Yoga is not for wimps!

About a month ago, I started back on my weight loss journey.  I joined Weight Watchers and started using Slim & Sassy essential oil blend to help with my intense sugar cravings.  You can reread it all right here if you desire.

Well, I am happy to report a few things.....
I have lost 5 pounds.  
I have been able to keep my breastfeeding going through the whole thing.  

The weight loss is much slower than I would like but I am assured by both my doctor and other super moms out there that slower is better when you are trying feed a baby.  Losing too fast can release lots of junk into your milk which is not good for babykins.  So I will learn to be content that the scale though slowly moving is slowly moving down.

Now that I am established on the eating portion of it, I started adding exercise.

Let me say, 3 C-sections in 4 years have taken a huge toll on my midsection and core stength.  I have had to start with baby steps.  No Jillian Michaels style training here.  I don't want to risk an injury that would keep me from taking care of my household, going to work, being on some silly pain medcine or worse.  So walking....specifically Walk Away the Pounds and Yoga have been my go to workouts.

Yoga envokes a picture in my mind of blissful, happy, strength and stretching.  You come out of the workout feeling uplifted and glowing.  Namaste!!!!  Ohmmmmmmmm

Reality.....after doing a 15 minutes with Rodney Yee I am sweating like pig,  panting like a dog and wondering what have I done to myself?!

Then I wake up at 3:30 am to feed my baby and OUCH!  I felt stuck in bed.  My back, my legs, my abs, even my earlobes were sore.  OK OK, maybe not my earlobes but my goodness was I sore.  I did YOGA!  Not crossfit.  I was supposed to be rejuvinated not mamed!

Break out the Deep Blue Rub.  I dab about a nickel size amount along my lower back and within minutes I feel the back loosen up.  I can bend and twist again.  I can pick up a hungry baby.  Good things!  Deep Blue rub saves that "morning" or do we still call 3:30am night?  haha

Straight from doTERRA:

DEEP BLUE^® RUB

dō̄TERRA’s Deep Blue Rub is a rich, topical cream infused with Deep Blue Soothing Blend of Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils that provides targeted comfort to tired and sore joints and muscles. Formulated with a proprietary blend of natural plant extracts and other powerful ingredients,Deep Blue Rub provides a comforting sensation of cooling and warmth to problem areas. With close to 5 ml of dōTERRA’s top-selling Deep Blue essential oil blend of wintergreen, camphor, peppermint, bluetansy, German chamomile, helichrysum, and osmanthus, Deep Blue Rub is an essential addition to your bathroom cabinet, gym bag, or first aid kit. Deep Blue Rub is blended in a base of moisturizing emollients that leave your skin feeling soft, not greasy and is the choice of massage therapists and sports practitioners for applying dō̄TERRA’s Deep Blue essential oil blend.

I woke up this morning still sore but mobile.  I can tell I got in a good workout.  I have not needed any OTC medications to deal with my discomfort.  I can't really call it pain but discomfort fits the bill.  Not enough that I won't be doing another workout tonight. 

Deep Blue also comes as an oil blend in a 5mL bottle or a 10mL roll on.  It is great to help with sore joints and muscles.  If the pain is more arthritic, add some Frankincense with the Deep Blue for a more powerful pain killer.  My mother uses that combo on her knee frequently.

For more information on how you can use the oils to transform your gym bag check out the  Gym Bag makeover from doTERRA.  

To me, if I am going to bust my butt to get in shape, I really don't want to add a bunch of chemicals to the mix.  Exercise releases toxins.  Why add more?  Go natural and use Mother Nature to help you get healthy and happy!

Oh Baby!

Oh Baby!

One week ago, I welcomed my third baby into the world.  I was scheduled for a C-section on April 11 but he decided he wanted a different birthday.  On Thursday, I had contractions all day and went to get checked out at Labor & Delivery.  They sent me home but said if he wasn't moving much or the contractions got closer come back.  Friday morning, I didn't feel he was moving enough so we headed back to the hospital.  The doctor said it was time for him to join the big world!  

Now, I will say I am not a doctor, doula or a birth expert but I will share how we used the oils during recovery.  The oils worked great for me but know this is one woman's experience.

After I was rolled from recovery to my room for a few days, I asked my husband to set up the diffuser.  We brought our entire bag of oils and the Ace Diffuser so we could set it and forget it essentially.  I wanted On Guard but that was left at home so we turned on Serenity.  The room filled with the lovely smell of lavender and vanilla.  It helped me chill out after the excitement of having a new baby.  The next morning, the OnGuard was started.  I didn't want to pick up any mega germs from the hospital.

                                               

Every doctor, nurse and tech that came into my room commented on how nice the whole hallway smelled.  The really liked to come in a check on us since it didn't smell like a hospital.  I made sure no one was bothered by it and they assured me other patients were enjoying the smell.  I actually passed out material about the oils while staying in the hospital!  (I tell everyone how easy the oils are to talk about and share!)  

On the second night in the hospital, I noticed my baby boy was really stuffy.  He seemed to have trouble nursing because of such a stuffy nose.  I asked the nurse to check him out and she offered saline and the nose sucker.  "There isn't much we can do for them at this age."  I asked my husband to get the Breathe oil out and apply some to his feet and my chest.  Not even 10 minutes later, my sweet boy was breathing better and nursing like a champ again.  The nurse noticed and asked what I had done.  I proudly told her.  She wanted more information!  She was pregnant too.  I felt empowered!  I had helped my child when modern medicine could not due to safety.  

                                               

Nursing was a huge struggle with my first two children.  I was determined to find a better way with this baby.  Say hello to Clary Sage.  Clary Sage is known to help women through labor by enhancing contractions.  I didn't need that but Clary Sage also is known to help bring in a mother's milk.  I immediately started applying 2 drops to the breast area twice a day.  My milk has come in strong!  My baby boy is happily eating away and I couldn't be happier.

Now that we are home, I have used Balance and Lavender on the baby.   It helps calm his tummy.  For myself, I applied Helichrysum to my incision to help with healing, Elevation to have energy and keep the happy feelings going, Grapefruit in my water to reduce the swelling and Fennel to help boost my milk supply.  After having two previous C-sections, I have to say this has been my easiest recovery.  I want to get out and do stuff although I know I must get some rest and not push it for now.