Tuesday, 31 January 2017
Follow my blog with Bloglovin Diet guilt and how to overcome it and move on
We have all been there, it's a wednesday night, mid week and you think you will just have a couple of squares of dairy milk, then before you know it you have demolished an entire family sized bar. You sit there feeling like a terrible human and instead of seeing this as a minor setback and moving on it's now a huge disaster and your diet is officially over, and you will have to start again on Monday...because it's an unwritten rule new diets have to start on Mondays.
I definitely find myself in these situations, probably more often than I like to admit. It's disheartening because eating clean makes me look and feel so much better than a giant bar or chocolate or a tub of ice cream ever will. But sometimes it happens and here's how I get over, what I refer to as 'binge guilt.'
1. Don't beat yourself up. It's happened and you can't turn back the clock. Have a large glass of water to flush out and detox your body then re-start the healthy eating from now and leave it in the past.
2. Make sure your diet isn't leaving you too hungry. This is especially important if you are exercising and following a healthy eating plan. Ensure you are getting enough calories from healthy foods so that your body isn't left craving the junk.
3. Treat yourself occasionally. If you don't allow any treats then your body will just crave the junk even more. A few squares of chocolate are fine just don't have it every day, and if you can pick the healthiest option of junk (if that makes any sense!) So if you want to have chocolate pick good quality dark chocolate with at least 60% cocoa solids. At least then you are getting some antioxidants.
4. Have plenty of healthy treats in the house. Fruits, fresh and dried, mixed nuts (although not too many) natural greek yoghurt, I love the 'Pulsin protein' bars which are full of healthy ingredients, no refined sugar and have 12g protein per serving. By having lots of healthy snack options you are less likely to reach for the unhealthy treats.
5. Don't starve yourself after a binge. This is the worst thing you can do. If the way you combat a binge is to then starve yourself to get rid of any weight you have gained you will only end up bingeing again. Trust me it's a viscious circle and one that I used to get caught up in all too frequently. Just go back to eating healthy and normal quantities.
7. Think about the time when you would usually eat crappy foods...is it in the evening in front of the telly? You need to remove the assosiation between these times of the day and 'treating' yourself. Run a bath and have a pamper instead, read a book, just replace it with a positive activity.
8. Think about your end goal. A chocolate bar provides immediate gratification, but think how much better you will feel a couple of months down the line when you are on the beach looking amazing in your bikini. It's not all about size either healthy eating and drinking plenty of water will make your skin, hair and nails all better, not to mention how you feel inside.
9. Try and get the people around you to help. Richard is always bringing home chocolate and crisps and I am often quite happy to help him eat them but if you get your partner involved then you can encourage each other, especially at times of weakness!
10. Don't buy any 'junk' foods. If you don't have any of the unhealthy stuff in the house then there is no test of willpower, plus you will probably save some money too.
Jx
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Monday, 30 January 2017
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Benefits of working out at home
I have always been a big fan of home workouts, whether that means using my vast library of exercise DVD's or the workouts that I write out myself. Obviously some people love going to the gym and that's great aswell but you don't actually need loads of fancy equipment to get in great shape.
There are also plenty of benefits to exercising within your own home;
1. It's free! financially you do not have to spend any money at all when you workout at home, there's no expensive membership fee. I have spent money on a selection of dumbells, some kettlebells and also exercise DVD's. But you don't actually even have to do that. There are plenty of free, full workouts that you can find on YouTube, and if you search 'bodyweight' workouts or 'no equipment workouts' there are plenty of options to try. I personally recomment the 'Fitness blender' workouts and 'Bodyfit by Amy' also has some really good ones. It is cheap enough to buy a set of dumbells off of Amazon but you can also improvise and use cans or full water bottles. A lot of the things you may have lying around the house if you have children like skipping ropes and hula hoops also can provide a great cardio element to workouts. In addition running up and down the stairs and taking the stairs two at a time is great for toning up the legs and bum.
