Hey there mom friends, my name is Kate Rockland and I am on a mission to lose 15 pounds in 8 weeks, just in time for bikini season! (OK, the bikini part is a lie. I am totally wearing a one-piece.) The point is, I woke up one morning truly missing my size 8 clothes, all hung up neatly in my closet since I gave birth to two boys in two years. I am determined, with the help of Heidi Klum's personal trainer David Kirsch, to drop the baby weight once and for all through healthy recipes, new workouts, and a hell of a lot of moxie. I hope you'll join me on my journey, and feel free to try this at home!
Current Weight: 139 Pounds
So, I've realized that losing 6 pounds feels exactly like being 6 weeks pregnant: You think everyone can see the subtle changes in your body, but the only person who does is your mom. "You're wasting away!" she exclaimed, squeezing me affectionately around the waist. I ran 3 times this week: The first two runs I got to 3 miles, but the second only 2. I see now why runners like the morning: When I tried running in the afternoon it was already very humid, and I felt like I was dragging a bag of sand behind me with each step. The only thing keeping me going was my nifty new free app called Run Keeper, which tracks distance and spits out tunes at the same time. I spoke to trainer David Kirsch this week, and one tip I took away was to change not only what I eat, but where. When I confessed to him that my husband and I often have dinner in a bleary-eyed haze in front of the TV, he suggested actually using the dinner table for, well, dinner: "The goal is to truly enjoy your food," he said. While I still ate everything on my plate, sitting at the table forced me to eat more slowly, and for my husband and me to connect on a deeper level by conversing about our day. I haven't been able to give up chocolate, and find myself still breaking off a piece every night before bed, but I've switched to dark, which has antioxidants. I've also noticed my skin seems clearer. And, on an exciting note, I was finally able to button my prized blue pants (pictured). They still are too tight, but here's to hoping by next week they fit comfortably.
MORE: Back to Week 2 of My Weight Loss Mission
Motivational quote I used to get me through: "Sometimes you get so in the zone, you forget to enjoy your passions. I love running, but I also love the movies, relaxing on the beach, shopping and spending time with my friends. Enjoying my life helps me enjoy my running." –Allyson Felix, Olympic runner
Workout Song: "I Will Wait," by Mumford & Sons
Snacks: Greek yogurt, organic strawberries
Meals: We took the kids on a weekend road trip, and I immediately panicked: How would I not pig out on vacation? Luckily, David, who often gets brought out to dinner with celebrities to help them choose healthy meals off the menu, came to the rescue. Here are his five tips for healthy eating at a restaurant:
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Stay away from the bread basket. If you are too hungry to wait, order a salad as soon as you sit down to tide you over until your entrée is served.
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Avoid anything that is breaded or fried. When ordering fish or chicken, stick to things that are baked, seared or grilled to avoid extra fat and oil.
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If you find yourself at a Mexican restaurant, say no to cheese and sour cream. Order something with fresh ingredients such as fish or chicken tacos, rather than cheesy enchiladas.
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Headed out for sushi? Follow my Good, Better, Best philosophy. Good: Sushi roll with brown rice and low sodium soy sauce. Better: Hand-cut roll with seaweed or cucumber and no rice, wasabi and ginger as condiments. Best: Sashimi with edamame and fresh lemon as a condiment.
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I know a lot of parents out there are guilty of ordering a salad and then picking at the chicken fingers and French fries their kids order from the kids' menu. My solution? Don't let your kids order off the kids' menu. Order a half portion from the adults' menu, or have them share if you have more than one child. They'll feel grown-up ordering off the adult menu, they won't be eating the unhealthy food that is often on the kids' menu, and you won't ruin your diet by munching on their macaroni and cheese.
MORE: Back to Week One of My Weight Loss Mission
Exercises:
I joined a local running club and have been helping raise money for a 5-mile race taking place in a few months. A cousin I was close to passed away this month from cancer, and in her memory I raised $360 for the American Cancer Society. It made me realize how getting into shape reaches into other aspects of one's life. It's not about a number on a scale but a way of life. I am up to 3 miles so far, and hope to continue training. With David I tried side plank (instructions below) and a fun strength-training move called palm trees with 3-pound weights (pictured).
Side Plank to Forward Plank:
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Lie on your belly. Clasp your hands together and raise your body so that you are balancing your forearms and the balls of your feet. Your body should be parallel to the floor and your abs tight. Suck your abs in, and don't drop your butt or curve your back.
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Lift into a side plank on your right side by bringing your right hand forward so your forearm is perpendicular with your body and your left hand is on your hip. Hold for two seconds.
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Return to the plank and then lift into a side plank on your left side. Continue to alternate sides 10 times.
Stay tuned next week to see how far along Kate has come!
