you directly to the site where you can purchase it!

Hope everyone has the best weekend!

I’m a total sucker for monthly boxes – but this one takes the cake.

Monthly subscription boxes are seriously ALL the rage right now!
and I am SO DANG EXCITED to share this with all of you…
that there is now a pregnancy “bump box” available!!!

Is this not the most genius idea ever?!

I can’t think of a better or more exciting time in life to receive a monthly box of goodies
all catered towards your growing bump!

 

Each box is tailored towards your due date which is probably my favorite part!
I just turned 19 weeks this past Sunday and have been on the hunt for some kind of
lotion to help prevent me from getting stretch marks!
I was SO pumped to see that my box had a product in it for JUST that.
I used my bath bomb right away,
my lower back and feet were aching like crazy after a day full of errands
and a warm bath with essential oils was exactly what I needed!

Oh, and you better believe i’m throwing our sonogram picture of baby boy in that frame ASAP.

Whether you’re a pregnant or new mama, this box is a MUST.
It also makes a perfect gift!!

Let me know if you end up subscribing or trying them out!!
Happy Tuesday Babes!

 

Honesty is the best policy, chatting about fitness (and mac n cheese)


I had full intentions on doing a fun fitness post for y’all today.
But I’m all about being real here on this blog of mine,
so that’s JUST what i’m going to do, let the realness come out!

It has been HARD to work out consistently during this pregnancy y’all,
Now that i’m in my second trimester I definitely have some energy back.
But for some reason working out just isn’t where my focus is at.
{probably because all I want to do is buy a million baby outfits & decorate a nursery}
Now don’t get me wrong, I do get a small work out in every now and then.
But it just hasn’t been as consistent as I would like it to be.
And I would definitely feel guilty if I sat here and wrote up a post about
these amazing maternity support leggings and told you how great they are for working out,
when in reality I’ve been wearing them to eat Mac & Cheese and an entire tube of crescent rolls
all while laying on my couch.
Which in all honesty, that feels like a work out in itself because I somehow seem to
get out of breath while eating these days.
{it’s really not a pretty sight}

BUT I’ve brought you all here today to say that I am going to get my life together.
I went to Target yesterday…and made the BIG mistake of going into their dressing rooms.
Good God it was NOT a pretty sight.
Now if you’ve never been into a Target dressing room, they literally have mirrors on
every single wall, that will show you every single angle of your body.
And it is NOT good.
I remember when I was in shape and in college and STILL not liking to go in there….
Needless to say, yes Target mirrors just SUCK.
But, it was an eye opening experience for me….

Kyle’s brother and his fiancé moved like not even 5 minutes away from us
a couple months ago,
so I was all like “hell ya, a workout partner!!”
Her and I went and got a gym membership at a cutie little gym in the neighborhood
like over a month ago…
Literally haven’t gone back since.
WHOOPS.
I’m just so not a gym person at all…
The whole…people looking at me…me not knowing how machines work…me walking around aimlessly…people grunting in the corner and making me uncomfortable…
It’s just not for me okay!!!

So a lightbulb went off in my head…
This same exact thing happened to me years ago and I came across the best
at home work out program ever and it literally transformed my body and my health.
I’m pregnant, and growing, so i’m not exactly looking for a transformation BUT
I’m definitely going to go back to those videos that I used to do every single day.
I’ll just modify the moves so they work for me and the little babe.

I’ll let y’all know how it goes!
pray for me, cross your fingers, do whatever you do…
I gotta get some lift to this ass of mine STAT.

Alright enough rambling for today.
Happy Monday!