2. It's quicker...okay so the workout may be the same time if you are in the gym or at home, but working out in your house removes the travel element and preparation time that it takes to get to and from the gym.
3. It doesn't matter what you look like, and there's nobody 'judging' you. If you want to workout in your sports bra and knickers then that's just fine! You might want to close the curtains so the postman doesn't get an eyeful of you doing squats in your pants and hubby might give you a funny look, but there's no need to feel self conscious at home. I am not saying there's any need to feel anxious in the gym either, but I personally tend to feel a little intimidated, especially when entering in the muscle and testosterone filled weights section.
4. There's no need to organise childcare if you are a mum. Okay so the workout may be a little more challenging and you may have to time it around naps...oh and it's likely you will get interrupted right in the middle sometimes but there's no hassle or potential cost of finding a babysitter or waiting for hubby to get home from work.
5. You can involve your kids. There's plenty of workouts on Youtube that show you how to (safely) incorporate your baby into your workouts. As Rafe gets older I defintely want to include him in my home workout regime. Not only is it fun and good bonding time but it's also setting a good example and getting them moving there bodies and making it the norm to involve exercise in everyday life.
It's easier to feel the awful but ever familiar 'mum guilt' when taking time to yourself to get your workout in, but exercise is so good for the body and the mind. A natural anti-depressant and it sets a brilliant example to children. In my case that 45minutes to an hour of the day when I just focus on me, really keeps me sane. By getting it done at home you are still right there for your kids if they need you aswell.
Jx
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I have always been a big fan of home workouts, whether that means using my vast library of exercise DVD's or the workouts that I write out myself. Obviously some people love going to the gym and that's great aswell but you don't actually need loads of fancy equipment to get in great shape.
There are also plenty of benefits to exercising within your own home;
1. It's free! financially you do not have to spend any money at all when you workout at home, there's no expensive membership fee. I have spent money on a selection of dumbells, some kettlebells and also exercise DVD's. But you don't actually even have to do that. There are plenty of free, full workouts that you can find on YouTube, and if you search 'bodyweight' workouts or 'no equipment workouts' there are plenty of options to try. I personally recomment the 'Fitness blender' workouts and 'Bodyfit by Amy' also has some really good ones. It is cheap enough to buy a set of dumbells off of Amazon but you can also improvise and use cans or full water bottles. A lot of the things you may have lying around the house if you have children like skipping ropes and hula hoops also can provide a great cardio element to workouts. In addition running up and down the stairs and taking the stairs two at a time is great for toning up the legs and bum.
2. It's quicker...okay so the workout may be the same time if you are in the gym or at home, but working out in your house removes the travel element and preparation time that it takes to get to and from the gym.
3. It doesn't matter what you look like, and there's nobody 'judging' you. If you want to workout in your sports bra and knickers then that's just fine! You might want to close the curtains so the postman doesn't get an eyeful of you doing squats in your pants and hubby might give you a funny look, but there's no need to feel self conscious at home. I am not saying there's any need to feel anxious in the gym either, but I personally tend to feel a little intimidated, especially when entering in the muscle and testosterone filled weights section.
4. There's no need to organise childcare if you are a mum. Okay so the workout may be a little more challenging and you may have to time it around naps...oh and it's likely you will get interrupted right in the middle sometimes but there's no hassle or potential cost of finding a babysitter or waiting for hubby to get home from work.
5. You can involve your kids. There's plenty of workouts on Youtube that show you how to (safely) incorporate your baby into your workouts. As Rafe gets older I defintely want to include him in my home workout regime. Not only is it fun and good bonding time but it's also setting a good example and getting them moving there bodies and making it the norm to involve exercise in everyday life.
It's easier to feel the awful but ever familiar 'mum guilt' when taking time to yourself to get your workout in, but exercise is so good for the body and the mind. A natural anti-depressant and it sets a brilliant example to children. In my case that 45minutes to an hour of the day when I just focus on me, really keeps me sane. By getting it done at home you are still right there for your kids if they need you aswell.
