The Curious Mom

Just because we have kids doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t look fit and healthy, fierce and fabulous. Ah, but who has the time? We’re told that being a Mom is a full-time job but when our children are born we realize that it’s not just your full-time job, it’s your entire life. A full-time job, however demanding, at least has lunch breaks, sick pay and the knowledge that you can clock off at the end of the day. Parenthood is a vocation that demands every minute of every day, it’s a fast-paced race against the clock that begins the moment your baby’s eyes open for the first time and ends… well, we’ll have to get back to you on that!

This constant battle against time leaves us very little opportunity to look after our bodies, as we muddle through the day relying on unhealthy convenience foods. Despite your burning desire to get your pre-baby body back it’s easy to feel that you just don’t have the time away from baby to get back in shape. 

The great news is that you don’t have to spend hours slaving away at the gym. You can make really significant gains without even letting your baby out of your sight. No more will motherhood be the reason you can’t take care of yourself.

Minimum time, maximum effort

The most effective exercises use short bursts of high intensity so instead of going for a lengthy jog, opt for alternate turns briskly walking and sprinting. Yes, you can even do this with strollers, though some, such as the jog and stroll, are better equipped for fast movement than others. By alternating between gentle and intense exercises your body doesn’t have a chance to catch up and plateau as it does on a more leisurely jog. 

When we’re young, most of us enjoy going out to parties. If anything, drinking alcohol at this age is encouraged and even somewhat expected. When you’re in college or university most of us are sucked in by cheap student bars and even cheaper drinks. Parties are widely accepted, and it’s a time in your life when people know you are letting your hair down a bit and having fun. As time goes on, however, most people’s relationship with alcohol changes. When you get a job, have a family, or have other commitments it becomes more of something you enjoy on special occasions. A full night of partying might be replaced with a glass of wine at a dinner party. However, if you’re still drinking like you did when you were young, it can be a bit of a problem and could be a sign of addiction. 

According to https://www.psychologytoday.com, addiction is generally divided into two categories: chemical and psychological addiction. Chemical, also known as physical addiction occurs when the body is physically dependent on a substance. It cannot properly function without it, and you will develop strong withdrawal symptoms. Alcohol, certain drugs, and cigarettes are all examples of this kind of addiction. Psychological addiction is when emotion drives you to an action, such as shopping or gambling- while your body isn't dependent the brain can give very intense urges and cravings meaning it’s still incredibly difficult to overcome. It gets tricky when the two combine. In the case of physical addiction like with alcohol, you are often psychologically dependent too- http://alcoholrehab.com  explains more on this.

If you’re battling an addiction, the first step is to admit you have a problem. People can be in denial for years, which is easily done when it comes to drinking. No one will bat an eyelid at someone having a glass of wine at a social function or a beer after work. But the problem comes when you become dependent on these kinds of things. Perhaps you hide the true amount you drink from people or feel guilty about it. If you think things have taken a turn in this direction, you could talk to your GP, or a friend, or phone up a helpline. From there you can work out the steps to recovery to get back on track- it’s the best thing for your mental and physical health. The right treatment will depend on your current health and your personal situation, but spending time in a rehab center like https://www.orlandorecovery.com/ could be one way to go. As well as helping you to detox, it could aid you in gaining a new perspective.

Doc Pao is one of the kindest, if not the kindest doctor that you will ever meet. A lot of doctors say that they care about their patients but trust you me when I say that Dr. Paolo Bellosillo truly, madly, deeply cares for his patients in every way of form.

We had the chance to sit down and talk to Doc Pao amidst his busy schedule and here’s what we were able to discuss.

Before you have kids, you think that baby brain can’t possibly be a real thing. New mothers are tired and bound to get confused and flustered from time to time. But, many studies have already shown that baby brain is in fact tied to hormones. So, if you’re leaving your car keys in the fridge and trying to get into your car with a piece of cheese, it isn’t just fatigue that’s making you do it. Having said this, there are some ways you can be prepared to battle the baby brain. Here they are.

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Make Lists

A pen and paper can be sent from the heavens when you’re trying to figure out why you forgot your mother’s birthday last week. For new mothers who are usually organized, dealing with a baby brain can be a really upsetting experience. Writing down lists can help you to remember things you don’t want to forget. It’s often helpful to have your lists right in front of you. So, sticking a large chalkboard to the fridge can be of benefit. When you have a quiet five minutes, write your list and try to tick things off as you go along.

Vitamin D is needed for calcium absorption among infants, If Vitamin D Concentration in the mother’s breast milk is low (which, as studies show, is usually the case), this may lead to Vitamin D Deficiency in infants. Vitamin D Deficiency in infants can cause “rickets, delayed motor development, muscle weakness, aches and pains, and fractures” (see: http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/vitamin_d.html/context/204). Vitamin D Supplementation for breastfeeding mothers is important to help provide Vitamin D requirements of the breastfeeding infant. However, 7 out of 10 Filipinos are Vitamin D Deficient.