How I kept my slim figure – after four babies

How are you, Ms. Maricel?

I have noticed lately, in your Kitchenomics cooking portion on Eat Bulaga, that you have maintained your lovely slim figure despite the fact that you have given birth to four children.

I’m 27 and still single. When I entered high school, I became chubby, but I managed to get rid of my body fats by exercising and dieting. Since then, however, I have experienced weight swings – there were times when I would be really thin, then I would gain 10-15 pounds, and I would start to exercise and diet all over again.

I am getting old and I have noticed that my body does not respond abruptly or function the way it did. I hope you could help me overcome this yo-yo syndrome which I find tiring and depressing. I admit that when I reach my desired goal, I reward myself for the effort and discipline in controlling the food I eat with foods that are high in calories. The problem is, I get addicted to these foods and I tend to eat a lot until I gain back the unwanted pounds.

Ms. Maricel, what foods do you eat? Is six o’ clock dieting effective and healthy? I think my problem is how to maintain my weight once I reach my ideal weight. How do I do this?

Thank you,
Farida

Dear Farida,

Thank you for taking time out to e-mail me about your health concerns. I appreciate your kind words. Getting back in shape after each pregnancy is not an effort for me at all because in less than two weeks, my weight goes back to normal due to breastfeeding my children. A lot of discipline though takes place for the whole duration of my pregnancy when I make sure I don’t deceive myself into thinking that I eat for two people (that’s a common notion among pregnant women which leads to more excess weight gain). I also get into a regular workout while pregnant and keep away from stuff like soft drinks, sweets and chips. For my last baby, I gained only 25 lbs. Benjamin was born 10 lbs., my placenta was another 10 lbs., so you see, I only had 5 lbs. left to shed.

I have been able to maintain my figure by chewing my food for 20 seconds (something I forced myself to learn for two years with a clock that has a second hand in front of me while I eat). According to studies, it takes our stomachs 20 minutes to tell our brain that it’s full. When people eat their food in a jiffy, their stomachs get enlarged and by the time their brain gets the signal that they’re actually full, nabundat na sila. We really have small stomachs that don’t need bandejados worth of servings. When I eat slow and chew my food weIl, I help my intestines digest my food well. At the same time, having to chew all that food for so long really makes me lose interest in getting more because my jaws get so tired, and all my companions are off to doing other things when I still have food on my plate.

I have to admit though that even if I’m back in shape, I still don’t feel good about just being able to get back to my normal weight. You see, I have been fit all my life, having been involved in all sorts of sports like swimming, cross-country running, aerobics etc. Lately though, I know I am not fit because I have not made time for exercise because I have been prioritizing other things that are more important like caring for my children, etc. My husband reminded me though that if I don’t make time for exercise, my body might soon make time for illness. So lately, I have been taking walks to start a new exercise regimen. I have been also super inspired by my friend Jackie Lou Blanco (who at 37 still works on having a terrific body) to make time for fitness because my body is truly important and I must take care of it.

Whatever you get into, make it a lifestyle habit so you won’t have to start from step 1 each time you conquer one hindrance. I hope that helps. Your letter is a reminder and an incentive to continue what little I have started for a more fit me.

Sincerely,
Maricel

* * * More Exercise, More Breast Milk

Dear Maricel,

Hi! I’m Charmaine and I have some questions that I know you can answer.

Is it okay to exercise when you are a breastfeeding mother? I notice that when I’m doing exercise, I have fewer milk. I really want to lose the extra weight I gained when I was pregnant. Can you tell me what exercise is best?

I read in your column Mommy Talk that you wean your babies from breastfeeding when they reach one year old – what milk did you give them?

And lastly, what is the best age to send your toddler to school?

I’m certainly learning a lot from your column. Thank you for your time and God bless you. Keep up the good work!

Truly yours,
Charmaine

Dear Charmaine,

I don’t know of any connection between exercise and diminishing milk. I would like to think that it even contributes to more stimulation of milk since exercise definitely relaxes a nursing mother and relieves her of stress (which is a known factor in causing one to have lesser milk). There might be other reasons for your short supply. But whatever exercise you get into, it should be something that you enjoy doing. Even simple chores at home, when done with the proper posture – with tummy tucked in and resistance applied at each motion – can really be a big help. They say that when you tuck in your tummy for 10 seconds, that’s equivalent to one crunch already!

I usually give my kids formula when they turn one. Since they are allergic to cow’s milk because of their skin asthma, I give them soy or hypoallergenic milk.

I don’t really agree with putting kids to school too early. I have been advised by my children’s school administrator to give simple activities at home to entertain my toddlers. When they’ve been toilet-trained and you’ve spent a whole lot of time with them, I guess you may be more comfortable in sending them off to school to give them a variety of stuff to do.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for your letter.

Maricel

* * * More milk donors

Breastfriends update: I would like to thank my friend Marivic Hebron-Juan for giving 19 bags of precious milk for JM (whose story was printed here recently). His mother Mater texted me that aside from being able to supply JM with milk, they’ve been able to give to other preemies in the nursery. Jillian Anne has also benefited from it because of a request through e-mail. Christine Jacob also texted me her desire to share her milk. Please continue e-mailing me your requests for milk and your desire to help. We are saving lives in the process.

* * * MOM NEEDS HELP

Can you help this mom? E-mail your reply through bizwrks@attglobal.net.

Hello Maricel,

I’m one of your avid readers, your column is really such a big help especially for a working mom like me. My son doesn’t seem to listen!!! Sometimes, he does things that are simply amazing. I have a nephew who is a month older than my 20-month-old son who seems to be much smarter than my child. Will it matter if the child has an older sibling because that’s what my in-laws think?

Hope to hear from you. Good luck and God bless you and your family.

Truly yours,
Gwen