Jx
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Saturday, 28 January 2017
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Healthy eating and losing the baby weight; Preparation is key!
I am just over 7 weeks post baby and currently 5lbs away from my pre baby weight of 123lbs. This extra 5lbs seems to have set up camp on my waist and stomach and is showing no signs of moving at the moment and that's fine I am in no hurry to lose it and I am defintely not dieting or restricting myself. I have just been eating as healthy as is possible for a self confessed hobnob lover! I have also been exclusively breastfeeding and doing weight bearing workouts at least five times a week, which I think has helped with weight loss.
I recently had to cut dairy out of my diet due to my baby being intolerant to it (see earlier posts) and the lack of cheese, chocolate and ice-cream has definitely helped aswell.
I am not a nutritionist, fitness expert or in anyway formally qualified to advise on weight loss these are just things that work for me personally.
1. Before breakfast I drink coffee without milk with a teaspoon of coconut oil added. Coffee is very necessary to get me up and functioning while looking after a baby and I add the coconut oil because it it rich in the fatty acid Lauric acid, known for its antimicrobial properties. I am planning to dedicate a whole post on the many ways I use coconut oil and its benefits.
2. I always eat breakfast. A healthy, hearty breakfast sets you up for the day and all that and I truly believe this. Breakfast for me is usually porridge. I make my basic plain porridge with 40g of oats, a pinch of salt and some cinnamon and I use almond milk. I don't measure anything out I just do it by eye, but it is around 40g of oats. Then you can just get creative with toppings, I usually have a chopped banana and some honey. Here are a few ideas for other healthy toppings;
Blueberries or mixed berries, frozen berries are cheaper to buy than fresh and you can just defrost them in the fridge overnight and either cook them with the porridge or add them after.
Chopped apple and raisins with cinnamon, again you can either cook this (as I prefer) or add after.
Chopped dates and crushed hazelnuts or almonds.
You could also add a scoop of protein powder to make the protein content higher particuarly if you are exercising.
Oats are a great food if you are breastfeeding as they are known to promote a healthy milk supply. They are also high in fibre and low GI, therefore help to prevent spikes in blood sugar levels.
3. Meal prep! I meal prep my lunches in tupperware boxes and pop them in the fridge. Having a screaming baby to take care of can lead to me reaching for a sausage roll or some other nutrient lacking, quick fix lunch. For this reason I prepare at least 4 days worth of meals at the start of the week that I can just grab from the fridge and eat with one hand while trying to feed my baby with the other.
Some meal prep ideas;
I will cook up 500g of lean turkey mince with coconut oil, a chopped onion, a teaspoon of curry powder and a tiny bit of harissa paste. Again I don't measure I just go by eye. I will then steam any veggies, I personally love kale, brocolli, green beans, peas and corgettes (obviously I will just pick about two or three types for each batch of meal prep not every single one.) I also steam sliced sweet potato if I am using that as my carbohydrate or if not I will cook wholegrain rice. When everything is cooked I just divide it all equally between four tupperware tubs and I am sorted.
You can select different types of lean protein, tuna or salmon work well with salad leaves and rice, avocado and tomatoes. Or instead of turkey mince you could use chopped chicken breast or lean beef mince with chilli powder rather than curry powder.
4. When it comes to healthy dinners I tend to eat the same as my fiance who is not massively concerned with healthy eating and certainly doesn't need to lose any weight. I do not have time to cook two completely separate meals while taking care of a seven week old baby so I just make healthy substitutions for myself for certain parts of a meal. For example for spaghetti bolognese I will have a baked sweet potato and steamed vegetables rather than spaghetti or I will use a spiraliser and make corgette spaghetti to eat instead. I always have wholegrain rice rather than white rice to accompany chillis and if I make fajitas I will have steamed veggies with the chicken rather than eating it in a wrap.
5.Having healthy snacks in the house is something that I find crucial for healthy eating success. I have a big appetite and sometimes I need to eat between meals, plus breastfeeding makes me extra hungry. I have a box of the Pulsin protein bars, these are great, not particuarly low calorie but they contain 12g of protein they are dairy and soya free and suitable for vegans and taste pretty good too.
I also make sure we have plenty of fruits and nuts in the house that I can just grab. I also love sliced apple with wholearth peanut butter on it. Wholemeal toast with peanut butter and sliced banana or marmite is another one of my favourites. Again these are not necessarily low calorie but they are healthy snack options.
I also drink protein shakes post workout to aid my muscle recovery and I occasionally have one as a snack between meals aswell. I use the Vega sport protein. This is a vegan protein powder so it does not contain whey and I find the vanilla flavour particuarly nice. I make it with water and it contains 30g protein per serving.
6. Hydration. I drink at least two litres of water during the day and then I will drink a further litre overnight when I am feeding the baby. It is so important for anyone to be drinking plenty of water, it helps to flush toxins out of the body, prevents constipation and for me it definitely improves my skin by stopping me getting breakouts. When you are breastfeeding staying hydrated is crucial for milk supply aswell, particuarly if, like me, you are working out aswell as breastfeeding.
7. Supplements. I talked about the Boots prenatal supplement that I am continuing to take while breastfeeding in my post natal hair loss prevention post. It just ensures I am getting all the vitamins and minerals that I need. I also take a DHA fish oil capsule daily
These are just things that I find work for me. I don't always stick to this religiously and some days I do end up eating sweets and crisps but I do try and follow this the majority of the time because I feel better in myself when I eat healthily and take care of my body.
Jx
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I am just over 7 weeks post baby and currently 5lbs away from my pre baby weight of 123lbs. This extra 5lbs seems to have set up camp on my waist and stomach and is showing no signs of moving at the moment and that's fine I am in no hurry to lose it and I am defintely not dieting or restricting myself. I have just been eating as healthy as is possible for a self confessed hobnob lover! I have also been exclusively breastfeeding and doing weight bearing workouts at least five times a week, which I think has helped with weight loss.
I recently had to cut dairy out of my diet due to my baby being intolerant to it (see earlier posts) and the lack of cheese, chocolate and ice-cream has definitely helped aswell.
I am not a nutritionist, fitness expert or in anyway formally qualified to advise on weight loss these are just things that work for me personally.
1. Before breakfast I drink coffee without milk with a teaspoon of coconut oil added. Coffee is very necessary to get me up and functioning while looking after a baby and I add the coconut oil because it it rich in the fatty acid Lauric acid, known for its antimicrobial properties. I am planning to dedicate a whole post on the many ways I use coconut oil and its benefits.
2. I always eat breakfast. A healthy, hearty breakfast sets you up for the day and all that and I truly believe this. Breakfast for me is usually porridge. I make my basic plain porridge with 40g of oats, a pinch of salt and some cinnamon and I use almond milk. I don't measure anything out I just do it by eye, but it is around 40g of oats. Then you can just get creative with toppings, I usually have a chopped banana and some honey. Here are a few ideas for other healthy toppings;
Blueberries or mixed berries, frozen berries are cheaper to buy than fresh and you can just defrost them in the fridge overnight and either cook them with the porridge or add them after.
Chopped apple and raisins with cinnamon, again you can either cook this (as I prefer) or add after.
Chopped dates and crushed hazelnuts or almonds.
You could also add a scoop of protein powder to make the protein content higher particuarly if you are exercising.
Oats are a great food if you are breastfeeding as they are known to promote a healthy milk supply. They are also high in fibre and low GI, therefore help to prevent spikes in blood sugar levels.
3. Meal prep! I meal prep my lunches in tupperware boxes and pop them in the fridge. Having a screaming baby to take care of can lead to me reaching for a sausage roll or some other nutrient lacking, quick fix lunch. For this reason I prepare at least 4 days worth of meals at the start of the week that I can just grab from the fridge and eat with one hand while trying to feed my baby with the other.
Some meal prep ideas;
I will cook up 500g of lean turkey mince with coconut oil, a chopped onion, a teaspoon of curry powder and a tiny bit of harissa paste. Again I don't measure I just go by eye. I will then steam any veggies, I personally love kale, brocolli, green beans, peas and corgettes (obviously I will just pick about two or three types for each batch of meal prep not every single one.) I also steam sliced sweet potato if I am using that as my carbohydrate or if not I will cook wholegrain rice. When everything is cooked I just divide it all equally between four tupperware tubs and I am sorted.
You can select different types of lean protein, tuna or salmon work well with salad leaves and rice, avocado and tomatoes. Or instead of turkey mince you could use chopped chicken breast or lean beef mince with chilli powder rather than curry powder.
4. When it comes to healthy dinners I tend to eat the same as my fiance who is not massively concerned with healthy eating and certainly doesn't need to lose any weight. I do not have time to cook two completely separate meals while taking care of a seven week old baby so I just make healthy substitutions for myself for certain parts of a meal. For example for spaghetti bolognese I will have a baked sweet potato and steamed vegetables rather than spaghetti or I will use a spiraliser and make corgette spaghetti to eat instead. I always have wholegrain rice rather than white rice to accompany chillis and if I make fajitas I will have steamed veggies with the chicken rather than eating it in a wrap.
5.Having healthy snacks in the house is something that I find crucial for healthy eating success. I have a big appetite and sometimes I need to eat between meals, plus breastfeeding makes me extra hungry. I have a box of the Pulsin protein bars, these are great, not particuarly low calorie but they contain 12g of protein they are dairy and soya free and suitable for vegans and taste pretty good too.
I also make sure we have plenty of fruits and nuts in the house that I can just grab. I also love sliced apple with wholearth peanut butter on it. Wholemeal toast with peanut butter and sliced banana or marmite is another one of my favourites. Again these are not necessarily low calorie but they are healthy snack options.
I also drink protein shakes post workout to aid my muscle recovery and I occasionally have one as a snack between meals aswell. I use the Vega sport protein. This is a vegan protein powder so it does not contain whey and I find the vanilla flavour particuarly nice. I make it with water and it contains 30g protein per serving.
6. Hydration. I drink at least two litres of water during the day and then I will drink a further litre overnight when I am feeding the baby. It is so important for anyone to be drinking plenty of water, it helps to flush toxins out of the body, prevents constipation and for me it definitely improves my skin by stopping me getting breakouts. When you are breastfeeding staying hydrated is crucial for milk supply aswell, particuarly if, like me, you are working out aswell as breastfeeding.
7. Supplements. I talked about the Boots prenatal supplement that I am continuing to take while breastfeeding in my post natal hair loss prevention post. It just ensures I am getting all the vitamins and minerals that I need. I also take a DHA fish oil capsule daily
These are just things that I find work for me. I don't always stick to this religiously and some days I do end up eating sweets and crisps but I do try and follow this the majority of the time because I feel better in myself when I eat healthily and take care of my body.
Jx
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Friday, 27 January 2017
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Vega Sport plant based protein powder review
Since I have had my baby I have been keen to tone up and regain some of the muscle mass that I lost during pregnancy. I started working out again two weeks post birth and I am now completing weight bearing workouts at least five times a week. I have been taking the Vega sport plant based protein powder to ensure my diet is providing enough protein for my muscles to repair.
Since I am now following a dairy free diet whey protein powder was no longer an option so I looked around for an alternative. The Vega sport is a vegan plant based protein that contains 30g of protein per full scoop serving aswell as 6g BCAA's and 6g of Glutamine.
It has no added sugar and is sweetened with Stevia and it is also soya free.
So what's in it? It contains pea protein, pumpkin seed protein and Alfalfa protein. It also contains probiotics to help aid a healthy digestive system.
I have been using this protein in the vanilla flavour for around a week now and I personally think it is great. Firstly if you are used to vanilla flavour whey protein then be warned this does not taste exactly the same. You can tell the product is very natural and there is no sickly sweet, synthetic, vanilla milkshake like flavour here. You can see the specks of vanilla seeds in your shaker aswell. It is, I would say a taste that you get used to. I love it in shakes but I do not personally enjoy it added to porridge as I do with my previous whey based proteins.
In regard to digestion I think this is much better than whey based shakes, it seems to digest quickly without causing bloating or...er...wind. Also from reading through the ingredients they are all very healthy and clean. I prefer to use this whilst breastfeeding than whey protein because some lower quality whey can contain unsafe levels of heavy metals. In regard to price I pay £42.89 for 828g so it is a little expensive, but then for the high quality ingredients in contains I don't mind paying a bit extra.
In conclusion the taste of this protein can take a little getting used to if you usually use whey but the consistency is smooth and not grainy. It provides a great amount of protein per serving aswell at 30g and it is brilliant for anyone who is vegan or wanting to eat clean.
Jx Follow Follow Pinterest
Since I have had my baby I have been keen to tone up and regain some of the muscle mass that I lost during pregnancy. I started working out again two weeks post birth and I am now completing weight bearing workouts at least five times a week. I have been taking the Vega sport plant based protein powder to ensure my diet is providing enough protein for my muscles to repair.
Since I am now following a dairy free diet whey protein powder was no longer an option so I looked around for an alternative. The Vega sport is a vegan plant based protein that contains 30g of protein per full scoop serving aswell as 6g BCAA's and 6g of Glutamine.
It has no added sugar and is sweetened with Stevia and it is also soya free.
So what's in it? It contains pea protein, pumpkin seed protein and Alfalfa protein. It also contains probiotics to help aid a healthy digestive system.
I have been using this protein in the vanilla flavour for around a week now and I personally think it is great. Firstly if you are used to vanilla flavour whey protein then be warned this does not taste exactly the same. You can tell the product is very natural and there is no sickly sweet, synthetic, vanilla milkshake like flavour here. You can see the specks of vanilla seeds in your shaker aswell. It is, I would say a taste that you get used to. I love it in shakes but I do not personally enjoy it added to porridge as I do with my previous whey based proteins.
In regard to digestion I think this is much better than whey based shakes, it seems to digest quickly without causing bloating or...er...wind. Also from reading through the ingredients they are all very healthy and clean. I prefer to use this whilst breastfeeding than whey protein because some lower quality whey can contain unsafe levels of heavy metals. In regard to price I pay £42.89 for 828g so it is a little expensive, but then for the high quality ingredients in contains I don't mind paying a bit extra.
In conclusion the taste of this protein can take a little getting used to if you usually use whey but the consistency is smooth and not grainy. It provides a great amount of protein per serving aswell at 30g and it is brilliant for anyone who is vegan or wanting to eat clean.
Jx Follow Follow Pinterest
Thursday, 26 January 2017
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Dealing with post partum hair
It seems massively unfair that after all that our bodies have already had to cope with in regard to pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding that now our hair is affected aswell. Hair loss is common after having a baby and usually occurs between 3-6 months after birth...I have not suffered any yet but I am starting to worry that it is just a matter of time seeing as I am not yet two months out. Apparently this can be caused by the drop in hormones after pregnancy. While pregnant it is likely your hair loss decreases and your hair will feel thicker and healthier, then after pregnancy with the drop in certain hormones you may then lose all the hair that you would have lost anyway but didn't due to pregnancy.
Other post natal complaints can include hair being drier (which has definitely happened to my frizzy barnet) and being more flyaway.
In order to try and minimise the chances of suffering this I have been taking some precautions and using some products to try and keep my hair healthy.
The first thing I am doing is taking a vitamin supplement. I am currently still taking the Boots Pregnancy support vitamins which I took throughout my pregnancy and are suitable to take while breastfeeding, they just ensure your body is getting all the vitamins and minerals it needs.
In addition to this I also take my prenatal DHA fish oil capsules, taking essential fatty acids can help with hair loss and encourage the growth of healthy hair. I also try and eat salmon once per week and plenty of avocados for the healthy fats they contain.
In regards to diet I make sure I eat plenty of protein. I am not a vegetarian so I do get protein from lean meat and fish like turkey and tuna. I also eat plenty of beans and pulses and nuts. I am currently on a dairy free diet but milk and cheese are also good sources of protein and calcium. I also use the 'Vega sport' protein shake when I workout to ensure my muscles have enough protein to recover and that the exercise does not effect my milk supply. I am going to do a full review on this protein in another post but it is vegan and whey free (some whey powder can contain heavy metals and is not ideal to use while breastfeeding) and it actually tastes pretty good and gives you 30g protein per serving. Another high protein snack I eat is the 'Pulsin' protein bars, I have the vanilla chocolate chip flavour which tastes really naughty but actually contains all healthy ingredients with no gluten or soya. They also give you 12g of protein per bar.
Another really important factor especially while breastfeeding is to stay super hydrated. I drink at least two litres of water during the day and then I have my water bottle beside the bed and drink another litre throughout the night during night feeds. Not only is this beneficial for breastfeeding and milk supply but it also aids healthy skin, flushes toxins from the body and will help healthy hair growth for those who suffer dry and brittle hair.
Now on to the products that I use on my hair. Firstly the Holy grail of hair brushes the Tangle teezer, I always associated this as a brush for children but it is amazing on both wet and dry hair and detangles really effectively while minimising the amount of hair breakage. And they come in loads of cool colours and designs, definitely a hair must have!
Next Batiste dry shampoo. I've tried a few dry shampoos and I always end up back with Batiste. It's not healthy to wash your hair too frequently, and when you are a mum it's not that easy either! I tend to wash mine twice to three times a week which doesn't sound very often but I am not prone to greasy hair. The Batiste refreshes hair really well between washes, there are loads of different scents to choose from and it's one of those faithful products that you just know won't let you down.
Next I try and use a gentle shampoo when I do wash my hair. At the moment I am loving the 'Organix' range and I am using the anti-breakage keratin oil one. This shampoo contains fortifying keratin proteins that strengthen the hair and increase it's elasticity helping to prevent breakage. It also smells nice!
I also use a deep conditioning mask every time I was my hair. I use the L'Oreal Absolut repair lipidium deep conditioning one for very damaged hair. I wash my hair in the shower before washing my body then after rinsing the shampoo out I apply this mask and put my hair in a clip so it has some time to work it's magic while I wash my body. It really helps condition the hair especially if you have highlights like me and it smells lovely.
I also try to use raw, virgin coconut oil as a hair mask about once a fortnight (possibly less frequently now I have a baby!) I would put it on dry hair before bed and then wash it off in the morning. Coconut oil is super moisturing and nourishing for the hair.
I always apply a serum to my wet hair after each wash and at the moment I am loving the Wella professionals Luxeoil. This is a reconstructive oil which provides keratin protection. I have never had a keratin treatment on my hair but I find this serum really smooths the hair follicle and again smells lovely. It is pricey but lasts ages, I only use two pumps and my hair is really long. You can also use it on dry hair to smooth flyaways.
I will keep you updated in my two and three month post partum updates as to how my hair is coping!
Jx
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Dealing with post partum hair
It seems massively unfair that after all that our bodies have already had to cope with in regard to pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding that now our hair is affected aswell. Hair loss is common after having a baby and usually occurs between 3-6 months after birth...I have not suffered any yet but I am starting to worry that it is just a matter of time seeing as I am not yet two months out. Apparently this can be caused by the drop in hormones after pregnancy. While pregnant it is likely your hair loss decreases and your hair will feel thicker and healthier, then after pregnancy with the drop in certain hormones you may then lose all the hair that you would have lost anyway but didn't due to pregnancy.
Other post natal complaints can include hair being drier (which has definitely happened to my frizzy barnet) and being more flyaway.
In order to try and minimise the chances of suffering this I have been taking some precautions and using some products to try and keep my hair healthy.
The first thing I am doing is taking a vitamin supplement. I am currently still taking the Boots Pregnancy support vitamins which I took throughout my pregnancy and are suitable to take while breastfeeding, they just ensure your body is getting all the vitamins and minerals it needs. In addition to this I also take my prenatal DHA fish oil capsules, taking essential fatty acids can help with hair loss and encourage the growth of healthy hair. I also try and eat salmon once per week and plenty of avocados for the healthy fats they contain.
In regards to diet I make sure I eat plenty of protein. I am not a vegetarian so I do get protein from lean meat and fish like turkey and tuna. I also eat plenty of beans and pulses and nuts. I am currently on a dairy free diet but milk and cheese are also good sources of protein and calcium. I also use the 'Vega sport' protein shake when I workout to ensure my muscles have enough protein to recover and that the exercise does not effect my milk supply. I am going to do a full review on this protein in another post but it is vegan and whey free (some whey powder can contain heavy metals and is not ideal to use while breastfeeding) and it actually tastes pretty good and gives you 30g protein per serving. Another high protein snack I eat is the 'Pulsin' protein bars, I have the vanilla chocolate chip flavour which tastes really naughty but actually contains all healthy ingredients with no gluten or soya. They also give you 12g of protein per bar.
Another really important factor especially while breastfeeding is to stay super hydrated. I drink at least two litres of water during the day and then I have my water bottle beside the bed and drink another litre throughout the night during night feeds. Not only is this beneficial for breastfeeding and milk supply but it also aids healthy skin, flushes toxins from the body and will help healthy hair growth for those who suffer dry and brittle hair.
Now on to the products that I use on my hair. Firstly the Holy grail of hair brushes the Tangle teezer, I always associated this as a brush for children but it is amazing on both wet and dry hair and detangles really effectively while minimising the amount of hair breakage. And they come in loads of cool colours and designs, definitely a hair must have!
Next Batiste dry shampoo. I've tried a few dry shampoos and I always end up back with Batiste. It's not healthy to wash your hair too frequently, and when you are a mum it's not that easy either! I tend to wash mine twice to three times a week which doesn't sound very often but I am not prone to greasy hair. The Batiste refreshes hair really well between washes, there are loads of different scents to choose from and it's one of those faithful products that you just know won't let you down.
Next I try and use a gentle shampoo when I do wash my hair. At the moment I am loving the 'Organix' range and I am using the anti-breakage keratin oil one. This shampoo contains fortifying keratin proteins that strengthen the hair and increase it's elasticity helping to prevent breakage. It also smells nice!
I also use a deep conditioning mask every time I was my hair. I use the L'Oreal Absolut repair lipidium deep conditioning one for very damaged hair. I wash my hair in the shower before washing my body then after rinsing the shampoo out I apply this mask and put my hair in a clip so it has some time to work it's magic while I wash my body. It really helps condition the hair especially if you have highlights like me and it smells lovely.
I also try to use raw, virgin coconut oil as a hair mask about once a fortnight (possibly less frequently now I have a baby!) I would put it on dry hair before bed and then wash it off in the morning. Coconut oil is super moisturing and nourishing for the hair.
I always apply a serum to my wet hair after each wash and at the moment I am loving the Wella professionals Luxeoil. This is a reconstructive oil which provides keratin protection. I have never had a keratin treatment on my hair but I find this serum really smooths the hair follicle and again smells lovely. It is pricey but lasts ages, I only use two pumps and my hair is really long. You can also use it on dry hair to smooth flyaways.
I will keep you updated in my two and three month post partum updates as to how my hair is coping!Jx
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